The Italian Lakes Affair

by Rachel Barnett

Escape to the sparkling shores of Lake Garda in this BRAND-NEW wish-you-were-here romance, where luxury and desire collide at one of Italy’s most exclusive cookery schools. 🌞⛵🍷💖Perfect for fans of Jennifer Bohnet, Gillian Harvey and Phillipa Ashley!‘Sun-drenched, deliciously romantic, and utterly escapist! This is a love story to savour’ Heidi Stephens A glamorous escape. An irresistible attraction.

Amy’s life runs like clockwork – as personal assistant to a notoriously sharp-tongued celebrity food critic, she’s used to managing chaos without ever creating any of her own. But everything changes when she's sent to a prestigious Italian cookery school and meets Tad, the enigmatic and quietly brilliant head chef running the show.

As sparks fly in the kitchen, Amy finds herself drawn into a world far removed from the one she’s always known. But with her demanding boss determined to be the centre of attention – and possibly Tad’s too – Amy must decide if she’s ready to step out from behind the scenes and take a chance on love.

Set against a backdrop of shimmering lake views and old-world luxury, this is a story of forbidden love, personal reinvention, and the courage it takes to follow your heart.🥂🍾💖

Praise for Rachel

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'This is the perfect summer book!' Reader Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'I loved this book. A great summer holiday read. Beautiful setting, interesting characters and a page-turning plot' Reader Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'Literally couldn't put this book down... It was a really amazing read' Reader Review

Genres: Romance

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2026

Reviews

[Teodora]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

I very much liked the attention on detail and recipes included in this book.
But, I didn't like the miscommunication trope and manipulation happening by one of the characters. Overall, my favorite character is Hugh, his energy is unmatched.

[Cassie]

Most of the time any book involving Italy or cooking is an instant must read for me, so of course I had to jump on this one right away since it included both. It was a quick lighthearted romance that I found enjoyable. I especially loved Hughes character. I would’ve appreciated a bit more character development and a bit less overused deception and miscommunication (which felt comical at times). Overall a good escape read.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Chloe Batchelor]

Although this isn’t my type of book, I actually really enjoyed it. I could see how Billie was manipulating both Tad and Amy but I’m glad things worked out in the end. It was a cute little read with recipes which was a great touch. I loved Lago Maggiore when I went so reading about Garda just felt like icing on the cake and I could imagine what it would be like, based on my experience

[Kate Baloun]

Very well written and it was good, but a bit slow going to be honest. I did thoroughly enjoy reading about Lake Garda - Riva in particular.

[Sarah Kitzrow]

It was a cute romantic read. I love the cooking elements and that they include the recipes!
If you want a light hearted, romantic and fun read- this is a book for you

[Corey Daigle]

I wanted to like this one... I was looking for a read that made me feel like I was in Italy. This story could have been based anywhere. DNF.

[Kaylee]

Thank you Boldwood Books, NetGalley, and Rachel Barnett for this ARC of The Italian Lakes Affair.

Barnett’s cozy, atmospheric romance exceeded my expectations and is a standout read for me so far in 2026. Although the small-town Italian setting is a vibe, it’s the characters that make this book so successful. Taddeo and Hugh were my favorite characters, as I found their stories relatable and compelling. In particular, Hugh’s story and personal interest in Taddeo and Amelia’s relationship made The Italian Lakes Affair a poignant read that appeals to readers of all ages.

One area for improvement is that I wish there’d been more significance to the recovery of Amelia’s suitcase containing her grandma’s notebook. This resolution felt incomplete, as it was quickly brushed over and lacked the emotional significance I was expecting it to convey. Amelia’s connection to her grandma caught my attention from the beginning, and it would’ve been more realistic to connect the notebook to her journey in a clear, tangible, and meaningful way.

I also wish that Amelia had been more assertive near the end of the novel, and stood up to Billie in defense of Taddeo in a more direct way. I was unhappy with the ending, finding that the reconciliation between Billie and Amelia felt forced and farfetched. Why should Amelia forgive someone who talked to her and was mentally abusive? I found this to undermine some of the growth and emotional development Amelia had gained throughout the novel, as it pointed to her continued desire to people-please.

All in all, this was a very cozy read and I enjoyed the banter and setting of this story. I look forward to reading more of Barnett’s work moving forward.

[Louise]

Wow, what a fantastic story. I absolutely loved it!
The romance, the scenery, the recipes, the characters, it absolutely had it all!
The cover grabbed my attention 100%. I love everything to do with Italy, although I have never been, but I will definitely be making that trip, especially to Lake Garda, which is the location of this story wow!!
Amy works for Billie. Billie is a restaurant critic TV personality & not a nice person.
Amy is her personal assistant who does absolutely everything for this woman, making Billie look amazing when really she's a self-absorbed vile person only out for herself.
Along with Malcon the photographer ( who has also has issues with Billie & is fed up with her demands) they make their way to Italy 🇮🇹 to review a cooking school & hotel located in lake garda run by Tad.
As soon as Tad & Amy meet eyes, a spark begins to grow between them.
With the help from one of the elderly residents Hugh (loved Hugh wonderful character), he meddles in the best possible way to help get these two together.
It was such a warm, cosy read. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The book is so much more & also includes recipes that they make at the cooking school I so need a physical copy of this book & need to read anything written by Rachel loved the way it was written nothing was left out!
If you're a romance girly like me & you love Italy, you will love this fabulous story.
Big thanks to
theboldbookclub, net gallery
& Rachel Barnett for letting me read this wonderful story ❤️

[Angie F.]

The Italian Lakes Affair by Rachel Barnett is a contemporary romance with a travel element that I really enjoyed reading. It is scheduled to be published on February 26, 2026.

Amy meets Tad when she travels to Italy as an assistant to her food critic boss, and he is a chef in the cooking school/villa. There are also some fun side characters in this book: the scheming boss, an old man playing cupid, and an obnoxious mystery writer to name a few.

The Italian Lakes Affair also had my mouth watering with some absolutely delicious sounding recipes that were fully integrated into the text and not just relegated to the appendix. Recipes are one of my favourite things in books, so this was a big plus for me. I also enjoyed the descriptions of some of the sights around Lake Garda, which made me feel like a tourist.

While I liked both Amy and Tad, I wished we got a bit more information about both of them. I enjoyed the side characters for the most part, but in some places much more focus was on them than the main characters. However, overall I really enjoyed this book and would read more from Rachel Barnett.

Thank you very much to Boldwood Books for continuing to provide me world travels without reading my home. I appreciate having the opportunity to read and review an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth Foss]

This novel is perhaps a pleasant escape, but then it tries to be a story of finding one's courage and personal re-invention, with a side helping of narcissistic abuse.

I was drawn into the setting, a cooking school and inn in Lake Garda, but I was uneasy the whole time I was there.

Amy is a competent, emotionally even personal assistant to an absolutely miserable diva of a food critic. She is really good at her job and has managed to put her own personal life in a box where she can ignore it.

Tad is an excellent chef and equally good teacher who has suffered tragic loss. There is instant chemistry between him and Amy. There's plenty of tension. And there is a little spice and closed-door sex.

Lake Garda is lovely and well-drawn. The cooking school is especially well done--menus and food descriptions make one want to be there. And recipes at the end of the chapter make one think she can replicate the tastes, at least.

The ending fell apart for me. I don't think that it's believable that Billie can be redeemed. I think she's a lying, manipulative narcissist. And those people can't ever be tied up in tidy happily-ever-afters.

3.5 stars

Published by Boldwood Books, with thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my the gift of my ARC.

[Lily]

In this fun new novel from Rachel Barnett, readers journey to Italy with personal assistant Amy as she and her demanding boss head to a prestigious Italian culinary school where head chef Tad offers Amy a glimpse into a fascinating new world. As sparks fly in the kitchen, her boss wants all of the attention -- including Tad’s -- and Amy must decide if she wants to keep this safe and familiar life or step out on her own and choose love and the new life she could have. With a charmingly romantic backdrop and a great cast of characters, the tropes and emotional beats in the book are perfectly set up and pull readers into the story. The characters are well-written, and the chemistry between Amy and Tad is detailed and shared, while the added drama of Amy’s boss and other side characters add some necessary tension to the story. Readers will particularly enjoy the cooking classes and the developing relationship between Amy and Tad, while the individual journeys both protagonists go on help the story evolve. Detailed, romantic, and well-written, romance fans will love this story set in Italy and the cast of characters that bring Rachel Barnett’s latest novel to life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the advance copy.

[Kimberly Sullivan]

Amy is a personal assistant for a demanding, self-centered British food influencer. But one of the perks of her job is international travel to luxurious locales, such as her current trip to Lake Garda, Italy’s Veneto region.

Amy’s current assignment has her boss following a cooking class at the lakeside hotel, where Amy finds herself increasingly drawn to Tad, the hotel’s handsome Scottish chef and instructor.

This novel worked as a romance, but I would have enjoyed more character development. I had a hard time connecting to the protagonist and, therefore, was never fully drawn into the story. One of the aspects of the story, which I would have enjoyed had it been more developed, was the pressure of working for such a demanding an unreasonable boss. But I was left with the uncomfortable realization that Amy didn’t really do much work on this holiday, while simultaneously being exhausted and stressed and wanting time off. The romance element worked and the novel included recipes of the dishes prepared in the cooking course.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy - all thoughts are my own.

[Shannon]

This book has a cover that grabbed my attention and made me want to be there enjoying that view.
Very quickly after you start the book you see Tad and Amy meet and feel the electricity in the air. You know that they are going to be drawn together but will probably be thwarted by the villain (Her Boss Billie). That's exactly what happens as Billie can't help herself, lying about Amy in order to keep her away from Tad and vice versa. Had they not had time without her they might not have had such a lovely time. They find they enjoy cooking together and just strolling around town. Little do they know that Hugh has a bit of a hand in their being together and he comes up with ideas and situations to push them together. Hugh is a character and will have you laughing and wishing the best for him.
At the end of each chapter it's cool because they have a recipe for something they were cooking in cooking class. I thought that was great. It also made me want to run away to a small hotel in Italy to take cooking classes and to eat.
The ending was obvious but totally satisfying.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

[Diane Nagatomo]

“The Italian Lakes Affair” by Rachel Barnett is a fun, romantic romp in the picturesque setting of Lake Garda and involves plenty of descriptions of food. I found myself wanting to book a holiday at the cooking school where Amy, her boss—a high-profile food critic, and her boss’s photographer are planning to stay for a week. Things don’t get off to a good start with Amy when her luggage is lost and she’ll have to make due with the clothes on her back. But that is soon forgotten when she meets Tod, the head chef of the institution. Sparks fly between them. Or do they? Is Amy misreading the clues? Is Tod? Well, no wonder, considering how many mean and nasty lies her boss Billie is spreading about them both. Why?

I wanted to like this book more, but I couldn’t really get into the characters, especially Billie, who seems so one-sidedly selfish. But I still wanted to continue to the end to see what was going to happen. Of course, things were rather predictable, but it was a fairly enjoyable ride.

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. My opinions are my own.

[Mindy]

Pour yourself a prosecco and escape with a captivating story in a luxurious setting!

In this contemporary romance, a food blogger visits an Italian cooking school at beautiful Lake Garda. As a reader you are transported to the stunning setting, feeling every luxurious, indulgent and picturesque moment. That is until food blogger, Billie, enters the room. Then, everything is instantly about her. Billie is the stereotype of every self centered celebrity you can think of. She has travelled to Italy with her assistant, Amy, and her photographer on business, to document her experience at the cooking school for a magazine. Amy runs a tight schedule for Billie, as best she can. But, is it her own time to shine apart from her boss?

I loved the interactions of the employees she travels with, the staff at the cooking school, as well as the other guests. Who doesn’t love a few well meaning romantics nudging along a budding relationship? I really enjoyed getting transported to Italy and fully engrossed in this story.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Rachel Barnett for the gifted copy.

[Dawn Probert]

Amy works for the ferocious Billie a restaurant critic and tv personality. Billie is a vile unlikeable person with sense of delusion and grandeur. She believes her own hype.
Amy is her PA and she does most of the hard work, grafting and scouting to keep Billie looking good in the eyes of the public. Along with Malcolm Billies long suffering photographer they go to Italy to review a cookery school and hotel ran by Tad. Amy feels a spark straight away and enjoys her time learning new skills at the school. She has always been a talented and keen cook and helpful to Tad when his sous chef has to go for a family emergency.
They strike up an unlikely friendship with Hugh one of the elderly guests in attendance at the hotel. Hugh sees the spark and meddles in the best way angling them together.
This book is fun, warm, engaging and the scenery shines through.
I enjoyed this so much.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Ann-Maree]

The Italian Lakes Affair
by Rachel Barnett


While I personally had difficulty connecting with this story, I can see how it might resonate with other readers. I found the character of Amy's boss to be a bit unappealing, which affected my overall enjoyment of the story and made it harder for me to engage with the plot. Although I wasn't able to finish the book, I recognise that many readers may find value in it; it simply didn't align with my preferences. I believe others might appreciate the themes and characters in a way that I could not, which made it challenging for me to stay invested in the plot. Although I couldn't finish the book, I believe many readers will appreciate it; it simply wasn't the right match for my tastes.

[Henriette]

I love books and I love Italy and I love cooking. So a book set in an Italian cookery school is right up my alley.

Great summer read with a range of personalities (some nicer than others!), that takes you on a one week trip to the Casa di Cibo cookery school in Riva on Lake Garda.
Betrayal, toxic celebrity behaviour, and a lot of love and feel good moments in the end!

Would definitely recommend to anyone who is after a light and fluffy romance with a bit of cooking sprinkled throughout.

