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As Long as It Takes
Set in a seaside town in Italy, As Long as It Takes is a charming summer romance about finding your roots and letting love blossom.
Love isn’t exactly a priority for Lora Brooks. After all, her last break-up made it perfectly clear that she can’t rely on anyone but herself. That’s why Lora’s number one focus is her research, where she’s hard at work debunking Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. But when she’s offered a prestigious post-doctoral position in Zurich—one whose funding hinges on her having European citizenship—everything changes.
Hoping to claim citizenship through her birth father, Lora and her best friend travel to the quaint Italian town where he was born. She knows little about her father (and intends to keep it that way) but nothing, not even the ghosts of her past, will stand between Lora and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Except, perhaps, Italian bureaucracy. And an outdated filing system. And Andrea, the handsome—and slightly anxious—mayor.
Andrea’s plate may be more than full, but in between trying to increase tourism, wrangling quirky business-owners, and debating whether to run for a second term, he somehow finds the time to show Lora what it really means to live, and perhaps love, like a local. Lora is destined for a future hundreds of miles awayand Andrea’s parents are pushing him to return to his fast-paced life in New York, but will they discover that their most basic need is actually just…each other?
Love isn’t exactly a priority for Lora Brooks. After all, her last break-up made it perfectly clear that she can’t rely on anyone but herself. That’s why Lora’s number one focus is her research, where she’s hard at work debunking Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. But when she’s offered a prestigious post-doctoral position in Zurich—one whose funding hinges on her having European citizenship—everything changes.
Hoping to claim citizenship through her birth father, Lora and her best friend travel to the quaint Italian town where he was born. She knows little about her father (and intends to keep it that way) but nothing, not even the ghosts of her past, will stand between Lora and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Except, perhaps, Italian bureaucracy. And an outdated filing system. And Andrea, the handsome—and slightly anxious—mayor.
Andrea’s plate may be more than full, but in between trying to increase tourism, wrangling quirky business-owners, and debating whether to run for a second term, he somehow finds the time to show Lora what it really means to live, and perhaps love, like a local. Lora is destined for a future hundreds of miles awayand Andrea’s parents are pushing him to return to his fast-paced life in New York, but will they discover that their most basic need is actually just…each other?
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
July 30, 2026
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
2.75 out of 5 stars.
Sadly, this one wasn't quite for me. I did appreciate how fast-paced it was—it made for a really quick read—but I just never fully connected with the story. I can definitely see why others might enjoy it; it simply wasn't the right fit for my reading taste, but I'm still glad I got to read it.
2.75 out of 5 stars.
Sadly, this one wasn't quite for me. I did appreciate how fast-paced it was—it made for a really quick read—but I just never fully connected with the story. I can definitely see why others might enjoy it; it simply wasn't the right fit for my reading taste, but I'm still glad I got to read it.
April 4, 2026
Unfortunately, this book was not for me. Francis’s writing style was not what I would typically go for in a book; it just felt off to me from the very beginning.
I did, however, enjoy the tidbits and the connection to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, as I’m familiar with the concept and find it interesting.
Overall, I think this is going to be a very loved romance book, I just did not have that reading experience.
I did, however, enjoy the tidbits and the connection to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, as I’m familiar with the concept and find it interesting.
Overall, I think this is going to be a very loved romance book, I just did not have that reading experience.
July 26, 2026
Jill Francis's debut was one of my best contemporary romances of 2025, so I was very excited to read her second outing. I've had a copy of As Long as It Takes for months and was feeling guilty about not getting to it until release week, but I am a firm believer that the universe sometimes sends you the book you need when you need it. Looking back, I think some cosmic librarian knew I would need As Long as It Takes right now, because this was exactly the story I needed. Things are pretty terrible, and I needed this heroine's journey at this moment in time.
Thanks to Jill Francis and St. Martin's Griffin for the complimentary ARC of As Long as It Takes.
Lora Brooks is on a mission. She has moved to the tiny town her father was from in Italy to locate his birth certificate, apply for citizenship, and then move to Zurich to start her postdoc. If she doesn't get European citizenship, she can't apply for the funding she needs to complete her research, so it's mission-critical that she gets in and out of Italy—with her citizenship—as soon as possible. The trouble is, the bureaucracy in Italy moves at a glacial pace, and Lora doesn't speak Italian. Enter the mayor of the small town, Andrea Garibaldi. Andrea was born and raised in this town but moved to New York for college and stayed in the city to build a career in finance. After some mental health challenges, he moved home and ran for mayor when he saw how dilapidated and underfunded the town was. In just four years, he's managed to turn things around, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Unfortunately, Andrea doesn't know if he wants to serve another term, and there is no obvious candidate to take his place. Andrea is surprised that Lora thinks she'll get her citizenship in just a few months, especially since she doesn't realize she needs to establish residency in Italy, but he's determined to help her, knowing how important her move to Zurich is. Lora is trying to avoid establishing any connections to her father's hometown. She doesn't want to know anything about the man who abandoned her and her mother or build relationships since she's leaving so soon, but there's something about the people in this town—and its mayor—that she can't help but care for.
Lora's postdoc thesis is focused on debunking Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. She believes that Maslow's thinking is outdated and that people do not need the kind of social and emotional support to succeed in life that Maslow posited in his work. Lora has been on her own for much of her life. Her father left when she was a child, and she never really knew him, and her mother died of cancer when Lora was a young woman. She was her mom's caretaker and ended up becoming a fiercely independent person who only relies on herself and keeps her circle small. I'm currently walking through end-stage cancer with my mom, and I am her only caretaker. It's just the two of us as I help her begin this process of hospice and figure out how to be a person after this experience. Now, I am older than Lora, but I don't think anyone is ever really prepared for this experience, regardless of age. When I say this book found me at the right time, I mean that it was a reminder that I should not try to do this alone, that Maslow was kind of onto something when he told us all those years ago that we need people.
If you're going to write a small-town romance, I need quirky community members. That is a requirement. I don't care what country the book is set in or what time period. If you're putting a small town on the page, I want at least one busybody, some deeply shallow town politics, and a potential best friend with a heart of gold. We get all of that here. I loved the bond that Lora developed with the café owner, the town hairdresser, and the other townspeople who help her get settled in Italy while pursuing her citizenship. I could read a whole series about these people, which is exactly the vibe I want when I pick up a small-town romance.
Andrea has a compelling story as well, trying to figure out what he wants from his life when all he knows is that he doesn't want the life he left behind in New York City. I enjoyed his plot and conflict, but it wasn't as impactful for me because I was awash in the glow of my own baggage with Lora's story.
Jill has officially earned her spot as an auto-buy author for me. Five stars.
Thanks to Jill Francis and St. Martin's Griffin for the complimentary ARC of As Long as It Takes.
Lora Brooks is on a mission. She has moved to the tiny town her father was from in Italy to locate his birth certificate, apply for citizenship, and then move to Zurich to start her postdoc. If she doesn't get European citizenship, she can't apply for the funding she needs to complete her research, so it's mission-critical that she gets in and out of Italy—with her citizenship—as soon as possible. The trouble is, the bureaucracy in Italy moves at a glacial pace, and Lora doesn't speak Italian. Enter the mayor of the small town, Andrea Garibaldi. Andrea was born and raised in this town but moved to New York for college and stayed in the city to build a career in finance. After some mental health challenges, he moved home and ran for mayor when he saw how dilapidated and underfunded the town was. In just four years, he's managed to turn things around, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Unfortunately, Andrea doesn't know if he wants to serve another term, and there is no obvious candidate to take his place. Andrea is surprised that Lora thinks she'll get her citizenship in just a few months, especially since she doesn't realize she needs to establish residency in Italy, but he's determined to help her, knowing how important her move to Zurich is. Lora is trying to avoid establishing any connections to her father's hometown. She doesn't want to know anything about the man who abandoned her and her mother or build relationships since she's leaving so soon, but there's something about the people in this town—and its mayor—that she can't help but care for.
Lora's postdoc thesis is focused on debunking Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. She believes that Maslow's thinking is outdated and that people do not need the kind of social and emotional support to succeed in life that Maslow posited in his work. Lora has been on her own for much of her life. Her father left when she was a child, and she never really knew him, and her mother died of cancer when Lora was a young woman. She was her mom's caretaker and ended up becoming a fiercely independent person who only relies on herself and keeps her circle small. I'm currently walking through end-stage cancer with my mom, and I am her only caretaker. It's just the two of us as I help her begin this process of hospice and figure out how to be a person after this experience. Now, I am older than Lora, but I don't think anyone is ever really prepared for this experience, regardless of age. When I say this book found me at the right time, I mean that it was a reminder that I should not try to do this alone, that Maslow was kind of onto something when he told us all those years ago that we need people.
If you're going to write a small-town romance, I need quirky community members. That is a requirement. I don't care what country the book is set in or what time period. If you're putting a small town on the page, I want at least one busybody, some deeply shallow town politics, and a potential best friend with a heart of gold. We get all of that here. I loved the bond that Lora developed with the café owner, the town hairdresser, and the other townspeople who help her get settled in Italy while pursuing her citizenship. I could read a whole series about these people, which is exactly the vibe I want when I pick up a small-town romance.
