An Italian Island Summer

I really enjoyed this book. Ursula had left her Irish home at 18 to live in England. Having experienced a nasty divorce, she leaves her apartment and her tattoo business behind to return home. She plans to visit her friend in Italy whose Aunt runs classes in painting ceramics. She is unexpectedly offered a room and board in a small family run hotel in exchange for help serving breakfasts, shopping etc. She is enjoying her new life when some things from the past come back to haunt her. This is a story of families, friendships, romance and new beginnings.

Every time I start a new Sue Moorcroft book I feel a thrill of anticipation. I know the settings are going to be wonderfully evocative and the characters are going to become my friends. In this book, the main character is someone we have met in a previous book which is lovely to revisit her and her best friend, but isn't integral to the story if you haven't read the previous book.

The story is of Ursula, a lovely Irish girl, who has gone home to Ireland from Brighton, to try and get over an awful marriage break up. Her parents are trying to give their marriage another try, having previously split up for an extended period. Living at home becomes too difficult for Ursula and she is soon pining to get away, but far enough from her controlling ex husband that he won't find her. She thinks she will return to Italy, where her best friend lives, and find a good ceramics tutor. Her uncle intervenes and gets her a job in a quaint hotel that needs extra help in the mornings with the breakfasts and so on, in return for free board and food and a chance to learn ceramics in the afternoons. She initially falls foul of the son of the hotel owner Alfio, who has left a good job in Barcelona, and a girlfriend, in order to rush back to Italy to help to find he isn't needed. (Not spoilers as this is all at the very beginning).

The story is well written, in classic Ms Moorcroft style, with beautifully written descriptions of Sicily, and the two families involved. I immediately wanted to jump on a plane and fly out to Sicily and taste the fabulous gelato. There is an unusual twist so that the story isn't predictable, and I couldn't put it down.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/63638704

Just the kind of book I love- a lose it all, start again in an exotic location and find a more fulfilling kind of life type book. On top of this it’s set In Sicily, a beautiful place I was fortunate enough to visit last year and loved, and to top it off it’s by Sue Moorcroft - a writer I always love. What more can you ask for?
I loved the slow burn romance between Ursula and Alfo and now am thinking about learning to paint ceramics!

When I pick up a Sue Moorcroft book, I always know I’m in for a treat. An Italian Island Summer whisked me away to sunny Sicily, a place I now long to visit. Sun and sea, a beautiful old town, ancient ruins, Italian food and gelato – it all sounded blissful! The heroine Ursula has had a lot of upheaval in her life recently – her marriage failed, her boss at the tattoo parlour where she worked decided to close, and the lease on her flat in Brighton is about to expire. Tired of it all, she takes a chance on a summer job in Sicily. In exchange for room and board, she works in a boutique hotel in the mornings, while in the afternoons she is free to learn about painting ceramics. It seems like an ideal set-up, and she is happy and gets on really well with the family who owns the hotel … all except the son, Alfio.
He's given up a cushy job and his life in Barcelona in order to help his mother, who has just gone through a tough operation. His sister, who is a single parent with a sick child, also needs his help. Or so he thinks. However, when he arrives, he finds Ursula doing all the tasks he’d thought he was needed for, which irritates him no end. She, of course, is not impressed with his grumpy attitude. But slowly they get to know each other better and start to see things differently. I loved the slow-burn romance between these two – the chemistry is delicious!
But there are misunderstandings and secrets just waiting to come to light, so all is not plain sailing. Alfio has some tough decisions to make, while Ursula needs to learn to trust again, as well as to stand up for herself. The story is as warm and wonderful as an Italian summer night and I stayed up way too late in order to finish it. Loved every moment!

