I literally can't get over the Italian setting for this book and all the glitzy world of high fashion. I couldn't possibly think of a better, more romantic setting for a fashion designer to fall in love.

Being someone who loves to sew as a hobby, this book was really fun for me! I felt such a strong connection to Violet and I absolutely loved her character. She was brave and hilarious right out of the gate. Violet is a 29-year-old trying to pursue her dreams as a fashion designer. She enters into a competition that could land her a dream job in NYC. She is bravely competing against two of her younger classmates (one who is her best friend, Marco).

The only problem is that her professor's son, Matt, is her ultimate enemy since arriving on her very first day in Italy. It's up to her to decide if she can push through to obtain her goals or if she will continually be distracted by this hot, but grouchy guy who ends up living just a few doors down from her in Italy. The attraction between the artsy, creative Violetta & the playful, charismatic Matt kept me giddy & smiling the whole time. The chemistry between them is undeniable and it's the perfect amount of grumpy sunshine/enemies to lovers.

There were so many scenes where I laughed out loud and I especially loved the scene at dinner when Violet makes Matt squirm at dinner. The dialogue in this book is so clever and witty. It feels real and honest but not over the top cheesy.

Not only was the romance fantastic, but I also thoroughly enjoyed each of the side characters. Marco was such a great support system for Violet and he cracked me up on several occasions. He was her biggest cheerleader in her journey! I loved all the strong friendships that Violet developed while in Italy - Louis & Mira especially.

There are a ton of things I could quote, but I think you should just read it for yourself and experience it on your own. This should be turned into a movie so I can scene how all these scenes play out in live action!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House, & Kate Bromley for my ARC of Ciao For Now!

A really cute rom-com that made me laugh out loud. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ciao For Now is a story about Violet, a 29-year-old woman who goes back to fashion design school after dropping out to follow her boyfriend to Chicago in her early 20s. She gets a fashion house internship in Rome for the summer and the book follows her and her friends through the design world. There’s a frenemies-to-lovers romance and plenty of Italian imagery. A super fun, quick read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Ciao For Now is a sweet story with a little enemies to lovers with also a second chance romance mixed in. Violetta and Matteo have instant chemistry but Violetta had a lot that she needed to overcome in order for her to get that HEA.

I have to admit, this book kinda started off a little bit slow at first, but once it picked up I was completely hooked!

Violetta is a fashion design student who is in Rome, Italy for a competitive internship program. She has a run-in with a stranger in a coffee shop, not knowing that Matt is her professor's son and eventually, her temporary roommate! Their attraction is undeniable. Both Violet and Matt are dealing with issues from their pasts. Violet is stuck on her ex boyfriend and how she gave up on her fashion dreams for that ex. Will the same result happen with her newfound relationship with Matt?

I really loved Ciao for Now! In addition to a marvelous setting that I loved, there were numerous side characters who added to the storyline. I really loved seeing Violetta and Matt's relationship develop. This is a great read to jump into the summer mood.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an eARC for review.

This enemies to lovers romcom was super cute and fun to read. This one is for all the hopeless romantics of the reader world. Ciao for Now made me laugh so much and just swoon and smile the entire way through. Totally a great book for this summer!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication.
So I did enjoy this and it was my first Kate Bromley novel. I don’t know if I would say I LOVED it. It was cute, the characters were fun, but I feel it was lacking something for me.

Violet is abroad for an internship when she meets a grumpy man in a cafe after spilling her coffee and ruining his laptop. She later finds out that he is the son of the professor that she is temporarily living with. They clash constantly but Violet finds herself growing more attracted to him as time passes. Will she let herself miss out on love or success? Or can she have both?

The chemistry between Matteo and Violet was intense! The scenes with these two were the main reason I kept reading this book. I wanted to see how it all played out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gosh what a fun Italian adventure! This book was romantic, hilarious and sexy 😍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️

Violetta Luciano is a fashion design student, off to Italy for a prestigious competitive internship with 2 of her peers. After a clumsy run-in with a stranger at a coffee shop, she heads to her home away from home. Little does Violet know, that stranger she met in the cafe is her professor’s grumpy son, Matteo, who is now her temporary roommate!

As time passes they get to know each other, and can’t quite stay away - even if they should. Both Violet and Matt are dealing with issues from their pasts. Violet is stuck on her ex, and how she gave up on her dreams for love. Is she doing the same with Matt, and getting distracted from what she really wants?

“I catch a hint of something in his eyes that I know I could become addicted to if I let myself.”

Let me just say - the teaching how to take measurements scene - wow 🥵🔥 I could feel the heat through the pages.
The banter between Violet & Matt, as well as Marco (a friend/fellow design student), was amazing.

The side characters brought a lot to the story as well - Holly (fellow intern), Mira (co-worker), Louisa (fabric shop owner), and her professor - all helped Violet figure out herself and her path.

Read if you enjoy:
⭐️ Enemies to lovers
⭐️ Forced proximity
⭐️ Fashion student
⭐️ Writer
⭐️ Internship in Italy
⭐️ Forbidden romance
⭐️ Witty banter
⭐️ Single POV/first person

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced copy for review. All opinions are my own.

It was fun to experience some of Italy through the eyes of Violet, an American fashion design student who is spending an internship in Rome. Violet meets Matt in a most memorable way, only to soon thereafter realize that Matt is the son of her professor and idol. And she'll be staying in the same home as this handsome, irksome man she can't seem to stop thinking about. It's enemies to lovers gold as Violet and Matt spend more time together. Soon, Violet finds herself having to make a choice about what she really wants for her future. Is there a future for her and Matt?

“He looks like a creepy Victorian doll you’d find in a boarded up attic.” 🤣😂

“You have to decide if you want the highs bad enough to make it through the lows.”

This was a super cute romcom.

3 friends go up against each other for a design competition and their start their journey in Rome.

It’s got an enemies to lovers vibe to it. The relationship between Matt and Violet has an ice even progression to it…until it doesn’t. When things fall apart it’s harsh.

I really enjoyed the friendship between the competitors: Violet (MC), Marco and Holly. I liked how the competition ended too. I loved how, while chasing their dreams, Violet, Marco and Holly were all still very supportive of each other.

This is a lighthearted read, which I enjoyed from start to finish. It would def make a cute movie.

A cute romance with Italy how could I say no to this one.
I have been reading so many romances lately and all of them have just been so darn cute. I think this genre maybe my comfort read because I just tend to love them all. This one was no exception.
I loved the setting of course, I thought the fashion aspect was fun though it's not what kept me hooked. Violet being messy and older was definitely something that I connected with. As someone who may go back to school and better themself at an older age, as well as being to hard on myself most of the time I just felt so much of what Violet was going though.
I also have new book boyfriend what Matt because wow oh wow do j need a man like him. A little nerdy, romantic but closed off in like a god way. He is my dream man I may never find 🤣.
I am not sure if this is Kate's first book or not but I will definitely be chocking out some more from her soon.

What a PERFECT summer read! First, the dreamy Italian atmosphere made me want to hop a plane for some delicious food. While I really enjoyed the romance part, I have to admit that my favorite relationships in the book were between the three friends competing. Two of the friends were close, with one student being "on the outside". I was so pleasantly surprised that the two wanted the third to be included. I was worried at first there would be an enemy or cattiness. I LOVED that they wanted to be so friendly, gain trust, and encourage each other.

I also liked that MC followed her dreams even after having some letdowns throughout the book. However, I will say I felt like the ending was a little rushed. We didn't hear any feelings about her losing the competition. It just was suddently her at a winner's party, then it all basically ended until a year later. I thought we'd hear more about struggles, etc.

Review coming soon to my IG!

Read if you like:
🇮🇹 Books based In Rome
🍝 Vacation Vibes
👗 Fashion
🥰 Chemistry
⛅️ Grumpy Sunshine
🏠 Forced Proximity


The setting, the romance, the fashion, the food, the drinks, the sightseeing, all of it was the perfect vacation and romance vibes out together in a single book and I’m here for it!

I love how this is more than a romance but also Violet figuring out what she wants and chasing her dreams.

The forced proximity and the grumpy vibes were so well executed and really just enjoyed this fun romance!

Thanks so much to Graydon House for my ARC in exchange for my review!

I've loved Kate Bromley's books and was very excited to read this one from her. The cover is totally on point and enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes so I was all in. This was an easy read and the story is mostly very cute. I love that it's set in Europe and the scenery really becomes part of the story and even kind of a character itself. There's plenty of witty banter and moments between the main characters to keep the pages turning and plenty of embarrassing moments and physical comedy for the rom com lovers (i.e., me, I'm talking about me). This is something I've really grown to love about Kate's writing and this book delivers.

My only reason for 4-stars was I struggled to like the FMC at times. Her first interaction with the MMC was totally her fault and yet she starts being very rude to him and even insults him. She often comes across as very entitled and selfish and it makes it difficult to really root for her happy ending.

Enemies to lovers AND forced proximity set in Rome? YES PLEASE!

This book was very cute. I loved that Violet is a little older than the average student, but is still following her dreams to become a fashion designer. So while this book was a romance, it was also a story about Violet’s ambition and her growing & finding herself (she’s a little immature throughout the first 2/3 of the book).

There were also some really great friendships in this book. I loved Marco right away, but I really enjoyed following Violet’s new friendships in Italy. One of my favorite parts of the book was when Mira showed up in NY with that fabric from Louisa. That was such a perfect representation of friendship and supporting your friends when they need it, but don’t ask for help.

But of course we’re all here for the romance. Give me all the tall, dark-haired MMCs! loved how honest Matt was about his intentions and watching him open up to Violet. Matt was definitely a great love interest. The last chapter of the book jumps forward a year, but I really wish there was a real prologue. I just felt like there needed to be a little more to their story for me to be 100% into the relationship.

This book is not spicy, so if you’re looking for some heat, this isn’t it. But if you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted read with just a hint of steam, this is your book! I give this one a solid 4-stars!

Enemies to lovers set in Italy? Say no more! I am hooked!

Ciao for Now is perfect to read during the summer time or take with you on vacation.

This book had me squealing on multiple occasions! The tension between the two characters was just *chefs kiss* amazing!

I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy after the release!

*thank you so much to NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review! Itnis much appreciated!

UGH!! TAKE ME TO ROMA!

This book gave me a major case of the travel itch. I loved the setting and characters - this was so fun and enjoyable and truly transported me to Italy.

An enemies to lovers plot set in Italy? YES PLEASE. Some of these scenes had me squealing at my desk while I was at work...Shhh don't tell my boss. Although this is contemporary romance, I appreciated how Bromley still focused more on Violet's dreams and ambitions. No tunnel vision on the romantic interest, which was refreshing.

This was cute, but average.
Matteo kind of ticked me off from the very beginning, but his character grew in the end. Violet herself wasn’t all that interesting and a bit childish at times. Clearly meant to be enemies-to-lovers, they had good banter but were missing the chemistry you normally find in these types of romances. What I did like was that there was a lot more to the plot than just the romance, like mental health. I always appreciate when authors take the time to talk about why mental health matters.
I would recommend to someone who is a true romance, slow-burn fan, but not to someone (like me!) who reads it occasionally.