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Meet Me in Italy #3
A Wedding in Lake Como
A destination wedding in Italy’s Lake Como brings three best friends back together to face the secrets of the past in this romantic novel from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst.
Best friends Ava, Madison, and Chelsea made a pact to reunite for each other’s weddings when their careers sent them in different directions. But after one of them makes a choice that tears the group apart, an upcoming wedding might be their last chance to heal old wounds.
Ava is about to marry the man she loves in a lavish ceremony on the shores of Lake Como, but she’s haunted by the mistakes she’s made.
Madison’s made a name for herself as an influencer in the fashion world but is threatened by a scandal impacting everything she holds dear.
And Chelsea has the perfect family she always craved, but her professional dreams have fallen by the wayside.
As they return to Italy’s gorgeous coast, the three women revisit their life-changing first trip to Lake Como during college. When Madison comes face-to-face with the college sweetheart who was at the heart of one of the most pivotal times of her life, can they forge a new way forward?
Best friends Ava, Madison, and Chelsea made a pact to reunite for each other’s weddings when their careers sent them in different directions. But after one of them makes a choice that tears the group apart, an upcoming wedding might be their last chance to heal old wounds.
Ava is about to marry the man she loves in a lavish ceremony on the shores of Lake Como, but she’s haunted by the mistakes she’s made.
Madison’s made a name for herself as an influencer in the fashion world but is threatened by a scandal impacting everything she holds dear.
And Chelsea has the perfect family she always craved, but her professional dreams have fallen by the wayside.
As they return to Italy’s gorgeous coast, the three women revisit their life-changing first trip to Lake Como during college. When Madison comes face-to-face with the college sweetheart who was at the heart of one of the most pivotal times of her life, can they forge a new way forward?
ebook
First published May 14, 2024
About the author
Jennifer Probst
99 books9,986 followersJennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She holds a masters in English Literature and lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley in upstate New York. Her family keeps her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean. Her passions include horse racing, Scrabble, rescue dogs, Italian food, and wine—not necessarily in that order.
She is the NYT, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, spent 26 weeks on the NY Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a "romance phenom" by Kirkus Reviews. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases at www.jenniferprobst.com. Sign up of her newsletter at www.jenniferprobst.com/newsletter for a free book.
She is the NYT, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, spent 26 weeks on the NY Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a "romance phenom" by Kirkus Reviews. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases at www.jenniferprobst.com. Sign up of her newsletter at www.jenniferprobst.com/newsletter for a free book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
January 30, 2024
Why why… why did you end this book like this? OMG I need more! Awesome story of finding your true self, finding your path, and true love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes I enjoy reading books about the power of the bestie and the girl group. But sometimes it makes me a little jealous because I’ve never had that.
This new book tells a story of a journey through time as college women and growing up finding our way amid all of the struggles to find their path.
There are so many awesome pieces in here that it’s hard to pick out a favorite, but I absolutely fell in love with Riggs and Maddie. The perfect couple that grew so much through the book. And the author depicted the intricacy of their relationship beautifully.
But you could see the cracks and you knew where the cracks were coming from. The three female characters are an extremely supportive tight-knit group, but yet one has these threads of control, manipulation, and almost a menace-like attitude that she quickly hides.
This book is told in two different alternate times by Maddie. We get the highs and the lows and an ultimate betrayal that broke my heart. Honestly. But it’s cushioned with her healing and growing with an ending that also killed me. I feel gypped because I wanted so much more for that ending.
A Wedding in Lake Como is a trip in so many ways. It’s a trip through college; through finding yourself; through supporting friends; and through finding yourself and healing.
It’s also a trip through beautiful destinations that we get to experience from the writer’s artistic pen. It’s a story to remember but I really wish she would rewrite the ending! Or maybe give us an epilogue as another short story! There’s an idea!
This is an awesome story of finding your true self, finding your path, and true love. I love it!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/a-wedding-in...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes I enjoy reading books about the power of the bestie and the girl group. But sometimes it makes me a little jealous because I’ve never had that.
This new book tells a story of a journey through time as college women and growing up finding our way amid all of the struggles to find their path.
There are so many awesome pieces in here that it’s hard to pick out a favorite, but I absolutely fell in love with Riggs and Maddie. The perfect couple that grew so much through the book. And the author depicted the intricacy of their relationship beautifully.
But you could see the cracks and you knew where the cracks were coming from. The three female characters are an extremely supportive tight-knit group, but yet one has these threads of control, manipulation, and almost a menace-like attitude that she quickly hides.
This book is told in two different alternate times by Maddie. We get the highs and the lows and an ultimate betrayal that broke my heart. Honestly. But it’s cushioned with her healing and growing with an ending that also killed me. I feel gypped because I wanted so much more for that ending.
A Wedding in Lake Como is a trip in so many ways. It’s a trip through college; through finding yourself; through supporting friends; and through finding yourself and healing.
It’s also a trip through beautiful destinations that we get to experience from the writer’s artistic pen. It’s a story to remember but I really wish she would rewrite the ending! Or maybe give us an epilogue as another short story! There’s an idea!
This is an awesome story of finding your true self, finding your path, and true love. I love it!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* Full Review - https://amidlifewife.com/a-wedding-in...
May 14, 2024
Jennifer Probst has written some incredible books, and this is no different. I loved A Wedding in Lake Como! Themes present throughout this novel include coming of age, female friendship, second chances, and found family. This one certainly has emotional undertones and forgiveness is a huge factor in the characters’ lives but ultimately, it’s a relatable book and will leave readers feeling satisfied. If you’re a fan of the author’s previous novels in the series (you don’t have to have read them to enjoy this one) then you won’t want to miss this one. It’s a great beach read and one that you can read in a few hours. I recommend it!
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
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May 27, 2024📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
May 23, 2024
A heartfelt novel about three estranged friends reunited for one of their destination weddings in Lake Como. Told in flashbacks, this was a story about female friendship, betrayals, secrets, second chances and star crossed lovers as one rising social media star's boyfriend cheats on her with her best friend throwing her life in a whole different trajectory. Good on audio narrated by Carlotta Brentan and one of my fav in this series that easily be read as a standalone. Definitely worth a read for fans of authors like Emily Giffin.
May 15, 2024
4 Stars!
(ARC provided by author/Berkley Publishing)
Madison Heart never felt wanted as a child, but then she meets two women at college that become as close as sisters. Their friendship changes her life and makes her finally feel accepted and whole. She grew up an awkward, small town girl, and these relationships had defined her and helped her develop a new confidence. She'd learned more about her inner self, and was chasing her dreams of being famous. She'd always been interested in fashion, modeling, and becoming a social media influencer. As her career exploded, she was suddenly the new it girl in New York. She was on her way to becoming everything she ever wanted to be when she meets the love of her life. She has it all, and then her perfect world starts to crumble. As her friend group implodes she feels lost and lonely. She's tired of being angry, and has reached her breaking point when she receives a wedding invitation to Italy. Will she stop running, and confront the past? It's been years since their fallout, and the women that had become her family feel like strangers. Will a life changing trip finally bring her the peace she craves?
A Wedding in Lake Como (Meet Me in Italy #3) by Jennifer Probst is a heartwarming, emotional, college romance about healing, forgiveness, choices, connections, self discovery, first loves, second chances and finding your person. This story explores the intricacies of female friendship, found family, personal growth and evolving. It's a beautiful journey following three friends through all the pivotal moments of their lives. <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C...
(ARC provided by author/Berkley Publishing)
Madison Heart never felt wanted as a child, but then she meets two women at college that become as close as sisters. Their friendship changes her life and makes her finally feel accepted and whole. She grew up an awkward, small town girl, and these relationships had defined her and helped her develop a new confidence. She'd learned more about her inner self, and was chasing her dreams of being famous. She'd always been interested in fashion, modeling, and becoming a social media influencer. As her career exploded, she was suddenly the new it girl in New York. She was on her way to becoming everything she ever wanted to be when she meets the love of her life. She has it all, and then her perfect world starts to crumble. As her friend group implodes she feels lost and lonely. She's tired of being angry, and has reached her breaking point when she receives a wedding invitation to Italy. Will she stop running, and confront the past? It's been years since their fallout, and the women that had become her family feel like strangers. Will a life changing trip finally bring her the peace she craves?
