Finding Serenissima - by Apple Gidley (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"Seized my heart" Caroline James, author of The Cruise

"Charming" Alka Joshi, author of the NYT bestselling The Henna Artist

"Uplifting" Suzanne Leal, author of The Watchful Wife

With the help of a feisty hotel owner, an attractive water-taxi driver, and a gondola full of Italians who call Venice home, Amelia, a widowed Australian, begins her search for serenity. As the island city works its magic, she comes to realize her life has been overshadowed by her famous American husband, Leo, well before his decline into Alzheimer's.

As Amelia navigates Venice's winding canals and its language, she gracefully confronts the joys and challenges of aging, discovering that love and laughter can come at any stage of life. Balancing long-distance parenting and familial obligations, she redefines what it means to live fully as an older woman, all while the magical city slowly helps her reclaim her identity.

Finding Serenissima is a heartwarming tale of second chances, exploring the complexities of long marriage, independence, and rediscovering love in the most unexpected places.

Review Quotes

"I want to walk alongside the canals, my carrello loaded with wine and forget-me-nots, and lounge on my balcony, sipping a cappuccino and munching on a sweet cornetto in the mornings. What a charming journey." Alka Joshi, author of the NYT bestselling The Henna Artist

"A literary gem that immediately seized my heart... I laughed, cried, and rooted for this extraordinary woman as she courageously embarked on a new chapter in her life." Caroline James author of The Cruise

"Vibrant as a glass of prosecco... sparkles with wit, wisdom, and warmth." Janet Newman, author of Letters from Clara: One Intrepid Woman's Travels on the Eve of War, 1936-1939

"Both a refuge and a delight... compelling, honest and ultimately uplifting story of love and loss, friendship and community, joy and self-discovery." Suzanne Leal, author of The Watchful Wife

"With a deft touch, she explores the complexities of grief, love, and the courage to begin anew in one's sixties... radiates with gentle humor and profound hope, transforming the deeply human experience of losing a loved one into a page-turning journey across the globe." Tana Jenkins, award-winning author of Sailing into the Heart