Great summer beach read.

Thank you Penguin Random House UK for giving me the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book!

Lucia takes a break from being a hard working lawyer, hoping for promotion, to visit her Nono & Nona in southern Italy, where they run a pizzeria.
I’m immersed in the sights of sunshine, lemon trees and the smells of Nonas cooking and the Pizzeria and the very good looking, not quite ex husband, Giacometti, I’m there!
I was gripped right from the start and felt thoroughly bereft when I’d finished it!

Lucia (Luce) returns to Italy to stay with her grandparents, who run a pizzeria. Her grandfather decides it is time to retire and give up the business, and Lucia realises her life needs to change too. Underappreciated in her high-powered job as a lawyer, being overlooked for promotion is the catalyst to fire Lucia's ambition to become a pizzaiola (a female master pizza maker).

The fly in the ointment is Giacomo, Lucia's estranged husband, who she left seven years earlier, and to whom her grandfather has decided to entrust the pizzeria. Lucia persuades her grandfather to give her a chance, and she and Giacomo agree to a competition - whoever sells the most pizzas before the annual bocce tournament will take over the family business.

Fighting feelings she forgot existed, Lucia is determined to prove herself in a male-dominated world and finds some surprising allies along the way.

I loved this story, with its food-based setting, strong characters, and the way Lucia learned to let go of her past and find her true self. There is a theme about women being empowered to take control of their lives and not simply do or be what is expected of them, which I liked.

Giacomo is an enigmatic character, also scarred by the past and clearly fighting his own feelings too. He wasn't arrogant or patronising in the way that I possibly expected him to be. Family ties were important and he was able - slowly - to find his way to express what was in his heart.

If you want an easy read and love pizza and a sunny Italian setting, this is perfect. Just fill a glass with red wine, sit back and enjoy.

I was sent an advance review copy of this book by Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, in return for an honest appraisal.

This romantic escape to Italy is a feast for the senses in all ways, as Lucia makes her annual visit to her grandparents home in Italy, only to learn that Nonno and Nonna plan to pass on the family pizzeria to her ex-husband Giacomo! Aghast at the thought of losing all family tradition, and disillusioned with her corporate life back home, Lucia offers to take over the pizzeria herself. Soon she and Giacomo are working side by side in competition to prove their worth as Nonno's successors - but will proximity in the pizzeria alienate them further, or reignite the spark that attracted them to each other in the first place? This is a lovely, romantic read with great characters. Jo Thomas gives us a very traditional Italian setting, with singing waiters, matchmaking nonnas, fiery young women and patriarchal, traditional men, and lashings of descriptions of delicious Italian food that makes you fat just reading about it! But the food is not the only thing to whet your appetite here - with great characters, an intriguing plot that includes sweat, tears and sabotage, and a romance that sizzles like a pizza on the peel, this is a super summer read!

This book made me hungry!

Lucia has reached the point where she knows things need to change in her life, and when she visits her grandparents in their small Italian hometown she begins to feel that this is where she’s meant to be.
This story is mostly centred around the family owned pizza restaurant and how they need to find a balance between moving with the times while also appreciating and respecting the local culture. The town definitely has some old fashioned views, especially where women are concerned, and I loved seeing Lucia fight for the respect she deserved, despite being a woman in the restaurant.

There are some wonderful characters in this book, my favourite being Lucia’s grandparents - especially her nonna! It highlights the amazing things that can happen when women encourage other women.

The reason I gave 3 stars is mostly because I didn’t connect with Lucia very much and honestly found her a bit annoying! In the beginning she kept saying “when I get the promotion” over and over again, and I know the author most likely did this to prove a point, but it was just a bit too excessive. She also kept blaming everything on Giacomo without taking any responsibility herself in some situations. She’d fly off the handle without allowing him to respond, which is something that always bothers me in books!

So although Lucia wasn’t the best, it was still a lovely story and very entertaining. The descriptions of the food and the ingredients used were so incredibly detailed. I specifically remember Lucia trying fresh mozzarella while visiting a buffalo farm and thinking the description of her experience was perfectly spot on!

I found this story in parts predictable, in parts unbelievable. For example, it was obvious what was going to happen regarding Lucia's promotion., but I found it unbelievable that she did a complete about turn and suddenly realised her life's dream was to run a pizza restaurant. I also found it unbelievable that she had been separated from her husband for such a long time, and had pretty much forgotten to do anything as regards divorcing him. She seemed to place most of the blame on Giac for their troubles, but all I saw was that she left him and didn't communicate with him properly. Towards the end, there seemed to be so much angst and drama, when Giac had already told her how he felt. She planned to leave once again, whilst still blaming Giac. Poor Giac! Lucia was immature and quite irritating at times. I believe the book would have been stronger without the epilogue. It didn't add anything much to the story really. I also found the fact Lucia's grandfather was planning to sell the restaurant and not give Lucia a chance, just because of some old-fashioned views, to be unbelievable. Are parts of Italy really like that still in 2021, women expected to have babies and stay at home? All this sounds really negative I know, but the book had something because it kept me reading. I loved the food descriptions, the descriptions of the scenery, and the female camaraderie. This is a good holiday read. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was underwhelmed by this book. It is very predictable, the main character Lucia is irritating and not very likeable, and the storyline just didn’t ring true for me. It was obvious from the outset that Lucia was going to be passed over for her expected partnership in her law firm, it was flagged up so often in the opening chapters.
What sane person throws in a lucrative law career at partnership level to fight for a place running a pizza restaurant, even if it’s been in the family for generations, and has to battle it out just because she’s female? It is the 21st century, even in Italy!
The food references and descriptions were fine to begin with, then I felt I was reading a recipe book with some dialogue thrown in.
I’m sadly disappointed by this title, it did not live up to the hype for me.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

Lucia is a high-flying city lawyer who is expecting to be made a partner in the firm, something she has devoted years to earning, but when she is passed over in favour of a younger male colleague she starts to rethink her priorities. Visiting her Italian grandparents “Nonna & Nonno” she starts to help out in the family pizza restaurant as she always does. This is a very male-dominated society with businesses being handed down from father to son (the woman are expected to cook for the family but not in restaurants) but with Nonno looking to retire, Lucia’s father having died & her brother having no interest in the restaurant, it looks inevitable that Nonno’s Pizzeria will have to be sold.
Nonno then has a thought that the restaurant could be passed to somebody who is almost family – Lucia’s not-quite-ex-husband Giacomo. Lucia accepts that Giacomo is a great pizzaiolo but cannot bear to see Nonno’s restaurant become an outlet for his new trendy ideas … she soon realises that her heart is in Italy & the restaurant, but will anyone accept a female running a restaurant? Can she really become a pizzaiola? Let’s just say that nobody has reckoned on the power of the ‘Nonna Network’ – the local grandmothers who are quite something when they combine forces!
Overall this is a light, heart-warming book perfect for a summer read. It has a strong female lead character and despite the male-dominated society that still thrives in this small Italian town, the
There are also fabulous descriptions of the location, the people & especially of the food – after reading this, you will want to visit Nonno’s Pizzeria to eat a woodfired pizza with toppings straight from the Nonnas!

Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book free via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the author & publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own.
#ChasingtheItalianDream #NetGalley

Loved this book from start to finish. Well written and very descriptive evoking memories of Italian food prepared and cooked with love. Great, strong female characters. Nearly everyone has been in the positionin of trying to discover their true calling and this is certainly the case with the central character Lucia. Highly recommended

Another brilliant, warm story from Jo Thomas. My mouth watered constantly from the foodie conversations and I loved the family vibe between Lucia, and her Nonno and Nonna.
The strength of women and friendship came through totally in this story and I was so engaged with the female characters for sure. It was lovely being back in Italy again.

Chasing The Italian Dream is a wonderful warm story full of the love of a traditional Italian family.
Lucia returns to Italy as she does every summer to spend time with her Nonna and Nonno but, this summer there is a difference. Lucia is all set for a fantastic promotion to become a partner in her law firm, when she arrives in Italy everything is about to change as Nonno announces his plan to retire and sell the Italian Restaurant that has been passed down through the family.
Lucia is now faced with a man from her past - her estranged husband Giac. They soon become involved in some fierce competition.
The love Lucia and Nonna share is fantastic and Nonna introduces her to The Nonnas Network. We meet friends new and old who help her in her quest to win the contest.
Relax and enjoy Jo’s new book but beware the talk of Italian pasta/pizza will have you wishing you were there enjoying a glass of wine in the gorgeous Italian sun.
Thank You Random House UK and NetGalley for this early copy of Jo Thomas new book.

I enjoyed this book from the very first page and spent many nights staying up too late reading it. The location comes alive and as always the descriptions of food and wine are perfect and make you long to share in the whole pizzeria experience (especially as I’ve eaten out once in almost a year and a half!).

The main characters in this book have their flaws – Lucia is very single-minded and can’t see what’s truly going on around her and her ex, Giacomo, shuts up and retreats when faced with problems instead of stating how he feels. At times this would irritate me, but I think that’s because it was obvious they were meant to be together and I just wanted that happy ever after moment for them to come asap.

The cast of characters were like good friends, especially Nonna and Nonno, and I shall miss reading about them.

This book is the perfect way to escape for a few hours, who can resist a romantic retreat to Italy?

4.5 stars

I absolutely adored this book, I could not put it down.
I'd never read anything by Jo before but now I need to rush out and buy absolutely everything else.
The characters are so lovable and you can totally feel Lucia's emotions at every turn.

Chasing The Italian Dream is a wonderful novel following Lucy’s. She’s a lawyer living in Wales and chasing the next big promotion. As she packs up to go on her annual two week vacation to visit her grandparents in Italy, she’s convinced by the following Monday she’ll have the promotion in the bag. Enjoying her well earned rest her Nonna makes her feel welcome with delicious home cooked food but she’s saddened to hear her Nonno is retiring and thinking of selling his pizza restaurant as it appears Lucia’s ex-husband Giacomo is waiting on the wings to take over. When bad news arrives from home, it forces Lucia to re-evaluate her life and potentially live out her dreams.

I found this book impossible to put down. I adored the characters especially the Nonnas and found myself easily transported to Italy envisioning the sights and smells. A fabulously written five star read. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and the author for the chance to review.

I loved this, a funny, romantic, feel good read. This is a perfect summer read with lots of great loving family and lots of yummy Italian food. I loved all the charecters. It kept me guessing the end throughout the book. Wasn't your typical predicted love story.

‘Pizzas, made for sharing, with the simplest of ingredients, cooked and served with love. That’s what counts.’

Every now and again you just need that ‘breather’ of a book. You know the type .... one that whisks you away where the sun is shining, people support each other and new ventures are undertaken. Chasing the Italian Dream is just the fresh air I was searching for.

‘Now it’s my turn to be brave. Do what I love. I need to live to work, not the other way round. I need to see that what I’m doing means something.’

If you enjoy books set in Italy, rural Italy with loads of sumptuous food, then this really is the book for you. You will find yourself seated in the piazza, eating antipasto or pizza and with a vino of course! The range of characters are good - I particularly enjoyed the author's social commentary on the inherent patriarchal society prevalent in these older Italian communities - you know, women at home being wife and mother and not considered capable or appropriate to be a pizzaiola or restaurant owner. Credit to Jo for making one of the central themes of this book all about the role of women in conjunction with the contributions of all the ‘Nonna’s’!

‘... it made me see that life’s too short not to do the thing you love. Not to follow your heart, to feel like you belong.’

If you are after some pure escapism, especially as trips to the Italian countryside can only be via your armchair presently, then let Jo bring a little Italy to you. Visit Nonno’s Pizzeria and bask in the sun, eating and drinking to while away a few hours immersed in good Italian cuisine.

‘Pizza-making is about tradition, the terrain and the craft,’ I say, repeating my grandfather’s words. ‘It should not be about what sex you are or where you’ve come from. It’s about you putting your story on the plate, wherever you’ve come from.’








This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

This is funny, romantic with great characters and a great book to read on holiday.. I love how all the women pull together and are the soul of the story. Where would the men be without them! Jo Thomas is a great read.

I absolutely loved this book and it has many twists and turns. Initially, I thought the story was going to be quite formulaic but it wasn't so. Lucia is half Welsh and half Italian and a lawyer in Wales. She's worked hard to establish herself as a good, hard working lawyer and is waiting for promotion to partner. While she waits she flies off to Italy for a holiday with her family. Things don't turn out how we expect them to however, and with various twists and turns she becmes involved in helping in her grandparents' restaurant. I'm not going to say much more because it would spoil the events that happen and the ending that we don't expect. This book is really a good read evoking the wonderful smells, tastes and atmosphere of Italy. It is a warming story with well developed characters and you cannot help but become involved in the story. I loved it and couldn't put it down. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review this book.

The perfect summer read filled with love, food and family! Lucia has to learn that she can't run away from her past when it defines her future.

Nicely Woven...
Escapist reading, nicely woven tale with a colourful cast of characters and a gloriously sunny, well painted backdrop. Ideal holiday read or some perfect armchair travelling.

Lucia works as a lawyer at a practice in Wales and goes on holiday waiting for an email to tell her she has been promoted.
She is on holiday at her grandparents in Italy where she can relax among familiar sights and smells.
However when her grandfather reveals he is ready to retire and to hand over his restaurant to her ex husband she realises she would like a chance to run it, especially when her promotion falls through. However, she is a women and they do not run restaurants! Can she prove them wrong!