Andrea has a compelling story as well, trying to figure out what he wants from his life when all he knows is that he doesn't want the life he left behind in New York City. I enjoyed his plot and conflict, but it wasn't as impactful for me because I was awash in the glow of my own baggage with Lora's story.
Jill has officially earned her spot as an auto-buy author for me. Five stars.
July 22, 2026
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It felt like a scenic "Hallmark" movie with a couple of spicy scenes. It's a sweet story, with great side characters and a beautiful setting. The ending was satisfying. It's a nice summer read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 8, 2026
This book both drove me crazy and made me fall in love. Sounds like a typical relationship, no? The setting is vividly beautiful, the found family perfecto, and the romance slow and hot. Though the FMC took a little longer to come around than I liked, I understand why it did. She had to come to terms with her life being fundamentally changed, and that can’t be easy. Thanks to St. Martin’s for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2 ⭐
Dang. I wanted to like this one, but I just didn't.
A romance set in Italy? I was so excited. Italy is my DREAM. However, it just fell flat for me. I couldn't come to like Lora. At all. She was incredibly annoying with the independence shit. To be honest, I didn't really like Andrea either. I couldn't feel any angst and there was zero chemistry between the two of them.
This one just wasn't for me.
» Thank you to St. Martin's Press | NetGalley for an eARC of this book! «
❗ Expected Publication Date: July 21, 2026
Dang. I wanted to like this one, but I just didn't.
A romance set in Italy? I was so excited. Italy is my DREAM. However, it just fell flat for me. I couldn't come to like Lora. At all. She was incredibly annoying with the independence shit. To be honest, I didn't really like Andrea either. I couldn't feel any angst and there was zero chemistry between the two of them.
This one just wasn't for me.
» Thank you to St. Martin's Press | NetGalley for an eARC of this book! «
❗ Expected Publication Date: July 21, 2026
July 24, 2026
As Long as it Takes by Jill Francis
Contemporary romance. Alternating POV chapters with Research Notes at certain chapters.
Lora Brooks travels to a small coastal town in Italy with hopes of finding her father’s birth certificate and then expediting her application for citizenship. She is intent on a post-doctoral position in Zurich that requires the European citizenship. But the small town is nothing like she’s experienced in Florida and New York. The mid-day shutdown, the stairs, the bureaucracy. Why would her middle initial not suffice instead of her full name?
She needs to establish residency and fortunately, the mayor of the small town is willing to help.
Andrea is the mayor of the small town trying to save it from bankruptcy. He does everything from pushing paper, making repairs, and negotiating neighbor issues. He wants to help Lora.
Lora has a goal and she’s fine with short term uncertainty in housing and meals, but why is it all taking so long? Why should she learn the language since she’ll be leaving for Zurich in just another week or two?
Lots of Italian language in the story as Lora spends time in Italy working on getting her citizenship. While she’s waiting she finds out about her father’s land, money he left her she doesn’t want and much about small town workings.
There are paragraphs of her research which was confusing to start with until I realized it was background on Lora’s reason for being in Italy.
I don’t know anyone that would turn down years of support money. She cries about wanting to everything on her own.
All those stairs! 146 steps up to the hotel. At least that many down to the ocean. I’d never make it!
Both Lora and Andrea have potential plans to change careers and move so their romance is slow and hesitant.
Don’t worry. We can trust in it being a romance.
Hearts and flowers, small town workings and friendships.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Contemporary romance. Alternating POV chapters with Research Notes at certain chapters.
Lora Brooks travels to a small coastal town in Italy with hopes of finding her father’s birth certificate and then expediting her application for citizenship. She is intent on a post-doctoral position in Zurich that requires the European citizenship. But the small town is nothing like she’s experienced in Florida and New York. The mid-day shutdown, the stairs, the bureaucracy. Why would her middle initial not suffice instead of her full name?
She needs to establish residency and fortunately, the mayor of the small town is willing to help.
Andrea is the mayor of the small town trying to save it from bankruptcy. He does everything from pushing paper, making repairs, and negotiating neighbor issues. He wants to help Lora.
Lora has a goal and she’s fine with short term uncertainty in housing and meals, but why is it all taking so long? Why should she learn the language since she’ll be leaving for Zurich in just another week or two?
Lots of Italian language in the story as Lora spends time in Italy working on getting her citizenship. While she’s waiting she finds out about her father’s land, money he left her she doesn’t want and much about small town workings.
There are paragraphs of her research which was confusing to start with until I realized it was background on Lora’s reason for being in Italy.
I don’t know anyone that would turn down years of support money. She cries about wanting to everything on her own.
All those stairs! 146 steps up to the hotel. At least that many down to the ocean. I’d never make it!
Both Lora and Andrea have potential plans to change careers and move so their romance is slow and hesitant.
Don’t worry. We can trust in it being a romance.
Hearts and flowers, small town workings and friendships.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
July 26, 2026
As Long As It Takes, by Jill Francis, is the story of Lora, a postdoc researcher who goes to Italy to seek citizenship there. Lora’s father was Italian, and she travels to his hometown to pursue citizenship. Andrea is the mayor of Baia Santa, the town where Lora lands, and he is interested in her as soon as they meet. Lora is aloof, and highly independent. She is determined to get her EU citizenship and start her job in Switzerland without delay.
I loved the charm of Baia Santa, and all of the characters who live there. They gave the book major found family vibes. Andrea was an interesting character, someone who moved to the US for career opportunities, but returned to Italy after suffering from panic attacks. He was welcoming, kind, and patient with Lora, and infatuated with her. Despite his feelings, they had little chemistry and I didn’t feel a romantic connection between them.
Lora was not a character that I resonated with. While I respect her professional achievements and success on her own, her independence was something she wore almost like armor. She was rigid and unwilling to accept help from others, to the point where her independence was a flaw. Her sudden change of heart at the end of the book was too abrupt to be realistic, after showing little growth throughout most of the book.
I love a story set in another country, where we can read about food and culture. This story had a lot of potential, but the characters didn’t really work for me. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I loved the charm of Baia Santa, and all of the characters who live there. They gave the book major found family vibes. Andrea was an interesting character, someone who moved to the US for career opportunities, but returned to Italy after suffering from panic attacks. He was welcoming, kind, and patient with Lora, and infatuated with her. Despite his feelings, they had little chemistry and I didn’t feel a romantic connection between them.
Lora was not a character that I resonated with. While I respect her professional achievements and success on her own, her independence was something she wore almost like armor. She was rigid and unwilling to accept help from others, to the point where her independence was a flaw. Her sudden change of heart at the end of the book was too abrupt to be realistic, after showing little growth throughout most of the book.
I love a story set in another country, where we can read about food and culture. This story had a lot of potential, but the characters didn’t really work for me. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 13, 2026
3.5⭐️ — Thank you Jill Francis, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Goodreads for hosting the ARC giveaway that I was lucky enough to have won!
This was a lovely read! I think the acknowledgements said it best: I feel like, after finishing this story, that I have come and gone to Italy for a brief visit. The story was vivid and crisp, and the descriptions were extremely atmospheric.
Lora and Andrea’s relationship was idyllic, yes—but for what it was—also realistic. I enjoyed reading the development of their relationship, but even more so the development of Lora’s friendships with the townsfolk. I am always endeared to the side-characters, and Jill Francis wrote some spectacular ones with the residents of Baia Santa! Vivi and Giada were my favorites, by a long shot.
Francis’s writing took some getting used to: learning that she’s a researcher in addition to a writer made a lot of sense, because I felt like I was reading a peer-reviewed, academic journal article at times. Not by being formulaic or lacking pizzazz, but just dense and wordy. My reading pace was slower because of this, but it also allowed me to truly appreciate and comprehend what I was reading!
Very happy to have been able to sink my teeth into this Italian romance a few months early, and I look forward to reading Francis’s debut next!
This was a lovely read! I think the acknowledgements said it best: I feel like, after finishing this story, that I have come and gone to Italy for a brief visit. The story was vivid and crisp, and the descriptions were extremely atmospheric.
Lora and Andrea’s relationship was idyllic, yes—but for what it was—also realistic. I enjoyed reading the development of their relationship, but even more so the development of Lora’s friendships with the townsfolk. I am always endeared to the side-characters, and Jill Francis wrote some spectacular ones with the residents of Baia Santa! Vivi and Giada were my favorites, by a long shot.
Francis’s writing took some getting used to: learning that she’s a researcher in addition to a writer made a lot of sense, because I felt like I was reading a peer-reviewed, academic journal article at times. Not by being formulaic or lacking pizzazz, but just dense and wordy. My reading pace was slower because of this, but it also allowed me to truly appreciate and comprehend what I was reading!
Very happy to have been able to sink my teeth into this Italian romance a few months early, and I look forward to reading Francis’s debut next!
August 11, 2026
♥️ Thank you NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. ♥️
Lora is a successful psychology researcher on her way to research and hopefully disprove aspects of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. In order to go to Zurich to complete this research, she needs to be granted European citizenship. With her friend, Vilmari, she visits the small town of Baia Santa in Italy where her family is from to obtain this citizenship. However, she runs into some hurdles along the way. One of them being the attractive mayor who teaches her the importance of community and relying on others.
I was pleasantly surprised by this read. It took me a few tries to truly start this story, but once I got into it, I started to love the characters. Lora is a fiercely independent and self-reliant person, and it’s hard not to root for her. Andrea is the sweet and passionate MMC who is too good to be true. Together, they are a beautiful match. While I wish there was less telling and more showing the audience the background information in the exposition, I was able to get lost in the story and forget I was reading at times. 🍝
Lora is a successful psychology researcher on her way to research and hopefully disprove aspects of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. In order to go to Zurich to complete this research, she needs to be granted European citizenship. With her friend, Vilmari, she visits the small town of Baia Santa in Italy where her family is from to obtain this citizenship. However, she runs into some hurdles along the way. One of them being the attractive mayor who teaches her the importance of community and relying on others.
I was pleasantly surprised by this read. It took me a few tries to truly start this story, but once I got into it, I started to love the characters. Lora is a fiercely independent and self-reliant person, and it’s hard not to root for her. Andrea is the sweet and passionate MMC who is too good to be true. Together, they are a beautiful match. While I wish there was less telling and more showing the audience the background information in the exposition, I was able to get lost in the story and forget I was reading at times. 🍝
August 9, 2026
The beautifully-drawn setting of an Italian small town made this contemporary romance novel a lovely vacation read. The plot was absurd and predictable in a charming way, like a Hallmark movie, and the characters were quirky and fun. However, I didn’t quite feel convinced by main character Lora, an academic researcher whose life’s work revolved around disproving Maslow’s hierarchy of needs due to her own personal history of abandonment and independence… at least until she falls in love. I liked Lora’s seriousness, and it was disappointing and unrealistic to see how her career arc played out. While there was a lot to like about this book, including delicious descriptions of Italian food and a very sweet conclusion, I ultimately found myself a bit disconnected from the story.
Thanks to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thanks to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Did Not Finish
August 3, 2026Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me. The premise of a woman entering a marriage of convenience to get her citizenship to pursue higher education was really interesting, but the actual story just didn’t captivate me. The whole setup for this takes quite a long time and I could never really feel the chemistry between Lora and Andrea. The plot felt exaggerated beyond believable and the pacing was just too slow. I ended up putting this down around the halfway mark. I think the writing style may just not be a good fit for me either.
Readers looking for a slow burn romance set in Italy may like this one more than I did.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Readers looking for a slow burn romance set in Italy may like this one more than I did.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
April 18, 2026
Oh my, this felt like a vacation in rural Italy.
The description of the landscape, the town, and the people, make this book extra special. Oh, and don't forget the food. Perfecto!
Lora is seeking Italian citizenship in order to study in Zurich. It sounds loftier than it is, as her mother is dead and she has no memories of a relationship with her Italian father. Along the way, she experiences family, love, belonging, and even a complete change in her beliefs. This is what sets this book apart from the usual chick lit we all like to read.
I finished the book last night and am still thinking about it today. Nicely done, Jill Francis.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The description of the landscape, the town, and the people, make this book extra special. Oh, and don't forget the food. Perfecto!
Lora is seeking Italian citizenship in order to study in Zurich. It sounds loftier than it is, as her mother is dead and she has no memories of a relationship with her Italian father. Along the way, she experiences family, love, belonging, and even a complete change in her beliefs. This is what sets this book apart from the usual chick lit we all like to read.
I finished the book last night and am still thinking about it today. Nicely done, Jill Francis.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 1, 2026
We need to talk about As Long as It Takes by Jill Francis. I had the e-arc from Net Galley and St Martin’s Press and SMP sent me the finished paperback.
Lora is in Italy to get her citizenship. She has an opportunity for a post doctoral research position but she needs EU citizenship to get funding. Lora’s dad was Italian. Lora did not really know him, he wasn’t really in her life. The young handsome mayor of the tiny town where her dad lived is trying to help her get citizenship but the path is not smooth. I gave this book 3 stars because o really this book is okay. Cover is gorgeous, the couple does not have much, if any, chemistry. I don't think there is good dialogue and no banter. The pacing is uneven. It is a cute idea and I love the location, but they needed the chemistry to work.
Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin's Press.
Lora is in Italy to get her citizenship. She has an opportunity for a post doctoral research position but she needs EU citizenship to get funding. Lora’s dad was Italian. Lora did not really know him, he wasn’t really in her life. The young handsome mayor of the tiny town where her dad lived is trying to help her get citizenship but the path is not smooth. I gave this book 3 stars because o really this book is okay. Cover is gorgeous, the couple does not have much, if any, chemistry. I don't think there is good dialogue and no banter. The pacing is uneven. It is a cute idea and I love the location, but they needed the chemistry to work.
Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin's Press.
August 15, 2026
Lora is trying to make a change. After a difficult breakup, she has decided to pursue her research on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Zurich, but before she can do this, she needs to have European citizenship. Have no fear—her late, estranged father was Italian. To gain her citizenship, Lora has to trek to her father’s hometown, a quaint seaside town, to file the paperwork. Accompanied by her BFF, she sets out to face Italian bureaucracy, a handsomely anxious mayor, and a questionable filing system in hopes of new opportunities in a new country.
There are some books that try a few too many things. This book unfortunately falls into that category. Sometimes you need a nice, light, and fun rom-com in a coastal Italian town. Sometimes you get Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in a trench coat impersonating a rom-com and only passing part of the time. This would have worked more for me if the romance had been more front and center. Those with a greater focus on psychology may find the references to Maslow delightful, but for me, they fell a little flat. There is an audience out there for every book, and I hope those who will appreciate this one find their way to it.
Thank you so much to Jill Francis and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book as an e-ARC.
There are some books that try a few too many things. This book unfortunately falls into that category. Sometimes you need a nice, light, and fun rom-com in a coastal Italian town. Sometimes you get Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in a trench coat impersonating a rom-com and only passing part of the time. This would have worked more for me if the romance had been more front and center. Those with a greater focus on psychology may find the references to Maslow delightful, but for me, they fell a little flat. There is an audience out there for every book, and I hope those who will appreciate this one find their way to it.
Thank you so much to Jill Francis and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book as an e-ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Final rating: 3 stars
This book is setup for romance readers to fall in love - the charming setting of a small town in Italy, a strong-minded female main character, and the handsome mayor who is ready and willing to help everyone in need. In chapter one, there was a one-off mention of RuPaul, and that alone set me up to love this book.
Unfortunately, there were a few things that fell short for me, namely Lora as the FMC and the romance between her and Andrea.
Lora has come to Baia Santa in Italy to gain citizenship in order to make it easier to gain funding for her research in Zurich. She has spent her whole life being incredibly independent. She never had a relationship with her father, and she lost her mother when she was young. Her entire thesis is centered around disproving Maslow's theory about the need for interconnectedness. She wants to prove that you don't need friends, family, or a community of any kind to find success or happiness, and she wants to do it as far from NYC as possible, following a horrible breakup.
For me, she was a frustrating character to follow because, while I believe in independence, she used hers in a toxic way. She rejected anyone offering help or being nice to her in order to prove that she could do everything on her own. It got to the point where it became a character flaw. She was inherently being rude and disrespectful to anyone who offered even a little bit of help. We're talking 70-80% into the book, and she was still on her independent high horse and getting mad when she couldn't do everything alone. The character "growth" seemed to happen after one scene instead of being gradual throughout the book, which made following her story almost painful.
Andrea, on the other hand, was definitely worthy of the swoon. He left his cushy finance job in NYC after experiencing a series of panic attacks. He never intended to stay in Baia Santa or to become the mayor, but it gave him a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and he hasn't had a panic attack since. He has a heart for helping people, and can't resist helping Lora. He is beloved in his town, but his parents are disappointed in him for leaving the job that gives him a luxurious life only to return to small town life. I enjoyed following Andrea's journey and learning about his past. It made me respect him and his decision-making more.
The chemistry between these two was nonexistent for me. She pushed him away at every attempt to help, even during the times when it was obvious there was no other choice. There were a couple spicy scenes in this book, but there wasn't enough yearning between the two characters for me to believe the scenes. They felt stilted and forced, and I honestly didn't like the two of them together. Also, how many times do we have to read about him taking off his glasses in one spicy scene?
One thing that took me out of the book a couple times was the Italian language. When it was translated, I was able to keep enjoying the book, but there were some parts, many full sentences, that weren't translated, and there weren't enough context clues in the text for anyone who doesn't speak Italian to know exactly what was said. It got to the point where I started skipping over the conversations in Italian because I couldn't figure out what was going on. I think having footnotes for the parts that weren't obviously translated in the text or parts where the reader isn't given enough context clues to figure out what was being said would have been super helpful.
Something I did love about the book were the side characters. Lora's best (only?) friend, Vilmari, was a hoot and a holler. She was so much fun, and I wish we got more of her. She actually ended up going back to NYC toward the beginning of the book because of a job opportunity, and I felt the loss. Vilmari was a good friend to Lora when Lora didn't always seem to be a good friend to her. The fact that Vilmari is the only person in her life and she still held things back and didn't accept help from her really frustrated me. But I loved Vilmari as a character, as well as many of the Baia Santa locals, like Nico, Giada, Ottavio, and many others. They really added color to the small town and made it so fun and cozy. I highlighted so many funny lines within conversations between characters.
I also loved the setting of Baia Santa. It was so lovely getting to experience the food and small town festivals and get-togethers on paper. It was such a beautiful backdrop for this story and deserved a more believable and swoon-worthy romance.
Overall, I'm giving this book a 3-star rating. I will miss Baia Santa and the delicious food descriptions. This book definitely made me want to go back to Italy.
Final rating: 3 stars
This book is setup for romance readers to fall in love - the charming setting of a small town in Italy, a strong-minded female main character, and the handsome mayor who is ready and willing to help everyone in need. In chapter one, there was a one-off mention of RuPaul, and that alone set me up to love this book.
Unfortunately, there were a few things that fell short for me, namely Lora as the FMC and the romance between her and Andrea.
Lora has come to Baia Santa in Italy to gain citizenship in order to make it easier to gain funding for her research in Zurich. She has spent her whole life being incredibly independent. She never had a relationship with her father, and she lost her mother when she was young. Her entire thesis is centered around disproving Maslow's theory about the need for interconnectedness. She wants to prove that you don't need friends, family, or a community of any kind to find success or happiness, and she wants to do it as far from NYC as possible, following a horrible breakup.
For me, she was a frustrating character to follow because, while I believe in independence, she used hers in a toxic way. She rejected anyone offering help or being nice to her in order to prove that she could do everything on her own. It got to the point where it became a character flaw. She was inherently being rude and disrespectful to anyone who offered even a little bit of help. We're talking 70-80% into the book, and she was still on her independent high horse and getting mad when she couldn't do everything alone. The character "growth" seemed to happen after one scene instead of being gradual throughout the book, which made following her story almost painful.
Andrea, on the other hand, was definitely worthy of the swoon. He left his cushy finance job in NYC after experiencing a series of panic attacks. He never intended to stay in Baia Santa or to become the mayor, but it gave him a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and he hasn't had a panic attack since. He has a heart for helping people, and can't resist helping Lora. He is beloved in his town, but his parents are disappointed in him for leaving the job that gives him a luxurious life only to return to small town life. I enjoyed following Andrea's journey and learning about his past. It made me respect him and his decision-making more.
The chemistry between these two was nonexistent for me. She pushed him away at every attempt to help, even during the times when it was obvious there was no other choice. There were a couple spicy scenes in this book, but there wasn't enough yearning between the two characters for me to believe the scenes. They felt stilted and forced, and I honestly didn't like the two of them together. Also, how many times do we have to read about him taking off his glasses in one spicy scene?
One thing that took me out of the book a couple times was the Italian language. When it was translated, I was able to keep enjoying the book, but there were some parts, many full sentences, that weren't translated, and there weren't enough context clues in the text for anyone who doesn't speak Italian to know exactly what was said. It got to the point where I started skipping over the conversations in Italian because I couldn't figure out what was going on. I think having footnotes for the parts that weren't obviously translated in the text or parts where the reader isn't given enough context clues to figure out what was being said would have been super helpful.
Something I did love about the book were the side characters. Lora's best (only?) friend, Vilmari, was a hoot and a holler. She was so much fun, and I wish we got more of her. She actually ended up going back to NYC toward the beginning of the book because of a job opportunity, and I felt the loss. Vilmari was a good friend to Lora when Lora didn't always seem to be a good friend to her. The fact that Vilmari is the only person in her life and she still held things back and didn't accept help from her really frustrated me. But I loved Vilmari as a character, as well as many of the Baia Santa locals, like Nico, Giada, Ottavio, and many others. They really added color to the small town and made it so fun and cozy. I highlighted so many funny lines within conversations between characters.
I also loved the setting of Baia Santa. It was so lovely getting to experience the food and small town festivals and get-togethers on paper. It was such a beautiful backdrop for this story and deserved a more believable and swoon-worthy romance.
Overall, I'm giving this book a 3-star rating. I will miss Baia Santa and the delicious food descriptions. This book definitely made me want to go back to Italy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Patient Man and A Woman Who Needs to Get It Together 💆🏾♀️
Pack your bags, because we're going to Italy! ✈️ Sometimes a romance book comes along that doesn't just give you butterflies; it actually makes you take a hard look in the mirror. Jill Francis is a master of her craft, and As Long as It Takes is a phenomenal read that served up some major life lessons along the way.
The discovery between Andrea and Lora, both together and individually, kept me so tuned in to this story that I was upset when I had to put this book down. I have never physically been to Italy, but I feel like I spent several days there with the beautiful imagery the author painted for us in Baia Santa. 🌅
I loved the female main character (FMC) and male main character's (MMC) growth, and the supporting cast was the perfect addition to this story. Talk about found family, these were some of the best folks I've ever read about; just good wholesome characters. 🫶🏾 Although, one could describe Franca differently. 😂 You've probably met a "Franca" once or twice and snickered when walking away from an interaction with her. She is a classic character that I will be laughing at for days to come (Ma'am, I will learn Italian, at least I'll try)! When you read the story, this will jump out at you and you will know! LOLOLOLOL!
I absolutely adored Andrea. If I had an ounce of his patience, I would be much better for it. I could feel his words when he spoke them, I could see the emotions on his face. I could easily imagine how tender he was with his communication, and how thoughtful and intentional he was about remaining neutral to not offend. Aww man, where is my Andrea??!! 😩 He was definitely the star of the show for me and there was absolutely nothing that I did not love about that man. 💚🤍❤️
Lora a.k.a. Loretta , on the other hand, had me sliding down the wall with my hair sticking up like "GIRL, if you don't get your shit together"!!!! Sis had me on pins and needles, rolling my eyes, and was the character that sent MY anxiety through the roof! 😵💫 Speaking of, the author did a phenomenal job with the mental health representation! Very well done! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 However, I must speak to a scene in the book when everything clicked and my heart was tethered to Lora: the chair scene... Oh my goodness. I love a good connection and particular parts of a story that take me to another level emotionally; it tied everything together in a cute little bow. A pivotal moment for me, for sure.
Honey, the spicy scenes will get you hot and bothered, but you won't need a cold shower to shock you back to reality; they just make you want to take your time and absorb it all. 🫦 I loved the open door because it was enough to make a preacher blush 🫣, but not wild enough to send you to the trinkets website searching for your next addition. 🍆🤣
This book completely satisfied the nerd in me! Not only did I learn about Italian culture, but I fell in love with the language, which is incredibly sexy. Andrea and Nico could talk to me in that accent any day! 🤭 Okay, let me reel it back in... I also walked away with more insight into Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and exactly where I fall on the pyramid. Self-actualization is real, and self-awareness helps clarify what all that Maslow stuff actually means for us. If you don't know much about this psychological theory, do yourself a favor and look it up! 😉
The Aftermath 🌷:
This was a 4-star read for me. The only reason it didn't get the fifth star is because I felt like the book could have been about 50 pages shorter. I wanted the story to move forward quicker, but hey, that's a me thing, not an issue with the author, just preference... I think that's what they call it. It was definitely a slow burn where the culture's lack of urgency radiated off the pages into the pacing of the book. However, I loved reading this novel and I will be digging into more of this author's work.
A moment of reflection: I thought about how sometimes I am overly independent which blocks my blessings. I need to appreciate the power of community and be more receptive to help. Such a great lesson learned! 🤓
This book is for the reader that enjoys a healthy dose of tension, the push-and-pull dynamic, self-discovery, found family, exploring a new country, and learning a new language. Of course, it's for the romance lovers! If you want a story that satisfies your inner intellectual while giving you a romance that keeps your heart on pins and needles, then add this to your TBR! 🧳
Publication Date: July 21, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Jill Francis, and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Pack your bags, because we're going to Italy! ✈️ Sometimes a romance book comes along that doesn't just give you butterflies; it actually makes you take a hard look in the mirror. Jill Francis is a master of her craft, and As Long as It Takes is a phenomenal read that served up some major life lessons along the way.
The discovery between Andrea and Lora, both together and individually, kept me so tuned in to this story that I was upset when I had to put this book down. I have never physically been to Italy, but I feel like I spent several days there with the beautiful imagery the author painted for us in Baia Santa. 🌅
I loved the female main character (FMC) and male main character's (MMC) growth, and the supporting cast was the perfect addition to this story. Talk about found family, these were some of the best folks I've ever read about; just good wholesome characters. 🫶🏾 Although, one could describe Franca differently. 😂 You've probably met a "Franca" once or twice and snickered when walking away from an interaction with her. She is a classic character that I will be laughing at for days to come (Ma'am, I will learn Italian, at least I'll try)! When you read the story, this will jump out at you and you will know! LOLOLOLOL!
I absolutely adored Andrea. If I had an ounce of his patience, I would be much better for it. I could feel his words when he spoke them, I could see the emotions on his face. I could easily imagine how tender he was with his communication, and how thoughtful and intentional he was about remaining neutral to not offend. Aww man, where is my Andrea??!! 😩 He was definitely the star of the show for me and there was absolutely nothing that I did not love about that man. 💚🤍❤️
Lora a.k.a. Loretta , on the other hand, had me sliding down the wall with my hair sticking up like "GIRL, if you don't get your shit together"!!!! Sis had me on pins and needles, rolling my eyes, and was the character that sent MY anxiety through the roof! 😵💫 Speaking of, the author did a phenomenal job with the mental health representation! Very well done! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 However, I must speak to a scene in the book when everything clicked and my heart was tethered to Lora: the chair scene... Oh my goodness. I love a good connection and particular parts of a story that take me to another level emotionally; it tied everything together in a cute little bow. A pivotal moment for me, for sure.
Honey, the spicy scenes will get you hot and bothered, but you won't need a cold shower to shock you back to reality; they just make you want to take your time and absorb it all. 🫦 I loved the open door because it was enough to make a preacher blush 🫣, but not wild enough to send you to the trinkets website searching for your next addition. 🍆🤣
This book completely satisfied the nerd in me! Not only did I learn about Italian culture, but I fell in love with the language, which is incredibly sexy. Andrea and Nico could talk to me in that accent any day! 🤭 Okay, let me reel it back in... I also walked away with more insight into Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and exactly where I fall on the pyramid. Self-actualization is real, and self-awareness helps clarify what all that Maslow stuff actually means for us. If you don't know much about this psychological theory, do yourself a favor and look it up! 😉
The Aftermath 🌷:
This was a 4-star read for me. The only reason it didn't get the fifth star is because I felt like the book could have been about 50 pages shorter. I wanted the story to move forward quicker, but hey, that's a me thing, not an issue with the author, just preference... I think that's what they call it. It was definitely a slow burn where the culture's lack of urgency radiated off the pages into the pacing of the book. However, I loved reading this novel and I will be digging into more of this author's work.
A moment of reflection: I thought about how sometimes I am overly independent which blocks my blessings. I need to appreciate the power of community and be more receptive to help. Such a great lesson learned! 🤓
This book is for the reader that enjoys a healthy dose of tension, the push-and-pull dynamic, self-discovery, found family, exploring a new country, and learning a new language. Of course, it's for the romance lovers! If you want a story that satisfies your inner intellectual while giving you a romance that keeps your heart on pins and needles, then add this to your TBR! 🧳
Publication Date: July 21, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Jill Francis, and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 29, 2026
I really wanted to love this one. A romance set in a charming small town in Italy? That premise had me immediately sold. Italy is my dream destination, and I was so ready to get swept away by gorgeous scenery, incredible food, and an unforgettable love story. While the setting absolutely delivered, the romance unfortunately never did.
The real star of this book is Baia Santa itself. The town feels warm, welcoming, and beautifully atmospheric. It has all the cozy, feel good energy of a scenic Hallmark movie, just with a couple of spicy scenes sprinkled in. The side characters completely stole the show for me. Their warmth, humor, and sense of community created wonderful found family vibes, and I honestly found myself more invested in Lora's relationships with the townspeople than in the romance.
Andrea had all the makings of a lovable hero. A compassionate Italian mayor with a gentle heart? Sign me up. I appreciated his patience, kindness, and the journey that brought him back home after leaving behind a high pressure career. Unfortunately, Lora just never worked for me. I understood why independence was so important to her, but it became such a defining part of her personality that it often felt more like a wall than a strength. She pushed away nearly everyone who tried to help her, even when they were simply being kind, and it became frustrating rather than compelling. Her emotional growth also felt very abrupt after spending so much of the story resisting any real change. I just never felt connected to her, nor her connection to anyone else.
My biggest struggle, though, was the romance itself. I never felt the chemistry between Lora and Andrea. The slow burn lacked the tension and yearning I was hoping for, so when the relationship finally turned romantic, it didn't feel fully believable to me. Even the spice couldn't quite make up for the emotional connection that I felt was missing.
That said, Jill Francis does a beautiful job bringing Italy to life. The descriptions are vivid and immersive, and by the end I genuinely felt like I'd spent a summer wandering through a picturesque coastal village. The ending was satisfying, the community was incredibly charming, and if you're looking for a light, scenic romance with found family vibes and a picturesque Italian backdrop, this could absolutely be your kind of read. Sadly, this one just wasn't for me. I wanted more emotional depth between the main couple and a romance I could truly believe in.
What to Expect:
🇮🇹 Small Town Italy
☀️ Summer Romance
🏡 Found Family Vibes
💕 Slow Burn Romance
🖤 Black Cat Heroine / Golden Retriever Hero
🌊 Picturesque Coastal Setting
🍝 Food & Italian Culture
🌶️ Mild Spice
The real star of this book is Baia Santa itself. The town feels warm, welcoming, and beautifully atmospheric. It has all the cozy, feel good energy of a scenic Hallmark movie, just with a couple of spicy scenes sprinkled in. The side characters completely stole the show for me. Their warmth, humor, and sense of community created wonderful found family vibes, and I honestly found myself more invested in Lora's relationships with the townspeople than in the romance.
Andrea had all the makings of a lovable hero. A compassionate Italian mayor with a gentle heart? Sign me up. I appreciated his patience, kindness, and the journey that brought him back home after leaving behind a high pressure career. Unfortunately, Lora just never worked for me. I understood why independence was so important to her, but it became such a defining part of her personality that it often felt more like a wall than a strength. She pushed away nearly everyone who tried to help her, even when they were simply being kind, and it became frustrating rather than compelling. Her emotional growth also felt very abrupt after spending so much of the story resisting any real change. I just never felt connected to her, nor her connection to anyone else.
My biggest struggle, though, was the romance itself. I never felt the chemistry between Lora and Andrea. The slow burn lacked the tension and yearning I was hoping for, so when the relationship finally turned romantic, it didn't feel fully believable to me. Even the spice couldn't quite make up for the emotional connection that I felt was missing.
That said, Jill Francis does a beautiful job bringing Italy to life. The descriptions are vivid and immersive, and by the end I genuinely felt like I'd spent a summer wandering through a picturesque coastal village. The ending was satisfying, the community was incredibly charming, and if you're looking for a light, scenic romance with found family vibes and a picturesque Italian backdrop, this could absolutely be your kind of read. Sadly, this one just wasn't for me. I wanted more emotional depth between the main couple and a romance I could truly believe in.
What to Expect:
🇮🇹 Small Town Italy
☀️ Summer Romance
🏡 Found Family Vibes
💕 Slow Burn Romance
🖤 Black Cat Heroine / Golden Retriever Hero
🌊 Picturesque Coastal Setting
🍝 Food & Italian Culture
🌶️ Mild Spice
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Big thanks to Netgalley, Jill Francis, and St. Martin's for an ARC of this lovely book in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoyed this book. It's one of those books you bring with you to the beach on a hot summer day or cozy up with under some thick blankets during a winter storm. What I'm trying to say is that this book is like a warm hug on a cold day or a glass of ice cold water during a heat wave. It was truly a refreshing read and from the get-go, I was drawn into the setting, the characters, and the plot.
We're very quickly introduced to Lora and her best friend (who I loved). Lora is visiting a small Italian town where her estranged father lived. She's looking for his birth certificate as part of her bigger journey to become an Italian citizen to support her grant application. Lora is thrusted into this small town where every one knows every one and very quickly meets Andrea.
I seriously loved Lora's journey and experiences in this little Italian town. Reading all about it made me want to pack a bag, hop on a plane, and go to Italy! The internal dilemma Lora deals with is so heart-wrenching and I even cried whilst reading about it. There was so much she was grappling with in this area and I think this was executed beautifully. It was the stand-out in this novel (the romance was pretty great too).
The dialogue is witty and the writing itself is quite humorous. There were certain moments where information was dumped via dialogue, which I didn't particularly enjoy, but it was still a super well written book.
Watching Lora and Andrea's relationship blossom was the best because it was just so sweet. These characters are slightly older (early to mid-30s), so it was really great to see characters act their age, talk through miscommunications, and truly say what's on their mind. And gosh, the ending!! It had me squealing!! I loved Andrea's character as well. He was deeply complex and I appreciate how Francis spotlighted his anxiety. He was just the sweetest character and I think he will quickly become a fan favorite.
All in all, this was a wonderful read! I really enjoyed nearly everything about it from the banter to the side characters to the plot! Like I mentioned, I think the info-dumps mid dialogue did make some parts feel clunky, but I would still highly recommend reading this!
I really enjoyed this book. It's one of those books you bring with you to the beach on a hot summer day or cozy up with under some thick blankets during a winter storm. What I'm trying to say is that this book is like a warm hug on a cold day or a glass of ice cold water during a heat wave. It was truly a refreshing read and from the get-go, I was drawn into the setting, the characters, and the plot.
We're very quickly introduced to Lora and her best friend (who I loved). Lora is visiting a small Italian town where her estranged father lived. She's looking for his birth certificate as part of her bigger journey to become an Italian citizen to support her grant application. Lora is thrusted into this small town where every one knows every one and very quickly meets Andrea.
I seriously loved Lora's journey and experiences in this little Italian town. Reading all about it made me want to pack a bag, hop on a plane, and go to Italy! The internal dilemma Lora deals with is so heart-wrenching and I even cried whilst reading about it. There was so much she was grappling with in this area and I think this was executed beautifully. It was the stand-out in this novel (the romance was pretty great too).
The dialogue is witty and the writing itself is quite humorous. There were certain moments where information was dumped via dialogue, which I didn't particularly enjoy, but it was still a super well written book.
Watching Lora and Andrea's relationship blossom was the best because it was just so sweet. These characters are slightly older (early to mid-30s), so it was really great to see characters act their age, talk through miscommunications, and truly say what's on their mind. And gosh, the ending!! It had me squealing!! I loved Andrea's character as well. He was deeply complex and I appreciate how Francis spotlighted his anxiety. He was just the sweetest character and I think he will quickly become a fan favorite.
All in all, this was a wonderful read! I really enjoyed nearly everything about it from the banter to the side characters to the plot! Like I mentioned, I think the info-dumps mid dialogue did make some parts feel clunky, but I would still highly recommend reading this!
April 10, 2026
As Long as It Takes follows Lora, a researcher who has built her entire life around the idea that she doesn’t need anyone. She is extremely, if not alarmingly, rigid in her independence. She refuses help, ignores advice, and keeps everyone at arm’s length. Even her academic work is obsessed with independence. She’s trying to prove Maslow’s hierarchy of needs wrong, arguing that people can exist fully self-sufficiently, but she treats that idea as fact and everything around her becomes either evidence to support it or an outlier to discard.
Andrea exists on the other side of all that. He’s built a life in his small town where his independence works with his community, not against it. What I liked most is that he’s already questioning that life. His chapters have a constant pull between staying and leaving, stability and ambition, and he spends most of the book trying to figure out what he actually wants instead of what he was raised to believe he should want.
The contrast between the two characters is an interesting concept. Andrea is already in motion. He’s always questioning, second-guessing, and slowly shifting. Lora hasn’t even started to twitch. She holds onto her beliefs almost completely unchanged for vast portions of the book, even when everything around her challenges them. She clings to them for so long that it becomes grating, and when she finally starts to change, it feels extremely abrupt. Especially next to Andrea, who’s been doing that work the whole time.
As the plot develops, it feels less like a dissertation on independence and more like a story about fear. Fear of needing people, of change, and of questioning the beliefs you’ve built your identity around. Unfortunately, Lora is so stuck in that fear that she often reads as an infuriating caricature rather than a fully evolving character.
There are things I liked. The ideas are solid, and Andrea’s chapters add a level of depth that keeps the story engaging. Overall though, the book struggles under the weight of a stagnant main character, even when the world around her feels vibrant.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
Andrea exists on the other side of all that. He’s built a life in his small town where his independence works with his community, not against it. What I liked most is that he’s already questioning that life. His chapters have a constant pull between staying and leaving, stability and ambition, and he spends most of the book trying to figure out what he actually wants instead of what he was raised to believe he should want.
The contrast between the two characters is an interesting concept. Andrea is already in motion. He’s always questioning, second-guessing, and slowly shifting. Lora hasn’t even started to twitch. She holds onto her beliefs almost completely unchanged for vast portions of the book, even when everything around her challenges them. She clings to them for so long that it becomes grating, and when she finally starts to change, it feels extremely abrupt. Especially next to Andrea, who’s been doing that work the whole time.
As the plot develops, it feels less like a dissertation on independence and more like a story about fear. Fear of needing people, of change, and of questioning the beliefs you’ve built your identity around. Unfortunately, Lora is so stuck in that fear that she often reads as an infuriating caricature rather than a fully evolving character.
There are things I liked. The ideas are solid, and Andrea’s chapters add a level of depth that keeps the story engaging. Overall though, the book struggles under the weight of a stagnant main character, even when the world around her feels vibrant.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My love affair with Italy continues, this time in a small, sleepy seaside town.
Lora has spent most of her life relying solely on herself, and feels the pain of the times she got burned. She’s not letting anyone in except her best friend, and even her psychological research focuses on independence. A coveted position in Switzerland pops up, giving her a chance to get out of NYC and really work on her research. But she has to be a European citizen.
Her absentee (and now deceased) father was Italian and lived in a small town on the coast, so Lora must travel back to find the right documents and go through the bureaucracy to gain citizenship and be on her way. She didn’t count on Andrea and the rest of the town’s charming people to get into her heart.
Andrea grew up in the town but left for big jobs in NYC. When the stress got to him, back to Italy he came to be the mayor of his town and shake some life into it. Then Lora comes and shakes some life back into him. But she’s not making it easy.
Loved it! Lora’s independence is refreshing at times and frustrating at other times. She’s been through it and had others fail her, but boy can she be prickly and a bit mean. It’s rewarding to see her come around and realize maybe she’s not right about everything. Andrea is such a good guy, kind and thoughtful. He has his own issues too and also struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, and what he should be doing with his life.
I enjoyed watching their relationship grow in a step-forward-step-back kind of way. It was a little disjointed at times, and some scenes kind of came out of nowhere, but I loved them together. The banter was fun, and the side characters really added a lot to the story, as did the town itself. I loved that community was center stage, and that letting others into your life can be scary but ultimately brings the most happiness.
As Long as It Takes is perfect for those looking for a summer beach read with found family, small town, opposites attract, grumpy sunshine, a few hot scenes, heartfelt moments, and a fabulous HEA.
Lora has spent most of her life relying solely on herself, and feels the pain of the times she got burned. She’s not letting anyone in except her best friend, and even her psychological research focuses on independence. A coveted position in Switzerland pops up, giving her a chance to get out of NYC and really work on her research. But she has to be a European citizen.
Her absentee (and now deceased) father was Italian and lived in a small town on the coast, so Lora must travel back to find the right documents and go through the bureaucracy to gain citizenship and be on her way. She didn’t count on Andrea and the rest of the town’s charming people to get into her heart.
Andrea grew up in the town but left for big jobs in NYC. When the stress got to him, back to Italy he came to be the mayor of his town and shake some life into it. Then Lora comes and shakes some life back into him. But she’s not making it easy.
Loved it! Lora’s independence is refreshing at times and frustrating at other times. She’s been through it and had others fail her, but boy can she be prickly and a bit mean. It’s rewarding to see her come around and realize maybe she’s not right about everything. Andrea is such a good guy, kind and thoughtful. He has his own issues too and also struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, and what he should be doing with his life.
I enjoyed watching their relationship grow in a step-forward-step-back kind of way. It was a little disjointed at times, and some scenes kind of came out of nowhere, but I loved them together. The banter was fun, and the side characters really added a lot to the story, as did the town itself. I loved that community was center stage, and that letting others into your life can be scary but ultimately brings the most happiness.
As Long as It Takes is perfect for those looking for a summer beach read with found family, small town, opposites attract, grumpy sunshine, a few hot scenes, heartfelt moments, and a fabulous HEA.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As Long as It Takes by Jill Francis
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 1/5 🌶️
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
As Long as It Takes is an utterly delightful romance that transports readers to the Italian coast. From the incredible setting to the small-town residents to the coziness of it all, As Long as It Takes is a wonderful summer read.
After her last break-up, Lora Brooks is solely focused on her research and wants to disprove Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. But when she’s offered a post-doctoral position in Zurich, for which she has to have European citizenship, everything is suddenly different. With the goal of claiming citizenship through her father, Lora and her friend visit the Italian town where he was born. She knows little about her father but is determined to not let anything stand between her and this incredible opportunity. Enter Andrea, the mayor. Andrea may be busy but he finds the time to show Lora what it means to live and love. Lora is set on a future many miles away and Andrea’s parents want him to return to New York, but they may actually discover that their primary need is each other.
As Long as It Takes is charming, heartwarming, and full of likable characters. The romance prioritizes respect and friendship, the Italian setting is absolutely beautiful, and the small town is so great! Lora is such a well-written FMC and her growth throughout the story feels authentic. Andrea is a fantastic MMC and is perfect for Lora. Their personalities complement each other well and they are so good together. Their journey to discovering what truly matters together is so special.
Overall, As Long as It Takes is a meaningful and memorable romance about self-growth, resilience, and finding love when you least expect it. A cozy and sweet summer read that’s perfect for fans of character-driven romance!
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 1/5 🌶️
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
As Long as It Takes is an utterly delightful romance that transports readers to the Italian coast. From the incredible setting to the small-town residents to the coziness of it all, As Long as It Takes is a wonderful summer read.
After her last break-up, Lora Brooks is solely focused on her research and wants to disprove Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. But when she’s offered a post-doctoral position in Zurich, for which she has to have European citizenship, everything is suddenly different. With the goal of claiming citizenship through her father, Lora and her friend visit the Italian town where he was born. She knows little about her father but is determined to not let anything stand between her and this incredible opportunity. Enter Andrea, the mayor. Andrea may be busy but he finds the time to show Lora what it means to live and love. Lora is set on a future many miles away and Andrea’s parents want him to return to New York, but they may actually discover that their primary need is each other.
As Long as It Takes is charming, heartwarming, and full of likable characters. The romance prioritizes respect and friendship, the Italian setting is absolutely beautiful, and the small town is so great! Lora is such a well-written FMC and her growth throughout the story feels authentic. Andrea is a fantastic MMC and is perfect for Lora. Their personalities complement each other well and they are so good together. Their journey to discovering what truly matters together is so special.
Overall, As Long as It Takes is a meaningful and memorable romance about self-growth, resilience, and finding love when you least expect it. A cozy and sweet summer read that’s perfect for fans of character-driven romance!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by NetGalley and the publisher. This review may contain mild spoilers.
Who doesn't love a hot sensitive caring compassionate helpful Italian mayor? I loved the concept of this story, it was a bit different then everything I have been reading lately. It had great themes of found family, family drama, and self discovery mixed in with the romance plot and it was balanced really well.
I enjoyed the dual POV, I loved being able to hear Andrea and Lora's side of the story and what was going on in their heads. I also appreciated the flip on the typical personality types, Lora was a black cat and Andrea was a golden retriever and I was here for it!
Loretta had so much growth in this story and I was cheering for her the whole time. Her journey was an emotional one, but I really think it added an extra layer to the story. She had so much to heal from and I loved the support that she found was not only from within, but also from platonic and romantic relationships. Andrea was also on a journey and his was just as gratifying to be a part of. All of this depth really gave me an understanding of these characters and it made me appreciate their journey so much more. Their slow burn romance had me giddy and the spice was just the right amount. I loved that Andrea showed up and supported Loretta even when doing those things would take her away from him. He respected her and her boundaries which really endeared me to his character.
I would highly recommend this book, it was well written and enjoyable! So if you are looking for a romance book with a deeper story and a great MMC, then this is it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley
Who doesn't love a hot sensitive caring compassionate helpful Italian mayor? I loved the concept of this story, it was a bit different then everything I have been reading lately. It had great themes of found family, family drama, and self discovery mixed in with the romance plot and it was balanced really well.
I enjoyed the dual POV, I loved being able to hear Andrea and Lora's side of the story and what was going on in their heads. I also appreciated the flip on the typical personality types, Lora was a black cat and Andrea was a golden retriever and I was here for it!
Loretta had so much growth in this story and I was cheering for her the whole time. Her journey was an emotional one, but I really think it added an extra layer to the story. She had so much to heal from and I loved the support that she found was not only from within, but also from platonic and romantic relationships. Andrea was also on a journey and his was just as gratifying to be a part of. All of this depth really gave me an understanding of these characters and it made me appreciate their journey so much more. Their slow burn romance had me giddy and the spice was just the right amount. I loved that Andrea showed up and supported Loretta even when doing those things would take her away from him. He respected her and her boundaries which really endeared me to his character.
I would highly recommend this book, it was well written and enjoyable! So if you are looking for a romance book with a deeper story and a great MMC, then this is it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley
August 12, 2026
As Long As It Takes Review
★ ★ ★ ★
Book: As Long As It Takes
Author: Jill Francis
Genre: Romance
Medium: ARC
Goodreads synopsis excerpt: Set in a seaside town in Italy, As Long as It Takes is a charming summer romance about finding your roots and letting love blossom. Hoping to claim citizenship through her birth father, Lora and her best friend travel to the quaint Italian town where he was born. She knows little about her father (and intends to keep it that way) but nothing, not even the ghosts of her past, will stand between Lora and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Except, perhaps, Italian bureaucracy. And an outdated filing system. And Andrea, the handsome-and slightly anxious—mayor.
Review: This was a perfect Italian get-away read. With hiccups along the way, a sweet romance, and a sense of purpose for the characters, this story was perfect to daydreaming about stumbling into a coastal Italian town during the summer.
Through forced proximity, exchanges of glances and banter, and a pursuit to help each other out, the MCs were the piece they were each missing. It took me a long while to warm to Lora, but Andrea was a lovable character from the start. Lora’s character grew with her finding her autonomy and realizing Italy could be her home and mean more than just a birthright citizenship.
You can tell Jill Francis, who lives in Italy, put all the best parts of her environment into this book. Her imagery and description of the town made me feel like I was right there with the characters.
This book is about finding yourself, finding your people, and accepting that your plans can change and that doesn’t make you less for not following past dreams. You are never too old to make new plans and change course.
If you enjoy:
☀️ slow burn romances
☀️ funny banter
☀️ Italian Summers
☀️ spice
Then this is for you
I would like to thank NetGalley, Jill Francis, and St. Martin’s Griffin publishing house for an advanced reader copy of this book.
★ ★ ★ ★
Book: As Long As It Takes
Author: Jill Francis
Genre: Romance
Medium: ARC
Goodreads synopsis excerpt: Set in a seaside town in Italy, As Long as It Takes is a charming summer romance about finding your roots and letting love blossom. Hoping to claim citizenship through her birth father, Lora and her best friend travel to the quaint Italian town where he was born. She knows little about her father (and intends to keep it that way) but nothing, not even the ghosts of her past, will stand between Lora and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Except, perhaps, Italian bureaucracy. And an outdated filing system. And Andrea, the handsome-and slightly anxious—mayor.
Review: This was a perfect Italian get-away read. With hiccups along the way, a sweet romance, and a sense of purpose for the characters, this story was perfect to daydreaming about stumbling into a coastal Italian town during the summer.
Through forced proximity, exchanges of glances and banter, and a pursuit to help each other out, the MCs were the piece they were each missing. It took me a long while to warm to Lora, but Andrea was a lovable character from the start. Lora’s character grew with her finding her autonomy and realizing Italy could be her home and mean more than just a birthright citizenship.
You can tell Jill Francis, who lives in Italy, put all the best parts of her environment into this book. Her imagery and description of the town made me feel like I was right there with the characters.
This book is about finding yourself, finding your people, and accepting that your plans can change and that doesn’t make you less for not following past dreams. You are never too old to make new plans and change course.
If you enjoy:
☀️ slow burn romances
☀️ funny banter
☀️ Italian Summers
☀️ spice
Then this is for you
I would like to thank NetGalley, Jill Francis, and St. Martin’s Griffin publishing house for an advanced reader copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📚 ARC Review: As Long As It Takes, by Jill Francis
ARC provided by the author, St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley
This book had me pricing flights to Italy while also side-eyeing my own emotional independence. Jill Francis really said what if your entire personality is “I don’t need anyone” and then dropped that character into a seaside town where community is basically a love language. "Is this play about us?!" hahaha.
Lora is… a lot. Brilliant, driven, and so committed to her independence that she clings to it like a life raft, even when it’s clearly springing leaks. It made her frustrating at times, but also deeply human. Watching her slowly unravel that belief system, even if it takes her a while to get there, felt honest in a way that wasn’t always pretty but was definitely real.
Andrea, on the other hand, is the soft place to land. An anxious mayor with a heart too big for his own schedule and the patience of a saint. The contrast between them works, especially as he quietly challenges everything Lora thinks she knows about connection, home, and what it means to actually exist in life.
The Italian setting is pure magic. Small town charm, food that practically sings off the page, and side characters that make the world feel full and warm. A thoughtful, sun-soaked story about roots, resistance, and the terrifying act of letting people in.
Tropes:
🏘️ Small town romance
✈️ Travel romance
🧠 Opposites attract
💔 Emotional healing
🏡 Finding home
💞 Slow burn-ish
📚 Academic FMC
😌 Soft, steady MMC
ARC provided by the author, St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley
This book had me pricing flights to Italy while also side-eyeing my own emotional independence. Jill Francis really said what if your entire personality is “I don’t need anyone” and then dropped that character into a seaside town where community is basically a love language. "Is this play about us?!" hahaha.
Lora is… a lot. Brilliant, driven, and so committed to her independence that she clings to it like a life raft, even when it’s clearly springing leaks. It made her frustrating at times, but also deeply human. Watching her slowly unravel that belief system, even if it takes her a while to get there, felt honest in a way that wasn’t always pretty but was definitely real.
Andrea, on the other hand, is the soft place to land. An anxious mayor with a heart too big for his own schedule and the patience of a saint. The contrast between them works, especially as he quietly challenges everything Lora thinks she knows about connection, home, and what it means to actually exist in life.
The Italian setting is pure magic. Small town charm, food that practically sings off the page, and side characters that make the world feel full and warm. A thoughtful, sun-soaked story about roots, resistance, and the terrifying act of letting people in.
Tropes:
🏘️ Small town romance
✈️ Travel romance
🧠 Opposites attract
💔 Emotional healing
🏡 Finding home
💞 Slow burn-ish
📚 Academic FMC
😌 Soft, steady MMC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A charming romance about finding love abroad and when you least expect it. Lora arrives in a small Italian town to file for Italian citizenship for work and is assisted by the town’s mayor, Andrea. What begins as a purely practical arrangement soon turns into an undeniable attraction.
The town itself feels like a third character in the story. As Lora learns more about the culture and reconnects with her heritage, she is immediately embraced by the town's tight-knit residents and a community that knows everyone’s business. As a reader, the town becomes an escape of its own, drawing you fully into its warmth and charm and making you ache to be in Italy.
Andrea is the ultimate book boyfriend: generous, thoughtful, and always putting everyone else’s needs before his own. As mayor, he also wears multiple hats and does repairs/helps his constituents with anything they need. Lora’s unexpected presence disrupts his routine and pushes him to finally consider what he wants. Fresh out of a traumatic relationship, Lora comes to Italy hoping to outrun her past, and Andrea helps ground her, offering her a sense of belonging she didn’t realize she was searching for.
