Why does TA Williams write such beautiful books? Set in a wonderful place, that we can only dream of visiting at the moment, but we have the next best thing, armchair travel with this stunning book.

This is the third book in the Escape to Tuscany series and I have now enjoyed all three getaways to beautiful places in Italy.

Anna is a geologist for a mining enterprise who is tired of traveling all over the world. She loves her job, but not her personal life. Well, that’s about to change. When she is sent to the island of Elba for her next undercover assignment to scope out a potential site for precious metals, she meets Marco, a man with a reputation as a womanizer and a member of an environmental group for the island. Two strikes, right? Well, Sensible Anna and Naughty Anna are battling it out on whether or not to have a fling with the extremely charming and alluring Marco knowing that she is only there for two weeks and Marco won’t appreciate the real reason she’s there. Besides she is meeting up with her attractive childhood friend Toby, bachelor number two, whom she met in the UK recently courtesy of their mothers’ matchmaking skills. Two new relationships. Secrets abound. A job that she loves. Is it time for a change?

I appreciate that Anna loves her job, but is it worth giving up personal relationships? It would make for a lonely life as Anna has seen with her new friend on the island, Jack Dante, a retired geologist and confidante. It’s frustrating watching Anna consider sleeping with Marco, a man practically everyone has warned her about, but she’s had quite a dry spell. However, she owes sweet Toby a chance considering he is making a point of stopping at the island on his holiday cruise to meet up with her, but he has secrets of his own. After some misunderstandings and secrets are revealed, Anna finally comes up with a solution with her life which leads to a HEA ending.

I love Jack and his dog, George. Jack and Anna are so lonely for company and make a great pair as they share the same interests. In addition, Anna’s friend and colleague, Charlie, gives her wise advice from the start.

I recommend this delightful romance with gorgeous scenery, exquisite food, and intriguing characters that made me add yet another destination to my bucket list.

Thank you to Mr. Williams for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

This was my second book by this author and just like the last time, I read this book in one sitting.

The setting of the island of Elba made me long for a trip to Italy and the description of all the delicious food consumed during this book made my mouth sad I was eating Chick fil a minis which I usually adore.

The main character, Anna, had such an interesting job and I loved the writing about the connection she made on the Island with an elderly resident named Jack and his lovable black lab, George.

This was just a sweet, clean, easy read that made a rainy Florida day transform to a trip to am exotic locale.

I’m always thrilled whenever T A Williams releases a book and this one is just as enticing as the others!

Set on the Italian island of Elba, this is the third standalone story in the ‘Escape to Tuscany’ series. Having visited Elba, this was a delightful way to revisit the island and escape to the sunshine but, even if it’s somewhere new to you as a reader, you’ll certainly be drawn into the descriptions of its’ beauty as you turn each page.

Central character Anna finds herself torn between rugged windsurfer Marco and childhood friend Toby, who plans to visit during her stay. Both men are vastly different, drawing out the two sides of her personality, ‘Naughty Anna’ and ‘Sensible Anna’ as she wrestles with her conscience to determine which man deserves her heart.

Yet perhaps the sweetest relationship is the one she develops with elderly Jack who shares her love of geology and has a secret of his own that he has kept hidden for years. Labradors always play a key part in any T A Williams novel and adorable George is no exception!

A perfect summer romance!

Escape to an Italian Island to follow Anna and her escapades. Interested in two handsome and charming men, who will she choose? And how does that fit in to her work responsibilities? An interesting story that has a little adventure alongside a little romance. Jack and George were my favorite characters! I also loved the way the author described the scenery. The images were clear without being overly descriptive.

Fans of Women’s Fiction will appreciate this story.

The perfect book to escape a rainy day. This story follows Anna, a geologist on the Island of Elba seeking rare geological treasures. There is a good mix of humour, mystery and romance in this story. Complex characters with secrets, not immediately obvious, to Anna add to the story's conflicts. Anna's life has lacked romance, but Elba is rich in men as well as minerals. Her encounters with Jack and Labrador George are insightful and poignant, adding emotional depth to this romantic comedy.

