The Tuscan Secret: An absolutely gripping, emotional, World War 2 historical novel Paperback – June 24, 2019

The Tuscan Secret: An absolutely gripping, emotional World War II historical novel is by Angela Petch. Although this is a fiction story, many of the things she talks about in this book really did happen. Many of the massacres she talks about are authentic. It is inspired by the stories of her Mother-in-law who fell in love and married an English soldier in 1944 in Italy. Angela also leaves a list of materials she used to create this story.Anna was at a crossroads in her life. She was without a job, without a boyfriend, and her mother had died. At the reading of the will, she had received fifty thousand pounds and a box of papers which would be delivered to her later. Her brother received the family home and her sister her mother’s jewelry. It seemed just right to her as she had always felt left out of the family. Her siblings were so much older than she was. Was she a mistake as her siblings had told her growing up or a special gift as her Mother told her? When she received the box, she found her Mother had left her life story for her. However, it was pieced together in journals, school notebooks, a pillow case and anything else she could write on. Part of it was in English; but the majority was in Italian. How was she to read this? It would take her forever to translate it.She decided to go to her mother’s hometown in Italy and try to learn more about her Italian background. Maybe she could get someone there to translate it. What would she find there?The book is fabulous and well-written. It is definitely one which should be read by those interested in history and love.

Like other books by Angela Petch this one starts off slowly. It takes some reading to get drawn into the story but once in The Tuscan Secret is hard to put down. It is a well written book with great descriptions of Tuscany, Italian lifestyle, and true love.

I loved everything about this book. The characters are richly drawn, the Italian village comes alive in your imagination and the description of the location, houses and local food/meals is exceptionally described. Having owned and operated a Bed and Breakfast, I especially appreciated the attention to detail of the amazing meals. I have long read historical fiction from this time period and this book made it's way to a top spot on my very favorites list. It describes in detail the struggles endured both in Italy and England during the war and the sacrifices made by so many. I look forward with much anticipation to reading the other books by this author. Solid five stars!

This story is written with such precise detail that it will captivate your senses. You can see and feel each scene, and you will feel pulled into the story. I could not put this book down. The stories from World War Two need to be told, and this was an example of how to tell them well.

This story is not what you might expect from a family with secrets. It is Much more important to explain why people have to take chances even though their family may not want them to.Anna wants to take a trip to Italy to find out where their motherLived.

I was able to finish the story, but the authors style of writing annoyed me terribly. She was far too explicit in describing sex scenes. I don’t equate romance with porn! She used the Italian word agritourismo CONSTANTLY!!! I really wanted her to just STOP and call it the English name already. The story was good, but she was supposed to be reading a diary. It sounded like a novelist writing a descriptive event and very unrealistic. To finish the story I had to pretend I was just reading the story of two women and not a diary that was supposed to be scribbled on bits and pieces in a box.

There have been many novels written about the Second World War usually set in the UK or Germany and France but I have certainly not read one from the Italian perspective. Anna's father, Norman was a POW in Italy and through his diaries, we learn of his survival and love for Ines. However, once back in England things were not easy for the young marrieds as we learn of the struggles in post war England. Anna inherits her parents' diaries and, disappointed with a love affair, she decides to travel to Italy to unravel the mysteries. The story is beautifully told and one can envisage what life was life for a young Italian girl who hardly spoke any English settling in the UK. Ines was never going to give up and head back to Italy. In those days marriage meant marriage, for better or worse. With the help of her new friend and translator Anna learns the truth of the past leaving readers on tenderhooks as to the outcome. A lovely story, brilliantly written, particularly the visions of Italy both during and post war.

This is a heartbreaking yet sweet and wholesome story at the same time. It’s a bitter sweet tale and brought me to tears numerous times. I highly recommend this one!

Good story

I disagree strongly with the bad reviews about this novel and agree wholeheartedly with the great reviews.I love a good history book and gravitate towards World War 2 stories. I could not put this book down. It will now be in my top 10 World War fiction favorites.Character development was fabulous. I fell in love with Anna and her mother Ines. But it wasn't just those two that I fell in love with. Her descriptions of Italy, the countryside and the historical landmarks were wonderful as well. Truly a captivating read. The anguish, pain and horror of the war tore at my heart. A very emotional read. I will definitely seek out more novels by Angela Petch. I am very happy I stumbled across this book and Ms Petch and I am very happy I ignored the bad reviews.

a beautiful story which was diffixult to put down

A beautiful, tragic story set in wartime Italy and the present day. When Anna's mother dies, she leaves her daughter a set of diaries she wrote when she was younger, with precious details of her life. Anna decides to go to Tuscany to retrace her mother's footsteps and find out more.The author leads us along shaded mountain paths, past abandoned villages decimated by German retaliation, lets us paddle in a cool, refreshing stream that can turn into a raging torrent in the blink of an eye, shelters with us in a decrepit old barn, until we finally reach the old mulino where Anna's mother grew up. Each detail is breathtakingly described, with every scene you are drawn further back into the past and the lives of the people who lived at that time.The two stories, both Anna's and Ines', are slowly revealed, peeling away layers until the bare core remains. There are tears, tragedy, and heartfelt moments that keep you enthralled right to the end. Highly recommend.

This book is the classic story of wartime romance, which seems wonderful at the time but which can lead to tragic mistakes. I wonder how many of them truly happened and how many people today do not know the truth about their parents and their youth?