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A Venice Summer by Lynne Shelby #Review

  Having enjoyed Lynne Shelby's The Summer of Taking Chances,and Rome for the Summer,  I am delighted to be joining the celebrations for her new summer read, A Venice  Summer . It was published on May 12th by Shaldo Books.    Art conservator Rose Bennet is still reeling from a bad break-up when she is offered a dream job in Venice, restoring an art collection in the Ca’ D’Ambra, a six-hundred-year-old Venetian palazzo. Despite her fears about travelling to a foreign country on her own, Rose is soon heading to Italy for the summer. While she is awestruck by the breathtaking beauty of Venice, Rose finds the owner of the palazzo, the arrogant and short-tempered Luca Casserini, insufferable. When he questions her ability to do her work, she almost heads straight back to London, but decides that she won’t let herself be intimidated or driven away before she’s even had a chance to ride in a gondola. Losing her way in Venice’s picturesque maze of canals and al...

Not in a Billion Years by Camilla Isley #Review

 


Bestselling Camilla Isley returns with this gorgeously funny enemies-to-lovers rom com, perfect for fans of Sarah Adams, Lynn Painter and Jo Watson. It was published by Boldwood Books on September 6th.

She's a self-made fitness sensation. He's a billionaire mogul. They're sworn enemies and rivals... aren't they?

Blake Avery knows all about hard work. She’s gone from making videos in her teenage bedroom to founding a booming fitness business and opening a state-of-the-art Manhattan gym. Now she’s on the cusp of realizing her wildest dreams, and she’s not going to let anyone stand in her way.

Certainly not man-of-the-hour Gabriel Mercer. He might be one of the biggest names in the fitness world and set women’s pulses soaring more than a grueling HIIT workout, but he grew up in a billionaire dynasty and had everything handed to him – or so Blake thinks.

But when Blake publicly criticizes Gabriel, she sparks a feud that neither entrepreneur is willing to back down from. And in an industry that seems determined to keep pushing them together, can Blake hold on to her grudge? Or will she finally warm up to Gabriel's charm?


 My Thoughts

This is such an entertaining romcom, crackling with chemistry between the two central characters and with some whip smart dialogue throughout. I loved the interactions between Blake and Gabriel as they traded put downs and they were never given in a mean spirited way. Starting as business enemies, they find their paths crossing and Gabriel's pursuit of what he wants leaves you in no doubt as to how he has become so successful. However, both characters have a softer side hidden below the surface and need to open up with their vulnerabilities if they are to get past their arguments.

    Blake is also totally dedicated to her business. Being a self -made business woman, she has no time for those she thinks were handed everything on a plate. You see her softer side when she drops everything to help her family. She has never tried to hide her humble background. The pace of the story is fast and snappy. I also liked some of the secondary characters, such as Gabriel's PA and his brother, Thomas. Thos is a great escapist read from start to finish, full of entertaining moments.

In short: enemies to lovers

 


About the Author

Camilla Isley is an engineer who left science behind to write bestselling contemporary rom-coms set all around the world. She lives in Italy.

You can follow Camilla here: Facebook   |  Twitter   |   Goodreads 
  |  Bookbub  |  Instagram   |  Pinterest  |  Amazon Author Page
 
 
Thanks to Camilla Isley, Boldwood Books and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 
 
                                                         Check out the rest of the tour
 

 

 


 


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