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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A tale of a 50something empty nester looking to rediscover herself in Rome. A lovely setting, some gentle humour, and makes you want to have a holiday in Rome!
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The story within these pages is as beautiful as the cover!
This is my second book by this author; The Woman In My Home was a fantastic thriller/suspense. I remember being in awe of Kerry Fisher’s ability to evoke an emotional response that left me gasping and frustrated. This general/woman’s fiction book was no different!
In short, this is a story about a woman who is at a crossroads in her life and benefits from time away from home. She learns to radiate vitality and joy as a result of changing her perspective on life.
Time and distance have that effect, don’t they?!
The star of this book is the story’s internal arc! I was in awe of Fisher’s ability to pen her characters’ metamorphosis, especially that of Beth. At first, I wanted to yell at her for allowing her circumstances to control her and for her response to them. However, I stuck with it and was rewarded. I watched Beth develop through the changes Fisher had planned for her and appreciated the opportunity to traverse an arc of my own and expand my emotional self-awareness. My feeling of indignation metamorphized, too, and I became more understanding and supportive. I love how Fisher was able to explore feeling through introspection.
The setting is a close second. What’s not to love about Rome, right? You’ll enjoy the vivid descriptions and Villa Alba, Beth’s home-away-from-home. I grabbed my notebook and recorded places that Beth had discovered so that I could discover them for myself one day; Coppede, Pizza Mincio, My Dog Sighs, and Giardino degli Aranci and the keyhole.
I appreciated the reminders to allow spontaneity a starring role, to try “un buon Cesanese” and a negroni sbagliato, to give myself space to relish the freedom of not having a specific destination and most importantly, to find beauty in the small things!
The humour was fantastic. I loved the references to “nanna knits from Marks & Spencer.”
I can’t wait for book two!
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This is my second book by this author; The Woman In My Home was a fantastic thriller/suspense. I remember being in awe of Kerry Fisher’s ability to evoke an emotional response that left me gasping and frustrated. This general/woman’s fiction book was no different!
In short, this is a story about a woman who is at a crossroads in her life and benefits from time away from home. She learns to radiate vitality and joy as a result of changing her perspective on life.
Time and distance have that effect, don’t they?!
The star of this book is the story’s internal arc! I was in awe of Fisher’s ability to pen her characters’ metamorphosis, especially that of Beth. At first, I wanted to yell at her for allowing her circumstances to control her and for her response to them. However, I stuck with it and was rewarded. I watched Beth develop through the changes Fisher had planned for her and appreciated the opportunity to traverse an arc of my own and expand my emotional self-awareness. My feeling of indignation metamorphized, too, and I became more understanding and supportive. I love how Fisher was able to explore feeling through introspection.
The setting is a close second. What’s not to love about Rome, right? You’ll enjoy the vivid descriptions and Villa Alba, Beth’s home-away-from-home. I grabbed my notebook and recorded places that Beth had discovered so that I could discover them for myself one day; Coppede, Pizza Mincio, My Dog Sighs, and Giardino degli Aranci and the keyhole.
I appreciated the reminders to allow spontaneity a starring role, to try “un buon Cesanese” and a negroni sbagliato, to give myself space to relish the freedom of not having a specific destination and most importantly, to find beauty in the small things!
The humour was fantastic. I loved the references to “nanna knits from Marks & Spencer.”
I can’t wait for book two!
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Beth’s empty-nest syndrome did not turn out as she planned. While happy that her daughter is now in college, Beth had thoughts of a new chapter in her life with her husband Joel. However, his view is entirely different from hers. In short, Beth heads to Rome - alone. After finding an ad for a three-month apartment rental, Beth is intrigued.
The apartment owner, septuagenarian Ronnie, does more than rent the apartment to Beth. She gives Beth tasks each day, and it doesn’t take Beth long to begin living life to the full. For years, Beth was the dutiful wife and responsible mother. She lost a bit of herself, and now has the opportunity to discover the woman inside.
When Ronnie challenges Beth to have dinner with a man, a man she’d never met, this brings new light to Beth’s life. His name is Rico and after spending time with him, Beth’s heart begins to feel much lighter.
What a lovely story. I enjoyed Beth, Ronnie and Ronnie’s friend Marina. These three women were wonderful characters. This book was a joy to read and I loved moving right on to book two, Secrets at the Rome Apartment.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
The apartment owner, septuagenarian Ronnie, does more than rent the apartment to Beth. She gives Beth tasks each day, and it doesn’t take Beth long to begin living life to the full. For years, Beth was the dutiful wife and responsible mother. She lost a bit of herself, and now has the opportunity to discover the woman inside.
When Ronnie challenges Beth to have dinner with a man, a man she’d never met, this brings new light to Beth’s life. His name is Rico and after spending time with him, Beth’s heart begins to feel much lighter.
What a lovely story. I enjoyed Beth, Ronnie and Ronnie’s friend Marina. These three women were wonderful characters. This book was a joy to read and I loved moving right on to book two, Secrets at the Rome Apartment.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Such a wonderful dive into Rome, and a book that inspires you to focus on the little details of life and not allowing time to pass you by. Only took of a bit from my rating just because, while this book had a sequel, the foreshadowing about Ronnie’s life felt like it needed an answer in this book.