If you've ever wanted to go behind the scenes of an author's life, then you're in luck as the main character of this book is a best-selling romance author. I have a slight hunch that Lucy Coleman used her own personal experiences with writing to bring Brie's character to life, by highlighting the highs and the lows of putting pen to paper. I thought it was brilliant as well how the author made people think about the romance genre as it had, and continues to do, negative press because people can't understand the complexity behind writing romantic novels. Obviously that's a nice way of putting it! Even though I am pleased that Lucy Coleman has openly, well, indirectly, defended her genre, I felt sad because why should she? Nobody gives bad press about thriller novels and people getting their heads lopped off, so why should romance authors defend the fact that they want to spread a little love around the place? You'll have to excuse me - I'm going off on a tangent,  it's just something i feel quite strongly about....if you hadn't guessed already!

Anyway! Poor Brie not only has writers block, she also has self-confidence block because of just how much recent events have made her want to hide. People automatically assume that, just because Brie likes to write things that get her readers a little hot under the collar, that her own bed is getting a lot of attention. And no, I don't mean sleep.

When Brie goes to Lake Garda to assist another author and his retreats, she manages to re-evaluate her life in more ways than one. Obviously I won't say how she does that, but i definitely became her cheerleader that's for sure!

I am probably going to sound like a pessimist here, but I spent a lot of the story sitting waiting for Arran to run. It's not that i don't believe in love, I just felt that Arran's situation was incredibly fast and I suppose I couldn't really invest in it because I was uncertain of the overall outcome. Like i say, I know i sound a bit pessimistic when I say this, especially as i wanted the 'happily ever after' as much as the next person, i just found it a little too....shall we say, convenient? Just to clarify - the above isn't a negative remark towards the author and the way that she has delivered the storyline, it's just my opinion on the characters lifestyle choices. I know the author put them there, obviously, it's just hard not to think of them as real people.

I really enjoyed the realistic portrayal of a writers life alongside such wonderful, and heartfelt humour. The characters were such a fun bunch to get to know and I thought that Lucy Coleman did a sterling job at making readers (ie me) resonate with their personalities on various levels. 

Brie has got to be one of my most favourite characters that Lucy Coleman has written, mainly due to the relatability of her personality but also because she shone with both her perfections and imperfections.

'Summer on the Italian Lakes' is such an uplifting, humorous, poignant read which will have you yearning for your own happily ever after.

I love Italy and many years ago was lucky enough to be able to visit Lake Garda (though I stayed further up the lake than where the book is set). As I've said already I've read Snowflakes Over Holly Cove and having read that, and given the setting of this book I was excited to read this too.  Much of the book is set on Lake Garda but we begin by meeting Brie who has been struggling recently with writing and life in general. I have to admit I didn't warm to her immediately, I felt she over-analysed everything and came across as a bit superior sounding but once she got to Italy I began to see another side of her, and her character developed into one which was more like someone I would be happy to meet. I found Arran a bit straight-laced and overly descriptive to start with but that fitted his academic background perfectly and again, his character developed through the course of the book.

The biggest and best character in the book was by far, the country itself. The villa, lake and nearby town were scene stealers. I could absolutely visualise myself sitting outside in the shade enjoying the view, with a good book, or exploring Arran's amazing library which reminded me so much of the one in Beauty and the Beast. The combination of the setting, the main characters and the drama cause and created by the other characters in the book is enough to make the story flow well and the chapters to whizz by. I did feel that sometimes 8 words were used instead of 3 but as I got further into the story I stopped noticing. I got caught up in the whirlwind that was Brie and Arran and was excited to see what happened next.

I like stories which have endings that leave you knowing where the characters have got to, have a good amount of resolution in them but also a hint at where their lives could be headed next so that you can imagine that after you turn that last page they are still there living out their lives behind the scenes. This book delivers exactly that, the ending fitted the story perfectly and left it in such a way that we can imagine where the main characters lives are headed but also leaves room for a second book if the author chooses to write another one.

If you're looking for an escape from the winter weather, or can't manage a summer escape then this is the ideal book to give you some sunshine and warmth and that nice, cosy feeling inside. Perfect with a big mug of hot chocolate or a chilled glass of something, depending on when and where you are when you're reading it.

