| Title | : | How Not to Mess with a Millionaire |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1649371764 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781649371768 |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 251 |
| Publication | : | Published June 7, 2021 |
Dante’s plan was to escape to his family’s beach house for some quiet and privacy. What he didn’t know was that his meddling, matchmaking nonna rented the entire house to a sexy stranger at the exact same time as his stay. It took him months to clear his schedule—there’s no way he’s leaving now.
With both refusing to leave, Zoe and Dante agree to be temporary roomies, but secretly aim to try to drive the other out. He plays his music as loud as he wants and will wear as little clothing as possible, and she’ll just go ahead and adopt that pig she fell in love with in town. But suddenly their game of one-upmanship takes a very sexy detour, and they can’t believe what happens next.
How Not to Mess with a Millionaire Reviews
-
Aww super fast fall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Who wouldn’t love to go on a vacation and be met at the door with a steaming hunk in all his delicious glory. I’m raising my hand over here.
The story was definitely a humorous and delightful read with the developments that the author added to bring some spark to the story.
From annoyances to tick off the other person to adopting a mini pig, the story developed in a familiar method with humor and building connections between the two. Kyle delivers a story with a full range of emotions and has you quickly falling for this almost couple!
A delightful story with the perfect amount of heat and spice!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review -
https://amidlifewife.com/how-not-to-m... -
3.5 - "I did it for the pig." Stars!
Regina Kyle starts a new series; Mediterranean Millionaires with Dante and Zoe’s story. Both are staying at Bella Vista in Positano, Italy for a little R&R, and for completely different reasons, the main issue is that neither of them knows the other, and they have been double booked, possibly by a match-making grandma!
She was starting to get glimpses of the man behind the gruff exterior… And she liked what she saw.
Zoe having flown in from the US has zero interest in moving elsewhere, and this pushes Dante at his grandmother’s insistence to make room for her in the villa, its not long before she’s distracting him in more ways than one, and he vows to try and get her to leave on her own, by being a less than hospitable host. Zoe’s onto him though and fights back, and it doesn’t take long for the burning attraction between them to come to the fore.
Better to hurt her-and himself-a little now than a lot later…
I liked this one, it wasn’t a struggle to read, but for me it was missing the ‘spark’ that is usually apparent in Regina’s books, both characters were likeable, but I found all the mess in Zoe’s background unnecessary and barely given and real page time, the same could be said for Dante’s baggage, something which was ample enough to carry the story between them along on its own but again although used as the main crutch of the conflict between them in the latter stages of the book felt like it hadn’t really been given enough gravitas. There were points where I had a giggle, and Houdini the mini pig was a great addition, I just feel like something was missing this time.
I’m looking forward to seeing which of The Mediterranean Musketeers get his book next.
ARC generously provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for the above honest review.
-
Zoe Ryan has just had some personal and professional setbacks and needs a refresh. She books a getaway in a dream villa designed by a famed interior designer which is her profession.
Only when she shows up there's already someone there... A very wet, very naked, sexy someone. Hmm maybe she has good timing catching him as he's coming out of a shower?
Dante's families Villa is where he chooses to spend the anniversary of the death of his fiancee. He wants to be alone but is forced to share it since the vacation rental agency his Grandmother uses signed a contract with Zoe.
This was very delightful charming romance set in Italy. I would love to visit Italy again. Last time I did I was an idiota almost 20 something yelling at boys from my hotel balcony.
Definitely recommend if you want a steamy, hard to get, c#$& grabbing romance. Sorry there was quite a bit of that. It just wanted to be said.
They both had heartbreak and were healing and didn't know if they were ready to love again. That's why I love these stories. Hope and jumping for that chance for happiness. Doesn't hurt he's a dark haired sexy millionaire and she's pure sunshine in yoga shorts.
Houdini stole the show, you always need a light hearted side kick.
Thank you entangled publishing and net galley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review. -
Blog Review:
https://trishadoeseverythingbutstudy2...
I received a free e-ARC from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
This is 4.5 stars, rounded up.
I just loved this!!
