Cover Image: A Villa with a View

A Villa with a View

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

A Villa With A View is a lovely romance story set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Amalfi Coast. This is a tale of family, love and building relationships. It has some wonderful characters and the descriptions of the food and sights instantly transport you to the Italian sunshine. The plot unfolds well and completely drew me in. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.

Was this review helpful?

This story is set in Positano on the Amalfi coast in Italy. In my opinion one of the most beautiful places in the world. I absolutely love Italy and reading this book transported me there. I could almost taste the food and so wanted a gelato. The descriptions of the food and the scenery are written brilliantly.
Lia has recently found out that Simon her dad is not actually her dad. A famous Italian actor is her birth father and she wants to talk to him, maybe meet him and ask questions but, when Raphael Knight refuses to allow her a phone call/meeting she decides to get on a plane to Italy and try a face to face. Hopefully knocking on his door she might not be more successful. However, when Raphael answers the intercom it feels as though her spontaneous idea has failed.
However, when she accidently leaves an old photo of her mum and dad in a restaurant it proves she is who she says she is and not just a gold digger. Can she convince Raphael to trust her and if he lets his guard down will the sparks really start to fly?

Was this review helpful?

I can't get over how much I love Julie Caplin's writing and how much I love this series! A Villa With A View is the 11th book in the Romantic Escapes series, but they're all standalones. This is probably my second favourite in the series, right after The Little Paris Patisserie. It's such a fun novel that you don't have to think too hard about. You can just cozy up on the couch and fall in love alongside these characters. It'll also make a perfect summer read to take with you on holiday! Highly recommend!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a free ecopy of A Villa With a View in exchange for an honest review. Another lovely installment in the Romantic Escapes series. I enjoyed the setting and descriptions of the Italian Coast and food. Will definitely read more in the series. I don't like the new cover design, seems dated compared to the first books in the series.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and One More Chapter for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thought and opinions are my own.

What can I say, when I saw the beautiful front cover of this book I know I have to get a copy. What I didn't know at the time, is that this is part of the Romantic Escapes series, Book 11. This is one of the second books I have read in the series however it doesn't stop your enjoyment as every book seems to be a stand alone, so you aren't missing any back history of the characters.

The book is set on the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Lia Bathurst takes a DNA test she discovers that she is in fact 50% Italian, when confronting her mother she discovers that the man she thought was her father is not in fact her biological father. What she discovers is that her actual father is a famous Italian actor. Being a very successful textiles artist, Lia decides to visit Italy in the hope of finding some new inspirational designs for her work and to track down her long lost father. But definitely gets more than she bargained for when she meets Leo and Raph.

This book ticked every box for me, a stunning location, likeable characters, lots of laughs along the way. The authors description of the location and the mouthwatering food will have the reading wishing they were there. I will certainly be looking for more books from the author. They are books you can read in one sitting, with a comfy chair and a cup of tea.

Was this review helpful?

Beautiful location, wonderful food descriptions, plenty of fabulous characters, and a romance - a perfect escapist read!

A Villa With A view is set in Italy, on the Amalfi Coast, and is the story of Lia. She has just discovered that her biological father is Italian superstar actor Ernesto. She travels to Italy to meet him, and to work on her textile art. Ernesto's stepson Raph is determined to watch Lia, convinced she is a gold digger- can she reassure Raph of her motives, and deal with her increasing feelings towards him?

Some engrossing supporting characters -I loved Aurelia and Leo - and the descriptions of Lia's work were wonderful. A good summer read.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely loved this book! I feel like I had a trip to southern coast of Italy. Julie Caplin definitely can transport me to another place with her writing.

The plot is so interesting. I love to craft and never heard of a textile artist and appreciate being exposed to a new creative and beautiful art form.

I was deeply immersed in the plot and read this book at every moment available.

I have read several of this author's books and definitely want to read her previous books (that I missed) and look forward to future books also!

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for giving me the immense pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

A Villa With a View is a well written romance. I enjoyed the plot and character dynamics and the beautiful setting.

Was this review helpful?

Lia and Raphe have lots of romantic tension and the book is set on the Amalfi coast with lots of beautiful descriptions. An enjoyable read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

Was this review helpful?

Enjoyed it, but the book wasn't my favorite in the Romantic Escape Series. I really wanted to love this book as much as the previous ones. I blame it on Raph and Lia. I enjoyed the banter they had with each other, but the constant miscommunication and assumptions were exhausting. From the start I knew I knew they were the perfect match (so did Ernesto and Aurelia.) Raph was suspicious of everyone and trusted no one. With all his issues with Lia, Raph was oblivious to what his ex-girlfriend was really up to. He put all his insecurities on to Lia and couldn't see past them. He only saw her as a gold digger and wanting to use Ernesto's name to further her career. I would have thought Raph would have googled Lia. Then he would have known the truth about her and her art. Lia's treatment of her mom, dad and sister was a little over the top. She's thirty, not a child. She's still pat of the family. I'm guessing Leo might be the central character in the next book. There's still so much we don't know about him. What actually happened to his marriage? He's 27 years old, but acts like a teenager. He parties all night and spends his day at the beach. I loved reading about the Amalfi coast. The description about the scenery and food was amazing.

