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Holiday Romance #5
A Wedding in Tuscany
The Parsons sisters are all loved up.
Sarah is living in Sydney with Josh and their cat, Domino, but is anxious about her fast-approaching fortieth birthday.
And Cat is still living in London with her flatmate, Jane, but is in a long-distance relationship with Jean-Luc, her childhood sweetheart and recently re-discovered love.
One of the sisters receives a surprise wedding proposal – it’s a yes! – and everyone heads off to Tuscany for a destination wedding.
Reunite with favourite characters from the Holiday Romance series in one of the most beautiful locations yet for love, laughter, wedding vows, and just a smidge of sisterly mayhem.
Sarah is living in Sydney with Josh and their cat, Domino, but is anxious about her fast-approaching fortieth birthday.
And Cat is still living in London with her flatmate, Jane, but is in a long-distance relationship with Jean-Luc, her childhood sweetheart and recently re-discovered love.
One of the sisters receives a surprise wedding proposal – it’s a yes! – and everyone heads off to Tuscany for a destination wedding.
Reunite with favourite characters from the Holiday Romance series in one of the most beautiful locations yet for love, laughter, wedding vows, and just a smidge of sisterly mayhem.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 17, 2022
141 people are currently reading
736 people want to read
About the author
Sandy Barker
20 books373 followersI’m a writer, traveller and hopeful romantic with a lengthy bucket list, and many of my travel adventures have found homes in my novels. I’m also an avid reader, a film buff, a wine lover and a coffee snob.
I am currently on a one-year sabbatical, living and writing across the world, with my partner, Ben, who I met while travelling in Greece. Our real-life love story inspired my debut novel One Summer in Santorini, the first in the five-book Holiday Romance series with One More Chapter, an imprint of HarperCollins.
Also with One More Chapter, is the Christmas Romance series, celebrating my favourite time of the year, and a stand-alone romcom, The Dating Game, set in the world of reality TV.
I am now writing for Boldwood Books, including the 5-book Ever After Agency romcom series. Next up are 5 more standalone romcoms for Boldwood.
I am represented by Lina Langlee of The North Literary Agency.
I am currently on a one-year sabbatical, living and writing across the world, with my partner, Ben, who I met while travelling in Greece. Our real-life love story inspired my debut novel One Summer in Santorini, the first in the five-book Holiday Romance series with One More Chapter, an imprint of HarperCollins.
Also with One More Chapter, is the Christmas Romance series, celebrating my favourite time of the year, and a stand-alone romcom, The Dating Game, set in the world of reality TV.
I am now writing for Boldwood Books, including the 5-book Ever After Agency romcom series. Next up are 5 more standalone romcoms for Boldwood.
I am represented by Lina Langlee of The North Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
July 19, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, even if it turns out to be the final book of five in a series. Barker’s characters are all very likeable and I liked the mix of sun, Italy and love in this heart-warming tale of two sisters.
Meeting Cat and Sarah for the first time in this book, it transpires that whilst they are situated on opposite sides of the globe, they have a very strong relationship. In London, Cat receives a surprise engagement from French boyfriend, Jean-Luc. Their relationship is an odd one because neither has made the commitment to live with each other, hence the long-distant love between France and London. Revealing their news to sister Sarah and her partner, Josh, they are based in Australia and cannot wait to meet up and celebrate. Tuscany becomes this destination as not only is Sarah having a surprise fortieth birthday, but Cat decides she wants to gate-crash this occasion and use this destination for her wedding. It’s a destination wedding but one that allows so many of Cat’s friends and family to reunite at last.
I was really surprised by how far-flung so many of Cat’s relatives and friends are. There are a lot of characters and both Cat and Sarah have a developed history with their nearest and dearest. To be honest, I did struggle to keep track of their different stories and I think this would have been far easier if I had read the previous books first. There are several references to previous adventures between the various characters but this did not really impact my enjoyment of the story. It is definitely still worthy of five stars and I think I would have liked this book even more if I had read the series in order.
At first I thought the story would be dominated by Sarah’s birthday, but in the end it is Cat’s wedding day that drives the plot forwards. I enjoyed how the narrative switched between the two sisters, although I did find their perspectives to be quite similar. Each sister has their own private demons that they are trying to banish in the story. For Sarah, she feels that something is missing from her life and is incredibly conscious of turning forty. However, she cannot gauge what is wrong when she feels happy with her partner, job and her life. On the other hand, Cat is desperately trying to decide where she and Jean-Luc should live after the wedding. But with in-laws from hell, how can she accept Jean-Luc’s proposal of moving to France? It would simply mean being closer to a family she does not feel included by, not to mention the roots she has put down in London. These dilemmas are quite opposing but I appreciated how Barker was able to fuse them into the narrative and I think bring the sisters closer as a result.
This was definitely a sweet, summery read and I loved the Italian setting. It made the whole story feel very relaxed and chilled out, even when several mishaps keep occurring in the build-up to the wedding. It was a destination wedding that was filled with love and memories, and even reminded me of my own special day.
Although I have zero knowledge of the previous books, this did not stop me from enjoying this Italian wedding. I am determined to try and find the other stories in this series because the references to other travels has certainly piqued my interest. Reading this book reminded me of novels by Julie Caplin and if this is a writer that appeals to you, this story should be a winner too.
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Meeting Cat and Sarah for the first time in this book, it transpires that whilst they are situated on opposite sides of the globe, they have a very strong relationship. In London, Cat receives a surprise engagement from French boyfriend, Jean-Luc. Their relationship is an odd one because neither has made the commitment to live with each other, hence the long-distant love between France and London. Revealing their news to sister Sarah and her partner, Josh, they are based in Australia and cannot wait to meet up and celebrate. Tuscany becomes this destination as not only is Sarah having a surprise fortieth birthday, but Cat decides she wants to gate-crash this occasion and use this destination for her wedding. It’s a destination wedding but one that allows so many of Cat’s friends and family to reunite at last.
I was really surprised by how far-flung so many of Cat’s relatives and friends are. There are a lot of characters and both Cat and Sarah have a developed history with their nearest and dearest. To be honest, I did struggle to keep track of their different stories and I think this would have been far easier if I had read the previous books first. There are several references to previous adventures between the various characters but this did not really impact my enjoyment of the story. It is definitely still worthy of five stars and I think I would have liked this book even more if I had read the series in order.
At first I thought the story would be dominated by Sarah’s birthday, but in the end it is Cat’s wedding day that drives the plot forwards. I enjoyed how the narrative switched between the two sisters, although I did find their perspectives to be quite similar. Each sister has their own private demons that they are trying to banish in the story. For Sarah, she feels that something is missing from her life and is incredibly conscious of turning forty. However, she cannot gauge what is wrong when she feels happy with her partner, job and her life. On the other hand, Cat is desperately trying to decide where she and Jean-Luc should live after the wedding. But with in-laws from hell, how can she accept Jean-Luc’s proposal of moving to France? It would simply mean being closer to a family she does not feel included by, not to mention the roots she has put down in London. These dilemmas are quite opposing but I appreciated how Barker was able to fuse them into the narrative and I think bring the sisters closer as a result.
