Ciao for Now
By: Kate Bromley
Review Score: 5 Stars

Five Key Feels
-A fashion novel set in Rome? Count me in.

-I loved the friendships built in this book, particularly between Violet and Marco.

-Violet and Matt’s chemistry is off the charts.

-It was so fun to see the evolution of their designs, and how it all fit into the fashion world.

-No spoilers, but I loved the ending of this book!

——

Ciao for Now was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing. Thank you for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

Release Date: 6/6/23

Y’all, this book seriously surprised me. I figured I would like it, but I didn’t expect to LOVE it.

The setting, the storyline, the character development…everything was top notch and engaging. It was so fun to fully step into Violet’s life as she works to become a fashion designer. I also loved seeing all of her relationships evolve, and of course, I loved her interactions with Matt.

This book screams beach read. I could not put it down!


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From the moment I read the title, Ciao For Now, I was excited about this book - a romcom based in Rome? Yes, please!! Add in the fact that its by Kate Bromley, an author I've read and know I enjoy, and I went into this one with very high expectations and was not disappointed. Fans of Emily Henry, will love Bromley's quirky characters and quick-witted banter. The story follows Violet, who at 29 is only just finishing up design school and much older than everyone else in her class. Despite it all, she takes it in stride, ready to make the most of a month long internship in Rome. However, upon landing in Italy, the first thing she manages to do is ruin a man's laptop in a café - and that man, Matt, just happens to be the son of the professor that is hosting her during her stay. Oops. What starts off as loathing, quickly develops into something more that any fans of the enemies to lovers trope will enjoy. I found the story and characters rather delightful, though Matt did come off as more American than someone raised in Italy, overall I still very much enjoyed reading as their story unfolded.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book, it was so much fun! Kate really writes the best banter, I couldn’t help but laugh all throughout this one! If you are a fan of grumpy-sunshine (or enemies to lovers that’s not over done), this is a MUST for your tbr.

This book managed to discuss important themes like being honest in relationships, prioritizing yourself, and accepting past mistakes ALL while staying light-hearted and fun. Now, how can I book a flight to Italy and find my soulmate?

Where do I even start?? Honestly, every page of this book drew me in. The characters were funny, real, engaging, and overall made me feel like I was part of this story.
And the setting - ROMA! Could there be a better, more romantic or beautiful place for a fashion student and writer to fall in love??

The dialogue is witty and engaging - it’s the kind of conversation that makes you forget you’re reading a book and not standing right there listening to the conversation!

The side characters are also perfection! Louisa was my favorite and made me think of the summer I was able to spend in Italy and all the amazing people I met. And Marco! He is the wingman we all need in our lives!

Matt and Violet will make you fall in love with this story and with everything that makes it uniquely them.

I’m counting down the days until I can have the physical copy in my hands!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Synopsis: With her thirties rapidly approaching and a mountain of student debt looming over her, Violet Luciano’s dream of finishing design school and working in fashion has cost her everything. So when she lands an internship at an up-and-coming fashion brand in Rome, she brings her A game to Italy. With nothing left to lose, Violet plans to win the competition among the interns for the ultimate prize—a job at a New York label.

But when a coffee run goes wrong and Violet accidentally destroys a stranger’s laptop, all of the apology Americanos in the world won’t help her. Because it turns out that the man from the café is Matteo, her professor’s eternally grumpy son, who thinks she’s a clumsy American…and maybe a stalker. Their animosity (and undeniable chemistry) grows as together they’re forced to face a summer of chic parties, adventures through Rome, and living under the same roof!

Violet is off to Rome for a month long internship at a fashion house while working on a collection of her own for a competition between her and two of her fellow classmates. Shortly after arriving, Violet crashes into Matt at a café. She tries to turn his grumpy attitude around and let him know how genuinely sorry she is. Things get complicated with their love/hate relationship when she learns that he is the son of the professor that the three fashion students will be staying with during their time in Rome. What ensues is Violet trying to juggle work, creating her collection, and developing a relationship with Matt while trying to keep it on the down low.

