This was a lighthearted and easy read. You can sit in your favorite spot and travel to Tuscany on a super cute journey that starts with a plane ride to Italy.

What a gloriously summery book this is, set of course in a Tuscan vineyard.

Abi is given some unexpected time off work and is persuaded to visit her friend Holly out in Tuscany,.

Just one problem Abi doesn't do relaxing, holidays, and tends to be set in her routines

So she decides instead to write the ultimate Tuscany to do list and intends to knock it out i a few days, say she has done Italy and go home.

Well until it becomes rather apparent that it is easier said than done, and that she may just have half an attraction to one of the other guests.

I enjoyed watching Abi slow down to the Tuscan way of life, and immerse herself in a new lifestyle, all the while wondering what will happen after this month off.

It's a gorgeous summer read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This is a book to read when you need to lighten the mood and have a good laugh. I love the escape, the vineyards and Abi's ability to move on. Who needs a man/boyfriend?? Oh this is such a fun book in a great setting and it will certainly make you smile and make you feel good.

I love the setting and the characters as they make the story bright and beautiful. Entertaining, enjoyable, funny, heart-warming and cosy. What more do you want from a good book/read. Loved it.

Thank you Net Galley and Aria & Aries for giving me the opportunity to read adn review this book.

The Tuscan countryside stands proudly at the centre of this delightful story where it weaves its magic on a couple of work obsessed strangers. Abi is still nursing a broken heart after a traumatic relationship and has built a shell around herself so that her strict regime keeps her safe from further harm - or so she hopes. It is as if part of her life has stood still and she has filled the vacuum in her life with a busy schedule of yoga, family, friends and most of all work. Forced to slow down, Abi finds herself visiting her dearest friend and as she meets the locals, her life seems to open up, slowly but surely.

There are some lovely characters in the story. Life on the vineyard is idyllic and Abi makes some lasting friendships. It is an uplifting story with humour added and goes along at a pace. As an escapist romcom, it can't be beaten but there are some important messages within about slowing down and savouring the moment as life can be short. Full of the sounds and colour of Tuscany, you are taken on a trip there with Abi and I loved the descriptions of all that gorgeous sounding Italian food.

In short: a great holiday read

My first read by Carrie Walker.
It's a lovely story about friendship, loss and second chances set in romantic Tuscany. You are quickly immersed into Abi's life as a make-up artist, who never dates more than once and has a supportive female friendship group. When her latest job ends unexpectedly, she decides to see her best friend in Tuscany and finds her holiday to be a life-changing experience. I like the descriptions of the culture, food and locations., I felt like I was there.. I also enjoyed Abi's emotional journey as she recaptured her zest for life and love.

This heartwarming story sweeps you into the vibrant village life of Italy, where Abi, a delightful protagonist, navigates her past and embraces a charming yet enigmatic romance with Tony. Their relationship has its ups and downs, culminating in a satisfying blend of personal and professional triumphs, including a well-deserved comeuppance for the “baddie.” With an adorable ending featuring a poem from a dog, this book is pure, enchanting escapism.

One of my favourite things about reading is armchair travel and I couldn't wait to be transported back to the place I fell in love with while on honeymoon last year with this book.

Ever since the loss of her husband when they were young Abi Mason has protected herself from further heartache by keeping busy and with a firm no second date rule. Her career comes first and she has no time for romance.
When she gets an unexpected break in her schedule her best friend convinces her that it's finally time to visit her in Tuscany, where she meets Tony, a charming American who tempts Abi to break her own rules. Could Abi have found what she didn’t know she was looking for?

Upbeat, funny, and moving, this sizzling romcom was the perfect summer read. Carrie Walker’s evocative imagery transported me to the gorgeous vistas of Tuscany, and I could see the lush green hills, feel the scorching sun on my skin, and taste the cold, crisp wine. It feels like the ideal place to fall in love. But Abi doesn’t give in so easily, and I enjoyed the will-they-or-won’t-they aspect of the story.

Abi is a great protagonist who was easy to relate to and root for. My heart ached for her and all she’d been through, Walker expertly conveying the devastation of losing the person you thought you’d be with forever, and the fear of going through that kind of loss again. But like her best friend, Holly, I was cheering her on and willing her to open up her heart to love once again. And with Tony on the scene how was she going to resist? Tony is a dreamy love-interest. The chemistry between him and Abi was clear from the start and it was impossible not to be rooting for them to get together.

