As she gets out of her car on her way to her job, Alice Sommers is attacked by the loan shark to whom she owes money. Or rather to whom her sister Rachel owes money. He gives her 7 days to find $20,000, which Alice doesn't have. It has not been a good day for Alice, but when she reaches the penthouse where she works as a nanny, things begin to look up a bit. Lorenzo Baldi, her boss, is away on business, his daughter is at camp, and the pool looks very enticing after the unbearable Austin heat. Alice has often thought of skinny dipping in that glorious pool, and she jumps on the occasion.

Of course, Lorenzo would choose that specific moment to bring in a woman: Viola Campello. Lorenzo wants to get his father's paintings back, and Viola has them. Lorenzo's father was a man of dubious character and if it became known that Lorenzo is his son, Lorenzo's reputation would be irremediably damaged. Viola had been very hard to sway, she still isn't convinced, and just as Lorenzo notices Alice coming out of the pool naked, Viola sees her as well; there's only one way out: pretend Alice is his fiancée. And to Lorenzo's utter astonishment, the two women get on swimmingly. Viola invites them to Capri, where another potential buyer will be present; it's crucial to win Viola over. Alice then gets the most brilliant idea she's ever had: Lorenzo absolutely needs her, she needs $20,000; a piece of cake!

If Ms. Falcone could bottle what makes A WEEKEND OF MISBEHAVING work, the world would be a much happier place! From the opening pages, Carmen Falcone comes out of the starting blocks and is off and running! What a fabulous beginning to a fantastic story! I loved Alice from the get-go: she is spontaneous, unconventional, direct, and best of all, she feels absolutely authentic. Lorenzo, on the other hand, is straight-laced, rather serious, but together they are the ultimate "opposites attract" couple. Alice talks too much, which is a good thing for the reader, because A WEEKEND OF MISBEHAVING contains some of the best dialogues I have ever read. Alice is one of the best female characters I have ever read: she is a plus-size woman, and it only defines her as much as her height or eye colour would: she is sexy, independent, self-assured, and ever so relatable. Ms. Falcone is known for her colourful metaphors and turns of phrases, and she had me giggling and smiling all along, and her eloquent and crisp prose paints Italy in all its vibrant beauty.

In A WEEKEND OF MISBEHAVING, Carmen Falcone hits all the right notes: the story is great, the plot air-tight, the writing lively and fresh; it is a fabulously entertaining read. And did I mention the unforgettable Alice Sommers? A WEEKEND OF MISBEHAVING is not to be missed!