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The Accidental Italian
Theo, a gay man from New York City, travels to Positano for a summer vacation after a breakup with his boyfriend. He hoped to avoid his friends in Provincetown and spend quiet time in Italy incognito. While on the Amalfi Coast, Theo, who has an Italian father but was raised in France, overhears the conversation of two criminals plotting a terrible crime. When he goes to the local station to report it, he discovers that the police sergeant is also the appetizing man occupying the sunbed next to him on the beach. During a stakeout to catch the suspects, Theo and Raffaello fall under each other's spell. Theo struggles to overcome his alienation from all things Italian, and Raffaello wrestles with same-sex desires he thought he had buried years ago. Their relationship unfolds but reaches an impasse in the face of hostility from Raffaello's colleagues and father-in-law. Through a mysterious twist of fate, Theo returns to Positano a year later only to find that his history with Raffaello remains unresolved despite an intense and precipitous relationship with another Italian man he meets on the beach. Amidst a troubling backdrop of crime and intrigue, the fast-paced plot celebrates the scenery, traditions, and sensuality of the Italian coast and its power to mend hearts and inspire love.
262 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2025
8 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Michael Hartwig
16 books12 followersMichael Hartwig is a Boston and Provincetown-based author of LGBTQ fiction. Hartwig is an accomplished professor of religion and ethics as well as an established artist.
Hartwig grew up in Dallas but spread his wings early on – living in Rome for five years, moving to New England on his return, and then working in the area of educational travel to the Middle East and Europe.
His fiction weaves together his interest in LGBTQ+ studies, ethics, religion, art, languages, and travel. The books are set in international settings. They include rich local descriptions and are peppered with the local language. Characters grapple not only with their own gender and sexuality but with prevailing paradigms of sexuality and family in the world around them. Hartwig has a facility for fast-paced plots that transport readers to other worlds. They are romantic and steamy as well as thoughtful and engaging. Hartwig imagines rich characters who are at crossroads in their lives. In many instances, these crossroads mirror cultural ones. There’s plenty of sexual tension to keep readers on the edge of their seats, but the stories are enriched by broader considerations – historical, cultural, and philosophical.
Hartwig grew up in Dallas but spread his wings early on – living in Rome for five years, moving to New England on his return, and then working in the area of educational travel to the Middle East and Europe.
His fiction weaves together his interest in LGBTQ+ studies, ethics, religion, art, languages, and travel. The books are set in international settings. They include rich local descriptions and are peppered with the local language. Characters grapple not only with their own gender and sexuality but with prevailing paradigms of sexuality and family in the world around them. Hartwig has a facility for fast-paced plots that transport readers to other worlds. They are romantic and steamy as well as thoughtful and engaging. Hartwig imagines rich characters who are at crossroads in their lives. In many instances, these crossroads mirror cultural ones. There’s plenty of sexual tension to keep readers on the edge of their seats, but the stories are enriched by broader considerations – historical, cultural, and philosophical.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 22, 2025
Steamy and Suspenseful
The Accidental Italian is a 244-page book by Michael Hartwig. The October 2025 book has 24 subtitled chapters.
Earlier on, protagonist Theo Costa navigates his way through an Italian cliffside village that “would be his home for the next two weeks” in the wake of leaving New York “to heal his scars” after breaking up with his spouse who “wanted to open our relationship…things had gone stale.”
However, his me time takes a new twist when, on the beach, he stumbles on, and starts fantasizing about, a hairy, muscular stranger called Raffaello Russo whom he gets acquainted with when Theo unexpectedly finds him behind the desk in a small police bureau while reporting two men, French and Italian, he overheard discussing an organized crime’s “exchange, the disguise, the documents, and the payment.”
Raffaello, a special police force sergeant who had hit a dead end and was looking for new leads, urges Theo to join their police surveillance unit in a music club “to confirm who we are looking for…we can pretend to be two tourists listening to music and chatting.” Thus, when he asks Theo, “you’re alone? ...married?”, prompting him to reveal he was left for someone better amid the officer’s perilous “internal battle…his heart race and his hands perspire…was wrestling with more than crime…vulnerable…let down his guard,” it ignites a romantic spark.
Read this steamy, suspenseful book to find out how what once happened shapes what happens next…where even the call of duty acknowledges when the heart wants what it wants.
