Review: The Rome Affair

The Rome Affair by Karen Swan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Francesca Hackett (Cesca) has given up a career in Law to move to Rome and work as a tour guide, helping tourists see the real city. One evening after returning home after a night out with friends, Cesca finds a stolen designer handbag dumped in a bin, and vows to return it to its true owner.

Socialite Viscontessa Elena Dei Damiani Pignatelli Della Mirandola is the owner of the bag, and the two women strike up an unusual friendship, resulting in Cesca agreeing to become Elena's biographer. As the story of her life unfolds, the lid on Pandora's box is lifted and a tragic secret is revealed.

I adored this book which I read on a sunbed whilst on holiday!! Karen Swan is a brilliant author, and always makes the story lift off the pages so much so, that when you are reading it you will feel the heat of Rome on your shoulders, smell the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and your lips will drool as you imagine the taste of the pizza.

It is a lovely, romantic story that won't leave you disappointed, but will have you googling flights to Rome!!!

*I was provided with a free copy of this book via the Publishers and Netgalley in return for an honest review.*

View all my reviews

Comments

REVIEW: Confessions Of A Forty-Something F**ck Up by Alexandra Potter

Confessions Of A Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter published by Pan Macmillan Nell Stevens’ life is a mess – moving back to London from LA after her business goes bust and her relationship fails she notices that many things have changed. Her friends are now all settled with children, and she is forced to rent a room in a house. Life just feels like it’s f**ked up!. When Nell gets a job writing obituaries, she first encounters Cricket, an eighty-something widow with challenges of her own, and they strike up an unlikely friendship. Together they begin to help each other heal their aching hearts, cope with the loss of the lives they had planned, and push each other into new adventures and unexpected joys. Because Nell is determined. Next year things are going to be very different. It's time to turn her life around. Initially I didn’t think I was going to like this book, as I mistakenly thought it was transcripts of a podcast, but how wrong was I? Th...

Maybe Next Christmas by Emma Heatherington

Maybe Next Christmas" by Emma Heatherington was a delightful festive read that truly delivered in the end. While I found the beginning a little slow, once the story picked up, I was completely hooked and couldn’t put it down! Emma's storytelling and knack for building relatable, heartfelt characters shines through, making the journey worth it. The Christmas charm, along with themes of love and second chances, make this one feel as cozy as her other novels. Definitely recommended for fans of Christmas romances or anyone looking for a feel-good, warm festive read!

The Commuter written by Emma Curtis and published by Atlantic Books

In The Commuter , we follow Rachel, who has just woken from a coma after a car accident, only to be told that her wealthy husband has been murdered in their family home. As Rachel begins to recover, she experiences flashbacks, including memories of a mysterious fellow commuter—a man whose name she doesn’t even know. Strangely, since her husband’s death, this man has vanished, and now the police suspect that Rachel may be involved in the murder. As the investigation deepens, Rachel finds herself racing against time to uncover the truth before she is wrongfully imprisoned for a crime she knows she didn’t commit. The Commuter is a psychological thriller that explores suburban life, blending suspense, deception, and complex relationships. While the story maintains tension throughout, I found the plot became quite complicated toward the end, and I did feel lost at times. Some parts left me feeling a bit detached, but overall, it was an engaging read. Rating: 3.5/5

Book-Mad-Mum

Search This Blog