REVIEW: One Hot Italian Summer by Karina Halle

In One Hot Italian Summer by Karina Halle, Grace Harper has been part of a successful writing duo for a while now, but last Christmas all of that changed. The death of her best friend has thrown her sideways–and not just in regard to her career. Her flat in Scotland seems even more dreary than normal since Grace lost her confidante and the one person who could boost her spirits. And especially now, with a book deadline looming, a new intimidating agent to impress, and doubts as to what she’s really capable of doing as a writer, she could use a little bit of inspiration.

“May I sculpt you?”
“You may do a lot more to me than sculpt me.”
I can hardly believe the words leave my mouth.
And from the way Claudio’s eyes widen, I don’t think he can believe it either.
He blinks. “You should be careful what you ask for. I might just give it to you.”

Agent Jana’s solution is for Grace to stay at a villa in the Tuscan countryside for a month. Surely that will get Grace’s writing flowing again–and will save Jana from looking like a fool for taking her on as a client. There’s just one problem when Grace arrives: Claudio and his ten-year-old son Vanni. Jana neglected to tell her that the house actually belongs to her ex-husband…who unexpectedly comes home early from a trip. As a sculptor, Claudio was actually hoping to get his own creativity back but didn’t expect it to come in the form of a Scottish beauty. The attraction that ensues takes both Grace and Claudio by surprise. And they know that in order for them to see where it goes, they may have to break a couple of rules along the way.

‘This woman will make me fall so damn hard that I won’t be able to get to my feet again.’

Sweepingly romantic, One Hot Italian Summer by Karina Halle scorched the pages with downright naughty love scenes and a complicated entanglement that felt oh so right.

“I want so much from you that I’m afraid to ask…I don’t even think I’m worthy of asking.”
“What do you want?” she asks after a beat.
I place my hands at her heart. I can’t make myself say it but I hope that’s enough.

I really do enjoy Karina Halle’s romances and all of the twists she throws in the mix to ramp up the tension between the hero and heroine. I also love that she’s not afraid to play around with those grey areas that some authors shy away from–such as the “girl code” of not dating a co-worker’s ex, in Grace’s case here. There was no cheating at all. It was more that a social rule was potentially being broken with good girl Grace and sexy as hell Claudio falling for each other. So I think most readers will be fine with it. (Especially when you get to know Jana, Claudio’s ex. Yeesh!)

Tuscany was the perfect setting for artist Claudio and writer Grace’s romance to unfold, after a comical meet-cute when she arrived at the villa. Halle has a wonderfully descriptive writing style which worked very well, making me feel as if I was there in Italy, drinking the wine, eating the fabulous food, and taking in the gorgeous countryside. And it felt realistic that Grace would want to explore the area and the culture wile there–even though she was on a deadline to get as much of her book written as possible. It was nice to see her and Claudio help each other with their waning inspiration in their respective careers. There was a nice friendship underneath the combustible attraction. And that made their slow burn romance feel like it was meant to be to me.

One Hot Italian Summer was an addictive novel that will have fans swooning over the sensual hero and the blossoming heroine who learned to stand on her own two feet–as well as learned what love is truly all about.
 

Book Info:

Publication: Published July 30th 2020 | Pub: Karina Halle |

After the death of her best friend and writing partner, Grace Harper is struggling both with grief, and with her next novel, the first one she’ll have to write alone.

Fortunately, her new powerhouse agent, the formidable Jana Lee, has a solution for her. She can stay at her villa in Tuscany for a month, soak in the sunshine, relax, and find her confidence again. After all, Jana has a lot riding on Grace’s next book, and the last thing she wants is for her reputation as a “super-agent” to be tarnished.

At first the villa is a dream come true for Grace – that is until Claudio Romano shows up one day with his ten-year old son, Vanni, in tow. Turns out, this is Claudio’s house, and Claudio happens to be her agent’s ex-husband from long ago. Thanks to their annual father and son bonding trip being cancelled, Claudio and Vanni are here to stay.

So is Grace.

With the three of them sharing the same house, Grace’s writing plans are thrown out the window. But even if she’s not pounding the keyboard, she’s still finding beauty and inspiration… in none other than Claudio. He’s unlike any man Grace has met before. He’s smart, charming, and wickedly sexy, plus a great father to Vanni. He’d be the perfect summer fling – if only he wasn’t completely off-limits.

But as the hot Italian summer wears on, Grace and Claudio are destined to succumb to the heat, no matter how hard they try to resist each other. One steamy encounter with Claudio could affect Grace’s chances of starting her career over.

Or he could be exactly what she needs.