When a destination wedding planner and a professional mountaineer are unexpectedly reunited through work, the past comes rushing back. Eight years ago, Sophie-Leigh proposed to Andreas—and he turned her down. Now, their companies have merged, and they’re forced to collaborate on a summit-top wedding in Italy. What starts as awkward tension slowly unravels into something deeper, as long-buried feelings and misunderstandings come to light.

Though I’m usually not drawn to second-chance romances, this one won me over. The story leans into miscommunication and emotional vulnerability, making the eventual reconnection feel thoughtful and well-earned. It’s a very slow burn, but in a way that builds intimacy and reflection over heat.

The writing style—third person alternating between Sophie and Andreas each chapter—was a bit disorienting at first, and the pacing dragged slightly in parts. Still, the emotional journey and the characters’ personal growth stood out.

This book has little to no spice, so if you prefer clean romance with emotional depth and beautiful backdrops, this one is a cozy, heartfelt read.

Rating: 3.75/5 – A tender, quiet, and emotional second-chance story about love, timing, and learning to trust again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Sophie-Leigh, 34, is a wedding planner and marriage delebrant for I Do Destinations. Eight years ago she had asked her South Tyrolean boyfriend Andreas to marry her but he had said no and broken her heart. Andreas, 40, is a mountaineer who hates weddings, loves risks and swears impressively in German. He works for an adventure travel company when it is suddenly bought up by Sophie's boss who sees potential in combining their two businesses. They have clients, a couple named Lily and Roman, who want to get married on top of a mountain and have fixated on the mountains close to Lake Garda in Italy. Sophie and Andreas have to reluctantly work together to make this happen, awakening old feelings in the process.

This story is extremely predictable and also drags in the middle when the two of them do nothing but bicker. They have the worst communication skills and never say what they really think or want, when it's clear to everyone else. Gruff mountaineer Andreas is hard to like especially when we find out the silly reason why he said no back then. But it was Sophie's stupid decision to block his phone number, without which everything could have been resolved years ago.

Also, there is a lot of assumption that the reader knows the Italian and German that was sprinkled throughout and knows what a via ferrata is. However, I liked the Italian setting, the wedding on the mountain and the speech in the cave. It redeemed a lot. If you like second chance romances that feature weddings, mountains and Italy, this is for you.

Eight years ago, on February 29th, wedding planner Sophie-Leigh Kirke took a bold step and proposed to the man she loved. But when her boyfriend Andreas turned her down, heartbroken Sophie walked away, cutting all ties with the gruff mountaineer and moving on with her life.

Now, Sophie works for a destination wedding agency that has merged with an adventure travel company, creating unique ceremonies for outdoor lovers. She’s shocked to find that Andreas is part of the team—and even worse, he’s been assigned as her guide for a scouting trip to Italy, where they’ll search for the perfect spot for a summit-top wedding.

As they’re thrown together to help another couple’s romantic dreams come true, Sophie can’t shake the memories of the dreams she once had with Andreas. When the truth about what really happened between them all those years ago finally comes to light, Sophie must decide if she’s willing to take a chance on love again and open her heart to a second chance with Andreas.

I feel like a cute, cozy, but hot love story! I think they plot could have come together a little sooner and less words/chapters. Felt like it was dragging a bit but it was still a cute read. nothing crazy.

That was an amazing ride around Lake Garda and getting to know the team of Great Heart Adventure Weddings.

Sophie, a wedding planner has to plan an event for her clients where they can say their vows on a mountain summit in front of a cross. Only one man can help her and that's her ex who rejected her naive proposal eight years ago.

My Analysis

> Character development
Kudos to the author for the expert handling of emotions and delivering character arcs that tug at heart strings. Sophie and Andreas are written with care and compassion, to understand the nuances that drive their decisions in the past and present timelines. I found the intimacy in Chapter 17 was slightly off-character for Sophie due to missing transition. There could be a dialogue which resurfaced their emotions and then moving on to the intimacy.

