This is a slow paced romance, with sweet emotions and a beautiful story under the Italian landscapes. Ready?
This is not a story to rush, is a book to let it flow in its own pace and get you attracted by the characters and the plot. Lucy Young, the main character, is not looking for love, she is looking for a place to relax and heal from the stress. There will be some interesting characters crossing paths with her, some old lovers, good friends and new charming faces, all will have their own space on the story and will make it more easy to flow.
I enjoyed this read, the romance is not the main point of this story but Lucy’s happiness, her need to be fulfilled and be happy with who she is, something that we all want but cannot always achieve. Because Lucy is a woman with strong ideas and goals, not any lover or formal relation will make her happy and that’s something I really liked about the story, she can be in love but if she knows that the relation will not make her happy in the long term she prefers to end it before being too involved. This is a treat I admire and I value a lot, if you need/want something but your partner/friends/job can’t give it to you, it’s always better to leave before you get hurt, don’t you think?
This had been a very nice read, sweet and sunny, perfect to keep me warm on these rainy days!
Ready to take a walk Under A Siena Sun?

What a great book this is ❤️

T.A Williams never fails to please!

You begin by being thrown in with a really dramatic start with Lucy in the firing line whilst doing her job as a doctor.

You then travel to Sienna for Lucy’s friends wedding and end up staying in the beautiful, well described scenes where Lucy takes up a new job within a surgery.

This is where she meets David and the romance begins. 

I really enjoyed this book, I’m not a huge traveller but every time I read descriptive writing of Italy it really makes me want to go and visit. It just sounds so beautiful!

I give this story 3.5/5 stars

Under a Sienna Sun utilises wonderfully rich descriptions to make you feel as though you’re right there in Tuscany. Read if you want a virtual vacation.

I have to admit, I was certainly after a bit of an Italian vacation. Right before COVID hit I was planning a trip to Rome. While this story takes place in another part of Italy, I was able to lose myself in the beautiful setting and enjoyed a virtual respite. Hopefully one day I’ll make it there for real.

This story opens on a very dramatic and intense scene. Lucy’s mobile clinic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is under fire and she and her fellow nurses have to be airlifted out. I enjoyed the author’s description of that scene and the way it portrays the importance and dedication of the many doctors and nurses who work in Doctors Without Borders. The UN Peacekeepers certainly play their role too. This theme of helping others and working with the less fortunate is one that plays out across the entire book. Later on, we’re also exposed to the daily realties refugees face even after they’ve survived their harrowing journeys. The author is never preachy on these topics but they are worked into the tale very well and realistically.

For the most part, Lucy is a wonderful character. She’s strong, determined, ambitious, generous and lives her commitment to social justice. She does, however, make money into far too big of an issue. Not a chapter goes by where she is not expressing her discomfort over living in comfort when so many in the world are facing tragic situations. It’s part of her character but it is well-established early on in the novel and the repeated harping took away from my overall enjoyment of the story.

However, there were still other aspects I fully enjoyed. Lucy has a network of darling friends and I enjoyed the scenes where she interacted with her best friend Daniela. Her neighbours from an elderly Margherita to her kind grandson, the scholarly Guido and even the rascally Tomassino all help create an immersive sense of setting.

The romance between David and Lucy is sweet. I enjoyed reading about his difficult past and how he works to overcome it. Their first meeting as well is quite cute, all things considered!

Overall, Under a Sienna Sun is a cute, clean romance set in a most dazzling location..

Being a long-time fan of this author’s ‘Dreaming of’ series, as well as a self-confessed Italophile, I was eager to read this latest offering, ‘Under a Siena Sun’.

A trademark of T A Williams’s writing is his incredible ability to transport the reader into the heart of Italy and this book is no exception. The spectacular Tuscan countryside, along with the deliciously flavoured local delicacies are truly brought to life and offer a perfect escape for the imagination.

No T A Williams book is complete without its obligatory canine character and in this one, we are treated to not one, but several labradors, although undoubtedly it is Boris who steals the show!

The central characters, Lucy and David come from vastly different worlds, but the story of their developing friendship and eventual romance is perfectly portrayed and I found myself totally enthralled and invested in their relationship.

It is testament to how much I enjoyed this book that I finished it in two sittings! A highly recommended summer read!

