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Wedding Adventures #1
An Italian Wedding Adventure
Eight years ago, on 29th February, wedding planner Sophie-Leigh Kirke took matters into her own hands and proposed to the man she loved.
But when her boyfriend Andreas rebuffed the romantic gesture, heartbroken Sophie cut all contact with the gruff mountaineer, determined to get on with her life.
When the destination wedding agency she works for merges with an adventure travel company to create unique ceremonies for outdoor enthusiasts, Sophie is horrified to discover Andreas works there. Even worse: he's been assigned as her guide for a scouting trip to Italy, in search of the perfect location for a summit-top wedding.
Thrown together to make another couple’s romantic dreams come true, all Sophie can think about are the dreams she once had for them. But when the truth of what actually happened eight long years ago finally emerges, will Sophie risk imagining a happily-ever-after and opening her heart to Andreas again…?
But when her boyfriend Andreas rebuffed the romantic gesture, heartbroken Sophie cut all contact with the gruff mountaineer, determined to get on with her life.
When the destination wedding agency she works for merges with an adventure travel company to create unique ceremonies for outdoor enthusiasts, Sophie is horrified to discover Andreas works there. Even worse: he's been assigned as her guide for a scouting trip to Italy, in search of the perfect location for a summit-top wedding.
Thrown together to make another couple’s romantic dreams come true, all Sophie can think about are the dreams she once had for them. But when the truth of what actually happened eight long years ago finally emerges, will Sophie risk imagining a happily-ever-after and opening her heart to Andreas again…?
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 9, 2025
442 people are currently reading
441 people want to read
About the author
Leonie Mack
22 books221 followersAfter leaving Australia ‘for a year’, Leonie never went home and now travels across Europe jotting down love stories wherever she goes. She has a degree in languages and is an expert at taking public transport and travelling under her own steam on foot or by bike. ‘Home’ is now in central Germany, in the vineyards along the Main river, where she spends her time writing happy endings in English and speaking German with bad grammar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
May 12, 2025
Second chance romance? I'm definitely here for it!
↪Being Italian, I was so curious to see how this was developed, so I had to read it! I don't know why, but sometimes when authors talk about Italy, they tend to use so many chlicés it's boring: I must say Leonie did a really great job because none of that is in that book. I was, indeed, surprised to find out the actual venue was not the Amalfi Coast but the Trentino!!
↪I loved that the main characters are a bit older than usual for a romance. They have a shared history as well as individual pasts that influence their choices. This made them feel wiser and more reflective, as their decisions weren't solely based on their feelings for each other.
↪There are just two things I didn't enjoy: I felt that there were too many details at the beginning, with a lot of information that wasn't useful for the storyline. The number of characters was overwhelming, and at times, I got confused about who was who.🤔
↪Leonie's writing style has great potential: I think that captured my attention the most. I'd have preferred if the story had been written in the first person rather than in the third.
For those who love outdoor activities and are looking for something fun and adventurous, this book might be just for you!☀️⛰️🧗🏻
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books, who provided me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!💓
↪Being Italian, I was so curious to see how this was developed, so I had to read it! I don't know why, but sometimes when authors talk about Italy, they tend to use so many chlicés it's boring: I must say Leonie did a really great job because none of that is in that book. I was, indeed, surprised to find out the actual venue was not the Amalfi Coast but the Trentino!!
↪I loved that the main characters are a bit older than usual for a romance. They have a shared history as well as individual pasts that influence their choices. This made them feel wiser and more reflective, as their decisions weren't solely based on their feelings for each other.
↪There are just two things I didn't enjoy: I felt that there were too many details at the beginning, with a lot of information that wasn't useful for the storyline. The number of characters was overwhelming, and at times, I got confused about who was who.🤔
↪Leonie's writing style has great potential: I think that captured my attention the most. I'd have preferred if the story had been written in the first person rather than in the third.
For those who love outdoor activities and are looking for something fun and adventurous, this book might be just for you!☀️⛰️🧗🏻
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books, who provided me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!💓
May 16, 2025
3.5 Stars
One Liner: It was nice, but dragged a little
Eight years ago, on the leap day (29th Feb), wedding planner Sophie-Leigh Kirke proposed to her then-boyfriend, who broke her heart. She cut contact with him and moved on with her life.
Mountaineer Andreas is now back in her life, working for an adventure travel company; the same one with which her destination wedding company has been merged. With Andreas assigned as her guide, Sophie has to search for the perfect local for a destination wedding for the client.
Thrown together by circumstances, can the two sort out their past and decide their future? Will it be together or apart from one another?
The story comes in the third-person POVs of Sophie and Andreas.
My Thoughts:
Well, I liked the premise of a second chance romance with a virtual tour of the Italian hills, never mind that I’m not into mountaineering. Imagine wanting to climb a mountain as part of your wedding. Shudder! Good if you like it. Not for me!
This is quite an angsty book where the tension between the lead couple starts almost at the beginning. Some of it was well done, especially Sophie’s arc.
We also get a lot of descriptions of the places they hike and explore to finalize the venue for the destination wedding. I did enjoy most of it. Who doesn’t like a virtual tour of a new place?
There are a few side characters we meet at the beginning, but they don’t have much role to play until the end (not even then, TBH). However, the reason for their presence is hinted at in the epilogue and the acknowledgments. This is apparently the first book in the series. There will be more with the same team, but different couples.
However, the storyline seems to drag on for a while. The book feels longer than it should have been. There’s also a lot of repetition about the MMC’s opinion about marriage and weddings.
What made this a 3-star instead of a 4-star was the MMC. Even after reading the book, I couldn’t actually see the reason for his actions (except that he acted like a man-child afraid of emotions and commitment). Maybe his inability to express his feelings is realistic, but he annoyed me quite a lot for the majority of the book. He did manage to pull himself together, though.
They also go around in circles a lot. Cutting down some of this (and making the book shorter) would have helped a lot and also shown the MMC in a better light.
The epilogue has nothing to do with this story, so it is more of a teaser for the next book.
To summarize, An Italian Wedding Adventure is a decent romance with travel, adventure, and some drama. It could have been better, but it does have its moments.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #AnItalianWeddingAdventure
One Liner: It was nice, but dragged a little
Eight years ago, on the leap day (29th Feb), wedding planner Sophie-Leigh Kirke proposed to her then-boyfriend, who broke her heart. She cut contact with him and moved on with her life.
Mountaineer Andreas is now back in her life, working for an adventure travel company; the same one with which her destination wedding company has been merged. With Andreas assigned as her guide, Sophie has to search for the perfect local for a destination wedding for the client.
Thrown together by circumstances, can the two sort out their past and decide their future? Will it be together or apart from one another?
The story comes in the third-person POVs of Sophie and Andreas.
My Thoughts:
Well, I liked the premise of a second chance romance with a virtual tour of the Italian hills, never mind that I’m not into mountaineering. Imagine wanting to climb a mountain as part of your wedding. Shudder! Good if you like it. Not for me!
This is quite an angsty book where the tension between the lead couple starts almost at the beginning. Some of it was well done, especially Sophie’s arc.
We also get a lot of descriptions of the places they hike and explore to finalize the venue for the destination wedding. I did enjoy most of it. Who doesn’t like a virtual tour of a new place?
There are a few side characters we meet at the beginning, but they don’t have much role to play until the end (not even then, TBH). However, the reason for their presence is hinted at in the epilogue and the acknowledgments. This is apparently the first book in the series. There will be more with the same team, but different couples.
However, the storyline seems to drag on for a while. The book feels longer than it should have been. There’s also a lot of repetition about the MMC’s opinion about marriage and weddings.
What made this a 3-star instead of a 4-star was the MMC. Even after reading the book, I couldn’t actually see the reason for his actions (except that he acted like a man-child afraid of emotions and commitment). Maybe his inability to express his feelings is realistic, but he annoyed me quite a lot for the majority of the book. He did manage to pull himself together, though.
They also go around in circles a lot. Cutting down some of this (and making the book shorter) would have helped a lot and also shown the MMC in a better light.
The epilogue has nothing to do with this story, so it is more of a teaser for the next book.
To summarize, An Italian Wedding Adventure is a decent romance with travel, adventure, and some drama. It could have been better, but it does have its moments.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #AnItalianWeddingAdventure
May 13, 2025
Being totally honest with this one, I really struggled. I took too long to get through this which says it all. It's not that the writing was bad because it wasn't. It's just that it was too descriptive for the type of book it was supposed to be. It read more like a travel guide to Italian nature spots and less like a cozy rom-com. Speaking of which I just didn't buy it between the 2 main characters Sophies and Andreas. This is a 2nd chance romance meaning they had a brief 5 month relationship 8 years ago whilst travelling predominantly and then the Sophie decides to propose even though she knows the Andreas doesn't ever want to get married and is heartbroken when he turns her down and they break up - shocker. Fast forward the 8 years in which time she has married and divorced but is still somehow still 'hung up' on this guy. Through her work destination wedding planning and hus work Adventure holidays guide they are forced into proximity of scouting and planning an Italian destination wedding and the rest is pretty predictable for the most part. This unfortunately also fearured one of my worst tropes - the miscommunication/ assumptions/ not saying you feel and this would just avoid the majority of the storyline which to be honest needed to have been a shorter book.
I'm sorry but this was not for me this time.
I would still like to thank Boldworld books for providing me with a copy of the book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I'm sorry but this was not for me this time.
I would still like to thank Boldworld books for providing me with a copy of the book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
April 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy of the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Sarah spontaneously proposed to her boyfriend Andreas 8 years ago but he rejected her and left her heartbroken. Now, the wedding planning company she works for has merged with the outdoor adventure company that he works for. They are thrown back into their unresolved past and the drama that comes with it. It would be a cute summer read but I feel like it could have been shortened. There were parts that dragged on and seemed unnecessary to the story.
Sarah spontaneously proposed to her boyfriend Andreas 8 years ago but he rejected her and left her heartbroken. Now, the wedding planning company she works for has merged with the outdoor adventure company that he works for. They are thrown back into their unresolved past and the drama that comes with it. It would be a cute summer read but I feel like it could have been shortened. There were parts that dragged on and seemed unnecessary to the story.
April 20, 2025
This book was really hard to get into and just felt kinda flat.
Like nothing was resolved. The MMC was a man child who couldn’t deal with emotions and the FMC was always the adult trying to understand him. I never saw how they could actually have a happily ever after. Even at the end, he didn’t change at all.
She just kinda gave up and gave in and is gonna love him for the man child he is instead of demanding more from him or finding more.
This would be a 2 star if it wasn’t for the backdrop of hiking and side characters
But while we are on side characters, the MMC had a casual relationship with a hiking student he’s known since she was a teen (if the math is correct) but it’s ok because she knew it’s always casual even though she wanted more?
Ehhh yuck plus she was named Kira, my name, and thus even worse to read.
Like nothing was resolved. The MMC was a man child who couldn’t deal with emotions and the FMC was always the adult trying to understand him. I never saw how they could actually have a happily ever after. Even at the end, he didn’t change at all.
She just kinda gave up and gave in and is gonna love him for the man child he is instead of demanding more from him or finding more.
This would be a 2 star if it wasn’t for the backdrop of hiking and side characters
But while we are on side characters, the MMC had a casual relationship with a hiking student he’s known since she was a teen (if the math is correct) but it’s ok because she knew it’s always casual even though she wanted more?
Ehhh yuck plus she was named Kira, my name, and thus even worse to read.
July 12, 2025
This story warmed my heart and made me believe in love all over again🥰
June 11, 2025
Cute second-chance romance with two adventure-loving characters. I loved the various settings and the descriptions of climbs around the world. Both characters were likeable and the chemistry between them was palpable. The ending seemed to drag on a little but I liked being able to see how the wedding they were planning worked out and how the business continued after the merger. A nice, light read to while away the afternoon.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
April 14, 2025
thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc
all opinions are my own
A really sweet romance that would be a great holiday read, as it's set mainly in Italy and features a lot of weather chat that made me incredibly envious.
I'm not usually a fan of second-chance romances but this was done well. The pacing was perfect: not too fast but not too slow, either. There were quite a few characters that we never really learnt a lot about, which was a shame as it just made it feel overwhelming.
I do feel like this would've been better as a dual first person POV or at least naming the chapters from the perspective we were reading from. Additionally, some of the plot points and key events felt a bit too convenient, especially as we never got much background on their relationship: it was almost a guessing game trying to work out how serious it had been with nothing other than vague clues.
all opinions are my own
A really sweet romance that would be a great holiday read, as it's set mainly in Italy and features a lot of weather chat that made me incredibly envious.
I'm not usually a fan of second-chance romances but this was done well. The pacing was perfect: not too fast but not too slow, either. There were quite a few characters that we never really learnt a lot about, which was a shame as it just made it feel overwhelming.
I do feel like this would've been better as a dual first person POV or at least naming the chapters from the perspective we were reading from. Additionally, some of the plot points and key events felt a bit too convenient, especially as we never got much background on their relationship: it was almost a guessing game trying to work out how serious it had been with nothing other than vague clues.
April 19, 2025
I always enjoy Leoni Mack's European romantic adventures because they feature some physical activity I am highly unlikely to participate in. The descriptions are more than enough for me!
This time, I was transported to Italy with Sophie-Leigh, the FMC, a wedding planner, as she was instructed to help plan a wedding for two clients who wanted more than your average destination wedding. They are looking for the thrill of a climb, with commitment at the top of a peak, preferably with a cross there.
Memories of a past romance threaten to take over her mind, as Sophie begins the organisation, those memories become a reality as she is faced with the man who effectively popped her climbing cherry, and then her heart, after a whirlwind romance.
Combining the climbing and romance, we are taken on a journey, and several climbs where Sophie is paired with Andreas to scout suitable locations, with plenty of time to unpick and rehash their break-up.
As I always say in reviews, you don't want me telling you the plot; that is for you to read, but you want an opinion. Mine is that this is a fantastic read, with a hint of spice, and a shed load of precarious situations where there is a second chance, close proximity and one-bed tropes explored!
Thoroughly enjoyed the read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
This time, I was transported to Italy with Sophie-Leigh, the FMC, a wedding planner, as she was instructed to help plan a wedding for two clients who wanted more than your average destination wedding. They are looking for the thrill of a climb, with commitment at the top of a peak, preferably with a cross there.
Memories of a past romance threaten to take over her mind, as Sophie begins the organisation, those memories become a reality as she is faced with the man who effectively popped her climbing cherry, and then her heart, after a whirlwind romance.
Combining the climbing and romance, we are taken on a journey, and several climbs where Sophie is paired with Andreas to scout suitable locations, with plenty of time to unpick and rehash their break-up.
As I always say in reviews, you don't want me telling you the plot; that is for you to read, but you want an opinion. Mine is that this is a fantastic read, with a hint of spice, and a shed load of precarious situations where there is a second chance, close proximity and one-bed tropes explored!
Thoroughly enjoyed the read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.
July 26, 2025
The PERFECT summer read! I loved getting lost in the mountains with these characters (to be clear: they weren't lost, I was just immersed) and following their journey to love and acceptance.
May 13, 2025
rtyc
May 5, 2025
The writing was light and featured two points of view. Whilst it suddenly went from one point of view to the other in a seemly random fashion, it worked, and I enjoyed reading about how each character was feeling in certain situations. There was quite a lot of to and fro with each character not believing the other had feelings for them, and them trying to explain themselves to one another, but it all came together well.
The chapters were long and sometimes split. This meant that you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. Whilst the main characters' feelings kept going round in circles, the rest of the story moved on well. There were plenty of things going on to keep your attention whilst the main characters were trying to sort through their feelings.
There was a good flow to the book. The chapters ran smoothly together and made for an easy read.
The pace of the story was good. Despite the long chapters and the main characters not knowing what the other was thinking, you kept moving forward. There were clear movements of time grounding the story and helping it to keep moving.
The characters were good. I loved that we got to see what each of the main characters' were thinking. As the reader you were therefore armed with knowledge that the characters didn't have, making you really want for them to just be clear with each other and for them to both have a happy ending. I also enjoyed how the surrounding characters added to the suspense of the will they, won't they, and helped the main characters to sort through their feelings.
Lastly the settings. I loved the Italian mountain setting. There were some wonderful descriptions which really gave the story life and a sense of wonder. I would love to see it in real life for myself.
Overall a lovely read, full of will they, won't they suspense and brought to life with wonderful descriptions of the settings.
The chapters were long and sometimes split. This meant that you got a good chunk of the story before moving on. Whilst the main characters' feelings kept going round in circles, the rest of the story moved on well. There were plenty of things going on to keep your attention whilst the main characters were trying to sort through their feelings.
There was a good flow to the book. The chapters ran smoothly together and made for an easy read.
The pace of the story was good. Despite the long chapters and the main characters not knowing what the other was thinking, you kept moving forward. There were clear movements of time grounding the story and helping it to keep moving.
The characters were good. I loved that we got to see what each of the main characters' were thinking. As the reader you were therefore armed with knowledge that the characters didn't have, making you really want for them to just be clear with each other and for them to both have a happy ending. I also enjoyed how the surrounding characters added to the suspense of the will they, won't they, and helped the main characters to sort through their feelings.
Lastly the settings. I loved the Italian mountain setting. There were some wonderful descriptions which really gave the story life and a sense of wonder. I would love to see it in real life for myself.
Overall a lovely read, full of will they, won't they suspense and brought to life with wonderful descriptions of the settings.
April 30, 2025
⭐3.5 stars⭐
Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that is being released on May 9th called, An Italian Wedding Adventure. This was about a wedding planner named Sophie. When the wedding planning company Sophie works for merges with a travel company, she comes face to face with her ex, Andreas. The man she proposed to eight years ago but he turned her down. Now they have to work together to create European wedding adventures for clients wanting to tie the knot in an unforgettable way. This was a second chance romance, and the story definitely made you feel like you were on the adventures with the characters. I did feel like there were times when too many side characters were getting thrown at you at once and it got confusing. I also wish this would've been first person dual POV, rather than third person. Also I was waiting for paddleboarding to happen, since that's what's on the cover. But there wasn't any paddleboarding in this book, this book was about mountain climbing, so I feel the cover is misleading. Overall the story was fun and I enjoyed it! 💛📚
Thank you to the author and to the publisher for this ARC of An Italian Wedding Adventure, in exchange for an honest review.
Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that is being released on May 9th called, An Italian Wedding Adventure. This was about a wedding planner named Sophie. When the wedding planning company Sophie works for merges with a travel company, she comes face to face with her ex, Andreas. The man she proposed to eight years ago but he turned her down. Now they have to work together to create European wedding adventures for clients wanting to tie the knot in an unforgettable way. This was a second chance romance, and the story definitely made you feel like you were on the adventures with the characters. I did feel like there were times when too many side characters were getting thrown at you at once and it got confusing. I also wish this would've been first person dual POV, rather than third person. Also I was waiting for paddleboarding to happen, since that's what's on the cover. But there wasn't any paddleboarding in this book, this book was about mountain climbing, so I feel the cover is misleading. Overall the story was fun and I enjoyed it! 💛📚
Thank you to the author and to the publisher for this ARC of An Italian Wedding Adventure, in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2025
This was a really lovely second chance romance story with two likeable main characters.
Sophie is an overseas wedding planner and the company she works for merges with an outdoor adventure business in order to provide ‘Adventure Wedding’ packages. The only problem is that Andreas, an Italian mountain climber works for the company and Sophie has history with him which left her brokenhearted. Working together to plan a mountaintop wedding in Italy, old feelings are dragged up and they are forced to face their awkward past.
I loved the character of Sophie, she was likeable, warm and friendly whereas Andreas is quite standoffish and grumpy but you learn to understand why he’s like that.
The book is written from both Sophie and Andreas’ perspectives with chapters dedicated to each character. This helped to gain more of a background on each character and what they’re thinking.
Overall I really like this book. It was easy to read, the setting was described beautifully and I will definitely read more from this author.
Thank you to Boldwood, Leonie Mack and Netgalley for the arc.
Sophie is an overseas wedding planner and the company she works for merges with an outdoor adventure business in order to provide ‘Adventure Wedding’ packages. The only problem is that Andreas, an Italian mountain climber works for the company and Sophie has history with him which left her brokenhearted. Working together to plan a mountaintop wedding in Italy, old feelings are dragged up and they are forced to face their awkward past.
I loved the character of Sophie, she was likeable, warm and friendly whereas Andreas is quite standoffish and grumpy but you learn to understand why he’s like that.
The book is written from both Sophie and Andreas’ perspectives with chapters dedicated to each character. This helped to gain more of a background on each character and what they’re thinking.
Overall I really like this book. It was easy to read, the setting was described beautifully and I will definitely read more from this author.
Thank you to Boldwood, Leonie Mack and Netgalley for the arc.
May 22, 2025
A sweet and emotional second-chance romance set against a gorgeous outdoor backdrop. When wedding planner Sophie takes a couple to scout venues at Great Heart Adventures, she’s not expecting to run into Andreas—the man who broke her heart eight years ago. As they hike through old memories and new possibilities, sparks reignite and past wounds resurface.
Can Andreas finally choose love over adventure, or will history repeat itself?
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
Can Andreas finally choose love over adventure, or will history repeat itself?
Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
May 15, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Grumpy meets grumpier in this forced proximity romance about a divorced wedding planner and her mountaineering former lover.
I don't understand how two people who claim to love each other so much can be so miserable to each other.
Favorite quote: "That's love, huh? You haven't really seen anything until the other one has seen it, too."
Grumpy meets grumpier in this forced proximity romance about a divorced wedding planner and her mountaineering former lover.
I don't understand how two people who claim to love each other so much can be so miserable to each other.
Favorite quote: "That's love, huh? You haven't really seen anything until the other one has seen it, too."
May 10, 2025
This book is the first of a series, and I really can’t wait for the next ones!
I’m not a fan of second chances romance, it’s not a trope I seek, but I truly enjoyed in this book and it may have redeemed it for me.
There’s a lot going on, and it’s all so epic and fluid. It’s got that opposite attracts too, in between mountains and wedding planning and I must admit that I loved both side even if I am not the outdoorsy type.
It’s so full of emotions and feelings, surrounded by a perfect setting. I adored it.
I went to Venise because of a previous book of Leonie Mack, I might have a Lake Guarda longing now.
I highly recommend !
I’m not a fan of second chances romance, it’s not a trope I seek, but I truly enjoyed in this book and it may have redeemed it for me.
There’s a lot going on, and it’s all so epic and fluid. It’s got that opposite attracts too, in between mountains and wedding planning and I must admit that I loved both side even if I am not the outdoorsy type.
It’s so full of emotions and feelings, surrounded by a perfect setting. I adored it.
I went to Venise because of a previous book of Leonie Mack, I might have a Lake Guarda longing now.
I highly recommend !
May 13, 2025
Originally posted on Dreaming With Open Eyes
((3.5 rounded to 4))
An Italian Wedding Adventure is a warm, scenic second-chance romance that combines destination weddings, adventure travel, and emotional reconnection—all set against the stunning backdrop of the Italian mountains.
It’s a story with a unique premise: wedding planner Sophie-Leigh once boldly proposed to her boyfriend, Andreas, on Leap Day eight years ago… only to be rejected. Now, fate (and a company merger) throws them back together, forcing them to confront their past while planning a wedding for another couple in the great outdoors.
💕 Second chance romance |👱 Third-Person POV | 🇮🇹 Italy
From the start, I was drawn in by the fun concept and adorable cover. The setting is absolutely the star here—Mack paints the Italian landscapes beautifully, making you feel like you’re climbing alongside Sophie & Andreas. The mountain wedding angle felt fresh and added a bit of charm and excitement that set this book apart from other romance reads.
The dynamic between Sophie & Andreas had real potential, and I liked the emotional tension as they gradually revisited their shared history. Their slow-burn reconnection works well in parts, and the Leap Day proposal twist added a memorable touch. However, their interactions at times felt repetitive, with a lot of back-and-forth that didn’t always move the story forward.
But despite that, I found it difficult to connect with the story on an emotional level—and for me, a big part of that came down to the third-person point of view. I personally tend to connect more deeply with characters when a story is written in first-person, especially in romance, where emotional intimacy is so central. Here, the third-person narration kept me at arm’s length. Even during more emotional or vulnerable scenes, I felt like an observer rather than truly being inside Sophie or Andreas’s heads.
The POV shifts between the two characters also weren’t always clearly signaled, which added to the distance I felt. At times I had to pause and reorient myself, which disrupted the flow and made it harder to stay engaged. I wanted to feel more of what the characters were feeling—the heartbreak, the hesitation, the chemistry—but the narrative style didn’t quite get me there.
Despite these issues, this was still a sweet and enjoyable read. The adventure-travel aspect gave it a refreshing twist, and the writing style—though light and sometimes a bit distant—shows real promise. I also loved the little nods to wedding chaos, romantic missteps, and how hard it is to move on when something is unresolved.
Overall, An Italian Wedding Adventure is a lovely escape with a beautiful setting, a soft emotional core, and just enough charm to keep you turning the pages. While it didn’t fully hook me or become a new favorite, it’s a solid choice for fans of destination romances, second chances, and travel-infused love stories. Definitely a cute pick for a summer or holiday read!
I kindly received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Boldwood Books.
((3.5 rounded to 4))
An Italian Wedding Adventure is a warm, scenic second-chance romance that combines destination weddings, adventure travel, and emotional reconnection—all set against the stunning backdrop of the Italian mountains.
It’s a story with a unique premise: wedding planner Sophie-Leigh once boldly proposed to her boyfriend, Andreas, on Leap Day eight years ago… only to be rejected. Now, fate (and a company merger) throws them back together, forcing them to confront their past while planning a wedding for another couple in the great outdoors.
💕 Second chance romance |👱 Third-Person POV | 🇮🇹 Italy
From the start, I was drawn in by the fun concept and adorable cover. The setting is absolutely the star here—Mack paints the Italian landscapes beautifully, making you feel like you’re climbing alongside Sophie & Andreas. The mountain wedding angle felt fresh and added a bit of charm and excitement that set this book apart from other romance reads.
The dynamic between Sophie & Andreas had real potential, and I liked the emotional tension as they gradually revisited their shared history. Their slow-burn reconnection works well in parts, and the Leap Day proposal twist added a memorable touch. However, their interactions at times felt repetitive, with a lot of back-and-forth that didn’t always move the story forward.
But despite that, I found it difficult to connect with the story on an emotional level—and for me, a big part of that came down to the third-person point of view. I personally tend to connect more deeply with characters when a story is written in first-person, especially in romance, where emotional intimacy is so central. Here, the third-person narration kept me at arm’s length. Even during more emotional or vulnerable scenes, I felt like an observer rather than truly being inside Sophie or Andreas’s heads.
The POV shifts between the two characters also weren’t always clearly signaled, which added to the distance I felt. At times I had to pause and reorient myself, which disrupted the flow and made it harder to stay engaged. I wanted to feel more of what the characters were feeling—the heartbreak, the hesitation, the chemistry—but the narrative style didn’t quite get me there.
Despite these issues, this was still a sweet and enjoyable read. The adventure-travel aspect gave it a refreshing twist, and the writing style—though light and sometimes a bit distant—shows real promise. I also loved the little nods to wedding chaos, romantic missteps, and how hard it is to move on when something is unresolved.
Overall, An Italian Wedding Adventure is a lovely escape with a beautiful setting, a soft emotional core, and just enough charm to keep you turning the pages. While it didn’t fully hook me or become a new favorite, it’s a solid choice for fans of destination romances, second chances, and travel-infused love stories. Definitely a cute pick for a summer or holiday read!
I kindly received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Boldwood Books.
May 2, 2025
❀ ARC ❀ Coming out May 2025
The first thing I want to say is that I’d never thought I’d use the concept granola boy for a book, but here I am. That’s the MMC, as in this Ken’s job is granola boy. If you’ve never heard of it its basically those guys who wear Patagonia and Arc'teryx and like outdoors activities, particularly hiking (and they carry like protein bars AND granola bars, hence the name). So with that new type of main character explained, now I can dive in.
Sophie is a destination wedding planner, she’s good at it and almost has it down to an art. Come in a new couple who want a destination adventure wedding and she’s almost at a loss, except it turns out she used to be the outdoorsy type too so she gets what they’re talking about, but it brings her memories.
Fast forward, she comes face to face with those memories, or more like the guy those memories include: Andreas. The granola boy who is basically allergic to the mere mention of the word marriage. Now they must plan the wedding together while trying (and failing) to keep the memories at bay.
MY OPINION:
It took me like three seconds to feel like I knew the characters, you know that wanting to be a fly on the wall? That’s how the author made it feel with her writing: up front conversations, lively descriptions of the places (and I mean who doesn’t want to be transported to towns and mountains on an Italian lakeside).
I felt the struggles Sophie faced, like she was a friend telling me. I really enjoyed that, now come to think of it. I wanted to tell her things about Andreas, because it was so real.
At first I thought it would be a summer-like perfect read but it’s actually really nice for anytime (in my case spring and not anywhere near a vacation) because it takes you to beautiful little towns in Italy. So reading it is like an escapade. I could totally picture it like a movie in my head while reading it, and I enjoyed that so much because it made it lighter and more fun.
There’s some stuff that could’ve been dug a little deeper to make it more meaningful and that was just mentioned in passing and left at that… but overall, like I said, a light fun read that takes you away.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book!
The first thing I want to say is that I’d never thought I’d use the concept granola boy for a book, but here I am. That’s the MMC, as in this Ken’s job is granola boy. If you’ve never heard of it its basically those guys who wear Patagonia and Arc'teryx and like outdoors activities, particularly hiking (and they carry like protein bars AND granola bars, hence the name). So with that new type of main character explained, now I can dive in.
Sophie is a destination wedding planner, she’s good at it and almost has it down to an art. Come in a new couple who want a destination adventure wedding and she’s almost at a loss, except it turns out she used to be the outdoorsy type too so she gets what they’re talking about, but it brings her memories.
Fast forward, she comes face to face with those memories, or more like the guy those memories include: Andreas. The granola boy who is basically allergic to the mere mention of the word marriage. Now they must plan the wedding together while trying (and failing) to keep the memories at bay.
MY OPINION:
It took me like three seconds to feel like I knew the characters, you know that wanting to be a fly on the wall? That’s how the author made it feel with her writing: up front conversations, lively descriptions of the places (and I mean who doesn’t want to be transported to towns and mountains on an Italian lakeside).
I felt the struggles Sophie faced, like she was a friend telling me. I really enjoyed that, now come to think of it. I wanted to tell her things about Andreas, because it was so real.
At first I thought it would be a summer-like perfect read but it’s actually really nice for anytime (in my case spring and not anywhere near a vacation) because it takes you to beautiful little towns in Italy. So reading it is like an escapade. I could totally picture it like a movie in my head while reading it, and I enjoyed that so much because it made it lighter and more fun.
There’s some stuff that could’ve been dug a little deeper to make it more meaningful and that was just mentioned in passing and left at that… but overall, like I said, a light fun read that takes you away.
Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this book!
April 12, 2025
Thanks Boldwood Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this very cute book in exchange for an honest review.
Sophie is a wedding planner, her agency specialises in Destination weddings so she's always looking for her new adventure. A one of a kind request from an adventurous couple will change not only the future of her wedding enterprise but also Sophie's own life.
In order to plan this wedding and make her clients' wishes come true Sophie has to get back in touch with her ex Andreas, their relationship ended 8 years before after she proposed to him and he refused.
For both Sophie and Andreas this will be a chance to rediscover themselves and their feelings, to talk a bit more and clarify some things left unsaid so long ago.
It won't be long before old feelings start to resurface (were they really ever gone completely?) and both of them, helped by some hikes and the beauty of the Italian Alps, will find themselves rebuilding that connection in no time!
An Italian Wedding Adventure is a cute little romance, the perfect read while on holiday or just before going on one, to get in that vacation mood. I'd maybe have appreciated a bit more of the backstory between the 2 main characters. We've been told that they dated for almost a year only to go two separate ways for 8 years after that, yet apparently they are each other's happy handing and soulmate so those 10months must have been quite something and I would have loved to know more in order to build a stronger connection with them and to root for them even more while reading the story.
I must say, I'm very picky and the attention to details for me is key... so I'd appreciate if editors would put a bit more effort and care when foreign languages are used, as some of the Italian phrases in this book were not 100% accurate. I appreciate that Andreas is not native Italian, but it says on the book that he's fluent and could basically almost pass for one, hence why my comment... Other than that, a very pleasant read.
Sophie is a wedding planner, her agency specialises in Destination weddings so she's always looking for her new adventure. A one of a kind request from an adventurous couple will change not only the future of her wedding enterprise but also Sophie's own life.
In order to plan this wedding and make her clients' wishes come true Sophie has to get back in touch with her ex Andreas, their relationship ended 8 years before after she proposed to him and he refused.
For both Sophie and Andreas this will be a chance to rediscover themselves and their feelings, to talk a bit more and clarify some things left unsaid so long ago.
It won't be long before old feelings start to resurface (were they really ever gone completely?) and both of them, helped by some hikes and the beauty of the Italian Alps, will find themselves rebuilding that connection in no time!
An Italian Wedding Adventure is a cute little romance, the perfect read while on holiday or just before going on one, to get in that vacation mood. I'd maybe have appreciated a bit more of the backstory between the 2 main characters. We've been told that they dated for almost a year only to go two separate ways for 8 years after that, yet apparently they are each other's happy handing and soulmate so those 10months must have been quite something and I would have loved to know more in order to build a stronger connection with them and to root for them even more while reading the story.
I must say, I'm very picky and the attention to details for me is key... so I'd appreciate if editors would put a bit more effort and care when foreign languages are used, as some of the Italian phrases in this book were not 100% accurate. I appreciate that Andreas is not native Italian, but it says on the book that he's fluent and could basically almost pass for one, hence why my comment... Other than that, a very pleasant read.
May 8, 2025
I’ve been looking forward to reading this book, hoping for a great story that would transport me to Italy & help me forget about the damp English spring weather I could see outdoors.
Sophie is a wedding planner, specialising in unusual settings. Andreas is a mountaineer & outdoor pursuits instructor. They first met 8 years ago when Sophie was a participant on a course on which he was an instructor, and had a relationship which ended messily. They meet again when Sophie’s employer buys the adventure company that Andreas works for. They are forced to work together on planning a wedding that is due to take place in the mountainous area around Lake Garda in Italy, where they have old memories together. Neither is enthusiastic about working together. Both are surprised to find that the old attraction is still there despite the fact that both have changed.
I loved the descriptions of the mountains, lake & surroundings which conveyed a strong sense of place, with the sights, scents & sounds conjuring images of these places. I could really feel Sophie’s tension, fear & resolve in the descriptions of how she climbed & traversed the rock faces. Both of the main characters are strong people, & I liked how they changed over the years as they reflected & responded to changing events & feelings. This is a romance & of course everyone expects an HEA, don’t they? For me the outcome was far from clear, but I loved that there was uncertainty almost to the end as the characters worked out who they were now & what they really wanted.
I loved this book, which exceeded my expectations. It’s a fun & ultimately optimistic story about love & second chances. I would recommend it as a good summer read, or an escape to read during the colder days of winter.
Thanks to Boldwood Books & Netgalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sophie is a wedding planner, specialising in unusual settings. Andreas is a mountaineer & outdoor pursuits instructor. They first met 8 years ago when Sophie was a participant on a course on which he was an instructor, and had a relationship which ended messily. They meet again when Sophie’s employer buys the adventure company that Andreas works for. They are forced to work together on planning a wedding that is due to take place in the mountainous area around Lake Garda in Italy, where they have old memories together. Neither is enthusiastic about working together. Both are surprised to find that the old attraction is still there despite the fact that both have changed.
I loved the descriptions of the mountains, lake & surroundings which conveyed a strong sense of place, with the sights, scents & sounds conjuring images of these places. I could really feel Sophie’s tension, fear & resolve in the descriptions of how she climbed & traversed the rock faces. Both of the main characters are strong people, & I liked how they changed over the years as they reflected & responded to changing events & feelings. This is a romance & of course everyone expects an HEA, don’t they? For me the outcome was far from clear, but I loved that there was uncertainty almost to the end as the characters worked out who they were now & what they really wanted.
I loved this book, which exceeded my expectations. It’s a fun & ultimately optimistic story about love & second chances. I would recommend it as a good summer read, or an escape to read during the colder days of winter.
Thanks to Boldwood Books & Netgalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2025
Leonie Mack’s An Italian Wedding Adventure is a quiet, scenic, and emotionally satisfying second-chance romance that trades over-the-top dramatics for a nuanced exploration of love, timing, and the things left unsaid. Set in the less-expected, rugged landscapes of Trentino, Italy, this novel offers a refreshing take on both the location and the tropes — and for readers willing to sit with the slow-burn pacing, it’s worth the journey.
Eight years ago, Sophie-Leigh Kirke did what few romantic heroines dare: on Leap Day, she proposed to her longtime boyfriend, Andreas. His rejection shattered her, and they went their separate ways. Now, almost a decade later, fate (and a corporate merger) throws them back into each other’s orbit. Sophie is a destination wedding planner. Andreas is a mountaineer and expedition guide. Their companies are combining forces to offer adventure-based weddings — and wouldn’t you know it, they’ve been paired up to scout out a mountaintop venue in Italy.
Let’s start with what this book does right: the emotional texture is strong. Mack doesn’t rush Sophie and Andreas back together. Their past looms large, and their present is filled with tension — not only romantic, but professional, practical, and deeply personal. There’s no magical switch where they suddenly fall back in love. Instead, their relationship is carefully unwrapped through shared work, moments of vulnerability, and the resurfacing of old truths that were either buried or misunderstood.
Sophie is older than the typical romance lead (early 30s), and that maturity works in the story’s favor. She’s competent, wounded but not broken, and driven. She doesn’t pine; she processes. Andreas, on the other hand, is prickly — even frustrating — but with emotional layers that are eventually revealed. He’s a man who lives in his own head, steeped in guilt and fear of emotional failure. Their dynamic isn’t easy, but it’s real. And when the truth behind his rejection years ago comes to light, it adds weight and context to everything.
The setting is also a standout. Mack’s decision to set the story in Trentino (near Lake Garda) rather than the more overused Italian tourist spots feels intentional and well-researched. She leans into the outdoor adventure world — hiking, climbing, alpine culture — in a way that feels immersive without being alienating to readers unfamiliar with the sport. The wedding planning angle blends surprisingly well with the adrenaline-fueled backdrop, and the summit-top wedding concept brings both a literal and metaphorical “peak” to the story.
Now, let’s talk structure and style. The novel is written in third person, alternating between Sophie and Andreas. While this works for showing both of their emotional arcs, it sometimes leads to detachment, especially in more intimate or high-stakes moments. A first-person POV might have added immediacy. The pacing is also uneven — the early chapters are heavy on exposition and setup, and some scenes feel like they’re circling the same emotional ground without pushing forward. That said, once the emotional threads start unraveling, the payoff feels genuine.
This is not a spicy romance — there’s heat in the tension, but not in the bedroom. What it is, though, is emotionally romantic. It’s about two people slowly lowering their defenses, piece by piece, and confronting the version of themselves they became apart. There’s a realism to their reconnection that’s often missing in second-chance romances. Mack allows space for reflection and regret, but also for forgiveness and quiet hope.
If you’re someone who reads romance for the emotional payoff rather than just the swoon, this is the book for you. If you love rich settings, flawed but compelling characters, and stories about love that comes after life happens — this one belongs on your list.
Final Thoughts:
An Italian Wedding Adventure is a thoughtful, scenic, and heart-driven romance about two people trying to rewrite their ending. It might not hit every beat perfectly, but when it lands, it lands with sincerity and warmth. A love story that climbs slowly — and earns its summit.
Eight years ago, Sophie-Leigh Kirke did what few romantic heroines dare: on Leap Day, she proposed to her longtime boyfriend, Andreas. His rejection shattered her, and they went their separate ways. Now, almost a decade later, fate (and a corporate merger) throws them back into each other’s orbit. Sophie is a destination wedding planner. Andreas is a mountaineer and expedition guide. Their companies are combining forces to offer adventure-based weddings — and wouldn’t you know it, they’ve been paired up to scout out a mountaintop venue in Italy.
Let’s start with what this book does right: the emotional texture is strong. Mack doesn’t rush Sophie and Andreas back together. Their past looms large, and their present is filled with tension — not only romantic, but professional, practical, and deeply personal. There’s no magical switch where they suddenly fall back in love. Instead, their relationship is carefully unwrapped through shared work, moments of vulnerability, and the resurfacing of old truths that were either buried or misunderstood.
Sophie is older than the typical romance lead (early 30s), and that maturity works in the story’s favor. She’s competent, wounded but not broken, and driven. She doesn’t pine; she processes. Andreas, on the other hand, is prickly — even frustrating — but with emotional layers that are eventually revealed. He’s a man who lives in his own head, steeped in guilt and fear of emotional failure. Their dynamic isn’t easy, but it’s real. And when the truth behind his rejection years ago comes to light, it adds weight and context to everything.
The setting is also a standout. Mack’s decision to set the story in Trentino (near Lake Garda) rather than the more overused Italian tourist spots feels intentional and well-researched. She leans into the outdoor adventure world — hiking, climbing, alpine culture — in a way that feels immersive without being alienating to readers unfamiliar with the sport. The wedding planning angle blends surprisingly well with the adrenaline-fueled backdrop, and the summit-top wedding concept brings both a literal and metaphorical “peak” to the story.
Now, let’s talk structure and style. The novel is written in third person, alternating between Sophie and Andreas. While this works for showing both of their emotional arcs, it sometimes leads to detachment, especially in more intimate or high-stakes moments. A first-person POV might have added immediacy. The pacing is also uneven — the early chapters are heavy on exposition and setup, and some scenes feel like they’re circling the same emotional ground without pushing forward. That said, once the emotional threads start unraveling, the payoff feels genuine.
This is not a spicy romance — there’s heat in the tension, but not in the bedroom. What it is, though, is emotionally romantic. It’s about two people slowly lowering their defenses, piece by piece, and confronting the version of themselves they became apart. There’s a realism to their reconnection that’s often missing in second-chance romances. Mack allows space for reflection and regret, but also for forgiveness and quiet hope.
If you’re someone who reads romance for the emotional payoff rather than just the swoon, this is the book for you. If you love rich settings, flawed but compelling characters, and stories about love that comes after life happens — this one belongs on your list.
Final Thoughts:
An Italian Wedding Adventure is a thoughtful, scenic, and heart-driven romance about two people trying to rewrite their ending. It might not hit every beat perfectly, but when it lands, it lands with sincerity and warmth. A love story that climbs slowly — and earns its summit.
May 29, 2025
This was a perfectly fine book, but it didn't really do much for me. I became impatient and a little bored quite quickly. It just didn't offer anything fresh or new.
generally, I don't mind similarities (at some point after having read thousanda of books, I've come across most tropes and themes several times over) or a well used trope - in this case "second chance at love" - but I do need something that gets me engaged in the stort; a character, writing style, setting. I also don't necessarily mind predictably and a few clichés. This was very predictable. Which would have been fine if I'd gotten my little piece of "freshness"
Some positives that saved the book from being DNF-ed
- the writing was good. Not written in a noteworthy beautiful prose or anything (I don't think that would suit the stort either so that's not a negative!), but light and easy to read. A big pluss for not being repetitive and unnecessarily full of descriptions. The story mostly does well in being shown and not told.
- the climbing and outdoorsy theme was a nice break from the more typical either 1) big city or 2) small town - both usually full of coffee and cake-references.
That being said, I didn't really buy the whole concept of how these two characters were reunited - it seemed, to me, a bit far fetched. I was also a bit annoyed at the whole reason behind their initial break up (without saying more as not to spoil it). With today's social media and so many ways of communicating ... anywho.
If you're in the mood for a clean romance, a second chance at love, and a little fictional traveling, then this might just be for you! Throw in a little climbing and adventure into this description as well, and that's pretty much it
generally, I don't mind similarities (at some point after having read thousanda of books, I've come across most tropes and themes several times over) or a well used trope - in this case "second chance at love" - but I do need something that gets me engaged in the stort; a character, writing style, setting. I also don't necessarily mind predictably and a few clichés. This was very predictable. Which would have been fine if I'd gotten my little piece of "freshness"
Some positives that saved the book from being DNF-ed
- the writing was good. Not written in a noteworthy beautiful prose or anything (I don't think that would suit the stort either so that's not a negative!), but light and easy to read. A big pluss for not being repetitive and unnecessarily full of descriptions. The story mostly does well in being shown and not told.
- the climbing and outdoorsy theme was a nice break from the more typical either 1) big city or 2) small town - both usually full of coffee and cake-references.
That being said, I didn't really buy the whole concept of how these two characters were reunited - it seemed, to me, a bit far fetched. I was also a bit annoyed at the whole reason behind their initial break up (without saying more as not to spoil it). With today's social media and so many ways of communicating ... anywho.
If you're in the mood for a clean romance, a second chance at love, and a little fictional traveling, then this might just be for you! Throw in a little climbing and adventure into this description as well, and that's pretty much it
September 13, 2025
2.5/3 stars
Sophie and Andreas had a relationship 8 years ago that was hot and heavy but ended when Andreas couldn’t commit to anything more than a fling. In the present day the destination wedding business Sophie works for and the adventure sport company Andreas work for decide to merge and the two are forced to get along for the sake of the company.
This book is fine - once I got into it it was a pretty quick read, though I wasn’t doing anything else on that day and I think there’s definitely a universe where I could have DNF’d but I was intrigued enough to carry on in this one. I really liked a previous book by Leonie so I was sad to not love this one more, but ultimately the writing felt a little stilted for me so it was hard to be fully absorbed.
I think my ultimate issue is I doing think Sophie and Andreas should be together. Sure they’re attracted to each other, but they are so fundamentally different and want different things (until they magically don’t with lacking character development to get us there) and argue way more than they actually get on. It took a really long time before I felt chemistry between them and then they seem to turn things around but I’m not convinced they would be end game - Andreas has a change of heart that feels out of character and a plot point is introduced that feels inconsistent with part 1. We know from the acknowledgements the first half was re written and unfortunately I think it shows.
Ultimately it’s a quick read and a good option if you like very light fluffy books. It deals with several difficult topics with several TWs especially for miscarriage but they were often handled quite surface level.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Sophie and Andreas had a relationship 8 years ago that was hot and heavy but ended when Andreas couldn’t commit to anything more than a fling. In the present day the destination wedding business Sophie works for and the adventure sport company Andreas work for decide to merge and the two are forced to get along for the sake of the company.
This book is fine - once I got into it it was a pretty quick read, though I wasn’t doing anything else on that day and I think there’s definitely a universe where I could have DNF’d but I was intrigued enough to carry on in this one. I really liked a previous book by Leonie so I was sad to not love this one more, but ultimately the writing felt a little stilted for me so it was hard to be fully absorbed.
I think my ultimate issue is I doing think Sophie and Andreas should be together. Sure they’re attracted to each other, but they are so fundamentally different and want different things (until they magically don’t with lacking character development to get us there) and argue way more than they actually get on. It took a really long time before I felt chemistry between them and then they seem to turn things around but I’m not convinced they would be end game - Andreas has a change of heart that feels out of character and a plot point is introduced that feels inconsistent with part 1. We know from the acknowledgements the first half was re written and unfortunately I think it shows.
Ultimately it’s a quick read and a good option if you like very light fluffy books. It deals with several difficult topics with several TWs especially for miscarriage but they were often handled quite surface level.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 1, 2025
Things don't always go as we expect them to. Sometimes the wrong question at the wrong time can lead to heartbreak and humiliation. And sometimes, you get to face the past that has haunted you for years, even if you don't want to.
That is the case when Sophie's new client wants to have a destination wedding at the top of a mountain. She knows who to ask for the expertise she needs, but hopes that the man who broke her heart no longer works there. After he rejected her impromptu marriage proposal years ago, she never fully recovered, and though she's a professional and will do whatever it takes to serve her clients, she's not sure she'll have the strength to face Andreas again.
I really enjoyed this European vacation romance. The characters were fun and unique and I learned quite a bit about mountain climbing actually, which is always refreshing. I thought the conflict between the characters was authentic to their personalities and the romance and plot felt very natural. It's quite an escape, traveling with the characters to the tops of mountains, relearning one another and making the most of the time they know they'll have to spend together, even if it's the last thing they want to do.
If you're looking for a fun and flirty adventurous romance to pack on a summer trip this year, I think An Italian Wedding Adventure is a great option. It's got heart, humor, and grand gestures that will melt your heart like a popsicle in the sun.
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
For more reviews like this one visit my blog thelitertarian.com.
That is the case when Sophie's new client wants to have a destination wedding at the top of a mountain. She knows who to ask for the expertise she needs, but hopes that the man who broke her heart no longer works there. After he rejected her impromptu marriage proposal years ago, she never fully recovered, and though she's a professional and will do whatever it takes to serve her clients, she's not sure she'll have the strength to face Andreas again.
I really enjoyed this European vacation romance. The characters were fun and unique and I learned quite a bit about mountain climbing actually, which is always refreshing. I thought the conflict between the characters was authentic to their personalities and the romance and plot felt very natural. It's quite an escape, traveling with the characters to the tops of mountains, relearning one another and making the most of the time they know they'll have to spend together, even if it's the last thing they want to do.
If you're looking for a fun and flirty adventurous romance to pack on a summer trip this year, I think An Italian Wedding Adventure is a great option. It's got heart, humor, and grand gestures that will melt your heart like a popsicle in the sun.
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
For more reviews like this one visit my blog thelitertarian.com.
April 20, 2025
LM is one of my favourite writers. She creates credible and engaging characters I can identify with, and cheer on their journey to a happy ending. She always sets up a premise that is totally authentic and captures my interest in a setting which I want to visit.
Here we have Sophie and Andreas, a wedding planner and a mountaineer. Eight years ago she used Leap Year as the opportunity to ask him to marry her and he rejected her. Now the two companies they work for (Wedding Planner and Outdoor Pursuits) merge and they have to work together. This is so beautiful, I totally loved it. Andreas proves to be a delicious hero whose behaviour becomes very understandable as we learn more about him and watch him dare to be brave because of their love.. Sophie is lovable and complex and it's fascinating to see how she grows and develops as they reconnect.
What I also loved was the time devoted to our couple. So many books neglect the romance in favour of a cast of thousands who I'm generally not at all interested in. LM doesn't do that. Her subsidiary characters serve a purpose, but they don't overwhelm the main characters.
The writing evokes settings brilliantly. And although I am no fan of outdoor pursuits, LM actually makes me understand why other people are.
A fabulous read, which I got as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Highly recommended 5 stars!
Here we have Sophie and Andreas, a wedding planner and a mountaineer. Eight years ago she used Leap Year as the opportunity to ask him to marry her and he rejected her. Now the two companies they work for (Wedding Planner and Outdoor Pursuits) merge and they have to work together. This is so beautiful, I totally loved it. Andreas proves to be a delicious hero whose behaviour becomes very understandable as we learn more about him and watch him dare to be brave because of their love.. Sophie is lovable and complex and it's fascinating to see how she grows and develops as they reconnect.
What I also loved was the time devoted to our couple. So many books neglect the romance in favour of a cast of thousands who I'm generally not at all interested in. LM doesn't do that. Her subsidiary characters serve a purpose, but they don't overwhelm the main characters.
The writing evokes settings brilliantly. And although I am no fan of outdoor pursuits, LM actually makes me understand why other people are.
A fabulous read, which I got as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Highly recommended 5 stars!
April 23, 2025
3.5 stars
Ah, I do love a good wedding, whether real or fictional. I enjoyed the premise of An Italian Wedding Adventure: we've got Sophie and Andreas getting a second shot at what was somewhat of a whirlwind failed relationship from eight years ago that left them both feeling hurt in different ways.
