Love Among the Ruins

By: Catherine Maiorisi

Narrated by: Abby Craden

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Romance writer Calliope DeAndre's heart was buried with her wife, Abby. Plagued by anxiety attacks, Callie hasn't left her house since Abby's funeral. Callie's publisher is pressuring her for the travel romantic suspense she contracted to write before Abby got sick. But her writing process requires experiencing the thirty-day Romantic Italy tour leaving in two weeks. Encouraged by her friends but hoping the tour is fully booked, Callie calls and is told "we just received a cancellation."

Dana Wittman's heart is broken when she discovers the plot to oust her from the multi-million-dollar firm she built. Then her heart is shredded by her girlfriend Sandy who, thinking Dana is broke, dumps her. Now Dana's planned surprise for Sandy, the Romantic Italy tour ending with a proposal, is no longer an option. So just two weeks before their scheduled departure Dana cancels Sandy's reservation but decides to go on the tour alone.

The first morning of the tour, Dana helps Callie through an anxiety attack. Callie wants to leave. Dana promises to be there for her if she stays. Callie feels safe with Dana, and Dana enjoys helping her. As the month progresses, their friendship and their feelings grow. Callie feels guilty for caring for someone other than Abby. Dana's damaged ego doesn't trust that she's lovable. Will they allow themselves to love?

©2023 Catherine Maiorisi (P)2023 Tantor

Beautiful story

Beautiful story with a slow built love . Enjoy the l quirkiness and the resilience for the characters.

Location location location

Yes, a slow burn but worth the heat. Two broken people coming together by chance.
The main characters are well drawn, quite lovable.
One of the unusual features of this book, however, is how they are thrown together, with whom, and where.
Great sub-characters.
Nice research by the author - bummer you had to spend all that time in Italy 😋
Abby Craden is at the top of my search engine. Such a talented narrator.

Beautiful

This book was unbelievably beautiful. It's a true slow burn, and even though you know the eventual outcome, you love going along for the ride. Love Among the Ruins was masterfully written, and the narration was, as always, phenomenal. Do yourself a favor and become the 13th guest on the trip. Trust me, it's worth both the ride and the credit.

Amazing, Heartbreaking, Emotional, Beautiful

Where can l even begin with this? At first, l came here because the summary was good. I was looking for a good lesbian story because l always crave for them, and l found this one with a good summary, so l told myself "lets give it a shot!"

I cried so hard on the first chapter, the FIRST chapter, and l knew right then and there it'll be a bumpy ride.

I was so sad and heartbroken by Abby's death and what had happened with Callie afterwards. I haven't lost anybody close to me yet, but l can't even imagine what it must have felt like because it really looked like Abby really did love Callie. That letter at the end of the first chapter really shattered me and l was left in tears. I felt heartbroken and sad for Dana, who had a traumatizing childhood. I love how they both slowly fall in love and how they grew closer because of the romantic trip to Italy, which was meant for Callie and Abby to begin with which is another gut punch.

But what emerged from the ruins of tragedy from both Callie and Dana is an everlasting love towards each other, thus the title "Love Among the Ruins"

Overall, it was an emotional roller coaster and l cried even more at the end. This is a beautiful story and my god I'll never forget it! And the birds! Urgh! This story really wants me to cry until there's no tears left! 5 out of 5 for everything! 😭

Beautiful Love Story

I loved how descriptive this writer is and how everything seemed to come to life. It was definitely a slow burn which I absolutely love. I just wish the love making scenes were just as descriptive as everything else..just seemed a little rushed but not all writers are comfortable with love scenes which is completely understandable. All in all an excellent story and I will definitely listen to more from this author.. Brava

Rare,,,,

It is not always you find a book describing one of the countries you love to tour, and as a former tour guide, I love Italy, the views the food the people the language, there is nothing you can’t fall in love with.
The description of the places in this boot like country the foods and especially the MC and the group of people around them, was wonderfully written. The dealing with problems taught many of us how to deal with panic attacks for example.
And all that with the wonderful voice and narration of Abby Craden, you can’t ask for more.

One of the Best I have Listened to

My life has been broken since age 4, when my parents rejected who I was. I have buried that for 63 years and it has affected my relationships throughout that time. I have occasionally brought that out and attempted to deal with it.

So when I started listening to this story I said multiple times to the main characters, stop whining. That has always been my response to other broken people to keep from having to deal with my own issues. As the story progressed I learned to love the characters and I cried multiple times throughout the story as I saw myself reflected in their lives.

It takes place in Italy which is a favorite country of mine. As they went on their journey of self-discovery and healing I was there with them.

This story was not only wonderful for the character development but it also provided some healing in my own life. It will be just a little easier to now accept that I am not unlovable.

Great Love story

I love this book from beginning to end. I love how each character evolved throughout the story, and I love Abby Craden narrated this book. She always does a fabulous job.

Great story

I love the story!
It was well put. It was the first time reading a good from this author and I could say that I will listen to another one of her stories. Thank you for this beautiful love story.

The slow burn

I’ll listen to this one again. I look forward to meeting my love as these two did