In Italy for Love by Leonie Mack is a charming and heartwarming romance that transports readers straight to the picturesque town of Cividale del Friuli in Italy. Julia Volpe, stuck in the aftermath of a failed relationship and struggling to sell the B&B she once dreamed of sharing with her ex, is desperate for a fresh start. With no money and an expired passport, she takes a job on an olive farm to earn enough for a ticket back home, only to find herself falling for the allure of both the Italian countryside and its enigmatic people.

Mack weaves a beautiful story of self-discovery, healing, and love, set against the stunning backdrop of Italy. As Jules immerses herself in the local culture, she finds unexpected friendship and a blossoming romance with Alex, a man who is just as guarded and wary of love as she is. Their slow-burn relationship is full of tension and emotional depth, as both characters wrestle with past wounds while navigating their growing attraction.

This book is perfect for readers who crave a blend of romantic escapism and emotional growth, with the added magic of Italy’s rich culture and landscapes. In Italy for Love is a delightful escape that proves that love, like life, often arrives when we least expect it—and that sometimes, the journey to find it is just as beautiful as the destination.

The perfect escapist read! I really want this in my bookshelf just to be able to escape at anytime. The Italy that Leonie Mack has written is sooo tangible with very enticingly real characters: you can touch and smell the place and you can interact with the characters. I love it!

"In Italy for Love" by Leonie Mack follows Australian Julia Volpe, who leaves the bed and breakfast she co-owned with her ex in Italy. After staying longer than planned due to financial constraints and an expired passport, she departs with just her dog and a suitcase.

While awaiting her new passport, Julia works on a farm in Cividale del Friuli, where she's captivated by the town's beauty. Despite both having sworn off romance – Julia due to her ex and Alex for his own undisclosed reasons – the townspeople keep pushing them together.

Mack crafts an engaging story enriched by vivid characters, charming townspeople, and the delightful subplot involving Julia's dog and a Alex's cat. The picturesque Italian setting serves as the perfect backdrop for this tale of second chances.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books.

In Italy for Love by Leonie Mack tells the story of Julia, an Australian woman who escapes her failed relationship in Italy by seeking refuge in a small, picturesque village. There, she finds unexpected solace and a renewed sense of purpose while working on an olive farm. Her initial plan to simply wait for her passport and return home is derailed by the charming and enigmatic Alex, a local musician who is hesitant to embrace love after his own past heartbreak.

The novel beautifully captures the essence of Italian life, with vivid descriptions of the stunning scenery, the vibrant local community, and the delicious food. The author skillfully portrays the slow-burn romance between Julia and Alex, allowing their connection to develop organically as they navigate their shared pasts and their anxieties about the future. While the characters occasionally feel a bit overly cautious in their interactions, their genuine struggles and the heartwarming portrayal of their growing affection make them endearing to the reader.

In Italy for Love is a heartwarming and engaging read that will appeal to fans of romantic fiction. The charming setting, the well-developed characters, and the heartwarming story of second chances make it a delightful escape. While the plot may not be entirely groundbreaking, the author’s vivid descriptions and the authentic portrayal of Italian culture make this a truly enjoyable reading experience.

I really struggled with this one. I just wasn't hooked at any point. The writing was good, the characters were fine I just didn't care? Perhaps a book I need to read at another time!

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

This was my first novel by Leonie Mack and it was an enjoyable read. Jules and Alex were great characters and I loved the backdrop of Italy. I also enjoyed their furry Dog and cat companions. It wasn't your typical romance as it kept you on your toes with whether or not they would eventually end up together. I would recommend giving it a read.

I was completely captivated by Jules and Alex's story—their past, present, and uncertain future. Third-person POVs don’t always resonate with me, but this book handled it masterfully, making every moment feel deeply personal and immersive.

The emotions in this story hit hard. It made me smile through tears more times than I can count. The author did an incredible job portraying a man burdened by profound pain and guilt, torn between wanting to embrace life and being trapped in a fog of self-doubt and torment.

Their dynamic was both heartwarming and frustrating—open and honest one moment, yet riddled with miscommunication the next. That duality made their journey all the more compelling. This book was achingly beautiful, a perfect blend of heartbreak and hope, and it left a lasting impression on me.

Julia has been living with her ex in Italy for a year since they split. Needing to get out but with no funds to do so she seeks work on a farm to save some money to get back home to Australia.

She is soon charmed by the town the farm is in & the local community welcome her with open arms.

Sworn off love what happens when she meets Alex??

I was excited to read this as I have family roots in the Italian countryside. This was a cute read that ticked the easy read boxes.

3.5🌟

Continuing my reading adventure in #italy I picked this @netgalley read and enjoyed learning about a new city I haven’t visited. This is a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5) romance read for those who love Italy. 📚📚📚 #netgalley #netgalleyarc #my2024readingchallenge #bookstagram #initalyforlove

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

What a charming and escapist read this was.

I was enchanted by the small corner of Italy that Jules has run to to lick her wounds and wait for her passport to arrive.

It is a small town on the border of multiple countries, and has a really close knit community, one that at times Alex really despairs of.

What is meant to be a one night stand, after circumstances and would be matchmakers took over, turns into something more. But neither are looking for love.

I really felt for Jules and Alex at times, while also being fascinated with various details about accordions.

I felt completely transported and could definitely see everything play out, Another incredibly enjoyable book from Leonie Mack.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

In this charming summer Italian romance, readers join Julia Volpe one year post-break-up but only recently not living with her ex as she has to restart her life and figure out what happens next. Having sworn off love and lacking both money and a passport, Julia and her ex Luca are trying to sell their B&B project when she decides to move to an olive farm to work and earn the money to get back home. With a beautiful new residence at Cividale del Friuli, an ancient and charming Italian town along the Natsione River, Julia tries to not get attached, but the locals, and the broodingly handsome Alex, are certainly making things difficult. With a host of heartwarming and charming characters and an incredibly detailed and beautiful Italian location, readers will also struggle to not fall in love with the people of Cividale del Friuli. Julia is a funny and relatable romance protagonist, and her interactions with other characters and the obstacles life has placed in her way add some fun elements and emotions to this brilliant summer romance novel. The characters are the star of the show, with the setting a close second, and readers will love escaping to Cividale del Friuli when they pick up this novel.

This book was just an ok read for me. I didn’t have the connection to them as well as I thought that I would have. Their were some times the story seemed to drag on for that I had to DNF this read.

I absolutely loved this book. It is the first time I have read anything from this author, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The author did an amazing job with the setting, characters, and plot line of the story. I highly recommend this book. I can't wait for more from this author.

Thank you Net Galley ARC and Boldwood Books

I absolutely adore so many books that take place in Italy, and this has definitely been added to my list.

In Italy for Love paints the most gorgeous picture of Italy, and I just found myself becoming so immersed in the story due to the description of the setting. Our main characters Alex and Jules were very likeable, and I was really rooting for them.

I’m very excited to see what Leonie Mack releases next!

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc. 🫶🏻

I read this book while I traveled to Italy at the end of October. Was the perfect read for my vacation. Beautiful.

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

This was such a cozy, delightful book. I loved it so much!

A pretty decent escapist romance. Lots of flowing descriptions of Italy and small village life. Fun side characters and a lot of nosy neighbors. Story includes a cute cat and a dog. The ending was a little underwhelming after the story itself but it worked out ok.

This book was just okay for me. I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters and their building romance. It didn't seem very believable. I didn't want to finish it, but I'm glad that I hung on because the ending was more enjoyable. The last several chapters were really sweet and hopeful.

Thank you to Netgalley, Leonie Mack and Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.