Welcome to another Weekend Read. As it’s Valentine’s Day I’m talking to author Rachel Barnett about her latest romance novel, The Italian Lakes Affair, which is published on 26 February.
Tag line
‘Luxury and desire collide at one of Italy’s most exclusive cookery schools.’
Blurb
‘Amy’s life runs like clockwork – as personal assistant to a notoriously sharp-tongued celebrity food critic, she’s used to managing chaos without ever creating any of her own. But everything changes when she’s sent to a prestigious Italian cookery school and meets Tad, the enigmatic and quietly brilliant head chef running the show.
As sparks fly in the kitchen, Amy finds herself drawn into a world far removed from the one she’s always known. But with her demanding boss determined to be the centre of attention – and possibly Tad’s too – Amy must decide if she’s ready to step out from behind the scenes and take a chance on love.’
‘Set against the backdrop of shimmering lake views and old-world luxury, this is a story of forbidden love, personal reinvention and the courage it takes to follow your heart.’
The Italian Lakes Affair – out on 26th February 2026
Buying links
https://mybook.to/ItalianLakesAffair
Welcome to my blog, Rachel. Your book sounds fab. Do you have a special place for writing?
I think having a special place for writing is important – and I’ve had a few over the years. We are tenants on an arable farm. It’s part of a big country estate and we live in a lovely farmhouse. Some of the rooms don’t get much use, and so last summer I decided I wanted to upgrade from the tiny ‘egg room’ I had been using as my office into a larger space above the garage. I enjoy a challenge, and while I didn’t have to do any structural work (past filling in some holes in the walls), it did need to be completely redecorated. I’m no slouch with a paint roller but I do loathe doing the gloss work – so don’t look too closely at the skirting boards or the windows!! With the walls a sunny yellow I turned my attentions to fitting the navy blinds – always a challenge, especially solo, and as technical as I get – then I moved in all my writing paraphernalia. A trip to Ikea to stock up on some Billy bookshelves, time spent fixing a gazillion pictures and photos on the wall, and the room was complete.
I love it – our family has been through loss and trauma over the last twelve months and the change of scene for me to lose myself in my writing has been very welcome. Unfortunately, the room has very little insulation and no heating, so it’s a bit nippy being up there right now – I’m looking at getting a wood burning stove installed for next winter. But every time I set foot in the space it makes me smile.
I think making a space your own is super important, even if it’s limited to a few pot plants or a special desk or chair – I started writing in the kitchen so I could keep an eye on my young daughter and had a swivel chair just for me.
And at this time of year, what could be a nicer addition to your writing – or reading – space than a vase of flowers. Unfortunately, my OH isn’t the slightest bit romantic, so I’ll be buying my own!
Oh, and for anyone wondering – the ‘egg room’ was literally the space on the side of the house where they used to store eggs. Later it became the place the farm workers collected their wages from. In our time it has been a storeroom, my daughter’s playroom, my office, and is now back to being a storeroom!
Almost complete! Photo taken before the Ikea trip for the obligatory Billy bookshelves!
That looks very bright and cosy, Rachel. I love having my own room to write in too.
What inspired you to write this book?
The origins of my novel ‘The Italian Lakes Affair’ lie in years of conversation with a friend about going on holiday to an Italian cookery school. Beautiful scenery and fantastic food – win-win! To this escapist setting, I added a variety of characters already circling my brain, including a talented chef dealing with grief, a professional young woman constantly being dumped on by her celebrity boss, an Australian lady on a bucket-list trip and an octogenarian gentleman with more than a few secrets, and the seeds of this novel took root.
And guess what? This summer my friend and I are finally taking the trip – although our cookery school is in a beautiful town near Venice… So, I’m hoping some fresh ideas will present themselves while we are there. After all, we will be visiting Venice – city of love!
How fantastic, Rachel. I hope you have a wonderful time.
Meet Rachel
Author bio
Rachel Barnett writes escapist contemporary fiction set in some of Europe’s most beautiful locations, from the French Riviera and Italian Lakes to the Scottish Highlands and the French Alps. A former primary school teacher, she now writes full time from rural Wiltshire, where the surrounding countryside inspires her storytelling. Rachel’s novels are known for their vivid settings, heart-warming characters and page-turning plots. She is published by Embla Books and Boldwood Books, and her work includes a Kindle Top 50 bestseller.
Contact links
www.facebook.com/rachelbarnettauthor
www.instagram.com/rachelbarnettauthor
Thanks for dropping by to talk to us today, Rachel. I hope your book soars.
More of Rachel’s books
Karen King 