Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this eARC!

This was such a wonderful and light read! I wasn't sure what to expect, but I loved the characters and the story. I also loved that in the beginning of the book there was a list of all the characters; that helped so much. I can't wait to read more from Kira Jane Buxton.

Happy pub day to this quirky read! Thanks to Grand Central, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for early reader and listener copies in exchange for my honest opinion. I started by listening to the audio, and I thought the narration, including the Italian accents, made the story more fun, so I mostly listened, following along in the ebook at times.
Tartufo translates to truffle, and this book follows the discovery of a massive truffle and the auction that the unknown town of Lazzarini Boscarino, which is in need of money, holds to sell it. If you aren’t aware, truffles are some of the most expensive foods, as they are hard to find and grow, and they do not last for a long time, so time is of the essence in this book. While it took a little while to get going, I really enjoyed this story and giggled quite a bit while listening.
I’ve had truffle fries and pasta with truffles, and I personally love truffle cheese. Trader Joe’s makes an excellent one - it’s super flavorful! I have heard about truffle hunting, but this book gave a good mix of information along with a fun story. One of my favorite parts of the story were the interactions between the humans and the side character animals: Aria the truffle-hunting dog, Maurizio the donkey that ran for mayor, and, my favorite, Al Pacino, the seemingly always-pregnant female cat
This was my first time reading this author, and I have seen great things about her previous book, Hollow Kingdom, so I’ve added that to my TBR. The book is available now, and I recommend it and the audiobook!

I REALLY loved Buxton's Hollow Kingdom books and this latest is another drama-filled story with plucky animal side characters who steal the show from the small Italian villagers whose lives get turned upside down when a truffle hunter and his dog find the world's biggest truffle. Told from alternating POVs, the sheer number of characters to keep track of in this story was a bit daunting but it was just dramatic and over the top enough to keep me thoroughly entertained from start to finish. Definitely recommended and good on audio too!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Tartufo by Kira Jane Buxton was such a delightful and heartfelt novel!
The beautiful descriptions and unforgettable characters made this book so hard to put down!
A sweet and funny story that I highly recommend!

🍃Set in a sleepy little Italian village surrounded by forests, Tartufo is a charming novel full of humor, heart, and a strong sense of community. The village is almost bankrupt, with landslides having destroyed homes and tourists flocking to the more famous village nearby. But what binds the story together is Nonna Amara and the love the villagers share for their four-legged companions.

One such companion stumbles upon a treasure that could change the fate of the entire village—but what lies ahead is for fate to decide.

This book is as funny and heartwarming as it is emotional. It’s a little slow to start, but once the story picks up, I found myself fully immersed. The vivid descriptions of nature and the forests transported me straight to this enchanting village, and the characters felt so real.

A delightful read with humor and heart, perfect for anyone who enjoys stories about small communities, unexpected surprises, and the bond between humans and animals.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the copy!🍃

Kira Jane Buxton’s Tartufo will make you wish you could spend your next vacation surrounded by the people and forests of Lazzarini Boscarino, a tiny Tuscan village.

As Giovanni Scarpazzi’s truffle-hunting dog Aria first detects the pungent odor of underground treasure wafting through the air from forest to Bar Celebrita, the depopulated village’s last surviving restaurant, former veterinarian Delizia Micucci will soon convene her fiirst meeting as newly elected female town mayor. After narrowly defeating Maurizio, the beloved local donkey and her closest opponent, Delizia now faces more nearly insurmountable obstacles: a missing woman, a skyrocketing cat population largely attributed to the revengeful Al Pacino, a landslide that displaced beloved elder Nona Amara, and the problem Delizia dreads bringing up at all—one that threatens Lazzarini Boscarino’s very survival. .

In a place where the powers of nature and time play equal roles, readers encounter not only truffle-hunting dogs, an aging donkey, and a troublesome cat but also ants, a honey bee, a spider, a wild boar, the world’s largest and most valuable truffle,, a wedding, a wake, a birthday party, an exorcism, a Southeby’s auction, a heist, a Dark Knight, a fortune teller, an ex-con postman, a priest with a notorious but hidden past, a female bartender described as New Year’s Eve incarnate, and an octogenarian grandmother, who is village cook, hand-holder, heart-mender, and proponent of the philosophy that “sometimes silly is the very ingredient we need.” And that is only a start!

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Groupfor an advance reader egalley of the latest treat by Kira Jane Buxton’s—a novel that will make readers laugh out loud and hold their breath in suspense, but one that will also touch their hearts. ,

I didn't think I would enjoy the writing style once I began, but it did grow on me. The scenery, the characters all such charming additions.