This was definitely a sweet, summery read and I loved the Italian setting. It made the whole story feel very relaxed and chilled out, even when several mishaps keep occurring in the build-up to the wedding. It was a destination wedding that was filled with love and memories, and even reminded me of my own special day.
Although I have zero knowledge of the previous books, this did not stop me from enjoying this Italian wedding. I am determined to try and find the other stories in this series because the references to other travels has certainly piqued my interest. Reading this book reminded me of novels by Julie Caplin and if this is a writer that appeals to you, this story should be a winner too.
With thanks to One More Chapter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 7, 2022
I'm absolutely gutted to discover that this fantastic book is the last in what has been a truly wonderful series.
But what a way to go out. I'm not willing to comment how it may work as a standalone, but if you have been reading all the other books in the series, this is 100% a must read.
All our favourite characters are back, it's told between Cat and Sarah's view points, culminating with a memorable week in Tuscany to celebrate Sarah's 40th, and given it's in the title, fairly sure saying that Cat will be getting married isn't a spoiler.
How good it is to see everyone for a fabulous week in Tuscany that isn't without it's drama (even the prologue is dramatic),, funny, but also at times quite touching too.
Both sisters have big things looming and both aren't being entirely true about their feelings, but they are also having trouble being honest with themselves. so when the realisations come, you are completely invested in them.
This is such an enjoyable book, with it's stunning location, and it's overall themes of love in all of its guises, I just loved it so so much.
And the ending its even better than I could have hoped for, other than the fact that I want more, I don't want it ending there, but regardless, what I do know is no matter what Sandy Barker releases next I will definitely be reading it. She is between this series and her standalones, a complete and utter must read author for me now.
Just wonderful!
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
But what a way to go out. I'm not willing to comment how it may work as a standalone, but if you have been reading all the other books in the series, this is 100% a must read.
All our favourite characters are back, it's told between Cat and Sarah's view points, culminating with a memorable week in Tuscany to celebrate Sarah's 40th, and given it's in the title, fairly sure saying that Cat will be getting married isn't a spoiler.
How good it is to see everyone for a fabulous week in Tuscany that isn't without it's drama (even the prologue is dramatic),, funny, but also at times quite touching too.
Both sisters have big things looming and both aren't being entirely true about their feelings, but they are also having trouble being honest with themselves. so when the realisations come, you are completely invested in them.
This is such an enjoyable book, with it's stunning location, and it's overall themes of love in all of its guises, I just loved it so so much.
And the ending its even better than I could have hoped for, other than the fact that I want more, I don't want it ending there, but regardless, what I do know is no matter what Sandy Barker releases next I will definitely be reading it. She is between this series and her standalones, a complete and utter must read author for me now.
Just wonderful!
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
July 4, 2022
‘Life’s both short and long. Short enough that you can’t faff about waiting for it to begin and long enough that you can always start fresh, make a different decision, do something else. Is that what’s going on with you? You want to make a big change?’
Sandy Barker is a firm favourite here at GRTL as she always guarantees her readers a great romantic destination getaway. This is book number 5 in her Holiday Romance series - most can be read as a standalone, however, readers' relationships with the characters is certainly enhanced if you have read previous instalments. In this, the final of the series, Sandy brings the ‘gang’ back together for a most fitting finale and tribute.
‘Of course, I know in my heart that forty isn’t old. But it will definitely cement my status as ‘middle-aged’. I half-expect someone to pull me aside and give me a new to-do list, like take out life insurance and get breast scans and start reading those emails from my retirement fund instead of filing them away, unread, and forgetting about them. Those are all things that middle aged people are expected to do, right? You know, proper adulting?’
With a joint celebration - 40th birthday and wedding - planned for sisters Sarah and Cat, a castle in Tuscany is the destination. It’s the opportunity for a reunion with couples from previous books so there is sure to be past memorable reflections along with new events to celebrate. The sisters will make you laugh and they will make you cry but as always, Sandy makes them flawed, funny and real. Sandy is a master at armchair travel and if Tuscany is on your bucket list, then be sure to give this book a go. The sights, sounds and smells come alive through from the shops and cuisine to the castle itself.
‘Here we are in romantic Tuscany, celebrating these incredible milestones with our gorgeous men and we’ve both had massive arguments.’ ‘Love is messy, I suppose.’
This is the book you read for a wonderful getaway. A romantic comedy that has a few mishaps along the way but is certainly full of love and laughter in the long run.
‘Surely, if I can just breathe and enjoy where I am and who’s here with me, then this will be less about a number and more about what makes me happy - Josh, my family and friends, being in a beautiful part of the world. Not to mention good food, good wine.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
Sandy Barker is a firm favourite here at GRTL as she always guarantees her readers a great romantic destination getaway. This is book number 5 in her Holiday Romance series - most can be read as a standalone, however, readers' relationships with the characters is certainly enhanced if you have read previous instalments. In this, the final of the series, Sandy brings the ‘gang’ back together for a most fitting finale and tribute.
‘Of course, I know in my heart that forty isn’t old. But it will definitely cement my status as ‘middle-aged’. I half-expect someone to pull me aside and give me a new to-do list, like take out life insurance and get breast scans and start reading those emails from my retirement fund instead of filing them away, unread, and forgetting about them. Those are all things that middle aged people are expected to do, right? You know, proper adulting?’
With a joint celebration - 40th birthday and wedding - planned for sisters Sarah and Cat, a castle in Tuscany is the destination. It’s the opportunity for a reunion with couples from previous books so there is sure to be past memorable reflections along with new events to celebrate. The sisters will make you laugh and they will make you cry but as always, Sandy makes them flawed, funny and real. Sandy is a master at armchair travel and if Tuscany is on your bucket list, then be sure to give this book a go. The sights, sounds and smells come alive through from the shops and cuisine to the castle itself.
‘Here we are in romantic Tuscany, celebrating these incredible milestones with our gorgeous men and we’ve both had massive arguments.’ ‘Love is messy, I suppose.’
This is the book you read for a wonderful getaway. A romantic comedy that has a few mishaps along the way but is certainly full of love and laughter in the long run.
‘Surely, if I can just breathe and enjoy where I am and who’s here with me, then this will be less about a number and more about what makes me happy - Josh, my family and friends, being in a beautiful part of the world. Not to mention good food, good wine.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
April 24, 2022
I have thoroughly enjoyed the previous books in the Holiday Romance Series, and this was no different. In fact, it was the icing on the cake! (Aside: However, I am gutted it is the last in the series! I can see so many more stories sprouting from this, but I digress!)
