Monday, 6 July 2026

Secrets of the Italian Guesthouse, by Sue Moorcroft

As regular readers of the blog will know, I've been friends with Sue Moorcroft since we first met at the Kettering Writers Group in 1999 (we genre writers were consigned to the back of the room, where we had a great laugh).  Since then she's gone from strength to strength, hitting number one in the Kindle Bestseller charts (with The Christmas Promise) on her way to becoming a Sunday Times Best Seller, while her novel A Summer To Remember won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award 2020.  As well as featuring her a lot on blog (to see more, click this link), I'm pleased to be part of the blog tour for her latest novel, Secrets Of The Italian Guesthouse, which has just been published in paperback and e-book. This also marks the first novel of her new deal for The Legacy Trilogy with Renegade Books, an imprint of John Murray Press (see the press release here).


Two sisters she's never met
A first love who's impossible to forget...

For Jade, life in Lake Como is la dolce vita. Until her beloved grandmother passes, leaving Jade not just the family's bustling guesthouse to run, but two life-changing secrets to confront...

The pensione hasn't just been left to Jade, it's also been inherited by her sisters - who she had no idea existed. As Erin and Rosalie arrive in Italy, Jade is forced to face the heart-wrenching prospect of sharing her last remaining tie to the woman who raised her.

Jade is desperately trying to hold on to the past, but there's one person she would prefer to leave firmly behind: her first love, Leo. He's back in the city that is filled with the memories they once made together. But as Jade fights to take control of her future and her heart, why do all cobbled roads lead back to Leo?

Lose yourself in the first, utterly romantic novel in a brand-new trilogy, filled with new beginnings and second chances. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan and Milly Johnson.
 
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Over the years, I've read a lot of Sue Moorcroft's work and, I have to say, this is one of her best. Plus, it's the start of a trilogy, so reading through and picking up what's key to this novel, or perhaps others in the series, has been fun. 

I really enjoyed it, as it’s a wonderful meditation on family, friends and loyalty, with real heart that moved me at times. As ever, it’s full of and adventure, a very keen sense of location (Lake Como has never come across so well on the printed page!) and some nicely nostalgic moments, both for family and long-ago love affairs.

The story is as tight as a spring, the twists and turns perfectly blended in and the whole thing flows smoothly and seamlessly. Jade, the heroine, is very likeable and - given her situation - what might have come across as selfishness from another writer sounds perfectly reasonable (and human) here. Leo was a great Moorcroft hero, all cheekbones, fringe, presence and heart and the raunchy bits were done well. Erin and Rosalie, Jade’s sister, came across well and are nicely set up for the other books in the series. The cast list is rounded out by Leo’s parents and brother, who bring a nice sense of humour to the occasion and Jade’s Gran is a strong presence, even though the story only begins once she’s gone. I could discuss other characters but, to do so, would spoil your enjoyment. 

This is a great book, full of heart, humour and drama and I would very much recommend it.

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Universal Book Link - https://geni.us/ItalianGuesthouse

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Sue Moorcroft is an international bestselling author and has reached the #1 spot on Kindle UK. She’s won the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award, Readers’ Best Romantic Novel award and the Katie Fforde Bursary. 

Her short stories, serials, columns, writing ‘how to’ and courses have appeared around the world.

Born into an army family in Germany, Sue spent much of her childhood in Cyprus and Malta but settled in Northamptonshire at the age of ten. An avid reader, she also loves Formula 1, travel, family and friends, dance exercise and yoga.


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