Though it was somewhat slightly more focused on sex than I prefer, it didn't interfere too much in my enjoyment, and I ended up enjoying A LOT. Primarily because of the amazing angst.
This author knows how to do angst, and I will definitely be checking out more of her books int he future because of this. IT WAS JUST AMAZING.
I also really loved the whole forced proximity thing, and while I was a bit sad that the whole and-there-was-only-one-bed ended up in not as much of the trope like it's usually executed (they had sex before, and there was no waking up tangled or anything), I STILL LOVED IT.
All that being said, the pig was definitely my favourite character ;)
The angst to fluff was just perfect, and the whole letting each other go for the good of the other person and whatnot, *chef's kiss* I just cannot express how addicting this read was.
This is exactly the kind of thing I read romance for, perfect angst (why can't I stop saying angst), perfect fluff, perfect drama, short but not too short to feel like instalove, while at the same time not being too drawn out as to make me weary.
I also really, really loved the whole trying to get the other person to leave thing by making them hate you, or whatever you might call it, I had so much fun in the beginning of this book.
The one thing that kinda rubbed me the wrong way was the grief, and not the grief explicitly, but more the him dealing with it by making that stupid decision, but then, we ended up with the perfect angst so no complaining from me.
I cannot praise this enough, I just loved it. I recommend this for anyone looking for an amazing rom-com, with perfect angst, hot millionaire love interests, love the forced proximity trope, slight enemies to lovers, and would not mind sex scenes. And don't forget the pig. -
I have a new favorite couple right now; three coin tosses for Dante and Zoe!! Take one sexy Italian, toss in a feisty American lady and an adorable pig named Houdini and you’ll be serving up hilarity and steam with this trio faster than you can say “sexy time.” I adored everything about this enemies to lovers romance. Literally, the perfect summer read.
Set in the beauty of Positano, Italy with a flare for architecture, cuisine and opera; Zoe leaves the shambles of her life for a month-long vacation to reconnect with herself. When she walks into the villa she rented, she finds a very nude and very schmexy work of man-meat in the kitchen. Cue the Italian grandmother, sarcastic banter and top-notch sexy scenes to make any summer hotter.
Even though this is a steamy romance there is a beautiful message of forgiving yourself and allowing yourself to love after the loss of a loved one. I adored the feminine strength of Zoe as a character and appreciated the understanding she had towards some of the issues that sprung up over lack of communication. We all know how that goes in these novels and it’s refreshing when the problem isn’t dragged out. She also does not back down and doesn’t settle. SO refreshing! I did feel this novel went a little too quick but not enough to take away from how much I loved it in the end. Honestly, I just wanted to hang out longer with these three. Lastly, total props to Kyle for keeping the humor going past the moment when they become lovers. A lot of times the banter tends to be lost once the romance sizzles and it did not for this fun ride.
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this gifted digital arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. -
The meet was not cute, but it was definitely memorable. Zoe is just awesome, and Dante is just…not at first. She’s come to the villa to escape a bad job, and he’s there to torture himself with memories. Once they get together, it’s wonderful. I wanted to shake Dante, but he eventually got to where he needed to be!
-
I really enjoyed this one. I was in the need of something hot and light hearted and predictable and this was perfect. Who doesn’t want a hot, rich, sweet Italian. I loved the setting and the characters, especially Houdini.
Now only if I can find a hot Italian to love me and buy me a pig I’ll be set. -
Funny and so moving!
Oh this book! Zoe and Dante have chemistry that’s off the charts and there was so much humor! The best mix is when authors engage all your emotions and this book did that. -
How Not to Mess with a Millionaire by Regina Kyle, is a sexy, steamy, and funny story set mostly in Italy. You get a sexy Italian Millionaire, and a spunky American interior designer, plus a pot-bellied pig, and you have fun, romance, and some laugh-out-loud moments.
Zoe Ryan recently dumped by her ex-boyfriend, and fired from her prestigious interior designer employer, is ready to disappear for a while and get her life back together. A month-long holiday in a rented villa in Italy is just what she needs to re-evaluate her life and figure out what to do next.
