To fake a marriage in order to save a vineyard’s business

Synopsis

Cleo Arendse: You know how almost every movie set in Italy seems to be about a woman who travels to Tuscany and is swept off her feet by a charming, gorgeous but arrogant aristocrat? Well, that’s not this story.

Luca Fioravanti:
Challenge accepted.

British Banker Cleo Arendse is nothing like the women lawyer Luca Fioravanti is used to – both because she’s only in Tuscany to oversee his family vineyard’s business and because she’s impervious to the charm that has never failed him before now.

But Luca has never shied from a challenge, and when circumstances arise that allow him to step in as Cleo’s knight in shining armour, he leaps…right into a fake marriage! The romance may be a ruse but the passion burning between Luca and Cleo is very, very real, and as the ‘honeymoon’ glow envelops the pair, all bets are off…

My review

Cleo Arendse is a British banker that heads over to Tuscany as a favour, to oversee a vineyard’s business.
Through the grapevines she has heard that the owner’s son, Luca Fioravanti, is known for sweeping women of their feet. That makes Cleo even more adamant to not fall for his charms.
But the more the two spend together, the  more Cleo realizes there is more to Luca than just his looks. And after Luca coming to Cleo’s help, suddenly they have to pretend to be married. For the sake of Luca’s family and the business, they agree to continue with the fake marriage. But what happens when the passion is impossible to ignore?

Stories taking place in Italy always have my interest a little bit more than others. I am always curious to see how and if the author manages to captivate the real Italian way of living instead of trusting the clichés.

And after finishing this book, I can say that this has the perfect mix of clichés and authenticity. Because when Cleo arrives in Tuscany, she sees the typical Italian macho man, using as expected his good looks to get the woman he has set his eyes on.
And I found it great to see how Cleo indeed can appreciate Luca’s looks, but isn’t affected by it, as everyone else is.

I have to admit that initially I didn’t understand how Cleo and her job were linked to the vinery. I also found it strange how she was persuaded to make the trip. But does the latter truly matter in the bigger picture?

Cleo may seem at first a strict woman. She doesn’t mess around and is focused on the job. But the more the story evolves, the more we see that there is a reason she is so strict and perhaps even cold. She has been burnt by love in the past, more than once, and won’t allow anyone else to make a fool out of her, or break her heart.
And we see that in fact, Cleo is a very warm, kind and open person, a person that cares about her friends’ wellbeing. She is also the kind of person who can put the right priority and sees what truly matters to someone.

Seeing Cleo in Tuscany was both sweet and funny. Funny because I can clearly imagine the kind of welcome she received. Italians may be very warm and welcoming, but they are also very proud and protective. And when someone may be likely to take away something that we care about, that person will see a not so nice, warm and welcoming side of us! 🤣
It was sweet to see Cleo in Tuscany because she understand what the vinery means to Luca and his family, and that makes her determined to make things work, even if that means to prolong her stay there.

There is also a family feud in this story, and this shows once again the pride of the Italian family. The head of the family’s word is somehow law, and when not followed it can have far – reaching consequences lasting years…

Yet we have a main character that in a short time understand the dynamics of the Fioravanti family, and not only takes the business at heart, but also each member of the family. And I found it
heart – warming to see Cleo wanting to make all the wrong – doing right again, threading things with care, but also determination.

And we also see Cleo getting Luca. Because behind all the bravado that Luca shows us, there is in fact a man who is carrying a heavy burden filled with amongst others, many doubts…
But also that in fact Luca is a real gentleman, he doesn’t take advantage of a situation and he helps out when someone (Cleo included) needs it.

It’s his nature of helping out that brings this couple in the awkward situation of faking to be married. And their pretending for sure was hilarious! Italians are not ashamed of showing affection, and having to pretend and trying to fool Italians isn’t an easy task!
However, it’s also this faking that brings Cleo and Luca even closer, to a point where resisting is in vain.

I found this a funny and romantic book to read, because we see main characters going from enemies to lovers. Both characters don’t know how to handle all these emotions that they raise in each other. As there are several obstacles to overcome, not only the distance, but also the fear of getting hurt, or feeling something so pure, genuine and new.
But I also found it funny to read how Cleo was welcomed into the family when the word got out of the ‘marriage’. And there we see the real Italians emerge, warm, kind and sharing recipes and knowledge of how to make your own pasta! 😊

Love can be scary thing, especially when you have been hurt before, or have always been adamant for not falling for that ‘trick’. But when the right person comes on your path, you can try as much as you want to ignore that, love won’t be stopped.
And no matter how scary it may be, true love is worth the risk! And the author managed perfectly to put this into words on the pages!