Love in a Tuscan Kitchen: Savoring Life Through the Romance, Recipes, and Traditions of Italy

A delightful and true story of moving and living in Tuscany. The author seems like a friend, sitting down over a cup of coffee, to share with you the story of her life in Italy. Though her experience included love and romance, Ness did not over romanticize living in Tuscany for an American. She shares the wonderful and enduring customs and beliefs of the people as well as the frustrations with the systems and some of the long held beliefs. The author and her husband are warm and loving people. I had the privilege of meeting Sheryl and Vincenzo and eating in their restaurant in San Gusme while traveling with Pam Mercer and Sam Hilt of Tuscany Tours. I had heard their story before arriving in San Gusme. The village is just as she describes including some of the people that we met there. We met the tailor who cares for the church as he proudly shared the church and the beautiful vestment garments with us. We walked the streets inside the walls and saw the unusual little statue in the wall Ness describes in her book. It's a book worth keeping for the delicious authentic recipes that are sprinkled throughout. Sheryl's writing transports the reader to the village of San Gusme and makes one feel like they are experiencing the people and their way of life. This tale is a story and not a how to move to Italy book. However, it is a must read for anyone dreaming of or considering moving to a small village in Tuscany. It tells the good, the bad and the frustrating as well as the magical and lovely. The book is worth a read for both women and men and certainly for those who are chefs at heart. Order the book, snuggle into your favorite chair with a cup of coffee or glass of wine, and be transported to Tuscany.

My evening book group selected this wonderful book and reviewed it last night along with dinner with recipes chosen by our members. It was truly a book I would not have wanted to miss reading. Sheryl's story about her adventures in Italy and meeting an exceptional man to share her life with is not only inspirational to women in search of a meaningful life but is written so well it is one of the most decent books I have ever read. Her ability to express her experience in beautiful detail and sincere honesty makes for a really feel good story. The recipes are exceptional in that they are not the run of the mill Italian menu selections. They are creative and can be rated top notch in anyone's kitchen and for the enjoyment of the palate of people with taste buds that know the difference between just pasta vs. an abundance of incredible tasting food and a wine education to compliment every dish. Do not miss owning this lovely creation for your cookbook collection as well as a true life story that is one of the best. Thank you Sheryl for sharing all of it.

How does a 40-something nurse from Minnesota find love in a Tuscan kitchen? Sheryl Ness tells how as she recounts her romance with chef Vincenzo in her 2018 book, part memoir, part romance novel, part travelogue and recipe book.Love in a Tuscan Kitchen is tastefully illustrated with recipes from Sheryl’s American home and also from San Guzmo, her adopted charming village in Italy. Believers in finding true love, and gastronomes planning to visit the area will find this book instructive—enchanting even.However, while the book succeeds as a journal and cookbook, as memoir, it falls short. There is very little character development. One wonders what Vincenzo’s mother was really thinking as she watches her son fall in love with a blond, American woman significantly older than he. Surely, there must have been conflict, but the book does not reveal specific detail.Love in a Tuscan Kitchen is a real-life fairy-tale, and readers who long for such an escape will find it in Sheryl’s memoir. The icing on the cake? Recipes in abundance sprinkled throughout the text and car trips in the idyllic Tuscan countryside.

If you love Italy and the foods, wines and culture of Tuscany, this is the perfect book for you! Sheryl is a superb writer and by the end of this wonderful book I felt as though I knew her, Vincenzo, their friends and family! God bless this wonderful couple! God bless this stunning area of Tuscany and the people who carry on these wonderful traditions!I wish she’d write another book! I wish she and Vincenzo all the happiness in the world!

...and I don't mean just the recipes. This is such a difficult time. I've been at home for two weeks due to the major health event happening in the world. I was tossed out of my comfort zone trying to work from home, worrying about my family, wondering when all of this is going to end. I have had a hard time concentrating and sleeping.Since I have plenty of time to read, I've been doing a lot of that. That's when I picked up "Love in a Tuscan Kitchen."I have always loved Italy, and had a chance to visit for the first time last fall. Reading Ms. Ness' story took me back to that wonderful trip, and a lot of sights, sounds, and smells that I experienced there..not to mention the food. Her wonderfully descriptive prose took me on the long walks with her and brought her new friends to life. Her feeling of being in a place she belonged rang so true that I felt like I was there with her. The descriptions of her life and love calmed me, and helped me to feel more at home in this new world, too. I hope that Italy recovers and again becomes the place that Ms. Ness and I remember. Thank you - I will never forget "Love in a Tuscan Kitchen."

Great recipes

"Love in a Tuscan Kitchen" is a joyful antidote for these challenging times. The author is inspired to travel to Italy on a hiking holiday with a friend, and falls in love with Tuscany and its people. She returns again and again, determined to spend more time in the little village of San Gusme, located near Siena.Destined to meet her husband Vincenzo, a talented chef who makes a great chocolate cake, their love faces many challenges, not least the distance from Sheryl's home in Minnesota. However, they eventually marry as per the title.I really enjoyed the authors descriptions of the countryside and its people, the delicious food and the carefully written recipes that she shares with her readers.The photographs are an added delight, strengthening the connection with her characters.I shall be cooking more than a few of her recipes.

Un libro veramente bello e appassionato sulla vita Italiana di Sheryl che ha trascorso in un piccolo Paese del Chianti dove ha trovato l'amore della sua vita. Il libro descrive con molto sentimento i luoghi e le persone che hanno caratterizzato l'esperienza Toscana di Sheryl. L'incontro con le tradizioni e la cucina italiana fanno da cornice alla storia d'amore con Vincenzo, nata grazie ad un tortino al cioccolato. Le ricette italiane ed americane accompagnano tutti gli eventi del romanzo quasi a scandire le tappe di questo viaggio/esperienza. Sheryl rende perfettamente l'idea delle atmosfere del Piccolo Borgo oltre a descrivere perfettamente i particolari personaggi che lo popolano. Leggere questo libro fa venire la voglia di prendere un aereo/treno/macchina e viaggiare alla volta della Toscana e...perchè no...di andarci a vivere. Consigliatissimo!

This story of an American going on holiday to Tuscany and meeting then marrying the Chef she met is wonderful.the descriptions of the countryside , the family and all the villagers is wonderful.Enjoyed this book so very much!I am sure there must be another story now they are in America??

Having family in Tuscany it was lovely to read about the food and people of this stunningly beautiful area. I love how she adapted to the life. Very brave. Reminds me of my aunt doing a similar thing many years ago.