Leaving Naples
Brian Hackett
Solstice Publishing (2025)
ISBN: 979-8287629540
Reviewed by Shawna Thompson for Reader Views (09/2025)
Lieutenant Dylan Parish has to relocate his family to Naples, Italy, for a new military posting. What begins with excitement soon unravels when his wife, Louise, and their son, Carter, struggle to adjust to their new life abroad. Hoping the move would bring them closer together, Dylan instead watches his family drift apart. Louise withdraws from home life and becomes entangled in a crime ring, eventually fleeing back to the United States. Left behind, Dylan finds comfort and companionship with his assistant, Stefania, whose presence brings hope and heartbreak as he faces a failing marriage and the challenge of raising his son from across the ocean.
At its heart, Leaving Naples by Brian Hackett is a story about searching for happiness and stability when life feels overwhelming. Dylan’s personal and professional struggles drive the tension, as his dream of living in Italy clashes with the reality that it has fractured his family.
The Italian setting is one of the novel’s greatest strengths, and Hackett paints it with breathtaking clarity. Through his words, readers are taken on a journey through Vatican City, wandering St. Peter’s Square, admiring its architecture, stepping into Vatican museums, and looking up in awe at the Sistine Chapel.
His descriptions of the Amalfi Coast, Vietri, and Cetara are equally beautiful. I found myself strolling the narrow streets, breathing in the salty sea air, and savoring the flavors of the local cuisine. The scenes are so immersive that I found myself pulling up maps of Italy just to follow along with Dylan and Stefania’s travels. Hackett’s own Naval experience lends authenticity and passion to these settings, giving the story richness that makes you feel like you’ve experienced Italy yourself.
Readers who enjoy romance, family drama, and travel writing with a strong sense of place will adore Leaving Naples. Brian Hackett’s ability to transport readers to Italy makes this book a delight. Whether you’re planning a trip abroad or simply want to be swept away to the Amalfi Coast from the comfort of your armchair, this story will carry you there. The ending took me by surprise in the best way and made me appreciate the book even more. It is beautifully written, rich with details, and leaves you wanting more. I hope Hackett continues to share stories inspired by his Navy travels, because this one was a standout and truly worth the read.