So if you’re looking for a charming and escapist summer romance, then this book is for you.

Escape to the Tuscan Vineyard will transport readers to Tuscany, allowing them to wander among the vines of a picture-perfect villa. This is a story about friendships and second chances. Seeing Abi's life as a make-up artist was interesting and she is the perfect friend to her social circle. However, taking a trip to spend time with her best friend in Italy - forcing Abi to break from her previously nonnegotiable life rules - may be just what was needed and prove to be a life changing experience.

A really lovely international story about new beginnings. It is a warm and wise tale about letting love into your life.
A heartfelt book, full of happiness. I enjoyed reading it immensely.

bi Mason lives a very fast life in London, with exacting to do lists and a strict no second dates policy. But a chance holiday in Tuscany upends all of those habits and changes her life as she learns to slow down.

Like all good romantic comedies, Carrie Walker’s Escape to the Tuscan Vineyard features mistaken identities, missed opportunities and misunderstandings, but also luscious settings, enviable excursions and a chance at love.

Under the scorching summer sun, Abi makes the most of the Italian la dolce vita, enjoying the Italian food, the Italian wine and even one Italian-American man, Tony. But after experiencing heartbreak in her early 20s, she wants to keep the relationship as casual as possible. But does she really know what she wants and what would be good for her?

Fans of Walker’s first novel will appreciate the appearance of Holly and Xavier, whose romance was the basis of the Escape to the Swiss Chalet. Now running a successful restaurant and cooking school in Tuscany, it was satisfying to see their happily ever after in action.

Walker is a deft hand at describing both the amazing food and the spectacular scenery of the Tuscan hills, so much so that I found myself daydreaming about when I could return myself to Italy. Once again, she has delivered a delightful book that would be the perfect addition to your holiday luggage.

This was a lovely read and perfect for summer holidays. After having a nightmare start to what she thought was the perfect job on a movie set she finds herself out in tuscany where her best friend has moved to and for the last 2 years she has been trying to get out there but now with a month of nothing on her hands maybe now is the perfect time to see her friend and relax.

If you love rom coms then this is definitely for you. This book was just wonderful. Made me want to move to Tuscany. The beautiful descriptions of Tuscany, makes you feel like you are on holiday. The story is fun, full of laughs and love, really didn't want to put it down. Cant wait to read more books from this author.

I want to move to Tuscany right now!!! I just finished Carrie Walker’s second novel and I think I love it a little bit more than her first!

Abi is a phenomenal make up artist but her first foray into the silver screen ends abruptly so with time to fill, she’s off to see bestie Holly in the Tuscan countryside. Abi is a go-go-go kinda gal so slipping into the relaxed Italian way of life is a shock to the system but I think she got used to it – I certainly would !!! Pancakes for breakfast, yoga, wall to wall sunshine, sunbathing by the pool? Sounds absolute bliss if you ask me!

The friends Abi makes on her break are so real! I loved how she rapidly grew to care about those around her but who wouldn’t, they’re a super friendly bunch and I want to share a glass of vino with them myself! I must admit, Tony did draw me in as a bit of a crush. He was so smooth and suave. His demeanour was just perfect despite the nature of his visit.

I fell in love with Walker’s writing when I went to the Alps with Holly. Going to Tuscany with Abi just solidified my adoration for this writer’s stories. They transport me lock stock to a place where I can have a bit of fun and having never been to Tuscany, I felt I was there. I was surrounded by people who were so warm and caring, I couldn’t help but feel all fuzzy-like. So Carrie, where are we going next???

It's a lovely story about friendship, loss and second chances set in romantic Tuscany. The author quickly immerses you in Abi's life as a make-up artist who never dates more than once and has a supportive female friendship group. When her latest job ends unexpectedly, she decides to see her best friend in Tuscany and finds her holiday to be a life-changing experience. I like the descriptions of the culture, food and locations. I enjoyed the insight into life as a make-up artist. I enjoyed Abi's emotional journey as she recaptured her zest for life and love.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

What a delightful summer read! Escape to the Tuscan Vineyard has everything I love about contemporary fiction: a plucky lead character, an exotic location, and a romance that's sprinkled with a healthy dose of organic comedy – the kind that comes from people and situations and never feels contrived.