In this final instalment in the series, we view the story through the lenses of Aussie sisters Sarah and Cat. Both are now settled in steady relationships, and life is ready to take them on the next step of their journey.
For one, it is coming to terms with reaching the age of forty, and for the other, a marriage proposal which is a dream come true but with which comes plenty of other dilemmas.
Sarah's looming fortieth is making her anxious, but she doesn't know how to explain it to her partner Josh.
Cat is over the moon when she has a proposal from Jean Luc, estranged childhood best friend, then found again, and now her boyfriend. But, where will they live after? Paris, or London, where she calls home?
A joint celebration in Tuscany, marking the wedding, and the special birthday, in a beautiful Tuscan castle give many chances for new memories to be made, along with reunions with the cast of the previous books.
I loved getting to know their mum and dad more too, what a gorgeous set of parents!
Now, I have to add Tuscany to the list of places I need to visit!
It was a pleasure to go on this journey of discovery for all the characters throughout the whole series, and this was a wonderfully sweet ending to the series, sprinkled with plenty of Sandy Barker steaminess to raise the temperatures a little!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this final instalment in the series, we view the story through the lenses of Aussie sisters Sarah and Cat. Both are now settled in steady relationships, and life is ready to take them on the next step of their journey.
For one, it is coming to terms with reaching the age of forty, and for the other, a marriage proposal which is a dream come true but with which comes plenty of other dilemmas.
Sarah's looming fortieth is making her anxious, but she doesn't know how to explain it to her partner Josh.
Cat is over the moon when she has a proposal from Jean Luc, estranged childhood best friend, then found again, and now her boyfriend. But, where will they live after? Paris, or London, where she calls home?
A joint celebration in Tuscany, marking the wedding, and the special birthday, in a beautiful Tuscan castle give many chances for new memories to be made, along with reunions with the cast of the previous books.
I loved getting to know their mum and dad more too, what a gorgeous set of parents!
Now, I have to add Tuscany to the list of places I need to visit!
It was a pleasure to go on this journey of discovery for all the characters throughout the whole series, and this was a wonderfully sweet ending to the series, sprinkled with plenty of Sandy Barker steaminess to raise the temperatures a little!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, One More Chapter for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2022
What a fabulous book to end such an incredible series! Nobody can write travel like Sandy Barker. The smells, the scenery, the atmosphere of Tuscany... The location came alive for me! Not to mention a great, entertaining romantic comedy I would LOVE to see as a film. The Parson sisters are hilarious, flawed and felt so real to me. I highly recommend this book and all the books in her holiday romance series.
June 15, 2022
Once again Sandy Barker has made a lovely escape read. And by that I don’t mean that people escape in the book, but that when you need an escape from the everyday, this is the kind of book you pick up. Full of romance, a fair bit of steam, family drama as well as sweeping landscapes and amazing food descriptions, there’s a little something for everyone. This was the last book in the series and though some of the characters carry through, this can definitely be read as a stand alone.
Sarah and Cat have always been super close, but when Cat gets engaged and Sarah is turning 40, they decide to make a big celebration out of it all and have a destination wedding/birthday party. Nothing goes smoothly but in the end it all works out and they get their happy ever after.
Lovely summer read that left me dreaming of shopping and eating and enjoying all there is to Tuscany.
Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
Sarah and Cat have always been super close, but when Cat gets engaged and Sarah is turning 40, they decide to make a big celebration out of it all and have a destination wedding/birthday party. Nothing goes smoothly but in the end it all works out and they get their happy ever after.
Lovely summer read that left me dreaming of shopping and eating and enjoying all there is to Tuscany.
Thanks to One More Chapter and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
June 4, 2022
Such a gorgeous book!
I was so happy to catch up with Cat and Jean-Luc and the gang, it’s really like catching up with old friends!
A beautiful setting and plenty of twists kept me enthralled throughout!
As always I just wanted to step into the book, the amazing descriptions of the food and location had me longing to jump onto a plane and head off to sunny Tuscany!
I was so happy to catch up with Cat and Jean-Luc and the gang, it’s really like catching up with old friends!
A beautiful setting and plenty of twists kept me enthralled throughout!
As always I just wanted to step into the book, the amazing descriptions of the food and location had me longing to jump onto a plane and head off to sunny Tuscany!
June 17, 2022
As this book is the series finale, I’ll admit I approached it with a bit of a personal wish list. I really wanted to spend more time in the company of sisters Sarah and Cat, feel the specialness of their relationship – on the same continent for once, rather than supporting each other over FaceTime. Well, the author certainly delivered on that one, and this book made me feel like a VIP guest at their joint special occasion – Cat’s wedding to the gorgeous Jean-Luc, and Sarah’s 40th birthday. Neither event is without its issues – Cat is swerving the difficult one of where their future home will be, and Sarah has a whole load of heavy baggage about her milestone birthday.
And I was looking forward to seeing both their gorgeous partners again – Jean-Luc and Josh – perhaps with some of that heat of attraction that made them (and me) rather sweaty under the collar when they first got together (and that didn’t disappoint either…!). And then there were the female friends – such a massive feature of the earlier books, perhaps one of my favourite things about them – and the promise, fully delivered, that they’d all be brought together for one last time. And there they all were – with some last minute surprises to make things complete. Do you know, I didn’t really take to Jaelee when I first met her, but got to know her better over her experiences in Bali – she’s certainly a bit of a star turn in this book with her dubious language skills and her unique approach to crisis handling.
And there were a few newer characters too, some of them rather more welcome guests than others, along with a lovely focus on the older generation with the introduction of the girls’ parents (“Sixty-four, not dead” – that became their mother’s catch-phrase, and I absolutely adored their father!). The other thing I’d hoped for was one of those magical locations the author captures so wonderfully – and as soon as the couples walked out on the balcony of their castle apartment at the Montespertoli vineyard, I knew this book would have everything I could possibly have asked for.
The story’s told through the alternating viewpoints of Cat and Sarah, really distinctive voices, their narratives laced with humour but also dipping at times into the realms of the more challenging problems facing them both. There are moments of real drama as both big days approach, the preparations detailed and simply fascinating (distinctly challenging at times too), and the emotional aspects so beautifully handled. There’s a perfect balance between the laugh-out-loud comedy set pieces – you’re going to particularly love the star turn at the hen party – and other moments that really touch your heart. When it was all over, and everyone was dispersing around the world once more, I found I was really tearful – but the ending (there’s the most wonderful “eight months later” postscript) is just about as perfect as it could possibly have been.
Could you read this book as a standalone? Yes, I think you probably could, there’s enough lightly dropped back story to establish the characters and their connections – but I think you might enjoy it even more if you’ve read at least one or two of the books that went before. But that wouldn’t be any real hardship, would it? This book really was the perfect conclusion to a series I’ve thoroughly enjoyed – one of my books of the year, and recommended very highly.
And I was looking forward to seeing both their gorgeous partners again – Jean-Luc and Josh – perhaps with some of that heat of attraction that made them (and me) rather sweaty under the collar when they first got together (and that didn’t disappoint either…!). And then there were the female friends – such a massive feature of the earlier books, perhaps one of my favourite things about them – and the promise, fully delivered, that they’d all be brought together for one last time. And there they all were – with some last minute surprises to make things complete. Do you know, I didn’t really take to Jaelee when I first met her, but got to know her better over her experiences in Bali – she’s certainly a bit of a star turn in this book with her dubious language skills and her unique approach to crisis handling.
And there were a few newer characters too, some of them rather more welcome guests than others, along with a lovely focus on the older generation with the introduction of the girls’ parents (“Sixty-four, not dead” – that became their mother’s catch-phrase, and I absolutely adored their father!). The other thing I’d hoped for was one of those magical locations the author captures so wonderfully – and as soon as the couples walked out on the balcony of their castle apartment at the Montespertoli vineyard, I knew this book would have everything I could possibly have asked for.
The story’s told through the alternating viewpoints of Cat and Sarah, really distinctive voices, their narratives laced with humour but also dipping at times into the realms of the more challenging problems facing them both. There are moments of real drama as both big days approach, the preparations detailed and simply fascinating (distinctly challenging at times too), and the emotional aspects so beautifully handled. There’s a perfect balance between the laugh-out-loud comedy set pieces – you’re going to particularly love the star turn at the hen party – and other moments that really touch your heart. When it was all over, and everyone was dispersing around the world once more, I found I was really tearful – but the ending (there’s the most wonderful “eight months later” postscript) is just about as perfect as it could possibly have been.
Could you read this book as a standalone? Yes, I think you probably could, there’s enough lightly dropped back story to establish the characters and their connections – but I think you might enjoy it even more if you’ve read at least one or two of the books that went before. But that wouldn’t be any real hardship, would it? This book really was the perfect conclusion to a series I’ve thoroughly enjoyed – one of my books of the year, and recommended very highly.
June 21, 2022
I was so sad when I heard that this book was going to be the last in this wonderful series but, if it has to end, what a way to go out. What could be a more exciting and romantic read than the whole Holiday Romance gang travelling to Tuscany for a rustic, Italian wedding? There is absolutely nothing I enjoy reading more at this time of year, when I am anticipating my own summer travels, than a beautiful, light-hearted book that combines a trip to a gorgeous, exotic location with a huge dollop of love, and this book has both in spades.
I’m not going to give away who is getting married or what actually happens but, needless to say the path to the altar is bumpy and strewn with pitfalls and calamities, just as you’d expect in the perfect romance novel. I mean, if there are no problems, there’s no story, right? All the things you can imagine that might go wrong when trying to arrange a wedding at a distance occur, and we eagerly ride the rollercoaster to the altar with the bride and groom and their families. On this trip, Sandy takes us via Tuscan castles, vineyards, medieval Tuscan cities, naked Italian gods in human form and… actually I don’t need to say any more do I? I completely had you at ‘naked Italian gods’ and you are definitely going to buy this book now, I know!
Sandy’s books always combine easy, flowing writing with rounded and appealing characters, fully immersive locations where you can smell the lavender and rosemary wafting off the page, and a thrilling plot. The conclusion of the story filled me with all the feels and I think this was the perfect way to round off this wonderful series. Whilst I’ll miss Cat, Sarah, Jaelee, Lou and the rest of the gang immensely, I can say goodbye knowing that they all have achieved their happy ever afters, just as it should be. And, of course, they are all there, waiting patiently on my shelf if I decide I ever want to catch up with them again.
This book is the perfect armchair travel read, and an ideal summer book. I cannot recommend it highly enough and, if you haven’t already read the previous four books in the Holiday Romance series, now is the perfect time to pick one up.
I’m not going to give away who is getting married or what actually happens but, needless to say the path to the altar is bumpy and strewn with pitfalls and calamities, just as you’d expect in the perfect romance novel. I mean, if there are no problems, there’s no story, right? All the things you can imagine that might go wrong when trying to arrange a wedding at a distance occur, and we eagerly ride the rollercoaster to the altar with the bride and groom and their families. On this trip, Sandy takes us via Tuscan castles, vineyards, medieval Tuscan cities, naked Italian gods in human form and… actually I don’t need to say any more do I? I completely had you at ‘naked Italian gods’ and you are definitely going to buy this book now, I know!
Sandy’s books always combine easy, flowing writing with rounded and appealing characters, fully immersive locations where you can smell the lavender and rosemary wafting off the page, and a thrilling plot. The conclusion of the story filled me with all the feels and I think this was the perfect way to round off this wonderful series. Whilst I’ll miss Cat, Sarah, Jaelee, Lou and the rest of the gang immensely, I can say goodbye knowing that they all have achieved their happy ever afters, just as it should be. And, of course, they are all there, waiting patiently on my shelf if I decide I ever want to catch up with them again.
This book is the perfect armchair travel read, and an ideal summer book. I cannot recommend it highly enough and, if you haven’t already read the previous four books in the Holiday Romance series, now is the perfect time to pick one up.
July 22, 2022
The bittersweet finale in The Holiday Romance series. I have so enjoyed the previous books and watching these characters grow and fall in love all over the world. Barker is the queen of writing destination romances. Her descriptions about the scenery, food, locals and general ambience immediately transports you to that region. This story finds the Parsons sisters having a joint celebration at a Tuscan castle! Everyone is coming together for Cat and Jean-Luc's wedding and it just so happens to be a milestone birthday for Sarah.
Told in alternating perspectives between the sisters, we find them excited for these occasions, but also dealing with a few troubling thoughts. Where are the newlyweds going to decide to live, how will they handle difficult family members who don't support their relationship and why is Sarah so hesitant to turn 40? Along the way there is plenty of fiascos that come up while planning the wedding. It had the perfect mix of humor, romance and relatable moments. There's a great overall theme of how good communication is the key to healthy relationships.
I loved that we not only get to see the sisters and their significant others one last time, but all of the friends they have met along their travels are there as well. I was so excited to see one of my favs, Siobhan - loved her update!!! The girl's parents cracked me up numerous times too.
It's always sad when a well loved series comes to an end, but this one was wrapped up in a really sweet way. I would recommend reading these books in order to fully appreciate the development of each character. It makes this gathering extra special too! I'm excited to see what stories and new casts the author introduces us to next!
I received an ARC from @netgalley and @onemorechapterhc - all opinions are my own.
