Firstly. I want to say a huge thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to have this ARC, I am incredibly grateful and very happy. I wasn't aware of Donna Ashcroft before reading this book but the cover drew me in and you know what? I'm so grateful i did read this, it was an easy read that made you feel good and was effortless. I loved watching the chemistry between Ben and Rose develop throughout the book, with the added bonus of it being set in Italy. Can't we all find love in Italy?! I'd even say it's more romantic than the city of love, aka Paris. If Emily in Paris can be converted to Italy, then we all can.

It had moments where I was kicking and giggling from this book, that I read it in one sitting and I didn't even realise where the time had gone.

A lovely, summery romance novel sure to bring a smile to your face.

Rose is travelling to Italy to attend her best friend's wedding to a man she's only known for a few weeks. She's travelling with the best man, Ben, a stranger who could not be more different from her. Rose is a relationship coach who has very strict rules about how to make a relationship work but has never found love of her own. Ben is a handsome charmer who has had his heart broken one too many times. Navigating the politics of an Italian family, Rose is determined to stop the wedding and Ben is determined to prevent her from carrying out her plan.

This was a classic will-they-won't-they, grumpy/sunshine storyline, with a bit of miscommunication thrown in for good measure. It took me a while to warm to the characters but the plot kept me hooked and I'm glad it did because by the end I was rooting for everyone!

There's a good amount of humour throughout, making it a light-hearted read that you can breeze through on a summery day (or a not very summery day when you want to dream of an Italian getaway).

A sun-soaked Italian escape with heart, humor, and unexpected romance!

Donna Ashcroft's "A Very Italian Wedding" transported me to the charming village of Bellemilia, where the cobblestone streets, lemon trees, and Aperol Spritz created the perfect backdrop for this delightful romance.

The story follows Rose Loveheart, a woman determined to save her best friend Luna from marrying her holiday fling Marco. From the moment Rose boards the plane to Italy and encounters the infuriatingly handsome Ben Pearson (Marco's best man), the chemistry and tension between them is palpable. I loved how their initial rivalry gradually transformed into something deeper as they navigated the beautiful Italian countryside.
Ashcroft excels at creating a vivid sense of place—I could practically taste the wood-fired pizza and feel the Mediterranean breeze while reading.

The setting feels like another character in the story, and the author's descriptions made me want to book a flight to Italy immediately!
While the plot follows a familiar romantic comedy structure, Ashcroft's engaging writing style and well-developed characters kept me invested throughout. Rose's character growth felt authentic as she learned to let go of her carefully constructed rules and embrace the unknown. Ben makes for a charming love interest whose layers are gradually revealed.

My only minor critique is that some conflicts felt slightly rushed toward the resolution, but this didn't significantly detract from my overall enjoyment.

"A Very Italian Wedding" delivers exactly what it promises—a heartwarming escape to Italy with relatable characters, witty banter, and a satisfying romance. Perfect for a summer read or whenever you need a literary vacation to sunny shores. Fans of Jenny Colgan and Sarah Morgan will find themselves right at home in Bellemilia.

"its Donna Ashcroft, its Donna Ashcroft" i sing as i find myself with the luckiest acceptance page to her latest book. Donna has yet to whisper a word wrong in my eyes. her books give me love,joy and a deep sense of being cuddled from every page. and this one didnt(of course it didnt) disappoint. i dont know how some authors do it. i dont know how some authors have so much talent. im truly in awe of it.
from the blurb i was getting fuzzy feeling and that only carried on as i read this book. i didnt want to put it down.
the Italian scene setting had me feeling warmer as if i was under their same sun hearing the same Italian voices which of course were such characters.
from the very first page until the end this was magical. the romance story was gorgeous.
Rose was clearly fearing love from her own parents marriage. so already i felt she was instinctive in her fear of love. when she gets a call from her best friend saying she is getting married, like soonish to her new beau Rose is on red alert and gets herself in a state needing to go there,to Italy and stop it, or at least postpone.
but on the flight she meets Ben. oh Ben. hello lovely Ben. but Rose doesnt think so(wont allow herself to more like). what she doesnt like is that hes the best man. and he is determined to make sure the wedding does happen. this causes them to clash. but the clash is covering something more brewing here. as they spend more time together there is clearly a connection.
they have both been hurt by love and life. but can they together find that its worth it. for something incredible? or will fear hurt too much to make the leap of love.
the banter and chemistry was sublime. and the story was perfectly paced for what it was. and i felt like the side characters all held their perfect place.
another lovely book by a lovely author.
i feel lucky to have the chance to read her books.

The story follows Rose, a pragmatic woman with firm beliefs about love and relationships—shaped largely by her parents’ failed marriage. When her best friend Luna plans a whirlwind wedding in Italy, Rose rushes in, determined to stop it. But her plans are quickly challenged by Ben, the best man who’s equally determined to make sure the wedding goes ahead.

