The Secret of Villa Serena

A gorgeous, sun-filled novel following one woman's journey from heartbreak to adventure, for fans of Santa Montefiore. An irresistible read that will transport you straight to Tuscany...

Emily looks like she has it all

Living the dream

There's the lovingly restored Tuscan farmhouse, the three beautiful children, the successful husband, the newspaper column detailing her glamorous expat life. But when Emily's husband dumps her by text message, she has to face up to some stark home truths.

The nightmare reality

She has no money, her cleaner hates her, her eldest girl is out of her depth with the local seducer, her middle daughter is dangerously underweight, and her darling baby is fast becoming a brat. She doesn't even have any Italian friends.

But there's hope

Even as Emily admits that she's not living the Tuscan dream, she finds herself drawn into the village of Monte Albano and discovers the genuine Italy, darker and more intriguing than she had ever imagined. If she can get over a lingering obsession with her youthful first love, an attractive stranger might be about to show her the time of her life...

“A fascinating story vividly told , this is a classic page-turner”

A fascinating account of Italian life, written with skill and insight

Witty and light as a tiramisu but with tart insight on sibling rivalry - Nottingham Evening Post on The Eternal City

A charming and warm novel about families and their secrets - Brighton Argus on The Eternal City

A fascinating story vividly told, this is a classic page-turner - Italia magazine on The Italian Quarter

A charming tale of family secrets, lost trust and learning to forgive - Good Book Guide on The Italian Quarter

Domenica de Rosa started her career working at the Bookseller, and went on to work in children's publishing. She is now a full time writer and, under the name Elly Griffiths, is the author of the bestselling Dr Ruth Galloway mysteries and the Brighton mysteries. Domenica is half-Italian and loves the Tuscan coast. She has two grown-up children and lives in Brighton with her archaeologist husband and their cat, Pip.

A gorgeous, sun-filled novel following one woman's journey from heartbreak to adventure, for fans of Santa Montefiore. An irresistible read that will transport you straight to Tuscany... Emily looks like she has it all Living the dream There's the lovingly restored Tuscan farmhouse, the three beautiful children, the successful husband, the newspaper column detailing her glamorous expat life. But when Emily's husband dumps her by text message, she has to face up to some stark home truths. The nightmare reality She has no money, her cleaner hates her, her eldest girl is out of her depth with the local seducer, her middle daughter is dangerously underweight, and her darling baby is fast becoming a brat. She doesn't even have any Italian friends. But there's hope Even as Emily admits that she's not living the Tuscan dream, she finds herself drawn into the village of Monte Albano and discovers the genuine Italy, darker and more intriguing than she had ever imagined. If she can get over a lingering obsession with her youthful first love, an attractive stranger might be about to show her the time of her life...

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