The story of four American strangers who bond in Italy and change their lives over the course of an exceptional year, from the bestselling author of Under the Tuscan Sun. Don’t miss Frances Mayes in PBS’s Dream of Italy: Tuscan Sun Special! She watches from her terrazza as the three American women carry their luggage into the stone villa down the hill. Who are they, and what brings them to this … villa down the hill. Who are they, and what brings them to this Tuscan village so far from home? An expat herself and with her own unfinished story, she can’t help but question: will they find what they came for?
Kit Raine, an American writer living in Tuscany, is working on a biography of her close friend, a complex woman who continues to cast a shadow on Kit’s own life. Her work is waylaid by the arrival of three women—Julia, Camille, and Susan—all of whom have launched a recent and spontaneous friendship that will uproot them completely and redirect their lives. Susan, the most adventurous of the three, has enticed them to subvert expectations of staid retirement by taking a lease on a big, beautiful house in Tuscany. Though novices in a foreign culture, their renewed sense of adventure imbues each of them with a bright sense of bravery, a gusto for life, and a fierce determination to thrive. But how? With Kit’s friendship and guidance, the three friends launch themselves into Italian life, pursuing passions long-forgotten—and with drastic and unforeseeable results.
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Makes me want to book a trip to Italy! A delight
Couldn’t finish it, just carried on & on. Disappointing.
I more than enjoyed this book by the same author as Under the Tuscan Sun. I really came to know the characters as friends. I recommend this story to any woman who loves to read and get lost in a good story you don’t want to put down.
Great fan of this author! Always love her poems and experience s of.life in Tuscany!
I loved this read!! I could see and feel Tuscany! I was there!!
I liked some if it, but it was too long and had no plot
Didn’t want to put it down!
This book was hard to follow who was talking at the time. Was a good storyline, but way too wordy.
Very enjoyable reading about senior women choosing a long-term international adventure over retirement community living.
The characters are people you may know. Very relatable.
As a big fan of Mayes’ earlier non-fiction I really wanted to like this one too. However, in the long run, it simply reads as a rather pedantic homage to the author’s knowledge of Italy. More time devoted to character development would definitely been a plus. By story’s end, each character has a hobby/interest and a man. So much more was possible. It’s a shame that we know more about paper-making techniques than we do of the inner workings of these four women. Next time I want to revisit this author I think I’ll get nostalgic and reread Under the Tuscan Sun.
People think aging means slowing down, loosing interest, not really living but this book brings 3 wonderful women back to life..wonderful characters ! I loved it
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I had read Under the Tuscan Sun, and it put Francis Mayes onto my list of favorite authors. I recommend the Tuscan climate, even if it is in a book 😉 Enjoy !!!
If you enjoyed Under The Tuscan Sun, you will definitely enjoy this book. A great read for women looking for a little adventure with great friends.
The story of the four main women; Julia, Susan, Camille and Kit was entertaining and interesting. However, the fifth woman, Margaret, just had no place in the story and seemed more like “filler.” If Kit’s obsession with Margaret had shaped or changed her in some way, or added significantly to the story that would have been fine, but she didn’t. To me, she was just a boring addition.
Great mix of food, culture, travel and romance.
Slow beginning but it was fun to read. Great characters and definitely makes you want to go and live in Italy!
I want to move to Italy!
A great story about three older women who create new lives in Italy.
Loved the book. Wanted to be one of the women.