I have read a previous book by this author and I love that there is an Italian setting in it, the same with this novel. It made me travel without leaving the comfort of my home. And with the current situation of the world, it’s the best solution.

As we follow Lucy and get to learn more and more about her, about the internal struggles, about the experiences she had in her life, about how kind she is. I loved her and how the author showed us her strong aspects as well as her vulnerabilities, because that’s what makes us humans, and what got me to connect with Lucy.

It was a good romance, with enough sweet moments and dilemmas to create some balance. The flow of the story, the way the romance story was so entertaining with all the characters in the mix and the possibilities. It was so much fun and interesting. So enjoyable.

Plus, it had this brilliant setting and exploring it through the descriptions was amazing and I felt like I was standing right there with the characters. Absolutely the perfect escape this summer.

Overall, I loved it. It was a lovely romance that I had fun with. I can’t wait to see what else this author is going to bring to the table.

[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and T.A. Williams and Canelo for the eCopy of this book, via NetGalley, and for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]

Mentally and physically exhausted from her stint in Africa as a doctor for Medecins Sans Frontieres, Lucy escapes to Tuscany for a well-deserved holiday. It sure beats dodging bullets.  But when she is made an offer she can’t refuse, she settles in Siena working for a private hospital and buying a lovely cottage with spectacular views of the Tuscany countryside. In the meantime, she meets the attractive former tennis star up the lane and grows to like this troubled man. But falling for him is not sitting well with her. His wealth and artificial world and her principles of caring for the underprivileged are in conflict. The problem isn’t him, it’s everything he stands for. Will she choose him or her conscience?

I admire Lucy’s drive and courage to stand up for what’s right. She is a kind and caring person who is dedicated to helping others who cannot help themselves so it is understandable she has doubts about being with David and his large villa and bright red Ferrari. However, David is trying to be a better person and his grand gesture is remarkable and proof of his love for her. Their love of medieval history and the hunt to uncover information about the mysterious Englishman’s Castle gives an extra touch to the story.  And in true T.A. Williams fashion, he includes colorful supporting characters, adorable dogs, beautiful settings, and delicious cuisine that gives the reader a relaxing escape to better times.

Overall, this is an enjoyable and enchanting romantic getaway filled with history, wine, and charm.  Recommend highly!

Thank you to Mr. Williams for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

I really enjoyed reading this heartfelt romance between Lucy, a surgeon living in Tuscany to relax after a violent situation in the DRC, and David, a famous American Tennis Player! The book was well written with wonderful descriptions of the villa Lucy lived in and the village she called home.  I enjoyed how the history and culture of the area were woven into the storyline.  It made me want to buy a villa in Tuscany myself! I would recommend this book to readers that like a good romance or love to read about places around the world.
Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This author is always good for romance, storytelling and travel. This book has all of these, but this is more than a lighthearted romantic travelogue. Lucy is a dedicated doctor working in war-torn areas of the world. The beginning sets the scene for her recent life.

Life in Italy is idyllic but conflicted for Lucy, the social inequality of healthcare disturbs her, as does her role in it. The romance with a rich reclusive man is intriguing and realistic.  Vivid imagery and first-hand knowledge describe the setting, which is a sensory delight.

The perfect Summer escapist read, especially as I am writing this review amid rain and thunder.

I received a copy of this book from Canelo via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Under a Siena Sun is a delicious escape into the rich, sprawling, and vibrant landscape of Tuscany–just like the cover says! The descriptions of food in particular made my mouth water. You learn about the medieval history of the region from a learned professor at Florence University, which is a treat for history buffs.

Lucy’s (the main character) dilemma runs the span of the novel, with her head and heart at war with each other. We’re constantly reminded of how she feels about the rich vs. poor divide and how she develops feelings for a mega-rich person despite it. An overly generous gesture from this rich person could change Lucy’s mind, but whether it is enough remains for you to find out.

I must mention the adorable Labrador, Boris, who stole the show with his antics. Give me a cute, funny, furry dog in a book and I’m sold! 🙂

The novel opens with an action-packed chapter which rally sets the scene. Although the location is not where we stay, the openings gives the reader a real sense of Lucy and her character. This is then further evidenced throughout the rest of the novel.

