Firstly, I adore the cover of this book. It sets the tone for this atmospheric and intriguing book, which includes some wonderful description and imagery of this region of Italy.

Alice is a likeable character. Although I couldn’t really say I can relate to her, as her brain power and fame is far beyond anything I could ever dream of, I still identified with her quite human and natural desires and hopes to be accepted and appreciated for who she is, and what she can offer to others.

I found it completely fascinating that this book was written by a man, as I really think he manages to get into the mind and thoughts of this quite unique woman really well, in order to make her believable.

The story itself had more suspense, drama and mystery than I had expected. I thought, after reading the opening and seeing the title – that I knew where this one was going, and I was proved wrong! This is an unpredictable tale and one that kept me guessing until the end.

I’d definitely recommend this book to romantic fiction fans who are looking to try out a new author, as I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

A pleasant easy read.
I think that I much preferred the author's other books.
This one didn't seem to have the same feeling about it.

This was my first book by T.A. Williams and it was lovely. The development of the main character, Alice makes you feel like you are on this journey with her. In Second Chances in Chianti, Alice travels to Tuscany to decide if she wants to join her previous cast mates on a new show. Since she’s going and has so much up in the air right now she decides to stay in Tuscany for a few more weeks. It’s during this time where she starts to get her career back on track and figures out what she truly wants in a partner. While to me this book was slow to develop, I understand and appreciate the character development, the storyline and how it was written.

This is a great mix of Hollywood Insiders reuniting, glitz and turmoil, possibilities to consider, fresh starts, not one but three possible romantic liaisons, art history and a glorious visit to Italy, skilfully blended into an engrossing story, complete, of course with Guinness!! No, I don’t mean the drink, this is a book by TA Williams, after all, and Guinness is the essential black Labrador starring in this story.

We may not have our freedom to travel at the moment but we certainly can virtually through the brilliant descriptions of the sights, community and tasty food in this delightful romance, most of which is set in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy, with side trips to Hollywood. Like every other book I’ve read by this talented author, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and have absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending it – though my husband doesn’t agree as I was so engrossed in reading it! Needless to say, I can’t praise this highly enough and suggest you grab yourself a copy to escape into as soon as possible (just warn others to leave you alone to enjoy reading it!).

Thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily and eagerly read and honestly reviewed.

T.A. Williams is amazing. All the books I have read so far written by this author have given my heart the much needed crave for traveling and the amazing descriptions help me dream of wonderful places. In this book we go to Chianti. Vineyard... Villa... Small town fell... Can I go there right now? Well, at least going on a literary trip to Chianti is safer.

I'm usually very picky on my romance when I see that the MC has more than one potential love interest, but with T.A.'s books I just don't care, and I jump to the opportunity of reading it. In this story, the plus side was Alice. I quite like her, and she was made the journey so interesting. I was kind of interested to see where she would go, what she would pick... and yes... WHO she would pick was also something I was curious to know.

The book really touched my heart for various reason. Not just because of the setting and the descriptions... Not just because of the Art and the History, which I very much appreciated... It was also because of the dilemma Alice had in her hands. The story felt real because I could see Alice and her problems, doubts and situations, and I could understand them.

Overall, I loved it. It was an easy read but one that also made me think at some moments. It has a light feeling thanks to the romance and the interactions between characters. It was also a book that take us to another place, which we very much need now considering the circumstances.

[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and T.A. Williams and Canelo for the eCopy of this book, via NetGalley, and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]

This is my first time reading a book by this author. What a lovely book, set in a stunning location with some beautiful descriptions. You can almost feel you are there and starring in the book.

The perfect escape! This book was the perfect example of how we can travel through the pages of our books even during covid times. The Italian setting and the story dripped from the pages. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the food, The sun. The authors passion and knowledge of this part of Italy really shown through. Once upon a time Alice was a sitcom star. But after the popular sitcom self-destructed Alice returns home to finish her studies in art history. It is now years later Alice has just received her PhD and there appears to be a potential revival of the sitcom. In order to discuss and persuade the cast members gather at the producers villa in Tuscany. Alice’s life is at a true crossroads both professionally and romantically. What will Alice do? How can she follow her heart when her heart is pulling her in so many directions?

