The Tuscan Daughter by Tessa Harris

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The Tuscan Daughter is an inspiring, powerful story about an English woman who during World War 11 finds herself in Italy as the tutor of a young child while still mourning the death of her fiancé who was shot down and missing in action. It follows her journey and her courage as she decides to fight against the Fascism not only in the town she is staying, but in the house she is living. She discovers strengths she never knew she had but will also face great loss and heartbreak. But her determination will save not only herself, but many others.

Elizabeth Thornton is getting over the loss of her fiancé and decides to take a job tutoring a young boy named Cristo in Italy. Although she adores Cristo, she is not very pleased with his father, Antonio de Falco who is an avid supporter of Mussolini’s regime. Lizzie can barely look at him.

When a second tutor comes to assist in Cristo’s learning, Vincenzo Baldini, Lizzie is thrust into a love, hate relationship with this secretive man. She decides to follow him to discover just what he is up to.

Lizzie’s life changes when she realizes what Baldini is doing. She decides she must assist him thus thrusting herself into a world of covertness, fear, suspiciousness, and death. But she knows she’s on the right side of the war. Lizzie and Baldini become more than just allies until what they are up to is discovered.

Lizzie’s life explodes around her as she must go on the run, leave her beloved Cristo and fight the fight with not only other men, but women who too believe Fascism is wrong. What she witnesses will not only break her heart but make her stronger. She will show the men that a woman can be just as smart and strong as any man.

With all that is happening, her main goal is to get back to Cristo and make sure he is okay. Throughout this arduous trek, fighting for freedom for the women of Italy, she feels this is her home now and has earned to be known as one of them.

The Tuscan Daughter will keep you spellbound and, on your toes, as you become immersed into a life no one, especially a woman could ever imagine. As she fought side by side with the soldiers, she realized that the women who fought and died were just as important. And she would do everything she could to make that known.

Thank you #TessaHarris #HarperCollins #TheTuscanDaughter for the advanced copy.

Look for the paperback books release in March of 2025.

The Tuscan Daughter is an inspiring, powerful story about an English woman who during World War 11 finds herself in Italy as the tutor of a young child while still mourning the death of her fiancé who was shot down and missing in action. It follows her journey and her courage as she decides to fight against the Fascism not only in the town she is staying, but in the house she is living. She discovers strengths she never knew she had but will also face great loss and heartbreak. But her determination will save not only herself, but many others.

Elizabeth Thornton is getting over the loss of her fiancé and decides to take a job tutoring a young boy named Cristo in Italy. Although she adores Cristo, she is not very pleased with his father, Antonio de Falco who is an avid supporter of Mussolini’s regime. Lizzie can barely look at him.

When a second tutor comes to assist in Cristo’s learning, Vincenzo Baldini, Lizzie is thrust into a love, hate relationship with this secretive man. She decides to follow him to discover just what he is up to.

Lizzie’s life changes when she realizes what Baldini is doing. She decides she must assist him thus thrusting herself into a world of covertness, fear, suspiciousness, and death. But she knows she’s on the right side of the war. Lizzie and Baldini become more than just allies until what they are up to is discovered.

Lizzie’s life explodes around her as she must go on the run, leave her beloved Cristo and fight the fight with not only other men, but women who too believe Fascism is wrong. What she witnesses will not only break her heart but make her stronger. She will show the men that a woman can be just as smart and strong as any man.

With all that is happening, her main goal is to get back to Cristo and make sure he is okay. Throughout this arduous trek, fighting for freedom for the women of Italy, she feels this is her home now and has earned to be known as one of them.

The Tuscan Daughter will keep you spellbound and, on your toes, as you become immersed into a life no one, especially a woman could ever imagine. As she fought side by side with the soldiers, she realized that the women who fought and died were just as important. And she would do everything she could to make that known.

Thank you #TessaHarris #HarperCollins #TheTuscanDaughter for the advanced copy.

The Seaside Sisters by Pamela Kelley

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The Seaside Sisters is one of the best beach reads of this season! With charming, strong characters, mostly women trying to make very difficult decisions, with conflict and romance, the story will keep you on the beach instead of in the water! You will devour this book with great pleasure!

Writer Hannah is having trouble keeping her mind on writing her latest book. She seems to suddenly be suffering from anxiety. A best-selling author, she can’t let her readers, or her editor down. Although she lives in Brooklyn, her family lives in Chatham on Cape Cod and since the death of her mother Hannah has not been herself at all. But after talking to her sister Sara, who still lives there, Hannah decides to go to Chatham for the summer, live with her aunt Maddie and see if she can unblock her block.

