The Italian Marriage (Jenna Lo Bianco, Macmillan)

In Jenna Lo Bianco’s debut romance novel, The Italian Marriage, Sarah and Matthew marry over Zoom so that Matthew can fulfil the requirements of a 15th-century inheritance clause. In return, Sarah is promised an all-expenses-paid Italian holiday. Upon their arrival, however, another contender emerges for the inheritance, and the newlyweds find themselves in a competition where they must transform a run-down D’Adamo estate property into a flourishing hotel to secure their claim. Luckily, they discover a natural aptitude for hotel management, helped by their instant attraction to—and ease with—each other from the moment they meet on the plane. Their relationship proceeds largely without conflict, and in the absence of obstacles or character flaws, it is sometimes difficult to feel invested in the romantic journey of these almost-too-perfect strangers. While the central romantic plotline holds few surprises, the couple’s efforts to renovate the hotel and win over their community throw up several satisfying twists, particularly in the last hundred pages. The author’s background as an Italian teacher and her love of Italy are wonderfully evident. The Italian phrases woven seamlessly into every conversation immerse the reader in the novel’s setting, as do descriptions of local customs and festivals. The Italian Marriage makes for feel-good holiday reading in the vein of Monica McInerney’s travel and romance fiction. It would be an especially fitting companion on a trip to Italy and, for those who don’t yet speak Italian, an enjoyable way to improve your language skills.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Megan Koch is a writer and bookseller based in Adelaide. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews