“By far, one of the best romance novels that I’ve read to date!” – Victoria
A beautiful intern. Her grumpy Italian boss. An unforgettable trip to Tuscany that could turn these enemies into lovers… my boss turns out to have an ego bigger than his industry, I fear this Italian dream is about to turn into a hellish nightmare.
Gianluca
I want one thing in life: for the world to recognize my talent. Nearing my takeover of the Ravelli Group, I‘m certain the upcoming winter styles photoshoot is the perfect chance to seal the deal. But as the big event approaches, I‘m less than thrilled to be saddled with a naïve American assistant with no fashion experience.
As we travel to sun-soaked Tuscany for the shoot, we both do our best to fight the growing attraction between us. But will the sparks burn down our ambitions or ignite a lifetime love affair?
Gianluca is an Ice Tigers Hockey Romance spin-off but can be read standalone. If you like charming Italian atmospheres, swoon-worthy characters, and hot-and-cold relationships, then you’ll adore Isabella Cassazza’s tale of grande amore.
Buy Gianluca for a catwalk to remember today!
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What a story! I loved this! Couldn’t put it down! The story is enthralling! I mean a main character that’s easy to hate/love and has so much growth potential. Plus he speaks Italian? YES Please! Actually I love all these characters. Some we get to really know. Others we get a smidgen of knowledge. A few are past characters (Ice Tigers Book 1). All are intriguing, sassy and simply wonderful. Callie is a sweet character that is the complete opposite of Gianluca. That makes for some great banter and sexual tension. I don’t want to give any of this wonderful story away other than I highly recommend. Just read it!
I really can’t wait for more in this series. All the characters fill my heart with happiness. The storyline is not all rainbows and sunshine bit has some darker times too. It draws the reader in with the exciting characters and a strong, fun story.
An shocking attraction happens for Callie. Meeting her boss Gianluca a large ego with the up most confidence. This is your opposite attract story can enemies really become lovers. This is the fashion world and Callie is not into that. The chemistry thee two have sets off sparks. Gianluca comes off as a massive jerk off and is difficult to deal with at times. The more time Gianluca and Callie spend together, feelings grow and blossom like grapes on the vine. It’s lovely read.
4 Stars
Gianluca is the first book in the Marini Family Romance series by Isabella Cassazza. This is a contemporary romance set in the fashion world- with plenty of chemistry, angst, push pull, and drama- and this story has the added bonus of having Italy as its backdrop.
I enjoy the way Ms. Cassazza weaves her stories- adding her own stamp and flare to her work. Her characters are well developed and are quite likeable- making it easy to invest in them and the outcome of their story.
I will definitely be following the rest of this series.
Thank you, Isabella Cassazza!
This is not my first book by this author but it is my favorite yet. I enjoyed this romance story. I was pulled in right from the beginning by the characters. They made the story engaging and entertaining. This is a fast paced story that kept me turning pages just to find out what happened with them next. This is a story about enemies that become lovers. Callie finds herself in a position to do one thing she has always wanted, to go to Europe. As she takes a fashion internship she never expects to have the ego studded boss she has. Gianluca just wants one thing and that is to be recognized for his talent, he is about to get his chance. Problem is that he is stuck with Callie who has no fashion experience but what happens is never expected for them. I enjoyed both their characters and how easy they made the story to read. They really just made the story for me. Their chemistry is off the charts and I found myself hoping they would get together. I highly recommend reading their story to find out what happens to them.
Gianluca (Marini Family Romance Book 1)
By Isabella Cassazza
5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading the book Gianluca (Marini Family Romance Book 1) by Isabella Cassazza. It is a story that had me hooked from the very beginning. I loved the characters of Callie James and Gianluca Marini. Callie is a young woman who is excited to get a fashion internship in Rome. Then she meets her boss, Gianluca. Gianluca is a man who is driven to be the best that he can be and have his talent recognized. He is confident and has a very large ego. He knows that he wants and is determined to succeed in what he sets out to do. He doesn’t need the frustration of an inexperienced intern assisting him. When he meets Callie, he believes that she doesn’t fit in however he feels an attraction to her. What does the future hold for Callie and Gianluca? Will they take a chance on the chemistry between them? Read this book to find out. I grew to care about the characters of Callie and Gianluca with every chapter that I read. I wanted them to find happiness. In the beginning, they seemed to be like oil and water. There are times when you could feel Gianluca and Callie’s frustration with each other. There are other times when you could feel the attraction that they have for one another. I also enjoyed reading about the secondary characters and how they interacted with Gianluca and Callie. The author does an amazing job of making the storyline and the characters come to life. I felt like I was right there with them. Don’t miss out on an awesome story that you won’t want to put down until the final page. I highly recommend reading it.
