A perfect summer read, especially if you're looking for a chance to feel as if you're travelling and stumbling upon love along the way. You're taken on a whirlwind journey through the enchanting streets of Rome, where dreams and love collide.

Violet Luciano is pursuing her passion for fashion design with unwavering determination. Her internship at a burgeoning fashion brand in Rome is her ticket to a brighter future and a coveted job in the fashion industry. However, when a simple coffee run takes an unexpected turn, Violet's path crosses with Matteo, her professor's seemingly grumpy son. What starts as a clash of personalities quickly turns into a tumultuous relationship filled with animosity, undeniable chemistry, and a whole lot of misadventures. It's your classic grumpy x sunshine featuring forced proximity that cultivates a blossoming summer love.

As the story unfolds, readers are treated to a summer of chic parties, thrilling escapades through the historic city of Rome, and the shared space of a home with the one person they can't stand. The more time Violet spends with Matteo, the more she finds herself entangled in emotions that distract her from her ultimate goal of winning the internship competition. The novel invites readers to ponder the age-old question of whether following one's heart is worth the risk, and whether love can truly conquer all.

This book was fine but I had a hard time believing that the two main characters were into each other. As a reader I am perfectly fine with an insta-love or insta-lust that turns into love trope happening in a book. But there needs to be something there establishing the quickness. In this book there was nothing established or explained literally from the first time these characters met they were having interactions that felt bizarre for them being total strangers. Some of the behavior also felt weird considering the main character is 29 and her love interest is supposed to be 32.

Overall, this is a fun, quick, summer read. Would definitely recommend to friends and will read another Kate Bromley book in the future. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Now for the nitty gritty:

Things I liked:
- Settings in Rome/Capri - this made me want to book a plane ticket immediately!
- Violet taking things into her own hands and going back to school 29 - inspiring!
- Story revolving around the fashion industry

Things I didn’t love:
- The third act break up and make up - there was honestly no good reason for either of these. One fight and you’re done? One little speech of sappy words and you’re back together…after a YEAR?
- Chemistry/main characters - I like Matteo and violet, but I didn’t LOVE them. I ws rooting for a happy ending because I’m a romance reader, not necessarily because I was rooting for them.
- The use of some misspelled or Americanized versions of Italian words (gratzi instead of grazie, scuzi instead of scusi).

This is an example of a perfect summer vibes romcom. The scenery is so well written that you truly feel that you're alongside Violet the entire time. On that note, I absolutely loved Violet. She felt brave and exciting and engaging, she was written like someone I would want to know and who I would aspire to be like. The grumpy x sunshine and enemies to lovers tropes were done artfully in this one.

The summer book I didn’t know I needed. This book simultaneously made me want to eat good food, drink Prosecco, and have Italian ASMR video playing in the background. It was filled with rich descriptions with a really fun plot layered over top.

Violet and Matt have basically the opposite of a meet cute, and start the book off as enemies. They are grumpy sunshine, but with forced proximity, it becomes an adorable banter turned into romance.

I loved the prospect of Violet being an older designer in this fashion program. She had paused her life to follow a partner but that fell through. She went back to her original dream. We love to see someone get back on their feet and fight for what they want and get their happy ending as well. If you are looking for a romantic comedy that will make you smile and make you laugh while transporting you far away this is a great pick 👏🏻

Violet, a 29 year old fashion student from New York, landed a summer internships in Rome. For one month she and two fellow classmates will have the opportunity to learn about the fashion business and compete for a job back in New York. After sidelining her dreams for her ex-boyfriend, Violet is determined to make up for lost time. That is until she meets Matteo (Matt). Once again, Violet finds herself having to chose between a man and her dreams. Will she finally be able to put her wants and needs first, or will she sacrifice everything for a shot at love???

I have been wanting to read one of Kate Bromley’s books for awhile now. Ciao For Now was the perfect introduction to her writing. This is a fun, fast-paced read, perfect for summer.

While this book is on the lighter side, Bromley highlights how women often sacrifice their own desires in order to obtain and keep men. I loved watching Violet as she navigated both a successful career and healthy relationship. Without giving anything away, the ending was top notch.

I had such a positive experience reading Kate’s work, I plan to read more from her in the near future!!!

Special thanks to Netgalley, Kate Bromley, and Harlequin Trade Publishing (Graydon House) for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

3/5

If you're looking for a fast, cute, enemies to lovers, fashion and book set in Rome, this book is for you.

I enjoyed this book. Violet got on my nerves quite a bit and I felt like the ending was rushes but I did like learning about the fashion and the embarrassing meet-cute at the coffee shop. Violet had to navigate work friendships and chasing her dreams. I really liked her relationship with her sister. Some of the characters seemed immature and I wish there was more of a backstory for Marco as he was my favorite character.

Overall, this book is great if you're looking for a funny, sweet and adventurous rom com with lots of fashion and a feel good ending!

Violet is one of three interns spending the summer in Rome, working for a design studio. After a mishap, she meets Matteo, who also happens to be the son of her professor. Through their adventures, Violet tried to deny their chemistry. But when the summer internship comes to a close, she has some important decisions to make about both her career, and her potential with Matteo.

