15 Historical & Contemporary Romantic Novels Set in Italy You'll Love

One of my favorite ways to transport myself to another destination is reading books, and if you’re addicted to “The Boot,” it doesn’t get better than these romantic novels set in Italy.

Both historical and contemporary, they’ll surely ignite your wanderlust.

*I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables. I share my personal experience and cannot guarantee yours.

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Best books about Italy: 15 epic romantic novels set in Italy

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Table of Contents

Contemporary Romance Novels Set In Italy

Dreaming of Verona

Paid to accompany and look after a spoiled rich society girl, Lady Alexandra “Alex” Tedburn, on a trip to Italy, Suzie finally gets to make one of her dreams come true and visit Verona.

From an unusual friendship to romantic situations for both women to the gorgeous setting of Verona, Venice, and Lake Garda, ‘Dreaming of Verona’ is a sweet novel you’ll be glad to add to your reading list.

Honeymoon for One

‘Honeymoon for One’ is an ideal rom-com fiction book. It follows romantic novelist Lila, who decides to flee alone to her honeymoon in Italy after discovering her fiance is cheating on her on their wedding day.

There she bumps into movie star Freddie Bianchi, who is the perfect person to pretend to be her boyfriend when her ex turns up at the resort with his new girlfriend.

Are Lila and Freddie just playing pretend, or could this be the start of a real love story?

One Summer in Rome

‘One Summer is Rome’ might seem like another chick-lit, but it touches on some complex issues that make it even better.

Mary’s life hasn’t been easy, but after her boyfriend breaks up with her, she finally finds the courage to step outside her comfort zone and book a ticket to Rome to work at a family-owned restaurant for the summer.

Most of the family makes her feel very welcome, but the chef, Dante, doesn’t seem to like her so much. That, of course, doesn’t last long…

The Lemon Tree Hotel

While this book’s genre isn’t historical fiction, history is a big part of it (as well as romance and mystery).

Set in the Cinque Terre, ‘The Lemon Tree Hotel’ follows three generations of women who work together at their family hotel – the matriarch Chiara, her daughter Elene, and the granddaughter Isabella.

One day, two guests checking into the hotel shake things up – Dante, a man from Chiara’s past, and Ferdinand, a German young man who seems to have a hidden secret regarding the hotel’s past (which piques Isabella’s interest).

We’ll Always Have Venice

Set in and around the city known as the Queen of the Adriatic, ‘We’ll Always Have Venice’ is the perfect weekend read.

After recovering from an accident that left her with a spinal injury and a breakup, Norah is determined to get her scientific career back on track and sets off to the Venitian Lagoon for a 10-week internship.

Despite her “no-distractions” rule, she finds it hard to resist her personal boat driver, a gorgeous Italian man named Gianluca. Both of them have their reasons for wanting to be just friends, but the chemistry between them is undeniable. Will this friendship turn into a relationship?

Last of the Summer Vines

Sarah is a workaholic, but when her estranged father passes away in Tuscany, she travels to Italy to inherit his wine farm.

But then she realizes she hasn’t inherited the entire place, and the vineyard now belongs to her gorgeous childhood friend Tomasso, who doesn’t want to sell it.

As her time in Tuscany starts to work its magic on her, will she go back to her life in London, or will she re-fall in love and move her life to Italy? Grab a copy of ‘Last of the Summer Vines’ to find out.

The main square of Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Under the Italian Sun

When shocking revelations about her parents turn her world upside down, Zia travels to Umbria with her best friend Ursula to try and track down her Italian family she knows nothing about.

Along the way, she also finds herself drawn to vineyard owner Piero, who is dealing with his own struggles, trying to save his home while keeping his family happy.

With a mix of romance, family mystery, and a scenic setting, ‘Under the Italian Sun’ is a total winner.

Life’s a Beach

A light and breezy romantic comedy (you might even call it a guilty pleasure), ‘Life’s a Beach’ should be your next summer read.

Mystery shopper Peach is not too fond of the idea of her baby sister getting married to a guy she only knows for a week.

But when she’s headed to their destination wedding on the Italian coast, the story quickly turns into a series of romantic mishaps, humorous moments, and quirky characters.

Italy Ever After

Romance and self-discovery in northern Italy? Yes, please! ‘Italy Ever After’ will warm your heart AND make you want to visit the Italian lakes.

After the end of her marriage, which left her without any confidence or self-worth, Lou embraces the opportunity to have a new adventure and accompanies her daughter on a summer music camp in Lake Garda, where she also hopes to find her own talent.

As the summer goes by, she’s swept away by the Italian scenery, language, food, and her daughter’s music teacher, Nick, but both have personal issues to deal with. Will they have a happy ending or go their separate ways?

An Escape to Remember

After finding out her boyfriend is cheating on her, Louise decides to let her work heal her heart when she’s sent to the northwestern Italian countryside to bring back to life an old hotel near Turin.

She’s intrigued by the mysterious Vito, the hotel’s previous owner, but both have baggage from their past relationships. Will they overcome their insecurities and have a happy ending?

With mouthwatering descriptions of the food and scenery of the region of Piedmont, there’s no way that ‘An Escape to Remember’ wouldn’t make you want to book a flight to Turin.

Dreaming Of Italy

A wanderlust-fueling novel involving a road trip through Italy? Yes, please!

‘Dreaming of Italy’ follows Emma, a workaholic working for a film company in Hollywood who is sent to Italy to find filming locations for the next movie.

Accompanied by historical consultant Mark while visiting so many picture-perfect places, it doesn’t take long for sparks to fly, and she finds herself torn between her career and her love life…

Views over Pre Saint Didier and the Alps in Aosta Valley, northern Italy

Historical Romantic Novels Set In Italy

The Italian Villa

If you love dual timeline stories, give ‘The Italian Villa’ a read.

On her 21st birthday, Callie discovers that she was adopted and that she inherited a villa in the Italian village of Montevino. She sets off to Italy to try to learn more about her biological family.

Armed with a diary belonging to a woman named Elisa narrating her experiences before and through WW2, Callie begins to unravel the secrets of the past.

The Silk Weaver’s Wife

Intertwining the stories of two women, one in 2017 and one in the early 18th century, ‘The Silk Weaver’s Wife’ is packed with romance and fascinating history.

In 1704, Anastasia finds the love of her life, but she is forced by her father to marry someone else, a rich man working in the silk industry who treats her like a prisoner.

In the present, journalist Millie sets off to Italy to write a piece about silk weaving, which leads her to stumble upon the traces of Anastasia’s story.

Eternal

One of the longest books on this list, but certainly not a boring one, ‘Eternal’ takes place in Rome, starting in the late 1930s.

It tells the story of three childhood friends, Elisabetta, Marco, and Sandro, which turns into a love triangle when they grow up.

As WW2 approaches Italy, each of the three’s personal worlds changes dramatically, and so does their relationship.

The Tuscan Girl

After losing her boyfriend in an accident, heartbroken Alba returns to her parents’ home in Tuscany, where she forms a lovely friendship with a 90-year-old man named Massimo.

As he tells her about the love of his life Lucia and their experiences during WWII, they help each other heal. Get ‘The Tuscan Girl’ on Amazon.

Santa Maria Novella church in Florence, Tuscany, Italy

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15 Historical & Contemporary Romantic Novels Set in Italy You’ll Love