This was an interesting book. Exactly what I expected from the title and just the right level. It would make a good gift or something for a friend. I read it on holiday in Italy and it was perfect for my trip.

Anyone who knows me will know that I am a big foodie and that I love Italy and all things Italian. So present me with a romance based in Italy, and I will devour every last morsel, and that is exactly what I did. Thanks to Netgalley for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A taste of sunshine sees the main protagonist, Jenn, a city girl flown across the seas to the picturesque vineyards of Veneto, Italy, to make a deal with some of the local winemakers. An expert in her role of wine procurement specialist, she thinks this will be a breeze, but she couldn't be more wrong. In this part of the world, the money comes second, the suppliers care more about the product, how it is carefully grown and picked and transformed but also about the appreciation of the products. They don't care about selling boxes by the hundreds to some large conglomerate. That isn't what they are, and this is what Jenn will come to discover. The key to winning their business is to get to know them and understand their way of life. So, she has 2 months to get the deal she needs for her job, and in that time she stays in Tiziano's grandmother's house, a countryside boy who hates the city and whose bloodline runs deep in these hills.

But, the longer Jenn spends in this part of the world the more she falls in love with landscape, the people (especially one) and the way of life, but can she ever truly drop her city girl life for this?

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This book perfectly encapsulates Italy. I have never been to Veneto, but I have been elsewhere in the country, and the way Leonie captures the personalities, the mannerisms, and the landscapes is superb. Reading this transported me back to the country and had me dying to return.

From the picturesque luscious green vineyards to the homely Italian B&B, each scene was described so vividly that ad the reader you were right there with the characters. Speaking of which, I loved each of the characters, from the typical Italian nonna to the slightly grumpy yet rugged country boy, Tiziano, and of course, our ambitious, career driven city girl, Jenn

Each character brought an eclectic mixture of personalities, and it was a joy watching them develop as the story progresses.

If you are looking for a feel good, summer read based in one of the best countries for food, in my opinion, you can't go wrong with this novel. It is the perfect mix of sun, love, family, food, and beautiful landscapes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - the perfect read to either escape the winter chill or to read by the pool/beach in the summer. Highly recommend!!!

Painfully slow to get going, almost gave up on it. And the characters didn't draw me in. And why does Jenn not go buy some flat shoes, or borrow some, who goes up the mountain day after day in fancy shoes? Once Ok, but repeatedly??
No, there are better authors in this genre, where you get into the book within the first chapter

Jenn Park is a budding wine connoisseur responsible for selecting the finest prosecco for her employer. However, upon arriving in Veneto and witnessing the beauty of the agriturismo, she's forced to abandon her preconceptions and fully immerse herself in the experience. An introverted and isolated Jenn learns to lean on others, including the dashing tractor-driving grandson of her landlady. Although he consistently points out her flaws and introduces her to the locals, she discovers there's more to him than just a rural man with a disdain for urban life. As she explores the region, she acquaints herself with the local community and their way of life. Overall, the book offers a delightful summer read with its vivid landscapes and flavors to me.

This was a stunningly written book, that you could see Leonie put a lot of hard work and research into. The characters were so likeable, with great chemistry and witty dialogue. The detail Leonie puts into her words are so beautiful, you feel like you have been transported to the location itself and that is something so special. This is my first book of Leonie's, but most certainly won't be my last.

At first look, Jenn and Tiziano could not seem more different. She’s closed off and career driven. He’s laid back without a plan or care for the future. Different lifestyles, different cultures and goals. But I felt the mounting chemistry between them until I couldn’t see anything other than the two of them together forever.

This is the fourth book I’ve read by Leonie Mack, and it absolutely cements her as a “must read” for me. She has a gift for immersing readers in each setting of her stories. She elicits all the laughter and angst you expect from a good romance. I loved this glimpse into the Italian country living and the world of prosecco.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this book. It was well written. I couldn’t put it
down. I stayed up all night to finish it.

The synopsis sounded great, a romance set Italy. Unfortunately, the setting or story never fell in place for me or felt real.

What’s not to love about Leonie Mack’s latest offering?

Likeable central characters with completely differing personalities, the idyllic setting of the rural Italian Veneto region and the delicious taste of several varieties of Prosecco to tempt your taste buds as you settle into the narrative.

Jenn and Tiziano on paper are polar opposites yet find themselves thrown together in situations where they cannot help but find that maybe they have more in common than their outward personalities suggest.

I loved the descriptions of the setting, the food and the wine and, as a lover of all things Italian, could imagine myself there sampling a glass of homemade Grappa, such was the quality of the portrayal.

The writing style is engaging and you can’t help but want to discover how Jenn and Tiziano’s relationship will evolve which keeps you turning the pages.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

With thanks to the author, Rachel at Random Resources and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to participate in the tour.

A taste of Italian Sunshine, indeed it is!!
Sunshine and happy summery vibes at every turn!
This is the perfect escapism from the real world, we need sunshine and Leanie Mack's gentle wit and charming stories of love and adventure, I loved everything about this, the feel-good story, the wonderful characters, its joy in the palm of your hand and absolutely a must-read for the summer!

This book made me feel like I was back in Italy. The story was sweet but also handled grief and loss well. Jenn and Tiziano are interesting and complex characters and the book had many endearing side characters as well. The imagery that Leonie Mack is able to paint with her writing is incredible. It made me want to move to the Italian countryside and help with the harvest. Nonna and Maryam have a special place in my heart. There are a few cheesy moments, but they worked. This is a great romcom that will make you laugh out loud and capture your heart.

