Belinda Smith moved to Tuscany five years ago after finding her husband in bed with another woman. In the months following, Belinda's destiny became clear to her. She would leave behind the dull dormitory town of Tilling, where nothing ever happened. And seek out new and more exciting pastures in the Italian countryside. She would start life again. On her own. She would run a B&B and keep a diary. She would jot down her thoughts, share her ideas and pass on her delicious recipes to the next generation. Battlelines are drawn when rival Lauren, a feisty American, comes to Tuscany with the same idea. And when Lauren's son falls in love with Belinda's daughter, war is well and truly declared.