The Italian Daughter by Soraya Lane (Jonathan Ball Publishers)

The Italian Daughter by Soraya Lane follows the journey of Lily Mackenzie, a winemaker who accepts a job at an idyllic Italian vineyard in the heart of the picturesque Como region. Before she departs from London, Lily is summoned to a lawyer’s office, where she is entrusted with a package connected to her late grandmother, unveiling a lineage tracing back to Italy.

Desperate for answers and armed with two enigmatic clues – a handwritten Italian recipe and an old theatre programme – Lily ventures to Milan upon her arrival in Italy, hoping to unravel her grandmother's association with the Teatro Alla Scala.

Upon reaching the Martinelli family’s palatial home, surrounded by sprawling vineyards, Lily instantly feels at home. She also finds herself drawn to Antonio, the son of the family, and as their bond deepens, he offers to assist Lily in her quest to uncover her family's heritage.

Lily’s affection for Italy intensifies as she gradually uncovers the truth about her ancestral legacy and traces the recipe's origins to a bakery nestled in a hilltop village, unearthing a poignant love story that profoundly affects her.

It was a somewhat light read for me, but I enjoyed the setting in a beautiful part of Italy and the captivating descriptions of winemaking. At its core, it explores themes of family heritage, concealed secrets, and lost love.

A fun escape if you’re just looking to switch off and get teleported to the Italian Winelands.