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Meet Me at the Villa
Minnie LeBlanc is the queen of fixing other people’s messes. Just not her own love life.
A scrappy line producer at a barely-hanging-on film company, she jets off to sun-drenched Italy chasing a career-saving dream, a long-lost movie starring the iconic Lana Lamont, a vintage screen legend in the vein of Audrey Hepburn. If Minnie can secure the rights, she could save her company and finally get her passion project made.
Before she can even order a cappuccino, Minnie’s boss hands her an impossible side quest. She has to pretend to be a high-powered executive producer and rein in a disaster of a film shoot, starting with its infuriatingly charming, very drunk star, Joshua Abbott.
One chaotic bar rescue later, Minnie gets the call. The mysterious woman who owns the lost film will see her—right now—at her gorgeous Tuscan villa. There’s just one problem. Minnie has nowhere to put Joshua. He has to come with.
At the villa, the elegant (and slightly intimidating) Angela reveals the film was directed by her late father and contains the greatest love story ever told—so powerful, she believes the modern world isn’t worthy of it anymore. Minnie, a secret cynic burned by her own romantic past, almost agrees, but she needs that film.
And Minnie always has a plan.
Pointing to the maddeningly handsome actor she met an hour ago, Minnie claims that true love does exist because she and Joshua are madly, deeply in love.
Angela makes a deal. If Minnie and Joshua can convince her (and her very nosy friends) that their romance is real, she’ll hand over the rights.
Now Minnie and Joshua are stuck in a swoony Tuscan villa, fake dating under the Italian sun, sharing lingering glances, staged kisses, and only one bed. They just have to keep it simple. Don’t get caught, don’t kill each other, and absolutely, under no circumstances, do not fall in love.
But as sparks fly and walls come down, Minnie starts to wonder what if the greatest love story ever told isn’t the one she’s chasing, but the one she’s pretending to live?
Tropes You'll LoveFish out of waterFake datingcelebrity romancefound familyForced proximityPerfect for fans of Christina Lauren's witty banter, Beth O'Leary's dreamy locals, and Lucy Score's quirky side characters.
A scrappy line producer at a barely-hanging-on film company, she jets off to sun-drenched Italy chasing a career-saving dream, a long-lost movie starring the iconic Lana Lamont, a vintage screen legend in the vein of Audrey Hepburn. If Minnie can secure the rights, she could save her company and finally get her passion project made.
Before she can even order a cappuccino, Minnie’s boss hands her an impossible side quest. She has to pretend to be a high-powered executive producer and rein in a disaster of a film shoot, starting with its infuriatingly charming, very drunk star, Joshua Abbott.
One chaotic bar rescue later, Minnie gets the call. The mysterious woman who owns the lost film will see her—right now—at her gorgeous Tuscan villa. There’s just one problem. Minnie has nowhere to put Joshua. He has to come with.
At the villa, the elegant (and slightly intimidating) Angela reveals the film was directed by her late father and contains the greatest love story ever told—so powerful, she believes the modern world isn’t worthy of it anymore. Minnie, a secret cynic burned by her own romantic past, almost agrees, but she needs that film.
And Minnie always has a plan.
Pointing to the maddeningly handsome actor she met an hour ago, Minnie claims that true love does exist because she and Joshua are madly, deeply in love.
Angela makes a deal. If Minnie and Joshua can convince her (and her very nosy friends) that their romance is real, she’ll hand over the rights.
Now Minnie and Joshua are stuck in a swoony Tuscan villa, fake dating under the Italian sun, sharing lingering glances, staged kisses, and only one bed. They just have to keep it simple. Don’t get caught, don’t kill each other, and absolutely, under no circumstances, do not fall in love.
But as sparks fly and walls come down, Minnie starts to wonder what if the greatest love story ever told isn’t the one she’s chasing, but the one she’s pretending to live?
Tropes You'll LoveFish out of waterFake datingcelebrity romancefound familyForced proximityPerfect for fans of Christina Lauren's witty banter, Beth O'Leary's dreamy locals, and Lucy Score's quirky side characters.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2026
About the author
N.C. Barton
6 books39 followersNicole Barton received a BFA in mixed media studio art. With a degree in the arts and no solid plan, Nicole has had the opportunity to hold many different jobs; video store manager, barista, photographer’s assistant, toy store clerk, and yoga instructor at a retreat in Puerto Rico are just a few. Hands on research for her books.
Currently, when Nicole’s not writing, you can find her working at a title one elementary school library, crafting with her little girl, or hosting the podcast, So I Wrote a Book…Now What, where she interviews fellow authors about their revision process.
Currently, when Nicole’s not writing, you can find her working at a title one elementary school library, crafting with her little girl, or hosting the podcast, So I Wrote a Book…Now What, where she interviews fellow authors about their revision process.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
July 16, 2026
How far would you go to archive your lifelong dream? Minnie and Joshua grew surrounded by movies, Minnie as something that she shared with her grandma and mom and Joshua as a young actor.
Minnie and Joshua complemented each other, through the book we can see their fears and how they overcome them together.
Minnie had to learned that she needed to keep true to herself in order to archive her biggest dream, be the director of her own movie, she didn’t need anything else but to believe in herself and to find a place where she belong, she needed it the stability that she didn’t get when she was little and move from place to place.
I loved how Joshua was portrayed with a deep fear of not being enough without a success career, he was so used to people taking advantage of him because of who he was and what he did. He felt insecure and more often than not people assumed he was someone shallow and superficial. He got to prove himself and others how wrong that was.
I loved how Minnie and Joshua pretended to be in love and they actually felt in love, how deeply they felt.
One of the things that I love about this book is the influence of movies, how they have so much impact in our life, how through a screen we get to live so many experience and to feel so many feelings.
Minnie and Joshua complemented each other, through the book we can see their fears and how they overcome them together.
Minnie had to learned that she needed to keep true to herself in order to archive her biggest dream, be the director of her own movie, she didn’t need anything else but to believe in herself and to find a place where she belong, she needed it the stability that she didn’t get when she was little and move from place to place.
I loved how Joshua was portrayed with a deep fear of not being enough without a success career, he was so used to people taking advantage of him because of who he was and what he did. He felt insecure and more often than not people assumed he was someone shallow and superficial. He got to prove himself and others how wrong that was.
I loved how Minnie and Joshua pretended to be in love and they actually felt in love, how deeply they felt.
One of the things that I love about this book is the influence of movies, how they have so much impact in our life, how through a screen we get to live so many experience and to feel so many feelings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2026
4.5 stars for me.
Minnie LeBlanc didn't expect to pretend to be in love with actor Joshua Abbott,who drinks to much and is more charming than he should be.Soon they have a rlationship that blurrs all lines,and Minnie and Joshua may firnd true love after all.
A perfect summer read,fake dating with a spice.Both characters don't believe in true love,but faking it comes to easy after a while.I had such a great time reading Minnie and Joshua story,there were parts that pull at my heartstrings,and the chemistry between them feel real.Author tell the story,and describe their encounters as a real deal,exacly how I imagine-awkward,just as it will be when two strangers need sell the non existent relationship.Told from both POV Minie and Joshua made the story fun and at times emotional.My first book by this author and hope to read more.
Charming and spicy-perfect for summer book.
Thank you Happily Booked PR and auhtor for arc,my review is honest and my own.
Minnie LeBlanc didn't expect to pretend to be in love with actor Joshua Abbott,who drinks to much and is more charming than he should be.Soon they have a rlationship that blurrs all lines,and Minnie and Joshua may firnd true love after all.
A perfect summer read,fake dating with a spice.Both characters don't believe in true love,but faking it comes to easy after a while.I had such a great time reading Minnie and Joshua story,there were parts that pull at my heartstrings,and the chemistry between them feel real.Author tell the story,and describe their encounters as a real deal,exacly how I imagine-awkward,just as it will be when two strangers need sell the non existent relationship.Told from both POV Minie and Joshua made the story fun and at times emotional.My first book by this author and hope to read more.
Charming and spicy-perfect for summer book.
Thank you Happily Booked PR and auhtor for arc,my review is honest and my own.
July 13, 2026
4⭐️
2🌶️
Huge thank you NC Barton & HappilyBooked for the ARC🩷
Holy moly. Okay this took me a while because work has been busy and I was busy whilst I was away but omg I loved this!
I love the summery vacation vibes this gave me and now I need a vacation pronto😂
Minnie is just a perfect FMC - there was just something about her I absolutely adored!
Don’t get me started on Joshua, ughhh he was such a dreamy MMC - the Armageddon reference won me over!!
I love all the movie and tv show references throughout this book. And tbh, I just really bloody love NC Barton’s writing, it’s so easy to read and keeps you wanting to read more even when adult life gets in the way!😂
What to expect
✨Fake dating
🌄Celebrity romance
✨Quirky side characters
🌄Forced proximity
✨Only one bed
Coming 14th July!
2🌶️
Huge thank you NC Barton & HappilyBooked for the ARC🩷
Holy moly. Okay this took me a while because work has been busy and I was busy whilst I was away but omg I loved this!
I love the summery vacation vibes this gave me and now I need a vacation pronto😂
Minnie is just a perfect FMC - there was just something about her I absolutely adored!
Don’t get me started on Joshua, ughhh he was such a dreamy MMC - the Armageddon reference won me over!!
I love all the movie and tv show references throughout this book. And tbh, I just really bloody love NC Barton’s writing, it’s so easy to read and keeps you wanting to read more even when adult life gets in the way!😂
What to expect
✨Fake dating
🌄Celebrity romance
✨Quirky side characters
🌄Forced proximity
✨Only one bed
Coming 14th July!
July 26, 2026
This was a really cute fake dating romance set in the beautiful Italy. I loved Minnie. Despite her relationship cunning to an end, she was such a go getter and I loved her determination. Even when she had her Joshua, ick at that moment. But the way she pursued trying to get that movie was crazy but fun at the same time. Trying to convince everyone that her and Joshua were so in love. I felt for Minnie. That woman wanted this so badly. Thank goodness Joshua was an actor. But it was so great seeing them slowly fall for one another. The acting turning real. This was such a fun and wonderful read. And I loved that she found so much in this quirky venture.
July 18, 2026
A sweet fake romance set in Italy, celebrity romance. A little spice but definitely focuses more on the romance. I liked the story and the characters, this book is part of a series that can be read as standalone.
July 20, 2026
3.5 Stars
NC Barton’s 2nd installment in her Love on Location Series takes us from sunny L.A. to beautiful Italy. This is a delightful fake-dating romance that feels like Roman Holiday and Fellini’s La Dolce Vita had a baby. I have never craved espresso and pastries more - aside from watching The Great British Baking Show. Absolutely delightful!
Minnie LeBlanc, whom we met in Meet Me At the Loch, is still hurting from the betrayal of her ex, Ty (also from MMATL), and has thrown herself into work. She is desperate to move up in her career from Line Producer, hoping to direct a film she and her friend Elsie wrote. And she thinks the best way to do it is to fly to Italy and find the lost film of Lana Lamont, an actress that means so much to so many fans, but especially to Minnie and her mother, and procure it for her boss at LightStream Productions to release. And because Hollywood is all about favors and transactions, Minnie is tasked with corralling wayward actor Joshua Abbott, on location in Italy, and numbing himself spectacularly with wine and apathy as he films another installment of LightStream’s vampire series. Joshua has been self-medicating with wine for years, woodenly working on auto-pilot as he tried to recapture his passion in his craft and belief in himself. These two find themselves pretending to be a couple madly in love in a gorgeous Tuscan villa with an audience of influential and eccentric film industry personalities, all to secure the elusive and mythic lost film, which will be the catalyst to improve both of their careers. Naturally, faking love often creates real feelings, and with wine and sunsets and the incredibly romantic backdrop of Italy in the summer, both Minnie and Joshua find themselves in over their heads.
NC Barton creates the most delightful characters; real and flawed and hilarious and relatable. Minnie LeBlanc and her insistence on ignoring her feelings in order to create a career and not be hurt after one cruddy relationship hit so close to home I needed to check to make sure NC Barton hadn’t somehow gained access to my old journals. Joshua, for all his movie-star swagger, is such a sweet and compassionate golden retriever of a guy that I struggled to understand Minnie’s ability to keep him at arm’s length. I would’ve attached myself to that man like a koala.
The shenanigans these two get into are elaborate enough to be massively entertaining, but are so believable to their characters that I giggled out loud. I did, however, feel a bit disconnected to Minnie a lot of the time. I was confused by what I read as low-key animosity and refusal to meet Joshua half way even as friends. Her conversations with her friend Amelia served as insight into her thoughts and emotions, but still felt a little surface-level. It wasn’t until the last few chapters that I began to understand how her mother’s love life had influenced her. I would have liked to understand her obsession with the Lana Lamont film more deeply, maybe how these films had guided her to a career in film? This disconnect made her move from “co-conspirators” to “lovers” tough for me accept. All her admiration and affection for Joshua was clearly a slow-burn to love, I just feel like I missed a good chunk of it.
All in all, Meet Me At The Villa is a dreamy romp through the Italian countryside. I felt as though I were at this amazing week-long getaway full of wine and clever conversations, stunning vistas and the palpable possibility of love. This novel is a love letter to the power of movies; how images on screen translate our passions and hopes into tangible things. And how, sometimes, our lives can feel like a perfect cinematic moment.
Thank you to the author and Happily Booked PR for the book. All opinions are my own.
NC Barton’s 2nd installment in her Love on Location Series takes us from sunny L.A. to beautiful Italy. This is a delightful fake-dating romance that feels like Roman Holiday and Fellini’s La Dolce Vita had a baby. I have never craved espresso and pastries more - aside from watching The Great British Baking Show. Absolutely delightful!
Minnie LeBlanc, whom we met in Meet Me At the Loch, is still hurting from the betrayal of her ex, Ty (also from MMATL), and has thrown herself into work. She is desperate to move up in her career from Line Producer, hoping to direct a film she and her friend Elsie wrote. And she thinks the best way to do it is to fly to Italy and find the lost film of Lana Lamont, an actress that means so much to so many fans, but especially to Minnie and her mother, and procure it for her boss at LightStream Productions to release. And because Hollywood is all about favors and transactions, Minnie is tasked with corralling wayward actor Joshua Abbott, on location in Italy, and numbing himself spectacularly with wine and apathy as he films another installment of LightStream’s vampire series. Joshua has been self-medicating with wine for years, woodenly working on auto-pilot as he tried to recapture his passion in his craft and belief in himself. These two find themselves pretending to be a couple madly in love in a gorgeous Tuscan villa with an audience of influential and eccentric film industry personalities, all to secure the elusive and mythic lost film, which will be the catalyst to improve both of their careers. Naturally, faking love often creates real feelings, and with wine and sunsets and the incredibly romantic backdrop of Italy in the summer, both Minnie and Joshua find themselves in over their heads.
NC Barton creates the most delightful characters; real and flawed and hilarious and relatable. Minnie LeBlanc and her insistence on ignoring her feelings in order to create a career and not be hurt after one cruddy relationship hit so close to home I needed to check to make sure NC Barton hadn’t somehow gained access to my old journals. Joshua, for all his movie-star swagger, is such a sweet and compassionate golden retriever of a guy that I struggled to understand Minnie’s ability to keep him at arm’s length. I would’ve attached myself to that man like a koala.
The shenanigans these two get into are elaborate enough to be massively entertaining, but are so believable to their characters that I giggled out loud. I did, however, feel a bit disconnected to Minnie a lot of the time. I was confused by what I read as low-key animosity and refusal to meet Joshua half way even as friends. Her conversations with her friend Amelia served as insight into her thoughts and emotions, but still felt a little surface-level. It wasn’t until the last few chapters that I began to understand how her mother’s love life had influenced her. I would have liked to understand her obsession with the Lana Lamont film more deeply, maybe how these films had guided her to a career in film? This disconnect made her move from “co-conspirators” to “lovers” tough for me accept. All her admiration and affection for Joshua was clearly a slow-burn to love, I just feel like I missed a good chunk of it.
All in all, Meet Me At The Villa is a dreamy romp through the Italian countryside. I felt as though I were at this amazing week-long getaway full of wine and clever conversations, stunning vistas and the palpable possibility of love. This novel is a love letter to the power of movies; how images on screen translate our passions and hopes into tangible things. And how, sometimes, our lives can feel like a perfect cinematic moment.
Thank you to the author and Happily Booked PR for the book. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2026
🍋🎬 Love, Laughter & Tuscan Sunshine 🍋🎬
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ | 🌶️🌶️
From the very first chapter, Meet Me At The Villa swept me away to the beautiful Tuscan countryside and never let go. Between the gorgeous scenery, the film industry backdrop, classic movie references, and the fake dating premise, this felt like watching a romantic comedy unfold on the big screen. It balanced laugh-out-loud moments with heartfelt emotion so effortlessly, making it such an enjoyable escape from beginning to end.
Minnie was such an easy character to root for. She's ambitious, hardworking, and always has a plan, determined to prove she's capable of achieving her dream of directing films one day. I admired how dedicated she was to her career while still allowing herself to grow throughout the story. Watching her slowly realize that not every moment in life needs to be perfectly planned made her journey feel incredibly relatable, and I loved seeing her confidence blossom as the story unfolded.
Joshua turned out to be so much more than the charming celebrity everyone expected him to be. Beneath his carefree attitude was someone carrying his own doubts while simply wanting to be seen for who he truly was instead of the role everyone expected him to play. I loved watching him encourage Minnie to let go of her carefully written plans and simply enjoy the moments life placed in front of her. His humor, vulnerability, and unwavering support made him impossible not to fall for.
Together, Minnie and Joshua were everything I hoped they would be. Their fake relationship never felt forced, and watching their chemistry evolve into something deeper happened so naturally that I found myself smiling through so many of their scenes together. Their banter was playful, their emotional moments carried real weight, and I appreciated how they challenged one another to grow without ever trying to change who the other person was. The forced proximity, one bed, celebrity romance, and fake dating tropes blended together perfectly while allowing their connection to develop at a believable pace.
The beautiful Italian setting almost felt like its own character, making me want to book a trip to Tuscany before I even finished the book. Add in the lovable supporting cast, the love letter to classic films, and a romance filled with humor, heart, and just the right amount of spice, and this became such a memorable read. Meet Me At The Villa reminded me that sometimes the best stories, and the best relationships, are the ones that unfold when life doesn't go according to plan. This was my first book by N.C. Barton, but it certainly won't be my last.
Thank you to N.C. Barton and Happily Booked PR for the gifted advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ | 🌶️🌶️
From the very first chapter, Meet Me At The Villa swept me away to the beautiful Tuscan countryside and never let go. Between the gorgeous scenery, the film industry backdrop, classic movie references, and the fake dating premise, this felt like watching a romantic comedy unfold on the big screen. It balanced laugh-out-loud moments with heartfelt emotion so effortlessly, making it such an enjoyable escape from beginning to end.
Minnie was such an easy character to root for. She's ambitious, hardworking, and always has a plan, determined to prove she's capable of achieving her dream of directing films one day. I admired how dedicated she was to her career while still allowing herself to grow throughout the story. Watching her slowly realize that not every moment in life needs to be perfectly planned made her journey feel incredibly relatable, and I loved seeing her confidence blossom as the story unfolded.
Joshua turned out to be so much more than the charming celebrity everyone expected him to be. Beneath his carefree attitude was someone carrying his own doubts while simply wanting to be seen for who he truly was instead of the role everyone expected him to play. I loved watching him encourage Minnie to let go of her carefully written plans and simply enjoy the moments life placed in front of her. His humor, vulnerability, and unwavering support made him impossible not to fall for.
Together, Minnie and Joshua were everything I hoped they would be. Their fake relationship never felt forced, and watching their chemistry evolve into something deeper happened so naturally that I found myself smiling through so many of their scenes together. Their banter was playful, their emotional moments carried real weight, and I appreciated how they challenged one another to grow without ever trying to change who the other person was. The forced proximity, one bed, celebrity romance, and fake dating tropes blended together perfectly while allowing their connection to develop at a believable pace.
The beautiful Italian setting almost felt like its own character, making me want to book a trip to Tuscany before I even finished the book. Add in the lovable supporting cast, the love letter to classic films, and a romance filled with humor, heart, and just the right amount of spice, and this became such a memorable read. Meet Me At The Villa reminded me that sometimes the best stories, and the best relationships, are the ones that unfold when life doesn't go according to plan. This was my first book by N.C. Barton, but it certainly won't be my last.
Thank you to N.C. Barton and Happily Booked PR for the gifted advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 15, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️
What an adorable, sweet, romantic story this book turned out to be! Being book 2 in the Love on Location series, this takes everything I loved about book 1 and amplifies it. NC Barton has quickly become a favorite author of mine and all her books make me laugh, swoon, blush, and even tear up at times. Meet Me at The Villa is the story about two people finding something unexpected while chasing their dreams. I loved every minute I spent reading this book.
Minnie is organized, ready for anything, and always has a plan. She has big aspirations for herself, currently focused on proving that she is worthy of more in her job. Currently she is a smaller producer for the company she works for, but she wants to direct and knows she would rock at it. When an opportunity arises for her to prove just this, she jumps at the change and sets off to Tuscany. But the work of the producer is never done and she has to tame an unruly actor that also happens to be near her location. What ensues for her is nothing she could ever plan for, yet life reminds her that sometimes the best things to happen happen when you stop planning.
Joshua is the actor Minnie is tasked to reign in. He is the total opposite of Minnie, living life as it happens. When Minnie finds him he has been enjoying the wine that Tuscany has to offer and now she has to take him with her on her movie mission. Arriving at a beautiful villa, Minnie blindsides him when she tells the owner they are madly in love. Now he has to sell their fake relationship in order to Minnie to secure the rights to a movie she has been on hunt for. This provided a different side of him to come out, one that I absolutely loved.
These two may start out as complete opposites, but they slowly begin to learn how to balance their personalities with each other. I can appreciate Minnie’s need for plans, but also love watching Joshua teach her to sometimes forgo the plan and let life happen. Their romance is sweet, realistic, and beautiful. Now, Barton; you provided a small vacation for me to the Tuscany countryside! With your beautiful descriptions and immersive writing, it is easy to feel you are there alongside our MCs.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🍇Celebrity Romance
🎬Fake Dating
🍇Dislike to Love
🎬Line Producer FMC
🍇Actor MMC
🎬Forced Proximity
🍇Found Family
🎬Fish Out of Water
What an adorable, sweet, romantic story this book turned out to be! Being book 2 in the Love on Location series, this takes everything I loved about book 1 and amplifies it. NC Barton has quickly become a favorite author of mine and all her books make me laugh, swoon, blush, and even tear up at times. Meet Me at The Villa is the story about two people finding something unexpected while chasing their dreams. I loved every minute I spent reading this book.
