This scene should be in a movie. The whole story should be a movie. I cracked up when Anastasia moved the glass and the champagne spilled on the tablecloth.
I’m reserving judgement on both A & D. Like a piece of modern music there are lots of clashing notes here, cultural, rural v big city, past lives influencing present judgements & perhaps the desire to protect someone meeting the desire to protect oneself. I’m interested to note that modern technology hardly features so far, my observation as an ancient of the young is that it plays far too big a role, as sometimes it it better not to contactable or to scratch that digital itch. I’d also like D to be more worldly than A knows. Coming from a country with a huge diaspora I like to think he has maybe seen the world & chosen to go home….
Love this story. just got caught up oral the installments. also having it in Italy is great because my grand parents were from Italy. look forward to the next ones.
Hmmm, I seem to be going down a completely different rabbit hole. I'm researching global logistics, locations of fuel depots, airports, communication satellite coverages. But most importantly:
Voglio sapere se Principessa indossa un colletto lavorato a maglia e, in tal caso, include un dispositivo di localizzazione.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH "Because........... You're starting to get comfortable."
I can't judge him fully yet, but Danilo is a lot. So much judgement from that Italian point of view. And I see myself saying "He has no idea what I want." because that's similar to what I said on my last date.
Keep it coming, please :D I'm ready to pay for it too!
Oh dear.... I love reading all the comments because the perspectives are different from mine. I do find Danilo a bit creepy but his suspicions of Anastasia are not unwarranted. I found myself also wondering why she didn't haggle the price. Why is she trying to live in obscurity? If I were a local resident I'd be suspicious too (but I wouldn't stalk her of course). Is Danilo a funny character? a dark character? Both? Waiting to learn more.....
The notifications for this series kept popping up and I’ve finally had a chance to check them out all at once ... I love them! And written by women I follow on the Bird app (even though I don’t hang out much there anymore) Gorgeous detail and intriguing... and a trip down memory lane for me (I lived in Siena for a bit in college and visited Firenze and so many other charming Tuscan hill towns)...as an aside they are also serving as further inspiration for me to keep at it with my own current writing project which is ... somewhat of an historical romance set in both Italy and the States...thank you for sharing - very interested in what happens next👏🏼👏🏼
I used to think that dolts like Danilo got a pass for their boorish behavior. But after Me Too, Jeffrey Epstein, and Mr. "Grab 'Em by the Pussy!" I'm just so done! There is a small piece of me who hopes he's a bit like a Georgette Heyer hero--two parts scoundrel and one part honorable. I don't like the creepy stalker behavior, though, and I'd be irritated, too!
Something terrible must have happened to Anastasia for her to seek “safety in obscurity.” Why would an American want to move to Italy, or anywhere for that matter, and not seem to understand anything about male chivalry? Even if he thought it was a date, why did she have to be so rude? This is why I think something traumatic has paralyzed her with fear. (I have lived in Mexico, Spain and Hong Kong and yes, it always takes time to melt into the rhythm of social interactions...a reminder for those of us who are contemplating a possible move after what could be a fatal 2024 election...)
I agree that something horrible happened to her in America that led her to Italy. But had it not been for COVID keeping her there, would she have remained so long? Bought the cafe? Perhaps COVID allowed her to consider all her options.
As far as Danilo, I don't think he's as creepy as he is curious about her financial situation. He doesn't understand how she didn't negotiate at all, which is very Italian, and perhaps wonders if she is "on the lamb"? I also think he isn't used to being turned down.
I think this is going to thaw out as the novel continues and she starts to share more of her situation.
I’m starting to think this might be a Pride & Prejudice story. Which I love! In spades!
Is Danilo a Mr Darcy? Is Anastasia Mr Darcy? (AKA - have the motives of the P&P main characters been flipped?!). There’s a lot of pride and prejudice going on in this segment, at least.
The very fact that Danilo's surname is SCARPIA, like the übervillain in Puccini's Tosca, makes me picture him as some kind of younger Ruggero Raimondi (with a moustache)... 😱
This scene should be in a movie. The whole story should be a movie. I cracked up when Anastasia moved the glass and the champagne spilled on the tablecloth.
THE INTRIGUE!!
