Two people with completely different personalities, Jake and Anna drive each other crazy. As a result of big life events that did not leave either of them unscarred, Anna is a planner who obsesses about every detail and needs to be in control all the time, while Jake is a lot more impulsive and has learned to live in the moment.
Back in her dad’s home after being cheated on and leaving her job, Anna is starting to lose hope when she finds her dream job: running a castle in Lake Como. The only catch? The owners want a couple and she’s very, very single. Enter Jake, her annoying next door neighbour who is also having a hard time finding a job after getting out of prison.

Anna are Jake are two very complex characters and everything they’ve been through has left deep scars that affected the way they saw both themselves and the people around them. Seeing them grow closer, and especially the way Jake helped Anna build her confidence back after her ex all but destroyed it, was heartwarming. Knowing that even though he was hiding it, he was also struggling with low self esteem and self love only made that whole process more special and meaningful.

Although the book was a bit slow at the beginning, once Jake and Anna realised they didn’t hate each other after all, the pace picked up and I had a hard time putting the book down.

This was not my first Kathryn Freeman book but it is my favourite one so far. I requested this book because I loved the premise and found the description intriguing and it did not disappoint. I loved the plot, the characters and seeing their relationship evolve.

Overall, this is a great romance book with amazing characters and a beautiful setting that will want you book a castle for a few days get on a plane to Italy.

★ 4.5/5 Stars ★

A big thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for sending an ARC on exchange for an honest review.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: May 06, 2022

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

In order to land the job of her dreams, newly single Anna needs a partner. Enter Jake, childhood neighbour, enemy and ex-con also struggling to find work. Together they decide to team up and pretend to be a couple, and move to Italy to manage a castle. Should be simple, except that means they have to convince everyone they are happy and in love, for a whole year.

I really wanted to like this one, fake dating, forced proximity, rivals-to-lovers it all sounded right up my street. For the most part it was an enjoyable read, easy to follow without being too clichéd or predictable, but I just didn’t feel a connection with the characters. Jakes pov felt very male gaze-y which made his character less enjoyable for me. There is also a lot of PDA at strangely inappropriate moments, I assume as part of the attempt to sell the fake relationship but mostly it just felt a bit off beat for me.

There is a certain quality that a great romance novel has. There are moments when I can almost taste it in this one, especially in the more bantery/ emotionally vulnerable moments, but it falls a bit short each time.

All in all a quick good romcom that could have been great.

3.5 stars

'The Italian Job' by Kathryn Freeman is a fun, fake dating/opposites attract rom com set in beautiful Lake Como, Italy. It ticks all my boxes for escapist romance.

Next door neighbours Anna Robert and Jake Tucker are opposites. Anna is a rule follower, while Jake is the classic bad boy.

Now Anna has lost her job after dumping her cheating boyfriend who owns the restaurant she worked as a chef. Seeing as her ex-boyfriend is from a rich and influential family in their small town, she finds the perfect job working in a castle in Lake Como. The only problem is the owners want a couple - someone to do the cooking and another to manage the grounds.

To her reluctance, she approaches Jake, who after a stint in jail is unable to be re-hired in his old job as a firefighter and is stuck doing low-paid labouring work. If they can fake being a couple their problems could be solved. Right?

This is a fun, sizzling rom com. Anna is clearly attracted to Jake but her brain will not let her go there. She still sees him as being a deliquent without really knowing his backstory. Jake, on the other hand is attracted and not afraid to let her see it. It's only when we see Jake open up about his life choices which led to his jail stint, we see Anna start to let her guard down.

I loved the sexual tension and banter. I particularly enjoyed seeing Anna have to let go of her prejudices about Jake and really see him. Jake is loyal to his loved ones, even to a point of ruining his future.

The Italian Job is a fun, escapist fiction with depth. Well worth reading and dreaming of living in an Italian castle.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter and NetGalley for the ARC.

Forced proximity and enemies to lovers on Lake Como in ITALY?? In a CASTLE? Yes please. I loved this book! I thought Anna and Jake were both great characters and I loved seeing their feelings develop. I really thought this was a great contemporary romance.

I don't usually enjoy books with English characters, but this one was very cute.

Freeman does a really good job at making us like the 'good' characters and hate the 'bad' characters.

I was pretty invested and felt like there was a natural chemistry with Jake and Anna. I wish they had more in common than just knowing each other for years. It felt like their 'falling in love' was a little forced in places.

My biggest praise for this book is the setting. Imagining a castle in Lake Como was one of my favourite things and I wished that was explored more.

THE ITALIAN JOB by Kathryn Freeman takes us to a castle in Italy where Anna and her childhood neighbor (and enemy), Jake pretend to be a couple in order to get away from their old lives and past mistakes.

