The Five Year Plan

Demi Moretti is 33, and her Five-Year Plan is on track. She's moved in with her boyfriend Wil, and her father is on the verge of retirement and ready to hand down the family cafe to Demi. But, when Wil begins acting oddly, and her father blindsides her by handing the cafe to her older brother, Demi's plans crumble like crostoli.

In an effort to mend her broken heart and show her father he's made a mistake, Demi hightails it to the other side of the world - Bari, Italy. Her new plan is to learn all about her family heritage, culture, and food by working in her Uncle's cafe, and upon her return convince her father to change his mind.

But, an age-old rivalry, a love triangle from the past, and a surprising new friend in Leo, all make Demi begin to question everything. Especially, her Five-Year Plan.

Will Demi keep her plans on track? Or will she realize, that sometimes the best plans are the ones you don't make?

Recommend this book as 4 star. It's well worth your time if you appreciate great storytellers.

<i>*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review *</i>

<b>3.75 stars</b>

In the Five Year Plan, Demi, our protagonist, is feeling dissatisfied with her life as she's failed to meet her goals within the specified time-frame, such as to take over her family's trattoria in Melbourne, and is feeling dissatisfied with her relationship.

Sort of Eat, Pray, Love meets Under the Tuscan Sun, she embarks on an adventure to learn more about her family history and food in Italy. I did enjoy her character development, although she did sometimes annoy me.

Overall, this was a cute, quick rom-com, with a focus on self-discovery.

I did feel like some of the characters were a bit overdramatic, but then again they're Italians, so it's probably not too far off the truth - not to offend any Italians here but there is a general flair for the dramatic, and you can't deny that!

Warning: The food descriptions in this book may induce severe hunger.

This book was a fun one. It was light and frothy and I can easily picture myself on the beach reading this. Demi was a really good main character who was a joy to read about although she did annoy me towards the end. Leo was a perfect counterpart to Demi in every way. I enjoyed reading about them both. Jodi did a fantastic job with this book

Demi Moretti is 33, and her Five-Year Plan crumbles. Her bf Will begins acting oddly, and her father blindsides her by handing the cafe to her older brother. Demi hightails it to Italy to learn all about her family heritage, culture, and food by working in her Uncle's cafe, and upon her return convince her father to change his mind.
But a surprising new friend Leo makes Demi begin to question everything. Especially, her Five-Year Plan.

Lots of food, travel Italy and romance....Leo and Demi are interesting characters and work well together... the romance is light and sweet.... AND that's all you really need in a good rom-com. I enjoyed the book a lot.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC.

I had not read any romcoms for a while and this was such a good book to start with again!
As the title suggests, the main character, Dem had a five year plan and she planned to go by it. I just loved how strong the Dem was from the beginning. ( badass female lead check) About Will, the main lead's ex he always seemed fishy uk👀 but it was not for the reason I thought it would be and it was a great twist! I even ended up not hating him at the end. Then came Leo, and I was literally swooning over him. Dem and Leo were literally so damn cute together!! This book had both the romance and drama aspects and I really liked it haha. I recommend this to everyone who enjoys romance :) thank you for the arc!

Thank you Verb Publishing for this fun new ebook!

The Five Year Plan was so much fun to read. I knew this was going to be amazing and it damn well was!
Both of the main characters are so real and genuine.
So beautifully crafted and wonderfully written. It’s tender, it’s uplifting, it’s heartfelt.
This is why I love a good romance novel. Because its one of the few genres that can get me out of a reading slump!.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Demi Moretti is in her early thirties, has a serious boyfriend, works at her families cafe and has amazing friends. Her five year plan is on track, what could go wrong?

Demi starts to question her boyfriends secretive actions, learns her father plans to give the cafe to her brother and not her. The plan was getting off track, her boyfriend ended up being arrested and Demi needed to start over. She decided to visit her family in Italy to learn their cooking style to bring back to her cafe in hopes her father would change his mind and give her the cafe.

Italy was just the thing that Demi needed, she loved the atmosphere, got to connect with family and learn more about her parents history. She learns to make homemade pasta with her nonna and the ways of the italian cafe. But one thing arose that was not on the plan, Leo. Leo was a family enemy that Demi had connected with at the airport and then in town. Demi must keep her actins private to not upset her family.

