Gelato at the Villa - (Suitcase Sisters) by Robin Jones Gunn

About the Book

Grace Rodelle and Claire Panderly have formed a close friendship over their love of reading. After many years and many books that provided merely armchair adventures, the time has come for them to go somewhere instead of only dreaming of someday. Their destination? Italy!

As they travel through Venice, Tuscany, and Florence, history comes alive all around them while unresolved issues in their own personal histories rise to the surface. Immersed in magnificent works of art, scrumptious gelato flavors, and endless pasta variations, they find themselves more vulnerable about sharing their struggles than they ever were at home. As Grace experiences a newfound freedom, Claire wrestles with the foundations of her beliefs.

It takes a special dinner party in followed by an unexpected life-changing moment on the shores of Lake Lugano for Grace and Claire discover they are not just tourists on this planet but pilgrims on a path to becoming who they were created to be.

Bestselling author Robin Jones Gunn whisks you away to experience the incredible landscape, food, people, and culture of Northern Italy alongside two friends who need to be set free before they can experience life to its fullest.

Book Synopsis

Chi trova un amico trova un tesoro.
"Whoever finds a friend finds a treasure."
Italian saying

Grace and Claire have formed a close friendship over their love of reading. After many years and many books that provided armchair adventures, the time has come for them to go somewhere instead of only dreaming of someday.

Traveling to Venice, Florence, and Bellagio, the Suitcase Sisters find themselves immersed in the magnificent works of art, scrumptious gelato flavors, and endless pasta variations of Italy. And they discover a vulnerability to disclose their struggles in ways they never did at home. As Grace experiences a newfound freedom and confidence in who she is, Claire wrestles with painful memories of her teen years.

A special dinner party brings unexpected revelations about faith and God's nearness. Then a life-changing moment on the shores of Lake Lugano causes Grace and Claire to discover they are not just tourists but pilgrims on a path to becoming all God created them to be.

Robin Jones Gunn whisks you away to experience the incredible culture of Northern Italy in this inspiring, faith-based contemporary fiction with themes of European travel, midlife adventures, and lifelong friendships, making this a perfect book club selection.