One Summer in Rome

Mary Smith had a tough upbringing. She was brought up by her Grandparents from a very young age after her mum was unable to look after her. Then aged five she was taken into care and moved from one foster family to another. She never felt like she fitted in or was loved. Now her boyfriend has broken up with her for a new life living and working in Dubai. Mary decides that she needs a new start and when she is offered a waitress job in a pizza restaurant in Rome, with accommodation, she grabs it with both hands and books a one-way ticket. The Rossi family (the restaurant owners) are a lovely welcoming, friendly family who’ve had a tough few years themselves, with the death of their mother/wife and blinding of their son, ex-police officer Dante. Everyone is welcoming to Mary, except Dante who doesn’t believe the place needs an English waitress and is not happy with Mary being given the job. There is also the matter of the family trying to keep the restaurant on the famous Lombardi List of best restaurants in Rome, as a saboteur tries to knock them off it. One Summer in Rome is a delightful chick-lit book with adorable characters and a perfect plot that plays with your senses, as the sights and smells of Rome jump off the page, especially the delicious food. Mary is such a sweet, mixed up character, that is just trying to find her place in the world. She’s never known true love and doesn’t open her heart easily. She wants somewhere she can finally call home, could Rome be her answer? Dante is an ex-police officer injured in the line of duty. He tries to keep himself busy so that he doesn’t have to deal with the issues that caused his blindness and the fallout afterwards. He doesn’t like people pitying him and is oh so stubborn. He’s also rather sexy too! There are numerous subplots that interweave themselves in the main story. All were a delight and all effortlessly fitted together and made the story truly beautiful. This is one of those books that you can sit and relax with, one that you will find the time slipping away in the background as the book is too perfect to put down. It is heart-warming and is the kind of book you want when you need a pick-me-up.

Oh, how I've enjoyed my trip to Italy whilst reading this novel; I feel as if I've been kissed by the Italian sun and I most definitely have a hankering for authentic pizza! Mary Smith has nothing keeping her in the UK. As an orphan with no family whatsoever, her friend Jill makes her realise that she has no real reason to continue being the whipping boy for her boss Brenda. So, with a little more Jill-like encouragement, Mary finds herself travelling to Rome to spend the summer waitressing in a pizzeria. Whilst romance is off the cards for Mary following her last relationship, living with a family is a new experience for her, and one she is ready to embrace. But is there such a thing as a perfect family? This is a warm and wonderful read. I particularly liked the kindness which oozes out of the character of Mary - I'm a true believer in kindness being the most important trait a person can have and it's a joy to find someone displaying it in a story. There is a great mix of characters, all beautifully created with their own personalities and problems. Bit by bit, things are brought out into the open giving this novel a real-life vibe. There is so much to discover in this delicious read ... sounds, scents and smells contributing to the overall images which the writing provokes. I've never really come across any explanation about the use of crystals before either, but find my interest piqued enough to do a little research on my own. Without any doubt, this is a five star read and one I'm very happy to recommend. My sincere thanks to publishers HQ Digital for approving my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.