Minnie is organized, ready for anything, and always has a plan. She has big aspirations for herself, currently focused on proving that she is worthy of more in her job. Currently she is a smaller producer for the company she works for, but she wants to direct and knows she would rock at it. When an opportunity arises for her to prove just this, she jumps at the change and sets off to Tuscany. But the work of the producer is never done and she has to tame an unruly actor that also happens to be near her location. What ensues for her is nothing she could ever plan for, yet life reminds her that sometimes the best things to happen happen when you stop planning.
Joshua is the actor Minnie is tasked to reign in. He is the total opposite of Minnie, living life as it happens. When Minnie finds him he has been enjoying the wine that Tuscany has to offer and now she has to take him with her on her movie mission. Arriving at a beautiful villa, Minnie blindsides him when she tells the owner they are madly in love. Now he has to sell their fake relationship in order to Minnie to secure the rights to a movie she has been on hunt for. This provided a different side of him to come out, one that I absolutely loved.
These two may start out as complete opposites, but they slowly begin to learn how to balance their personalities with each other. I can appreciate Minnie’s need for plans, but also love watching Joshua teach her to sometimes forgo the plan and let life happen. Their romance is sweet, realistic, and beautiful. Now, Barton; you provided a small vacation for me to the Tuscany countryside! With your beautiful descriptions and immersive writing, it is easy to feel you are there alongside our MCs.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🍇Celebrity Romance
🎬Fake Dating
🍇Dislike to Love
🎬Line Producer FMC
🍇Actor MMC
🎬Forced Proximity
🍇Found Family
🎬Fish Out of Water
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to N.C. Barton for providing this ARC of Meet Me at the Villa in exchange for my review.
⭐⭐ 4/5 stars ⭐⭐
I had high hopes for this one after devouring Meet Me at the Loch, and I am delighted to report I was not disappointed. Spice, sightseeing so vividly described I genuinely forgot I was reading this on my sofa in England and not lounging somewhere in Italy, and enough chaotic film-set shenanigans to have me properly chuckling my way through. What more could you want from a summer read?
Minnie is exactly the kind of heroine I'm here for... always got a plan, always three steps ahead, and desperate to prove she's got what it takes to direct rather than spend her career as the small fish line producer everyone assumes she'll stay. Her mission? Tracking down long-lost footage from an Audrey Hepburn-style classic, currently guarded by the elusive Angela like it's the crown jewels.
And then, of course, enter Joshua. Charismatic, handsome, an absolute menace in the best way, and impossible to pin down or shake off. The man loves a glass of wine as much as the next person, but the moment he's roped (conned, let's be honest) into a fake relationship with Minnie to win Angela over, we start seeing a whole different side to him. The soft, unguarded version underneath all that swagger? Be still my heart.
Fake dating has got me wrapped round its little finger once again, and this pair trying to convincingly perform "wildly in love" for Angela's benefit came with just the right amount of mess. The ex, the boss, the ominous DO NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH ME energy radiating off both of them, and a string of romantic mini-dates that were clearly designed to undo them both. It was never going to end well for their carefully maintained boundaries, was it?
This was such a joy to read. Fun, escapist, gorgeously set, and packed with enough twists to keep things interesting without ever losing that light, breezy charm. Another win for the fake dating trope, and another author going firmly on my auto-read list.
⭐⭐ 4/5 stars ⭐⭐
I had high hopes for this one after devouring Meet Me at the Loch, and I am delighted to report I was not disappointed. Spice, sightseeing so vividly described I genuinely forgot I was reading this on my sofa in England and not lounging somewhere in Italy, and enough chaotic film-set shenanigans to have me properly chuckling my way through. What more could you want from a summer read?
Minnie is exactly the kind of heroine I'm here for... always got a plan, always three steps ahead, and desperate to prove she's got what it takes to direct rather than spend her career as the small fish line producer everyone assumes she'll stay. Her mission? Tracking down long-lost footage from an Audrey Hepburn-style classic, currently guarded by the elusive Angela like it's the crown jewels.
And then, of course, enter Joshua. Charismatic, handsome, an absolute menace in the best way, and impossible to pin down or shake off. The man loves a glass of wine as much as the next person, but the moment he's roped (conned, let's be honest) into a fake relationship with Minnie to win Angela over, we start seeing a whole different side to him. The soft, unguarded version underneath all that swagger? Be still my heart.
Fake dating has got me wrapped round its little finger once again, and this pair trying to convincingly perform "wildly in love" for Angela's benefit came with just the right amount of mess. The ex, the boss, the ominous DO NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH ME energy radiating off both of them, and a string of romantic mini-dates that were clearly designed to undo them both. It was never going to end well for their carefully maintained boundaries, was it?
This was such a joy to read. Fun, escapist, gorgeously set, and packed with enough twists to keep things interesting without ever losing that light, breezy charm. Another win for the fake dating trope, and another author going firmly on my auto-read list.
July 22, 2026
I absolutely adored Meet Me at the Villa! This charming, feel-good romance completely swept me away. This book delivers the perfect mix of laughter, swoony moments, heartfelt emotion, and just enough tension to keep me turning the pages. This second book in the Love on Location series was everything I hoped for and more.
Minnie is a planner through and through. She's ambitious, organized, and determined to prove she's ready to step into a director's role. When an opportunity takes her to the breathtaking countryside of Tuscany, she's focused on one thing her career. But her carefully crafted plans are thrown completely off course when she's assigned to keep an eye on Hollywood actor Joshua.
Joshua couldn't be more different. He's carefree, spontaneous, and happy to enjoy whatever life throws his way even if that means getting distracted by Tuscany's incredible wine. Their worlds collide when Minnie impulsively tells a villa owner that they're hopelessly in love in order to secure the filming location they desperately need. Suddenly they're caught in a fake relationship that neither of them saw coming, and watching Joshua fully embrace the role was so much fun.
I loved seeing these two opposites slowly discover that maybe the best relationships aren't built on having everything planned out. Joshua encourages Minnie to let go of control, while Minnie gives Joshua something worth slowing down for. Their chemistry felt genuine, their romance was incredibly sweet, and I couldn't help rooting for them every step of the way.
The Tuscan setting was absolutely magical. The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was wandering through vineyards, soaking up the sunshine, and falling in love right alongside these characters. It was the perfect escape, and now I'm officially adding Tuscany to my travel bucket list.
If you're looking for a heartwarming romance filled with humor, gorgeous scenery, and unforgettable characters, this one is definitely worth picking up!
Minnie is a planner through and through. She's ambitious, organized, and determined to prove she's ready to step into a director's role. When an opportunity takes her to the breathtaking countryside of Tuscany, she's focused on one thing her career. But her carefully crafted plans are thrown completely off course when she's assigned to keep an eye on Hollywood actor Joshua.
Joshua couldn't be more different. He's carefree, spontaneous, and happy to enjoy whatever life throws his way even if that means getting distracted by Tuscany's incredible wine. Their worlds collide when Minnie impulsively tells a villa owner that they're hopelessly in love in order to secure the filming location they desperately need. Suddenly they're caught in a fake relationship that neither of them saw coming, and watching Joshua fully embrace the role was so much fun.
I loved seeing these two opposites slowly discover that maybe the best relationships aren't built on having everything planned out. Joshua encourages Minnie to let go of control, while Minnie gives Joshua something worth slowing down for. Their chemistry felt genuine, their romance was incredibly sweet, and I couldn't help rooting for them every step of the way.
The Tuscan setting was absolutely magical. The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was wandering through vineyards, soaking up the sunshine, and falling in love right alongside these characters. It was the perfect escape, and now I'm officially adding Tuscany to my travel bucket list.
If you're looking for a heartwarming romance filled with humor, gorgeous scenery, and unforgettable characters, this one is definitely worth picking up!
July 23, 2026
Meet Me at the Villa by N.C. Barton is the second book in the Love on Location series, and it was such a delightful read. I absolutely loved the Tuscany setting and the Italian atmosphere woven throughout the story. It included so many of my favorite tropes—fake dating, a Hollywood celebrity hero, movie and film-industry references, and plenty of rom-com charm. The witty banter and laugh-out-loud moments kept me entertained, while the emotional depth gave the story real heart. It was a quick read that still managed to deliver meaningful character growth and heartfelt moments.
Minnie was an incredibly relatable heroine. As a Type A planner, she is determined, hardworking, ambitious, and often focused on making everyone else happy. I especially appreciated her realization that success and happiness don't require every detail of life to be perfectly planned.
Josh wasn't my favorite character at first, but he grew on me tremendously. Beneath the Hollywood image was a much more complex and vulnerable person. I liked how the story explored the challenges of growing up as a child actor and his desire for genuine experiences and authentic relationships. His vulnerability felt natural and believable rather than simply added for dramatic effect.
Watching Minnie and Josh's fake relationship slowly turn into something real was one of the highlights of the book. Their chemistry developed beautifully, and the grand romantic gesture at the end was absolutely adorable. Overall, this was a charming, funny, and heartfelt romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Minnie was an incredibly relatable heroine. As a Type A planner, she is determined, hardworking, ambitious, and often focused on making everyone else happy. I especially appreciated her realization that success and happiness don't require every detail of life to be perfectly planned.
Josh wasn't my favorite character at first, but he grew on me tremendously. Beneath the Hollywood image was a much more complex and vulnerable person. I liked how the story explored the challenges of growing up as a child actor and his desire for genuine experiences and authentic relationships. His vulnerability felt natural and believable rather than simply added for dramatic effect.
Watching Minnie and Josh's fake relationship slowly turn into something real was one of the highlights of the book. Their chemistry developed beautifully, and the grand romantic gesture at the end was absolutely adorable. Overall, this was a charming, funny, and heartfelt romance that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was really looking forward to this book, having read the first book in this series, Meet Me At The Loch. Minnie was a great secondary character in that one, and I was looking forward to her main character energy in this book. I was absolutely not disappointed by this story; it is one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Minnie is heading to Italy when her boss asks her to make a slight detour to check in on one of their productions, a popular film franchise (think Twilight on a lower budget) and pretend to be an executive. There she meets leading actor Joshua Abbott, who wants out of the franchise. Minnie is actually in Italy to track down an elusive missing film from an old-style Hollywood starlet, Lana Lamont. The film’s owner doesn’t believe in true love, yet Joshua and Minnie somehow end up in a fake relationship to prove true love really does exist. And now they are trapped on a week-long holiday in a villa, pretending they are in love and sharing a room.
The sparks between Joshua and Minnie are great. Even though he sees through her ‘executive’ ruse almost instantly, he’s still drawn to her. She trusts him enough to share her dreams with him, not only the missing film, but her own production dreams and ambitions. He also trusts her enough to confess that he wants out of the franchise and that he has more serious ambitions. There were a lot of supporting characters in this book, but they all had their part to play; I didn’t feel any of them were unnecessary.
I love fake dating and seeing when the feelings become real. There is a lot of spice in this book, but also a lot of heart and real emotions to balance it out.
Minnie is heading to Italy when her boss asks her to make a slight detour to check in on one of their productions, a popular film franchise (think Twilight on a lower budget) and pretend to be an executive. There she meets leading actor Joshua Abbott, who wants out of the franchise. Minnie is actually in Italy to track down an elusive missing film from an old-style Hollywood starlet, Lana Lamont. The film’s owner doesn’t believe in true love, yet Joshua and Minnie somehow end up in a fake relationship to prove true love really does exist. And now they are trapped on a week-long holiday in a villa, pretending they are in love and sharing a room.
The sparks between Joshua and Minnie are great. Even though he sees through her ‘executive’ ruse almost instantly, he’s still drawn to her. She trusts him enough to share her dreams with him, not only the missing film, but her own production dreams and ambitions. He also trusts her enough to confess that he wants out of the franchise and that he has more serious ambitions. There were a lot of supporting characters in this book, but they all had their part to play; I didn’t feel any of them were unnecessary.
I love fake dating and seeing when the feelings become real. There is a lot of spice in this book, but also a lot of heart and real emotions to balance it out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
- Working vacation romance
- Fake dating
- Close proximity
- Only one bed
I really liked this book and it reminded me of a movie the whole time I was reading it. I never could figure out which movie, but the niggling made this a more memorable book for me. Full disclosure, I had to substitute the MMC's name throughout as he has the same name as my son and ....no.
I have never been to Italy and used this book as my travel book. The descriptions make me want to visit one day.
The premise of this book is so cute - a screenwriter/producer named Minnie is taking a trip of a lifetime to Italy to see if rumors that her favorite film star has a secret unreleased movie that was made before she perished at too young of an age. When Minnie's boss catches wind of the trip, she convinces Minnie to "make a quick detour" to the movie set that their studio is producing that is way over budget. Minnie is to pass herself off as a higher exec and get the budget back on track.
What is supposed to be a "one hour, tops" destination turns into something much more complicated thanks to transportation issues and a missing movie star - Joshua. As is the case in any respectable rom com, circumstances lead to Minnie blurting out that she and Joshua are in love...
The cringe factor made me smile, the banter made me laugh, the plot made me feel nostalgic. What a fun summer read!
- Fake dating
- Close proximity
- Only one bed
I really liked this book and it reminded me of a movie the whole time I was reading it. I never could figure out which movie, but the niggling made this a more memorable book for me. Full disclosure, I had to substitute the MMC's name throughout as he has the same name as my son and ....no.
I have never been to Italy and used this book as my travel book. The descriptions make me want to visit one day.
The premise of this book is so cute - a screenwriter/producer named Minnie is taking a trip of a lifetime to Italy to see if rumors that her favorite film star has a secret unreleased movie that was made before she perished at too young of an age. When Minnie's boss catches wind of the trip, she convinces Minnie to "make a quick detour" to the movie set that their studio is producing that is way over budget. Minnie is to pass herself off as a higher exec and get the budget back on track.
What is supposed to be a "one hour, tops" destination turns into something much more complicated thanks to transportation issues and a missing movie star - Joshua. As is the case in any respectable rom com, circumstances lead to Minnie blurting out that she and Joshua are in love...
The cringe factor made me smile, the banter made me laugh, the plot made me feel nostalgic. What a fun summer read!
July 27, 2026
Book Rating: ⭐ 3.25/5
Spice Rating: 🌶️ 2/5
Meet Me at the Villa was a cute, feel-good romance that made me want to go to Italy lol. Between the beautiful Tuscan setting, the cozy villa, and all the movie magic put throughout the story, it felt like I was on vacation right alongside Minnie and Joshua. N.C. Barton always writes such beautiful settings!
I really enjoyed the fake dating trope here and thought it was such a fun way to bring these two together! I am a sucker for fake dating lol. Joshua was definitely the standout MC for me. Beneath the celebrity status, he was sweet, thoughtful, and so easy to root for! I also loved the found family feel at the villa and the mystery surrounding the lost film; it just added extra to the story.
Personally, I would have loved just a little more time with Minnie and Joshua's romance development, but I still enjoyed seeing them find their way to each other. I was just left with a feeling like I wanted more.
