⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Made me cry stars!

<b>PROS</b>
-- Exceptionally written.
-- Well paced (I read it from cover to cover in @4 hours).
-- Breathtaking setting.
-- Beautiful, romantic, emotional, and heartbreaking plot.
-- Amazing characters.
-- Satisfying ending.

<b>CONS</b>
-- Very "insta love"
-- Because I am greedy and was enjoying this book so much, I wish we would have gotten an epilogue. It would have been nice to see what the future looked like for this couple. Especially Luca.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

A wonderful Summer read. Takes you right into the streets of Tuscany where you can practically smell the pasta, and wine! Her Tuscan Summer is all about young Mia. Escaping her Australian homeland for a warm Summer of relaxation and to find herself again, to get back into her painting and overcoming cancer. What she didn’t bargain on doing was falling in love with handsome Luca.

Her growing relationship with Luca is blossoming very fast. Going on dates, eating delicious meals, talking about art and appreciating the Tuscan culture. When you go away on a break, something happens and their relationship is tested to the max.

I found the pace really good, it kept me intrigued throughout, emotional and I read through it pretty quickly. Although I don’t normally read this genre very often I found myself enjoying the characters and the Tuscan setting. I would love to read more of the authors books in the future!

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my copy.

Her Tuscan Summer is a very well written romance. Loved the plot and the well developed characters. Beautiful setting. I highly recommend this book.

In an unpopular opinion, I was not a fan of this book. I couldn't engage with the character of Mia, nor with her love interest, Luca. The descriptions of Italy are wonderful, which is why I did finish this book. The writing is poetic, the descriptions are breathtaking, but I just wasn't a fan of the story, the conflict, and the ending.

I would read another by this author, because the writing itself was wonderful.

This is much more than a contemporary romance, it is a poignant, emotive story of learning to live and love again after experiencing life-threatening illness or injury.

Australian Mia Moretti is in remission – again – but fears the return of cancer, again. She’s always dreamed of becoming an artist but her ability to paint is also affected by her fears. She travels to Italy in the hope of being inspired to paint again and make a fresh start. On her first day in her new home she meets Luca Bonnici, a handsome, charismatic local and the two quickly become close, exploring the glorious Tuscan region together. However, when fate intervenes, will Mia have the strength to fight for their love or will this just be a summer romance?

Talk about a roller-coaster read!! This is a story that will remain in my memory long after finishing it. It takes you through the whole gamut of emotions and leaves you reeling as it unfolds. There are a thorough mix of heartbreaking and heartwarming events, fantastic, believable and relatable characters, journeys through the idyllic Tuscan landscape and beautiful art in this evocative read. If you’re looking for an unforgettable, moving read, look no further, grab yourself a copy of this book and get the tissues ready, just in case!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

This was a treat to read, and really scratched the traveling itch. I felt like I was in Italy with the heroine, and I was pleasantly surprised on the mix of serious mixed with romance. I need a Luca in my life! Now I need to book my Tuscany trip. This was my first book by Vanessa Carnevale, and I need to read her other book now!

Well, dang it. Vanessa Carnevale just tricked me with a catchy, summery, quick read title. She went right ahead and allowed me to follow sweet Mia to the beautiful world of Tuscany and then proceeded to RIP MY DANG HEART OUT with Mia’s past and her story with Luca.

I mean seriously, if anyone sees my heart on the side of the road doused in my tears, could you just pick it up and bring it home to me? K, thanks.

Mia’s growth is tremendous, and Luca has a beautiful, level perspective on love worthy of discussion.

There is a content warning about Cancer, and another potentially PTSD moment. DM me if you have questions. To the point, I almost stopped reading because I felt like Mia’s story was so heavy, but I am so glad I didn’t!

I will not recommend this as a light-hearted, easy summery read, but I do expect you to put this on your summer TBR because it’s a beautiful story of growth, unfaltering support, and is probably a story we should all here at some point!

This is a first time author for me and I enjoyed this story.

The story is a light read with their character aspiring to be an artist until cancer gets in the way.