Sara lives with her husband and her four young boys. She too is going through something herself. She is getting the itch to go back to work in some way. A former librarian, she misses the banter of talking about books. As a stay-at-home mom, her husband who works long hours and sometimes take advantage of her without really thinking, she longs for some time to herself doing something she enjoys. Suddenly, a job drops into her lap. The local bookstore is looking for someone during the day, mother’s hours. Sarah gets the job! But it seems her husband is not as excited.

Hannah’s aunt Maddie is separated from her husband. He has been staying in New York and she has been working from Chatham. She is an editor. Their relationship sadly has been in trouble for a while since they are both workaholics. They seem to be unable to make time for one another.

As Hannah comes back to Chatham, she still is unable to drive by her mother’s house. The sadness of her not being there is too intense. But she tries to start a writing routine and even spends time with her mother’s friends and their son Spencer, whom she knew from high school who is now a lawyer.

As each of their burden’s grow, they discover the strength they need through their companionship, respect and love for each other. The Seaside Sisters is a lovely testament to the power of friendship, dealing with loss and finding new love in whatever form.

Note to Kelley’s fans…some characters from her last novel based on the Cape, The Bookshop by the Bay make adorable cameos, which you will find in little easter eggs. Pamela Kelley never disappoints.

Thank you #NetGalley #St.Martin’s/Griffin #TheSeasideSisters #PamelaKelley for the advanced copy.

That Prince is Mine by Jayci Lee

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Jayci Lee has written another adorable romance with lovable characters and a fun, interesting story. That Prince is Mine has an imaginative, wishful plot which will keep you smiling, anticipating what will happen next.

Emma Yoon’s only ambition in life is to open her own culinary school. She is Korean and realizes there is definitely a market for this type of cuisine. If only her godmother, Auntie Soo felt the same way. You see Emma is coming upon her thirtieth birthday, one which her godmother feels Emma will be considered too old to marry.

Because Aunt Soo is a matchmaker, she decides she needs to intervene in Emma’s life and get her married. Emma is horrified, but of course can’t go against her godmother’s wishes. So, as she begins to “date” Autie’s good on paper men, Emma always seems to find something about them she does not like. Then one day while on one of these “dates” she looks up and sees an amazing site.

Enter Michel Chevalier, who not only immediately catches Emma’s eye, but he sets his sights on wooing her. But of course, there are problems. He is from another country and is only in the United States for a few months as a professor and oh by the way, he is the Prince of the small country he comes from and has escaped because he is supposed to marry a girl which had already been arranged when he was born.

But, they do begin to fall in love and Michel tries to keep the “baggage” he has brought to the states a secret, but of course, that is difficult when you are trying to run a country in secret. Plus, there is the fact that he will soon be leaving.

Through the course of their dating though, he realizes he wants Emma to come back with him. But how can he intrude on her own dreams and whisk her away from everything and everyone she knows and loves. Plus, there is still the problem of his upcoming nuptials.

Meanwhile, as Emma begins to fall in love, she herself has reservations. How does she explain to Auntie Soo that this is the man she wants to be with knowing he will be leaving soon.

Of course, when the situation slowly becomes exposed it leaves both of them trying to figure out where to go next. Especially as Michel’s time is coming to an end in the States.

How on earth can these two make this relationship work? Humorously, of course and with some friends who themselves are having relationship issues and perfect sidekicks.

The Prince is Mine is absolutely delightful, and royal!

Thank you #NetGalley #St.Martin’sGriffin #JayciLee #ThatPrinceisMine for the advanced copy.

A Northern Light in Provence by Elizabeth Birkelund

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A Northern Light in Provence is a beautifully tender love story, but so much more than that. It’s empathetic yet fantastical, charming yet heartbreaking as we watch the main character go through so many emotions to not only discover herself, but to find her true way in life, release her fears and find happiness, something I think we can agree is what we all truly are looking for.

Ilse Erlund is a book translator who lives in Greenland. She lives in a very small town, loves her little house, her cat and loves her job, although her parents are not happy with her decision of career, but tries to ignore them. Although she could do without the bitter cold winters, she feels she has a pretty good life.

She knows her publisher takes advantage of her because she just never learned to say no or ask for what she wants or needs, like extra time or extra money. Her goal in life is to try and make everybody happy. Also, she fears they will fire her. Not because they really will, but because she thinks they will.

