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Racing the Sun
From the New York Times bestselling author of Where Sea Meets Sky comes a new adult novel about a young woman who becomes a nanny in Capri and falls for her charges� bad-boy brother.
It’s time for twenty-four-year-old Amber MacLean to face the music. After a frivolous six months of backpacking through New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asia, she finds herself broke on the Mediterranean without enough money for a plane ticket home to California. There are worse places to be stuck than the gorgeous coastline of southern Italy, but the only job she manages to secure involves teaching English to two of the brattiest children she’s ever met.
It doesn’t help that the children are under the care of their brooding older brother, Italian ex-motorcycle racer Desiderio Larosa. Darkly handsome and oh-so-mysterious, Derio tests Amber’s patience and will at every turn—not to mention her hormones.
But when her position as teacher turns into one as full-time nanny at the crumbling old villa, Amber finds herself growing closer to the enigmatic recluse and soon has to choose between the safety of her life back in the States and the uncertainty of Derio’s closely guarded heart.
It’s time for twenty-four-year-old Amber MacLean to face the music. After a frivolous six months of backpacking through New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asia, she finds herself broke on the Mediterranean without enough money for a plane ticket home to California. There are worse places to be stuck than the gorgeous coastline of southern Italy, but the only job she manages to secure involves teaching English to two of the brattiest children she’s ever met.
It doesn’t help that the children are under the care of their brooding older brother, Italian ex-motorcycle racer Desiderio Larosa. Darkly handsome and oh-so-mysterious, Derio tests Amber’s patience and will at every turn—not to mention her hormones.
But when her position as teacher turns into one as full-time nanny at the crumbling old villa, Amber finds herself growing closer to the enigmatic recluse and soon has to choose between the safety of her life back in the States and the uncertainty of Derio’s closely guarded heart.
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2015
144 people are currently reading
6,212 people want to read
About the author
Karina Halle
113books18.7kfollowersKarina Halle is a screenwriter, former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times bestselling author of Grave Matter, Blood Orange, & The Royals Next Door, as well as 80 other romances across all sub-genres, ranging from spicy rom coms to gothic horror and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever you're into, she's probably written an HEA for it.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 527 reviews
July 5, 2023
5 stars!
"When I'm traveling, I feel like the secret to my life, to myself, to really becoming, is one step ahead. It's in the next destination, the next town I get lost in, the next stranger I talk to. It's always next but never here. But when I go home, back to the way things used to be, there is no next. It's all over. The wonder and hope are gone.
I like having hope. And I hope I find what I'm looking for."
This book reminded me of why I love Karina Halle's books so much. After being in the minority and not loving the previous book in this series Where Sea Meets Sky, I was hesitant going into this book. But the book before must have been just a fluke for me because this book was freaking incredible. There's a reason Halle is one of my favorite authors, and it's as simple as I love her books.
Racing the Sun is about American girl Amber who has spent the last few months traveling the world. When she arrives on the Amalfi Coast she's broke, and she doesn't have enough money to buy a plane ticket home. Amber searches for a job and finds one teaching English to two young children. The job relocates Amber to the island of Capri where she is working with seven year old twins who are being raised by their older brother Derio.
Derio.... is kind of a jerk. A former motorcycle racer, Derio is now a drunken shut in who won't leave the island of Capri. At first teaching the children is a struggle for Amber. But as time passes they form a bond and they worm a place into her heart. Amber's responsibilities slowly begin to change into that of a nanny, and soon the four of them start spending more of them together. And as more time goes by feelings develop between Amber and Derio.
This was a book I couldn't put down. It actually reminded me of a combo of The Sound of Music and Beauty and the Beast but in Italy. There were so many real life things I was supposed to be doing instead of reading this book but it captured my attention and my heart and didn't let go until I read the final page. A part of me really identifies with Amber, having a somewhat useless degree and not being able to get a real job with it. Traveling the world in hopes of finding herself and what she wants to do with her life.
The relationship with Amber and the children was really sweet. While it wasn't always sunshine and rainbows, Amber did her best to be a good adult figure to them but at the same time she struggled with the fact that they weren't her children. I felt that most of the time Derio needed to step up more as a guardian to these children and it was a bit frustrating when he didn't.
The island of Capri is just as much a character in this book as the people in it. I know the author traveled there for research and she did an amazing job setting the story. While reading I felt as if I was on the island of Capri the entire time myself. This was the perfect setting for this book (even though in the trip vote, I voted for Prague lol).
I loved the romance between Derio and Amber. I've never been one for the whole Italian romance genre, but Halle may have converted me. Derio was such a passionate individual and when he loved something he went at it with his whole heart. His confidence in their relationship is what made it so wonderful and believable instead of just a fairy tale romance in a book.
Filled with angst and intense love, I highly recommend this book to all of you romance lovers out there. And this book can be read as a standalone; I am not one to encourage that but it really reads like a separate book on its own.
"When I'm traveling, I feel like the secret to my life, to myself, to really becoming, is one step ahead. It's in the next destination, the next town I get lost in, the next stranger I talk to. It's always next but never here. But when I go home, back to the way things used to be, there is no next. It's all over. The wonder and hope are gone.
I like having hope. And I hope I find what I'm looking for."
This book reminded me of why I love Karina Halle's books so much. After being in the minority and not loving the previous book in this series Where Sea Meets Sky, I was hesitant going into this book. But the book before must have been just a fluke for me because this book was freaking incredible. There's a reason Halle is one of my favorite authors, and it's as simple as I love her books.
Racing the Sun is about American girl Amber who has spent the last few months traveling the world. When she arrives on the Amalfi Coast she's broke, and she doesn't have enough money to buy a plane ticket home. Amber searches for a job and finds one teaching English to two young children. The job relocates Amber to the island of Capri where she is working with seven year old twins who are being raised by their older brother Derio.
Derio.... is kind of a jerk. A former motorcycle racer, Derio is now a drunken shut in who won't leave the island of Capri. At first teaching the children is a struggle for Amber. But as time passes they form a bond and they worm a place into her heart. Amber's responsibilities slowly begin to change into that of a nanny, and soon the four of them start spending more of them together. And as more time goes by feelings develop between Amber and Derio.
This was a book I couldn't put down. It actually reminded me of a combo of The Sound of Music and Beauty and the Beast but in Italy. There were so many real life things I was supposed to be doing instead of reading this book but it captured my attention and my heart and didn't let go until I read the final page. A part of me really identifies with Amber, having a somewhat useless degree and not being able to get a real job with it. Traveling the world in hopes of finding herself and what she wants to do with her life.
The relationship with Amber and the children was really sweet. While it wasn't always sunshine and rainbows, Amber did her best to be a good adult figure to them but at the same time she struggled with the fact that they weren't her children. I felt that most of the time Derio needed to step up more as a guardian to these children and it was a bit frustrating when he didn't.
The island of Capri is just as much a character in this book as the people in it. I know the author traveled there for research and she did an amazing job setting the story. While reading I felt as if I was on the island of Capri the entire time myself. This was the perfect setting for this book (even though in the trip vote, I voted for Prague lol).
I loved the romance between Derio and Amber. I've never been one for the whole Italian romance genre, but Halle may have converted me. Derio was such a passionate individual and when he loved something he went at it with his whole heart. His confidence in their relationship is what made it so wonderful and believable instead of just a fairy tale romance in a book.
Filled with angst and intense love, I highly recommend this book to all of you romance lovers out there. And this book can be read as a standalone; I am not one to encourage that but it really reads like a separate book on its own.
July 28, 2015
LIVE -
Oh La La!!! I'm going to Italy with this book.
My bags are packed, my passport is up-to-date, and I’m heading to the nearest airport. The only thing holding me back from becoming a world traveler is I hate to fly - otherwise I’d be using Ms. Halle’s books as my tour guide. When I read and was transported to Spain I fell in love with the countryside. Then I read and had a strong desire to go to New Zealand. I’d even ride in that 70’s van that they traveled around in.
Last year Ms. Halle asked her readers where her next book should be set. Readers were given 3 choices: Amalfi Coast, South of France and Prague. I was rooting for Amalfi Coast because the photos I saw were breathtaking. I’m happy to say that Racing the Sun is located in this oasis. If you follow Ms. Halle on Instagram she has been sharing photos of her trip to Amalfi Coast. Check them out.
”I am flat fucking broke.�
Amber is traveling the world when she winds up broke without enough money to pay for a plane ticket back home. Which is okay with her because she really has no desire to return home just yet. The ability to roam the world beckons her and has her scrambling to find a way to continue her journey. YOLO - you only live once.
”Need Help. Want English speaking woman…�
Amber answers an ad to help to teach English to a family with twins as a way to earn some cash for her plane ticket home. Derio,the adult older brother, has been left in charge of his younger twin siblings as a result of their parents tragic death. One desire their parents had for their children was to know English and Amber has agreed to fill that role.
”Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with an Italian boy.�
First off, Derio is no boy. He’s all man and comfortable in his own skin. For each scene that had him in his Speedos I wish I could have switched places with Amber. Now about Speedos - our Eastern European friend was visiting, a couple years back, and when he came out on the pool deck in his Speedo he looked extremely out of place. When he asked why everyone staring at him we had to explain that in American guys wear board shorts to swim in. *lol* Okay, now back to Derio� he was a total mystery. It took me awhile to figure out why he was so standoffish and what he was doing behind closed doors!
If you love 'international romance' grab your “kindle passport� and take a trip to Italy with Amber & Deiro. Also for those who have been long time Karina Halle fans you laugh at the jab that is made about EIT series.
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦�
RELEASE DATE: July 28, 2015
Pre-order | order:
STANDALONE
**Complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Oh La La!!! I'm going to Italy with this book.
My bags are packed, my passport is up-to-date, and I’m heading to the nearest airport. The only thing holding me back from becoming a world traveler is I hate to fly - otherwise I’d be using Ms. Halle’s books as my tour guide. When I read and was transported to Spain I fell in love with the countryside. Then I read and had a strong desire to go to New Zealand. I’d even ride in that 70’s van that they traveled around in.
Last year Ms. Halle asked her readers where her next book should be set. Readers were given 3 choices: Amalfi Coast, South of France and Prague. I was rooting for Amalfi Coast because the photos I saw were breathtaking. I’m happy to say that Racing the Sun is located in this oasis. If you follow Ms. Halle on Instagram she has been sharing photos of her trip to Amalfi Coast. Check them out.
”I am flat fucking broke.�
Amber is traveling the world when she winds up broke without enough money to pay for a plane ticket back home. Which is okay with her because she really has no desire to return home just yet. The ability to roam the world beckons her and has her scrambling to find a way to continue her journey. YOLO - you only live once.
”Need Help. Want English speaking woman…�
Amber answers an ad to help to teach English to a family with twins as a way to earn some cash for her plane ticket home. Derio,the adult older brother, has been left in charge of his younger twin siblings as a result of their parents tragic death. One desire their parents had for their children was to know English and Amber has agreed to fill that role.
”Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with an Italian boy.�
First off, Derio is no boy. He’s all man and comfortable in his own skin. For each scene that had him in his Speedos I wish I could have switched places with Amber. Now about Speedos - our Eastern European friend was visiting, a couple years back, and when he came out on the pool deck in his Speedo he looked extremely out of place. When he asked why everyone staring at him we had to explain that in American guys wear board shorts to swim in. *lol* Okay, now back to Derio� he was a total mystery. It took me awhile to figure out why he was so standoffish and what he was doing behind closed doors!
