Both a love song to Italy and a criticism of class and patriarchy in England at the time, this young adult illustrated edition is an exquisite, tumultuous romance.

'One doesn't come to Italy for niceness,' was the retort; 'one comes for life. Buon giorno! Buon giorno!'

Lucy's rigid, middle-class life is meticulously mapped out for her. Boredom and monotony await, along with a perfectly respectable marriage to her perfectly respectable fiancé, Cecil Vyse. But an indulgent holiday to Florence changes the course of her life forever.

Through scenic picnics and jovial dinners, Lucy learns that her life need not be reduced to polite conversation, nor does she need to adhere to the restrictive expectations dictated by outdated notions of propriety. For the first time, Lucy and her painfully conventional cousin Charlotte, are introduced to an eclectic cast of characters. The esteemed novelist Eleanor Lavish is flamboyant and hopelessly romantic. The charming Mr Emerson sees right through the folly of British society and makes sure those around him do too. And then there is his son, George, a handsome man who is poetically passionate and in love with Lucy.

Lucy has a difficult decision to make. Will she walk down the chosen path or carve her own way by following her heart?