pub date: October 22nd, 2024

Julia "Jules" Volpe's dream of living in Italy has turned into a disaster. A year after breaking up with her ex, Luca, she's still living with him, stuck in a dilapidated B&B that they had planned to run together. With no money and an expired passport, Jules feels trapped. Instead of asking her parents for help at 27, she takes a job on an olive farm to save enough money to renew her passport and return home.

Though she’s sworn off love, Jules is captivated by the beauty of the town of Cividale del Friuli and its welcoming community. Her walls begin to come down, especially after meeting Alex, a handsome man with a troubled past of his own. As they both resist falling in love, their connection deepens, leaving Jules questioning her decision to avoid romance.

overall I enjoyed this book and it was cute I love the setting of the book!

Thank You Netgalley and the publisher

This book was so good! The romance was so cute and it was so enjoyable. The setting was perfect and it made me feel like i was there.

⭐️⭐️

The wind blows a little bit colder (sorry, cheesy frozen reference), and the autumn vibes are all around, and it's October-the season of Halloween, so this should've been a perfect seasonal read!!!

Unfortunately, I wasn't too much a fan. I didn't actively dislike it, but I can't say I loved it.

The characters.. despite the backstories they had, they weren't very interesting as humans. Maybe it makes it realistic in a way, but they were awkward with their interactions and actions, and the miscommunication and assumption of each others' emotions based on facial expressions got a bit too much.

What I did like was everything other than the characters or the plot. Because this book is written in third person pov, it portrays autumn in Italy so well, and now I'm more obsessed with autumn than ever. Olives, harvest and the cool air felt very vivid, so despite not actively engaging in with the characters, I felt more excited for fall than ever!

Oh and this is a completely off the topic side note, but the random Korean show reference was so funny-

"Or like one of those Korean shows: if we die at the same time, we'll be reborn on the same day and find each other in the next life"

-yup, sounds like a drama I've watched

Anyways, (I don't know why this review sounds someone sleep deprived wrote it. Maybe it's because I am) overall, this was a good starter for autumn, but not a favoured romance book.

Thank you for providing a copy of this arc in exchange for a review. I enjoyed reading about autumn in Italy, but rather felt that the dialogues and the characters' interactions were too awkward at times.

If you're a sucker for travel and romance, In Italy for Love by Leonie Mack is the perfect pick. That being said, I'll be honest—it starts off a bit slow. The first few chapters left me waiting for something to happen, and it took some time for the story to pick up speed. But trust me, once it does, it's like a slow burn that turns into a cozy blaze. As the main character's relationship deepens, so does the connection you feel with the characters. They both have their own emotional baggage to deal with, and it’s satisfying to watch them grow and find happiness together. Quick, easy read that's totally worth it. It's a charming, feel-good romance that delivers all the beautiful scenery and heartfelt moments you could ask for. If you’ve ever dreamed of falling in love in Italy, this book will transport you right there.

Review will be posted on GoodReads, Amazon, and any other social media or book websites as soon as the book is live.

Our MC Julia is stuck in Italy, living in a rundown B&B that was once her dream but is now a nightmare. She has an expired passport and is forced to live with her ex, Luca. Not quite ready to ask her parents for help, Jules decides to head as far away from Luca as she can to work on an olive farm until she has enough money to pay for her passport and a ticket back home. However things don't always go to plan and as Julia settles into the farm life and is welcomed into the community she finds herself falling for Alex and not at all rushing to get back home. Alex has his own issues going on and doesn't want to fall in love or settle down, but they can't seem to stay away from each other.

This is the third book I have read by the author, and whilst I do like her writing style I feel that is sometimes lacks depth and you don't really find yourself getting to know the characters as well as you may like. When I look back on the books I feel the same about them all. I have enjoyed them, but just didn't love them of the characters,

I do however love the cover art and the location and her description of the area and seasons is lovely.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you take a risk for love… a leap of faith… a trust in fate? even though last time you risked everything it backfired…?
This story was a wonderful ‘will they won’t they’ journey for Julia and Alex. Happy, sad, funny, heartbreaking, frustrating - feel everything on this emotional rollercoaster with the two friends, whilst keeping your fingers crossed for a happy ending right to the final pages.

The setting of this book was beautiful and I appreciated the descriptive details of the beautiful Italian scenery, as well as becoming absorbed in the Italian culture, way of life and family heritage.

Thoroughly recommend this book if you’re looking for a good romance.

Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC
@leoniejmack - great read thank you! 🤩

While Paris may be known as the "city of love", Italy as a whole, captured my heart years ago when I visited with my parents.
Could it be all the men yelling "bella"?
Could it be the abundance of handsome men?
Could it be some of the best food on Earth, imo?
Could it be the beautiful charm in the small towns throughout the country?
All I know is I could easily find myself wrapped up in it all and changing the course of my life for a man, all in the name of love.

The heroine of the story, Julia Volpe, does just that. Only it doesn't work out so well.
Packing up with low funds and no place to stay, she ventures off to another town - trading labor for a place to stay, while she gets her passport paperwork in order. And on her first day there, she meets Alessandro "Alex" Mattelig. Sharing one night of passion should help get over her broken heart, right?

Fate has other plans in mind, as the two who thought they'd never see each other again, are forced to live together. It was obvious where things would eventually lead, but Alex's past relationship does slow down the whole process.

What I loved most about this story was the life Julia led, immersing herself in this new world, working on an olive farm, and embracing everything around her. I loved how she made the best of the circumstances, even when things seemed to completely go wrong. And I think her attitude about life made Alex rethink his own approach to it.

While parts of this story were predictable, there was still a charm that I relished, and I adored the grand jesture at the end. Overall a fun romance that made me want to rebook a flight to Italy.

Want a sweet romance with seriousness, a sprinkling of spice and some feisty pets?
Well, In Italy Love may just be for you!
Julia upped sticks from Australia for love and a handsome Italian man. Fast forward a short while, and things aren't all sweetness and light. She finds herself without a home, money, or support. At least she has Arco, her pup.
Making her way home, she stops in a tiny village, Cividale del Friuli, hoping to wait for an elusive passport to arrive and some clarity about her life before she heads home.
That's when things go a bit awry. Meeting Alex, a busker of sorts, and making an out-of-character suggestion of dinner sparks a journey in a totally different direction to what she had imagined, especially as he ends up entangled in her temporary stay in Friuli. Along with his cat, Attilla.
It is a gorgeous autumnal read with its fair share of emotion and giggles, too.
Thoroughly enjoyed this.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC

This was such a sweet story that delved into some deep issues. Grief and heartbreak play a big role in our lead characters lives and decisions and it was beautiful to see how that was navigated and to see the relationship blossom between Jules and Alex. I loved the small town and the nosy neighbours. It was such a wholesome vibe and I enjoyed my time in this little book world.

Thank you to Boldwood books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Leonie Mack book, and I couldn’t put it down. I loved it!

Julia’s Italian dream has turned into a nightmare.

After moving to Italy for love things didn’t work out the way she’d hoped. Jules is still living with her ex, Luca, a year after they broke up, she’s desperate to sell the rundown B&B that was supposed to be their future. Jules knows she needs to move on, but two things stand in her way: her passport has expired, and she’s broke.

Not wanting to rely on her parents for help, Jules decides to head as far away as possible from Luca and finds herself on a family-run olive farm to work until she has enough money to pay for her passport and a ticket back to Australia.

Jules has sworn off love but the charm of Cividale – a gorgeous town on the banks of the stunning Natisone River and the welcoming community of farmers, locals, and neighbours begins to break down her walls. But it’s when she meets Alex, a handsome and charming man that she realises she’s in trouble. Alex has sworn off love as well and his reasons run deep enough to keep him from breaking his vow just as Jules starts to reconsider hers.

I don’t wanna say anymore – just read this book!!!

The setting was magnificent and so vividly described and written I loved everything about it! Cividale del Friuli sounds absolutely gorgeous and is now on my bucket list, it seems as though there was extensive research done on the setting, culture, etc and it paid off!

It was perfectly paced, the writing was good, and I loved all the characters except the Ex, Luca and especially loved the fur babies!

The character growth was so wholesome, and how the two MCs (Jules and Alex) overcame their struggles. Although heartbreaking I thought the grief element was executed well and it was good the grief was explored and the character development from it.

The family, love, grief, and personal growth elements tug at the heartstrings and really add depth to the story and I liked that it wasn’t solely based on the romance.

There did seem to be lots of Italian words in there and as someone who doesn’t know Italian, I found myself googling a lot!

Enjoyed the one-night stand, and met-again trope!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In Italy for Love

By Leonie Mack

I haven't read a romance for awhile and this was a sweet one to get back into the genre.

Jules has been in Italy for awhile building a not so successful business with a man she moved to the country for. However, not only has the business failed but so has her relationship. Disheartened and with damaged confidence, Jules travels to a small Italian town as far from her ex as can be to await passage home to Australia. From there she meets the wonderful characters of the small town including the elusive Alex.

The story paints a beautiful picture of small Italian towns and olive farms and the characters who inhibit them. However, I did struggle with the main characters a little. While both were grieving different pasts, I found their personalities difficult to relate to and understand their motivations. Similarly, their chemistry with each other felt a little lacking as well.

Overall though it was a good sweet read and made me wish I was working in a small Italian olive farm!

Thank you NetGalley and Leonie Mack for this read!

Could not finish this book. There was nothing gripping about it, and it seemed to be written a little confusingly not explaining the Italian

🔎 ARC Review Time!

In Italy For Love

@leoniejmack
@boldwoodbooksnl
@netgalley

Publication Date: October 22nd, 2024

My Rating:
🌟 4/5

👀Read if you like
Roommates to Lovers
Damaged MCs
Slow Burn

Still living with her ex, Luca, a year after they’ve broken up, desperate to sell the dilapidated B&B that was meant to be their future, Jules knows she needs to leave. There are just two problems. Her passport has expired and she’s broke.

Not quite ready to ask her parents for help – at the ripe old age of twenty-seven – Jules decides to head as far away from Luca as she can to work on an olive farm until she has enough money to pay for her passport and a ticket back home.

