Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Joanna is 64, divorced and rudderless until an old friend invites her and best friend Susie to Capri. She and Paulo used to have feelings for each other but she lost his number and he married her friend Ellen. Can they get a second chance?

I liked the setting and the characters but there wasn't much plot, just a lot of agonising and regret, plus some feisty nonnas and a bratty five year old. I like the fact that there were a lot of elderly characters but there are so many books for silver ladies that do it better.

Juliette from The Old Ducks' Club makes a guest appearance as Joanna's neighbour, but this is a standalone. A lot of people will love this but I found the plot too thin, plus, in this day and age you really shouldn't call a woman a trollop anymore.

can someone please make Susie and Jo real and then ask them to take me on their holiday or just allow me to come round for tea and to be enveloped into their world. these two characters were great. they were a warming buzz of what you want friendship to be and what you want them to ask you to do with them... i mean lets all go on an expenses paid trip to Italy please.
its such a cozy book. but a life affirming one too. its also got that touch of class and maturity that woman of their age bring. and when this age woman dont let go of themselves or their love of life its truly one of the best things to see, read and be inspired by.
i couldnt and didnt want to put this book down. and wanted it to go on as i neared the end because its just so feel good.

the book takes you with two friends to the shores of Capri to honor a friend. these two gals need a fresh look and start to this next chapter they are facing. and where better than the land of sun,sea and location location location.
then you have to add in to the mix our Paulo. who was a gorgeous human being and i fell in love with both him and his family. they add that extra wit, humor and gorgeousness to this book. oh and of course Paulo was the one that got away for one of our ladies so there that sizzle to the mix.
if you need a feel good book then this is for you. and if you dont feel you need a feel good book then trust me you do, you'll want this one and not regret a second of it.
more Maddie "please"...

This charming and uplifting romance swept me away to the sun-soaked shores of Capri alongside Jo and Susie—two women embracing a fresh chapter in life. Both at a stage where they’re craving more than just routine, they leap at the chance to escape their ruts with an all-expenses-paid trip to celebrate a dear friend’s life. What unfolds is a heartwarming journey filled with laughter, love, and second chances.

I loved the reminder that it’s never too late to find meaningful happiness. Jo and Susie’s stories are both relatable and inspiring, especially for anyone who's ever felt stuck or in need of something more. Then there’s Paulo and his family, who add such a delightful dose of humor—I found myself smiling constantly throughout the story.

With a perfect mix of heartfelt moments and lighthearted fun, this story was a joy to devour. If you’re in the mood for a feel-good romance that reminds you that love (and adventure) has no age limit, this one belongs at the top of your list.

Thank you to the Author, Maddie Please and NetGalley for giving me early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Joyous..
An all expenses paid trip to Italy may well be just what the doctor ordered in this fun, frothy and heartwarming tale of second chances, sun, Italian wine and big portions of pasta. Joanna may well discover that life after sixty four is, perhaps, the best time of her life - ever. With a cast of well drawn, credible and eclectic characters, a beautiful setting and a pacy narrative, this is a rather joyous slice of escapism.

First of all thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of The Dolce Vita Divas.
If you want to read a feel good book, this is the one. It is a light read. Not a man’s book. . I like how it includes past and present, not at all confusing, as some books are.
Looking forward I. Reading more from this author.

I have enjoyed some of Maddie Please's previous books with older FMCs and seeing as that is where I am in life, it is great to read feel-good fiction targeted at that age.
Joanne is a retired woman, about to celebrate a key birthday and reflecting on her life.
She's going to hit 65, divorced, with an ex-husband shacked up with his secretary, three grown-up children, two granddaughters and has recently, reluctantly, welcomed her son back home while he mops up his life after a breakup.
A short birthday break with one of her best friends, Susie, gives her reason to want to stretch her wings a little further, out of the comfort of her staid life.
They find themselves in Capri, to celebrate the life of one of their friends, Ellen, who passed away, and Jo faces a person she classes as her first love. Paulo.
I'm not going to detail what what happens, but there is plenty of wine, pasta, and humour. The side cast of characters, including the indomitable Contessa, mother of Paulo, and little Eric, Paulo's 5-year-old grandson, bring much enjoyment to the tale, and ultimately, seeing a woman grab her life back when others are saying "What? At your age?", is just inspirational!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Maddie Please is a fabulous writer that brings her characters to life.

This book actually starts in 1984 when 2 people meet and may have that "instant attraction" moment, unfortunately they do not meet again until it's too late and their lives have moved on. Friendships feature heavily in this book. Susie and Joanna are two women that would absolutely be my friends, still looking for life to be fun and have purpose. they go to a memorial event in gorgeous Capri. We then follow the story of Paulo and Joanna, meeting again in later life, is it time for each of them to have a second chance?

