I was excited for this rom com set in an Italian castle but the romance fell a little flat for me. I didn’t buy the characters and their connection as much as I would have liked. The writing was fine, but it was still a story I had to push through to finish instead of get swept away. Anna has just duped her boyfriend who is rich and powerful and cheated on her. She had worked in his restaurant and lived with him so this has left her unemployed, homeless, and back in her dad’s house. She finds the perfect job, being a cook in an Italian castle but the only catch is they are only interested in a castle. Jake is trying to get his life back on rack after serving six months in prison for hitting Anna’s ex and is finding himself black listed from getting a decent job. When Anna asks Jake if he would come with her and pretend to be her boyfriend and take care of the castle he agrees. The two of them snipe each other more like teenagers than enemies but eventually their fake relationship feels a lot less fake.

Escapism at it's finest.

Anna and Jake have always had eyes for each other - in the past mostly to roll at. Now, here is a chance to literally escape from their not-so good realities to a new job and a new country. And to a new, albeit fake, relationship. Things, feelings start to change, their characters start to deepen - in a setting that would surely bring out the romantic in everybody (OK, may be not everybody, but certainly most of us). A castle on Lake Como in Italy - Freeman managed to capture a sense of Italy and summer romance without being too cheesy, although I have to admit there were instances when the pages actually let off steam due to the hot chemistry between the main characters.

A lovely, summer night read - Hallmark movie material:-)

Anna and Jake.
They may have grown up next door to each other...but they're definitely not harboring any secret feelings, dreams, or desires starring each other.
At least...not yet.

When first we meet Anna, she's a girl on a mission...to escape the h*ll she's wallowing through. Her a**hat of an ex did a number on her professionally, personally, and mentally...and she's sinking fast. Oh sure, on the outside she presents a good front, but we all know it's what's on the inside that counts and that currently looks like the salesroom floor of a high end retailer having a closeout sale. She just needs a break from it all, and with her dad's advice...she just might get it. The chance she takes is more than a fresh start, but a chance to find her self again...and maybe a new star for her happily ever after in the form of the last person she'd ever have considered.

Meet Jake...the last person Anna would have ever considered. It's not that he's bad, despite his reputation, prison stay, and bad boy looks. He's...misunderstood...and as much as he would protest, he doesn't really know himself all that well either. He loves his family, would do anything for them (hence the jail time, but it's not what you think), and is an all around good soul. Just because he finds joy in winding up his next door neighbor, watching her squirm when he tests that invisible line, gives her hairbrained scheme a chance so she can chase a dream, and can't explain away how she's gotten under his skin doesn't mean he's gone soft. It doesn't mean the BIG L-word either. It just means he's a good guy that needs a second chance in SO MANY ways, and a year stay in a castle, yeah...that couldn't hurt either. Guess he can stand her company if it means a new lease on life...or something like that.

The sparks were there, even when they were throwing the lightning rods at each other like Zeus in a temper. Neither was as bad or good as they imagined, and both had life lessons that hit them upside the head with the force of a two by four, but it didn't make them scarred and unlovable, but rather even more compatible, if they can get past themselves, and the idiotic interferences surrounding. I had a bad feeling when Rutherford kept popping up. I mean his circle of friends, the extent of his influence just seemed like a big red light screaming in the dark, so when things get hairy, I can't say I was completely surprised, but boy did I enjoy the ending! Sorry, can't spoil it, and you shouldn't want me to either because that just makes this Italian escape perfectly complete.

A great read for Contemporary Romance fans and those who love a little enemies to something more than story line, and another wonderful addition to this writer's body of works.

Italian Castle? Enemies to Lovers? I was sold from the beginning, but unfortunately it was just not the book for me. I'm all for a good enemies-to-lovers, but when it crosses the line into being just downright mean to each other for no reason, it's an immediate turn off, and that was how Jake and Anna's story felt to me. DNF.