Opposite attractions between the city girl on a duty leaves and a country boy with a care-free attitude! Spends one summer together in a gorgeous set of Italy's rural charm!

Leonnie Mack did it again! This is my second book written by her and it keeps getting better!

I enjoy reading the different POVs between the two main characters and their intake on life. Their interactions are so cute and grow even more thoughtful and complicated than I expected. Not to mention how it is close to be a slow-burn romance, and I enjoy their chemistry, every little bit of flirts and fights. The rural small town community of Italy's vineyards being portrayed so warm and intimate, it makes me feel some comfort while reading this.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. It made me feel like I was on vacation!

A Taste of Italian Sunshine follows wine expert, Jenn, into the region of Italy that is known to the world for beautiful, sparkling, prosecco. Coming from the city, Jenn is used to a certain pace of living, so it is quite a shock for her to be thrust into the middle of country living. While there, she meets Tiziano, who was born and raised in the area and can help her see her job from an entirely new perspective.

If you’re looking for a beautiful summer getaway, but without the cost, look no further than A Taste of Italian Sunshine. With stunning descriptions of the Italian countryside, and inner workings of the wineries that make their home there, this book was immersive enough that I (almost) forgot that I was really just sitting at home with my head in a book. It was fascinating to read about the lifestyles and cultural norms within the world of fine Italian prosecco. Both the setting and the people who made their home there, brought this book to life.

Jenn and Tiziano being so very different brought a delicious tension that was so exciting to watch unfurl. Their character development went far beyond romantic connections. Both Jenn and Tiziano had dealt with many obstacles that made them seriously question who they were and what they wanted out of life. It was fascinating to watch how the side characters were able to help the two of them grow in ways that they never would have expected. I appreciated that their growth relied upon more than just each other, it made it feel more realistic.

Tiziano’s journey was especially emotional and I would have loved to see it develop at a bit of a slower pace at the end. There were many moments that were absolutely heart wrenching, and it didn’t feel as if that progress was acknowledged. The ending felt rushed and forced compared to the slower pace of the rest of the book.

Overall, this beautifully done romance had everything I needed to become so fully invested in the story that I couldn’t put it down.

Please check trigger warnings as this book deals with some particularly heavy topics that some may find difficult to read about.

⅘ stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

Jenn and Tiziano are unlikely central characters. It took me time to warm to Jenn but as you begin to look behind the surface, you realise that she has many vulnerabilities. Tasked to find the perfect Prosecco, she travels to the wine growing region and struggles at first to gain the trust of the locals. She has to learn to accept help from others and to meet people on their own terms if they are to take her seriously. Tiziano is not the sort of man she thinks she would be interested in. You realise pretty quickly that he has a mysterious backstory and can see his kindness and wish to support others. The further into the story I got, the more I liked them both.

You certainly find out quite a lot about wine growing and prosecco in particular throughout the story. The local scenery is a major part of the book and you certainly feel that this is an escape to Italy. There is a great sense of community and all the villagers come together to help each other at harvest. I can see that it would be a perfect summer read.

In short: fun, fizz and romance in Italy

A Taste of Italian Sunshine made me feel I was there in Italy with Jenn as she made her way thru vineyards for work tasting wines and while trying not to fall in love.

I’m not a huge fan of wine but this book did make me want to go buy some!

I love the relationship that forms with Jenn and Tiziano.

Def a must read!

For the most part, I give this sweet romance high marks. Both main characters were appealing and relatable, but Tiziano, the handsome, seemingly carefree farmer, tooling his Lamborghini tractor on the roads and through the vineyards of the Italian Veneto region, took my sympathies almost immediately.

I didn't like anything from this book besides the scenic beauty of rural Italy. That's the only reason it got 1 star from me.

Otherwise this book isn't for me.

This book is so lovely, now I want to go and everything in Italy.
I like how this author writes
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the book

Jenn and Tizano go together like oil and vinegar... but there's a reason those two always end up on the salad!

I felt for Jenn. She was having a tough time of things and the fact that she couldn't gain the upper hand on pretty much anything, just lended a more human aspect to her. She may be a nose in then wine industry, but she has struggles like the rest of us. Some of those newer one are more annoying (and handsome!) than others, but she's got a job to do and she's sticking to her proverbial guns. If only those she needed to impress were playing along the same lines!

Tizano is...a lot to handle! From his "Italian ferarri" to his inclination to stick his nose in where it doesn't belong, he's a force to be reckoned with, and he's hiding something...or from something, more precisely. The thing is it wouldn't matter if his heart took a holiday as well, but the more these two work together, the more is less about work and more about the company you keep. When feelings are caught, secrets come to light, but whether they simply add color to their growing story or serve to sever the ties altogether depends on BOTH of them...

She's a hard nut to crack, but he has his quirks too, which just goes to show you that no one is perfect, and that's what adds the spice to life! Who wants bland and boring? As with wine, you usually look for something with a full body and hidden notes of things you love... the same can be said about finding your match! Liking the same things gets you far, but having someone that complements you, someone who'll be there for the highs and lows, someone who has a past, but looks forward to a future with you counts for so much more! Jenn learns that it's not about the wine, but about the people, the environment, and the mood of the moment that makes one wine a better fit than another. Tizano learns that locking up your heart isn't the answer to heartache, but finding a new start can work miracles.

A great summer escape without ever having to leave your home and a wonderful addition to women's fiction and contemporary fiction fans must read lists!