An unusual story about romance in older years. Lovely characters, thoroughly enjoyable and full of Italian sunshine.

I really liked this book. Being set in Italy, with beautiful descriptions of the area was an extra boost. I especially liked that Jane was older, but brave enough to upend her life for love. The sisters, Lisa and Cassie ,were pretty much opposites in lifestyles, but both handling the absence of the father in their own way. Yet sisters have deep bonding, and as the story progressed they tried to remember their love for each other. They all questioned their life choices, and opened themselves up to new possibilities. Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read the ARC.
I will be reading more from this author. Definitely recommend!

Remarkable concept and impeccable execution from start to the end. Every single page gives a full-throttle effect. The story moved marvellously. I finished the book overnight. The book supercharged me. That’s says something. For one, I am motivated enough to read her other books. The entire read was a heart-pounding impact on me.
Very well-drawn characters.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

I made it to at least one-third of the book without any grasp of who anyone was nor if the plot was happening. The whole “Italian Fiancé” aspect was barely looked at despite it being the title. Even throughout the book, I didn’t find it that interesting or as mysterious as the title and synopsis implied it would be.

Take my review with a grain of salt, there are so many positive reviews for this story.

However, it was the glimpses into the Italian culture and scenery that kept me going. As someone slowly learning Italian as an L3, I loved seeing the snippets of Italian dialogue.

The Italian Fiancé by Victoria Springfield.
When sisters Cassie and Lisa receive a wedding invitation, the last person they expect to be getting married is Jane, their seventy-year-old aunt! Convinced that she's making a big mistake, the two put their differences aside to travel to the vibrant Tuscan city of Lucca. But there's something magical about Italy ...and this trip may just change their relationship - and their lives - forever. Jane knows it's not just a holiday fling. After her husband of four decades passed away, Jane never thought she'd find love again. But Luciano, with his big heart and artistic flamboyance, fills her life with colour. Can she convince her nieces it's never too late for a second chance?
A good read with good characters. I liked the cover. 4*.

From the publisher's description I had expected this book to be far more about the mature characters' romance but having read about a third it didn't seem to be going that way so I didn't finish it. However it does has some lovely descriptions of Lucca, so detailed you could use them as a guide book!

This really was the loveliest read. I’m always a total pushover for books set in Italy, especially beautiful Tuscany, but I’m not sure I’ve spent time in Lucca before – either in person or though the many opportunities for armchair travel we’ve all been so grateful for over the last couple of years. The birthplace of Puccini – the author builds some very appropriate musical references into the story – and I loved all the small detail about the cathedral and churches, the central piazza, the promenade along the ramparts, the clock tower, the tree-topped Guinigi tower with its wonderful views. The author’s descriptions are excellent, and Lucca’s somewhere I’ll definitely look at more closely as a base for a future visit. She conveys the whole atmosphere of the place particularly well too, the vibrancy of its people, along with the many eating opportunities – by the time I reached the end of this book I felt like I’d been taken on a rather lovely holiday.

But it’s also an excellent story. Seventy-year-old Aunt Jane appears to have taken leave of her senses, planning to stay in Lucca to marry Luciano, an artist none of her family have yet met. Cassie is horrified – she lives a carefully controlled life with rather unexciting husband Paul, spending their time planning their new (and eye-wateringly expensive) kitchen extension – and plans to travel to Italy to put a stop to it. Her sister Lisa is rather more laid back – she thinks Jane really deserves some happiness after struggling with loneliness since the loss of her husband ten years ago – but decides she must accompany her, if only to stop Cassie wreaking havoc.

Luciano proves to be a larger-than-life and particularly charismatic character – he might have some secrets, but the sisters can easily see that their aunt really has found love and seems to be heading for a happy future. But the story also focuses on the sisters themselves – their often difficult relationship, Lisa’s resolve not to get entangled in a long-term relationship (especially with a man who reminds her of their feckless father), and Cassie’s gradual discovery that she might just enjoy a little more excitement in her life. But there’s a fascinating parallel story too – at home in Naples, Pia discovers some secrets from her family’s complicated past, and sets out to find her real grandfather. He drew her grandmother’s portrait, drawn in distinctive blue pastel and signed only with initials, before disappearing and breaking her heart, leaving her expecting his child. And when the stories draw together, it seems that there might be a few more secrets about to be uncovered.

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this one – and the characterisation is particularly excellent. Jane herself is a wholly authentic and totally sympathetic mature character (extremely likeable too – I was really happy for her…) – sometimes authors can struggle with older characters, but I thought she got her absolutely right. Cassie’s a bit of a horror at first – when Lisa rolls her eyes, so does the reader – but through the book she undergoes quite a transformation. After some excruciatingly embarrassing moments – and you really feel for her – she begins to realise that there might just be more to life than her Egyptian Nights floor tiles. I loved Lisa from the very start – she’s feisty and funny and has her feet firmly on the ground, but that doesn’t mean she can’t be knocked off kilter when she meets a man who makes her question her decision to eschew relationships (and it really is a rather lovely romance, but with plenty of obstacles in its way). And every single person in the supporting cast is equally wonderfully drawn – I think I might just have fallen for Luciano too (I always rather like a man with an appetite, don’t you?!), and there are some excellent characters associated with the art gallery, as well as Lisa’s particularly gorgeous love interest.

And the whole story really is exceptionally well told. I really enjoyed the author’s writing – a lightness that makes it easy to read and lose yourself in the world of her creation, lots of lovely gentle humour, but with plenty of emotional depth when it’s needed. I read this book in a single sitting – and, when I finished (and the ending’s just perfect), I was quite surprised by the absence of sunshine outside when I felt I’d only just left my seat on a bench high on the ramparts. A lovely read, and one I’d recommend really highly – I’ll be looking forward to seeing what the author does next.

I'm Italian born and bread and always read rom com set in Italy as a sort of fantasy world. They're my guilty pleasure and always enjoy them even when I found the plot a bit too fantasy like.
That side I enjoyed this story but I found Cassie and Lisa a bit unlikeable and nasty. Jane is a well rounded and interesting characters and I liked her.
The plot kept me reading and is well developed.
It was a lot of fun to read this story and I recommend it.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Awe this was sweet!!! I love when characters find love, specially when they're adults or old people. It just gives hope!!! And the author with those descriptions of Lucca, Italy... I was feeling part of the book!!!

But I had problems with certain things. Cassie was too annoying to the point to be mean and in those cases I don't see the background but seems like she has been like that for too long and for no reason. I didn't like her. Now, the problem of the past with Pia and her attitude was terrible. I'm sorry but that was just a no, I don't even think it was necessary to the story. And all the missing nonno and the way all that developed was just a bit absurd. And then suddenly someone is a millionaire. Then everything is fixed and everyone changed in five days. I have issues with non realistic books.

Apart of that, the love stories are cute! Too rushed but if you're a fan of those stories of love at first sight you'd enjoy the ones in the book. I feel that in general the book wasn't completely for me in the romantic scenario as I don't think you fall in love at first sight and then after three days you are planning to change your life for that person, those love stories aren't for me. But I mean it's cute, specially finding love at 69 and moving to another country for love and all that it's cute. You read a lot about Lucca, Italy and I seriously enjoyed that. For me, that saved the book. Is good for a relaxing read set in Italy!!! It wasn't for me but it was a good read anyways, was entertaining!!

I adore Italy so it was so lovely to walk along th gorgeous cobbled pathways even in a imaginative way. This is a really lovely, feel good and romantic book and I really enjoyed it. Now to book me a trip to Italy.

I received an ARC of, The Italian Fiance, by Victoria Springfield. Cassie and Lisa's aunt is getting married, at age 70, in Italy. Magic can happen in Italy, anything can happen in Italy. Is Luciano right for their Aunt Jane? A nice pleasant read.