Second Chances in Chianti by T.A. Williams

A well written book beautifully set in Italy.
Alice is the main star in a us sitcom who when it ends goes back to school studying art history. A feel good read as Alice is reinventing herself but will she return acting or her job in Art history in Italy?

Lovely mix of characters beautifully set in Tuscany. Alice really is at a crossroad of her life. Follow her journey and enjoy her time in Tuscany not forgetting Matt and his gorgeous Labrador.

I always am amazed by the beautiful covers of the authors books, it is what draws you to them but it is after reading the blurb that makes you long to read about the characters, this one is no different. Alice feels as if she has everything she could want until it is sweeped from under her so suddenly. So when she gets to chance to go back to her old roots, she isn't sure what to make this strange turn of events. Having her life before to her life now, everything is thrown upside down. Throw in two handsome men both different she is wondering if having a second chance is just what she needed or not. Loved the backdrop and characters.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Cover is cute. Really good lighthearted novel.

Loved reading this book and author. If you haven't read it yet I highly recommend her books. Happy reading and enjoy

Another lovely book by this author set in Italy this time. Alice is a good main character with a lot of decisions to make regarding her future.. art history or Hollywood, David, Richie or Matt, would have to be Matt for me just because of the lovely inevitable dog who steals the show as always. Lovely feelgood lighthearted read that just relaxes you and makes you think of travel

Second Chances in Chianti is a fun story for us armchair travelers. It is a mix of Hollywood, with the stars of a show reuniting for a possible reboot of the series, along with a trip to Tuscany. There is the glamour of living in a huge, beautiful villa with servants, a pool and all the turmoil of people living in the same home with pasts coming to the forefront, and a possible romance in a beautiful, historic, cultural city. Alice Butler had been the star of a US sitcom, but when it ended, she gave up Hollywood and returned to school getting her doctorate in Art History. She is ready to start her new life with her boyfriend David when she gets the call. She and David head to a villa in Chianti to meet with the cast and determine if she and the rest of the cast are interesting in participating in the revival.

This is an enjoyable romance dealing with new beginnings, possibilities and choices, following your dreams as well as romance. There was a mix of characters in this one, both ones I enjoyed and ones that really grated on me, so great job Trevor developing those characters to become real to me. The setting was amazing and I loved learning about the history of the area and the art that was part of the story. Of course, Guinness is the essential black Labrador starring in this story and he was a hoot. He was involved in bringing Alice and her new romantic interest, Matt together. There is mystery involving Matt that was fun to read about and the reveal of that secret was wonderful. I liked Matt and Alice together and wanted their romance to develop. My one niggle is that when they spoke in Italian, it was written in English with the book saying spoken in Italian. I would have preferred it was written in Italian or at least the common phrases to give it more authenticity. Overall, this was a fun story with a happily ever after ending that I recommend.

This is another one of a series of books set in Italy - easy to read, and lovely settings that always make me want to go to visit.

The Escape to Tuscany series is continuing its great standard and how glorious it is to return to Tuscany, with its sounds and sights and beautiful countryside. Alice proves to be such an interesting character and her ability to see the Hollywood life for what it is, lets us look at it in those terms too. Caught between her old life and the academic one she has embraced, you can see her dilemma as to which she is going to stick to. `

The negative side of social media is flagged up in this story and there is a real sense that different characters are immersing themselves in Tuscany to get away from issues in their past. With all the feelfood qualities you come to expect from a TA Williams' romance and of course that wonderful black labrador whose entrance I was avidly waiting for, I found this to be such an entertaining read.

In short: romance blooms in the Tuscan countryside.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book

I have never read a book by this author that i havent enjoyed.

This is the story about Alice who used to be really famous but left teh acting profession to pursue her passion for art history. She is contacted by producers to say they want to do a reunion show and ask Alice to come and have a chat about whether she wants to be involved.

They all go to a villa in Chianti and relationships between them, stop, start and get interesting.

Well worth a read, really good fun;

T.A Williams is one of my favorite authors of rom-coms set in Italy and I always love his stories. This one was no exception and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The setting is well described and vivid, the characters fleshed out and the plot entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A new book by T A Williams is always a delight. The settings always have you adding to your travel bucket list. You don't need a travel guide to decide you must visit. His descriptions transport you to the scene and your senses pick up the scent and tastes of the area.
Tuscany sounds delightful and is an area I'd love to experience.
The cast and directors of a tv series have been invited to Tuscany to see if they will sign up for a new series. Backstage angst is foremost in Alice's mind and she is reluctant to agree. She wants to forge a career in her art history. This adds a fascinating side to the book- you see the area in her eyes. It must be lovely to be so knowledgeable and interested in the art of the areas you visit.
Everything is so vividly described you do feel as though you've been on holiday with the characters.

Second Chances in Chianti is the second standalone book in the Escape to Tuscany series. It is a wonderful light-hearted story which without fail provides its reader a perfect escape from the real life.

The story revolves around Alice Butler. Alice gave up her job as an actress after her sitcom got cancelled. She then decides to go back to college and study art history, her true passion. But now after 5 years, the revival of the show (which got cancelled) is being planned and Alice is contacted for it.
Now Alice is on the crossroad. She must choose between a glamorous life or art history, her passion. Will she choose to go back to the glorious life as an actress? Or will she continue to pursue her passion which is art history?

The characterization is amazing. They are all very well written. They are likeable as well as relatable. I loved Alice and her growing friendship with Matt. Guinness, the Labrador, never failed to bring a smile on my face.

I loved the historical theme. The details about history, art implies that the author has a very deep knowledge of them. The writing style is amazing and so is the plot. I immediately got invested in the plot and was curious to know what would Alice chose at the end.

Overall, “Second Chances in Chianti” is a fabulous feel-good tale with a wonderful setting, amazing characters, friendship, love, hope and history!! A highly recommended read!!!

T A Williams is back with another enchanting, emotional and engrossing Italian-set contemporary romance that is perfect for losing oneself into – particularly during these very worrying times: Second Chances in Chianti!

Alice Butler had once had her life completely mapped out. As one of the actors starring in a successful US sitcom, fame and fortune had soon beckoned, however, Alice had quickly learned that all that glitters isn’t necessarily gold. With rising tensions between cast and crew, the show had quickly got cancelled leading Alice to make the startling revelation that being in the spotlight was not in her future. Indeed she was more interested in delving into the past so she had left Hollywood and all its trappings behind and instead had chosen to becoming an art historian. With her dream job in her sights, Alice thinks that life couldn’t possibly get any more perfect – until her past as a sitcom scarlet rears its head again in the most surprising of ways when she is invited to take part in the revival of the now cancelled sitcom. Will Alice’s return back to showbiz be mired in disaster? Or will it be the lucky break she needs?

As she is flown to a beautiful village in picturesque Chianti, Alice finds herself faced with the hardest decision of her life: should she give up her dream of working in art history for the jet-set Hollywood lifestyle? Her boyfriend David certainly seems to have fallen in with the in crowd and begins to relish being in the company of celebrities. However, Alice is increasingly finding herself drawn to charismatic and mysterious Matt who seems to be David’s polar opposite; he loathes being in the limelight and shies away from being front and centre under the glare of the paparazzi’s unforgiving lenses.

Will this second chance in Chianti give Alice everything she has always wanted? Or will she end up making a decision that she will end up regretting for the rest of her life?

T A Williams’ Second Chances in Chianti is an enjoyable tale that sweeps readers off to Italy and will keep them engrossed with an intoxicating blend of humour, emotion, warmth and beautiful descriptions of Chianti that will make them feel as if they are this beautiful part of the world with Alice and Matt.

The next best thing to a holiday in the Med, T A Williams has penned another must-read contemporary romance with Second Chances in Chianti.

A new T.A. Williams book coming out is always such a joy, but particularly at the moment! I think this author’s books should really be available on prescription.

Joyous escapism this book may be, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a really well-written, enjoyable and entertaining story, with relatable and real characters. Yet again he has created a main character who is not only a strong woman, but also likeable, intelligent, and with her own vulnerabilities and problems. It’s impossible not to like Alice. I do of course have a soft spot for another very important character, Guinness the black labrador. Like many of the previous labs that we’ve had the pleasure to meet in this author’s books, and indeed like my own labrador, he’s a bit cheeky, but entirely loveable.

This wonderful book swept me up and away from rather gloomy reality, and transported me to beautiful Tuscany. The setting, the plot, the history, the art, and the delectable food and drink, all combine to make the perfect escape. I was captivated and engrossed in this lovely book. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good novel, and who would like to travel in the only we can at the moment, from the comfort of your armchair.

As a huge fan of this author's previous books, I was excited to be asked to be part of the publication push and couldn't wait to dive into the pages and transport myself to Tuscany!

This is the beauty of a T. A. Williams novel; each one is so beautifully depicted that the reader is drawn into the sights, sounds and smells of la Bella Italia! 'Second Chances in Chianti' is set in the heart of the Tuscany region and you will undoubtedly want to visit for yourself to sample the food, wine and glorious vistas described in the book by the time you reach the end!

No T. A. Williams novel is complete without a furry friend to steal the show and win the heart of the main character and in this one, Guinness, the adorable Labrador, is a delightful feature throughout who certainly helps to break the ice between Alice and Matt.

