Fake Date on the Orient Express - Jessica Gilmore (HR #4959 - Aug 2025)

Series: Summer Escapes (Book 7)
 
THE PERFORMANCE OF A LIFETIME?
 
When millionaire Lucas West rescues a stunning actress on board the Orient Express to Venice, he has a brilliant idea. He needs a fake girlfriend for the summer, so who better than a woman who pretends for a living? It's certainly the most unusual role Tally has ever had -- and handsome Lucas is now her favourite costar! Soon, their relationship begins to go off script, but can they trust their emotions enough to write the next act?
 
Good story, lovely descriptions of the locations. Lucas is a workaholic entertaining some business contacts with a murder mystery scenario on the Orient Express. Tally is an actress portraying one of the characters. Lucas rescues Tally after the evening performance, when one of the (inebriated) guests gets a little handsy with her.
 
The next day, Lucas approaches her with a proposal. He needs a girlfriend for the summer to protect him from a matchmaking friend. Would she be willing? Tally has nothing important scheduled, so she agrees.
 
Neither expects the attraction that flares between them or the growing feelings that they experience. Both have failed relationships that make them wary of trusting those feelings. Lucas believes that he doesn't have room in his life for love because of his work commitments. I loved their sightseeing trips and seeing them enjoy each other's company. It was fun to see how the people around them saw how right they were for each other, which made it so frustrating when Lucas freaked out about his feelings and ran from them.
 
I liked the support both received from their families. Lucas got the eye-opening advice he sorely needed. Tally's family and best friend gave her the encouragement she needed to recover from the hurt. A secondary storyline involving a person from Tally's past popped up while they were in Tuscany and provided an interesting twist. Lucas did a nice job of redeeming himself in the end. I liked the epilogue and the unexpected direction their future took. 

 

Hunted Through Italy - Delaney Diamond (HRS #2330 - June 2025)

She knew no one could hurt her…
With him by her side.
 
After overhearing two men planning an embassy bombing, interpreter Zaire Nichols contacts the American authorities in Rome. And that's how she ends up being accused of murder. CIA black ops agent Atticus "Buck" Swanson is her escort back to the United States. When well-trained assassins try to silence her forever, Zaire and Buck set off on a race across Italy, trying to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers. They have to survive if they're going to prevent a deadly terrorist attack -- and have a chance to explore the attraction they feel for each other…
 
Fast-paced, gripping story of an interpreter, Zaire, who overhears a bombing plot and tries to do the right thing by reporting it to the American embassy. Instead, she is detained and accused of murdering her roommate. CIA agent Buck flies to Rome to escort her back to the States, expecting a quick trip to the airport and an easy flight home. What he gets is a woman with a target on her back and a race to escape those who want to stop her.
 
The growing urgency to uncover the truth while running for their lives kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. Relentless pursuit, close calls, and intense confrontations kept me on edge throughout the book, wondering when they would catch a break. Buck's suspicions made sense, and I loved his ability to find a solution. The nail-biter twist at the end was an outstanding conclusion to the mission.
 
I enjoyed the development of Zaire and Buck's relationship. Zaire was terrific. Introverted, but not shy, intelligent, and able to adapt to circumstances, and with a penchant to spout trivia when she's nervous. Buck is unflappable and skilled at his job. Sparks flare between them from the start. Buck resists because a past relationship has led him to believe that certain aspects of his past make it impossible for someone to love him. The rare moments of downtime allow them to get to know each other, and the attraction builds from there. I liked how Zaire wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted. I ached for them both when Buck pushed her away, believing that their connection was only because of what they'd been through. I loved the ending and seeing Buck see the truth. I loved the epilogue and seeing how they took the time to be sure of their feelings.