The House in the Tuscan Hills by Anita Chapman

 

                                             

Ebook: 304 pages 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction,

Publisher:  April 13th 2026 by Bookouture

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley and Paperback Copy

First Sentence: Saturday nights at Da Nonna were always especially busy, and tonight was no exception.

Setting: Italy

Review Quote: ‘A perfect read for long and sunny days.’ Pick of the Week in The Sun, 

My Opinion: 

I followed the rise of Anita Chapman as an aspiring author for some years as a blogger before she had her first novel The Venice Secret published in 2023.

'The House in the Tuscan Hills" is her fifth novel in the short space of just three years. A dual timeline story, a style that the author uses very successfully, this time set in WWII and 2019. The protagonists are Lilianna and her grand-daughter Jen, who have both had their share of heartbreak. An opal ring and a house both inherited by Jen, tying the two narratives together. A love story full of Italian charm and mystery.

The author's passion for all things Italian from the food to the scenery makes her writing so realistic. She has certainly deserved recognition as a writer of emotive and captivating novels. Highly recommended to Italophiles and fans of historical fiction.

With thanks to Anita Chapman, Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review.

Previous Reviews:   The Venice Secret.   The Florence Letter.  

The Tuscan Diary.  The Italian Vineyard

Précis Courtesy of Amazon: 

At her charming house in the Tuscan hills, Jen pictures the beautiful opal ring that brought her here. Will this inherited jewel finally unravel the secrets her family has been holding so close? 

Italy, 1944. Despite the war raging across Europe, Liliana is overjoyed when her childhood love Salvatore proposes – ignoring the superstition that her opal ring will bring bad luck. But when Salvatore is injured fighting for the Italian resistance, Liliana’s heart fractures when he looks into her eyes and no longer recognises her. Distraught, she blames the ring and flees to England – hiding a secret she vows to protect until her dying day…

England, present day. Heartbroken after her fiancé leaves her, Jen is desperate to hide away and heal. But then a handsome Italian stranger called Matteo tells her that her great-aunt has left Jen an opal ring and a house in the Tuscan hills… She can’t resist the chance to find out why her secretive grandmother, Liliana, turned so pale at the sight of the glittering ring. As she and Matteo arrive at the charmingly rustic house with its pink walls and green shutters, Jen dreams of the life she could build here – and the answers the little opal ring might bring…

Author Profile:         

                                                     

            

                                                  Courtesy of Amazon Profile

Anita Chapman enjoyed writing stories from a young age, and won a local writing competition when she was nine years old. Encouraged by this, she typed up a series of stories about a mouse on her mum’s typewriter and sent them to Ladybird. She received a polite rejection letter, her first.

Many of Anita’s summers growing up were spent with her family driving to Italy, and she went on to study French and Italian at university. As part of her degree, Anita lived in Siena for several months where she studied and au paired, and she spent a lot of time travelling around Italy in her twenties. 

Anita likes to read journals and diaries from the past, and one of her favourite pastimes is visiting art galleries and country houses. Her first published novel, The Venice Secret is inspired by her mother taking her to see the Canalettos at The National Gallery in London as a child. 

Since 2015, Anita has worked as a social media manager, training authors on social media, and helping to promote their books. She’s run several courses in London and York, and has worked as a tutor at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Twitter Profile.  Anita Chapman - Facebook Profile.   Author - Official Website

 Goodreads - Author Profile

The Italian Village in the Hills by Victoria Springfield

 

                                                

Ebook:   320 pages      

Genre:   Contemporary Romantic Fiction, Historical Romantic Fiction, Italy, WWII,                                     

Publisher: Boldwood Books January 19th 2026

Source: NetGalley

First Sentences: Stella's napkin fluttered to the floor. She twisted around as far as her new dress would allow but a smiling waiter had got there first. He spread the fine linen back across her lap.

Review Quote: 'Gorgeous escapism and a complete joy to read!!'  Review of the authors writing overall.