Firstly, before I get all excited about this book again I would like to thank Aria for asking me to review Summer on the Italian Lakes and organising the blog tour. I am posting this twice as I am apart of two blog tours for this book and I would like to also thank Rachel Gilbey for organising her blog tour.
Well, where to start on this book. I loved it and totally fell in love with the villa in Italy, especially one certain place but I will not say which area as I felt as a reader it was exciting discovering it for myself, so I will let you do that too. The owner of the villa is not to bad either, he sounds so dreamy. The star of the book has to be Brie though a girl after my own heart. I loved reading her backstory and getting to know her and all about her writing. It was lovely reading about her writing habits.
Brie is struggling! I totally felt for her as someone who has been through a tough time myself and found my self surrounded by chocolate and books without seeing a person for days. Lucy wrote this part of the book with humour mixed in and it was brilliant to read and so realistic. Seeing Brie grow as I read made myself smile with pride. Go Brie! Now, how do I find myself a Villa like there is in the pages of Summer on the Italian Lakes.
An empowering, romantic read full of love, hope and friendship. Lucy Coleman is a dream to read. I love her storytelling.

As soon as I met the main character of this book, Brie surrounded by snotty tissues while she dealt with her heartbreak I knew I was in for a treat. I love this book for three reasons.

1.The characters – Brie is an open-hearted, old-fashioned romantic and is usually a strong woman who is a defender of romance novels against those who look down at them. She comes across as balanced and despite her confidence plummeting at the beginning, she knows who she is which makes this a refreshing read. Handsome Arran is aloof, and comes with a back story that drew me in, making me care for him. Along with Brie’s editor and best friend the characters leapt from the page making it easy to see the story like a good rom-com in my imagination.

2.The scenery – oh my! Lucy Coleman paints a picture with her words and I was there in the sunshine enjoying Lake Garda with Brie and strolling through the streets of the Italian towns. The landscapes are stunning making them the perfect location for some literary escapism.

3.The writing tips – as an aspiring writer the tips and insights Brie offers her students at the writing retreat and the reader are invaluable. They are cleverly blended into the story but cover topics such as characterisation, writer’s block, doubts and joy of romance novels. It is a romance writing companion in disguise. I only wish I could be at the retreat in reality to soak up the tranquillity and expertise while learning how to write 3000 words before breakfast.

Summer on the Italian Lakes is uplifting and entertaining making it a perfect summer read or a pick me up on a grey, miserable day. With the characters, landscape, sun and chemistry I was reluctant to come out of the book into reality. It will be a story I will return to again and again.

This book took awhile for me to get into it. It tells the story of Brie, a writer who is struggling through writers block, after a rough breakup. She ends up helping her agent by replacing another writer at a writing retreat. It is a welcome change with wonderful views of Italy. The other writer she is working with seems standoffish and blunt at first until she gets to know him. Brie wonders if she just might get her happily ever after.

I struggled with connecting with this book, there seemed to be a lot of talking to the reader about the writing process and its challenges, which felt a little disconnected. Some of the dialogue seemed really odd and disjointed.

Don’t you just want to dive in to this gorgeous scene? I know I do, I can feel the sunshine beaming out from cover and lifting the winter chill.

This is another lovely, warm book from Lucy Coleman, who is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. This time we are following author, Brianna Middleton, as she takes up the mantle of writing tutor on a summer retreat in the Italian Lakes, whilst considering her own writing path and lack of romantic life – since the heroines in her books have way more going on in the relationship department that she has. Will meeting handsome fellow author, Arran Jamieson kickstart her romantic mojo in more ways than one?

Lucy always writes really likeable and relatable protagonists and Brianna is no exception. She is shown from the beginning of the book to be an intelligent, ambitious but possible lonely, and definitely lost, woman that you can’t possibly help but feel for. She is very open and honest with the struggles she is having, and we start off with a clear picture of what is wrong in her life and that something definitely needs to change.

Cue a fortuitous opening at a writing retreat in a villa on the shores of Lake Garda run by military historian and author, Arran Jamieson, who has problems of his own. They share an agent, who is hoping that her two clients may be able to help each other out.

The author does a great job of portraying a beautiful, lakeside setting that will draw the reader right in to the heart of Lake Garda and its environs, touching every sense with her vivid descriptions and making you wish you were there as you discover the area through Brianna’s eyes. It is the perfect read for a chilly winter weekend and I could practically feel my levels of Vitamin D rising as I read and long to book an Italian escape of my own as soon as possible.

