Blog Tour-Extract from Love At The Italian Lake by Darcie Boleyn

You are lucky enough to have another fabulous extract to read today. I have an extract from Darcie Boleyn's new novel, Love at the Italian Lake for you. Here's what it's all about:

Sophia Bertoni discovers her boyfriend in bed with another woman, and realises her life is going nowhere. Leaving her high-pressure job, she travels to Italy to stay with her grandmother while she figures out her next move. When Sophia –​quite literally –​bumps into devastatingly handsome Joe Lancaster her plans are turned upside down. As the two realise they’re both spending the summer in the same town, a love affair seems on the cards. But Sophia and Joe are both burdened by family secrets. Despite their attraction, will the sun set on Sophia and Joe’s romance – or will they find love at the Italian lake?

‘It will be okay, bella.’

Sophia sighed as her mother enveloped her in a sweet floral and garlic-scented embrace. Her mother had always been cuddly and that meant for great comforting hugs full of warmth and love. 

‘It would do you good to get away for a bit. Go somewhere different, think about what you want from this point on.’ Her mother leaned back and met her eyes. 

‘And there’s always a job for you here and a home with us,’ her father added.

‘Thank you. I know that.’ She blinked hard as tears pricked her eyes.

‘Now eat up!’ Her mother gestured at the plate and Sophia nodded as she twirled a strand of pasta round her fork.

Her mother was right; she should think about what it was that she wanted. At thirty-one, time wasn’t exactly against her, but she realized, not for the first time, that something was missing from her life. She had a whole bundle of GCSEs, four A levels, a first in Economics from Cambridge University and she had been headhunted by a prestigious City investment bank at twenty-one. She was really good at her job, had proved herself time after time in the male-dominated environment and had sterling career prospects. 

So why, almost every night, did she lie awake feeling so empty, questioning what the point of it all was. She had money, good health and intelligence. The skills she’d learned in her job were transferable. But she’d been a complete doormat. Lee had used her for her money and her apartment and she’d let him. 

Not any more! She would take an extended holiday from work and give herself the time to think that she so clearly needed.

Thank you so much to Darcie for stopping by the blog today and if you enjoyed that extract, you can order your copy of the book right here!

Here's a little but more about the author. Darcie Boleyn has a huge heart and is a real softy. She never fails to cry at books and movies, whether the ending is happy or not. Darcie is in possession of an overactive imagination that often keeps her awake at night. Darcie fell in love in New York, got married in the snow, rescues uncoordinated greyhounds and can usually be found reading or typing away on her laptop.