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The Italy Affair
Does The Italy Affair refer to international intrigue or romantic entanglement? For Maggie, it may be both.
Four years after her adventures with The War Council, UC Berkeley Professor Maggie McGrew’s professional life couldn’t be better. In addition to teaching communication studies, Maggie has added consulting gigs with Silicon Valley tech companies and a successful book to her resume.
Her personal life is another story. Feeling a bit at loose ends, Maggie accepts her friend (and former War Council comrade) Monique’s invitation to join her as one of the university representatives on an alumni association tour of the “Art Towns of Northern Italy.” There, she discovers a region filled with beautiful art, amazing food, a variety of dogs, and an abundance of Aperol spritzes—not to mention a mysterious painting hidden in a corner of a botanical garden and maybe, just maybe, love.
The Italy Affair is the second book in the University Chronicles series. Like The War Council, it offers a humorous look at life and love, this time amid all the romance of a trip to Italy.
Four years after her adventures with The War Council, UC Berkeley Professor Maggie McGrew’s professional life couldn’t be better. In addition to teaching communication studies, Maggie has added consulting gigs with Silicon Valley tech companies and a successful book to her resume.
Her personal life is another story. Feeling a bit at loose ends, Maggie accepts her friend (and former War Council comrade) Monique’s invitation to join her as one of the university representatives on an alumni association tour of the “Art Towns of Northern Italy.” There, she discovers a region filled with beautiful art, amazing food, a variety of dogs, and an abundance of Aperol spritzes—not to mention a mysterious painting hidden in a corner of a botanical garden and maybe, just maybe, love.
The Italy Affair is the second book in the University Chronicles series. Like The War Council, it offers a humorous look at life and love, this time amid all the romance of a trip to Italy.
254 pages, Paperback
Published December 11, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 26, 2024
I’m giving this one a solid 3.5/5 stars.
I read the first book and really thought it was clever and imaginative. This continuation I don’t think quite captured that same magic. I didn’t not like the story, but I can’t say that I loved it either. There were some wonderful sweet moments and some strange dynamics. All together it’s a good story but in my opinion the first book was better.
I will say if you’re looking for a sweet romance with a hea this does fit the bill even if it takes the long way around to get there.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I read the first book and really thought it was clever and imaginative. This continuation I don’t think quite captured that same magic. I didn’t not like the story, but I can’t say that I loved it either. There were some wonderful sweet moments and some strange dynamics. All together it’s a good story but in my opinion the first book was better.
I will say if you’re looking for a sweet romance with a hea this does fit the bill even if it takes the long way around to get there.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 13, 2024
A fun second book in the series. Love reading about Maggie's adventures!
June 30, 2026
Maggie (Org Comm Professor) went to Italy on an alumni association trip. She saw colleagues Monique (Women’s Studies Professor) & Michael (Rugby Coach) who spend their summers there so he can coach at rugby camp while she wrote for Sociology journals. They help 25 people enjoy their time in Italy while enjoying it themselves along the way. I loved this wasn’t set in Rome or Venice like most authors do, instead, it was set in the countryside of Northern Italy. While the towns in the book don’t exist by name, I smiled as I read this nice story since it reminded me of how much fun our family had on our 3 trips to northern Italy while visiting museums, cathedrals, wineries & taking cooking classes (pasta & pizza) while enjoying gelato, espresso & the beauty of the small villages. I enjoyed the humor in this University Chronicles series & Destination Murder Mysteries series from this author & look forward to reading more of her work. I got this book from Book Sprout & am leaving an honest review.
October 11, 2024
I really liked the first book, The War Council, but this one is even better! In the first book Maggie was left with the decision to join Bill in New York or Nick in Paris. In a surprise twist (but maybe not so surprising since the name of the book is The Italy Affair) Maggie doesn't choose to follow either man. Instead she's written a successful book about The War Council and is happy in her career but is feeling some ennui. When Monique invites Maggie to join her on an alumni trip to Italy, the pair will use War Council techniques to save the trip from their bickering guides. The quirky characters are so much fun and you never know what's going to happen next in this crazy adventure. Benevento in L'Italia!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2024
This time there is a chance to fall in love - with Italy - the foods, the wines, the culture, the architecture, the museums, the arts and music - and maybe a bit of a chance for a little romance.
I personally usually ended up with a minor injury, a stay at a convent that usually involved attending ALL the night and early morning services, and the only males priests, police escorts, or big brother types - the romance was with the food, culture, churches and falling in love with the region.
it's a bella Italia baby!
For these ladies? Humorous bumps on their rocky roads to dine, wine, and romance and entrance.
I personally usually ended up with a minor injury, a stay at a convent that usually involved attending ALL the night and early morning services, and the only males priests, police escorts, or big brother types - the romance was with the food, culture, churches and falling in love with the region.
it's a bella Italia baby!
For these ladies? Humorous bumps on their rocky roads to dine, wine, and romance and entrance.
October 5, 2024
loved it !! love this series !! love Maggie.. this is her adventure to Italy... fall in love with the culture, the food, the wine, the art and museums... and maybe... it's good !! it's funny !!! but, book 1 was better...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2024
This is an entertaining mysterious romance book with the heroine traveling to Italy for a new experience. The storyline is intriguing and dramatic as the elements unfold. The characters are well written with steamy chemistry together. I enjoyed this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2024
This is book 2 in Shepphird's University Chronicles series and found this to be a great addition to the series but can be read as a standalone. A short, sweet, clean romance with a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 28, 2024
This is a humorous look at life and love on a trip to Italy. The romance is sweet and clean and there is a HEA ending. This is the journey of Maggie and her chance to fall in love with the world all over again.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews