Joanne Merton fell in love with Franco Farelli when she was an eighteen year old student studying art in Italy. But he was much older, and seemed to think of her only as a friend. When her older, attractive cousin Rosemary came to visit her, Rosemary and Franco fell instantly in love. For years they enjoyed a happy marriage until Rosemary’s untimely death.

Meanwhile, Joanne has continued to love Franco, even going so far as to refuse to visit her cousin so she can avoid him. After Rosemary’s death, she continues to stay away because she feels guilty about Rosemary’s death and doesn’t want anyone to think she is going after Franco. But when her profession as an art copyist takes her to Italy, she feels that it would be unpardonable not to visit. She goes to see Franco and his young son Nico, and feels more in love than ever. Franco begins to return her feelings, but both of them feel guilty – is their relationship a betrayal of their love for Rosemary? Can they ever overcome the past and take a second chance at love together?

Of course they can, and since this is a short book, they can do it pretty quickly, too. At times, the plot seems contrived, especially when Joanne’s art abilities undergo a dramatic (but predictable) transformation. There is also a twist at the end that the reader can see coming a mile away. But the book is so much fun that these problems seem inconsequential.

The characters are both people you can care about, but the real star of the show is the picturesque Italian setting. Franco lives on a large, grape-producing farm, and he and Joanne take frequent jaunts into the countryside. They are always eating something that sounds terrific. The author’s bio notes that she is married to a Venetian man, and it is obvious that her descriptions of Italian life are based on first-hand knowledge.

Farelli’s Wife is part of Harlequin’s Kids & Kisses line, and although Franco has a son, his presence doesn’t overwhelm the romance. Franco has a live-in cook and housekeeper who is always on hand to keep an eye on Nico when necessary. Nico adds to the story, but he’s realistically portrayed, and he’s not always underfoot either.

All in all, Farelli’s Wife is a fun read that isn’t too taxing. If an Italian vacation doesn’t quite fit in your budget this summer, this book isn’t a bad substitute. At $3.50, it’s considerably cheaper. Just don’t blame me if you start looking around for an authentic Italian restaurants.