If you love 'international romance' grab your “kindle passport� and take a trip to Italy with Amber & Deiro. Also for those who have been long time Karina Halle fans you laugh at the jab that is made about EIT series.
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦�
RELEASE DATE: July 28, 2015
Pre-order | order:
STANDALONE
**Complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**
August 1, 2015
5 Hot Signor Larosa Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
When I'm traveling, I feel like the secret to my life, to myself, to really becoming, is one step ahead. It's in the next destination, the next town I get lost in, the next stranger I talk to. It's always next but never here.
Amber MacLean is a 24 yr. old American woman from San Jose, California. After backpacking and traveling around the world for the last six months, Amber is now out of money. She has landed in Southern Italy in the town of Positano on the Amalfi Coast, and can't afford a plane ticket back home. Figuring there are worse places to be stuck, & not really wanting to go home & return to reality, Amber searches for a job in the hopes of extending her adventure a little while longer.
Amber answers a help wanted ad & gets a job working for a 29 yr. old gorgeous Italian man named Desiderio Larosa aka Derio. Derio recently became in charge of the family estate, & his twin siblings are now under his care. He hires Amber to teach the children proper English. She must re-locate to their home in Capri. Amber has a degree in English, but has never really been around kids much. Desperately in need of a job, Amber takes on the challenge & goes to work for Signor Larosa.
Amber quickly learns that the sexy mysterious older brother that looks like a model has issues. He's moody & reclusive. He's an ex-motorcycle racer who comes from a very wealthy family. After a tragedy he's become very closed off & private. He is a brooding, damaged man who seems to have shut down. He keeps to himself & wants to be left alone. Amber tries to walk on eggshells around him & stay out of his way, but she can't help the way just the sight of him makes her body respond. She's flustered & hasn't been around a man this beautiful in a while.
Amber begins spending time with Derio & the children & starts to see a different side of Derio. He has a playful side that isn't so serious or guarded. As they grow closer things heat up & turn intimate between them. Amber slowly falls for the hot, passionate Derio, & OMG is this book delicious!!!
-This man, oh how I fucking want this man.
-I've never been looked at this way before- stripped bare by a carnal gaze- and it would be a shame to let it go to waste.
-"Mia leonessa. Te voglio, voglio te far I'amore, voglio tua dolce bocca. Baciami." He kisses me hard, hurriedly. I have no idea what he just said but I'm agreeing to all of it and melting in his hands.
-"I will go slow with you," he says. "If you want to go fast, I will go fast. I'm very good at taking directions from pretty girls."
Eventually Amber's job extends to not only teaching English, but full-time nanny. As Amber and Derio fall in love, Derio isn't as broken anymore. Being with Amber he slowly is getting his joy back. She makes him feel happy & alive again. They face their fears together & are just what the other was looking for & needing in their life. They have some problems to work through as Ambers time in Italy is coming to an end. We get some angst as they try to define what they have together & deal with real life. Their connection is so strong, but they realize that relationships aren't always easy & take sacrifice & hard work.
I absolutely loved this book!!! I liked it was a more emotional read too. The author takes you on the beautiful journey through Southern Italy, & makes you feel like your really there experiencing it all. Then she throws in a dreamy delicious Italian hottie that will make you swoon. I couldn't put this book down & still have Derio & Italy on my mind! :D
-"I need you. Then, have me."
(ARC provided by author)
When I'm traveling, I feel like the secret to my life, to myself, to really becoming, is one step ahead. It's in the next destination, the next town I get lost in, the next stranger I talk to. It's always next but never here.
Amber MacLean is a 24 yr. old American woman from San Jose, California. After backpacking and traveling around the world for the last six months, Amber is now out of money. She has landed in Southern Italy in the town of Positano on the Amalfi Coast, and can't afford a plane ticket back home. Figuring there are worse places to be stuck, & not really wanting to go home & return to reality, Amber searches for a job in the hopes of extending her adventure a little while longer.
Amber answers a help wanted ad & gets a job working for a 29 yr. old gorgeous Italian man named Desiderio Larosa aka Derio. Derio recently became in charge of the family estate, & his twin siblings are now under his care. He hires Amber to teach the children proper English. She must re-locate to their home in Capri. Amber has a degree in English, but has never really been around kids much. Desperately in need of a job, Amber takes on the challenge & goes to work for Signor Larosa.
Amber quickly learns that the sexy mysterious older brother that looks like a model has issues. He's moody & reclusive. He's an ex-motorcycle racer who comes from a very wealthy family. After a tragedy he's become very closed off & private. He is a brooding, damaged man who seems to have shut down. He keeps to himself & wants to be left alone. Amber tries to walk on eggshells around him & stay out of his way, but she can't help the way just the sight of him makes her body respond. She's flustered & hasn't been around a man this beautiful in a while.
Amber begins spending time with Derio & the children & starts to see a different side of Derio. He has a playful side that isn't so serious or guarded. As they grow closer things heat up & turn intimate between them. Amber slowly falls for the hot, passionate Derio, & OMG is this book delicious!!!
-This man, oh how I fucking want this man.
-I've never been looked at this way before- stripped bare by a carnal gaze- and it would be a shame to let it go to waste.
-"Mia leonessa. Te voglio, voglio te far I'amore, voglio tua dolce bocca. Baciami." He kisses me hard, hurriedly. I have no idea what he just said but I'm agreeing to all of it and melting in his hands.
-"I will go slow with you," he says. "If you want to go fast, I will go fast. I'm very good at taking directions from pretty girls."
Eventually Amber's job extends to not only teaching English, but full-time nanny. As Amber and Derio fall in love, Derio isn't as broken anymore. Being with Amber he slowly is getting his joy back. She makes him feel happy & alive again. They face their fears together & are just what the other was looking for & needing in their life. They have some problems to work through as Ambers time in Italy is coming to an end. We get some angst as they try to define what they have together & deal with real life. Their connection is so strong, but they realize that relationships aren't always easy & take sacrifice & hard work.
I absolutely loved this book!!! I liked it was a more emotional read too. The author takes you on the beautiful journey through Southern Italy, & makes you feel like your really there experiencing it all. Then she throws in a dreamy delicious Italian hottie that will make you swoon. I couldn't put this book down & still have Derio & Italy on my mind! :D
-"I need you. Then, have me."
August 11, 2016
5 I WANT TO GO TO ITALY STARS <3
I have read so many books from Karina Halle and I love them but this one is something else!!It's different from her other books and I loved it so much!!!It was refreshing and I felt like I was a part of the story!I devoured the story!I felt like I was traveling with Amber in Italy!!So beautiful place, and now I really want to go there find a job and fell in love! This story isn't only about the romance,it's also about finding yourself...
Amber has two months left on her travel visa and now she is in Italy.But she doesn't have money so she must find a job!The job she finds as an English teacher to two Italian children isn't easy...The kids have issues and Derio their older brother is a jackass...This is happening until she meets them and knows their tragic past..Now she has feelings for Derio and they spend more time together...But can she invest in a relationship when she knows that she doesn't have a lot of time until she goes back home?
Both characters are realistic.I loved Amber and I really admired her, because she travels alone trying to find herself! I wish I could do the same! Derio is a perplex hero.He has a mystery around him and you keep wondering what he is really thinking!He intrigued me from the beginning,because he is a hot Italian man!Can you think his accent??OMG I wish I could hear him... I loved him so much,he is so hot!Even though sometimes I was pissed with him and others I was so sad and I wanted to hug him!But this is what makes him real, he has his bad and good moments!They are so perfect for each other!Amber is exactly what Derio needs,she help him a lot!The romance developed slowly and it was perfect because it's tender,passionate and intense!
I also fell in love with Derio's family!!His sister and brother is two cute children which have issues and in the beginning they were difficult but you can understand them!!I loved them both!
Karina is an amazing author and did an amazing job with this book!!This is a sweet,hot,funny and intense romance!It's a perfect summer book for the beach!I highly recommend it!!!
It's true Karina I fell in love with Italy and Derio <3 <3
Maybe it's time for me to travel to Italy...
ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
I have read so many books from Karina Halle and I love them but this one is something else!!It's different from her other books and I loved it so much!!!It was refreshing and I felt like I was a part of the story!I devoured the story!I felt like I was traveling with Amber in Italy!!So beautiful place, and now I really want to go there find a job and fell in love! This story isn't only about the romance,it's also about finding yourself...
Amber has two months left on her travel visa and now she is in Italy.But she doesn't have money so she must find a job!The job she finds as an English teacher to two Italian children isn't easy...The kids have issues and Derio their older brother is a jackass...This is happening until she meets them and knows their tragic past..Now she has feelings for Derio and they spend more time together...But can she invest in a relationship when she knows that she doesn't have a lot of time until she goes back home?
Both characters are realistic.I loved Amber and I really admired her, because she travels alone trying to find herself! I wish I could do the same! Derio is a perplex hero.He has a mystery around him and you keep wondering what he is really thinking!He intrigued me from the beginning,because he is a hot Italian man!Can you think his accent??OMG I wish I could hear him... I loved him so much,he is so hot!Even though sometimes I was pissed with him and others I was so sad and I wanted to hug him!But this is what makes him real, he has his bad and good moments!They are so perfect for each other!Amber is exactly what Derio needs,she help him a lot!The romance developed slowly and it was perfect because it's tender,passionate and intense!
I also fell in love with Derio's family!!His sister and brother is two cute children which have issues and in the beginning they were difficult but you can understand them!!I loved them both!
Karina is an amazing author and did an amazing job with this book!!This is a sweet,hot,funny and intense romance!It's a perfect summer book for the beach!I highly recommend it!!!
It's true Karina I fell in love with Italy and Derio <3 <3
Maybe it's time for me to travel to Italy...
ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2015
It's Live!!!
LOVED it!
5 Love & Lemons Stars
Karina Halle has done it again � she’s swept me away � made me fall in love with fictional people � and very real places.
The unusual thing about this book is that instead of falling for the leading man, it’s actually the leading lady that had me swooning.
Amber MacLean was introduced as a side character in Where Sea Meets Sky. In that book it was very hard to get a read on the young, quiet girl who ventured out to travel. I was very unprepared for how incredibly strong and brave she would be here, in Racing the Sun. I really felt like she was the hero of the story � saving the day for both the leading man, and his infuriating, yet adorable siblings. I loved her sense of adventure and was in awe with her self-discovery and awareness.
Derio Larosa is also a little swoon worthy. He’s a sexy, sultry Italian man � how could you NOT swoon, just a little? #ItallionStallion But, oh man � he aggravated the hell out of me. His stand-offish attitude and his inability to learn a lesson the first time around � GAH! I wanted to hit him over the head. Thankfully, Amber took the situation in hand and managed to turn him around. I loved how she was able to break into his icy exterior. Don’t get me wrong � Derio is a great character in many respects and completely perfect with Amber in the end � but he’s a man & I find they can all be jackasses at times (come on ladies - I know you know what I mean).
Italy, oh Italy � yes, Karina managed to make me fall in love (again) with a place I’ve never been. With this book, I somehow feel like I’ve taken that trip myself. The landscape sets the perfect tone for this book � bright, hot and colorful. Where’s my passport?
This is one of the best books I've read this year! It's an amazing summer getaway (or anytime escape from real life). If you’ve not yet experienced a Karina Halle romance � Get on it!!!
*ARC kindly provided by the author*
LOVED it!
5 Love & Lemons Stars
Karina Halle has done it again � she’s swept me away � made me fall in love with fictional people � and very real places.
The unusual thing about this book is that instead of falling for the leading man, it’s actually the leading lady that had me swooning.
Amber MacLean was introduced as a side character in Where Sea Meets Sky. In that book it was very hard to get a read on the young, quiet girl who ventured out to travel. I was very unprepared for how incredibly strong and brave she would be here, in Racing the Sun. I really felt like she was the hero of the story � saving the day for both the leading man, and his infuriating, yet adorable siblings. I loved her sense of adventure and was in awe with her self-discovery and awareness.
Derio Larosa is also a little swoon worthy. He’s a sexy, sultry Italian man � how could you NOT swoon, just a little? #ItallionStallion But, oh man � he aggravated the hell out of me. His stand-offish attitude and his inability to learn a lesson the first time around � GAH! I wanted to hit him over the head. Thankfully, Amber took the situation in hand and managed to turn him around. I loved how she was able to break into his icy exterior. Don’t get me wrong � Derio is a great character in many respects and completely perfect with Amber in the end � but he’s a man & I find they can all be jackasses at times (come on ladies - I know you know what I mean).
Italy, oh Italy � yes, Karina managed to make me fall in love (again) with a place I’ve never been. With this book, I somehow feel like I’ve taken that trip myself. The landscape sets the perfect tone for this book � bright, hot and colorful. Where’s my passport?
This is one of the best books I've read this year! It's an amazing summer getaway (or anytime escape from real life). If you’ve not yet experienced a Karina Halle romance � Get on it!!!
*ARC kindly provided by the author*
August 15, 2015
"You know, sometimes I feel so trapped. So lost and alone. And then I look at you and feel found.�
Amber recently graduated college and is backpacking through Europe when she runs of out money. When the story begins she is in Italy with little funds and no idea how she is going to get home when her travel visa expires. Desperate for work she interviews for a job teaching English to two children, that’s where she meets Derio.
Derio is a broken man. In the last two years he went from having parents who love him, a successful career and wife to nothing. Within months he lost his parents in an accident leaving him the guardian of his twin siblings, his wife to another man and his career to an injury. He is depressed, grumpy and easily agitated when he meets Amber.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. That’s basically how Derio ends up hiring an inexperienced young woman and Amber begins working for the sexy, grumpy man.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take long for Amber and Derio to find some common ground and begin to respect each other. That respect forms a bond and before you know they are spending time together, and getting to know each other. The build up is always my favorite part in a story. I loved the chemistry between Derio and Amber, I could feel their longing for each other.
Racing the Sun is a beautiful love story set in paradise, Capri. Karina Halle’s words paint a gorgeous picture of the perfect place to fall in love. Then the actual love story, perfect. My favorite thing about Karina’s writing, she is never afraid to write the ugly. Like real life things aren’t always pretty, Derio and Amber have to overcome things, learn to live together, learn to live independently and learn to love without fear. Racing the Sun has so much heart. I was immediately drawn in and attached to the characters.
I highly recommend Racing the Sun it’s the perfect vacation read or at least it will make you long for a Italian vacation.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2015
★★★★ 4 Stars ★★★★
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For five hours I was transported to the beautiful and stunning Amalfi coast of Italy, with lemon trees and blue skies, red wine and clear seas. This is the perfect summer read that will make you feel like you are really there in the moment.
Amber McLean is an American backpacker who has arrived in Positano with no money and the bleak prospect that after months of exploring Europe, she may have to return home to San Jose, California. At 24, her overbearing parents expect her to be responsible so she decides that she won't ask for their help, she will get a job and save for her ticket home.
When she spots an advert for help needed to teach English to two young children over on the island of Capri, she jumps at the chance.
Her two young charges turn out to be 7 year old twins Annabella and Alfonso, and her boss is their older brother, Desiderio. All three of them are grieving the death of their parents, and so are not exactly the rays of sunshine Amber was hoping for.
Derio is a gorgeous ex motorbike racer who is now a recluse. He hides away in his office during the day and only goes out in the early mornings to race around the island on his bike. Amber finds him mysterious and takes it as a challenge to find out what his story is and to try and entice him out of his self imposed prison.
Derio is a broken man with a fear of living his life to the full but when Amber comes along and helps bring light to his family, he slowly starts to feel stronger in himself and decides to pursue his dreams. The only problem is, will this be to the detriment of Ambers own dreams?
_ _ _ _
Racing the Sun was a book about finding yourself as a person, and facing your fears. If you fancy a trip to Italy this summer, then you only have to pick up this book.
This is a standalone Contemporary Romance, told in Amber's POV.
ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review
Now LIVE!
US -
UK -
For five hours I was transported to the beautiful and stunning Amalfi coast of Italy, with lemon trees and blue skies, red wine and clear seas. This is the perfect summer read that will make you feel like you are really there in the moment.
Amber McLean is an American backpacker who has arrived in Positano with no money and the bleak prospect that after months of exploring Europe, she may have to return home to San Jose, California. At 24, her overbearing parents expect her to be responsible so she decides that she won't ask for their help, she will get a job and save for her ticket home.
When she spots an advert for help needed to teach English to two young children over on the island of Capri, she jumps at the chance.
Her two young charges turn out to be 7 year old twins Annabella and Alfonso, and her boss is their older brother, Desiderio. All three of them are grieving the death of their parents, and so are not exactly the rays of sunshine Amber was hoping for.
Derio is a gorgeous ex motorbike racer who is now a recluse. He hides away in his office during the day and only goes out in the early mornings to race around the island on his bike. Amber finds him mysterious and takes it as a challenge to find out what his story is and to try and entice him out of his self imposed prison.
Derio is a broken man with a fear of living his life to the full but when Amber comes along and helps bring light to his family, he slowly starts to feel stronger in himself and decides to pursue his dreams. The only problem is, will this be to the detriment of Ambers own dreams?
_ _ _ _
Racing the Sun was a book about finding yourself as a person, and facing your fears. If you fancy a trip to Italy this summer, then you only have to pick up this book.
This is a standalone Contemporary Romance, told in Amber's POV.
ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review
January 17, 2018
4 amore mio stars!
I had forgotten how much I enjoy Katrina Halle's book! And as I often am super late to the party but better late than not reading this book.
"Tu sei il grande amore della mia vita. Senza di te, la vita non ha più senso."
"Racing The Sun" felt like an adventure I felt like I was experiencing Italy through Amber's eyes, all the beautiful sceneries and delicious food. I definitely envied Amber, who tired of her life going nowhere decides to travel the world and see if she can find what is missing in her life. And ends up working for gorgeous and brooding Derio as his siblings English teacher, that wasn't exactly what she was seeking. But in need of money she accepts the job not realizing that she would find more than herself but her true worth and the greatest love of her life.
I loved Amber she took everything in stride no matter what she was dealt with she fought through it and sometimes her biggest obstacle was herself and her insecurities. Derio was standoffish at first but he was going through a lot too, with the loss of his parents and having the responsibility of taking care of his brother and sister.
I really enjoyed this book with its mild angst, but so sexy every time Derio would talk with his sexy Italian accent I would melt. This couple definitely went through their rough times but I found they were both to blame, they both made mistakes and assumptions with each other. But they also learned from their mistakes and not to take each other for granted. I loved loved the epilogue especially the last scene I thought it was funny and super romantic. ❤️
"Where you go, I go. To the land, to the sea. Always and forever"
I had forgotten how much I enjoy Katrina Halle's book! And as I often am super late to the party but better late than not reading this book.
"Tu sei il grande amore della mia vita. Senza di te, la vita non ha più senso."
"Racing The Sun" felt like an adventure I felt like I was experiencing Italy through Amber's eyes, all the beautiful sceneries and delicious food. I definitely envied Amber, who tired of her life going nowhere decides to travel the world and see if she can find what is missing in her life. And ends up working for gorgeous and brooding Derio as his siblings English teacher, that wasn't exactly what she was seeking. But in need of money she accepts the job not realizing that she would find more than herself but her true worth and the greatest love of her life.
I loved Amber she took everything in stride no matter what she was dealt with she fought through it and sometimes her biggest obstacle was herself and her insecurities. Derio was standoffish at first but he was going through a lot too, with the loss of his parents and having the responsibility of taking care of his brother and sister.
I really enjoyed this book with its mild angst, but so sexy every time Derio would talk with his sexy Italian accent I would melt. This couple definitely went through their rough times but I found they were both to blame, they both made mistakes and assumptions with each other. But they also learned from their mistakes and not to take each other for granted. I loved loved the epilogue especially the last scene I thought it was funny and super romantic. ❤️
"Where you go, I go. To the land, to the sea. Always and forever"
July 28, 2015
ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
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In this beautiful, heartfelt and touching tale, Karina Halle takes her readers on one adventurous journey that will grip your hearts in Racing the Sun. On this beautiful journey that unites two unlikely strangers, Ms. Halle will have hearts racing in this genuine story of conquering fears, finding love and solace, and a second chance at life. Racing the Sun is a perfect example of a contemporary romance done right. Ms. Halle has brilliantly captured every raw emotion, vulnerability, hopes, fears, and dreams in this spellbinding read while weaving the elements of family, love, second chances and self-discovery.
“You taught me about everything I had forgotten and things I’d never known. And the only way I can repay you is with my heart. You one hundred percent have my heart. It may not be worth much coming from a troubled man like me, but it’s real and it’s yours.�
Racing the Sun was just breathtakingly beautiful. It was a breath of fresh air. I love when you can get lost in a book and it leaves your breathless and that's what Racing the Sun did for me. Ms. Halle took me a journey that was unforgettable. She allowed her readers to feel like they were transported to that island coast of Italy in Capri. Every detail from the smell, the view, the people, and the culture were so tangible that as if you were right alongside Amber on her journey of self-discovery and love. I really don't want to spoil anything for the readers because this book is a story that must be read, experienced and felt. Ms. Halle brought her characters to life and so I urge readers to go along the journey of Amber as she navigates through the ups and downs of being a nanny and the older brother who made her heart raced. All I can say is that Racing the Sun is truly an unforgettable journey that will have your hearts racing with genuine and heartfelt emotions. Thank you Karina Halle for taking me on one beautiful Italian adventure that I will cherish and hold dear to my heart. So if you are looking for a book that weaves romance, dreams, hope, and self-discovery then I highly recommend you to read Racing the Sun.
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Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages:
[image error]
In this beautiful, heartfelt and touching tale, Karina Halle takes her readers on one adventurous journey that will grip your hearts in Racing the Sun. On this beautiful journey that unites two unlikely strangers, Ms. Halle will have hearts racing in this genuine story of conquering fears, finding love and solace, and a second chance at life. Racing the Sun is a perfect example of a contemporary romance done right. Ms. Halle has brilliantly captured every raw emotion, vulnerability, hopes, fears, and dreams in this spellbinding read while weaving the elements of family, love, second chances and self-discovery.
“You taught me about everything I had forgotten and things I’d never known. And the only way I can repay you is with my heart. You one hundred percent have my heart. It may not be worth much coming from a troubled man like me, but it’s real and it’s yours.�
Racing the Sun was just breathtakingly beautiful. It was a breath of fresh air. I love when you can get lost in a book and it leaves your breathless and that's what Racing the Sun did for me. Ms. Halle took me a journey that was unforgettable. She allowed her readers to feel like they were transported to that island coast of Italy in Capri. Every detail from the smell, the view, the people, and the culture were so tangible that as if you were right alongside Amber on her journey of self-discovery and love. I really don't want to spoil anything for the readers because this book is a story that must be read, experienced and felt. Ms. Halle brought her characters to life and so I urge readers to go along the journey of Amber as she navigates through the ups and downs of being a nanny and the older brother who made her heart raced. All I can say is that Racing the Sun is truly an unforgettable journey that will have your hearts racing with genuine and heartfelt emotions. Thank you Karina Halle for taking me on one beautiful Italian adventure that I will cherish and hold dear to my heart. So if you are looking for a book that weaves romance, dreams, hope, and self-discovery then I highly recommend you to read Racing the Sun.
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Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages:
July 5, 2015
Karina Halle + Romance + Italy = WIN!!!
�You feel everything. You make me feel everything.�
4.5 stars
Once again Karina Halle has delivered, giving us a gorgeous love story featuring a wonderfully relatable heroine and a dark and broody but swoonily romantic, fuckhot Italian. Add to that two precocious kids, and set against the stunning Italian coast and you have the set up for a fantastic story that completely swept me away.
I love books that involve travel! I love the descriptions of the countryside, the wonder of exploring something new, the ‘feel� of being somewhere incredibly special and the sense of adventure of it all. Karina has a gift for this kind of writing, and she does an amazing job at bringing all of that to life and making you feel it. I’m a traveller myself and have recently returned from a trip to Italy, and when I picked this book up I was instantly transported back.
This book technically follows on from (which follows on from ), but it is easily a standalone. Amber is introduced in Where Sea Meets Sky as the cousin of the heroine, and she joins in the New Zealand roadtrip with Josh and Gemma, although we don’t really get to know her very well in that book. This book is all Amber’s, and apart from one small mention of Josh, it sits completely independent from the earlier books.
Amber is six months into a world trip. Unhappy with her life at home in California, she packed up and decided to see the world all on her own. She has had good times and some not so good times, but she is loving the journey and searching for the happiness which has thus far eluded her.
She is in the south of Italy when she finds herself dangerously low on funds. Desperate for money (if for nothing else, then at least a ticket home), she accepts a job teaching English to 7 year old twins who live on the island of Capri. Following the tragic death of their parents, they live under the guardianship of their broody, reclusive older brother, Desiderio - an ex-professional motorcycle racer who is rocking a whole lot of demons. Straight away you can see where this story is going, but the journey is fantastic and I read with a great sense of anticipation, and loved watching it all unfold.
Amber moves into the crumbling family villa on the historical island, struggling with her bratty charges, a bossy housekeeper/nanny and her broody asshole of a boss. But she soon adjusts to her new situation and finds her place within the family. The children start to warm to her, she’s feeling comfortable in her new role, loving her new home, and she’s developing some serious feelings for Derio. Still all mysterious and reclusive, Derio runs hot and cold when it comes to Amber, sometimes completely ignoring her, only to then share a heated look, but there are lots of those special little moments between them that romance readers such as myself love, and the chemistry builds beautifully!
Derio is clearly still mired in the grief of all that he has lost, but Amber awakens something in him and their coming together is beautiful!
It’s natural and honest, with no stupid or game playing, and it’s a total swoonfest!
It’s all very functional, but it’s gorgeously romantic and so, so passionate! Karina always writes a great love scene, but with Amber and Derio it feels like more than just sex, and there is SO much emotion packed into each and every encounter. Deep and meaningful, there’s a real sense of intimacy between them, and it adds so much to their relationship. They have a partnership and are there there for each other � he encourages her to embrace her life and find what she wants, and she helps him to heal and move on from his past, and they find something amazing together.
But Amber’s seemingly idyllic situation isn’t quite as perfect as she had hoped. Derio is still a bit of a wildcard, and with the pressure on to return home (from both her family, and the Italian government), and her own dreams to chase, she needs to figure out what it is she wants, and what she really needs.
I loved this book. I fell in love with Amber right from the very start, and feel like I went on her journey right alongside her. Of course the love story is gorgeous, but I also really enjoyed the times she went off exploring on her own. She’s brave, and she’s living life, and I really admire that about her. And I love the addition of the twins � precocious but sweet, they have an important part to play, and I thought they brought something really special to the story.
I admit there were a few moments towards the end that I wasn’t a fan of, but it all ends really well. It’s funny, romantic and sexy with moments of heartbreak, but it’s ultimately heart-warming and a really enjoyable read.
Spoilery quote, but too gorgeous to leave out ---> .
I loved it � 4.5 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
�You feel everything. You make me feel everything.�
4.5 stars
Once again Karina Halle has delivered, giving us a gorgeous love story featuring a wonderfully relatable heroine and a dark and broody but swoonily romantic, fuckhot Italian. Add to that two precocious kids, and set against the stunning Italian coast and you have the set up for a fantastic story that completely swept me away.
I love books that involve travel! I love the descriptions of the countryside, the wonder of exploring something new, the ‘feel� of being somewhere incredibly special and the sense of adventure of it all. Karina has a gift for this kind of writing, and she does an amazing job at bringing all of that to life and making you feel it. I’m a traveller myself and have recently returned from a trip to Italy, and when I picked this book up I was instantly transported back.
This book technically follows on from (which follows on from ), but it is easily a standalone. Amber is introduced in Where Sea Meets Sky as the cousin of the heroine, and she joins in the New Zealand roadtrip with Josh and Gemma, although we don’t really get to know her very well in that book. This book is all Amber’s, and apart from one small mention of Josh, it sits completely independent from the earlier books.
Amber is six months into a world trip. Unhappy with her life at home in California, she packed up and decided to see the world all on her own. She has had good times and some not so good times, but she is loving the journey and searching for the happiness which has thus far eluded her.
When I’m travelling, I feel like the secret to my life, to myself, to really becoming, is one step ahead. It’s in the next destination, the next town I get lost in, the next stranger I talk to. It’s always next but never here�
I like having hope. And I hope I find what I’m looking for before I have to leave.
She is in the south of Italy when she finds herself dangerously low on funds. Desperate for money (if for nothing else, then at least a ticket home), she accepts a job teaching English to 7 year old twins who live on the island of Capri. Following the tragic death of their parents, they live under the guardianship of their broody, reclusive older brother, Desiderio - an ex-professional motorcycle racer who is rocking a whole lot of demons. Straight away you can see where this story is going, but the journey is fantastic and I read with a great sense of anticipation, and loved watching it all unfold.
Amber moves into the crumbling family villa on the historical island, struggling with her bratty charges, a bossy housekeeper/nanny and her broody asshole of a boss. But she soon adjusts to her new situation and finds her place within the family. The children start to warm to her, she’s feeling comfortable in her new role, loving her new home, and she’s developing some serious feelings for Derio. Still all mysterious and reclusive, Derio runs hot and cold when it comes to Amber, sometimes completely ignoring her, only to then share a heated look, but there are lots of those special little moments between them that romance readers such as myself love, and the chemistry builds beautifully!
Derio is clearly still mired in the grief of all that he has lost, but Amber awakens something in him and their coming together is beautiful!
“Did you feel anything?� I ask softly, hopefully.
He shakes his head ever so slightly, his forehead damp against mine. “No,� he murmurs. “I felt everything.�
It’s natural and honest, with no stupid or game playing, and it’s a total swoonfest!
“This is not just a fling.� He pulls away and peers at me intently. “I am not that kind of man. You make me richer, you matter to me. I want us to be together.�
It’s all very functional, but it’s gorgeously romantic and so, so passionate! Karina always writes a great love scene, but with Amber and Derio it feels like more than just sex, and there is SO much emotion packed into each and every encounter. Deep and meaningful, there’s a real sense of intimacy between them, and it adds so much to their relationship. They have a partnership and are there there for each other � he encourages her to embrace her life and find what she wants, and she helps him to heal and move on from his past, and they find something amazing together.
“If I see you be brave, I can be brave, too.�
But Amber’s seemingly idyllic situation isn’t quite as perfect as she had hoped. Derio is still a bit of a wildcard, and with the pressure on to return home (from both her family, and the Italian government), and her own dreams to chase, she needs to figure out what it is she wants, and what she really needs.
I loved this book. I fell in love with Amber right from the very start, and feel like I went on her journey right alongside her. Of course the love story is gorgeous, but I also really enjoyed the times she went off exploring on her own. She’s brave, and she’s living life, and I really admire that about her. And I love the addition of the twins � precocious but sweet, they have an important part to play, and I thought they brought something really special to the story.
I admit there were a few moments towards the end that I wasn’t a fan of, but it all ends really well. It’s funny, romantic and sexy with moments of heartbreak, but it’s ultimately heart-warming and a really enjoyable read.
Spoilery quote, but too gorgeous to leave out ---> .
I loved it � 4.5 stars.
An Advanced Reader Copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2017
Update: 5/1/17
I just read for the very first time and I kinda want to rewrite my review for this book. Forget Beauty and the Beast, is full of ! Well everything except for the crazy wife :)
Original review: 4/1/17
was sad, lonely, funny, sexy, adventurous, cultural, unfair, suspenseful...it was good. I noticed it falls in the new-adult genre (which is a genre I generally no longer read), but it didn't feel new-adult in terms of heavy angst and dysfunctional relationship drama. The emotions were there but they weren't over-the-top. It all felt realistic in my opinion which is something I appreciated. No eyerolls! Yay!!! may have been sadly neglected back in the far corner of my TBR shelf but now I can confidently recommend it to fans of new-adult and adult romance alike. If you enjoy audiobook experiences, I highly recommend this one. The Italian accents are a lot of fun. Check it out!
My favorite quote:
"Fear is the most powerful force of destruction. Fear is the devil's greatest illusion."
I just read for the very first time and I kinda want to rewrite my review for this book. Forget Beauty and the Beast, is full of ! Well everything except for the crazy wife :)
Original review: 4/1/17
“The room is off limits if Signor Larosa is not home. You are never to go in there.� My eyes widen. This is starting to sound like Beauty and the Beast. Oh my God, am I Belle? Is he an Italian Beast? Did I just stumble into the best scenario ever? My inner nerd is having heart palpitations.�Author: recently mentioned this book in her facebook group and it reminded me that this is one of the few titles of hers I haven't gotten around to yet. Well, the timing couldn't be more perfect with all the Beauty and the Beast fandom going on right now. To be clear, this isn't a retelling of Beauty and the Beast and it's not even a parallel storyline, but certain themes/parts do prompt you to notice similarities and my face lit up everytime!
was sad, lonely, funny, sexy, adventurous, cultural, unfair, suspenseful...it was good. I noticed it falls in the new-adult genre (which is a genre I generally no longer read), but it didn't feel new-adult in terms of heavy angst and dysfunctional relationship drama. The emotions were there but they weren't over-the-top. It all felt realistic in my opinion which is something I appreciated. No eyerolls! Yay!!! may have been sadly neglected back in the far corner of my TBR shelf but now I can confidently recommend it to fans of new-adult and adult romance alike. If you enjoy audiobook experiences, I highly recommend this one. The Italian accents are a lot of fun. Check it out!
My favorite quote:
"Fear is the most powerful force of destruction. Fear is the devil's greatest illusion."
July 30, 2015
If there’s one thing you can be sure of getting from the remarkable and talented writer, Karina Halle, is that you are going to be blown away by her storytelling!! And who cannot get excited when we see the titles of her books…unique, gorgeous�.Where Sea Meets Sky, Love in English and now we have Racing the Sun!!!!
AMAZING!!
Besides loving the book title, there was so much more about her latest novel that just totally grabbed me!
The author has a way of interweaving the most incredible and vivid imagery of her settings that take you to the places as seen through the characters eyes. This is a true talent and no one does it better than her. The setting of Capri is one of the main characters in this book and it becomes alive and jumping out from the pages�
A lot of research has gone into the setting and by the end of the book…it was like …I have been on a trip to this place…and I love it!!! And what could be more romantic than the name of the villa in Capri that plays a big role in the story�..
Romantic, mysterious and the evocative smell of lemons…�.stunning!!
This is a beautiful and unforgettable story of finding yourself and how love can heal two broken people.
Amber MacLean……I fell in love with her instantly�..
Not afraid to face her insecurities, kindhearted and not afraid of challenges that may face her……She’s honest and has a sense of adventure and spirit inside her�
At a crossroad in her life, not knowing what she wants to do with her life.
After travelling around the world for six months, she is spending her last part of her travels in the Amalfi Coast, where she takes up the job of teaching English to two Italian children on the island of Capri. I loved seeing another side of her emerging.�
Derio Larosa, tortured, dark, brooding and reclusive hires Amber to teach his young siblings English.
After the tragic death of his parents two years ago, he gave up his jet-set life as one of Italy’s motorcycle champions and returned to Capri to take care of his brother and sister. He has also gone through a painful divorce and now lives a life, cut off from people and his emotions. He wonders if he will have feel any emotion ever again.
Derio slowly begins opening up to Amber, who realizes that her feelings for Derio are just more than just a holiday fling�.
I loved how their relationship developed from friendship to love�.the emotional tension was intense and passionate and sexy!!!
All the characters were endearing and so believable�.I could relate to them and their fears and joy, their everyday lives�..their development over the pages made me feel as if they were friends and not some strangers. I wanted to be part of their lives.
Loved the dialogue with the Italian phrases thrown in. Who can resist a gorgeous Italian man whispering “amore� , “ti amo� in your ear!
This is a story about love, loss, triumphs, pain, joy, fears �.and so much more. It’s about having the courage to taking a chance in finding happiness in your life.
This story ended too soon for me. When I was reading the epilogue, I kept thinking�.please don’t end yet!!! And yes, we have the last glimpse of Derio and Amber together, which made me happy!!
Thank you Karina Halle for this beautiful, inspiring and unforgettable story!
February 9, 2017
2.5 STARS
Racing the Sun is a novel with very simple and straightforward romance. It is something to read when you aren't in mood for angsty story. There is nothing wrong about that, right?
However, my biggest complain is that there was no build up to twists and there were huge holes in character development in this novel. Everything happened out of sudden and didn't suit the flow of the story. Hero (Desiderio) underwent so many big character changes that I had no idea who he truly was at the end of the book. From brooding mysterious man, to loving smitten boyfriend, to complete jerk in just couple of days. Changes were abrupt, didn't make sense and were completely out of character. (And if you are wondering... No, he did not suffer from bipolar disorder.) It all felt very unrealistic, serving just to advance plot in the way author desired without giving it any deeper thought.
What I cannot deny is that setting of Racing the Sun was beautiful. There is nothing more romantic than falling in love in some beautiful "exotic" destination. Still, my issues with storytelling were too big to overlook them and I feel sad that I could not give this book higher rating.
Racing the Sun is a novel with very simple and straightforward romance. It is something to read when you aren't in mood for angsty story. There is nothing wrong about that, right?
However, my biggest complain is that there was no build up to twists and there were huge holes in character development in this novel. Everything happened out of sudden and didn't suit the flow of the story. Hero (Desiderio) underwent so many big character changes that I had no idea who he truly was at the end of the book. From brooding mysterious man, to loving smitten boyfriend, to complete jerk in just couple of days. Changes were abrupt, didn't make sense and were completely out of character. (And if you are wondering... No, he did not suffer from bipolar disorder.) It all felt very unrealistic, serving just to advance plot in the way author desired without giving it any deeper thought.
What I cannot deny is that setting of Racing the Sun was beautiful. There is nothing more romantic than falling in love in some beautiful "exotic" destination. Still, my issues with storytelling were too big to overlook them and I feel sad that I could not give this book higher rating.
August 8, 2015
I was really thrilled that Amber was getting her own book after meeting her in Josh's book, Where Sea Meets Sky. She's been traveling to find herself and what she wants to do with her life and I'm only too happy to find out what...and who.
The who is motorcycle racer, Desiderio (Derio) Larosa, who is not a happy camper when we first meet him and there's good reasons why. Namely, he is now in charge of his two younger siblings. He hires Amber to teach them English since she's ended up broke and with no way to get home.
It doesn't take too long for these two to get close. Amber equates them to Beauty and the Beast but it had a real Jane Eyre vibe to me except with a lot more steam!
The one problem I did have was how Derio treated Amber when he started back doing something. He was very selfish and didn't seem very apologetic. (It would have been nice to get his POV.) Of course, Amber didn't act very mature either.
However, I enjoyed how things worked out especially with a certain someone showing up. I definitely wouldn't mind another book about these two!
(BTW...was that a shout out to one of our favorite couples on YouTube? )
Favorite quote:
� “Did you feel anything?� I ask softly, hopefully.
He shakes his head ever so slightly, his forehead damp against mine. “No,� he murmurs. “I felt everything.�
The who is motorcycle racer, Desiderio (Derio) Larosa, who is not a happy camper when we first meet him and there's good reasons why. Namely, he is now in charge of his two younger siblings. He hires Amber to teach them English since she's ended up broke and with no way to get home.
It doesn't take too long for these two to get close. Amber equates them to Beauty and the Beast but it had a real Jane Eyre vibe to me except with a lot more steam!
The one problem I did have was how Derio treated Amber when he started back doing something. He was very selfish and didn't seem very apologetic. (It would have been nice to get his POV.) Of course, Amber didn't act very mature either.
However, I enjoyed how things worked out especially with a certain someone showing up. I definitely wouldn't mind another book about these two!
(BTW...was that a shout out to one of our favorite couples on YouTube? )
Favorite quote:
� “Did you feel anything?� I ask softly, hopefully.
He shakes his head ever so slightly, his forehead damp against mine. “No,� he murmurs. “I felt everything.�
August 3, 2015
3.5 stars
July 30, 2017
Another winner for Karina Halle! Romantic, poignant, beautiful, hot and emotional. This book also has an amazing setting: a beautiful Italian island. I loved the descriptions and I could picture everything perfectly. Racing the Sun is a really great read!
Amber has been traveling around the world after being not sure what to do with her life. She’s loving all the cities and visiting everything. She has only one problem now: she’s running out of money. She starts to look for a job. She will eventually teach Derio’s little brother and sister English. Amber’s first meeting with Derio isn’t a pleasant one, but she can’t stay away from him. She slowly worms her way into his heart and Derio slowly opens up to her.
Derio can be broody and moody, but he’s also so much more in the end. He would do anything for his brother and sister, but he also isn’t always sure what to do. He’s a little lost, reclusive and damaged. He locks himself away in his office and he doesn’t want to disturbed. Derio likes Amber from the start, but he tries to keep his distant. Amber will change him, for the better. He will be happy again, love again and starts to enjoy his life again; and that was just beautiful to read.
Amber is a little lost. She wasn’t too sure about the job, but it ended up being exactly what she needed. She will find herself, with only a little bit of help from Derio and the kids. It won’t always to be easy, but everything will be worth it in the end. The kids are angry and hurt at the beginning, but Amber is patient, caring and loving. She gets very close with them and the kids love her. Amber will fall pretty quick in love with Derio. There is something about him that makes her want him desperately. She’s there for him and she waits until he’s ready.
This book is a slow burn romance and that made sense after I met the characters. It’s all worth the wait. I really adored Derio and Amber together! They are a beautiful couple. They need each other to finally move on and let everything go. They help each other. They will become a great and loving family.
Amber has been traveling around the world after being not sure what to do with her life. She’s loving all the cities and visiting everything. She has only one problem now: she’s running out of money. She starts to look for a job. She will eventually teach Derio’s little brother and sister English. Amber’s first meeting with Derio isn’t a pleasant one, but she can’t stay away from him. She slowly worms her way into his heart and Derio slowly opens up to her.
Derio can be broody and moody, but he’s also so much more in the end. He would do anything for his brother and sister, but he also isn’t always sure what to do. He’s a little lost, reclusive and damaged. He locks himself away in his office and he doesn’t want to disturbed. Derio likes Amber from the start, but he tries to keep his distant. Amber will change him, for the better. He will be happy again, love again and starts to enjoy his life again; and that was just beautiful to read.
Amber is a little lost. She wasn’t too sure about the job, but it ended up being exactly what she needed. She will find herself, with only a little bit of help from Derio and the kids. It won’t always to be easy, but everything will be worth it in the end. The kids are angry and hurt at the beginning, but Amber is patient, caring and loving. She gets very close with them and the kids love her. Amber will fall pretty quick in love with Derio. There is something about him that makes her want him desperately. She’s there for him and she waits until he’s ready.
This book is a slow burn romance and that made sense after I met the characters. It’s all worth the wait. I really adored Derio and Amber together! They are a beautiful couple. They need each other to finally move on and let everything go. They help each other. They will become a great and loving family.
July 15, 2015
FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED:
Have you ever walked away from a book with the feeling you could still taste it, smell it, all your senses in withdrawal because for as long as it took you to read that book, you were there, in it—walking those cobblestoned streets, feeling the sunshine on your skin, hearing the chirpy song of the cicadas, lavender and lemons filling your nose with their tangy scent, while your eyes basked in the devastating beauty of the landscape before them? This story was that book for me, Karina Halle’s evocative prose transporting us to the south of Italy, on a journey of self-discovery and introspection, where a young woman travels the world to find herself and love ends up being her ultimate find. A delightful reading escape, I could not stop myself from devouring this story, loving every single word.
Twenty-four-year-old Amber McLean has been backpacking around the world for the past six months, searching for a reason not to go back home to California, where she would be forced to become the ‘responsible adult� her parents wish her to be, even though she knows that the happiness she is looking for in life can never be found there. But gallivanting across the globe has only depleted all of Amber’s savings, not bringing her any closer to finding herself, and only making her even more desperate to find a reason not to return home. With only enough money left to reach the Italian Amalfi Coast and live there for a week before going completely broke, she finds a job on her first day there—teaching English to two young children on the breathtaking island of Capri—but she soon discovers that her new job is a lot more complicated than she expected it to be.
With two badly behaved and grieving children, a run-down estate, and a moody twenty-nine-year-old ex-motorcycle racer for a boss, Amber is out of her depth from the get-go, but everything about the lonely Larosa family tugs at her heartstrings and makes her even more determined to stick by them and help them find peace and happiness again. Not to mention that each encounter with her boss leaves her hot and bothered, and more than a little curious about all the secrets behind his reclusive ways.