I loved Lucy. She is a fiercely strong, intelligent and independent woman but so kind-hearted and down to Earth I just warmed to her straight away. In that opening chapter we learn she is strong but scared, caring but also has her own vulnerabilities. These traits continue to be explored all the way through the novel and it makes her such an adorable character.

The setting of Siena is simply stunning, and I have never been but thanks to Mr Williams, I feel as though I have. Everything is described with vivacity and it’s as though I am standing on top of a hill breathing it all in as I read.
For me, the plot is about two things. The romance aspect of Lucy’s life is brilliantly told with several suitors in the mix, it was difficult to know which way she would turn and who (if anyone) she would become romantically entangled with. The other aspect was Lucy’s journey towards a different type of life. I loved the R and R aspect and that she was able to overcome nightmares and other post-traumatic stress but also how she had to wrestle with ehr moral consciousness over whether treating rich patients in luxury was what she really felt was right.

Overall, I adored this summery romance novel full of Tuscan charm and wonderful characters. Really recommended for a few hours of escapism to Siena.

The start of this story is unlike any other T. A. Williams book, with Lucy Young dramatically being rescued from the middle of a conflict in the Congo. Working a doctor for Doctors Without Borders, she wants to help others and has decided it’s time to do so somewhere less dangerous. After some well needed time away following her harrowing experience, she visits her family, attends a wedding, and finds a job working in a private clinic in Italy. She has no idea how Italy will change her life.

This was so unlike any other of T.A. Williams’ books, I was shocked by the opening. I’m used to his gorgeous cozy romances in Italy and definitely nothing quite as harrowing as the opening to this. However, now I think he could be exploring genres and I would definitely be interested in reading a thriller written by him!

Fortunately, the book doesn’t stay quite as harrowing as the opening. It has all of my favourite quintessential hallmarks of Trevor’s books: a black labrador, a stunning setting, a couple I’m rooting for, and descriptions of food that sound so delicious that I am literally salivating whilst reading.

I loved that the female protagonist is intelligent and knows her own value. She sounds like a perfect doctor with limitless compassion and care that she puts into her work. When treating injured superstar tennis player she is professional and considerate, despite him being grouchy and irritable.

The romance in this story wasn’t obvious and I didn’t have a clue who Lucy was going to end up with! I felt as though I was just as invested in the side characters as some of the main ones. I was very happy with who she did end up with in the end. They made a great couple and could help one another grow.

A gorgeous story that matches the beautiful scenery it’s set within. If you’re looking for a light summer read to whisk you away, you don’t need to look any further.

A feel good romance under the bright skies of Siena and the warmth of its people. This was my first book by author T. A. Williams, and I have to say with a delightful sigh that the prose was mesmerizing. The landscapes and food described came alive with the strength of his words. I was in awe.

Having worked with Doctors Without Borders and escaping a dire situation in Africa, Lucy needed a break from work and a vacation to relax her body and mind. And what better place than Siena where her best friend lived.

The book was all about food and wine, sunshine and friendship. There was a sparkle in it that made me smile, especially when love interest David entered the story as a grumpy, rich patient.

Lucy as a character had a great set of values. She was committed to her work and everything that she beloved in. The characters were plenty, they were warm and kind-hearted. The author did place some reckless-with-love men to bring about the contrast.

The dogs in the book were the best, unique in their ways and so loving. The story was prose perfect, but it missed the emotions, the angst and feelings that love brings. A woman's heart is everything and more. It feels things minutely especially when in love. I liked everyone on the book but could connect to none.

Overall this was a sweet, quick read for me. Siena is now another place in my wishlist.

Another fabulous book from this author and very topical to have a doctor as the main character. This may be an easy-to-read romance but at its core, there are some burning ethical questions that the heroine has to deal with. The luscious descriptions of the Italian countryside are as near as I'm going to get to foreign travel this year but brought back many memories of Siena. A great read that will linger long after you finish the last page.

Being stuck at home during a pandemic, Under A Siena Sun is the perfect summer read to give you that much needed break from life right now.

Lucy Young has been in war torn Africa working for Doctors Without Borders/medicine sans frontier for a few years and after being rescued from a conflict zone she decides to hang up her MSF hat and take a job in the beautiful Siena. Italy has long me on my bucket list, and TA Williams did a wonderful job of not only bringing the characters to life but the amazing Italian culture and scenery.

The beginning of the book was quite intense so you can see why Lucy would find the peaceful idyllic life of Siena a welcome break, she takes a job at a prestigious clinic that is a stark contrast to what she worked in in Africa which leaves her feeling a little conflicted, it does make you think how money and privilege brings you better healthcare. The story moves at a leisurely pace building the characters and the relationships between them.

This was a feel good clean romance, with great characters and an amazing setting I really enjoyed this story and I can't wait to delve into TA Williams other books!

4 stars

This is the second novel I've read by T.A.Williams and again I'm blown away by the descriptive narrative and the gorgeous Italian backdrop.

After her dramatic rescue from her medical clinic base in The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lucy Young's relief to be safe and sound is palpable. As a busy doctor, she badly needed a holiday after her gruelling workload in DRC, but knew it would only take a few days before she'd get itchy feet again. After visiting her parents in the UK, she flew to Tuscany to attend her friend's wedding. Meeting up with her childhood friends leads to an unexpected job offer. The position conflicts with her personal views but she acknowledges it would allow her to fulfil some personal goals. After much soul-searching she accepts the job and buys a home, only to discover she's already met her mysterious neighbour… 

The author has a wonderful way of incorporating enticing descriptions of the featured locations as well as introducing us to dynamic and intelligent protagonists. As a doctor who has worked for Medicin Sans Frontieres for many years, Lucy is both passionate and compassionate about her work and the patients she treats. In comparison, David Lorenzo has earned millions as a professional tennis player, who is struggling to accept his injuries can't heal sufficiently to resume his career. For two people from differing backgrounds and unlike views of the world, I enjoyed how they interacted to find common ground and how both had to compromise to find a solution to keep their relationship intact.

The secondary characters surrounding Lucy and David add to the ambience of Siena and the surrounding Tuscan countryside as does the inclusion of the mouthwatering meals and drinks enjoyed by them all. Boris the black Labrador and his numerous siblings are an adorable inclusion and highlight how animals are an invaluable asset in forging friendships between their owners….eh, humans!

Overall, Under A Siena Sun is a delightful novel allowing the reader to escape to a beautiful part of the world. If you enjoy reading thought-provoking romances between intriguing characters, you'll love this and other books written by T.A. Williams.

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher Canelo via NetGalley***

Catapulted from the war torn fields of Africa to the beautiful hills of Siena our kind, caring leading lady Dr Lucy Young is finding it difficult to adjust and finds it unjustifiable how life fairs so differently for many.

Lucy is now in Tuscany receiving some much needed R&R after a physically and mentally demanding time working in extreme situations for the Medecins Sans Frontieres.  She’s quickly gained new employment at a private clinic but isn’t sure how long she can cope working for the privileged.  However, Lucy soon falls in love with Siena; it’s history, it’s landscape and it’s very friendly neighbourhood dog.  All this beauty surrounding her gives her much joy and peace.

Lucy starts to grow more than platonic feelings for her reclusive neighbour and soon learns they share a love of history and their friendship blossoms.  However, Lucy’s old woes of principles keep fighting with her conscience and she doesn’t know if she can fit in this new lifestyle.

Whenever I read a book by T.A. Williams he peeks my fascination with his locations.  I appreciate and relish the extensive research he has taken for his storylines and can feel the author’s love of the history of a location emanating from the pages.  I long to visit many of T.A. Williams book locations to sample the local delicacies, visit the beautiful area but mainly walk the paths of our ancestors.

Under a Siena Sun is a beautifully, fascinating story that is romantic and heartfelt.

Goodness, what a dramatic start – as Lucy, a front-line doctor, is air-lifted from war-torn Congo just in the nick of time. No wonder that she decides she could do with a bit of a break – first her friend’s wedding in Tuscany, and she then takes up an unexpected job offer from a private clinic, deciding to put some roots down for a while. And if the opening drama was a surprise, so was the focus on the inequalities of health provision that recurred through the book – very well done, something that gives a little food for thought, and quite unusual in a lighter romance.

But worry not, there’s plenty of what the author has always done so well too. Lucy encounters David at the clinic – a tennis pro who’s reached the end of his career through injury, who suffers with depression, and who has just had an injury caused by a gunshot. He gets her a little warm under the collar – and then she finds he’s her landlord at her new home, and lives the life of a recluse in the big house next door.

I’m guessing I don’t really need to tell you how things then develop – and I wouldn’t dream of doing so anyway – but I really enjoyed the journey, and found the romance very real and convincing. The whole story’s really well paced, with a few complications from David’s need for anonymity and the interventions of a rather overzealous journalist: there’s another issue with the couple’s very different backgrounds and fortunes, but the whole book is full of the exceptional warmth I’ve come to expect from the author’s writing. I enjoyed too the additional depth to the story through their shared love of history – a quest into the fascinating background to the nearby Castelnuevo.

The setting is as wonderful as ever – the vineyards, the olive groves, the well-described patchwork landscape, and I enjoyed the exploration of historic Siena too (another one for the bucket list). We even have a visit to the Palio, the twice-yearly horse race through the streets – loved it. And, as always, you’ll feel the heat of the Tuscan sun, and salivate your way through the book with the great food descriptions.

And is there a labrador around? As if you have to ask – Boris is just wonderful, muscling in on the action at every possible opportunity, a real character. And he’s not the only canine star – there’s a whole slew of black labradors around, all related, every one such a well drawn individual.

If you’ve enjoyed any of the author’s other books, you’ll love this one every bit as much – and I certainly did. But I did rather enjoy its sometimes slightly harder edges through that focus on social injustice and inequality. Nicely done – and another book from T.A. Williams that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

(Review copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)

🌄Great vacation read with idyllic Italian summer living🍷 and romance💕

4.5🌟stars
This was a low-key, minimum drama (after the exciting opening chapter), easy read for me, just the type of story to enjoyably occupy a lazy afternoon.  It was my first time reading one of the author's works and I could see quite plainly that Williams loves the Italian food, landscape, cultural and way of living.  

Heroine Lucy begins the story stressed out of her mind and her choice to go to Italy to rest and recuperate turns out to be a spectacular decision.  Lucy is a character who is so generous and caring she seems to attract good things and people to her.  At times, like in her quandary late in the book, she almost seems too good, but, despite her frustration at living in a have versus have not world she never gets preachy; I liked that about her.

I loved the troop of secondary characters (including the ubiquitous Black Lab contingent) and the inclusion of atmospheric descriptions of some of Tuscany's most iconic landmarks and panoramas.  Williams did a great job creating a backdrop that was a veritable feast for the senses and I find it hard to believe anyone who enjoys this book does not long to hightail it to Italy to experience the sights, tastes and sounds for themselves. 

Thanks to publishers Canelo and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book;  this is my voluntary and honest review.

Review live at the link below on 27th August.

Happy publication day to the first book in T. A. Williams’ latest sun-drenched series, Under a Siena Sun!

Despite my sorrow that the lovely ‘Dreaming of…’ series is now complete, I was thrilled to pick up this equally heart-warming story, which is a positive start to the ‘Escape to Tuscany’ series of romantic adventures which are all to be set in that area.

T. A. Williams obviously has a great love of Italy, as the settings and people are described in beautiful detail, making you feel as though you’re walking the village streets with the main characters.

Although this is very firmly a romance novel, it does touch upon quite a thorny subject – that of financial inequality and global poverty. Placing Lucy as an ordinary girl working with Médecins Sans Frontières and giving her strong ethics is a great move as it gives the novel another layer in which it is acknowledged that the world of privilege that Lucy finds herself in is neither inevitable nor the only lifestyle in seemingly magical Italy. It’s rare in romantic fiction to find a heroine with a social conscience, and it was very welcome here.

What would a romance novel be without a dashing hero? In Under the Siena Sun, David Lorenzo is all you would wish him to be as a reader, and reading about Lucy and David finding their way nervously towards love is very sweet.

As ever with a T. A. Williams book, you’ll find a mix of stunning scenery, well-researched historical detail and a certain loveable breed of dog – all the ingredients I have come to love from his other work, and I can’t wait to read more in what promises to be an unmissable series.

Under a Siena Sun is published by Canelo.

To find out more about T. A. Williams and his full range of books, you can check out his website. Alternatively, why not connect with him on Twitter?

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!