Dante's Girl (The Paradise Diaries #1) by Courtney Cole

Author: Courtney Cole

Publication: June 24, 2012

By: Lakehouse Press

3.75 Stars!

I have spent every summer since I was ten years old with my father in London. Every summer, since I was ten years old, has been uneventful and boring.
Until this year.

And this year, after a freak volcanic eruption strands me far from home, I have learned these things:

 

1. I can make do with one outfit for three days before I buy new clothes.
2. If I hear the phrase, “You’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto,” even one more time, I might become a homicidal maniac.
3. I am horribly and embarrassingly allergic to jellyfish.
4. I am in love with Dante Giliberti, who just happens to be the beautiful, sophisticated son of the Prime Minister of a Mediterranean paradise.
5. See number four above. Because it brings with it a whole slew of problems and I’ve learned something from every one of them.

Let’s start with the fact that Dante’s world is five light-years away from mine. He goes to black-tie functions and knows the Prime Minister of England on a first name basis. I was born and raised on a farm in Kansas and wear cut-off jeans paired with cowboy boots. See the difference?

But hearts don’t care about differences. Hearts want what they want. And mine just wants to be Dante’s girl.

My heart just might be crazy.

If you're looking for a lighthearted, funny story with a swoon worthy romance that takes place in a breathtaking setting, then this is the book for you!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and haven't laughed so much since reading "My Life Next Door."  Reece is a small town girl from Kansas who literally bumps into the adventure of her life when she meets Dante Giliberti, the beautiful boy from the beautiful island.  The only problem?  Dante's the son of the Prime Minister which means he and Reece aren't even in the same atmosphere let alone the same "league". 
 
While Reece's future involves finishing her senior year and then heading to college,  Dante's future has been planned for him since the moment he was born, right down to who he will marry one day. But a freak accident that forces them to spend time together will test the boundaries of love, life and old-world traditions.  Reece and Dante will learn just how important it is to live the life YOU want because you only get one. They'll also discover whether or not love really is all that matters when your lives are worlds apart.

This really was a FUN read!  There's a "Cinderella" element but it's not over done.  Reece is down to earth and funny.  Her ability to laugh at herself is what makes her so likable and her internal conversations are HILARIOUS!  I really liked Mia - she's straightforward and isn't afraid to be herself.  Then there's Dante... *sighs*  This "beautiful boy" not only has good looks but he has some beautiful manners and a great sense of humor too which is  what made him so appealing for me.  He certainly isn't perfect but he does his best to make the right choices concerning the people he cares about.