This book is about Ursula who is one of the minor characters from Under the Italian Sun. She has wondered what to do with herself as she emerges from a traumatic event which has ended in the breakdown of her marriage and having no place to live and no job.
Her parents and siblings live in Ireland so that's where she returns to from England. Her parents have just reunited after separating for a while and Ursula would rather not be around the newly united couple.
Her uncle suggests she go to Sicily to help out a family he knows who are having a hard time running their small hotel as the owner has been unwell. In return she can have her board and food which gives Ursula time to look for a ceramics course which she has expressed an interest in.
There's nothing more I can tell you about the story as I don't want to spoil it for you.
Needless to say it's another winner from Sue Moorcroft. Full of wonderful descriptions of Italian villages, sunsets and wonderful nights sipping wine with loved ones.
I love these books that transport me away from the rainy UK to sunny Italy or Sicily in this one.
Love, families, second chances and romances with an Italian backdrop. What more do you need. ?

Another brilliant book from a reliable author. Sue Moorcroft is able to transport the reader to the countries in question and there you are able to get a front row seat! Beautiful Sicily is the destination and Sue gives the reader an insight into the beautiful surroundings whilst taking you on Ursula’s journey. I never like to give spoilers as every reader deserves to enjoy this read as much as I did. All I will say, is that if you miss this book, you will regret it. Follow Ursula and her family’s ups and downs and your visit to Sicily will not be wasted.

I've been a fan of Sue Moorcroft's for years now and was so pleased when this new book, 'An Italian Island Summer' landed in my laps. As always, Sue doesn't shy away from telling a romance with added grit. Ursula is coming out of a bad marriage and her family believes she's a lot more 'vulnerable' than she believes she is, for reasons I'll let you find out. In need of a change of scenery as well as of job, she plans on going off to Italy to learn about ceramic decoration.
Unbeknownst to her, her uncle connives to get her to go to Sicily instead which means she learns from the best in the business, though she finds herself unwittingly smack in the middle of a family mess.
And that's all I'm going to tell you about the story, expect that we meet up with characters from one of Sue's previous books, 'Under the Italian Sun', from 2021.
Sue is a masterful storyteller and with 'An Italian Island Summer', I felt myself literally transported across to Sicily. Full of wonderfully drawn characters, this is a terrific addition to anyone's library, it certainly is to mine.
My thanks to Avon and Netgalley for the reading copy.

“An Italian Island Summer” is the story of Ursula who moves to a island in Sicily to find peace after a difficult marriage break up and a new start learning how to transfer her artistic skills into ceramics.

I loved reading this book. The chapters are written in the third person as we experience life in beautiful Ortigia through Ursula and the owner of the small hotel Ursula is working at, Alfio. The descriptions of the area whisk you away to a sunnier climate, chasing away worries and the potential monotony of daily life and helping the reader to relax into the story, just as Ursula begins to heal from her hurt and tries to become a strong independent woman again.

Ursula’s best friend Zia appears in an earlier novel by the same author. Zia’s happy ever after might be a spoiler from her own story that can be found in “Under the Italian Sun” but this did not detract from reading the book as stand alone and I would happily go backwards as the feel good nature of books by Sue Moorcroft still exist, even if you know about the happy ever after. If there are hints or characters I feel go well together I start guessing early on about the romance & endings when reading this genre anyway - it’s part of the joy of reading.

The developing storyline both in Ursula’s hometown in Ireland and in Ortigia both focus on relationships how hidden secrets and obsessions can lead to mistrust and deception. The romance in the story is there but it isn’t initially evident. I was certainly hoping for some romance as soon as it became clear the characters were open to a dalliance. I was not disappointed. I smiled, laughed and cried throughout the book and thoroughly recommend that you take a trip to Ortigia with Ursula, to witness the joys and sunshine her new beginnings involve.

With many thanks to the publisher Avon books and Netgalley for a digital ARC of this absorbing book.

Free courtesy of Netgalley
Sue Moorcroft is one of my favourite authors, so I am always going to jump at the chance to pre read one of her new books. This book is beautiful, set between Brighton, Ireland and Sicily, you feel like your really in these places, so much so I've began looking for holidays in Sicily.

After the collapse of her Marriage, Ursula leaves Brighton and goes home to her family in Ireland, where she discovers that her parents are giving their Marriage another go after being separated for a year. She questions if this is a good idea, but is hoping it works out, whilst there she discusses moving to Italy to be near her best friend, and starting a ceramics painting course. Her Uncle intervenes by setting her up with an Italian family in Sicily who needs help in the hotel they run, she agrees to work for them in the mornings for free board and lodge and attend a course in the afternoons.

After she has moved there she gets to meet Alfio the son of the family she is staying with, he is really annoyed that she is there, as he has given up his job, home and girlfriend to rush home to help his mum and sister, and there are secrets they all know that Ursula doesn't.

The book is well written and takes in the culture of Sicily and the complications of relationships. I did not want this book to end and I strongly recommend that you buy it, and you will also be looking for holidays in Sicily 😀

The transportation to Sicily was appreciated. The story was well written and loved the romance that is being created. You can just imagine being part of it.

I found this such an easy read and difficult to put down once I’d started. I enjoyed the characters and the links to a previous book. The ending wrapped up the story very well although I didn’t guess what was going to happen until just before the end.

Loved following Ursula on her journey to Sicily. Great escapism, especially trying to escape thos current dreadful weather.

Another lovely story by Sue Moorcroft. A fantastic plot full of emotion, wonderful characters, and descriptive scenery.

The main character Ursula was a minor character in one of this author’s previous books, and she graciously considered the idea to give Ursula her own story when readers requested it! How nice is that!

I loved getting to know Ursula more and was a cheerleader for her as she struggled from the person she had become due to a series of unfortunate situations (a crime against her and a unsupportive spouse to name two), to a stronger version of herself in the end. This is a story of a woman finding herself again and immerging stronger.

Alfio is also in the same place in his life. He is trying to reconcile the goals he made for himself, with where he finds himself in his life at the moment and can’t decide what future he really wants. When these two, Ursula and Alfio meet, fate has given them the opportunity to explore a future neither were considering before.

I enjoyed this book so much. I always love to travel to places in Ms. Moorcroft’s books that I will never be in person. She always makes me feel like I am there. Her characters become people I care deeply about and am sad to leave their lives at the end of the books.

Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

Italy, Sue Moorcroft, what more could you need to be transported?
As always, the story is written beautiful worh the most complex character's you really root for.
The story madr you feel like you were in the Italian sunshine than surrounded busy snowy wet mountains of home.

An Italian Island Summer - Sue Moorcroft

This was the perfect read to make me forget about the cold outside and transport myself to summer in beautiful Sicily. Embarrassingly, this is the first Sue Moorcroft book I've read, although I'm hoping to make a start on her back catalogue now I know how good they are!!

In this book, we follow the story of Ursula, who has gone through some recent tough times and who needs a new start. She's given the opportunity to work and stay in a charming B&B in Sicily, with a mother and daughter who desperately needs her help. It also gives her the perfect chance to learn more about ceramics, a passion of hers, in the nearby town. When the owner's son, Alfio, turns up to help, he's a little put out that Ursula is already there helping. However, they soon put their differences aside in order to help the B&B run smoothly and to take the pressure of the others, who are dealing with their own issues.

This is such a charming book, as we see the family take in Ursula, and in turn she comes to care for them too. There are a couple of twists along the way, but in essensce, this is just a beautiful, feel-good, romance book. 💕

I found it an easy read and very much a page turner! My favourite books are those which take you somewhere else, and this one certainly did.

Thank you so much to Sue Moorcroft, Avon Books UK, and Netgalley for the arc of this book. 💕

I just love Sue’s books and this one didn’t disappoint. I really thought I was back in Sicily.
Ursula has had major problems in her personal life in Brighton resulting in a divorce and she is given a way out by going to help out in a hotel on an island off Sicily. She can also carry on her ceramic career. Her parents have been going through their own problems but seem to have got back on track. The hotel has not been updated for years with no lift and Ursula's room is right at the top in what used to be the owners son, Alfio’s, room. Little does anyone know he was coming home. Romance ensues or does it? Ursula’s father turns up. She goes back to Ireland. Alfio had gone to Barcelona for a new better job, or had he? I loved the complexities and the tooing and froing. And it made me cry Always a sign of a good book

Omgosh I loved this book.
As you read it you can feel the sun and warm air.
I loved how slowly the story unfolded and how it ended just right. It makes you believe in love and happy endings.
Sue is an amazing writer when ever I read any of her books I'm transported to the places. I think this is my new favourite of hers.

I have just finished Sue’s latest novel, what a fantastic read, I read this in just two sittings.

I was transported to the beauty town in the sunshine, I stood in the background watching all the characters come to life.

A real feel good read about family, life and love.

I would recommend this to all my friends.

5 stars from me

Cx

Classic Sue Moorcroft!

Get whisked away to Sicily to join Ursula Quinn, who wants to learn to paint ceramics after her life in England implodes. Add in suspicious Alfio Tringali, who returns home to fulfil family duty, helping his sister with her baby and his mother recovering from an operation run the family hotel. Ursula’s parents and family in Ireland are worried about her and her ex-husband is still possessive. There are links and complications between the families that Ursula knows nothing about and these threaten her happiness.

I soon became absorbed in this story with its twists and turns, surprises and revelations. Lovely to have characters from previous novel Under the Italian Sun make an appearance too. A classic Sue Moorcroft read that doesn’t disappoint.

Sue’s books are always a treat. The summer ones transport you to a different sunny location with all the sights, sounds and foods to bring it alive. Add in a storyline that encompasses a real feeling of family and their problems and yet remain uplifting and this really has it all.
,Ursula escapes from a failed marriage to Sicily to learn about ceramics; she is already a talented artist. She works in a family hotel around her course for bed and board but the son seems to resent her, at least at first. But all families have secrets, both hers and the Italian hotel owners and they don’t always stay hidden. I love the depth of the story and the ease with which it flows. I will definitely recommend.

Thanks to Avon Books Uk and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I feel like I've just come back from holiday spent with lovely old friends! I loved Ursula' s story ,picking up from where we last met. I felt like I was catching up on all the gossip! Meeting up with all the Quinn clan plus Zia and her family whom we met in a previous book, was just the icing on a very delicious cake. Sue' s easy writing style is so fluid and conversational, it draws one right in to the heart of the action. We are quickly absorbed into her characters lives and loves and it's a wrench coming to the last page and having to say arriverderci until the next time-which will be very soon I hope !

This book delivered everything I have come to expect from a Sue Moorcroft novel. An exotic location, and a likeable heroine and hunky hero who don't seem to like each other very much at first meeting, but you just know that is going to change! Set in sunny Sicily, against a background of a ceramics studio, a small family-run hotel,
some distressing events from the past and present-day secrets, we are also taken on trips to Ireland, Brighton, France, the Italian vineyards and Barcelona as Ursula and Alfio part on bad terms, try to work out what they want from life and finally discover what really matters.

I always jump at any opportunity to read a Sue Moorcroft book. She never lets me down!

An Italian Island summer is a lovely read. Ursula finds herself in Italy for the summer to help out at a hotel whilst studying pottery.

Absolutely beautiful storytelling, conjuring up in a wonderfully evocative way the Sicilian coast.

New beginnings, family dynamics and lots of love and romance.

Love Sue Moorcroft books and this is no exception. Ursula moves to Sicily to join a ceramics class. She also takes on a job helping in a hotel. She does this for bed and board and loves the time she has free to do her ceramics until she meets Alfio the son of the hotel owner

A superb sunny treat to Italy and all the fantastic flavours and sights you'd want from a summery escapist read!
I loved the romance in it, the very intricate look at families and how things can be complicated in adulthood. I loved the strong characters and how Ursula especially got to express herself, face her past and chase her dreams creatively.

Another outstanding book by Sue Moorcroft! I absolutely loved it.

Sue Moorcroft is one of my all time favourite authors and I was super excited when this novel arrived in my inbox. This was exactly the pick-me-up I needed in a dull, depressing UK January. I was completely transported to the sun-drenched island of Sicily in Summer and Sue Moorcroft's vivid descriptions have made me desperate to visit Italy!

I loved all the characters and the flawless way that they are brought to life and become like friends. The storyline is brilliant and I was hooked from the first page.

The perfect read for summer!

This book was set in sizzling Sicily and, amongst other things, was about running a family-owned hotel and ceramics! It was fascinating to find out more of all of these through the perspective of a career-changing protagonist. There were many different stories running through the book, with some interesting information and a beautiful setting. I particularly appreciated the pace, writing style and well-developed range of characters. This would make a wonderful beach read!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advance copy of An Italian Island summer in exchange for an honest review.

Sue Moorcroft writes so skilfully that she transports you into the story and the characters and setting jump off the page. The relationship between Alfio and Ursula positively sizzles, and both their backstories and families make for an interesting and heart-warming read. As always, Sue doesn’t shy away from bringing the darker side of relationships into her stories, although the overall theme is always an uplifting one. Sue’s books are too good to rush. I always like to take my time reading them, taking in the scenery, getting to know the characters, enjoying the story unfold towards its delicious, satisfactory ending. A really enjoyable read.

I'm a big fan of Sue Moorcroft's novels and this one didn't disappoint.

Predominately set on the Island of Sicily, the location is the ideal backdrop for a summer read. I loved the descriptions of the area and I particularly enjoyed the detail given of the food they ate! This has really got me excited for Summer and prompted me to visit Sicily.

The characters, as always, are well developed and really jump out of the pages. I love how the author discusses darker and serious themes (the spiking of drinks, lack of trust in relationships & failed marriage) but with an approach that keeps the overall book light and easy.

A must-read this Summer.

Another slice of summer sunshine from Sue Moorcroft! This book is the perfect antidote to the dark, dismal days of winter, showering love, light, and long, hot summery days and nights all around. I haven’t been to Sicily, but after reading the fabulously vivid descriptions in this book, I feel as though I have! The characters are so beautifully drawn, and so engaging. I was totally engrossed in their stories, and completely caught up in their lives. The heat between Alfio and Ursula is intense and literally permeates the pages! It was very refreshing to read Agata and Stanley’s story - older people have romances too! The writing flows effortlessly, as ever, and the story is gorgeous. I love how Sue Moorcroft writes such uplifting fiction, but also weaves darker threads into her stories. She is not afraid to mix a darker undercurrent into her work, and I like that. I thoroughly enjoyed An Italian Island Summer, and highly recommend it.,

Very excited to read this beautiful new Sue Moorcroft! Her novels never disappoint and could definitely use an escape from the harsh winter weather to escape to Sicily. I love a good romance especially one that is unexpected at first and I definitely think that is what readers are in for. This would make a great movie and the cover is absolutely stunning! Will share a full review upon completion. Just wanted to share my initial excitement and encourage readers to pick this one up!

I always adore this authors books and this one was just as fabulous as her others and ticked all my boxes. I love how this author always transports the author to sunnier climes in her summer reads and with her descriptive writing making you feel you have travelled to the location of the book in this case I felt like I had been transported to the beautiful setting of Sicily.

I loved that this book included characters we had met in the authors other book under the Italian sun and particularly focused on developing the life of Ursula who goes to Italy to further her love of ceramics and for a fresh start. The story also includes lots of relatable topics such as love, divorce and friendships brought to life by relatable characters.

I hope the author includes more books in this series as would love to here more about how Zia and Ursula and the other characters lives develop.

Sit back and get ready to dip your toes in the luscious waters of sun drenched Sicily!

Sue is like our very own Mary Poppins, she pulls the magic out the bag everytime and it's just marvellous.

Close your eyes and you'll be transported to Brighton, Ireland and Sicily, the descriptions make you want to crawl into the book, be that chips by the Sea in Brighton or sat in a cafe watching the boats in Sicily.

With the ups and downs of personal and family relationships, friendships old and new to running a hotel, tattoos, ceramics, roofying, illness, emotional abuse and a rotten old ex, it's an emotional roller coaster that will leave you wanting more!

Romance and friends with family, all involved in each others’ lives. This is a great summer read with fun characters. Love blooms. The author is talented and gifted at writing a cannot put down novel. Curl up in a cozy chair and spend an afternoon engrossed in this story.. this book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. A quick fun read…

Another ace book from Sue Moorcroft . Perhaps one of her best. Set in Ireland, Sicily and Brighton and Spain. Ursula needed to escape after the end of a marriage. Enjoy discovering about why her marriage ended .You had two families connected. You had an Irish mother/ wife who was over bearing but again the more you read the more you understand. Ursula went to Sicily to help in a hotel and to learn to paint ceramics . You had love old and new. A poorly baby and it was a great great read. Loved it

I love this time of year and get excited when Sue Moorcroft releases another book. Once again she had not disappointed me.

The sun shone down in Sicily, Italy and also in my mind. The descriptive writing took me into the hotel of the Residenza del Tringali. All the nooks and crannies came to life, especially the attic room where Ursula Quinn was spending her summer by helping out in the kitchen whilst she took up her passion of Ceramics. Fabio was her teacher and she soon became a fantastic student, coming up with her own specialised designs.

Ursula became a wonderful addition to the hotel. Agata, the mother and Nanda, daughter, adored her, however Alfio, the son was not enamoured about her being there. Ursula had secured this job, which paid for her lodgings and food, on recommendation of her Uncle. .

Ursula had decided to go to Sicily after her marriage ended, quite nastily. She certainly didn’t go looking for love. Although Alfio was a delicious species of the opposite sex, she knew he was only there for a short time, helping his mother while she recuperated.

When Ursula becomes aware that there has been secrets hidden from her, she explodes and goes to stay with her friend earlier than planned.

Sue Moorcroft has given the reader a wonderful plot mixed with the backdrop of beautiful Italy and some of the most heart warming characters.

Thank you Sue and NetGalley, for this terrific chance of reading this novel.

Yet another superb summery, sunshine read from Sue. A lovely, comfortable read with relatable characters. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Whenever you pick up a book by Sue Moorcroft you know you are going to really enjoy it. This time it is set on the island of Sicilly. |Find out what happens but be prepared for a great read. 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

This was my first time reading a book by Sue Moorcroft, and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read one.

I love that she is able to transport you to the country the books set in.

In this book the destination is Beautiful Sicily. Sue gives the reader an insight into the beautiful surroundings whilst taking you on Ursula’s journey. Follow Ursula and her family’s ups and downs and your pre summer visit to Sicily.

Make sure you read this book otherwise you will regret it!

When Ursula decides to get away from England following her divorce she ends up in Sicily working in a small family owned hotel while learning to paint ceramics. Sue Moorcroft has once again written a book full of characters we care about and with an enthralling and gripping storyline with lots of twists and turns.

You can’t go wrong with a Sue Moorcroft book, they never fail to impress. This one is no exception, a great story with good strong characters and very well written. Topped off in a great location. The perfect summer read. What’s not to love!

Another fantastic read by Sue, transports me straight to sunny France. Lovely characters and story that never fail to keep your attention til the end of the book. Loved it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The setting was well drawn, I could practically feel the summer heat, and imagine the old buildings. I loved the hotel, with its slightly faded (though still lovely) air.

The characters were also well written. I really liked Ursula, with her asymmetric hair, and resilience. I loved the Tringali family too, and the way they all helped each other through the tough times.

The plot was very enjoyable. I was very quickly sucked into the story, and couldn’t put it down. The romance was great, and I enjoyed the other subplots with the hotel, the pottery studio, and Ursula’s parents.

If you’re looking for a summery escape, full of romance and family, this book is the one for you.

I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

Sometimes something bad needs to happen for something good to happen. Ursula, devastated after her marriage falls aspart, is offered the chance of a lifetime to spend a summer working on gorgeous Sicily. With her bags packed, an new adventure awaits her as she sets off for a summer that she will never forget.

Expect that is when she comes face to face with Alfo, the son of the hotel she is working at. But you know what they say, enemies turned to lovers. Maybe. I'm not about to be the one who spoils the brand new book from Sue, as she pulls you into Urusla's world. Can she find her happy ever after when her, now ex, husband is determined to win her back, can she find the courage to face her past whilst Alfo, his future?

Sue was an accidential find, but now I can't stop reading her books. I can't wait for her next one as this book is charming, romantic and most of all, it has Italy in it!