> Pacing
It's not something I could read in one sitting. I was repeatedly looking up the places in the map and looking for translation of German and Italian dialogues. Yet, the story calls you back with its gripping premise and outstanding storywriting. Less fortunate aspect was when I wasn't sure whether the current section was from Sophie's POV or Andreas's. A section title would help with this.

> Tropes
An out and out second chance romance, the story touches on the standard elements from past and present timelines. I liked that the reason for breakup is revealed and discussed early into the story. There are also parts of workplace romance as Sophie and Andreas have to focus on tasks for the wedding in middle of their own reflections.

> Setting
The title is apt for this love story. The descriptions of Lake Garda and the view points from rock faces are the stars of this book with adequacy being the key. If nothing, it's worth reading the book just to make it to that Cima Rocca summit.

Who Is This Book For?
Wedding romance, mountaineering aficionado and wanting to travel to Italy

Eight years ago, on 29th February, wedding planner Sophie took matters into her own hands and proposed to the man she loved. But when her boyfriend Andreas rebuffed the romantic gesture, heartbroken Sophie cut all contact with the gruff mountaineer, determined to get on with her life. When the destination wedding agency she works for merges with an adventure travel company to create unique ceremonies for outdoor enthusiasts, Sophie is horrified to discover Andreas works there. Even worse: he's been assigned as her guide for a scouting trip to Italy, in search of the perfect location for a summit-top wedding. Thrown together to make another couple’s romantic dreams come true, all Sophie can think about are the dreams she once had for them. But when the truth of what actually happened eight long years ago finally emerges, will Sophie risk imagining a happily-ever-after and opening her heart to Andreas again…?

First of all, I LOVED the setting and supporting imagery and scenery Leonie Mack provides in her writing. I enjoyed escaping to Italy to follow Sophie and Andreas through Europe. It is the perfect summer adventure read that is equal parts romantic, funny, and emotional . The chemistry of these second-chance lovers had me devouring the book to find out if they get they get their HAE! I appreciate the author's ability to create a gruff male character that has trouble expressing himself, while still remaining authentic and earnest.

This is a fun and flirty adventurous romance to pack on a summer trip this year!

Wedding planner Sophie has been tasked with arranging a ceremony at the summit of a mountain. Her employer sees this as an opportunity to merge with an outdoor adventure company. Through the merger, Sophie reconnects with Andreas, a mountain climber who she proposed to eight years previously and has not seen since.

While scouting locations around Lake Garda, Sophie and Andreas soon realise that there is still a spark between them. The question of whether they can put their past behind them changes into whether they could have a future together.

I first started reading Leonie Mack’s books because many of them are set in Italy. Leonie’s beautifully descriptive writing does justice to the dramatic scenery of Lake Garda. I enjoyed the little details about mountain climbing and the local culture that were peppered throughout the book.

While there are plenty of light-hearted moments the book leans a little more to the romance end of the romcom scale. The ability to create gruff, awkward male characters who have difficulty expressing their feelings and yet end up endearing themselves to one is something that the author excels at.

I find that my frustration with characters being stubborn about revealing how they really feel about each other is directly proportional to how much I like the couple. This book had me ‘tempted to curse something full of consonants.’

A shout-out to the author for sneaking in a line of Austen.

Thank you to Leonie Mack, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the free eARC.

I love second chance romances but I completely disliked the characters in this book. They were both atrocious with absolutely zero chemistry. Cute concept, not a good execution.

I've read several Leonie Mack books and have enjoyed them. This one wasn't my favourite. It was still a good read but I had a hard time really getting behind the story. It was a second-chance romance after Sophie and Andreas see each other after eight years and are forced to work together. Things ended really badly for them the first time around and honestly, it felt that Andreas just preferred to be alone even though he did unsuccessfully try to reach her after breaking her heart. I did like the adventure wedding premise and enjoyed the lovely and heartfelt wedding between

As always, the descriptions and gorgeous settings add to the book but I really wasn't invested in the characters. It's still well-written and worth a read. I am guessing from the ending that we'll have a couple more books with some of the cast of this one, and will definitely give them a try.

I hate to give negative feedback but I really didn’t connect with either of the characters. This on paper had so much promise but fell flat for me.
I will not post on socials as don’t think it’s fair on the author when it could appeal to others.

I really enjoyed An Italian Wedding Adventure! I love a good second chance romance and this one did not disappoint. I also really liked the adventure wedding aspect. Sophie and Andreas were so great together and you could feel the emotions they were struggling with.

An Italian Wedding Adventure by Leonie Mack is a second-chance romance that doesn’t just flirt with the idea of rekindled love — it climbs a mountain with it, literally and emotionally.

Eight years ago, Sophie-Leigh Kirke made a bold move. On a leap year day, she proposed to her long-time boyfriend, Andreas — a rugged mountaineer more at home on cliffs than in conversations about feelings. His rejection left Sophie devastated, and she cut all ties with him. Since then, she’s built a new life as a professional, capable wedding planner with a reputation for making other people’s love stories magical — even if her own feels like ancient history.

But life has other plans. When Sophie’s destination wedding agency merges with an adventure travel company, she’s forced to work with the last person she ever wanted to see again — Andreas. Their task? Find the perfect summit in Italy for a couple who wants to say “I do” at the top of the world.

The setup is pure romantic tension: two ex-lovers thrown together in a setting that demands collaboration, communication, and close quarters. What elevates the story is the way Leonie Mack handles their emotional baggage. This isn’t just about reigniting sparks — it’s about processing old wounds, confronting misunderstandings, and figuring out if the love that once was has any place in the present.

Mack doesn’t shy away from the messy bits. Sophie is still raw, even if she hides it well. Andreas isn’t the villain of her story, but he’s not perfect either. As they trek through the Italian countryside, from sun-soaked vineyards to breath-stealing mountain peaks, their dynamic shifts from guarded hostility to a kind of emotional vulnerability that feels earned.

The backdrop is stunning — Italy in all its variety and drama — but what stands out most is the emotional landscape between Sophie and Andreas. Their conversations feel natural, their frustrations believable, and their chemistry undeniable. There’s also a strong dose of humor and lightness to balance the angst, with moments of warmth that feel like sunlight breaking through after a storm.

That said, the pacing does lag in the middle, and the ending might leave some readers wanting a bit more closure or weight. Still, it’s a journey worth taking. There’s growth here — not just in the romance, but in how both characters come to understand themselves and each other.

If you’re a fan of stories where old wounds can heal in unexpected places, and where love is tested by altitude and time, An Italian Wedding Adventure is a worthy pick. It’s a story about risk — the kind that comes with climbing a mountain, and the kind that comes with opening your heart again.

It's really really hard to like a romance novel when the characters are unlikeable, like Sophie and Andreas.
I honestly couldn't root for them, their story should've ended where they left it in the past. Their feelings for each other felt forced and unauthentic.
The plot was exhausting to be honest. Just a repeated cycle of outdoors adventures, pining for each other and endless arguments.
And here's the thing, they didn't really resolve any of the problems that made them break up in the first place. Also, building a whole relationship on feelings alone is downright fanciful. Compatibility is a thing!
I also want to say; Andreas is a man-child. Every time he talks about his "issues", which had no basis at all, I feel confused over how the hell is this man forty years old.
I genuinely didn't like it.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Things don't always go as we expect them to. Sometimes the wrong question at the wrong time can lead to heartbreak and humiliation. And sometimes, you get to face the past that has haunted you for years, even if you don't want to.

That is the case when Sophie's new client wants to have a destination wedding at the top of a mountain. She knows who to ask for the expertise she needs, but hopes that the man who broke her heart no longer works there. After he rejected her impromptu marriage proposal years ago, she never fully recovered, and though she's a professional and will do whatever it takes to serve her clients, she's not sure she'll have the strength to face Andreas again.

I really enjoyed this European vacation romance. The characters were fun and unique and I learned quite a bit about mountain climbing actually, which is always refreshing. I thought the conflict between the characters was authentic to their personalities and the romance and plot felt very natural. It's quite an escape, traveling with the characters to the tops of mountains, relearning one another and making the most of the time they know they'll have to spend together, even if it's the last thing they want to do.

If you're looking for a fun and flirty adventurous romance to pack on a summer trip this year, I think An Italian Wedding Adventure is a great option. It's got heart, humor, and grand gestures that will melt your heart like a popsicle in the sun.

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley for giving me an Arc of this, I was really excited to read this, as the second chance romance trope is definitely one of my favourites in Romance.

This story follows two main characters- Sarah and Andreas who left one another 8 years ago, after Sarah decided to spontaneously propose to her long term lover Andreas, she gets rejected and heartbroken, causing them to split up and lead different lives. However it would seem fate would bring them together again, when Sophie’s wedding
Agency she works for, merges with Andreas travel company. The past is brought up, and hearts begins to open up again- reluctantly and with a fight. But answers are brought to light…and it changes everything…

This second chance trope romance is done really well back Mack, and you will find the tension building between Sophie and Andreas hard to pull away from. Those that loved books like Unbearably Yours by Elodie Colliard, will definitely love this too! The reason why I didn’t give this a higher rating was because I really found it initially hard to get in to, and in all honesty the book pacing is not consistent and quite predictable at times. Also the ending wasn't as satisfying as I was hoping for, it kind of finishes very strangely if I'm honest! But all in all, it’s a great book to lounge in bed with, and eat some snacks with!

Don't think this read will have an international viability.

Have read books from authors around the world but the writing is geared towards the UK reader.
The merger of adventure travel with destination wedding was an interesting enough but throw in the concept of a woman vs man proposal was enough to check out the book. I checked out though several times and had to force myself to finish as just couldn't garner enough feelings for either character.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Boldwood Books, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


#AnItalianWeddingAdventure #NetGalley

I am a huge fan of traditional romance, although there are certain “tropes” that I enjoy more than others. I’m not the biggest fan of “second chance” romances for the most part; however, I really liked the description of this book. Due to this, I was very excited to read this book.

I am still hesitant to read books from a new author, because I sometimes have a hard time adjusting to their particular writing style. It did take me a bit to get into the book, but eventually it did hook me.

While I did like this book, I was not a fan of the ending. I was really excited about then ending, especially seeing that there was an epilogue. If I’m being honest, I was very disappointed in it. I didn’t give me that satisfying ending to the story that I was looking for.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

An Italian Wedding Adventure was another interesting and solid romance from Leonie Mack. Two older and wiser former lovers meet again when their companies merge, and they have to work together.

I loved the Italian setting and descriptions of lakes and mountains. Sophie, the female main character, is a wedding planner, so there are also descriptions of destination weddings. Her former lover, Andreas, is a mountain climber who leads adventure expeditions. As the two work together professionally, they learn more about themselves and the mistakes they made 8 years ago. In addition to the well written main romantic plot, the setting and professional descriptions add to the enjoyment of reading this book.

What a page-turny second-chance romance! I absolutely LOVE this trope and Leonie Mack writes it masterfully. The will-they, won't they tension between Sophie and Andreas is off the charts and had me swooning! And this is such a fun and original take on a destination wedding. I devoured it in one sitting. Highly recommended.

a heartwarming second-chance romance brimming with chemistry, breathtaking settings, and emotional depth. perfect for fans of Emily Henry—this book delivers all the longing, adventure, and swoon-worthy moments you could ask for!