THE ITALIAN JOB by Kathryn Freeman takes us to a castle in Italy where Anna and her childhood neighbor (and enemy), Jake pretend to be a couple in order to get away from their old lives and past mistakes.

I really enjoyed the banter in this one and the setting was gorgeous! I’m a sucker for fake dating romances and this one was no exception - just throw in a castle!

I do have to say that the PDA was a bit unbelievable in this one - do people really gush over how cute a couple is when they’re about ready to tear each other’s clothes off in public? And Jake’s perspective was pretty male gazey, which made me like his character a bit less than I would have otherwise.

Overall, though, this one was fun and cute and I basically devoured it in one sitting!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK and One More Chapter for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: May 06, 2022

Anna's life is in trouble. One day she has a home, a boyfriend, and a job...and then she doesn't. Because her boyfriend and boss cheated on her, she must start over. And where better than googling Dream Jobs and finding a castle on Lake Como in Italy, needing a hostess/caretaker. The only problem is, the employer wants a couple. Enter Jake, the bad boy from next door. Anna and Jake had a dustup years ago and she's never forgiven him, but he's at loose ends, having just gotten out of prison! He agrees to be her fake boyfriend and as a couple, they get hired to run the castle. Of course you know how this is going to end, but the reading journey is enjoyable.

Anna, recovering from a bad breakup has to fake fiancé it up with her ex-con neighbor, Jake in Italy.

A quick read. Maybe I’ve just been reading too many rom coms and they are starting to all blend together, but this one didn’t stand out much for me.

I just got this ARC yesterday and *immediately* dived in. Fake dating? Rough man? Curvy woman? Some promised steam? Yep, yep I'm all in.

I thought this book was very nicely paced, and even though it's the rebel boy straight-laced girl trope, I thought the characters were unique. Their backstories and personalities made them stand out from other books I've read with that trope. I wished it had a bit more setting development- it is set in Italy in a castle(!) but I couldn't picture myself there in a lot of the scenes. With Anna and Jake though? I could feel the tension in their relationship like I was sitting just a few inches from them. Superb.

A minor critique, Klingon is from Star Trek, not Star Wars!

Is there anything more beautiful than a love story set in Lake Como? I loved this book and couldn’t put it down! I found Anna and Jake to be lovable and relatable. They also had great chemistry! Such an adorable and charming story!! I enjoyed this book so much!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this arc!

The Italian Job is fast paced, funny and the perfect summer read!

Anna and Jake were the perfect protagonists for 'The Italian Job'! I couldn't imagine better protagonists.

They were both stubborn, fierce and their character development was eminent and I really enjoyed their relationship that was based on trust and communication. I also have to say that this was an emotional book and I could feel the emotions the characters experienced with them.

The last act of the book was the most emotional for me. I was rooting for the characters and I was eager to see how everything will be resolved in the end.

I liked the writing style although sometimes it was quite repetitive.

The villains of the book were unlikable just like every villain is supposed to be.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Netgalley & HarperCollins UK (One More Chapter)

The description alone got me so hooked on this book! Italy, fake dating, enemies to lovers, opposites attract.

This books is a fun fake relationshop book with a dash of enemies to lovers! I adored the banter and the tension between our two characters, Anna and Jake. This book was exactly what I needed, it made me gush, blush and laugh, and I loved every single part of my experience reading this book.

I definitely want a physical cope when this comes out! And it won’t be the last book I read by Kathryn Freeman

rating 4,5/5

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘑𝘰𝘣 follows Anna Robert - after losing her job over a crook of an ex, she's thirty and back in her childhood home with her dad. So she plans the perfect escape, a year in Italy as a manager of a gorgeous estate! The catch? They only hire couples.
Hence, enter Jake Tucker - the ever flirtatious, annoying nextdoor neighbour who's also an ex con.... As if pretending to be a couple for the job of a lifetime wasn't torture enough, their sizzling attraction's surely to make matters worse? Right?

