Member Reviews
I absolutely loved this book. I felt like I was transported to Tuscany. As someone that loves olives, olive oil & business, the little tidbits were enjoyable.
This was such a heartwarming story, I loved this so much, I will definitely revisit this book in the future.
It’s the perfect summer read and I loved how there’s Italian phrases in the book where the reader can easily learn it because it’s translated afterwards.
Perfect summer romance book 🥰
Thank you to BooksGoSocial, Sophie Sinclair and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
This was a likable story by Sophie Sinclair. Having the Italian backdrop as the setting was a great. The descriptions made you feel immersed in the picturesque country. If you’re in the mood for a light, happy, if not a bit predictable, steamy read, this book is for you. My only qualm is that the plot was a bit repetitive.
This book was phenomenal! The characters were so likable and sweet. I really enjoyed the location of the book as well. I didn’t feel as if the author rushed through this book, but took their time with letting us get to know the main characters, so we felt connected to them. A really cute read!
Great setting, engaging plot and characters🌄🚲
4-4.5🌟stars
I found Lost in Tuscany a really enjoyable, light romance with undoubted reflections of and numerous references to the movie Under the Tuscan Sun about an American woman who impulsively transplants her life to Tuscany. Female lead graphic artist Summer Andrews loved that movie and at a low point drunkenly books a nonrefundable bike tour of Tuscany late one evening. She's definitely not an athlete and ends up enduring the biking until an accident fortuitously ends the tour but launches her into temporarily living the rural Tuscan life on an olive farm, welcomed there by an elderly owner who believes in "signs" and puts her to work in the olive oil tasting boutique. Of course, Nonna has a handsome, single son who runs the lucrative business and the romance is set.
Nonna and her extended family were strong secondary characters, right down to playboy doctor Angelo. I liked the way the author incorporated translations for the Italian dialogue by having people translate for Summer, who comes to Italy knowing only a few words of the language. And the drama with Summer's mother back in California added some obstacles and poignancy to the romance. Male lead Lorenzo's moves to keep the fire burning between him and Summer really made for a heartwarming ending.
There's not a lot of touring apart from a brief visit to Pisa and some nook and cranny villages in the countryside, but author Sophie Sinclair does a good job setting the farming, picturesque hills and small town Italian scene. I would definitely read more by this author.
Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
I tried to get into this one but I just couldn’t. Her relationship with her Mom was so off putting. And her enabling her mom was just a deal breaker for me. I just couldn’t relate and it made my blood boil lol
I didn't want this book to end. I coaxed myself into reading the first few chapters and after a while I couldn't put the book down. "Under the Tuscan Sun" was referenced many times, however, I felt like this book was much better. Each Italian family member was such a wonderful addition to the story and easy to follow because of their characteristics and well written descriptions. I almost wish the book was longer. I was so sad when I completed it. The little Italian phrases were fun to follow along with and made me want to take Italian lessons as well. Summer Andrews was just the leading woman I wanted to read about. I am excited to read more from Sophie Sinclair.
"Lost in Tuscany" follows thirty-six-year-old Summer Andrews who'd never imagined she'd find herself drunk-booking a trip until she wakes up with a pounding hangover and a non-refundable singles-only bike tour through Tuscany. Determined not to waste her money and eager to escape her overbearing mother, she embraces the adventure, despite her rusty biking skills and limited Italian vocabulary ("gelato" being her sole word). Arriving in Italy with optimism for a potential romance, Summer's dreams of a leisurely ride through Tuscan hills are shattered by a group of competitive cyclists in bedazzled jerseys and spandex shorts. After a mishap lands her in the bike tour's lowest tier, she seizes the opportunity to leave and finds herself at the doorstep of Lorenzo Rossi at the Rossi Olive Farm. What starts as a carefree summer fling soon deepens into something more meaningful, transforming Summer into a confident and liberated version of herself. However, as challenges brew back home, Summer faces a tough decision: return to her responsibilities or risk losing the newfound happiness she's discovered in Tuscany.
This was my inaugural encounter with this author, and regrettably, "Lost in Tuscany" didn't quite strike a chord with me. While the premise intrigued me initially, I found Summer's portrayal to be somewhat lacking in maturity for someone of her age and life experience. Her decisions and reactions often felt more suited to a younger protagonist, which made it challenging to fully connect with her journey. Lorenzo, on the other hand, seemed to embody a rather predictable archetype of the charming Italian man, complete with the expected cultural references and mannerisms. I yearned for more depth and complexity in his character, something that would have made his connection with Summer more compelling and believable.
As the narrative unfolded, I struggled to perceive the evolution of their relationship into a genuine love story. Their interactions appeared more surface-level, lacking the emotional depth and development that would have conveyed a meaningful bond between them. Overall, while "Lost in Tuscany" presented an appealing premise and setting, the characterisation and development of the central relationship fell short of what I had hoped for, making it difficult for me to fully embrace the story.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
Lost In Tuscany captured a beautiful snapshot of summer in Italy! I’m just getting home from an Italian honeymoon and this really did make me miss such a magical place with food and family as central parts of the culture.
However, the execution of the story wasn’t for me. The characters felt very two-dimensional— specifically the two MCs. Summer was supposed to be 36 years old but her internal monologue sounded like she just graduated high school, and was often quite cringey.
Lorenzo, on the other hand, had some promise but was overall just a stereotypical hot Italian man. The only true depth we get from him doesn’t come til the end (his art) and feels a bit like an afterthought.
I did actually enjoy almost all of the side characters! Fiore and Nonna Rossi are my favorites (of course) but I was not a fan of Cara.
I am personally also not a fan of an epilogue pregnancy 🙅🏻♀️ but that is truly my own opinion, and I know there’s a lot of controversy on this.
Now I will say, my favorite thing about this book, other than the setting was the famiglia. I come from a broken home myself and have always dreamed of having that large, close knit family. Summer has the same kind of feeling; of not belonging until she meets the Rossi’s, and I could really relate to that.
Overall a two stars from me; loved the concept and setting but was not a fan of the execution.
One person’s 2-star read is another person’s 5-star read, so don’t be afraid to give it a go! It will have you desperately longing for Italian food and cool summer nights.
I adored this book! I am always looking for fiction books about travel and they are hard to find but this one checked all the boxes I look for! The setting of Tuscany but especially the town of Tuttoscano and the olive farm where the main character, Summer, stays were all described so wonderfully, in just enough detail to understand why she feels a connection to this place. The tension between Summer and Lorenzo was top tier. Their connection and desire was believable and the build up was so well done and satisfying! I loved the whole Rossi family taking Summer in, even the stray cat, and how she feels surrounded by people who love and support her for the first time after being raised by her single, and often absent, teen mom. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves found family, journeys of self discovery and learning how to put yourself first for once or simply to anyone looking for an escape to Italy.
I really loved this book. It was extremely well written. The romance is on point. I loved the characters so much. There was a lot of chemistry. This book is emotional and pulls at your heart strings.
"Lost in Tuscany" by Sophie Sinclair is an absolute gem of a novel that swept me off my feet. Summer Andrews, a relatable and endearing protagonist, finds herself on an unexpected adventure after a drunken booking leads her to a singles-only bike tour through Tuscany. What starts as a comedy of errors quickly evolves into a heartwarming and beautifully told story of self-discovery, love, and family.
Summer's journey from a predictable life in the States to embracing the unpredictability of her new surroundings is wonderfully crafted. Lorenzo is the quintessential charming Italian hero, while Nonna Rossi steals the show with her mix of sternness and warmth. What I loved most about "Lost in Tuscany" is its ability to blend lighthearted, laugh-out-loud moments with deeper, more poignant themes of self-worth, duty, and the search for happiness. Summer's internal struggle and her ultimate choice between duty and following her heart are handled with grace and sensitivity, making her journey all the more compelling.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
I was in the mood for a cutesy small town romance and this one checked all the boxes and more!!! Small town romance set in Italy?? perfection!
Summer feels lost in her life and ends up drunkenly booking a trip to Italy to try and find what’s missing in her life, little does she know that in that little trip of hers she will not only find herself, but the family she was missing all along.
This book was amazing for just stepping away from reality and bit and getting transported to the olive farms in Tuscany, Sophie Sinclair described the settings with such detail that the whole book felt like a movie. It was the perfect combination between romance, humor and spice, loved every second ♥️
Thank you NetGalley and 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴𝘎𝘰𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 for a copy of “Lost In Tuscany” by Sophie Sinclair. This non spoilers review is of my own honest opinion.
You can see my review on Instagram and Goodreads:
https://www.instagram.com/stories/bigmama_reads/3399660307746527480?igsh=MXdxdTAwcnQwM3g5eA==
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213940203
If I have a midlife crisis, make it Italian. Summer is on her singles bike tour in Italy that she books while drunk (relatable). After a biking accident (and a hot Italian doctor), Summer finds herself on Nonna Rossi’s doorstep. She soon starts working for the family Olive farm and falling in love with Italy (and her boss). I feel like Nonna is the true star of this book. She is so charming and a bit scary! This book made me laugh, cry and crave Italian food. Sophie Sinclair wrote such heartwarming book, I imagine I'll be reaching for this in physical form to annotate all my favorite bits.
Cute light easy read that makes you wanna get lost in Tuscany
Summer is looking for love when she drunkingly signs up for bike ride around Tuscany. However her trip abruptly ends and she ends up on Rossi olive oil farm
Thank you NetGalley for the arc
I chose to read this book because the title reminded me of the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun." Little did I know, the Mian character loves the movie.
At first, it was cute, then it was sweet, then sexy, and finally, it was beautiful.
I rarely rate things five stars, but I truly loved this book. It had the right amount of spice with the right amount of romance.
I especially loved reading it while listening to my favourite vintage Italian summer playlist I always listen to when my husband cooks pasta.
The two main characters were both likeable, the only character who slightly annoyed me was the mom and best friend, but they were flawed like real people and both redeem themselves.
This was such a good love story and I don't know how another book will top it this year.
Summer is bored with her life and after watching "Under the Tuscan Sky" she books a bicycle tour in Italy. Her life at home is complicated with her helpless, alcoholic mother always popping up, but she goes on the tour regardless. After being injured on the bike tour she ends up deciding on staying awhile and finds a job at an olive ranch. There she meets Lorenzo. Lorenzo is smitten from the start but tries to keep away, but can't. They grow closer and enjoy spending more time together until Summer is pulled back home by her mother having an accident. This was pretty good. It was slow to start for me and I almost DNF, but picked up as I went on.
I absolutely ate this book up! The family dynamic, the humor, the LOCATION, & the adventure! Summer was relatable & I resonated with her character in ways I didn’t expect!
I loved this book so much! And the cover is absolutely beautiful! This book made me feel like I was in Italy. And the romance was perfect!
Fab read and setting. Summer makes a drunken booking for a cycling holiday in Tuscany that will change her life, but will she take a chance when she has ties back home in the states still?
This was so good! Took me back to my days living in Italy. I loved all the Italian banter, the setting which felt like another character and all the friendships made.