Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Publication Date: 29 April 2021
Fliss Brown has grown up living with her mother on the Rossi family’s Italian fruit farm. But when her mother dies, Fliss finds out she has a family of her own, and heads back to England with Nonna Rossi’s recipe for cherry and almond tart and a piece of advice: connect with your family before it is too late…
Fliss discovers that her estranged grandfather owns a fruit farm himself, on the outskirts of Wynbridge, and she arrives to find a farm that has fallen into disrepair. Using her knowledge gleaned from working on the Rossi farm and her desire to find out more about her past, Fliss rolls her sleeves up and gets stuck in. But what will she discover, and can she resurrect the farm’s glory days and find a taste of home…?
A Taste of Home proves to be a welcome return to the lovely countryside town of Wynbridge (the setting for several of Heidi’s earlier novels) and a lovely chance to revisit some old friends. Despite this, the book can be read as a standalone, although I would absolutely recommend reading Heidi’s earlier works because they really are all lovely!
In A Taste of Home, we meet the very likeable Felicity “Fliss” Brown and join her as she travels from her home in Puglia, Italy to meet her long lost grandfather on a fruit farm near Peterborough. Arriving to find Fenview Farm in a state of disrepair and her grandfather in a poor state of health, Fliss is determined to return the farm to its previously prosperous state. Fortunately, there are a few friendly locals on hand to help out, but will Fliss succeed in putting things right or is she fighting a losing battle?
The cast are a likeable and believable bunch of characters, from grandfather Bill to blabbermouth Bec. I just wish we could have seen a bit more of Fliss’ Italian ‘family’, particularly matriarch Nonna Rossi, maker of the famous cherry and almond tarte. As with any such story, there is the usual element of romance to titillate our imaginations. For such a small town, Fliss seems to have her choice of men. Will she prefer the modest Eliot or the rather more flashy Anthony?
As with all Heidi’s books, A Taste of Home is feel-good, cosy and very enjoyable. The story is a bit predictable, but in a good way – it’s like a hug in a book! Although be warned, the descriptions of the juicy strawberries and wonderful Italian cooking will make certainly tantalise your taste buds!
A huge thanks to Sara-Jade at Simon & Schuster UK (Books & The City) for providing me with a review copy of this gorgeous book.
Heidi Swain is the Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author of SLEIGH RIDES AND SILVER BELLS AT THE CHRISTMAS FAIR. Her other titles include The Cherry Tree Café, Summer at Skylark Farm, Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market, Coming Home to Cuckoo Cottage, Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland, Poppy’s Recipe for Life, The Christmas Wish List, The Secret Seaside Escape and The Winter Garden.
Heidi lives in beautiful south Norfolk with her family and a mischievous cat called Storm. She is passionate about gardening, the countryside, collecting vintage paraphernalia and reading. Her tbr pile is always out of control!
Heidi loves to chat with her readers and you can get in touch via her website heidiswain.co.uk/ or Twitter @Heidi_Swain
The Curious Ginger Cat 
Just finished this last night and thoroughly enjoyed it.
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I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it too, Linda. Although it did leave me with a craving for strawberries and cream filled pastries!
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