As a writer, I also found the insight into the whole writing process that the author depicts absolutely fascinating and it brought me even closer to the character. I don’t know how much of what is described actually reflects Lucy’s own process – I’m guessing quite a lot as it would be hard to describe someone else’s writing routine so vividly – but to get a glimpse in to how other authors might work is intriguing and inspiring (although some activities I’m assuming are pure imagination and NOT part of Lucy’s daily writing routine, or maybe they are!) Anyway, I think authors and wannabe authors will really find this book has an added dimension of interest for them.

The romantic arc develops rather rapidly, it did quite take my breath away how fast it moved, but this is such a heart-warming, fun, sunshine-y, positive read that it would be positively churlish to put forward any real criticism of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish – setting, characters, plot and themed. I can’t see that anyone who enjoys this type of book will not like it. Highly recommended.

I loved this book so much!! Let me start with it! It has combined few of my favorite things; writing, summer, romance. How could I not love it?!
Being writer myself, I always dream of going to retreat and just have this positive writing atmosphere around me. I feel like that would be amazing thing for me since I’m in a writer’s rut for so long already. While I was reading this book, I sort of felt like I was there and the longing got even bigger to go to one.

What happens when a romance writer, Brianna Middleton, breaks up with her famous boyfriend, is trolled on the internet by his fans and struggles to write even one sentence for her next book? In this case, she starts eating, keeps on eating, lives in her pjs and worries . . . . That is, until her friends and family stage an intervention which includes a new hairstyle, a personal trainer, a new diet and a total change in attitude. Now add a month staying at a writer's retreat on the shores of Lake Garda, helping superstar author Arran Jamieson and life is definitely going to change for the better! However, will the change bring love and romance for her or will fate have other plans? You'll just have to read it yourself to find out!

Lucy Coleman writes great stories with fantastic, believable characters who draw you into their world, helping you feel their dilemmas and discover their heartwarming romance and this story is no exception to that. It is fun getting to know all the participants at the retreat and I really enjoyed learning more about the writing processes and other aspects of the publication industry through reading about the courses they attended. Both Brie and Arran have a lot of back story which influence their attitudes and behaviour, making them complex characters you get to know better as the story progresses. I can't praise this book highly enough, it is a great story set in a beautiful, sunny location that is a delight to escape into wherever you are and whatever the season.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.

I only recently discovered that Lucy Coleman is the pen name for Linn B. Halton, whose novel A Greek Affair, I read and reviewed (and enjoyed!) last month. The bar was set high, and I was very much looking forward to a little sun-soaked escapism once more!
Summer of the Italian Lakes tells the story of Brianna (Brie) Middleton, the young and successful author of hot, steamy romance novels. Following a high profile break up, she is at her lowest and suffering with a bad case of writers block. Following an intervention from her nearest and dearest, she ends up assisting famous author, Arran Jamieson, by teaching at his writing retreat held at his stunning Lake Garda villa.
There is so much to enjoy within this novel; a beautiful setting, great leading characters and, of course, their developing romance. It is very much a modern romance, dealing with the baggage of what has gone before and its impact on the future of their relationship. All of that is before social media and the intrusive world of celebrity takes hold! What I loved most about this romance was the sense of equality and partnership. I absolutely believed in them as a couple, I could feel their chemistry sizzling and was rooting for them very early on.
It took me a little while to fully connect with Brie. I think this is because she is so closed off at the beginning, but once she arrives in Italy and rediscovers both herself and her writing ambitions, she blossomed on the page for me. By the time I was a third of the way in, I was completely sold!
One of the author’s great strengths is creating a wonderful setting for her novels. During reading I never felt as if I had to sit and purposely conjure up Lake Garda, the villa or Brie’s cottage in my mind, it was just effortlessly there. As soon as I began to read it felt as if I’d just stepped into a scene. It’s quite a talent, as there isn’t reams of descriptive prose (which I quickly bore of, I’ll be honest!), but what is there is meaningful and allows the minds eye to effortlessly construct the location.
My one very slight niggle was the dialogue. There were a few occasions where it just didn’t flow, feeling verbose and unnaturally formal. This was only a small handful of times – and it may be that as I’ve just been studying writing dialogue at university I’ve become hyperaware of it all of a sudden, but it did break the magic a little for me. This is quite minor though, and it didn’t on the whole deflect from the overall story, which I really and truly enjoyed.
Summer on the Italian Lakes is gorgeous! Light, lovely and highly enjoyable to read – perfect for blasting away the winter cobwebs!