I liked their journey together for the most part, but I found Andreas to be really...childish? Especially for how old his characters is supposed to be. All the wedding planning content was fun, I thought. It reminded me of a middle-grade series I really loved, The Wedding Planner's Daughter, just all the fun (and stressful!) details for trying to plan someone's perfect wedding day. I love those vibes and I definitely got those while reading.
I think I would have liked this a lot more if we got even more of a focus on just the MMC and FMC connection, both from the past and in the present day. There were moments where they were discussing what happened before but we were really just told it, we didn't get to truly see much of those bits on the page and I think that could've made me love the characters instead of just like them, and to see the full start to end progression.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy to read and review! I would give this a shot if you're into tropes like second chance romance, weddings/wedding planning, Italian setting, and also outdoor activities like hiking and mountain climbing.
Ah, I do love a good wedding, whether real or fictional. I enjoyed the premise of An Italian Wedding Adventure: we've got Sophie and Andreas getting a second shot at what was somewhat of a whirlwind failed relationship from eight years ago that left them both feeling hurt in different ways.
I liked their journey together for the most part, but I found Andreas to be really...childish? Especially for how old his characters is supposed to be. All the wedding planning content was fun, I thought. It reminded me of a middle-grade series I really loved, The Wedding Planner's Daughter, just all the fun (and stressful!) details for trying to plan someone's perfect wedding day. I love those vibes and I definitely got those while reading.
I think I would have liked this a lot more if we got even more of a focus on just the MMC and FMC connection, both from the past and in the present day. There were moments where they were discussing what happened before but we were really just told it, we didn't get to truly see much of those bits on the page and I think that could've made me love the characters instead of just like them, and to see the full start to end progression.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a copy to read and review! I would give this a shot if you're into tropes like second chance romance, weddings/wedding planning, Italian setting, and also outdoor activities like hiking and mountain climbing.
May 17, 2025
An Italian Wedding Adventure by Leonie Mack
My sincere thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read An Italian Wedding Adventure by Leonie Mack. I give my unbiased opinion of the book in the following review.
I love Leonie Mack's writing! I discovered her last year and plan to continue reading her books. They are a perfect mixture of fun and serious. I love watching her characters grow personally as well as more in love page by page. In this book the main characters Andreas and Sophie are getting a second chance at love when they are thrown together eight years after Andreas turned down Sophie's February 29th proposal. He has been climbing mountains, literally, and Sophie has been working as a destination wedding planner. When one of Sophie's clients wants an adventure wedding on a mountain summit, her company combines forces with Andreas' to try and make this happen. If it goes well, the two companies would combine to offer more adventure weddings in the future which would benefit them both. Will they be able to work together? Will Andreas be able to put aside his aversion to weddings? How do they really feel after all this time? Can the mountain top wedding really go off without a hitch? Believe me, you will want to read this book to find out. It was sometimes frustrating watching Sophie and Andreas work through overcoming the past so they could be together in the present, the conclusion was more than satisfiying.
My sincere thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read An Italian Wedding Adventure by Leonie Mack. I give my unbiased opinion of the book in the following review.
I love Leonie Mack's writing! I discovered her last year and plan to continue reading her books. They are a perfect mixture of fun and serious. I love watching her characters grow personally as well as more in love page by page. In this book the main characters Andreas and Sophie are getting a second chance at love when they are thrown together eight years after Andreas turned down Sophie's February 29th proposal. He has been climbing mountains, literally, and Sophie has been working as a destination wedding planner. When one of Sophie's clients wants an adventure wedding on a mountain summit, her company combines forces with Andreas' to try and make this happen. If it goes well, the two companies would combine to offer more adventure weddings in the future which would benefit them both. Will they be able to work together? Will Andreas be able to put aside his aversion to weddings? How do they really feel after all this time? Can the mountain top wedding really go off without a hitch? Believe me, you will want to read this book to find out. It was sometimes frustrating watching Sophie and Andreas work through overcoming the past so they could be together in the present, the conclusion was more than satisfiying.
March 29, 2025
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley for giving me an Arc of this, I was really excited to read this, as the second chance romance trope is definitely one of my favourites in Romance.
This story follows two main characters- Sarah and Andreas who left one another 8 years ago, after Sarah decided to spontaneously propose to her long term lover Andreas, she gets rejected and heartbroken, causing them to split up and lead different lives. However it would seem fate would bring them together again, when Sophie’s wedding
Agency she works for, merges with Andreas travel company. The past is brought up, and hearts begins to open up again- reluctantly and with a fight. But answers are brought to light…and it changes everything…
This second chance trope romance is done really well back Mack, and you will find the tension building between Sophie and Andreas hard to pull away from. Those that loved books like Unbearably Yours by Elodie Colliard, will definitely love this too! The reason why I didn’t give this a higher rating was because I really found it initially hard to get in to, and in all honesty the book pacing is not consistent and quite predictable at times. Also the ending wasn't as satisfying as I was hoping for, it kind of finishes very strangely if I'm honest! But all in all, it’s a great book to lounge in bed with, and eat some snacks with!
This story follows two main characters- Sarah and Andreas who left one another 8 years ago, after Sarah decided to spontaneously propose to her long term lover Andreas, she gets rejected and heartbroken, causing them to split up and lead different lives. However it would seem fate would bring them together again, when Sophie’s wedding
Agency she works for, merges with Andreas travel company. The past is brought up, and hearts begins to open up again- reluctantly and with a fight. But answers are brought to light…and it changes everything…
This second chance trope romance is done really well back Mack, and you will find the tension building between Sophie and Andreas hard to pull away from. Those that loved books like Unbearably Yours by Elodie Colliard, will definitely love this too! The reason why I didn’t give this a higher rating was because I really found it initially hard to get in to, and in all honesty the book pacing is not consistent and quite predictable at times. Also the ending wasn't as satisfying as I was hoping for, it kind of finishes very strangely if I'm honest! But all in all, it’s a great book to lounge in bed with, and eat some snacks with!
May 9, 2025
I love a good second chance romance, and I was NOT expecting this one. Sophie is a wedding planner and she is really good at it, but she has a client that wants their wedding to be a little too adventurous, and she knew of the right place, she just didnt know that her Ex will be there, STILL.
Andreas is a thrill seeker, and he loves to hike, and the higher and more challenging the better. And 8 years ago these two were in love, and then all of that ended when Andreas let Sophie down, and that broke her heart, I AM HEARTBROKEN FOR HER! HOW DARE YOU ANDREAS!!!!!.. Anyway, now they have to work together for the sake of her clients wedding and while all of this is going on they are getting to know eachother again, talking about what happened in between the 8 years and even what happened before their break up.
Andreas clearly had issues with commitment but then not really?? That was a little confusing for me, but I loved Sophie, how she handled everything and even when the happily ever was approaching I liked how she was still a skeptic about everything and Andreas had A LOT to prove when it comes to this love for her, any woman would be on their guard. But I loved how he finally grew the heck UP!
Thanks Netgalley and the Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
Andreas is a thrill seeker, and he loves to hike, and the higher and more challenging the better. And 8 years ago these two were in love, and then all of that ended when Andreas let Sophie down, and that broke her heart, I AM HEARTBROKEN FOR HER! HOW DARE YOU ANDREAS!!!!!.. Anyway, now they have to work together for the sake of her clients wedding and while all of this is going on they are getting to know eachother again, talking about what happened in between the 8 years and even what happened before their break up.
Andreas clearly had issues with commitment but then not really?? That was a little confusing for me, but I loved Sophie, how she handled everything and even when the happily ever was approaching I liked how she was still a skeptic about everything and Andreas had A LOT to prove when it comes to this love for her, any woman would be on their guard. But I loved how he finally grew the heck UP!
Thanks Netgalley and the Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
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