Zia Chalmers lives in Brighton and is sharing her flat with her oldest friend Ursula while she sorts our her marriage and Zia recovers from her own break up with Brendon. After finding letters belonging to her mum in her attic she discovers she’s not who she thought she was.
Zia and Ursula travel to Italy to see if Zia can uncover the secrets of her birth. Zia soon meets Piero who lives and works next door to the cottage they are staying in.
This book made me feel the Italian Sun beating down on my skin and taste the wine they shared. It’s a lovely story of friendship and family loyalty.
Thanks you Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the early download of Sue Moorcrofts great new book.

Synopsis:
Having been raised by her grandparents following the death of her mother, Zia has always wondered about her background. History hints that her father is Italian and now, following the loss of her job, she has the time to find out. But there's more to her mother's story than Zia ever dreamed and her search for her father will change more lives than just her own.

Book Review:
I loved the concept and setting of this book. There are some absolutely gorgeous descriptions that had me itching to get on a plane to Italy. However, I felt like the story almost had too much going on, which muddled the storyline a bit. Overall, I enjoyed the setting and Zia's search for family. Note: this book does contain some language and mature content.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it is a lovely holiday read. Sue Moorcroft's description of Italy was very Idyllic. I could picture it perfectly and imagine myself sitting there with a book and a glass of the local wine. As I'm not going anywhere this year this was a very welcome escapism.
I found this book very compelling, I wanted to know the secrets of Zia's family. It was all very complicated and mysterious. Zia was a very thoughtful character who was eager to help out her friends and acquaintances
She was careful and mindful thought about treading carefully.
There were a great cast of characters who were well-developed. I could picture them perfectly. I especially liked Piero and Ursula. It would be great to have a follow up with some of the characters.
There is some loss and grief in this book, but it also manages to be uplifting and heartwarming too. In the beginning the book was a little confusing, but this mirrored the confusion and questions that Zia was facing, so it was well written in my opinion.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

A story about how discovering your true history can change your future. All set against the beautiful Italian countryside with lovely vineyards and holiday cottages you just want to visit. Can Zia resolve the mysteries of her past, get over a toxic relationship,, and give a chance to the handsome new man who could be her future?

This is definitely my favourite book of Sue Moorcroft. It's very well written and descriptive, I nearly felt like I was in Italy with Zia and everybody else. There were definitely a few surprises throughout the book and I haven't hated a fictional character as much as I hated Brandon in a long time. I finished reading this book with the biggest smile on my face. I hope Sue considers giving Ursula her own book. She deserves it.

Enjoyed it!! I would give it 3.5 stars. Zia-Lucia's family is surrounded in secrets. I don't know how they were able to keep it quiet for so long, plus all the lengths they went to keep Zia-Lucia in the dark. I loved the mystery behind the multiple Victoria Chalmers. I loved the friendship between Zia and Ursula. Why didn't Zia block Brandon's number? She could have just ignored his text messages and calls. She had to know that he was getting all his information from Stephan. Piero and his family want to sell their vineyard, but NONE of them looked at any of the correspondence with the person wo wanted to buy it. They left everything to Graziella. I'm not sure I was fully invested in Piero and Zia's relationship. Love at first sight. All of their problems came because of miscommunications. I couldn't believe Piero allowed his ex-girlfriend to talk to Zia that way. I loved the relationship Zia-Lucia formed with Lucia and her husband. Bella Vista sounded like a beautiful place to visit.

Definitely recommend the book. It's the perfect summer read. There's the beautiful Italian scenery and a lot of steamy romance. Look forward to reading more books by the author

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books UK through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Italy seems to be a favourite setting for books this year – ah, wouldn’t that just be lovely! Since that’s not going to be a reality for most people in the near future, let Sue Moorcroft whisk you off there instead in her lovely new book.

For Zia, it’s not simply a holiday which takes her to Italy. She has discovered that her mother wasn’t who she thought she was and that she may have family links to the town of Montelibertà in the Umbria region. Along with her friend Ursula, she travels there for an extended stay to try to discover who her Italian family might be. As she starts to uncover long buried family secrets, she also finds herself increasingly attracted to gorgeous vineyard owner Piero and becomes involved in his family’s quest to hold onto their vineyard and homes.

One thing Sue Moorcroft is brilliant at is bringing her settings vividly to life. I could picture the views over the beautiful Umbrian countryside, imagine the rosemary scented evenings, almost believe I could feel the heat of the sun on my shoulders and how I would love to have a crisp, cool glass of the Orvieto Classico wine produced by Piero’s family vineyard. Along with the heat of the Italian sun, there is the heat between Zia and Piero and that attraction is something else which Sue writes about so convincingly.

