Varina Palladino’s Jersey Italian Love Story by Terri-Lynne DeFino: Book Review

Varina Palladino’s Jersey Italian Love Story is a humourous look at a multi-generational family and their quest to find their mother a new romance.

From The Publisher:

Lively widow Varina Palladino has lived in the same house in Wyldale, New Jersey, her entire life. The town might be slightly stuck in the 1960s, when small businesses thrived and most residents were Italian, but its population is getting younger and the Palladinos are embracing the change. What Varina’s not embracing, much to her ninety-two-year-old mother’s dismay, is dating. Running Palladino’s Italian Specialties grocery, caring for her mother, and keeping her large, loud Jersey Italian family from killing one another takes up all of Varina’s energy anyway.

Sylvia Spini worries about her daughter Varina being left all alone when she dies. Sylvia knows what it is to be old and alone, so when her granddaughter, Donatella, comes to her with an ill-conceived plan to find Varina a man, Sylvia dives in. The three men of the family—Dante, Tommy, and Paulie—are each secretly plotting their own big life changes, which will throw everyone for a loop.

Three generations of Paladinos butt heads and break one another’s hearts as they wrestle with their own Jersey Italian love stories in this hilarious and life-affirming ode to love and family.

My Thoughts:

My family is the most important thing in the world to me. As a reader, I love the opportunity to read about other families, especially in a culture outside of my own. The Palladino family’s story is both realistic and entertaining. I enjoyed reading about it.

Varina Palladino is a seventy-year-old widow who runs the family business. Her life revolves around family Sunday dinners, assisting her ninety-two-year-old mother Sylvia who lives with her as well and a troubled unmarried daughter Donatella who has a habit of taking off for periods of time without letting anyone know. She’s always wanted to take a European river cruise and is adamant that it will happen this year.

Sylvia and Donatella are kindred spirits and decide that it’s time for Varina to find a new man in her life. They take it upon themselves to advertise Varina’s eligibility (without her consent) and soon Varina has several men asking her out.

Varina’s two sons and Donatella’s best friend Paulie are also featured in the story. Without giving anything away, expect the unexpected. This family is complex, loving and always looking out for one another. The characters are well-written and heartfelt and the story highly believable.

I listened to the audiobook version of Varina Palladino’s Jersey Italian Love Story which was narrated by Eva Kaminsky. I enjoyed her performance and marveled at her ability to provide authentic Jersey accents covering a wide range of characters. I recommend the audiobook version to those that appreciate this format.

I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy Women’s Fiction or family stories.

What I Liked About Varina Palladino’s Jersey Italian Love Story:

• The use of well-developed, authentic characters
• The belief of caring for yourself to care for others
• The notion that it’s never too late to find love

Similar Books I’ve Reviewed:

Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Spence- Ash

The Sister Effect by Susan Mallery

One Month of You by Suzanne Ewart