Told in alternating perspectives between the sisters, we find them excited for these occasions, but also dealing with a few troubling thoughts. Where are the newlyweds going to decide to live, how will they handle difficult family members who don't support their relationship and why is Sarah so hesitant to turn 40? Along the way there is plenty of fiascos that come up while planning the wedding. It had the perfect mix of humor, romance and relatable moments. There's a great overall theme of how good communication is the key to healthy relationships.
I loved that we not only get to see the sisters and their significant others one last time, but all of the friends they have met along their travels are there as well. I was so excited to see one of my favs, Siobhan - loved her update!!! The girl's parents cracked me up numerous times too.
It's always sad when a well loved series comes to an end, but this one was wrapped up in a really sweet way. I would recommend reading these books in order to fully appreciate the development of each character. It makes this gathering extra special too! I'm excited to see what stories and new casts the author introduces us to next!
I received an ARC from @netgalley and @onemorechapterhc - all opinions are my own.
June 12, 2022
Two Aussie sisters, live a world apart,
But the distance is never there in their heart.
Sarah lives in Sydney, with Josh who is making plans
For a special surprise fortieth birthday treat in other lands.
Meanwhile Cat lives in London but has a rekindled romance,
With Jean-Luc - for these childhood sweethearts it is a second chance!
A Wedding in Tuscany is one bride-to-be's dream
But sometimes things aren't quite as simple as they seem.....
Get ready for misadventures, language barriers and more
As folks from around the world come together like they did before.
With decisions to be made and things (accidentally) left behind,
There are surprises galore and new things to find.
In a glorious setting this story is filled with fun
Laughter, friendship and challenges in the sun.
There are family dramas and mayhem in a brilliant mix
As they work together trying the wedding venue to fix!
A lovely read, one that I thoroughly enjoyed, too
So I have no hesitation in highly recommending it to you!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review
But the distance is never there in their heart.
Sarah lives in Sydney, with Josh who is making plans
For a special surprise fortieth birthday treat in other lands.
Meanwhile Cat lives in London but has a rekindled romance,
With Jean-Luc - for these childhood sweethearts it is a second chance!
A Wedding in Tuscany is one bride-to-be's dream
But sometimes things aren't quite as simple as they seem.....
Get ready for misadventures, language barriers and more
As folks from around the world come together like they did before.
With decisions to be made and things (accidentally) left behind,
There are surprises galore and new things to find.
In a glorious setting this story is filled with fun
Laughter, friendship and challenges in the sun.
There are family dramas and mayhem in a brilliant mix
As they work together trying the wedding venue to fix!
A lovely read, one that I thoroughly enjoyed, too
So I have no hesitation in highly recommending it to you!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review
June 16, 2022
A Wedding in Tuscany by Sandy Barker
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Parsons sisters are all loved up.
Sarah is living in Sydney with Josh and their cat, Domino, but is anxious about her fast-approaching fortieth birthday.
And Cat is still living in London with her flatmate, Jane, but is in a long-distance relationship with Jean-Luc, her childhood sweetheart and recently re-discovered love.
One of the sisters receives a surprise wedding proposal – it’s a yes! – and everyone heads off to Tuscany for a destination wedding.
This is the fifth and final book in the series, but I am reading this as a standalone. This is a must read if you have read the earlier books in the series but for me it worked well as a standalone. This book is full of love, misunderstandings and friendships. Full of summer and holiday vibes this book will leave you wishing you could be in Tuscany.
Rating: 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Parsons sisters are all loved up.
Sarah is living in Sydney with Josh and their cat, Domino, but is anxious about her fast-approaching fortieth birthday.
And Cat is still living in London with her flatmate, Jane, but is in a long-distance relationship with Jean-Luc, her childhood sweetheart and recently re-discovered love.
One of the sisters receives a surprise wedding proposal – it’s a yes! – and everyone heads off to Tuscany for a destination wedding.
This is the fifth and final book in the series, but I am reading this as a standalone. This is a must read if you have read the earlier books in the series but for me it worked well as a standalone. This book is full of love, misunderstandings and friendships. Full of summer and holiday vibes this book will leave you wishing you could be in Tuscany.
Rating: 4/5
June 18, 2022
Ooopsss. I really dislike reading series out of order! Didn't think to look to see if this one was part of a series, let alone that it is the final book in the series.
Read my thoughts here
http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2022...
along with some musings on millefoglie!
Read my thoughts here
http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2022...
along with some musings on millefoglie!
May 2, 2022
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.
I've enjoyed all of this author's books and was pleased to see this story of the two sisters. It's an interesting concept to tackle two couples who've been together for a long time, committed themselves to each other, and then experience a crisis that could separate them.
I think it's a tribute to SB"s skill as a writer that she creates such flawed and well-rounded characters that even whilst wanting to slap them (I'm talking about you both Cat and Sarah); you are also rooting for them.
Luc and Josh are just perfect, and I love them to bits! Luc's sister was unbelievably awful and the ex-wife - a total dummy.
I've enjoyed all of this author's books and was pleased to see this story of the two sisters. It's an interesting concept to tackle two couples who've been together for a long time, committed themselves to each other, and then experience a crisis that could separate them.
I think it's a tribute to SB"s skill as a writer that she creates such flawed and well-rounded characters that even whilst wanting to slap them (I'm talking about you both Cat and Sarah); you are also rooting for them.
Luc and Josh are just perfect, and I love them to bits! Luc's sister was unbelievably awful and the ex-wife - a total dummy.
October 9, 2022
Brilliant
Wow what an amazing journey for the parsons!! Such a great read and was totally engrossed in their love loves and the hiccups along the way!
Wow what an amazing journey for the parsons!! Such a great read and was totally engrossed in their love loves and the hiccups along the way!
September 15, 2022
A wonderful ending to a fantastic series.
March 25, 2023
Two sisters celebrating big life events in beautiful Tuscany and they complain nonstop.
You'd think Sarah had a death sentence with every mention of her turning 40. Shows no appreciation for the entire trip for her birthday, makes people feel horrible about their gifts.
And Cat! She and her BF live in two countries, get engaged, plan a wedding and get married with no conversation about which country they're going to live untill after.the whole event.
Cat also leaves the wedding planning to her sister and bestie - who has a event planning company but then she screws up the entire venue conversation because she thinks conversing in Spanish for an Italian wedding should be sufficient.
I don't know how many times I rolled my eyes but I think I only stuck with this book to see how much of a train wreck these two could be.
You'd think Sarah had a death sentence with every mention of her turning 40. Shows no appreciation for the entire trip for her birthday, makes people feel horrible about their gifts.
And Cat! She and her BF live in two countries, get engaged, plan a wedding and get married with no conversation about which country they're going to live untill after.the whole event.
Cat also leaves the wedding planning to her sister and bestie - who has a event planning company but then she screws up the entire venue conversation because she thinks conversing in Spanish for an Italian wedding should be sufficient.
