The Italian Lakes Affair

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.

©2026 Rachel Barnett (P)2026 Boldwood Books