A Villa With A View by Julie Caplin

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Escape to the Amalfi Coast and feel the warmth of the Italian sun on your face, hear the sound of the turquoise waves crashing on the beach and fall in love with a new enemies to lovers romance!

Lia Bathurst had always dreamed of escaping to the white sandy beaches and turquoise blue seas of the Amalfi coast – but that dream hadn’t included meeting her real father. A father she had never even known about until a few weeks ago! Yet here she was, standing outside the gates of a gorgeous pink villa being refused entry by the insufferable – and insufferably handsome – Raphael Knight, her father’s business manager.

When an old black and white photo proves Lia’s claim to be true, Raph is determined to make sure this stranger, with her long caramel waves and infectious smile, doesn’t have an ulterior motive. Even if that means not letting her out of his sight.

As temperatures rise, and not just from the heat of the Mediterranean sun, could Lia and Raph’s forced proximity lead to something more like… amore?

My Opinion

This is a series that can be read in any order. Whilst this is a series I am enjoying reading, the cover drew me and I knew that I had to it to my reading list. This was an easy read with some great descriptions - it will whisk you away to warmer weather. I can easily see this being a great summer or holiday read. I read over half of this book over the course of an evening, it was just so easy to keep turning the page.

Rating 4/5

this is a book that just screams summer and warm weather, and would be a perfect holiday read (i mean just look at the cover!), it made me very upset that the weather in the uk is so bad right now, the Italian summer vibes were everything and I cannot wait until the weather warms up and we get some sun again, or just a blue sky at this point i’m not picky i’ll take anything that isn’t rain 🌅

i loved the banter between the two characters but wasn’t a huge fan of the miscommunication between them, it’s a trope i never really find myself liking and i’ve found it only works in certain books without putting me off the relationship

to be completely truthful I did struggle to get into the book, but that is completely down to me and my reading slump and nothing to do with the story itself, it was an easy read once I started it, with characters that keep you engaged in the story. I will definitely be reading some of the author’s other books when it fits with the weather :’)

A Villa with a View is another captivating installment in the Romantic Escapes series.

Get ready to be swept off your feet with this charming romantic story. Julie knows how to transport her readers to whatever location her books are set in. This time, we get to go to the Amalfi Coast. I am always amazed at how masterfully Julie can bring a location to life with her writing. I felt like I was transported to the Amalfi Coast and was exploring this breathtaking place with Lia. This story immerses you, and you don’t want to leave. This book is chalked-full of lush and vivid descriptions, and the people and culture just come to life as you read the story. If that wasn’t amazing enough, this book also bursts with delicious food talk. We all know that Italy is known for its fantastic food, and Julie had my mouth watering with all the wonderful food descriptions she put into her book. There is also this theme around the importance of food and bringing people together. Food is meant to be enjoyed and savoured with those you love. Lia is also a textile artist and her passion for art leaps from the pages. You can visualize the pieces she is creating in your mind, and you just can’t help but be captivated by what she is making.
This story has all those wonderful characteristics that I have come to expect from Julie’s storytelling. When you read this book, you will get a warm and charming romance with authentic and relatable characters. This book has plenty of fluff and laughter, but Julie also shows her readers how complex families can be. Lia has travelled to the Amalfi Coast to meet her biological father. A man she didn’t know existed until she had done a DNA test a few months prior. Her mom tells her that she had a short relationship with Ernesto Salvatore (who is now a very famous actor) and that he is her father. Lia’s mother decided when Lia was a baby that it would be best if Ernesto weren’t in her life. Her mother’s decision hurts Lia, and is feeling like she doesn’t know where she belongs. I really loved how Julie handled this delicate family situation. Ernesto and his wife and children welcome Lia with open arms and hearts. There was none of that toxic drama or blaming others for what happened in the past. There is just warmth and happiness that comes from the Salvatore family. They are a crazy, loud, quirky group that just embraces life. I loved being with this family; they had me laughing at times, and I loved how they embraced Lia as one of their own. The whole family element of this book just captured my heart and was so charming.
Lia is a bit of a free spirit. She is delightful and a master at her craft. For most of this book, she is feeling untethered. She doesn’t know where she belongs. She feels like an outsider and doesn’t fit in with either of her families. It was great watching her build these new relationships with her father, step-mom, and step-siblings and learning to forgive her mom and step-dad. I just really like her character. She is a good person, and you can’t help but want great things for her. Raph was an interesting character. He had these two sides. One was VERY distrusting of anyone outside of his family, and the other was kind and sweet. For most of the book, Raph distrusts Lia and doesn’t believe that her motives for reconnecting with her father are pure. He thinks she is using her father’s vast movie star influence to help her career or looking for money. His distrust is the major conflict between these two and the main reason why the growing relationship between Raph and Lia is so rocky. As much as it is frustrating that Raph isn’t willing to trust Lia, as the story progresses, you start to understand why he is so hesitant to trust anyone.
The romance is sweet and slightly spicy. This is a great love story for anyone who loves vacation romances, forced proximity, meddling family members, enemies to lovers, opposites attract, and grumpy sunshine. Lia and Raph know right from the beginning that there is this attraction bubbling between them. The banter between these two for the first half of the book is sharp and prickly. They love keeping each other on their toes and doing things to get a rise out of the other. It is pure enemies to lovers' goodness.
A Villa with a View is a breathtaking vacation romance that has me wanting to pack my bags and fly to the Amalfi Coast.

