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Books Set in Italy You’re Guaranteed to Love
Published on 7th July 2025 | Updated on 11th July 2026
With a rich culture and history, stunning beaches and exquisite dining, it’s easy to see why so many authors have chosen Italy as the backdrop to their stories.
Below we will explore some amazing books that will transport you to this beautiful part of the world. Whether you’re actually travelling to Italy – or just wanting to travel there through the pages of a book – this list has you covered!
From thought-provoking literary fiction to swoon-worthy romance – there’s something for every type of reader on this list.
Call me by Your Name by Andre Aciman
Publisher: Atlantic Books | Publication date: May 14, 2011 | Genre: Literary Fiction
While spending the summer at his family’s villa in Italy, 17-year-old Elio meets an older graduate student named Oliver. Although Elio finds Oliver’s aloof and dismissive nature confusing, he is undeniably attracted to him. Slowly, the two characters get to know each other and form a romantic relationship. It is this bond that changes how both of them understand love, connection, and themselves.
If you’re looking for a novel that truly immerses you in Italian culture – this book is perfect! Call Me By Your Name is a soft, slow-paced love letter to Italy. You can expect rich descriptions of wine, fresh fruit, mountain views, flowing rivers and local traditions. Themes include desire, first love, nostalgia and loss.
You can buy Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman HERE.
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood
Publisher: Sphere | Publication date: May 27, 2025 | Genre: Romance
When 23-year-old grad student Maya meets Conor, a man 15 years her senior, she’s instantly attracted to his confidence and ambition. Conor feels understood and seen by Maya, but shuts down any thoughts of a romantic relationship due to their age gap. After years of friendship followed by separation – the two finally reunite in a Sicilian villa. Though jealously and emotional distance emerge between the two – Maya concludes that a problematic summer romance is better than no romance at all.
With a gorgeous wedding overlooking the Ionian sea and classic Sicilian sunshine – Italy is a key defining feature of the novel. Featuring a number of popular tropes including friends-to-lovers and forced proximity, Problematic Summer Romance is a great summer book that transports readers to Italy’s beautiful surroundings.
You can buy Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood HERE.
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
Publisher: Quercus | Publication date: March 1, 2022 | Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Katy Silver travels solo to Positano on the trip she was supposed to take with her recently deceased mother. After an unexpected reunion upon arrival, Katy gets to know her mother in ways she never expected, and goes through her own personal transformation in the process.
One Italian Summer explores mother-daughter relationships, healing from grief, and self-discovery. The book’s Amalfi coast setting shapes the entire story and sets Katy on a transformative path towards inner peace and personal fulfillment. The novel’s rich descriptions create a nostalgic atmosphere that allows the reader to reflect on their own memories as well as their current relationships and future desires.
You can buy One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle HERE.
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
Publisher: Penguin | Publication date: April 2, 2013 | Genre: Historical Fiction
In 1962, American actress Dee Moray arrives in a remote fishing village in southern Italy. She has fled the set of her most recent film, hoping to find privacy and peace in what she believes are her final days. Once there, Dee meets hotel owner Pasquale, who is immediately drawn to her.
The story then cuts to present day Hollywood, where Pasquale is determined to find the woman who captivated him nearly 50 years ago.
Beautiful Ruins includes themes of missed opportunities, regret, hope, and redemption. The slow-paced authentic Italian setting provides stark contrast to the fast-paced and image-obsessed Hollywood. The novel celebrates the charm of rural Italy, and the ancient ruins serve as a metaphor for beautifully imperfect people, places and dreams.
You can buy Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter HERE.
Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
Publisher: Walker Books | Publication date: June 1, 2017 | Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance
Strong-willed and independent teenager Lina fulfils her mother’s dying wish and travels to Tuscany for the summer. Using her mother’s old diary as a guide, Lina discovers more about her mother’s time in Italy, her family history, and the person she wants to become. She also develops a romantic connection with Ren, who becomes an important part of her journey.
Love & Gelato is a beautiful coming-of-age story about grief and healing. The Tuscany setting is intrinsic to Lina’s journey, as it connects her to her mother’s past. The warm and lively setting brings comfort to both Lina and the reader, and feels especially appealing to lovers of art, architecture, history, and nature.
You can buy Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch HERE.
Three Summers by Karen Swan
Publisher: Penguin | Publication date: June 18, 2026 | Genre: Historical Romance
In a sleepy fishing village on the shores of Puglia, Rafaella Parisi awaits the summer visitors. Despite dating a loyal and reliable man named Fon Gianelli, Rafaella has only one man on her mind. She longs to see her childhood friend Cosimo again. When Cosimo and the rest of the Franchetti family return to their summer home, Rafa’s old feelings resurface. Soon, Rafa must choose between her familiar life with Fon and the future she longs for with Cosimo.
The rhythm of life in Puglia creates a romantic and nostalgic setting for the story. The location also highlights the differences between Rafa’s quiet village life and Cosimo’s more privileged life away from it. The book explores themes of family, identity, class divisions and first love.
You can buy Three Summers by Karen Swan HERE.
Ripeness by Sarah Moss
Publisher: Picador | Publication date: May 22, 2025 | Genre: Literary Fiction
In the 1960s, the introspective and independent teenager Edith is sent by her mother to rural Italy. Her task upon arrival seems fairly straightforward: to help her sister through the final stages of her pregnancy. However, the reality of the situation soon shocks Edith.
Once there, she witnesses her sister’s vulnerability, comes to understand the stigma faced by unmarried mothers, and becomes involved in a life-changing secret that follows her into her present-day life in Ireland.
The beauty and warmth of the Italian countryside serve several purposes in the book. Firstly, it creates the distance from home that allows Edith to transition into adulthood. It also provides a contrast to the sisters’ relationship, which is marked by separation and strain. Finally, it foreshadows Edith’s later life in Ireland.
You can buy Ripeness by Sarah Moss HERE.
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