Frost writer Jan Speedie reviewed Under Italian Skies, now Frances Colville giver her opinion.

Stella, in her 40s, divorced, no children, loses a friend and a job she loved, and decides to embark on an adult gap year beginning with a house swap from her London flat to a beautiful old villa in southern Italy.   As she settles into her new life, makes new friends, explores new ideas and falls in love with Italy, she maintains an email exchange with the owner of the Italian villa, builds an idea in her mind of what he is like and wonders if she will ever meet him in person.  And of course if she does, will the reality live up to the image she has created of him in her head?

That Nicky Pellegrino knows Italy well and is passionate about the country and the people who live there is obvious on every page of this book.  The story flows, the characters are easy to identify with and the descriptions of lifestyle and food just make the reader want to be there, living the dream.  The sort of book that you can read purely for pleasure, Under Italian Skies is perfect for taking on a summer holiday – or for that matter enjoying with a glass of wine and a box of chocolates on a cold winter’s evening.  Either way you won’t be able to help feeling warm and happy

Under Italian Skies is published by Orion Books and is now available in paperback £12.99 and as an Ebook at £6.99