Another aspect of this story which I really appreciated was the mystery running through the heart of the book. As I said, Zia had discovered that her mother wasn’t who she thought and her quest to find out more about her real parents really added an extra layer of enjoyment to the book for me. There are several people who would be affected by what Zia finds out and I liked that she was mindful of this and cautious about how she went about her enquiries.

As always, this isn’t just a light-hearted romance and the author doesn’t shy away from bringing serious topics into her books. In this case there are mental health issues and loss, as well as manipulative and spiteful ex-partners doing their best to cause problems. However, as always Sue Moorcroft writes about these issues with sensitivity and insight and you can tell she has really done her research to do justice to the topics.

Under The Italian Sun is another wonderful piece of escapist writing from Sue Moorcroft. Get yourself a chilled glass of white wine and imagine yourself overlooking a beautiful vineyard in the heat. At times an emotional read, this is an engaging and lively book, ideal for your summer reading list.

A story packed full of love, friendship, romance and sunshine. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting of Umbria. An addictive read, bang up to date with regard to Brexit but thankfully no mention of COVID. Sue Moorcroft is a personal favorite and this book didn't disappoint.

Thank you NetGalley, author Sue Moorcroft, and Avon publishing for giving me a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars
If you are looking for a heartfelt summer romance, this book is for you! This story hooked me from page one and did not let go until the very end. Author Sue Moorcroft woven a wonderful story of love, grief, family, and the new beginnings of love.
Zia is a young woman who recently found out a mystery in about her family that has her backing her bags and heading to the Italy in order to unravel and bring to light the truth of the secrets from the past.
The characters were well written. I will say some of the characters had me wanting to pitch them out the nearest window, Brendon *cough cough* He was just so full himself and I was not buying what he was selling about how much he seemed to care about Zia.
I really liked our main male character Piero. He was such a sweetheart! I wanted nothing more that to help him save his home. He seemed to want to save his family's home in order to keep everyone happy, but sadly it is not always possible and this story clearly shows that sentiment.
Zia was a very realistic character that I could have imagined meeting and becoming friends with in real life. I appreciated the courage she showed throughout her journey of self-discovery, family, and taking a risk on the early days of love.
The secondary characters were also some of my favorites, but Zia's best friend Ursula was my absolute favorite. I liked her from the very beginning and felt her sadness towards the end. My heart wants her to find her own HEA and love!
The author did a great job transporting the reader to the amazing scenery of Umbria. There were so many wonderful descriptions of the landscape, food and culture that allows the reader to experience the country with Zia as if you are really there. Overall, while this is my first book by author Sue Moorcroft, it will not be my last.
I can't wait to read the next book this author writes, but until then she has a huge list of back log of books I must read will I wait! This book is a must read for anyone's summer TBR!

Actual rating 3.5 ⭐️

Who’s in the mood for some love and romance and some much sought after sunshine? Sue Moorcroft gives you a taste of all three as she invites you to accompany Zia Lucia Costa Chalmers on a summer adventure seeking answers to her parentage. Leaving behind the more inclement weather of her south coast home for the glorious Italian sunshine, finding her true identity is not the only discovery Zia is destined to chance upon. Offering you the virtual getaway you’ve been longing for with the opportunity to quaff as much wine as your liver (or your head!) can tolerate you’d be a fool to miss out! Promising a storyline brimming with all the goodness life, love and friendship can provide, give or take the odd minor blip on the pathway to happiness, this novel aims to please with characters and scenery to relish. Drink in the atmosphere of the Italian village of Monteliberta, say ciao to its inhabitants and allow the seductive nature of the language to wash those blues away.

Whilst there’s not much mystery surrounding Zia’s Italian roots it’s the hospitality of husband and wife Lucia and Durante,whom Zia has gone in search of that initially draws you into this tale. You cannot fail to be struck by the importance of family which is inherent in everyday interactions, giving Zia a hearty warm welcome and invoking that elusive sense of belonging. I liked this couple who are morally upstanding, hardworking, kind and generous, finding a place in their hearts for this English woman whose questions potentially place them in an awkward position. This heartwarming aspect of the novel sets the mood for the romantic element to develop in which Piero Domenicali, whose family owns the nearby Tenuta Domenicali vineyards catches Zia’s eye, complicating and confusing her feelings as to where her permanent home should be, but in a most pleasurable way! This smouldering passion coupled with the Domenicali family’s own problems concerning their business adds an extra layer to the fairly straightforward narrative sending temperatures soaring either in lust or anger and provides a nice contrast (and distraction) from Zia’s more immediate worries. Let’s just say you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family! With characters ranging from attractive to appealing to downright vile there’s a little something here for everyone to enjoy.

There’s plenty I should love about this novel from the fact Zia’s English home is home for me too adding a familiarity to the scenes set in this part of the world to my love of wine (even though I’m no connoisseur!) but something just didn’t click for me. The Italian setting alone, with much of Zia’s adventure playing out amongst the vines in the Umbrian village of Monteliberta, the sun not solely responsible for the rise in temperatures, ought to have felt as intoxicating as the wine itself. Occasionally I fell under its atmospheric spell but the magic had a habit of wearing off! In truth I wanted to be swept away by visions of beautiful vistas and caught up in the romance of the language and the people because this novel is more than just a love story between two characters, it’s the beginning of a love story between one woman and a place that finally feels like home. It’s such a shame I wasn’t completely bowled over. Perhaps this is because the narrative doesn’t flow as freely as the wine, with some phrasing sounding clunky and awkward. I think I’m used to a more contemporary feel to romantic fiction which this novel doesn’t possess; dare I say parts of the narrative reminded me of those stories I may have read in my grandmother’s weekly woman’s magazine? Unfortunately I couldn’t gel with Zia’s friend Ursula at all and I found their relationship and both women’s relationships with husband/ex boyfriend strange BUT I did appreciate the lovely, warm, generous relationship that develops between Zia and Bella Vista’s occupants Lucia and Durante which was far more to my liking. Naturally I wasn’t averse to the obvious charms of the Italian stallion himself, Piero. Zia is one lucky lady!

If I were to compare this novel to a wine I’d be inclined to say the author offers her readers a mixed selection; from full bodied and fruity (romance aspect which sizzles and steams in places! ) to sparkling (blossoming friendship with Lucia and Durante and Monteliberta itself ) to a little dry (the ongoing business dilemma that troubles the Domenicali family). Overall whilst parts of this storyline resemble a champagne gone flat with a ‘vintage’ vibe to the author’s writing style, there is a natural effervescence to this novel that cannot be stoppered by the mere presence of a cork or two! The inclusive way in which Zia is automatically welcomed into her new surroundings partnered with an unexpected romance to restore her faith in love are just the ingredients necessary for a match made in heaven, and no doubt will delight many a hopeless romantic. Although I preferred A Summer to Remember I enjoyed the novel’s lightheartedness and positivity, basking in the reflected afterglow of Zia’s happiness.I may not have fallen head over heels in love with the characters this time around but I embraced the opportunity to escape, relax and unwind that this type of fiction affords. My thanks to the publisher Avon and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was awake until 3.15am reading in tears. So worth it. I was hooked from the first chapter, letters held the key to many secrets. This mystery took me on an emotional rollercoaster to a stunning setting in Umbria, Italy. Sizzling and heartwarming. I loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

To me this was a lovely “holiday” read. Easy to sit snd take in. Zia finding some letters about her birth mother and family history. Then off she goes in search of the truth. The characters were funny yet life like and the descriptions of the Italian surroundings allows me to drift off their using my imagination. Couldn’t put it down.

Book Review: Under The Italian Sun, Susan Moorcroft, Avon Books UK Expected Publication date May 13, 2021
Young woman, Zia Lucia Costa Chalmers, after reading some found family letters, has questions about her family lineage that can only be answered by traveling to Italy to delve into family history. It seems that the woman she thought was her mother, wasn’t after all. So what happened?

The setting is beautiful wine country in Italy – like having an Italian vacation while you’re reading the book. Along the way, she discovers the true family she had never known and ultimately finds the love of her life. Zia-Lucia takes the trip with her best friend Ursula and learns about her roots, delves into the incredible cuisine and makes friendships to last a lifetime. I liked the character Zia and enjoyed the tension between her and Piero. Zia realizes while there that the boyfriend, Brendan, she had in the States was not the person she thought. And just in time.

Entertaining prose, beautiful setting, enticing characters. A good read.

Brilliantly propulsive and engrossing
‘Grabs you from the moment it starts’ I’m astounded how much I ended up loving this book. This book by far is one of my all time favourites by this author, that despite a free copy for the kindle (through the wonderful NetGalley), I purchased a hard copy to add to my favorite books collection. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The book deals with loss of a gran and family discovery of where you come from. It begins with Zia and Ursula looking through belongings, left behind by Zia's gran for clues to who her father was/is. There is also the mystery as to who Victoria Chalmers was and how she may have fit into the family. There's a lot of unravelling, a bit like "Long Lost Family" and trying to piece together Zia's family tree, which is of much interest, and Zia is on a mission to discover all, by hiring Harry - a private investigator and things get rather complicated. There's also the burgeoning romance that brings characters together on this adventure.

The valley where Zia and Ursula go to in Italy - Tenuta Domenicali, in Orvieto wine region, is awash with grape vines for wine, where Emiliano works on the production side, which belongs to the Domenicali family. There's much to consider for the business and whether to sell to a big company with big tourist ideas and plans for development or to decline the offer. 