Lazzaroni Boscarino is a dying Italian village that all the tourist skip over but that might all change according to Giuseppina’s psychic who has give her a message… that she can’t remember all of but it has something to do with a visitor, riches and a death or you know whatever. The towns post man might be on the run from the law. There might be a lovable Nonna who everyone would do anything for. A donkey that maybe ran for mayor. Delizia who is working behind the scenes to save the town. And a truffle hunter who is using his truffle hunts to seek peace after losing the love of his life. Two adorable truffle hunting dogs, one who is more reliable than the other. Oh and a cat name Al Pacino. The quirky cast of characters really goes on and on. But you won’t know unless you visit Lazzaroni Boscarino while reading this lovely story. I hear the coffee is good at Bar Celebrità, enjoy!

Unexpected!

A slight wind originates in the depth of the forest imbued with a pagan secretive scent. It winds through the undergrowth stimulating and sensual, quietly and gently whispering in and around the small and charming medieval village of Lazzarini Boscarino.
All have left but a few.
Mayor Delizia longs for the fortunes of the village to be different.
Thanks to the chemistry, the magic of a truffle, change comes in an unexpected way.
A slow start, gathering interest as the rather special story unfolds.

A Grand Central Pub. ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC for review. This book was absolutely delightful! It took a minute to get into the story, but once I did I couldn’t put it down. I read this author’s previous book, Hollow Kingdom, VERY different subject matter and much less cussing 😂, but similar theme- family. Tartufo takes places in a small Italian village on the brink, that no one knows about and if tourists DO find their way there, it is by mistake as they were looking for the bigger, fancier city down the road. That is until the mayor finds the biggest, most impressive beautiful white truffle- Un Tartufo, and then there’s the possibility of fame and riches the village as never known, if only the people of the town can get it together and not mess it all up.

Kira Jane Buxton's Tartufo is a literary feast for the senses, brimming with evocative descriptions, unforgettable characters, and a narrative that feels both wildly imaginative and deeply heartfelt. Known for her unique ability to bring vivid worlds to life, Buxton does not disappoint here—her impeccable sensory writing transforms each scene into a multi-dimensional experience.

From the lush, atmospheric settings to the smallest sensory details, every description feels alive. Buxton's prose is so textured that you can almost feel the humidity in the air, hear the rustling of leaves, or taste the tantalizing dishes that are such an integral part of the story. It's a masterclass in immersive storytelling, where the world-building is as palpable as it is enchanting.

The true heart of the novel, however, lies in its lovable cast of characters. Each one is brimming with personality, quirks, and depth—so much so that they leap off the page. The relationships between them feel authentic, with moments of humor, tenderness, and unexpected vulnerability that make you root for them from beginning to end. It’s impossible not to imagine these characters starring in their own TV show; their antics and heartfelt connections would translate seamlessly to the screen, delighting audiences week after week.

Tartufo is more than just a novel—it’s an experience. With writing as rich and textured as its characters, it’s a story that lingers long after the final page is turned. Kira Jane Buxton has crafted a work that’s as intoxicating as it is unforgettable, a true testament to her boundless talent and creativity.

Tartufo is heartwarming, hilarious, and irreverent, precisely what you'd expect from Kira Jane Buxton. An old Tuscan village full of the most eccentric people is on the brink of dying when a truffle hunter finds the mother of all white truffles. Hilarity and hijinx ensue as the village deals with unexpected (some say unwanted) celebrity and the chance that they'll make a fortune.

A small Italian village, a quirky cast of characters, and a giant white truffle bring together a hilarious novel that is so much more than it seems.

With humourous animal characters, and humans dealing with loss, longing, and life, the reader is transported to a small Italian village and rooting for this village to return from the brink of death.

This would be an excellent book to read with a book club as there are so many aspects that different people will identify with. I just want to discuss it with someone!

I started this as an audiobook, which I found very helpful for pronunciation and understanding some of the nicknames. If you are unfamiliar with Italian, this may be a good idea.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Net Galley for the DRC. All opinions are my own!

This was such a unique and sweet story. I don’t know which was more adorable, the characters or the small Italian village.
I’m a sucker for books written in Tuscan scenery.
I’m even more a sucker for a group of well written, adorable characters thrown together for a common goal. This books has all that and lots of humor and sweet moments along the way. Loved it. So fun.
I went into this book blind and was pleasantly surprised, I recommend doing the same.
Thank you netgalley for the ARC and libro.fm for the listen! (Loved the Italian accents)

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun reading a book. Kira Jane Buxton’s debut novel, Hollow Kingdom, was quirky and witty and unique but not high on my list of favorites. Tartufo, however, takes the same witty quirky angle and infuses it with a lyrical, poetic flow that I found purely delightful, an amazing sign of growth for the author’s craft. The characters are so much fun and so well defined and fleshed out (though of course larger than life caricatures to fit the tone) while the love and commitment they have to each other is more real because of their size. The book is just brimming with gorgeous turns of phrase and vivid, visceral descriptions. If you don’t enjoy books that spend a good amount of time in rich description of smells and tastes then this won’t be for you. I didn’t even know there were so many amazing ways to describe scents.

Overall a quick delightful funny quirky read I look forward to reading again.

