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As Long as It Takes
Not yet published
Expected 21 Jul 26Set 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 And an outdated filing system.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 And an outdated filing system.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?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
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.
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!
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.
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
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
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
📚 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.
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!
May 5, 2026
2.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️
My review: I really wanted to like this book. But it didn't work for me. Good premise: American Lora goes to the small Italian town where the father she never knew was from in hopes of getting residency. With that residency she can get grants for post doc work in Switzerland. She meets Andrea who is back home and the mayor after spending years in cut throat NYC finance.
Getting residency takes longer than she thought and Lora meets people that knew her absent father. And she spends time with Andrea who's also torn between paths.
It is a great idea and what could be more romantic right? Eh.
First, Lora was pretty closed off, it took too long for her to open up, and realize that you don't have to do everything alone. Second, the book takes place in Italy. People speak Italian. I get that. But the amount of Italian that wasn't translated and wasn't clear due to context was quite annoying. I'm a pretty intuitive reader and I can make inferences. But some of this was too out of the blue. I'm sure if you speak Italian it would not bother you.
I did want Andrea to follow his heart and for Lora to loosen up and let love happen. I ended up skimming parts to get through the story line.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance digital copy to review. These opinions are my own.
My review: I really wanted to like this book. But it didn't work for me. Good premise: American Lora goes to the small Italian town where the father she never knew was from in hopes of getting residency. With that residency she can get grants for post doc work in Switzerland. She meets Andrea who is back home and the mayor after spending years in cut throat NYC finance.
Getting residency takes longer than she thought and Lora meets people that knew her absent father. And she spends time with Andrea who's also torn between paths.
It is a great idea and what could be more romantic right? Eh.
First, Lora was pretty closed off, it took too long for her to open up, and realize that you don't have to do everything alone. Second, the book takes place in Italy. People speak Italian. I get that. But the amount of Italian that wasn't translated and wasn't clear due to context was quite annoying. I'm a pretty intuitive reader and I can make inferences. But some of this was too out of the blue. I'm sure if you speak Italian it would not bother you.
I did want Andrea to follow his heart and for Lora to loosen up and let love happen. I ended up skimming parts to get through the story line.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance digital copy to review. These opinions are my own.
March 22, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this beautiful book. This book is about self actualization, but in the most beautiful way. In a world that keeps trying to convince us that individualism is what matters most, Jill Francis proves that we are actually better when we let people come on this journey of life with us. Through Lora’s story we see the importance of community, family, letting ourselves be helped, letting ourselves be loved, and knowing that accepting help isn’t a weakness.
We don’t always have to do it alone, it’s not weakness to ask for and accept help. I’ve always believed in the power of community, good friends, being part of a village, not out of obligation, but because when you find people people who love you and who you love back, it’s worth investing in.
I really love that in a world of hyper individualism, community is the winner in this book. I enjoyed Lora’s story, I love how the research notes progessed along with Lora.
Once again, I have fallen in love with Italy and its pure beauty. Sometimes the more perfect things are so simple, were the ones who make it more complicated than it needs to be. We need each other, we need people, and that’s ok.
We don’t always have to do it alone, it’s not weakness to ask for and accept help. I’ve always believed in the power of community, good friends, being part of a village, not out of obligation, but because when you find people people who love you and who you love back, it’s worth investing in.
I really love that in a world of hyper individualism, community is the winner in this book. I enjoyed Lora’s story, I love how the research notes progessed along with Lora.
Once again, I have fallen in love with Italy and its pure beauty. Sometimes the more perfect things are so simple, were the ones who make it more complicated than it needs to be. We need each other, we need people, and that’s ok.
April 2, 2026
Huge thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Jill Francis for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4 ⭐️ A very cute summer read. Or in my case, a wishing for summer read.
2.5🌶️ Open door but not enough to make a girl blush.
I thought this was a such a fun read! The characters were genuinely likeable and, I think because of their age, they actually were able to communicate with each other. It was so refreshing! I liked that Lora and Andrea were able to develop their feelings naturally over time and grow comfortable with each other!
This book made me miss my trip to Italy last year and made me jealous of Lora’s time there. I loved Lora’s friendship with Giada and Vivi, also loved the queer representation!
