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I’ve read quite a few books set in Italy recently (and watched the new Liam Neeson film Made In Italy) and all these have made me very keen to visit Italy again when it’s safe to do so and restrictions allow. Although it’s almost 100 years since it was first printed, it’s as fresh, witty and engaging a story as ever. This is a gentle story and has an air of elegance of a bygone era about it. The beauty of their surroundings and the warmth of the Italian sun saw all the women mellow and relax.

It was amusing reading about how the societal norms and expectations were gradually, and sometimes reluctantly, set aside. These ladies all had rather different expectations of each other and how they wished to spend their month in Italy. Lady Caroline was looking forward to the chance not to be fawned over by lovesick men and to be honest, I’m not really sure what Mrs Fisher’s reason for going was. For Mrs Wilkins and Mrs Arbuthnot, this was an opportunity to have a break from their mundane, though privileged, lives and their disappointing marriages. I so enjoyed following these ladies on their adventure. Despite not knowing each other, they make a plan to take up the offer and, in order to share the costs, are joined by two other ladies: the young and beautiful Lady Caroline and the somewhat over-bearing Mrs Fisher. Mrs Wilkins and Mrs Arbuthnot happen to be in the same London club when they both read the advert. The Enchanted April is about four very different women who respond to an advert in The Times addressed to ‘those who appreciate wistaria and sunshine.’ A small mediaeval Italian castle is available to let for the month of April. So I was determined that this April was finally going to be when I read it! Actually, it has been on a bit of a holiday itself as several of my neighbours have borrowed it and all have loved it. So I bought myself a copy, then have to confess it has sat on my bookshelves for quite some time (three years!). The Enchanted April was suggested by author Sharon Bolton (read her recommendation here) and I remember at the time seeing many people say how wonderful the book was. She has a regular feature called Under the Reader’s Radar where she invites people to recommend a ‘quiet novel’ which may have escaped readers’ attention amidst all the thousands of books which are published each year.

I first came across The Enchanted April when I read about it on Janet Emson’s excellent blog From First Page to Last.