The book goes between Italy and Devon and brings up some real issues about affordability in the very south of England, or rather lack of it and how everything is vastly expensive.

There is an air of holiday time about the book, which makes it a lovely, beautifully written book to read whilst on a staycation or in your garden with the sun beating down on you or curled up somewhere in your home. The book is both uplifting and emotional. It isn't a heavy read, although it deals with grief, it still has that lazy summer's day feel about it. It may also make you hungry with some of the lovely food that is mentioned.

As Under the Italian Sun continues, it is intriguing to see how the vines of family connections intertwine. There are birth and death certificates to be found and the details that come with those. It's a book that may even inspire some readers to investigate their family history to see what they can unearth.

Italian born and bread, one of my guilty pleasure is reading rom-com set in Italy. It's like travelling to your home country and seeing through different eyes. Usually fiction is more exciting than reality but I like what I read.
As I'm a fan of Sue Moorcroft this was a double pleasure.
I loved the well thought plot, rooted for the characters and appreciated the descriptions of Umbria. I also loved how she wrote some phrases in Italian and got them right :)
Escapism at high level, I thoroughly enjoyed this engrossing and entertaining story.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Tempt me with a book set in Italy and I am keen as mustard.
This latest book by Morecroft did not disappoint. I absolutely loved the story. Zia-Lucia uncovers some secrets about her past and wants to delve further to see if she really has an Italian father. But who was her mother? This also turns out to be not as straight forward as initially thought.
Throw in a jealous ex-boyfriend, a best friend with marital troubles of her own, a potential new love interest with family issues and it makes for a great read.

Another great book from this author. A really good story of a woman’s quest find out more about her past whilst creating a whole new future. Would recommend

I was hooked from the very beginning of this wonderful read. The mystery and intrigue surrounding Zia’s family was a great opener. Sue Moorcroft writes about such wonderful, engaging characters and I really felt invested in Zia’s search for answers. The gorgeous backdrop of the vineyards of Italy were a definite bonus as we travelled with Zia to find her Italian roots.

Zia is looking for answers.

Under the Italian Sun is Sue Moorcroft at her most sublime. I loved every word and found this was one of those books I was desperate to finish because I wanted to know how it would end, whilst simultaneously not wanting to finish it because I was enjoying it so much.

The plot of Under the Italian Sun romps along and has just as many twists and turns as any thriller. It opens in dramatic fashion and doesn't let up, sweeping the reader along in the narrative. There's brilliantly (and often sexily) depicted romance, but there's mystery and drama too so that Under the Italian Sun is an absolute cracker of a read. I think what makes it so successful is that Sue Moorcroft researches her novels so thoroughly - this time with wine growing and property ownership forming the foundation of her writing - so that the reader feels they are in authoritative and safe hands and can relax into being royally entertained. Indeed, I think this might be one of this author's most well-crafted books. I was never entirely sure how Under the Italian Sun might end, even if I was expecting a happy resolution from the genre, and I found Sue Moorcroft's story-telling utterly compelling and engaging. I was surprisingly emotionally invested in the story and shed a tear or two along the way because I was so captivated.

The characters are brilliantly crafted. There's a real sense of Italian-ness about them with such a range of people and personalities that there is a character for any reader to identify with. Although Under the Italian Sun is very much Zia's story and I loved and admired her from the very first page, I found the more minor character of Brendon totally fascinating. He is a lurking menace throughout so that whilst Under the Italian Sun is a light-hearted summer read, Brendon adds a depth and counterpoint that I thought was brilliant. As you might imagine, with a Sue Moorcroft hero, I was rather in love with Piero because he is so warmly and vividly depicted.

However, brilliant plots and compelling characters aside, what is so utterly wonderful about Under the Italian Sun is the sense of place. All of the senses are provided for so that descriptions place the reader right in Italy without them having to leave their armchair. Most successful is the sense of taste. In fact, reading Under the Italian Sun is a dangerous occupation for anyone trying to lose weight. The food is so evocatively depicted I found myself craving the items Sue Moorcroft describes. Add in smatterings of fully accessible Italian language and reading this story is akin to taking a holiday.

Alongside all of this wonderfully crafted narrative are some weighty themes so that whilst Under the Italian Sun can be read for sheer entertainment, there's plenty to think about should readers want to. Themes of friendship and loyalty, identity and belonging, family and friendship, trust and betrayal, independence and control, amongst others create layer upon layer of added interested that I thought was fantastic.

Utterly captivating from the first moment, Under the Italian Sun is a must read and Sue Moorcroft writing at her very best. I loved it and it is my favourite of this author's books to date. I cannot recommend Under the Italian Sun highly enough.