"The Italian Affair: A Midlife Romance" has been named a Distinguished Favorite at the 2025 NYC Big Book Award in Women's Fiction.

When I wrote about Sabina—a woman in her 50s finding love, purpose, and her true self in Italy—I wondered if anyone would care about a midlife romance. Turns out, you do. And that means everything.

This is the third award for TIA, and I'm quietly (okay, not so quietly) celebrating. Thank you, NYC Big Book Award, for recognizing stories about women who bloom late—and beautifully. 🌸🇮🇹

🥂 Cheers while still glowing! ✨