The Olive Branch cover art

The Olive Branch

A gorgeous summer romance set in Italy

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The Olive Branch

By: Jo Thomas
Narrated by: Rachel Atkins
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About this listen

 Escape to Italy with THE OLIVE BRANCH - the irresistible new novel from Jo Thomas, award-winning author of ebook runaway bestseller THE OYSTER CATCHER.

You can buy almost anything online these days. For Ruthie Collins, it was an Italian farmhouse.

Yet as she battles with a territorial goat and torrential rain just to get through the door of her new Italian home, the words of Ed, her ex, are ringing in her ears. She is daft, impetuous and irresponsible.

But Ruthie is determined to turn things around and live the dream.

First, though, she must win over her fiery neighbour, Marco Bellanouvo, and his tempestuous family...and then there's the small matter of running an olive farm. As the seasons change and new roots are put down, olives and romance might just flourish in the warmth of the Mediterranean sun.

'Warm, funny, romantic with a terrific sense of place. I loved it!' Katie Fforde

(P)2015 Headline Digital©2015 Jo Thomas Contemporary Contemporary Romance Fiction Romance Romantic Comedy Women's Fiction Italy Comedy Feel-Good

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Critic reviews

Romantic and funny, this is a great addition to any bookshelf
Warm, funny, romantic with a terrific sense of place. I loved it! (Katie Fforde)
Sun, good food and romance, what more could you want?
Set in a beautiful landscape with lovable characters, it's a lovely story and a real page-turner
A perfect pearl of a story. I loved it (Milly Johnson)
Best read with a glass of Prosecco. Salute!
Perfect for those who dream of a new life in the sun!
This is just a beautiful story . . . a great book to curl up with (The Dark Dictator blog)
It is escapism at its best (Book Addict Shaun blog)
Lots of twists and turns along the way and a couple of huge surprises, go ahead and treat yourself (Nat's Reading Cloud blog)
A world you long to live in with characters you love (Katie Fforde)
A perfect pearl of a story. I loved it (Milly Johnson)
A warm witty debut... Well worth a read (Carole Matthews)
A heart-warming tale full of Celtic charm, set against a beautiful landscape. What more could you wish for? (Ali McNamara)
All stars
Most relevant
After really enjoying the Oyster CatcherI thought I'd try another of Up Thomas's books. The Olive Branch storyline was; broken relationship, took a risk and went far away to a new life. Struggled against adversity but love conquers all! Disappointed as this was too similar a storyline to the Oyster Catcher therefore not engaging.

A bit formulaic

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That's s us a story of escaping to Italy to try and make a new start. I would think mainly appeals to women. Light hearted and entertaining.

Worth a listen. It is a light hearted story of escapism to try a new life (which I am sure we have all thought about).

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I so enjoyed this book . It has great humour ,romance and I was there in the vineyard
With them . A delightful story .

Beautifully read by Rachel Atkins

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a woman finds herself in a broken marriage and throwing caution to the wind buys a house in Italy.
at first the locals do not accept her. but then she finds a man who is first hostile because she bought the home his family was supposed to own.
A happy ending though.

great listen

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I loved this story. lovely and light. easy to listen to. interesting and intreguing. I can see myself in it.

loved it

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