BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'In Italy With Love' by Leonie Mack

This may be the first book I have read by this author but it most definitely won't be my last!!

This book has absolutely stunning and evocative descriptions that set you straight in the scenes. The cover, title and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.

Where the heck have you been hiding all my life Leonie!!! I absolutely Love, LOVE, LOVED this absolutely beautiful page turner!! An absolute must read!!!

OMG!!! I cannot wait to get stuck in to all of Leonie's previous books!! They are just guaranteed to be stunning!! I absolutely adored the gorgeous storyline. This truly is an absolutely stunning book that takes you away from wherever you are when you turn the first page of this book, in my case on a sofa curled up under a fleece in rainy dreary Wales, and delivers you to the stunning Cividale del Friuli, Italy!! It really does not matter whether you are reading this curled up by the fire with a hot chocolate or laying on the sand on a beach with a cocktail as Leonie will transport you to Italy at the turn of the pages. I went from snuggling under my fleece to Italy where I could hear Alex playing his accordion, feel the warmth in my heart and seeing Cividale del Friuli coming to life in front of my eyes. I was absolutely devastated when I came to the end of my holiday and had to pack my bags to swap the beautiful Italy for the Welsh rain again! In this gorgeous escapism we meet Julia Volpe who has found herself in an awful situation. She was in a dead relationship and now living with her ex Luca a year after they had split up and has a failed and dilapidated B&B that was meant to be the future for her and Luca but instead it took all her savings. Julia is desperate to leave and return to her home in Australia but her passport has expired and she has run out of money. She cannot continue the way she is living so ends up trying to get as far away as possible from Luca with what she has. She heads to the ancient Italian town of Cividale del Friuli with Arco, the dog who her ex did not want either, where she has found work on an olive farm where she save up to pay for a passport to get home. When Julia arrive it is not what she was expecting and although there is a warm welcome the accommodation she was expecting to stay at is unavailable. However, she meets Alex who has a connection to the farm owners and a spare room they insist that she can use. With neither Julia or Alex are looking for romance, Alex's cat Attila who is not going to be happy with an excited dog around and the farm that is struggling with the elements there is a lot to get through. Will Alex and/or Julia get their happy ever afters? Will they be able to save the farm? Grab your copy of this beautiful page turner to find out for yourselves and I can promise that you will not regret it. With a gorgeous storyline filled with friendship, escapism, heartache, community, animals, romance and everything you could ask for and much more what on Earth are you waiting for?? I was completely invested in this book from the very first page and was hooked throughout. I just could not put it down and ended up devouring it in one sitting!! Leonie's stunning evocative writing skills really do bring the locations, emotions and the characters to life!! This is one of those books that is very easy to read and perfect for any reading situations whether you are laying on a beach or curled up in front of a fire. It is an absolutely ideal read for anyone who is looking for a beautiful and addictive read that will have you hooked from beginning to end. I absolutely LOVED the realism of this storyline which made it so easy to picture everything that was going on which had been helped by Leonie's fantastic evocative writing skills. I cannot wait to get hooked into more of her books so I hope she is busy writing her one while I get stuck into her previous books!! This is definitely one of those books that will turn a frown upside down and make life seem a lot brighter. I cannot wait to devour the rest of her books and travel from Wales to other stunning places that Leonie takes her characters on over and over again. One moment I'm sitting on a sofa in rainy Wales and the next I'm in a beautiful community in Italy!!! What are you waiting for grab your copy of this stunning escapism and escape to Italy today!!

Well done Leonie on an absolutely beautiful book!!! This may be the first book I have read by her but I cannot wait to get hold of more books by this extremely talented author!!!

The characters were all an eclectic mix and each one of them were realistic and strong. I was completely invested in them all. It also makes them more realistic, believable and made me feel even more for them than I normally would. They each had their own unique personalities with positive and negative behaviours and individual quirks, flaws, strengths and weaknesses. I was invested in and enjoyed getting to meet each and every one of the characters in this beautiful story and I loved seeing the close knit community. Leonie's absolutely fantastic evocative writing skills makes them leap off the pages and come to life right before your eyes and I was sad to have to say Goodbye to them! Each and every one of the characters are memorable and unique in their own ways and they are a group that I wont be forgetting any time soon! A stunning escapism and an amazing group of unforgettable characters!!!

Pick up this book and get lost in this absolutely gorgeous page turner! This has got to be one of the most stunning escapism books I have ever read 💜!!!

