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Can you change your life by swapping your home?
Under Italian Skies by New Zealand author Nicky Pellegrino, was released to international praise in April this year. The book chronicles the life of London-based Stella, the trusted assistant to a legendary fashion designer.
Stella is at an impasse in her life. With the untimely passing of her boss, mentor and friend – legendary fashion designer Milly Munroe, she has lost the job she has both dedicated herself to and loved for more than a quarter of a century. She is left with the question “What next?”. A workmate suggests the idea of an adult gap year.
And why not? Stella realizes she is in the unique position to act on this unlikely idea. She is 49 – she has nothing tying her to London. She has some money saved she can live on. Finding a job she loves just as much as her position at Milly’s seems impossible, and the bigger question, what would she do? Her best friend Birdie suggests she escape to another country for a while, to immerse in culture, language, food and fashion.
On a house swap website, Stella finds Leo, a landscape gardener and his beautiful summer home – Villa Rosa in the picturesque seaside village of Triento in Southern Italy. As Stella makes the decision to go for it, she and Leo arrange the details of their house swap over email and a friendship is sparked.
Villa Rosa is everything Stella has hoped for. As she gets accustomed to the differences – both large and small, between Triento and London, she finds unexpected help from Leo, who has left her a scrap book of things to do and people to meet when she finds herself stuck.
As Stella is drawn into local life, she meets and befriends some charismatic locals including the fierce ex movie star Tosca who has moved back to her home town from LA for mysterious reasons, and Tosca’s childhood friend Raffaella who has recently lost her husband. Each of these strong women is holding onto a past. Will they be brave enough to let go, and reach for a future that is ready for the taking? As they take strength from each other, Stella finds it is never too late to start a new chapter.
You can purchase the book from any good book store or win a copy below!
Would you like to join the Easy Reads Book Club?
Anyone is able to participate by commenting below, or by using the hashtag #easyezireads on social media.
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Respond to our Book Club questions in the comments section below:
1. Stella’s friends look on her “situation” with pity. How much of an impact do you think this had on her decision to take an adult gap year?
2. Clothes say a lot about people and Stella makes specific note of this in her first few days of people watching in the village. When do you think she started to feel comfortable in the village?
3. Stella meets Tosca for the first time and the conversation turns to Milly’s designs and how she would hate for them to be forgotten. Tosca asks Stella “what will you be remembered for? Good things or bad things?”. Do you think it is as easy as being remembered for either good OR bad things?
4. Tosca and Raffaella believe Leo’s scrap book for Stella is romantic, but Stella believes it a thoughtful gift to help her feel less isolated. What could have pointed the two friends towards this conclusion?
5. Birdie has always been Stella’s champion. We don’t get to find out what Birdies opinion is on Stella’s final decision. Would she have been supportive?
6. If you could take a gap year, where would it take you?
Let us know what you think in the comments below or comment on social media with the hashtag #easyezireads
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We have one signed copy of the book to giveaway and 10 x extra copies (along with some prizes!) – sign up to our Easy Ready mailing list to go in the draw.
Terms & Conditions below.
Nicky Pellegrino will be taking over EziBuy’s Facebook page on Wednesday 7th September from 8pm to 8.30pm to answer any questions people may have about the book.
Nicky Pellegrino will be taking over EziBuy’s Facebook page on Wednesday 7th September from 8pm to 8.30pm to answer any questions people may have about the book.
Terms & Conditions
- Information produced by us on how to enter the competition and prizes for the competition form part of these terms. By entering the competition, you are deemed to accept these terms.
- Entry is open to all Australian and New Zealand residents, except employees or immediate family members of employees of the EziBuy Group.
- To enter the draw to win one of eleven copies of ‘Under Italian Skies’, let us know your name and email address by completing our entry form on Life & Style Your Way.
- Competition ends at midnight [AEST / NZT] 28 August 2016
- 10 prize winners will be randomly selected by EziBuy based on chance on 29 August 2016.
- 10 x prize winners will receive an book prize pack via post.
- Our determination of the prize winners will be final and binding, and no correspondence or other communication will be entered into.
- Delivery of the prize within New Zealand or Australia will be free of charge.
- Prizes are not transferable, exchangeable nor redeemable for cash or credit note.
- The prize winner will be notified via email.
- The failure by a prize winner to claim the prize before 5pm 31 August 2016 will result in their prize being forfeited.
- We will not be liable for any loss, damage or injury (including but not limited to any indirect or consequential loss) suffered or incurred by you (or any other person) as a result of or in connection with the competition or any prize, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.
- We reserve the right, in our sole discretion and at any time, to replace or amend these terms or to modify, suspend, terminate or cancel the competition.
- You authorise us to collect and hold personal information, to be used to conduct the competition and for future promotional purposes. You understand that you have a right of access to, and may request correction of, personal information held by us about you, which you may exercise by contacting us at facebook@ezibuy.co.nz. Failure to provide the personal information requested on the entry form will result in the entry being invalid.
- The Promoter is EziBuy Limited, Level 4, The Textile Centre, 1 Kenwyn Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand. Tel 0508 500 500 (from within NZ) or 1800 148 148 (from within Australia). ABN 13 398 168 301.
- Authorised under permit numbers: NSW: LTPM/15/00633; ACT: TP 15/06333.
