You may have noticed we recently relaunched the Radio Times Book Club! Sponsored by Ristorante and hosted by Gavin & Stacey’s Joanna Page, each month will see Joanna pairing one of her favourite new novels with a complementary Ristorante pizza, to help you find the perfect treat for your midweek me-time.

In her first review, Joanna shared her thoughts on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest book Atmosphere, which is an epic love story between two astronauts. And as it’s an irresistible romance, she enjoyed it with Ristorante’s irresistibly cheesy Quattro Formaggi pizza, which combines creamy mozzarella, edam and emmental with a subtle blue cheese cream.

So, if you’ve read and loved Atmosphere – or you just can’t resist a good romance – here are a few more love stories you should dive into this summer, including two that’ll transport you straight to Italy in true Ristorante style.

The View from Lake Como

Written by Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani, this novel follows recently divorced Jess Capodimonte Baratta as she sets out on a journey of self-discovery that takes her from her hometown of Lake Como, New Jersey, to her family’s ancestral home in Carrara, Tuscany.

It all starts when an unexpected loss unearths long-buried secrets, and Jess is furious to learn her family’s choices might have stifled her dreams. Determined to start living, she leaves behind her life helping her Uncle Louie run his marble business and escapes to sunny Italy.

Somewhere between Tuscany’s marble mountains, Milan’s glittering streets and the enchanting shores of a very different Lake Como, Jess soon discovers a sense of belonging. But just as she's finding happiness with charming artist Angelo Strazza, she learns there’s even more to her family story. Will the hidden corners of Uncle Louie's past send Jess back home?

You Are Here

If you’re a fan of One Day, you’re sure to love this latest release from David Nicholls, which tells the story of two lost souls who find each other on a group hike through the Lake District.

Still reeling from his wife’s departure, Michael has become increasingly reclusive, taking himself on long, solitary walks across the moors and fells to escape his empty house. Meanwhile, Marni – who’s also divorced – is stuck working alone in her London flat, battling the long afternoons as life seems to pass her by.

Soon, the pair are brought together by their mutual friend, Cleo, who assembles a small group of people (including Marni) to accompany Michael on a 10-day hike. Thanks to the typically unpredictable English weather, Marni and Michael suddenly find themselves alone on the most epic of walks and on the precipice of a new friendship – if they can survive the journey.

The Ministry of Time

This exciting debut novel from Kaliane Bradley is half rom-com and half sci-fi thriller. It’s written from the perspective of an unnamed civil servant, who’s offered a job in a mysterious new government ministry that’s gathering long-dead historical figures, or 'expats', from throughout history to test whether time travel is feasible.

Her role is to work as a 'bridge', which requires her to live with, support and monitor Commander Graham Gore, an expat known as '1847', who’s a former Victorian polar explorer. According to the history books, he died on an Arctic expedition that set off from England in 1845, so he takes a little time to adjust to this strange new world of washing machines, feminism and Spotify.

Over the course of one long summer, the pair move from awkwardness to friendship to something more. But as the true nature of the ministry’s project comes to light, they’re forced to confront their past choices and possible futures. Can their love triumph over the histories that have shaped them?

Problematic Summer Romance

Sometimes you just need a good cheesy romance, and this one by Ali Hazelwood – the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of Deep End – ticks all the right boxes. It centres around the relationship between 23-year-old grad student Maya Killgore, who’s still trying to figure out her life, and her brother’s best friend, 28-year-old biotech worker Conor Harkness, who she can’t stop thinking about.

As Conor loves to remind her, the power dynamic between them is imbalanced, so any relationship would be problematic in too many ways to count, and Maya should just get over him. After all, he’s made it clear he doesn’t want her in his life.

But things take a turn when Maya's brother gets married in Taormina, Sicily, and she’s forced to spend more than a week stuck in a romantic villa with Conor who, she soon realises, is hiding something. As the wedding begins to spiral out of control, Maya decides a summer fling might be just what she needs – even if it's problematic.