Even though I found the characters likeable, I was a bit hesitant with Lora. She gave a bit too much lone wolf energy for me. I know it was to be able to give her character growth and build a community but I think that with her having such a strong friendship with Vilmari, I didn’t get her sometimes.
I would recommend to anyone looking for an Italian vacation in the pages, summer read or grumpy x sunshine.
4 ⭐️ A very cute summer read. Or in my case, a wishing for summer read.
2.5🌶️ Open door but not enough to make a girl blush.
I thought this was a such a fun read! The characters were genuinely likeable and, I think because of their age, they actually were able to communicate with each other. It was so refreshing! I liked that Lora and Andrea were able to develop their feelings naturally over time and grow comfortable with each other!
This book made me miss my trip to Italy last year and made me jealous of Lora’s time there. I loved Lora’s friendship with Giada and Vivi, also loved the queer representation!
Even though I found the characters likeable, I was a bit hesitant with Lora. She gave a bit too much lone wolf energy for me. I know it was to be able to give her character growth and build a community but I think that with her having such a strong friendship with Vilmari, I didn’t get her sometimes.
I would recommend to anyone looking for an Italian vacation in the pages, summer read or grumpy x sunshine.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As Long as it Takes is a perfect summer read, though who wouldn't want to visit Italy literally anytime?
Lora travels to the small Italian town where her father lived his life, though he wasn't part of hers, wanting just one thing: Italian citizenship to qualify her for a post-doctoral position in Zurich where she's working to prove Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs flawed by proposing that we actually don't need other people to be happy and fulfilled.
Instead, Lora is shown a completely different way of living, given insight into her heritage, and welcomed into the lives of the people of that small town. Most notable is the town's mayor, Andrea, who is on his own journey discovering what he wants in life, beyond the expectations of his parents and anyone else.
I loved the setting outside of the U.S. and the lessons Lora had to learn assimilating into another culture and way of life. The found family element is really lovely and I think the author does a great job of showing how both Lora and Andrea get from point A to point B.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.
Lora travels to the small Italian town where her father lived his life, though he wasn't part of hers, wanting just one thing: Italian citizenship to qualify her for a post-doctoral position in Zurich where she's working to prove Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs flawed by proposing that we actually don't need other people to be happy and fulfilled.
Instead, Lora is shown a completely different way of living, given insight into her heritage, and welcomed into the lives of the people of that small town. Most notable is the town's mayor, Andrea, who is on his own journey discovering what he wants in life, beyond the expectations of his parents and anyone else.
I loved the setting outside of the U.S. and the lessons Lora had to learn assimilating into another culture and way of life. The found family element is really lovely and I think the author does a great job of showing how both Lora and Andrea get from point A to point B.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It really feels like I took a vacation to a little Italian town.
3.75 ⭐️
I love Baia Santa and everyone in it, maybe especially the mayor, Andrea. There's major small town/found family vibes, BUT our FMC Lora seems bound and determined to ignore them.
There's so little growth on her part, and I kind of understand it's based off of past experiences and in support of her grad thesis (that Maslow's Hierarchy does not necessarily apply to the modern world, specifically, the bottom parts of the pyramid aren't necessary to achieve the higher parts, which is an interesting thought, but I digress). But her stubbornness turns her independence into a flaw, and it goes on for so long until she finally has an epiphany.
And for the record, I WANT women in higher education, I never once wanted Lora to give up her dream of grad school. I just wanted her to be a better researcher. Everything else in this story beautiful, and I immediately want to go back to Baia Santa, but Lora, shew.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's for this eARC, all opinions are my own.
3.75 ⭐️
I love Baia Santa and everyone in it, maybe especially the mayor, Andrea. There's major small town/found family vibes, BUT our FMC Lora seems bound and determined to ignore them.
There's so little growth on her part, and I kind of understand it's based off of past experiences and in support of her grad thesis (that Maslow's Hierarchy does not necessarily apply to the modern world, specifically, the bottom parts of the pyramid aren't necessary to achieve the higher parts, which is an interesting thought, but I digress). But her stubbornness turns her independence into a flaw, and it goes on for so long until she finally has an epiphany.
