You escape to the beauty of Italy in this latest romance by TA Williams and meet sone varied but interesting characters. Alice is still coming to terms with the consequences of a life changing accident which she tries to hide from most people. She is a great believer in getting on with life but her self confidence has taken a massive knock. It is because of some good friends that she finds herself in Italy and once there, slowly begins to realise that she has the ability to tackle what is a daunting task. She also has to use all her skills of empathy and diplomacy to get people to work together with her.


You get a real sense of the past, not just because of the antiquity of the castle and the history of the place. The two important families of the district have carried on a feud for centuries. In fact, I’m not sure most people understand quite why they are so estranged so there is a feeling of moving on and cleansing the past. Just as Alice make sense of the building, the same has to be done with human relationships. With trademark romance and a lovely feeling of being right in the centre of Italian life, this is an entertaining read and I am happy to say, a beautiful black Labrador features heavily.

In short: Italian sun and romance

Alice, a woman with a tragic past and mobility restrictions, finds herself embarking on a new adventure when she takes a job helping an Italian family turn their castle into a tourist attraction. Along the way, she forms a deep connection with Luca, the architect, and rediscovers her love for horse riding and exploring the countryside around Parma. Despite facing opposition from the village mayor and confronting historic family feuds, Alice navigates the challenges with determination and finds happiness once again. The novel is filled with delightful characters, mouth-watering food, and a heartwarming romance set against the backdrop of the Italian countryside. With its perfect emotional touch, the story offers an uplifting escape from wintery weather, leaving readers thoroughly engaged and entertained.

Trigger Warnings
This book contains:
• Historical family feuds
• Lower leg amputation after a skiing accident
• Undiagnosed mental health conditions.
Characters
Alice is a remarkably strong, but unsure woman trying to maintain her independence while pursuing her dream career. Because of the difficulties she’s faced after a skiing accident, and the resulting impact on her personal relationships, she’s cautious about entering into new friendships and relationships.
Storyline
Alice pursues a new job in Parma after her job in England is ending due to budget cuts and gets it despite her physical challenges. As she works to prove and challenge herself in ways she didn’t think she was ready for, she also finds herself interested in a man for the first time in a few years.
Overall Thoughts
I didn’t feel like this was a romance in the same way as many others. While T.A Williams does write romances, it felt like the focus of this novel was Alice’s mental healing that she needed to go through after her skiing accident.
The development that we watch Alice going through is so sweet and wholesome to read. She pushes herself, learns, grows and doesn’t hide from her fears in a way that many of us could be inspired by. While some of that growth is to feel attraction for a man, and explore where it goes, that part of her growth didn’t feel like the focus and I loved it.
Most of the romances I love are ones where the romance feels like an organic part of the story rather than the main focus. And in that way, this very much fell into that category. It was sweet, clean but also shows us just enough that we know that the romance is progressing and developing.
If you like women’s fiction with an element of romance, you’ll really enjoy this.

I honestly loved this book and I was so sad when it ended. I just adore this authors style of writing. It’s so elegant and I feel as though I’m right there with the main character.

I loved the location of this story, loved main character Alice and her romantic interest Luca and of course black lab Frank.

Loved the descriptions of the food as always and loved the overall storyline. Very gripping and I struggled to put it down.

A lovely story, easy and uplifting. A perfect read curled up on the sofa on a winter's day. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The story of Alice and Luca who meet when she starts a new job in Italy. Last time she was in Italy an accident changed her life. A great read.

I thank netgalley for the ARC.

Although this is a second book in the series, it works good as a stand alone book too. The language is eloquent, simple and flows quite easily. And after reading it you might just want to go and order yourself some wine and pasta.

What didn’t work for me was that the book had very little of romance involved, and there was a lot of detailing on her work, architecture, and the likes. And although I do appreciate it, I would have liked a little more of the love story to bloom

T A Williams is one of my favourite authors. You just know you can settle down and enjoy a wonderful read, set somewhere spectacular that you now MUST visit.
Alice needs to find a new job, after she loses hers in a stately home, due to cutbacks. The owners of the stately home put her in touch with the owner of a castle in Italy, that needs to open to the public
It was great to read the process and the new friends she makes. Town politics and historic old family feuds make smooth running less likely. I loved the fledgling romances, true friendships made, beautiful walks and restaurants around the area and the ever present black labrador.

A really great read.

The book is charming from the get-go. It was interesting to know that there is a job such as a castle manager. I really wasn’t aware of that. How interesting!