This is a heartwarming travel romance with vibrant characters, vivid settings and gentle romance.

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

Oh to be on holiday! While European travel is off the menu for many of us this year, we can all sit back and enjoy an Italian adventure with Secrets on the Italian Island by T. A. Williams, which is published today and is a bargainous £1.99!

A visit to the beautiful island of Elba is anything but a holiday for geologist Anna Porter as she arrives to prospect for rare metals, but could a late-summer romance be on the cards?

This is the third book in T. A. Williams’ Escape to Tuscany series which takes in beautiful locations, vividly described scenery and delicous Italian food and drink that you can practically taste!

I make no secret of being a fan of Trevor’s work, which always has a solid romantic plot, but that is also clearly well-researched and provides heaps of background and history of the setting. This detail adds so much for me and is what keeps me coming back for more.

This book is a winning combination of a likeable main character and a genuine love of the country, which shines through in every chapter and, as ever, it was a pleasure to read.

I absolutely defy you to find a better way to spend an evening, than in the company of the latest book from T.A. Williams. What an utter treat.

The first page of this book had me captivated, with the description of the mineshaft that Anna, a geologist found herself in. Upon closing my eyes, I could almost imagine myself there, with her.

I initially felt sad because Anna’s work seemed to have put paid to her social life and any chance of love. I can only hope that situation will change! I loved the portrayal of Anna’s childhood neighbour, Toby and was hopeful of great things happening in this budding relationship, despite the fact that they both seemed married to their work. My romantic interest was further piqued with the arrival of Marco on the scene, in Elba. Wow, eligible young men seem a bit like buses for Anna – not a sign of one for ages and then two come along at once! My heart did sink though, upon discovering that Marco was an environmentalist – he couldn’t have been a worse match for Anna, with her career. I could just feel her disappointment.

I was thrilled at the introduction of a George, this author’s obligatory gorgeous black Labrador. This moment in this author’s books always make my heart sing, and the books just wouldn’t be the same without George or his equivalent. I look forward to meeting the black lab in each and every book. I absolutely adored the description of George taking up his position on Anna’s bed, lying on his back, with his legs in the air. I also loved the way the author described George as he ‘wagged not only his tail but his whole body’. I could just see this in my own mind – as if George was in the room with me.

Anna’s relationship with Jack was so refreshing. I loved that they had so much in common, although I felt that Jack lamenting his former mining career and travelling with work, that meant he never settled down with a significant other, was a stark reminder to Anna about the direction in which her own life was heading.

As the story evolved, so did the mystery and intrigue – how Marco had caught wind of mining prospectors in the area, what had Ruby (the boss’s Daughter, sent to work with Anna) been up to, to warrant Anna being asked to keep an eye on her, how did Marco earn his living and was he really a womaniser. This all combined with Anna being faced with two very different men, who clearly liked her. I very quickly found myself reeled in by the enigma of it all, and wondering if she could possibly have a future with either man? Myself, i could quite happily have set up home in Jack’s stable renovation; indeed the descriptive language was such that if I closed my eyes I could very easily imagine myself on Elba, with all its beautiful scenery and scents, flora and fauna. I found myself completely entranced by the secrecy of the story, the island and and it’s surroundings.

I found myself genuinely shocked and disappointed at the description of Ruby and Toby daily off out to sea together, and I had not thought of Toby as a ‘player’. Still, if the intent was to shock and surprise the reader, it was successful! At least it would hopefully help Anna make some decisions in the man department! Although fate seemed to have played a hand in that too and I felt genuine sadness as Anna said her goodbyes to Jack and George, such had my attachment to the main characters grown and such had Anna’s affection for the pair grown. I’m afraid to say that this manifested itself with real tears. I found myself desperately wanting love to blossom between Marco and Anna, but feared this would never happen after Marco discovered Anna’s occupation and the reason why she was on Elba.