My Opinion: 

As a self confessed Italophile I was delighted to discover the author, Victoria Springfield last summer when I read One Summer in Italy. Her books are set in Italy and are contemporary feel good fiction that draw you in with realistic characters and evocative scenes that make the reader feel immersed in the Italian lifestyle. She uses a mixture of fictional and real places but the inspiration comes from real life, this time from San Remo and the surrounding Ligurian countryside.

'The Italian Village in the Hills' is set in the fictional village of Leto and is a tale of families and loyalties that hark back to WWII.  The main characters are Stella, originally from the village who after many years trying to forget why she left, unexpectedly finds herself back there. Secondly we have Amy, a much younger woman who is mourning the death of her grandfather. Curiosity about his past also leads her to the village of Leto.  Both Stella and Amy make some interesting and surprising finds, but will these emotional discoveries lead them to find happiness in Italy.

This escapist read is recommended to those that enjoy a feel good romance and of course Italophiles.

Thank you NetGalley, Victoria Springfield and Boldwood Books  for the opportunity to read and review.

Goodreads Précis: 

Stella has spent decades trying to forget the heartbreak that made her flee the Italian village of her childhood. But when her new fiancé surprises her with a trip back to Liguria for her upcoming birthday, she is forced to confront the past, her first love and a tragic family rift.

Amy is mourning her beloved grandpa and curious to know more about the old coin necklace and mysterious postcard that he left her. Following his trail to the Italian Riviera, a chance meeting leads Amy to Stella’s village in the hills and to secrets that have lain buried since the war.

Against a backdrop of cobbled medieval streets, sunlit piazzas and rustic olive groves, both Stella and Amy make surprising discoveries about their families – and themselves.

By facing up to the past and opening their hearts, can Stella and Amy find happiness in the Italian village in the hills?

Escape to Italy with this warm, romantic and emotional tale of family, love and second chances.

Previous Review: One Summer in Italy

Author Profile:                

                                              

                                                           Courtesy of Amazon Profile

Victoria Springfield writes uplifting, contemporary women’s fiction immersed in the sights, sounds and flavours of Italy. Her feel-good stories follow relatable characters of all ages as they find adventure, friendship and romance. Her latest book is The Italian Village in the Hills set in Liguria. Previous titles: One Summer in Italy set in Venice, An Italian Island Secret set on Ischia, Invitation to Italy set on the island of Procida, The Italian Fiancé set in Lucca, A Farmhouse in Tuscany and her debut The Italian Holiday set on the Amalfi Coast.

After many years in London, Victoria now lives in Kent with her husband in a house by the river. She likes to write in the garden with a neighbour’s cat by her feet or whilst drinking cappuccino in her favourite café. Then she types up her scribblings in silence whilst her mind drifts away to Italy. Open a Victoria Springfield book and feel the sunshine.

Victoria is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Twitter Profile.     Facebook Profile.   Instagram Profile

The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge by Rachel Hore

                                            

Hardback:   467 pages

Genre:  Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction,

Publisher: Simon and Schuster 2025

Source:  Tywyn Public Library

First Sentences: For a third night Nancy lay sleepless for hours, anxious thoughts chasing around in her head. Heavy rain battered the window and rattled through the downpipes, while the wind tossed the branches of the trees, made the landing ight flicker and the curtains shiver.

Review Quote:  'I loved it. I was completely immersed in the story and the setting. So clever and interesting and beautifully written' ELIZABETH BUCHAN

My Opinion: 

It was back in 2009 I first read one of Rachel Hore's novels and I have enjoyed them more and more over the years.  As with many of her novels, 'The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge’ is dual narrative, this one set in 1940's/1950's and 2010-2013. The author was originally inspired by the experiences of her mother and aunt whilst studying Zoology at Imperial College, London in the 1940's when they both obtained PHD's and worked as scientists. Much of the detail of their lives during this period that they shared with Rachel formed the basis of the story, although of course the narrative and characters are all fictional.