I loved the story being set in Tuscany. The descriptions of the place and the surrounding areas makes you want to go and see these places right away.

It hooked me from the start and wouldn't let go until the end.

If you want to escape for a few hours then I highly recommend this book.

Mia Moretti is a talented young artist who has had a lot to contend with over the past couple of years. Mia was diagnosed with Cancer in her last year of school, and despite overcoming the disease, she still lives in fear that one day it will return. This fear she carries around inside of her penetrates every point of her life, from her relationships, to the way she feels about her art – even sometimes forcing her to stop doing what she loves most.

When Mia is presented with the opportunity to go and live in Florence, she seizes the chance in the hope it might help her inspiration for her art come back. However, what Mia didn’t anticipate in this plan of hers was meeting Luca Bonnici, and certainly didn’t consider she would start having feelings for someone.

As Luca and Mia begin to explore Tuscany together, and venture out to the Amalfi Coast too, Mia slowly begins to feel her confidence ebbing its way back in to her with every passing day. With some gentle encouragement from Luca, Mia tentatively picks up her paintbrush once more. But with the fear of Cancer returning, Mia is reluctant to let anyone in to her life, let alone her heart.

I adored this story from the very beginning. Mia is one of those characters that captures your heart immediately, and you really do feel for her and the battle she has faced with such a terrible disease. It is understandable that she has her doubts and reservations about life, but it was such a joy to follow her story as she rekindled the love and passion she has for her art. The romance between Mia and Lucas was rather fast paced, and within a very short amount of time they unearth deep feelings for one another, something I would usually find unrealistic, but with the overall theme of this book it really seemed to work.

Beautifully written, full of emotion and left me wanting more. This book was an absolute joy to read, and I can’t wait to read more by this author!.

Mia Moretti is recovering from a devastating illness and feels like she needs a fresh start in life. So when the opportunity for Mia to spend the summer in Tuscany, she jumps at the chance without thinking twice. So, Mia leaves behind, her life in Australia and moves to Florence Italy. Mia is an artist that had to give up painting because of her illness. Along with her fresh start in Tuscany, she is hoping to start painting again. But, when Mia meets Luca Bonnici, she begins to embrace life. Luca believes in living life one day at a time and he believes in living each day to the fullest. Luca show’s Mia all around Tuscany, and she falls in love with not only the countryside but also with Luca. Obstacles are thrown in their direction and they must decide will they face the struggles together or loose each other forever. I enjoyed this story very much. The challenges they faced were very real to life and the characters were believable, well developed and relatable. The detailed description of Florence, Tuscany and the Italian vineyards was a delightful escape.

Thank you Vanessa Carnevale for this wonderful read, I was swept away. It was a charming read and a wonderful escape. I loved everything about this book and I highly recommend it.

Her Tuscan Summer by Vanessa Carnevale is a moving story about falling in love, and more importantly, finding one's strength. Mia Moretti has arrived in Tuscany for an undetermined length of time. She is there to find her muse after losing it while battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She is fully in remission and cancer-free, but she can't seem to paint any more. She immediately meets her housemate, Stella, who is renting from her great uncle. She loves the house and Stella, and can't wait to get started. She soon meets Paolo and Luca. Paola is Stella's boyfriend and Luca is his business partner in an auto repair business. It is not long before the attraction between she and Luca rears up and he asks her out for the next evening. As the month progresses, not only does she begin to paint again but she falls in love with Luca, and he with her. She meets an aging artist out on one of her travels and he inspires her to paint. And it happens. She paints something she loves.

Mia's journey is one fraught with pain and loneliness. Luca believes in living one day at a time and seems to impart that philosophy to her, finally. It is a simplistic story, but quite lovely in its simplicity. Much of it is philosophical discussions and Mia in her head. She makes some poor decisions and comes to regret them. Luca is forced to live up to his philosophy, which turns out to be difficult. It is a feel-good story with lots going on and some important messages to impart. Carnevale writes this kind of emotional book well. It is a fun read and the reader will come to love the characters. I recommend.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Her Tuscan Summer by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #hertuscansummer

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Her Tuscan Summer' by Vanessa Carnevale.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Vanessa Carnevale, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 3rd June 2021.

