Lia discovers that everything she believes about her father was wrong. She goes to Italy to try to work things out and hopes it will also help with her work

A Villa with a View is the eleventh book in Julie Caplin’s Romantic Escapes series, and I’m delighted to say I’ve read them all but two on my tbr list. Julie’s books are absolutely delightful and I get to travel to wonderful places if only through books. This book is part of a series but each book can be easily read as a standalone.

Lia is a textile artist, which was fascinating, who suddenly learns that the father she has grown up with is not her biological father. Lia travels to Italy, to meet her biological father, Ernesto, a famous Italian actor and to work on her art. Raphael is Ernesto’s business manager and does everything he can to prevent this meeting, believing Lia is only out for money. Sparks began to fly under the Italian sky as Julie sweeps you away to the gorgeous Almalfi Coast, delicious food, fantastic characters and a oh so swoon worthy Raphael.

Highly recommend this fantastic book and the Romantic Escapes series!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collin’s One More Chapter for the advanced copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Another brilliant book by Julie Caplin, she really never fails to disappoint and I read this at every opportunity I had. One of the things I love about Julie’s writing is how descriptive she is and carries me to whichever country the book is set in. Things like ‘down towards the water, an azure blue that merged with the seamless edge where sky and sea met took me to the beach in Italy where this book is set (Italy not a beach!) and absorbing me into the culture with descriptions of lemons and pasta dishes and as normal with Julie’s books mouthwatering food.
Amongst this however is the story of Lia who suddenly finds out the person who she calls Dad is not her biological Dad. Lia is angry and hurt and unsure where she truly belongs so goes to Italy not only to seek inspiration for her art work but to also meet her biological Dad, who is a famous Actor. Her motives are questioned by her Dad Ernesto’s step son Raph who doesn’t trust Lia as he is used to people making the claims of this nature however he is also attracted to Lia and soon the sparks fly between them.
All of the characters belonged in the book and had a part to play and I felt I was part of the Salvatore family, being welcomed into their home with good food, warmth and humour.
Food, romance and stunning coastline of Italy, my favourite things brought together as part of a fantastic story which is a great read for anyone wanting a proper book with pure escapism.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for a free copy of this book, with all opinions completely my own.

Julie Caplin has written a wonderful story about Lia Bathurst, a young woman who discovers at age 30 that her dad is not her biological father. It helps that most of the action takes place around Positano on the Amalfi coast of Italy. You can feel the summer heat, see the glorious colours and smell the rich aromas of the local foods. There are plenty of larger than life characters, some misunderstandings and lots of wit and humour. A great holiday read.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Every once in a while the cover of a book, the pull of a new-to-me author, and the setting have me dipping my toes into the romance genre.

I was so excited to have found a great read and then chapters 25 and 26 happened. For those like me who don’t like reading spicy novels, this was a huge letdown.

Let me set aside my disappointments and tell you about why I enjoyed all but two chapters of this book.

Things that worked FOR ME:
✔️Positano setting
✔️fantastic cover
✔️enemies to lovers trope
✔️grumpy sunshine trope
✔️tenacious main character
✔️theme of the importance of family and the love of a parent
✔️theme of keeping secrets and ulterior motives
✔️theme of trust
✔️food uniting people
✔️warning about jumping to conclusions
✔️message about forgiving oneself
✔️characters in their thirties


Things that didn’t work FOR ME:
✔️reading about spontaneously combusting nickers, hardened nipples, throbbing members, moaning pleasure, swelling breasts, and languorous desires

If the spice was removed from chapters 25 and 26, this would be a 5-star novel FOR ME.

If you are not bothered by spice, you’ll enjoy this novel that promises to sweep you away to the Amalfi coast to enjoy time with Lia Bathurst and the Salvatore family.

I was gifted this copy by Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

A Villa with a View by Julie Caplin will take you on a picturesque journey through the stunning landscapes of Italy. The author effortlessly combines romance, humor, and a beautiful setting in this heartwarming tale. There is a delightful cast of characters and vivid descriptions, making this the perfect book for those seeking a sweet and uplifting read.

I have read A Villa with a View, and thus completed my first romance novel. I really enjoyed it! The Amalfi Coast in Italy is described as breathtaking, and the food is mouthwatering. Lia is a textile artist who has suddenly learned that the father she has grown up with is not her biological father. She leaves for Italy hopefully to meet her biological father Ernesto (a well known actor) as well as to work on her art. Ernesto’s business manager Raphael works hard to prevent the meeting, assuming Lia is out for money. What evolves is a delightful story with well executed characters and clever dialogue. Julie Caplin has written a fun escapist book! With thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Although this starts with Lia’s quest for answers after her life has been thrown upside down by the revelation that her dad is not her biological father, it’s primarily a love story between herself and Raphael who is her biological father Ernesto’s business manager. Raphael is very protective of Ernesto as he is a famous movie star and many people try to inveigle a meeting with him which creates a fantastic tension between Lia and Raphael right from the start. Lia is a fabulously conflicted character with a fantastic job and her relaxed vibe versus Raphael’s uprightness created great chemistry. The setting was fabulous and there’s a lot of warmth to this fun, uplifting and escapist read.

I requested this book mainly due to its setting- the magnificent Amalfi Coast. Sadly, there's little describing the area and most of the book is focused upon the drama between a woman and the men she wishes to get close to. Disappointing.

So excited to acquire this gorgeous delish title set in the stunning Amalfi coast. The cover just draws you in right way! Will be sure to leave my full thoughts and review in the space below! Beyond excited for this one!

Lia Bathurst is a successful textile artist. A DNA taken for a friend as part of a project they are undertaking uncovers the fact that she is 50% Italian, when she confronts her mother with the results she discovers that the man she has always called her father is not her biological father, that is in fact a world-famous Italian actor. However, her attempts to contact her biological father are thwarted by his English business manager, Raphael Knight. When Lia's designs for a swanky Italian restaurant about to open in London are rejected, she feels like this is the last straw and decides on a whim to travel to Italy, for inspiration for the restaurant and in hopes of meeting her father at his Italian country villa on the Amalfi coast. When she is turned away by her father's housekeeper, Lia is helped by a young Englishman, Leo, who offers her a lift back to town and takes her swimming.

Raph(ael) Knight had to look after his mother Aurelia and little brother Leo after his father left. Even though Aurelia has since married the famous Italian actor Ernesto Salvatore, Raph still finds himself sorting out problems for them. Lia is just the latest in a long line of women who claim to be Ernesto's long-lost lovechild and his isn't going to bother his stepfather with this one, even if her striking good looks have preyed on his mind ever since their meeting. When he spots Lia in Italy, cosying up to his younger brother, Raph is sure Lia is just trying to get closer to his step-father and is determined to keep the gold-digger away from his family.

Lia and Raph might be enemies, but the sparks between them are scorching.

This was a sweet romance, set against the beauty of the Amalfi coast, what with the delectable views and the mouth-watering food it will make you want to book a trip to Italy.

I was invited to read this book by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Beautiful love story in a lovely setting. Raph and Lia are well developed characters and their dialogue is witty and fun. A nice read.