When the publisher gives her a new assignment, one she is not sure she is capable of doing, everything changes. She is requested to translate poems in French, a language she knows well. The poet is Geoffrey “Po” Labaye and he is revered. She is excited yet nervous and feels she can’t do this alone without his guidance. So, she boldly asks if she could go to France, meet with him so he can assist with the translation. To her shock, he agrees.

Thus begins Ilse’s journey of a lifetime which will unknowingly change her in more ways than she could imagine. Once there and meeting Po, a wonderful old soul who takes her under his wing where she becomes his muse to him, her teacher. When his son, Frey suddenly appears, that too will change Isle’s life in another way. Between the splendor of the setting, dear people she has befriended, she’s not sure she ever wants to go home.

As Ilse battles tough decisions, she begins to realize there is so much more to life with family, friends, and love. She may have always just taken these for granted. As she finds her voice, she feels the strength begin to feed her, just as her love of the French food and wine did. Just as Po and his merry band of friends did. But it’s time to go home. She has changed. What does that mean? Who is she now?

A Northern Light in Provence is so much more than just a love story between two people. It’s a story about loss, reconnecting, growing, losing and finding one’s voice, not just on paper but in life. That is really home.

Thank you #NetGalley #Ballentine/RandomHouse #ElizabethBirkelund #ANorthernLightinProvence for the advanced copy.

The Lost Letters from Martha’s Vinyard by Michael Callahan

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The Lost Letters from Martha’s Vinyard is an incredible mystery attached to a beautiful riveting love story. Between the secrets and intrigue and the heartbreakingly superb romance you will cling to this story and not want it to ever end!

When Kit finds a box while going through her late grandmother Edith’s belongings, she discovers pamphlets and programs from the 1950’s for a woman named Mercy Welles. She also finds a picture and other information about some play which was done on Martha’s Vinyard. But to her shock, a picture holds the most stunning surprise. It is of her Nan as a young woman with the same name…Mercy Welles. How is this possible since her Nan’s maiden name was Edith Stoppelmoor?

She and her sister were raised by her Nan and Pop after her parents were tragically killed. Never did she mention this part of her life or even ever going to Martha’s Vinyard! Kit, a television producer decides she must try and find out who Mercy Welles and Edith Stopplemoor are.

In 1959 Mercy Welles was a young actress who had been nominated for an Oscar in her first movie. She was an up-and-coming movie star, and everybody wanted her. All except it seems her fiancé who she discovered was cheating on her. It was then Mercy decided she needed to get away for a while and be alone to think about her life and what she really wanted to do. She decides to go to Martha’s Vinyard, a secluded island where she figures no one will know who she really is.

There, she meets wonderful people, and especially a very handsome oyster fisherman. As the summer progresses, she discovers the island is small but holds many secrets. By the end of the summer, Mercy’s life will be changed forever as will many others on the island. She will discover that finding out answers to secrets can be quite dangerous.

As Kit investigates, she tries to find people who knew her Nan back then. Some have died and others are hiding things. When she is finally able to track down her Nan’s best friend at the time Cass whom she knew she corresponded with, she is heartbroken to learn Cass had destroyed the letters years ago.

With the story told by both Kit in the present and Mercy in the past, the reader begins to learn what Mercy was doing during that mysterious summer on the island, and how her relationship with her oyster fisherman progresses. But there was also lying, jealousy and hatred going on at the time and secrets buried with dead bodies.

Kit decides she herself must go to the island for herself and see if she can put the pieces of the puzzle together. What Kit will discover is something she already knew. Her Nan was a strong woman who had to make the most difficult decision of her life which changed the trajectory her path would take. And just like her Nan, Kit’s life will be changed as well when she steps foot on Martha’s Vinyard the place she will finally find the answers she has been searching for.

The Lost Letters from Martha’s Vinyard is heartwarming, heartbreaking and more importantly brave!

Thank you #NetGalley #MarinerBooks #MichaelCallahan #TheLostLettersfromMartha’sVinaryard for the advanced copy.

Butter by Asako Yuzuki/Polly Barton

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Based on a true story, this unbelievable, couldn’t make this up plot is deliciously spellbinding!

What happens when a journalist becomes obsessed with a convicted serial killer who is in prison for killing men allegedly with food, and through conversations with said killer discovers the enjoyment of eating, savoring and even cooking exciting dishes? While she decides to entice the criminal into becoming a confidant and get an exclusive interview for her paper, she somehow becomes a changed woman.

But the murderer has different plans as she sends the journalist on an extravagant goose hunt as they play a cat and mouse games as to which one of them will in the end get what they want or perhaps need.