A Wedding in Lake Como (Meet Me in Italy #3) by Jennifer Probst is a heartwarming, emotional, college romance about healing, forgiveness, choices, connections, self discovery, first loves, second chances and finding your person. This story explores the intricacies of female friendship, found family, personal growth and evolving. It's a beautiful journey following three friends through all the pivotal moments of their lives. <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C...
May 14, 2024
Three women face past failures to become friends once again as one is marrying in Lake Como. The third in the Meet Me in Italy series, A Wedding in Lake Como, shares glimpses of a toxic friendship from college and how its affected adulthood.
Probst's series continues to be well written, and the scenery comes to life in NYC, LA and Italy. The growth of the three friends takes years with forgiveness waiting in Italy, along with past loves.
Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group
Probst's series continues to be well written, and the scenery comes to life in NYC, LA and Italy. The growth of the three friends takes years with forgiveness waiting in Italy, along with past loves.
Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group
November 15, 2023
A quick read that stands as a good reminder of the power of lifelong friendship, an apology, forgiveness, and second chances. 3.5 stars.
Synopsis: BFFs Ava, Madison, and Chelsea made a pact in Lake Como in their young 20s that, no matter where their careers and life took them, they'd reunite for each other's weddings. The three met at university and became inseparable, but a choice by Ava tore the group apart. Now, Ava is getting married in Lake Como, and she invites her two estranged friends, Madison and Chelsea - an invite they decide to accept because of the pact many years ago. The women meet up again in completely different places in life - Ava, marrying the man of her dreams yet haunted by her past; Madison, who "made it" as a fashion influencer yet is struggling through a public scandal; and Chelsa, who has the perfect family she always wanted yet struggles to accept that she never reached her professional dreams. Can this wedding heal old wounds and bring the women back together?
Here's what I found a bit disjointed about this book - yes, Ava made a HUGE mistake that ruined the friendship, so of course, that's why Madison needed space and an explanation at Ava's wedding later in life. But there was SO much more that she did that would require an explainer, too - she was a manipulative, jealous friend who wanted ultimate control over the behaviors of her friends. So, by the end of the book, I'm thinking, "Run, Madison...run!" It was hard to get behind THESE friendships specifically because I didn't get that warm and fuzzy lifelong friend feeling. Ultimately, I felt like I didn't want to be a part of this group of friends.
The other thing is that I didn't feel Chelsea needed to be a part of this novel, and I kept thinking that Chelsea must feel like the odd man out all of the time because it was clear that the real friendship was between Ava and Madison.
The positives - the New York City and Lake Como settings were well written, and I felt immersed in their lives based on the descriptions of those places. I really liked the story about Madison and Riggs - the second chance at love storyline was more potent than the second chance at friendship plot.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: BFFs Ava, Madison, and Chelsea made a pact in Lake Como in their young 20s that, no matter where their careers and life took them, they'd reunite for each other's weddings. The three met at university and became inseparable, but a choice by Ava tore the group apart. Now, Ava is getting married in Lake Como, and she invites her two estranged friends, Madison and Chelsea - an invite they decide to accept because of the pact many years ago. The women meet up again in completely different places in life - Ava, marrying the man of her dreams yet haunted by her past; Madison, who "made it" as a fashion influencer yet is struggling through a public scandal; and Chelsa, who has the perfect family she always wanted yet struggles to accept that she never reached her professional dreams. Can this wedding heal old wounds and bring the women back together?
Here's what I found a bit disjointed about this book - yes, Ava made a HUGE mistake that ruined the friendship, so of course, that's why Madison needed space and an explanation at Ava's wedding later in life. But there was SO much more that she did that would require an explainer, too - she was a manipulative, jealous friend who wanted ultimate control over the behaviors of her friends. So, by the end of the book, I'm thinking, "Run, Madison...run!" It was hard to get behind THESE friendships specifically because I didn't get that warm and fuzzy lifelong friend feeling. Ultimately, I felt like I didn't want to be a part of this group of friends.
The other thing is that I didn't feel Chelsea needed to be a part of this novel, and I kept thinking that Chelsea must feel like the odd man out all of the time because it was clear that the real friendship was between Ava and Madison.
The positives - the New York City and Lake Como settings were well written, and I felt immersed in their lives based on the descriptions of those places. I really liked the story about Madison and Riggs - the second chance at love storyline was more potent than the second chance at friendship plot.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2024
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted (free) ARC
This book could be about two hundred pages shorter, and you’d still get the whole story. It would be helpful if the past and present chapters were clearly defined with a label at the beginning of each, the vibes weren’t different enough for me to immediately know which time frame I was in.
A story of friendship, lost and attempting to be found again. We see the characters in various stages of their lives at different points. I didn’t find them particularly lovable, so I didn’t find myself ever becoming fully invested in the story. The thing about contemporary novels is you NEED to make me love the character(s) to commit to a typically less exciting read. Unfortunately this one was just not for me.
This book could be about two hundred pages shorter, and you’d still get the whole story. It would be helpful if the past and present chapters were clearly defined with a label at the beginning of each, the vibes weren’t different enough for me to immediately know which time frame I was in.
A story of friendship, lost and attempting to be found again. We see the characters in various stages of their lives at different points. I didn’t find them particularly lovable, so I didn’t find myself ever becoming fully invested in the story. The thing about contemporary novels is you NEED to make me love the character(s) to commit to a typically less exciting read. Unfortunately this one was just not for me.
May 14, 2024
A Wedding in Lake Como was a different story from what I expected it to be. I expected most of the story to take place in Italy, but most of it is set in NYC in the past, not in Lake Como, and not in the present. Only about the last third of the book is set in the present. It made the balance between the flashbacks to the past and the present uneven.
The main theme is toxic female friendship, which is not my favorite. If I knew it was the case I probably would not have picked the book up. I liked the writing style, so I was interested enough to continue reading, but because the story didn't match my expectations, I didn't love it. I also think that the blurb and the cover are a little misleading I believe many readers will enjoy A Wedding in Lake Como, but it was not the right book for me.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
The main theme is toxic female friendship, which is not my favorite. If I knew it was the case I probably would not have picked the book up. I liked the writing style, so I was interested enough to continue reading, but because the story didn't match my expectations, I didn't love it. I also think that the blurb and the cover are a little misleading I believe many readers will enjoy A Wedding in Lake Como, but it was not the right book for me.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
May 6, 2024
4/5 stars
Thank you Berkley Publishing for the advanced reading copy!
NOTE: While this is the third in the series, you don't have to have read the first two to read this one! I haven't, and I didn't feel like I missed anything at all. I'm fairly certain these are meant to be standalone, because the synopses of the first two don't seem to overlap with this one at all!
SYNOPSIS-- Ava, Madison and Chelsea were inseparable for years, until one of them made a terrible choice that tore the group apart. Now, years later, Ava is about to marry the love of her life. Returning to a pact they made in their youth to reunite for each other's weddings, Maddie and Chelsea are forced to confront the past they share with Ava, and decide if they are willing to move forward. When all of their goals and careers come into question, there's only one way to figure all of this out: together. Will Lake Como be enough to repair past mistakes? Or is that part of their lives lost forever?
This was such a solid book, and would make a GREAT beach read!! So many themes in this one that I loved; Friendship/found family, female friendships, young love, coming of age and forgiveness truly made for a beautiful story. While some of the themes in this book were hard to read, this story had a calming effect that somehow turned this into a comfort read. The Italian setting really set the scene, and the parts of the story in other places (like New York and LA) shone just as bright. Plus, if you're at all into fashion or influencers, this would be a great book for you. Overall, this story took me to so many emotional places. It was a beautiful story of the complexity of female friendships and growing up with close friends, all while growing apart. The characters had such great development and the dialogue healed parts of me that have been festering for a long time. Things came full circle in this story and wrapped up so nicely. I learned a lot about forgiveness from this story and I really enjoyed the ride through this one.