The novel is a fascinating read as through the main characters we learn of the difficulties that female scientists have encountered over the years. Stef Lansdown is a journalist whose latest project is to write a book about women in science. By chance whilst visiting her mother in Norfolk, where she has recently moved, she meets Dr Nancy Foster who gave up her career as a scientist in the 1950's. Initially she is far from keen to be part of Stef's research because of the secrets in her past. Eventually Stef wins the older woman over and the story that she learns from her is engaging.

Once again Rachel Hore has written a captivating story which I recommended to those readers that enjoy novels with plenty of secrets to be uncovered.

My reviews of other novels by Rachel Hore:  The Memory Garden   A Week in Paris

A Beautiful Spy  The Love Child.  One Moonlit Night.     The Hidden Years

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Nancy Foster has harboured a devastating secret that shattered her professional and personal life.  On meeting her, journalist Stef Lansdown realizes that she has the power to restore Nancy’s reputation and to heal the wounds, if only Nancy will trust her. But someone else wants to get to the bottom of the story first, someone who doesn’t want it to be told. 

Set in the beautiful environs of the Norfolk Broads in 2010, and in London in the '40s and ‘50s, when life for career-driven women was so different, The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is Sunday Times multi-million copy bestselling author Rachel Hore’s utterly compelling new novel, interweaving the past and the present. 

Author Profile:         

Courtesy of Amazon 

Rachel Hore is the author of fourteen bestselling novels, 

Full time writing only came after a career editing fiction at HarperCollins in London. She lives in Norfolk with her husband and they have three grown up sons.  

A full and interesting Profile can be found on the Amazon Author Page and even more on her Official Website

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Amazon Author Page   Goodreads - Author Profile  Twitter - Rachel Hore

 Official Author Website

The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page

                                                

Paperback:  412 pages      

Genre:  Contemporary Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction,                                         

Publisher: Harper Collins 2024

Source: Tywyn Public Library

First Sentences: The scent of the rain summons the memory. Uninvited. Unwanted.

Review Quote: 'A gorgeous, gorgeous book.This is such an engaging read, packed with light, colour and kindness.' Hazel Prior, author of Away with the Penguins

My Opinion: 

A friend recommended Sally Page to me last year and I have now read and throughly enjoyed all three of the titles she has so far published.  

In 'The Secrets of Flowers' the protagonist Emma is finding it hard, one year on to come to terms with the death of her husband.  In an effort to move on she gives up a scientific research career to work in a garden centre and train as a florist. Emma's love of flowers and an unexpected interest in the Titanic make for an emotional read as she unravels the mysteries she discovers. The parallel storyline about the real life person, Violet Jessop who worked on the Titanic ties this heartwarming tale together perfectly.

What a captivating read this is with such believable characters involved in an interesting Titanic storyline. Highly recommend to readers that enjoy a heartwarming read and love flowers. As you read you can almost smell them. 

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

From the author of the phenomenal bestsellers The Keeper of Stories and The Book of Beginningscomes an utterly beautiful and uplifting novel.

One year on from the death of her husband, Emma feels no closer to moving forward with her life. Seeking distraction, she quits her job and begins working at the local garden centre.

Here, Emma begins to open up and finds herself attending boss Les’ talk on the Titanic. Intrigued, Emma sets out to research who would have arranged the flowers on-board.

Alongside her story unfolds the tale of a stewardess on the Titanic, who Emma can’t help but feel connected to…

With an array of inspiring and heart-warming characters, this is a novel of friendship, unexpected connections, and of hope.

Previous Review:  The Keeper of Stories.  The Book of Beginnings

Author Profile: 

Courtesy of Author Website

After studying history at university, Sally moved to London to work in advertising. In her spare time she studied floristry at night school and eventually opened her own flower shop. Sally came to appreciate that flower shops offer a unique window into people’s stories and she began to photograph and write about this floral life in a series of non-fiction books. Later, she continued her interest in writing when she founded her fountain pen company, Plooms.co.uk.

In her debut novel, The Keeper of Stories, Sally combines her love of history and writing with her abiding interest in the stories people have to tell. Sally now lives in Dorset. Her eldest daughter, Alex, is a doctor and her younger daughter is the author, Libby Page. Both are keen wild swimmers.