When journalist Rika Machida writes a letter to Manako Kajii who is in prison for murdering men (with food) Rika thinks she is clever. She does not come out and ask for an interview but asks for a recipe to entice Kajii into seeing her. But it gets her into the door. To Rika’s surprise she sees she has been conned by Kajii who tells her not to come back until she has eaten and savored a meal with a particular type of butter.

Rika discovers through Kajii she has a newfound love for food. They start a complicated relationship with Rika trying to insert questions about Kajii’s life and trying to discover the reason Kajii may have killed these men or if she even did. Will Rika ever really know? Or will Kajii continue to feed her morsels of information about her past life.

At some point, Rika begins to not particularly care about the reason as she discovers her life has been changed by Kajii’s food selections. Until something happens. Which changes everything.

Enter the world of Butter and you will discover how food can change a person’s world, personality, career and love-life. With these changes you learn about friends you never knew you had. But will the question of if she killed be answered? Dig into Butter and find out!

Thank you #NetGalley #Ecco #Asako Yuzuki/PollyBarton #Butter for the advanced copy.

The Hazlebourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson

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The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club is an uplifting, women empowering women story, with a bit of romance thrown in as a group of young women after WW1 decide to take on the men which of course was unheard of at the time and create not only a motorcycle club, but gasp, learn to fly planes. With women during that time who were meant to be seen but not heard, their voices become fodder for the males who cannot seem to deal with their intelligence, stamina and strength.

When Constance Haverhill, the companion of an elderly woman meets Poppy Wirrall a rich socialite who lives at the same luxury hotel Constance is staying, they befriend each other. Constance is searching for a job and Poppy who would prefer having a job takes her under her wing and not only tries to help her but introduces Contance to her motorcycle club which she started for women only.

Socially beneath her, Poppy begins to teach Constance not only about the mechanics of motorcycles but also teaches her to drive one. As Constance becomes friends with group members, she begins to see there is a whole world for women which she knows absolutely nothing about. But it seems to be only for those who can afford it, not for her. She sees these women stand on their own two feet without a man and decides she needs to emulate that behavior.

With a keen sense of math, Constance begins assisting Poppy’s family with bookkeeping as well as befriending Poppy’s brother, Harris who was injured during the war. Constance’s world opens up as Poppy decides to buy a plane and wants Constance to learn to fly it. With Harris’ help, these women begin to outshine the men in the area and that is not good. You see, there are some men who would do anything to make sure these women fail.

But these strong women will take them on even if that means losing their own battle just so they can win their own personal war. Regardless of what anybody thinks.

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club is a story of women during tumultuous times, stepping up, learning lessons, some very hard, having to choose between the love of a challenge and the love of a man. During that period women were told they were basically a piece of property to the men, with no minds and certainly no ambition other than spending money. Boy were they in for a shock!

Thank you #NetGalley #TheDialPress #HelenSimonson #TheHazlebourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club for the advanced copy.

Lovers and Liars by Amanda Eyre Ward

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The truth shall set you free…or will it ruin the most wonderful love stories of their lives? Secrets are never meant to come out…or are they? The burden of the keeper, but also for the who in the dark. Does it matter that they were kept because they loved the person? These are the questions posed and answered in this wonderfully funny, rite of late-life passage story about secrets, lies and loves both lost and found Lovers and Liars.

Sylvie is getting married! After a world-wind romance with a wealthy Englishman named Simon Rampling, she had decided to take the plunge again. Her first husband died tragically in a car accident years ago, and Sylvie has never stopped missing him. Even now, she feels guilty as if she is doing something wrong. But they have so much in common with Sylvie being a librarian and Simon an avid reader. Is this too good to be true? Well, if you ask her sisters they would say absolutely yes!

Her sister Cleo, who lives in New York and is an upscale lawyer has her doubts as well as fears about the situation, although she would never tell her sister. She herself has the boyfriend of anyone’s dreams, and yet for some reason she doesn’t feel very close to him anymore. At least that’s what she tells her best friend of many years, a man who she feels the most comfortable with. When she receives the wedding invitation being held at Simon’s castle, Mumberton, in England, she decides to do a little digging into his life. As any good sister would do. Except Cleo has kept a terrible secret from Sylvie for years so how good a sister is she really?