5/5 Stars
Gianluca: A Standalone Enemies-to-Lovers Office Romance (Marini Family Romance #1) by Isabella Cassazza
Not my first read by the author, but a new series. Cassazza has outdone herself in this book. I will be looking for more.
Gianluca isn’t thrilled when he learns that his new intern is taking over for his assistant while on vacation. He doesn’t want an inexperienced young woman from the States. The quote I chose for Gianluca is: “The intern. I know who you are. I’m Gianluca Marini. Your boss. That’s all you need to know about me.”
Callie is heading to Italy for an internship, but doesn’t have an easy time after she lands. She doesn’t think her boss likes her. She quickly learns that isn’t exactly the case. The quote I chose for Callie is: “I owe you. Actually, I owe you my life. If there’s anything I can do for you… just tell me.”
Highly recommended for contemporary romance lovers.
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2020
This is a new to me author. I really liked the book. Callie decides to go to Italy for an internship at the Ravelli fashion house after her aunt pulls some strings for her. Callie’s new boss is Gianluca. He has one goal and that is to be at the top of this company. He is very driven and doesn’t want a silly American girl to get in his way. He doesn’t want her there and tries to make life for her as difficult as possible in hopes that she will run back to America. She surprises him by sticking around and actually doing a really good job. He is quite infuriating at times because he can come off as a real jerk. He treats Callie quite poorly at times. Both characters have had hard childhoods and that story comes out over time as well. Somehow these two have a deep attraction to each other despite their rough beginnings. These two will have to overcome quite a few hurdles if they want to make things work. I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between these two. The book was quite enjoyable. I did receive a copy of this book from Hidden Gems Books and this is my honest review.
Book Title: Gianluca
REVIEW
Hot under the Italian sun. Loved the story. With the back and forth, it really made the book interesting and kept me reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
After Callie’s Aunt gets her an internship in Rome with the Ravelli Fashion House she fills in as an assistant to Gianluca. He has only one goal and that is to be the CEO of the company that he has worked so hard to get. The last thing he wants is an American girl who has “no fashion sense” to get in his way and makes her life difficult hoping she will leave. However Callie doesn’t want to disappoint her Aunt so she sticks it out. They end up going on a photo shoot that Callie actually helps out and saves Gianluca butt. An attraction grows but she’s only there for 6 weeks and he’s kinda mean to her. Can they become more? Will the attraction grow to more?
4 stars
Looking for a story to loose time and yourself in? Then you should give this first book in the Marini Family Romance series a read! Isabella Cassazza’s contemporary romance will entice new readers and faithful readers to keep turning pages. Set in the dramatic world of fashion, Cassazza’s characters become entangled in passion and emotion. Travel to Italy in this story and leave this Covid world behind!
I was quickly drawn into Gianluca by Isabella Cassazza. At first I thought I expected to have difficulty with Italian words but then my worries were alleviated by how the point of view was told in first person by Callie in a simultaneous manner that recounted the events that Gianluca Mirani described. There was only one part I didn’t understand that was regarding the symbols by Signore Ravelli.
Gianluca Mirani was a ruthless manager at an Italian fashion company. His high standards made people avoid his disapproval as he was quick to fire anyone that questioned him. He was in a bind due to his assistant going on her honeymoon. An intern was being brought in for 6 weeks to fill in. When he realizes Calliope James is an American and has no previous experience, he automatically believes she will be a major hindrance to an upcoming advertisement photo shoot.
Callie arrives in Italy only to face one issue after another. The apartment she leased seems to lack air conditioning, all of her clothes are wet from her suitcase being in the rain, and she has no phone service. Thankfully, Gianluca’s sister Fracesca befriends Callie and helps her with clothing and other tasks when Gianluca’s assistant leaves work.
Immediately, Callie has a crush on Gianluca. As they spend more time together, both begin to notice a magnetic attraction to the other. Do they end up acting on their inner desires? Gianluca never wanted a relationship and Callie was wishing she had not chosen to do an internship. Both of them have something that shadows their lives. What secrets get revealed and will they cost Gianluca his job? Read this suspense filled romance novel to see what the future holds for the duo. I am certain that the plot twists will keep you guessing until the end.
3.5 stars
Gianluca is getting an intern. He needs one. What he does not need is Callie. Young, inexperienced, AMERICAN Callie. But she’s far too attractive for him to keep his mind off her for long, and eventually as things are bound to, their attraction has to be consummated. What’s to come of it? Are they falling in love as Callie thinks? Or is he just using her for fun the way it appears to her?
I admit, I was put off by this story for awhile. Gianluca was so obnoxious – from his oddly stilted and old fashioned way of speaking, to his unacceptable behavior toward Callie at first. But eventually, once he started showing more of his true self, I started to settle into the story and really liking them together. And I love Callie, she was adorable from her first scene. Taken as a whole, this is a mostly good story with a wonderful heroine and a not as equal hero who mostly redeemed himself by the end.