Thank you for joining me this is my second stop on the blog tour for Under a Tuscan Sky by Karen Aldous. For my previous stop I shared a guest post which if you get chance you can read here
For today's stop I have my review of this gorgeous book and there is also the brilliant giveaway to enter too.
First of all let's take a look at the description for the book...
Escape to Tuscany this summer with Karen Aldous’s brilliantly uplifting read. Perfect for fans of Erica James and Cathy Kelly.
A summer she’ll never forget…
When Olivia Montague’s grandmother passes away, she decides it’s finally time to make some changes in her own life. So she breaks up with her ‘going nowhere’ boyfriend and embarks on a journey to her Nonna’s home in Tuscany.
Until now, Olivia has always believed that she’s incapable of love, after being abandoned by her parents as a baby. But with each day spent at the gorgeous villa nestled in the rolling Italian hills, she feels her heart begin to flutter…
And when handsome antiques dealer Hugh St. James arrives on the scene, she realises things might be about to change forever!
Book Links
My Review
Olivia's list making did make me smile as I also always seem to be making various to do lists mainly to do with my blog. Although maybe not as many as Olivia makes she really does seem to have a list for everything! Olivia is quite complex and has almost lost sight of who she is mainly because she has in a way always been sheltered by other people making decisions for her. Then add in a strained relationship with her mother which makes things all the more difficult for her to cope. I did feel for Olivia's character at times and I was hoping for her to maybe stand up for herself more and try to be a little bit more decisive. I do have to admit to shaking my head at some of the things that she did or allowed to happen though. These personality traits made her flawed but in a way all the more real for it too. I guess I really hoped that everything would turn out ok in the end for her because of everything she has been through. I was definitely intrigued by Olivia's family dynamic and of course there are secrets there that I couldn't wait to find out. Then add Alberto and Hugh into the story and things will never be the same again for Olivia.
Karen Aldous has done a fantastic job of describing Italy and has expertly wove it into this story. It is always a plus point when I feel as if I have been transported to the wonderful destinations via a book. Olivia goes on a journey to discover hidden family secrets and there is also the hope that she will find herself along the way too. This makes for a charming story that I'm sure will leave you with a smile just as it did for me. The story moves smoothly and managed to keep my attention especially with the lovely descriptions of Italy. Then you get the addition of Olivia's pretty complicated life all in all making an entertaining story come to life even more.
With plenty of charm and a dash of romance Under a Tuscan Sky is a gorgeous summer read!
Thank you to Neverland Blog Tours, HQ Digital & Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
About Karen Aldous:
Karen Aldous enjoys village life on the edge of the north-downs in Kent with easy access to the buzz of London. Not only does she love the passive pleasures of reading and writing, she also craves the more active pursuits with her family and friends such as walking, cycling and skiing especially when they involve food and wine!
Karen gets much of her inspiration from her travels and if she had to choose, France, Greece, Switzerland, Italy and the USA would be her favourites. However, wherever she goes, she discovers a new character emerges in 'Karen's World'. She likes to write about strong independent women who can direct their own lives - but struggle to control them! And, of course there's always a gorgeous hunk or two!
Karen gets much of her inspiration from her travels and if she had to choose, France, Greece, Switzerland, Italy and the USA would be her favourites. However, wherever she goes, she discovers a new character emerges in 'Karen's World'. She likes to write about strong independent women who can direct their own lives - but struggle to control them! And, of course there's always a gorgeous hunk or two!
You can also follow Karen:
Twitter: KarenAldous_
Facebook: KarenAldousAuthor
Pinterest: KarenAldousPinterest
Website: KarenAldousAuthorWebsite
Giveaway (UK Only)
1st prize: £10 Amazon voucher, eCopy of Under a Tuscan Sky & a signed notebook
2nd & 3rd prize: eCopy of Under a Tuscan Sky & a signed notebook
Enter here
This cover is so pretty! It sounds like a lovely summer read. x
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