The Diary of a Single Parent Abroad

Hello Jill
What a well-written memoir, such joyful times and then such sadness, but along this journey you were strong, for your-self and your children. I enjoyed the monthly calendar, it added a reality to each chapter. I could feel your soul personified in each chapter.

This is a keeper, all reading demographics would find this interesting, relevant and authentic. No hook me in plots or fake characters, just realism in black and white... hence, this is what a memoir is, true reality...

A very nice afternoon read and I am glad to add you to my w/l.

I wish you good luck with this book journey, but it seems that you have already made that journey!

Thanks a lot for letting me into you and your family's life.

Highly starred!!
FC

Sorry Jill, I knocked you accidenetally off my bookshelf, but you are back on again.
best wishes
Brigitte

Hi Jill,
I finished all 15 pages and waiting for news from the doneys. You make me jealous. We dreamt of having animals, but they never happened. I pretend they did reading your manuscript.
As to the style of your writing, it is like talking to a friend over a bottle of wine. Your readers are there with you listening and sharing. Keep writing. I need more.
Brigitte

Hi Jill, I read 7 chapters in a row. I enjoy your 'chatty' style, your openness as you go along sharing your emotions with us all. I shall finish your book before I return to France next week to plant potatoes which are still chipping in the barn. I shall look out for a passata machine, too.
I shall add another star to your collection as you already have four of mine.
all the best
Brigitte

Time to get married again.

Hi Jill, just came across your book. It sounds familiar. I am most at home renovatin. I have put you on my book shelf and watchlist just skimming through and rated you foru stars for starters. Back soon.
Brigitte
You will dance again!

Six stars and on my watchlist to shuffle on to my bookshelf too; read all the chapters you have posted. Your voice comes across so clearly in your writing. I love the way you have the ability to look at the positive side of things and it made me laugh when you wrote about 'Popeye cake'. What makes your book so captivating is that you don't hold back and you write with such honesty and frankness. I particularly enjoy your description of the landscape and Italian way of life. Reaching the end of chapter 15 and learning so much about your strength of character, resourcefulness and resilence I am certain that despite all the finacial pressures you faced, you have managed to hold on.
Best of luck with getting your book published.

Maria (Georgina's Family)

As an ex-pat myself, I’m always interested to hear how other people manage it. Judging from the number of ex-pat memoirs in bookstores, many readers are interested, so it’s a good topic.

At the moment the writing has the feel of a letter to a friend – lots of interesting stuff, but not yet brought to life. The trick with narrative non-fiction (which is what this is) is to use the techniques of novel writing, even though you’re dealing with raw material drawn from reality. Raw material, by the way, that has a lot of comic potential.

The story about the knickers on the washing line, for example, is priceless and you could open with that. For example, you could start with a knock on the door, the show you opening it, and next describe the angry man you find standing there wielding a hammer. Next thing the reader knows, it turns out he isn’t an axe murderer, but someone who wants to hang his mother’s undies up on your house. That’s comedy gold. From there you can feed in back story about how you came to be in the house and how the renovations are going. What is slowing the narrative down is too much explaining and not enough action – if you stripped out all the explaining about your thoughts, intentions and plans, what would you have left? The skeleton of a very interesting book.

When writing narrative non-fiction, you also have to establish yourself as a character that the reader wants to spend time with. The way to do this is the way you’d do it in real life – lots of entertaining anecdotes told vividly as though they’re happening in real time, rather than talking a lot about yourself and your thoughts.

Also, your story is about your time in Italy, so you need to arrive there with a bang. Instead of ‘everything was how I expected it to be’, dazzle us with Italy by putting us right there. What would we be seeing? Smelling? What was that bowl of pasta you had on your first night, and what was the waiter like who handed it to you? It’s not that you need to give the reader lots of trivial information, but you need to immerse them in the Italian experience. Imagine, if you will, that your book is a raging bestseller and there are people in China, or the USA or South Africa, who have never been to Italy who are reading this. What information do they need to know to experience Italy right alongside you?

Having read a few chapters, my criticism is the same throughout – dramatise! You’ve written your reader a letter. Now flesh that out with characters and descriptions and turn it into a non fiction narrative full of life and colour.