Photograph, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Amazon Author Page.    Author's Official Website.   Instagram Profile  Twitter Profile

Facebook - SallyPageAuthor.   Goodreads Profile

The Italian Vineyard by Anita Chapman

Ebook:  357 pages Kindle edition

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction,

Publisher: July 2025 by Bookouture

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentence: The woman pushed open the shutters and was blessed with the most breathtaking view - one she'd fallen in love with at first sight, since arriving from England only days before.

Setting: Italy

Review Quote: ‘Wow, what a story!... Amazing!... Very emotional… Heartbreaking… So very beautiful! You just can’t put it down, from the beginning till the last pages.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 

My Opinion: 

Just two years ago Anita Chapman published her first novel. In this short period of time she has established herself as an author that writes captivating stories in Italian settings and 'The Italian Vineyard' is her fourth published novel.

This latest story is a dual timeline one set in the 1930 's and the present day. The main protagonists are Kate, in the 21st century  and her great grandmother Lady Charlotte in the 1930's. In 1939  Charlotte was presented with a very special gift of fine wine and it is this vintage bottle that links these two women and their personal love stories together. The backdrop for this emotional yet uplifting novel are the wonderful settings of Italy and the Surrey Hills.

Once again Anita Chapman has transported me to places I am familiar with. She successfully shares her own love of Italy by writing stories that feel realistic. Perfect escapism for Italophiles and those readers that enjoy a satisfying story with an element of mystery.

It is with thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley and Anita Chapman that this title was made available for me to read and review.

Previous Reviews:   The Venice Secret.   The Florence Letter.  

The Tuscan Diary

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Gazing out over the lush, rolling vineyards of Verona, Kate thinks of the gift that brought her to Italy. The dusty bottle of wine from her great-grandmother’s cellar, which holds the key to a family mystery that will change everything…

England, 1939. After her husband’s unexpected death, Lady Charlotte throws herself into reviving the vineyard at his beloved home, Copeley Park – desperate to focus on anything other than the dangerous secret she now carries. Along with her head gardener, Albert, she travels to Verona for research, where she is quickly distracted by Italy’s beautiful golden light and vibrant mimosa flowers. But just as her heart starts to open up, the threat of war spreads across Europe, tearing apart Charlotte’s plans for her future and leaving her with a heart-wrenching decision to make…

Now. Devastated by the loss of her mother and newly single, Kate asks to work at Copeley Park – her family’s failing estate – to take her mind off her heartbreak. But when she learns that the park’s stunning vineyard might have to be sold, she’s determined not to let this beautiful piece of her family’s history go. And when she’s given a dusty old bottle of wine that belonged to her great-grandmother with a note attached from a mysterious ‘B’, she convinces handsome head winemaker Ben to accompany her to Verona to unravel its secrets…

But as Kate and Ben grow closer against the stunning sunsets of Italy, will Kate discover that some secrets are better left buried in the past? Or will unravelling the romantic mystery at the heart of the vineyard lead to a future Kate could only ever have dreamed of…?

Lose your heart to Italy in this beautiful, moving story of family secrets and letting those you love inspire you. Readers of Lucinda Riley and Fiona Valpy will fall hard for this enchanting, escapist and romantic page-turner.

Author Profile:         

                                                     

            

                                                  Courtesy of Amazon Profile

Anita Chapman enjoyed writing stories from a young age, and won a local writing competition when she was nine years old. Encouraged by this, she typed up a series of stories about a mouse on her mum’s typewriter and sent them to Ladybird. She received a polite rejection letter, her first.

Many of Anita’s summers growing up were spent with her family driving to Italy, and she went on to study French and Italian at university. As part of her degree, Anita lived in Siena for several months where she studied and au paired, and she spent a lot of time travelling around Italy in her twenties. 

Anita likes to read journals and diaries from the past, and one of her favourite pastimes is visiting art galleries and country houses. Her first published novel, The Venice Secret is inspired by her mother taking her to see the Canalettos at The National Gallery in London as a child. 

