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The Italian Assistant: a very funny, very sexy, romance Kindle Edition

by Dan Alatorre (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 231 ratings
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FROM USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DAN ALATORRE

(formerly released as Poggibonsi: An Italian misadventure.)Regular eBook price $5.99; regular paperback price $12.99

“Funny, Sexy, Heartbreaking, Hilarious”

When a married man’s overseas business deal goes wrong, the one person who can help him has ideas of her own. A madcap comedy where true love finally prevails and everyone lives happily ever after—but only after a lot of screwups.

Family man Mike Torino lands an important business project in Italy, home of naked art, Valentino, and taxi-crashing yoga pants, so he brings along his wife, hoping to rekindle their marriage while securing a promotion. But romance gets derailed by head colds, constant bickering, and assaults from ankle-breaking cobblestone streets. Their daughter develops a gelato addiction. Mike’s Italian partner has a coronary. And as for amore . . . Mattie tells Mike to handle things himself—and storms back to America.Mike is trapped. Leaving Italy will blow a promotion; staying might cost him his wife and family.While reeling from Mattie's frantic departure, a replacement liaison is assigned—a top-notch, beautiful young Italian woman who is instantly smitten with Mike and determined to reveal the passions of her homeland—whether he wants to see them or not! Normally immune, Mike is tempted—but is headstrong, voluptuous Julietta worth the risk?

“Funniest book I have ever read!”

This story is all about relationships and love, all the different kinds of love, including a hilarious depiction of extra-marital sex. But Poggibonsi is a beautifully written romance too. It has the classic ‘lost everything’ scenario, but the emotions are real. The cast of characters could be people you have known for years, and I laughed a lot and cried in equal measure but cannot remember when I have enjoyed a book so much. - Anita Dawes Book Review

“I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt and my husband thought I was crying!!”

- ZL, Amazon review

“Loved it!”

The banter between his characters had me laughing out loud at the sheer brilliance of it at times. He writes characters that are always fun and so likable, I just want to sit down and have a cup of coffee with them… This book is chock full of humor and romance. Add in a little sex along with some tender, bittersweet moments, and a shocking twist, and you’ve got yourself a book you cannot put down until you turn the last page. – Carrie Anne, Amazon review

“A laugh out loud, sexy, humorous book with heart!”

A richly woven story with humor, and hilarious sexual connotations with smoldering sex scenes done with class, but more than that! - DG Kaye Book Review

“Smart Sexy Fun”

The twists and turns are not the formulaic comedy that seem to be everywhere nowadays, it's smart and hot at times. - Jess, Amazon review

“An enjoyable laugh-out-loud read from beginning to end.”

- Jen, Amazon review

“A Great Read and Lots of Fun!”

- Kindle Customer Amazon review

“Outrageously funny”

Disarmingly charming; a laugh-out-loud, bumbling romp through lust and love in central Italy. Alatorre captures the breathtaking romance of Italy perfectly, peeling back each layer of story until all that remains is genuine, raw emotion. An outrageously funny, guilty pleasure of a read.- J. A. Allen, Old Souls

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  1. Print length
    387 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    April 20, 2017
  5. File size
    1539 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

FUNNIEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ! 5 STARS.I cannot remember when I have enjoyed a book so much.The writing style, wit and humour sparkles like champagne. This story is all about relationships and love, all the different kinds of love, including a hilarious depiction of extra-marital sex. But Poggibonsi is a beautifully written romance too. It has the classic 'lost everything' scenario, but the emotions are real. I laughed a lot and cried in equal measure but cannot remember when I have enjoyed a book so much.
The scene in the restaurant between Mattie (the wife) and Sam, the woman Mike works with, literally brought the house down and was promptly outdone by Mike's conversation with the priest.
Poggibonsi, (yes, it really is a place in Italy, a small Tuscan hamlet in Chianti) should be made into a film, it would break box office records!- Jenanita Book Reviews 5 STARS! A rollicking success!Aspects of a talented craftsman surface here - and they are solid enough to push Dan into even more serious novels. - Grady Harp, Amazon Hall of Fame, Top 500 Reviewer POUR THE CHIANTI AND KICK OFF YOUR SHOES - 5 StarsWhen an American, Mike, chases his personal and professional dreams all the way to Italy, he never dreams he'll meet Julietta. What does she have to do with helping his dreams come true?Read Poggibonsi, because you're curious. Then read Poggibonsi again because you love the characters and their adventures.THEN You'll want to go back and read this again, simply because you enjoy smiling.Annette Rochelle Aben, PerspectivePower Reviews 5 STARS, A laugh out loud, sexy, humorous book with heart!Entertaining, fast paced, sexy, yet family-oriented story that will have you both laughing, and stifling back heartfelt tears with compassion right to the end.- D.G Kaye Reviews 5 STARS! Italian romance and misadventuresLike the male perspective because although there are details they are not girly girl ones. Love characters bantering with one another. Lots of twists and turns. Hot steamy sex scenes and swearing. Hilarious at times.- Julie Barrett Read and Reviews

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B06Y5TT1BT
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Great Oak Publishing (April 20, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 20, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1539 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 387 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 231 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Dan Alatorre

Dan Alatorre

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

USA Today bestselling author Dan Alatorre has published more than 50 titles and is read in over a dozen languages around the world.