As an aside, your pitch does you no favours. The bit about digging out a well with your own hands sounds very interesting – but the rest of it, to me at least, sounds like I’m going to open a book full of moaning. That impression isn’t helped by your opening where you complain about the ugly locals, only to move on to information that doesn’t help get the story started.

I do have a couple more nitpicks – referring to ‘hubby’ is off putting. Although it adds to the gossipy, intimate feel of the memoir, it means that he never emerges as a real character. Finally, exclamation marks quickly wear thin and the overall punctuation needs to be cleaned up.

In closing, though, there is very good material here for the sort of ex-pat memoir that could be very popular. What would make a very interesting hook for the market, I suspect, is the self reliance and do-it-yourselfness that runs through this book. It’s a very timely topic.

Dear Jill,

I was so captured by your short pitch, I just had to come by for a quick peek at your first two chapters. Wow! Your writing flows so smoothly, and your tone is perfectly conversational. I love your first person point of view; it makes me feel as if I'm sitting and listening to you chat over coffee. The content of living abroad in Italy is so interesting... I could relate to the frustrations (and humor) of living in a foreign country. This is really well done. Giving you many stars and wishing you every success.

All the very best,
Faith Rose
Now To Him

I've had your book on my WL for some time and I keep coming back to it. I wanted to read the whole thing (well, what you have up) of it before I commented on it. First off, I have to commend you for doing what you did. You moved to a country where you didn't know much of the language and then to find out what your ex was doing and make it without him like you did... it's definite courage and strength on your part and your children's part. I absolutely loved this book and I can't wait until there's more to read. The only thing I didn't like was that you overused "he disappeared and came back." A few less of those would have been good. While I did find some grammatical and punctuation errors, those aren't too hard to fix. I'm sure we all have them. Lol. I will be putting this up on my bookshelf when I have some space. It will be highly starred from me. I don't know a lot of people who could do what you did.

The Diary of a Single Parent Abroad
Delayed return read – I’ve been missing out! This is a lot of fun, I can smell the tomato sauce! Overall, I really loved this and read up to CH 4. I was pulled into your world and felt the loneliness of missing “hubby” but was so impressed with how quickly your family adapted. This made me want to do the same thing – just pick up and move to Italy!
I took a few chapter notes, hope you don’t mind. Always, of course, IMHO goes without saying. Disregard if you disagree 
Ch1: What a fantastic first line!
“It was such a contrast to the experience we had on a daytrip to Chatsworth House…” then there is paragraph break and then “We set off like tourists…”. At first I thought the 2nd para was in Italy, but it wasn’t until I got to the end that I realized you were talking about your Chatsworth daytrip. Somehow make it a bit clearer.
Currently listening to – well that’s fun!!
Ch2:
This is a heck of a sentence, suggest breaking it up:
After three attempts by the ‘so-called’ builders to fix it, I went on the internet and found out how to build a French drain, hoping to solve the problem myself, but it was not much fun when I plunged my pickaxe into the ground and brown water spurted out like oil, but needs must so I persevered and dug a trench to make a run-off system, then filled it with pebbles to filter the waste water.
“unfortunately taking advantage” should be taken advantage.
Ch3: Well this is charming, I get a recipe!
I like the hinting to the husband but “little did I know” was a bit overused.
Ch4: The story of the duck is fantastic. Oh my goodness, how other cultures live! What a lesson (for you, but for me too!) WOW end of this chapter. I have to go back to work now, as my hour lunch break is over.
Highly starred, a lot of fun, on my WL for future shelving! Thanks for your continued support of MHM.
Kate M.

Hello Jill, I have read your book and could totally identify with some of your situations as I live in France. I have just uploaded my first attempt and would really appreciate your comments. I'ts on a similar vain as yours and called Faking it in France.
With best wishes Karamak.

Hi Jill, I really enjoyed reading your book , it is really well written and very engaging. I can relate to a lot of the experiences here in Catalunya. Well done!
Maya.
"Away With The Mountains"

This is very nicely written! The story flows with grace and is quite seamless. Your style really invites the reader into your world and lets us share your adventure. Wonderful travel writing!
--Tod Schneider
The Lost Wink

Jill:
just finished reading all you had uploaded. It was a good read for me and interesting. I will have you shelved for a while. Well done!!
Shirley Grace

Jill:
I am now starting chapter six. It's a wonderful read and I can so... relate to your character. My husband left my life at 42.(Cancer )I had four children and was alone, really. It was a long time ago but I recall trying to help my kids deal with the loss when I, myself was just trying to get through another day. It was a horrible time. I look forward to reading on. It is well written I love her sense of humor and her grit..Starred and backed!
Shirley Grace

Jilli, this is fantastic! There's nothing more I can say. I even got a spinaci cake recipe :) I want to read the rest of the chapters, but I had to break myself and write a comment. It is an absolute delight with your unique voice, sense of humor, and contagious passion for life (and wine :)).
T. Donna Robison
(No Kiss Good-bye is my story about my 38-year old mom emigrating out of communist Romania with me and my ten-year-old sister and the months the three of us spent in Austria on temporary visas before finally succeeding to America. If you have the time and interest, I would love your feedback).

Really enjoyed sneaking a read of this in at work.

Now at seventy years my favourite thing is to laugh long and a quiet small weep now and again, this gem of a book has given me both in spades, I do have another three chapters to read after tea. its already on my shelf and will be there for quite a while.

Bingo! You deserve the shelf! I love this.

Wow, I've been reading about your ordeal. All that creative talent and you can write, too! And you are artistic– I love your wine splat avatar. Very clever!

As soon as the 24-hour shelf clock allows me, I'll happily back this. Congratulations!

Jill,

I read through chap 4 of Diary while on vacation, and today, I went back and looked at what I'd read and at some of the comments you've received as well as reading some more. I think Wiz's review was spot on, and I second the suggestions she made to you. BTW.. American reader here... what is a Dyson?

Your opening paragraph hooked me, but my suggestion is to include that in Chapter one and compress what was your introduction. Don't give the end away in the beginning! I would also suggest you simplify your pitch statement and not give the whole story away upfront. Since I had just looked at your main pitch line and not read the entire pitch (I often do this), I was hooked initially by wondering what on earth happened to your husband and your marriage. Then, in one line, you gave it away... the one about not knowing he had a "friend" back in England. Delay this, and instead of telling the reader, let the reader discover it gradually the way you did.

I know this is your story, but in the beginning it is also partly your husband's story, and I found myself wondering what exactly he did for a living... even after you told me I had no idea! But I did wonder, during the pages on planning and visiting Italy to look for a property how his career and the family income would be affected. So my suggestion is to include more about that in your opening, and don't tell us any sooner than you need to what happens to change the relationship. I also agree with the commenter who suggested you consider including scenes and dialogue to "show" how the relationship with your husband was changing. And I suggest you refer to your husband by name rather than always calling him hubby.

Loved lust to dust! Great line.

I did notice a number of grammatical glitches which are listed below in the order I encountered them.

Me and her - should be She and I

If we had we taken on too much - typo, extra WE

Alright should be all right

Took a while after a preposition it's a while, after a verb it's awhile.... I know nitpicky point.

We were sat should be we were sitting or we were seated

Were sat around should be we were sitting around or we sat around

We started Italian lessons… I wasn't certain when I first read this where you were. By simply adding,... Back in England, we started Italian lessons... it will be fixed.

You are an excellent writer, and your story is compelling. My suggestions are simply my opinion of how you can make it even better.

I think the angle that you were able to live with no money is one that will resonate today!

Good work!! Happy to star this and keep it on my Watchlist. Oh and a P.S... absolutely love the open honesty with which you write. That may be the best hook of all.

Ann - Absence of Grace

Jill,

TDOASPA is a very readable memoir, full of interesting insights, humour and vividly related experiences. Your voice throughout is full of personality and passion, creating a narrator who is both likeable and relateable to many who would read your work

I think the thing it needs most at the moment is more emphasis on its unique selling point in order to elevate it above the other life stories currently competing for publishers’ attention. In other words it needs to have a strong hook and for that hook to be placed at the forefront of the book so that we know why we want to read on.

