I have to admit I read TA Williams more for the Italy part than anything else- and this one like the others made me long for the chance to travel again. Alice, our heroine, remade her life after her tv career fell apart and now she's on the cusp of a future as an art historian. Except she can't give up entirely on the tv world so she heads off to Chianti. where a revival of the show is going to be filmed, Then there's the men- her new boyfriend, her old boyfriend, and the handsome Matt (and his dog) all collide in the same place. No spoilers but while some choices might be clear from the beginning, you, like me, might disagree with some of the others. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I enjoyed this on a gray day and it cheered me up.

A nice, gentle read. There is very little in the way of angst or conflict in this book. Everything gets sorted out quickl.y. As always, I loved the descriptions of the Italian scenery, and Guinness the Labrador is adorable. The main character, Alice, is nice enough. I did find her changeable moods towards the men in her life a little irritating. Loved the art history element. I do like T. A. Williams books, but they are a bit samey. If you're just looking for something light though, this is ideal. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The setting of this book was gorgeous in beautiful Tuscany and I enjoyed the story very much. Complete escapism with a suitably pleasing ending..

Alice Butler starred in a successful US sitcom as flirty Polly, a role that followed her even when the show was cancelled. Seeing it as a chance for a second career, Alice returned to Bristol to study for her dream job as an Art Historian, but five years later she gets a call saying that the sitcom might be revived. With all the bickering and backstabbing that went on before, surely it could only end in disaster? The meeting and reunion of the cast takes place in a villa in the Chianti region of Tuscany and Alice has two decisions to make…does she continue with her relationship with boyfriend David, and does she sign up for the sitcom again? Throw into the mix, Mysterious Matt who lives in a Tower next to the villa which just adds to Alice’s list of decisions!

TA Williams writes captivating, believable stories and by the end of them I always want to add the locations of his books to my list of places to visit and after this book that list is getting longer and longer!! It was fantastic to step aside from reality for the duration of this story, I actually visited restaurants, and Art galleries during lockdown! The description of food and the scenery is beautiful and I enjoyed dining out at Giovanni’s on several times, plus I never had to pick up the bill!! Thank heavens for Guinness, the black Lab who features quite heavily in this story - it wouldn’t be a TA Williams book without a Labrador.

Another radiant read from one of my favourite authors.

This was a lovely book to read when the weather is cold, grey and very damp. The descriptions were wonderful and I could feel the hot sun and see the bright buildings and the friendly people. This book reminded me very much of the tv series “Friends” with the cast meeting up to discuss another series. I throughly enjoyed it. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A light, beautiful story. Truly enjoyed.
Alice was an actress on a wildly popular sitcom that had a successful; run. Since the ending of the show, Alice pursued her dreams and earned a degree in art history with the hopes of getting a job in the field. She has been living with her professor boyfriend for two years and was looking forward to the new path her life was taking. Unexpectedly she received word that they were trying to bring back her old sitcom, and she was invited, along with the cast, to spend time in Tuscany and discuss the offer. She agrees, and along with her boyfriend, David, they set off to see what the offer is.
The story continues from there and moves along at a steady pace. Alice's life unfolds in a very different way than she had ever imagined, but that is not always a bad things. The time in Tuscany gives Alice time to decide how she wants to spend her life, and who she wants to spend it with.
This was a quick, easy read story with likable characters, and descriptive writing.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What an enchanting tale, with all the elements you have come to expect from a T. A. Williams novel, all present and correct.

Stunning Location - We are in Tuscany, in Chianti, and it features a vineyard, a huge villa, and a small town that Alice spends some extended time in.

Black Labrador - Ah Guinness, I loved him so much and all the funniest moments of the book involved Guinness and his new found love of Alice. And his own Matt is rather great too.

Romance - Lucky Alice seems to be swimming with potential love interests in this book, there is David who is her current boyfriend, and travels to Tuscany with Alice. There is Rich her ex back from her acting days and he still seems to be interested. Then there is Matt, who is the handsome stranger with the gorgeous dog!

Italian History and Art - It is becoming rather apparent to me the more of T. A. Williams' wonderful books that I read, that he has a passion for all things Italy, history and art. They seem to be common occurrences in his books, and Alice funnily enough has just completed her studies to become an art historian.

However Alice is torn between her love of Art, and also the sitcom that she used to star in, and that they are thinking of reviving which leads to her other main dilemma of the book, just what direction to take her career in.

Hard to put down - I was enjoying myself so much with this book I never wanted to be a part from it. In fact my kindle was found to be reading ahead, it was enjoying it so much, while I was asleep (Ok, that may also be a sign I need a new kindle cover and I have ordered one), But well if it had managed to transport the words into my mind while it giving me a new starting location, then I would have bene happy as I'd have been continuing sooner.

I just wanted to transport myself to Chianti and to be Alice. Yes she has big decisions to make, but her life is awesome and I would love to be living it myself!

This is a much needed trip to Italy from my armchair, and it was glorious to be immersed in such a sunny environment, in the midst of a dingy UK winter lockdown.

Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A nice and girly women's fiction book. A nice preview to future summer reads. Good main character. Not a complicated storyline but still enjoyable. However, since I have been reading such strong nonfiction and better fiction this fell somewhere in the middle with how I liked it. It was just ok. Loved the cover. Makes me think of hazy and humid nights back in New England in the summer.

Thanks to Netgalley, TA Williams and Canelo for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 2/22/21

4,5 ⭐️

T.A. Williams' novels are the perfect remedy for quite a number of ailments. You're feeling down and need your spirits lifted up? Read a T.A. Williams' book. You'd love to feast in some Italian food but you're on a diet and have to settle on reading about scrumptious dishes? Read a T.A. Williams' book. You're fed up of not being able to travel because of COVID but want to escape to some gorgeous location? Read a T.A. Williams' book! Every single time I finish one of his books I'm ready to start packing my suitcases and move to Italy.

Alice left a promising career as an actress when her sitcom was cancelled and she decided to go back to college and study art history. When 5 years laters she's given the chance to reprise the role that made her famous she must decide if she wants to go back to the glamour and craziness of Hollywood or stay in England and get a job related with her studies. And what better place to think about it than a wonderful villa in Chianti, Italy!

The setting was absolutely gorgeous! I could see myself running along Alice around those hills (well, maybe not running. Let's settle on walking), visiting the enchanting Italian villages and traipsing around Florence. In his novels, Italy is always another character in the story and it's clear in every single line how much the author loves this country.

I found Alice a very sympathetic character and her struggle to be seen as herself and not her TV character very interesting. It must be hard to live with everyone assuming you're someone completely different to who you truly are. The cast of characters was a really good blend of charming ones and a couple of idiots (you know who you are!), but once more the first prize to favorite character goes to the dog, Guinness. He made me smile with each of his appearances. Put a cute dog in your story and you've won me.

The romance was cute but I found a bit weird how Alice was already thinking about uprooting her whole life in England to move to Italy just after a couple of meetings with the mysterious Matt. Talk about love (lust) at first sight! I could not understand why he was always so quiet and elusive when it came to talking about his life but after learning his "secret" I totally got it. I would not have guessed it in a million years!

Another feel good story perfect to make you forget for a few hours about the current situation.

Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this novel. At first I did think that main character Alice was a bit stuck up, simply because she kept having to remind everyone who she met that she wasn't 'Polly' from the TV. Which is fine but got a bit boring after a while. Other than that I really enjoyed the storyline, the location sounded beautiful and I love the mention of all the FOOD! My mouth was watering on more than one occasion.

Overall, a lovely read to escape in.

Alice is an actress that was on a popular sitcom for five years. When the show ended because of fighting behind the scenes Alice returned to get her degree. After getting her PhD in art history she finds out the studio is getting the sitcoms going again. Does she give up her passion for art history or does she trade it for the high life again?

This is a fun,fast read. The majority of the book takes place in Florence, Italy. After all is said and done I think I would like to be Alice.

One of the many joys, of reading books by T.A. Williams, is the wonderful descriptions of the locations he chooses. This is no exception and I thoroughly enjoyed my Book Escape to Chianti.
There is a strong list of supporting characters, in this story as Alice navigates her way between her former life in Hollywood and her newly earned doctorate in Art history. When offered the chance to return to Hollywood, rather than find a position with her doctorate, she finds support for both options.
The cast of her former sit-com are mostly eager for her to return, as is her boyfriend David.
The meeting to discuss the possibility of a return to filming takes place at a villa, in Chianti, belonging to the producer of the sit-com. The neighbour at the Villa is the smoulderingly handsome Matt, who defends his privacy and intrigues Alice.
I really liked the character of Felicity Winter and found myself imagining which current Hollywood A lister she could be based on. It’s this friendship that proves to be key in Alice’s decisions about her future.
In all of this, I haven’t mentioned Guinness, Matt’s adorable Labrador and the reason that Alice and Matt first become aware of each other. Guinness features heavily in this story and I recall beautiful black labs from previous books by this author.
A special mention should be given to the food, from the delights of the Villa to the tiny restaurant in the village, I found my mouth watering as each meal was described.
The twists that follow Alice’s story are beautifully framed with the range of Italian settings that are described perfectly. As the weather here turned icy, it was wonderful to feel the virtual sun on my skin.

Fantastic read. I have been completely unable to put this one down. I cannot wait to read more by this author.
Full review to follow on publication.

Excellent read. What a beautiful story. Loved the description of Tuscany and the Italian food. Interesting take on fame. I loved Matt's secret and I could not guess it. . I also really enjoyed how Alice managed to start a whole new life and make her money work. A good lesson for us all. Can not recommend it enough. I want to read more books by T A Williams

A former sitcom actress who is now an academic is asked to return to her old Hollywood life which makes her question all kinds of things in her life. This novel takes place in Tuscany which is just beautiful and a nice mental break in the current times we're living.
For the most part I enjoyed reading this story. I could forget the world around me and just live in this moment in Tuscany.
The reason I'm giving this only three stars is that it lacked depth for me. Every male character is into Alice and her constantly questioning who she is interested in, even after she's decided she isn't into him!, gets old. The characters are fairly one-dimensional and I never felt like I knew, or could relate to, any of them. All in all, however, I had a great time reading it. It's a sweet escape into a simpler world and sometimes that is all you need.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sunnier Climes....
The second in the Escape To Tuscany series finds the past catching up with protagonist Alice Butler, a former star of a US sitcom. With a revival of the show on the cards Alice has decisions to make but first finds herself in glorious Chianti. Some ideal escapism as the reader is whisked off to sunnier climes with a perfect backdrop and an enjoyable storyline.

The story of Alice, who use to be a famous actress but is now an academic.
She is in Italy to decide if she wants to go back to acting, and what would this mean for her relationship with David. Whilst in Italy she meets Matt, who she is drawn to but he is keeping a secret.

One of the things I liked most about this book was the setting, and the descriptions of the area and the history.

Overall an enjoyable read.