Review: The Only Way To Paradise by G.G. Vandagriff

Book: The Only Way To Paradise by GG Vandagriff
Published by O.W. Press, June 2011
256 pages
Format: Ebook
Genre: Short Stories/Non-fiction
I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Brief Synopsis via Goodreads: What causes picture-perfect suburban Oakwood residents, MacKenzie, Roxie, Sara, and Georgia to desert their therapist fly off to Florence? Answer: A romantic Italian movie that prompts Roxie to ask: “If Italy is so healing and therapeoutic what are we doing in Ohio?”
Even Sara, the most duty-bound of the group, finally joins the pact they dub “The Crazy Ladies of Oakwood,” and they all find themselves in Florence a week later. As they feel themselves embraced by the entire province of Tuscany, each woman falls and becomes entangled in experiences she could never have foretold. Not only do they find the fascinating Italian men that Georgia promised, but new sides to themselves and each other.

This book was a little outside the norm of what I usually read. I sometimes have a hard time relating to women who are older than myself and have families of their own. It’s a foreign concept to me and I love characters that I can relate to.

At the beginning of the book, the characters were a little hard to keep straight. Their stories blended together really well. However, as the book goes on, the characters develop their own stories with new characters it was easier to keep track of her and I loved their individual stories.

The character that I could relate to the most is Roxie. She had a strong passion for art and history and had a mysterious love story with a professor. There wasn’t a storyline that I didn’t like. I did somewhat wish that 

MacKenzie’s story had ended differently but I understand why she made the decisions that she did.

While reading this book, I wanted to pick up and go the Florence. The descriptions were so beautiful and I could see them so clearly in my mind. It also made me want to go out and buy some blood oranges. (They're mentioned in the book and I love them so.) 

There is something for everyone in this book. It is quite a serious read that will draw you in, keep you guessing and make you think. I am still thinking about these characters and I can’t wait for the next book.