Definitely recommend the book. This was a fun read. Enjoyed the story, characters and writing style. Can't wait for the next book in the Romantic Escape Series. Look forward to reading more books by the author. Loved the cover of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Was this review helpful?

Lia has just discovered that Ernesto, a famous actor, is her biodad and so she's travelled to Amalfi to meet him. Standing in her way, however is Raphael, his majordomo of sorts, who is skeptical of her claim. And once, it's proven, well there' s still an uphill path to friendship and then...romance. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Love the Amalfi setting.

Was this review helpful?

I think this is a great beach read, It was exactly what I needed at the time, and I recommend it if you're looking for something that will just whisk you away.

Was this review helpful?

This story is a whirlwind of food, art and new beginnings set along the beautiful Amalfi coast. It is full of love, misunderstanding, and a new beginning between a headstrong couple. I enjoyed this book immensely.

Was this review helpful?

Julie Caplin has another wonderful, fun read with "Villa with a View." Julie's books are the best kind of escapism from day to day life. In this book, Lia the artist and Raph the grumpy business guy meet and sparks fly!

Lia recently found out that the father she grew up with isn't her biological father after the results of a DNA test come back. With her whole world turned upside down, Lia escapes to the Amalfi coast with no plan other than wanting to meet her father. Instead, she butts heads with her father's step-son Raph who is suspicious of her intentions.

The cast of characters in this book is wonderful, especially the family of Lia's biological father. The setting in Italy is fabulous and the author's writing makes you want to book at plane ticket and fly there immediately. The descriptions of Lia's art make me want to go look her up, though she's fictional.

If you are looking for a summer beach read with romance (that does admittedly hit snags as all good romances do), definitely check this one out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, One more Chapter for the opportunity to review this book. Receipt of the ARC in no way affects my review on this book.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book. A stunning setting combined with characters that you root for. I really enjoyed the story but it was the descriptions of the Amalfi coast that sold this book to me; I could feel the sun on my skin and smell the lemons in the air as I was reading it. A fantastic escape!

Was this review helpful?

The descriptions of Italy were so perfect, I really felt like I was there. And the food made me drool! I wish there had been recipes for some of the dishes that were talked about because they sounded so good.

I loved the Salvatore family, especially Aurelia. She had such a kind, understanding spirit and is the perfect book mamma. Lia was fierce and determined. I thought she was a great leading lady. Raph, well I had very strong feelings of hatred towards him. I wish I could say they changed by the end, but I still disliked him, he irked me.

Overall I really enjoyed this story. It was the perfect escapist novel. The cover is absolutely beautiful as well!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! A Villa with a View is a sweet romance in a beautiful setting that I think any fans of this genre would probably enjoy! You could absolutely read this book in one sitting, so it's a good choice for a romance novel to relax with on a beach or something like that.

Julie Caplin does an amazing job bringing the Amalfi Coast to life! The way she describes the surroundings or the food for example will definitely make you feel like you're really there. Her ability to do this is probably my favorite part of this book. I think it makes A Villa with a View a great book to escape into, so if that's ever something you're looking for I think this is a book worth checking out.

The characters are so well done too! Lia and Raphael's relationship is believable and interesting! I also enjoyed the other characters. I like that we get to know the families of our main couple. To me it made them feel more like real people because they had these important relationships beyond just with each other. Lia has a lot happening in her life and I liked seeing her talk to and make connections with others. It made her romantic feelings for Raphael more impactful. The same for Raphael. I loved the moments where he was being a good older brother. And because I found myself so fond of Lia and Raphael as individuals interacting with others, I think it really made me root for them as a couple!

I think at times this story was a little slow but overall everything about it works really well. It's about all you could ask for when it comes to a romantic escape novel. I haven't read anything by Julie Caplin before, but after this I definitely want to check out her other work!

Was this review helpful?

To say I wanted more would be an understatement. This was a delicious page turner right from the start. Everytime I had to put it down, it was all I could think about. I did end up finishing way past my bedtime, just so I would be able to sleep. Stunning setting!

Was this review helpful?

I really wanted to enjoy it but it was just too slow. The characters were mostly good but some felt a little one dimensional. I think, for the first half at least, it felt more like women’s fiction

Thank you to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Fun read that is the perfect book for a carefree day at the beach

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?