The twists and turns at the end of the book had me entranced and I had not guessed any of those unpredictable twists; what an utter treat.

The beautiful descriptions of all Elba and the beaches and the ocean all had me hooked – it made me feel as though I were on holiday myself. I have loved all the TA Williams books I have read and this one was simply up there with the best of them. This author never fails to deliver an outstanding story and once again I was not disappointed.

I absolutely love reading books by this wonderful author who always writes such happy, feel good stories and I was entranced by the island of Elba within the first few pages. Once again the story is rich in location description and culture, you learn about the island and feel like you are sitting alongside Anna as she explores for the first time.

When you first meet Charlie and Anna you assume the story will be about their quest as geologists as they explore Elba but early on the story switches focus to Anna and we get to spend time with her as she battles her love of her job and the possibility of a career change so that she can finally find the time to focus on romance.

I flew through the pages of this story, it made me laugh, feel frustrated on behalf of Anna whilst being sprinkled with romance. Once again a wonderful story where you feel you have escaped every day life and been transported to a tranquil sunny location, providing some much needed escapism.

The island of Elba – well, I must say I rather like it there, and it certainly isn’t the first time I’ve added a location to my bucket list as a result of reading the vivid descriptions in one of the author’s lovely books. It looks just perfect for a relaxing break, but that’s not the reason for Anna’s visit – she’s a geologist who travels the world searching for sources of precious metals, and it’s rather important that no-one finds out the real reason why she’s currently on the island. As she kicks back, discovers the island’s unspoilt beauty and makes new friends, she rather hopes her search will be fruitless – and has plenty of time to consider whether it’s time to have a rather less frantic life and make some time to live her life with the possibility of a relationship and a more settled future.

Being almost mowed down by his windsurfer brings Marco into her life. Suave and charming (and extremely hot), but with a distinctly dubious reputation, “Naughty Anna” begins to emerge – would a holiday fling really be such a bad thing? But as she hides her real reason for being on the island, she finds that there are more obstacles to a relationship than just Marco’s reputation – he’s passionate about environmental issues, a leading light in the Save Elba group, and that really would make Anna “the enemy”. So maybe she’d just be better sticking with Toby – a childhood friend pushed in her direction by her mother, there was certainly an unexpected spark of attraction when they met, and she’s rather looking forward to seeing if it becomes a flame when he visits the island while sailing around the Med.

And then there are the new friends – significantly Jack who comes into her life in a particularly dramatic way. He’s an elderly former geologist now living on the island, whose life had previously followed a similar path to Anna’s, travelling the world for a mining company: it gives him a rich fund of stories – and makes it really difficult for Anna to hide her secret – and his essential loneliness gives her more food for thought about whether her life choices are the right ones. And yes, as I’m sure you’ll have guessed, Jack doesn’t live entirely alone – his rather aromatic labrador George is a quite wonderful character (as the author’s labrador creations always are), accompanying Anna on her walks, joining her for early morning swims, smothering her with affection at every possible opportunity.

There are a few later twists and turns to the story. First there’s the arrival of boss’s daughter Ruby to replace Anna’s sidekick Charlie (and what a lovely supporting character he is) – she’s destined to take over the reins of the mining company, although her heart really isn’t in it. And Anna’s secret – of course – becomes increasingly difficult to conceal, with the worry over what everyone will think of her when they find out the secret she’s been hiding. And Jack, it turns out, has a rather big secret of his own – and that was part of the storyline that I particularly enjoyed.

This really is the loveliest of reads. Anna’s an excellent character, and I really liked her very much from outset. The ins and outs of her relationships with Marco and Toby kept me entirely engaged – and I thoroughly enjoyed the warmth of her friendship with Jack (and George!). There’s an essential lightness about it all, a book you read with a smile on your face – but the author really does have the perfect emotional touch, and I will admit that there was a point in the story that did make me well up a little and wipe away a tear. Yes, I really loved this one – perhaps my favourite book yet by this lovely author, and I’d recommend it really highly.