I guarantee you will not be able to put this book down.

The Dolce Vita Divas by Maddie Please is a most delightful contemporary novel that I read in just one sitting.
Maddie Please has created a wonderful, light-hearted read about second chances and really living life whatever your age.
All the characters are over sixty. They prove that age is no barrier to having fun. “I used to think life had passed me by and then I realized it hadn’t… Take every chance you get.” We need to grab life with both hands. We are never too old to re-write our story and to have a good ending – even an eighty-five-year-old knows how to live life. After all age is just a number.
The action is in the first person from the lead characters point of view. We get to know her intimately. Her life has been full, raising children but her first love has never left her heart. After her husband of many years left her (before the book opened), she realizes that now is the time to make some life changes.
A holiday in Capri with a friend, and in memory of another friend, offers new possibilities.
The landscape is in glorious technicolour compared with grey England. The reader can ‘feel’ the warmth and ‘see’ the vibrant colours.
We witness sibling rivalry and see various different parenting styles. We see that everyone appreciates being given boundaries as when we know the rules, life is simpler for all.
As we grow older, our role in life changes. Our children are grown and “I wanted to feel needed again.” We need to be adaptable as life changes. Growing older can still mean life is full and fun.
I always enjoy the novels of Maddie Please. They bring a smile to my face. Light-hearted banter is amusing and her characters are a joy to behold.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed being whisked away to Capri with best friends, Jo and Susie. Both women are at a time in their lives when they are looking for more and wanting to get out of the rut they have been living in. When an all expenses trip to celebrate the life of one of their good friends comes around, well of course they can’t say no!

The one thing I love about this author’s books is that there is hope for us all. She shows us that age is just a number and in no way defines us. If anything, with age, retirement age especially, does come with some advantages. The setting of the story was yet another winner and I lapped it all up. Paulo’s family were certainly an interesting bunch that provided some fun and laughter. In fact there were more than a few laugh out loud moments at poor Jo’s expense.

The Dolce Vita Divas had me smiling throughout. It has a wonderful mix of humour as well as heartwarming moments. It’s a reminder that whilst family will always be important, we shouldn’t lose ourselves along the way. Hugely entertaining and wonderfully uplifting, I quickly devoured this utterly gorgeous read!

Joanna is approaching her 65th birthday and is at ends with her life after her husband , Greg leaves to be with a younger women!

Jo's best friend Susie arrives with details of a paid trip to Capri, Italy to celebrate the life of their friend Ellen who had passed away a few years ago but had also married Paulo, Jo's first love.

What happens when Jo and Paulo reunite?

First time read from this author but loved this fun and witty book a must read!

This is my second book by Maddie Please and I just couldn’t put it down it was an excellent read.

Jo’s husband has left her for a younger woman AKA the TBT thin, blonde, trollop, her children and grandchildren have their own lives and she feels at a crossroads.

What perfect timing for her and her best friend Susie to make a trip to Capri to remember their late friend Ellen and get away from it all. However Ellen’s husband Paulo is Jo’s first love and what follows is a time for them to reconnect with plenty of drama, fun and laughs along the way.

This book was brilliant and I didn’t want it to end, the flashbacks to when Jo was young were great and there was plenty of humour which had me laughing out loud.

There were plenty of great characters which were so descriptive and I especially loved Ceci.

Thanks to NetGalley, Maddie Please and Boldwood Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

A lovely romantic drama about second chances set on beautiful Capri. Well written and empathetic characters, I adored the spoiled grandson and the bickering Italian sisters. There is a lot of emotional heart in this book.

This is a fun read, and the Italian setting makes it a great book to take on holiday (also good in grey England). As a woman of a similar age to Jo, I really empathised with her. Life is not over by 60! There are some hilarious scenes between elderly Italian women in particular, and some read like a sketch from slap stick comedy! I think ‘No No’ parenting will resonate with many grandparents! And then there is the romantic element to the book… All in all, this is a wonderful read and I highly recommend it, and all the previous books by Maddie Please.

Sunshine, Sisterhood, and Second Chances
A 100% buy-today-read-tonight delight.
Thanks to a great author we have warmth, wisdom and emotional intelligence, this book was a huge pleasure to read! A fabulous, really enjoyable read.

I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend read of this book. It made my cold days in Yorkshire feel as if I was actually in the sunny Greek isles.
It made me smile so much too as I too am a lady if a certain age.
Friendship is so important and I really did not want this book to end

I like this author. I liked this book. This is a fun quick read with delightful characters. This talented author has written a page turner. From page one, I was intrigued with this story. Curl up in a comfy chair. Grab a cup of steaming herbal tea. Get ready for an afternoon of entertainment. Thanks Netgalley.