And so Amber’s true adventure starts, as she slowly shows the Larosas how to be a family again. But her greatest challenge proves to be the oldest member of the Larosa family, Desiderio, who’s own fears and broken heart have frozen him in time, unable to feel anything since the day he lost it all at once. By not running for the hills every time he shows her his darkest side and tries to push her away, she forces him to let his guard down, jump-starting his heart and life again, and so what begins as a vacation romance quickly becomes the greatest love story of her life.
However, while her lover’s life might be finally moving in the right direction, Amber finds herself at an ever greater crossroad than before, struggling with the knowledge that Desiderio’s happiness might eventually cost her her own. It’s a story about the time-old question of whether love alone is enough to make a person happy, our heroine having left one uncertainty behind for another, this time taking a leap into the unknown and taking a chance on love putting not only her future, but also her heart on the line. I loved the way Amber remains true to herself until the end, following her heart, but also listening to reason, her every decision being a perfect reflection of the person she truly is. Her struggle felt real to me, honest and relatable, making her a heroine that was incredibly easy to connect and sympathise with, as well as be inspired by. Herparents� constant criticism is like a little voice in her head that keepstelling her that she’d never amount to anything, and forever remain a disappointment to them, and yet she keeps taking risks and seeking happiness at all costs. This story might not be as ‘edgy� or as ‘daring� as some of Halle’s earlier works, but it is no less unputdownable or compelling, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
[4.5 STARS]
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“I should have known from the start that this man was going to give me a reason to stay.�
Have you ever walked away from a book with the feeling you could still taste it, smell it, all your senses in withdrawal because for as long as it took you to read that book, you were there, in it—walking those cobblestoned streets, feeling the sunshine on your skin, hearing the chirpy song of the cicadas, lavender and lemons filling your nose with their tangy scent, while your eyes basked in the devastating beauty of the landscape before them? This story was that book for me, Karina Halle’s evocative prose transporting us to the south of Italy, on a journey of self-discovery and introspection, where a young woman travels the world to find herself and love ends up being her ultimate find. A delightful reading escape, I could not stop myself from devouring this story, loving every single word.
“I'm just this useless, helpless, average little human being who will never live up to her potential.�
Twenty-four-year-old Amber McLean has been backpacking around the world for the past six months, searching for a reason not to go back home to California, where she would be forced to become the ‘responsible adult� her parents wish her to be, even though she knows that the happiness she is looking for in life can never be found there. But gallivanting across the globe has only depleted all of Amber’s savings, not bringing her any closer to finding herself, and only making her even more desperate to find a reason not to return home. With only enough money left to reach the Italian Amalfi Coast and live there for a week before going completely broke, she finds a job on her first day there—teaching English to two young children on the breathtaking island of Capri—but she soon discovers that her new job is a lot more complicated than she expected it to be.
“If you can handle that man, then you can handle the children. Then you can handle anything.�
With two badly behaved and grieving children, a run-down estate, and a moody twenty-nine-year-old ex-motorcycle racer for a boss, Amber is out of her depth from the get-go, but everything about the lonely Larosa family tugs at her heartstrings and makes her even more determined to stick by them and help them find peace and happiness again. Not to mention that each encounter with her boss leaves her hot and bothered, and more than a little curious about all the secrets behind his reclusive ways.
“This is starting to sound like Beauty and the Beast. Oh my God, am I Belle? Is he an Italian Beast? Did I just stumble into the best scenario ever?�
And so Amber’s true adventure starts, as she slowly shows the Larosas how to be a family again. But her greatest challenge proves to be the oldest member of the Larosa family, Desiderio, who’s own fears and broken heart have frozen him in time, unable to feel anything since the day he lost it all at once. By not running for the hills every time he shows her his darkest side and tries to push her away, she forces him to let his guard down, jump-starting his heart and life again, and so what begins as a vacation romance quickly becomes the greatest love story of her life.
“I hate to think that one day I’ll be back home, dreaming of the man who liked me just the way I am.�
However, while her lover’s life might be finally moving in the right direction, Amber finds herself at an ever greater crossroad than before, struggling with the knowledge that Desiderio’s happiness might eventually cost her her own. It’s a story about the time-old question of whether love alone is enough to make a person happy, our heroine having left one uncertainty behind for another, this time taking a leap into the unknown and taking a chance on love putting not only her future, but also her heart on the line. I loved the way Amber remains true to herself until the end, following her heart, but also listening to reason, her every decision being a perfect reflection of the person she truly is. Her struggle felt real to me, honest and relatable, making her a heroine that was incredibly easy to connect and sympathise with, as well as be inspired by. Herparents� constant criticism is like a little voice in her head that keepstelling her that she’d never amount to anything, and forever remain a disappointment to them, and yet she keeps taking risks and seeking happiness at all costs. This story might not be as ‘edgy� or as ‘daring� as some of Halle’s earlier works, but it is no less unputdownable or compelling, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
“Life works out the way it wants to.�
[4.5 STARS]
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July 29, 2015
3.5 Italy Tour Guide Stars
Please don't shun me, but I felt pulled away from the romance and story in this book because of all the descriptions of Italy. Plus, I missed the connection between the main characters.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the story but it just didn't "grab" and "hold" me.
As everyone knows, I am a HUGE fan of Karina Halle and her EIT series, so I think this is another case of "it's me, not you"
Please don't shun me, but I felt pulled away from the romance and story in this book because of all the descriptions of Italy. Plus, I missed the connection between the main characters.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the story but it just didn't "grab" and "hold" me.
As everyone knows, I am a HUGE fan of Karina Halle and her EIT series, so I think this is another case of "it's me, not you"
August 29, 2018
Halle delivers a passionate, sensual, heartbreaking romance against the backdrop of stunning, sultry Capri in Racing the Sun and I could not put it down.
Of all the stories from all the genres I've read by Karina Halle, there's none I love more than when she takes us on a journey of the heart across the globe through stunningly beautiful foreign lands. Falling in love with her characters is an adventure in and of itself, but Halle ensures the reader falls in love with travel, with other countries, with the tastes and smells and heat of a beautiful space just as much. Racing the Sun takes us, along with Amber MacLean, to Capri, Italy, a rock in the middle of the sea where she finds herself thrust into the home and life of Desiderio Larosa, a sexy but troubled Italian man raising his young twin siblings. Amber set out to escape her overbearing parents, to find herself and to see the world... what she didn't count on was having hers tipped upside down by this family, this country, and most importantly, this man.
Every time I read a Karina Halle story that takes place in a foreign country that I'll likely never visit myself, I find myself stopping every few pages to Google the locations she so eloquently illustrates with her words. Her stories awaken a hunger in me to see those glorious views with my own eyes, even if it's just through someone else's snapshot. Not only does it give me a concrete backdrop to imagine these beautiful characters falling in love against, but it confirms for me every single time how superbly Karina Halle paints a picture with her words. Her descriptions are souvenirs, hand delivered to the readers that will never see Italy or New Zealand or Spain themselves, but can feel like they've touched a piece of it through Halle's exquisite words. She illustrates the majesty of Italy in these pages, but more importantly, I think, she captures raw emotion. The gravity of falling in love, of blind fury and anger, brutal heartbreak and longing, empathy and sadness, she delivers every emotion so starkly, it's impossible not to feel consumed within these pages. I'm such a huge fan of her writing style because she consistently delivers a layered, well developed plot, but she does it so effortlessly. It's never overly wordy, overly metaphorical, or fraught with overused word choices. She writes like an artist paints.
I'm a huge fan of everything this author dishes out, but I have to admit that there's something extra delicious about the kind of romance I can just sink right down inside of. I love the suspense and the thrill that comes along with some of her other books, but I honestly crave the sweet, sexy, angst-ridden contemporary romances like this one most often. Racing the Sun has such a different vibe than Halle's previous travel-romances. This book feels almost gothic in a way, with the story evolving in a mysterious, somewhat spooky villa on Capri. The tenants are orphans with secrets, their old nanny disappears without a trace, the children are at first wicked and mischievous, the man of the house is a brooding loner keeping doors locked and secrets caged. It feels creepy despite the grandeur of the cliffs, the beauty of the beaches, the serenity of the landscape. In this emotionally abandoned house where the landscaping has been ignored and the mysteries of the past are locked tight within the walls and it's inhabitants, the story takes on a somber, ominous tone. It's addictive and mysterious and completely unpredictable.
Racing the Sun is very much a story about conquering fears, chasing dreams and falling in love. This story is a journey of two beautifully layered characters, two lost souls, finding themselves and finding each other amidst an array of tragic circumstances. There's a realness about this story, a believability that is often lacking within contemporary romance. This road isn't easy, but it's an honest one. The characters aren't perfect, they're flawed and they do and say the wrong things, they make mistakes. Halle perfectly captures the monotony and the emotionally and physically taxing reality of child rearing, especially when one person is essentially going it alone without the emotional support and understanding of a partner. Unsurprisingly, the reality of the romance between Amber and Derio is also perfectly imperfect, something Halle nails consistently. I love getting lost in fiction, in a sugary, flowery romance... but I much prefer an authentic plot with real characters navigating an imperfect path and Racing the Sun is precisely that. From start to finish, I loved everything about this story. Halle delivers a passionate, sensual, heartbreaking romance against the backdrop of stunning, sultry Capri in Racing the Sun and I could not put it down.
Of all the stories from all the genres I've read by Karina Halle, there's none I love more than when she takes us on a journey of the heart across the globe through stunningly beautiful foreign lands. Falling in love with her characters is an adventure in and of itself, but Halle ensures the reader falls in love with travel, with other countries, with the tastes and smells and heat of a beautiful space just as much. Racing the Sun takes us, along with Amber MacLean, to Capri, Italy, a rock in the middle of the sea where she finds herself thrust into the home and life of Desiderio Larosa, a sexy but troubled Italian man raising his young twin siblings. Amber set out to escape her overbearing parents, to find herself and to see the world... what she didn't count on was having hers tipped upside down by this family, this country, and most importantly, this man.
Every time I read a Karina Halle story that takes place in a foreign country that I'll likely never visit myself, I find myself stopping every few pages to Google the locations she so eloquently illustrates with her words. Her stories awaken a hunger in me to see those glorious views with my own eyes, even if it's just through someone else's snapshot. Not only does it give me a concrete backdrop to imagine these beautiful characters falling in love against, but it confirms for me every single time how superbly Karina Halle paints a picture with her words. Her descriptions are souvenirs, hand delivered to the readers that will never see Italy or New Zealand or Spain themselves, but can feel like they've touched a piece of it through Halle's exquisite words. She illustrates the majesty of Italy in these pages, but more importantly, I think, she captures raw emotion. The gravity of falling in love, of blind fury and anger, brutal heartbreak and longing, empathy and sadness, she delivers every emotion so starkly, it's impossible not to feel consumed within these pages. I'm such a huge fan of her writing style because she consistently delivers a layered, well developed plot, but she does it so effortlessly. It's never overly wordy, overly metaphorical, or fraught with overused word choices. She writes like an artist paints.
I'm a huge fan of everything this author dishes out, but I have to admit that there's something extra delicious about the kind of romance I can just sink right down inside of. I love the suspense and the thrill that comes along with some of her other books, but I honestly crave the sweet, sexy, angst-ridden contemporary romances like this one most often. Racing the Sun has such a different vibe than Halle's previous travel-romances. This book feels almost gothic in a way, with the story evolving in a mysterious, somewhat spooky villa on Capri. The tenants are orphans with secrets, their old nanny disappears without a trace, the children are at first wicked and mischievous, the man of the house is a brooding loner keeping doors locked and secrets caged. It feels creepy despite the grandeur of the cliffs, the beauty of the beaches, the serenity of the landscape. In this emotionally abandoned house where the landscaping has been ignored and the mysteries of the past are locked tight within the walls and it's inhabitants, the story takes on a somber, ominous tone. It's addictive and mysterious and completely unpredictable.
Racing the Sun is very much a story about conquering fears, chasing dreams and falling in love. This story is a journey of two beautifully layered characters, two lost souls, finding themselves and finding each other amidst an array of tragic circumstances. There's a realness about this story, a believability that is often lacking within contemporary romance. This road isn't easy, but it's an honest one. The characters aren't perfect, they're flawed and they do and say the wrong things, they make mistakes. Halle perfectly captures the monotony and the emotionally and physically taxing reality of child rearing, especially when one person is essentially going it alone without the emotional support and understanding of a partner. Unsurprisingly, the reality of the romance between Amber and Derio is also perfectly imperfect, something Halle nails consistently. I love getting lost in fiction, in a sugary, flowery romance... but I much prefer an authentic plot with real characters navigating an imperfect path and Racing the Sun is precisely that. From start to finish, I loved everything about this story. Halle delivers a passionate, sensual, heartbreaking romance against the backdrop of stunning, sultry Capri in Racing the Sun and I could not put it down.
September 8, 2015
Naturally, I am biased, but I love love loved the progression of the romance in this story. I loved being transported back to Italy, and getting to fall in love with yet another Karina Halle leading man, Derio! #AlltheSwoons
September 29, 2018
2-1/2 stars, maybe
Amber has spent a good chunk of time backpacking around the world, but when she lands in Italy, she's broke and needs to earn some money to pay her way home. When an ad for an English teacher catches her eye, she moves to a villa in Capri, where a dark, brooding older brother has the care of his much-younger twin siblings. The House of the Sad Lemons is indeed under a shadow, but maybe the sparks between Amber and Desiderio can sweep those clouds away.
I've heard good things about Karina Halle, but this book surely hasn't inspired any of them.
It should have been a lot more fun than it was. But instead it felt like a romance-by-numbers kit, or something. It wasn't bad, exactly. But wow, there was sure nothing to recommend it. The scenery was nice. There are nods to a lot of gothic romances, which was kind of fun, but just didn't add much to the story. What it mostly reminded me of, oddly enough, is The Sound of Music, but without a catchy soundtrack, or a war to give it some seriousness.
I hate to say it, but mostly I was just bored. The only stakes in the story are Amber's timeline, because she can only stay in Italy two months, and what will happen to her and Derio's lurve when she's gone? Otherwise, everything is incredibly pat, and utterly lacking in emotion. There's a sweet story in here somewhere about a family healing from tragedy, but it's only the faintest undercurrent to hot hot Derio and the hot hot sex Amber is having with him. Which is also weirdly boring.
This was just utter meh all around. And that's really all I have to say about it.
Amber has spent a good chunk of time backpacking around the world, but when she lands in Italy, she's broke and needs to earn some money to pay her way home. When an ad for an English teacher catches her eye, she moves to a villa in Capri, where a dark, brooding older brother has the care of his much-younger twin siblings. The House of the Sad Lemons is indeed under a shadow, but maybe the sparks between Amber and Desiderio can sweep those clouds away.
I've heard good things about Karina Halle, but this book surely hasn't inspired any of them.
It should have been a lot more fun than it was. But instead it felt like a romance-by-numbers kit, or something. It wasn't bad, exactly. But wow, there was sure nothing to recommend it. The scenery was nice. There are nods to a lot of gothic romances, which was kind of fun, but just didn't add much to the story. What it mostly reminded me of, oddly enough, is The Sound of Music, but without a catchy soundtrack, or a war to give it some seriousness.
I hate to say it, but mostly I was just bored. The only stakes in the story are Amber's timeline, because she can only stay in Italy two months, and what will happen to her and Derio's lurve when she's gone? Otherwise, everything is incredibly pat, and utterly lacking in emotion. There's a sweet story in here somewhere about a family healing from tragedy, but it's only the faintest undercurrent to hot hot Derio and the hot hot sex Amber is having with him. Which is also weirdly boring.
This was just utter meh all around. And that's really all I have to say about it.
July 30, 2015
3 disappointed stars! Man I wanted this to be awesome...when I first started reading it I thought it was going to be a 5 star read for sure. Karina Halle described Italy so beautifully, I adore how she writes, she really sets the scene.
My problems with this book started with the hero. At first I was like oh mr broody & mysterious, me likey! I assumed he would redeem himself..I was wrong! He was so selfish!!!! I understand he was grieving but come on it's been 2 years and he's still shutting himself in an office smoking and drinking and essentially ignoring his young twin siblings that have been left in his care. He's 29 years old, grow the hell up already. I just didn't have any sympathy for him, maybe I'm being too harsh but the whole woe-is-me thing just doesn't work for me.
I didn't really enjoy the romance element to the story either, I didn't think there was that much chemistry between the 2 of them, they didn't spend that much time together and then suddenly it was like WHAM-BAM-I-LOVE-YOU!!
However, I did really like the heroine, she was quite sassy and her inner monologue was pretty funny sometimes. She was a bit of a doormat though for a good part of the book but I was glad when she finally realised her worth.
Apologies for the seriously Negative Nancy review!!! I still love this author, Experiment In Terror books are among my top fave reads, this particular book just didn't tick all the right boxes for me!
My problems with this book started with the hero. At first I was like oh mr broody & mysterious, me likey! I assumed he would redeem himself..I was wrong! He was so selfish!!!! I understand he was grieving but come on it's been 2 years and he's still shutting himself in an office smoking and drinking and essentially ignoring his young twin siblings that have been left in his care. He's 29 years old, grow the hell up already. I just didn't have any sympathy for him, maybe I'm being too harsh but the whole woe-is-me thing just doesn't work for me.
I didn't really enjoy the romance element to the story either, I didn't think there was that much chemistry between the 2 of them, they didn't spend that much time together and then suddenly it was like WHAM-BAM-I-LOVE-YOU!!
However, I did really like the heroine, she was quite sassy and her inner monologue was pretty funny sometimes. She was a bit of a doormat though for a good part of the book but I was glad when she finally realised her worth.
Apologies for the seriously Negative Nancy review!!! I still love this author, Experiment In Terror books are among my top fave reads, this particular book just didn't tick all the right boxes for me!
December 18, 2015
I have said before, Karina Halle should be a travel writer. She has the ability to make the reader feel the air, taste the fruit, and sample the sights in such a prolific way. Every time I finish reading one of Halle’s works I want to pack my bags and go on an adventure. GAH! Writing abilities aside, Racing the Sun was a lovely read.
Amber, on a trip to discover the world, is pack backing through Europe. She is over spent and in a bit of a bind. Somehow she has finagles a job as English teacher for a set of twins. The current nanny seems to be a strong no-nonsense Kind of a woman, albeit tried.
The master of the house is older brother of said twins and a bit of a drunk. No matter how devilishly handsome Desiderio Larosa is, there seem to be issues this family needs to deal with.
As Amber and Desiderio try to learn how to navigate this new relationship, an undertone of connection and chemistry swirls around them. There is so much emotional turmoil and angst that the story unfolds in segments and disjointed discoveries. It weaves into a revelation of love and self-discovery. Both learn to let go and face fears.
It’s a great read and one that would be perfect while vacationing. Preferably in Italy :)
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March 13, 2018
*** 3.5 STARS ***
I really enjoyed this book and think it was a very beautiful story! I loved the characters and especially love how Karina Halle’s books are always set in different countries around the world. It just makes me wish I had the money to travel more often than I currently am.
It was also very well-written even though I think you can really see that her writing has still improved a lot over the years and the writing in her recent books is definitely even better than the writing in “Racing the Sun�. But despite all of that, I noticed how I started skimming the last 20% of this book, until I reached the last chapter which was quite interesting again, and that’s why I’m giving “Racing the Sun� 3.5 out of 5 stars.
I really enjoyed this book and think it was a very beautiful story! I loved the characters and especially love how Karina Halle’s books are always set in different countries around the world. It just makes me wish I had the money to travel more often than I currently am.
It was also very well-written even though I think you can really see that her writing has still improved a lot over the years and the writing in her recent books is definitely even better than the writing in “Racing the Sun�. But despite all of that, I noticed how I started skimming the last 20% of this book, until I reached the last chapter which was quite interesting again, and that’s why I’m giving “Racing the Sun� 3.5 out of 5 stars.
April 24, 2015
I absolutely loved this one! So witty and hilarious. The scenery was amazing. I fell in love with all of the characters...the brooding Italian God, the girl next door, and the precocious twins. One of Karina's best!
July 21, 2015
Review: Surj 4- 4.5 stars
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Aww Karina Halle, she's gone and done it again. My heart is a big pile of mushy goo having just turned the last page of her latest novel "Racing the Sun." If you loved "Love, in English," "Love, in Spanish" and "Where Sea meets Sky," you will not want to miss out on this latest addition to the series (but not a series as such)... lol. There's just something magical about these books, something wonderful about Karina's writing style that ensures you not only read her stories but you experience them. I have travelled far and wide with this author and I couldn't wait to see where she would be transporting me next. Well holy moly, I was not disappointed. I went to Italy... more importantly to the beautiful Island of Capri. Wow, this place was absolutely stunning, the writing so perfectly descriptive, so beautifully visual that I could see, smell and taste everything. I was there with Amber on her travels, almost like an invisible friend getting to experience everything she did (OK well maybe not quite everything (fans self) but almost. And the characters... she got them down to a T... I could hear Derio with his broken English clear as day as he spoken and it sounded so authentic against Amber's very American accent. And the smells... those lemon trees and that amazing cooking... god it made me hungry just thinking about it. Like I said.. so realistic, so believable, so perfect.
Amber and Derio were two characters thrown together by circumstance... he needed an English teacher for his younger siblings and Amber desperately needed the cash because she was flat out broke. Was was this a perfect match or was it a recipe for disaster? Only time would tell but very early on, things looked promising, the butterflies in my belly going crazy at all the possibilities. Despite Amber and Derio's relationship starting off a bit strained, I absolutely adored how it developed. It was definitely a slow build but worth every second of the wait. What this couple ended up sharing with so beautiful and heart warming, their connection was one that most could only wish for. Derio ended up being such a thoughtful, loving man who appeared to put Amber above all else. I could feel the love he had for this woman and it was definitely the real deal. And Amber... had she finally found what she'd been looking for? Had she finally found home with this man and his siblings or was it all too good to be true?
With two people chasing very different dreams, I started seeing the cracks appear and suddenly, a feeling I didn't particularly like settled in the pit of my stomach. This was all going to end in tears. i could sense it with every ounce of my being. The question was... would love be enough to see them through? I wasn't so sure.
There were moments I thought "Racing the Sun" was going to be a little predictable. Don't get me wrong, Derio and Amber's story was definitely unique and very much their own but if the previous books were anything to go by, there was a particular formula that ensured certain things would happen. Nope, I got it sooooo wrong!!! Thank you Karina Halle for that mother of curve balls that threw all my theories upon the air, leaving my heart in my mouth. A perfect play by this author although I'm not sure my nerves would agree.