Congratulations Leonie on an absolutely stunning read that I just could not put down!!! I am absolutely mind blown that I have never read any of your absolutely gorgeous books yet!! I am looking forward to reading more of your previous and future books. I would absolutely love to see this book turned into a movie!!! Welcome to my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂

Overall an unputdownable, gorgeous, STUNNING page turning book filled with romance, escapism and so much more!!

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I really enjoyed this read. This was my first roommates to lovers book and I really enjoyed chemistry between Jules and Alex. I also felt like I was in their world. I think the author did a great job with describing italy and the world around the characters. I felt that even background characters were engaging.

Julia moved to Italy for love initially. When it didn’t work out, she moved up to the Frulia Region to get herself sorted out and get away from Luca and their failed
B and B. When she ends up on a working farm, she isn’t looking for love, just independence, but then she meets Alex, who isn’t looking for love either.


I loved the descriptions of the area Frulia as well as Alex’s nosy, but sweet and funny extended family. The author did a great job of describing the area throughout the seasons. The romance was okay, a little too much back on forth with them for my liking. Overall, I love a good story that brings me to life in Italy and the author did a great job of this. This is my second read by the author and I look forward to reading more.


Thanks to @boldwoodbooks, @rachelsrandomresources, @netgalley and the author for this ARC

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!


The 3rd person POV wasn't very helpful when it came to trying to keep track of information. I feel the plot fell flat and made it hard to continue reading the book. I like the idea that the book was set in another country but other than that, it was just okay.

Desperate to escape the unbearable situation she’s found herself in – a relationship where the love has died, a bed and breakfast business that failed and took all her savings – Jules has made the difficult decision to leave and fly home to Australia. But first, she needs to sort out her expired passports – and rather than stay, she finds a temporary job on an olive farm, somewhere where her obnoxious partner hopefully won’t find her, while she waits. With very little money left, and an unexpected travelling companion in Arco (the dog her partner didn’t want around either), she finds herself in Cividale del Friuli, close to the Italian border with Slovenia, in the foothills of the Italian Alps.

The farm turns out to be not quite what she was expecting – welcoming enough, but distinctly rough and ready, and the expected accommodation not available. But there’s a solution at hand – an accordion player, Alex, who she met on arrival, turns out to have a family connection to the farm’s owners, and a spare room they insist he puts at her disposal. But it’s all distinctly awkward – they got rather closer than they should have done on their first meeting, and neither of them is looking for a long-term relationship, although there are others who’ve already decided that they really need to be a couple. Then there’s Attila, Alex’s Persian cat – he’s not going to take to the presence of the over-exuberant Arco too well. And then there’s all that personal baggage – Alex has even more than Jules does, with real sadness in his past – but it becomes increasingly difficult to resist the sizzle of attraction between them.

This is very much the story of their developing relationship – and I loved every single moment – but it’s also so much more than that. The whole setting is quite beautifully drawn, entirely transporting you to this beautiful small corner of Italy as they struggle against the elements to bring in the olive harvest – Jules crosses the bridge over the stunning Natisone river ravine daily, and the town itself is surrounded by medieval walls and particularly atmospheric. And then there’s the close community who watch their every move, totally invested in their romantic future – such a well-drawn cast of quirky and endearing characters, their interference bringing plenty of humour at times, but adding to the emotional depth of the story too.

The whole story is wonderfully told – and not just the romance, although that was something very special indeed, with very strong chemistry between the unlikely couple as they struggled to resist the powerful attraction between them. The sadness in both their pasts and their uncertainties about the future are so beautifully handled, and the emotional balance – with both tears and laughter – just perfect. There’s a particular degree of drama too – edge-of-the seat writing at its best – along with a few distinctly unwelcome surprises along the way. The author’s writing has never been better – this was a really special book I absolutely loved, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly.

I’m not a huge fan of books written in 3rd person so that’s probably where my dislike came in. I just didn’t love the characters much. The plot fell flat. I loved the autumn background thouch.

