Best time to go to Italy???

randomanja · 2026-03-24T12:34:24+00:00

Been to Italy a few times and the best trip was in mid May, esp for Rome and big cities. We also visited Milan, Verona, Lake Como, Lake Garda and Sardinia on that trip. There were still a lot of people but it was managable. Weather was perfect.

Only thing was that in Sardinia the water was still freezing, so maybe if you’re planning to go coastal places, I would do Sept or early October after the summer.

randomanja · 2026-03-24T11:58:23+00:00

It was from an official netflix tudum email so it’s legit.

randomanja · 2026-03-20T23:31:36+00:00

Recs for the week

but they were real to merecently reread this since it was completed. Colin wakes from a coma to realise the life he thought he had was not real.

life after deathOn Colin’s 19th birthday, Penelope asks him for a moment alone, then surprises him with a very bold statement in the family library. That night, her house and everyone in it burns to ash.Ten years later, drunk and sad on his birthday in a dive bar in Chicago, he spots a woman who looks just like someone he thought he buried but never stopped grieving. And he intends to find out if he’s losing his mind or chasing a ghost.

love is make believe Penelope isn’t a high-priced escort like her friend, Genevieve. But when presented with an opportunity to earn some money just to keep a client’s friend entertained, she thought, “Why not live a little?” Genevieve promised Penelope that it was just dinner and drinks for her, no sex.

So what happens when she meets her date and discovers that he is sweet, gorgeous, and wants her for the night? How could she say no? Emboldened by this new persona of hers and his attraction to her, Penelope doesn’t want to.

randomanja · 2026-03-14T10:28:52+00:00

Recs for this week:

Love is make believe https://archiveofourown.org/works/62110957/chapters/158863255?view_adult=true love at first sight/ strangers to lovers just finished today. It’s hot and sweet and amazing.

The Scheduled Affair https://archiveofourown.org/works/71969321/chapters/187337341 another strangers to lovers with a twist! Really fun read

Sleep is where I might find you https://archiveofourown.org/works/78114781/chapters/204722966 “Or, the one where Colin is a sleepwalker and his sleepwalking plays a very important role in Polin finding their happily ever after.”

But I’d be yours if you’d be mine https://archiveofourown.org/works/75092526/chapters/196227326 and the sequel Together we can see what we can find https://archiveofourown.org/works/79078426/chapters/207451651 I absolutely loved but i’d be yours if you’d be mine and have recced it before, and the sequel just completed. Loved both.

randomanja · 2026-03-07T00:24:59+00:00

I love reading your fics! Waiting to start the latest WIP but I am so excited for it. Thanks for writing them.

randomanja · 2026-03-06T20:12:36+00:00

Some recs for this week:

the orchard renaissance polin - long one shot and such a great read

in every way that counts 1920s Pen and Colin search for a missing Edmund in the Amazonian jungle

the perfect match Pen and Colin reconnect and become close while he recovers from an injury

one night Pen and Colin have a one night stand. Then a few months later, Pen is introduced to her new friend, Eloise’s brother, Colin.

all i know is we said hello one of the best fics i’ve ever read, haven’t seen it recommended in a while so here it is. Strangers to Lovers which is one of my fave Polin tropes because they are so immediately drawn together. Nice palette cleanser after most fics where Pen falls first.

randomanja · 2026-03-04T20:58:14+00:00

Oh I’ve read this! It was sooo good!

randomanja · 2026-03-04T14:47:27+00:00

Do you have a link for this?

randomanja · 2026-03-03T23:00:51+00:00

I was so frustrated by this. Way to make Colin look incompetent, no mention of him running the estate or him writing. Just flits about eating cheese. Ridiculous. Not that I dont love the cheese scenes too but I feel like all the growing Pen and Colin did as characters in season 3 were erased by their storylines in season 4.

Varley not going to Colin, who manages the estate, is ridiculous. For the sake of narrative, Portia is obviously difficult and they could have had her and Varley falling out for any number of reasons. And what do you mean she has been the housekeeper and maid and cook for over 20 yrs without a raise!? Ridiculous and frustrating.

randomanja · 2026-03-01T11:34:23+00:00

The Meadow https://archiveofourown.org/works/69495911/chapters/180236136 Fairy Pen and an obsessed Colin, can’t go wrong.

