Oh my goodness, A Place in the Sun by Jo Thomas? Absolutely gorgeous! Seriously, if you're after a proper feel-good read, this is it. You'll be whisked away to sunny Tuscany with characters you'll instantly root for, and the romance? So sweet and lovely, it just warms your heart. Plus, fair warning, you'll be craving all the Italian food while you're reading! If you loved her other books, you're going to adore this one – it's just the perfect cosy escape.

My second Jo Thomas book and I really enjoyed it! I like how it’s different to other typical romances. It was a nice easy read. I like that it was set in Tuscany and the small family community vibes. I also love lasagna! 😂 I would have liked to read about more of the romance though.

This book made me want to travel, visit Italy, and lay in the sun, possibly in that order but not necessarily. The story itself is lovely and allows you to not only enjoy the characters, but the setting as well. Wonderful!

A wonderful story full of love, not just the romantic kind but all kinds.
Set in Italy, it is beautifully written by Jo Thomas full of evocative prose of sunny Italian food and Italian Grandmothers and their knowledge..... and not just about food.
I would definitely recommend this, of course it would make a great holiday read but also a 'pick me up' at anytime.

I always get so excited at the thought of a new Jo Thomas book! A Place in the Sun is no exception.
As usual you settle into the story straightaway and revel in the characterisation and relationships.
You can relax and enjoy the wonderful setting and just as importantly, the food! You don't need to go away on holiday, Jo Thomas transports you in all of her books.
You might have guessed.......I loved it.

what i didnt like:

writing: the writing is inconsistent. sometimes its solid and introspective, sometimes its clunky and super distracting. made it difficult to read.

dialogue & exposition: the dialogue feels odd at times. again, its very inconsistent and takes me out of the story. its mainly expositional dialogue that seems to be a big source of this problem. its usually delivered through the main character's children, and often feels too mature or over-explanatory for a child

*nitpick:*(maybe this is too much of a nitpick) the fmc laughs a lot. everybody laughs a lot. they laugh at everything all the time. maybe im just miserable and i dont laugh the same number of times a regular person does, but it drove me up the wall. i actually have a lot of nitpick like this but for your sake and mine, ill keep them to myself.

what i did like:

exposition: i mentioned exposition in things i didnt like, but the author did a great job at sprinkling it in here and there when it came to the fmc's inner monologue.

setting setting setting: the author delivers, and i mean DELIVERS with setting. i wish i had read this outside on a warm windy day so i could pretend that i, too was in a small italian town. my desire to visit italy has grown tenfold since reading this.

relationships: the dynamic between the fmc and her children is precious. not much else to say about that.

cats: self explanatory.

anyway, tldr: writing and dialogue inconsistencies aside, this is an alright summer read

After a long dreary winter, this book is as good as a holiday!
Jo Thomas takes the reader to Tuscany, with descriptions so good that I smelt the food and felt the sunshine.
And there is a lot of food and drink in this book. Pasta, Lasagne. Tiramisu, wine and Limoncello abound as Thea and her children allow life in Tuscany to heal the hurt of losing their husband and father.
Friendships of all kinds grow, love abounds, and even the warring Nonnas bury the hatchet in the heat of the kitchen.
There are the inevitable misunderstandings and lack of communication before love wins through, but with three Italian Nonnas matchmaking over the pasta pot, the result is inevitable.
This book really does have the feelgood factor and would be an ideal holiday read. If you can't afford a holiday in the Tuscan sun, this book is a close second. Thanks to Jo Thomas for the opportunity to read this.

I would call myself a self proclaimed Jo Thomas fan, so i'm sorry to say that this one didn't quite do it for me.

This felt a bit Durrell's without the animals, and with a child's toy which I just found jarring and irritating.

Great setting, but this potentially played on too many stereotypes, and I found myself rolling my eyes a few too many times.

Good escapism, but perhaps lacking in a bit of spark sadly.

Not one of my favourite books by Jo. The constant way she kept seeing her dead husband was unnerving. The chapters are short which is a good thing. The kids were cute even with the little girl speaking from the rabbit.

Looking forward to her next book.

A story about a widow and her two young children who go to Italy to renovate a house her late husband had bought.
Little does she realise she only has 6 weeks to do it in. She comes to rely on the villagers around her, who in return she helps.
Really nice story full if hope.
Not my experience of this type of grief, but a nice story all the same

A definite feelgood comforting read all set in an old village in Tuscany. Certainly uplifts the spirits with a combination of hot sun, good Italian food, friendship and amazing community spirit. Love the characters especially the three elderly nonnas holding on to a decades old feud involving their different lasagne recipes, their bickering is just wonderful. A touch of humour throughout makes this a perfect holiday book or if one needs a light heart warming lift at any time.

In Jo Thomas’s A Place in the Sun, Thea relocates to Tuscany with her children to restore her late husband Marco’s holiday house, Casa Luna. Expecting a charming getaway, she is taken aback by the dilapidated state of the house, and with only six weeks to fix it up before selling, she’s left with no choice but to rely on the local community for help. What follows is a heartwarming story of Thea and her children becoming immersed in the vibrant local life, working in the community kitchen alongside the delightful, competitive nonnas and the handsome chef Giovanni.

As the renovation progresses, so too does Thea’s emotional journey. Gradually, she begins to open up to the people around her, rediscovering a sense of belonging and connection that she had long been missing. Just when she starts to feel at home in this small Tuscan town, a surprise visitor throws her newfound peace into disarray, forcing her to reconsider everything she thought she knew about herself and her future.

With its charming Tuscan backdrop and a cast of lovable, quirky characters, A Place in the Sun is a delightful, feel-good read perfect for a relaxing holiday by the pool or on the beach. Jo Thomas has crafted a story that’s as warm and inviting as the sun-drenched landscape it’s set in, offering readers a satisfying escape into a world of second chances, new beginnings, and the beauty of community.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Jo Thomas once again delivers a heartwarming romance, this time set against the stunning backdrop of Tuscany. The story beautifully weaves together love, friendship, and community, with food playing a deliciously central role. From the descriptions of the location to mouthwatering Italian cuisine, the setting feels as much a character as the people themselves.

What makes this book so enjoyable is its blend of romance and second chances, all wrapped in a feel-good, escapist read. The relationships—both romantic and platonic—are full of warmth, making it easy to get lost in the story. If you love travel-inspired romance with a focus on food, family, and fresh starts, this is a must-read!

So much talk of lasagne recipes by the trio of Nonnas in the story became rather annoying. There was also much repetition of the main character's loss of her husband. The end of the story was quite predictable.

This is a typical Jo Thomas book. Filled to the brim with delicious food, everlasting sunshine, a great plot and love.
Picking up one of Jo’s books, you find yourself transported to a different country and usually find yourself sat around the table waiting to be fed with a local feast.
Loved loved loved this book.
Thea packs up everything she owns and travels to Italy with her children Luca and Aimee to investigate the house Marco bought over two years ago, two years after his untimely death. What will she discover when she arrives.
As usual, thank you Jo x

Thea and her two children have had a rough time and moving to Italy to fix up the holiday home her late husband brought is what she needs to do. The community is welcoming and friendly and as things develop Thea and her children settle but it may not be a happy ending! I adore this story written by a talented author who has me feeling in love with Italy and the characters and the plot is a very important bonus! Hugely appreciated this book! Keep writing Jo.

"A Place in the Sun" is a great summer read from Jo Thomas. It is set in a small Tuscan village, one of many dying as the young people move away for work and better amenities. When Thea arrives with her 2 young children she is shocked at the state of the bargain holiday home bought by her late husband Marco. With nowhere else to stay and little money she has to move in to the house and start to make improvements.

This is the story of Thea's fight to turn her life around and maybe find a new direction. The nonnas are wonderful and there is a strong sense of community in the village, which we could all do well to learn from.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Jo Thomas is one of my favourite authors. I was looking forward to reading her latest book, and wasn’t disappointed.

Thea and her two children are spending summer in a remote Italian village, hoping to renovate their small cottage before selling it. The story is about families, relationships and community. Although Thea is sad that her husband Marco has passed, she is determined to get on with the renovations with help from Giovanni, and other members of the community.

Written in a humorous tone, there are many mishaps along the way. Jo Thomas is skilled at bringing characters and settings to life, you feel that you know them and feel part of the community. Three argumentative, competitive nonnas with their delicious dishes of lasagne bring added humour to the plot. I can smell the delicious pasta dishes from here!

This book is perfect for relaxing at home or on the beach.

I loved this Jo Thomas book but I always like her books.

Poor Thea, she's had such a tough time since her beloved husband Marco passed away. Before he died he bought a run down property in Tuscany which was intended for their family to spend happy times there.

That all went wrong with Marco's passing so Thea had no choice but to "do it up" and sell it.

Things don't always go to plan though do they and with the arrival of Stella and getting to know the villagers, Thea was in a different position.

Not wanting to give any spoilers I think the readers will like the ending. I was sorry to get to the end.

Thankyou.

Jo Thomas has to be one of my favourite authors, at present, she writes beautiful, easy to read stories. This book made me smile, it's full of love and hope for the future in the story and outside in the real world.