The Tuscan Girl

by Angela Petch

Completely gripping WW2 Historical Fiction

Advance Praise (I Agree!!)

What readers are saying about Angela Petch:

‘Astounding… I don’t think there is a single page that does not have you racing to read what happens next… heartbreaking… a riveting read, it is an enthralling experience… a must-read.’ Giascribes 

‘Fantastic read… I loved this book… will grab you and hold onto you long after you put it down… an amazing story.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars 

‘Heartbreaking and compelling… A beautiful story, told with such emotion and feeling that it makes you forget where you are and what you are doing!’ Stardust Book Reviews 

‘Boy what an emotional read… I felt myself welling up and on the verge of tears… written superbly.’ The Ginger Book Geek 

‘Wow!… The writing is magnificent… A story of love, loss, secrets and hope… I have truly fallen in love… A beautiful, touching story that I would recommend to everyone.’ Cooking the Books

You know you are in for a loving, heartfelt read with an Angela Petch novel. What’s my favorite part of her books- hard to narrow it down- but for me, it’s her ability to create real characters that you will love like your own friends and family.

JENA’S REVIEW

The Tuscan Girl: Completely gripping WW2 historical fiction by Angela Petch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ever since the popular book and movie, “Under the Tuscan Sun”, Tuscany invokes in me the feeling of getting away and starting a new life filled with peace and tranquility in the midst of timeless history. Author Angela Petch is up to the challenge of portraying her vision of the Tuscan countryside in an equally evocative and inspiring book that showcases the foods, homes, families and culture of Tuscany. Who hasn’t dreamed of taking a chance and starting anew in Tuscany?

The Tuscan Girl is a stand-alone companion to the author’s first Tuscan valentine, The Tuscan Secret. As we have come to expect from a book by Angela Petch, the characters and settings are the main course of this Italian feast. We get to know and deeply care about the characters from the World War II part of the story, Lucia and Florian, Salvo, Molly, the Spinks. The characters from the present are equally compelling, Alba, Alfi, and Lodovica. Massimo is the heart of the book and he appears in both the World War II story and the present. I found myself rereading a quote or description because it was filled with joy, humor, or wisdom.

The descriptions of Tuscany are reason enough to read the book. Many of the views of Tuscany are seen through Alba’s keen artist eyes. I know many readers may be used to skipping over descriptions of scenery or food, but don’t- you won’t want to miss a word. The characters love their world and share it with us from their views of trout in a stream to the unfolding of mountains and valleys. The scenes would bring joy to an Italian Renaissance painter.

There are two Tuscan girls in the story- Lucia in World War II and Alba in the present. The story of Italy’s travails during World War II are horrific and should not be forgotten.

So, why did I give this lovely book 4 stars? Mainly because there is too much. Too many changes in time which take away from the puzzles and mysteries by revealing too much, too many characters, and too many individual stories. On the other hand, many readers may find this story to be just what they wanted. Overall, this is a lovely poem to Tuscany and all that she has endured and given to the world. Recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a review copy. This is my honest review.

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Biography- Angela Petch

Welcome to my author page – “benvenuti”!
I live in the beautiful Italian Apennines for several months each year. Such an inspiring location. 
My love affair with Italy was born at the age of seven when I moved with my family to Rome where we lived for six years. My father worked for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and he made sure we learned Italian and visited many places during that time. 
Later on I studied Italian at the University of Kent at Canterbury and afterwards worked in Sicily, where I met my husband. His Italian mother and British father met in Urbino in 1944 and married after a war-time romance.
I wanted to write “The Tuscan Secret” not only for my amazing mother-in-law, Giuseppina, but also to make people aware of the courage of the resistance fighters and generous hospitality shown by the poorest of families, including our Italian neighbours in our corner of war-torn Tuscany.