I have read A Villa with a View, and thus completed my first romance novel. I really enjoyed it! The Amalfi Coast in Italy is described as breathtaking, and the food is mouthwatering. Lia is a textile artist who has suddenly learned that the father she has grown up with is not her biological father. She leaves for Italy hopefully to meet her biological father Ernesto (a well known actor) as well as to work on her art. Ernesto’s business manager Raphael works hard to prevent the meeting, assuming Lia is out for money. What evolves is a delightful story with well executed characters and clever dialogue. Julie Caplin has written a fun escapist book! With thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Although this starts with Lia’s quest for answers after her life has been thrown upside down by the revelation that her dad is not her biological father, it’s primarily a love story between herself and Raphael who is her biological father Ernesto’s business manager. Raphael is very protective of Ernesto as he is a famous movie star and many people try to inveigle a meeting with him which creates a fantastic tension between Lia and Raphael right from the start. Lia is a fabulously conflicted character with a fantastic job and her relaxed vibe versus Raphael’s uprightness created great chemistry. The setting was fabulous and there’s a lot of warmth to this fun, uplifting and escapist read.

I requested this book mainly due to its setting- the magnificent Amalfi Coast. Sadly, there's little describing the area and most of the book is focused upon the drama between a woman and the men she wishes to get close to. Disappointing.

So excited to acquire this gorgeous delish title set in the stunning Amalfi coast. The cover just draws you in right way! Will be sure to leave my full thoughts and review in the space below! Beyond excited for this one!

Lia Bathurst is a successful textile artist. A DNA taken for a friend as part of a project they are undertaking uncovers the fact that she is 50% Italian, when she confronts her mother with the results she discovers that the man she has always called her father is not her biological father, that is in fact a world-famous Italian actor. However, her attempts to contact her biological father are thwarted by his English business manager, Raphael Knight. When Lia's designs for a swanky Italian restaurant about to open in London are rejected, she feels like this is the last straw and decides on a whim to travel to Italy, for inspiration for the restaurant and in hopes of meeting her father at his Italian country villa on the Amalfi coast. When she is turned away by her father's housekeeper, Lia is helped by a young Englishman, Leo, who offers her a lift back to town and takes her swimming.

Raph(ael) Knight had to look after his mother Aurelia and little brother Leo after his father left. Even though Aurelia has since married the famous Italian actor Ernesto Salvatore, Raph still finds himself sorting out problems for them. Lia is just the latest in a long line of women who claim to be Ernesto's long-lost lovechild and his isn't going to bother his stepfather with this one, even if her striking good looks have preyed on his mind ever since their meeting. When he spots Lia in Italy, cosying up to his younger brother, Raph is sure Lia is just trying to get closer to his step-father and is determined to keep the gold-digger away from his family.

Lia and Raph might be enemies, but the sparks between them are scorching.

This was a sweet romance, set against the beauty of the Amalfi coast, what with the delectable views and the mouth-watering food it will make you want to book a trip to Italy.

I was invited to read this book by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Beautiful love story in a lovely setting. Raph and Lia are well developed characters and their dialogue is witty and fun. A nice read.