And for the record, I WANT women in higher education, I never once wanted Lora to give up her dream of grad school. I just wanted her to be a better researcher. Everything else in this story beautiful, and I immediately want to go back to Baia Santa, but Lora, shew.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's for this eARC, all opinions are my own.
May 6, 2026
Lora is trying to get her Italian citizenship to allow her to live in Switzerland to present her theory about being alone to a group of professors. While in Italian lore meets the mayor a handsome young Italian mayor named Andrea. Andrea helps Lora with the paperwork & residency in this small Italian town. Andrea encourages Lora to learn about her deceased father & his life, but Lora refuses. Friendship grows then love - ending with a wonderful reuniting scene in NYC.
For me, Lora was a snooze and unlikable, I was not rooting for her. I was hoping a twist would keep her in Italy. I loved the moonstruck reference & scene. I loved the Italian setting, it would make a great movie!! Andrea was likable & fun & a character I was rooting for. However, I didn’t like all the extra people. I understand the friends, but then there was the hairdresser & the secretary & Andreas parents/siblings. There were parts of this book I fell I love with & a lot is skimmed.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy. I will be reading another book by this author as I liked the concept.
For me, Lora was a snooze and unlikable, I was not rooting for her. I was hoping a twist would keep her in Italy. I loved the moonstruck reference & scene. I loved the Italian setting, it would make a great movie!! Andrea was likable & fun & a character I was rooting for. However, I didn’t like all the extra people. I understand the friends, but then there was the hairdresser & the secretary & Andreas parents/siblings. There were parts of this book I fell I love with & a lot is skimmed.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy. I will be reading another book by this author as I liked the concept.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book made me want to book a trip to small-town Italy. It also made me wish that I had some random long-lost parent who happened to be Italian so I too could apply for Italian citizenship. I absolutely loved this book, and although I was overjoyed to read it as an ARC, I am a bit jealous of everyone who will read it for the first time when it releases in July, as it’s the perfect summer read.
I loved the depiction of Lora as a strong, independent woman, sometimes overly stubbornly so. And as much as I loved the depiction of her relationship with Andrea, I appreciated that when she came to her epiphany about independence, happiness, love and letting other people in, it was on her own terms, not as a result of any romantic entanglements.
Andrea is in every sense the swoony male lead, and although we do see him finding his way and ultimately his happiness, I would have liked to have seen more resolution around the pieces involving his family and their views of their Italian hometown.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the depiction of Lora as a strong, independent woman, sometimes overly stubbornly so. And as much as I loved the depiction of her relationship with Andrea, I appreciated that when she came to her epiphany about independence, happiness, love and letting other people in, it was on her own terms, not as a result of any romantic entanglements.
Andrea is in every sense the swoony male lead, and although we do see him finding his way and ultimately his happiness, I would have liked to have seen more resolution around the pieces involving his family and their views of their Italian hometown.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley, Jill Francis and St. Martin’s for an advanced eARC of this book.
I absolutely loved this book. At first I found it a little challenging to get into as I was thrown off by the research notes in the beginning, but as I continued I devoured the book. I found myself constantly thinking about the characters and how things would end between them.
This is the perfect summer read. It gives cutesy, romantic beach vibes and makes you want to take a trip to Italy!
The book and characters are witty, charming and hilarious. I love the conversations and the sense of a found family in the community. The ending was amazing and had me smiling from ear to ear. It was the perfect ending!
This book is perfect for anyone but especially those who want to be transported to Italy, enjoy a summer read, or just want a good wholesome and happy romance read.
I absolutely loved this book. At first I found it a little challenging to get into as I was thrown off by the research notes in the beginning, but as I continued I devoured the book. I found myself constantly thinking about the characters and how things would end between them.
This is the perfect summer read. It gives cutesy, romantic beach vibes and makes you want to take a trip to Italy!
The book and characters are witty, charming and hilarious. I love the conversations and the sense of a found family in the community. The ending was amazing and had me smiling from ear to ear. It was the perfect ending!
This book is perfect for anyone but especially those who want to be transported to Italy, enjoy a summer read, or just want a good wholesome and happy romance read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3⭐️
ARC Review!!
Thank you Jill Francis and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to receive and honestly review this eARC!