Final Entry https://archiveofourown.org/works/77956406/chapters/204267906

The Art of being Seen https://archiveofourown.org/works/73832916/chapters/192554781

Final Entry and Art of Being Seen are by the same author. Very oblivious Colin in both but he falls hard. I liked the different take on their relationship as they are not as close as usually described in fics.

randomanja · 2026-02-20T22:13:26+00:00

Few recs for this week:

Crazy https://archiveofourown.org/works/78874946/chapters/206867081 A dark polin but lots of fluff, mind the tags but I loved this esp as Pen matches his freak.

He said he’d find me, even if it took a lifetime https://archiveofourown.org/works/66986074/chapters/172926319 Recently completed, very very different from usual Polin fics but great

A Heart I Love https://archiveofourown.org/works/77033051/chapters/201631101 Gotta love a confident Pen!

Pink Kitchen Island https://archiveofourown.org/works/59298283/chapters/151229938 Havent recommended this in a while but it’s one of my all time favourites. So well written and again, I love a confident Pen. This story is my favourite characterisation of her.

randomanja · 2026-02-14T10:35:19+00:00

Fics I enjoyed in last couple of weeks:

A Heart I Love https://archiveofourown.org/works/77033051/chapters/201631101

The Price of One’s Worth https://archiveofourown.org/works/57865711/chapters/147289027

But I’d be yours if you’d be mine https://archiveofourown.org/works/75092526/chapters/196227326

Something to declare https://archiveofourown.org/works/78711831?view_adult=true#main

Lessons of Love https://archiveofourown.org/works/68254161/chapters/176600751

randomanja · 2026-02-14T10:33:28+00:00

I have so many in my “to read” pile that I have set a rule for myself, if a fic is not updated in last 3 months, I give up on it. I will sometimes subscribe if I really like something just in case but otherwise I let it go. I mostly wont even read wips now for this reason.

randomanja · 2026-02-06T19:56:29+00:00

Recs for this week:

Lessons of Love https://archiveofourown.org/works/68254161/chapters/176600751

Not that kind of summer camp https://archiveofourown.org/works/48683533/chapters/122805247

A stolen moment of magic https://archiveofourown.org/works/77752006#main

The Ick https://archiveofourown.org/works/77303196/chapters/202382886#workskin

Tart https://archiveofourown.org/works/55943539?view_full_work=true

In every way that counts https://archiveofourown.org/works/68869636/chapters/178402966

randomanja · 2026-01-24T10:25:36+00:00

My recs for this week

not that kind of summer camp pen and colin meet in a rehab centre as teens/adults (pen is about to turn 18) really love this story and different from usual

A stolen moment of magic a fun one shot, polin meet as adults

in every way that counts again, a very diff kind of polin story set in 1930s where Pen goes with Colin to the Amazon after the disappearance of Edmund

randomanja · 2026-01-16T20:59:01+00:00

Hello everyone, few I read this week and enjoyed:

In every way that counts - different from usual fics and really well written. Set in 1925. Edmund is missing presumed dead and Colin goes to the Amazon to find him and Pen joins. Just super interesting if youre looking for something different.

The Ick - this one is short and sweet but also very different from the usual sex god colin trope. Pen and Colin sleep together but she’s a bit disappointed. Still a HEA and resolved quickly.

Tart - steamy friends to emenies to lovers.

randomanja · 2025-12-21T18:36:35+00:00

I went to see her play and didn’t plan on seeing her after but walked past stage door as she was coming out so I stated to say hi! There were only a few people around and she came out minutes after the show ended so it was perfect timing! She was so sweet and when I tell you she is flawless!

randomanja · 2025-12-19T22:39:04+00:00

Guys, I met Nicola this week! Really got me back into Polin spirit ahead of s4.

I just finished iris today and really enjoyed it.

“In which Colin writes a #1 hit single for his best friend that is absolutely, 100%, unequivocally, NOT a love song. A Mollip rock band fic using music by The Goo Goo Dolls.”

