| Title | : | Dreaming of Florence |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 320 |
| Publication | : | Published January 8, 2018 |
When Debbie Waterson’s bicycle crashes into handsome doctor Pierluigi, she wonders if her luck has changed. Determinedly single after ending a long relationship, at last, a man worth bumping into!
Inspired to visit Florence, she soon runs headlong into that old foe: reality. But is Pierluigi the man of her dreams? Then there’s her booze obsessed boss, his forbidding secretary and her noisy inconsiderate neighbours. But could her luck be about to change? Will she find love after all?
Warm-hearted and unputdownable, Dreaming of Florence is the perfect escape for readers of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Jenny Oliver.
Dreaming of Florence Reviews
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5☆ Was Swept away with the Romance and Charm of Florence. A Must Read!
Dreaming of Florence was simply the most perfectly Warm, Cosy, and Enchanting read.
Trevor swept me away with the magic and the ambience of Florence, I Instantly fell in love with it and the Characters within.
Simply exquisite!
English Teacher Debbie is simply unlucky in love! Nursing a broken heart she seems somewhat distracted.
So much so..... When she crashes into Pierluigi whilst on her bike, the charming and very handsome DR helps her up after she lands on him.
He escorts her home and the following day Pierluigi turns up with a brand new bike to replace the one that crashed.
You see Pierluigi is from Florence and Debbie has always dreamed of travelling to Florence ever since she was younger and received a postcard from a school trip.
After a whirlwind romance, Pierluigi has to return to Florence.
Love sick Debbie's job is under threat, so she decides to follow her heart and take the plunge and visit Florence with her best friend Alice by her side.
Whilst she is there she decides to look up Italian Schools looking for English teachers.
When she returns home she finally gets the news she's been waiting for... a job... A Director of Studies. Teaching English.
So she hands in her notice in London & packs up ready for the next chapter in her life. Moving to Florence, Starting a new career, pursuing love!
But are things going to be that easy?
Is Debbie heading for more heartbreak?
I can't give any more away, except to tell you things just keep on getting better.
Prepare to accompany Debbie on her quest to start a new life, as she grows in confidence, overcomes heartbreak, deals with the ups and downs, discovers new friendships, learns to love herself, learns to love again, and meets fantastic quirky characters.
I adored Debbie, she was extremely brave to follow her heart and jump in at the deep end, I loved her innocence, yet she was very loyal to her friends and work, she never gave up. So much determination was very admirable.
I just want to also mention one loyal, loveable pup Byron. The relationship between Debbie and Byron was sooo cute. Byron wasn't Debbie's dog but he adored her and their little bond was so heartwarming. Being a dog lover myself I can relate to the bond they had. Any book with a dog is a winner for me!!
Trevor's books are always beautifully descriptive. He has this way of capturing the very essence of Florence and if you closed your eyes you could literally be transported there.
The ambience, the rich history, the smells, the buildings, the scrumptious food, the delightful Italian language every single little detail has been thought of.
Dreaming of Florence has literally had me doing just that....daydreaming!
If you are looking for a book that will capture your heart, transport you to stunning Florence, is Passionate, Enchanting, Heart Warming and has memorable Characters and an adorable pup.... then... Dreaming of Florence.... is the book for you!
Definetly a Must Read, Highly recommend!
Thank you to Canelo for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review can also be found on my blog website:
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0... -
Book Reviewed by Stacey on
www.whisperingstories.com
English teacher Debbie Waterson has had an obsession with Florence ever since missing out on a school trip to the city as a child. She often daydreams about the place, but has never visited, too scared that it won’t live up to her expectations. Whilst once again riding her bike and dreaming about basking in the Italian sun, a man steps out in front of her, knocking them both to the ground.
Pierluigi, a doctor, apologies profusely and admits that it was his fault entirely. He offers to looks at her injuries, and then walks her home with her mangled bike.
Debbie thinks the doctor is rather dishy, and falls for him at breakneck speed when she discovers he’s from Florence. He tells her she should go and visit the country as she won’t be disappointed. In the end she bites the bullet and goes. She is so taken aback with the city that when an offer of redundancy comes up at work she decides to go and work there, it’s now or never.
This is the first book by T.A. Williams that I have read. I’ve admired his books for a long time, but with a huge TBR list I’ve never actually gotten around to reading one, until now.
Open up the gorgeous cover and you will step into a delightful, heartwarming story which has been perfectly executed. The characters are a joy to spend time with, and that scenery is to die for. I’ve never been to Italy, but it felt like I was standing in the heart of Florence.
T.A. Williams has in essence written a ‘Guide to Florence’ hidden within a beautiful story. Not only do you get to visit the tourist areas, but he takes you to places off the beaten track and has you tasting divine food, and sipping delicious wines.
At the centre of this book is a woman who took a chance on fulfilling her dream. Debbie for so long had wanted to follow her heart, but never had the courage. When the opportunity arose, and with a little push from her best friend, she took that chance. If this book teaches you one thing, it’s to stop putting off following your dream, start living it before it’s too late. -
I give this book 3.5/5 stars.
Dreaming of Florence is one of those books that instantly falls into the feel-good category. It’s a light and charming read. Debbie is delightfully drawn and we see how she develops through each challenge that life brings her. Although she comes from a loving home, finances were always a struggle for Debbie and her family. She works hard, is never frivolous and is appreciative of all she has and has accomplished. Her dreams really do come true when she finally makes it to Florence, in fact, you can almost think of the city as her fairy godmother.
There are some cute, almost clever, plot twists as the story unfolds. There is the mystery of Pierluigi to unravel and there is the elusive rose garden to find.
The story is told in the third person but from Debbie’s viewpoint alone. The reader is only allowed to see Debbie’s perspective on what’s going on. After reading several multiple POV stories recently, I enjoyed this change. Interestingly enough, it is still easy to spot when Debbie’s opinions/ perspectives of someone else are unfair or biased.
I wish some of the other characters were as well drawn as Debbie was, but perhaps that’s just a result of the singular POV. Her friend Alice, goes through a transformation but I would have liked to get to know Alice a bit more.
While I really liked this book, I can’t say I loved it. T. A. Williams uses very pretty words and put together lovely sentences but sometimes the flow just didn’t seem quite right. I felt disconnected from the story very often. I didn’t feel as if I was experiencing everything with Debbie. I liked her, I wanted her to be lucky in love. I really wanted to know what happens next but I didn’t feel. I didn’t get scared for her or angry on her behalf or giddy with happiness for her. I felt a little disconnected. This story didn’t bring the feels. But it still made me happy while reading.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was cute and sweet and made use of a couple of plot twists. If you are looking for something quick and light to put a smile on your face, try it.
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Canelo for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. -
Absorbing, enchanting and beautifully written!
Dreaming of Florence is a charming, romantic story about taking chances, overcoming challenges, developing new relationships, finding happiness, and falling in love.
The prose is light and incredibly atmospheric. The story is warm, engaging and full of tender moments, dramatic events, humorous hijinks, betrayals, acts of kindness, self-discovery, and friendship. And the characterization is spot on with a cast of characters that are fresh, endearing, and quirky, and a setting, the City of Lilies, that is a character itself with its Renaissance architecture, lush landscape, and must-see monuments.
Overall, Dreaming of Florence is another sophisticated, sweet, entertaining tale by Williams that once again highlights his phenomenal ability to bring a city to life through his remarkable knowledge and passion for its food, culture, and history.
Thank you to T.A. Williams and Canelo for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at
https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com -
This was just what I needed - a fantastic read that I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. It has characters it is easy to relate to, fantastically portrayed places and situations that are brought to life in the imagination of the reader and, to top it all, a delightful romance - complete with the requisite black Labrador, Byron, to add mischief to the mix and make the ending laugh out loud brilliant.
Yes, I’m biased. This author is one whose books I endeavour to grab as soon as they’re available because they are consistently excellent reads that have me laughing out loud and leave me smiling with great memories of the events he portrays. He uses words like a skilled artist, putting the reader into the situation, helping them taste the mouth-watering food, meet the fascinating characters and feel their angst and turmoil. Get ready for some delectable Italian food, classic sightseeing and so much more in this highly entertaining read. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Florence in the past and this story evoked memories of my times there. I really want to go back and find that rose garden for myself - and to visit some of the restaurants to sample some of the delicious food he describes!
In case you hadn’t noticed, I loved escaping into this story and have absolutely no hesitation in highly recommending you grab yourself a copy as soon as it is available - in fact, be sensible and pre-order yourself a copy and get ready for a fun filled, heartwarming Italian adventure and romance!
I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it. -
I'm still trying to decide how I feel about this book. I enjoyed some of it but then there were moments and character choices that felt disconnected or silly. I've read another book by this author which I enjoyed more so maybe it just didn't live up to expectation for me.
That whole Pierluigi thing was so weird. I was frustrated by it and then it turned out it didn't even matter in the end. I got worked up for nothing! -
Dreaming of Florence will be one of the reading highlights of 2018 for me.
An engrossing, cozy and heart warming read. The wonderful descriptions of Florence, Fiesole and the Tuscany countryside took me on a trip down memory lane and it was just like I remembered it to be. I wanted this book to never end ... It left me feeling relaxed, satisfied and with a smile on my face.
Grab a cup of hot tea and enjoy this deliciously sweet and perfect trip to Florence to escape the cold of winter or read it as a summer beach read.
This was my first novel written by T.A. Williams and I am looking forward to read more of his works.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Canelo and the author provided me with an advance copy. -
This was such a beautiful read. I felt like I was exploring Florence with Debbie and enjoying every moment. You could taste the wonderful food , it was so vividly written. Debbie agrees to work in a school for the English Language in Florence and meets the staff and students and starts to make friends. Byron, the black lab was a charming character, one of TA Williams trademarks!
Debbie has had her fingers burned in the romance stakes and is reluctant to trust her feelings again- but when romance is in the air the right man can make all the difference. I loved their friendship and the feeling that this was going to develop into something lovely.
I was so sad to leave the characters behind when we got to the end. I wanted to help them put up their Christmas tree and invite me over for dinner! -
Florence Italy romance
This is a feel good book. Light entertaining charming read. Debbie missed out on a school trip to Florence when she was young and has dreamt of going ever since. She finally gets a chance to go and it's everything she hoped for but unfortunately she fell for a womanising doctor before meeting a charming Italian who swept her off her feet. Thoroughly enjoyable -
Why did this book have to end? I mean I could have carried on reading it for a lot longer I was enjoying it that much. And when you get to a chance to move to and live in the city of your dreams will it live up to your high expectations?
Well that is what Debbie finds out, after a slight bicycle accident with Pierluigi leads to a turn of events that involve Debbie finally about to visit Florence and seek our the sweet spot in the city, with the view of the Duomo that she has been dreaming about since she was a child.
Based on the descriptions of Florence it is clear that its a city that the author must love, as you get such a keen sense not just of the larger tourist attractions, but of every day life in Firenze. From the architecture, to places off the beaten track, to the restaurants and delicious sounding Italian foods, to some of the surrounding area, the book could potentially be a love letter to Florence!
The question is will Pierluigi also be the man of her dreams, and just how will she cope in Florence? Well those are answered and its quite an adventure for Debbie.
You may though be wondering is there T.A. William's trademark chocolate labrador in this book and you will be delighted to hear that Bryon features and is absolutely gorgeous. He brightens every scene he is in, and it clearly a well loved dog. I'm just not telling you where he fits into the story!
From my virtual trip to Florence, to the romance in the book, the amazing food descriptions, the hidden tourist spots of the city and a whole lot more, plus memorable characters and a lovely story, Dreaming of Florence is a fabulous book that I loved every last second of.
Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. -
If you ever need an escape from every day life I really can't recommend the books written by T.A Williams enough. With fabulous descriptions he never fails to bring the story to life along with creating some characters who end up close to your heart. Even though I hope to eventually travel to Italy it is still very much a dream at the moment. So I love that this book is set in Florence that way even though I don't get to travel so much anymore I had a wonderful experience of the region all the same. T.A Williams easily brings the sights to life with a lovely descriptive writing achieving just the right amount of detail to pull you right in to the story. I have to give a special mention to the delicious food that was in this story I think I may have put a stone on just listening (oh okay drooling) at the wonderful meals and drinks described.
Debbie is such a likeable character who decides to take a chance on a fresh start in Florence and I loved her bravery for taking the plunge. Along with a range of minor characters who all bring something to the story from a best friend to new friends and of course the perfect romantic lead. Debbie goes on quite a journey and I love how she takes everything in her stride both the good moments and bad. Of course I can't forget a certain Labrador named Byron he definitely added a lovely sweet touch to the story.
Uplifting and heart warming with a gorgeous dash of romance. Making it the perfect story to bring a smile to your face so just sit back relax and let Dreaming of Florence whisk you away!
Five stars from me.
With thanks to Ellie at Canelo for the invite to join the tour along with Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion. -
Debbie is cycling home from her job at a Cambridge language school when she has an accident and meets tall, dark and handsome Pierluigi, an Italian doctor. Debbie (like a lot of us) has always fantasised about some day going to Italy, and especially Florence (or Firenze) in particular. She works out a way to get to her dream city, but will it live up to her expectations? Is there a spark between her and Pierluigi, and will things work our for them?
Read this delightful book to find out! Dreaming of Florence by T.A. Williams conjures up everything Italy is said to be and more. Scenery, culture and good food and wine combine with romance and a search for happiness in this read that is so feel-good it begs to be read or listened to. I really felt as if I were there living out the adventure. It's so real. So totally realistic and the pace is very natural and enjoyable.
T.A. Williams really brings the story and characters to life, and if you weren't sure whether to go to Italy before you read this, you will want to afterwards. It's a gem of a book!
Thanks to T.A Williams and Canelo for my ARC in exchange for my honest and voluntary review. -
I liked the storyline and the setting but the execution was a little poor. The dialogue between the characters was so formal and boring.
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In this time the only way we can travel is through books. And this one was very good at that.
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I'm just craving some books with Italian locations due to the lockdown and my obsession with Italian language but this one is a total disappointment and a complete waste of time. The heroine is bland, the plot is unbelievable but above all it's boring.
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Debbie Waterson has just ended a long relationship and is trying to figure out what is next for her. She is a teacher at a private school, not making a lot of money. She uses an old bicycle to get arounad and wen she crashes into handsome doctor Pierluigi, she wonders if her luck has changed. Her bike is damaged and when he buys her a new one and takes her to dinner, she is under his spell and they spend a wonderful night together. After a whirlwind romance, Pierluigi has to return to Florence. It brings back her wish to always want to go to Florence. Her best friend, Alice, and her go on a quick vacation. Whilr she is there she decides to look up Italian Schools looking for English teachers, as her job in at risk. When she returns home, she is contacted from a private school in Florence and she gets it. Off to Florence she goes for her new beginning.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters were wonderful. Debbie is normally a quiet, shy type, but she takes a chance on herself and new experience. She is a kind and caring person, who wants to help others and wants to see them happy. I loved her interactions with the school Administrator. She was a rather grumpy sort, but Debbie never stops trying. Alice is so supportive and is a great friend who helps her take those risks. All the people she meets in Florence were wonderful to her and I just wanted to be on this journey with her. I enjoyed seeing her interactions with Byron, a black lab that adopts her as a favourite of his. I really enjoyed my trip to Florence. Trevor Williams writes wonderfully descriptive stories, so that it seems like you are there. The scenery, the food, the language and the ambience are all there and add so much to the story. Of course there is also the romance, but you will need to read this story to find out all about that. If you enjoy a contemporary romance, armchair travel and a story about following your dreams, then you definitely need to pick this book up. -
*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Believe it or not, but this was my first T.A. Williams book. I don’t know why it took me so long to read one of his books, but I’m very happy I did. I love Florence and just really liked the sound of this book.
My favourite part was by far Florence. Williams captured the city atmosphere beautifully and with a lot of detail.
We follow English teacher Debbie Waterson, who dreams of going to Florence. However, she is not sure whether it will live up to her expectations.
She crashes into handsome doctor Pierluigi on her bike and suddenly seems to be interested in men again. It’s partly because of him that she decides to go to Florence and she is not disappointed and decides to stay.
She finds a job and meets a lot of new people. A lot is happening and that makes the storyline very exciting. I have to say that certain things in the storyline didn’t make sense to me, but on the whole it’s a wonderful story.
The authors style is very warm and charming and I’m definitely planning to read more of his books.
Rating: 4.5/5 -
A girl who's been unlucky in love, the opportunity of a dream job in a dream city, and lots of lush scenery, art, clothes, and food. What's not to like about this latest, well-researched story from T A Williams. I have to admit I wanted to shake Debbie occasionally, and tell her to get over her 'upstairs, downstairs, fixation, but otherwise, I loved everything about this book. And then there's Byron, the black Labrador! Oh yes, and one other character so lovable, he's almost too good to be true. But I'm not going to mention his name. You have to read Dreaming in Florence for yourself to find out.
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A delightful story that you wished would never end! Loved the characters who were easy to relate to and enjoy. Loved the location of Florence - have been there and this brought back some wonderful memories!
A very enjoyable read and a great holiday escape. Highly recommended read!
Thank you to Netgalley and publisher Canelo for an ebook copy to read and review. -
I took this with me to read in Florence and it was a perfect choice. A wonderful setting, plausible characters and very enjoyable story - an ideal summer read
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Probs like a 2.8, bit too cheesey and predictable. Still enjoyable and easy to read though but it got quite boring in parts 🤷♀️
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A nice warm story about a young women who follows her dream and passion. I enjoyed the descriptive detail and facts around florence in Italy. Hints of romance within this story. Easy to follow and read.
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As a fan of the author I know how well he writes, and this book was no exception. He has the ability to transport the reader to whatever part of the world he wants to take them to with the simplest of words. Yet the way he weaves those words together will have you seeing exactly what he wants you to. Another brilliant story.
