Scan barcode
jzieno's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
nannyf's review against another edition
5.0
As a fan of this author, I always go into his books with a smile in my face which remains for most of the story. This one was no different, although it starts off a little differently to previous stories.
The main character in this book, Bee, finds herself in hospital, unable to remember what has led to her being there. In an attempt to recuperate, she ends up in a gorgeous villa in Tuscany, with an actress as her companion.
As I have come to expect, the author has added a dog as one of the main characters. Romeo is a friendly and boisterous animal who very quickly befriends Bee and makes her journey back to full health that little bit easier.
Anyone who reads this may spot mention of a Scottish nanny, called Fiona, in the epilogue. That character may (it is) be based on me, something I was surprised to see. Many thanks to the author for including me in his story.
Thanks also to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy.
The main character in this book, Bee, finds herself in hospital, unable to remember what has led to her being there. In an attempt to recuperate, she ends up in a gorgeous villa in Tuscany, with an actress as her companion.
As I have come to expect, the author has added a dog as one of the main characters. Romeo is a friendly and boisterous animal who very quickly befriends Bee and makes her journey back to full health that little bit easier.
Anyone who reads this may spot mention of a Scottish nanny, called Fiona, in the epilogue. That character may (it is) be based on me, something I was surprised to see. Many thanks to the author for including me in his story.
Thanks also to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy.
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
5.0
Visit the locations in the novel!
Meet TA Williams here on authors on location
Sometimes, you need to read a certain book that transports to a certain time and place and makes you feel calm. I wish the villa at the centre of this story was real as I would be on the next flight out. If it made me feel as happy and relaxed as it did in the novel ,imagine its healing qualities in real life!
The setting is always the strong point in TA Williams’s novels but the stories are equally captivating and the characters heartwarming too. I enjoyed reading about the ill-tempered celebrity and the good in a crisis Gayle. Bree and Mimi start to have a good relationship and it was nice to be part of that.
The villa where they end up is remote and in the middle of nowhere. Fictional, yet TA Williams brings the scenery and the setting to life with his luscious words. He evokes the sights, sounds and aromas of that region well and I could feel the sun on my face as I imagined i was there too. Bree has to adapt to country living, well they both do. They go walking and explore the area which is when I slowed down myself and took time to imagine I could see what they could.
I’m even tempted to get a dog now that I’ve met Romeo. A dog brings people together and makes for some funny moments and I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest.
It’s charming, war-hearted and just the kind of book I needed when I started it. Characters are fun and well written, Very clear to see as they come alive from the page. I had a lovely time in Tuscany and would love to return!
I wonder where TA Williams will take me next!
ms_smith's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Egyszer olvasható, könnyű kis limonádé.
Érdekes volt egy férfi tollából a női szemszögből megírt történet, de nem mondanám túlzottan eget rengetőnek. A tájleírás és a történelmi háttér tartotta fogva a figyelmemet, ezek hiányában talán végig sem olvastam volna a könyvet.
Az mondjuk kifejezetten zavart, hogy Bee állandóan a külsejére volt fókuszálva, de ez talán az én "hiányosságom", mivel én sokkal de sokkal többre tartom a belsőt a külsőnél, ami a mai világban nagyon különösnek hat.
A fordítás rossz.
Érdekes volt egy férfi tollából a női szemszögből megírt történet, de nem mondanám túlzottan eget rengetőnek. A tájleírás és a történelmi háttér tartotta fogva a figyelmemet, ezek hiányában talán végig sem olvastam volna a könyvet.
Az mondjuk kifejezetten zavart, hogy Bee állandóan a külsejére volt fókuszálva, de ez talán az én "hiányosságom", mivel én sokkal de sokkal többre tartom a belsőt a külsőnél, ami a mai világban nagyon különösnek hat.
A fordítás rossz.
nee223's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this book. Since I was familiar with Sienna & San Gimignano, it just added to the story for me. I could envision myself at the villa. It was a nice winter escape.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this sweet, heart warming and entertaining book.
I already read other by this writer and I was looking forward to reading this one.
I'm happy i required it because it was a good reading experience.
The cast of characters was interesting and relatable (I loved the dog), the setting was amazing and described without too much tourist-brochure style as it often happens with Tuscany.
I like the style of writing and it was very good in this book.
I look forward to reading the next book by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC
I already read other by this writer and I was looking forward to reading this one.
I'm happy i required it because it was a good reading experience.
The cast of characters was interesting and relatable (I loved the dog), the setting was amazing and described without too much tourist-brochure style as it often happens with Tuscany.
I like the style of writing and it was very good in this book.
I look forward to reading the next book by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this ARC
thebooktrail88's review
5.0
Visit the locations in the novel!
Meet TA Williams here on authors on location
Sometimes, you need to read a certain book that transports to a certain time and place and makes you feel calm. I wish the villa at the centre of this story was real as I would be on the next flight out. If it made me feel as happy and relaxed as it did in the novel ,imagine its healing qualities in real life!
The setting is always the strong point in TA Williams’s novels but the stories are equally captivating and the characters heartwarming too. I enjoyed reading about the ill-tempered celebrity and the good in a crisis Gayle. Bree and Mimi start to have a good relationship and it was nice to be part of that.
The villa where they end up is remote and in the middle of nowhere. Fictional, yet TA Williams brings the scenery and the setting to life with his luscious words. He evokes the sights, sounds and aromas of that region well and I could feel the sun on my face as I imagined i was there too. Bree has to adapt to country living, well they both do. They go walking and explore the area which is when I slowed down myself and took time to imagine I could see what they could.
I’m even tempted to get a dog now that I’ve met Romeo. A dog brings people together and makes for some funny moments and I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest.
It’s charming, war-hearted and just the kind of book I needed when I started it. Characters are fun and well written, Very clear to see as they come alive from the page. I had a lovely time in Tuscany and would love to return!
I wonder where TA Williams will take me next!
porchchick's review
5.0
Looking for an easy breezy summer read? Dreaming of Tuscany is perfect for that. The author's knowledge of Tuscany is apparent, and he displays in his descriptions of the countryside, the food, and the local haunts. From the first page, I found the main character, Bee, easy to identify with, a sweet protagonist.
I would have like to have read more about her inward struggle, her recovery from a traumatic brain injury, a shaved head, and a scarred cheek. These details would have made the story come to life for me, but then it would no longer be the easy breezy summer read.
No matter what, Dreaming of Tuscany is a great escape from the mundane. You won't have to hop on the bus, Gus or make a new plan, Stan. In the pages of this novel, you can set yourself free, Lee.
I would have like to have read more about her inward struggle, her recovery from a traumatic brain injury, a shaved head, and a scarred cheek. These details would have made the story come to life for me, but then it would no longer be the easy breezy summer read.
No matter what, Dreaming of Tuscany is a great escape from the mundane. You won't have to hop on the bus, Gus or make a new plan, Stan. In the pages of this novel, you can set yourself free, Lee.
rach345's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25