It Takes a Villa

Calculated Risk, Book 1

For the reasonable price of $1, Natalie Malone just bought herself an abandoned villa on the Amalfi Coast. With a detailed spreadsheet and an ancient key, she's arrived in Italy ready to renovate—and with only six months to do it. Which seemed reasonable until architect Pietro Indelicato began critically watching her every move . . .

From the sweeping ocean views to the scent of the lemon trees, there's nothing Pietro loves more than his hometown. And after seeing too many botched jobs and garish design choices, he's done watching from the sidelines. As far as he's concerned, Natalie should quit before the project drains her entire bank account and her ridiculously sunny optimism.

With Natalie determined to move forward, the gorgeous architect reluctantly agrees to pitch in, giving her a real chance to succeed. But when the fine print on Natalie's contract is brought to light, she might have no choice but to leave her dream, and Pietro, behind.

Contains mature themes.

©2022 Kilby Blades (P)2022 Tantor

Nice story. Awful narrator.

While I liked the story, I had to put the book on 2x speed to be able to endure the narrator.

potential

This story has great potential, but it's not quite there. Most of my problem with it was the narrator. The narration was stilted and flat with slow downs and weird inflections.

Read the digital or paperback version, Avoid the audiobook.

I would have probably enjoyed this book better had I not read it via audiobook first. I did not enjoy the narrator’s delivery. Their reading was staccato, almost robotic. I had to play it at 2x speed so that the sentences would flow better.

The story and characters would have received four stars but the narrator pulled it down for me.

Charming, slow burn

Who wouldn’t love to have their own Italian villa? This is a charming story about going for what you want, living in the moment and enjoying each day as it comes. The romance is a smoldering slow burn but so fitting for the story. I loved all the characters and especially the setting.

Expected to enjoy

Started out good, but had to devolve into sex scenes. I stopped listening about 1/2 way through.