Gemma Jericho is an overworked New York doctor with a handful of a teenaged daughter and a meddlesome mother. So when her mother receives a letter of a mysterious inheritance in Tuscany, Gemma sees her chance. She throws caution to the wind and the three leave for Italy. She hopes that a change of scenery will bring back the closeness she used to share with her daughter and give her mother something to worry about beyond Gemma’s social life.
What they encounter in Tuscany is a crumbling old villa and a town divided. Half of the residents believe that Ben Raphael, another American, is the rightful inheritor of the villa. As cultures clash, gossip soars, and intrigue unfolds, Gemma is caught up in the most disturbing—and delicious—trouble she’s ever had.
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"This is the first of Elizabeth Adler's that I read/listened to, and by far my favorite. I loved all the characters, and can still envision the houses and locations described in this book, years later."
— Janet (5 out of 5 stars)
“The beauty and rich culture of Tuscany form a wonderfully romantic and compelling backdrop for this delightful novel. Ms. Adler’s characters are complex and riveting, making this another must-read novel.”
— Romantic Times“Celeste Lawson captures the warmth and beauty of the Tuscan countryside and the charm of an Italian village with her narration of Adler’s captivating story…She brings alive the food, the people, and the relationships, making it difficult to stop listening.”
— AudioFile“Adler, author of The Last Time I Saw Paris...reveals a deft hand in creating characters to cheer for and settings to dream over in this deeply appealing story of love, family, and the beauty of Italy.”
— Booklist“The audio version of Adler’s dramatic tale breathes new life into the sumptuous backdrop and colorful cast of characters. Narrator Lawson is equally convincing whether she’s channeling a cynical Manhattan teenager or a middle-aged Italian innkeeper—and this is no small feat given Adler’s dialogue-heavy, regionally accented prose...This audio book will provide a delightful escape from the real world.”
— Publishers Weekly (audio review)" Favorite quote: "The old man's boot-button eyes gleamed with pride in a face of a thousand wrinkles." "
— Bcgrad, 2/20/2014" What a way to travel to foreign lands! Nice story as well. "
— Annette, 2/20/2014" A bit trite. "
— Alice, 2/18/2014" Light read but fun just the same. Enjoyed descriptions of Italy! Felt like I was there... "
— Cate, 1/23/2014" EA transports you to Tuscany with every chapter. As usual, the fun, endearing characters pull you into the story. "
— Mary, 1/20/2014" total chick lit with too much gross typical angst then lovey-dovey, happily ever after..and yet I still liked it!?! WTF??? LOL "
— Michelle, 1/17/2014" This book is pure fluff and lots of fun to read. I love anything about Tuscany! I love to read about the villages, the food, the Italian language and about travel. Just an easy read and lots of fun! "
— Cherie, 12/8/2013" First book that i read by Elizabeth Adler, and my favourite. "
— Susana, 11/24/2013" This was a book on CD that I listened to but it would be a great beach read! I loved the characters and the setting; I felt like I was back traveling the roads of Tuscany. "
— Cheryl, 11/17/2013" I love everything by Elizabeth Adler! She's always a sure-fire winner. "
— Tambra, 11/12/2013" La dolce vita in Italy. Nice story about an american doctor in Italy. "
— Judith, 11/9/2013" Lovely, fun, excellent vacation book (which is where I read it). Thanks Ruthie! "
— Emma, 11/9/2013" going to Italy this summer and the book has great descriptions of the landscape. I cannot wait to go. It is a fun romance. "
— Jane, 10/24/2013" stupid stupid stupid ridiculous. a waste of time. "
— Cg, 8/24/2013" great description of the scenery, ending was predictable. "
— Heather, 7/2/2013" Is a good story, but as much cliche as all the others... "
— Jé, 6/29/2013" Meh. I listened to it. It was predictable and the characters were very one dimensional. I also got really sick of the author's use of the phrase "crash into love." cliche. "
— Jocelyn, 6/4/2013" A good light little read. Nothing amazing but as someone also said in their review, a nice easy read inbetween big reads. I enjoyed it for what it was. "
— Stacy, 3/11/2013" Would make a great beach read! "
— Jen, 12/23/2012" Its perfect for a bit of light romance reading. Does not reeeeally exceed expectation, well it says Tuscany at the cover. Enjoyed it anyway :D "
— Sakinah, 10/5/2012" Makes me want to go back to Italy! "
— Brenda, 1/31/2012" Got a few chapters and realized I had read this book a few years ago. I was disappointed I was already for an Italian love story. "
— Psirene, 1/28/2012" A more than enjoyable light, fun, romantic book for a rainy day!!! "
— Connie, 8/13/2011" Predictable romance story. I did enjoy the Italian scenery and lifestyle descriptions, the author excels in this area. I wanted a mindless read and that is what this book is. ( ) "
— Margi, 7/22/2011" Well it was one of those books that was good but not great. "
— Jan, 5/5/2011" stupid stupid stupid ridiculous. a waste of time. "
— Cg, 2/17/2011" Light read but fun just the same. Enjoyed descriptions of Italy! Felt like I was there... "
— Cate, 2/15/2011" A good light little read. Nothing amazing but as someone also said in their review, a nice easy read inbetween big reads. I enjoyed it for what it was. "
— Stacy, 1/20/2011" Is a good story, but as much cliche as all the others... "
— Jé, 1/11/2011" Fun book! Well written with vivid descriptions that made me feel I was eating the food and visiting the countryside. Brought back special memories from my visits to Italy. "
— Ann, 1/5/2011" Lovely, fun, excellent vacation book (which is where I read it). Thanks Ruthie! "
— Emma, 6/16/2010" Got a few chapters and realized I had read this book a few years ago. I was disappointed I was already for an Italian love story. "
— Psirene, 6/11/2010" I loved this book because it felt first like painting and then the richest of travel books. I wanted to be there. The characters were fun and colorful and it was a happy book. "
— Ruth, 6/11/2010" A fun book with wonderful descriptions. Decent character developments "
— Harper, 4/27/2010" It was cute, but predictable "
— Jaimie, 4/26/2010" I was hoping for more with this book but what I got was a "LifeTime" movie. "
— Lynn, 4/13/2010" It's not summer yet, but Elizabeth Adler is the perfect summer (or spring break!) author. In Italy, romantic, funny...lots of fun to read. "
— Sandra, 4/6/2010" Adler writes fun romantic chick-lit. Improbable plots, but who cares. They are great for the beach or vacation anywhere "
— F, 3/16/2010" Really average and kind of boring; makes me wonder why I liked Elizabeth Adler so much at one time "
— Dorothy, 2/7/2010Elizabeth Adler is the internationally acclaimed author of more than thirty novels. She is a frequent world traveler who has lived in Brazil, the United States, England, France, and Ireland, and she uses these real locations in her books. She is married with one daughter and lives in Palm Springs, California.
Celeste Lawson is an Earphones Award winner and Audie Award nominee. She is the recording studio director for the Talking Books Program at the Library of Congress’ National Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. She was a dancer and an actor before finding her niche in the intriguing, challenging, and extremely satisfying world of narration. In Silver Spring, Maryland, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and cat, she practices yoga and continues to dance. Celeste has also recorded for Blackstone Audio under the name C. M. Hébert.