(Review copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)

It’s always a source of great excitement and anticipation when a new TA Williams book comes along. They are just irresistible!

This book has everything that you might want, beautiful setting, gorgeous characters, and wonderful depictions of Italian food. I liked Anna, she’s a strong woman, capable and confident, but caring too. There’s a hint of a possibility of romance with both Marco and Toby, but how can she be sure if either of them are right for her? My favourite character though, has to be George, I won’t spoil it by saying anything more, but if you read the book, I’m sure you’ll love him too.

I was absolutely swept away by this book. It flows beautifully and will transport you away to the beautiful island of Elba. I could almost feel the warm breeze and the heat of the sun and could envisage the stunning scenery along the way. A completely captivating and enrapturing story, this book will take you away to another place and leave you feeling uplifted and contented. I enjoyed it from the first page to the last.

Argh! A trip to Italy is now required! Williams’ vivid portrayal of the island of Elba left me aching for a holiday: the sun, the sea, the travelling…

This story follows Anna, a geologist, who has been sent on a work trip to Elba. Searching for precious metals, she soon comes into contact with some of the lovely inhabitants of Elba. After literally bumping into Marco, Anna can’t help but be reminded that her nomad lifestyle is not going to allow her to put roots down. Even Anna’s mother is putting the pressure on her, reminding Anna of her age and that all the travelling is not going to secure her a solid relationship. Although Anna has the opportunity to go out with Toby before her Italian trip, meeting Marco puts those thoughts aside and she is tempted to have a mindless fling with such a gorgeous hunk.

I liked the geologist element behind this story and found it interesting to see how Anna juggled trying to balance her career alongside environmental concerns. She is aware of the damage that mining can have on the landscape and this raises moral questions, especially as she is already questioning her future in such a global job. Furthermore, when Anna meets Jack and George, I thought the plot took a more solid direction, rather than just focusing on Anna’s love life.

I was smitten with Jack’s character and George, the lovable Labrador! I think this really strengthened the geological aspect of the story, drawing attention to the romance theme of the plot. However, when the writer refers to ‘Naughty Anna’ and ‘Sensible Anna’, I could not help but cringe inside; it was like a little piece of me died every time Williams used these phrases! They are placed to describe Anna’s attraction to Marco: on the one hand, she realises any relationship she has will not last and that it is truly physical, (not to mention the potential of a romance with home-based Toby); on the other hand, Anna is driven by lust and the excitement that will break up her feelings of loneliness. However, I do think that the writer could have done something a little different to describe Anna’s conflicting feelings. Instead, it felt cringe-worthy and, to be honest, quite patronising. Yes, Anna cannot decide whether to let her heart or head rule but, surely these terms did not have to be used? It actually left me lacking interest in Anna’s love life and wanting more scenes focusing on her friendship with Jack.

This was the central reason why I could not award this perfect escapism the full five-stars. This aside, it was a beautiful setting that Williams vividly describes. Although the plot was quite predictable, I could not entirely foresee the ending and, whilst it does end on a note of optimism, I also found it quite sad as well.

I think this novel is great for those who love stories set in Italy or by the sea. It is a great example of escape fiction with a little bit of romance thrown in there as well. Personally, I think Anna is an interesting protagonist and I think Williams has created a character that is a little different from typical romance heroines. It’s a pleasant, quick read that left me yearning for Italian shores.

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.

I'm not sure where Trevor gets all his ideas from? Each time I think the next book can't possibly be as good, and each time it somehow seems to be even better.

I loved this story, partly because the location of Elba made it stand out from the ordinary, but also because of the wonderful characters. Anna's background is also different from the usual female jobs so again a win-win.

The conflict as Anna is torn between old neighbour Toby, and exciting Marco didn't feel at all contrived. we all know which one she should go for, but will she?

The ending also got me; very poignant with a kind of Indiano Jones twist. I'm saying no more - just read the book.

