A very enjoyable book that spans many many years
It’s the story of Amy and Luke modern day and Aimee and Luc medieval times and a pilgrimage
Both females are blind through accident/ violence and it is the story of their pilgrimage to Spain following the medieval route
The story toggles between modern times - 2016 and medieval time 1314
It was a really interesting read
It was both romantic and historical
Very well written and the attention to detail was excellent
I was sorry that their stories ended

2016: Amy and Luke are taking a slow road trip across Spain, loosely following the (or rather, a) pilgrimage route to Santiago. They're traveling together out of necessity rather than fully free choice, but something pulls them together.

1314: Aimee and Luc are taking the slow route across Spain, slipping on and off the (or rather, a) pilgrimage route to Santiago. They were not the ones meant to be making this trip, but necessity bands them together...and something else pulls at them too.

Now. I cannot resist a Camino book. I have tried, and I have failed, and frankly I no longer try. And this one is interesting for a couple of reasons: First, the parallel story. I've read very little Camino fiction (when I originally looked for some, I could find precious little other than some pulpy-looking murder mysteries, and it turned out that I *was* able to resist those), but the little fiction I *have* read has been entirely contemporary; the one other historical novel I have on my Camino shelf *is not even about the Camino*, and I read it because it was about a different pilgrimage and that was the closest I could get at the time. Although my fourteenth-century history is not exactly stellar (and for the most part I prefer contemporary fiction anyway), it's clear that research went into this, and I enjoyed both the historical details—especially the info about the Templars—and the contrast between now and then.

The second thing that is interesting is that both Amy and Aimee are blind, and relatively recently so. I was a little disappointed that the contemporary story did not involve a more traditional pilgrimage (that is: walking), as that would have added another dimension. But I come at this from a biased place (I miss the Camino), and I got over that disappointment fairly quickly while reading. It helps, of course, that the 1314 story is on foot! In any case, nice to have blind main characters: they experience the world from a different perspective than Luke and Luc, and they're both quick to establish that while there are things that others can help with, they're neither incompetent nor helpless.

A few quibbles: First, Luke's backstory is a Dramatic Backstory that doesn't serve much purpose other than to give him, well, a Dramatic Backstory. It might have worked if there had been more follow-up on it, but it kind of drops off the face of the earth, and we're left in the dark about how his career (among other things) will move forward, and what that means for him and Amy. It's a weak spot in a well-crafted story. And second, there are odd comments here and there that either rub wrong (Luke's friend asking, ahead of time, if he'll be able to "cope" with escorting a very attractive woman—what, has this man no self-control?—or Amy assuring the reader that she had a friend make sure that Luke was good-looking before she agreed to travel with him...it took many chapters for her to regain my respect) or just don't make sense (Amy's comment about her "guardians," who are never mentioned again and who have no place in the life of a fully competent adult woman). They aren't dealbreakers, but they were headscratchers. I also couldn't quite decide how I felt about the way the storylines intersect—clever or contrived?—but on the whole it worked for me.

A satisfying addition to my Camino library.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

I hadn’t realised that this book was written in two timelines, and alternating chapters. This format works very well, telling two concurrent tales of present day Amy and her guide, Luke, and 14th century Aimée and Luc. Both couples are travelling along the pilgrim path to Compostella. The descriptions of the scenery, food and medieval architecture are wonderful. I found the story a bit repetitive though, so only 4 stars.

It’s been rough for Amy after an accident robbed her of sight, but she’s coming to terms with it and determined to live life to the fullest. A medieval expert, she decides to follow the famous Compostela pilgrimage. Guiding her is Luke, also a medieval expert who might need the activity and adventure too. As they go along, they kind of invent their own story or trace a story from hundreds of years ago (fittingly, about people named Aimee and Luc), which is shown as a parallel story/dual timeline. They grow closer, learn more about each other, and start trusting each other with their secrets and troubles.

I loved Amy and Luke, two somewhat troubled people trying to find their way back into enjoying life and truly living. I loved how their feelings grew and developed along with their characters and strength. I couldn’t really get into the medieval characters or story as much, though it was well-written and I’m sure many people will enjoy it.

Not the story I expected but I enjoyed it . You had two timelines and you moved back and forward. Not my favourite way. The research of the Spanish walk and the loss of sight was good. The walk is on my to do list. Good characters . Read and escape

I truly enjoyed reading about Amy and Luke‘s voyage on the camino de Santiago. Yet I also loved reading the second Timeline in 1314 also on the Camino which had many interessting Facts about Templars and a romantic Story set in the Middle Ages is something different.

I just found that the cover and blurb were a bit misleading as I expected a sun-drenched escapist read while it was set in snowy April and half the book took place in 1314 which isn‘t mentioned in the book’s description.

It was definitely different than expected yet still a very enjoyable read that I can recommend.

A gorgeous story but, I couldn't expect anything less from this author. Always a great read and always the descriptions are powerful. Very much wanted to be there in the sunshine. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher's for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A tragic accident that claimed the lives of her family and eyesight have left Amy more than a little lost. Amy is looking to find a new purpose in her life and is starting with a pilgrimage to the Santiago de Compostela with her guide Luke to lead the way. Luke is also trying to decide what his future will hold after the pilgrimage.

A lovely dual story set in the same place but centuries apart. I found the dual aspect interesting but would’ve liked more development in the main story. A great way to learn about the medieval times I certainly did!

Amy decides to go to Spain to walk the Compostela pilgrimage, after a tragedy. Luke is her guide. they find themselves having feelings for each other.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel that contains two parallel stories contrasting the journeys of two couples separated by seven centuries. Each pair is traversing the path from France to Spain on the famous holy Compostela pilgrimage, but under vastly different circumstances. In the contemporary period, Amy Hardy and Luke Patterson undertake a journey of healing from the darkness into light in a Range Rover and luxury accommodations. In contrast Luc and Aimee travel under the harshest conditions, pursued by secular and non-secular authorities who wish to capture and torture them for their involvement in a Knights Templar mission during medieval times. Woven into the storyline is the redemptive power of love.

While I enjoyed both aspects of the novel, I found the medieval characters and their trials far more compelling. The descriptions of the landscapes throughout the journey were evocative and interesting. Overall, I was engaged from the start and found it hard to put the book down once begun.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

I hadn't read anything by the author before but after reading Under A Spanish Sky I will definitely be reading more by them. The author's writing is beautiful and I loved the beautiful place settings in the book. I also loved the great mix of characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I discovered T A Williams’ books earlier this year and have really enjoyed reading about the Italian adventures of Armstrong and Oscar, so was pleased to receive a copy of this stand-alone novel ‘Under a Spanish Sky’.
This book describes the journey/pilgrimage of a blind girl and her guide to Santiago de Compostela. It’s set in dual timelines, the present day and also a parallel story set in the Middle Ages. Whilst acknowledging that it’s a unique and clever idea, I didn’t enjoy the historical chapters as much as the present day ones and even considered skipping over them, but didn’t.
I enjoy the author’s writing style and character development but must admit that this book wasn’t as enjoyable as the previous ones I’ve read.