The story is wholesome – it doesn’t only concentrate on the romance of the protagonist but also on the other matters at hand. Of course, there is a love story brewing but by including details about the castle, the history between the two families, and the description of the Italian lifestyle, it all combines to give the reader a total experience that was absolutely heartwarming.

The writing style is spot on. The narrative flowed easily and in no time, I was hooked and didn’t want to leave Italy. The whereabouts of an Italian village and its lifestyle were beautifully described. Some dishes in there made my mouth water. One can visualise Italy through the author’s words. Isn’t that amazing?

I thought Alice’s character was not only brave but also inspiring. The way she handles her past, and the renewed energy she sets on a new adventure with is all but commendable. All in all a beautiful experience travelling to an idyllic Italian village to witness romance and culture.

I loved the book and I would recommend it as a refreshing romantic read.

I really enjoyed this read. And thought that it was a wonderfully fast pace read that makes you forget that you are even reading.

The characters are fabulous and the writing was superb. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a book that makes them forget reality for a few hours.

So lovely to escape "Beneath Italian Skies" once more,
With new places and a new community to explore.
This time it is Alice who has a new job to start
And an unexpected opportunity to lose her heart!

A castle in the hills near Parma she travels,
But a feud between two families she needs to unravel.
The Mayor and the Baron are on opposing sides
And neither their animosity hides!

Can she help the castle owners find new ways
In which they can more funding raise?
Whilst doing so, can she help others, too,
To find a way for romance to win through?

As for herself, can Alice find her own romance?
Will she give someone at least a chance?
With secrets, rivalries and opposition as well
How can she win out - only time will tell!

As always, this author brings the people and places to life,
Complete with the angst, the troubles and strife.
He also makes my mouth water with the tasty food, too,
I really enjoyed it all the way through.

Another fantastic read, complete with Frank the Labrador, too,
That I have no hesitation in highly recommending to you!
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you -
As I share with you my honest review.

The author invites readers into the Italian world he knows well; it has believable characters, family relationships and intriguing storytelling. This one has literary references that add depth to the story and the hope that the gentle romance ends more positively. Alice is an inspirational character; coping with disability from a tragic accident and returning to Italy to work rekindles painful memories. Wanting the best life, she takes the opportunity and finds career fulfilment and the chance of love. The feud between two powerful families adds drama and uncertainty to the story; the castle's renovation for its public opening is beset with difficulties but fascinating reading. The romance is measured and believable and brings everything together. I like the storytelling, the setting and the sweet romance.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

From the very first page, this book exudes charm, drawing readers into an enchanting world of castles and romance. As the tale unfolds, we are introduced to the intriguing profession of a castle manager, a role not widely known, which adds a layer of fascination to the narrative.

The heart of the story lies in its wholesomeness. It gracefully weaves not only a budding romance but also the intricate tapestry of other significant elements. The castle itself, steeped in history and secrets, becomes a character in its own right. The rich history between the two families, the allure of the Italian lifestyle, and the mouthwatering descriptions of delectable dishes all coalesce to provide readers with an immersive experience that warms the heart.

The writing style is nothing short of exceptional. It effortlessly guides the reader through the pages, creating a world that is impossible to leave. The author’s vivid descriptions of the quaint Italian village and its way of life are nothing short of breathtaking. With every word, one can vividly picture the picturesque landscapes and savor the tantalizing flavors of Italy.

Alice, our resilient protagonist, is a beacon of inspiration. Her unwavering courage and her zest for embarking on a new adventure despite her mobility challenges are truly commendable. Her character resonates deeply, forging a connection that makes the reader genuinely root for her.

The narrative also bestows a unique insight into an idyllic Italian village, offering not only a glimpse into the local culture but also the day-to-day challenges that individuals with restricted mobility may face. Alice’s journey is nothing short of heartrending, as she grapples with not only physical limitations but also emotional scars from her past, making her decision to accept the job in Parma all the more remarkable.

The author’s keen sense of place and vivid imagery provide a virtual tour of the Parma region. The breathtaking countryside surrounding the ancient castle invites readers to explore on horseback and even visit the endearing alpacas, promising an unforgettable adventure.

Every character in this tale is captivating, each contributing to the story’s depth and appeal. Luca, in particular, stands out as he grows closer to Alice, their evolving relationship adding an extra layer of emotion. The inclusion of the lovable Labradors, complete with their soulful eyes and amusing antics, adds a delightful touch to the narrative.

The central feud in the story is masterfully depicted, evoking a palpable tension as it inches toward a gripping conclusion. The undeniable echoes of a Shakespearean star-crossed love affair add a poignant layer to the narrative, fitting seamlessly into the tale’s tapestry.

