Imagine swapping your house for a stay in an Italian villa . . . and falling in love with the owner's life . . .
Stella has life under control - and that's the way she likes it. For twenty-five years, she's been trusted assistant to a legendary fashion designer but after her boss dies suddenly, she's left with nothing to do apart from clear the studio.
It seems as though the life she wanted has vanished. She is lost - until one day she finds a house swap website and sees a beautiful old villa in a southern Italian village. Could she really exchange her poky London flat for that?
But what was just intended as a break becomes much more, as Stella finds herself trying on a stranger's life. As the villa begins to get under her skin, she can't help but imagine the owner from the clues around her. She meets his friends, cooks the local food he recommends and follows suggestions to go to his favourite places. But can an idea of someone ever match up the reality?
As Stella wonders if she can let go of the safety of her past, perhaps there's a chance for her to find a way into her future . . .
Nicky Pellegrino was born in Liverpool and spent childhood holidays staying with her father's family in southern Italy. When she started writing fiction, it was the memories of those summers in Italy that came flooding back and flavoured her stories.
Nicky now lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, dogs and horses. A former magazine editor, she combines work as a freelance journalist with writing number one bestselling novels, including Under Italian Skies, A Dream Of Italy and A Year At Hotel Gondola. Her books sell around the world and have been translated into numerous languages.