Rosanna Ley writes emotional drama. Her latest novel The Italian Flame is to be published by Quercus Books March 2025 (HB and Kindle) and June 2025 (PB)

THE ITALIAN FLAME

Dorset, 1965: twenty-five-year-old aspiring artist Marilyn longs to escape to London, but her family relies on her wages from the hotel on the cliff.  Then one day Marilyn meets Bruno, an intriguing Italian, and the two fall madly in love, painfully aware of Bruno having very little time left in the country. When he leaves for Italy, he promises to write and to come back as soon as he can.

Over fifty years later, Marilyn’s daughter Lily returns to her old hometown when she hears that her mother is ill. Mother and daughter have never been close, but now, Lily determines to stay by her side. After Marilyn’s death, Lily finds a photo of a baby girl amongst her mother’s belongings – the name ‘Josephine’ written on the back. But who is Josephine? Lily resolves to find out the truth.

Lily’s search for Josephine takes her to Italy – to a small town in the stunning Bay of Poets. But will Josephine give Lily the answers she is looking for? And together, can they come to understand Marilyn’s story? For Josephine and Lily, this springtime in Perlarosa will transform their lives forever.

Praise for Rosanna Ley

‘Wonderfully descriptive and beautifully crafted’ (Heat)

‘The ultimate feel-good read’ (Candis)

‘A great page-turner’ (Lucinda Riley)

‘The perfect holiday read’ (Rachel Hore)

‘Beautiful evocative writing’ (Sun)

‘Impeccably researched and deftly written’ (Kathryn Hughes)

‘Romantic, escapist and mouth-watering… everything you could wish for in a summer read’ (Veronica Henry)

‘A perfect holiday read, to be devoured in one sitting’ (The Lady)

‘Completely beguiling and beautifully told’ (Kate Furnivall)

‘A gorgeous, mouth-watering dream of a holiday read!’ (Red)

Rosanna is the best-selling author of The Forever Garden, The Orange Grove, From Venice with Love, The Lemon Tree Hotel, Her Mother’s Secret, The Little Theatre by the Sea, Last Dance in Havana, The Saffron Trail, Return to Mandalay, Bay of Secrets and The Villa, all published by Quercus.