What I loved was that Abi isn't perfect but is beautifully flawed. A bad relationship when she was young has given her very believable trust issues, and watching her untangle herself from her history was both endearing and funny. Especially once she meets Tony, who might just be worth some mental - and emotional - unpacking.

I also appreciated that Abi's friends were really supportive of her – even pointing out that she does things for other people all the time, and therefore should let them take care of her for a change (I'm looking at you, Holly.) Her visit to her friend is, of course, the catalyst for the bulk of the novel.

Similarly, I enjoyed the villain of the piece. Blake was written brilliantly – just the right blend of smiles and sleaze.

Author Carrie Walker's breezy style is ideal for this type of story. It's light without being frothy, and the characters, while living in a somewhat heightened version of reality, are also extremely relatable. (I laughed out loud at the opening scene with Abi and her mother.)

Overall, this is a solid rom-com with some great moments.

Goes well with: limoncello, on a balcony, at dusk.

I thought this was such a fun read so easy to fall into and not want to come out again as I was so absorbed. Just the idea alone of two weeks on holiday somewhere glorious is an idea of heaven, so if I can’t go in reality , I may as well join Abi in these pages and get my escape here.

I can more than happily say I got my own little piece of heaven in the pages of this book, Carrie’s descriptions of Tuscany were so wonderful I felt like I was basking in the warm sun myself. I really loved Abi and could really relate to her and loved watching her growth as she embraced a change and moved forward.

Overall, I loved and more than enjoyed this story, the friendship, second chances at love ( giving yourself a second chance too) and life, it’s just a wonderful escape.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Escape to the Tuscan Vineyard by Carrie Walker

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Serial dater Abi Mason is the queen of control and London's busiest workaholic. After getting her heart broken in her early twenties, she has vowed to live by a few simple, but non-negotiable

1. No second dates (if you don't let them in, they can't leave you)
2. Focus all your energy on your career (the only boyfriend anyone really needs)
3. Holidays are for a maximum of 4-days (who can be away from the city for longer than that?)
4. Never – and I repeat, never – lose control (chaos breeds disaster)

But life has other plans. After being put on gardening leave, Abi finds herself on an enforced holiday to Tuscany. Here, among sun-dappled vineyards and olive groves, Abi meets dashing American Tony, and it seems the universe is conspiring to force her to go off script…

If Abi can break her own rules, could this unexpected trip to Tuscany lead her to a happiness she never dared to dream of?

My Opinion

Let me start my review by saying that this book as a stunning cover - I was just drawn to this book. With some lovely descriptions of Tuscany, you will feel like you are on holiday - especially if like me you are reading this on a miserable day. This was a fun and easy book to read. After the first few chapters I didn't want to put the book down.

Whilst this is the second book in the Holiday Romance series the books are very easy to read as standalones. Carrie Walker is another author that I have added to my must read list.

Rating 4/5

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is a contemporary romance. On first impressions, the protagonist, Abigail, seemed a very warm and fun character, but I had the feeling that she was searching for something more in life. So I was excited to follow her as a reader, on her trip to Tuscany.

I read this on a dreary rainy day, and it provided me with the escape I needed, as well as a touch of metaphorical warmth and sunshine. It made me smile, and in places, it spoke to me more deeply than I was expecting, as there were some moral messages that resonated with me at the time of reading. It was a lovely read, perfect for relaxing in the summer sunshine, or to lift your spirits on a rainy day.

Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, NetGalley, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.

This was a great quick summer read!

I really enjoyed the journey we went on with Abi, from having a routine she was stuck in and every second of the day accounted for to relaxing and having the best time on holiday, it was so fun

I loved the setting of the Tuscan vineyard and surrounding area, it was described in the best way and had me wanting to book a holiday and visit asap (please say this place is real, it seemed like the best vibe and the supporting main characters were all so lovely)

I enjoyed the will they wont they aspect of the romance, it kept it exciting and I was never frustrated with it or just wanting them to be together, I liked that it was a mix of plot and own character emotions preventing them being together and liked the way that they came together in the end and thought it was really cute

- holiday romance
- set in Italy
- 1st person, single pov

Thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the ARC - all opinions are my own

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this escape to Tuscany.

When Abi who is a make up artist has a bad experience with a client.

She takes herself off to Tuscany for a break. Whilst there, she helps to bring in the harvest for grapes, at a vineyard which two brothers own.

In the process, she gets her own back on the client who she had that bad experience with.

I loved the setting, and some of the characters.

I recommend this book.