This was cute and now I want to go to Italy soooo bad. I really enjoyed the research notes at the start of some of the chapters. It was something different and helped piece together what Lora was thinking and doing research on. However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Lora. In most cases I feel like she was trying to be too independent. Like she spent most of the story trying to prove that you do not need anyone in your life. Like ¾ of the book she is on her independence highhorse. I did absolutely eat up Andrea! I feel like their relationship was kinda forced and like she didn't really like him.
Overall, this was a cute little romance that transports you to Italy.
ARC Review!!
Thank you Jill Francis and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to receive and honestly review this eARC!
This was cute and now I want to go to Italy soooo bad. I really enjoyed the research notes at the start of some of the chapters. It was something different and helped piece together what Lora was thinking and doing research on. However, I wasn’t the biggest fan of Lora. In most cases I feel like she was trying to be too independent. Like she spent most of the story trying to prove that you do not need anyone in your life. Like ¾ of the book she is on her independence highhorse. I did absolutely eat up Andrea! I feel like their relationship was kinda forced and like she didn't really like him.
Overall, this was a cute little romance that transports you to Italy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3 stars
As Long As It Takes was a fun summertime read with a beautiful Italian setting that completely had me dreaming about my own trip next month. I really enjoyed the premise, and the atmosphere of the story was definitely its strongest point for me.
While Lora never fully won me over as a character, I absolutely adored Andrea and found myself much more invested in his story. I especially wished we had gotten more backstory involving Lora's father, along with an epilogue to wrap everything up a little more completely.
The spice level was fairly low, which may work for some readers, but I also wasn’t entirely convinced by what Andrea saw in Lora romantically. Still, the setting, summer vibes, and overall charm made this an enjoyable read.
Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced read. This is set to publish July 21.
As Long As It Takes was a fun summertime read with a beautiful Italian setting that completely had me dreaming about my own trip next month. I really enjoyed the premise, and the atmosphere of the story was definitely its strongest point for me.
While Lora never fully won me over as a character, I absolutely adored Andrea and found myself much more invested in his story. I especially wished we had gotten more backstory involving Lora's father, along with an epilogue to wrap everything up a little more completely.
The spice level was fairly low, which may work for some readers, but I also wasn’t entirely convinced by what Andrea saw in Lora romantically. Still, the setting, summer vibes, and overall charm made this an enjoyable read.
Thanks to Net Galley for the advanced read. This is set to publish July 21.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The best way I can think of to describe this book is the most okay book in existence. The plot? Just ok. The setting? Ok. The writing? Ok. The characters were… a little less than ok (didn’t really like the FMC, didn’t care for the side characters, the MMC was, again, ok), but still fine overall. The romance… you know, I didn’t like how insta love it felt, but I feel bad complaining cause I’ve read so many other insta love books and have been fine with it. I’m not sure why this one rubbed me the wrong way. I just don’t see what they saw in each other.
It was a decent way to pass time, but I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to pick it up. 3 stars, cause it genuinely is just the very definition of average.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It was a decent way to pass time, but I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to pick it up. 3 stars, cause it genuinely is just the very definition of average.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Honestly I couldn't have timed this one better as I read it on a plane to Sicily. Jill paints the picture of travel, small town Italy, culture and language perfectly! I appreciated the background and research that went into this.
My biggest issue is Lora really got on my nerves. I didn't find myself rooting for her and I definitely felt a bit of disconnect when her and Andrea started flirting. It just seemed too insta-love and their on again off again thing. Lora's ex and that situation in NY didn't need to exist, it didn't add to the plot or push the story along at all. I was also personally just annoyed that Lora was so against learning about her culture and father. I was happy that it was redeemed at the end.
A very solid vacation read though and very easy to binge.
My biggest issue is Lora really got on my nerves. I didn't find myself rooting for her and I definitely felt a bit of disconnect when her and Andrea started flirting. It just seemed too insta-love and their on again off again thing. Lora's ex and that situation in NY didn't need to exist, it didn't add to the plot or push the story along at all. I was also personally just annoyed that Lora was so against learning about her culture and father. I was happy that it was redeemed at the end.
