BOOK REVIEW: See You in the Piazza by Frances Mayes

Title: See You in the Piazza
Author: Frances Mayes
Publication: March 12, 2019
Publisher: Crown
Genre: Tour Guides
Pages: 448

SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)

The Roman Forum, the Leaning Tower, the Piazza San Marco: these are the sights synonymous with Italy. But such landmarks only scratch the surface of this magical country’s offerings. In See You in the Piazza, Frances Mayes introduces us to the Italy only the locals know, as she and her husband, Ed, eat and drink their way through thirteen regions–from Friuli to Sicily. Along the way, she seeks out the cultural and historic gems not found in traditional guidebooks.

Frances conjures the enchantment of the backstreets, the hubbub of the markets, the dreamlike wonder of that space between lunch and dinner when a city cracks open to those who would wander or when a mind is drawn into the pages of a delicious book–and discloses to us the secrets that only someone who is on intimate terms with a place could find.

REVIEW:

**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I was so excited when I was scrolling NetGalley and found a Francis Mayes book available for request.  I couldn’t believe it.  I know she is a hugely popular author.  I have never read any of her books but did have a few on my to be read bookshelf, which made me getting the book an even sweeter reward.  I couldn’t wait to read it. 


Full disclosure:  I couldn’t get past 5%.  I tried several times to read this book and just couldn’t do it.  I struggled with the writing style.  She was all over the place with it. I found it very choppy and hard to follow.  I wanted to love it. I found myself wondering how she managed to become such a popular author if this is how all her books were.   As much as I hate to admit this, I actually got rid of the other books by her that I had because I disliked this book so much.  While that is not fair to her as an author, I knew that because I didn’t like this one I probably would never read the other ones by her. I don’t want to tarnish your view of this book, so take what I am saying with a grain of salt.  Read it for yourself and decide from there.  

The reason I requested it was 1: It was Francis Mayes and 2: It was about Italy and places to stay and eat.  Italy is by far my favorite country so far in Europe.  I couldn’t wait to read it and find some hidden gems that I can visit if I ever get back over there.  

STAR RATING: 1/5

Pick up your copy of See You in the Piazza by Frances Mayes on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and check your local bookstore. Also make sure to add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads and leave feedback for the author when you are finished. You can check out other books by author Frances Mayes on her website HERE!

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