"Racing the Sun" was about chasing dreams and overcoming fears. It was about making sacrifices and finding love. I loved Derio and Amber's journey. It was filled with love, laughter, happiness and an edge mystery, suspense and angst that ensured I couldn't put their book down. I really hope this isn't the end of the road for this set of companion novels. I really hope there is more because no one writes a book like Karina Halle. Like I said, you don't just read it, you experience it, your senses coming alive with every word you read.
I rated "Racing the Sun" ❤️❤️❤️❤️ to ❤️❤️❤️❤️.5
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Aww Karina Halle, she's gone and done it again. My heart is a big pile of mushy goo having just turned the last page of her latest novel "Racing the Sun." If you loved "Love, in English," "Love, in Spanish" and "Where Sea meets Sky," you will not want to miss out on this latest addition to the series (but not a series as such)... lol. There's just something magical about these books, something wonderful about Karina's writing style that ensures you not only read her stories but you experience them. I have travelled far and wide with this author and I couldn't wait to see where she would be transporting me next. Well holy moly, I was not disappointed. I went to Italy... more importantly to the beautiful Island of Capri. Wow, this place was absolutely stunning, the writing so perfectly descriptive, so beautifully visual that I could see, smell and taste everything. I was there with Amber on her travels, almost like an invisible friend getting to experience everything she did (OK well maybe not quite everything (fans self) but almost. And the characters... she got them down to a T... I could hear Derio with his broken English clear as day as he spoken and it sounded so authentic against Amber's very American accent. And the smells... those lemon trees and that amazing cooking... god it made me hungry just thinking about it. Like I said.. so realistic, so believable, so perfect.
When I’m travelling, I feel like the secret to my life, to myself, to really becoming, is one step ahead. It’s in the next destination, the next town I get lost in, the next stranger I talk to. It’s always next but never here…I like having hope. And I hope I find what I’m looking for before I have to leave."Racing the Sun" told the story of Amber and Derio, two people who were (metaphorically) a bit lost and were trying desperately to find their fit in the world. Amber had moved out of the clutches of her overbearing family in America and decided to see the world (much to the disappointment of her nearest and dearest who saw it as nothing more than another step towards her failure). And as for Derio, his world was turned upside down not by one but by two tragic events that saw him let go of everything he held important in order to take on a role he had never asked for nor wanted. He had become a mean and moody (but rather hot) Italian who piqued my interest from the minute I was introduced to him. I wanted to get under his skin and into his mind and have a good rummage around. Other than the obvious, there was something else gnawing at this man and I wanted to get to the bottom of it. Unfortunately, he spent much of his time locked away in his office doing god knows what other than drinking himself into a stupor. Broken... that was the first thing that came to mind... he was broken and all of a sudden I wanted desperately to fix him (and it looks like I wasn't the only one):
And of course this whole moody, reclusive, damaged side to him is putting my feminine instincts into overdrive. I want him to overcome his issues, his dark demons, and of courseI would foolishly hope that I could help him do that. Isn't that what every woman wants? To heal the bad boy?Amber's character was one I warmed to very quickly. She was so thoughtful and giving, always thinking of others before herself. However, that often meant people took advantage... maybe not intentionally or consciously but it happened and I saw it first hand. Amber was just too kind and too generous with her time to say anything, always putting the needs of others before her own. Unfortunately, that meant her wants, needs and dreams often got put on the back burner.
Amber and Derio were two characters thrown together by circumstance... he needed an English teacher for his younger siblings and Amber desperately needed the cash because she was flat out broke. Was was this a perfect match or was it a recipe for disaster? Only time would tell but very early on, things looked promising, the butterflies in my belly going crazy at all the possibilities. Despite Amber and Derio's relationship starting off a bit strained, I absolutely adored how it developed. It was definitely a slow build but worth every second of the wait. What this couple ended up sharing with so beautiful and heart warming, their connection was one that most could only wish for. Derio ended up being such a thoughtful, loving man who appeared to put Amber above all else. I could feel the love he had for this woman and it was definitely the real deal. And Amber... had she finally found what she'd been looking for? Had she finally found home with this man and his siblings or was it all too good to be true?
A broken heart is a sad, angry, powerful thing that shakes you by the collar and demands your respect, and it's pummelling me into the mattress, shattering me to pieces.
With two people chasing very different dreams, I started seeing the cracks appear and suddenly, a feeling I didn't particularly like settled in the pit of my stomach. This was all going to end in tears. i could sense it with every ounce of my being. The question was... would love be enough to see them through? I wasn't so sure.
There were moments I thought "Racing the Sun" was going to be a little predictable. Don't get me wrong, Derio and Amber's story was definitely unique and very much their own but if the previous books were anything to go by, there was a particular formula that ensured certain things would happen. Nope, I got it sooooo wrong!!! Thank you Karina Halle for that mother of curve balls that threw all my theories upon the air, leaving my heart in my mouth. A perfect play by this author although I'm not sure my nerves would agree.
"Racing the Sun" was about chasing dreams and overcoming fears. It was about making sacrifices and finding love. I loved Derio and Amber's journey. It was filled with love, laughter, happiness and an edge mystery, suspense and angst that ensured I couldn't put their book down. I really hope this isn't the end of the road for this set of companion novels. I really hope there is more because no one writes a book like Karina Halle. Like I said, you don't just read it, you experience it, your senses coming alive with every word you read.
"Did you feel anything?"
"No," he murmurs. "I felt everything."
I rated "Racing the Sun" ❤️❤️❤️❤️ to ❤️❤️❤️❤️.5
September 11, 2015
Sweet, low-angst holiday romance. There are 7-yr old twins in this book and it was interesting, the book doesn't romanticize kids/parenting even though there were some cute moments.
3.75 stars!
Safety:
3.75 stars!
Safety:
April 15, 2015
I LOVED THIS BOOK. Hilarious, sexy and that angst was on point. My heart is still racing. I loved Amber just as much as Derio. All the feels, heartbreak and laughter perfectly mixed. What I found most surprising was how much I fell in love with the entire family, Annabelle, Alfonso, Felisa. I became a member of their Italian sitcom and was honestly sad to see this book end.
Def a book not be missed. ***full review closer to release date ***
Def a book not be missed. ***full review closer to release date ***
July 28, 2015
5 "SIGNOR DESIDERIO LAROSA" STARS.
SEXY, CHARMING, HOT, FUNNY AND ROMANTIC.
Karina Halle has done it again. Epppp!
There's no one like her. She makes you fall in love, not only with fictional people, but with the location where the story takes place.
I was transported to Capri to experience Amber's journey of self-discovery, love and the struggle to be a nanny, not only for two kids, but for their grown brother who made her heart race.
Desiderio Larosa, this man, what can I say... I fell hard for him, the mystery around him and his attitude towards the people intrigued me and when I found out what happened to him it was just impossible not to love him.
Usually, the male character is the hero of the story but in this book Amber was the heroine and that was a breath of fresh air.
Amber MacLean, when we met this girl in Where Sea Meets Sky she was just a young girl with a sense of adventure, but in Racing the Sun I was in total awe of her. She is everything I want to be one day: brave and strong. I dream that one day I can experience what she experienced along her trip because you need balls to do what she did. But, despite all her adventures, the real one starts as she shows the Larosas how to be a family again.
Amber and Derio are perfect together; she was what he needed to get out of his shell and be the man he needed to be.
I loved Amber as mush as Derio and the twins, they were fundamental characters in this story. Damn, I fell in love with the entire family.
Racing the Sun is a love story where the characters have to overcome things and learn to conquer their fears but most importantly to love without fear. My heart is still racing for these characters. Where is my passport?
This is a book you can't miss so GET ON IT.
First Spain, then New Zealand, now Italy! What is going to be next? I cannot wait to fall in love again with people and places I dream to see.
LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS BOOK.
I Just can say thank you for the chance to read it.
*ARC kindly provided by author* �
SEXY, CHARMING, HOT, FUNNY AND ROMANTIC.
Karina Halle has done it again. Epppp!
There's no one like her. She makes you fall in love, not only with fictional people, but with the location where the story takes place.
I was transported to Capri to experience Amber's journey of self-discovery, love and the struggle to be a nanny, not only for two kids, but for their grown brother who made her heart race.
Desiderio Larosa, this man, what can I say... I fell hard for him, the mystery around him and his attitude towards the people intrigued me and when I found out what happened to him it was just impossible not to love him.
Usually, the male character is the hero of the story but in this book Amber was the heroine and that was a breath of fresh air.
Amber MacLean, when we met this girl in Where Sea Meets Sky she was just a young girl with a sense of adventure, but in Racing the Sun I was in total awe of her. She is everything I want to be one day: brave and strong. I dream that one day I can experience what she experienced along her trip because you need balls to do what she did. But, despite all her adventures, the real one starts as she shows the Larosas how to be a family again.
Amber and Derio are perfect together; she was what he needed to get out of his shell and be the man he needed to be.
I loved Amber as mush as Derio and the twins, they were fundamental characters in this story. Damn, I fell in love with the entire family.
Racing the Sun is a love story where the characters have to overcome things and learn to conquer their fears but most importantly to love without fear. My heart is still racing for these characters. Where is my passport?
This is a book you can't miss so GET ON IT.
First Spain, then New Zealand, now Italy! What is going to be next? I cannot wait to fall in love again with people and places I dream to see.
LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS BOOK.
I Just can say thank you for the chance to read it.
*ARC kindly provided by author* �
July 27, 2015
If there is one thing you can count on with a book written by Halle, it is that you will get something original, fresh, and so hot and swoon worthy you won't want it to end.
Add in a gorgeous Italy setting, gorgeous Italy men, and a slow building romance that is sure to make you blush and a story every bit as endearing as it is sweet, and you truly have the perfect summer read that is sure to please anyone.
I have said this numerous times I know but it still holds true and bears repeating, there is just something about a broken person being made whole by someone truly worthy of their love that is so endearing and appealing. I can't get enough of them and Halle creates those characters in Amber and Derio and of course, his siblings. I fell in love with every character equally in this story and couldn't get enough of them, their heart aches, their troubles and later, their triumphs as they overcame their fears and healed their hearts together.
If you are a fan of this author this is one you truly don't want to miss out on. Even if you are a first time reader of her, this is one you don't want to miss out on. The perfect blend of everything that makes a good New Adult book a stand out in the genre and really shine like the sun.
*An ARC Copy of this was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Add in a gorgeous Italy setting, gorgeous Italy men, and a slow building romance that is sure to make you blush and a story every bit as endearing as it is sweet, and you truly have the perfect summer read that is sure to please anyone.
I have said this numerous times I know but it still holds true and bears repeating, there is just something about a broken person being made whole by someone truly worthy of their love that is so endearing and appealing. I can't get enough of them and Halle creates those characters in Amber and Derio and of course, his siblings. I fell in love with every character equally in this story and couldn't get enough of them, their heart aches, their troubles and later, their triumphs as they overcame their fears and healed their hearts together.
If you are a fan of this author this is one you truly don't want to miss out on. Even if you are a first time reader of her, this is one you don't want to miss out on. The perfect blend of everything that makes a good New Adult book a stand out in the genre and really shine like the sun.
*An ARC Copy of this was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
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