Book Review: To Sicily with Love by Jennifer Probst

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A colorful book cover for To Sicily with Love by Jennifer Probst. The cover features a picturesque seaside view of a Mediterranean town with pastel-colored buildings on a hillside, overlooking a turquoise sea with boats. In the foreground, a charming outdoor café with red-and-white striped umbrellas and lush greenery creates a romantic, inviting atmosphere.

Who doesn’t love a good book set in Italy?  Jennifer Probst is a best-selling author with several books to her name including the “Meet Me in Italy” series, four stand-alone women’s fiction/romance books in various settings around Italy (read my book review of A Wedding in Lake Como). To Sicily with Love is the fourth installment and it doesn’t disappoint: there’s a woman trying to figure out her life and a trip to Italy helps her find her answers.

To Sicily with Love

Our protagonist, Aurora, is a successful motivational speaker and influencer, constantly inspiring others to live their best lives. But beneath the glossy exterior of curated social media posts and perfectly crafted speeches, is a lot of hard work and commitment and when her last surviving parent dies unexpectedly, Aurora finds that her usual advice and push-through-it attitude isn’t working. 

When she discovers a part of her family she never knew about and is offered the chance to visit Sicily, she embarks on a journey that challenges everything she thought she knew about success, happiness, and love.

From the very beginning, Probst masterfully pulls the reader into the Sicilian landscape, making it feel as though we’re walking alongside the characters through charming coastal villages, visiting ancient sites, and enjoying delicious Sicilian dishes. Her descriptions are rich and sensory, painting a picture of Sicily that is as vivid and enchanting. (To visit Sicily for real, I would recommend this tour.)

One of the most captivating elements of To Sicily with Love is the way Probst weaves Sicilian culture and traditions into the story. From family dynamics to the rhythm of daily life, she gives readers an intimate look at what makes this island so special.

By weaving in tidbits and insight into Sicilian culture, Probst reveals the contrast between the protagonist’s fast-paced, success-driven world and the relaxed, community-oriented nature of Sicily—a contrast that plays a significant role in her character development.

Appetizing seafood pasta with mussels and prawns, perfect for a romantic dinner.

Of course, no book set in Italy would be complete without mouthwatering descriptions of food, and we get that here, too: arancini, fresh seafood, homemade pasta and decadent cannoli. The food isn’t just a backdrop in this novel—it’s actually part of the journey, representing love, connection, and even self-discovery. 

And, of course, there’s a dreamy (i.e. very attractive) Italian man to help Aurora find her way. As with Probst’s other books, though, the romance is just a part of the story, not the full focus. The love story unfolds in a way that feels natural, rather than rushed or forced. The chemistry between the protagonist and her love interest is built on genuine connection, mutual respect, and a shared love for Sicily, rather than just physical attraction.

In fact, Probst does an excellent job of portraying the emotional and mental toll that comes with Aurora’s career, dealing with grief, and the importance of true friends and family. 

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, To Sicily with Love is the kind of book that leaves you feeling warm and uplifted. It’s full of heart, charm, and meaningful lessons, all wrapped up in a setting that is both picturesque and deeply rich in culture.

(And if you have a love affair with Italy like me, be sure to check out my list of books set in Italy.)

Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½ (rounded down), I liked it a lot!
Author: Jennifer Probst
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Women’s Literature
Places Featured: Sciacca, Sicily, Italy

***I was given a version of this book for free in exchange for an honest book review; thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing. The book will be released on 18 February 2025.

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Jen Price is the creator of Travel Books and Movies, where she helps readers explore the world through stories on the page and screen. Currently living in Italy, she shares her love of travel, books, and films through personal guides, reviews, and itineraries that blend real-world destinations with unforgettable stories.