The Accidental Italian is a 244-page book by Michael Hartwig. The October 2025 book has 24 subtitled chapters.
Earlier on, protagonist Theo Costa navigates his way through an Italian cliffside village that “would be his home for the next two weeks” in the wake of leaving New York “to heal his scars” after breaking up with his spouse who “wanted to open our relationship…things had gone stale.”
However, his me time takes a new twist when, on the beach, he stumbles on, and starts fantasizing about, a hairy, muscular stranger called Raffaello Russo whom he gets acquainted with when Theo unexpectedly finds him behind the desk in a small police bureau while reporting two men, French and Italian, he overheard discussing an organized crime’s “exchange, the disguise, the documents, and the payment.”
Raffaello, a special police force sergeant who had hit a dead end and was looking for new leads, urges Theo to join their police surveillance unit in a music club “to confirm who we are looking for…we can pretend to be two tourists listening to music and chatting.” Thus, when he asks Theo, “you’re alone? ...married?”, prompting him to reveal he was left for someone better amid the officer’s perilous “internal battle…his heart race and his hands perspire…was wrestling with more than crime…vulnerable…let down his guard,” it ignites a romantic spark.
Read this steamy, suspenseful book to find out how what once happened shapes what happens next…where even the call of duty acknowledges when the heart wants what it wants.
November 20, 2025
More than just a lgbtq romance
While THE ACCIDENTAL ITALIAN is mainly a gay romance novel about a man finding love again after a break up, it is so much more.
There are elements of international intrigue when the main character overhears details of a criminal plot.
It is also about exploring identity and accepting oneself, as another character explores his homosexual feelings and has to figure out how this fits into his current life with his wife, kids, and career.
On top of that, the story takes place in Italy. The author does an amazing job of describing scenery, people, and history in such detail that the reader will definitely want to book a flight.
This is a great piece of lgbtq fiction as well as a good read for those who like traveling, as long as they are not put off by detailed sex scenes.
While THE ACCIDENTAL ITALIAN is mainly a gay romance novel about a man finding love again after a break up, it is so much more.
There are elements of international intrigue when the main character overhears details of a criminal plot.
It is also about exploring identity and accepting oneself, as another character explores his homosexual feelings and has to figure out how this fits into his current life with his wife, kids, and career.
On top of that, the story takes place in Italy. The author does an amazing job of describing scenery, people, and history in such detail that the reader will definitely want to book a flight.
This is a great piece of lgbtq fiction as well as a good read for those who like traveling, as long as they are not put off by detailed sex scenes.
November 7, 2025
THE ACCIDENTAL ITALIAN is a charming and compelling novel which will grab the reader from the initial first pages.
The characters are rich and vivid, stepping off the page and into the reader’s living room as both Theo and Raffaello confront their own demons. The author tackles very real issues of alienation and the challenges surrounding being gay and married to a woman. Raffaello’s journey was particularly interesting because you couldn’t wait to see how it turned out, whether he finally accepted his true self or bowed the perceptions of others.
The author was excellent at taking the reader and plonking them directly into wonderful Italian landscape with his vibrant descriptions of the places, the sights, the sounds and everything else that makes up the perfect scene.
Overall this was a very enjoyable book that will capture you almost immediately.
The characters are rich and vivid, stepping off the page and into the reader’s living room as both Theo and Raffaello confront their own demons. The author tackles very real issues of alienation and the challenges surrounding being gay and married to a woman. Raffaello’s journey was particularly interesting because you couldn’t wait to see how it turned out, whether he finally accepted his true self or bowed the perceptions of others.
The author was excellent at taking the reader and plonking them directly into wonderful Italian landscape with his vibrant descriptions of the places, the sights, the sounds and everything else that makes up the perfect scene.
Overall this was a very enjoyable book that will capture you almost immediately.
November 1, 2025
The Accidental Italian by Michael Hartwig is a scintillating romance that doesn’t disappoint! Set in the heart of Positano, Hartwig brings the scenery to life with vivid descriptions of the sights, sounds, and scents of Italy. Not to mention his vivid, slightly provocative descriptions of Theo’s crushes. The story had me hooked right from the start- being a gay, heartbroken man on vacation, Theo makes for a unique main character. Hartwig does an excellent job of fleshing him out and bringing life to the world that revolves around him. The romance is steamy and it’s all delivered in a fun, enjoyable read.
November 5, 2025
Michael Hartwig's The Accidental Italian is one of the best romance's I've read in a while. Hartwick drew me in with the introduction of the quirky, emotionally vulnerable main character Theo. From there, he kept readers hooked with a plot that was simple yet fun. The Accidental Italian is a mix of crime mystery and romance in the best way possible, so fans of romance as well as mystery can enjoy it. As the plot develops, so too does Theo's relationship with his police partner Raphaello, and that relationship makes readers want to stay and see where it goes. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's got everything from steamy scenes to suspense.
November 13, 2025
Set in sunny Italy along the Amalfi coast, Michael Hartwig brought a same-sex romance to life in a fun way. The best way to describe this book would be if buddy cop met romance.
Theo, the main character, is a typical gay man- slightly reserved (save for one or two close female friends), with wild fantasies. It’s these wild, vivid descriptions, told from Theo’s point of view, that give the story a steamy edge. However, it’s not all steamy romance. There is a fun thriller plot that runs concurrently to their romance, and it all comes to a climax when Theo and his newfound love interest embark on a mission together.
Theo, the main character, is a typical gay man- slightly reserved (save for one or two close female friends), with wild fantasies. It’s these wild, vivid descriptions, told from Theo’s point of view, that give the story a steamy edge. However, it’s not all steamy romance. There is a fun thriller plot that runs concurrently to their romance, and it all comes to a climax when Theo and his newfound love interest embark on a mission together.
November 19, 2025
The Accidental Italian is a very solid read if you're looking for a pretty straightforward buddy-cop-meets-romance, featuring gayness with a bit of a thriller vibe.
Certainly not a bad read, but it felt predictable, and the closeted male cop thing is a pretty tired trope. Well written and replete with some twists and turns, folks who love gay dramas with a bit of mystery thrown in will enjoy this book.
The descriptions of Italy were beautiful and engaging, and Michael Hartwing has a knack for writing steamy tension. The main character, Theo, felt authentic and easy to relate to. I appreciate Hartwig's craft and hope he continues to write!
Certainly not a bad read, but it felt predictable, and the closeted male cop thing is a pretty tired trope. Well written and replete with some twists and turns, folks who love gay dramas with a bit of mystery thrown in will enjoy this book.
The descriptions of Italy were beautiful and engaging, and Michael Hartwing has a knack for writing steamy tension. The main character, Theo, felt authentic and easy to relate to. I appreciate Hartwig's craft and hope he continues to write!
November 18, 2025
Michael Hartwig did a good job in this LGBTQ romance novel. Theo, a man who goes on vacation in Italy despite struggling to accept his Italian heritage, met Raffaelo, a closeted cop, while investigating a kidnapping ring. What I liked most about this book was the way in which Raffaelo's character was handled. Hartwig was on to something when he created a character who is married with kids, but struggles with gay fantasies. The romance feels very intense and dramatic, yet the novel begins in a more light-hearted way.
December 10, 2025
Theo goes to Italy alone because his friend couldn't make it. Meaning he gets a free room to himself. He needed time to heal from his breakup. The vacation turns into a mix of experiences; he gets into a situationship, and he gets stood up on a date. He experienced a guest at the hotel getting cheated on. And the worst part is he got to hear about sex trafficking of children. And he has to get involved to try to rescue them. This isn't how he planned his vacation to go.
October 18, 2025
Everything and more
Th Accidental Italian is true Hartwig- themes common to the challenges of being gay, Roman history and art, Italian culture and lovable characters. Hartwig’s stories make you think and wonder. But this story heats up more than his typical books-and it works! Intelligente, dolce e sexy-indulge!
Th Accidental Italian is true Hartwig- themes common to the challenges of being gay, Roman history and art, Italian culture and lovable characters. Hartwig’s stories make you think and wonder. But this story heats up more than his typical books-and it works! Intelligente, dolce e sexy-indulge!
January 24, 2026
It’s impossible not to enjoy any story whose background is Positano, Rome and Manhattan. There were more plot twists than I’d anticipated. Characters are interesting. Plot kept me wanting to finish the book. I love the multilingual aspect. There could have been more attention to greater detail in plot development given the twists and turns. But an entirely compelling romantic story.
February 21, 2026
Under 300 pages, it’s hot and well paced but wanted more from it, something’s felt rushed but still entertaining enough to read
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews