The Italian Village in the Hills by Victoria Springfield Review: A Beautiful Tale of Family, Healing, and Home #TheItalianVillageInTheHills

In The Italian Village in the Hills two women uncover family secrets, love, and second chances in a sun-soaked Italian escape.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Libro.fm for the ALC of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

Stella has spent decades running from the heartbreak that drove her from her childhood village in the hills of Liguria, but a surprise birthday trip from her fiancé forces her to return and face a first love and a long-standing family rift. Meanwhile, Amy, grieving her beloved grandpa, follows the clues of a mysterious coin necklace and postcard to the Italian Riviera, where a chance encounter leads her to Stella’s village and secrets buried since the war. Set among cobbled medieval streets, sunlit piazzas, and olive groves, both women uncover unexpected truths about their families and themselves. As past and present intertwine, Stella and Amy must decide whether confronting old wounds and opening their hearts can lead them to healing, happiness, and second chances in this warm, romantic, and emotional escape to Italy.

My Thoughts:

I picked up The Italian Village in the Hills at just the right time—when winter felt especially dark and I was craving a little sunshine—and it truly delivered the armchair escape I needed. Set between the picturesque hills of Liguria and the shimmering coast of the Italian Riviera, the story follows Stella and Amy, two women from different generations whose journeys of loss, love, and long-buried family secrets gradually intertwine.

Stella, nearing sixty, returns to the village she fled decades ago to face heartbreak and a fractured past, while Amy, grieving her grandpa, travels to Italy chasing clues he left behind—only to uncover wartime truths that reshape everything she thought she knew. Although each woman finds romance when she least expects it, this isn’t really a romance novel; to me, it’s more about family, healing, and what it truly means to find home.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Victoria Fox, whose performance added such warmth and personality. She effortlessly captured both British and Italian voices, male and female alike, which made the story feel vivid and immersive and added an extra layer of charm to an already cozy read.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, this was a heartfelt, comforting listen that wrapped me in sunlit piazzas and cobblestone charm when I needed it most. If you’re looking for an emotional, transportive story about second chances, family ties, and the courage it takes to face the past, I’d absolutely recommend giving this one a try—especially in audio.