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3.16 AVERAGE
3.16 AVERAGE
Really wanted to love this story. Was really bored. Stuck with it trying to understand why it was PBS worthy. Other than the setting, couldn’t find my way there.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t think I will do this book Justice because it just wasn’t my thing. The narrator was actually quite terrific, and her performance was energetic and entertaining. I think she did a great job and brought flavor to the characters.
Ah the characters . . . So many! I needed to write it down to keep it straight it seemed like. I think that’s partly because none of the characters grabbed me and really got to me on an emotional level. So I just wasn’t as interested in telling them apart and remembering their backstories and quirks. I just didn’t care.
Overall it was kind of ehh for me. I didn’t find myself listening in the car after already arriving at my destination. I had no problem just turning this audiobook off, which is not typical for me. But I think it’s the type of book that others may really get a lot out of. Just not me.
I don’t think I will do this book Justice because it just wasn’t my thing. The narrator was actually quite terrific, and her performance was energetic and entertaining. I think she did a great job and brought flavor to the characters.
Ah the characters . . . So many! I needed to write it down to keep it straight it seemed like. I think that’s partly because none of the characters grabbed me and really got to me on an emotional level. So I just wasn’t as interested in telling them apart and remembering their backstories and quirks. I just didn’t care.
Overall it was kind of ehh for me. I didn’t find myself listening in the car after already arriving at my destination. I had no problem just turning this audiobook off, which is not typical for me. But I think it’s the type of book that others may really get a lot out of. Just not me.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was about 420 pages too long.
No, but there was honestly no plot at all. It was very clearly based on a tv-show that was trying too hard to be like Downton Abbey.
Well. Nothing can ever be like Downton Abbey.
I could not differentiate any of the characters and no storyline was even remotely interesting.
An incredibly disappointing read as it had a lot of potential in many senses but did absolutely nothing worth reading with it.
No, but there was honestly no plot at all. It was very clearly based on a tv-show that was trying too hard to be like Downton Abbey.
Well. Nothing can ever be like Downton Abbey.
I could not differentiate any of the characters and no storyline was even remotely interesting.
An incredibly disappointing read as it had a lot of potential in many senses but did absolutely nothing worth reading with it.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Bored me to death but might still watch the tv adaption.
I liked this book that brought back to a different time. As I'm Italian born and bred it was like looking at a part of the history of your country through different eyes.
Bella, Cecil and the cast of characters are quite interesting and fleshed out. I liked Bella and appreciated her will to explore and try new things. Cecil was not a favorite but he's fleshed out.
The historical background is well researched and vivid, the impact of the aftermath of WWI and fascism on everyday life are well described.
I would be happy to see a series featuring these characters and Portofino, a lovely place.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Bella, Cecil and the cast of characters are quite interesting and fleshed out. I liked Bella and appreciated her will to explore and try new things. Cecil was not a favorite but he's fleshed out.
The historical background is well researched and vivid, the impact of the aftermath of WWI and fascism on everyday life are well described.
I would be happy to see a series featuring these characters and Portofino, a lovely place.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
slow-paced
I was drawn to Hotel Portofino because I love Historical Fiction, and I was fascinated by this post-war story about an English family seeking a new beginning in Italy.
From the Italian coast setting, the food descriptions, and the way of life for a hotelier, I really enjoyed this character driven story with the hotel at the very heart.
I alternated between the physical book and the audiobook, and thought the narration was great. Esther Wane was narrator, and really brought the story to life!
*many thanks to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley / Blackstone Audio for the gifted copy and Audiobook for review
From the Italian coast setting, the food descriptions, and the way of life for a hotelier, I really enjoyed this character driven story with the hotel at the very heart.
I alternated between the physical book and the audiobook, and thought the narration was great. Esther Wane was narrator, and really brought the story to life!
*many thanks to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley / Blackstone Audio for the gifted copy and Audiobook for review
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes