A delightful book from start to finish. This book appeals to the senses, the descriptions are beautifully written and even if you’ve not visited Italy,in your minds eye you can see the places, hear the sounds and almost smell and taste the delicious scents of the foods you are being surrounded with. The characters are charming - our heroine is not annoyingly perfect, she has the same foibles and insecurities that each and everyone of us has. The little Italian town where our story takes place is brought to life vividly and you can almost feel the Italian summer heat rising from the pages. This book is an ideal summer read and whilst you are always rooting for our lead character you also care and identify with the dreams of each and every other one of the characters you are introduced to, and it may well have you considering your own life choices - do you live to work or work to live?

If, like me, you are suffering from wanderlust due to our current Covid situation, this is a great read to escape with. Pour yourself a glass of wine, sit in the sunshine and enjoy.

Jo Thomas is one of my favourite authors, she sets the scene so perfectly you feel you were there. This book is set in Southern Italy, and Sophia is staying on holiday with her grandparents who run a pizzeria. You can almost taste the delicious pizzas, drooling with cheese, along with Nonna’s home cooking. The scent of lemon trees permeating the air.
The writing is warm and welcoming, you feel that you know the characters and feel their warmth and character, brought to life by a skillful hand. Sophia – an independent woman who has worked hard to be promoted in a tough business world. Nonna and her wonderful recipes, Nonno who has been ill and sadly realises he will have to give up running his lifelong business.
The conflict begins when Sophia realises that she will be meeting Giacomo – her soon to be ex husband again. Her grandfather considers him to be the best person to run the pizzeria, but Sophie’s distrust makes her question his motives. She is certain that he will modernise the pizzeria, and it will lose its heritage and character.
Sophie is also determined to run the pizzeria, and the resultant rivalry is a joy to read. Spurred on by her Nonna, the two women take on the men, enlisting other women to help.
An entertaining and amusing story about women determined to break into what is considered to be a men’s world, sisterhood, and romance.
Highly recommended, I can’t wait for Jo’s next book.

I dont think you can really go wrong with Jo Thomas can you? Her books are a lovely escapism and enjoyable and this was the same! It was the perfect book to bring some sunshine into this winters lockdown as goodness you felt the sun come off the pages!

I hope Jo is sponsored by Pizza hut or even better, a indie chain or family shop like Nonno's pizzeria as I have lost count of the number of pizzas I have eaten during and after this book. Very authentically described in terms of the art of pizza making and the history of a family run business. A lovely story of a woman trained as a lawyer who goes to Italy and finds out what she really should do and be in life.
I actually feel as if I've been to Italy. Jo thomas is the ray of sunshine we all need - especially now1

A wonderful story of how Lucia has worked hard all her life to be the best lawyer she can be in London. Born of both welsh and Italian heritage she visits her grandparents every summer for 2 weeks. Her grandfather has been ill and when Lucia arrives this time, she realises what a strain both her grandparents have been under.. They run their own pizzeria but this is proving to be too much work. As it is tradition that a father passes the restaurant onto his son as his father did, he would of past it onto Lucias dad but unfortunately he died. It has to be past onto a son never a daughter as women need to stay home and look after the children. Lucia cannot except this as she knows she can cook and run the restaurant. So her grandfather decides he will have to either sell of pass onto Lucia’s ex. A whole host of deception occurs as a race of who is the best? An will a girl/woman be accepted.

Absolutely love this author's books so was delighted to be able to read this one. This would make the perfect summer holiday read as total escapism and transported me on a journey to Italy which was a welcomed escape in these current times. Love the descriptions of the city and the food. Really f elt like I was there. absolutely loved the characters in this book and really w armed to them making this the perfect feel good read.

After a year without feeling the foreign sun, to read Chasing the Italian Dream was like a holiday in itself. Jo Thomas's writing always makes my mouth water - and this little gem is no exception. It is exactly as I had hoped - full of sunshine, realistic characters and descriptions of the environment and food that makes feel like I was on a mini-break. Thank you to Jo, her publishers and #NetGalley for the opportunity to be whisked away to Italy for a few perfect hours.

With thanks to netgalley and Jo Thomas for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
Having read most of jo's books was delighted to read this one.
This is one lady you can totally rely on fir an outstanding read nothing but praise for her books,can highly recommend.

Wow oh wow. Jo has done it again. This time with a visit to beautiful Italy. I could actually smell the pizza bubbling away in the forno. Nonno’s is a special restaurant serving traditional Italian food. Lucia looked forward to visiting her grandparents every year and this year would be no different. She was waiting for the email about her imminent and well deserved promotion and was happy to receive it whilst she was visiting her grandparents for her annual summer holiday. I really enjoyed Lucia story and I’m sure you will too.

What a wonderful read. I could feel the sun on my face and smell the beautiful aromas of freshly baked pizzas.

A love gently story story that takes you away to another beautiful place in Italy amongst the lemon groves and the love of Nonna's and Nonno's for their grandchildren.

Even though the storyline was predictable it did not detract anything. Explore and escape to the wonderful place of Italy and the wonderful food too!

An honest review in exchange for a read from Netgalley and the publishers (Thank you)
A summer escape she'll never forget . . .
Lucia has worked hard as a lawyer in Wales, aiming for a big promotion she hopes will shortly come her way. Finally taking a well-earned break at her grandparents' house in southern Italy, the sunshine, lemon trees and her nonna's mouth-watering cooking make her instantly feel at home.
But she's shocked to learn that her grandfather is retiring from the beloved family pizzeria and will need to sell. Lucia can't bear the thought of the place changing hands - especially when she discovers her not-quite-ex-husband Giacomo wants to take it over!
Then bad news from home forces Lucia to re-evaluate what she wants from life. Is this her chance to carry on the family tradition and finally follow her dreams?
During lockdown thank goodness for Jo Thomas! I don't think I have ever been disappointed by a book written by Jo Thomas and this one continues that pleasure. I absolutely loved this book from the minute that I opened it. Jo's style of writing is one that is totally immersive for the reader. Throughout this book you can almost feel the sun on your face and taste the pizzas. I thoroughly recommend this book but it does come with one warning...…..Do not make any plans from the rest of your day!

Thank you for my copy of this book to review.

I have read a few of Jo Thomas’ previous books and have always enjoyed them. This latest one was no exception.

I loved the descriptions of the little Italian village and especially the food. I could almost feel the sun and taste the pizza. These books are always easy to read and very enjoyable...they are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

I would definitely recommend this book, and any of her previous ones too.

Sadly, I have found this book disappointing. The plot was predictable with no real surprises and the main character had little depth. There were sumptuous descriptions of Italian food, and but after a while these became quite repetitive and boring. Not her best.

A lovely gentle story for those who like romance, food, family and Italy - not to mention a dash of girl power. A great book to while away a few afternoons or evenings. Would make a great holiday read.

It could also be dedicated to every Nonna (and Nonno) out there as it celebrate the love of a grandparent to a grandchild..

This is a nice and enjoyable, if predictable read which will whisk you away to Italy and all its gourmet treats. I could literally taste the antipasto and the pizzas, smell the fresh basil and the lemons and was almost wishing I was there at Nonno's restaurant drinking the red wine with the family.

If you are looking for a holiday read or just a book to take your mind off all that is happening in the world, then this book will fill that gap. It is a book about family, love, second chances and most of all food!

Grazie to Netgalley, Jo Thomas and the publisher for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Word of warning - this book will leave you craving a freshly made pizza from a wood burning oven..

What a super book, but then Jo Thomas never fails. , She is such a descriptive writer and takes you to whatever country the story is set in, with such ease.
Lucia arrives in Italy at her grandparents Pizzeria to find that there are changes in the wind, and one of them is linked to her ex husband Giacomo. She's not happy. Their relationship is definitely spiky.
I loved the Nonna group of ladies who make the impossible possible, quietly behind the scenes.
For me there was perhaps a littl too much Pizza, but then that was what the book was based on , so........
Thank you for the chance to read and review this book. I really enjoyed it.

Great story, really enoyed all it offered with some will they, won't they moments as well as whether Nonno will sell...

I really enjoyed this book. I have been to this rough part of Italy, so imagined the village that Lucia was in was very similar. I enjoyed Lucia's story and understood her frustrations with her current life and wanting to make a change. A great escapist read.

Absolutely stunning from start to finish. I was fully immersed in the story and felt like I was right there with Lucia, Nonna and Nonno in gorgeous Italy.
As an ardent fan of Jo’s books, I knew to expect mouthwatering descriptions, heartfelt and emotional storylines and characters I would adore. Jo Thomas has never failed to make me hungry whilst reading her books and this is absolutely no exception, I was beside myself with the gorgeous sounding pizzas Lucie and Giacomo were preparing! Be warned – whilst reading this you WILL want pizza.
Lucia arrives from her home in Wales for her annual visit to her Grandparents to find her Nonno wanting to retire from being the local pizzaiolo (master-pizza maker) and preparing to hand it over to Giacomo. This is a massive issue for Lucia for a couple of reasons – SHE has decided she wants to stay in Italy and become the local pizzaiola and, she can’t stand Giacomo, her husband!
The whole book is a gorgeous mix of love, friendship, and community – surrounding yourself with those you care about and who care for you as well as bucking tradition and challenging perceptions. There is a strong woman power message coming through and my favourite character must be Nonna – she is the heart and soul of this book!
I will always recommend any of Jo Thomas’ books to people looking for heartfelt, uncomplicated, and realistic reads.

Chasing the Italian Dream is another glorious getaway, a brilliant escape for current times with gorgeous descriptions and wonderful characters. This book will leave you feeling content, happy and in need of some very good pizza!