First of all, I have to take my hat off to the cover designer for SUMMER ON THE ITALIAN LAKES by Lucy Coleman as it so beautiful and I found myself going back to look at it time after time. And I am delighted to say that the story inside is just as stunning!

What do you do when you're a romance author who doesn't believe in romance anymore? Well, that is the situation that Brie finds herself in after she is dumped by her celebrity boyfriend. Needing to write another bestseller Brie just cannot find the spark that always came so easily to her before but it's not surprising considering all of the online abuse and media intrusion that she has experienced. But after her loved ones give her a stern talking to, Brie knows that she needs to do something to get herself out of this funk that she has fallen into and soon she has more than one book idea brewing. When the opportunity to teach in Italy presents itself, Brie jumps at it with both hands as who wouldn't be inspired by the beauty and culture of the Lakes and when she meets Arran Jamieson, romance may just jump off the page and into her life ...

The setting is stunning in SUMMER ON THE ITALIAN LAKES and Lucy Coleman has a real talent for painting the soul of a place and making you desperate to visit there yourself. The characters are well-developed and engaging and I was rooting for Brie from the very beginning and by the end felt like she was an old friend. There are romance and laughter, questions of self-worth and self-belief, and all of it combines to make this my favourite Lucy Coleman book so far.

SUMMER ON THE ITALIAN LAKES by Lucy Coleman is a must-read for romance and contemporary fiction fans everywhere and I cannot wait for Lucy's next book.

The Blurb :
Bestselling Brianna Middleton has won the hearts of millions of readers with her sweeping - and steamy - love stories. But the girl behind the typewriter is struggling... Not only does she have writer's block, but she's a world-famous romance author with zero romance in her own life.
So the opportunity to spend the summer teaching at a writer's retreat in an idyllic villa on the shores of Lake Garda - owned by superstar author Arran Jamieson - could this be just the thing to fire up Brie's writing - and romantic - mojo?
Brie's sun-drenched Italian summer could be the beginning of this writer's very own happy-ever-after...

My Thoughts :
We meet Author Brianna Middleton, known to many as Brie. After a messy break up she becomes lost and needs to pick herself up and live again. Brie’s agent Carrie decides to send her to a beautiful villa in Lake Garda, Italy to assist as a teacher on a writing retreat. which is where she meets owner and Author, Arran Jamieson. Brie isnt keen but decides to except the challenge.
It was lovely to see the storyline and romance blossom between Brie and Arron and see where they were going as a couple, its a real feel good story. Also watch out for a few unexpected twists and turns along the way, which fitted into the story nicely.
As always I am a big fan or Lucy Coleman/Linn B Halton and really enjoy her books. She has a way of captivating the reader and making her charactors feel like old friends. Great descriptions of the surrounding scenery and Lake Garda, I just loved getting lost in such a beautiful place. Cant wait for the next book she releases.

Writing Style
I found this story to be really digestible and easy to read. And given how stressful my work life was while I read this book, I needed it. I found I was easily able to jump in and out of this story without being so hooked on “OMG what is going to happen next?!” while being just hookish enough to make sure I had something to look forward to.
I did need to make an effort to read more by the end of the book. But I assure you this had nothing to do with the writing style and everything to do with me trying to finalise some touches on my site since my developers had just finished.
I really looked forward to the times I could read so I could enjoy some light-hearted romance that had a few tense moments. These moments reminded me that it doesn’t matter how good or bad your life is to the public eye. You’re the only one who can really know how you’re feeling and it’s up to you to let people in to help you through those tough times.
Initial Thoughts
To start off with I couldn’t understand what had happened. Had Brie just been dumped? Had something happened to turn her into an emotional wreck?
Then when she turned her life around from her binge eating spree, I started to think she’d meet someone, and they’d go to Italy so she can get her groove back.
So, when she practically got forced out of the country by her agent to help someone who clearly doesn’t like her I started to wonder what could possibly come out of this story. But I persevered since Rachel hasn’t steered me wrong before with these types of stories.
Final Thoughts
By the end of the book I will admit I was a bit distracted and was reading in bursts of like 5-10 minutes in between work taking over my brain. But right near the end (I had like 5 percent left to read) I chose to stay late at work so I could keep reading while I ate breakfast to read.
I’m not sure the ending is very believable. But I guess that’s why it’s a romance book isn’t it? We don’t exactly read these to read about something that actually happens in real life.
We read these types of books for the flair, the drama and the ridiculously crazy ways people fall in love and make it work.
So, in that way I found it really enjoyable and reckon most people would enjoy this even if you’re not too big into romance since it’s not over the top.

Brie is an author who is struggling after a breakup from Paul and right from the beginning, Lucy Coleman gets us inside Brie's head, but not just with relationship-themed thoughts however. We see her plight as an author which, since I myself have drafted various books over the years, found incredibly interesting and I was absorbed by it. I love her character. She is so honest, sensitive, realistic but strong and likeable.

As someone who has their own writing process, I identified with the struggle to find a writing-life balance. Brie gives some useful life advice as she fights against her oen personal demons with the help of her great friend Mel, who I liked also as I found she was so supportive and enjoyed seeing how she helped Brie love herself again. Makeovers and clothes are my thing, so I was hooked and, as a person whose own weight has yoyoed over the years and who decided to make the right choices regarding food and exercise, I found myself cheering out loud as Brie started to focus less on Paul and more on her self care goals.

When her publisher/ agent suggests a writing retreat, Brie isn't sure. She's used to her "style of life" - writing for hours and lounging in her PJs in her cosy cottage. But, she's convinced that if she made one change she can make another and so finds herself on a plane to Italy and staying at a beautiful villa on the shores of Lake Garda. It's not just any villa, but the home of author Arran. Genres and lives merge here and it's clear to see that that is a good place to start with the conversation when they first meet. As with all great books, I will leave this review up to the reader's imagination and just say that I adored this book so much. I felt like, in Brie, Lucy Coleman really epitomised what it is like to seriously get down to it and write a book, whether it gets published or not.

The ins and outs of Brie's writing process gave this book an edge that no other romance has. It is not slushy. It is not predictable. It is so realistic and in Brie, I saw myself. The passion for writing, the meticulous process and the relaxation in the pampering. The thrill of reinventing yourself. I felt like I was traveling with Brie in more ways than one, learning more about another's writing proccess although she was a character in a book. To me, she and Arran were so real.

Summer on the Italian Lake is fun, realistic and relaxing. I have mever been on any writing retreat (except a virtual one in the form of NaNoWriMo) and I loved sharing in Brie and Arran's life. Italy comes to life and I loved it when Brie and Arran were involved in organisung the retreat and even more when Brie helped out......

As a lot of this is about writing and the writing process, I am not sure it is a book for everyone who likes, and is expecting, a clear-cut romance. Because it's not. I definitely feel it will appeal more to you if you are an author or dabbling in writing yourself.

Summer on the Italian Lake is the third book by Lucy Coleman that I have reviewed after A French Adventure and Snowflakes on Holly Cove.

As with any book with a setting in Italy, the food and scenery are spectacular. There's a whole host of different characters (both characters in this book as well as Brie's romances and Arran's history books) to add richness to the plot. As with all of Lucy Coleman's novels, you will fall in love with this. I know I did.

Huge thanks to Lucy Coleman and Aria for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review and I'm thrilled to be on the blog tour for this book. 5 stunning stars. I cannot wait to review more by Lucy Coleman.

You know, don't you, that Brie and Arran are going to get together? The question, however, is how things go as they make their way into a relationship. Brie's a writer of steamy romances who has lost her mojo. She goes to Lake Garda (sigh) for a writers retreat, where she meets Arran, also an author. As can be expected, both of them have problems with romance in their pasts but when they work things out, well....Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. An easy light read.

This feel-good and romantic novel is about two authors that come together for a writer’s workshop in Lake Garda. Arran is the owner of the Italian villa and has been offering this workshop for years with another author. But when that author suddenly has to cancel, Brie and Arran’s mutual agent has Brie packing her bags for a month in Italy. Although things are a bit tricky between them at first, Brie soon begins to wonder if Arran is the inspiration she needs to get over her writer’s block and find happiness in her real life.

As a fan of both Lucy Coleman and Linn B. Halton, I was really excited to read Summer on the Italian Lakes. Although definitely romantic, this novel was so much more and full of complex characters, uncomfortable situations, difficult family/friends, and triumphs that any reader could relate to. I admit that in the beginning I was sure what I thought of Brie and then I felt that some uncertainty when Arran was introduced. However, I quickly found myself drawn to their unique personalities and was cheering for them both for so many different reasons. They both seemed a bit stand-offish in the beginning, but I absolutely loved how more relaxed and carefree with the progression of the novel.

The setting of the novel inspired a great desire to whisk myself away to Italy and just relax, while the details about the writer’s retreat had me wishing to do something like that one day because it seemed fun, fascinating, and challenging all at once. I was terrified that Brie and Arran would be completely different once she went home and he came to visit, fearing that writing or the beautiful Italian setting had been the only catalyst for their growing and changing relationship. However, I quickly learned that geography was the least of their obstacles and that they each would be forced to deal with several challenging issues regarding finances, family, careers, the media, and a multitude of opinions coming from every direction.

My only criticism of Summer on the Italian Lakes is the secondary characters were very overbearing and that I felt there was a lot of repetition. Regarding the secondary characters, I felt that Brie’s family, her best friend Mel, and her friend/agent Cassie were insanely overprotective and frequently treated her like a child. I tried to find it endearing, but especially with Mel, I found it frustrating. Then, in reference to my comment about repetition, I just felt that some things were put into the story multiple times unnecessarily, such as Brie’s cottage being too big for her, but was also a nice nest egg. Otherwise, I found this to be a romantic, sexy, smart, and engaging novel.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful readers got to meet up with Arran and Brie again someday, just as the publishers requested of Arthur and Rose’s story? 🙂

*Thanks to Aria and to the author for providing this review copy in exchange for my honest review!

Oh, I have so enjoyed this book! Lucy Coleman always writes an easy read, and this one is just choc-a-bloc with love.

Brianna Middleton is a best-selling author of romance; unfortunately the love on the pages hasn't transferred to her own world. Under pressure in her personal life, it has the knock-on effect of giving her writer's block. As things begin to lighten up a little, her editor offers her the opportunity to spend a month in the Italian lakes, assisting an author of non-fiction with informative courses for writers who want to up their game. And, after all, who wouldn't want an all expenses paid month in the sun?

Not only is this a fabulous romance, but the details of the writer's courses are fascinating - not that I'm a writer! Who knew there was so much more to producing a book than just writing it? However, that part of the novel is very much a backdrop to the story itself which is not only well-crafted but draws the reader in from the very beginning. I felt the characters were real, and I was eager to see where the story was going. There's certainly plenty to keep the reader pressing on, and it's a very satisfying novel. As for the setting - well, as expected it was stunning and the extra details about Italy really added to the romance. A gorgeous read all round - with a special mention to the stunning cover - and one I'm very happy to recommend.

My thanks to publisher Aria for my copy via NetGalley, and to Victoria Joss for the invitation to be a part of this Blog Tour. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.

A romance author, a history author, Lake Garda, Italian Villa, writers retreat… what more could you possibly want in this fabulous Romance read.

What a great story or rather stories within a story. Brie, the romance writer has had a real tough time and it is her editor that suggests going to the writing retreat. She will be able to help out another author while she is there. That is where Brie meets the fellow author, villa owner and retreat organiser Arran. He is in a bit of a pickle with his life and his manuscript. Contrasting characters with contrasting style…will they mix?

Oh, what a readers dream, I loved the way that I felt I was getting inside an authors head. Brie was a brilliant character and straight away I knew I was going to get on with her. Recent events have knocked her confidence, she is not going out so much and is eating junk food. So the retreat seems like a good idea to help get her back on track, meet new people and get over her writers’ block.

Arran, I didn’t quite know what to make of him at first, he felt dismissive and a little judgmental. Then I got to know him a little more and things started to fall into place. His retreat and the villa are are fabulous sounding places to be.

The author really did a great job of giving a tiny peak into the world of writing, editing, contracts, and publishing showing me a different side to the cover if you like. This is why I am a reader. The author mixed so many things into the story. The tips and advice given by Brie and Arran throughout are really interesting for aspiring writers, writing processes, works in progress and unwarranted media attention feature in this very captivating story.