Your pitch is intriguing, and in it I saw the great potential for this to be different. We’ve all read the memoirs about single parents, the ones about self-building and renovation, and the ones about decamping and moving to a country where nothing is as you expected or knew. To combine all three of these in your work is where its strength lies and you have to play to all of these audiences.

Your opening line is really funny and made me immediately want to read on. It’s a startling start to a memoir and I think such a vivid image should be capitalised on more. It’s like a scene from a work of fiction and you need to milk for its humour and for its effect on you, your kids and the reader. I would restructure the Introduction slightly so that after this scene you could then switch tone completely with the line:

“But then, I never was the sort of woman who would have been happy with a Dyson and a conservatory.”

Do you see what I mean? Although you are relating a true life adventure, it is important that you also dramatise it, structure it, and narrate it like a work of fiction, constantly surprising the reader, taking them where they don’t expect.

Just a quick nit: you might want to put “it was” in the line “maybe me (that was) strange”, as it read a little oddly to me; too informal?

Although I honestly enjoyed chapter one I felt as though I was sitting down with a cup of tea with a friend who was chatting to me. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, of course, but it lacked the drama that I would have liked to have seen. As a result, it was more a summary of events, as you would get when someone told you about something that had happened to them.

I’m over-egging the case to a large degree, as you do manage to weave in some very vivid and immediate images of the house in Holmfirth. Nevertheless, I wanted some variation in the pace of “then this happened, then this happened, etc etc”. Breaking up the chronology of events with little insights into the characters of you, your family, your history, their opinions about the house, etc, would really help make this less static, I felt. For example, when you introduce Belinda, you say you were “from different planets”. What does this really mean? What would make one sibling want to go out on a limb and one yearn for the predictablility of a new build on a housing estate? I am sure you know the answer to these things but they need to be there on the page. These are the passages that will give life to your adventures; and, indeed, to make the reader really understand the risks your narrator is willing to take. As a result we root for her.

Love love love the scene with the knickers on the washing line and your reaction to it. It just has the ring of real humour and truth about it that we could all relate to. More of this sort of thing, please…!

I think the first journey to Italy should have a separate chapter to itself. It’s a big break from the Pennines, as you yourself explain. I am charmed by the descriptions of how the Italians favour children, and whilst I think your comparison of the restaurant in England really shows this I think, again, it should have been expanded upon.
You could introduce it by saying something like…”Compare this to the day we had at Chatsworth House, the supposed epitome of English civility and gentry”. (It’s a terrible sentence, but do you see what I’m getting at?) Using a clear line invites the comparison as an event in itself rather than simply embedding it, almost as an afterthought, within another paragraph.

I understand that you might be afraid of losing the chatty nature of the narrative but I honestly don’t think this will happen. Readers are hungry for the vicarious experiences of other people, and by creating an exciting and unexpected narrative progression that takes its time and has the occasional detour will make your work stronger and more compelling in my opinion.

Love the perception of the Italian restaurants as mafia boardrooms in Chapter Two and again, more please. There is something timelessly comedic about an English person’s perceptions of a new culture (see “An Idiot Abroad”) that makes for great reading. And the food! Why would you not let us see, smell and taste the food they brought to your table? How did it differ from the spag bol and chips you got from Iceland once a week? We need these details to get a sense of place and of authenticity.

(When you do this later on, with the description of the road networks and the Italian form of driving, it works really really nicely).

Okay, I’m going to stop now, because I think everything else I have to say will cover these same points at differing points in the MS.

If you make these changes to the structure, add detail and expand character insights amongst the straight chronology I think you will have a really compulsive read. It will also have a staggering effect on the pace of the book which, at present, manages to be both breathless and quite staccato. I did get the feeling, sometimes, that you were trying to write it all down before you forgot, but as you rewrite and polish you will find that breathing space that allows you to fully relax with the material and let it sing.

I hope this doesn’t all sound rather gloomy! I honestly enjoyed your writing: it was funny, touching, and brave and I’m looking forward to where you go next with the MS. I think it could be surprisingly marketable, too! Well done on all you have achieved, and I wish you all the very best with it.

Wiz

A Small Death

http://www.authonomy.com/books/38849/a-small-death/

Your book is now being read by me and what I've seen so far just drags me in. I really focus on stories such as yours. We live in such a tinsel kind of world. You are raising your children in a manner that I feel is essential...connection with the earth, with themselves and with down-to-earth culture. I will report further as I get into your book...What a find!

I feel gypped! Where's the rest? Well yes, I know why it's not here. The story's not finished yet...

It's a wonderfully warm, human, feisty story and I loved every minute of it. My first "Yes!" came when I saw that it was chronological - so much easier for the average reader (me) to follow. We can see the kids growing up, the gradual deterioration of finances and games played by your ex as a story unfolding rather than a confusion of snapshots. I've never been to Italy, but I can feel the warmth of it, both physically and emotionally.

I can see that other reviewers have felt the need for more dialogue, direct action etc, but it didn't strike me that way. You're a natural storyteller telling a story well - a rare art these days, and one I think should be cherished.I like the descriptive anecdotes you've included (your mother in the restaurant, for example) - they add extra spice. The nettle soup almost made me cry - although it shouldn't. The kids liked it!

I assume you write as you'd speak (profanities and all, cheered me immensely) and this is what makes the story come alive. It has its downside, though: it definitely needs some serious editing in regard to punctuation, sentence structure etc. Doesn't stop me giving it five stars, though, and it will go on my shelf when there's room.

Jilli, a heatfelt story of your journey from Yorkshire to paradise and some great touches of humour. Not the type of read I would usually go for, not when house renovating is every other TV programme in the UK, but still an enjoyable and comfortable story which I can see is close to your heart. I think if you add a bit of action to it you may be on to a winner. Well done.

One thing you might want to consider is at the beginning. Better as 'legs so open' rather than 'legs open so..'

Maybe

'Legs so open everyone in the street can see what she's had for breakfast.' I know it's a bit rude so judge yourself if it works.

I read six chapters of this a few days ago when feeling a bit glum. When I'd finished I was elated - this is such an upbeat struggle against the odds, it was a pleasure to read... and thanks for uplifting my mood!

It works very well as a memoir but I have a feeling it would work even better written more like a novel. That way we'd get those important scenes with dialogue and immediacy - rather than recounted, as they are now. I think they'd be stronger for it. For example, where your husband is visiting less and less and you say things were becoming strained - a scene or two showing that, in action with dialogue, would be more powerful, imo.

I love the characters around the village - the trading in produce/favours etc. You describe the setting with such enthusiasm that it's clear, even for one who hasn't been there, what it is you love about the place.

It's good stuff - a fab story and such a pleasure to read a stoic and can-do approach to what life throws at a person to counteract the misery stuff which pervades these days.

Great story! Happy to place your work on my shelf. Hope you have a chance to take a look at Dark Side by CC Brown.
Sue50

Great story, and maybe it doesn't matter that - in my opinion, no need to take any notice - you have some style problems. I just think it needs tightening up a bit. Good luck with the agents.

Hi Jill,

I've just read your first few chapters and am excited to continue.

I love your voice! From the very first sentence you get a beautifully clear idea of your character, likes and dislikes. Your prose is engaging and very readable, and your story's interesting on multiple levels - travel, parenting, relationships, etc, so there's much for a variety of readers to identify with.

I feel cruel requesting this because I know how hard it can be to write this kind of thing, but I'd like more scenes with you and "Hubby". You say a few times that things were deteriorating, but (in the cliched words of every writing tutor) I'd prefer you to "show" rather than "tell" me this. I'd like to get a gradual sense of the strain on your relationship through, say, stilted phone conversations or awkward spats over trivial household things. You create lovely images of your homes and surroundings, but I was left wanting similar attention to be paid to the details of what's happening. I guess that might mean making up bits of dialogue you can't remember word-for-word, but I think that's pretty standard for creative non-fiction and I think it would add a lot to your reader's understanding of your world.

And it's a world I'd really love to see in print. I think you have a brilliant story and a wonderful style of writing. :)

Your story is feeding my soul as I am VERY newly a single mom. I look forward to coming back for more soon - putting this one on my watch list.

