The Tuscan Sister is the first in a new series from Daniela Sacerdoti which will follow the lives of the four Falconeri sisters. Series following sisters or women seems to be becoming quite popular with some Bookouture authors and I am loving it as it brings continuity to books and always leaves you wanting more. This is a modern story and was a welcome break from the abundance of historical fiction that I have been reading lately. The setting of Tuscany is fabulous and through such wonderful and detailed descriptions the setting jumps off the pages and really helps set the atmosphere and tone for the story. This was a quick and relaxing read with some very good twists and turns as the fall out from one event for a family is explored.

This book focuses on Lucrezia (Lulu) who has been in exile from the family home, Casalta, for over twelve years ever since she was only twelve years old. The vineyards, olive groves and special house had been her haven and sanctuary until terrible events turned into a place of loneliness and heartache. Her mother is found dead on the hillside and in the months that follow she has been rebelling and has become uncontrollable. It’s her way of dealing with everything and with a father who seems to care little for the four young girls left without a mother who could blame her for acting out in this manner. Her twin Bianca can’t reach her to offer comfort and solace and her younger sisters Eleonara (Nora) and Maria (Mia) themselves needing a strong figure they can do little to help. Each sister is blessed with a gift which manifests itself differently in different generations. This could have come across as too farfetched but it was woven very well throughout the plot. Lucrezia can see people’s inner emotions and thoughts as halos of colour around their body. The way Lucrezia is feeling now her halo is undoubtedly black as she is full of anger and rage at the loss of her mother.

A surprising event sees her banished from the house and to be honest I couldn’t believe that this was happening to a 12 year old and when the reasons for it are explained it very much seemed a complete over reaction and there was no way she should have been excluded from her family. It demonstrated what a cruel and callous man her father, Fasco, was. He ruled the house and his business with an iron fist and was not the loving male figure the girls needed in their lives with their mother gone. I did initially think where can the story go from here? We know why Lucrezia was banned and what else could be said about it but the author had lots in store for her readers and as the story moves to focus more on the modern day with brief glimpses into the past a fascinating tale unfolds and Lucrezia finds herself in a very difficult position.

In the present day, Lucrezia is living in Paris and is in a relationship with Claude, a famous chef. Whilst attending an event she sees something which she thought was just her eyes playing a trick on her and then she receives a phone call which changes everything. Her father has died and she must return for the funeral. The love she has for her sisters shines through here as she has not been back to Casalta since she was sent away and though tempted to leave things that way deep down she knows that she must return and in doing so hopefully she can put old demons to rest. ‘I longed for it, yet the darkest part of me also longed to see it disappear destroyed with all the awful memories it carried’.

I thought it was very admirable and brave to go back considering the heartbreak and devastation that had been enforced upon her. She has had little or no communication with anyone since she left and the reasons for this and the backstory to everything are tantalising drip fed to the reader. You become indignant at what Lucrezia was forced to endure and question why didn’t someone do more to help her? Yes she is filled with bitterness, fury, anger and resentment but yet the reader could see there is a pat of her that wants to find resolution, acceptance and forgiveness. Forgiveness on all the sisters parts for the role they played in everything. For Lucrezia, Tuscany and Casalta bring about mixed emotions but now she must confront everything and be prepared for the consequences.’ I loved it. I loathed it, I longed for it, a combination that pulled and tugged at my heart so violently, it left my head spinning’.

Lucrezia arrives at Casalta to find in some ways everything has remained the same but there are changes around the corner that will be challenging to traverse. Brief information is provided about the other sisters and knowing there are more books to come in the series I found myself trying to suss out what there stories could be about and Nora is the one whose story I am really keen to read. Bianca, Nora and Mia have been at Casalta living with their father whereas Lucrezia has seen more of the world through no fault of her own. I didn’t like the way Nora reacted to Lucrezia’s homecoming. I felt they should have welcomed her with open arms but there were a lot of secrets and things no one knew and that’s why this couldn’t have happened. Only for she loved her sisters so much I thought Lucrezia would have upped sticks and fled back to Paris when she hears some very unsettling news that places her in a very awkward position. It was almost as if her tyrant of a father was playing mind games with her from the grave. After all that was done to her you wouldn’t have blamed her for abandoning everyone as was done to her so many years ago. ’I just wanted to go back to Paris, where everything was regimented, contained, all my walls were safely up and my heart was locked away’.

There are so many things not said, plenty of misunderstandings and of course secrets that are uncovered the further the story develops. Some of them seemed to come out of nowhere and be a bit just too convenient and at one point I did find myself thinking oh of course this happened and this is just too easy. I understood the necessity for their inclusion so as to allow other things to happen but a slight more secrecy to the build up of the reveal I felt was necessary. The inclusion of the Ovali family really helped bring the story full circle but I did think the plot regarding Vani although helped me understand the bigger picture being explored, it did feel too rushed. To be honest I wouldn’t have minded if he hadn’t been included because Lucrezia and her story were strong enough without him. Lucrezia showed such grit, courage, determination and above all else strength as she waded against the tide of change. She was a remarkable character and readers will identify with her and feel great empathy for her.

In the end notes Daniela Sacerdoti said she is painting the sisters world one novel at a time and that sums up this book perfectly. There are hints that there is lots more to unravel about the sisters and after this very promising start I hope the wait for book two won’t be too long. Family and sisterly relations, secrets, the sense of belonging and so many complicated feelings are explored in The Tuscan Sister and I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It was a really good read that left me wanting to know more about the other Falconeri sisters.

Lucrezia has recently lost her father and retuning to her childhood home in Tuscany is not something she is looking forward to. She wants to confide in her sisters and tell them the truth as to why she really left all those years ago. Her father has left a mountain of debt and her home is at stake. She is determined to save the only home she has ever known and will do everything possible to keep from losing it. When Lucrezia runs into her long lost love, Vanni all the feelings she had for him resurface. He wants to help her save her family’s home and in doing so she must uncover the truth to the lies she has always believed.

The Tuscan Sister, written by author Daniela Sacerdoti is a heartbreaking and amazing story of returning home to family. I loved the storyline and the family saga made this an unputdownable rapid page turner. Sacerdoti’s vivid description of Tuscany made this a much needed escape. I loved the rolling hills and I could actually smell the roses and rosemary wafting in the air. This story of returning home is a masterpiece and gives the reader hope of going back. I truly enjoy this author’s writing style, with awesome and smooth flow to her stories. I really enjoyed Lucrezia’s story and found myself cheering her on. I wanted her to find happiness at home. I loved this amazing story of love and family and is one that I highly recommend.

A rich and deeply evocative novel about family, nostalgia and longing. Everything I love about Daniela Sacerdoti and probably my favourite book of hers.

BookTok review to follow.

The first of the series about four sisters whose lives have been wrenched one way and then another.
Lucrezia was tossed away by her father whose cruelty reached epic proportions but he got what he deserved.
Many secrets are revealed but I empathized with Nora’s attitude toward one character who makes a surprise appearance, Forgiveness doesn’t come easy.
I,liked that it was set in 1985 and that the sisters were named and modeled after four paintings.
I wonder whose story will appear next.

This is the first book in a four part series about a family of four sisters in Tuscany. Daniela writes beautiful descriptions of the Tuscan countryside. There’s dark secrets & deception. The dual timeline narrates the events of 1973, when Lucrezia (Lulu) is only 12, & 1985 when she is 24. This is Lucrezia’s story. Subsequent books will be about the other sisters. Bianca is her older twin sister, & Nora (horse-lover), & Mia (artist) are her younger sisters. Emotions are raw & fraught. The story is sometimes heart-warming, & at times heart-wrenching. (I didn’t like the auras). Late in the story there’s twists & important revelations. This book is complete in itself.

A story about family and one sister returning to their family home. This is book one in a new series. It’s very descriptive and well written. It has some secrets and a little magic to it. It’s a good start to this series.

Fantastic new read from Daniela ,a fabulous story so well written and beautifully descriptive. The Tuscan Sister is a wonderful story full of good characters, some nice, some not so nice , but all good in their own way.,Highly recommended.

When Lucrezia returns to the family home upon hearing of her father’s death, she knows that confronting her sisters will be emotional. She had been sent to boarding school as a young child, after the death of her mother, never to return until she feels safe to do so. Whilst her sisters welcome her home, she is unsure of the response from Vanni, her childhood friend. When she discovers that her father left debts that threaten to cost them the house, Lucrezia feels passionate about doing all she can to save their home. Yet, Lucrezia still wonders about her mother and soon she discovers that there are still secrets that must be uncovered, before she feels truly at ease in her home.
The plot was well paced with emotions flying freeing throughout the story. The description of the Tuscan countryside is well described, helping to justify the ties that the sisters all feel to their home. I did feel that the romance between Lucrezia and Yanni was strained and I would have like to have read more about them together when they were younger to understand the depth of their feelings. An entertaining read,
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another amazing story from this author. Love, loss, families reconciliation with the backdrop of Tuscany and Paris. A multigenerational saga. I loved the story, the characters, I was rooting for the sisters throughout and was invested in each of their journeys.

Lucrezia is an Italian woman who lives in Paris where she is the assistant and partner of a famous French chef. When Lulu receives news that her father has died the reader soon discovers that she is not living abroad of her own free will and that there have been serious issues with her father who sent her away when she was a young girl.
Her sisters welcome her back and Lulu is happy to be finally home in Tuscany only to discover that her father has left te four sisters heavily in debt. She also renews her acquaintance with Vanni, a boy who was her friend and for whom she developed a crush at the time she was sent away but who is also one of the sons of the family her father was in a feud with for decades. What's more, Lorenzo, Vanni's older brother had an eye on the sisters family home.

The story is interesting enough with just a whiff of the supernatural in it, the sisters all have a peculiar "gift" but somehow I found this book lacking in comparison to previous books I read by Daniela Sacerdoti. All the ingredients are there: past romance, intricate family relationships, suspicious death, nice Tuscan landscape etcetera, but somehow I got the feeling that emotions are switched on and off like you push a light switch. transitions are to abrupt and there is no real development in feelings and character.

Well, it still is a decent enough read and the setting is lovely, I would love to see the frescoes that the two woman painted in the house.
Three stars for the setting and the general story, I just think it could have been better.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

Family drama with evocative description of the Tuscan landscape🌄

I've come to trust author Daniela Sacerdoti to produce a moving story with sublime descriptions of the setting and in The Tuscan Sister she does it again. Here a family of four sisters has suffered loss and separation and have to knit their lives back together upon the death of their controlling father. A good plot that kept me involved, lovely descriptions of the Tuscan countryside and more than its share of surprises and twists for main character, prodigal daughter Lucrezia/Lulu and her sisters.

If I felt the revelations and twists late in the story seemed a bit too convenient, that does not mean I did not appreciate how they contributed to the satisfying ending and, yes, there is a nice romantic element included.

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

Having read all of this authors books I can say this is another excellent read, The author has a way of enticing you in slow but sure can highly recommend this and any of her other books.

Lucretia has always had a rocky relationship with her father. At a young age, after the death of her mother, she is sent away. No one knows the real reason she was sent away.
When she is informed her father has passed away, Lucretia returns to her home of Tuscany.
Reuniting with her 3 sisters is very emotional as they get to know each other once again.
Can they overcome the past?
Can they wounds from the past be healed?
Will Lucretia be able to share what happened to her when she was sent away by their father?
Reunited siblings
Family relationships
Past romance
Secrets
Highly recommended for fans of family saga drama.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I always enjoy Daniela Sacerdoti books and was delighted to receive a copy of her latest book The Tuscan Sister.
After the death of her father Lucretia travels back to her childhood home in Tuscany to reunite with her three sisters.
A lovely story about family relationships, secrets and belonging.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

My first book by this author, it was an enjoyable read as I enjoy a nice setting like this one. It is well written and a quick holiday read that I'm sure many will enjoy.

This is a beautifully written novel set in the backdrop of an old family villa in Italy and is the first of a series which features the four sisters who grew up there.

Lulu is the sister featured in this book and we see into her life and the special gift she inherited from her mother. We will meet the other sisters in their own books but there is a good background here on them all.

The book is superbly written as you would expect from this talented author and the descriptions of the beautiful Italian countryside make you believe that you are there, along with Lulu, following her story.

I would highly recommend this to those who enjoy a family saga and anyone that enjoys a well constructed love story.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this story from start to finish. It is family drama at its best. The characters are all well developed and uniquely different, which made the story even more enjoyable. The plot had everything - family, tragedy, loss, love, lies, deceit, and ultimately second chances. I loved the description of the setting, felt like I was there. A must read!
I received an advance copy of this book ini exchange for my honest review.

This is the first of four books set in the Tuscan countryside about four sisters called Lulu,Bianca,Mia and Nora.
This book centres on the life of Lulu who was banished by her father from the family at the age of twelve following the death of her mother.Now ten years later following the death of her father she returns to her family home and her sisters.
She is met by bitter resentment from some of those dear to her but as the story unfolds not is all as it seems.
It is an absolutely brilliant read and can’t wait for the next book.

I am a great fan of Daniela Sacerdoti's books so I was delighted to be given early access to this the first of a new series. The series is based in Italy. Sacerdoti's novels are usually based in either Scotland or Italy, or both, as reflects her own heritage I believe. The Tuscan Sister tells the story of Lulu one of four sisters and there are three more books to follow relating the stories of the other three sisters one would presume. There is just the right amount of romance, whimsy and frustration in this book and I enjoyed it immensely. We get to know Lulu well whilst the characters of the other sisters are nicely outlined in preparation for their own books. A brilliant start. I can't wait to read the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own

I have been a fan of this author for the last few years. There is something in her writing style that calls to me as a reader. So of course I had to request book 1 in this new series about these four amazing sisters.
Book one is based around LuLu and her return to the estate 12 years after she was essentially banished at the age of 12. Her reason for return is the death of her father, where there is no love lost.
There are so many interesting bits to this story that are being used to set up the future books, which I cannot wait for!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.