She doesn’t expect the villa owner’s grandson to be living in the six-bedroom villa she rented, especially after giving up men and relationships and all she wants to be is alone. Dante is also upset to learn his grandmother rented out their villa, when all he wants to be is alone, to mourn the one-year anniversary of the death of his fiance, Nicole. Can Zoe, and Dante ignore their obvious attraction and stay away from each other for a whole month?
This book was a bit difficult to get into, and I disliked the main characters in the beginning. Dante was very difficult to like and I did not see any redeeming qualities in him at all. And Zoe was easier to like, but was very one-dimensional and was a stereotypical woman scorned. But, once Houdini, the pot-bellied pig showed up, I started enjoying the book much more. Not only was Houdini adorable and provided much comic relief, but Zoe and Dante’s reaction to the pig, and their obvious love for the adorable pig, gave the main characters some depth of character and I saw their softer sides.
The book is set in several picturesque settings in Italy and I enjoyed the escapades of Zoe, Dante, and Houdini as they traveled around Italy and discover a deep love for each other.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. -
What a good time I had reading this book! Yes, there’s a sad undertone, but the playful banter, the exotic journey and the over the chart chemistry put it all in the background. There is just enough to challenge the relationship and create some tension.
To be honest, the characters were a bit over the top at times–they can be childish for instance–but I still liked them. I didn’t need to see the direct connection between their brain and their genitals though. Seriously, how many times do you check out your roommate and dream about sexy times before you’re diagnosed as a nymphomaniac? Ok, it isn’t that bad, I swear. But I would have enjoyed more thoughts about how they shared opinions and stuff, less about how hot they were.
But that also made it a very hot read. Come back to me when you’ve read the balcony scene. There isn’t a lot of sexy times, but there’s an underlying tension throughout the book at the origin of the great chemistry between Zoe and Dante.
For the fun part, Houdini is there. The tiny pig makes for a good distraction, and induces some funnier or more tender scenes.
I love it when books transport me to another place. I don’t even need to go as far as the next galaxy. Italy is a good place to start. And there are plenty of tourist-y elements that’ll help you escape.
Yep, definitely a good time.
Quickie
- Series: a Mediterranean millionaires novel (but can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #billionaire romance #forced proximity #enemies to lovers #pig
- Triggers: N/A
- Main couple: Zoe Ryan & Dante Sabbatini
- Hotness: 4/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + *sigh* Italy…
- – how old are you, Dante, 12? -
This enemies to lovers, fling to forever romance was a fun and sexy read! A solitary getaway to Positano, Italy sounds like heaven. Dante was going there to remember and Zoe was going there to forget. Two people find themselves as reluctant housemates and get a whole lot more than they planned. What happens when you put two people with a sizzling attraction in close proximity...sparks are gonna fly!
Zoe just needed some time away from her family. Her boyfriend did her dirty, her boss screwed her over and her family is driving her nuts. A trip to Italy to relax and enjoy the beauty is just what she needs.
Dante was still grieving a loss. Positano was the place he wanted to be to honor her memory. He didn't expect to find a sexy little roommate that would steal his focus.
This story, although it touched on loss, was still light a fun and light-hearted read. Lots of funny and cute moments. We got a taste of the emotion and guilt that Dante has been working through, but his connection with Zoe definitely takes over. And honorable mention goes to my favorite little friend Houdini. A great beach day read! -
This new-to-me-author has just made a spot on my must reads list to stay! I loved her characters, her plot line, her writing style. It was all perfect and created an unforgettable novel! It was a definite roller coaster of page turning awesomeness!
This first installment in the Mediterranean Millionaires series is completely unforgettable! From start to finish, I was right in the center of the whirlwind story. I fell in love with Zoe, I drooled over Dante, I completely and utterly become captive to this story. I found myself transported to Italy, seeing all the sights, feeling all the emotions.
This is a must read! It's got perfect romance, awesome banter between characters, and plenty of heart gripping emotions. I am a Kyle fan for life, now, and can't wait for the next installment to this series. Well done, Kyle! Well done!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Author/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.* -
Very entertaining! A little predictable, but not in a bad way. I wish there was a little more conflict before they jumped into bed together, because it all felt a little too easy. The conflict seemed to resolve itself very smoothly without too much mess involved for my usual taste (I like lots of drama!). I almost wished Dante did the Pretty Woman scene like Zoe pictured... However it was a fun, fast read!
-
My one real complaint is that this was too short! I wanted more! Plucky, sassy American on holiday meets brooding and cranky Italian? Yes. Please! Also, Houdini has my heart!!
-
Zoe and Dante s love story in How Not to Mess With a Millionaire by Regina Kyle, book one in her Mediterranean Millionaires, was an enjoyable, laugh out loud, smexy, and imaginative story that take the reader to the Amalfi coast of Italy. Life has left Zoe Ryan, an interior decorator, to feel like she’s living in a bad country song. Her boyfriend dumped her, her car died, and she was recently let go from work. Needing a change, Zoe flies across the world to Positano, Italy leaving her family demands and worries behind. Believing she was renting a place for herself she is surprised when she finds that she suddenly has to share the place with millionaire restaurateur Dante Sabbatini. Best part, she finds him in the kitchen, in his underwear, making coffee. Oh boy!! This is going to be an interesting trip.
Dante need an escape so he planned to spend some time at his family’s beach house; needing some quiet time and privacy. What he didn’t know was that his meddling matchmaking grandmother, nonna, rented the entire house to a beautiful, sexy stranger for the same period of time as his stay. Being a busy man, it took him months to cleat his schedule to get this time away; there was no way he was going to leave.
Since both of them refuse to leave, Zoe and Dante agree to be temporary roomies; but secretly attempt to try to drive the other one to leave. Dante plays his music as loud as he wants and wears as little clothing as possible. Zoe decided to adopt that pig that keeps escaping his home next door and sneaking over. When they decide to talk and spend some time together, they realize the magnetism and chemistry they share. When a rainstorm strands them far from home, sharing a room with only one bed, the games end and a smexy detour takes them on a new adventure.
Ms. Kyle wrote a laugh-out-loud, funny, smexy, and amazing story that is not to be missed. In addition to the descriptions of the beauty of Italy, she provided a tale that sizzled with magnetism, scorch the sheets chemistry, witty banter, and endearing characters kept me flipping the pages of this fun and fast-paced contemporary romance. I totally enjoyed and highly recommend How Not to Mess With a Millionaire to other readers and look forever to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. -
Dante wants a little peace and quiet, so the family holiday home in Italy is the perfect place, it’s also a time for him to collect his thoughts, he misses his fiancée terribly and just wants to be left alone.
Shame his unwanted guest disturbs both his thoughts and his feelings!! If this is his grandmother’s idea, then she can forget it!!
Zoe only wants a bit of time away to nurse her broken heart, after finding out her long term boyfriend was cheating on her, then her co-worker/boss stole designs, she just needed to get away.....
The place she’s rented is just beautiful. Very quiet and peaceful, well it was until the unwanted arrival of the owners grandson! Obnoxious man, rude and disrespectful! She was here first, he can just go away....
Dante decided to make his “guest” as uncomfortable as possible, then if she left, he could have his month of peace and quiet, so loud music, cigar smoking, and cooking in his underwear is all a plot to get rid of his unwanted housemate!
I had to chuckle at most of this book. From half naked men, to adorable mini pigs. This book had me laughing at these two trying to outdo each other then falling for each other....
Deciding on just a holiday fling, both Dante and Zoe are unaware of the others growing feelings.
But neither want to be hurt again. So it’s just going to be a holiday romance. Right? But feelings have a way of growing, until the unthinkable happens, how can you tell that person you’ve fallen in love with them? For Dante it was easy, he pushed Zoe away, and watched her walk out of his life.....
So finally realising his mistake, can he ever get Zoe to forgive him?
For me, the stars of this book was Dante’s Nonna (grandmother) She was just a joy to read about. And that adorable little pig Houdini just made me smile (makes a change from cats and dogs)
Beautifully descriptive, I could imagine the waves, smell the sea and hear that pig grunting. The scenery flashed before my eyes in an array of words.
It’s a great book to read at the beach, by the pool or even curled up on the sofa. The authors words will have you whisked away in no time.
🦋 -
This story had a good balance of romance, steaminess, humor, sadness, and joy. I enjoyed the enemies to lovers storyline and the Italian setting. In fact, the scenery made me long for another visit to Italy. This was a light-hearted read perfect for laying on the beach (or by the pool). The plot was a bit predictable but it was written in such a way that there were still a few surprises.
Zoe just got fired from her job and went through a breakup and rents a Villa in Positano, Italy to escape and figure out her next steps Dante lost his fiancée, Nicole, a year ago and is that the villa to essentially forget and deal with the anniversary of her death . Unbeknownst to Dante, his grandmother rented the villa to Zoe for a month. Needless to say, they are both shocked when she opens the door to the villa and Dante is standing there in all his glory.
Zoe has a bit of sass while Dante initially comes across as a bit of a jerk. He's trying to find a way to get her to leave and she's headstrong enough to not only let him push her out the door but ends up playing the game better. They eventually call a truce and the appearance of Houdini, the mini pot-bellied pig, changes their dynamic and brings a bit of humor to the story.
As the story progresses, Dante and Zoe become lovers but Dante cannot seem to overcome the hurdle of blaming himself for Nicole's death which leads to Zoe returning to San Francisco alone heartbroken. Dante's grandmother gives Dante some advice and he ends up admitting that he's in love with Zoe. In the end, they get their HEA with the best of both worlds - Italy and San Francisco.
I'd love to see Regina Kyle give us a story for Luca - Dante's twin.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own. -
Zoe Ryan has recently suffered a string of bad luck. Her boyfriend dumped her, her swarmy boss is stealing her interior design ideas and claiming them as his own, and her family is using her. So, she packs her bags and heads to Positano, Italy for a month. Zoe hopes the distance will force her parents to actually start acting like parents to her younger sister and become more responsible with their finances. She also hopes to figure our her life while immersing herself in the renown interior designs of the villa she’s rented for the month. Until she encounters a very grouchy, naked Dante…
Dante, millionaire restaurant financial officer, is hiding out at his villa in Positano, Italy. He’s approaching the one year anniversary of the accidental death of his fiancé. He wants to be ALONE. His Nonna, grandmother, has other plans. It’s not the first time she’s tried to play matchmaker, but it may be her last. Although Dante tries his hardest to make Zoe so uncomfortable that she’ll leave, she’s extremely headstrong. She’s not going to let Dante scare her away! As they draw closer and she works her way under his skin, Dante makes a HUGE mistake.
Regina Kyle wrote an AMAZING, heartfelt story of lost love and working through heartache to open oneself up to love again. I laughed, cried, swooned…Houndini was almost as cute as Wilbur—no piggy could ever beat Wilbur, but he was a close second! I loved that Nonna came in to kick butt and straighten Dante out! I loved that Zoe wasn’t a pushover and called Dante on his bull****, but was also kind and an excellent listener. The scene in the opera box had me thinking of Pretty Woman. This was one of the best Regina Kyle novels I’ve read! Loved it! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own. -
3.5 stars rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley, Regina Kyle and Entangled Publishers for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Zoe Ryan escapes to Italy after a breakup and getting laid off. She doesn’t expect the villa she booked to also include the sexy Italian man, Dante Sabbatini. Dante was supposed to be peacefully enjoying his solitude at his Nonna’s villa for the one year anniversary of his fiance’s death. Cue the enemies to lovers, forced proximity and single bed tropes, plus a miniature pot-bellied pig.
Regina Kyle crafted an easy and fun fling to forever romance read. Zoe and Dante were likeable enough but I wish there had been more time spent on their backstories. The Italian setting was nice, but I had hoped there would be more time spent outside of the villa exploring the sights. How Not To Mess with a Millionaire is a sexy and fun romantic escape.
