Start reading The diary of a single parent abroad on your Kindle in under a minute. Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here.

Deliver to your Kindle or other device

 
 
 

Try it free

Sample the beginning of this book for free

Deliver to your Kindle or other device

Read books on your computer or other mobile devices with our FREE Kindle Reading Apps.
The diary of a single parent abroad
 
 

The diary of a single parent abroad [Kindle Edition]

Jill Pennington
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)

Kindle Price: £2.96 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
* Unlike print books, digital books are subject to VAT.


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Product Description

Product Description

When Jill and her family moved to Italy she expected life to change but she had no idea how massive that change would be. Shortly after the move, she discovered her husband had been having an affair and had no intentions of staying in Italy.

Despite being in a foreign country with no income, limited language skills, a house that needed rebuilding and three young children to care for, she never once considered returning to the UK. With strength and determination she accepted any challenge, dismantling a derelict house to ground level, digging out a three metre deep well with her hands to get free water and overcoming her fear of the chainsaw to cut the winter wood. When there was very little money for food she made risotto with nettles collected from the roadside. She overcame many problems, learned new skills and discovered that money is not important, the only things in life that matter are health, happiness and her children.

Jill's story is delivered with an ever present hint of humour because, as she says, 'Without laughter life wouldn't be funny'.

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 313 KB
  • Print Length: 176 pages
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00871I0XS
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #26,062 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  •  Would you like to give feedback on images?


More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, and more.

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing woman 6 May 2013
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love books about Brits settling abroad and have read loads but this has to be my new favourite. Jill has a natural writing style, she draws you into her world in an entertaining way. To move to a new country with three children and be practically abandoned there by her husband must have been at times soul destroying but there is no hint of self pity in this book. As for her xhubby I am so pleased Jill has been able to show him to the world for the irresponsible father he is. I was horrified that he thought it ok to put his children on separate flights to the uk and am even more horrified that he thinks it is ok to not pay maintenance for his daughter, a real man puts his differences with his ex wife aside from his responsibilities as a father. I would love to read more about Jill's life in Italy,time she got a new boyfriend to tell us about!
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A Gutsy Account of a New Life Abroad 8 Aug 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
As the writer states, this is not your usual ex-pat story. And I'm glad about that as the genre - of wealthy expat doing up a house in Italy/France and complaining about the builders has become somewhat of a cliché.

This is an honest, frank, gutsy account of carving out a new life by a courageous woman who has made a new life for herself and her family - against the odds.

There is humour and heartbreak in equal measure - from the menagerie of animals (some of which are kept as pets rather than as food) to the brave baring of the writer's soul.

Usually when I find copy editing and proofing errors in the early chapters of a book in the 'Look Inside' section, I choose to spend my money elsewhere. But, to be fair to the writer, I was reading a free copy of this book, which I'd downloaded during an early promotion and figured that as I didn't have to pay for it, I should just kept reading and for once, put the writing aside. And I'm glad I did as I found the wit, charm and honesty very engaging.

The one big advantage of publishing an ebook is that it is so easy upload an edited version of your book. Once this has been done and the prose given a final polish, The Diary of a Single Parent Abroad could do very well.
The ending is rather abrupt but that may be because a sequel is planned. I hope so.

There is no doubt that this will appeal to readers dreaming of a new life abroad - but who haven't mustered up the courage to take the plunge.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars the diary of a single parent abroad 16 May 2013
Format:Kindle Edition
Having read this autobiographical book i found firstly i could not put it down and wanted, no NEEDED to keep reading on for the next twist and turn, into someones life from a fly on the wall perspective , told with humour but also realism it was an additive read (coming from an infrequent reader) i guess it just shows the reality of peoples lives we never get to see
Cant wait for more!! BRAVISSIMO!!
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?   Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars INSPIRING
I really enjoyed this book and found it a great insight into what life was like for Jill Pennington when she moved to Italy. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Rosie
5.0 out of 5 stars expect the unexpected
This isn't my usual type of book, no really it isn't, I love factual science book and I love Dawkins and Dennet and Hitchens, in fiction I love Science Fantasy, the more fantastic... Read more
Published 5 days ago by Philip Robin Eccles
5.0 out of 5 stars A very inspiring lady
A fantastic book about a very strong,brave young woman with a great sense of humour.Having lived in a foreign country and renovated a farmhouse I know how difficult this is with a... Read more
Published 5 days ago by G. McHarg
5.0 out of 5 stars Get that sequel written, missus!
I was very keen to read this, having "met" and chatted with Jill on Facebook and liked her frank and funny style there. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Tots
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Read
This was a great book. Jill is an inspiration and her kids are a credit to her. Can't wait for the next book to come out to see what she is up to
Published 9 days ago by Liz
4.0 out of 5 stars True
Having lived across the valley from Jill for 5 years I admit I know her and I can confirm that the events in the book have happened. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Penelope
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent
I have really enjoyed reading this true story. It was written with a good sense of humour and was very informative and the place in italy sounded a wonderful place to live in.
Published 21 days ago by dawng
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent pulsating book.
I purchased this book having spoken to the author on Facebook. I loved every page of it and couldn't put It down. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mark CS
5.0 out of 5 stars Moving abroad is not easy!
I loved reading this book,like its tittle say its a diary. I was also a single mum and moved abroad with a young son, so it was good to read other people's experiences. Read more
Published 7 months ago by SG Tuga
3.0 out of 5 stars a diary it is
The word "diary" in the title is appropriate - it is very much a first person account of the author's life over the past eight years. Read more
Published 7 months ago by S'Abba Druche
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums


Look for similar items by category


Amazon Media EU S.à r.l. Privacy Statement Amazon Media EU S.à r.l. Delivery Information Amazon Media EU S.à r.l. Returns & Exchanges