I am a huge Julie Caplin fan and A Villa with a View didn't disappoint. I adored the Italian setting of Positano and at times I could feel like I was there too.

Tropes: enemies to lovers and grumpy sunshine.

I feel like this book had a little more spice than I'm used to from her other books.

This was an absolute joy to read and really brightened up this cold, wintery February. A wonderful romantic escape to the picturesque Amalfi coast.

4.5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Artist Lia suddenly find out that her dad isn't her biological father - who is actually an Italian film star. She travels to the Amalfi coast to try to meet him, only to be put off by his son, his business manager.
The author says in her acknowledgement at the end of the book that people keep saying that she should write "proper books". In my mind a book that makes you feel as if you are visiting sunny Italy (a real benefit sitting here in a dreary English winter as I write this), explores the complexities of modern family life with step children, half brothers etc and has an undercurrent of mutual attraction is a "real book". There are a couple of (not too explicit) spicy moments, but the emphasis is on the scenery and Lia's and Raph's highs and lows as their relationship develops. It does make you think about the pluses and minuses of being rich and recognised, not that I'll ever find out first hand. A lovely beach read or something to warm you up when it's cold and grey outside.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

It's downright cinematic in setting and pacing, and I mean that in the best way possible. Caplin's writing transports you to the Amalfi coast to a degree that you feel the sun and smell the food. Places, people, and food are written in a way that helps you have a clear vision of them. It makes reading a story set in a place you've never been to feel like a technicolor dream.
Every character is easy to connect with and you can empathize with where even unlikable characters are coming from. Lia and Raph are perfect together, with exquisite banter suffusing their every scene. The many Salvatore children were a bit too much at times, but they worked as a plot device to get Lia and Raph outside and looking for a quiet space, or even to add chaos to the quiet moments.
Overall, it's total escapist reading and I am 100% here for every single moment of it. My only selfish complaint is that I really liked Leo and it feels like we don't get enough of how his life is going to play out. Fingers crossed we get his story soon.

Massively happy thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the delightful read!

What a good book! I was swept away to the Amalfi coast. It’s a beautifully descriptive book. You could taste the pasta and pizza. You could loose yourself on the beach or by the pool. It’s a really nice romantic story with great characters. You will wish you were there too.

Overall, this was a fun, light read—perfect for a vacation read. The characters are fun, the setting is spectacular, and now I need to visit Italy!

A couple of items bugged me about the book but not enough to impact my reading. First, the heroine’s name Lia is a derivative of Aurelia, which is a secondary character’s name. It’s a tad distracting. Second, there are a lot of names in the story, and keeping up with each character’s place in the story was a little hard at times.

The setting in Italy took me right into the story and didn’t let go. And the romance fit like a jigsaw puzzle piece into that setting. What a wonderful place to fall in love!

If you’re looking for a summer love story, this is a good one!

This author has grabbed me by the heart and is definitely not letting go! This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be my last! She sets up vivid scenes and, in this case, in an amazing setting. There were times I actually felt that I could hear the waves crashing into the coast, could feel the sand between my toes and smell the amazing food that was being served. I now have a strong urge to visit the Amalfi Coast to see the scenery, smell the greenery and water, while enjoying the amazing food as described in this book! The characters were well written and the plot was a beautifully woven story of finding oneself while discovering the true history of your lineage. Toss in a ruggedly handsome man to distract our distraught main character and you have a read that you won't be able to put down. Yes, this is a romance, but it is also a story of trying to find that place where you fit while also trying to perform the best work you have ever done. Add in miscommunication and distrust and you have an emotional read that will have you staying up way too late into the night turning pages as you just can't put the book down! I can't wait to dive into more of Julie Caplin's books and perhaps we can revisit these characters in the future as I feel that there are stories left untold by some of the side characters of this story! Hint, hint Ms. Caplin! I have discovered that this book is actually part of a series that this author writes titled Romantic Escapes so now I must go and read all the other books in the series while we wait for her to write the next book!