With a wonderful villa on Lake Garda and also Brie’s home in the UK, I felt completely spoilt with idyllic settings. Romance is surely to be in the air with these stunning locations. As in the way of life though, nothing planned goes to plan, and plans can change or be forced to change very quickly. Tentative steps can lead to giant strides and that is certainly the case with this story.

I really enjoyed this story, learning about Brie and Arran, getting to know them a little more and what makes them tick. Discovering more about writing retreats and the downsides to being a known author. This story ticked so many boxes and was a wonderful read for a cold, wet wintery January day. Perfect escapism for a few blissful hours. It is one I would definitely recommend.

Enjoyed this more than I actually thought I might! The setting, mostly in Lake Garda, sounded absolutely idyllic and was so descriptive I felt like I had visited myself.

Brie is a best-selling romance author, her books are packed with sex and romance and I loved that it was made very clear to other authors (& the readers of this book!) that as much research and effort goes into writing them as an historical novel for example. Anyway - I digress - Brie is called upon to join Arran Jamieson at his luscious villa near Lake Garda as a last-minute replacement for a writer's retreat. The idea being that fellow authors or aspiring writers visit and have masterclasses with both Arran and Brie as well as some epic sightseeing.

I have neglected to tell you that Arran is also an author but is struggling with some of the romance in his story as it is not his forte so his agent, Carrie, has deliberately sent Brie (Carrie is also her agent) to assist not only with the retreat but also with polishing off some of Arran's story. The effort that clearly goes into not only writing the story in the first instance but then the editing and re-reading process before it even goes to your agent and prospective publisher is immense and was an eye-opener that I really appreciated.

Along the way Brie and Arran fall for one another, I loved their romance and Arran, despite saying he was not romantic, really made me swoon!

There were supposed to be 4x 1-week retreats run consecutively but halfway through the novel we were still being treated to the first retreat and those guests and it started to make me wonder if the story was going to be rushed as I knew Brie was going to have to return to the UK but what about Arran? Could she really leave him behind?

As much as I enjoyed reading about the retreats, Brie's dad ends up in hospital and she has to return home quickly to be with him which gave the story a turning point. This also gave the opportunity to see if their relationship was the real deal and not just a whimsical holiday romance- you got the feeling from the outset this one was special though.

I adored this whole story, it was simply perfect and I felt like I was learning so much along the way too so it was quite educational both in terms of writing and Italy itself! I couldn't recommend this enough, what are you waiting for?! Please pick up this heart-warming, romantic and very interesting novel!

My many thanks to Aria and NetGalley for providing me with this advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was first drawn to the cover. Who wouldn't like that appealing cover? I cannot understand the covers of some of the stories I read. So drab, so unreasonable for want of a better description.

Brie Middleton is a successful author of romance fiction, hot dashing heroes and steamy love scenes. Her personal life is in a shambles right now. Let down by a boyfriend who was more interested in image than her sterling qualities, he wanted sexy arm candy and when her weight started ballooning he ditched her. Brie went into hibernation, could hardly write and had no self confidence at all.

Her agent pushes her to go into a working conference in Salo, Italy helping out a fellow author in a crisis. How meeting Arran, working again with other writers and to be authors helped Brie to change her life around. She found a new love, a new focus in her life and it helped that the setting was so idyllic.

This book ticks so many boxes for me, As someone who has always wanted to write a book, I found this on a separate level to be a fantastic insight into the life of a writer, irrespective of the main story.

The story revolves around Brie, a bestselling author of steamy romances, whose family and friends stage an intervention after a messy and very public break up leads to her losing her way and becoming more reclusive than was healthy for her. As she begins to rebuild her life, she is sent by her agent Carrie to assist as a teacher on a writing retreat, set in an idyllic villa in Italy, working alongside the owner, fellow writer and historian, Arran.

I found both characters complex, because they both had issues which made them multi-dimensional and very interesting, but it was also really nice to get to know the participants on the writing retreat too. I don't think I've ever read a book where one of the main characters is a writer and their writing processes are considered in such detail, so I loved the way you could see Brie develop the two books she was writing at the same time, and how people in her real life inspired her characters.

If you want to read a book that is both fascinating, and a feel good romance, then this book is for you. It certainly was for me!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Aria for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.