Drink Wine and Be Beautiful

I loved this collection of short stories about strong, Italian women! Not all stories take place in Italy but involve an Italian, place in Italy or references in some way. Most of the stories involve coming of age, escaping abusive relationships, cheating, finding yourself & other more mature topics but is not spicy.

If you want to be transported to Italy, read these emotional stories!

Such an easy to read book, not too long and as it is short stories I could read a bit, put it down and then pick it up again days later to read another story.

Stories of life in Italy and surround, about friendship, relationships, life in general and all that goes with it. All the stories are different, some more intriguing and interesting than others abut all great reads. It brings the culture of Italy to the fore, making life there real and not so different from any of our countries and any of the lives we lead.

Very interesting and great book for women.

Once again, Kimberly Sullivan does not disappoint. Her impressive range of stories, called forth a range of emotions, equally as powerful.

And I loved the tangle of them; a mix of joy, jealousy and shame in “Amica del Cuore” about leaving behind a cretino, and finding a friend of the heart in Rome.

“Early Morning Jogs” about rekindling marital bliss, by ….well, you’ll have to read it to find out! Pangs of remorse and independence. Defiance, exhilaration and sadness.

Then there was “Roman Snow” about a luggage mix-up that leads to more shaking up. If your luggage has ever been lost, what happened? Did you feel anger? Longing? Helplessness? You'll have a new appreciation for what happened in its life away from you before it found its way back to you again.

For more of Kimberly Sullivan’s great writing check out her book length fiction on her website. https://kimberlysullivanauthor.com/

I thoroughly enjoyed Kimberly Sullivan's collection of short stories about women finding their way in the world while experiencing love, despair, loss, anger, anomie. I loved the twists and surpises in Roman Snow, the female friendship in Amica del Cuore, and the poignancy of Heat Wave. The twenty-one stories are set mostly in Europe, but also in Bali, Morocco, and Ecuador. This mix of countries and cities, each with its own personality, was an added bonus - I could read "wherever" I wanted to go - Florence today, the Balkans tomorrow. - which is one of my favorite things about reading.

I loved this collection of short stories! Each story had a twist of Europe, mostly Italy. After the first two stories, I was hooked and. couldn't put it down, anxious to see where the next story started and ended. I enjoyed the writing style, ease of reading and the description of each city the characters were in. Many locations mentioned in her stories I have personally been to and she was spot on with the culture and flavor of each one. If you are a traveler like me, or just an armchair traveler you will love this collection!

A solid set of stories that will likely be enjoyed by those that pick it up. The focus is on women, and the author has a good voice and talent. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the free copy for review!!

This is a thought-provoking collection of short stories about women and self-discovery—female friendship, women’s dreams and guilt, their careers, and their marriages (an abusive husband, an unfaithful husband, new love, a second chance at love etc.). And about longing and betrayal, with happiness and bitterness. Some are feel-good and some have quite a shocking twist so it is a wide-ranging collection. I also enjoyed taking armchair trips to so many different countries: Italy, Croatia, Bali, Morocco and Ecuador. I especially loved Amica del Cuore. Superstitions gave me a chill at the end. Modern Art was a touching, thought-provoking ode to friendship.

I thoroughly enjoyed this short story collection! I felt like I was on a world tour (mostly in Europe), which is exactly the vibe I look for in summer reading selections. The stories were quick to read enabling me to pick this book up when I had a few free minutes and finish a complete short story. The women featured were complex and dynamic, and many of these stories packed an emotional punch as well.

What an absolute treasure! This book of short stories was perfect for me. I’ve been in somewhat of a reading slump and being able to dive into so many different peoples perspectives, quirks and futures was absolutely perfect!

So many variations so that you’re guaranteed a different story with every touch to the kindle screen. I especially enjoyed the very first story. Becoming friends over an ex is something that happened to me. The last story was as equally good where two very different women literally know how it feels to step into each others shoes, which is enlightening for both of them.

If you’re looking for something to break boredom, to get you out of a reading slump, to read something that allows you to see the Italian coast, or simply to just read some great imaginative stories , I highly recommend this one from the awesome Kimberly Sullivan. Five stars for wonderful writing, characters that are easy to understand and stories that instantly grab you from the first paragraph to the last! Thank you to Kimberly and to Kate Rock for having me on this tour! I loved this book!

A collection of stories that takes the reader on an armchair vacation. Each story is either set in Italy or has ties to Italy, along with the venture to other locations and countries. Throughout each story, the reader is introduced to a woman or group of women who go through some personal growth. Some of the stories I didn't want to end because I became invested with the characters and their stories. One of my favorite stories "Heat Wave" took place in Rome and showed how the kindness of others can affect your life. This collection of stories is perfect for reading straight through or to pick up intermittently and read a story or two Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Rock Book Tours for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Isn’t this the best title? It’s a great life motto!

Drink wine and be beautiful is a collection of 21 short stories all mostly taking place in Italy. There are several stories that show women who have needed strength to leave a bad marriage, or to rekindle with an old flame. I especially liked the very first story, about an American who meets a handsome Italian man, but his wife knows he’s sleeping around and she tells the American to avoid him. They become life long friends and she asks for the American’s help many years later when she gets cancer.

Some of the stories were very short and I went through several quickly. I could easily imagine myself in a Italian piazza with a glass of Chianti reading this book!

Thank you @katerockbooktours and @kimberlyinrome for my gifted ebook. The collect of short stories is out now!

Kimberly Sullivan does not disappoint with this read. I felt like I was transported to Europe and on a vacation myself. The range of emotions and human feelings while navigating through the relationships and their complexities held my interest and left me wanting more. I can see this book garner lots of attention and praise. Well done Kimberly and good luck.

A delightful collection of short stories either based in Italy or featuring Italian characters. The protagonists are almost exclusively women and there is a recurring theme of relationship difficulties, but these stories are a welcome distraction from the boredom of daily life and provide a glimpse into everyday Italy. As the author points out, there is a regrettable dearth of opportunities for publishing short stories and consequently, there is a dearth of short stories to read, and it's a format that really should be brought back. #DrinkWineandBeBeautiful #NetGalley

This is a great compilation of stories all surrounding Italian women around the globe. Some are tenderhearted and others are vindictive. Some will have you laugh out loud. What an interesting set of short stories.

Thank you @kimberlyinrome and @katerockbooktours and @netgalley for my digital copy. My thoughts are my own.

I so enjoyed this book! When I first read that the author of 𝙄𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 (see my review on 10/26/22) had published a collection of short stories described as “Italian Tales of love, betrayal, longing, desire - and hope,” I knew I had to read them. I thought I could read the collection in a day or two (and I certainly could), but these stories are rich with drama and emotion, so I found myself savoring them and reading one or two each night. I really enjoy this author’s writing style. If you enjoy emotional stories surrounding strong females (who don’t necessarily always make the best choice), you will enjoy this collection.

Took this book on my holiday, perfect reading short stories. Loved it! Would definitely buy for friends.