Novel set in the first half of the 20th Century HUNGARY
Novel set in UMBRIA
13th April 2026
La Dolce Veto by Caitlin Alice Gilbert, novel set in UMBRIA.
NEWS HEADLINE: Former Congresswoman Isabella Rhodes Trades Washington for the Italian Countryside
Welcome to La Musa, a medieval hilltop town, teetering on the edge of a cliff, two hours both from Rome and Florence, in the heart of Umbria.
Izzy Rhodes studied in th very same place, just a few years ago when she was 19 years old. Now, she is here to re-set her life. Back home, she was California’s youngest congresswoman but someone, whom she thought she could trust, cut clean through her political ambitions and a humiliating sex scandal ensued. She is now in Italy to lick her wounds and work out how her future is going to pan out.
She resides in Villa Farentino, where she is welcomed by her hostess, Anita, but Benito, the hot son of the house, is prickly from the off towards her. He is also the mayor of La Musa, and there is the political connection forged already!
Anita insists her son accompany her on a brief trip to Rome but unwittingly a double room, with a double bed has been booked. for their stay! With such close proximity, they do discover that they both have an unlikely fondness for TV show The Housewives of Orange County, Soon the flouncing and banter already established since their first meeting resumes. And hovering on the sidelines is the lovely Giac, and Benito’s girlfriend, who lives in England and seemingly isn’t that fond of Italy…
There is also the issue of tourism in La Musa and there are several factions vying for a different, future vision. Once a politician, always a politician and Izzy feels herself being pulled into the political fray.
There is a great sense of Italy, specifically Umbria. I learned that thick pasta strands – Umbricelli – are a speciality in the region. There is not only a side-trip to Rome but a party heads up to Lake Como. This is a well written and immersive story that will transport the reader to Italy.
Tina for the TripFiction Team
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