The cover is gorgeous! Excellent story with interesting, well developed characters. Part romance/part thriller, the main character travels between England and Italy. The descriptions of Italy and the castle was beautifully described. I want to go!

I would like to thank the author/publisher/netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and exchange for a fair and honest review.

I choose this book because of the beautiful cover. I enjoyed the story, but thought the dialogues and characters lacked depth. The mystery didn't really catch my interest. I did enjoy the setting, especially the castle. It sounds beautiful.

I was reading this for inclusion in our subscription box, but this book does not fit our needs. The writing felt a bit stilted and the dialogue was awkward. This book just didn't work for me.

This is the first time I've ever read a book over the course of one day! Of course it helps when you're reading to a deadline and have run out of days, but I did find myself quite captivated by Allegra O'Brien's story.
When we meet 42 year old Allegra she is a happy housewife and mother of two teenage children, a girl and boy, so very relatable to me. I can only imagine her heart-break though, when she discovers her husband is being unfaithful to her. I would be absolutely devastated and her reaction to the situation is very believable. It seems to be somewhat of a blessing it disguise though as she eventually finds herself free to properly be herself again and explore the interests she had put to one side to be a wife and mother. Her husband isn't the most likeable of characters and he does do her a favour really by leaving her for his much younger girlfriend.
As Allegra comes to terms with such a drastic change to her life, she does start re-visiting her interest in her family history, on her mother's Italian side and I found myself swept up in fascination by it all myself. Her visits to Tuscany sound idyllic, apart from one lapse of judgement during her first visit, and are made all the more charming when she meets police officer, Massimo.
This book was just a delight to read. Written with such beautifully descriptive language and with a genuine care for the characters and the stories they have to tell. All of whom add their own depth to the story, including the children. I don't know, but would hazard a guess that the writer might have teenage children herself as she writes them perfectly.
I was as keen as Allegra to find out the truth behind her family mystery and was hoping for a happy ending for her and Massimo the whole time. A lovely, inspiring story about following your dreams and not letting anyone hold you back.

Allegra is left reeling when she discovers her husband has been having an affair and wants to leave her. Her narcissistic mother and spoiled teenager are no help soothing her broken heart, so she relies on the stories her elderly Italian grandfather tells her, of an old castle and a peacock room to transport her out of her misery. And when a friend invites her along on a trip to Tuscany, it seems like the perfect opportunity to escape her current circumstances. Following the clues from her grandfather’s stories, Allegra finds herself in the very place her grandfather has long described and right in the middle of a volatile situation with a dangerous, but handsome Italian man. Beautifully written, this is the kind of book that can truly transport you to another world

Fantastic book. I got sucked straight into the story and found it hard to put down. Fast paced and immersive writing throughout. Several storyline strands merge and weave throughout the main story. Amazing scenery and I was definitely googling the setting to see if my imagination matched up to reality. Definitely a must read book.

Thank you Netgalley

Allegra's cheating husband has opened the door for discovery. First she will be able to focus her attention on the Italian architecture, pictures, and history that she loves. Second, she can gain her independence and self esteem that she has lost because of a controlling husband. Third she can research her family history and maybe discover what happened to her great-grandfather, who unexpectedly disappeared. And finally she may discover why her grandfather's stories to her as a child always contained the peacock room. And she may even discover love.
Great story, strong characters and amazing attention to detail.

3.5 stars
The book was a quick and delightful read about a woman who's struggling to get over her husband infidelity and divorce, trying to find out the truth about her grand grandfather and his past in a very beautiful castle in Italy, where she also falls in love with an Italian policeman.
A fast-paced story, with a very reliable female character that takes some bad decisions at times but also is trying to keep her children safe from all the drama that appears in her life at the time.

A very well written description of the settings which made me think and feel like I was really there in the castle and surrounded by luxurious colors. Maybe one day I'll get the chance to visit the castle as now it's on my To visit list.
I didn't like the dialogue or better said the words said at times by the kids but at the end it's understandable because of the society we live in nothing is perfect and maybe, even if I cheered Allegra for getting her life back and moving forward to find a partner in her life in the Italian cop, I felt that she falls a bit too quick and too soon after being married for 20 years.


