Sunshine on a grey day guaranteed. Set in gorgeous surroundings this story unfolds slowly but surely. Enjoyable read with lovely characters. Perfect for curling up and losing yourself in the Amalfi sunshine.

Thank you Netgalley

A breathtaking escape to the Amalfi Coast, where romance, family secrets, and mouthwatering cuisine collide. The writing is very atmospheric and I felt transported to the gorgeous villa.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

While overall I did enjoy this one it's also the one which made me rage the most. Raph was the most irritating leading man ever, he was so ridiculously over the top with his attitude and suspicions. I literally shouted at him while listening to the audio. I adored Lia and the family thom they definitely saved this book for me.

The beautiful Amalfi coast dominates the story and takes you away to a place full of gorgeous sights and sunshine. Lia finds herself there on a curious quest to establish whether her biological father lives there, having found out in a shocking revelation. Raph is dubious about the authenticity of her claims so from the start there is friction. you do get the impression however, that Lia enjoys their verbal sparring and that there is an element of chemistry sizzling away in the background.

I enjoyed finding out that many of the characters, Lia included, were not as they appeared at first sight. You can't make assumptions about any of them and together, the cast makes for a lively bunch. Lia also has some things to sort out with the family who brought her up. She has been so confused as to where she now fits in within the family. Her relationships with her parents and her sister have taken a massive shift to the side. Family and secrets from the past form a large part of this story which is a real opportunity to escape to Italy amidst the last few weeks of Winter.
In short: interesting characters and a gorgeous setting

Julie Caplins books always transport you into a delightful setting, an interesting plot and great characters.The pretty book cover would have drawn me to this book, even if I hadn't read one of her books before. The sights and smells of the Amalfi coast draw you in, a lovely sense of family and a desire to visit!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love all of the books by this author and this one is no different. While it was slightly a different style than some of her other recent books, I loved it just the same and enjoyed the little vacation in the form of a book.

Lias life has been flipped upside down. The person she thought was her father turns out not to be and it is in fact a famous actor who lives in the Almalfe coast, and so off she goes to track him down. She has a head full of questions and a desire to know the truth. But when she gets there, there is a tenacious business manager who does not want to let her in. They are thrown together alot throughout the book and well. I'll let you figure out the rest. A good book, however predictable it was. Lia is a good character. A strong and capable young woman. Raph was a little complex alongside brooding and handsome. But you know what will happen with them in the end. Throw in alongside this chaotic family life, secrets, lovely scenic island life, food that you want to dive right into and It's a great book for the summer or to escape in your mind to a place that isn't so grey and dreary as it is here.

I am a huge Julie Caplin fan and i have read so many books by her now so this was right up my street and i couldn't wait to join the blog tour to get a sneak peak at this read and boy was it worth it. If you are after something that is like a holiday in a book, a dip in the water to refresh your reading senses then this is the one for you.

Lia has always wanted to visit the Almalfia coast but maybe not in the circumstances she finds herself in, when she discovers her father isnt her father and its actually a famous actor she throws caution tot he wind seeking answers she finds herself outside a pink villa trying to get somewhere but there is one person stopping her - The business manager who really will not give an inch.

As it actually comes to light Lia may just be telling the truth - the pair end up constantly been thrown together and in the blissful sun surrounded by gorgeous food, family and high emotions will this lead to a bit of thawing?

I absolutely loved this book. I loved Lia - her passion for her work, the culture around her, the way she immersed herself in all opportunities was wonderful. She was a strong lady and very capable of standing her ground. Raph was written just as well, a slightly more complex when you first meet him but brooding and handsome make you want to discover what made him put his guard up in the first place. Throw in a bit of chaotic family life, and gorgeous food & you really are on to a winner here.

The wonderful descriptions of the Amalfi coast, its food and sights really are brought to life in this book. Making the reader want to visit.
Lia has just found out she has a different father, and feels like an outsider within her family so sets out to meet Ernesto her biological father. Raphael is used to the stories people make up to try to meet his famous stepfather so tries to stop her, but she won’t be put off, and travels to Italy. She also needs inspiration to fulfil her artistic commission, and Raphael’s family throw them together for days out on this cultural trip. The witty banter between these two runs throughout as they try to get one over on each other. A lovely enjoyable read.

Julie Caplin is one of my go-to authors for escapist holiday fiction. I read this over a dreary January weekend, and wasn't disappointed. Lia, a notable textiles artist, has recently found out that her biological father is an Italian film star, Ernesto. She borrows a friend's apartment and workshop on the Amalfi cost to work on her latest commission, and to make contact with her father. Lia makes contact with Raphael Knight, Ernesto' manager and stepson. However, Raph has heard similar claims many times before, and refuses to believe Lia until she provides proof. Then sparks start to fly... Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC copy, this has not affected my review.