The chemistry between Rose and Ben sparks instantly, driven by witty banter and opposing goals. Ben is undeniably charming and easy to root for—sweet, grounded, and emotionally open. Rose, however, may be more polarizing. Her judgmental attitude and emotional baggage make her harder to connect with early on, and a key miscommunication late in the story breaks the momentum for some readers. While she experiences growth, it may not be enough to fully redeem the romantic pairing for those who found them mismatched.

The secondary characters add much-needed charm and levity—Aurora and Coco in particular steal scenes with their vibrant energy. Luna and Marco’s relationship, however, feels underexplored, and giving them more focus might have deepened the emotional core of the story.

Though the romance may not fully land for everyone, the Italian setting is beautifully drawn. The scenic adventures along the villages and coastline provide a lovely sense of escape. The writing is breezy and accessible, making this an enjoyable, quick read.

A book, where the premise is a wedding in Italy? Sign me up! This adorable rom com has a cast of characters that you will never forget. From a yippy demon dog to a clairvoyant aunt, they will keep you chuckling throughout the whole story. Best man Ben will do anything to support best friend Marco as he is about to marry the woman of his dreams. On the other hand, there is best friend Rose who is a relationship expert and wants to put a stop to this quick wedding of her best friend. Will Ben be able to stop Rose from ruining this wedding? Will Rose be immune to Ben's charm? Will the spirits from beyond be able to push their own agenda? This is an adorable and quick read!

I was happy to receive this book as I have read many of Donna’s books and love them. When I started reading this it felt different from her other books,maybe as it was set in Italy. Rose is on her way to Italy to be bridesmaid at her best friend Luna’s wedding to Marco. She meets Ben, who is very charming and very good looking on the plane to the wedding and it turns out he is the best man.She is also taking Luna’s dog with her but they don’t like each other. Luna and Marco only met a few weeks ago and Rose is hoping she can stop the wedding. Rose works as a relationship doctor and has a tainted view of marriage. Her parents divorced many years ago and both have remarried numerous times so she is sceptical of finding true love. Ben on the other hand wants the wedding to go ahead. Ben drives them to Marcos parents villa,Rose hates being in a car abroad,as her parents had an accident in Paris when they were arguing,so she is not the best company. The wedding is in 3 days and Marco wants Ben to keep Rose away from Luna as he doesn’t want her trying to get Luna to call the wedding off. Marco’s family flit in and out of the the book,his parents and grandparents(who aren’t speaking) and his aunt who talks to her deceased husband and gets advice from him. You must read the book to see what Ben and Rose get up and will there be a happy ever after for all concerned. A good read but I do prefer Donna’s books set in Scotland.

Just a girl trying to postpone her best friends wedding to the love of her life because she doesnt believe in love. How could this go wrong?!
This story was fun and so flirty. I felt like we maybe should have got a little more of the engaged couple (Luna and Marco) than we did but it's still a good time. Rose and Ben have great banter and the chemistry was strong from the very start.

Huge thanks to Netgalley, Donna Ashcroft and the publishing team for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I do love a destination story. That being said, overall, I was not a fan of this book. The FMC Rose was SO unbelievably unlikeable right off the bat that even her redemption arc at the end couldn't save it for me. The premise of the story started off intriguing but it was mostly unbearable throughout. The MMC Ben was charming at times but his involvement in the manipulation of the FMC with his best friend was gross. Marco, the groom was an awful character and Luna being so immature and reactive was off-putting too. I loved the Aunt character that was a medium - she really brought a lot of color to the page. If you're looking for a beach read, this is a quick light read - but overall, wasn't for me.

Overall rating ⭐️⭐️
Overall spice 🌶️

I absolutely adore Donna Ashcroft so I was highly anticipating her next book! A very Italian Weeding did not disappoint. First off the cover drew me right in and is so gorgeous it makes you want to dive right in!
I love the character of Rose. She was so relatable and the best friend everyone wishes they had. She immediately jets off to help her friend from what she believes is the mistake of a lifetime by marrying a short fling.
Enter handsome love interest Ben whom she meets on the plane and plot twist he’s the best man! I love these kind of books! Obviously even though they are supposed to be somewhat rivals they land up falling for each other and e beautiful Italian scenery doesn’t hurt one bit either. It was so fun to indulge in this beautiful escapist novel and see if they succeed in stopping the wedding and find their own love story along the way! Be sure to check this one out you won’t be disappointed. Bookouture always has the most fun interesting , and cutting edge novels and they are the perfect books to dive into if you are looking for a great read for yourself, book club, or for someone else. I will anxiously be awaiting Donna’s next book.

This was such a cute read and I was hooked from chapter 1! Aunt Aurora was hilarious and I enjoyed how she always showed up at the perfect moment to share her physic abilities! The dynamic between our main character Rose and her best friend’s (Luna) dog (Coco) was to fun to watch evolve throughout the story. Of course, I enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope between Rose and our main man Ben! They both have something to overcome and needed each other to realize that to let love in! This a true feel good book and I would recommend it anyone who loves a happy ending for all!

A gorgeous taste of Italian sunshine, with Ashcroft's trademark heartwarming community and wonderful rich characters.
This is such a cute story, with plenty of twists and turns as Rose tries to navigate her friend's rushed wedding while being stuck with erstwhile unwanted travelling companion Ben. He's all in favour of the forthcoming nuptials of his best friend Marcus while Rose is worried that Luna is moving too quickly. With both of them on opposite sides of the fence where the wedding is concerned, sparks begin to fly but neither of them can quite resist the attraction between them.
With meddlign relatives and the supposedly psychic, the hilarious Aunt Aurora, Rose and Ben don't stand a chance.
I particularly loved Aurora and her conversations with her dead husband. Comic genius.

This was a fast paced, enemies to lovers, forced proximity romance full of sunshine, wine and olives. I loved every sunshine filled page.

⭐⭐⭐✨ 3.5 stars
A slow start, but I’m glad I kept reading!
Ben and Rose’s journey from guarded to vulnerable felt worth it in the end. I liked seeing them grow, especially as Rose began to let go of her rules and Ben let love back in. Some sweet, subtle moments and a satisfying finish!

Romance, Italian vibes, family drama... and a surprise twist at the end!
💍❤️‍🩹✨

I loved the Italian setting, it was the best part. While some things didn't exactly click for me, it was still an enjoyable read.

After her best friend Luna gets engaged rather quickly and plans to marry immediately, Rose is determined to convince her to postpone the wedding. Guided by her expertise, she thinks they are making a mistake. But on the flight there, she meets Ben, the best man. He is determined to make sure that the wedding happens. They clash at first, but the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow and she starts questioning her rules around love. They are both hurt by something in their past, but maybe together they'll be able to find their happily ever after.

Ben was a charmer and such a sweetheart. I liked him a lot.
But I didn't connect to Rose. She let her parents failed marriage rule not just her relationships, but the relationships of others too. I really disliked her at the beginning, but she did start to grow on me. Until the miscommunication happened. I just couldn't get into the story again or bring myself to root for her and Ben. The story lost me completely, I simply stopped caring. I tried, but Ben deserved someone better. I honestly don't think they were well suited for each other.
Not to mention the fact that everything felt completely rushed.

Also, I wish we got more of Luna and Marco. I feel like the story would've gain so much more substance that way. But I absolutely loved Aurora, she made the story more fun, and so did Coco.

I still enjoyed it, the banter, the scenery. I really loved their adventures along the villages and the coastline.
It was a quick read and I liked the writing. I would definitely read more books by this author.

Overall a nice light romance. I wasn't a huge fan of the main characters and the dramatic and very sudden change to their entire personality after a few days. But, suspending that, I enjoyed it.

𝙎𝙤 𝙄'𝙢 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩?" "𝙊𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩!" 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙. "𝙔𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙄'𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧."


When Rose flies to Italy to stop her best friend's impulsive wedding, the last thing she expects is to fall for the groom’s best man. But between fiery clashes, sun-drenched days, and undeniable chemistry, Rose might just break her own rules about love.✈️❤️‍🔥


✨ Enemies to Lovers
🏠 Forced Proximity
⚖️ Opposites Attract
☀️ Holiday Setting
💍 Best Friend’s Wedding
🔄 Third Person Dual POV


𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:🩷
The story grabbed me from the very first page, and I stayed engaged all the way to the end. The pacing was just right — not too fast to be overwhelming, and not too slow to make me lose interest.
What really captivated me was the Italian setting! The small village, the sea, and even the passionate Italians — everything felt warm and alive, like I was really there. The holiday vibe, the food, and the family moments made the story even more delightful.

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨:: 🩷
At first, I honestly didn’t like 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙚 at all. She was stiff, annoying, and always convinced she was right while everyone else was wrong. It felt like she projected her parents’ failed marriage onto every relationship around her. But as she started breaking her unrealistic rules (which would never work in real life haha), her personality shifted for the better. And honestly… Ben's influence on her? Chef’s kiss.

Now 𝘽𝙚𝙣 — he was fun, warm, and so likeable. I kept wondering how he fell for her! He honestly felt like he deserved someone better, haha. But hey, opposites attract, and in this case, it worked! 🫶🏻❤️

𝙒𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙚: ✍🏻
The author’s writing style is simple and lovely — easy to follow without feeling too plain. The flow was smooth. It's the kind of writing that lets you relax and
enjoy the story without overthinking.

𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:💭
Overall, A Very Italian Wedding was an enjoyable read. It combines a beautiful Italian setting, an engaging love story, and well-developed characters that grow over the course of the book. I enjoyed seeing Rose's transformation and Ben's unwavering charm. The ending was sweet and satisfying — the kind that leaves you with a warm smile. If you're looking for a relaxing and heartwarming read that transports you to Italy, this one is definitely worth it.