Overall, Meet Me at the Villa was a charming romance filled with a gorgeous setting, lovable characters, and plenty of heart. If you enjoy fake dating, celebrity romance, and stories that feel like a sunny escape, this may be for you!
Spice Rating: 🌶️ 2/5
Meet Me at the Villa was a cute, feel-good romance that made me want to go to Italy lol. Between the beautiful Tuscan setting, the cozy villa, and all the movie magic put throughout the story, it felt like I was on vacation right alongside Minnie and Joshua. N.C. Barton always writes such beautiful settings!
I really enjoyed the fake dating trope here and thought it was such a fun way to bring these two together! I am a sucker for fake dating lol. Joshua was definitely the standout MC for me. Beneath the celebrity status, he was sweet, thoughtful, and so easy to root for! I also loved the found family feel at the villa and the mystery surrounding the lost film; it just added extra to the story.
Personally, I would have loved just a little more time with Minnie and Joshua's romance development, but I still enjoyed seeing them find their way to each other. I was just left with a feeling like I wanted more.
Overall, Meet Me at the Villa was a charming romance filled with a gorgeous setting, lovable characters, and plenty of heart. If you enjoy fake dating, celebrity romance, and stories that feel like a sunny escape, this may be for you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you so much, NC, for sending me an ARC copy of Meet Me at the Villa!
Book two in the Love on Location series takes us to Tuscany, where we’re swept away to a famous director’s villa — and NC Barton does such a beautiful job bringing this setting to life. While reading, I felt like I was walking through the villa gardens right alongside Minnie as she navigates pretending to date a famous actor her production company is working with.
Minnie and Josh definitely butt heads at first, but watching their relationship grow into something deeper was so much fun. I loved seeing them connect over their shared love of film, and the movie references throughout the story were such a fun addition that made the world feel even more immersive.
This is another dual POV read (one of my favorite things about NC’s books!), and getting both Minnie and Josh’s perspectives made watching them fall for each other that much better.
Meet Me at the Villa is the perfect summer read — full of romance, beautiful scenery, and a little bit of movie magic. If you’re looking for your next summer escape, definitely add this one to your TBR!
Thank you so much, NC, for sending me an ARC copy of Meet Me at the Villa!
Book two in the Love on Location series takes us to Tuscany, where we’re swept away to a famous director’s villa — and NC Barton does such a beautiful job bringing this setting to life. While reading, I felt like I was walking through the villa gardens right alongside Minnie as she navigates pretending to date a famous actor her production company is working with.
Minnie and Josh definitely butt heads at first, but watching their relationship grow into something deeper was so much fun. I loved seeing them connect over their shared love of film, and the movie references throughout the story were such a fun addition that made the world feel even more immersive.
This is another dual POV read (one of my favorite things about NC’s books!), and getting both Minnie and Josh’s perspectives made watching them fall for each other that much better.
Meet Me at the Villa is the perfect summer read — full of romance, beautiful scenery, and a little bit of movie magic. If you’re looking for your next summer escape, definitely add this one to your TBR!
July 16, 2026
This book was so much fun to read!
It had several of my favorite romance tropes, fake dating, forced proximity, one bed, opposites attract, and they were all done so well. From the very beginning, I found myself completely invested in the story and couldn't wait to see how everything would unfold.
I also loved the contrast between the celebrity and non-celebrity worlds. It added an extra layer to the romance and made their relationship even more interesting to watch develop.
The setting was another standout. This book made me want to pack my bags and travel! The locations added so much charm to the story and made it feel like the perfect romantic escape.
I really admired the heroine's ambition. She was determined to reach her goals and wasn't afraid to work hard for them, which made her easy to root for throughout the book.
The supporting characters were wonderful too. I enjoyed getting to know them so much that I immediately wanted to read their stories after finishing this one.
If you love fake dating, forced proximity, one bed, opposites attract, celebrity romance, and books that make you want to travel, I highly recommend picking this one up!
It had several of my favorite romance tropes, fake dating, forced proximity, one bed, opposites attract, and they were all done so well. From the very beginning, I found myself completely invested in the story and couldn't wait to see how everything would unfold.
I also loved the contrast between the celebrity and non-celebrity worlds. It added an extra layer to the romance and made their relationship even more interesting to watch develop.
The setting was another standout. This book made me want to pack my bags and travel! The locations added so much charm to the story and made it feel like the perfect romantic escape.
I really admired the heroine's ambition. She was determined to reach her goals and wasn't afraid to work hard for them, which made her easy to root for throughout the book.
The supporting characters were wonderful too. I enjoyed getting to know them so much that I immediately wanted to read their stories after finishing this one.
If you love fake dating, forced proximity, one bed, opposites attract, celebrity romance, and books that make you want to travel, I highly recommend picking this one up!
July 18, 2026
4.25/5
thank you to happily Booked PR for the advanced copy
This was the perfect summer travel romance!
Two people trying to prove that they belong in their careers and in life, movie and tv references, a lost film, quirky characters, a fake romance, Tuscany, and a connection that will keep you hooked to the plot!
Minnie has aspirations to become a movie director, her planning personality has set a roadmap for her and she knows that she needs to prove herself. So, she sets to Tuscany in search of a lost film. JOshua is an actor down on his luck and self esteem, and also about to become her added complication.
As he is drunk when she arrives, she has to take him with her and use his acting skills to improvise a fake relationship that can help both their careers. Between the setting, the wine, and the need to convinve the villa owner that they are the true love story, they have no chance but to live a love story that was unscripted yet fulfills them completely. This polar opposite couple will learn that love doesn't need a plan, and you are the director of your own life.
A great read!
thank you to happily Booked PR for the advanced copy
This was the perfect summer travel romance!
Two people trying to prove that they belong in their careers and in life, movie and tv references, a lost film, quirky characters, a fake romance, Tuscany, and a connection that will keep you hooked to the plot!
Minnie has aspirations to become a movie director, her planning personality has set a roadmap for her and she knows that she needs to prove herself. So, she sets to Tuscany in search of a lost film. JOshua is an actor down on his luck and self esteem, and also about to become her added complication.
As he is drunk when she arrives, she has to take him with her and use his acting skills to improvise a fake relationship that can help both their careers. Between the setting, the wine, and the need to convinve the villa owner that they are the true love story, they have no chance but to live a love story that was unscripted yet fulfills them completely. This polar opposite couple will learn that love doesn't need a plan, and you are the director of your own life.
A great read!
July 30, 2026
This book was such a delightful escape. Minnie shines as the main character, and I loved following her journey. She’s ambitious, organised, and determined to prove herself in the film industry, but her trip to Italy turns into something far more complicated and romantic than she expected.
Joshua Abbott, the actor she crosses paths with, was such a great match for her. He’s charming, a little chaotic compared to Minnie’s structured personality, but underneath it all he’s serious about wanting more from his career. Fake dating is one of my favourite tropes and it was well done here, especially with the one‑bed situation and the forced proximity. Watching their banter slowly shift into real feelings was so satisfying.
The Italian setting was gorgeous. The villa, the wine, the countryside, it all felt so vivid. The atmosphere gave the story a dreamy, holiday vibe that made the romance even sweeter.
The book balanced humor, spice, and heart. Minnie’s determination to chase her dreams and Joshua’s vulnerability about his own ambitions gave the story depth, while the side characters added fun and chaos in just the right measure.
Joshua Abbott, the actor she crosses paths with, was such a great match for her. He’s charming, a little chaotic compared to Minnie’s structured personality, but underneath it all he’s serious about wanting more from his career. Fake dating is one of my favourite tropes and it was well done here, especially with the one‑bed situation and the forced proximity. Watching their banter slowly shift into real feelings was so satisfying.