His fast-paced thrillers have gripped readers all over the globe, notably his USA Today bestseller Gamma Sequence medical thriller series, his successful murder mystery Double Blind series, the new Jett Thacker mystery series, and more. Readers can't put his books down.

Dan resides in the Tampa area with his wife and daughter.

Check out his Readers Club at DanAlatorre.com and find out about new releases before anyone else!

NEW! Jett Thacker Mysteries, a murder mystery series

- Tiffany Lynn Is Missing

- Killer In The Dark

The Gamma Sequence, a medical thriller series

- The Gamma Sequence

- Rogue Elements

- Terminal Sequence

- The Keepers

- Dark Hour

Double Blind, a murder mystery thriller series

- Double Blind

- Primary Target

- Third Degree

Horror Anthology series:

- Dark Passages

- Dark Voodoo

- Dark Intent

- Dark Thoughts

- Shadowland

- Wings & Fire

- Spellbound

- Nightmareland

- Dark Visions

- The Box Under The Bed

Paranormal Thriller/Horror:

- A Place Of Shadows

Sci Fi Time Travel Adventure:

- The Navigators

Comedy Romance:

- The Italian Assistant

And many more!

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
231 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Janine
5.0 out of 5 stars Romance and laughs on two continents
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2017
Verified Purchase
Poggibonsi: An Italian Misadventure follows Mike Torino as he juggles his work and marriage, with a business trip to Italy further complicating matters. It also intertwines the stories of his family, co-workers and various people that he meets in Italy to make for a compelling cast of characters; each memorable and easy to attach to as they develop and make their various journeys.

The story transported me to both the fast paced Atlanta and the slower paced Italy, with their vivid and realistic depictions. The lighthearted and comedic tone had me smiling and laughing throughout, turning through each page as I anticipated what would happen next. True to the tagline, it’s a sexy read as well as funny, with some sexual innuendo laced throughout. In the end, Poggibonsi is a story that invokes the full spectrum of emotions and carries some life lessons that anyone can use, not just people in Mike Torino’s situation.
4 people found this helpful
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Spoke36
4.0 out of 5 stars Startup business deal in Italy is derailed when man gets involved with a pretty woman - 4 stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
A middle aged man gets to try to start a new business. Mike is distracted by a beautiful woman and the subtle differences between American and Italian traditions.

Mike gets intimately involved with an attractive 20 something Italian woman. Mike allows himself to follow his desires after an argument with his wife. His Italian partner is disabled by a fourth heart attack but arranges for a pretty assistant to help.

The troubles are humorous and serious. Mike's right hand assistant, Sam, back in Atlanta and his wife Mattie are not able to help and the resulting dalliance can best be described as acting out Mike's sexual urges.

Many facets of Italian traditions of family and devotion to his work make for many dozens of awkward moments. Two funny moments had a medical theme: (1) getting a physical exam from a former girlfriend and (2) trying to take Viagra without water.

The humor was frequently sophomoric. Men would appreciate Mike's awkward situations far more than women.

The Italian culture lessons were clear and delivered well. Enjoy the distractions.
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Tonya L Cheton
5.0 out of 5 stars Patient Salesman
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2020
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Dan Torino Is a good man works hard, wife and their 6 year old daughter are amusing. And he's a wonderful trooper for putting with all of the mess. I haven't got into it deep enough to know their are spoilers.Now my curiosity is getting the best of me. Very Funny, Not disappointed, Wonderful Characters, intrude, Sexy, page-turner First reader of Dan Alatorre Thank you Book
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mmmurdoog
3.0 out of 5 stars This Romantic Comedy is a story of lust and adultery.
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
Mike and Mattie Torino, with their daughter Sienna, travel to Italy for a working vacation: work for him, vacation for the gals. The trip is an advertisement for Murphy's Law. The substitute assistant, Julietta, is young, beautiful, and tempting.