#ThePeacockRoom #Netgalley

I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. I love a good Romance and a castle in Tuscany? Sounds like a slam dunk! It started off slow. we meet Allegra just when she realizes that her husband of 20 years has been having an affair. Then we skip ahead 4 months and she's separated and going on a weekend trip to Florence with a friend. And then her inexplicable life choices begin. Going off with some random man and getting high and almost raped? What? Then getting rescued by a cop and falling in to bed almost immediately? It just seemed more than a little out of character. I loved everything regarding the castle and great-grandma Cosima and her diary, but all the stuff with the jerk of her in the progress of becoming ex husband was boring and more than a little irritating. It also did nothing to help the actual story or move anything along. And her kids. Man. I started off hating the daughter and being bored by the son, but that changed quickly and the daughter seemed all right and the son was a selfish little jerk and I wanted to smack him. And making the mom sick just seemed so pointless. Again, just random storylines that served no purpose. Everything was pretty predictable and the ending was weirdly abrupt with what seemed like a series of bulletpoints of "where are they now" that I'd more expect from the end of a movie. Overall it was enjoyable, but I can't say that I loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley and RedDoor Publishing for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review

Drawn in by the absolute beauty of this cover and an adventure to Italy, I gave into temptation and selected this book. Although I don't regret taking the time to read it, I felt the book suffered from one dimensional characters and over the top ridiculous dialogue. I laughed a lot in this book at the things that would come out of the mouths of characters. Case in point, the main protagonist begins to date an Italian man who happens to be a police officer and she's anti-gun. Huh??? Also, I don't care how hurt a woman is by her husband's infidelity, it's still strange to approve of your teenage kids referring to their father's girlfriend as a "whore."

The mixture of romance/domestic drama/ mystery was alright, but maybe needed a bit more tightening to really engage me. Sadly, I couldn't get beyond other distractions and give this story any higher than a 2 star rating.

Goodreads review published 28/05/19
Publication date 16/05/19

This is a light, frothy read laced with a touch of Italian history, art and architecture. It would be the perfect book to take to the beach as it doesn’t require too much thought or commitment. If you like romances where both parties are older (as in not twenty-somethings) and happy endings then you should be satisfied with this story. The Tuscan setting is of course beautiful and will make you want to go there yourself. The historical mystery was interesting and not entirely predictable.

Allegra inherits her great grandmother’s Cosima’s diary which gives us very brief glimpses into the past. I am a huge historical fiction fan and I would have liked for this historical aspect to be more developed. In other novels with a similar format I have enjoyed the historical story line just as much as, if not more than, the modern day story. In this case there wasn’t enough for me to become too involved. I wished for more of Cosima and her life and less of insipid Allegra!

I admit that I didn’t love the main characters. Allegra is such a vain, vapid character that I found it difficult to root for her as the heroine. She is silly and naïve even though she is a grown woman with nearly adult children. She lets her husband and son control her and yet she caters to their every whim. I was hoping that her character would grow through the course of the story and I suppose she did develop a bit of a backbone by the end, but unfortunately this seems to mostly be because of her love affair. Her Italian lover gives her the will to leave her terrible, misogynistic husband and to follow her dream to research her family history. It’s great that she finally grows into a semi-independent adult but it’s a shame that she needs the catalyst of a new man to do it. Her lover Massimo is ridiculously perfect. He’s gorgeous, a great lover who loves older, curvy women, a hero cop, and is understanding of all Allegra’s childishness. I’m not usually a romance reader so maybe this level of perfection is standard but I found it unrealistic and honestly not very interesting. This is 100% a fantasy which is totally satisfactory if that the type of story that you are looking for.

This book had a lot of potential it is perfectly fine as a quick read and a light distraction. I was expecting a bit more from it but it was still enjoyable. I am intrigued by this amazing abandoned castle and it’s quite shocking that it actually exists. Time for a vacation to Tuscany I think!

Thank you to RedDoor Publishing for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.

A wonderful book for those in search of a Tuscan Under the Sun vibe with more magic and passion for Italy and all that art has to offer. The destruction that Allegra's heart endures when learning her husband of 20+ years is leaving her for another woman is hard to watch unfold, but seeing her come into her own a bountiful, beautiful, and better version of herself on this amazing journey is something everyone can appreciate and adore.

Merryn Corcoran guides you through magical Italy and tugs at your heartstrings in this wondeful novel.

As I was reading this story, I found it to be written in a way that I just couldn't engage with the story. I just couldn’t connect with the main character, Allegra. I was however enthralled with the descriptions of the Tuscan castle that Allegra goes to as well as the way that the rooms are described. The imagery of Italy makes you want to travel there immediately.

Thank you to NetGallery for the opportunity to to read and review this book. This is my honest review.

Loved the descriptions of Italy, but the book was not engaging.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38833739

Love the cover of this book! Some romance and a bit of a mystery! It was a quick story which I enjoyed! Thank you for the early copy

This is my first time reading a book from this author, and I have to say I really enjoyed her writing style. The book had a great pace, and it was an easy read, and interesting. I definitely would consider reading another one of her books!
The book follows a woman named Allegra, as she tries to navigate a home life that is falling apart, and a mystery involving her grandfather. She is trying to find out what happened to her great grandfather, who disappeared many years ago, and who has always been a source of mystery in her family and in their village in Florence. Definitely a great mystery just waiting to be solved!

Fulham, London - 2011

Allegra has planned to meander through The Wallace Collection of art which is her favorite haunt. Before leaving the house, she remembers that she must take her husband, Hugo’s, suit to the cleaners. Checking the pockets first, she finds a hotel receipt for two people on a night he had told her he would be away on business. Allegra and Hugo who have been married for 22 years, are the parents of Kirsten 18, and Harry 16. When Hugo arrives home that evening, Allegra confronts him and he tells her he is leaving her for a much younger woman.

Upset at her husband’s infidelity, she goes to talk with her mother and her 99-year-old grandfather who lives with her. They are of Italian descent and her grandfather always holds a peacock feather in his hand and talks of a Peacock Room in a magical palace in Italy.

Some time later, Allegra’s friend, Julia, talks her into going with her to Florence Italy. Her enticement is that Florence is full of fourteenth century architecture which is what Allegra studied in college.

In Florence, Allegra takes an excursion outside town where she encounters a smooth talking man. He ends up drugging her and stealing her wallet. Running from him, she stumbles upon an old castle filled with beautiful tiled rooms. Later, she is rescued by a handsome Italian policeman named Massimo. They are immediately attracted to one another and he promises to do all he can to help her find her wallet.

She learns from her grandfather that there is a Castle Sammezzano located in the same area she discovered the castle, and he says his mother was married to a man who did the tile work in the castle and disappeared one day. His wish is to find out what happened to the man because he doesn’t believe he would leave his beautiful wife and young son. Using an old diary the man’s mother left, Allegra is determined to solve the puzzle.

This is a very interesting novel with great descriptions and well created characters. I understand that there is some truth in the story as well. The romance is great; Allegra’s teenagers are typical; and Hugo is a real arse. I think history and art lovers will enjoy this book, as well as those looking for an engrossing story.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I chose to read The Peacock Room because of extensive time spent living in Northern Italy. As a former artist and being well-versed in art history, I had high expectations. Author Merryn Corcoran does deliver on capturing the gorgeous landscape of Tuscany.

What was less enjoyable was the constant dropping of designer names like Missoni (while mislabelling Missoni clothing as made up of zig-zags). It is obvious from the story that Allegra lives on the upper crust of London society, and the name-dropping is unnecessary and distracting.

The dialogue is woeful. Much of the descriptions of the Peacock Room and Sammezzano Castle are info-dumped into conversations, making it seem like Allegra is lecturing to native Italians, some of whom are art historians themselves. These pseudo-lectures weighed down the dialogue. Even as someone interested in art history, I found myself skimming these sections. And the romantic dialogue between Allegra and Massimo is trite and overwrought.

The descriptions of Tuscan foods tend to be lists of what Allegra and her new love ate, but without sensory input as far as taste and smell and the tactile sensation of fresh mozzarella di bufala on the tongue.

There is a touch of magical realism as the ghost of Allegra’s great-grandfather guides her to hidden paintings in the Castello Sammezzano.

Overall, I felt the book tried to be too many things: a family drama with Allegra’s husband Hugo being unfaithful to her with a woman their daughter’s age; a thriller about missing paintings; a romance; a women’s fiction story about a woman returning to past interests in architecture after her career plans were sidelined by her marriage; a women’s fiction story about a woman helping her mother deal with breast cancer and a demented grandfather. Had Corcoran simply chosen one or two of these to put into one novel, the book might have been more cohesive. Two themes felt superfluous: the issue with Massimo using a gun in his job as a policeman (Allegra is anti-gun, but there is no basis in the story for why she feels that way) and her mother’s breast cancer.

Allegra, mother of two teenage children, was about to have her life turned upside down, but out of the turmoil she would embark upon a journey of self discovery and of family discovery within her Italian heritage.
I found the story easy to read and enjoyed the relationships between Allegra’s family. They felt realistic and believable, with the ups and downs you would expect.
The author used the narrative to paint pictures in my mind of the beautiful peacock room and the other colourful rooms at the castle, so I was able to clearly picture them in my mind.
And how could Allegra not fall for Massimo, when I could easily fall for him just reading about the very Italian way he behaved.
My only issue with this book was the wording/terminology in the initial sex scenes with Allegra and Massimo, they felt out of place with the storytelling in my opinion, however, future such scenes felt more in line with the story’s ongoing narrative.
Overall, a lovely story that was a pleasant read and I would definitely recommend it.
My thanks to #NetGalley #RedDoorBooks #MerrynCorcoran for allowing me to read and review this book.

I found this story to be written in a way that did not keep me engaged. I just couldn’t connect with the main character, Allegra. I did enjoy the descriptions of the Tuscan castle Allegra goes to as well as the way the rooms are described. The vivid descriptions of Italy make you want to take a trip there.
Thank you to NetGallery for the opportunity to to read and review this book. This is my honest review.