Venice travel romance with twists

This is a very good book to read by the pool, on the beach, or on an airplane! It is a romance with lots of twists added to the wonderful food, drink and scenery.

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time limited e-arc via netgalley with no obligation. This review is optional and my own opinion.

This made me feel like I was in Venice, and then it made me want to immediately book a trip TO Venice! The way it all twisted together was great!

Natalie heads to Venice, Italy, to film a glamorous reality show called Luxe Life, where contestants trade lives in luxurious destinations. Unexpectedly, one of the contestants turns out to be her estranged ex-best friend, Cate, someone she hasn't spoken to since a falling out during a high school field trip. As the two reconnect in the enchanting backdrop of Venice, old wounds resurface, and hidden truths begin to unravel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, especially the vivid, romantic descriptions of Venice. The tangled dynamics between Natalie, Cate, and Cate’s husband, Phil, kept me turning pages, as each harbors secrets that threaten to surface. This is a beautifully layered tale of romance, second chances, and the art of starting over.

Thank you to @boldwoodbooks, @rachelsrandomresources, @netgalley, and the author for the ARC.

One Summer in Italy by Victoria Springfield

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

A return to Venice. A friendship rekindled. A time for romance.

Natalie’s landed the opportunity of a lifetime hosting television show 'Luxe Life Swap', but she’s dreading going back to Venice, scene of the school trip that changed her life. The beauty of the floating city and handsome watch restorer Eraldo begin to win her over, however. But then glamorous contestant Cate arrives, the girl who was once plain, ordinary Cathy – the ex-best friend Natalie blames for the night that wrecked her life.

Cate’s swapping The Old Vicarage for two weeks in a Venetian palazzo, hoping she might pluck up the courage to go on the quest she’s been putting off for more than twenty years. Forced to spend time with Natalie, Cate hopes to rebuild their friendship – until Natalie makes a shocking accusation against Cate’s husband. Cate needs to find out the truth but how can she expect Phil to be honest when she’s keeping secrets of her own?

My Opinion

Victoria Springfield whisks the reader away to Italy in this delightful novel. There are plenty of secrets to keep the reader interested. An entertaining read. One Summer in Italy is a charming book with some lovely descriptions.

Rating 4/5

In One Summer in Italy, Victoria Springfield crafts a warm and heartfelt story of redemption, friendship, and second chances. Natalie, a successful TV host, faces her past when she returns to the place that changed her life, rekindling old feelings as she reconnects with Eraldo, a charming watch restorer. However, her vacation takes a complicated turn with the arrival of Cate, her former best friend, whose own secrets threaten to unravel the fragile peace between them.

As Cate seeks to mend their fractured relationship and confront her own past, tensions rise when a shocking accusation about Cate’s husband surfaces, forcing them both to question everything they thought they knew. Springfield explores themes of trust, forgiveness, and the bravery required to face uncomfortable truths, all set against a stunning Italian backdrop.

One Summer in Italy is a beautifully written story about confronting the past, embracing the present, and daring to hope for a brighter future.

Three people are connected to a Venice at a single place and time which has left them with lasting impacts on their lives. When they all have to go back to Venice, will it be a chance for healing and forgiveness, or cause their lives to implode....again.

Natalie was once a presenter on a children's TV show, but these days she is happier behind the camera working as a freelancer in TV production. A job is a job, and so when she is offered a last minute role to present a high end house swap series called Luxe Life Swap, she accepts even though it means going back to Venice. The last time she was there, on a school trip, her life was changed when something happened and she also lost her best friend.

Cate and Phil are the wealthy homeowners who are swapping their lives to go and spend time living in a Venetian palazzo. Cate first laid eyes on Phil on that same school trip, when she was still known as Cathy. They got together four years later at university, and together have built a successful life together. But both Cate and Phil have some secrets about what happened on that first trip to Venice that they haven't told each other, even after all these years.

Phil was happy to do the house swap, but ever since he found out that they are going to Venice he has been acting strangely, to the point that he is finding it difficult to get on the plane. Cate is not sure what is going on, but she does need to find out.

It is quite a shock for Cate and Natalie when they realise that they are going to be forced into spending some time together. Even the glorious sites of Venice can only help so much. It is only as some truths of what really happened come out that there is any hope of reconciliation, but along the way there may well be some collateral damage.

This is the third Victoria Springfield book I have read. The first two were set on the islands of Procida and Ischia. This time the setting is Venice. The canals of Venice come alive in the pages of this book. It's not only the touristy places that we visit, but also little known areas off the track. Along the way, we get to hear about some of the crafts and trades that are being lost in Venice as they are replaced with cheap tourist knock-offs and as the locals are priced out of living in the famous city.

I have been to Venice once a very long time ago and I would love to go again. This book is first and foremost about the lost friendship, the secrets and starting over, but it is also about the place. Within it's pages there is also a request of visitors to the city. Come, see the sights, marvel at the glass blowing, the lace, the carnival masks and more, but please support the genuine makers and the people who live in the city.

I visited the the islands of Murano and Burano and where I had a very fish forward lunch on one of them. We also visited a glassblowers, and I bought these glass lollies that I have carried around with me for the thirty years since. They were probably the least expensive thing that you could buy, but I have enjoyed getting them back down off the shelf and looking at them again! I do have some kind of paperweight as well, but these are the things that bring me joy when I look at them!






I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 4/5

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, charming and the gorgeous scenery of Venice was clearly described. The flow of the story kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.

One Summer in Italy by Victoria Springfield is being released today! This is the second book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it.

Victoria Springfield clearly enjoys writing stories set in Italy and she is very good at it. Moreso than the richly described setting and the always wonderful food descriptions, this story also has compelling and interesting plot elements. It explores friendship, dealing with the past, and both the keeping and revealing of secrets. While some of the character introductions and pacing of events was a bit confusing, sticking with the story was well worth it because much like her previous book, An Italian Island Secret, this book contains a mystery element with a satisfying conclusion.

I should mention that all this takes with a reality show in the background, so any reality show fans will be well entertained. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a well-written, emotional story and has dreamed of traveling to Italy.

Thank you to Boldwood Books for providing an early review copy of this book via NetGalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Victoria describes Venice in full technicolour. I am sure that even if you haven’t been there you will have a good idea of the canals, boats, buildings, and the food from Victoria’s descriptions. A reality show in the making, though we only see a small part of the recorded show (the Uk part is not relevant). Events from 25 years ago in Venice, & 39 years ago have much more significance for various members of the cast and crew! And certain residents are surprised by the visitors. An interesting and intriguing story. I received a complementary copy from NetGalley and Boldwood. This is my honest, voluntary review.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for allowing me to read a copy of this book for my review. Having never visited Venice, this book has definitely got me adding it to my list of must visits. The blurb on the book sums up the story perfectly,but there is also mystery,intrigue,a couple of unusual twists & turns,romantic sparks and interwoven secrets. A thoroughly intriguing and enjoyable read.

Enchanting modern tale and virtual trip away to beautiful Venice in Italy. Well written, great characters, brilliant story, now enchanted by Victoria Springfield and will be looking out for her next books!
Natalie is in television production in London when an opportunity comes up to present a luxury style show but it’s set in Venice, where she once visited on a school trip which changed her trust and friendships. Can she face Venice in all its beauty and get past the time that has haunted her?
Cate is looking forward to some special time in Venice staring in a tv show with her husband but has other thoughts of what she needs to find in the islands from her past.
Loved all the story lines that wove beautifully together, fabulous characters, magical Venice, this is a glorious read!! Creativity, art, friendships and family it’s all here!! Gorgeous escapism and a complete joy to read!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the early read!

This is a fantastic holiday read, and if you’re going to Venice it will also make a brilliant guide book! Reading descriptions of wealthy, luxurious lifestyles is the literary equivalent of watching reality TV holiday/ home swap programmes, it’s so entertaining. I definitely recommend this book.

A Moving, Magical Escape to Venice

A beautifully layered escape to Venice – emotional, atmospheric, and utterly absorbing.

Having adored An Italian Island Secret (one of my #BestReads2025!), I couldn’t wait to dive into Victoria Springfield’s latest novel—and One Summer in Italy absolutely lived up to every expectation.

Springfield’s writing is elegant and evocative, with scene setting so rich it feels touched by magic. Her Venice isn’t just a backdrop - it’s a character in its own right: full of quiet canals, hidden courtyards, old-world charm, and stories lingering in every shadow. She captures both the romantic beauty and the deeper, more personal emotions the city can stir.

Reading this made me long to visit Venice with a passion I can’t quite put into words—even though I know, realistically, it’s not a trip I’ll be making. But for now, this book gave me the gift of being there in spirit, and I’ll treasure that.

While there’s always an emotional thread in Springfield’s novels, this story explores a more painful past—one that surfaces unexpectedly and adds a darker, more poignant layer to the present-day drama. It’s not the focus of the book, and it’s never graphic, but the way it’s handled—through memory, misunderstanding, and the gradual reveal of the truth—is both sensitive and compelling. It adds quiet depth without losing the warmth and hope that define her storytelling.

The narrative weaves through past and present, with moments of misdirection that kept me hooked right through to the final chapters. I stayed up far too late just to find out who—if anyone—would get their happy ending.

Once again, Victoria Springfield delivers a thoughtful, heartfelt, and gorgeously written story that lingers long after the last page. Highly recommended.

One Summer in Italy was set in a beautiful location. It was a bit far fetched for me to believe that Natalie was asked to host “Luxe Life Swap” TV show.
I could not get connected with the plot line nor characters. I did not care much about any of it. I would have preferred the story to have something in it that I could not predict was going to happen. As I read, I wanted a huge twist that would give me more. Reading the book did make me want to hop on a flight to Italy.
Thank you NetGalley, Victoria Springfield and Boldwood Books for the ARC of One Summer in Italy. This is my personal review.

