A feel-good story of new beginnings, love and family
set in the sun kissed atmosphere of a southern Italian town and its much-loved pizzeria.
Paperback Original | 10th June 2021 | £7.99 | Corgi
Ebook available from 8th April 2021
Jo Thomas’ wonderful tales of escapism and foreign delights have captured the hearts of thousands of readers.
A summer escape she’ll never forget . . .
Lucia has worked hard as a lawyer in Wales, aiming for a big promotion she hopes will
shortly come her way. Finally taking a well-earned break at her grandparents’ house in
southern Italy, the sunshine, lemon trees and her nonna’s mouth-watering cooking
make her instantly feel at home.
But she’s shocked to learn that her grandfather is retiring from the beloved family
pizzeria and will need to sell. Lucia can’t bear the thought of the place changing hands –
especially when she discovers her not-quite-ex-husband Giacomo wants to take it over!
Then bad news from home forces Lucia to re-evaluate what she wants from life. Is this
her chance to carry on the family tradition and finally follow her dreams?
From the bestselling author of Escape to the French Farmhouse comes a
deliciously feel-good story about making your dreams come true.
Review
I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The timing of this escape to Italy, was just perfect. Winter weather was taking its toll and I found myself craving sunnier climes. Jo Thomas delivered, and then some!
Lucia is exhausted by the pressures of work, hindered by her colleague’s incapability to respect professional boundaries and her inability to say no. There’s a promotion on the table and Lucia is convinced that it’s just a formality. She is more than ready for her annual trip to Italy where she happily works alongside her grandfather is his pizza restaurant.
Discovering that her grandfather has decided to retire and hand the reins to a successor, Lucia is shocked to learn that his first choice is her estranged husband, Giacomo. Determined to keep the restaurant in the family, Lucia makes a deal that could lead to her becoming the new owner and Giacomo being sent away.
This is a truly joyful story, packed full with gorgeous characters who are easy to imagine. It’s impossible to pick a favourite, but it would be a close call between the Nonna’s and Veronica. Fine examples of strong women.
The food, of course, takes centre stage and it was in this book that I learned about the difference between a Pizziaiolo and a Pizziaiola; a term bestowed only on the most talented of pizza makers. I was insatiably hungry, reading about all the fresh ingredients and imagining the plates leaving the kitchen.
Praise for Jo Thomas:
‘Rich, warm and sunny. A story that stays with you long after the last page is turned’ – Milly Johnson
‘The characters went straight to my heart’ – Katie Fforde
‘Like the very best kind of holiday’ – Lucy Diamond
‘A sparkling, heartwarming hug of a story’ – Miranda Dickinson
Jo Thomas worked for many years as a reporter and producer, first for BBC
Radio 5, before moving on to Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and Radio 2’s The Steve
Wright Show. In 2013 Jo won the RNA Katie Fforde Bursary. Her debut novel,
The Oyster Catcher, was a runaway bestseller in ebook and was awarded the 2014
RNA Joan Hessayon Award and the 2014 Festival of Romance Best Ebook Award.
Jo lives in the Vale of Glamorgan with her husband and three children.
For more information please contact Hayley Barnes, Publicity Manager,
Transworld Publishers: HBarnes@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk | 020 8231 6730
Book Escapes with BabsW67 
Thanks for the blog tour support x
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My pleasure, I really enjoyed it x
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