SEMI SPOILER:
Thank you Berkley Publishing for the advanced reading copy!
NOTE: While this is the third in the series, you don't have to have read the first two to read this one! I haven't, and I didn't feel like I missed anything at all. I'm fairly certain these are meant to be standalone, because the synopses of the first two don't seem to overlap with this one at all!
SYNOPSIS-- Ava, Madison and Chelsea were inseparable for years, until one of them made a terrible choice that tore the group apart. Now, years later, Ava is about to marry the love of her life. Returning to a pact they made in their youth to reunite for each other's weddings, Maddie and Chelsea are forced to confront the past they share with Ava, and decide if they are willing to move forward. When all of their goals and careers come into question, there's only one way to figure all of this out: together. Will Lake Como be enough to repair past mistakes? Or is that part of their lives lost forever?
This was such a solid book, and would make a GREAT beach read!! So many themes in this one that I loved; Friendship/found family, female friendships, young love, coming of age and forgiveness truly made for a beautiful story. While some of the themes in this book were hard to read, this story had a calming effect that somehow turned this into a comfort read. The Italian setting really set the scene, and the parts of the story in other places (like New York and LA) shone just as bright. Plus, if you're at all into fashion or influencers, this would be a great book for you. Overall, this story took me to so many emotional places. It was a beautiful story of the complexity of female friendships and growing up with close friends, all while growing apart. The characters had such great development and the dialogue healed parts of me that have been festering for a long time. Things came full circle in this story and wrapped up so nicely. I learned a lot about forgiveness from this story and I really enjoyed the ride through this one.
SEMI SPOILER:
May 24, 2024
How is this my first book by Jennifer Probst? She is a fantastic story teller.
This story is an amalgamation of so many themes including coming of age, young love and female friendships, including all the drama that comes with young adulthood.
I loved the dual timeline as it builds up the suspense to reveal the friendship destructing mistakes made.
The characters were flawed, and so authentic, some likable others not so much. Honestly quite perfect.
This story is an amalgamation of so many themes including coming of age, young love and female friendships, including all the drama that comes with young adulthood.
I loved the dual timeline as it builds up the suspense to reveal the friendship destructing mistakes made.
The characters were flawed, and so authentic, some likable others not so much. Honestly quite perfect.
March 18, 2024
Three best friends make a pact to reunite for each other’s weddings after their careers sent them in different directions. But when a bad decision is made, it rips the group apart until an opportunity presents itself. An upcoming wedding might just be the opportunity to heal old wounds.
Told in past and present tense, you not only get a good picture of the friendship between Ava, Madison, and Chelsea, but you also get to see where things went terribly wrong. These characters are in different places in their lives and only time will tell if old wounds can be healed.
A Wedding in Lake Como is so much more than a love story or romance. It's a story about friendship and loss. A story about growth and forgiveness. And well, you can't go wrong with Lake Como as your setting. All in all, a quick, yet enjoyable read.
*Thank you so much to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title*
Told in past and present tense, you not only get a good picture of the friendship between Ava, Madison, and Chelsea, but you also get to see where things went terribly wrong. These characters are in different places in their lives and only time will tell if old wounds can be healed.
A Wedding in Lake Como is so much more than a love story or romance. It's a story about friendship and loss. A story about growth and forgiveness. And well, you can't go wrong with Lake Como as your setting. All in all, a quick, yet enjoyable read.
*Thank you so much to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title*
May 21, 2024
Ok ok. I have so much to say about this. First, this author’s other book, The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti, is one of my favorite books ever, so I had high expectations for this. But for context, the thing I love about that book is how peaceful it is. Positano and the plot line are written in such a simple, Italian way. But A Wedding in Lake Como is mostly set in NYC and LA and the main character is an influencer🤢. Even when the characters were in Lake Como, I didn’t feel the same spark I did with the Secret Love Letters. That book made me want to go to Positano so badly (I did and it amazing). I just don’t think the writing was as good in this one. Onto the actual plot points; Ava was literally a modern-day Allison DiLaurentis from Pretty Little Liars because that girl was manipulative bitch and such a bad friend. I did not expect that double plot twist with Ava and Riggs, though. My jaw was on the floor. Overall, I give it a 3.5/5. I could be judging it harshly, though.
April 12, 2024
A Wedding in Lake Como revolves around three best friends but focuses mostly on the toxic relationship of two of the three friends, Ava and Maddie. Their friendship faces a major betrayal, and for five years, the relationship is beyond repair. Due to a pact they made at the beginning of their friendship, they are brought back together but only time will tell if trust can be restored. I enjoyed the growth of Ava and Maddie’s characters from the “before” to the “after” scenes. A Wedding in Lake Como tells such a strong story of platonic female love and sisterhood, and how it to may be just as toxic as other forms of love. I have mixed feeling about the ending of the book - I prefer clear cut answers and don’t like lingering questions but that didn’t overshadow my enjoyment of the book. I must give a warning if you read this book - you will want to visit Italy, and you will want to drink a glass (or two) of wine while reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
May 24, 2024
Thank you Berkley Partner Berkley Pub and PRH Audio Partner PRH Audio for my gifted finished and audiobook copy!
College best friends Maddie, Ava, and Chelsea promise to be at each other’s weddings as they all venture off in their separate career paths. They had been solid friends, like sisters until one of them commits the ultimate betrayal and tears their friendship apart. Present day Maddie receives an invitation to Ava’s wedding in Lake Como and the friends must decide if they will mend old wounds to bring their friendship back together.
This one has all of the things. Friendships, relationships, betrayal, and personal growth. Reading this book is like seeing real life female friendships and the things that can come between them. I felt the story was very realistic. Although this one was book 3 of a series, it can be read as a standalone. I also paired the physical book along with the audiobook and loved it. I think hearing the narrator describe Lake Como made me want to visit Italy even more! This one would be a great beach read to take on vacation!
College best friends Maddie, Ava, and Chelsea promise to be at each other’s weddings as they all venture off in their separate career paths. They had been solid friends, like sisters until one of them commits the ultimate betrayal and tears their friendship apart. Present day Maddie receives an invitation to Ava’s wedding in Lake Como and the friends must decide if they will mend old wounds to bring their friendship back together.
This one has all of the things. Friendships, relationships, betrayal, and personal growth. Reading this book is like seeing real life female friendships and the things that can come between them. I felt the story was very realistic. Although this one was book 3 of a series, it can be read as a standalone. I also paired the physical book along with the audiobook and loved it. I think hearing the narrator describe Lake Como made me want to visit Italy even more! This one would be a great beach read to take on vacation!
May 26, 2024
I wound up loving this book, but I have to admit that it took me a bit to get into it. The first part of the story rubbed me the wrong way- I felt like it was a bit drawn out but after a quarter of a way in, everything fell into place for me! A good summer book about female friendships and how people change over time
May 15, 2024
DNF @ 25% because the MC is annoying and I do not like a single character. They all feel very superficial. Also the comments about "I can eat anything and not gain a pound, poor me" are gross. And the "I am going to refuse anyone's help at all, because if I bootstrap my way into becoming AN INFLUENCER (bleh) then I am better than anyone else?!" pleaaaaseeeee so entitled.
Also I do NOT recommend this audiobook. The narrator's voice is extra whiny which does not do the characters any favors.
Also I do NOT recommend this audiobook. The narrator's voice is extra whiny which does not do the characters any favors.
May 24, 2024
A Wedding in Lake Como surprised me in such a good way! I expected a romance but it's heavy focus on female friendship was just what I needed this past weekend. I loved the nuance to it and the ride-or-die feels the trio had for each other. At times toxic but equally a place to call home for bosom friends, Madison, Ava, and Chelsea. The theme of forgiveness was certainly strong and I can't help but put myself in their shoes.
Read for:
🧳 Second chances in love and friendship
🧳 Dual timeline
🧳 Traveling adventures
🧳 Coming of Age
🧳 Friendship pacts
Thank you to Berkley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
Read for:
🧳 Second chances in love and friendship
🧳 Dual timeline
🧳 Traveling adventures
🧳 Coming of Age
🧳 Friendship pacts
Thank you to Berkley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
May 17, 2024
Had I not read other books by Jennifer Probst, I might not have finished "A Wedding in Lake Como," but I had, and so I did, and I am grateful to have made that decision. The beginning did absolutely nothing for me. I was bored and annoyed, not liking any of the characters, but I kept the audiobook going as I cooked, walked my dog, ran errands, etc, and I grew to love the storyline.
"A Wedding in Lake Como" is the fictional tale of three best friends since college who made a pact when young, and now, more than a decade later, are finding it difficult to act on their promise, due to a major betrayal by one of the three women, with an act so loathsome that few could get past it. I know I never could if I were in the shoes of one character. The friends, Maddie, Ava, and Chelsea, all have different dreams and different loves, but they are there for one another through all the ups and downs of growing from a teenager to a woman with responsibilities and disappointments. Maddie's voice is that of first person narrator. Of the 3, she has had the least loving upbringing, so her friends feel like family to her. Chelsea had big dreams but marriage and babies followed, making her life quite different from Ava's and Maddie's. Ava is the only one of the three for whom finances are never an issue. She was born into wealth, lost her mother years earlier, and does everything she can to prevent her charming father, who happens to live in Italy, from settling into a new long term relationship. Ava is, clearly, insecure and never learned how to share! She cannot believe that her father could love someone new and still love his daughter.
When Maddie meets a boy in college, Riggs, she slowly allows herself to fall in love with him, and to believe they might have a forever type of future.. He went on to law school at the end of college, and Maddie became an influencer, a career I find ridiculous. It is fancy name for someone who hawks other people's products and is given lots of freebies for such marketing. She is quite tall, and when opportunities to act and model come her way (helped by Ava's connections), Maddie has to leave for months at a time to be in L.A. The strain begins to harm their relationship, and the unraveling is difficult to experience as a reader. It felt so wrong.
After a pivotal act, the trajectory of Maddie's and Ava's lives change. Maddie moves to Italy to live with her father and to find herself, while Maddie pours herself into her career. Meanwhile, Chelsea is up to her eyeballs in diapers.
Riggs is such a sweet character, but as flawed as the rest of them, and may have committed an act that will tear apart the entire group. She also had been dating his good friend, Patrick, and was shabby in her treatment of that boy who was so gaga for her.
I am not a huge believer in people being able to change who they are at their very core, but there are transformations in the end that are quite remarkable and worth the time it took for them to happen. If you love descriptions of Italy's coast and cities, of the food and fashion consumed and worn there, and if you can stick with this book even when you are considering not finishing it, the payoff will be worth the slow start. I am so glad I did. I was fully prepared to give this book a two star reviews, but after finishing it, I am so glad I did not give up, and I raised my initial thought that this was a 2 star book, to thinking it merits 4 stars. It is beautifully written and both heartbreaking and uplifting. The ending is open to interpretation, but I think most readers will see a happy ending for all.
"A Wedding in Lake Como" is the fictional tale of three best friends since college who made a pact when young, and now, more than a decade later, are finding it difficult to act on their promise, due to a major betrayal by one of the three women, with an act so loathsome that few could get past it. I know I never could if I were in the shoes of one character. The friends, Maddie, Ava, and Chelsea, all have different dreams and different loves, but they are there for one another through all the ups and downs of growing from a teenager to a woman with responsibilities and disappointments. Maddie's voice is that of first person narrator. Of the 3, she has had the least loving upbringing, so her friends feel like family to her. Chelsea had big dreams but marriage and babies followed, making her life quite different from Ava's and Maddie's. Ava is the only one of the three for whom finances are never an issue. She was born into wealth, lost her mother years earlier, and does everything she can to prevent her charming father, who happens to live in Italy, from settling into a new long term relationship. Ava is, clearly, insecure and never learned how to share! She cannot believe that her father could love someone new and still love his daughter.
When Maddie meets a boy in college, Riggs, she slowly allows herself to fall in love with him, and to believe they might have a forever type of future.. He went on to law school at the end of college, and Maddie became an influencer, a career I find ridiculous. It is fancy name for someone who hawks other people's products and is given lots of freebies for such marketing. She is quite tall, and when opportunities to act and model come her way (helped by Ava's connections), Maddie has to leave for months at a time to be in L.A. The strain begins to harm their relationship, and the unraveling is difficult to experience as a reader. It felt so wrong.
After a pivotal act, the trajectory of Maddie's and Ava's lives change. Maddie moves to Italy to live with her father and to find herself, while Maddie pours herself into her career. Meanwhile, Chelsea is up to her eyeballs in diapers.
Riggs is such a sweet character, but as flawed as the rest of them, and may have committed an act that will tear apart the entire group. She also had been dating his good friend, Patrick, and was shabby in her treatment of that boy who was so gaga for her.
I am not a huge believer in people being able to change who they are at their very core, but there are transformations in the end that are quite remarkable and worth the time it took for them to happen. If you love descriptions of Italy's coast and cities, of the food and fashion consumed and worn there, and if you can stick with this book even when you are considering not finishing it, the payoff will be worth the slow start. I am so glad I did. I was fully prepared to give this book a two star reviews, but after finishing it, I am so glad I did not give up, and I raised my initial thought that this was a 2 star book, to thinking it merits 4 stars. It is beautifully written and both heartbreaking and uplifting. The ending is open to interpretation, but I think most readers will see a happy ending for all.
May 22, 2024
Maddie has felt alone forever. Her parents told her she was a “mistake” and had ruined their lives. While other little girls had parents that attended special events, hers never did. They told her once she graduated high school, she was on her own. Maddie worked hard and got a full ride to a smaller college. Of course, she’d have to work part-time to cover some expenses. Her college life really took off after two popular girls took her in and they became besties. Ava came from a wealthy family. Chelsea had a wonderful supportive family. Suddenly Maddie had friends that welcomed and encouraged her to do things she had never experienced before. Since Maddie didn’t have anyone to go home to on school breaks, Ava even included her on a visit to her father who lived in Italy.
Over time each girl had to decide on goals for after college. They also had to decide what to do about relationships outside of their close bonds. Maddie wants to get into fashion of some sort. She’s always been able to create stunning outfits from inexpensive, vintage items. She’s surprised when being an online influencer leads to avenues and opportunities she never expected. Will fame be everything she imagined or can unexpected events blow up hers and her friends’ lives?
A Wedding In Lake Como is the perfect title for this story. It’s the culmination of years of ups and downs with consequences from poor decisions and sometimes ambition over calmer choices.
Maddie loves Riggs with her whole heart and has been close to him since early college days. Will they be able to find forgiveness and redemption after horrible situations? Will Chelsea be able to find her way to having something of her own again? Will Ava find lasting happiness with her new husband Roberto and come to love her stepmother?
This book has romance, but more than that it’s a story of the type of friendship that is so hard to find. College really is a time to bond with others from different backgrounds. It’s rare to keep that type of bond going once careers and marriage take center stage. If it can be done, life is even sweeter.
I will probably never make it to Italy. Jennifer Probst’s lush descriptions of the area made it come alive for me. Other than the octopus, the food and written about made me hungry. Italy seems to be a popular setting in novels these days. I love when my reading links me to places I can learn more about while being immersed in a fabulous tale.
The author uses a dual timeline which seems to be trending now. She seamlessly weaves them together to give the reader a full experience. I haven’t read the first two books in the Meet Me In Italy yet. I hope to go back and experience more of Italy from home.
#BerkleyBesties
Over time each girl had to decide on goals for after college. They also had to decide what to do about relationships outside of their close bonds. Maddie wants to get into fashion of some sort. She’s always been able to create stunning outfits from inexpensive, vintage items. She’s surprised when being an online influencer leads to avenues and opportunities she never expected. Will fame be everything she imagined or can unexpected events blow up hers and her friends’ lives?
A Wedding In Lake Como is the perfect title for this story. It’s the culmination of years of ups and downs with consequences from poor decisions and sometimes ambition over calmer choices.