Thanks to Boldwood Books, Rachel Barnett and NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review

[Kindle Book Worm By The Sea]

Amy is a PA to Billie who is a food critic. Needing to do something different they head to lake Garda to a hotel/cookery school along with Billies photographer.
Tad is the chef and nervously awaits Billie. There is an instant chemistry between Tad and Amy. In which one of the guests Hugo notices and try’s he’s best to help them along.
I really enjoyed this book, altho Billies character got a bit frustrating for me at times, the lies to both tad and Amy, thinking she’s better than everyone else.
The setting and descriptions really felt like I was there with them. And the recipes really helped with that.

Over all a great book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for the e-ARC or this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own

[Nana]

Amy's life revolves around her work, being the PA of food critic Billie, are heading to Italy to rate a cookery school, with the photographer. Once they arrived in Italy, Amy started seeing things differently, about many things. As her journey continued, we see the many things that are happening, and, something's, that just didn't seem right. But Amy has to make the decisions about her life. This story has emotions, scenery, lessons, and what life can do to a person.
I received an ARC from Boldwood Books through NetGalley.

[Carol]

I loved this book the emotion behind the four main characters especially Tad and Amy was great and although Billie did not treat anybody well I did have some sympathy for her and hoped at the end that she did have somebody who loved her and that she had some peace.
This was a story of a food writer taking a trip for a cookery holiday and the descriptions of the foods made my mouth water.
It was a nice touch for the recipes and methods to be included
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood books for my arc copy

[Bookworm Girl]

Fun holiday read.

Amy is PA to a food critic visiting Lake Garda to write about a cookery school. Plenty of interesting characters including the Italian/Scottish chef Tad, & matchmaker Hugh.

It's a 'will they/won't they' romance, with Amy's boss trying to keep them apart.

Lots of descriptions of delicious local food including recipes to try. I chose this book because I'm going to Lake Garda soon and wanted to read about it, there are great descriptions of the Lake, mountains, streets, cafes etc.

A light holiday read.

[Roo]

I really enjoyed reading this book, Billie is a food critic and she is off to critic a cookery school in Italy with her assistant Amy. When they get here they meet the chef Tad who’s lovely and good looking. Will love blossom, but with who? This was a fun read, feel good characters that played their roles well. The recipes in the story are great too, can’t wait to make the Lemon tart. Fabulous 5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

[Janne]

✨🌊 4.25 stars 🌊✨
Such a hopeful, sun-drenched escape ☀️🇮🇹 The Lake Garda setting was absolutely dreamy — it made me want to pack a suitcase immediately.
The romance had that instant spark with just the right amount of hot-and-cold tension 🔥❄️ Some characters were frustrating (intentionally!), but it all added depth and made the story work beautifully.
A feel-good, escapist read filled with heart & tension 💖
Huge thanks to NetGalley, the author Rachel Barnett, and Boldwood Books for the copy! 🙏✨

[Kasey Connors-Beron]

I received an ARC of The Italian Lakes Affair by Rachel Barnett thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the dynamics between the characters, both the main characters and the side characters/villian. They played off each other well while pushing the plot forward. I loved the recipes that were thrown in and definitely plan to try them! I also loved how sweet the relationship development was. Definitely a recommmended summer romance.

[Jodi Bennett]

Amy has a great job and gets to travel the world. If only her boss wasn't so hard on everyone. Her boss is a food critic and hold this over everyone's head. She is a beast to work for. This trip they are at a cooking school in Italy and Amy meets the chef Tad. She feel instant attraction but her boss seems to be against the pairing. Will they find a way to be together. The characters in this book were just wonderful and you were drawn in from the first paragraph. What a delightful love story.

[Carol North]

Highly Readable

Italian food, lakeside scenery and romance. What more does a book need? Oh, yes, I almost forgot ...great recipes and a happy ending. Okay, the will they, won't they parts were a bit overdone but it was a sweet and really enjoyable story with very likeable characters, especially Hugh. Read it while you're on holiday, maybe by an Italian lake.

[Amy-lee bannerman]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice easy read. Reignited my want to travel to Italy and participate in cooking schools and enjoy the local cuisine. It was a great book to break up the thrillers I’ve been reading. Very likeable characters. I loved the additions of recipes and am excited to try a few myself. Would definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for an easy, simple read :)

[Carol Murray]

Food and Romance❤️

Set in Italy, what could be a better escape than that! Just what I needed. I found the story line charming with love, sprinkled in with food, and of course what we do without some drama.

[Anne Cranesmith]

It was an okay story. I did finish it so that is something. The story is about a restaurant that is being visited by a critic and her staff. Of course there is an attraction between one of the critic's staff with the head chef. It's a quick read.