The Tuscan Sister’s Secret is the second in The Tuscan Sisters series by Daniela Sacerdoti. It’s a continuation from where book one left off but this time it focuses on Bianca, the twin of Lulu from book one. Within the first few pages readers are brought up to speed with events and the family’s current situation although without giving too much away which is good for new readers and for me it served as a refresher as to specific details and the timeline of events which I had previously enjoyed. This was a quick read which opened with a brief but tense prologue set in 1944 where a woman called Viola is in a room full of paintings as planes soar overhead and she is waiting for what she feels will be the inevitable but then we learn no more as we are taken forward to 1985 to Casalta the family home of the Falconeri sisters in Tuscany.

One thing that the author excels at throughout this book is bringing the Tuscan countryside and the city of Florence to life. The descriptions are rich and vivid without being cliched and you feel as if you have been transported to a different country and place where you can forget your daily life worries for awhile as you focus on the unravelling of Bianca’s story. The Falconeri sisters have recently buried their father and Lulu has returned to the family fold. The loss of their father was a relief for them as he had been a tyrant, a bully and a cruel cruel used to getting his own way and imposing fear and hatred upon others. His actions had torn the family apart and now they are finally reunited in more ways than one. Life should be good as Lulu is trying to get the family wine business back on track and the sisters are at last free to be who they wish to be. Yet for Bianca, there is an uneasiness about her, a restlessness even though their life situation had resolved itself. For many years with the forced absence of her twin she was the one who had to step in and look after her younger sisters. They relied on her and she would have done anything for them but now she is at a loss as to what to do. She runs a charity caring for the elderly with her close friend Camilla but as satisfying as this is there is more that she would like to do.

With her sisters finding their own ways in life now she must do the same and a long held ambition is to apply for a course in art restoration. Bianca was very down on herself. Change for her meant anxiety and that she is not good or clever enough and this made me want to give her a good shake and urge her to just get on with things. I think her fathers unhealthy and strong influence had inflicted so much pain on her that even though he was gone his shadow still lingered for her. This is why I felt she wasn’t as strong and as forthright as Lulu. I found her to be weak and having had to constantly walk on eggshells for so many years she hadn’t the will power to forge determinedly straightway onto a new path. Instead that took time and effort. Each of the sisters have a gift which I won’t delve into and usually I would roll my eyes and laugh at magical realism in a book but it worked here because of the subtleness in which it was interspersed with certain events in the story.

Bianca can see scenes and people from long ago flowing parallel to the current day but when Lulu left so did Bianca’s gift and it has not returned which is another issue which eats away at her and which has severely eroded her confidence. Not to mention there is also a love story which has many unresolved strands. Again something I won’t go into as it would ruin the book but I did think when she got the job at the museum in Florence that the romance element was going to go one way which I didn’t feel particularly comfortable with as I didn’t feel it was right for her. So it was interesting to see how this subplot was developed over the course of the book as it was definitely something that was nagging away at her and given the family history I couldn’t see how misunderstandings, feuds and secrets could be resolved. Bianca needed to look deep inside her and follow her heart but I thought perhaps she was too caught up in finding her gift again and the imprints of the past were still making their presence known in the present.

The timeslip element of the book brought us back to Viola who lived in Casalta during the war years. When Bianca finds her diary in the documents that she is archiving we get glimpses into Viola’s story and parallels emerge between the two young woman although they are separated by over 40 years. I do find reading diary entries that I tend to speed read through them and I don’t perhaps absorb as much information as I should. Therefore I don’t think Viola’s story had as much of an impact on me as it could have. I understand its necessity in bridging the gap with Bianca and helping her to see things in the present but it would have had more of an impact for me if there had been specific chapters from Viola’s viewpoint. I think I would have gotten to know and understand her more whereas I felt I only skimmed the surface with her. The diary does help Bianca understand unravel her own life and to that end it served its purpose but I didn’t form the strongest of connections with Viola.

I did feel that there was more of a specific storyline in the first book. There was a clear sense of purpose and goal for Lulu whereas here I found myself looking for this with Bianca. She didn’t seem as together as Lulu and the real mystery element that has previously been present wasn’t really there for me except for the very last page which left things on a major cliffhanger. In fact, it had me gasping in shock but I was also secretly thrilled because it has opened up endless questions and possibilities for future storylines. It certainly guaranteed that I will return to see what happens next but even without this plot twist, I do desperately want to read Mia and Nora’s stories. I feel they have been very much on the periphery so far almost like enigmas with just the briefest hints as to what may be troubling them or how their individual stories will develop.

