If You Could Go Anywhere by Paige Toon

Angie has always wanted to travel. But at twenty-seven, she has barely stepped outside the small mining town where she was born. Instead, she discovers the world through stories told to her by passing travellers, dreaming that one day she'll see it all for herself.

When her grandmother passes away, leaving Angie with no remaining family, she is ready to start her own adventures. Then she finds a letter revealing the address of the father she never knew, and realises instantly where her journey must begin: Italy.
 
As Angie sets out to find the truth – about her family, her past and who she really is – will mysterious and reckless Italian Alessandro help guide the way?


I along with many other Paige Toon fans eagerly await her new release every year and I love her storytelling so much that I never even read the synopsis for If You Could Go Anywhere I trust her writing to know that I am always going to be immersed in the storyline.

Angie has always lived in Coober Pedy in Australia and she has never travelled outside of her home town as she has always had responsibilities that have prevented her from actually living the life she longs to live. After the death of her Nan she happens upon a letter that appears to be addressed to her Father she has never known. It is time for Angie to begin her adventures and what better place to go than Italy to find her Father.


What Paige Toon has always managed to do so perfectly is create a leading character who I instantly feel like I befriend from the first chapter and this is no different with Angie. Angie has lived a very sheltered life but she doesn’t let this stop her from taking such a big step and grabbing life with both hands and jetting off for the first time to a country alone to meet her father and his family. She shows such courage for someone who has lead such a sheltered life but she also has such a warm kind and caring nature and is always happy to go out of her way to help those in need.


Alessandro is the hot eyecandy in this novel, he has an air of mystery about him and doesn’t let anyone close. When we learn more about Alessandro my heart breaks for him and it becomes understandable the reason he is the way he is which made me love him even more.


I have never been to Italy although it has always been somewhere my husband and I always wanted to visit, the author describes the setting so beautifully and it is so vivid in my mind and has just made me want to visit even more.


I found this quite a difficult read emotionally in places but this could be heightened more because of my personal circumstances at present but even so I admit to shedding a tear or two in a couple of places with situations of desperation and loss. I was a little surprised that Angie wasn’t trying to get to spend more time with her papa seen as this was the reason for the trip but then I suppose the storyline wouldn’t have been as enjoyable without the mysterious and handsome Alessandro taking a stronger role!


Paige Toon never lets me down and this book is another wonderful touching emotional and romantic read that is wrapped up in the delights of Italy.

If You Could Go Anywhere is released today, grab a copy and post your thoughts on in the comments section below.

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