Sylvie’s other sister Emma has a wonderful husband and two terrific children. She owns a perfume business but carries the burden of a deep secret even her husband does not know. Still living in the small town they grew up in, and unable to forget her miserable childhood as well as being the nearest to their narcissistic mother, puts such a burden on her that all she wants to do is get away from this life! She realizes at some point she cannot hide from her present but also in order to heal stop hiding from her past. This wedding is all too much for her in so many ways. Her secrets will threaten everyone she loves dearly. She’s not sure they can afford to go to the wedding for so many reasons…

As they all reach the final destination for the weekend which is supposed to be the start of Sylvie and Simon’s life, they know they are supposed to be a family, but unfortunately havoc prevails as each of the women’s lives begins to unravel, including Sylvie’s. She’s not sure she can marry Simon. Now seems unfortunately the best time to sort out their secrets and lies and hope all can be forgiven. Will there even be a wedding?

Come along for the most enjoyable ride as the group tries to sort their lives out and become a family. Lovers And Liars is funny, warm and uplifting. RIP Flaco…

Thank you #NetGalley #BallentineBooks #LoversAndLiars #AmandaEyreWard for the advanced copy.

Mrs. Quinn’s Rise To Fame by Olivia Ford

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Mrs. Quinn’s Rise To Fame is a deliciously, uplifting, warm story about aging, undying love and deep regrets made along life’s road. The power of the story comes from the moral…no matter your age, you can try almost anything and perhaps succeed, and when the time is right, and you have the strength you can perhaps fix the wrongs which have haunted you your whole life. It takes a village and lots of love, butter, flour and sugar!

Jenny and Bernard have been married close to sixty wonderful years. Jenny is in her mid-seventies and Bernardi in his eighties. Never having had any children they are each other’s rocks through thick and thin. Jenny can’t imagine what they would do if they did not have each other. They have had a good life. Always a baker since she was a young child, Jenny’s goodies are the talk of the town. Her creative concoctions and delightful cakes are what most look forward to during any holiday season.

So, when Jenny decides to enter a television baking contest, Britain Bakes, she decides not to tell anyone, not even Bernard as she knows she won’t get picked and no one will ever know. She feels her age is already the first strike against her. That and her horrible breadmaking skills!

But to her shock and amazement she is picked as a contestant. At first, she tries to hide the fact she is on the show by making up excuses as to why she needs to be away, but eventually she must tell Bernard. Still embarrassed, she bakes at home morning and night to try and create new recipes as well as perfect her nemesis…bread.

Along the way, she becomes friends with most of the other contestants and begins to look at this adventure in a totally different light. Could she really win? At her age?

As Jenny goes through the different baking requirements, we begin to learn about her past and how each of the recipes she chooses comes from somewhere deep in her soul, a good or perhaps not so wonderful memory. And also in her thoughts, a deep, dark secret Jenny has kept even from Bernard for their whole marriage. Something she knows he will never understand and will hate her for.

What can of peaches has Jenny opened up? She should have left well enough alone and simply been content with her life as it was. What would happen if her secret came out? Well, Jenny thinks she would lose everything. Is this contest really worth hurting her beloved Bernard?

Mrs. Quinn’s Rise To Fame is a sweet, delightful, delicate cozy story which will have the reader falling in love with Jenny and the rest of the cast of characters.

Published by Pamela Dorman Books

Chloe Baker’s Lost Date by Katie Wicks

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You will thank me after you fall in love with Chloe Baker! She’s an independent woman living in New York making it on her own with a great job. One problem, she can’t seem to find a date. Yes, things could be worse, but boy, she’d love some male compansionship!

So, when her best friend sets her up with Jack, an IT guy and they are supposed to meet at a coffee shop and he’s at first late, then very late but finally breezes in with an apology, they proceed to have coffee and talk and decide to see each other again. Well, again happens sooner than later as they bump into each other immediately that day and end up spending it with each other. They soon realize they not only have a great deal in common, but there is something much deeper going on with them.

But sometimes things come to an end sooner rather than later. After this date which ended with a kiss, Jack just ghosts her. So, with the determination of someone who feels they have lost a soulmate, Chloe decides she must search for him and discover the truth.

She finally does find Jack, but he’s not really who she thought he was. This relationship or non-relationship brings up memories from her childhood and her parents which she had suppressed for quite a while. Of course, she has had insecurities her whole life but thanks to Jack she never knew why. Confusion sets in. And she realizes she has been lied to.

But can they get past their first date and everything which happened later? Is he real? Or is he just another man who enjoys breaking hearts.

Chloe Baker’s Lost Date is a wonderfully funny, uplifting story which will keep you enchanted as they both learn about each other, life and love. Is love at first sight real? Depends on the name…

Thank you #NetGalley #WbyWattpadBooks #KatieWicks #ChloeBaker’sLostLove for the advanced copy.