The Italian setting was gorgeous. The villa, the wine, the countryside, it all felt so vivid. The atmosphere gave the story a dreamy, holiday vibe that made the romance even sweeter.
The book balanced humor, spice, and heart. Minnie’s determination to chase her dreams and Joshua’s vulnerability about his own ambitions gave the story depth, while the side characters added fun and chaos in just the right measure.
Review of advance copy
I devoured this is one sitting. NC Barton writes such great meet cutes and this a great story.
Minnie and Joshua were the perfect match up for fake dating turning into real love. Minnie is a line producer who's headed on vacation when her boss asks her to stop by a set and pretend to be the executive producer to get the movie back on track. But Minnie's real reason for vacation is to get access to a lost movie so she can surprise her boss with it and get her friends movie on the books with her as the producer.
Joshua is the male lead holding up the production sitting in a café drinking Chianti and playing chess with an old man. While getting ready to get him back to set all of Minnie's well laid out plans go sideways.
This story takes place in Italy and the scenario was so wonderfully described you will forget you are not in Tuscany. There is laughter, there is adventure, there is the art of love forming, and there is plenty of spice when they finally give in to their feelings.
This is a perfect summer romance read.
Minnie and Joshua were the perfect match up for fake dating turning into real love. Minnie is a line producer who's headed on vacation when her boss asks her to stop by a set and pretend to be the executive producer to get the movie back on track. But Minnie's real reason for vacation is to get access to a lost movie so she can surprise her boss with it and get her friends movie on the books with her as the producer.
Joshua is the male lead holding up the production sitting in a café drinking Chianti and playing chess with an old man. While getting ready to get him back to set all of Minnie's well laid out plans go sideways.
This story takes place in Italy and the scenario was so wonderfully described you will forget you are not in Tuscany. There is laughter, there is adventure, there is the art of love forming, and there is plenty of spice when they finally give in to their feelings.
This is a perfect summer romance read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was an ARC read from the author, through Happily Booked.
I loved this qwerky story, or as the author states. . .silly.
It was a lovely lighthearted read, that went from possible mayhem, and plenty of madness, to happily ever after.
Minnie and Joshua meet , while Minnie is on vacation, but that has turned into a crazy 'job', when her miserable boss asks her to stop in on set of"the undead creatures franchise " as its going downhill fast.
Minnie has a little project of her own that she desperately wants to get produced, so she begrudgingly accepts that the only way for this to happen is to agree to help her boss out.
On her arrival in Italy, Minnie searches out Joshua, star of the undead franchise. And then things start going downhill. . . . .
Madness, mayhem and chaos ensue, and although I didn't find this a laugh out loud story, it was crazy and just silly.
But, everything comes together in the end (it takes a while) and happiness happens.
Great characters, the usual dose of angst, and a lovely HEA.
I loved this qwerky story, or as the author states. . .silly.
It was a lovely lighthearted read, that went from possible mayhem, and plenty of madness, to happily ever after.
Minnie and Joshua meet , while Minnie is on vacation, but that has turned into a crazy 'job', when her miserable boss asks her to stop in on set of"the undead creatures franchise " as its going downhill fast.
Minnie has a little project of her own that she desperately wants to get produced, so she begrudgingly accepts that the only way for this to happen is to agree to help her boss out.
On her arrival in Italy, Minnie searches out Joshua, star of the undead franchise. And then things start going downhill. . . . .
Madness, mayhem and chaos ensue, and although I didn't find this a laugh out loud story, it was crazy and just silly.
But, everything comes together in the end (it takes a while) and happiness happens.
Great characters, the usual dose of angst, and a lovely HEA.
July 21, 2026
What to expect:
✨fake dating
🌄celebrity romance
✨quirky side characters
🌄forced proximity
✨only one bed
I was feeling as if I was on vacation with Minnie and Joshua
The author provided such a descriptive atmosphere that I inserted myself into it willingly.
This story is following Minnie she's totally my type of girl hardworking organized always has a plan of action. Minnie is a line producer.
Mini is asked to take a detour to check in on a production and that's where she runs into Joshua. Our Swoon actor.
These two for reasons end up in a fake relationship to prove true love really does exist.
This has them sharing a villa pretending to be in love. Their connection was sweet and heartfelt I enjoyed how they opened up and shared their life goals aspirations.
The banter had me giggling and Character development was spot on.
If you're down for fake dating, celebrities, found family, Force proximity, dislike to love, this has it all.
I want to thank the author and Happilybookedpr for the early copy
✨fake dating
🌄celebrity romance
✨quirky side characters
🌄forced proximity
✨only one bed
I was feeling as if I was on vacation with Minnie and Joshua
The author provided such a descriptive atmosphere that I inserted myself into it willingly.
This story is following Minnie she's totally my type of girl hardworking organized always has a plan of action. Minnie is a line producer.
Mini is asked to take a detour to check in on a production and that's where she runs into Joshua. Our Swoon actor.
These two for reasons end up in a fake relationship to prove true love really does exist.
This has them sharing a villa pretending to be in love. Their connection was sweet and heartfelt I enjoyed how they opened up and shared their life goals aspirations.
The banter had me giggling and Character development was spot on.
If you're down for fake dating, celebrities, found family, Force proximity, dislike to love, this has it all.
I want to thank the author and Happilybookedpr for the early copy
July 12, 2026
There’s a reason I’m such a huge fan of the fake dating trope and this book was the perfect example of why. Minnie was definitely overwhelmed in her pretend role of executive producer but it all kind of worked out perfectly. Joshua saw through her act almost immediately and even though he was obviously a relentless flirt who some could argue had a drinking problem, the tension was tensioning and when they finally crossed that line into spicy territory, were well rewarded. Of course there were complications in the form of exes popping up unexpectedly and the fact that Minnie was so closed off emotionally from the fallout of her last relationship made her quick to mistrust. Joshua ends up winning Minnie back in the most romantic move that definitely made me sob. There was definitely a lot of miscommunication/lack of communication happening at some points and plenty of me yelling at the characters but I really loved this read. Definitely recommend it.
July 14, 2026
I have never read anything by N.C. Burton before, OMG this was fantastic! This is book two in the Love on Vacation series. Minnie LeBlanc is the queen of fixing other peoples messes, just not her own love life. She is a scrappy line producer at a barely hanging on film company "Lightstream Production." Minnie is going on vacation to Italy, to try to track down the missing film from Hollywood Starlet Lana Lamont. Is this film really truly out there? While in Italy, Minnie is asked to check on a filming project that they are way over budget for and tanking; but why? Joshua Abbott is the star, and likes to drink. Minnie is to act like an Executive Producer, to get the project back on track; but can she? Can she find the missing Lana Lamont film, did it ever exist? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from N.C. Barton!!!
July 21, 2026
After meeting Minnie LeBlanc in the first Love on Location book, I was excited to see her finally get her happily ever after. Was it smooth sailing, absolutely not; it was filled with a few shenanigans, quirky characters, and a fake dating agreement that *couldn't* go wrong.
Joshua Abbott was just an interesting contrast to Minnie, in so many ways they were polar opposites, but in the most important ways that complimented each other. Joshua was not my favorite character at first meeting, but the more that was revealed, and I'm not just talking about his abs, the more you learned that there is more to him than meets the tabloid pages.
From the first page, the plot will keep readers hooked and the romance will keep them coming back for more. This was an adorable fake dating romance with a dash on one-bed, celebrity romance, fish out of water, and dislike to love. Do yourself a favor an pick up this series. It is such a fun summer beach reach.