Tartufo by Kira Jane Burton is an absolute gem of a book, one that I didn’t expect to leave such a lasting impression, but here I am, still thinking about it long after I’ve finished. It’s a funny, sweet, and heartwarming exploration of relationships and what truly matters in life, and I cannot recommend it enough. Burton’s writing is equal parts laugh-out-loud amusing and beautiful, creating a narrative that’s as entertaining as it is emotionally resonant.

The characters in Tartufo are what really make this story shine. Each one is so well-crafted, with distinct personalities that come to life on the page. There’s an authenticity to how they’re written, and I found myself deeply invested in their relationships, struggles, and growth. They reminded me a lot of the characters we see in Fredrik Backman’s books—relatable, deeply human, and brimming with charm. I couldn’t help but root for them.

One of the most unique and magical aspects of Tartufo is Burton’s writing style. It’s something I haven’t come across before and absolutely loved. The way she introduces characters, the setting, and certain events—by following an insect, an animal, or a scent through the scene—is utterly captivating. This approach adds an ethereal quality to the narrative, making each moment feel like it’s brimming with possibility and magic. The way Burton weaves these sensory elements into the story creates a rich, immersive world that you want to linger in.

The story itself, at its core, is about discovering what’s truly important in life—relationships, personal connections, and understanding that happiness isn’t found in material things or fleeting moments, but in the bonds we build with others. The humor in the book never distracts from the deeper emotional moments; there’s a balance between lightheartedness and poignancy that makes Tartufo such a fulfilling read.

Thank you Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for this arc.

I read the blurb and thought, this sounds delightful. Having finished the book, I would love to see it as a movie as the writing is very visual. I’m not sure how the POV scenes from a surly pregnant cat (Al Pacino), two loving truffle hunting dogs (Aria and Fagiolo), a bee, a spider, and an ant (all unnamed) would be handled but they must be in it, too.

Before getting started, I would urge possible readers to search for and read an excerpt. Decide if this is a writing style you can live with. The initial chapters are also daunting as a whole host of characters and their relationships will be tossed at you.

I list the tag “found family” but really this is already basically an already established family of villagers who have been through tough times as they watch older friends and family pass, businesses close, young people leave, and debts mount. Sure there is a bit of snipping and snarling at times as what group of people always get along? But they will – usually – stick together.

But then truffle hunter Giovanni and his two dogs discover the motherload. A white truffle of this size could potentially be auctioned off for enough money to save the village. To do so, the villagers need someone with connections and soon the ball is rolling. To get to the “finish line” though everyone needs to pull together which is something that they have a hard time doing since soon old grudges, worries, and relationships are tested.

The truffle might be the center of attention but the book is really about the relationships. It takes a while to set the stage, introduce the characters, and get going but once I was caught up in this world, I let the delicious writing, delicious food, and overall love carry me home. Going into the rich forest with Aria and Fagiolo is delightful. Watching Al Pacino terrify her enemies is hilarious. Giuseppina at all times but especially visiting Madame Fortuna is a treat. Nonna Amara is the beloved grandmother we all wish we could have while Delizia is the mayor we all need.

Brava that the end is not quite what I expected even as the tension mounted. Salvation does appear to be headed towards the village but also, not as I expected. Though perhaps the way it might arrive is a bit more believable. I finished the book wrapped in smiles even if, at times, the writing took a bit to wend my way through. B

I requested this eARC based off the cover alone and honestly didn't even read the synopsis before reading, just went in blind.... and I really, really enjoyed it! PHEW, right? 😅 This was a delightfully fun romp of a read, perfect for when you're off on holiday, perhaps need a palette cleanser from your previous reads, or even if you are simply just looking for some wholesome vibes— TARTUFO manages to cover all those bases and then some. I loved the cozy, small Tuscan village setting, the quirky* cast of characters (*the fun kind, not the insufferable kind haha), and just.... the overall story emanated and had such a strong sense of warmth to it that I can't fully explain but very much felt throughout reading. Buxton's writing style is very creative and unique imo, particularly in how she chooses to describe things/people/places; some may find her prose to be a be overly wordy and perhaps a bit superfluous..... but I am definitely NOT one of those people and we all *know* this about me also (as in, I eat this kind of sh*t UP lmao), so just something worth noting for those who may feel otherwise. I could definitely see myself re-reading this book in the future, and I look forward to what Buxton comes out with next!

artufo…more like Truffufo!

This is the story of a quaint little town in Italy that discovers a magnificent truffle that can change the fate of the town. As the truffle goes missing, follow the drama of all the quirky people in the town. Will the truffle be found and still be magnificent or will it be consumed with a spritz along the way!

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!

This book is fun and different from other books I have read recently, so I enjoyed it! It takes place in a very small town in Italy and has a unique cast of characters in the small town. It has humor, and we get a variety of points of views (including a dogs which is fun!). I loved the Italian setting and I loved the description of the large truffle that was found. I wanted to find out what happens to the town and the truffle and so I had to keep reading! This book is highly recommended for people that like character driven novels in small Italian towns!