Maddie loves Riggs with her whole heart and has been close to him since early college days. Will they be able to find forgiveness and redemption after horrible situations? Will Chelsea be able to find her way to having something of her own again? Will Ava find lasting happiness with her new husband Roberto and come to love her stepmother?
This book has romance, but more than that it’s a story of the type of friendship that is so hard to find. College really is a time to bond with others from different backgrounds. It’s rare to keep that type of bond going once careers and marriage take center stage. If it can be done, life is even sweeter.
I will probably never make it to Italy. Jennifer Probst’s lush descriptions of the area made it come alive for me. Other than the octopus, the food and written about made me hungry. Italy seems to be a popular setting in novels these days. I love when my reading links me to places I can learn more about while being immersed in a fabulous tale.
The author uses a dual timeline which seems to be trending now. She seamlessly weaves them together to give the reader a full experience. I haven’t read the first two books in the Meet Me In Italy yet. I hope to go back and experience more of Italy from home.
#BerkleyBesties
April 15, 2024
Wonderful Story of Friendship and Betrayal
Maddie, Ava and Chelsea meet in college and form a fast friendship. They think nothing will tear them apart even though they are from completely different backgrounds. Maddie was raised by uncaring parents who told her that she was unplanned. She's been trying to get their attention and love her whole life. Ava is a rich girl raised by her rich widowed father who is Italian. She's seeking people who won't leave her like she feels her mother left when she died. Chelsea seems to be from a "normal" upbringing and is almost a third wheel in the friendship. We hear the story from Maddie's point of view of "before" and "after". We later find out what the dividing line is and it's a betrayal. One Thanksgiving, Ava takes the two friends with her to Lake Como where her father has a villa. They spend some time exploring the area. Jennifer Probst has a way with describing the scenic areas so you feel like you are there experiencing it with the girls. While they are there they make a pact that no matter what has happened or where they are, they will be at each other's weddings. Chelsea is the first to get married. Maddie is on the cusp of making it big in her fashion world but Ava keeps trying to tell her that Riggs, Maddie's boyfriend is going to make her give up her dream for him. Maddie and Riggs have met and fallen in love fast and completely. They feel that nothing will come between them until it does. At the wedding, a betrayal happens that tears the friendship and Maddie and Riggs apart. Chelsea comes back from her honeymoon to find everything is not how it was left. As the years go by, Maddie makes it big and then has her online presence blown up by a viral rant. Chelsea has kept in contact with Ava even though she can't let Maddie know. Now Ava is getting married and sends an invitation to Maddie. Will Maddie accept and keep the pact? Will the friends work out their differences? There are still secrets to be brought to light. I like how the three had each other's backs. They were so young and immature when the betrayal happened and now they have several years of being apart and life experiences to bring to the situation at Ava's wedding in Lake Como. I wasn't sure that I liked the ending but I guess it leaves a way to figure out the ending I want. Hopefully, Jennifer Probst will write an epilogue that could explain all their lives in another few years. I received an early copy of the book to read and review from NetGalley. I'm leaving my honest review.
Maddie, Ava and Chelsea meet in college and form a fast friendship. They think nothing will tear them apart even though they are from completely different backgrounds. Maddie was raised by uncaring parents who told her that she was unplanned. She's been trying to get their attention and love her whole life. Ava is a rich girl raised by her rich widowed father who is Italian. She's seeking people who won't leave her like she feels her mother left when she died. Chelsea seems to be from a "normal" upbringing and is almost a third wheel in the friendship. We hear the story from Maddie's point of view of "before" and "after". We later find out what the dividing line is and it's a betrayal. One Thanksgiving, Ava takes the two friends with her to Lake Como where her father has a villa. They spend some time exploring the area. Jennifer Probst has a way with describing the scenic areas so you feel like you are there experiencing it with the girls. While they are there they make a pact that no matter what has happened or where they are, they will be at each other's weddings. Chelsea is the first to get married. Maddie is on the cusp of making it big in her fashion world but Ava keeps trying to tell her that Riggs, Maddie's boyfriend is going to make her give up her dream for him. Maddie and Riggs have met and fallen in love fast and completely. They feel that nothing will come between them until it does. At the wedding, a betrayal happens that tears the friendship and Maddie and Riggs apart. Chelsea comes back from her honeymoon to find everything is not how it was left. As the years go by, Maddie makes it big and then has her online presence blown up by a viral rant. Chelsea has kept in contact with Ava even though she can't let Maddie know. Now Ava is getting married and sends an invitation to Maddie. Will Maddie accept and keep the pact? Will the friends work out their differences? There are still secrets to be brought to light. I like how the three had each other's backs. They were so young and immature when the betrayal happened and now they have several years of being apart and life experiences to bring to the situation at Ava's wedding in Lake Como. I wasn't sure that I liked the ending but I guess it leaves a way to figure out the ending I want. Hopefully, Jennifer Probst will write an epilogue that could explain all their lives in another few years. I received an early copy of the book to read and review from NetGalley. I'm leaving my honest review.
May 15, 2024
This was such an engaging story with exploration of so many meaningful themes, a backdrop of New York City and Italy, and characters you will hate and love with equal measure.
Probst's writing is so descriptive and thoughtful. I have now done a deep dive of Brunate and Nesso, small towns in Italy I really want to explore as soon as possible, have a newfound appreciation for what celebrities go through, and need to talk to my best friend from college as soon as I am done writing this review!
This is a bingeable, quick read that made me think so much about true friendship. I think so many of us can name at least one person we met in our twenties that really was there for the awkward, often bad-decision, transitional time in our lives. I think back on some of the choices that I made in my early 20s and cringe. The three main characters in this story come together around the start of college and have their ups and downs. I love how Probst explores what it means to hold grudges, forgive, and find your peace. I loved Maddie’s character the best.
Maddie is an influencer but I think anyone can certainly relate to her.
”I was a walking contradiction, shy and awkward inside, yet dying to be seen and recognized by others.”
Not only is she trying to make it in fashion and the demand to grow followers and find her own artistic voice is tough, but she’s also trying to piece herself back together after things change. This story also depicted what happens when someone in the public eye makes one poor public mistake. Celebrities are human and I love how her character works on herself after that mistake. I also really enjoyed the way Maddie’s brain processed things. She is emotional but also balanced and tries very hard to look at all perspectives.
She experiences something with her two best friends that changes everything and I think most of us can relate to what her character does to try to get back on track. There is so much depth in the story and I was so invested in what happens to all of them! To be honest, I would love another book in this Italy series with these characters!
If you’re a fan of beautiful Italy or want to visit there someday, women’s fiction, and self-reflection, this is a book I think you’ll really enjoy!
Probst's writing is so descriptive and thoughtful. I have now done a deep dive of Brunate and Nesso, small towns in Italy I really want to explore as soon as possible, have a newfound appreciation for what celebrities go through, and need to talk to my best friend from college as soon as I am done writing this review!
This is a bingeable, quick read that made me think so much about true friendship. I think so many of us can name at least one person we met in our twenties that really was there for the awkward, often bad-decision, transitional time in our lives. I think back on some of the choices that I made in my early 20s and cringe. The three main characters in this story come together around the start of college and have their ups and downs. I love how Probst explores what it means to hold grudges, forgive, and find your peace. I loved Maddie’s character the best.
Maddie is an influencer but I think anyone can certainly relate to her.
”I was a walking contradiction, shy and awkward inside, yet dying to be seen and recognized by others.”
Not only is she trying to make it in fashion and the demand to grow followers and find her own artistic voice is tough, but she’s also trying to piece herself back together after things change. This story also depicted what happens when someone in the public eye makes one poor public mistake. Celebrities are human and I love how her character works on herself after that mistake. I also really enjoyed the way Maddie’s brain processed things. She is emotional but also balanced and tries very hard to look at all perspectives.
She experiences something with her two best friends that changes everything and I think most of us can relate to what her character does to try to get back on track. There is so much depth in the story and I was so invested in what happens to all of them! To be honest, I would love another book in this Italy series with these characters!
If you’re a fan of beautiful Italy or want to visit there someday, women’s fiction, and self-reflection, this is a book I think you’ll really enjoy!