I don't know how many times I rolled my eyes but I think I only stuck with this book to see how much of a train wreck these two could be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2022
Fantastic to be transported to Tuscany. I loved this final book in this romance series. Well done Sandy, you had me laughing and crying with the characters. A great read that will lift your spirits.
July 6, 2022
A Wedding in Tuscany is the perfect romantic escapist read.
A Wedding in Tuscany is the last book in the Holiday Romance series, and while it can be read as a stand-alone; I would recommend you read it as part of the series. I think readers would enjoy this book more if they had read the previous four books. A Wedding in Tuscany was the first book I had read in the series, and Sandy does a wonderful job at bringing readers up to speed when introducing characters and their backstories that I never felt lost. One of the main focuses of this story is all the characters reuniting and celebrating Sarah’s 40th and Cat’s wedding. The geek in me equates it to the final Avengers movie when all the superheroes come together. I would have been more excited to see everyone coming together if I had read the previous books. I didn’t feel that attachment to these characters because I didn’t know them. Don’t get me wrong; I still enjoyed this book quite a bit. Sandy is a fabulous travel romance writer, and I will definitely be picking up her other books to read.
If you are a fan of travelling or reading books about travelling, then you will love this book (and series). All the characters in this book are avid travellers, and it’s an absolute pleasure listening to their adventures. Sandy does a fantastic job at bringing Tuscany to life for her readers. I ate up the food descriptions and the lush descriptions of Tuscany and its people. The story has romance, humour, and drama (oh so delicious drama!). Sandy adds depth to the story by tackling some serious issues related to family relationships, romantic relationships, and ageism.
The characters, both primary and secondary, are all gems! I loved their life stories and listening to how they all met. Their relationships and interactions with each other added so much depth and sweetness to the story. There is really a focus on the importance of family (both blood and found family). Even though Cat and Sarah live on the opposite sides of the world, they are still so close and make an effort to be a part of each other’s lives, even if it’s from afar.
The sisterly bond between Cat and Sarah was written perfectly, and I was laughing when one of the sisters went into protective mode and was ready to do battle to help/protect the other.
This book just oozes romance. Pretty much every character in this book is in a relationship. The love from all those relationships just radiates from the pages of this book. I really can’t decide what couple I love more, Cat and Jean-Luc or Sarah and Josh. The chemistry between these couples is on fire, and there is just enough spice to get my heart racing. I might have swooned a little when Jean-Luc spoke French to Cat. What really stands out with all these relationships is the diversity that Sandy included. It makes it much richer and gives it so much substance.
A Wedding in Tuscany will take you on a gorgeous romantic adventure to the countryside of Tuscany.
Thank you, Harper Collins UK and Rachel Random Resources for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
A Wedding in Tuscany is the last book in the Holiday Romance series, and while it can be read as a stand-alone; I would recommend you read it as part of the series. I think readers would enjoy this book more if they had read the previous four books. A Wedding in Tuscany was the first book I had read in the series, and Sandy does a wonderful job at bringing readers up to speed when introducing characters and their backstories that I never felt lost. One of the main focuses of this story is all the characters reuniting and celebrating Sarah’s 40th and Cat’s wedding. The geek in me equates it to the final Avengers movie when all the superheroes come together. I would have been more excited to see everyone coming together if I had read the previous books. I didn’t feel that attachment to these characters because I didn’t know them. Don’t get me wrong; I still enjoyed this book quite a bit. Sandy is a fabulous travel romance writer, and I will definitely be picking up her other books to read.
If you are a fan of travelling or reading books about travelling, then you will love this book (and series). All the characters in this book are avid travellers, and it’s an absolute pleasure listening to their adventures. Sandy does a fantastic job at bringing Tuscany to life for her readers. I ate up the food descriptions and the lush descriptions of Tuscany and its people. The story has romance, humour, and drama (oh so delicious drama!). Sandy adds depth to the story by tackling some serious issues related to family relationships, romantic relationships, and ageism.
The characters, both primary and secondary, are all gems! I loved their life stories and listening to how they all met. Their relationships and interactions with each other added so much depth and sweetness to the story. There is really a focus on the importance of family (both blood and found family). Even though Cat and Sarah live on the opposite sides of the world, they are still so close and make an effort to be a part of each other’s lives, even if it’s from afar.
The sisterly bond between Cat and Sarah was written perfectly, and I was laughing when one of the sisters went into protective mode and was ready to do battle to help/protect the other.
This book just oozes romance. Pretty much every character in this book is in a relationship. The love from all those relationships just radiates from the pages of this book. I really can’t decide what couple I love more, Cat and Jean-Luc or Sarah and Josh. The chemistry between these couples is on fire, and there is just enough spice to get my heart racing. I might have swooned a little when Jean-Luc spoke French to Cat. What really stands out with all these relationships is the diversity that Sandy included. It makes it much richer and gives it so much substance.
A Wedding in Tuscany will take you on a gorgeous romantic adventure to the countryside of Tuscany.
Thank you, Harper Collins UK and Rachel Random Resources for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
September 4, 2022
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Sandy Barker is back with a gorgeous romantic tale readers will want to lap up in one go: A Wedding in Tuscany.
Sarah’s life is as close to perfect as it is possible to get. She has everything she has always wanted – a gorgeous boyfriend, an adorable cat and a lifestyle in Sydney most people would give their right arm for. Sarah has got absolutely no reason whatsoever to complain about her life yet her impending fortieth birthday is making her anxious and rather apprehensive about her future. What does the coming decade have in store for Sarah? Should she be worried about what’s ahead? Or is she about to learn that life’s unexpected surprises could end up giving her everything she has always wanted?
Cat is happily settled with the love of her life, Jean-Luc. Only, Cat lives in London while Jean-Luc lives in Paris. Their long-distance relationship seems to be going well, so why is Cat worrying about the future? Is she just making a mountain out of a molehill? Is Jean-Luc truly her Prince Charming? Or should Cat look closer to home for her happy ever after?
A surprise wedding proposal takes these two sisters all the way to Tuscany for the fairytale wedding of every bride’s dreams. But is happiness going to be within reach for Sarah and Cat? Or are they both destined for heartache and disappointment?
Dreamy romantic escapism does not get any better than this! Sandy Barker’s books always hit the spot and A Wedding in Tuscany is a warm-hearted, witty and feel-good romantic read that I couldn’t read fast enough. An enchanting and enjoyable tale sprinkled with love, laughter and heart, A Wedding in Tuscany has got it all: gorgeously evoked settings, richly drawn characters, hilarious moments and spellbinding romance.
The perfect summer read, A Wedding in Tuscany is another winner for Sandy Barker!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sandy Barker is back with a gorgeous romantic tale readers will want to lap up in one go: A Wedding in Tuscany.