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

We travel to Venice, where Natalie is covering for another colleague. She’s to be the presenter of a programme.

But, something happened years ago in Venice and it wasn’t good, the memories are still with her. But, Natalie knows she has to fulfill her role in order to advance her career.

The programme is where two couples swap homes and the couple coming here is also someone from her past.

Will facing that person help Natalie come to terms with her past?

I loved the setting. The story is about healing from what’s happened and moving on.

I highly recommend this book.

A twist of fate brings old school friends Natalie and husband wife Cate and Phil to Venice to film Luxe Life Swap. The Venetian backdrop was vividly brought to life, it was almost a character of its own. It was fun to see the behinds the scenes of a TV show and get a glimpse into the life of wealthy people. However, bean wary all the glitz and glamour are a lot of secrets. I loved the way Victoria kept dropping crumbs along the way. I was trying to work out what the connections could be and what secrets were about to unfold. Some I guessed, others took me by surprise. A sumptuous and engaging story.

Oh my. I started this and thought no . Then I picked it up again. Wow wow wow. I absolutely loved it. Some shocking twists and turns but all made sense and a perfect ending. You had parents lying to protect their child, you had horrid men, lost and found friendship . All set in beautiful Venice. You have very yummy food descriptions . One of my books of 2025.

Victoria Springfield's new release, "One Summer in Italy," delivers and fulfills a gorgeous, romantic escape read that is completely engrossing. From the beginning, the combination of breathtaking Venetian landscapes, rekindled friendships, and the seductive possibility of second chances is an irresistible draw. This is more than a light, fluffy escape; the author skillfully weaves in secrets and accusations so you'll be reading late into the night.

Our heroine, Natalie, is brought back to the romantic city of Venice against her will as host of the TV program "Luxe Life Swap." Although it's a career highlight, Venice also brings with it bittersweet memories of a school excursion that changed her life forever. The author vividly captures Natalie's internal struggle, the ethereal beauty of the floating city gradually eroding her fear, particularly with the advent of the dashing and suave watch restorer, Eraldo. Their budding relationship infuses a lovely sense of romance into the story, depicting Venice as a setting for both old wounds and new beginnings.

But the arrival of sultry contestant Cate puts a tantalizing kink in Natalie's nascent joy. Cate, formerly the "plain" Cathy, is the very ex-best friend Natalie blames for the life-changing things that went down on that ill-fated school field trip. This creates an intriguing dynamic, filled with unspoken grudges and the emotional baggage of shared history. The author masterfully unravels the knots of broken friendships, delving into blame, forgiveness, and the lasting influence of the past.

Cate's motives for going on "Luxe Life Swap" are just as compelling. Exchanging her Old Vicarage for a Venetian palazzo, she wants the change of surroundings to finally enable her to have the confidence to start a personal journey she has been putting off for more than twenty years. Natalie and Cate's enforced closeness brings an engrossing tension, as Cate struggles to mend their damaged connection. Just when reconciliation could be a possibility, Natalie makes the horrific accusation that Cate's husband, Phil, is responsible for John's death, sending everything into chaos.

The author expertly toggles between Natalie's point of view, coming to terms with her past and the development of feelings for Eraldo, and Cate's urgent search to get at the truth in Natalie's charge while protecting secrets of her own. This interweaving viewpoint keeps the reader fully invested, stitching together shards of their past together and of the present emerging drama. The author skillfully tangles up the threads, and you find yourself second-guessing everyone's agendas and itching to learn the long-hidden realities.

"One Summer in Italy" is a lovely tale, quite skillfully weaving together romance and intrigue. The gorgeous Venetian backdrop comes alive through rich description, existing not merely as setting but as a part of the emotional terrain. The author's characters are nuanced and credible, their weaknesses and wants pulling you into their interwoven lives. It is a thought-provoking story of second chances, the intricacy of women's friendships, and the strength it demands to face the secrets that define us. If what you seek is a romantic holiday read with an engaging undercurrent of intrigue and emotional resonance, "One Summer in Italy" is an ideal pick that you'll really have difficulty putting down.

This is a fairytale of reclaiming one's past, lost friendships, and getting another chance at love and an enjoyable life. And if you take it as a fairytale, look at it this way, and ignore the fact that a lot of events in the plot and many a resolution of characters' problems happen kind of serendipitously and all too easily, then you'll be able to simply submerse yourself in the atmosphere of the lovely Venice and enjoy the story that happens there. As a modern fairytale based in Venetia, I really enjoyed it.

I think anyone who has ever been charmed by Italy's beauty will be able to find it here, in this book. At least this is why I sought this book out. Victoria Springfield is very good at setting a scene and writing the beauty of places without overcomplicating it with detailed descriptions. She invites you to enjoy a gorgeous sunny Venetian day, a cup of strong <i>caffè</i> in hand, and allows you to lose yourself momentarily in the simplicity of romance and friendship. To me, this type of book works better than travel books as it lets you feel the magic of places through the stories of other (if fictional) people.

Thank you to the author, publishers, and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. My review is based solely on my honest opinion.