January 7, 2024
A Wedding In Lake Como
Tonight, I finished reading the second book of 2024 A Wedding In Lake Como by Jennifer Probst. Three best friends Maddison who everyone calls Maddie, Ava & Chelsea make a pact that no matter where their careers & love lives take them that they’d remain friends forever and attend each of their weddings. The three friends make this vow on their first trip to Italy. Ava is marrying the man of her dreams but is haunted by a choice she made that tore the friends up five years ago. Maddie is making a name for herself as a fashion influencer, but a scandal costs her & Chelsea has a great family and a wonderful husband but feels her professional dreams have taken a back seat. This novel has the themes of friendship, love, forgiveness and growing as people & finding your dreams not to mention the beautiful setting of Lake Como Italy.
Writing & Setting
The writing was excellent, and I liked that the story was from Maddie’s point of view. I could see the descriptions of Lake Como in my head as though I were there. I also liked the scenery of New York & Los Angeles too. I like how the novel ended it’s a more realistic ending.
Characters & Themes
Out of all the characters, my favorite one who did the most growth was Maddie. Maddie learns a lot about herself through the novel and I like how she and Ava had to realize that their friendship had become too codependent. Chelsea, I like her, but I felt her character was just there and if we didn’t have her in the story, you wouldn’t miss anything. The themes throughout the novel are forgiveness, friendship, going after your dreams & about social media not determining your worth.
Overall
Overall if you enjoy stories about important themes & the beautiful setting of Italy, I would recommend this book! A Wedding In Lake Como will be released on May 14th 2024! If you don’t have a physical copy or a Netgalley copy, I suggest preordering it now! Thank you, Jennifer, for writing a beautiful story! I look forward to our Behind The Book on this one and everything you write afterword!
Tonight, I finished reading the second book of 2024 A Wedding In Lake Como by Jennifer Probst. Three best friends Maddison who everyone calls Maddie, Ava & Chelsea make a pact that no matter where their careers & love lives take them that they’d remain friends forever and attend each of their weddings. The three friends make this vow on their first trip to Italy. Ava is marrying the man of her dreams but is haunted by a choice she made that tore the friends up five years ago. Maddie is making a name for herself as a fashion influencer, but a scandal costs her & Chelsea has a great family and a wonderful husband but feels her professional dreams have taken a back seat. This novel has the themes of friendship, love, forgiveness and growing as people & finding your dreams not to mention the beautiful setting of Lake Como Italy.
Writing & Setting
The writing was excellent, and I liked that the story was from Maddie’s point of view. I could see the descriptions of Lake Como in my head as though I were there. I also liked the scenery of New York & Los Angeles too. I like how the novel ended it’s a more realistic ending.
Characters & Themes
Out of all the characters, my favorite one who did the most growth was Maddie. Maddie learns a lot about herself through the novel and I like how she and Ava had to realize that their friendship had become too codependent. Chelsea, I like her, but I felt her character was just there and if we didn’t have her in the story, you wouldn’t miss anything. The themes throughout the novel are forgiveness, friendship, going after your dreams & about social media not determining your worth.
Overall
Overall if you enjoy stories about important themes & the beautiful setting of Italy, I would recommend this book! A Wedding In Lake Como will be released on May 14th 2024! If you don’t have a physical copy or a Netgalley copy, I suggest preordering it now! Thank you, Jennifer, for writing a beautiful story! I look forward to our Behind The Book on this one and everything you write afterword!
May 11, 2024
Synopsis in a sentence (or two):
Maddie, Ava, and Chelsea meet in college and become immediate friends. Their bond appears unbreakable until it shatters.
Pacing/Storyline:
It’s rare for me to say I’d like to see a book turn into a movie, and for the record, the book IS always better. Yet, A Wedding in Lake Como would make a beautiful movie. In a way, this story had elements of an updated Beaches. It’s a slow-burn drama about three friends detailing the transformation of their relationship as they mature through their college years and twenties. I’m not typically a lover of slow-burn dramas, but this story kept me invested. It kept lingering in the back of my mind, urging me to pick it back up every time I put it down.
Midway through the novel, the story detours from the honeymoon friendship stage to describe the reason for the friendship’s demise. That drama catapults the story into a faster-paced unraveling. Told from dual timelines, Jennifer Probst writes with beautiful detail. I loved how she laced together the depth of the setting with layered, very flawed characters. Her words read like a painting. I will be looking for more from her.
Characters:
Watching the evolution of Maddie and eventually seeing Ava’s transformation made this a four-star book for me, and I debated higher. Madison, the MC, and her two friends, Ava and Chelsea, were both authentic and toxic simultaneously. The hesitancy I felt with the characters initially was the way they came off as so very self-involved. Midway through the novel, it becomes clear that this portrayal was deliberate, and thankfully, their conceited personalities don’t stick around through the entire storyline. Ultimately, it’s a compelling story about friendship, forgiveness, and the journey to find peace.
Recommended to readers who love:
📚Kristin Hannah, Jodi Picoult, Jojo Moyes
📚Influencer main characters
📚Friendship and forgiveness themes
Rating: 4.0
Disclosure:
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the Digital Review Copy of A Wedding in Lake Como. All opinions are my own.
Maddie, Ava, and Chelsea meet in college and become immediate friends. Their bond appears unbreakable until it shatters.
Pacing/Storyline:
It’s rare for me to say I’d like to see a book turn into a movie, and for the record, the book IS always better. Yet, A Wedding in Lake Como would make a beautiful movie. In a way, this story had elements of an updated Beaches. It’s a slow-burn drama about three friends detailing the transformation of their relationship as they mature through their college years and twenties. I’m not typically a lover of slow-burn dramas, but this story kept me invested. It kept lingering in the back of my mind, urging me to pick it back up every time I put it down.
Midway through the novel, the story detours from the honeymoon friendship stage to describe the reason for the friendship’s demise. That drama catapults the story into a faster-paced unraveling. Told from dual timelines, Jennifer Probst writes with beautiful detail. I loved how she laced together the depth of the setting with layered, very flawed characters. Her words read like a painting. I will be looking for more from her.
Characters:
Watching the evolution of Maddie and eventually seeing Ava’s transformation made this a four-star book for me, and I debated higher. Madison, the MC, and her two friends, Ava and Chelsea, were both authentic and toxic simultaneously. The hesitancy I felt with the characters initially was the way they came off as so very self-involved. Midway through the novel, it becomes clear that this portrayal was deliberate, and thankfully, their conceited personalities don’t stick around through the entire storyline. Ultimately, it’s a compelling story about friendship, forgiveness, and the journey to find peace.
Recommended to readers who love:
📚Kristin Hannah, Jodi Picoult, Jojo Moyes
📚Influencer main characters
📚Friendship and forgiveness themes
Rating: 4.0
Disclosure:
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the Digital Review Copy of A Wedding in Lake Como. All opinions are my own.
May 16, 2024
Relationships are just hard, whether family, romantic, or friendship, and Jennifer Probst powerfully captures the nuances of each in her new novel, A Wedding in Lake Como.
Ava, Maddie, and Chelsea found each other their freshman year of college and formed a bond that, with its ups and downs, its ebbs and flows, its good and bad over the years, defined their lives.
Ava defines elegance from her looks to her sense of fashion, while Chelsea is grounded, confident, and knows exactly what she wants from life. Maddie, well, Maddie feels she doesn’t really have anything to offer and is in awe of Ava and her smooth self-confidence. A true friend, though, sees through the insecurities and lack of confidence to bolster another friend and help her achieve her dreams. Maddie has dreams and the desire to be a fashion influencer but doesn’t think she’ll ever be able to achieve them. But Ava does. Ava believes in Maddie more than Maddie believes in herself. But somewhere along the way, the friendship evolves and changes, and when Riggs comes on the scene and captures Maddie’s attention and heart, dynamics begin to intensify and change.
