It Takes a Villa
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4.3 • 42 Ratings
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
For the reasonable price of $1, Natalie Malone just bought herself an abandoned villa on the Amalfi Coast. With a detailed spreadsheet and an ancient key, she’s arrived in Italy ready to renovate—with only six months to do it. Which seemed reasonable, until architect Pietro Indelicato begins critically watching her every move…
From the sweeping ocean views to the scent of the lemon trees, there’s nothing Pietro loves more than his hometown. And after seeing too many botched jobs and garish design choices, he’s done watching from the sidelines. As far as he’s concerned, Natalie should quit before the project drains her entire bank account and her ridiculously sunny optimism.
With Natalie determined to move forward, the gorgeous architect reluctantly agrees to pitch in, giving her a real chance to succeed. But when the fine print on Natalie’s contract is brought to light, she might have no choice but to leave her dream—and Pietro—behind.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Love blooms on Italy's Amalfi Coast in this cute but flawed contemporary romance from Blades (Looks Good on Paper). American Natalie Malone is excited to be restoring her newly acquired Italian villa, which she plans to turn into a pensione. But with a tight budget and a tighter deadline placed on her by the Zavona Economic Development Council, she's in way over her head. Thankfully, architect Pietro Indelicato offers to assist. Natalie is not used to accepting help, but she'll lose everything if she fails to meet the council's requirements—and she can't resist the handsome local. Pietro has his own issues with the council; his father, the mayor, heads it and ignores all of Pietro's warnings that the time pressure being put on developers is leading to unsafe corner cutting. He's proven right when a neighboring property collapses, leaving Pietro worried about the woman who—between paint, plaster, and pastries—he has grown to love. Pietro's plan to rectify this situation is where the plot hits its speed bumps. The secrecy and miscommunication between the couple lead to frustrating and entirely avoidable third act drama, abruptly dousing the lovers' slow burn. It's a fun setup that doesn't pay off.
Customer Reviews
Sweet and entertaining blend of romance and women’s fiction
What a sweet and engaging blend of romance and women’s fiction.
Natalie Malone arrives in Italy to renovate an old pensione to its former B & B like glory. She has a plan, a budget, a contract, a deadline… and absolutely no experience. (Plus a bit of a personal side quest)
Pietro Indelicato, a local architect, clashes at first with Natalie. He has low expectations, exacting standards, high ideals and a strong love of his hometown.
It Takes A Villa is populated with diverse, interesting and awesome characters that along with the amazing scenic descriptions really make this story top notch.
It definitely takes a whole town to recreate a villa and it will take a villa to find an HEA for Natalie and Pietro.
-4 Stars-