Tartufo by Kira Jane Buxton takes place in Tuscany, Italy. I learned so much about truffles! I love to hunt mushrooms in northern Michigan, so this struck a chord with me. I also loved the community of people in the tiny struggling village of Lazzarini Boscarino. It was a bit jarring trying to figure out the timing of the book - the village is so old it seems like it should be from years and years ago, but then someone has a cell phone, bringing you back to the present. The story is touching and hilarious. I gave it 4 stars, because I got lost in all the detail, especially in the beginning. I also had trouble following some of the Italian words that weren’t translated. Even trying to infer the intent, sometimes I couldn’t figure out the meaning and had to let it go. Otherwise it is a feel good book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

3.5 stars. Tartufo is a story about a charming little Italian town that’s a little down on its luck. Newly elected mayor (the daughter of the recently deceased mayor who barely beat out a donkey for the role) gets a huge opportunity to save the town when one of the residents finds the biggest truffle that’s ever been seen. If the auction goes well, the money could put the town back on the map and save them.

I thought this was a cute story. I struggled a little to get into it at first, and ended dissatisfied by one of the story lines not being tied up. But overall, I enjoyed it! It was a nice light break from the dark thrillers I gravitate toward. A quick, fun read that I think most would enjoy.

**ARC review. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read it early.

This sweet story was set in a dying Italian village where the people of the village have fallen on hard times. Their businesses have no tourists and their castle is in disrepair. The village just elected a new mayor who barely beat the lovable town donkey. When a rare, enormous truffle brings hope to this charming little town, the hilarious townspeople ban together to revive their village to prosperity.

This was an enjoyable story with very likable, funny characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central for sending me an Advanced Reader Copy. #NetGally #Tartufo

4.5 stars. This was so charming and quirky. It's a story about community and coming together as one to help each other. It was beautifully done. Dummy me did not realize that tartufo is Italian for truffle, and a giant truffle is arguably the main character of this whole story. I absolutely loved each and every character, and there are a lot of them. There is a "glossary" of characters at the very beginning to introduce you to them. I was grateful for that, going back many times to refresh my memory if I had to put the book down for a bit. I am uncool enough to realize that my eyes tend to glaze over when reading foreign names, so I had a bit of a time keeping everyone straight. Nothing I couldn't get through though. I really enjoyed this and the any over the top players in this heartwarming story.

Sweet little novel with a lot of great character work and some lines that made me chuckle loudly in public. Opening with a summary of the townspeople feels overwrought at first, but ended up being a really helpful tool to flesh out the story. It felt like no character was wasted, and with the author noting that this book is all about good relationships, that makes total sense.
I did find the late-onset sentimentality to be a bit too on the nose. With an over-the-top plotline and scenes constructed like sitcom moments, it did feel a bit jarring and on-the-nose to start having characters directly giving us The Moral Of The Story.
Still, a good time and a fun escape. I think many others will enjoy this when it is published. 4.3/5 stars, rounded down to 4.

Tartufo was difficult to follow. It had a cute premise and was similar to other novels I’ve read about rural and isolated Italian villages, but the “zing” was just not there. There were lots of characters doing lots of things, but I just didn’t get the flow of a story line.

I appreciate this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Tartufo is a story of irony, history between people, friendship and community. Set in the fictional rural Tuscan village of Lazzarini Boscarino which is facing hardship due to lack of funds and tourists. There is a large cast of characters who are all intertwined as all small town residents are - with most of their histories getting in the way of themselves. The characters are all charming in their own way which truly brings the story alive. The story reminds us that even during extreme hardship there is always a bright side - or something beautiful growing under the surface.

If you read Kira Jane Buxton's Hollow Kingdom and Feral Creatures, you will be used to her wit and style. Although I loved Hollow Kingdom, I do have to admit that I did struggle with the beginning of Tartufo but once I pushed through, I was glad I did - as there was a heartwarming story ahead of me. I am not sure if it was a pacing issue of just the descriptive wordiness itself which is a part of the Buxton's style but seemed possibly a little of the top for me. I did also notice some inconsistencies within the writing which I am sure will be corrected before the time of publishing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the privilege of reading an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

This novel is set in the village of Lazzarini Boscarino in Italy. We are introduced to all the colorful villagers and animals of the town. The story develops, albeit slowly, into a very enjoyable adventure perfect for reading during the summer months. I received this ARC from Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

While Tartufo was a fun story, I just feel like it wasn't the story for me. I'm sure many will love this book of drama, laughter and adventure. It's almost like reading a Shakespeare comedy as a novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC of Kira Jane Buxton's 'Tartufo.'

Populated by a wonderful cast of characters who live in the bypassed, dying Tuscan village of Lazzarina Boscarino 'Tartufo' follows their adventures in the wake of the discovery by the local truffle hunter, Giovanni. There's a voluptuously barmaid and her celebrity chef ex-husband, a newly elected mayor (who's also the local vet) and her husband who runs the last bar/restaurant in the village, the aforementioned truffle hunter, a nonna (and her young protégé) whose house and garden were stricken by a landslide, a disgraced postman, a psychic, and many others including some domestic animals with real character and personality - dogs, a vindictive cat, and a much-loved donkey.

The discovery of the truffle, worth a lot of money, unleashes a cavalcade of events and outcomes that none of them could've foreseen.

It's lovingly and beautifully written - there's a very big focus on food and smells which, themselves, almost become characters, all of them wonderfully described. Although it's a constantly funny novel there's a lot of emotion involved.

I would love to see this made into one of those gauzy ensemble films in which you could lose yourself for a couple of hours of fun, beautiful scenery, and great characters.

3.5/5.0 ⭐

Despite the initial difficulty in getting into the story, Buxton's novel ultimately delivers a heartwarming tale with feel-good themes and memorable characters.

The beginning is thick with characters and minor details making it a lot to sort through. However, it does mellow into a charming narrative about an old Italian village, Lazzarina Boscarino, that's on its last leg. It follows Giuseppina, a bartender who receives a prophecy about a visitor, and Delizia, a newly elected mayor, and her journey from panic to leadership.

Tartufo delves into themes of identity, self-discovery, community, loyalty, and tradition with humor and irony.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Such a cute story about the power of love, forgiveness, and the roots that tie us to home. Not what I was expecting, but I was unable to put it down and found myself deeply invested in the characters. A good summer read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher to early access to this ARC.