I did enjoy The Tuscan Sister’s Secret but book one The Tuscan Sister slightly edges out in front for me at the moment. Bianca showed a lot of strength and self-sacrifice in protecting her family and it was good to see her finally taking her life back and reclaiming it finding her voice and her power as she did so. If you want family drama, secrets, romance and a time slip element in your next read than this will be the story for you.

The Tuscan Sister’s Secret is book 2 of a series, and just like the first (which I have read for a change) is full of family secrets. This story is told from two perspectives, Bianca in the 1970s and 80s, and Viola in the 1940s, although mainly through her diary entries. The setting and pacing are wonderful and I loved getting to "know" Bianca. Of course, having parts of the story set in the the 1940s just made it even better in my opinion.

Bianca and her sisters all have a 'gift' inherited from their mother, and Bianca's is a connection with someone from the past, Viola. I absolutely loved this element of the book, and finding out who the mysterious Viola was, as well as learning more of the families often painful past.

I'm hoping there's more to come in this series as I'd love to read the story of the remaining two sisters as well.

This is book two in The Tuscan Sister’s series focusing on a different sister in each book, although this can be read as a standalone.

This was a beautifully written heartwarming story set to the stunning Tuscan backdrop. I really enjoyed getting to read Bianca’s story, this book follows two timelines past & present and this was a great way to see how the past helped shape Bianca into the person she is now. Bianca was a great character, so caring and compassionate, she loves her sisters fiercely and gave up a lot for them.

A beautiful read.

The saga of the Tuscan sisters continues with Bianca's story. She had to hold the family together when her father exiled her sister and her mother mysteriously disappeared. Now, with her twin's return, her family duties are shared as she hopes to recapture her life. It's a story of forbidden love, family loyalty and many secrets. The bond between the sisters makes this an emotional and uplifting read, and the historical perspective that the WW2 timeline offers adds depth to the 1980s relationships and secrets. There is a supernatural element, as each sister possesses a psychic gift, which gives the story its uniqueness. I like the emotional family dynamic, the romantic possibilities and the family secrets.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

After years of protecting her sisters from their Dad
His death should mean life's no longer bad!
The return of her twin sister is brilliant news
But all the changes bring different views.

Memories, friendships and so much more
Is now the time to dream and explore?
Are fresh starts the best with someone new
Or is rekindling past romance what she should do?

A story where events from the past
Are shown again in a way that will last.
Will secrets hidden during the war
Be brought to the fore once more?

A fabulous dual time line adventure and romances
Where hidden abilities lead to new opportunities and chances.
A page turner read that’s fascinating all the way through
No wonder I highly recommend it to you!

For my copy of this brilliant book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

I would like to thank Bookouture, Netgalley and Daniella Sacerdoti for the E ARC of this book.
This is book 2 in the Tuscan Sisters series and we learn more about Bianca. Since her twin sister has returned Bianca is no longer the only sister who is looking after her sisters and maybe wants to try spreading her wings a bit. She loves her job helping and looking after those who need doing so in her village, but is it enough? What about her love for Lorenzo, will that develop?
She would love to work in one of the many galleries in Florence, at an interview with one of them she bumps into an old school friend, Brando, who secures her a position in the archives of the Uffizi Gallery. Whilst there she discovers the diary of the young girl who used to live in her home, the more Bianca reads the diary the more she sees her own life being mirrored back at her.
Can Bianca be happy in Florence with Brando or is the pull of home and Lorenzo too much?
I loved this book. The characters were well written, it was good to get more of the sisters back story and see with more depth what the tyranny of their father had done to them all. I loved that that they were there for each other and in many ways helped each other. The plotline developed from book 1 and it was great to see Bianca come out of her shell and try new things. She maybe the quieter twin but she by no means doesn’t have her own strength and resilience.
A great 2nd book and I look forward to book 3.

This book was a little different than what I normally read. I love a good family saga, and this is definitely that. Bianca is on the hunt for more about her family. Her relationship with her father was terrible, but the connections she had to the women in her life kept her going. She gave up the love of her life to protect her sisters from her father.