The ending was perfect and showed how much both characters had grown
A perfect beach or travel read, especially for anyone longing to be transported to Italy.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
The town itself feels like a third character in the story. As Lora learns more about the culture and reconnects with her heritage, she is immediately embraced by the town's tight-knit residents and a community that knows everyone’s business. As a reader, the town becomes an escape of its own, drawing you fully into its warmth and charm and making you ache to be in Italy.
Andrea is the ultimate book boyfriend: generous, thoughtful, and always putting everyone else’s needs before his own. As mayor, he also wears multiple hats and does repairs/helps his constituents with anything they need. Lora’s unexpected presence disrupts his routine and pushes him to finally consider what he wants. Fresh out of a traumatic relationship, Lora comes to Italy hoping to outrun her past, and Andrea helps ground her, offering her a sense of belonging she didn’t realize she was searching for.
The ending was perfect and showed how much both characters had grown
A perfect beach or travel read, especially for anyone longing to be transported to Italy.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!
May 18, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
On paper—no pun intended—this should have worked: a just-for-the-summer Italian fling with an expiration date.
However, virtually everything about this novel fell flat, and I failed to connect with either the story or the characters on an emotional level.
And yes, while the FMC, Lora, has some terribly flawed ideas about relationships and the basic need for human connection, I don’t think that was the issue. I also never fully connected with Andrea who, by all means, was a perfectly charming man.
The entire novel lacks passion—and not just the romantic kind. It made me wonder how much the author held back emotionally while writing this. I wish she’d dug a little deeper. As a reader, I want to feel what the characters are feeling, not just infer it.
There were also some discrepancies with Lora’s characterization and the plot. It’s hard to fathom that a woman who has spent so much time doing research failed to properly research the Italian citizenship process. Her ignorance came across less as naïveté and more as entitlement. And for someone who never wanted to depend on anyone for anything, she was certainly depending on her deceased father to gain citizenship. These are things I might have easily overlooked in an otherwise enjoyable book.
Unfortunately, this is the rare book I cannot recommend.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
On paper—no pun intended—this should have worked: a just-for-the-summer Italian fling with an expiration date.
However, virtually everything about this novel fell flat, and I failed to connect with either the story or the characters on an emotional level.
And yes, while the FMC, Lora, has some terribly flawed ideas about relationships and the basic need for human connection, I don’t think that was the issue. I also never fully connected with Andrea who, by all means, was a perfectly charming man.
The entire novel lacks passion—and not just the romantic kind. It made me wonder how much the author held back emotionally while writing this. I wish she’d dug a little deeper. As a reader, I want to feel what the characters are feeling, not just infer it.
There were also some discrepancies with Lora’s characterization and the plot. It’s hard to fathom that a woman who has spent so much time doing research failed to properly research the Italian citizenship process. Her ignorance came across less as naïveté and more as entitlement. And for someone who never wanted to depend on anyone for anything, she was certainly depending on her deceased father to gain citizenship. These are things I might have easily overlooked in an otherwise enjoyable book.
Unfortunately, this is the rare book I cannot recommend.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
May 28, 2026
As Long As It Takes by Jill Francis
I really wanted to love this book but for me it wasn’t it. Overall I found it lacked something I thought with it taking place in Italy it would be full of romance, art, etc but to me it just lacked all that. Now when it comes to Lora… she made it hard for me to like her especially with her trying to be independent & hardheaded like girl come on you have these amazing people trying to help you & you’re refusing help & ignoring the advice that is given to you 🫠.
On the other hand Andrea was boring to me, he didn’t really have much going on for himself other than being the major of a little town, giving up something big for something that he thought was better… and then running again for a 2nd term when in 5 years from now he would be unemployed. Overall I didn’t really feel a connection between Andrea and Lora. She kept pushing him away every time he tried to help & eventually it became annoying to me. I felt like there wasn’t enough yearning for each other.
Another thing I understand this book is taking place in Italy & some parts will be in Italian and will be translated but other parts aren’t & there aren’t enough context clues as to what is being said so I went out of my way to translate it myself & to me that just ruined my reading flow.
Overall for me this book is a 3/5 ⭐️
Big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC ✨
I really wanted to love this book but for me it wasn’t it. Overall I found it lacked something I thought with it taking place in Italy it would be full of romance, art, etc but to me it just lacked all that. Now when it comes to Lora… she made it hard for me to like her especially with her trying to be independent & hardheaded like girl come on you have these amazing people trying to help you & you’re refusing help & ignoring the advice that is given to you 🫠.
On the other hand Andrea was boring to me, he didn’t really have much going on for himself other than being the major of a little town, giving up something big for something that he thought was better… and then running again for a 2nd term when in 5 years from now he would be unemployed. Overall I didn’t really feel a connection between Andrea and Lora. She kept pushing him away every time he tried to help & eventually it became annoying to me. I felt like there wasn’t enough yearning for each other.
Another thing I understand this book is taking place in Italy & some parts will be in Italian and will be translated but other parts aren’t & there aren’t enough context clues as to what is being said so I went out of my way to translate it myself & to me that just ruined my reading flow.
Overall for me this book is a 3/5 ⭐️
Big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC ✨
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
Love isn’t exactly a priority for Lora Brooks. When she is offered a prestigious postdoctoral position in Zurich Switzerland for her work debunking Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs—one whose funding hinges on her having European citizenship—nothing will stand between her and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hoping to claim citizenship through her birth father, Lora and her best friend travel to the quaint Italian town where he was born. She knows little about her father (and intends to keep it that way) but nothing, not even the ghosts of her past, will stand between Lora and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Except, perhaps, Italian bureaucracy. And an outdated filing system. And Andrea, the handsome—and slightly anxious—mayor. Andrea’s plate may be more than full, but he somehow finds the time to show Lora what it really means to live, and perhaps love, like a local. Lora is destined for a future hundreds of miles away and Andrea’s parents are pushing him to return to his fast-paced life in New York, but will they discover that their most basic need is actually just…each other?
It makes me feel better that I’m at a point where I’m feeling so uncertain about my next move and what I want to do. I have such a great support system, which makes me feel good about whatever I choose, but it doesn’t make the choice any easier. I definitely related to both Andrea and Lora in that.
I just wish I had a farm to inherit in Italy as part of my equation
Love isn’t exactly a priority for Lora Brooks. When she is offered a prestigious postdoctoral position in Zurich Switzerland for her work debunking Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs—one whose funding hinges on her having European citizenship—nothing will stand between her and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hoping to claim citizenship through her birth father, Lora and her best friend travel to the quaint Italian town where he was born. She knows little about her father (and intends to keep it that way) but nothing, not even the ghosts of her past, will stand between Lora and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Except, perhaps, Italian bureaucracy. And an outdated filing system. And Andrea, the handsome—and slightly anxious—mayor. Andrea’s plate may be more than full, but he somehow finds the time to show Lora what it really means to live, and perhaps love, like a local. Lora is destined for a future hundreds of miles away and Andrea’s parents are pushing him to return to his fast-paced life in New York, but will they discover that their most basic need is actually just…each other?
It makes me feel better that I’m at a point where I’m feeling so uncertain about my next move and what I want to do. I have such a great support system, which makes me feel good about whatever I choose, but it doesn’t make the choice any easier. I definitely related to both Andrea and Lora in that.
I just wish I had a farm to inherit in Italy as part of my equation
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a beautifully layered exploration about understanding that no one is an island. Coupled with the descriptions life in small town Liguria, Italy, I want to now pack my bags and head over there.
Jill Francis creates a compellingly flawed and messy heroine in tenacious and fiercely independent Lora. At times she really frustrated me with her rigidness. Even when it was working against her, such as dealing with Italian bureaucracy. She came off a stereotypical American who travels and thinks the world will bend to their demands. While she was self aware enough to apologise for her behaviour, it kept happening that I felt for poor Andrea. Yet it was understandable - it's difficult to break out old patterns, even if they no longer serve you. Andrea was an utter sweetheart, patient, supportive and community-minded. I also enjoyed his journey to solidify what made him happy, even if it was against his parents who wanted him to return to New York. Supporting characters - Vilmari, Nico, Giada - were also fantastic. The only disappointment was the Ivo storyline. Lora was spiky about any mentions of him, his money and his ranch. The emotional beat of the camcorder scene just fell flat and we only learn that she decided to do anything about it in the final chapter, so any real healing happened off page.
A heartfelt gem of a book!
Jill Francis creates a compellingly flawed and messy heroine in tenacious and fiercely independent Lora. At times she really frustrated me with her rigidness. Even when it was working against her, such as dealing with Italian bureaucracy. She came off a stereotypical American who travels and thinks the world will bend to their demands. While she was self aware enough to apologise for her behaviour, it kept happening that I felt for poor Andrea. Yet it was understandable - it's difficult to break out old patterns, even if they no longer serve you. Andrea was an utter sweetheart, patient, supportive and community-minded. I also enjoyed his journey to solidify what made him happy, even if it was against his parents who wanted him to return to New York. Supporting characters - Vilmari, Nico, Giada - were also fantastic. The only disappointment was the Ivo storyline. Lora was spiky about any mentions of him, his money and his ranch. The emotional beat of the camcorder scene just fell flat and we only learn that she decided to do anything about it in the final chapter, so any real healing happened off page.
A heartfelt gem of a book!
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