This is the second book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'My Life For Yours' which I would highly recommend.

I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'Perfect for fans of That Month in Tuscany, T.A. Williams and Lucy Coleman'. I am a huge fan of 'Lucy Coleman' so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Vanessa and if this is half as good as 'My Life For Yours' it is sure to be a great read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of 30 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in Italy 🇮🇹.

This book is written in first person perspective and the main protagonist is Mia Moretti. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on.

It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture


Tears by 10% that is a new one!! Had to Google few words

OMG!!! Well Done Vanessa!!! Another absolutely stunning addictive page turner!!! Beautiful!! This is a beautifully written story with vivid descriptions. The synopsis, title and cover suited the storyline perfectly.

This book is beautifully written and I had to get the tissues out by 10% which is definitely a first for me so be warned!!! I was completely absorbed throughout and was devasted when I came to the last page and realised I had to "unpack my suitcase" as it genuinely felt like I had been whisked away to Tuscany. The vivid descriptions made me feel the sun on my face and the cobblestones beneath my feet. I did have to Google a few words but being set in Italy I thought this was appropriate and it also shows that the author did her research on the language, either that or knows Italian. The author emerges her readers into the storyline as well as the settings and actions and emotions of the characters. This book is fascinating and gloriously intriguing, a devastating, beautiful, heartbreaking, compelling and riveting page turner. It is packed with love, friendship, sadness, happiness, joy and loss. It is perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult and Nicholas Sparks stories and of course any fans of Vanessa's previous books. I for one am looking forward to reading her previous and next books!!!

The characters are absolutely fantastic as well as intriguing, unique and realistic. I loved discovering and delving into their history and background. I loved watching Mia and R
Luca's relationship develop as well as Mia and Signor Fiorelli's friendship along with other friendships between Mia and other characters such as Clara, Silvio and many more. All of the characters in this book are well defined, realistic and will stay with me for a long time.

Congratulations Vanessa on another stunning novel and here's to many more 🍹 🍻 🎉

Overall an absolutely gorgeous, heartwarming while heartbreaking yet uplifting page turner that will whisk you away

Genres covered in this novel include Romance Novel, Coming-Of-Age Story, Contemporary Romance, New Adult Fiction and Holiday Fiction amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks and anyone who wants to be whisked away to Italy!!!


276 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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I loved this. A really entertaining and emotionally satisfying story with great characters and a fabulous, beautifully realised setting. What’s not to like?

Received an ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Talented young artist Mia Moretti has had a rough few years. Struck down with cancer in her final year of school, Mia constantly lives in fear that the disease will return. This fear permeates her whole life, from her relationships with her parents to what she paints, to the point where she stops painting completely.




Mia takes the opportunity to go and live in Florence, hoping that spending time in the city will help inspire her to find her mojo again. What she didn't expect was to meet someone who makes her feel alive the way that Luca Bonnici does. But can she let herself love him when she knows that there is a strong chance that the cancer might come back.





Together Luca and Mia explore Tuscany and further afield including the beautiful Amalfi Coast, living life to the fullest. Mia tentatively starts painting again with the encouragement of Luca and others around her, many of who believe in her talent and actively want to help her be successful





When tragedy strikes, Mia channels all her memories into her art, creating a series of paintings that tell the story of her Tuscan Summer but can that sustain her?







This was the author's first book, which was originally published here in Australia under the title The Florentine Bridge. I suspect if I was to read one of her later books I would find that it might be a bit more nuanced. Mia and Luca fall into an allconsuming love very quickly and when things go wrong it is equally dramatic. Having said that I was really invested in the story and the relationship made me smile. The book was easy to read, to the point that I got through the last third of the book while I was sitting in the car for the drive through COVID test so it was a welcome distraction.




I also felt that I was in Tuscany and visiting the dramatic Amalfi coastline, eating the pasta and gnocchi and people watching while sitting in a small cafe. Can I go now? Given that we are currently back in lockdown, probably not, but one day. One day.





In the meantime I have several more books from Vanessa Carnevale to read and get lost in. Lucky me!





Rating 4/5

I’ve read and enjoyed other books by the author, though not in the same genre so was looking forward to Her Tuscan Summer. I really enjoyed this book. It’s different from the stuff I usually read, though in a good way. Mia is a great character, I really emphasised with her struggle to find inspiration and a place in the world after battling cancer and I was on her side from the start. I loved the setting. The author does a brilliant job of creating a sense of place. I even enjoyed the love story between Mia and Luca even though it’s a bit twee at times. I guess I’m a sucker for a good love story.

Mia has dreamed of spending time in Italy and while life has thrown a few speed bumps her way, she is finally in Italy to find her passion again and to have some new experiences. Luca is a young man who lives in Italy and ends up crossing paths with Mia and they will have some ups and downs but as in most romance books, the happily ever after should happen . . .

After reading this book, it solidified my feelings that I love a book where the romance is either a slow burn or rekindled after time apart. This book went from zero to eighty in two seconds and I didn't love how quickly these two were madly in love with each other. If you like those books where it goes from meeting to unequivocal love then this one is the perfect romance for you. Mia and Luca went from meeting to declaring their undying love for each other and it just didn't make the book believable to me. I wish they either had more time together to slow the build or maybe even a chance meeting and then a return. When I read romance books, I love the journey to get to the destination and this journey felt way too fast and made it hard for me to love.

This was my second Vanessa Carnevale book and while this one wasn't completely my speed, I loved her other and would love to try her other two on the backlist that I haven't read yet. I would give her a second chance because for me this one just wasn't my kind of romance book and it was completely due to my personal preferences after reading quite a plethora of romance!

Mia Moretti is a Young Australian woman that takes her chance at a new life and adventure after being cancer free for a while.
The beautiful Italy has so much to offer and the author has managed to vividly paint all the settings into words that make you hold it close to your heart and never let go to those places.
Trying to find her creative side back after a long time of worries and fears , Mia not only finds her hidden parts and learns more about herself but also finds what love means and where it can get her.
This is much more than just a beautiful cover, it’s a story about love , overcoming health issues and how much family and friends are playing a huge part of that journey.

I’ve recently discovered this author and have loved everything I’ve read so far. The characters are always easy to like and interesting with a good plot line. The relationships feel alive and the scenarios realistic. Anything this author writes is wonderful!

Thank you NetGalley, author Vanessa Carnevale, and Bookouture for giving me a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars
TW: Discussions of Cancer and the treatments and death of parents (off page)
If you are looking for your next romantic summer read in the country of Italy, then this book is for you!
This was my first book by author Vanessa Carnevale and it will not be my last!
This book follows the journey of Mia, who decided to spend some time in Italy after her cancer goes into remission. While in Italy, Mia soon begin to find the desire to paint, embrace the Italian way of life, and a chance for love. But while Mia seems to have found a new handle on life, the fears of her cancer coming back are never far from her. Can Mia let go of those fears and live life to the fullest with the friends and love?
The book was amazingly beautiful! I loved the author's description of the landscapes, food, culture, and language. I enjoyed how realistic the characters were as well as true to themselves. Mia was such a strong woman, whom overcame such odds. I appreciated her ability to feel vulnerable enough to share her fears with those around her. I also enjoyed seeing the growth Mia went through during her time in Italy. Luca was such a swoon worthy hero. I loved how much he wanted to be around Mia and give her the good things of life. He just wanted to take care of Mia and bear her burdens. Their relationship was well developed and full of passion. The writing and the pacing held my interest until the very end. The latter part of the story had me sobbing like a baby and wanted to skip to the end in order to find out if the characters get their HEA or not! I loved the ending! I found it was well satisfying and perfection. Overall, this book would be perfect for those who are looking for their next summer beach read! I can't wait for another book by this author!

Such a perfect summer/spring read! I adored the book as it was cute and sweet and absolutely recommend that anyone who wants a summer read grab a copy today!