What a treat! So many wonderful characters and such a warm feeling to the story. Alice sure had a lot to contemplate. Should she stay with a boyfriend? Rekindle with her old flame? Or stay in Italy for the mysterious mat? The sitcom’s cast of characters was terrific so vividly drawn. But the true star of the show was Guinness Matt’s black lab. A sensational story that made me want to pack my bags and head to Italy.

*** Big thank you to Canello for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

Thanks to Trevor I feel as if I know this corner of Italy well, even though I've never been there. This book is pure escapism as we join Alice wondering which career choice she is going to make. That's not the only choice facing her as she begins to wonder about her relationship with her boyfriend. There are some great characters who avoid becoming stereotypes thanks to having a redeeming feature. I loved the lavish descriptions of the Italian scenery and the chance to live another life in another country during these difficult times.

Something I’ve grown to love about the author’s books is that you know exactly what you’re going to get – lots of warmth and sunshine, a well drawn Italian setting you immediately add to your “when I can travel again” list, food and drink to make your mouth water, a touch of history, characters who win your heart, believable romance accompanied by a bit of a dilemma, and the happy ending you have absolute confidence will be there waiting for you (along with a loveable labrador, of course!). This has rather been the year to read books that provide the escape we’re all in such dire need of, and there are very few authors who do it better than this.

There’s a nice bit of glitz and glamour about this one too. After a taste of stardom and Hollywood as part of the cast on a popular US sitcom, Alice has decided to leave it behind to pursue a career as an art historian – until she’s invited to join the cast at a villa in Chianti to discuss the possibility of a follow-up series. Although she’s fairly convinced her decision to change direction is the right one, the trip offers the opportunity to meet up again with friends (although there are others she’d rather avoid) – and following through with a holiday might give her the opportunity to decide whether her relationship with David is the one she really wants.

And on the romantic front, it turns out that she’s rather spoiled for choice. Rich, her former partner both on screen and off, hopes there might be a possibility of their relationship having a second chance: and then there’s mysterious Matt, from the tower on the hillside, who gets her heart (and mine) beating a little faster.

The story isn’t a particularly complicated one, centring on Alice’s decisions – and she’s very likeable indeed, struggling to establish her own personality when constantly confused with the flirty and flighty character she played in the sitcom. And she’s able to be herself with Matt – he knows nothing about her past – although it turns out that he does have a few intriguing secrets of his own.

This is a book you read with a constant smile on your face – although there’s certainly plenty of drama, a few little skirmishes and people behaving badly. The whole cast is excellent – great characters, strong friendships, real people behind the Hollywood veneer. The setting is beautifully drawn (as the author’s settings always are), and I enjoyed running with Alice on the tracks through the vineyards, exploring the surrounding towns and villages, with the occasional outing to Florence (that has to be my favourite Italian city).

I particularly enjoyed the historical theme – nicely done, well chosen, the perfect touch – and the tentative progression of Alice’s friendship with Matt. And as for Guinness the labrador – he’s an absolute joy, often turning my smile into a full-bodied laugh, brimming over with enthusiasm and a total disregard for the need for personal space.

This book was everything I wanted and needed it to be, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. If you’ve read any of the author’s other books, you’ll already know that you’ll love it too – and if you haven’t, it really wouldn’t be a bad place to start.

Having the opportunity to read a book by Williams when this author has been on my radar for a while, I was really excited. However, I don’t think it completely met my expectations and I was hoping for something more for a book set in the beautiful hills of Tuscany.

The book begins with Alice and her former cast-mates meeting in Chianti to discuss the proposal of a re-vamp of a very popular sitcom – pretty similar to the ever-popular Friends that we all know and love. I was interested to see how Alice would gel with her fellow actors as five years has passed since she was in the Hollywood bubble. However, I don’t think Williams truly explored this element of the plot. As characters were preparing to discuss the new series in a lengthy meeting, suddenly the narrative jumps to them leaving and feeling rather disgruntled. I really wanted the writer to narrate some of these events because there is so much emphasis on Alice’s deliberations as to whether she wants to return to acting, or pursue her career in art history. The television show is what brings Alice to Chianti and Williams only really briefly touches on the glitz and glamour that Alice knows from her previous career; I wanted more of this to add a bit more depth to this cast meeting in Italy.