Reading this made the rain outside my window fade into the distance and I felt the warmth of the Italian sun beating down on me!
I love the fairytale element of Lia finding out who her father really is, even though she feels on an emotional rollercoaster as she’s only just discovered this, hence her travelling to the Amalfi Coast to try and meet him, only to be thwarted by an extremely attractive Raphael.
I was with her on her emotional journey, enjoying the gorgeous sandy beaches, gastronomical delights, flirtatious battles and seeing how the other half live.
A thoroughly delightful read.

A lovely written book set in the beautiful Amalfi Coast with delicious food that will leave you feeling very hungry.

Lia has just found out her father is not her real father, her real father is an Italian actor. She has tried to visit him, but his business manager Ralph won’t let that happen. Anything is possible in the lovely sunny coast though.

I enjoyed this book, Lia is lovely to read about and her character is funny and sunny. Ralph on the other hand is the complete opposite. Will there differences matter.

A great spring read with a lovely happy ending.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Julie's series is one that has people talking as it takes us all over the world with page turning books. And this latest book in her 'Love around the World' takes us to Italy. This is is the gorgeous story of Lia, a woman who travels to Italy in search of her father. It's a past pace, prefect holiday romance book that is a must read in this series.

I can't wait for the next adventure if there is one.

A fun, humorous story with great characters.
The setting of the story is just beautiful.
The cast of characters is delightful.
Overall, a very uplifting story with sweet, heartwarming moments.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Gorgeous descriptions of Amalfi; sweet setting for romance🌅

4.5🌟stars
Author Julie Chaplin really made me feel I was right there on the beautiful Amalfi coast, right down to the food and drink. In addition to great descriptive world building, I was really impressed that she gave her heroine such a unique profession. Lia is a grounded, successful fabric artist who won't take put downs and preconceived notions about her motives, even from a hunk like Raph, the enemies to lovers guy she's paired up with.

It was an easy read and felt light, full of good vibes despite Raph's suspicion and skepticism. That's largely thanks to Ernesto, Lia's newly-discovered biological father, and his exuberant and joyful wife and children.

The plot kept me totally engaged and I thought the mix of romance and connecting moments with Lia's newfound family was perfect. Ralph's former girlfriend was all stereotype; I felt she was a bit overdone as a one-dimensional narcissist.

I can't wait to see where the author sets her next romance. I've read four or five over the last few years and each, like A Villa with a View, gave me a wonderful glimpse into life and cuisine in a new country.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK/One More Chapter and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Enjoyable good read. Liked the characters and how the story was told, enjoyed the descriptions of the location and also the main characters work. Would recommend this book

4.5 stars

What a gorgeous surprise this was! I was so swept away from dreary British February and fully immersed into the hot Amalfi Coast that I could almost feel the sun beating down on me and tasting the delicious Italian treats and gelato.

The characters are brilliant; well rounded and perfect to imagine and the settings are described perfectly it’s hard not to feel like you’re in beautiful Positano. A lovely, easy read.

The story itself is fairly formulaic, like most romances, but don’t let that put you off; this was a joy. Definitely one to be reading on your holidays this summer.

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for my review copy.

A cute story set in Itally. Julie Caplin is good at combining romance and food. I enjoyed the food tour that Lia went on and can see how it inspired her in her art. This was a cute story. I'm looking forward to the next book!

A Villa With A View is actually book number 11 from the Romantic Escapes series but can very easily be read as a standalone too without any problems at all.

The setting of this story was in the Amalfi Coast and through the author’s writing i honestly felt as though i was there, immersed in all of it’s goodness and it made for some wonderful armchair travel.

It was a lovely, quick read that kept me turning the pages all the way through so that i could find out how the story unfolded.
This was a wonderful, heartwarming, escapist read and one that i thoroughly enjoyed…….

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had a lovely setting, loved the food descriptions and the characters were fabulous.

Lia has just found out that her real father is a Ernesto, who is a superstar.

She comes to Italy to meet him and find out where she belongs, as well as to complete her textile art. But Ralph who is the stepson of Ernesto is wary of Lia, thinks she’s only after the money or for a favour to help with her work.

Will Lia be able to prove Ralph wrong?

I highly recommend this book.

I'm a big fan of Julie Caplin and her longer series but had yet to read a stand-alone book of hers. This was a great one to start with, and it really took me away on a gorgeous adventure.

Lia finds out that her dad really isn't her biological dad. This throws Lia's life off track and she needs to find out where she really comes from. Set in a gorgeous Italian town, Lia is determined to meet her biological father. However, it turns out her dad is a famous movie star and someone is standing in her way of meeting him.

I specifically loved the Italian setting, somewhere I've never been before but now desperately want to. Some of the book really digs into Italian families, their history and heritage and culture. I really felt like I got so much of the real Italy with this book.

I also really enjoyed the mix of characters. Lia is optimistic, open and determined while grumpy Raph is the complete opposite. These two, along with the Salvatore family members, made for a great read.