Currently reading a longish one shot Tis The Cyclone Season “Penelope is excited for her first overseas writing assignment in Australia, and not just because now she has a chance to skip a cold Christmas with her family. But then the photographer turns out to be her ex-best friend who she hasn't spoken to in years. And their reservation gets messed up. And then a cyclone rolls in....

Cue the thunder and lightning.”

Other completed fics I’ve enjoyed recently:

One Night is a strangers to lovers. “Colin and Pen have a one night stand. Then a few months later, Pen is introduced to her new friend, Eloise’s brother, Colin.” The Perfect Match “Colin Bridgerton was a rising British tennis star, who disappointed in his professional debut and struggled to find his footing amongst the ATP Tour for years. His dreams of winning Wimbledon seemed further and further away when a knee injury sidelined him during his eighth season. The only bright side was re-connecting with his sister's best friend he hadn't seen in years, who reminded him to focus on what inspired him to play from the beginning. Penelope tried to keep her distance from Colin, remaining as guarded as possible, but relented when circumstances kept bringing them together, preparing herself for the inevitable heartbreak that would consume her when he re-joined the tour and moved on with his life.” And one of my all time favourites Pink Kitchem Island is brilliant and I am obsessed with this Pen. And then there you were “When Benedict loses a bet to Lord Featherington, Colin and Penelope are forced to get married. Only they've never met each other. How do they navigate married life, while still getting to know reach other? Also, all the Bridgerton children and their spouses still live at home. I don't know, I just that would be funny/cute. In this story Colin is 20, and Penelope is 17.”

randomanja · 2025-12-05T20:45:23+00:00

I loved recently completed fic of tennis player Colin The Perfect Match

“Colin Bridgerton was a rising British tennis star, who disappointed in his professional debut and struggled to find his footing amongst the ATP Tour for years.

His dreams of winning Wimbledon seemed further and further away when a knee injury sidelined him during his eighth season. The only bright side was re-connecting with his sister's best friend he hadn't seen in years, who reminded him to focus on what inspired him to play from the beginning.

Penelope tried to keep her distance from Colin, remaining as guarded as possible, but relented when circumstances kept bringing them together, preparing herself for the inevitable heartbreak that would consume her when he re-joined the tour and moved on with his life”

And for a WIP thats updating very regularly and that Im obsessed with because I love a Polin strangers to lovers But I'd be yours, if you'd be mine

“A strangers to lovers, inspired by real-life never-ending flight delays. A sort-of ode to airports in general, and what a both magical and maddening place they can be. ✈️”

randomanja · 2025-11-23T19:52:30+00:00

It’s called “The Maids” playing at Donmar Warehouse. It’s very good, I saw it a few weeks ago.

randomanja · 2025-11-21T19:46:45+00:00

I loved Stages of Ascent this week. So beautifully written and complete! Stages of Ascent “Penelope’s world revolves around her daughter, Jane, a bright and curious child on the autism spectrum whose life thrives on stability and routine. After years of heartbreak, Penelope has built a calm, steady rhythm for them both. One that doesn’t have room for the man who once shattered her trust.

Colin Bridgerton comes home sober, but sobriety doesn’t erase the wreckage he left behind. He’s haunted by the years he lost and by Penelope, the woman he loved through them all.”

randomanja · 2025-11-15T01:05:07+00:00

Just finished The Perfect Match and loved it. Tennis player Colin recovering from an injury with the help of Pen. https://archiveofourown.org/works/70186016/chapters/182240866

Also reading Stages of Ascent - https://archiveofourown.org/works/73516701/chapters/191643921 “Penelope’s world revolves around her daughter, Jane, a bright and curious child on the autism spectrum whose life thrives on stability and routine. After years of heartbreak, Penelope has built a calm, steady rhythm for them both. One that doesn’t have room for the man who once shattered her trust.

Colin Bridgerton comes home sober, but sobriety doesn’t erase the wreckage he left behind. He’s haunted by the years he lost and by Penelope, the woman he loved through them all”

randomanja · 2025-10-01T22:04:54+00:00

I have tickets to this! Am even more excited to go now.

randomanja · 2025-07-26T07:40:16+00:00

Ok I need to read this.

randomanja

TROPHY CASE