A note: If yoga is going to be included in any novel, I would hope the author looks deeper into this ancient practice’s roots. It is disrespectful to the practice for it to simply be described as a workout. The west has appropriated yoga and most only see it a physical movement activity and unfortunately that is how the practice is portrayed in this novel. There was no need to include yoga within the plot besides the man being attracted to the woman in tight “yoga” clothing and contorting her body. We can all do better, and if you’re curious I urge you to look up Susanna Barkatati who is a speaker, author and yoga culture advocate bringing to light how we can honour yoga’s roots and create a diverse/inclusive community. -
This book is one of those you need when you want to be happy! It’s hilarious!
Interior decorator Zoe Ryan’s boyfriend dumped her and she was recently conned by her boss. What’s a girl to do? Leave everything behind for a bit....in Positano, Italy. And when she gets there, she finds a surprising extra—millionaire restaurateur Dante Sabbatini in the kitchen. In his underwear. Making coffee.
Dante’s plan was to escape to his family’s beach house for some quiet and privacy for the anniversary of his fiancé’s death. What he didn’t know was that his meddling, matchmaking nonna rented the entire house to a sexy stranger at the exact same time as his stay. There’s no way he’s leaving now.
With both refusing to leave, Zoe and Dante agree to be temporary roomies, but secretly aim to try to drive the other out. But suddenly their game of one-upmanship takes a very sexy detour, and they can’t believe what happens next.
This book is sooo good! It’s smart and witty, with funny dialogs and nice sex scenes. The chemistry between them is of the chart. I loved Zoe, she is so driven, and Dante is hot and sweet: he rescued a pig for her!! Houdini is everything in this book. I really enjoy this one and I highly recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. -
Cute Battle of Wills
This book tells the story of Zoe, a woman who has just lost her job and her boyfriend. To get away from it all, she arranges to rent a palazzo situated on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Zoe is an interior designer and the interior of this house was done by a man upon whom she did her senior thesis in college and to see his work first-hand was a golden opportunity for her.
However, when she opened the door, the first thing she saw was a nude man by the pool. Turns out he is the grandson of the woman who rented the house to her. Dante is there because it’s the first anniversary of the death of his fiancé, Nicole and this is where he proposed to her. He still blames himself for her demise.
He wants Zoe to leave; in fact, he’s willing to pay for anywhere she wants to go, just so long as she goes. But Zoe isn’t interested in staying anywhere else, because of the opportunity to see Alberto Pinto’s work. Both are stubborn and no one is going to make either move out.
This was a cute battle of wills between the two protagonists. However, I felt more like I was reading ‘about’ them rather than living it ‘with’ them. Nevertheless, it was still a good book and I’ll probably read other works by this author.
My rating: 4 stars -
This book is sexy and fun, with moments that had me laughing out loud. Zoe's plan was to escape her life for a month in Italy. Unfortunately, the house she rented is already occupied, but the very sexy, and very naked, Dante is unwilling to leave his own home. Both unwilling to leave, the games begin, with each trying to re-up the other to force him/her to leave.
Once the games begin, both Dante and Zoe become invested in winning, with hilarious results. Props to the author for the unique contrasting of Queen and opera......two things that almost never go in the same sentence, lol. The stakes get raised when Dante's nonna shows up unexpectedly and with a plan - a plan that they can't get out of and that works exactly as she wants.
I thoroughly enjoyed this lighthearted romance and found myself wanting them to get a HEA ending. While entirely predictable, the author has such a delightful way of telling a story, that I loved this book anyway.
If you enjoy the genre, you will love this book. It's the perfect beach read and out just in time for summer reading. The author is on my must read authors' list. -
This romance hits all the emotions. There are laugh out loud moments, there’s also sadness, happiness, joy, fear, and love (not just sex, but there’s plenty of that too).
Zoe embarks on a breakup, rediscovery trip to Italy, hoping to be inspired by staying in a villa decorated by her favorite interior designer. But her first encounter is with the brooding Dante who is skinny dipping in the villa’s pool.