I really enjoyed the banter in this one and the setting was gorgeous! I’m a sucker for fake dating romances and this one was no exception - just throw in a castle!

I do have to say that the PDA was a bit unbelievable in this one - do people really gush over how cute a couple is when they’re about ready to tear each other’s clothes off in public? And Jake’s perspective was pretty male gazey, which made me like his character a bit less than I would have otherwise.

Overall, though, this one was fun and cute and I basically devoured it in one sitting!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: May 06, 2022

Anna's life is in trouble. One day she has a home, a boyfriend, and a job...and then she doesn't. Because her boyfriend and boss cheated on her, she must start over. And where better than googling Dream Jobs and finding a castle on Lake Como in Italy, needing a hostess/caretaker. The only problem is, the employer wants a couple. Enter Jake, the bad boy from next door. Anna and Jake had a dustup years ago and she's never forgiven him, but he's at loose ends, having just gotten out of prison! He agrees to be her fake boyfriend and as a couple, they get hired to run the castle. Of course you know how this is going to end, but the reading journey is enjoyable.

Anna, recovering from a bad breakup has to fake fiancé it up with her ex-con neighbor, Jake in Italy.

A quick read. Maybe I’ve just been reading too many rom coms and they are starting to all blend together, but this one didn’t stand out much for me.

I just got this ARC yesterday and *immediately* dived in. Fake dating? Rough man? Curvy woman? Some promised steam? Yep, yep I'm all in.

I thought this book was very nicely paced, and even though it's the rebel boy straight-laced girl trope, I thought the characters were unique. Their backstories and personalities made them stand out from other books I've read with that trope. I wished it had a bit more setting development- it is set in Italy in a castle(!) but I couldn't picture myself there in a lot of the scenes. With Anna and Jake though? I could feel the tension in their relationship like I was sitting just a few inches from them. Superb.

A minor critique, Klingon is from Star Trek, not Star Wars!

Is there anything more beautiful than a love story set in Lake Como? I loved this book and couldn’t put it down! I found Anna and Jake to be lovable and relatable. They also had great chemistry! Such an adorable and charming story!! I enjoyed this book so much!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this arc!

The Italian Job is fast paced, funny and the perfect summer read!

Anna and Jake were the perfect protagonists for 'The Italian Job'! I couldn't imagine better protagonists.

They were both stubborn, fierce and their character development was eminent and I really enjoyed their relationship that was based on trust and communication. I also have to say that this was an emotional book and I could feel the emotions the characters experienced with them.

The last act of the book was the most emotional for me. I was rooting for the characters and I was eager to see how everything will be resolved in the end.

I liked the writing style although sometimes it was quite repetitive.

The villains of the book were unlikable just like every villain is supposed to be.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Netgalley & HarperCollins UK (One More Chapter)

The description alone got me so hooked on this book! Italy, fake dating, enemies to lovers, opposites attract.

This books is a fun fake relationshop book with a dash of enemies to lovers! I adored the banter and the tension between our two characters, Anna and Jake. This book was exactly what I needed, it made me gush, blush and laugh, and I loved every single part of my experience reading this book.

I definitely want a physical cope when this comes out! And it won’t be the last book I read by Kathryn Freeman

rating 4,5/5

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘑𝘰𝘣 follows Anna Robert - after losing her job over a crook of an ex, she's thirty and back in her childhood home with her dad. So she plans the perfect escape, a year in Italy as a manager of a gorgeous estate! The catch? They only hire couples.
Hence, enter Jake Tucker - the ever flirtatious, annoying nextdoor neighbour who's also an ex con.... As if pretending to be a couple for the job of a lifetime wasn't torture enough, their sizzling attraction's surely to make matters worse? Right?

- ~ -

Whew! where to even begin with these two? They were a whirlwind with their ranging emotions, but perfect for each other all the same.

'𝘽𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙.'
𝘼𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚. '𝙄'𝙢 𝙖 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩, 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧?'
𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧.

Anna tends to want to control a situation rather than letting it control her, she prefers lists and being organized over any spontaneity life's got to offer. Jake, on the other hand, likes to rush head first, accept whatever life throws at him and make the best of it. They're complete opposites, drive each other nuts but balance each other out well, they're the yin to each other's yang.

And must I say anything about the setting of the story? I mean it's Lake Como in Italy, one of the most beautiful, serene places in the world. I think for whatever the plot may have lacked, the location made up for it.

The only thing slightly off putting for me was the fact the characters' parents also got together by the end. They didn't get married or anything but wouldn't that technically make Jake and Anna step siblings??? It may not be that big an issue but for some reason it just doesn't sit right with me.