Jules has sworn off love, but she hadn’t bargained on the beauty of Cividale del Friuli, the ancient Italian town on the banks of the gloriously blue Natisone river. As the community of farmers, neighbours and locals generously welcome her into their lives, Jules can feel her defences crumbling. But it’s when she meets Alex, broodingly handsome yet charmingly gallant, that Jules truly knows she’s in trouble. Because Alex has sworn off love too, and his reasons run deep enough for him to keep his word just as Jules is starting to reconsider her resistance to romance.

🔎 My review
This was my first Leonie Mack book and I couldn't put it down. This is such a cute heartfelt book that follows Jules and Alex. I loved seeing how their story evolved especially since they have different pasts. Definitely a story that follows internal growth, family, and love. The last cherry on top are the adorable fur babies Arco and Attila. I highly recommend!!

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC

#books #bookreviews #bookstagrammer #bookworm #bookstagram #bookobsessed #romance #romancebooks #leoniemack #boldwoodbooks #InItalyforLove #NetGalley

The perfect autumn read! Get ready for gorgeous fall Italian settings and a beautiful love story of two people who swore they’d given up on it.

Jules moved to Italy for her ex-boyfriend, but now can’t get away from him fast enough and get back to her native Australia. But she’s stuck in Italy for a few more weeks with a dwindling bank account until her passport is in order. So what’s a girl to do but go to the farthest reaches of Italy and work on a farm in exchange for room and board.

And what does she find but one of the most beautiful places she never knew about, and one of the hottest—and most brooding—men she’s ever seen. But Jules is in no place for a relationship and neither is Alex. As if that’ll stop chemistry and so many feelings. . . . I don’t want to give too much away—just read it!

There are so many things to love about this book, but top among them are the stunning descriptions of the countryside, the village, the farm, the people, the feelings, EVERYTHING. I didn’t know this part of Italy existed, and now I’m dying to go to Cividale, eat Fruilian food, see the gorgeous Natisone River, do some hiking, and experience this place.

And if you’re a dog lover, you’ll adore Jules’ dog, who’s the star of the adorable meet-cute and a fixture throughout the book.

Meet Julia Volpe, still living with her ex after their personal and business relationship has soured. Running from this situation, just her and her pup, she ends up in Cividale del Friuli, working on an olive farm. Crossing the bridge, she meets the handsome, but guarded, Alex and they end up on a one night date. Stumbling into the olive farm the next day, she finds her housing accommodations have fallen through and she's left with an unpaid job and no place to stay. The family on the farm has quick plans for housing while they fix her room, leaving her staying with the handsome stranger from last night, Alex. Three years after losing his wife, Alex has sworn off romance and pushes Julia away at every chance. He is still haunted by the thoughts of his lost wife, but finds himself drawn to Julia daily. We walk through their friendship and sorta relationship, uncovering truths about each other and possibly embracing new romances.

I loved this book! It was sweet and frustrating but ultimately 100% worth the read. I loved Julia's bravery and willingness to try again after being burned by her ex. I was definitely frustrated with Alex at times but given the situation, I think his reactions were valid. I do wish we could have went more into depth into their relationship and why they began to fall for one another. However, I still did enjoy the book! Made my want to go work on a olive farm in Italy with a small family! Leonie did an incredible job of describing the place and made it so easy to picture yourself there.

Would definitely read another book by this author!

I liked the sound of this one when I came across it. I enjoyed Alex and Jules connection when they first met and the moments soon after, Especially when family and friends got involved

At times if felt difficult to connect or like something was missing.

Overall a cute little read

Thank you, NetGalley, for the download!

A charming, quick read! This is packed with Italian verbiage and cultural plot lines that are extremely immersive. I actually found myself more interested in the lifestyle and family aspects than the main characters. Makes you want to vacation in Italy, for sure!

This is a cute contemporary romance. This is a very PG romance and it was wholesome. I enjoyed the setting and really want to go on a trip to Italy.

A slice of romantic escapism with all the ingredients for a comfort read, especially the beautiful setting near the Italian/Slovenian border. The heroine Jules is escaping from a messy situation with her ex, and by chance meets Alex, who is busking with an accordion in the street: “He had a short moustache and a little goatee. Those were not supposed to be sexy. And since when did she describe men as ‘sexy’?”

The dialogue between Jules and Alex felt a bit awkward at the start – especially the dog puns – but I think it was supposed to, as they were shy of each other. I liked the warmth, and giddy enthusiasm, of their initial fling which had a real sweetness to it. The backstory of Alex’s character was also sensitively handled, and gave the story a depth I wasn’t expecting. I think ‘In Italy For Love’ would appeal to fans of Isabelle Broom and Jo Thomas.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

It’s a book that you can read quickly. As an Italian I did not appreciate the many Italian words inserted here and there, I think that for those who are not Italian it can be a bit boring. The last part of the book is definitely more interesting than the first. The main problem, in my opinion, are the characters that I found uninteresting. Alex and Julia are not characters that I will carry in my heart.
I have the impression that something is missing, perhaps the characters are too poorly characterized and the plot could have been more interesting