The Italian Job - Kathryn Freeman

 

Dream job. Dream house. Fake fiancé. 

A year in a gorgeous Italian castle…

When Anna Roberts’ life implodes, an online search leads her to an ad for the ultimate dream job – management of a gorgeous castle on the shores of Lake Como, accommodation included. The only catch? Anna can’t do it alone…

…With the last man on earth she’d choose!

The castle owners will only accept a couple as caretakers, which means Anna needs a man on her arm at the interview. Enter her neighbour, Jake Tucker. Though Anna and Jake have never seen eye-to-eye, Jake’s had a rough few years and an escape to Italy sounds ideal. Yet, when they get the job and jet off, Anna and Jake face an unexpected challenge. Pretending to be a couple is difficult … but pretending the tension simmering between them doesn’t exist is quickly proving impossible!

My Review:

A castle in Italy? Enemies to lovers? TICK AND TICK for me.
This is the story of Anna and Jake, neighbours who have never really seen eye to eye but now have to rely on each other to make their dreams come true. Anna is cheated on, losing both the love of her life and her job. She is told to find her “dream job” and she does just that – managing a castle in Italy. Her dream job doesn’t come easily though, there is a catch; applicants must be in a couple. Single Anna needs this job and so enlists the help of the last person she ever imagined asking for help.

On the surface Jake is a lad with a past; having spent time in prison for punching someone – he is out and now finds the community not exactly welcoming, although he had his reasons for what he did. He is loyal to those he cares about and is soon showing his true colours. He is looking for an opportunity to prove himself, and when Anna provides and opportunity he must decide if he can handle everything that is to come.

Great characters – both having their own issues and insecurities I found they balanced each other out brilliantly and had a positive effect on the other. Both characters evolved throughout the story, with a nudge or disagreement to help them on their way. There is drama, mishaps and miscommunications as well as romance and some light-hearted moments along the way.

This is the first time I’ve read anything by this author and I don’t think it will be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, think it moved along at a good pace. I liked the characters (well the ones that we are supposed to like – there are some rotters in the mix as you can imagine).

I think this is a perfect summer, holiday read. 

Purchase Links

Link UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09RFF6X5Q

Link US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RFF6X5Q

Author Bio:

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to write a book. It may have had something to do with my obsession with reading romance. Real life interfered and I headed off in a different direction – into the world of science, becoming a pharmacist before joining the pharmaceutical industry. I did end up writing, but it was about disease and medicines. Decades later, I’m finally doing what I always wanted to do.

With a husband who asks every Valentine's Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), all the romance in my life is in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links:

Website:  http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kathrynfreeman

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1

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The Italian Job by Kathryn Freeman (Open INT)

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