- ~ -

Overall: A charming, feel good story perfect for those who want an escape to someplace with stunning natural beauty.
Now I'm off to pack my bags ;)

3.97 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘜𝘒, 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 & 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 & 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

I really enjoyed this plot ! I loved hearing about the running of the castle and the trips around Italy. I loved jakes character and family - his back story was well thought out and played an actual role in the plot. I liked the characters interactions with the family who owned the castle - he seemed genuine and it made the character seem more real. The plot itself was a little predictable but for a summer romance book I still really enjoyed it and would recommend it to family.

I struggled to warm to Anna’s character because other than the fact she liked lists, spoke Italian and looked Italian - she didn’t actually have all that much of a personality! The scenes she was in with locals… they carried the conversations and seemed more interesting characters than her. It could have done with a touch more comedy to make her more likeable as a character because to me, at the end even, she was still ‘Saint Anna’.

Kathryn Freeman just wrote of the best books I've read!
The Italian Job was so much fun to devour. I seriously had the best time reading this.
Going to make for an amazing buddy read or book club pick!
Anna and Jake's story was just pure delightful, so much fun, with A bit of spice, A little witty and and a whole lot of romance!
I enjoyed the fake dating/enemies-to-lovers vibe we had going on here.
The whole scenery comes straight to life with Freeman's fresh and vivid storytelling.
The closeness these two start feeling had me rooting for them the entire way.
Freeman added so many levels into this book that it just pulls you forward page by page.
The highs and the lows then ultimate healing and finding yourself again made for a terrific story!

Dream job. Dream house. Fake fiancé. What's not to love!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

One More Chapter,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, blog, B&N and Waterstone closer to pub date.

I received this novel as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved everything about this book. The setting was beautiful and the backstory interesting, There was so much chemistry between Anna and Jake! Great Beach Read

This book was great! Fake relationship plus enemies to lovers, but in Italy! It was a joy to read from start to finish.

Anna is recently out of a cheating relationship. Jake is recently out of a bad situation. When Anna finds her dream job, the bad boy next door needs to go with her so she can accept. The issue? They need to be fake fiancés.

Close proximity works it’s magic on these two and the sexual tension is off the charts. It’s a great romcom and definitely recommend.

If you were to sit down with this book, a bottle and a shot glass and decide to down one every time you read ‘groin’, ‘breasts’, ‘cocky’ or ‘sex’ you’d be drunk sooner than you think!

I loved ‘Mr. Right Across The Street’ and eagerly chose this one, thinking it was the same writing style. It wasn’t. The cover, the premise, and the setting held my attention and propelled me forward in the story. Unfortunately, while they had many redeeming points, the characters did not hold my attention and I could not make connections with them. Bad boy, Jake Tucker, only sees the girl next door, Anna Roberts, as a breasty organizer with a curvy butt who makes lists. All he thinks about is sex. Anna is wishy-washy. It annoyed me that in such a beautiful part of the world, she was wanting to make lists and get straight to work rather than investigate and start afresh - her whole reason for travelling halfway around the world!

I could see that Freeman was subtly trying to make readers aware that her characters were driven by the most basic needs - the need to feel loved and accepted by others. Where her other book was sweet, feel good and infused with a few giggles, I felt this one was bordering on crass and lewd. It had none of the humour I was expecting. It had so much potential. I hope this book finds the right reader.

I was gifted this book by Kathryn Freeman, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I LOVED this one! I had trouble with some of my latest reads to connect with the characters but not in this one. I’ve read a couple of Katheryn Freeman’s other books and really enjoyed them but I have to say she outdid herself with this one.

There’s lots of positive things to say about this one. I read it in almost one sitting. I mean who doesn’t love a sexy yet sensitive and very caring book boyfriend? And the setting of the book at an Italian castle. And the sexual tension and banter between the to main characters.

I like how grumpy Jake is at the beginning with Anna but that it’s clear from the get go that he likes to wind her up. In the beginning Anna’s lists and planning irks him but he begins to love them. Jake is so sweet to her and really does support and encourage her. And him preparing the pool for her 😍 And when he practicality admits that he’s had a crush on her since childhood.

I also love how it’s not Miles that’s coming between them but his need to protect Anna and his beliefs that he’s not worthy of her. When clearly he is.

-As she marched off to the large walk-in pantry he tried to work out why seeing her smile was so important.
Same reason you fixed the pool, dumb arse.

If you love the fake dating trope and enemies to lovers this one is for you!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this one!

Finished this book in one night! I loved it and thought it was a fun, easy read. I desperately want to live in a castle in Lake Como now thanks to this book. The enemy to lover trope was well done and I liked both of the main characters. Overall, I recommend this book.