- ~ -

Whew! where to even begin with these two? They were a whirlwind with their ranging emotions, but perfect for each other all the same.

'𝘽𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙.'
𝘼𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚. '𝙄'𝙢 𝙖 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩, 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧?'
𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧.

Anna tends to want to control a situation rather than letting it control her, she prefers lists and being organized over any spontaneity life's got to offer. Jake, on the other hand, likes to rush head first, accept whatever life throws at him and make the best of it. They're complete opposites, drive each other nuts but balance each other out well, they're the yin to each other's yang.

And must I say anything about the setting of the story? I mean it's Lake Como in Italy, one of the most beautiful, serene places in the world. I think for whatever the plot may have lacked, the location made up for it.

The only thing slightly off putting for me was the fact the characters' parents also got together by the end. They didn't get married or anything but wouldn't that technically make Jake and Anna step siblings??? It may not be that big an issue but for some reason it just doesn't sit right with me.

- ~ -

Overall: A charming, feel good story perfect for those who want an escape to someplace with stunning natural beauty.
Now I'm off to pack my bags ;)

3.97 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘜𝘒, 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 & 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 & 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

I really enjoyed this plot ! I loved hearing about the running of the castle and the trips around Italy. I loved jakes character and family - his back story was well thought out and played an actual role in the plot. I liked the characters interactions with the family who owned the castle - he seemed genuine and it made the character seem more real. The plot itself was a little predictable but for a summer romance book I still really enjoyed it and would recommend it to family.

I struggled to warm to Anna’s character because other than the fact she liked lists, spoke Italian and looked Italian - she didn’t actually have all that much of a personality! The scenes she was in with locals… they carried the conversations and seemed more interesting characters than her. It could have done with a touch more comedy to make her more likeable as a character because to me, at the end even, she was still ‘Saint Anna’.

Kathryn Freeman just wrote of the best books I've read!
The Italian Job was so much fun to devour. I seriously had the best time reading this.
Going to make for an amazing buddy read or book club pick!
Anna and Jake's story was just pure delightful, so much fun, with A bit of spice, A little witty and and a whole lot of romance!
I enjoyed the fake dating/enemies-to-lovers vibe we had going on here.
The whole scenery comes straight to life with Freeman's fresh and vivid storytelling.
The closeness these two start feeling had me rooting for them the entire way.
Freeman added so many levels into this book that it just pulls you forward page by page.
The highs and the lows then ultimate healing and finding yourself again made for a terrific story!

Dream job. Dream house. Fake fiancé. What's not to love!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

One More Chapter,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, blog, B&N and Waterstone closer to pub date.

I received this novel as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved everything about this book. The setting was beautiful and the backstory interesting, There was so much chemistry between Anna and Jake! Great Beach Read

This book was great! Fake relationship plus enemies to lovers, but in Italy! It was a joy to read from start to finish.

Anna is recently out of a cheating relationship. Jake is recently out of a bad situation. When Anna finds her dream job, the bad boy next door needs to go with her so she can accept. The issue? They need to be fake fiancés.

Close proximity works it’s magic on these two and the sexual tension is off the charts. It’s a great romcom and definitely recommend.

If you were to sit down with this book, a bottle and a shot glass and decide to down one every time you read ‘groin’, ‘breasts’, ‘cocky’ or ‘sex’ you’d be drunk sooner than you think!

I loved ‘Mr. Right Across The Street’ and eagerly chose this one, thinking it was the same writing style. It wasn’t. The cover, the premise, and the setting held my attention and propelled me forward in the story. Unfortunately, while they had many redeeming points, the characters did not hold my attention and I could not make connections with them. Bad boy, Jake Tucker, only sees the girl next door, Anna Roberts, as a breasty organizer with a curvy butt who makes lists. All he thinks about is sex. Anna is wishy-washy. It annoyed me that in such a beautiful part of the world, she was wanting to make lists and get straight to work rather than investigate and start afresh - her whole reason for travelling halfway around the world!

I could see that Freeman was subtly trying to make readers aware that her characters were driven by the most basic needs - the need to feel loved and accepted by others. Where her other book was sweet, feel good and infused with a few giggles, I felt this one was bordering on crass and lewd. It had none of the humour I was expecting. It had so much potential. I hope this book finds the right reader.

I was gifted this book by Kathryn Freeman, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I LOVED this one! I had trouble with some of my latest reads to connect with the characters but not in this one. I’ve read a couple of Katheryn Freeman’s other books and really enjoyed them but I have to say she outdid herself with this one.

There’s lots of positive things to say about this one. I read it in almost one sitting. I mean who doesn’t love a sexy yet sensitive and very caring book boyfriend? And the setting of the book at an Italian castle. And the sexual tension and banter between the to main characters.

I like how grumpy Jake is at the beginning with Anna but that it’s clear from the get go that he likes to wind her up. In the beginning Anna’s lists and planning irks him but he begins to love them. Jake is so sweet to her and really does support and encourage her. And him preparing the pool for her 😍 And when he practicality admits that he’s had a crush on her since childhood.

I also love how it’s not Miles that’s coming between them but his need to protect Anna and his beliefs that he’s not worthy of her. When clearly he is.

-As she marched off to the large walk-in pantry he tried to work out why seeing her smile was so important.
Same reason you fixed the pool, dumb arse.

If you love the fake dating trope and enemies to lovers this one is for you!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review this one!

Finished this book in one night! I loved it and thought it was a fun, easy read. I desperately want to live in a castle in Lake Como now thanks to this book. The enemy to lover trope was well done and I liked both of the main characters. Overall, I recommend this book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Harper Collins UK - One more chapter - in return for an honest review.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it. The fake relationship/enemies to lovers tropes are catnip for me and I thought the author handled them well in this story.

Anna's need for a fake partner, so that she could get the job in the castle in Italy and thus escape the revolting Miles: and Jake's need to start afresh away from the gossip about his jail sentence felt credible as motivation. I liked both main characters as they were really well fleshed out and felt believable. They both had weaknesses, but they felt real and one could empathise with their concerns and fears.

The two were so very different that one could see the difficulties that they were going to face - obsessively organised Anna and laid back, spontaneous Jake were just brilliant together.

I loved their story but found the other characters less well developed and rather one-dimensional.
The son of the castle owners Nigel, and Miles (Anna's revolting ex) were both caricature villains without a single redeeming feature. I just found every scene that they were in (collectively and individually) totally annoying and unbelievable.

The ending was very fast - almost abrupt and I would have liked a bit more 'happy' times after the horrors they'd gone through.

A pleasant, escapist read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Netgalley & HarperCollins UK (One More Chapter)!

After a series of life-altering events, Anna Roberts finds an ad for her dream job. In order to become the manager of a beautiful Italian castle she needs to pose as one half of a couple. The only catch is she has no other half. Knowing that he has also had a few difficult years, Anna asks her longtime neighbor, Jake Tucker, to pretend to be her significant other and take the job with her. The two will now have to not only navigate this new setting but the emotions brewing between them.

The Italian Job is a fun fake relationship book with just a touch of enemies to lovers. There is plenty of spicy tension and good banter. The storyline is fast-paced and well plotted. Anna and Jake are definitely opposites in spite of having similar upbringings but the author shows just how much opposites do attract. I found Anna to be more relatable to me than Jake as I am forever making lists.

The Italian Job would make a great addition to bring along on a vacation or for a day at the beach.

This is the first book that I have read from author Kathryn Freeman but it definitely will not be the last.

To start off, ugh, I adore this cover!! My favorite types of novels are the ones that feel unique and fresh in the book community. This one was especially that. Anna travels to Italy to become a caretaker of a castle.. oh and with a "love interest". That sounds good to me.

It's also enemies to lovers, so you get to experience all the witty banter and sexual tension that makes you reading for more.

This was my first time reading a novel by Kathryn Freeman but I am excited to try out her future novels and pick up the physical copy of The Italian Job on release day.

I think so far this is my favorite book of the author! I consider myself as a devoted fan of enemies to lovers trope and when you add the perfect location: a castle in Lake Como and pretending lovers trope into the equation: this turns into an addictive reading!

Anna Roberts- such a great organizer, aspiring chef, playing by rules, exemplary daughter who is raised by her police officer dad, just lost her job, her home by being cheated on her boyfriend who is also her boss at the restaurant, coming from powerful family of the town!

She barely finds a job: thanks to Miles-the cheater douchebag who insists to take her back and his family owns most of the restaurant at the town.

Anna returns back to the childhood house, living with her dad. And returning back to home also brings out the memories of her childhood nemesis bad boy Jake Tucker, who had time in prison because of punching her ex- Miles and he rejects to talk about the reason why he kicked his ass. He loses his job at fire station because of being convicted and he barely finds handy man jobs. Everybody is talking behind his back. He has to fix his reputation and start over.

When Anna checked for her dream job: she finds one year commitment at a castle- Lake Como: where she can practice her culinary skills but then she realizes the job is for couple: she needs someone to manage the entire castle with her, pretending her boyfriend. And only one man is desperate to leave town and find a proper job immediately: yes: the same man teasing her nonstop, calling her “Saint Anna”, her long time nemesis and bad boy neighbor Jake Tucker!

Interestingly the couple they had an interview who are the owners of the castle want them start the job immediately!

If Anna and Jake manage not to kill each other, burying the hatchets for one year, they can also manage the entire place properly! But they didn’t count the high chemistry and palpable attraction with them. What if they can be real friends or what if they want to be more than friends!

Well: it was enjoyable, fun read! I got a little mad at Jake who kept thinking little about himself and his insecurities made him a big jerk at the beginning of the book. But I learned to like him. At some parts both Anna and Jake made me nervous. I want to grab them by their necks and force them come clean about their feelings. They kept making assumptions about each other. That was truly exhausting.

Overall: it was still entertaining example of great enemies to lovers trope!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I see fake dating, I see Italy, I read.

The Italian Job tells the story of Anna and Jake. After being cheated on and feeling the need to quit her previous job (never date your boss, folks), Anna feels a bit lost. After googling "dream job", she finds a couple looking for two people to manage their castle in Northern Italy. The catch? They're looking for a couple and Anna is, in fact, totally single. Not just single, but completely losing her faith in herself and her worthiness.
I love this premise - I loved how crazy it is and how it's basically my life long dream put into a story. It felt like the author had gone into my brain and pretty much wrote the romantic comedy of my dreams. I don't particularly love the fake dating trope, because I can never imagine the realism in pretending to date someone, but I could imagine it here. Who wouldn't pretend to date someone in exchange for a year living in a castle! In! Italy!

I love the opposites-attract trope. I loved how both of them had their own insecurities, and how they dealt with each other's meltdowns. I loved how beautifully they read together, how genuine their care was. And the plot of Jake being an ex-con felt really important, to me. How wealth played a huge factor in his time in prison, in his having spent any time at all. How unfair it was that he had to deal with all that because he defended his younger sister. I loved how Jake helped his sister not just by protecting her, but by leading her to therapy.

Overall, I really loved this book. I loved the characters, the plot, and the scenery. I loved their chemistry and their development and I'm looking forward to read more books from the author!


[spoiler ahead]
The only thing, now that I think about it, that I wished had been treated with a little more tact is the fact that Daisy was a minor. I don't know how old Miles is, but assuming he's somewhere around Anna's age, wasn't that a literal crime? And I get that that's part of the reason Jake's time in prison was so unfair, and it's a totally normal situation to have happened, but Jesus. That's not okay. That's not something you sweep under a rug.