A Wedding in Lake Como is a totally gripping, immersive, and emotional read. Maddie’s life, friendships, career, and love are experienced full throttle, carrying the reader wholeheartedly along in her wake, feeling breathless and as certain and uncertain as Maddie. Jennifer Probst’s masterful job of storytelling, pacing, and effortlessly moving between the past and the present sets the stage perfectly for what’s happening in the current day based on what’s come before. The vividly breathtaking descriptions of Lake Como are an absolute delight, and along with the hustle and bustle of New York, you feel and experience everything right along with Maddie.
Gripping until the very end, A Wedding in Lake Como delivers a deep dive into how relationships of all kinds can not only affect and define us but enhance our lives in ways we never imagined they could. ~ Lindy for Novels Alive
Ava, Maddie, and Chelsea found each other their freshman year of college and formed a bond that, with its ups and downs, its ebbs and flows, its good and bad over the years, defined their lives.
Ava defines elegance from her looks to her sense of fashion, while Chelsea is grounded, confident, and knows exactly what she wants from life. Maddie, well, Maddie feels she doesn’t really have anything to offer and is in awe of Ava and her smooth self-confidence. A true friend, though, sees through the insecurities and lack of confidence to bolster another friend and help her achieve her dreams. Maddie has dreams and the desire to be a fashion influencer but doesn’t think she’ll ever be able to achieve them. But Ava does. Ava believes in Maddie more than Maddie believes in herself. But somewhere along the way, the friendship evolves and changes, and when Riggs comes on the scene and captures Maddie’s attention and heart, dynamics begin to intensify and change.
A Wedding in Lake Como is a totally gripping, immersive, and emotional read. Maddie’s life, friendships, career, and love are experienced full throttle, carrying the reader wholeheartedly along in her wake, feeling breathless and as certain and uncertain as Maddie. Jennifer Probst’s masterful job of storytelling, pacing, and effortlessly moving between the past and the present sets the stage perfectly for what’s happening in the current day based on what’s come before. The vividly breathtaking descriptions of Lake Como are an absolute delight, and along with the hustle and bustle of New York, you feel and experience everything right along with Maddie.
Gripping until the very end, A Wedding in Lake Como delivers a deep dive into how relationships of all kinds can not only affect and define us but enhance our lives in ways we never imagined they could. ~ Lindy for Novels Alive
May 7, 2024
A WEDDING IN LAKE COMO will attract a younger audience, say women in their 20's and 30's. I'm in an older group, ok, much older group, but I still enjoyed this book. The dynamics of three friends and a rocky romance kept my interest. The storyline of a social media influencer keeps the novel relevant today, and yet it brought the good times of my past college years to mind.
This women’s fiction/contemporary romance is about female friendships, young love, mistakes made along the way, personal growth, and forgiveness. This novel takes us from college in NYC, to the fashion and acting scene in LA, to a mega villa in Lake Como, Italy.
From very different backgrounds, Maddie, Ava, and Chelsea, become best friends in college. They are experiencing self-discovery through the freedom of their college years while dreaming of the endless possibilities ahead of them.
Maddie is so desperate to be loved and accepted, she doesn't see how toxic her friendship with Ava is becoming. On the other hand, even though Ava has connections and money, Maddie tries to take as little as possible from Ava. Maddie wants to make it on her own.
Fast forward to Chelsea's wedding. After the reception, Ava makes a huge mistake that destroys the group. Five years later, Ava is getting married to the man of her dreams in her hometown by Lake Como. Even with her past mistake and loss of friendship still haunting her, she sends the invitations to her college friends.
Chelsea will be there, but Maddie is the X factor. Will Maddie face the pain of the past and hear Ava out? Will seeing another wedding guest from the past be too much? Will Ava's other secret push Maddie over the edge? Will Maddie hold on to her anger over the wrong done to her, or will she finally find healing?
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC of this book. The opinions are my own.
This women’s fiction/contemporary romance is about female friendships, young love, mistakes made along the way, personal growth, and forgiveness. This novel takes us from college in NYC, to the fashion and acting scene in LA, to a mega villa in Lake Como, Italy.
From very different backgrounds, Maddie, Ava, and Chelsea, become best friends in college. They are experiencing self-discovery through the freedom of their college years while dreaming of the endless possibilities ahead of them.
Maddie is so desperate to be loved and accepted, she doesn't see how toxic her friendship with Ava is becoming. On the other hand, even though Ava has connections and money, Maddie tries to take as little as possible from Ava. Maddie wants to make it on her own.
Fast forward to Chelsea's wedding. After the reception, Ava makes a huge mistake that destroys the group. Five years later, Ava is getting married to the man of her dreams in her hometown by Lake Como. Even with her past mistake and loss of friendship still haunting her, she sends the invitations to her college friends.
Chelsea will be there, but Maddie is the X factor. Will Maddie face the pain of the past and hear Ava out? Will seeing another wedding guest from the past be too much? Will Ava's other secret push Maddie over the edge? Will Maddie hold on to her anger over the wrong done to her, or will she finally find healing?
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC of this book. The opinions are my own.
May 13, 2024
A WEDDING IN LAKE COMO is the third instalment in Jennifer Probst’s contemporary, adult MEET ME IN ITALY women’s fiction series. A WEDDING IN LAKE COMO is a complete stand alone, and is not connected to the previous instalments.
Told from first person perspective (Madison), following two timelines, A WEDDING IN LAKE COMO focuses on the friendship between Maddie, Ava and Chelsea. During her first year of college, Madison Heart met Ava and Chelsea, and entered into a years long friendship but betrayal would rip the trio apart during their senior year at college, pushing Madison to strike out on her own, making it big in the world of influencers, acting, modelling and stars. Fast forward five years wherein Maddie will receive an invitation to Ava’s wedding, a wedding to take place in Lake Como, Italy. Continuing to struggle with the betrayal that left her broken and hurt, Maddie was reminded about a promise they made, five years before, a promise Maddie knew would force her to face the people that broke her heart.
A WEDDING IN LAKE COMO is a slow building story of friendships and betrayal, relationships and mistakes, jealousy, obsession, forgiveness and love. The reader is pulled into one woman’s journey through college and life, as she must come to terms with what was, and what would never be. Facing the truth, and the people who destroyed her faith in friendships and love, Maddie would discover the heart still wants what the mind can never forget. The premise is impassioned, dramatic and emotional; the characters are desperate, determined, struggling and intense.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
Told from first person perspective (Madison), following two timelines, A WEDDING IN LAKE COMO focuses on the friendship between Maddie, Ava and Chelsea. During her first year of college, Madison Heart met Ava and Chelsea, and entered into a years long friendship but betrayal would rip the trio apart during their senior year at college, pushing Madison to strike out on her own, making it big in the world of influencers, acting, modelling and stars. Fast forward five years wherein Maddie will receive an invitation to Ava’s wedding, a wedding to take place in Lake Como, Italy. Continuing to struggle with the betrayal that left her broken and hurt, Maddie was reminded about a promise they made, five years before, a promise Maddie knew would force her to face the people that broke her heart.
A WEDDING IN LAKE COMO is a slow building story of friendships and betrayal, relationships and mistakes, jealousy, obsession, forgiveness and love. The reader is pulled into one woman’s journey through college and life, as she must come to terms with what was, and what would never be. Facing the truth, and the people who destroyed her faith in friendships and love, Maddie would discover the heart still wants what the mind can never forget. The premise is impassioned, dramatic and emotional; the characters are desperate, determined, struggling and intense.
copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
May 14, 2024
4 Lake Como Stars *now available
In my first read from this author, I found a tale of female friendship and an Italian setting. What a pairing! As sometimes happens with friendship, the trio was thick as thieves in college, but then something tore them apart.
Ava and Madison hadn’t spoken for five years until the wedding announcement arrived. Ava is Italian and now lives in a gorgeous villa on Lake Como. She’s invited Maddie and Chelsea to the wedding.
The book has timelines that share the trio’s fun college years and hints at the toxicity that ended the friendship. At one point during college, they visited Lake Como, and I was enchanted by the descriptions of the scenery.
As Maddie wavers on whether to attend the wedding, she grapples with a personal crisis that threatens her career as an influencer. Can she face Ava and come to forgive her? Chelsea is struggling, too, as she has given up her career to embrace motherhood. Can she find a way to reclaim her career? As each woman works to find their true self and happiness, can they reunite and cement their friendship?
