Angelica's Discoveries

Romance and Journey to the New World

Romance - Contemporary
170 Pages
Reviewed on 04/28/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

Angelica's Discoveries: Romance and Journey to the New World is a captivating story by Otilia Greco. It tells of a young woman's journey of self-discovery. Angelica grows up in the Swiss Alps and dreams of traveling. However, she is haunted by her fear of water. Despite her fears, and as her desire to travel strengthens, she takes a job as a travel guide in Greece. Angelica leaves for Greece with a heavy heart due to the uncertainty of her relationship with Mark. Pursued by a handsome Greek man, she realizes that her heart belongs to Mark. Following her heart, she soon embarks on an adventure to the New World, where she discovers her true destiny. Set in post-World War II Europe, Angelica’s story is a tale of love and courage.

Otilia Greco’s Angelica's Discoveries is a delightful novel that captivates from start to finish. It is a beautifully written story of love, adventure, and self-discovery that will leave you feeling inspired and empowered. Greco's writing style is descriptive, portraying the beautiful landscapes of Greece and the New World, so we feel as though we are right there with Angelica. Exploring the complexities of relationships, the story reveals the importance of following your heart. The characters are well-developed, and the element of romance will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering whom Angelica will finally end up with. Ultimately, Angelica's Discoveries should inspire you to face your fears and follow your dreams, no matter the challenges. Highly recommended!

Pikasho Deka

Angelica's Discoveries by Otilia Greco is the story of a young woman who follows her dreams to find love and carves a life for herself in the New World. Set during the aftermath of World War II, it follows young Angelica as she grows up listening to stories from her father in the picturesque locales of their home overlooking the Engadine Valley in Switzerland. After graduating in art history, Angelica overcomes her fear of water and sets out on a cruise ship for her job as a travel guide in Greece. When a handsome Greek sailor pursues her hand in marriage, Angelica somehow manages to escape his clutches and finally finds her soulmate in Mark. Over the next intervening years, Mark and Angelica will sail to America for a new home for their young family.

Angelica's Discoveries is a contemporary romance novel about overcoming the odds to chase one's dreams and living a fulfilling life. Otilia Greco's character-driven drama novel is full of romance, humor, and heart. While reading Greco's story, you get a wholesome and hopeful feeling that motivates you to never give up on chasing your dreams and look toward the future with a renewed sense of purpose and optimism. Angelica is a tenacious and talented woman who knows exactly what she wants, and she never lets the unexpected hurdles life throws her way deter her from her path. She and Mark make a good couple, and you can't help but enjoy their chemistry. Contemporary romance fans will love this one.

Edith Wairimu

Otilia Greco’s heart-warming historical romance novel Angelica's Discoveries: Romance and Journey to the New World chronicles the story of a young woman eager to leave her home in the Swiss Alps and travel the world. Mesmerized by details of foreign countries and cultures, Angelica dreams of traveling and having new adventures when she grows up. Her resolve is strengthened when her Uncle Victor, who had immigrated to America, sends photographs showing his life in the New World. Angelica travels to Greece as a travel guide, encountering a man drawn to her. However, Angelica still dreams of traveling to America and reconnecting with her uncle. She meets another man who shares her dreams but later learns that the New World is not what she dreamed it would be.

Otilia Greco skillfully describes life in the Swiss Alps following WWII. Vivid descriptions of Greece and America are also offered. They help paint a realistic and compelling image of the setting that the story is built on. Angelica’s sense of adventure and boldness in confronting the challenges she faces in her quest are inspiring. I appreciated that the story sheds light on many immigrants' obstacles and problems when settling in a new country. I also loved that these are balanced by the happier moments Angelica’s family experiences during their travels. Angelica's Discoveries is a beautiful story of a family’s journey into a new land. It contains informative details surrounding the war and is led by a courageous main character.

Luwi Nyakansaila

From a young age, Angelica had always known that she wanted to travel, but her fear of water had been a hurdle to her dreams. Her life in the Alps is wonderful. She has a loving family and friends, but something is always missing. When Angelica’s father discovers she wants to leave her home for America, he tries to crush her dreams, but his attempts do not deter her. She concocts a plan which allows her to travel through Europe and later to the new world, America. In her journey, Angelica makes new friends, finds love, and reunites with her family. Join Angelica as she fulfills her dreams and overcomes her fears in Angelica's Discoveries: Romance and Journey to the New World by Otilia Greco.

Romance, adventure, mystery, and drama. Angelica's Discoveries will give you all this and more. Angelica is a determined and focused woman who knows what she wants. Despite her fears and obstacles, she faces every problem head-on. The story spans different years from the nineteen hundreds, and Otilia Greco perfectly captures each period’s lifestyle. Whether in Greece, Italy, America, or any other place, Greco highlights the culture and people's personalities in detail. I loved Angelica and Mark’s chemistry and romance because it was swoon-worthy yet mature. The mystery of Angelica’s family heirloom was a great addition to the story because it created suspense and intrigue. If you dream of traveling the world, meeting new people, and having amazing adventures, this story is for you. It will give you the courage to overcome your fears and take that first step into the world. Great story.

Manik Chaturmutha

Angelica's Discoveries: Romance and Journey to the New World by Otilia Greco is a stirring exploration of a woman's quest for self-discovery. The book is set during World War II. Our protagonist Angelica leaves Switzerland and moves to Greece to work as a tour guide. There she falls in love with Mark, goes to America with him, and eventually meets Victor, her uncle, whose colorful postcards with American stamps greatly influenced her love of travel. The reader is lured into Angelica's universe as she deals with the difficulties of a new country and a new life.

Angelica's Discoveries by Otilia Greco is a well-written and engaging novel exploring the themes of love, adventure, and self-discovery. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with a strong female lead. Angelica is wise, and her bravery knows no bounds. She defies her father and faces her water phobia to pursue her travel aspirations. Angelica's choice to uproot herself and travel to America with her lover Mark is a testimony to their heartwarming love story. It brings a touch of sweetness to the exciting and occasionally perilous adventure. This book's strong points are thorough descriptions of the historical context and the stunning Swiss Alpine scenery. The author paints a vivid picture of life during the conflict, from the claustrophobic confines of the ship to the exciting and dangerous new world.

A wartime vignette opens this upbeat book, promoting faith in humanity by describing how the villagers banded together to aid the female refugees. The struggles many immigrants experience as they attempt to settle into a new nation are well documented. Greco highlights the difficulties of learning a new language, integrating into an unfamiliar culture, and obtaining employment in a foreign setting. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical, adventure, and romance novels. The strong female protagonist will also appeal to readers of women's fiction.