This tale mixes the General Humorous Fiction and Romantic Comedy genres into a story of lust and adultery. While it's a zany tale, the engagement is lethargic. Then suddenly, clothes go flying, followed by shame and humiliation. The choice is yours.
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Margret
5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to put out the light and go to sleep
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
I read the book from cover to cover in two days; I never wanted to put it down. Very finely-drawn characters, good dialog, great description of places to which I've never traveled and probably never will, and very amusing as well. Some soft-porn-like passages that will probably also make you smile. A fun read altogether.
One person found this helpful
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teamzappa
4.0 out of 5 stars Not for Everyone
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2020
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I really enjoyed reading this during my vacation. Fast paced and humorous if sometimes a little over the top! Can't imagine most men not enjoying this book as they can probably relate to it more easily. Some women might take it the wrong way as a man's fantasy to have an affair in Italy. But I don't think that is the intention. Just a good story about a business idea that leads to family issues being revealed. Love the relationship between main character and his secretary. Some of the best dialogue! Sit back and enjoy!
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Linda L.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun book
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
Really did not want this to end. It was laugh out loud funny with barely an undertone of seriousness. I fell in love with the characters , each and every one. There are a few life lessons involved as well, but I so value the humor especially during this trying time in our country. It is a wonderful diversion and you will enjoy every minute!
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DAA
2.0 out of 5 stars The Italian Assistant
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
Start off this was not a 'very funny, sexy, romance. What was sexy and funny about infidelity? This was a hurting story told by a man who gets away with having a relationship outside of his marriage. Yea spoiler alert she takes him back. But this is not romantic in any way. The author did the forgiveness in less that 10% of the storyline. He never really repented. He got a pass cause he stated he was reminded of her when he was with the other woman. Not in reading his thoughts did he think of his wife and what he was doing to her. He got caught on vid conference. Did not like this book at all. He gets two stars cause of his abilities in writing not for the plot.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Katz
5.0 out of 5 stars A Rollicking Romp not to be missed!
Reviewed in Canada on August 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
I am a huge fan of Dan Alatorre's thrillers, but after hearing (reading reviews) such awesome things about 'The Italian Assistant' I thought I would try a genre I don't normally read....and I'm glad I did! This was a fun and funny romp through married life with children, Italian affairs and the adventures and misadventures of a married man that is struggling with his place in life. The characters are very well written and very down to earth and human, flaws and all. There were so many times that I laughed out loud and others when my heart was in my throat. I highly recommend this book by author Dan Alatorre.
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Miss T
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant.. we need the film.. why on earth hasn't it been picked up yet?!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 12, 2019
Verified Purchase
Mattie and Mike have drifted their own ways since their 4 year old daughter Sienna arrived. Neither seems to realise that they are struggling. Sam his beautiful secretary wishes for her own man who is just as perfect as him. Mike is on a mission to make partner if he can pull off a deal in Italy for his ball breaking boss Margie. Cole is trying to scupper it to beat him to the corner office. On a two week holiday with his family prior to working on the deal there things go dramatically downhill and after Mattie and Sienna return to America Mike loses his head to the enthusiastic Julietta who just happens to be his Italian associate, Alberto's, daughter.

As life as Mike knows it turns upside down he's got one chance to make it right. Will Alberto murder Mike? Will Sam admitting she's thrown herself at him more than once help or hinder the reconciliation Mike wants? What will Margie do when first Cole's devious backstabbing and then Mike's extracurricular activities come to light? Will Mattie forgive him? Will Sam find her own leading man? And what of the deal?

A really funny rom-com mostly from a man's perspective, a man deeply out of his depth, which is unusual and highly entertaining. This definitely needs to be made into a film. Trying to decide who I'd cast!!
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Wilma Lettings
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
This was a surprisingly funny and entertaining story. It started with a business meeting about plans to establish a large btourism venture in Italy.
Although the interplay between narrator Mike and his wife is somewhat amusing, I didn't think I'd buy into the book.
There is a confident smugness about Mike that doesn;t sit well with me, but over time I started to like him. When the story moved to Italy it takes off and Mike becomes a much more likeable character than I thought. I prefer cocky characters to be written in the third person, first person makes them sound so full of themselves, but I came round and enjoyed the rest of the book.
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Anita Dawes
5.0 out of 5 stars Funniest book I have ever read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
I have always loved the idea of Italy, and intend to go there one of these days, so this romantic comedy really appealed to me, and from the very first page, I was laughing.
The writing style, wit and humour sparkles like champagne, and although you can guess what the protagonist Mike Torrino will get up to, the effervescent way he stumbles through life is hilarious.
This story is all about relationships and love, all the different kinds of love, including a hilarious depiction of extra-marital sex. But Poggibonsi is a beautifully written romance too. It has the classic ‘lost everything’ scenario, but the emotions are real. The cast of characters could be people you have known for years, and I laughed a lot and cried in equal measure but cannot remember when I have enjoyed a book so much.
The scene in the restaurant between Mattie (the wife) and Sam, the woman Mike works with, literally brought the house down and was promptly outdone by Mike’s conversation with the priest.
Poggibonsi, (yes, it really is a place in Italy, a small Tuscan hamlet in Chianti) should be made into a film, it would break box office records!
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Jo
5.0 out of 5 stars An American in Italy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
When I downloaded this novel, I wasn't sure I'd really enjoy it - it isn't the genre of novel I am usually interested in. But I thought I'd give it a go as I enjoy the author's blogs and I'm glad I did. I love Italy and the author really conjured up the ambience of the Italian countryside and Italian people. The main character was sympathetic and I loved the portrayal of Julietta and the frantic ordeal of travelling with children. It is funny and poignant at times and fast moving. On the surface it seems a light read (and it is easy to read), but there is an underlying massage there too, about taking your loved ones for granted.
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