Since 2015, Anita has worked as a social media manager, training authors on social media, and helping to promote their books. She’s run several courses in London and York, and has worked as a tutor at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Twitter Profile.  Anita Chapman - Facebook Profile.   Author - Official Website

 Goodreads - Author Profile

The Tuscan Diary by Anita Chapman

                                               

Ebook:  396,  pages Kindle edition

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction,

Publisher: October 2024 by Bookouture

Source: My Kindle Library via NetGalley

First Sentences: The woman entered the bedroom and pushed open the shutters, welcoming the view of the Tuscan hills.

Setting: Italy

Review Quote: ‘I loved this beautiful book… Glorious… So many emotions!’ Goodreads Reviewer,

My Opinion: 

Just last year Anita Chapman had her debut novel The Venice Secret. published. In July of this year The Florence Letter was published and now just a few months later her third 'The Tuscan Diary' 

A dual timeline story starting in 1942 and 1993, with the settings in Italy and Yorkshire. The narrative follows the main female protagonists Eleanor and her granddaughter Jessica as they wrestle with love and loss. It is the discovery of a wartime diary that sets Jessica's search for the truth about the past in motion.

In short period of time Anita Chapman has established herself place on my favourite authors list with her delightful stories in Italian settings.  Very atmospheric and obviously well researched, this is perfect for Italophiles that enjoy contemporary blended with historical and a story to get immersed in.

It is with thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley and Anita Chapman that this title was made available for me to read and review.

Previous Reviews:   The Venice Secret.   The Florence Letter

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

As she gazes at the lights of Siena glowing in the dusk, Jessica flips through the yellowing pages of the diary that led her here. Written by her grandfather during the war, it holds the answers to a family secret that might just change everything…

When Jessica’s grandfather left for war, he promised to keep a record of each day he was apart from her grandmother. The diary was lost along with him – until now, when a mysterious, handsome Italian man named Alessandro shows up at Jessica’s door with the diary in hand.

Immediately enchanted by her grandfather’s accounts of Italy’s glittering golden hours, Jess decides to spend a summer in Tuscany before she’s due to take over at her family’s farm. She hopes she can visit the places her grandfather once did – and finally find out what really happened the night he died…

In the historic city of Siena, she finds a job as companion to the glamorous Sofia – Alessandro’s grandmother – whose stories of Italy during the war are captivating. And as Jess spends more time with Alessandro, she begins to fall for him with each lingering look into his deep-brown eyes.

Together, Jess and Alessandro visit her grandfather’s resting place. But the more Jess learns about her grandfather’s time in Italy, the more she’s forced to question whether everything about her family’s past is a lie…

Jess came to Italy in search of answers, but time is running out. She can’t shake the feeling that the diary that has stolen her imagination is merely a work of fiction. And if it is, will the truth about her family inspire her to turn away from the path she thought she was destined for, and towards the life she truly wants?

Author Profile:         

                                                     

            

                                                  Courtesy of Amazon Profile

Anita Chapman enjoyed writing stories from a young age, and won a local writing competition when she was nine years old. Encouraged by this, she typed up a series of stories about a mouse on her mum’s typewriter and sent them to Ladybird. She received a polite rejection letter, her first.

Many of Anita’s summers growing up were spent with her family driving to Italy, and she went on to study French and Italian at university. As part of her degree, Anita lived in Siena for several months where she studied and au paired, and she spent a lot of time travelling around Italy in her twenties. 

Anita likes to read journals and diaries from the past, and one of her favourite pastimes is visiting art galleries and country houses. Her first published novel, The Venice Secret is inspired by her mother taking her to see the Canalettos at The National Gallery in London as a child. 

Since 2015, Anita has worked as a social media manager, training authors on social media, and helping to promote their books. She’s run several courses in London and York, and has worked as a tutor at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College.

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

Twitter Profile.  Anita Chapman - Facebook Profile.   Author - Official Website

 Goodreads - Author Profile