I really enjoyed this adorable slow burn, enemies to lovers romcom! I loved the ex-con storyline, the castle atmosphere, and the childhood neighbor dynamic between the two. I thoroughly enjoyed this adorable book!

Emily and Jake are a great E2L pairing and I loved the Italian flair! A great breezy summer read that I'd recommend To friends

I love the whole travel/finding yourself/working in a castle in a strange land vibe that this book gives off. It was a really great read and the cover is FIRE.

I am devoted to the enemies-to-lovers trope, and there are a lot of bad enemies-to-lovers out there, but this one was not terrible. Another thing to add that I liked was the dual perspective, which is another thing I look for in books. I will say that my only problem was that the romance wasn't everything I thought it would be.

Other than that, this was a solid book that I genuinely enjoyed.

DNF at 20%

Women's fiction written by British authors can go one of two ways for me. They can either be an absolute smash with enough dry banter and English charm to compensate for the focus not being completely on the romance or I just don't vibe with them. This was unfortunately an example of the latter - a paint-by-numbers plot with characters that are too immature for their age that will eventually find themselves falling for each other in an exotic setting. Not even the promise of a beautiful Italian villa could keep me invested in this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Such an easy, great read! A happy ending is guaranteed and it kept me on my toes! 10/10 The characters are well written and the plot was easy to hang on to!

"The Italian Job" by Kathryn Freeman is a captivating and romantic novel that takes readers on a journey of love, adventure, and the magic of Italy. Freeman's storytelling prowess shines as she crafts a tale of attraction, unexpected encounters, and the beauty of new beginnings. The book's relatable characters and engaging plot create an immersive reading experience that resonates with fans of romance. Freeman skillfully weaves together themes of self-discovery, cultural exploration, and the power of following one's heart, adding depth to the narrative. "The Italian Job" is a delightful reminder that love can blossom in the most unexpected places, leaving readers with a warm and contented feeling as they accompany the characters on their journey of romance and self-discovery in the enchanting backdrop of Italy.

This has been on my NetGalley shelf for over a year, and I still haven’t picked it up. I've tried, but it just isn't for me (right now). I hope other people enjoy it more than I did.

This was an interesting story, the romance itself was well-written, though a bit predictable for me. It is definitely not my all time favourite read ever, but I did enjoy it quite a bit.

Italian lake, the job that she always dreamt of, a special possibility to start over in a new place and set a new course for her life. Sound awesome, right? It would be perfect if not for the small, really tiny detail. The job is dedicated to two - a marriage who can together take care of the castle and maintain a hotel there.

The problem is, Anna is currently single. She is coping with a really hard breakup and doesn't want to even hear about any new man in her life. On the other hand, she really wants to get this job... So, she made up a plan to find someone who would be eager to move across the ocean and start a new chapter in Italy. Then she saw him...

Anna and Jake are not friends. They were neighbors, but their relations were correct, at least. So, now, when they are both on the hard track of life, they decide to cooperate and try to do something different. Because it won't be hard to pretend to be in love for the interview, right?

I adore this story. Not only it is set in Italy, near the breathtaking lakes, old castle, and wonderful view, but also shows that it is never too late to start over and find new opportunities to get a dream life.

I like Anna to have the courage to look for herself first. Because, to be honest, it is such bravery to leave everything behind and go to the other country without knowing the language or customs. I feel the spark between these two. I love to see how they are opening to yourselves and letting others discover the other sides of themselves.

It is full of humor, full of Italian vibes, and reading that was great entertainment even though I was definitely far away from Como or Garda Lake ;)

I received this book for free from netgalley for an honest review.

Really well thought-out book with amazing characters and amazing setting.

Kathryn Freeman delights once more in her latest romcom: The Italian Job.

Spending a year in a beautiful castle is one of Anna's dreams. The only issue? The job requirement needs two people... and the one person open for the job is a man she absoultely cannot stand, Jake. Pretending to be a couple is a challenge of itself. Keeping the italian job? That's something they plan on doing.

I definitely recommend fans of rom coms pick up any of Kathryn Freeman's books, but especially the Italian Job. I was able to connect easily with Anna and grew to like Jake as time went on. Freeman's descriptions had me wanting to book a ticket to Itally ASAP.

What a glorious rom com to escape into
With an enemies to lovers romance, too!
When everything in her life seems to go wrong
Anna Roberts spots the job for which she longs.
The problem is it is for a couple and she's single so
She asks Jake Tucker if he'd also like to go!

For years these neighbours hardly said a good word
For them to pretend to be a couple seems quite absurd
But both feel the need for a fresh start somewhere new
And the jobs are certainly things they can do
So will they get the job, looking after an Italian castle
Or will being a couple prove to be too much hassle?

A fun read with plenty of twists
Make this a rom com not to be missed.
With great characters with whom it is easy to relate
Some you'll love and one other you'll hate!
A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed reading
Hope it proves to be just the book you're needing!

For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
A delightful read and this is my honest review

Sorry to say I didn't enjoy this,sespite, fake romance and Italy. It just did not do it for me. There was a lot of potential

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and Kathryn Freeman for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the concept of The Italian Job. However, I wasn't a fan of Jake and that adversely affected my opinion of Anna. I felt that Jake's character was a bit much, especially with the suggestive comments towards Anna. I did enjoy the scenic descriptions and it made me want to visit Italy right away. This was just a DNF and I read 27% before calling it quits. I do look forward to seeing what Freeman comes up with next; hopefully a similar trope in another beautiful country.

The Italian Job by Kathryn Freeman

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!


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Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of The Italian Job! I enjoyed this book and loved that it was set in Italy. I loved the character growth for Jake as well.

4⭐️

I couldn’t put this book down. Wish I picked up this sooner. What chemistry between Anna & Jake. And the castle! Really enjoyed this book.

3.5 stars!

I love a good slow burn enemies to lovers romance novel and this delivers.

A quick read filled with all the things you would love in a romance: witty, angsty, romantic, and so so fun!

Fake dating, forced proximity, opposites attract, enemies to lovers…all set in a beautiful Italian castle? The premise and the cover had me hooked, and I wanted to love it, but there were so many hurt feelings and bristliness between them, I struggled to see them together. (That and given the distaste they seemed to feel for each other at the beginning, Jake going with Anna in the first place was something I had to suspend disbelief over as well.) I love a bit of spice in a romance book but the constant comments and thoughts from Jake about Anna’s various body parts grew pretty tiresome (as did his smirking. He smirked a lot!)

It was a fun, fast read but it wasn’t my favorite Kathryn Freeman book.

Really enjoyed this book, with all the setting and the perfect romance! So happy I ended up getting a physical copy!