For the most part, it felt like Alice ran around Chianti like a love-sick puppy! She brings her long-term boyfriend, David, with her to Italy, intending for them to explore the local surroundings whilst she evaluates her future. At the same time, one of her old actor-friends appears to still hold a flame for her, whilst Alice is lusting over a local who is near to the villa where she is staying. There were too many hormones flying about and because of her lusting and the men apparently fighting for Alice’s attentions, I found that I could not believe in any of the relationships. The magic and charm of Italy was lost in the numerous suitors and not enough convincing emotions.

Despite these criticisms, I did really enjoy reading a book set in such beautiful scenery. Williams brings the setting alive with vivid descriptions and I could envisage myself touring Chianti with Alice. Indeed, the historical references were fascinating and it was clear that Williams has done his research. Perhaps we could see more of this from him in the future? Alice’s suggestion to the neighbour at the end of the novel sounded really interesting and I could imagine this as an amazing read. In fact, I was slightly jealous that this would not be something I could follow-up in fiction.

The mystery of the villa’s historical background starts to gather pace in the novel. This is because Alice is really keen to learn who may have lived in the villa and who is behind the mysterious crest. Fuelled by her interest in art and history, I was excited to follow Alice on her discoveries. This added another element to the plot and was again something I think Williams could have elaborated on further, certainly expanding this book to over 300 pages.

I liked this gentle read. I love reading books that are set in Italy and Williams certainly did not disappoint. However, I think I would have liked to see more depth and convincing relationships for this to be a true piece of escape-fiction. Instead, I think there are stronger travel/romances out there, but think this makes for a simple beach read to enjoy – even if you cannot travel yourself.

With thanks to Canelo, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

According to this book, ‘nothing was ‘nice’ or ‘good’, but had to be ‘wonderful’ or ‘fantastic’’. That’s exactly how I felt about this book; it was both wonderful and fantastic! The descriptive language was second to none and at times I almost felt transported to the Chianti countryside, with its beautiful scenery and exploding scents. A genuinely wonderful, fantastic read, not to be missed. I truly wanted the book to go on forever. For those that love the books of TA Williams, this book has it all; romance, Italian culture and countryside, beautiful love interests and above all, a beautiful, intelligent black Labrador. Thank you TA Williams for another unbeatable novel to brighten up my days!

I have to confess to a bit of fangirldom here – I have read all of TA Williams books and I have loved the all without fail. I was therefore very excited to get the chance to review this book. The question is whether or not I can give it a fair review, as I have loved all his previous book? Fear not; I am confident that I will love this book, but I will approach reading it like a new wine. I will read it slowly and savour it, and I promise to give an honest review!

Alice was an actress in a successful Hollywood sitcom, but since the end of the series she has gone back to university and reinvented herself as a doctor, specialising in Renaissance art. Out of the blue, she is asked to spend some time in Italy with her former co-stars, to discuss the making of a new series. She takes her current partner, David with her.

The trouble is that Alice isn’t sure about her relationship with David. He seems keen for her to make the new series, offering to go out to Hollywood for the duration, but is he keen on Alice or on the idea of immersing himself into the glamour of Hollywood? Alice suspects the latter.

Alice is also pondering her previous relationship with Richie, one of her former co-stars who has declared his enduring love for her. He seems to have grown up, but is there any spark left in that relationship?

The last of Alice’s triumvirate of romantic possibilities is Matt, the handsome neighbour at the villa where the former cast are staying. Alice is preoccupied with him and his ubiquitous black labrador. Could this be her perfect match, or is Alice barking up the wrong tree? Matt does unfortunately appear to be harbouring a secret. What on earth is he trying to escape from?

You will of course have to read the book for yourself to find out, which I suggest you do without delay!