Trevor Williams showcases a remarkable writing style that effortlessly immerses readers in the world of romance. As the final page turns, there is an eager anticipation for his next literary endeavor.

I do enjoy Trevor’s books and am delighted to take part in today’s publication day push by sharing my review. Change of Heart (Beneath Italian Skies #2) is published by Canelo, today, 2 November and is available in ebook and paperback. Whilst this is shown as being the second in a series, the book is a standalone and can be enjoyed as such. My review copy was supplied via Netgalley.

The last book I read by Trevor was last year and reviewed here An Escape to Remember and I had no hesitation in accepting a review invitation for this one. His books are a glorious mix of Italian culture and romance – and the food! I swear I was drooling for much of the book!

Here we meet 31 year old Alice, who after a change of circumstances accepts a job working for the Varaldo family who have aspirations to open their castle to the public. Alice had previously lived in Italy, spoke the language fluently and would seem the ideal person if she could conquer her inner demons and confidence crisis following her accident. The Varaldo family finances are diminishing and although significant restoration will be required, they need to get the project underway. The fly in the ointment is the local Mayor, who can either assist or obstruct their plans. With a feud between the two families going back generations, it is clear which camp he will be in.

Set in Parma, northern Italy, A Change of Heart is an uplifting and heartwarming story of romance, drama and food – did I mention there is food! 😂 I adore Italy and the vivid descriptions of the locations makes me want to be back there. Of course there is also the obligatory black labrador, a trademark of this author’s books.

With well drawn (and mostly) engaging characters this is overall a story of positivity and how being brave and opening yourself to new challenges and opportunities can pay dividends, in all manner of ways. The romance element was charming and although the path to love was not always smooth, I was rooting for our characters all the way and hoping there was a happy ending.

If you haven’t read any books by T A Williams before, do give them a try. I have no hesitation in recommending them. A Change of Heart is a lovely escapist read and one to lose yourself in for a few hours.

I am a massive fan of this author and jumped at the chance to read his new release. I knew as soon as I met Alice that I was going to love her and this affection for her grew the more I got to know her.

Another wonderful story set against a gorgeous Italian scenery, the castle itself sounded amazing and once again the authors knowledge of Italy makes the story jump from the pages.

I love it when I want to keep picking up a book and this is exactly how it was with this one. Another wonderful story, with a family feud underpinning the main storyline, alongside grief and living with disability.

I'm already super excited to see what this author releases next as this one totally captured me.

A gorgeous cover to this one, but you’ll notice that there’s something missing – no black Labrador! But worry not, there’s certainly nothing missing from the story – a rather Shakespearean theme with the warring families and star-crossed lovers, the perfectly drawn setting, a central romance that was everything I wanted it to be, and the wonderful Frank (if I should ever have a dog, isn’t that the perfect name?) may not be on that cover but certainly makes his presence felt.

When Alice is made redundant from her post at a Devonshire stately home, the former owners put her in touch with an Italian family wanting to turn their castle in the hills above Parma into a tourist attraction. She speaks fluent Italian, and has lived in the country before – but her previous stay ended in tragedy with a life-changing accident and a broken heart when a relationship disintegrated. But she takes the job – finding first that not all the family are convinced about updating their home and finding alternative ways of bolstering their income, then running up against the opposition of the village mayor and the historic family feud that’s continued to simmer. Her choice of Luca as the architect could have made the situation even more complicated – but the developing relationship between them (and one I really loved) also helps her come to terms with her mobility restrictions and to open up to the possibility of finding happiness once more.

The less familiar setting around Parma is – as expected – quite wonderfully drawn, as Alice rediscovers her love of horse riding and explores the surrounding countryside. There’s plenty of delicious food too – with Alice first spotting Luca (and Frank!) while eating at the Casa Rosa where Giorgio and his son produce local specialities to make the mouth water. And the steps towards making the castle tourist-ready were simply fascinating – as were the new enterprises of introducing an alpaca herd, and developing the woodlands as an alternative source of income.

The characters were just wonderful. Alice had a place in my heart from the very beginning, but I really enjoyed her interactions with the family and their workforce while getting them all on-side with the changes – and the developing romance, with Alice’s understandable fear of rejection casting an initial shadow, became something rather special that really warmed my heart. But there’s plenty of tension too, with the fierceness of the mayor’s opposition, and the unpredictability of his reactions – and some real drama before there’s any chance of a happy ending. And the whole book has the perfect emotional touch – with a particular sensitivity when dealing with Alice’s issues.