Talk about cute. This book is all the cute. From its vivid pastels, bringing to life a beautiful, sandy beach cover to the cute romantic style blurb that hints at all the things to come, there is not shortfall of adorable things to kick off the beauty of this book. 

We are introduced to our main character and she is so much fun to get to know. I really liked that she was running away to escape everything and find herself, but instead fell into truly finding herself and where she has come from. In meeting someone from her past, she ends up meeting someone even better

 Their interactions were absolutely brilliant and made for such a sweet and fun read. 

I really liked the flow of this book and how well it brought together such a lovely wee read. I also really liked how exciting the read was and what it led to, in the end. 

Overall, this was very well written and will be a book that will absolutely adored by so many readers.

This is the first Julie Caplin book I have read and if they are all like this, I've definitely been missing out!

Right from when Lia discovers a father she had never known about, the author pulls you right in. I loved Lia with her no nonsense attitude right down to her insecurities where her 2 families are concerned. I was glad to see her viewpoint change. Raph, on the other hand, I had mixed feelings about especially with his severe trust issues with Lia. I understand where he was coming from but it was a bit much. As for the chemistry between them!

The description of Positano and the surrounding areas were so good you could almost visualise yourself there and it took me back to when I visited that area. As well as that I loved the descriptions of the food, the villa and family life with the Savatores. What a great bunch they were.

If you like enemies to lovers and forced proximity with a bit of spice, I would definitely recommend this one to you.

Thank you Netgally, One More Chapter and Rachel's Random Resources for my gifted copy. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

I feel Julie Caplin is back to her best with this book, I loved the first few she wrote but though the one in the snowy hotel and the one in Croatia were a bit rubbish! but this one set on the Amalfi coast was really entertaining, the descriptions of Italy were amazing and made me want to go, the storyline was fun and the characters were pleasant and fitted well together. I would recommend this for a great summer holiday read

A Villa with a View was so much more than what I was first expecting and I pretty much realised this within a few pages. What I found was a really beautiful story and that it was a joy to read. There was romance, a wonderful setting and an emotional edge too. The story itself moved at a good pace, keeping me invested throughout. I loved getting to know the characters and enjoying the gorgeous scenery and food. It was just like taking a trip to Italy albeit within the pages of this book. It provided a gorgeous escape and I loved it!

There was depth to the characters and I thought the author did a lovely job of revealing that there was more to their personalities especially in the case of Raph. There was definitely mistrust lingering between certain characters which brought an entertaining edge. Although at times I probably could have shaken some sense into certain characters! However I could definitely understand how it all played out and it was all because of issues in their past. I have to also mention that it wasn’t just the main characters that brought this story to life the minor characters really added something too.

If you are looking for a heartwarming tale that will whisk you away to Italy with wonderfully engaging characters then look no further. A Villa with a View had a brilliant mix of both light and more deeper moments. This made it so very easy to connect with the characters. I couldn’t help but root for them. I can’t believe I haven’t read any of the other books in this series. If they are anything like A Villa with a View then I really have been missing out!

I loved A Villa With A View by Julie Caplin! It is filled with loads of charm, wit and playfulness. And not to mention a divine setting in Italy that shines with its rich palette of colour and delicious foods! The descriptions provided by Julie oozed atmosphere and yes made me want to pack my bags and jump on a plane and spend a summer in such a gorgeous place. It is a cultural haven with so much history to explore and fun experiences to sample.

Lia is a textile artist: and a gifted one at that. But she receives some unsettling results after she takes an ancestor DNA test, urged by a friend, and discovers she is fifty percent Italian. She approaches her mother with this news who reluctantly reveals the truth. Her father is not quite who she thought he was. The man who nurtured her is not her natural parent. This hits Lia hard and suddenly her identity is shaken. She has always felt like an outsider and very different from her mother and sister, who are business minded. Now she knows why she feels out of place but where does she go from here? To get answers she heads to Italy to meet her father (unannounced), to see who he is and if he has any likenesses to her. Lia needs someone she can identify with. This revelation has caused a shock even to her artistic abilities. She needs to come up with a design to win a special project. But all this new information shatters her core. Maybe if she meets her biological father, it will help her feel whole again? And she might also gain some inspiration for her art textile project in this gorgeous country. So off she goes, at odds with her mother for not revealing her parentage before and upset with her sister who defends her mother’s reasons. And the loving man who raised her gets lost in the trail of dust that follows.

The identity crisis is a big part of this story but it is also a contemporary romance novel with an enemy to lover’s plot. And there is plenty in that department to keep us intrigued. But hey wait, there is more! The theme or focus at its heart is family and what that means to Italians. It has been said that ‘Family is the foundation of society” in Italy. We see through Ernesto and his wife with their special care of their children ( a mixed family of his, hers and theirs) this is very true. No one person receives special treatment. They all do! (Well maybe Lia at first because she is a new member— similar to the arrival of a newborn! ) It is obvious this couple dearly love all their children. And if any new person enters the fold, like Lia, they receive the same care and attention, too. This acceptance stunned Lia—especially since they are such a close knit family. But they welcomed her with open arms. Well, all but one. Raphael, son of Ernesto’s wife is very suspicious of her motives, questioning her at every turn. He is overprotective of his stepfather because of past experiences.

Ernesto is a famous actor and moves in some prestigious circles so sharks often are lying in the waters waiting to take advantage. But Ernesto still seems cheerful, down to earth and generous with his profits, though a bit naïve maybe (or is he just acting?) when it comes to Layla (Raph’s old girlfriend who gets a star for her slippery though smooth performance). I suspected her real intentions but it appears Ernesto may not have, or did he? Hard to know when an actor/performer is not being an actor!

A Villa With A View gives us a comprehensive view of the Italian world through convincing characters. The bonds of this family are resilient and deeply rooted in ‘love, loyalty and support’ and it makes Lia miss her English family for they were close, too. Have they changed or is it just her from the realisation of her new found parentage? She must work out this new path to wholeness and it is a bumpy one at times but there are some pleasant surprises and victories along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed Lia’s journey and the characters that surround her. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to One More Chapter and Netgalley for my review copy.

This is the first book I’ve had the pleasure to read and review from this author and I’ll certainly be looking out for future releases from now on!

I was drawn to this one because of the setting in Positano on the Amalfi Coast in Italy; a place I’ve visited many years ago and which I can still conjure up in my mind due to its unique and wonderful scenery.

Julie Caplin transported me back there in the pages of this book with her vivid descriptions of the landscape. The attention to detail in not only the visual, but also the olfactory nuances in the descriptions of the basil, tomato and lemon groves is simply wonderful, as are the depictions of the many food dishes on offer, which had me scrambling to find recipes to try them out for myself.

All of this and there’s still the characters and romance to discuss! I immediately warmed to Lia and Leo; his sense of fun and lively character was the perfect antidote to Lia’s heartache at discovering her family circumstances.

It took me longer to like Raph but the way the author builds up his personality as the story progresses cleverly allows the reader to unpick the reasons behind his behaviours which then evokes empathy for him.

My favourite character, however, has to be be Aurelia. What an incredible woman! Gentle, warm, compassionate and yet at the same time, a typical no-nonsense Italian mamma. I loved the way she welcomes Lia into the family fold and immerses her in the Italian way of life. I also chuckled at her not so subtle attempts to bring Lia and Raph together.

This is a fabulous, easy read which would be perfect for a summer holiday pick but equally would bring some sunshine into a gloomy day at any time of year.

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

Across to Europe and the Amalfi coast, so not only are we going to be dropped right into some delightful descriptions of Italian food we are going to feel the warmth of the sun on our backs too.

Lia Bathurst finds herself looking for her father. A father she didn’t even know she needed to look for and one that is rather famous. But first she has to penetrate the ring of protection around him, including siblings she knew nothing about and the dark and brooding Raph who is convicned she is a gold digger.

The one person who welcome her is Aurelia, her fathers wife and she wins her over with the most delicious pasta, fresh ingredients and aperol spritz. Coupled with the landscape around which inspires Lia’s creativity in her role as aa textile artists, it seems that this escape is going to be the best thin for Lia and maybe even Raph.

Another excellent book to add to this series of books which take you all over the world, to experience all the food without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Really good book I enjoyed hearing about the landscapes and the views and how she gets to meet her dad she knew nothing about.

My sister has become a huge fan of Julie Caplin, so when the blog tour invite came through, I couldn't resist signing up!
Caplin has a wonderful talent in describing her setting incredibly well, to really help the readers to immerse themselves in the book and feel like they're there with the characters.
The plot is lovely and cosy, and is a fabulous way to warm up when it's cold outside! I was sucked into the drama immediately and even gasped at some of the developmets!
It's a fun read, and has me looking forward to some warmer weather!

The food! The gelato and pastry treats! The wine and cheese! My mouth was watering as I read along with this fun story set in gorgeous Positano, Italy. 

It took me a minute to get into this story. I even read the synopsis (twice!) before I figured out what was going on in the first couple of chapters. It felt like it just jumped right into the middle of Italy, vs easing us in with some backstory. I didn’t fully feel the chemistry between Raph and Lia, even with Raph's mother pushing them together. I was more cheering for the family bonding between Lia and her newfound father and siblings. I especially loved Leo! I hope he makes a triumphant return in a future story!

What I did love? The scene where Raph came out of the water. Oh my goodness- “Daniel Craig, eat your heart out” had me in hysterics (while my heart was palpitating). SWOON!!