Firstly I have to say that I haven't read the first two books in the Tuscan Dreams series, but now I definitely want to. Having enjoyed it immensely, I can most definitely say that you can read Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello as a standalone as Daisy James covers enough of Izzie's back story in this instalment. What it did for me though, is made me want to find out more about Izzie and Luca. I usually don't like jumping in mid-series but I might not have found the Tuscan Dreams series otherwise; reading book 3 has definitely made me more intrigued to go back to the start of the story.

Daisy James has an uncanny knack of bringing her locations to life in her books with sights, sounds and smells. There is plenty of opportunity to get the reader's senses buzzing with Izzie running a fabulously named 'Snowflakes and Christmas Cakes' course at Villa Limoncello. I think I had a few smell and taste hallucinations while reading this book; I could certainly not get the smell of lemons and the taste of limoncello out of my mind, that's for sure.

Izzie's guests are a community choir from York who have come to Tuscany to rehearse for a singing competition. With such a colourful array of guests, there are quite a few secrets and whispering in corners as passions run high and tempers fray. Izzie tries to keep everyone's spirits up but she has enough to contend with as she tries to work out how villa owner, Luca, feels about her. Izzie has been offered a job back home in Cornwall, which holds both happy and sad memories for her, but she really wants to stay in Italy. If only she could pin Luca down and talk to him; it seems like they are passing like ships in the night but Izzie might be setting sail for the horizon if Luca doesn't open up to her.

I was a bit worried about reading a Christmas book in October but it's not overly festive at all, which is great! With gorgeous blue skies and the glorious scent of lemons, it got me in the mood for limoncello rather than egg nog. You always get a bit more than you bargained for in a Daisy James book as she does like to add a bit of mystery, intrigue and skullduggery to her romantic fiction. You just never know what to expect and that's what makes the book such a good read.

Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello was the perfect book to be reading as the temperature dropped in October; it warmed my heart, left me with a smile on my face and an unmistakable thirst for limoncello. Speaking of which, I also have to say that Daisy James includes several recipes at the end of the book, including a recipe to make your own limoncello - I almost dropped my kindle in excitement!! I have to try this although I'm sure I'll have difficulty leaving it for 30 days without having sneaky little tasters.

You don't need a passport to escape to Tuscany this winter, pick up a copy of Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello and let Daisy James transport you to Italy from the comfort of your favourite chair with her fabulous sparkly (and mouthwatering) new book.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion. ( )