Rake Tarbell is lucky to find himself in Venice. Anywhere else in the world, if he woke up alone, in a strange hotel room, hungover, and he stumbled outside, he wouldn’t have any idea where he was. But since he was in Venice, once he stumbled outside of the hotel and fell into the canal, he knew at once that he was in Italy. But his wallet was at the bottom of the canal. And his phone? Nope. Passport? Nope. And after that last time in Venice, the authorities aren’t really going to be willing to help, as they’d told him not to come back.

Rake does try to borrow a phone, to call his brother. Blake and Rake are twins, both millionaires, but Blake is the ultra-responsible one, the reliable one, the one to call when you’ve falling into the canal in Venice. But the borrowed phone just tells him that his bank account is empty and Blake can’t help him.

What’s a confused, lost, hungover, wet millionaire to do now but trust in the help of a beautiful stranger?

Claire Delaney may have had a rough start in life, but she has come a long way. No longer weak, no longer vulnerable, no longer helpless, now she is strong and in control and has to keep an eye on the irresponsible millionaire. For one thing, it’s her job. And for another, there is Lillith. The daughter of one of her best friends, Lillith may be Rake’s daughter. And since her mother died in a car accident, Delaney is going to make certain that Lillith stays safe and protected, no matter what the cost.

But when Rake throws himself into helping Delaney and Lillith build Easter baskets for needy kids in Italy, Delaney finds herself warming towards the irrepressible irresponsible Rake. She can’t be falling for him, though. Absolutely not. Definitely not. It would ruin everything. Right?

MaryJanice Davidson has written a twisty rom com with a little bit of danger and a lot of fun. The Love Scam is a wild ride of a novel, filled with flips and secrets and surprises. The characters are charming (especially Lillith), and the writing is lively and fun.

But as much as I loved parts of this book, there were other parts that I found frustrating. The author’s voice was mostly bubbly and vibrant, but it’s occasionally intrusive. And the twists of the story that got me interested early on got muddled in the middle, and it was difficult to tell what was going on or why. It does come together again in the end, but it was hard to keep reading some times, when it was just confusing and strange.

MaryJanice Davidson is not a typical writer. I think she’s more of an acquired taste. It’s not a bad thing, but if I were you, I’d read a few pages before you jump in all the way to make sure you’re comfortable with her writing. If you’re in, then congratulations! You’ve found an inventive author to follow. Buckle up, because it’s going to be quite a ride!

Egalleys for The Love Scam were provided by St. Martin’s Griffin through NetGalley, with many thanks.