A very solid vacation read though and very easy to binge.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a cute summer romance novel that's small town with a twist. Set in a tiny village in Italy, the story pairs a heroine hell-bent on avoiding all emotional entanglements with a hero who might just be the human embodiment of emotional entanglement. The story explores complicated family dynamics and mental health challenges for both characters, though one is more honest about both issues than the other is.
The book begins each chapter with a snippet of the heroine's research, which I found distracting and not particularly helpful to the narrative. I found myself thinking "great, she's still in denial" and skipping it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest assessment of this work.
The book begins each chapter with a snippet of the heroine's research, which I found distracting and not particularly helpful to the narrative. I found myself thinking "great, she's still in denial" and skipping it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest assessment of this work.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Although I loved the premise of this book, the side characters and the setting, I just did not like Lora very much, which brought down my rating quite a bit. Her insistence on staying independent no matter what just constantly got on my nerves. However I did really like Andrea--he was such an interesting character and his story was just not one you see everyday. I also loved the town and all the side characters--they were all so complex and just charming. The town plus Andrea are what kept me motivated to finish this book. Although Lora was just not the main character for me, I am glad I got to read about the other characters.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.25 ⭐️I absolutely love Baia Santa. The city was incredibly lively and vibrant. It felt like a character in its own right, just like Lora and Andrea. The storyline felt purposeful and really developed these characters’ arcs. Both Lora and Andrea were great in their unique ways. Lora was a bit rough around the edges, but it seemed like she just hadn’t let herself go through certain experiences. She was strong and incredibly independent. Andrea was grounded and truly kind-hearted. They complemented each other very well. I also really liked how the story unfolded, especially the way it wrapped up. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!
The FMC and MMC both had refreshing personalities with dimension (probably because they’re ADULTS). I enjoyed that they each had their own set of struggles that they needed to overcome individually and not because love is the answer (love IS the answer but so is self-realization). Maybe unpopular opinion but Lora’s constant self-sabotage was totally valid and well done.
Unfortunately, the writing style made it difficult for me to fully connect and immerse myself with the story and its characters, keeping me at an arms length the entire time (because Lora keeps Andrea at arms length??? It all adds up.).
The FMC and MMC both had refreshing personalities with dimension (probably because they’re ADULTS). I enjoyed that they each had their own set of struggles that they needed to overcome individually and not because love is the answer (love IS the answer but so is self-realization). Maybe unpopular opinion but Lora’s constant self-sabotage was totally valid and well done.
Unfortunately, the writing style made it difficult for me to fully connect and immerse myself with the story and its characters, keeping me at an arms length the entire time (because Lora keeps Andrea at arms length??? It all adds up.).
March 21, 2026
What a cute small (Italian) town book with a satisfying third act!
I didn’t fully connect with the MCs as a couple, but I loved the interactions they had with all the secondary characters in the book. Andrea’s role as mayor and what a thankless job that could be. Giada, Vivi, and Lora’s budding friendship. It was also a great ad for small Italian towns. Have I wanted to go to Italy? Not really. Do I need to go to a place like Baia Santa after reading this book? Absolutely, book me a flight tomorrow!
Thank you St Martins and NetGalley for the ARC!
I didn’t fully connect with the MCs as a couple, but I loved the interactions they had with all the secondary characters in the book. Andrea’s role as mayor and what a thankless job that could be. Giada, Vivi, and Lora’s budding friendship. It was also a great ad for small Italian towns. Have I wanted to go to Italy? Not really. Do I need to go to a place like Baia Santa after reading this book? Absolutely, book me a flight tomorrow!
Thank you St Martins and NetGalley for the ARC!
April 16, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins press for the early copy of this book.
This was a sweet and lively romance set in Italy. Finding love unexpectedly and persevering through an unknown past and finding oneself and a lost long family.
Andrea was so swooney and Lora was a sting fmc.
I enjoyed the story itself and the characters. The small town seemed lovely and the contrast to a bustling NYC made me enjoy it even more.
This was a sweet and lively romance set in Italy. Finding love unexpectedly and persevering through an unknown past and finding oneself and a lost long family.
Andrea was so swooney and Lora was a sting fmc.
I enjoyed the story itself and the characters. The small town seemed lovely and the contrast to a bustling NYC made me enjoy it even more.
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