I absolutely adored everything about this book and just allowed myself to be swept along in the sweet romance, glamour and beauty of it all.
T.A. Williams writes about Italy with such vivid and intricate detail that I feel like I am there, and days later I still hold such fond memories of Chianti, like the afterglow of a holiday. The historical aspect of the plot was fascinating, and I could easily imagine all the old, stone buildings in the town, the wonderful aromas from the bakery and restaurant and the cute little house where Alice stays for a while.
Alice was a delightful character. Despite being part of Hollywood in her past, she is intelligent, grounded and an all-round genuine person. I loved her dignified responses to things but also how she was not a push over. Matt is an enigma for most of the novel but there is something warm and inviting about him and it was the air of mystery that kept me so intrigued up until the end. Alice’s past companions were all very entertaining and had an array of personalities and I loved the new people she met whilst staying in Chianti too.
There is a huge romance aspect to the plot (of course) but there is also an element about the journey of Alice and her dilemma, and I loved being part of her personal journey as much as I enjoyed the romantic aspect.
Second Chances in Chianti really is as inviting as it sounds so I encourage you to grab a copy and take a trip without leaving the sofa. Highly recommended.

Published at this link on 22nd February 2021

One of my prevailing thoughts these days is ‘Thank goodness for romantic fiction!’. I find myself reading more and more of it recently as a bit of pre-pandemic happiness is very welcome.

T. A. Williams is spoiling us at the moment with Second Chances in Chianti, the second book in his Escape to Tuscany series, which is out today but not only that – there is a third book in the series due out in July!

I make no secret of the fact that I love Trevor’s books – they are light and funny, but also regularly look at the history, art and culture of Tuscany, plus there is obvious affection for the people and places he writes about. The descriptions of the area are so vivid that you can almost imagine yourself strolling among the vines on a Tuscan hillside!

What I like most about these books is that, despite glamorous locations and people, the lead characters are always sensible, down-to-earth women who are not normally given to flights of fancy – so when an intriguing man comes along, there is this immediate decision to be made – should she follow her head of her heart? I think you can probably guess which way things will go but getting to that conclusion is the fun part!

As ever, I’d thoroughly recommend this book, and you can pick up any of Trevor’s other works and find them of a similarly high standard – plus, there’s added Black Labrador in every book!

Alice enjoyed her life as a TV star in a hit romantic comedy serial until there was more drama in real life than on the screen. When the series got cancelled, she returned to her university life and found academia suited her. The chance to rekindle the past is too good to ignore, so she accepts the invitation to Chianti, not sure what her decision will be.

Set in charismatic Chianti, this story allows you to escape to a place full of history. As always, this author writes using vivid imagery that brings the locations to vibrant life. This is a story where celebrity meets the past. The romance is full of conflicts but always gentle and real. It is a stark contrast to the superficial glitz and glamour of the celebrity world.

Believable characters, a location full of heat and history and a dog character who steals your heart, the perfect book to lift your mood.

I received a copy of this book from the Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I always look forward to a new book from T. A. Williams as I know I am guaranteed to enjoy it. Second Chances in Chianti was another wonderful escapism read by this bestselling author who knows the right ingredients to captivate his readers:

stunning locations that are described in so much detail you feel like you are on holiday
the author enjoys bringing historical and archaeological facts to life in his stories
the characters are real and relatable
the food described in the stories leaves you wanting more
there is a gorgeous blossoming romance
and last but not least the ever faithful dog that appears in all the authors novels bringing lightness, humour and charm
Second Chances in Chianti is Book Two in the Escape to Tuscany series. Each book is a standalone story but once you have read about the sensory delights of Tuscany you are going to want to continue your holiday reading by enjoying both books in the series.

Alice’s life was all planned out with studying for an Art History degree but halfway through her studies her life is catapulted to the bright lights of Hollywood and she becomes an overnight TV star. However, after a few years of celebrity life Alice is keen to return to some form of normality and get back to her studies.

Several years on and Alice has proved to her critics that she is serious about her new career prospects and has earned her Doctorate and is looking for work in the Art Historian field.

