Villa Camilla

For the following languages please contact Laura Karayotov – Lester Agency:

Albanian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Estonian, Georgian, Hungarian, Macedonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Czech, Russian, Serbian, Slovenian, Slovak, Ukrainian.

Every summer has its secrets—at Villa Camilla, losing the game means losing everything you thought you knew about love, family, and yourself.

At seventeen, Emma Walton spends every summer at the legendary Villa Camilla on Lake Como, where her family’s traditions are as old as the stone walls. Here, the rules are sacred and the stakes are heartbreakingly real: break them, and you’re out. Emma’s life is a whirlwind of couture sketches, late-night confessions, and the constant pressure of living up to her famous parents—an international pop star and a world champion boxer.

This year, the game is more brutal than ever. Old friends return with new secrets, exes collide, and the arrival of Caleb Dawson—mysterious, brilliant, and carrying his own scars—threatens to unravel everything. Between forbidden entrances, midnight swims, and confessions that could shatter friendships, Emma must navigate rivalries, ambition, and the kind of first love that leaves a mark.

Gossip burns hotter than the Italian sun, and every dazzling dinner hides a new betrayal. As the summer spirals toward itsfinal round, Emma faces the hardest question: how far will she go to win, and what is she willing to lose? For readers who loved We Were Liars or the tangled friendships of Gossip Girl, Villa Camilla is a lush, addictive YA contemporary about the price of ambition, the ache of growing up, and the secrets that bind us—until they break us.

 Strengths: 1. Rich Character Development: The novel excels in portraying a diverse cast of young characters, each with distinct personalities, struggles, and growth arcs. Emma’s journey as a young fashion designer striving for independence,alongside Caleb’s burdened inheritance and emotional depth, adds layers of authenticity and relatability

 2. Atmospheric Setting: The detailed descriptions of Villa Camilla, the Italian countryside, and the surrounding landscapes enrich the narrative, making the setting almost a character itself. This vivid sense of place enhances the coming-of-age and romantic elements.

3. Interwoven Themes: The book skillfully balances themes of family loyalty, personal ambition, love, grief, and rivalry. The mysterious game that governs much of the plot provides a unique structural device that ties these themes together and adds suspense.

4. Emotional Resonance: Moments of vulnerability, such as Caleb’s struggles with loss and Emma’s ambitions, are handled sensitively, allowing readers to connect emotionally with the characters’ experiences.

5. Cultural and Lifestyle Elements: The incorporation of fashion, lifestyle, and contemporary youth culture adds an appealing layer for the target audience, making the story timely and engaging. 

Overall, it makes a meaningful contribution to young adult fiction with a fresh blend of fashion, family, and heartfelt growth.