Joshua Abbott was just an interesting contrast to Minnie, in so many ways they were polar opposites, but in the most important ways that complimented each other. Joshua was not my favorite character at first meeting, but the more that was revealed, and I'm not just talking about his abs, the more you learned that there is more to him than meets the tabloid pages.
From the first page, the plot will keep readers hooked and the romance will keep them coming back for more. This was an adorable fake dating romance with a dash on one-bed, celebrity romance, fish out of water, and dislike to love. Do yourself a favor an pick up this series. It is such a fun summer beach reach.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars
Love on Location: Joshua and Minnie
It gives a little The Devil Wears Prada with the horrible boss, and then it becomes a rom-com/quirky fake relationship story.
There’s tension, yet there’s not. A sweetly developing relationship and a common goal to realise their dreams… Secure a film to ensure that they can get the careers they want…
An arrogant movie star, who was frankly unlikeable at the start. I’ll admit, I was concerned about OW drama with him, because oh my lord… he’s a bit of a pig. A lush, a flirt, and he has no freaking idea…
Minnie was a heck of a character. She was sweet, funny, a bit of a pushover, and couldn’t lie to save her life!
A lot of pop culture references, and I loved them! They were cute, and sweet… and I love how they were revisited later…
Such a fun story. Can’t wait for the next one!
Love on Location: Joshua and Minnie
It gives a little The Devil Wears Prada with the horrible boss, and then it becomes a rom-com/quirky fake relationship story.
There’s tension, yet there’s not. A sweetly developing relationship and a common goal to realise their dreams… Secure a film to ensure that they can get the careers they want…
An arrogant movie star, who was frankly unlikeable at the start. I’ll admit, I was concerned about OW drama with him, because oh my lord… he’s a bit of a pig. A lush, a flirt, and he has no freaking idea…
Minnie was a heck of a character. She was sweet, funny, a bit of a pushover, and couldn’t lie to save her life!
A lot of pop culture references, and I loved them! They were cute, and sweet… and I love how they were revisited later…
Such a fun story. Can’t wait for the next one!
Review of advance copy
Meet me at the Villa by NC Barton is a charming contemporary romance that blends heartfelt emotions, creative passion, and the excitement of unexpected connections. Set in the backdrop of sun-drenched Italy, we get to follow the story of the FMC Minnie LeBlanc, a scrappy line producer at a barely-hanging-on film company and the MMC Joshua Abbott, an infuriatingly charming and very drunk star. One of the things that I really enjoyed about this romance is how Barton delivers a story that explores what happens when life’s carefully made plans collide with the possibility of something deeper and more meaningful. Overall, Meet me at the Villa was a sweet and engaging romance that offers a satisfying mix of passion, personal growth, and heartfelt moments.
I received an ARC copy from Happily Booked PR. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
I received an ARC copy from Happily Booked PR. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
July 15, 2026
4⭐️/5: Meet Me at the Villa by NC Barton. This super cute book about Minnie, a line producer for action/paranormal films, is trying to go about her vacation in Italy when her boss waylays her into pretending to be an executive to get a delayed production back on track. Enter Joshua, former child actor prodigy who is tired of playing a sparkly vampire. Hijinks ensues, and the two end up fake dating to be invited to a recluse’s birthday week to get what they want. I truly felt for Minnie and her type A people pleaser persona. I wanted to punch Joshua in the face for his behavior but he redeemed himself in the end. And this book did nothing for my budget and lack of funds for my desire to travel to Italy! This was my first @ncbartonwrites book but it won’t be my last. Thanks to @happilybookedpr for the ARC!
July 16, 2026
Minnie & Joshua
Meet Me at the Villa was such a good book! The chaos of Minnie kept me entertained all the way through. The woman was on a MISSION. & with the help of Josh she might just get what she wants and maybe find love too.
Throughout the book we know her intentions aren't 100% truthful but at the end of the day she is trying to just do what her boss asked her to do. I really enjoyed the ambiance of Italy. I've personally been to the country and can attest it really is just as beautiful as described in the book. The food, found family vibes and wine are at the forefront of every interaction.
Minnie is the opposite of Joshua and they compliment each other so well. They both have dreams and honestly, they both dive in feet first with a blindfold to build their friendship which leads them to falling in love. It snuck up on them.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
Meet Me at the Villa was such a good book! The chaos of Minnie kept me entertained all the way through. The woman was on a MISSION. & with the help of Josh she might just get what she wants and maybe find love too.
Throughout the book we know her intentions aren't 100% truthful but at the end of the day she is trying to just do what her boss asked her to do. I really enjoyed the ambiance of Italy. I've personally been to the country and can attest it really is just as beautiful as described in the book. The food, found family vibes and wine are at the forefront of every interaction.
Minnie is the opposite of Joshua and they compliment each other so well. They both have dreams and honestly, they both dive in feet first with a blindfold to build their friendship which leads them to falling in love. It snuck up on them.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
July 16, 2026
𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖
⭐ - 4.5
I loved reading the book.. it was a fun read for me
The book is about Minnie, who is a line producer and Joshua, who is an actor
Minnie wanted Lana, a famous actress unreleased movie but the person who had the movie won't give it to anyone because she thinks the world doesn't deserve the movie because real love doesn't exist
So to show her real love does exist, Minnie told her she and Joshua love each other really much
the truth - they met that day only and don't know each other
They made an arrangement that they pretend they love each other for five days
i loved the tension between them
i also liked when they noticed small details about one another
Especially when Joshua completed the romantic fantasy Minnie had, I loved that part so much
i also liked Minnie's friendship with her friends, it was really touchie
⭐ - 4.5
I loved reading the book.. it was a fun read for me
The book is about Minnie, who is a line producer and Joshua, who is an actor
Minnie wanted Lana, a famous actress unreleased movie but the person who had the movie won't give it to anyone because she thinks the world doesn't deserve the movie because real love doesn't exist
So to show her real love does exist, Minnie told her she and Joshua love each other really much
the truth - they met that day only and don't know each other
They made an arrangement that they pretend they love each other for five days
i loved the tension between them
i also liked when they noticed small details about one another
Especially when Joshua completed the romantic fantasy Minnie had, I loved that part so much
i also liked Minnie's friendship with her friends, it was really touchie
July 21, 2026
Book: Meet Me at the Villa
Author: N.C. Barton
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5
I really enjoyed reading this book - it was a sweet summer romance! The plot stood out and felt so refreshing to read. It has so many tropes I love but the storyline is what really sold me. Thank you for the ARC!
Minnie is headed to Italy in hopes of getting a career-saving dream. She’s tasked with a side quest by her boss to go on set as a “high-powered producer” to save a disaster film shoot. Charming and very drunk Joshua is her first major problem but now she needs him in order to convince Angela true love does exist.
These two are complete opposites but balance each other out perfectly. I love their banter and chemistry, even when Joshua was frustrating at times. Minnie is the sweetest FMC.
🌄Fake Dating
🌄Celebrity Romance
🌄Quirky Side Characters
🌄Forced Proximity
🌄Only One Bed
Author: N.C. Barton
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5
I really enjoyed reading this book - it was a sweet summer romance! The plot stood out and felt so refreshing to read. It has so many tropes I love but the storyline is what really sold me. Thank you for the ARC!
Minnie is headed to Italy in hopes of getting a career-saving dream. She’s tasked with a side quest by her boss to go on set as a “high-powered producer” to save a disaster film shoot. Charming and very drunk Joshua is her first major problem but now she needs him in order to convince Angela true love does exist.
These two are complete opposites but balance each other out perfectly. I love their banter and chemistry, even when Joshua was frustrating at times. Minnie is the sweetest FMC.
🌄Fake Dating
🌄Celebrity Romance
🌄Quirky Side Characters
🌄Forced Proximity
🌄Only One Bed
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