Great read following the journey of Demi and who she should put first, her boyfriend, her family, the family business or her holiday fling?

This was a super cute rom-com with great characters and plot. I got sucked in quickly and read it in two nights. There were some laugh out loud moments, and I was rooting for the main character, Demi, the entire time. Thank you, Verb Publishing, for the advanced copy!

What a fun book to read! It has romance, it has travel, it has mystery, it has amazingly described food!

Just when she thinks her five year plan is headed in the right direction, Demi is thrown a big curve! Her boyfriend, Wil, has been keeping secrets and she's worried about their relationship. She thinks her father is finally ready to retire and hand over the reins to the family cafe to her...only to find out he's following family tradition and gives her brother the opportunity instead. When things are crashing down around her, Demi packs up and leaves Melbourne to head to Bari, Italy to learn more about her dad's family and history. And boy does she learn a lot while working in her uncle's cafe! Family secrets and a not-so-friendly rivalry with a neighboring family, not to mention finding Leo, a new romantic interest. So much will keep you interested in this story!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Demi's got her five year plan sorted when everything is thrown off course. So she packs up and moves to Italy! Great story, great characters, great setting! What is there more to want? Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The story
Demi is 33, working in her Italian father’s cafe in Melbourne. Her life all appears to be going to plan. She is living with her partner Wil, and hopes to take over the cafe from her father when he retires. But suddenly things are definitely not going according to the plan. Her father decides that Demi’s eldest brother Nick should take over the cafe, and things with Wil come to an end. With the plans in disarray, Demi decides to take a break and travel to Italy to her father’s family. They live in the Puglia region in the seaside town of Bari. Demi stays with them and helps out the family’s trattoria. While there she meets Leo. She isn’t looking for a holiday fling, let alone a relationship, but love has a way of happening anyway.

My thoughts
This sweet story has a touch of Romeo and Juliet, a lot of foodie and travel elements and a healthy dose of following your heart rather than some strict five year plan. I loved the parts set in picturesque Bari, descriptions of the food and the sweet love story that enfolds. It wasn’t easy for Demi to reach out to family she had never met, or getting the her and Leo’s family to reach across their generations-old feud. A light and enjoyable read ✈️🇮🇹🍝

Thoroughly enjoyed this book i was hooked from start to finish and mafe me want to re visit Italy. Not sure about the book cover though

This is Demi’s story. She is 33 and is on track with her Five Year Plan which includes having a serious relationship and to own her family’s café once her father retires. After a series of events, that plan is completely overturned. In an effort to learn and adapt and bring more spontaneity to her life, she decides to visit family in Bari, Italy to learn in their Trattoria and mend her broken heart. What she doesn’t anticipate is meeting a handsome Italian man, a generation old family rivalry with a neighboring restaurant and a love triangle that moved her family from Italy to Melbourne before she was born.

This was a fun romance novel with a meet cute and happily ever after we crave from this genre. The characters were interesting and likeable and their relationship was lovely to see develop. The setting in Italy was described so beautifully as was the food and culture. Made me want to go back! The only thing that I would have loved was a recipe section in the back of the wonderful dishes described!

Thank you @NetGalley and @VerbPublishing for the opportunity to read and review this advanced reader copy.

Email: DaniReadsTooMuch@comcast.net
https://www.instagram.com/dani.reads.too.much/
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4725184-daniela-arena

This is a perfect beach read! A lovely contemporary novel about Demi who had a plan for her life but wasn't really succeeding in fulfilling it. She makes a decision to travel to Italy and it starts a series of changes. It was a very quick read and it definitely put a smile on my face. I, personally, am obsessed with Italy and Italian food. One of my favorite trips I've ever taken was to the region of Puglia. The descriptions of cities in that region are extremely accurate and reading about all the delicious Italian food is definitely going to make any reader hungry.

As for things that weren't my cup of tea - I wish we got to know Leo and his family a little bit better.

This was a 3.75 stars book for me and I had a great time reading it!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me a chance to read and review an ARC of this book.

I find this book such a light read. It tells about family values, resilience it takes while mending a broken heart, and to open your heart to new possibilities for new life as they slowly unfold. There’s romance, drama and a touch of humor that makes the reading experience truly a delight. The story is well-written that feels so inviting to fall in love in this quintessential city of Bari, Italy together with the two main characters: Demi and Leo (her love interest). Italian food and drinks have been mentioned a lot, particularly wine, pasta and pastries. I certainly can imagine the passion and dedication these characters in the book contribute to the amazing Italian dishes they create.

All in all, the author has shared her delight in this book with her readers in a completely captivating way. It will touch the hearts of all those who are finding long-term and meaningful goals in life.

I requested this book on a whim. I needed something light hearted and fun to read. I am so glad I did. This was such a cute book. I loved the family story line and the love story was just a plus.
Definitely get this book.

When pushed to her breaking point, Demi finally hones into her own wants and needs. She travels to Italy to meet and learn cooking traditions from her extended family. Only, shortly after she arrives, she’s discovered she’s leaped right into generations-old family rivalries and secrets. Demi soon realizes what is important to her. She decides to lean on the family motto for future plan-making, “Che sarà sarà”. 

While reading, the world-building made me feel like I was walking the cobblestone streets or witnessing the Moretti trattoria through Demi’s eyes - very vivid and descriptive. All the different food mentions made me feel hungry at times but seriously disappointed when I realized there weren’t any recipes waiting at the end. 

I loved the characters. From the start, you could see the stubbornness of Demi’s father, the loyalty between Demi and her best friend, Anna, and the skepticism from her cousin Matteo all through Demi’s eyes. I realized how much I saw the story through Demi once she realized why her father and Matteo reacted the way they did.

Easily, I give this read 4 stars, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves an overall charming journey about finding yourself and love along the way.

Favorite Quotes: “The best plans were the ones you didn’t make.”

Author: Jodi Gibson can be found on Goodreads and has one other novel, The Memories We Hide, released in August 2019.


Number of Pages: 393 pages


Genres: Romance, General Fiction (Adult) Women’s Fiction

I really enjoyed reading this book- seeing Demi’s bravery develop chapter by chapter and how she decided to take action rather than just wait for things to happen. I genuinely felt like I was in Italy with the detailed descriptions and my mouth watered on occasion with the incredible scenes of food and vast community meals. I devoured the book in a day- would highly recommend.

Do NOT read 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙁𝙄𝙑𝙀 𝙔𝙀𝘼𝙍 𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙉 on an empty stomach! This book is filled with absolutely mouthwateringly delicious descriptions of food, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I adore pasta and Italian food in general so I may have looked up how to make orecchiette and look forward to recreating one of the dishes from the book.

𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙁𝙄𝙑𝙀 𝙔𝙀𝘼𝙍 𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙉 is the first book I have ready by author Jodi Gibson but I loved it and am already looking forward to her next romance. This book is exactly what I needed this summer. We had 2 much anticipated family vacations cancelled due to the pandemic so it felt so good to get lost in the Italian scenery in this book. Jodi’s writing is so beautiful and captivating, while it has been a long time since I last visited the Mediterranean I felt like I was right back there.

Demi and her best friend Anna had devised a five-year plan a few years prior, a guide of sorts to get their lives back on track. Demi realizes that while she still wants everything on that list she hasn’t made much progress in bringing it to fruition. She finds herself frustrated when she finds out the family café (#1 on her list) which she has poured her whole heart into for years hoping to take it over once her father retires will instead be left to her eldest brother. Coupled with relationship trouble and a recent break up she decides to take action to bring her five-year plan to life. She sets off to Italy to finally meet her extended family, learn more about their culture and most importantly fuel her passion for food so she can convince her father he made a mistake not leaving the café to her.