I’m reserving judgement on both A & D. Like a piece of modern music there are lots of clashing notes here, cultural, rural v big city, past lives influencing present judgements & perhaps the desire to protect someone meeting the desire to protect oneself. I’m interested to note that modern technology hardly features so far, my observation as an ancient of the young is that it plays far too big a role, as sometimes it it better not to contactable or to scratch that digital itch. I’d also like D to be more worldly than A knows. Coming from a country with a huge diaspora I like to think he has maybe seen the world & chosen to go home….
Love this story. just got caught up oral the installments. also having it in Italy is great because my grand parents were from Italy. look forward to the next ones.
Hmmm, I seem to be going down a completely different rabbit hole. I'm researching global logistics, locations of fuel depots, airports, communication satellite coverages. But most importantly:
Voglio sapere se Principessa indossa un colletto lavorato a maglia e, in tal caso, include un dispositivo di localizzazione.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH "Because........... You're starting to get comfortable."
I can't judge him fully yet, but Danilo is a lot. So much judgement from that Italian point of view. And I see myself saying "He has no idea what I want." because that's similar to what I said on my last date.
Keep it coming, please :D I'm ready to pay for it too!
Oooooooohhh, intriguing! You ladies are very good at setting the hook.
Oh dear.... I love reading all the comments because the perspectives are different from mine. I do find Danilo a bit creepy but his suspicions of Anastasia are not unwarranted. I found myself also wondering why she didn't haggle the price. Why is she trying to live in obscurity? If I were a local resident I'd be suspicious too (but I wouldn't stalk her of course). Is Danilo a funny character? a dark character? Both? Waiting to learn more.....
The notifications for this series kept popping up and I’ve finally had a chance to check them out all at once ... I love them! And written by women I follow on the Bird app (even though I don’t hang out much there anymore) Gorgeous detail and intriguing... and a trip down memory lane for me (I lived in Siena for a bit in college and visited Firenze and so many other charming Tuscan hill towns)...as an aside they are also serving as further inspiration for me to keep at it with my own current writing project which is ... somewhat of an historical romance set in both Italy and the States...thank you for sharing - very interested in what happens next👏🏼👏🏼
I used to think that dolts like Danilo got a pass for their boorish behavior. But after Me Too, Jeffrey Epstein, and Mr. "Grab 'Em by the Pussy!" I'm just so done! There is a small piece of me who hopes he's a bit like a Georgette Heyer hero--two parts scoundrel and one part honorable. I don't like the creepy stalker behavior, though, and I'd be irritated, too!
I am intrigued..the plot thickens!
I am a retired psychotherapist with the original husband, two adult children and four grands.. I read, cook and knit ..
Something terrible must have happened to Anastasia for her to seek “safety in obscurity.” Why would an American want to move to Italy, or anywhere for that matter, and not seem to understand anything about male chivalry? Even if he thought it was a date, why did she have to be so rude? This is why I think something traumatic has paralyzed her with fear. (I have lived in Mexico, Spain and Hong Kong and yes, it always takes time to melt into the rhythm of social interactions...a reminder for those of us who are contemplating a possible move after what could be a fatal 2024 election...)
Agree😨
We’re with you...sadly
I agree that something horrible happened to her in America that led her to Italy. But had it not been for COVID keeping her there, would she have remained so long? Bought the cafe? Perhaps COVID allowed her to consider all her options.
As far as Danilo, I don't think he's as creepy as he is curious about her financial situation. He doesn't understand how she didn't negotiate at all, which is very Italian, and perhaps wonders if she is "on the lamb"? I also think he isn't used to being turned down.
I think this is going to thaw out as the novel continues and she starts to share more of her situation.
My husband and I were discussing that very thing this morning. Where do we move if things go south next November
I’m starting to think this might be a Pride & Prejudice story. Which I love! In spades!
Is Danilo a Mr Darcy? Is Anastasia Mr Darcy? (AKA - have the motives of the P&P main characters been flipped?!). There’s a lot of pride and prejudice going on in this segment, at least.
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
I don’t know, from the way he was described I’m picturing more of mobster!
You could be right, Elle! I wrote this comment BB (Before Bella), so *that* changed *everything*! 🤣
Still good.
But, Danilo is the kinda guy that gives guys a bad name.
The very fact that Danilo's surname is SCARPIA, like the übervillain in Puccini's Tosca, makes me picture him as some kind of younger Ruggero Raimondi (with a moustache)... 😱
Ooooh, good clue!
Oh my goodness! What a way to end the installment! Now I'll be wondering all night long what might be coming. 😳