Sarah’s life is as close to perfect as it is possible to get. She has everything she has always wanted – a gorgeous boyfriend, an adorable cat and a lifestyle in Sydney most people would give their right arm for. Sarah has got absolutely no reason whatsoever to complain about her life yet her impending fortieth birthday is making her anxious and rather apprehensive about her future. What does the coming decade have in store for Sarah? Should she be worried about what’s ahead? Or is she about to learn that life’s unexpected surprises could end up giving her everything she has always wanted?
Cat is happily settled with the love of her life, Jean-Luc. Only, Cat lives in London while Jean-Luc lives in Paris. Their long-distance relationship seems to be going well, so why is Cat worrying about the future? Is she just making a mountain out of a molehill? Is Jean-Luc truly her Prince Charming? Or should Cat look closer to home for her happy ever after?
A surprise wedding proposal takes these two sisters all the way to Tuscany for the fairytale wedding of every bride’s dreams. But is happiness going to be within reach for Sarah and Cat? Or are they both destined for heartache and disappointment?
Dreamy romantic escapism does not get any better than this! Sandy Barker’s books always hit the spot and A Wedding in Tuscany is a warm-hearted, witty and feel-good romantic read that I couldn’t read fast enough. An enchanting and enjoyable tale sprinkled with love, laughter and heart, A Wedding in Tuscany has got it all: gorgeously evoked settings, richly drawn characters, hilarious moments and spellbinding romance.
The perfect summer read, A Wedding in Tuscany is another winner for Sandy Barker!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 20, 2022
The final instalment shows what happens after ‘The End’
It is my understanding that this is the final instalment in Sandy Barker’s Holiday Romance series, and I am sad to have finish my journey with these characters.
I have read each book in this series and whilst That Night in Paris remains my firm favourite, I enjoyed this little peek behind ‘The End”. Often with contemporary romance we are left wondering what next, after the leading lady has found her man. A Wedding in Tuscany shows the fears, joys and disasters that happen once the reader has closed the book.
In the interests of an honest review, but with no fault of the author, it took me a long time to finish reading this story. My apologies to Sandy, One More Chapter and Netgalley, but you see, I turned forty this summer and though I did not have some major life moment, no Ferrari's were purchased, I did not quit my job, it was very unsettling to read Sarah’s side of the story. When I read fiction, I fully immerse myself in a story and it’s to Sandy’s credit that Sarah’s thoughts and emotions were so relatable, it was like seeing my own concerns in print so to speak.
Now that I have gotten my head on straight, I thoroughly enjoyed the end A Wedding in Tuscany, the vivid descriptions, the depth of the characters and the humour that was threaded through the main plot.
My thanks, as always to #OneMoreChapter #Netgalley and Sandy Barker herself, for giving me the opportunity to review #AWeddingInTuscany.
It is my understanding that this is the final instalment in Sandy Barker’s Holiday Romance series, and I am sad to have finish my journey with these characters.
I have read each book in this series and whilst That Night in Paris remains my firm favourite, I enjoyed this little peek behind ‘The End”. Often with contemporary romance we are left wondering what next, after the leading lady has found her man. A Wedding in Tuscany shows the fears, joys and disasters that happen once the reader has closed the book.
In the interests of an honest review, but with no fault of the author, it took me a long time to finish reading this story. My apologies to Sandy, One More Chapter and Netgalley, but you see, I turned forty this summer and though I did not have some major life moment, no Ferrari's were purchased, I did not quit my job, it was very unsettling to read Sarah’s side of the story. When I read fiction, I fully immerse myself in a story and it’s to Sandy’s credit that Sarah’s thoughts and emotions were so relatable, it was like seeing my own concerns in print so to speak.
Now that I have gotten my head on straight, I thoroughly enjoyed the end A Wedding in Tuscany, the vivid descriptions, the depth of the characters and the humour that was threaded through the main plot.
My thanks, as always to #OneMoreChapter #Netgalley and Sandy Barker herself, for giving me the opportunity to review #AWeddingInTuscany.
September 18, 2022
Cat and Jean-Luc are decamping to Tuscany to get married around friends and family, but have yet to discuss where they are going to live and this is like an albatross around Cat’s neck. Sarah, Cat’s sister, will be having a surprise 40th Birthday party whilst she is on Tuscany; this is an event she is dreading and she feels something is not right with her life.
There was plenty of tension in this book as Cat’s wedding gets closer, along with Sarah’s 40th birthday. Amongst many things going wrong includes forgetting the wedding dress! Underlying the storyline within the book was great tension about the wedding and what was to come next, along with Sarah worrying about her life. These mainly remained unresolved until the end of the book. As well as this plot line you have a potential Sister in Law from hell in the book which provided another layer.
A great family feel about this book, and this was supported by some great characters and interplay between the characters. Alongside this we have the food, and culture of Tuscany. These two things combined to make a great book, which I am happy to recommend.
This was the first book I had read in this series but it held up very well as a standalone and I didn’t feel I had missed anything by not reading the others. I will definitely be seeking out the others in the series.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for a review copy of this book for an open and honest review.
There was plenty of tension in this book as Cat’s wedding gets closer, along with Sarah’s 40th birthday. Amongst many things going wrong includes forgetting the wedding dress! Underlying the storyline within the book was great tension about the wedding and what was to come next, along with Sarah worrying about her life. These mainly remained unresolved until the end of the book. As well as this plot line you have a potential Sister in Law from hell in the book which provided another layer.
A great family feel about this book, and this was supported by some great characters and interplay between the characters. Alongside this we have the food, and culture of Tuscany. These two things combined to make a great book, which I am happy to recommend.
This was the first book I had read in this series but it held up very well as a standalone and I didn’t feel I had missed anything by not reading the others. I will definitely be seeking out the others in the series.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for a review copy of this book for an open and honest review.
May 22, 2022
This was a delightful book to read, full of love, laughter, friendships and so much more.
Out story focuses on the two Parsons sisters, Sarah who is approaching her 40th birthday, and Catherine who has just been proposed to by the love of her life, Jean-Luc.
Sarah's boyfriend has booked a surprise holiday in Tuscany for her birthday, Catherine and Jean-Luc decide that will be when they get married. All their nearest and dearest friends will be there, so what better time to have a double celebration.
Despite there being several spanners in the works, both the 40th birthday celebrations and the wedding go off without too much disaster.
This book was full of love, misunderstandings, mishaps, a few tears (maybe that was just me), laughter, friendships, but mostly love. If you are looking for a feel good read with holiday and summer vibes, this is the book for you.
Out story focuses on the two Parsons sisters, Sarah who is approaching her 40th birthday, and Catherine who has just been proposed to by the love of her life, Jean-Luc.
Sarah's boyfriend has booked a surprise holiday in Tuscany for her birthday, Catherine and Jean-Luc decide that will be when they get married. All their nearest and dearest friends will be there, so what better time to have a double celebration.
Despite there being several spanners in the works, both the 40th birthday celebrations and the wedding go off without too much disaster.
This book was full of love, misunderstandings, mishaps, a few tears (maybe that was just me), laughter, friendships, but mostly love. If you are looking for a feel good read with holiday and summer vibes, this is the book for you.
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April 21, 2022Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was a truly wonderful sunshine infused book. I loved all the beautiful descriptions of Tuscany, I could smell the food, hear the wind rustling through the olive groves and taste the chianti.
Cat is ready to marry her soul mate Jean Luc and he is adorable, kind and hot to trot! They can’t quite decide on where to live after marriage. She’s an Aussie living in London he’s French living in Paris but staying with Cat as much as he can.
They need to decide but don’t want to talk about it. Cat’s sister Sarah is turning 40 and her partner Josh is taking her to Tuscany so Cat and her husband to be decide to marry in Tuscany. What happens along the way is a great read. The girls parents are great and their friends are fabulous characters too. This is a really perfect by the pool book.
This was a truly wonderful sunshine infused book. I loved all the beautiful descriptions of Tuscany, I could smell the food, hear the wind rustling through the olive groves and taste the chianti.
Cat is ready to marry her soul mate Jean Luc and he is adorable, kind and hot to trot! They can’t quite decide on where to live after marriage. She’s an Aussie living in London he’s French living in Paris but staying with Cat as much as he can.
They need to decide but don’t want to talk about it. Cat’s sister Sarah is turning 40 and her partner Josh is taking her to Tuscany so Cat and her husband to be decide to marry in Tuscany. What happens along the way is a great read. The girls parents are great and their friends are fabulous characters too. This is a really perfect by the pool book.
June 14, 2022
This is a really fun, entertaining read. I haven't read any of the rest of the series so I really did enjoy it as a standalone. The two sisters, Cat and Sarah may live miles apart but you can feel the bond between them. Both girls have something to celebrate, a 40th birthday and a wedding, and decide to spend the time together at a glorious setting in Tuscany. Full of all the gorgeous sights and sounds of Italy, where better to escape to?
There is plenty of humour in the story, both from the plot and from the characters who turn up to help them celebrate. Family plays a huge part, as do the doubts and vulnerabilities which both girls feel at this time. This is an endearing read with a heart-warming tone and romance and affection at its heart. Gorgeous!
In short: Feelgood romance with a few mishaps along the way
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
There is plenty of humour in the story, both from the plot and from the characters who turn up to help them celebrate. Family plays a huge part, as do the doubts and vulnerabilities which both girls feel at this time. This is an endearing read with a heart-warming tone and romance and affection at its heart. Gorgeous!
In short: Feelgood romance with a few mishaps along the way
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book
June 21, 2022
I loved this story right from the start! The sisters Cat (Catherine) and Sarah are both easy to love and so are their boyfriends, all their friends and even their parents!
The story is told in first person by both Cat & Sarah in the lead up to and during their week in Tuscany. One is sister is about to turn 40 and one is about to get married. Neither of these big milestones is reached without some drama, but all very realistic and relatable and told in such a way that the reader could feel what the sisters were going through, smiling and welling up with them.
This book is the last in a series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Please don't hesitate... take this trip to Tuscany. You won't regret it!
The story is told in first person by both Cat & Sarah in the lead up to and during their week in Tuscany. One is sister is about to turn 40 and one is about to get married. Neither of these big milestones is reached without some drama, but all very realistic and relatable and told in such a way that the reader could feel what the sisters were going through, smiling and welling up with them.
This book is the last in a series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Please don't hesitate... take this trip to Tuscany. You won't regret it!
June 22, 2022
If I wasn’t married already, I would want a wedding like this in Tuscany! I adored the setting (a castle in Tuscany – what’s not to love?) and really enjoyed reconnecting with the varied cast of characters from the previous books. The way they all came together in this story was just lovely. It’s not all plain sailing though. Despite everything seeming to be OK on the surface, the two loved-up couples are heading for stormy waters. And before the wedding is over, there is more drama than one such occasion can really handle, but I kept turning the pages to find out how it would all be resolved and I wasn’t disappointed. I have to say I am totally in love with both the heroes – Jean-Luc and Josh are both gorgeous and swoon-worthy – and the heroines are very lucky ladies indeed! Although it’s sad to see this series end, this is the perfect finale and a relaxing, summery read – loved it!
June 13, 2022
It's the final book in The Holiday Romance series, and it's a fabulous finale for sisters Sarah and Cat and their friends. Set in Tuscany, the wedding of Cat and Jean-Luc has angst, humour, romance and poignancy and more than lives up to its dramatic setting. I love the sisterly dynamic between Cat and Sarah, the vividly described location and the authentically written characters and relationships. The story has a good mix of laughter and reflective moments, and the ending is lovely.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
June 19, 2022
What a fabulous ending to the series. I loved how all the characters from the previous books come together for the wedding, uniting both sisters' stories.
A wedding, a beautiful location in Tuscany and scenery and food to die for - what's not to love? There is love and laughter. tears and disappointment and wedding disasters that threaten the big day. None of those compare to the most obnoxious wedding guest ever and yet throughout it all, love will triumph.
A delightful romantic story that will lift your heart.
A wedding, a beautiful location in Tuscany and scenery and food to die for - what's not to love? There is love and laughter. tears and disappointment and wedding disasters that threaten the big day. None of those compare to the most obnoxious wedding guest ever and yet throughout it all, love will triumph.
A delightful romantic story that will lift your heart.
July 26, 2022
This was my first book by this author and it won’t be my last am now looking forward to exploring their back Catalogue
I didn’t realise until I had finished it that a wedding in Tuscany was book five and then last in the holiday romance series. However this did not spoil my enjoyment of the book and I would say it can definitely be read as a standalone and am looking forward to going back to reading the characters previous adventures.
This was the perfect escapism holiday read and the sights and smells transported you to another place away from the rain that was pelting down outside my window. It had a perfect mix of laugh out loud moments and also a deeper under-layer and was so much more than just a romance was about family, friendships, getting older and working out what is missing from life and what road to take next. .
I didn’t realise until I had finished it that a wedding in Tuscany was book five and then last in the holiday romance series. However this did not spoil my enjoyment of the book and I would say it can definitely be read as a standalone and am looking forward to going back to reading the characters previous adventures.
This was the perfect escapism holiday read and the sights and smells transported you to another place away from the rain that was pelting down outside my window. It had a perfect mix of laugh out loud moments and also a deeper under-layer and was so much more than just a romance was about family, friendships, getting older and working out what is missing from life and what road to take next. .
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