I really related to Demi as I am in fact married to the man I chased across the world some 20 years ago. It is exhilarating to leave home and make a life of your own but it also leaves you vulnerable to leave everyone and everything you know behind. Demi and Leo’s love story was beautiful and full of passion, in some ways it reminded me of Romeo and Juliet with a bit of Under the Tuscan Sun mixed in. Their instant connection was amazing and while the odds were stacked against them I couldn’t help rooting for them right from the beginning. I mean isn’t that what we all hope for? A love that is so true and undeniable it sweeps you off your feet. But do you date to trust in it and put your heart on the line? Does love conquer all or was it in fact just a summer fling?

I would absolutely recommend this book to fellow contemporary romance lovers and if you are a foodie and/or travel obsessed it is an absolute 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥.

Thank you to Jodi Gibson, Brio Books, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This was a book that the title literally gave nothing away. I wasn't super sure what I expected. I thought maybe the main character would be uptight and it would be like any other book about things not going to "plan."

It was a little like that, but Demi wasn't all that rigid in her plans. She really wanted to take over the cafe and when that didn't happen she looked at all her planning and had a minor crisis, but she soon realizes she isn't even sure she wants to keep her "five year plan."

Also, she ends up going to Italy and falling for a hot Italian guy so who really wins here? lol.

I grew frustrated with her family and dad. He gives the cafe to his brother and he had his reasons, but I would have been bitter if I was Demi.

But LEO omg. I love books where they go to a foreign country and meet this too good to be true man. He was amazing. Like my expectations can get any higher. There were issues with his family and hers, but it resolved and made for a sweet ending.

If you love Italian food and want a good escape, this book is a must. It comes out September 6th!

I really enjoyed this book! It was fun, funny, easy to read and follow and understand, wonderfully written. Would definitely recommend.

The Five Year Plan is my first book by Jodi Gibson. I really enjoyed the way she writes and felt like the story flowed throughout the book. This is a great beach read and I would definitely recommend it!

Demi Moretti is in her early thirties, has a serious boyfriend, works at her families café and has amazing friends. Her five year plan is on track, what could go wrong?

Demi starts to question her boyfriends secretive actions, learns her father plans to give the café to her brother and not her. The plan was getting off track, her boyfriend ended up being arrested and Demi needed to start over. She decided to visit her family in Italy to learn their cooking style to bring back to her café in hopes her father would change his mind and give her the café.

Italy was just the thing that Demi needed, she loved the atmosphere, got to connect with family and learn more about her parents history. She learns to make homemade pasta with her nonna and the ways of the Italian café. But one thing arose that was not on the plan, Leo. Leo was a family enemy that Demi had connected with at the airport and then in town. Demi must keep her actins private to not upset her family.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for a honest review.

“Che sarà sarà. Whatever will be, will be.”

** What’s this about? **

Demi has everything she wants. Her father is about to retire and going to leave the family café to her. She is living with her boyfriend Wil.

But suddenly, everything goes to the trash. Her father is giving the Café to Demi’s brother Nick. And Wil might be cheating or lying to her. And Demi doesn’t know what to do now with her life. The five-year plan she had with her BFF is now an impossible dream to make true.

When she speaks with her friend Anna about her worries, she convinces her to travel to Italy and learn more about the culture, her heritage and the family business. And she does exactly that.
During the flight to Italy, she meets Leo. A man that is going to change her life. In Italy, she will know about the past, a feud, her parents’ history, and more.

** What do I think about it? **

I’m just going to say that this was a sweet romance novel. And a great novel about a great woman and how she chased all her dreams.

Let’s start with the characters. We have Demi. She is really focus in what she wants, but when her life gives a twist she has to rethink what she wants to do now. I really liked her character. She is a strong woman, always caring about her family and her future. I actually liked the message of the character: If everything doesn’t go the way you want, try with another perspective.

Leo… I loved him since the very first scene. He was always perfect with Demi. He never cared about the disputes between their families. And he acted so sweet during the competition. And I loved that he also followed his dreams at the end.

About their relationship… Love at first sight, a forbidden relationship between “enemies”, a well-developed insta-love. A beautiful and sweet relationship with great and lovely scenes. A loved their relationship so much. (I want to travel and see if it’s that easy to find a man like that).