One of the best books I read in 2023 was Snow Days With You by Leonie Mack, so I was looking forward to reading her latest release In Italy For Love.
This story is about Julia (Jules) Volpe who is 28. She moved from Australia, went to London and met Luca there. She then moved to Italy to be with Luca, but now they’ve been split up a year, their B&B business has collapsed, and Luca is now with Claudia. It’s time for Jules to leave! Along with her dog Arco, she goes to the beautiful Cividale del Friuli to work on an olive farm in exchange for accommodation.
There’s a fabulous meetcute where Arco begins singing (howling!) along to an accordionist. The musician turns out to be Alex, who’s funny, gorgeous and single, though definitely not looking for romance. Which is handy, because that’s the last thing Jules wants after just leaving Luca.
The book is very atmospheric, full of the sights and sounds of Italy. This is one of those novels where you get to travel vicariously, experiencing another country from your favourite reading place.
There’s also the developing romance, though the two of them have difficult issues to deal with. Jules has just had a disastrous relationship with Luca and is reluctant about trying so soon with someone else, fearing she could be hurt all over again.
I loved the animals in the story. Arco is a wonderful dog and there’s Alex’s cat Attila, who is quite a character too.
If you’re looking for fun and frolics in a beautiful part of Italy, this book is for you.

Sweet romance

I enjoy Leonie Mack's books and In Italy for Love was no exception. Obviously set in Italy, but in a part of Italy that I hadn't heard of, this book is full of geographic details that add a lot to the story. We have a heroine from Australia who follows a man...perhaps not the wisest move. She then needs to get away but needs to wait for her passports... There's a new setting, a new man, new things to do, and lots of angst but the requisite happy ending. Enjoy this one by the fire, on the beach, or wherever you do your escapist reading.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

an easy fun read set in Italy. following julia and her dog Arco and their adventures which quickly include alex.
a good read for a summers day

I love that when I read Leonie Mack's books I get to "visit" other parts of the world. I was so excited to get an ARC for this book because I fell in love with Italy as a study abroad student and have since taken high school students to visit and fall in love with the beautiful country as well.

I'll be completely honest, this was not my favorite book and I had a hard time finishing it. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad, but it's not incredible either. It's an easy to read romance with some Italian sightseeing along the way. I did feel like the writing lacked some depth and that made it hard for me to really get into the story.

If you're looking for something light and easy, this might be the perfect one for you! It just wasn't for me.

The best thing about Leonie Mack’s romance stories are the way she takes you to little known corners of foreign lands and immerses you fully in the sights and sounds of the place, and In Italy For Love is no exception, in fact, it might be my favourite one yet, although I am sure I say that every time I review one of her books!

It is really obvious when you read her writing that so much research goes in to her work, to the point where she has fallen in love with whatever destination she is writing about and this enthusiasm leaps of the page and pulls in the reader completely. I defy you to read this book and not be googling this area of north-east Italy, wondering how soon you can get there for a trip of your own. Once you have read about the beautiful medieval city, the stunning scenery, the quaint customs and the friendly people, you will be dying to experience it all for yourself. And, if you can’t, reading this book is the next best thing.

If you are looking for more than armchair travel in your novel, maybe a touch of romance, well, this book has that in spades too. This is a gorgeous, emotional, complex love story with two troubled people finding each other and learning to trust and love again. The main characters are both wonderfully written, tender and insightful and so moving. Despite this looking like a light romance – and it does have lightness – the story really touched me deeply and I found myself with a tear in my eye at more than one point in the story. This author’s writing gets better and better and she really manages to plumb the emotional depths with real empathy and compassion, without being preachy or maudlin. The book manages to tread the find line between a light romantic story and a truthful relationship perfectly.

Everything you could possibly want in this type of book, it is absolutely wonderful – I loved it.

Hello Italy! I always gravitate to books with Italy as the setting and this didn't disappoint. I enjoyed both Jules and Alex, and appreciated how the author navigated the complexities of Alex’s past. The secondary characters were equally well-developed, adding depth to the story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Leonie Mack for this ARC!

Grab yourself a hot chocolate and the snuggliest blanket you can find, then get cosy with In Italy for Love, my favourite fall fiction.

It flows at a steady pace allowing us to appreciate the author's imagery of Italy and the slow burning romance between Jules and Alex.

The characters are engaging and their stories so easy to emotionally invest in.

It's a wonderful story of found family, second chance and international love. I thoroughly enjoyed it and now feel a holiday coming on...

Destination ✈️ Romance

I am so sorry, but I had to dnf the book at 30%. I feel like I just wasn't hooked, apart from the hilarious puppy! I loved the autumn Italian vibes, but the lack of plot got boring quickly. I'd love to read another Leonie Mack book in the future, but this was not my cup of tea.

“In Italy for Love” is a charming and heartfelt romance set against the picturesque backdrop of a small Italian town, Cividale. Jules Volpe, the protagonist, seeks solace and healing after a failed relationship with her egotistical ex, Luca. The story unfolds as she embarks on a journey to gain Italian citizenship while hiding away in a distant part of Italy, far from her old life with Luca.

