Ruthie Collins has broken up with her boyfriend Ed, sold their London home, and moved in with her mother. One night after a few glasses of Prosecco, Ruthie buys an old Italian farmhouse on eBay. What she actually gets is a lot more; a house and land bigger than she’d imagined, a warring Italian family for neighbours, and a goat named Daphne. The story is based in the idyllic setting of rural Italy with its rich red earth, beautiful rustic houses, and seas of olive groves. The author either knows Italy or she has done her research extremely well. The scenery, the language, and the people are all so vibrantly described that they come to life. I could picture each tiny detail, smell the earth, and taste the Bellanuovo olive oil. All of your senses are put to use in this wonderfully descriptive story. If you’ve never visited rural Italy then you’ll most definitely want to add it to your bucket list after reading this. The house Ruthie buys belonged to her neighbours’ grandfather and he hadn’t told his family he’d sold it. He never got the chance to as he passed away straight after selling it. It’s only when Ruthie comes face to face with Marco Bellanuovo, the previous owner’s grandson, that the family realise what has happened – and they’re not exactly pleased about it! Ruthie tries to make the most of her new life abroad but it isn’t easy; She inherits the Bellanuovo goat who she renames Daphne, she has a lot of work ahead of her to get the house up to scratch, and she faces an ongoing battle of wills with Marco. There are some lovely scenes between them that had me gasping and cringing in shock (the funeral scene was brilliant, but that’s all I’ll say) and I found myself smiling and laughing as I read on. Ruthie’s ex-boyfriend Ed crops up a few times and she wonders if she’s made the right choice several times in the story. Then there’s Ryan; an Australian who takes a shine to Ruthie and makes her feel welcome in Italy. He offers to help her out with the works needed on her new home, and she gratefully accepts. With three potential love interests for Ruthie, the book keeps you guessing as to what will happen. I did have a fair idea but the story was so well written, I couldn’t be certain as to who Ruthie would choose until the end due to the twists along the way. Some books you read and then pass on to a friend and some you drop off to the charity shop. Not this one. This book is for keeps! It was heart-warming, funny, romantic, and I couldn’t put it down. Reviewed by Jodie at Whispering Stories Book Blog

I really enjoyed Jo last book but this one I was so gutted when i got to the end . Its a lovely story and set in a beautiful place . I don't want to tell you the story because you can read that on here . so buy it and i hope you really enjoy it !

You can buy almost anything online these days. For Ruthie Collins, it was an Italian farmhouse. Ed her ex husband thinks that she is daft, impetuous and irresponsible. As Ruthie arrives in the rain at her farmhouse she can see that some of the rooms need some TLC and her mind starts run in to a fantasy as she thinks that an open barn on one side of the courtyard would make a wonderful B&B. But she is determined to turn things around and live the dream. What I liked about this story is the fact that it was a relaxing read and so easy to follow. I warmed to Ruthie and wanted only the best for her. This is a heart warming tale. What more could you wish for?

A tasty treat to be devoured with a spoonful of olive oil in a crumbly old farmhouse in Puglia. Careful what you buy on ebay…and watch out for goats….. A joy for all the senses. Like being at the heart of the Mama Dolmio Advert with the larger than life characters, italian greetings sprinkled all over like the herbs on a good lasagne, this is life in Italy evoked for your taste buds. I knew nothing of olive oil and farming and this was fascinating in the extreme! The hard work involved in working on a farm, orchard and mending the ornate Trullo roofs – such craftsmanship! This world the author has created is a fascinating one which warms your heart and puts you at the heart of the Italian family bosom. You can hear them shouting and waving their arms even off the page which makes for one very funny read. Oh and be careful of goats…they tend to have characters of their own and pop up everywhere at the most awkward of times! A olive oil fused gem of a book with a duck poo aperitif…

I was attracted to this novel by the blurb and the cover. I have a soft spot for stories set in Italy, and the cover design on The Olive Branch is really inviting. It's an incredibly easy read, I finished it during a return train trip down to London. Ruthie has bought a farmhouse in the Italian countryside. She bought it on Ebay - just one click of the mouse and it was hers. She didn't actually seen the property before she signed for it, but after her disastrous relationship with her ex Ed, she is convinced that a totally new start is the answer for her. It's not always sunny and warm in Italy, and when Ruthie gets her first glimpse of her new home, it's during a rainstorm that feels more like London than Liguaria. Factor in the fact that the house is far bigger than she expected and needs loads of work done, and add the resident goat to the mix, and it's clear from the outset that Ruthie may have bitten off more than she can chew. Meeting her new neighbours; the Bellanuovo clan is more than a little overwhelming too. Mothers, Aunts, Grandmothers, there are so many of them, and they are so loud, and they had no idea until Ruthie appeared that the family farmhouse had been sold. This is not the greatest of starts! Jo Thomas writes with warmth and with a touch of humour. Her descriptions of the Italian setting are divine and so so enticing. The characters, especially the Italians are just as are portrayed in film, they are loud and passionate, they love their food and their family, and there is even a splash of Mafia-like activities thrown in for good measure. Ruthie is something of an enigma. On the one hand she appears to be rash and impetuous, yet at other times she is totally capable, with an insight and wisdom that is unexpected, but welcome. The Olive Branch is a 'sunshine' read. It's a book that would be best read whilst sipping a glass of wine, with a plate of focaccia so the reader can fully immerse themselves into the feeling of the story. There's the mix of romance with family fued, a whole wealth of information about olive farming, life in a small Italian town, and of course, there is Daphne the goat - star of the show, scene stealer and goat extraordinaire!