The book begins when Anna is high above a mine shaft in Cornwall hanging on for dear life. She is a geologist, and no price is too high for the work that she loves. However, she is 29 now, and growing tired of all the travelling involved, which is affecting her relationships. When she goes back to her mother's place, she meets a childhood friend again, and finds herself very attracted to him. He is a handsome, 'nice' young man. However, she has to leave him to check out possible mines in Elba.

Anna has to pretend that she is a tourist, and she becomes extremely conflicted when she meets Marco, a sexy Italian who is also an environmentalist, and very much against mining on the island. It is even worse when she makes friends with an old Canadian man who lives there, and bitterly regrets making money from being a mining executive. Now she has a secret...

She also has a choice between being 'Sensible Anna' with Toby, the Englishman, or 'Wild Anna' with Marco...

I really enjoyed this.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9781800320840
PRICE £1.99 (GBP)

Whenever I pick up a T.A. Williams book I know I am in for a treat, and about to be whisked away to some amazing Italian destination, meet some lovely friendly locals, imagine tasting some of the finest drinks and food on offer in the region and fall in love with a black Labrador or several. This book did not disappoint. It is in the third book in the Escape to Tuscany series, although each book is a stand alone, they are just based in the region.

We meet Anna, who is sent to Elba on a fact finding mission by her employer, she is a geologist for a major mining company looking for various previous metals on the island. Whilst doing her job and trying to keep her job hidden she meets and makes friends with some of the locals, in particular Jack and his trusty black lab George. And falls head over heals from his neighbour Marco, whilst keeping in contact with an old friend from the past. Stuck between knowing which man to choose, and knowing what to do with her life, Anna is in for quite a trip to Elba. And it would seen everyone she meets has a secret of their own they are trying to hide.

This is a great read, full of entertainment and secret twist and turns. I love the details the author goes into about the local culture, cuisine and wines. It makes me want to take a sail to Tuscany.

Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication date July 8th 2021.

In his bio the author says he's a man, and a pretty old one at that. I don't give a fig about his age or his gender, especially when he writes such lovely, descriptive, atmospheric stories. I've read a few of his now, and he simply gets better and better.

In Secrets on the Italian Island I was transported straight into the life and loves of the main character. Her occupation is interesting and unusual, she is sensible and adult, yet has passion and empathy, and I enjoyed reading about her conflict regarding the two men who she's attracted to. The setting is stunning and the writing brings Elba to vivid life. There are also some wonderful twists in this book that I simply didn't see coming, and one part brought tears to my eyes - which demonstrated just how emotive the author's writing is.

Well done on another fantastic book.

Is there a pandemic around and traveling abroad is not advisable yet? Don’t worry, you can do the next best thing and travel from your couch (or wherever you read) and what better destination than Italy? Once again T.A. Williams paints a really vivid picture of a gorgeous Italian location that will make you feel you’re the one swimming in the Mediterranean, taking a stroll through the island of Elba or enjoying one of the mouth watering delicacies described (not recommendable to read it on an empty stomach!).

Anna was such an enjoyable character. For once, her job is not the typical we use to see in this kind of stories, so it was nice to learn a bit about mining and its impact on the environment. She’s married to her job but after not one but two dreamy suitors come into her life she starts questioning what she really wants in her life. She felt constantly torn between Sensible Anna and Naughty Anna and I liked this kind of angel and demon situation.

Usually in these rom-coms it is fairly clear from the get go who the leading lady is ending up with but, in this case, the intrigue lasted until the end, so the not knowing who (if any) she would end up with was interesting.

But if there was a character I truly fell in love with was George, a gorgeous labrador that proves that dogs are really man’s best friend and that, in most cases, they are better than humans. Both George and his owner Jack were so lovable and what he did for Anna was such a nice gesture.

Until things go back to normal once and for all I have no doubt, T.A. Williams books are my favorite way of traveling.

Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Secrets on the Italian Island is Book 3 in the Escape to Tuscany series and each story is a standalone novel. They are perfect introductions to a new author and once you’ve sampled his work you can escape to Tuscany and more with his books.

With every book by T.A. Williams you can guarantee you’ll be whisked away to a place of beauty. T.A. Williams knows his locations so well his words transport me and I feel I can picture the setting, experience the sights, tastes and aromas and enjoy discovering new cultures.

Secrets on the Italian Island is another classic from the author, it’s a story about Anna, a geologist, who is in her late twenties and currently lives and breathes work. She loves her work but is starting to doubt her current work life balance, as it’s pretty much one sided! Her latest work case is to tour around the beautiful Italian island, Elba, with a view to unearthing rare metals underground.

Elba sounded like a stunningly beautiful island that has tried to keep to it’s natural habitat and not let tourists and multi-national businesses spoil it’s outlook.

Anna soon gets to know the area and a few locals who soon become friends but she finds it difficult to keep her job and the reason she is on the island secret. The residents of Elba are understandably very protective of their unspoilt island.

Whilst Anna is searching the island she is also doing a lot of soul searching herself. Within the matter of a few weeks her non-existent personal life has become complicated with the attention of two men. Two very different men and Anna is confused which way her will go.

Secrets on the Italian Island is a lovely contemporary romance that feels like a travelogue. The author packs so much detail about his settings including the history and architecture of the area, you find yourself wanting to learn more. I always also enjoy the inclusion of a faithful dog companion in the storyline bringing a fun, comforting element.

Once again another sunshine filled story that was delightful, romantic, interesting and poignant.

I've read a few books by TA Williams now and I've been taken to a few different places. In Secrets On The Italian Island we are transported to Tuscany, and Williams' beautiful descriptions were the perfect antidote to a rainy afternoon in Leeds! I could picture all the wonderful scenery and I enjoyed every second of the time I spent there!

Our heroine is Anna, who is very easy to like. We're introduced to both "sensible Anna" and "naughty Anna" which allows us to see different sides to her personality at different times. This helped me to get to know her better and I was rooting for her throughout the novel. I loved her friendship with Jack and was eager to see how this developed too.

Anna is a geologist and I found this aspect of Secrets On The Italian Island really interesting. It's not a subject I know much about and I loved learning new things. This strand of the story added another layer to the romantic plot.

Of course, the central romantic plot is what makes this novel tick and I was intrigued to find out which man Anna would choose. There were a few twists and turns during the course of the story and I really enjoyed them.

4.5 stars rounded to 5
I’m Italian born and bred but rom-com set in Italy are one of my guilty pleasure and T.A. Williams’ novels are amongst my favourite in this genre.
I love them because the descriptions and the situation are quite realistic, and I like how he describes my country and the people.
The Secrets on the Italian Island is a fun read, engrossing and entertaining.
I loved how he described Isola d’Elba and I was left craving for crostini with chicken liver.
Anna, the main character, is an unusual heroine as she’s a geologist who travels around the world probing for rare metals. The story is about her romantic relationship but also talks about the impact of this type of work on personal life and the impact of mining on the environment.
The environmental cause features strongly in this story as some of the characters are involved in this cause and I liked the observations.
I had a lot of fun in reading about Marco as he reminded me of some dear friends who were very good at the seduction game but a disaster as boyfriend material. Marco is quite realistic and, thinking about my friends, what happened wasn’t a surprise.
Jack was my favourite character, and I would be happy to meet such an interesting and complex man. He was the one I would have chosen over the other love interest.
There’s plenty going on this book: secrets, romances, betrayal and growing up. It kept me hooked and the plot never drags and it’s full of unexpected twists.
One note: I know that Italian politics is quite complex and not easy to understand but some phrases and situation were a bit over the top even for local political standard. I cannot say more without spoiling part of the plot, I assume they were a plot device.
It was a pleasant read and I recommend it as it’s an excellent summer read.
Many thanks to Canelo, Rachel's Random Resources and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine