A Very Italian Wedding

by Donna Ashcroft

'STUNNING! Kept me hooked' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Fell head over heels in love!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Grabbed me from the very first page' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Gorgeous... heart-warming' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I read it in one sitting' ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Escape to Italy, to golden sand and a glittering sea, to wedding bells chiming in a tiny hilltop town… Can Rose heal the heartbreak from her past, and take a chance on love?

As the sun sets over a villa in Tuscany, an engagement party is in full swing. The bride-to-be gazes up at her groom, her glass of prosecco glinting in the evening light as she toasts their happy future; but as Rose watches her best friend Luna swoon over her handsome new fiancé, she can’t help feeling worried. Life has taught Rose that love ends in heartbreak, and all she wants is to protect herself and Luna. That’s why she came up with her Rules for follow these and happiness is guaranteed.

Only Luna is breaking all the rules. She only met Marco a month ago. Rose is sure that love at first sight isn’t real… until she sets eyes on Ben, the best man. Towering above her, with tousled blonde hair and wide, powerful shoulders, he’s irritatingly charming, relentlessly positive and insists that love really can conquer all. Rose’s head is in a spin.

She has learned to never open her heart, never to trust, but Ben is becoming harder to resist…

Will breaking the rules end with Rose breaking her heart? Or will the magic of Italy bring her the happy ending she’s always dreamed of?

This irresistible, sun-drenched story from bestselling author Donna Ashcroft will warm your heart and transport you to Italian shores. An addictive, enemies-to-lovers novel perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Jenny Colgan and Cathy Bramley.

What readers are saying about A Very Italian Wedding:

‘I absolutely adore!... So gorgeous!... Love it!’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was hooked from Chapter 1! Hilarious! A true feel-good book!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I didn’t want to put it down… From the very first page until the end this was magical… Gorgeous.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A gorgeous taste of Italian sunshine. This is such a cute story… A fast-paced, enemies to lovers, forced proximity romance full of sunshine, wine and olives. I loved every sunshine filled page.’ Jules Wake, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Romance

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2025

Reviews

[Debra - can't post any comments on site today grrr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, a wedding in Italy! How lovely! The perfect setting, the scrumptious food, love in the air, and a villa in Tuscany sounds like a dream! But for Rose, the bride's best friend, it's a ball of worry and concern. Her best friend Luna only met Marco a month ago, fell madly in love and is getting married. Rose knows that Julie is making a mistake! On the way to Italy, Rose sits next to Ben the best man at the wedding. Ben is handsome, charming, and happy that Marco has fallen in love and is getting married. His reaction is the complete opposite of Rose's reaction to the upcoming wedding!


I always say, with romance novels it is all about the journey and this was a journey set in a lovely setting full of interesting characters. Rose, initially felt like an older woman to me. She is stodgy, set in her ways, unyielding, and felt cold at times. She really did come across as bitter. Even Coco, the dog, was a little uptight at first. Ben on the other hand is fun, happy-go-lucky, charismatic, and supportive. They are total opposites!


I enjoyed their banter, the descriptions of the beautiful setting, the unique side characters and of course, Coco the dog! Coco just needed a little joy in her life to have her wagging her tail! Coco stole every scene she was in as did Marco's Aunt Aurora who was a fun and interesting character as well! Plus, can you really remain stodgy and uptight in Italy?

As I got to know Rose better and learned more about her backstory, I warmed up to her and began to understand her character. Rose goes on quite the journey in this book and it was a joy to see her character evolve. Not only did she go on an individual journey she went on a romantic journey as well!

I found this book to be charming, fun, entertaining and heartwarming. I enjoyed Donna Ashcroft's wonderful writing, her vivid descriptions, her interesting and unique characters and the journey all of the characters in this book took while in Italy for A Very Italian Wedding!

The publisher may want to put a warning on this book that reading it may have you dreaming of Italy and Italian food!


3.5 stars

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[Seeraaa ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬:

"𝙎𝙤 𝙄'𝙢 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩?"
"𝙊𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩!" 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙. "𝙔𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙄'𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧."



When Rose flies to Italy to stop her best friend's impulsive wedding, the last thing she expects is to fall for the groom’s best man. But between fiery clashes, sun-drenched days, and undeniable chemistry, Rose might just break her own rules about love.✈️❤️‍🔥

✨ Enemies to Lovers
🏠 Forced Proximity
⚖️ Opposites Attract
☀️ Holiday Setting
💍 Best Friend’s Wedding
🔄 Third Person Dual POV

𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:🩷
I'm so happy that my first ARC turned out to be such an enjoyable experience! The story grabbed me from the very first page, and I stayed engaged all the way to the end. The pacing was just right — not too fast to be overwhelming, and not too slow to make me lose interest.
What really captivated me was the Italian setting! The small village, the sea, and even the passionate Italians — everything felt warm and alive, like I was really there. The holiday vibe, the food, and the family moments made the story even more delightful.

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨:: 🩷
At first, I honestly didn’t like 𝙍𝙤𝙨𝙚 at all. She was stiff, annoying, and always convinced she was right while everyone else was wrong. It felt like she projected her parents’ failed marriage onto every relationship around her. But as she started breaking her unrealistic rules (which would never work in real life haha), her personality shifted for the better. And honestly… Ben's influence on her? Chef’s kiss.

Now 𝘽𝙚𝙣 — he was fun, warm, and so likeable. I kept wondering how he fell for her! He honestly felt like he deserved someone better, haha. But hey, opposites attract, and in this case, it worked! 🫶🏻❤️

𝙒𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙚: ✍🏻
The author’s writing style is simple and lovely — easy to follow without feeling too plain. The flow was smooth. It's the kind of writing that lets you relax and enjoy the story without overthinking.

𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:💭
Overall, A Very Italian Wedding was an enjoyable read. It combines a beautiful Italian setting, an engaging love story, and well-developed characters that grow over the course of the book. I enjoyed seeing Rose's transformation and Ben's unwavering charm. The ending was sweet and satisfying — the kind that leaves you with a warm smile. If you're looking for a relaxing and heartwarming read that transports you to Italy, this one is definitely worth it. 🫶🏻🩷✨


Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read an early copy. ❤️🫶🏻
This is my first ARC.🤭
Review to come once I finish reading.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Italian setting, it was the best part. While some things didn't exactly click for me, it was still an enjoyable read.

After her best friend Luna gets engaged rather quickly and plans to marry immediately, Rose is determined to convince her to postpone the wedding. Guided by her expertise, she thinks they are making a mistake. But on the flight there, she meets Ben, the best man. He is determined to make sure that the wedding does happen. They clash at first, but the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow and she starts questioning her rules around love. They are both hurt by something in their past, but maybe together they'll be able to find their happily ever after.

Ben was a charmer and such a sweetheart. I liked him a lot. 
But I didn't connect to Rose. She let her parents failed marriage rule not just her relationships, but the relationships of others too. I really disliked her at the beginning, but she did start to grow on me. Until the miscommunication happened. I just couldn't get into the story again or bring myself to root for her and Ben. The story lost me completely, I simply stopped caring. I tried, but Ben deserved someone better. I honestly don't think they were well suited for each other.
Not to mention the fact that everything felt completely rushed. 

Also, I wish we got more of Luna and Marco. I feel like the story would've gain so much more substance that way. But I absolutely loved Aurora, she made the story more fun, and so did Coco. 

I still enjoy it though, the banter, the scenery. I really loved their adventures along the villages and the coastline.
It was a quick read and I liked the writing. I would definitely read more books by this author. 

*Thank you to Netgalley and to Bookouture for providing me with an ARC.*

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tuscany, known for its breathtaking beauty, serves as the picturesque backdrop for this heartwarming tale of love and friendship. Rose, overjoyed for her best friend Luna’s recent engagement to Marco, can’t help but be concerned about Luna rushing into this significant milestone.

Amidst the festivities, Rose crosses paths with Ben, the soon-to-be best man. Determined to keep her heart guarded, she finds it challenging to resist Ben’s charm, positivity, and unwavering belief in true love. As Ben seems to embody every quality she desires, Rose grapples with the prospect of her heart being shattered.

“A Very Italian Wedding,” a captivating novel by Donna Ashcroft, transports readers to the enchanting landscapes of Tuscany. The story is a delightful exploration of new love, the excitement of a wedding, and the enduring power of love.

From the very first page, the story ensnares the reader, transporting them to the picturesque seaside of Tuscany. The sun’s radiant rays dance upon the water, creating a mesmerizing display of diamonds. Rose and Luna, the beloved characters, are portrayed with such depth and authenticity that they feel like close friends. The author’s skillful storytelling makes this a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming and entertaining escape. I highly recommend this lovely book.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 4 out of 5]

✅My thoughts:
What a fun trip to Italy with engaging characters. The dog pretty much stole the show:)
The beginning of the book was a bit slow but things pick up pretty quickly.
All in all, an enjoyable read with a slow burn romance and humorous moments that made me laugh out loud.
This is my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect summer read for when you live in the UK, and it's throwing it down with rain...as usual! A Very Italian Wedding grabbed my attention with its stunning cover and a blurb that could attract the most hardened of hearts!

We meet Rose, whose best friend, Luna, is getting married in Tuscany. On the way to Tuscany to be her bridesmaid, she finds she is sat next to Ben, the best man! Rose is worried about Luna and her groom, Marco, because they are getting married so rapidly. They have only been together a few weeks, and this goes against Rose's set of rules she follows even for her profession as a love doctor.

Such a lovely, vivid romance. The setting of Tuscany in Italy wooed me so easily. The characters all made this story even better. I could definitely understand why Luna fell for him, for sure. The eccentricity of Marco's Aunt Aurora had me in stitches. I had a whale of a time reading this. It is heartwarming and funny while still dealing with serious things, too.

My first Donna Ashcroft romance, but not my last! Such an adorable story! Well created characters, beautiful settings, and full of romance, what more could you want?

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book we follow Rose who becomes the living breathing definition of if it can go wrong it will go wrong. We follow along as she travels to go to her best friends wedding and this poor girl goes though everything and anything to support her best friend the best way she knows how of following her rules for love and trying to talk her friend out of possibly making a mistake. But along the journey she starts to realize that maybe she isn’t right with all her rules maybe it’s her past trauma that is getting in the way from some of her biggest couples (aka her parents) from getting over their issues and for her to find love. Between the found family, love, a crazy demon dog, a fertility statue, and Italian traditions this is a fun rom com. I highly recommend this book to those who love love. Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture, & Donna Ashcroft for choosing me to be an arc reader for this book.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cover is so colorful and inviting I wanted to step into it.
I wanted to be the one to sit on luscious Ben’s lap on the flight to Italy instead of the dog.
Aurora was my favorite character with her glitzy wardrobe and her announcements.
Both Ben and Rose had to face their scars and see that putting yourself out there can pay off.
It’s a sweet story.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance copy.

[vickie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

unfortunately i didn’t like this one very much. the story setting was lovely but way too much of this story felt extremely predictable and convenient.

the plot also felt nonsensical at times, eg. the justification of the wedding date even though they’re still basically strangers, the dog not liking rose, the clairvoyant aunt who conveniently ends up sharing information relevant to progress the plot along.

idk this was just a miss for me.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose is the 'Love Doctor', trying to protect others from romantic heartbreak. So when her best friend invites her to Italy for her wedding, she is determined to protect her from heartbreak. So she heads to Italy, determined to put a stop to this wedding. She hadn't anticipated Ben, the groom's best friend. to put a wrench in her plans.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I loved Aurora! She was such a fun character. Rose was annoying at first, but she grew on me. I would've loved more of Marco and Luna, as well as his fun family. Anyway, it was a fun summer romance read, and I loved all of the characters. Plus, the descriptions of living in the villa, as well as being in Italy. Maybe a sequel?

Thanks @bookouture, @netgalley, and the author for this arc.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done to Donna Ashcroft for another delightful novel that lifts and encourages the heart! This enemies to lovers’ romance set in Italy has lots of Donna Ashcroft charm. As always, it is well written with beautiful descriptions that put the reader in the centre of a stunning location.

In A Very Italian Wedding, we are dealing with a seriously flawed leading character. To be honest, Rose is not very likeable at times (nor is she supposed to be) due to her judgemental attitude and unrealistic rules but after a series of events, her world and views are turned upside down and she has to admit maybe she does not know as much as she thinks about love. She may be called by her regular clients the ‘Love Doctor’ in her relationship psychologist role, but her advice and views are tarnished by her parents who race into romantic liaisons, get married quickly only to end up divorced. Rose has been caught in their crossfire more than once. This draws sympathy from us as we know she has been shaped by repeated negative family experiences. And it has given her a jaded view of relationships as she measures every one by her parents’ failures. She does not have faith in ‘love at first sight experiences’ which has now happened to someone she cares deeply about: her best friend, Luna. So, although she is on her way from England to Italy to her best friend’s wedding, she has one mission, to talk her out of getting married. But on the plane she meets the groom’s best man, Ben, and he challenges her rigid beliefs. This sets up the story with lots of expected conflicts.

The tension mounts when Rose arrives, as everything begins to come undone. So many things go wrong and she is challenged on all sides as she encounters a very superstitious family and one member is a clairvoyant. The groom’s older family members definitely go against her fact laden viewpoint.

Handsome best man, Ben Pearson, is determined to keep the couple together while she is bent on the opposite. This puts them at odds and places them in some awkward positions but Rose Loveheart is determined to prove her point.

Ben is a wonderful character with a good heart who gets to share his viewpoint. He also goes through some dramatic changes but he is always likeable—especially when he won’t go along with a scheme to deceive Rose. Of course, you know from the start, these two will clash but also unite eventually—yet not until there have been some serious changes in their lives.

This novels addresses the fact that no marriage is perfect as no two persons are but through communication, understanding and forgiveness— situations can be resolved and that arguments in marriage are part of the fabric of wedding bliss.

Coco the dog is an amazing character with attitude plus and Rose’s reference to him as a demon is quite humorous at times. But he plays an important part in restoration and helping her overcome fear making us see that even dog’s can bring about change!

Rose redeems herself at the end as she manages to fix so many messed up relationships but not before she has altered her thinking. And these changes put the sparkle in the ending. Her transformation is quite dramatic and by the end we smile and breathe a sigh of relief that she has learned valuable lessons and put those revelations to use in helping others by restoring the broken relationships that transpire over the story. So in that respect, Rose becomes the hero! She cares about her friend and her family-in-law so what she does to bring back balance into their lives is done out of love, from the heart, not from head knowledge (which was flawed to begin with). And that means we are given a happy ending!

Donna’s stories always provide wonderful characters we care about, animals that we adore (though Coco was a bit different at first!), relationship issues that need rectification, themes that makes us feel love is essential in our lives and stunning settings that whisk us away as if we have gone on vacation. A Very Italian Wedding is all these things— along with being sincere, honest, heartfelt and pure. Thanks once again to Donna Ashcroft for another great story that tackles beliefs and restores the need for romance in our lives. Loved it! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.

[Late Night Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn’t want to escape to Italy in the summer? We sure do! Reading this book felt like we were the ones traveling to Italy alongside Rose and Ben…plus who couldn’t forget Aurora and Aldo. 😂

The primary premise of this book is Rose is traveling to Italy for the last-minute wedding of her best friend, Luna, who has decided on a whim to marry Marco, a man she met only a month ago. To some people, this would sound extremely romantic…to Rose, it sounds completely crazy and she’s determined to convince Luna to call off the wedding. The only problem? Marco’s best friend, Ben, is along for the journey to Italy with her and wants to ensure the wedding happens and Marco gets to marry the girl of his dreams.

As you can imagine, chaos ensues from the moment Rose meets Ben on the plane and he spills his coffee all over her thanks to turbulence. And it only gets worse from here…everything that can go wrong on this trip does and puts the entire wedding in disarray. That’s where you start to see everyone’s true colors come out and multiple characters in the book have to deal with some of their baggage where the root of the issue may not always be what it initially seems.

This book is the perfect summer read. It has a wonderful cast of unforgettable characters, two-legged and four-legged…and technically a spirit too. It also includes some of our favorite tropes including forced proximity, opposites attract, holiday romance, and found family. Plus, the characters dish up some extremely hilarious scenes and dialogue…we’re looking at you Aurora, and we get some incredible spice in a surprising location. It also will make you feel a ton of emotions, but won’t cause too many tears so you don’t have to worry about getting sunscreen in your eyes while reading this book at the pool or beach.

Highly recommend adding it to your TBR list if you’re looking for a summer read with unforgettable characters, great spice, and fantastic storytelling. It’s available on Kindle Unlimited and Amazon.

Thanks again to Donna Ashcroft and NetGalley for providing an ARC of A Very Italian Wedding!

[jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

*2.5

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC.

I thought this was a good, average romance. The cheesiness off the bat with a FMC called Rose Loveheart, a self proclaimed ‘love doctor’ who has been unlucky with love her whole life, made me giggle.

BUT, this book felt completely predictable. There was no other way I could have seen the epilogue going based on the first 100 pages. The explicit foreshadowing from the psychic Aunt Aurora removed any tensions that could have made this book more interesting. I just wanted more mess to be honest.

As characters, Ben and Rose seemed to lack the chemistry I needed to be convinced on their relationship. Everything was so rushed between Luna and Marco too. We know nothing about them apart from how they’ve known each other for less than a month, yet are supposed to root for them even when Marco is obviously a bad person. I wasn’t sold on either of these matches by the end.

I also found the writing off putting at points. I want to include some quotes from the book just so you can gauge the cringe factor before you decide to read it:

‘The man looming over her was gorgeous - with capital O, M and multiple Gs’

‘Ben paused, the smile disappearing momentarily before it reappeared like a dolphin performing a spectacular somersault out of the sea’

‘The look Rose gave him would have soured tiramisu.’

While not necessarily bad, this still failed to impress me at the end of the day.

[Gina DiGiovanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book gave me ✨Italy-core✨ and i was so here for it. small villages, cliffside views, chaotic wedding energy? yes please. The atmosphere was doing all the heavy lifting—and honestly, I didn’t mind.

rose is flying in to talk her bestie out of sprinting into marriage, fully armed with logic and a slightly judgy vibe. but guess who’s on the same flight? ben—the best man, walking charm bomb, and firm believer in reckless romance. sparks fly, obviously. they clash, they flirt, they bond over shared trauma. classic.

ben was a sweetheart and totally carried the emotional weight of this story. i wanted to give him a hug. rose… was another story. she was so tightly wound and ruled by other people’s bad choices that i had a hard time connecting with her. she did start to soften, and i was almost rooting for them—until the dreaded miscommunication plot hit and I checked out. Hard. from that point on, I couldn’t root for the couple, no matter how cute the scenery was.

also—where was Luna’s storyline?! I needed more of her and marco. give me the actual whirlwind romance. aurora & coco were the standouts though—big personalities, fun energy, would read a spin-off with just them.

overall...messy but charming. i didn’t love the couple, but I liked the writing and I’d absolutely try something else by this author.

huge thanks to netgalley for the arc <3

[Inkandfyr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Little Slice of Italian Sunshine (Even When It's Raining in the UK!) 🇮🇹☀️

Warning: May cause an uncontrollable urge to book the next flight to Italy!

Thjs is the kind of feel-good story that's a perfect antidote to a dreary week – and trust me, reading this during a particularly rainy spell in the UK, it was a much needed dose of sunshine!
The star of the show, for me, was undoubtedly the gorgeous Italian villa setting, with a vivid picture of the rolling hills, delicious food, and charming atmosphere that you can practically taste the limoncello and feel the warm Tuscan sun on your skin.

I'll admit, I struggled to connect with the FMC at the very beginning. Her initial portrayal didn't quite click with me. However, as the story unfolded, the chemistry began to build, and that, coupled with the idyllic setting, really drew me in. It's a story that blossoms, much like the Italian countryside it depicts.
While it might not have been a perfect five-star read for me, it was an enjoyable and heartwarming journey. If you're looking for a light, romantic escape that will transport you to a beautiful Italian wedding, this is a lovely choice. Just don't blame me when you find yourself googling holiday websites!

#averyitalianwedding #netgalley

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! This book is gorgeous. Between the locations and the array of romantic moments, I loved everything about it.
When Rose, the self-proclaimed love doctor, learns that her friend has met and become engaged to her fiancé in the space of less than a month, every alarm bell rings in her head, and she embarks on a mission to make Luna see the light.
Rose has created an extensive set of rules curated to ensure that mistakes are avoided and the heart is protected. The most urgent of them is that a couple should know each other for at least a year before things get serious between them. With years spent counselling couples, Rose believes in her rules and never deviates from their structure.
I completely agreed with Rose and her rules because they made absolute sense to me. However, I’m also a great believer in the mantra that rules were made to be broken, so maybe I’m not the best judge. When Rose finds herself in a situation where she meets the incredibly handsome Ben, who happens to be the best friend of Luna’s groom, sparks begin to fly and become complicated by the added presence of Marco’s clairvoyant Aunt Aurora and her late husband.
I loved everything about this book, from the inclusion of many tropes to the relationships between the best friends. The romance felt real despite being accelerated by circumstances. I was fully invested in Rose’s mission until I found myself more interested in Rose failing and Luna finding happiness.
Rose and Ben captured my imagination, and despite the rules being put in jeopardy, I wanted to see a happy ending for them all.
A Very Italian Wedding has everything that I could have asked for, from beautiful characters and hilarious wedding guests to an incredibly happy ending. I loved it and cannot recommend it enough.

[Celiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Huge thanks to Netgalley, Donna Ashcroft and the publishing team for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I do love a destination story. That being said, overall, I was not a fan of this book. The FMC Rose was SO unbelievably unlikeable right off the bat that even her redemption arc at the end couldn't save it for me. The premise of the story started off intriguing but it was mostly unbearable throughout. The MMC Ben was charming at times but his involvement in the manipulation of the FMC with his best friend was gross. Marco, the groom was an awful character and Luna being so immature and reactive was off-putting too. I loved the Aunt character that was a medium - she really brought a lot of color to the page. If you're looking for a beach read, this is a quick light read - but overall, wasn't for me.

Overall rating ⭐️⭐️
Overall spice 🌶️

[Reed's Magical Books ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ★
Overall, A Very Italian Wedding was a very cute and heartwarming read. The Italian setting was absolutely dreamy—Ashcroft captures the sights, sounds, and flavors of a small Italian town so vividly, it felt like a mini vacation in book form. The charm of the cobbled streets and family traditions added so much richness to the story.

The characters were genuinely enjoyable. They had a nice mix of warmth, humor, and depth, and while the plot leaned a bit on the predictable side, the emotional beats still landed. Their relationships—both romantic and familial—brought a sweet, comforting tone to the book that made it feel cozy and satisfying.

Not a groundbreaking story, but definitely a delightful one. It’s the kind of book you’d want to read on a sunny afternoon with a glass of wine (or maybe a cappuccino). Light, feel-good, and full of Italian charm.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

[Inspiredbypmdd Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very excited to have spot on the blogtour for ‘A Very Italian Wedding’ by the funny and talented Donna Ashcroft. 

The characters are fun, complex and I love how they develop.

The story is told from different perspectives. We get a a sense of their individual quirks.

Rose the bridesmaid meets Ben  the best man on the plane to Italy.

Their friends Luna and Marco are getting married and they have only been together a matter of weeks.

Ben is excited and Rose is not! Being a therapist she sees many red flags. Luna has been her friend since they were 8.

Add Coco the dog to the mix, and its evident whom she likes more.

Arriving to a number of issues and detours, and flamboyant Italian aunt Aurora and her metaphysical predictions and ways and other fun characters.

I had laugh out loud moments and enjoyed the set up. Can you really fall in love at first sight?

You will have to join me in diving in, you won’t regret it. X

 

 

[WhatFrizRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Luna, Rose's best friend, announces she engaged and is getting married in a few days Rose feels her professional life as 'The Love Doctor' crashing full pelt into her personal life. She hops on a plane determined to stop, or at least delay the impending nuptials however then she meets the best man, who seems intent on the wedding going ahead and Rose realises life is a lot more complicated than her set of 'rules' for relationships.


This is a great chick lit read; it's got a strong enemies to lovers theme and is a little predictable in a comfortable kind of way. The characters develop in the story, the setting is beautiful and. there are enough twists and turns to keep you interested. There's nothing shocking nor too heavy to deal with...I just really enjoyed it - in the way you enjoy a catch up with an old friend?

[SH · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Rose discovers that her best friend Luna is engaged to Marco and getting married within days in Tuscany, she packs her bags and heads over in an attempt to delay the wedding. Yet when she meets Ben, the best man, she has to try to convince him as well, as he believes that love can conquer all. Soon Ben has Rose questioning whether her rules when it comes to love need to be rewritten.
A very cute read with plenty of delightful characters that added to the storyline. The enemies-to-lovers storyline works well with Rose at loggerheads with Ben, largely due to her own experiences with love, centered around her parents. The backdrop is amazing, and together with the twists and turns, this was an enjoyable read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jessica Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is a wedding without a little chaos along the way! A Very Italian Wedding was a great read and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. I loved the Italian wedding setting! It made me want to take a trip to the Italian coast for sure!

At first I did not like Rose as a character at all but as the story went on and we learned more and more about her I started to really enjoy the character. I think she grew so much by the end of the book it made me wanting so much more!

I loved Ben from the start but really enjoyed his character development as well. I wish we got more of Marco and Luna though.

It was a quick read and a very enjoyable one! I will definitely be reading other books by this author and am hoping for more of these friends in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an Arc.

[Inés · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent contemporary romance, what some people would describe as a feel-good or heart-warming story. I didn't find anything especially wrong about it, nor anything especially thrilling or distinctive that will help me differentiate it from other books of this type. Which means the story will probably get blurred in my mind fairly soon, but it was entertaining enough.

The beginning is, perhaps, the weakest part of the story. Most characters and situations are pretty stereotypical and, even if the protagonists are supposed to be attracted to each other from first sight, I didn't quite feel the chemistry between them (of course, this is quite subjective and it's probably my fault as a reader, not the writer's). On the good side, the second half of the story is not fully predictable, I found the evolution of the female protagonist quite convincing and the only sex scene is pertinent to the story and tastefully written.

[Dee Groocock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose is heading over to Tuscany for her best friend, Luna’s wedding. She finds herself sat next to the best man, Ben.

Due to Rose’s past and her parents, she lives by a set of rules, rules she made also for her profession as a love doctor.

This was an enjoyable romance story. I loved the setting in Tuscany and enjoyed getting to know the groom, Marco, and his family. His Aunt Aurora was an eccentric and fantastic character, she made me smile a lot.

There was a lot of humour, as well as a more serious side to the story.

Coco the dog definitely stole the show in the story, I couldn’t help but laugh at her antics.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[EVANGELIA MARAGKOPOULOU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose heading to Italy to stop her best friend Luna from marrying a man she met only a month ago , next to her at the airplane is sitting Ben Lucas s best friend who is there and he is trying to persuade her that the wedding must go on . Rose is always trying to find Luna and talk to her about her upcoming wedding but Ben is always there and they have to do chores away from the villa . Even though she doesn't believe in love thanks to her parents she can't deny that Ben is breaking all her rules . Will he be able to make her realize that his feelings are true and real ?
I received this book from netgalley , the author and the publisher as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose wants her best friend to reconsider her hasty decision to marry. Ben is best friends with the prospective groom and wants him to be happy, so he is immediately at odds with Rose in this enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy. It's a tale full of unexpected incidents, quirky characters and a growing attraction between Rose and Ben that neither expects nor wants. It has a vividly described Italian setting and a vibrant cast of characters, led by Aunt Aurora, the clairvoyant, who adds humour, poignancy and wisdom to this emotional story. I like the emotional journey the two main characters experience, the Italian setting and the cast of entertaining characters.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute read and I was hooked from chapter 1! Aunt Aurora was hilarious and I enjoyed how she always showed up at the perfect moment to share her physic abilities! The dynamic between our main character Rose and her best friend’s (Luna) dog (Coco) was to fun to watch evolve throughout the story. Of course, I enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope between Rose and our main man Ben! They both have something to overcome and needed each other to realize that to let love in! This a true feel good book and I would recommend it anyone who loves a happy ending for all!

[Elara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

Let’s start with the name: Rose Loveheart. That’s not a character—that’s an AI-generated cupcake.

From page one, this book commits to a Hallmark-meets-horoscope energy that never lets up.

The plot is less “will-they-won’t-they” and more “oh-they-will-by-chapter-three.”By chapter five, I wasn’t wondering what would happen—I was wondering how long it would take to get there. Despite all this, it wasn’t entirely unenjoyable.

For me? It was a sugar-free cupcake: sweet, but ultimately unsatisfying.

[Grace Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a wedding and Italy so it was a pleasure to read this book. Rose and Ben are bridesmaid and best man for their best friends, they only meet on the flight to Italy and don’t get off to the best of starts.
The characters were quirky and the storyline is funny and I wondered if it would be I do or I don’t with so many obstacles/ problems getting in the way.
A truly funny and romantic read which would be the ideal holiday read.

[Ania · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cozy rom-com. The plot was moving fast and there was one miscommunication part but it resolved fast. It is a slow burn and there is one open-door scene. Overall, I enjoyed this book as its perfect to read on summer vacation.

Thank you, @netgalley for my gifted copy of the audiobook. The publication date is June 5, 2025.