The strength of this novel lies in its vivid depiction of the local culture, from the unique Fruilian dialect to the tightly knit community where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Jules finds herself swept into this world when she starts working on an olive farm, offering free labor while she waits for her paperwork to process. Along the way, she meets the brooding and grief-stricken Alex, leading to an undeniable connection that propels the romantic arc of the story.

Though it follows the well-trodden path of the “grumpy guy meets sweet girl” trope, the novel adds emotional layers, dealing with themes of grief, abuse, and the search for personal growth. Jules and Alex’s romance is sweet but complicated, rooted in mutual understanding of their past traumas, making their relationship feel authentic and compelling.

The setting of Cividale, with its quirky and endearing townspeople, adds a warm, community-centered vibe to the narrative, enriching the story beyond the romantic plotline. The secondary characters add charm and humor, and you’ll easily fall for the town and its people as much as for the central love story.

I’d give “In Italy for Love” a solid 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a feel-good romance with depth, balancing heartache and hope, while transporting readers to the stunning Italian countryside. The story is engaging, and the character development makes it a delightful, easy read.

In Italy for Love is a story about new beginnings that comes with instantly lovable characters and the vibes of a good long italian vacation you don’t want to end!
Alex and Jules are perfect pair of main characters that I fell in love with the moment they appeared on the page. Both are relatable in their struggles (and grief), and their journey seems so realistic and true, I could have sworn they were real! The bunch of meddling hilarious side characters rounds the story out perfectly!
I don’t think this will be the last Leonie Mack book I‘ve read!

Thanks Netgalley and Boldwood Books for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 STARS!!

Julia Volpe decides to boldly move on from heartbreak but things don’t go as planned. With little money and nowhere to stay, she heads to a new town, trading labor for shelter while sorting out her passport. After meeting Alessandro "Alex" Mattelig, one night of passion seems like the perfect way to forget her past. Again, life has other plans and they end up living together. It is a great beginning but there I don’t know I wasn’t wowed I guess.

I really wanted more but I did love the way Julia embraced her new life on the olive farm, making the best of her situation even when things went wrong. Her optimism not only influenced her own journey but also prompted Alex to rethink his own outlook on life. All in all it’s a charming book that I am sure plenty of readers will enjoy.

In Italy for Love by Leonie Mack

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

Blurb

Julia Volpe’s Italian dream has turned into a nightmare. 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 Opinion

Leonie Mack has written a great tale that I managed to fit into one day as it was just so delightful. Jules needs to escape from a difficult situation but with hardly any money left she is limited on her options. She takes a job that comes with accommodation whilst she waits for her passport to arrive. Whilst the chemistry between Alex and Jules is obvious from the start, Leonie has also written a great supporting cast.

This was such a sweet read, and it will whisk you away to Italy with some great descriptions.

Rating 4/5

This book gave such a whirlwind of emotions, from anxiety over a particular scene with torrential rain and a missing cat (Atilla), to that feeling of eager anticipation at the ending- will he or won't he? The pining and longing with the delicious slow burn - after a one night stand-turned into forced proximity due to (un)fortunate circumstances.

Berengario was an absolute kook, I adored him and his antics with his matchmaking schemes (can you say forced proximity - really forced) his nosy, curiosity and sneakiness just made the story😅

I, of course, loved Jules, Alex, Arco, Atilla- any book with fur kids is a 5 star from me.

Leonie once again hits the mark and has 'forced' me to add yet another stunning location to my travel bucket list.

My sincere thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read In Italy for Love by Leonie Mack. I give my unbiased opinion of it in the following review.

In Italy for Love is the second Leonie Mack book I have read this year. I love her easy writing style and really enjoyed this forced proximity romance that takes place in a rural, off the beaten path area of Italy. Her description of Italian community and rural lifestyle was done so well I was easily able to picture it in my mind as I read.

This story follows the romance of Julia and Alex. At the very beginning of the book, they have a one-night stand and never expect to meet again. Of course, we know how that is going to go! Yes, they end up being housemates when Julia goes to work for Alex's family and she needs a place to stay. Alex has lost someone important to him and does not want to have the feelings he is having about Jules. Jules is working through her own failed Italian relationship and looking to go back home to Australia soon. Definitely NOT the time to start a relationship. Throw in some meddling family and neighbors, a grumpy cat, rambunctious dog, olive harvest, Italian comfort foods, and just the allure of Italy itself and you have the makings for a beautiful romantic story. I was not disappointed, and highly recommend.