Step into the sun-drenched hills of Tuscany, where love, war, and family secrets intertwine in Angela Petch’s enchanting Tuscany series! This collection of historical fiction novels sweeps readers into the heart of Italy’s countryside, blending rich history with heartfelt storytelling. Petch’s tales of resilience and romance, set against the backdrop of World War II and beyond, invite you to lose yourself in a world where the past shapes the present in profound ways.
With her deep connection to Italy, Petch crafts stories that feel like a love letter to Tuscany’s rugged beauty and enduring spirit. Whether you’re a history buff or a hopeless romantic, this series offers a captivating escape into a land of olive groves, crumbling mills, and hidden truths.
How Tuscany Began
Angela Petch’s Tuscany series was born from her lifelong love affair with Italy, sparked at age seven when her family moved to Rome. Married to an Italian and splitting her time between Sussex and a renovated Tuscan watermill, Petch drew inspiration from her mother-in-law’s wartime romance and the stories of local resistance fighters. Her meticulous research, including interviews with elderly Italians, infuses the series with authenticity, capturing the courage and hospitality of Tuscany’s people during turbulent times.
Published by Bookouture, the series began with The Tuscan Secret (originally Tuscan Roots), a revised edition that added intrigue and tension. Petch’s goal was to honor the unsung heroes of Italy’s past while weaving tales that resonate across generations, making the series a heartfelt tribute to her adopted home.
The Heart of Tuscany
The Tuscany series comprises four key novels, each a standalone story yet connected by the region’s timeless allure. The Tuscan Secret (2016) follows Anna, who uncovers her mother Ines’s wartime diaries, revealing a tale of resistance, love with a British soldier, and a devastating betrayal in Rofelle. A Tuscan Memory (2020, formerly Now and Then in Tuscany) weaves dual timelines, tracing Giuseppe’s early 20th-century transhumance journeys and his descendants’ modern struggles.
The Tuscan Girl (2020) explores Alba’s grief as she learns about Lucia, a partisan who loved a German soldier, set against Tuscany’s war-torn landscape. The Tuscan House (2021) centers on Fosca, a resistance spy in 1947, who seeks refuge with a British war hero while searching for her missing friend. Themes of love, grief, bravery, and healing run deep, with Petch’s vivid prose painting Tuscany’s cypress-lined hills, rustic meals, and resilient communities.
Petch’s style blends meticulous historical detail with emotional depth, making characters like Anna and Fosca relatable and their journeys unforgettable. The series’ setting—rural Tuscany, with its mountains and vineyards—acts as a character itself, grounding the stories in a sense of place that feels both timeless and intimate.
Why Tuscany Resonates
The Tuscany series has carved a niche among historical fiction fans, earning praise for its authentic portrayal of Italy’s wartime struggles and its celebration of human connection. Readers on Goodreads and Amazon laud Petch’s ability to transport them to Tuscany, with reviews highlighting the series’ emotional depth and vivid settings. Its exploration of intergenerational trauma and resilience strikes a universal chord, appealing to those who love immersive, character-driven narratives.
Petch’s work stands out for its focus on ordinary people—resistance fighters, farmers, and families—whose extraordinary courage shaped history. By blending personal stories with historical events, the series offers a fresh perspective on World War II, making it a must-read for fans of authors like Kristin Hannah or Anthony Doerr.
- Publication Years: 2016–2021
- Number of Books: 4 main novels
- Awards: USA Today bestselling author status for Petch
Grab The Tuscan Secret and dive into Tuscany’s world of history, heart, and hidden gems! Whether you’re sipping espresso or dreaming of Italy, Petch’s series promises an unforgettable journey.