I liked Bianca’s character. She was so compassionate and protective of those she loved. She sacrificed herself for everyone around her.

There’s a little magical realism in this one, which really fits the story well.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy of this book.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Bookouture.

I think that in some ways, this book was a little bit different from what I expected, but I enjoyed it. Bianca was a likeable protagonist, and I appreciated the close bond she shared with her twin sister, Lucrezia. I also felt that in general, all the characters seemed to support and take care of each other.

The author brought the story to life on the pages, and there was something about it that felt nostalgic to me. I enjoyed following Viola’s story as well as Bianca's, and I appreciated the romance, with a few moments that tugged at my heartstrings.

This was a romantic, uplifting read that whisked me away. Thank you to Bookouture, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Beautifully written book. I enjoyed how it was written across two timelines. This is the second book of the series. 

Follows the stories of sisters with special gifts (immediately made me think of the film Encanto!) 

The first book told Lulu's story. In this, the second book, Lulu has been reunited with her family but now twin sister Bianca is feeling lost as she is no longer having to be the strong one taking care of everyone. She is finding it hard to be allowed to put herself first for a change. 

Bianca has a special magical connection with Viola, a previous occupant of Casalta, the family villa. Bianca finds Viola's diary and there were intriguing similarities between their lives. 

Beautifully descriptive writing meant I could really picture Tuscany at the time. Lovely escapist read.

The Tuscan Sisters Secret is an enjoyable read. I found myself immersed in the story of the 4 sisters and their lives. The book is told in different timelines. I love that the sisters all have a gift that no one knows about but them.
Add to the mix the Italian way of life then and in 1985, and the pressure on women and how they navigated there way through their responsibilities, hearts belonging elsewhere.
Viola’s written words leave good for thought. Family trauma, drama and the strength to keep on going. Will they all find their feet? You’ll have to dive in to this lovely summer read. You’ll find yourself longing for a trip around the winding roads of Italy and her beautiful scenery.

🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is the second book in The Tuscan Sisters Series. You can read it as a stand alone but I recommend reading them in order because you will love them! It’s about four sisters who live on their family’s Tuscan villa. Let’s meet our characters:
Bianca: The main character who is torn between two loves. Each sister of the sisters have a “gift” passed down from their mother. Bianca’s gift is to see and hear people from a long time ago.
Lorenzo: The man Bianca loves but cannot be with because of a family conflict from a long time ago.
Brando: A childhood friend who helps Bianca get a job at the museum
Viola- A mysterious woman from the past we discover through an old diary
This story blends family secrets and forbidden love. It is a great time slip novel. It ended on a cliffhanger so I can’t wait to read the next book! Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#TheTuscanSistersSecret #DanielaSacerdoti #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #SummerBooks #NewMystery #FamilyDynamics #BooksSetInItaly

Bianca returns to her family home to assist them and discover the direction her life is taking. However, her childhood love, Lorenzo, still occupies her heart. They met as children but were never able to be together due to their family’s feud.

When Bianca encounters another old friend, Brando, he helps her secure a job at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. She finds immense joy in cataloging the museum’s library. But her life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers an old, dusty diary. The secrets it reveals have the potential to alter Bianca’s and her family’s lives forever.

“The Tuscan Sister’s Secret,” written by Daniela Sacerdoti, is an enchanting continuation of The Tuscan Sisters Series. Sacerdoti possesses an extraordinary talent for drawing the reader into her captivating stories. The vivid descriptions of Tuscany immerse the reader in its beauty. The Uffizi Gallery in Florence appears as a captivating place to explore and learn about the past.

The plot unfolds with intriguing twists and turns as Bianca delves deeper into the old diary. The revelation of family secrets adds a layer of intrigue that keeps the reader engaged and eager to discover more. Despite being part of a series, “The Tuscan Sister’s Secret” can be enjoyed as a standalone read. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates well-written fiction.

Back to the beautiful setting of Italy, the reunited sisters are settling in,
I was tortured for a good part of the book as Lorenzo and Bianca continued to circle each other. I wanted to lock them together in a room for 24 hours so they would be forced to interact with each other.
I thought Tamera should have been tossed in the grape press!
The ending is a cliffhanger so I’m eager to see how the next book plays out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of The Tuscan Sister's Secret by Daniela Sacerdoti. This book is the second of the series about Italian sisters. I have been to Italy and enjoyed it immensely. Reading about Tuscany and Florence was delightful. I could see Casalta in my mind's eye. I was initially skeptical as to whether or not I would enjoy the novel due to the sisters' "gifts" but I persevered. I loved the book. It was a great love story with history built in. It ends with an opening for a third book in the series. I wonder if this will happen. I would definitely read it. Go ahead and give this one a try. Even though it is the second book, enough backstory is given for it to stand alone. I gave it a 4 star rating.
#Bookouture #Danielasacerdoti #NetGalley

I found that this was a really good sequel to the first book and that there has been some development with the characters. The author has managed to maintain the passion from the first book which is also a good sign. I binged both of the books and i feel as if i know these characters and can not wait to see what happens next.

This is the second book in this series. This is Bianca’s story. It’s a good continuation of this series. I liked Bianca’s desire to move out of her comfort zone and embrace life. It ended with a bit of a cliffhanger so now I’m anxiously waiting for the next one

My thoughts:
I enjoyed the first book in the series. This installment was just as good.
✨Two timelines of 1940’s and 1985
✨Family secrets
✨Romance
✨Touch of a magical element
Perfect series for fans of historical fiction reads.
This is my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Loved it!! This book centered around Bianca. After the first book, I knew there had to be something between Bianca and Lorenzo. There had to be a reason behind Lorenzo's anger. Bianca's gift disappeared after Lulu was sent away. Slowly it starts coming back with the discovery of Violet's diary. Violet lived at Casalta before Bianca's family. She was almost like Bianca's "imaginary" friend growing up. Only Bianca could see her. Bianca and Violet's story mirrored each other in so many ways. Bianca should not have allowed Tamara to get under her skin. She didn't need to change her hair and clothes because of some woman. Bianca was strong, despite growing up with such a manipulative father. Falso Falconeri always tried to make her feel small and insufficient. The arranged marriage was another power play. What did Mia say to her father to get Bianca out of the marriage? Loved the ending and what Mia reveals. What will this do to the family? Loved getting to know all the characters, especially the sisters. The description of Italy was beautiful and I would love to visit. One of my favorite parts was Violet's diary and learning about her life during WWII. Even though she didn't love the man her father arranged for her to marry, he at least gave her independence that her father didn't. She learned to drive and was allowed to work, I'm sure everything would have changed after the wedding, I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Definitely recommend the book. Loved everything about it- the story, writing style and characters. It's full of love, tragedy, family relationships, forgiveness, tons of secrets and lies and so much more. Loved the magic surrounding the family. I can't wait for Mia and Nora's story. What gift does Nora have? There's still so much more to learn about the sisters. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Love the cover of the book.

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

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for my complimentary copy of The Tuscan Sister's Secret.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It was so nice being back in Casalta. I have always wanted to visit Tuscany, and each of these books allows me a very affordable vacation.
The family has (seemingly) moved on after the events of the first book. This book focuses on Bianca.

Told in back and forth timelines, we are able to see how her past is shaping her present day life. I really like learning about her gift. I enjoyed how this gift allows us to see the similarities between Violet and Bianca. From her love of art, her home and family obligations, their lives are seemingly intertwined over the years.

I really enjoyed the family drama in this second Tuscan Sister's story. And it looks like the drama will not be resolved anytime soon!
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Great setting🌄

3-3.5🌟 stars
The Tuscan countryside and the sights of Florence seemed the actual stars of this story. The author provides beautiful, evocative descriptions of the setting. I just wish the character descriptions were of the same level. I did not connect with the characters, maybe because they were described with such broad strokes (particularly the men) and not a lot of depth.

The story fluctuates between two time periods, both dominated by father figures who control their daughters with intimidation and threats. The plot was fine, enjoyable but not riveting; the modern day romance was in fact a bit of a disappointment for me. I've read better by this author. Viola and her life in WWII-era Tuscany definitely added extra interest but by splitting the plot in two I fear neither storyline got the full treatment it deserved.

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

Review shared on 5/16/25 on Goodreads and with Barnes & Noble and BAM. To be shared with kobo and Google Play upon publication.