Michelle
~ Willow Lake Manor ~

Hi Jill, The story was funny, sad and believable. I enjoyed reading it. It seemed like a travelogue and a story rolled into one. I could picture the scenery in Italy, the house and even the food through your description. One suggestion I'd like to make is to add more dialogue. Lets hear the conversations in the town, the family trying to make themselves understood with their bad Italian, the funny incidences that might take place, the children and how they feel, the arguments with the hubby, the amazement when friends and family visit, the remarks by the neighbours and those in town. Such conversations would add to the quality of the work you already have.
I'm giving you high stars and will watchlist you until I'm able to place you on my bookshelf. Sadly we are allowed only 5 books on the shelf and i don't want to bump off anyone on it right now.

Cheers!
Shirani

Hey, Jill, this is an excellent read. There were times when I laughed out loud. It's not something I would normally buy but this is why I like it here on Authonomy, it brings me into touch with genre's I wouldn't usually look at and they're free!

Kudos

Jon

This book is well written, interesting and seriously funny. I love the opening, it's witty and captivating. You don't pull your punches. I think this work is a definite for the editors desk. High stars and on my watchlist awaiting promotion. Good luck. yours Bea.

Jilli, I really loved how this started out straight into the story of the old woman with her legs apart, which is very funny and draws the reader straight in. I'd have loved to read more of that in the ensuing chapters!! So as not to be the pot calling the kettle black, I am working on getting the balance right between 'telling' and 'showing' in my own ms, too... but I think honestly that's what you need to do to make this book even more appealing than it is already (AND IT IS DEFINITELY AN APPEALING STORY!) I'm going to give it some shelf space as I think this could make it to the desk.

Dear Jill, This is a funny, appealing story. I felt your descriptions were keen and wry. I like your straightforwardness. On my watchlist, and rated. All the best, Fran Macilvey, "Trapped"

Opening paragraph is good, but has got broken up. This can happen when you make adjustments.
Intro & Chap One. Although I find TV programmes about house renovation rather boring - I am enjoying your book so far. I think what makes it - is yours and your children's enthusiasm - I know as a child I liked helping strip wallpaper. I also like plays on words PENNINES TO APPENNINES. Your 5yr olds Freudian slip (my POV) Dumpford Road.
The saga of the washing line is funny. "Knickers down and staying down"
from intro "Tony the Pony" instead of Italian Stallion.

April 2003 - Makes me want to visit Italy for a holiday

In chapters 2 & 3 Italy becomes less idylic with your building problems - or should that be builder problems. I can't think of anything specific to say - except your book is a pleasure to read. ;-}

Gillian Bergh

easy reading delight- a real gem.
haven't got a spot on my shelf, but will be installed when the next one drops off.
jen x

l have read this before- and l shall back again- good book...
SEASONS...

I wouldn't generally read a book of this kind, but you have got me hooked . To be honest I'm very surprised you don't have a publisher , because people love this sort of thing and I'd be very surprised if it wasn't very successful - its just an ordinary human story in one sense - but made unusual by tragedy ,the Italian setting and your very gutsy response - you've covered the Aristotelean rules there!I wonder if you would be interested in having a look at my novel 'A Buccaneer' which is about lost love , the Great Plague of London , Cambridge University, Sir Henry Morgan , the attack on Panama 1671 , a five handed duel, Spanish ladies and much more ,with best wishes from Strachan Gordon. Watchlist and well starred

... and the next instalment? You have a great story telling gift, only I guess much if not all of the story is true, however improbable. If it is not, then your telling is even better than I think. I have read all that is posted with delight, having spent a little time in Italy and married a Yorkshireman. I hear Jill's accent and attitude clearly and applaud that distinctive mixture of grit and goo in her character. The Italians are just as I found them in all their versatility and the kids are coming alive in their own right - although Millie is not as clear as the boys.

This book has huge possibilities. It is highly entertaining and full of life's realities to which all kinds of readers would relate. I notice you first put it up in 2008 and that you have not reached the denouement just because it has not yet happened. One day, though, you will have to round off the plot, if only to achieve your wish to sell it. Before you approach an agent, though, I think you need to attack the editing. Nowadays, we have to do it all ourselves or they just won't look at it. Too many perfectly proof-read scripts around and 'blotstyle enthusiasm', however infectious, is not acceptable to publishers.