The other characters… Anna, Brad, Francesca, Mateo and all of Demi’s relatives. Well, everyone was a good add to the story. I loved Anna and Demi’s friendship. Francesca and Mateo… well, I loved and hated them. And I have to say that Demi’s parents’ history was kind of irrelevant to me.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the book. At the beginning was a little bit slow to read, but then everything was so interesting and I couldn’t stop reading. And, as I said, I really liked the message of the story. You don’t need to plan every aspect of your life, just let it come and accept what life gives you.

“The best plans are the ones you didn’t make”.

The Five Year Plan really picked up for me in the second half of the book. I felt that it took a while for all the characters to develop but then once they did it was a great story of star crossed lovers. All the food had my mouth watering most of the book and the travel has me reaching for my passport to jump on a plane.

This story felt like a hallmark movie in print which I love and as long as your know that walking into it I think you will enjoy it! Leo sounded quite dreamy and just like a solid guy.

I felt like there were points the story dragged and it could have been a little shorter but overall this was a sweet love story and learning to live your life everyday to the fullest and not sticking only to one plan.

Nothing riles me up like good-old sexism against our passionate and lovely main character.
Hence, The main conflict itself was so intriguing that I was drawn to this book like an ant to a cube of sugar.

Demi loves her cafe. It is not just a place to eat. It is a place with family heritage, history, smiles, and stories. She’s planning to do a lot of stuff and make it even better when her dad retires and gives the cafe to her. Only, he doesn’t. He gives it to her older brother. And thus, her whole 5-year plan comes crumbling down.

The book is fast-paced and engaging right from the start. I loved Demi and the world around her. The exposure to Italian culture was a beautiful experience. With this book, my list of food to try, and places to visit and elongated.

And, well, Leo is *chef’s kiss* sweet. Would love to have a Leo in my life, even though I live in India and have little chance of ever visiting Italy.

Coming back to the topic, the book was lovely. Definitely recommended.

Thank you Netgalley and Brio Books/Verb Publishing for the e-ARC of this book.

The Five Year Plan is a lovely, heartwarming rom-com between Demetria ’Demi’ Moretti and Leo Russo who have a meet-cute at an Austrailian airport, only to meet again in Italy. Demi is leaving her friends and family behind in Australia after realizing that her "Five Year Plan" hasn't exactly worked out for her - her boyfriend is either cheating on her or doing something very illegal, her friends are moving on without her, and her father has decided to pass on the family cafe to her brother instead of her, despite the fact that he has no interest in it while she has grand plans for its future. She decides to go to Italy to reconnect with her parents’ families and learn from them about her heritage and culture, including the food they make in their cafe. In true Italian fashion, Demi learns that her family and Leo's family are enemies and their rival cafes competition in their small town. She and Leo keep their relationship secret, but when Demi’s family finds out, she has to decide where her loyalties lie...

This is an affirming story for any thirty-something that feels trapped by their own expectations and “five year” plans, who find themselves lost in their own life. Sometimes the only way to find yourself is to get lost somewhere else. And when you do find what you want and where you belong, you have to fight for it.

Thanks to Jodi Gibson, Brio Books/Verb Publishing, and NetGalley for the advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. I especially love the descriptions of the Italian towns in Demi’s travels and the food! I wish the recipe for Moretti’s orecchiette with roasted cauliflower and walnut brown butter pesto was included in the book!!!

I absolutely loved this book! It was a 5 star read for me, mostly because it transported me to another place with travel, tantalizing descriptions of food, a love story and, of course, a little drama. I read this book in a day because I was so into the characters and what was going to happen. Some of it was predictable but, I feel like that is to be expected with a "beach read" type book. I really enjoyed the character development in this book, especially with Demi and there were enough side characters to keep the story interesting and not overly focused on her. All in all I highly enjoyed reading it and look forward to more books by Jodi!

Thank you to Brio Books / Verb Publishing and #NetGalley for the ARC of #thefiveyearplannovel!

I really enjoyed this book, my first by this author. The characters were believable and the locations were well written. There is quite a bit of descriptions of food but this is all relevant to the storyline and made me want to try some of the recipes. The location of the old town of Bari in Italy sounded lovely.
I definitely recommend this book.

⭐ REVIEW ⭐

Sometimes you need to read a book with no surprises, where you most likely know where it's headed and you enjoy every moment of it.

That was this book.

Though a little slow in the beginning, this was so very enjoyable. The Italian food and scenery were simply divine, especially as we are unable to travel anywhere these days.

The love story, the setting all making this a ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Brio Books/Verb Publishing and #NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Chick-lit read perfect for a night in!

How excited was I to be given the opportunity to review Jodi Gibson's latest book as an ARC reader from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

In a time where the world is unsettled, I found this read to one that made me feel good , as well as, give me hope.

I was taken back to my roots of home with the story line being in Melbourne. I felt nostalgic of all the land marks and could easily picture times when i had visited them. I felt like I was at home in my heart.

This is a lovely contemporary women's fiction novel, with a touch of humour and a lot of heart. It is about Demi, who with her best friend, Anna make a five year plan - a road map of how they want in their lives in the next five years.

Demi had her plan for her life, yet sadly wasn't fulfilling it. Her world becomes to unravel, nothing it going like her five year plan. So she makes a decision to travel to her family's heritage town of Bari, in Italy to make a series of changes. Where she learns about resilience, family loyality, culture, their food and love.

While reading this book, it made me feel like I was walking the cobblestone streets of Bari and witnessing the Moretti family's trattoria through Demi's eyes - so vivid and descriptive. I felt like I was there. You cant help but fall in love with all the characters and the setting. The love between Demi and Leo is one that you want to continue reading about forever, it truely makes your heart swell, as everyone deserves that kind of love. Plus, all the Italian foods mentioned made my mouth water. So much so, l just wished the recipes were waiting at the end of the story, so I could actually enjoy.

I absolutely loved this book and I really loved the message of the story. In that, you don't need to plan every aspect of your life, just let it come and accept what life gives you. As they say, "the best plans are the one's you didn't make".

"Che Sara sara. Whatever will be, will be".

I started reading The Five Year Plan by Jodi Gibson last night and I am totally hooked!

Having finished this book at last, I loved the way the main character essentially left her whole life (that was frankly going down hill) in Melbourne, Australia to fly half way across the world to Italy. Visiting her father’s estranged family with whom neither her father or mother have talked to since they moved to Australia. Upon arriving in Italy she starts to realize that not only is their an obvious familial feud and underlying reasons as to why her uncle and father don’t talk but! Across the street of her Italian family’s café another family has their own cafe and there is an apparent feud going on there too.

This contemporary novel is not short of feuds for sure and when Demi (main character) starts to feel something towards Leo, the son of her family’s “sworn enemy” well.. this story gets just a bit more interesting!

It’s the perfect climate to read a book set in Italy, and to travel vicariously via our memories and imagination– on a journey of fabulous food, family and love.

Jodi Gibson’s delightful #TheFiveYearPlan is a light hearted, sweet tale about a young Australian girl born of Italian parents who thinks she has her life sorted. Demi Moretti is well on the way to ticking off her five year plan for life - but as we know - life doesn’t always deal us the hand we plan for.

Demi is a woman on a mission - inheriting the family cafe in Melbourne once her father retires is all she has ever wanted - but life changes when her father sees a different future.

With a few twists and turns, Demi ends in Bari, Puglia, on a research trip where she meet her grandparents and cousins and is welcomed into the extended Moretti family. Of course, the Morettis in Bari own a family restaurant too - in the old town. That’s where the fun really begins.

Set in a lovely part of Italy, Jodi Gibson does a great job of describing the setting and traditional experiences that are unique to the country. We inhabit Bari through Demi’s eyes, smelling the espresso or tasting the nonnas’ orecchiette as she uncovers a mystery and long held family feuds. As Demi learns more about the family’s lives - she faces challenges of her own.

Enter Leo, a gorgeous sexy Italian and the rest is a delightful, delicious and enjoyable read to smile about.

Perfetto!

A light fun read. Demi was a good character, a strong woman who didn't sit around moaning about her broken plans but got up and did something about it. Likeable characters, lovely Italian setting and plenty of food what's not to like

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Loved the book, interesting.

Demi Moretti thought her five year plan was on track until her father passes over her for the café and her boyfriend Wil starts acting suspicious. She is in need of desperate need of a change of scenery and travels to Italy to work in her family’s café. But of course, that doesn’t go to plan either due to an intense family feud and a forbidden love.

Demi’s character development was incredible and truly a way to show women that it’s more than okay to put yourself first and allow your goals to change. She was so relatable and really encompassed the many emotions experienced at such a tumultuous time in her life. Sometimes our life doesn’t go as we originally planned but it turns out greater than we ever expected.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book ! I was expecting a light & fun romantic read, but it was actually full of heart, centering on family & personal growth, with a side of romance. I also thoroughly enjoyed all the Italian food, and was salivating at the descriptions throughout the book. By the time I was finished, I wanted to book a plane ticket to Bari myself !

I will definitely be keeping an eye our for JG's next work !

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Loved this! It is a heartwarming romance with some lovely characters who stay with you long after you've finished the book. Its uper-relatable and easy breezy to read, I finished it in 2 sittings!

Demi has a five year plan that it looks like she is close to reaching, until everything goes wrong. it causes her to flea to Bari in Italy where her parents are originally from. On the way she meets Leo, not realising that their families back in Italy are rivals. Will they have a chance together or will their families keep them apart?

A great read - makes me want to go to Bari now!

I really enjoyed this book! The plot is good, the characters are well written and fun, and I loved the detailed descriptions of Bari, Italy and the surrounding area. The food sounds spectacular!

Demi Moretti has a plan - take over the family restaurant in Melbourne, get the right guy and get a house etc. Unfortunately, life doesn’t follow plans on paper, and when her father turns the restaurant over to her brother, Demi decides to go to her family in Bari, Italy and work in their cafe. Her parents left Bari and never returned, and Demi doesn’t know what happened to make them leave.

She is welcomed by the family, and learns how to make new recipes that made my mouth water! Demi also starts to go out with a guy she met on the plane, Leo. Unfortunately, his family owns the cafe across the square, and the two families are sworn enemies. The feud started over an incident with fish, and Demi can’t believe it’s still going on now. Her family finds out, and they disapprove, but Demi’s feelings from Leo, and his for her, are getting serious.

Demi isn’t sure how to overcome a family feud, as well as the fact that they live thousands of miles apart. Are their feelings strong enough to overcome these hurdles?

I recommend this book to foodies and romance lovers! 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed this story full of hopes and wishes, set both in Australia and Italy. It follows the Moretti family, the ones who live in Melbourne, Australia and the ones that live in Bari, Italy.
Demi Moretti, and a friend, had written a five year plan of what they wanted to accomplish in those years. Demi had always wanted to take over her family's café when her dad retired, and she thinks she will get this wish in the near future, but out of the blue her father decides to leave the café to her brother.
She needs to get away after her dream is not realized, and she also has a falling out with someone special in her life,
Demi decides to fly to Italy to stay with relatives who have been estranged from her family for a long time. She wants to work in their trattoria and learn some authentic recipes from the Puglia region of Italy, which she can take home with her to the café in case her father has a change of heart.
Once there, she learns that there is more than just the long ago estrangement of her relatives to her family, but also an ongoing rivalry between her families trattoria and that of the Russo's competing trattoria.
This story is full of great characters, food, relationship, love, misunderstandings and wishes to make them all, right again.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Brio Books / Verb Publishing for a copy of this book.

I enjoyed reading this book. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of Italy (especially the food!)

Demi has her life planned. She is ready to take over running her family’s cafe. However things do not go to plan. When her father surprises her by giving the cafe over to her brother, Demi decided to visit the family in Italy and discover what exactly happened to make her mother and father leave and never return.
When in Italy she meets Leo, their romance blossoms but both families disapprove.

Overall, this book did a great job of transporting me to Italy. I could picture the town, the scenery, and the food made my mouth water. The underlying family feud gave the book another dimension. I would recommend to anyone looking for an enjoyable romance novel.

This rom-com was a fun ride. I enjoyed Gibson's banter and character development and would recommend this book to someone looking for a light beach read that incorporates some family dynamics into the romance!