There are some love stories in the mix, too. Maddie finds a soulmate in Riggs during college, but their love isn’t strong enough to endure career ambitions and betrayal.
I rooted for the women to grow, evolve, and reconnect and for them to each find fulfillment.
This can be read as a stand-alone but is listed as “Meet Me in Italy #3.” I enjoyed it so much that I will revisit Italy with the earlier two books!
Marilyn and I had a great time buddy-reading this one, enjoying something different than a dark thriller.
My thanks to Berkley Besties for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one.
In my first read from this author, I found a tale of female friendship and an Italian setting. What a pairing! As sometimes happens with friendship, the trio was thick as thieves in college, but then something tore them apart.
Ava and Madison hadn’t spoken for five years until the wedding announcement arrived. Ava is Italian and now lives in a gorgeous villa on Lake Como. She’s invited Maddie and Chelsea to the wedding.
The book has timelines that share the trio’s fun college years and hints at the toxicity that ended the friendship. At one point during college, they visited Lake Como, and I was enchanted by the descriptions of the scenery.
As Maddie wavers on whether to attend the wedding, she grapples with a personal crisis that threatens her career as an influencer. Can she face Ava and come to forgive her? Chelsea is struggling, too, as she has given up her career to embrace motherhood. Can she find a way to reclaim her career? As each woman works to find their true self and happiness, can they reunite and cement their friendship?
There are some love stories in the mix, too. Maddie finds a soulmate in Riggs during college, but their love isn’t strong enough to endure career ambitions and betrayal.
I rooted for the women to grow, evolve, and reconnect and for them to each find fulfillment.
This can be read as a stand-alone but is listed as “Meet Me in Italy #3.” I enjoyed it so much that I will revisit Italy with the earlier two books!
Marilyn and I had a great time buddy-reading this one, enjoying something different than a dark thriller.
My thanks to Berkley Besties for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one.
May 16, 2024
3.5 Stars
I have loved the books I've read by Jennifer Probst in the past. This is the first book I've read/listened to in this series. I plan to listen to the other two books after researching them first. This is a great standalone as I didn't feel like I missed anything from not reading the first two books. I first read this ebook, then listened to the audiobook to see if my opinions changed. They have not.
Romance is my normal genre. I would say this is more women's fiction/chick lit rather than romance. Mostly because the girl's relationship seems like the focus. If the ending had been expanded, I might would change my opinion on this.
There were beautiful descriptions of Italy that had me spellbound. The story about friends and their very different backgrounds/lives that intrigued me. But as much as I loved it, I hated it as well. This needs to be said, because if I had known, I would not have picked up this book...there is cheating by main characters. It is not glorified or acceptable, so I kept on reading although I thought I'd be sick. There's a toxic aspect of the friendships, and with the cheating, it made this a very hard read for me. It hit so close to home. I cried and my heart pounded and squeezed with pain for the characters. I honestly didn't like how it played out and I can't say why without giving too much away. BUT I couldn’t put it down! The writing is beautiful, there's flawed characters, friendships, forgiveness... And the ending was not what I expected. I can say that I won't forget this book.
Carlotta Brentan is a new to me narrator. Her performance was excellent! I loved her voice.
I have loved the books I've read by Jennifer Probst in the past. This is the first book I've read/listened to in this series. I plan to listen to the other two books after researching them first. This is a great standalone as I didn't feel like I missed anything from not reading the first two books. I first read this ebook, then listened to the audiobook to see if my opinions changed. They have not.
Romance is my normal genre. I would say this is more women's fiction/chick lit rather than romance. Mostly because the girl's relationship seems like the focus. If the ending had been expanded, I might would change my opinion on this.
There were beautiful descriptions of Italy that had me spellbound. The story about friends and their very different backgrounds/lives that intrigued me. But as much as I loved it, I hated it as well. This needs to be said, because if I had known, I would not have picked up this book...there is cheating by main characters. It is not glorified or acceptable, so I kept on reading although I thought I'd be sick. There's a toxic aspect of the friendships, and with the cheating, it made this a very hard read for me. It hit so close to home. I cried and my heart pounded and squeezed with pain for the characters. I honestly didn't like how it played out and I can't say why without giving too much away. BUT I couldn’t put it down! The writing is beautiful, there's flawed characters, friendships, forgiveness... And the ending was not what I expected. I can say that I won't forget this book.
Carlotta Brentan is a new to me narrator. Her performance was excellent! I loved her voice.
May 14, 2024
I often talk about how I read to escape and visiting Italy has always been at the top of my wish list. I’m not sure that dream will ever come true but that is fine because Jennifer Probst, an author I have followed for a long time, has given me a personal tour of Italy in her “Meet Me in Italy” series. Her latest sparkling gem “A Wedding in Lake Como” is
visually enticing, emotionally personal and filled with breathtaking scenery that showcases the magic of the area.
Who wouldn’t have wanted to be best friends with Madison, Chelsea and Ava during their formative college years? The three young women were into fashion, music, their studies and dreaming of traveling the world. Ava was a chic, fashionista from Italy whose friendship was sought after from all the young coeds on the campus of their small, private school. Ava and Chelsea were already friends when they welcomed Madison into their little group. Chelsea was a financial wizard, Madison was a budding social media influencer, and Ava was a free spirit who made her own decisions and enjoyed planning weekends away with her best friends. I found her a bit controlling, especially with Madison, who seemed to always want to please her. Madison was my favorite character because I loved her energy, her seriousness when it came to her studies and how naturally she fit into the world of social media. I was certain that she would be a star! I wish I could have known more about Chelsea because I loved her bubbly personality, her desire to be successful and the way she acted as a buffer between Ava and Madison. Chelsea was the reasonable friend, Ava, the spur of the moment party girl and Madison was the quiet friend whose true personality was just waiting to come alive. Naturally, romantic entanglements followed all of the women with Ava being the hardest one to tie down. All of this sounds like they had the perfect lives and they did for a while until one night, when everything changed, and none of them would ever be the same again.
Which brings us to Ava’s invitation to her magical and extravagant wedding in Lake Como. Madison hadn’t spoken to her in five years and wasn’t sure she could ever forgive her. Chelsea desperately wanted to attend the wedding because the life of a busy mom never came with delicious Italian food and serene boat rides at night. Will their reunion at Lake Como be as perfect as the crystal blue water or will the women find it impossible to regain the friendship they once had?
visually enticing, emotionally personal and filled with breathtaking scenery that showcases the magic of the area.
Who wouldn’t have wanted to be best friends with Madison, Chelsea and Ava during their formative college years? The three young women were into fashion, music, their studies and dreaming of traveling the world. Ava was a chic, fashionista from Italy whose friendship was sought after from all the young coeds on the campus of their small, private school. Ava and Chelsea were already friends when they welcomed Madison into their little group. Chelsea was a financial wizard, Madison was a budding social media influencer, and Ava was a free spirit who made her own decisions and enjoyed planning weekends away with her best friends. I found her a bit controlling, especially with Madison, who seemed to always want to please her. Madison was my favorite character because I loved her energy, her seriousness when it came to her studies and how naturally she fit into the world of social media. I was certain that she would be a star! I wish I could have known more about Chelsea because I loved her bubbly personality, her desire to be successful and the way she acted as a buffer between Ava and Madison. Chelsea was the reasonable friend, Ava, the spur of the moment party girl and Madison was the quiet friend whose true personality was just waiting to come alive. Naturally, romantic entanglements followed all of the women with Ava being the hardest one to tie down. All of this sounds like they had the perfect lives and they did for a while until one night, when everything changed, and none of them would ever be the same again.
Which brings us to Ava’s invitation to her magical and extravagant wedding in Lake Como. Madison hadn’t spoken to her in five years and wasn’t sure she could ever forgive her. Chelsea desperately wanted to attend the wedding because the life of a busy mom never came with delicious Italian food and serene boat rides at night. Will their reunion at Lake Como be as perfect as the crystal blue water or will the women find it impossible to regain the friendship they once had?
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