GJ Review of "Pregnant in the Italian's Palazzo" by Amanda Cinelli

Thank you to Amanda Cinelli for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

First off, I want to say that I really admire Harlequin writers. I know it's popular to punch down on these because of  "Har har, romance!" but short-form storytelling is really hard to do and even more with romance. This is my first official Harlequin (Although I've been reading romance for about 2 years now and my sisters ADORED the company for decades) so this has been the first time I've really seen this medium at work. And I enjoyed it! I've been going through a reading slough lately and this bite-size romance was what I needed.

This is the end of her "Greek' Race to the Altar" series and this book can be read as a standalone like I did. Admittedly, it definitely will make you want to read the other two because WOW, that first chapter. (Yes, I'll likely be reading those soon)

Right off the bat, I love how Cinelli doesn't try to justify Nysio's attraction to Aria. Oftentimes, in books with plus-sized/fat/curvy leads, the MMC tells us that he's always thought big girls were beautiful and are his type. I'm not saying that those preferences aren't valid or there's anything wrong with it but it's kind of offputting after book after book feels the need to justify the attraction instead of just leaving it there. Fat people can be hot! Nysio sees her and doesn't monologue about how as a lad, his heart yearn- NO. He sees her, "Whoa, she's hot!" BOOM, done. Her being plus-sized is treated as a neutral thing, like his height or her British accent and it's lovely to see that.

I also liked other character work, like Aria's ADHD being present but not glaring and Nysio's struggle with who he thinks he should be. Aria is vibrant but isn't a manic pixie dream girl much like Nysio has a lot on his plate but isn't a brooding Italian statue. 

I also appreciate their small interactions that sell the romance. Instead of mushing two people together and demanding we buy it, Cinelli sells us on how they fit (NOT IN THAT WAY) as a couple and how they get into their own way.

I do think there were some scenes that could have been fleshed out instead of just telling us about it but that might just be the nature of Harlequin books. 

Overall, I give this book a 4. Thanks again to Amanda Cinelli for sending me a copy! 

TW: Offscreen verbal abuse, offscreen fatphobia, pregnancy, fainting,  parent with Alzheimer's, brief vomit