I loved both characters, Matt and Violet. I think this story did a great job delving into their pasts and seeing the characters work together to bring out the best in one another. I love that we see Violet learn to truly follow what she wants and make some decisions for herself. This was just the right mix of romance and a good story woven together. I also liked how the end just didn’t come together perfectly at once. We see the characters taking time on their own to better themselves, but finally being reunited to start where they left off. I also loved the relationships with the ladies of Rome, and while I hoped that Violet would join Mira in Italy and run a boutique, the end made me happy that I saw their partnership come together, but in a way that was not totally predictable.

Ciao for Now is a cute rom com set in Italy , following fashion intern Violetta as she pursues her life long dream of becoming a designer. Having earlier dropped out of fashion school to follow a boy, she’s determined this time to not let love get in the way. This is until she meets Matt, her professors son… and housemate for her time in Italy.

This story transports you to Europe which is delightful, though I think I would have enjoyed it more if I was more into fashion.

I received a copy of this modern Romance as an advance free to copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The enemies to lovers chemistry between Violet and Mateo is perfect Combining this with the beautiful Italian setting, makes it just right for a quick romantic read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Greydon House for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion! I LOVED EVERY PAGE OF THIS BOOK!!!

This sweet & funny story blew me away! With vivid imagery, and description each page feels like you’re on vacation in Italy. We get to follow Violetta and her two classmates Marco & Holly as they embark on the trip of a lifetime. Interning with a fashion label, and staying in their Professors beautiful apartment they get to experience all Rome has to offer. Violet & Matt start off on the wrong foot when she trips and spills coffee all over his laptop. Things couldn’t possibly get worse than that, right? (Spoiler alert: they can).

But it’s not just fashion being served up in this book, it’s also friendship, figuring out who you are/what you want to be, comedic relief, and of course a love story.

And the ending is, chefs kiss!

Kate Bromley's "Ciao For Now." follows Violet Luciano, a young woman who is determined to make it in the fashion world despite her obstacles.
When Violet lands an internship at a fashion brand in Rome, she's ecstatic. She sees this as her chance to prove herself and win the ultimate prize of a job at a New York label. As often happens, things get off to a rocky start when she accidentally destroys the laptop of cute boy Matteo during a coffee run. Unfortunately, he also happens to be her new professor's son, and he's not thrilled to see her again.

What follows is a charming enemies-to-lovers story that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Violet and Matteo fight at every turn, but neither can ignore an undeniable chemistry between them. They begin to see each other in a new light as they navigate their way through chic parties, adventures through Rome, and sharing a home.

"Ciao For Now" is a heartwarming read perfect for those looking for a light, romantic comedy.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy! Ciao For Now is an absolute heart warming romcom that focuses on Violet, an almost 30 year old who feels behind in life. Violet lands a fashion internship in Rome, Italy with two of her classmates and we get to experience Italy alongside them. While in Rome, Violet meets Matt and the chemistry they have together is undeniable. We get the best tropes a romcom can supply, enemies to lovers, close proximity and grumpy/sunshine. All in all, this book delivers on every level. ALL of the characters are fantastic, the romantic tension is *chefs kiss* and the setting makes you feel like you’re on summer vacation with them in Rome.

Best book by Kate Bromley yet! Loved the scenic descriptions of Italy and the tie in of fashion designing. Was light enjoyable read

I think my students who live in Italy will like this romance. It was sweet and fun and swoony, and touched on some heartfelt topic. I will say that sometimes that cultural facts felt forced and a little touristy than I would expect from someone interning in Rome, I doubt Americans will notice but natives will.

I loved this book so much it was a fun read and very entertaining, and I would definitely read this again

I’m glad I got a chance to read this one early, Next in Fashion is back on streaming in a few days and I’ve been itching for fashion talk. This book will definitely remind you of Project Runway, Next in Fashion, Making the Cut, or whatever fashion show you might enjoy watching.

Violet is in fashion design school. She’s 29. Some days she’s uncomfortable being the oldest in her classes. But she took a risk for Love years ago and it resulted in her setting her own dreams aside. And thankfully, something wonderful has happened for Violet. Three students from her design class have been chosen to compete on a fashion design competition. She’ll even get to spend part of that time in Rome.

She meets Matt almost immediately after arriving in room. It is not a meet cute. It is not love at first sight. She literally crashes into him and destroys his computer. But they still wind up chatting for a bit.

When she arrived at the chateau for the beginning of the competition she finds out that Matt is the son of her host. So now she’ll be spending months with him, like it or not.

Of course first things between them involve fights and bickering, he isn’t that nice to Violet at first. But she gets to know him and realizes he has a really good heart.

The design competition aspect is so much fun. As someone who watches all of the fashion shows, I will say that it’s not super realistic sometimes. My pet peeve with that storyline is how much the contestants seem to be independent. Like, there doesn’t seem to be much scheduled and the weird detail for me was that they seemed to be responsible for buying their own fabric. I feel like that could put one person with money at a huge advantage. But this is a book not a design show lol

I really liked the characters. I loved the contestant Marco. I loved him being so careful before getting into a car with someone in Rome (I soo related to him there!). And I loved the setting in Rome and all the fashion talk. So fun!

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read an early ebook edition.

Violet and Matteo. Just a delight! I love a good enemies to lovers trope and this book doesn't disappoint. From the moment Violet destroys Matt's laptop, the snarky dialog grabbed me and had me quickly turning pages. In Rome as part of an internship and competing for a prestigious fashion job, Violet finds herself living in the same apartment as her new nemesis, since his mother is her professor. Violet spends her days working and learning as she prepares for the competition, but Matt seems to be invading her space and taking up her thoughts. This was a delightful, cozy romantic read with a great cast of supporting characters and depth. Violet learns its never to late to follow your dreams and it's OK to let go and trust other people again after a once broken heart. I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read more by this author.

This was so close to being 5 stars but the ending fell flat. Kate Bromley is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. She’s hella witty and writes fantastic dialogue. I binge read this in one night. I couldn’t put it down, it was throughly entertaining. I love a book that makes me laugh out loud.
I found the topics of self-doubt and regret to be so deeply relatable. I feel like the internal dialogue in Violet’s head has lived in mine before. What I wouldn’t give to have had a Daniella in my life.
I just wish after all the growth Matt and Violet went through that they had a more satisfying ending. Maybe an epilogue would help give that happily ever after feeling I’m missing? I’m not sure, I was feeling like “I love this!” for about 80% of the book then ended on “ok I guess.”. Still I would read it again and probably will 😉

I couldn't put the book down it was so good!! I loved this so much! The story line was great and I loved the characters, I could vividly see them in my mind.
I just reviewed Ciao For Now by Kate Bromley. #CiaoForNow #NetGalley
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*3.5

Thank you for the early arc NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing!

Ciao for now is a cute romcom novel that has elements of one of my fav movies ever, The devil wears Prada along with the infamous Netflix T.V. Show Emily in Paris!

Violet and Matt’s relationship was pretty awesome to watch unravel from their accident meet-up to their undeniable romantic tension! Their sarcastic banter was spot on for their dislikeness for each other at the beginning and was largely a reason why their romantic tension was so good.

Also the side characters were amazing!! Danielle deserves more credit then given, she’s a truly amazing older sister who reminds me of my own 🫶🏼

Overall I enjoyed this book and can’t wait for everyone to read it!!

I liked this book. The characters, main and supporting, were all great! They were definitely the best part of the book. I gave this three stars because everything just seemed a little flat. I wish the author would have given us more imagery of being in Italy. More banter between Matt and Violet. More romance. More spice. Just more. I enjoyed a book from a fashion designers perspective. And I loved that the female main character was finishing her design school later in life. Her choosing herself after losing it in a relationship was relatable. She went a bit off the rails though at the end of her time in Italy. She totally collapsed and it seemed a tad dramatic. All in all this was a fun book, but just bland.

I really enjoyed this! The characters were fun, and I loved being able to read about the story from the fashion point of view. As much as I loved getting to read about the fashion, I almost wish there was more of the setting. They were in the extravagant place, but it felt like we barely saw any of it until the characters went to Capri. I loved loved loved the enemies to lovers bit though. Was it a bit strange with the whole "insta picture" thing? yeah. Do I care all that much though? not really if I'm honest. It felt like fire when the two finally came together, that I was truly surprised to see it happen so early on in the book (I was expecting it to be way more slow burn). I will admit that the third act conflict left me a bit disappointed, but overall, it was a fun read. I could totally see this be a movie. A big shout out to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the copy of the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.