One thought. What about including the recipe for the green spinach cake? And maybe one or two other unexpected recipes here and there? They might make an extra selling point.

I am happy to give you 5 stars. You can have the 6th when the editing is done - though I realise that that is the last job, after the creation is complete. The very best with this. I hope it succeeds.

Margaret Woodward : Kilbaddy

Started reading Diary of ASP and really enjoyed the easy flowing style. ONe or two typos, but there aren't many on this site without them.

Wondered if, as it is a diary, there could have been more daily entries with more specific anecdotes. Just a suggestion.

I'm only on Chapter two but have decided to back you anyway.

Paul

Hi Jill,
This is utterly charming and engaging. I think the expat memoir is always going to find readers as so many of us long to move and begin elsewhere, preferably someplace more beautiful and interesting than where we are (in my case, it's Paris). So you've hit a response chord with this reader, and will with many others. Very well done, and well starred.
Best,
Andi

I have really enjoyed reading this, Jill, it's so real and so passionate. There is humour and sadness, excitement and resignation. It is so moving and engaging. What an adventure and what strength you;ve had. You are inspirational and I wish you all the very best. Fantastic reading.

A wonderful book, Jill. 'The Good Life' as I always imagined it. I so admire your courage. I would love to have a home in the country with lots of SPACE, even if it's not abroad. I was a single mum for years first time around and I though what hard work that is alone, without knocking your home about. I used to take three children to work with me - cleaning for other families. But I got by. Women are very resilient, I always found.
I love the realism of your book. Backed with stars and on w/l. Good luck with it.

Kate Grimes -LIZZIE -CUPPA TALES- TALES OF WILLOW GREEN

Hi Jill
I liked this book, which I found funny, descriptive and at times even inspirational. I know it will do very well, and I'm glad to rate it. All the best for your future!
Clive
"Sugar on Snow: A Boy's Memoir"

Jill,
I found it all refreshing, your log, events in chronological order, clear concise sentences in easy, everyday language. "Oh, Solo Me!" came across as straight-from-the-heart, unpretentious and engaging. I learned aspects of Italy I was unaware of and certainly the foibles of raising three kids on your own. You're a true adventurer, courageous in every way, and I thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us.

Kenneth Edward Lim
The North Korean

Hello Jill - Just read the first 4 chapters - I loved it and will be back from more. I'm an ex-pat too, but haven't had quite the adventures you have! Looking forward to reading more. WLd and starred. Val

Hi Jilli

I absolutely love a renovation job, I live in a stone barn that my hubby converted six years ago. I feel the sandblasting pain!

You have a fab descriptive voice - get the whole renovation description down beautifully. You sound natural and ... like me. (I wonder if it's a northern thing). My only concern, is that since this book is about living in Italy, I want to hear more about that and less about the UK house renovation. I know you need to tell us about your experience at renovation work, I think this could be cut down so we can get to the juicy Emilia Romagna descriptions (beautiful area, I honeymooned there) and the children treatment contrast UK vs Italy - this is what we want to read. I loved reading the UK renovation bits to begin with, but did skip through to where they go to Italy.

June 2004, your hubby drove your belongings to Italy, left you with three kids and he's leaving you there... What a tw*t.

Love the skiing bit - "If you're going to fall over you should at least be allowed to get drunk first..." We are kindred spirits! This is a great example of your humour which is dotted throughout.

Think it's lovely, honest, entertaining and interesting. I would def read this all the way through if it were a real book in my hands.
Backed and Starred.

Caroline

ps. What does the book title mean? Your SP, you say this is not your usual ex-pat novel. Is it a novel or non-fiction? I was expecting NF from "genres".

Hi Jilli

I loved the first paragraph. It set the story up really well, you know to expect humour throughout.

I was a bit confused as to whether it was a diary or a novel, or somewhere in between. Also, I found the backstory on how she came to the decision to move to the UK a bit long winded. It still had the humour dusted throughout, but I wanted to jump straight away to her being in Italy - probably my impatience coming out!

All in all, I think you have a good one here. Your imagery works really well, it's very engaging and most of all, funny.

Love the cover too.

Starred and will back

Silvachilla