Dreaming Sophia — 5-Star Review by Sheri Hoyte of Reader Views
Sheri Hoyte comments: “Dreaming Sophia” is not your typical Italian romantic adventure a wonderful multifaceted story pushes through several genres.
Author Melissa Muldoon presents spellbinding artistic expression in her delightful story, ”Dreaming Sophia.” This novel is your typical Italian romantic adventure a wonderful multifaceted story pushes through several genres.
“Sophia is without a doubt, a dreamer. Yet when tragedy strikes, grief takes over, as young Sophia finds herself alone, fearful, and uncertain of the future. It takes some time, but with a little hope and inspiration, she picks herself up, and returns to school to pursue her master’s degree in painting. Soon life begins anew as she starts dating, letting go of her fears, and taking a few chances. When her art professor recommends a school in Italy, Sophia applies to the school and is accepted; thus beginning a journey of a lifetime. Along the way, Sophia receives advice and guidance from the unlikeliest of sorts, well aware that for her, there is a fine line between fantasy and reality.”
The development of her [Muldoon’s] characters is flawless, effortless ability to draw readers into her world
Not your typical Italian romantic adventure, Dreaming Sophia is a wonderful multifaceted story that pushes through several genres, with layers and layers of exquisite entertainment. The story interweaves the experiences of a young girl as she overcomes significant loss and learns to love again, a historical peek into the lives of notable Italian dignitaries, and wonderful lessons and insight into all the splendor of Italy’s culture, language, art, and magical countryside. Basically, it’s a coming-of-age story, a romantic drama, action and adventure tale, travel guide, history text, artist book, and fantasy novel all rolled into one – phew!
I enjoyed this story immensely and was taken with the author’s creativity. Her love and passion for all things Italian exude from every single page. I quite imagine her to be just like her leading lady. She writes with an undeniably distinctive flair, and the seemingly effortless ability to draw readers into her world. The development of her characters is flawless.
It was fun to watch Sophia grow and come into her own as the story progressed; she is truly an appealing protagonist that will squeeze her way into the hearts of readers. I fell in love with Sophia’s supporting cast of characters as well and found the way the author wrote the Italian personalities into the story to be unique and quite refreshing. And – I know it’s cliché to say that the author writes in such a way that I felt like I was right there, but here goes – the author writes in such a way that I felt like I was right there in the story with Sophia!
Layers and layers of exquisite entertainment
I highly recommend Dreaming Sophia by Melissa Muldoon. It’s a fantastic read with an appeal that will captivate and take you on a journey you won’t soon forget
Read the novel that was inspired by Sophia Loren!
Dreaming Sophia
Dreaming Sophia is a magical look into Italy, language, art, and culture. It is a story about turning dreams into reality and learning to walk the fine line between fact and fantasy. When tragedy strikes, Sophia finds herself alone in the world, without direction and fearful of loving again. With only her vivid imagination to guide her, she begins a journey that will take her from the vineyards in Sonoma, California to a grad school in Philadelphia and, eventually, to Italy: Florence, Lucca, Rome, Verona, Venice, and Val d’Orcia. Through dreamlike encounters, Sophia meets Italian personalities—princes, poets, duchesses, artists, and film stars— who give her advice to help put her life back together. Following a path that takes her from grief to joy, she discovers the source of her creativity and learns to love again, turning her dreams into reality.
