Pack your bags and uncork the laughter in this delightful romantic escapade!

Serial dater Abi Mason is the queen of control and London’s busiest workaholic. After getting her heart broken in her early twenties, she has vowed to live by a few simple, but non-negotiable:

1. No second dates (if you don’t let them in, they can’t leave you)
2. Focus all your energy on your career (the only boyfriend anyone really needs)
3. Holidays are for a maximum of 4-days (who can be away from the city for longer than that?)
4. Never – and I repeat, never – lose control (chaos breeds disaster).

But life has other plans. After being put on gardening leave, Abi finds herself on an enforced holiday to Tuscany. Here, among sun-dappled vineyards and olive groves, Abi meets dashing American Tony, and it seems the universe is conspiring to force her to go off script…

3.5 stars

I randomly stumbled across this book on my Libby library app. The cover immediately caught my eye, and the synopsis sounded adorable, so I decided to give it a chance. I’m so glad I did because this turned out to be such a charming summer romance that is perfect for a quick beach read. This was my first book by this author, and I’m already looking forward to reading more of her work, especially the rest of this series. There is no language, and the romance is fade to black with no on-page spice.

After a devastating heartbreak in her early twenties, Abi is understandably hesitant to trust anyone again. Her past has left her guarded, making it difficult for her to open her heart. One aspect of the story I didn’t enjoy was that Abi had a one-night stand early on. Casual relationships aren’t my preference, although I appreciated that nothing graphic was described. I also wasn’t a fan of the man she slept with. He’s an arrogant movie star whose personality made him difficult to like. Ironically, he later ends up working on the set of Abi’s dream job. When a frustrating mix-up costs her the opportunity, the company still pays her for the month, leaving her unexpectedly free. After some convincing from her best friend, Abi decides to spend the time visiting her in Tuscany, and that’s when the story truly comes alive.

If you’re looking for a romance that feels like a vacation, this is it. The story begins in London before whisking readers away to the beautiful countryside of Tuscany, Italy. The Italian setting was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. Between the picturesque scenery, delicious food, and charming atmosphere, I felt completely transported. Once in Italy, Abi meets Tony, and their relationship slowly blossoms into a sweet, heartwarming romance. I especially loved all the experiences woven throughout the story, from exploring quaint villages and attending the opera to taking an art class and visiting museums. Those moments made the setting feel vibrant and immersive.

Beyond the romance, I really enjoyed the friendships and the found family element. Watching Abi build meaningful relationships with the people around her added so much warmth to the story. Those connections felt genuine and became just as memorable as the romance itself.

I also found Abi incredibly relatable. She’s organized, loves making lists, thrives on routines, and prefers being in control. As a fellow Type A personality, I understood her tendency to stay busy rather than slow down and enjoy the moment. Watching her gradually learn to embrace spontaneity, trust others, and let life unfold naturally made her character arc especially satisfying.

The romance itself was absolutely swoony and incredibly sweet. I couldn’t help smiling through so many scenes while listening to the audiobook. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing the characters and the beautiful Italian setting to life, making the listening experience even more enjoyable.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted summer romcom that will transport you to Europe, leave you smiling, and deliver plenty of heart along the way, I definitely recommend picking this one up.