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Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm by Georgina Troy #Review #HollyhockFarmBook2

  Welcome back to the blog to Georgina Troy for another in her Hollyhock Farm series. Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm was published by Boldwood Books on November 7th and takes us back to beautiful Jersey.   Festival season has come to Hollyhock Farm… Since his sister Lettie took over their parents' farm on the beautiful island of Jersey at the start of the year, Zac Torel's life has changed completely. Zac loves Hollyhock Farm, and he's determined to help Lettie succeed, but when their insurance company refuses to pay for the restoration of one of their barns in time for winter, the clock is ticking for the Torrels to raise the money themselves. The siblings decide to host a wellness festival, but with the summer already well underway, they've got their work cut out to get everything ready before the season ends. Lettie recruits the help of Melody, a yoga teacher from Edinburgh. New to the island, Melody is determined to shake things up and make a success o

Love at the Italian Lake by Darcie Boleyn *Blog Tour Guest post & Review**



 It's lovely to welcome Darcie Boleyn to Books, Life and Everything to celebrate the publication of her latest novel, Love at the Italian Lake. Darcie is sharing with us her playlist for Love at the Italian Lake. Before we get to read her post, let me tell you a little more about the book.

On the shores of Lake Garda, a beautiful romance unfolds. But is it only for summer?

Sophia Bertoni discovers her boyfriend in bed with another woman, and realizes her life is going nowhere. Leaving her high-pressure job, she travels to Italy to stay with her grandmother while she figures out her next move. When Sophia – quite literally – bumps into devastatingly handsome Joe Lancaster her plans are turned upside down. As the two realize they’re both spending the summer in the same town, a love affair seems on the cards. But Sophia and Joe are both burdened by family secrets.

Despite their attraction, will the sun set on Sophia and Joe’s romance – or will they find love at the Italian lake?


 Welcome to Books, Life and Everything, Darcie. Without further ado, here is your music playlist 



Love at the Italian Lake Playlist by Darcie Boleyn


1.                  All of Me by John Legend

2.                  A Thousand Years by Christina Perri

3.                  Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison

4.                  Living Inside My Heart by Bob Seger

5.                  Love Story by Taylor Swift

6.                  From this Moment On by Shania Twain

7.                  Unbreak My Heart by Toni Braxton

8.                  Move Closer by Phyllis Nelson

9.                  Maps by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

10.               At Last   by Etta James

Thanks, Darcie- great music to listen along to when reading your book- romantic and contemporary.

My Thoughts 

This novel opens in London but you are soon transported to beautiful Lake Garda to follow Sophia as she finds out some family secrets and tries to decide what to do with her future. It has all the ingredients of a holiday read- gorgeous setting, romance and the odd obstacle in her heroine's path.  I flew through the book and particularly enjoyed the descriptions of life near Lake Garda with the odd trip to Verona, thrown in.

Reading this book was like looking through a book of black and white photographs when Sophia was in London and then suddenly turning the page and being presented with the brilliant Italian sunshine. Life there seemed larger than life.  Sophia's Nonna was a delightful character with her own huge secret but her kindness shone through. Another feature which I loved was hearing from Joe and getting to find out what he was thinking. Shifting occasionally to his viewpoint was a refreshing change.

    In short: warm and life affirming

About the Author


Darcie Boleyn has a huge heart and is a real softy. She never fails to cry at books and movies, whether the ending is happy or not. Darcie is in possession of an overactive imagination that often keeps her awake at night. Darcie fell in love in New York, got married in the snow, rescues uncoordinated greyhounds and can usually be found reading or typing away on her laptop.

You can follow Darcie on Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Website

Thanks to Darcie Boleyn, Ellie Pilcher and Canelo for a copy of the book and a place on the Blog Tour.

     Check out the rest of the Tour and these great bloggers!

 

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