I loved the portrayal of the different characters; from those gripped by the ideals of a Hollywood lifestyle and fame and fortune, to those more down-to-earth who would prefer to shy away from the limelight. Alice finds herself torn between the two and it's interesting to see how her mindset evolves and changes as the story progresses.

This is another light-hearted romance from a hugely popular author. If you've yet to pick up one of his novels, what are you waiting for? Get reading this one!

About the Book: 5 years ago Alice Butler was a TV star in a comedy Pals Across the Pond. Now she has a PhD in Art History and ready to begin her career off screen.

As she is interviewing for what could be the perfect job, Alice gets a call that could change her trajectory back to the TV screen.

She goes to a villa in Tuscany, Italy to reunite with her old Pals cast to discuss a series reboot.

While she is there she decides to bring her boyfriend, David and extend her trip a few weeks for them to holiday in the area after the meetings and see if this relationship is a keeper.

While jogging one morning, Alice meets a very sweet Labrador named Guinness with a very handsome owner named Matt who lives in a tower next door to the villa.

Alice has a lot of decisions to make and the beautiful scenery of the Chianti region of Italy will hopefully give her lots of inspiration.

Why I liked this book:
The story itself with an actress trying to change her image from the character of “Polly the flirt” to her real life as Dr. Alice Burton was appealing to me.

The wonderful description of the Chianti area was my favorite part. The description of the food, wine, shopping, landscape and people made me want to jump on a plane there and enjoy a holiday.

There was a bit of a history mystery as the coat of arms at the villa is also in Matt’s tower and in a fresco painting at a church in town and PhD Alice does some research to figure out the origins.

The romance part is well integrated into the story.

This was a quick and enjoyable read for me and if you like wonderful location descriptions, a little lifestyles of the rich and famous with a dash of romance, grab this read!
Thanks @rachelsrandomresources for a chance to read this one!

T.A. Williams has gifted us with what we all want right now – escapism. And where better to transport us than to Tuscany, where he adds in an extra bit of glam in the form of Hollywood actors and directors, on top of the beautiful scenery, a stunning villa, gorgeous food, an art-related mystery and the inevitable romance. And, of course, there’s a dog in it – so just about everything I could want from a story.

Did I wish I’d been in Alice’s shoes during that sunny July? You betcha: That said, I was more than happy to tag along with her as she explored Tuscany and found out what she really wanted from her life, too. This was not an angst-filled novel, but more a gentle realisation that some things happen for a reason.

Beautifully written, with enticing descriptions of the Tuscan scenery, plenty of humour, a fascinating mystery, believable characters and Guinness, the Labrador, this proved to be a relaxing read that I didn’t want to put down. Definitely not the last book I’ll read by this author.

A charming, escapist read. Given the dreary weather this gorgeous, scenic story set in Tuscany, Chianti whisked me away and let me forget “the real world” for a few hours.

This is a brilliant story – stunning setting, an eclectic mix of characters and a funny, but cute, dog. What more do you need? Oh yes, a fantastic romance and gorgeous male lead!

Alice is quite the woman; having had a successful acting career she is know a Doctor in art history and wanting to pursue this as a career. An opportunity presents itself and she realises she may not have turned her back on fame after all.

I liked Alice a lot, she stuck to her principles and didn’t really suffer any fools. She was an independent, smart woman. She had plenty of male admirers to choose from, but she clearly had a spark with Matthew. It was great to read how they slowly got to know each other, the timings may not have been right but Guinness the dog clearly knew what he was doing, the little matchmaker.

T.A Williams has such a lovely way of writing, I felt I was there with Alice. I didn’t want to put it down at all and I read in one glorious sitting.

Highly recommended for those that enjoy a romantic, scenic escape!

This is the perfect feel good story that will transport you to the wonderous world of Italy, which I have been dreaming of more and more lately! Oh how I miss travelling and am so grateful to have books such as this one to take me away and give me a slice of somewhere new.

Alice is our main character who is likeable and sweet, having rebuilt her life with a new career choice and partner she is now faced with a blast from the past and has a lot of decisions to make as she gets tangled up with a new mysterious romantic interest. It’s always fun to get a glimpse into a life so different from my own and to see what choices the characters will face and where their paths would lead. I was intrigued with Alice’s story from the beginning and love where T.A Williams took us.

Second Chances in Chianti will warm your heart and your spirits, if you’re looking for a fun lighthearted read, check this one out!

This is my second book this week that is happening in Italy and is written by male author.
And I love this authors style!
The story was sweet, simple and short (220 pages). The first part was free on kindle few days ago, so I must read it soon.

If you like Hollywood themes, escapes to Italy, unexpected romance.. This is just the right book for you!

Thanks to author and Netgalley for receiving Arc. All opinions are my own.