Dante and Zoe forge a tentative friendship once his antics to force Zoe out of the villa fail. Then there’s Houdini, the escape artist. Houdini is a pot belly pig that Zoe rescues which forges a sort of co-parenting relationship upon the two of them.
Dante’s sadness starts to ease after his daily interactions with Zoe and Houdini and he and Zoe embark on a vacation fling. Until, a chance encounter with Dante’s deceased fiancées parents brings an abrupt chill to his growing attraction to Zoe.
Zoe returns to San Francisco with a raise and promotion and Dante eventually chases after her, using Houdini to soften the encounter.
Dante and Zoe get their happy ending and the best of both worlds, Italy and San Francisco. -
Zoe and Dante were destined to be something great. But is that “something great” supposed to be enemies, roomies, friends, or lovers? I mean, Dante tries to annoy Zoe into leaving him to his misery, but it backfires. So he ignores her and goes about his business, but that doesn’t work so well either. And Houdini brings them toward friendship, but Italy and an unplanned outing give them the final push. There are just a few big problems. Geography, for one. Timing, for another. And the big one: the reason Dante invaded Zoe’s vacation rental in the first place. A secret that, once it’s out in the open, means hello heartache, goodbye Houdini. Or so Zoe thinks. But Dante isn’t giving up so easily. And his version of groveling is something sort of spectacular AND includes a pig. Who could possibly turn down the shot at forever plus pig?
This was an enjoyable read that had a good balance of humor and angst, bitter and sweet, and definitely the beauty of Italy for the perfect backdrop. Maybe Luca will find his match next? Or one of Dante’s friends? I’d be interested either way. -
4 1/2 STARS!
Regina Kyle brings all the feels with a side of laughter to the surface with this gem! HOW NOT TO MESS WITH A MILLIONAIRE is the first book in an exciting new Mediterranean Millionaires series by Kyle and takes us on a decadent jaunt through Italy. The setting was glorious, the romantic connection divine, and though I would have liked a tad more development on Zoe's background, I utterly enjoyed their story and look forward to more in the series!
Zoe is a fun character to get to know. She's recently dumped and without a job but that didn't stop her from the trip of a lifetime she had planned. An handsome intruder in her vacation home though could be derailing.
Dante had my heart very quickly. He has a past that he hasn't been able to put to rest yet and though he's functioning in life, he's got a heaviness to his heart that isn't easing up.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romance with laughter, heartache and desire all joining together to form a solid story of relatable characters. -
In a few words: Housemates, a sexy broken-hearted Italian, a girl finding herself, and a pig.
Holy Italian Hotness! I mean I don't know if it was all the Italian words in this book, or the alpha male descriptions of Dante... or the fact that his name was Dante (I have a thing for names that sound a little dark). This book was soo wonderfully steamy with just enough slow burn that it didn't drive me to crazy. The scenes of a jealous Dante were so realistic and hot, I loved getting to experience his perspective throughout the book. Zoe the female lead was also wonderfully fearless and funny! Both characters were well developed and brought their own personalities to each and every interaction. I also loved getting to read about Italy and all the beauty it has to offer (I really miss traveling).
If you like steamy travel romances this one is for you! I mean what is not to love about a romance with a sweet, rough the edges alpha who also happens to be Italian. -
I very much enjoyed the chemistry between Zoe and Dante and thought their initial meeting both funny and provocative. I thought Zoe was going to be a tragic, mousy character, given her woe-is-me attitude before getting to the villa, but that girl had spunk and backbone to spare especially given her recent breakup and job loss.
Dante tried hard to be aloof and dismissive, but you just can’t fight that ingrained Italian old-world charm. He’s a bit of a tragic hero but hers also personable and witty. A good guy with his own baggage that he’s not willing to share.
Adorable Houdini added a bit of a comic tone to the story, which I enjoyed as well, even if he’s not the typical pet…that made it even better. The steamy scenes were richer because we needed to wait for that smolder to ignite into a flame. Regina Kyle is so good at drawing out those feelings from her characters; it’s one of the things I like best about her books. I thought this one was great!
