Thanks to my pleasurable reading experience with this novel, someday I am definitely going to read more of Santa Montefiore’s works. If only her daughter Carina and granddaughter Anastasia knew the intriguing and colourful life Gracie led so many years ago they would be more than surprised. This trip the three women undertake together will prove life changing in more ways than one. Each will have their perspectives altered and the big secret that has been kept under wraps for so long will be revealed as the Tuscan countryside works its magic and old memories are stirred and come simmering to the surface. Gracie discovers you can't hide something forever when so many outside forces are working to have the truth make itself known. Then there was the emotional side of the story which broke my heart and made it leap in equal measures. As a Mum, I felt so sad for Gracie and her quiet longing for the family she missed so much. As a woman, I applauded her defiant courage in doing something that would bring her happiness and not concerning herself with other people’s opinions on the matter. It soon became clear that Gracie had a secret and I must admit that I did have a vague idea what it could be. It turned out I was partially correct with my prediction!

Santa Montefiore - Book Series In Order Santa Montefiore - Book Series In Order

The Temptation of Gracie is a classic, magical tale that sweeps you away to Tuscany, Italy and into the life of Gracie Burton, as she revisits the past, repairs strained relationships, forges new friendships, and searches for love long lost. R.F. Kuang, Sue Lynn Tan, Rebecca Ross, Kate Heartfield, N.E. Davenport, Saara El-Arifi, Juno Dawson and Sunyi Dean One day Gracie stumbles upon a newspaper advertisement about a week-long cooking course of Mamma Bernadette, in Castello Montefosco, Italy. Immediately after, she decides to enroll for the course in Tuscany. I also wasn’t a fan of the subplot featuring a busybody from Gracie’s village in Devon, who wanted to organize a grand funeral for another resident, but hated not having Gracie around to do the grunt work. This character and subplot bookended the main story, and while it added atmosphere as well as provided insight on Gracie’s life in Devon, it just dragged on too long, particularly at the end. I would have much preferred to see how Gracie’s life turned out myself rather than hear about it secondhand in the midst of a flurry of activity over a funeral for someone we never even met.Tuscany is what led me to this novel, and the story that takes place mostly in Tuscany is what kept me there. The Temptation of Gracie is romantic – in the broadest sense of the word – although there is definitely romance in it as well. Mostly, it is about love – between men and women; between uncles, nieces, and nephews; between fathers and children; between mothers, daughters, and grand-daughters. Year old Gracie Burton is leading a quiet, lonely life in Devon. Shy by nature, she is a helping hand for everyone in town. Her daughter Carina, a busy PR consultant, is leading an elite life away from her. Her moody, teenage granddaughter Anastasia is not really affectionate towards her either. I was glad to that a certain storyline regarding Gracie's uncle was included, it didn't feel patronising or unrealistic in any sense of the word. I will say romance, forbidden love, heartbreak and playing a dangerous game all form part of Gracie's secret. I very much enjoyed all of this but would have liked even further development on the romance front. As for Gracie in the present and her ending there was a very surprising element which when revealed helped me make sense of some things I had found confusing while reading. But still I would have loved to have heard from a certain character which would have allowed for some filling in of the gaps with regard to the missing years. Gracie decides to enrol on a cooking course in Italy to the horror and amazement of everyone. However, is it a random idea or is there more to Gracie than anyone, even her family know about?

Book Review: The Temptation of Gracie – The Creative Muggle Book Review: The Temptation of Gracie – The Creative Muggle

Primăvară în Toscana este un roman care fascinează prin imaginile feerice oferite asupra Toscanei, locul paradiziac în care orice persoană ajunge să se regăsească și să devină o versiune mai bună a sa, și prin povestea de iubire, care dăinuie în timp și spațiu, fapt care o face cu atât mai minunată, mai de basm. Santa Montefiore ne arată că nu e niciodată prea târziu să iubești, să trăiești totul cu patimă, să simți fiorii vieții pătrunzându-ți prin fiecare por al trupului, să te avânți în necunoscut cu puteri pe care nici măcar nu bănuiai că le ai, să te redefinești, să o iei de la capăt și să faci tot ceea ce îți stă în putință pentru a fi fericit. Uneori, viața ne mai acaparează în vârtejul său și ne face să uităm ce este cu adevărat important. Muncim, ne clădim palate, adunăm averi, dar uităm de cei dragi și de ceea ce contează pentru noi, iar asta se poate schimba printr-o resetare. Nu e ușor, dar, dacă îți acorzi răgazul necesar pentru a ieși din cotidian și pentru a te refugia într-un loc idilic, cum este castelul Montefosco în cazul personajelor cărții, uitând de orice mijloc modern de comunicare, atunci lucrurile se vor îmbunătăți și vei descoperi că totul trebuie trăit în armonie și deplină fericire. I like the idea of how the cooking school had an alternative agenda and how that worked out with Carina and Anastasia. One day, Gracie encounters an advertisement in a magazine, announcing that Castle Montefosco, in Tuscany, is currently open to the public. Strangers can come and stay for a few days and learn how to cook authentic Italian food. Although everyone knows Gracie as someone who hates leaving the comfort of her small town in England, she makes the seemingly crazy decision to travel to Italy.This book is the perfect beach read. Set in Tuscany it really makes you think of holidays and sunshine.