What can I say, I’m a sucker for an enemies to lovers romance. Told from both characters POV. Well written and a fun read

The Italian Job has the most promising premise. Who doesn't want to read about a year in an Italian villa?? Unfortunately, the meet cute is dismal, and everything nothing in me is screaming that the two main characters need time to heal from their major traumas, not continue to screw up their lives.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

I feel like this book wasn’t bad, but it just seemed a little overdone. He’s the typical bad boy-went to prison, wears leather-and she is the girl next door. While their love story is kinda cute and mildly entertaining, I found this book hard to get through since was kind of bland and it’s the same as a lot of romance books I’ve read

Anything set in Europe has my name written all over it. It was cute, but lacking in some ways. Overall enjoyable

"The Italian Job" is a contemporary romance set in Italy, with plenty of spice, and a fake dating trope.

I absolutely loved this two POV book. The perfect vacation read or bedtime book. I laughed, I fell in love with the characters, and I enjoyed it to the very end. Such a fun book from this author!

I wanted to like this one alot more than I was able too, the descriptions were a little lackluster compared to other Italian set novels this year,

One thing about me...I LOVE an Italian Stallion. This book was an absolute dream. I fell in love with this couple and this beautiful setting. I think this was the perfect summer read.

It was an easy lighthearted read, which you can easily pick up and put down without losing momentum. If you want a predictable romance with a happy ending then you will like the book.

I didn’t overly connect with the book and found the storyline to drag a little bit, it was all just a little bit meh. The secondary characters were also easily forgettable. Sadly it wasn’t for me.

Such a fun, steamy and escapist rom com! I’m a huge fan of the enemies to lovers trope especially when it is done well. These characters were obviously secretly pining for each other which makes the tension that much more thrilling. Beautiful setting and perfect read for summer or even winter when you want an enthralling seductive romp to transport you.

This one just isn't for me I don't think. I had a hard time getting into this and wanted more in the way of feeling in the Italian setting.

Okay-so, I ended up really liking this book, but I went through a LOT of emotions with it. First of all, the two main characters didn't seem to have the kind of chemistry I was hoping for. I wanted something that really tugged at my heartstrings. I did absolutely LOVE their back stories though, and by the end, I was so rooting for them to be together.
The setting was lovely, and I wish there was more of it! Tell me more about the food!
Overall, a good solid romance read.

Anna and Jakes story was fantastic escapism. An enjoyable read with likeable characters. Anna’s lists made me laugh, it was a bit close to home!
As a fake relationship it worked, and yes it was predictable they would become a couple but the plot still left the reader wondering at times . It was my first time reading one of Kathryn’s books and I look forward to more from this author .
A fun read I would recommend
Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins Uk, One More Chapter and Kathryn Freeman for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

The Italian Job is a chaotic story about two neighbors who really do not like each other moving to an island in Italy together to pretend to be a couple in order to get a job and change their lives. Outside of being fairly unrealistic, this was a pretty good book. I wasn't a huge fan of the characters but I'm always here for an enemies to lovers romance.

Anna and Jake grew up as neighbors and were never friends, they are very different people and there were a lot of misconceptions and miscommunications between them. After Jake gets out of prison and Anna catches her boyfriend & boss cheating on her, they both need a break from life and some easy work. They decide to fake date and get a job care-taking for an island together, using both of their skills. And then over time they realize the errors of their beliefs about the other and fall for each other.

Again, not saying there is anything realistic about the romance, but it was fairly entertaining. It brought up the question of how much your past should define your present and future, especially for Jake and his criminal record. Overall, another solid romance by Kathryn Freeman.

**Thank you to One More Chapter & Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review**

I really enjoyed this one! The story kept me turning pages and I loved the chemistry between the H and h. I enjoyed Freeman's writing style and will definitely look for more from this author.

A quick and easy read that I found myself picking up after a long day to unwind. The characters are beautifully written and I came to love them within the first few pages and was rooting for them all the way to the end. At times I wanted to stop reading because I just wanted the experience to go on for longer.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.