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All reviews can be found on my blog at
https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
I have never been to Italy before and, to be perfectly honest, I only have google images to see what the incredibly popular holiday destination looks like. However, after being transported to Italy via T.A.Williams' delectable storytelling, I felt like I was taking steps around Italy with every turn of the page. Obviously I would love to see the country for myself, but, seeing as this author brought the country alive with his storyline, I would quite happily settle with books like this for the near future.
The phrase 'falling head over heels' where romance is concerned has never been more apt, especially seeing as Debbie Waterson managed to do that in front of a doctor. Well, she crashed into him when she was on her bike; same thing though, right?
I gelled with Debbie's character from the get go. Her feistiness with a hint of naivety was a breath of fresh air as it made Debbie come across more likeable. Plus, she made me giggle a few times as well which always helps!
Debbie has always dreamt of going to Florence but, because of job and the lack of never-ending funds, Debbie had to put her dream on hold. As soon as a chance to fulfil her dream arises, Debbie is filled with nerves - what if the reality of Florence doesn't match up with her dreams?
I really don't want to give anything away, so please do excuse my vagueness! That said, Debbie's adventure in this book makes excellent reading, as it highlights the importance of going after your dreams and living in the moment instead of just....being. Despite Debbie's character starting off a little bit shy, it was great to see her come out of her shell when she realised the world was her oyster and other people needed her help.
'Dreaming of Florence', despite being fiction, gave me a well needed kick up the rear and made me realise that my dreams won't come true unless I actually go and do something about them.
Once again T.A.Williams has brought beauty to readers doorsteps, courtesy of his delightful new book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Debbie's journey and I am sure you will too.
Enchanting, heart-warming and beautifully written, 'Dreaming of Florence' is the book which will turn a blue January into a majestic January. -
I’ve never been to Italy – wanderlust has passed me by – but after finishing this book in bed last evening, I did indeed find myself ‘Dreaming of Florence’!
I knew when I had a novel by this author tucked in my kindle to read that I was in for a treat, but this novel surpassed even my expectations. The story is terrific on it’s own, but the setting and descriptions of this city add so much more. Debbie is a strong woman who comes from a working class background and has made sacrifices to advance in her career – which is just as well as, through no fault of her own, love has not been such a strong point. Ever since she was young and couldn’t go on a trip to Florence with her school friends due to a lack of family funds, she had dreamed of that city. When she gets the chance to go there, will she find all she’s looking for or will disappointment be on the horizon?
Dreaming of Florence is an absolute delight to read .. warm and wonderful, but a grounded tale with ups and downs and, of course, T. A. Williams trademark labrador. Anyone who knows me is aware of my complete adoration for these dogs (we have two) and I’m always interested to see which name this author will bestow – and as always, it’s perfect!
Such a thoroughly enjoyable read. I actually feel this morning as if I have been on a trip to this magical city. I definitely have a lighter step after indulging in the sights, sounds, scents and tastes of Italy and have no hesitation in recommending that you add this one to your collection!
My thanks to publishers Canelo for granting me my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review. -
Visit the locations in the novel
You know when a book comes along at just the right time? I was more than ready to go to Florence and read a fun romance when a woman on a bicycle knocks down an Italian man?
I really enjoyed this read. It’s fun, fresh and heart warming and the author’s got the male-female thing down off pat! The book more than evokes the setting in all their glorious forms and I am certainly hoping to go to Florence soon. I don’t intend knocking over any one on a bike, but then if fate intervenes as it does in this book, then…..I hope he’s from Florence or somewhere equally as sunny!
It’s a fun, fresh read and the author has evoked the landscape of Florence well so much so that you really feel part of the book and the story. The food, the olive oil, the aromas and the Italian -ness of it all is as delicious as that gelato.
It’s a real insight and fun tour of the city and its secrets. Lovely having Pierluigi show you around and have Debbie see things through her newcomer eyes. Makes for an interesting and fun visit!
Dreaming of Florence? I am now! -
Because I had just finished reading four WWII books,wanted a lighter read, love Florence, and the book’s 4.2 rating, Dreaming of Florence looked like a good diversion read for me. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Dreaming of Florence reads like a teenage romance novel, the writing is mediocre, has some unbelievable storylines (i.e., Debbie instantly becomes a model for a top Italian fashion designer), and is totally predictable.
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Okish
Nothing special in the story.
Writer seems to like ham a lot .
Far fetched and sketchy plot.
Would not buy .