When news from the past sparks interest in her reigniting her TV career Alice has doubts about stepping back in the limelight. Meeting cast and executives in a villa in Tuscany gives Alice opportunity to take stock of her life and think what’s best for her career and personal life.

When she bumps into the villa’s neighbour and his enthusiastic black labrador dog a friendship soon blossoms but Alice senses all is not what it seems with this reclusive stranger.

Another glorious story of second chances in life, love and hopes for the future. T. A. Williams never fails to delight his readers.

Former TV star Alice quit Hollywood to pursue a PhD in art history. Yet no sooner does she receive her degree than the production company invites her to join a reboot of the series that launched her into fame. She and boyfriend David travel to the producer's villa in Tuscany to discuss the new series with the reunited cast. There, she meets Matt, the producer's mysterious neighbor. Finding herself at a crossroads, what will she choose?

This is an enjoyable, low-drama story. The Italian setting is opulent and romantic. It's a good pandemic read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received.

What better book to read in the depths of winter when it's -7 outside that one set in a hot Tuscany summer?

Alice was one of a handful of stars on a very successful sitcom - that is, until frictions with the producer result in the show being cancelled. Happily, Alice returned to her studies and now, five years on, has just completed her doctorate in art history when, out of the blue, she is summoned to Italy along with the rest of the cast to discuss bringing the show back. Partners are welcome too, so Alice and her live-in boyfriend find themselves on a jet heading to Tuscany. Unsure about a long-term future with David, Alice sees the break as an opportunity to make some life decisions.

I always know when I begin reading a T. A. Williams novel that I'm in for a treat! He writes beautifully, and this second in his Escape to Tuscany series is every bit as good as expected. It's obvious the author is familiar with the areas he writes about; the historic details slip seamlessly into the story and at the end of the day I not only enjoy a wonderful tale but feel as if I've been on a little trip to Italy myself. Then, of course, there is always his trademark Labrador to look out for; every book has one and it's evident that he is no stranger to the breed. I have two myself and Trevor has their traits off pat. I loved everything about this one - the fabulous array of characters, romance, friendships, scenery, history, and the mystery sewn in to the skilfully crafted tale, told flawlessly, as always. A gloriously charming, feel-good read which I fully recommend and happily give all five glowing stars!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley and to Rachel Gilbey for my spot on this Blitz; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

My first TA Williams novel and definitely not the last. Great characters, a beautiful setting and an engaging story with a fun Labrador, Guinness, thrown in the mix. The descriptions of Italy were wonderful and made me long for travel again, and the historical elements were fascinating which I really enjoyed exploring with Alice. A fun, lighthearted read.

I am loving the Escape to Tuscany series, I love the exploration of prominent locations in Italy teamed with some history and wonderful food.

Whenever I pick up a book by the lovely TA Williams I just know I'm headed to a sunny location for pure escapism and this book was the perfect remedy for a cold February.

Packed with wonderful characters and the adorable Guiness, you get a wonderful insight into different relationships both personally and for the on screen characters. Alice was a lovely down to earth character and I loved spending time with her exploring and sharing her love of history.

A lovely light hearted read that I reached the end of far too quickly

What a breath of fresh air. This is my first T.A. Williams book, but it most certainly won't be my last. This book was so interesting - from the realistic descriptions of acting / directing a popular television series to the wonderful world of historic art to the beautiful descriptions of living in Tuscany to the butterflies of a new relationship, this book has it all. I didn't know what to expect going into it, but I'm so glad I read this book.

Alice aka Polly just finished her doctoral program on art history after spending 5 years as a popular actress in an American sitcom. She has a boyfriend that she likes (not quite sure she loves) and she begins to feel conflicted over what to do with her life - is David "the one"?; does she find a job at a museum or art house using the knowledge gained in her PhD program?; does she return to acting to take part in a remake of the sitcom that brought her fame and fortune? In order to think about these questions (and a few more), Alice rents a charming cottage in Tuscany for one month. Her experiences there leave me jealous - and wanting to travel so badly. In these COVID times when travel is scarce, a good book that makes you feel like you traveled is just the ticket.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated above are mine without biases.