Infused with Italian sunshine, this really was the perfect read to escape the wintery weather outside – with an uplifting and entirely engaging story I thoroughly enjoyed.

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

There's not a lot of romance novels that feature an heroine with mobility problems or characters with physical issue.
Kudos to the author that developed a strong and clever heroine that I loved.
This is a story about changes but also a story about learning to accept us and what we are even if we are not as perfect as the world seems to ask us.
The plot is lovely, fast placed and made me smile and root for the characters.
I appreciated the setting as Parma is a wonderful city and the area is a great place. Plus the mouth-watering food and the people.
I also like that the author talks about cold as it can be quite cold in North Italy.
That said I read the story in one setting, a sort of let's-see-how-it-is and ending the book because there was a next chapter I wanted to read.
I think that T.A. Williams should send a copy of his novels to the Parma tourist board as this book will make armchair travel a lot of people to Parma.
A well plotted, poignant, and compelling story that I strongly recommend
Many thanks to Canelo and Rachel's Random Resources for this digital copy, all opinions are mine

I think that this may be my favourite of all this author’s books. Yes, it’s a wonderful romantic story, but the female protagonist has restricted mobility and I found myself feeling a common bond with her. Alice is a wonderful character, and I took to her immediately. The fall out from her accident did more damage than simply rendering her with mobility issues, it broke her heart and ended her life in Italy, so it’s not an easy decision to take the job in Parma.
As expected, I now feel that I know more about this region and it’s proximity to Tuscany. I’m once again craving an opportunity to explore so many parts of Italy. Alas, work and bank balance are colluding to restrict my plans.
The sweeping countryside around the ancient castle was described so beautifully that I also wanted to take a horse and explore the area. I’d make a beeline to visit the Alpacas and look in their gorgeous eyes.
Each character was enjoyable, and I loved meeting them. I definitely had a soft spot for Luca as he and Alice became closer. I must also mention that he, and his brother, brought the aforementioned Labradors into the story, along with descriptions of soulful eyes and opportunistic snacking and swimming.
I found that the feud was delivered excellently, and I could almost feel the tension as things began to reach their conclusion. There was no escaping the Shakesperean theme of the star-crossed lovers and felt that it fitted perfectly into the story.
Trevor Williams has an excellent style of writing, and I cannot wait to read his next romantic novel.

🏰Sweet new life in the hills of Emilia-Romagna🌄

Change of Heart, change of job, change of location: this book has a positive, forward-looking feel and that's what British Alice experiences along with an instant spark when she spots a man and his Labrador at a local restaurant in a small town near Parma. I loved the setting and the idea that a stranger with a mission can be a key instrument in bringing positive change. It's a feel-good story of healing and letting go of the negative baggage holding you back from a better life. I enjoyed it.

Despite the long-standing family feud a la Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet that shapes life in this small town, Alice's story is fairly trouble-free. People back home and in Italy seem more than eager to help Alice. She arrives to manage a big project to turn a local castle into a museum and gets stuck in, charming the locals with her fluent Italian and her ability to spot an excellent networking opportunity. The noble family she works for really needs her ideas for shoring up their strapped finances and building a steady source of income. As to the entrenched feud that casts a shadow over her mission and integrally affects her new friends, Alice just keeps moving forward and leaves herself open to smoothing the way to ending the animosity.

Alice does have a physical disability that she lets color her idea of how people will accept her. I liked how her job, efforts to adapt to village life and her romance help bolster her self confidence.

Just a nice, relaxing read with a sweet romance (or three!) and a happy ending.

Thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

As regular visitors to Portable Magic will know, I don't often read women's fiction, but I always make an exception for TA Williams. Change Of Heart is set in Parma, and although I've never been there myself, I love how the author's description of the historical buildings (particularly the castle that Alice is enlisted to restore), the nature and the delicious food can take me to Italy and I can lose myself in the story for hours. I read Change Of Heart in a single day, which emphasises how engaged I was in this story.

The protagonist of Change Of Heart is Alice, and it's obvious from quite early in the novel that she has been through some difficulties in her life. I felt that TA Williams approached these with great sensitivity and it really made me root for her as she tried to overcome these difficulties. I really hoped that Alice would find the happiness she deserved.

Change Of Heart is a really well plotted story, and I love how the author has developed the feud between the Varaldo and Montorso families. I enjoyed the edge it gave to the romantic elements of the novel and the drama and tension it created throughout the novel, which kept me hooked from beginning to end.