I read Talk Bookish to Me by Kate Bromley previously, and I loved it, so I was excited to see her newest book available on NetGalley. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t give me the same experience the last one did. Although the story was cute, and I loved the fashion design perspective, it felt like it was trying to cover too many different things. Some plot lines just fell flat, and I didn’t really feel a lot of chemistry between the characters.

I’m not going to give up on Kate Bromley yet, but this just wasn’t my favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced copy of this book.

The novel relies on the romance and chemistry of two characters who have neither. The author simply failed to create believable or likeable characters.

Violet can only be described as immature.

Read this if you're looking for an Italian summer vacay!

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 sharing a home…with the person they can’t stand the most.
The more time she spends with him, the more distracted she finds herself. With her chance to win the competition slipping out of her grasp, Violet has to decide whether to say ciao to Matteo—or ciao to her dreams.

I absolutely adore Kate Bromleys books! I love the sweet but fiery characters, and the always dreamy settings! This book was no exception. Think 'Emily In Paris' but Italy! This book has grumpy/sunshine characters, enemies to lovers, and lots of fashion!

Overall this book was super fun and it was a great addition to my summer TBR!

Thanks to NetGalley for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.
Ciao for Now is a cute rom com with witty banter set in Rome. The tension between Violet and Matt is palpable at first. Enemies from the start they find, to their surprise, that they are living in the same apartment! Violet turns out to be one of the design interns that Matt’s mother is hosting. Being in close quarters, creates opportunities for witty banter and endless opportunities for jabs. However, something changes and they have to navigate how to move forward and what they want to future to look like.
Cute book, easy read, moderate spice. 3.5 stars rounded up.

I liked this story! I didn't care for the characters, though. I think the side characters were more interesting, and I'd like to hear more from them.


I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Okay this was the perfect summer read. It had me dreaming of Italy. The friendships, the fashion, the romance, the Lizzy McGuire references…it was all perfect! Slightly steamy with plenty of banter and real relationship development. Thoroughly enjoyed!

Violet wants nothing more than to win a competition and the right to work at an established fashion label in New York. Her arrival in Italy is met with a mini disaster resulting in her new nemesis being none other than the son of her host. Unfortunately, he's got a huge chip on his shoulder but is also kind of attractive and Violet's love life is the least of her concerns.
Kate's settings are probably the best part of her books. I love destination romances and traveling through an author's fun romance. She has a great sense of humor and a diverting way of entertaining me. This one was maybe not as funny as her first but again makes me look forward to her next release.
Thank you to HTP and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

Special thanks to Harlequin Trade for whisking me away on a delightful adventure to Italy and in particular Capri.

We follow the journey of Violet, a talented student fashion designer who lands an incredible opportunity - a month-long escapade to Italy! As one of the top three finalists in a prestigious fashion program, she's about to immerse herself in the enchanting world of Italian fashion. Working at a luxurious fashion house and honing her craft, Violet strives to create a dazzling fashion line that could pave her way to success. The stakes are high, and if she wins, her dream job at the Fashion House awaits!

Now, I must admit, the story initially unfolded at a leisurely pace, but hold tight, because the intrigue sneaks up on you after the halfway mark.

This book is the perfect companion for your vacation, offering a delightful and entertaining read that will leave you with a heartwarming afterglow. The sweetness of the tale will undoubtedly warm your soul and leave you with a contented smile.

After immersing myself in this delightful tale, I can't help but long to set foot on that alluring island, adding it to the very top of my bucket list.

In conclusion, "Ciao for Now" is wonderful, and I wholeheartedly recommend it as a delightful let this charming story transport you to the world of fashion, love, and the wonders of Italy!

This book is just hilarious and beautiful! I loved her first novel and knew that the same wit and charm would be back. I’d highly recommend to rom-com fans it will not disappoint.

The best parts of this book were when they were directly related to being in Italy. Most of the book could have been set anywhere unfortunately and I wish there was more about Italy in it. The romance banter was cute and I needed more! This was one of those books where I was a bit bored and skimming at times just to get to the romance parts.

Violet chose to pursue fashion as a career, something her family (and even me as an individual) do not understand the way she wants them to. Although I do not understand haute couture, I actually ended up liking the job/internship aspect the best in the book. Violet puts up a good fight and the right amount of effort, even as she is distracted by her own small meet cute, which turns into something more.
The blurb online touts the romantic aspect of the narrative more than the other bigger half of the book, but the fight that Violet has on her hands is even more personal than that.
She started on this journey later than the others, and she wants to ensure that this internship turns into something more. A professor is hosting her and two of her fellow interns, which definitely helps while living abroad.
I liked the overall outlook of our primary characters, the work that they end up doing, and the way things ended.
It is once again a book where I felt like the lack of a romantic angle would not have done much harm to the story as a whole. I know that a happily-ever-after usually accompanies growth arcs of this kind on the personal front (non-profession related), but I would have enjoyed this even more if the focus was entirely on the profession and the issues that came with it.
I would recommend this to fans of this genre, the writing is smooth, and I managed to read it in very few sittings.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great summery vacation book!

LOVED the setting of this one so much. I'm always looking for summer books set in France or Italy and this delivered!