One Summer in Rome is one of those books that really does have you dreaming of living there, the sun, the food, the people, the language, the sights ..... it all sounded so magical and wonderful.

Mary was so looking forward to starting her new life in a new country and leaving all her baggage behind her but some of the staff made her feel less than welcome, though she didn't give up, she had to toughen up and just get on with it.

She soon made friends, even starting to go to dance classes with the gorgeous chef Dante who seemed not to want her at the Pizzeria for some reason.

There are challenges for Mary, secrets to discover, delicious food to try and I enjoyed following Mary's journey in Rome.

This is an entertaining read, but it's not all fluffy, there are some serious issues which I though were dealt with very sensitively. A thoroughly enjoyable summery romantic read.

Mary Smith has had a pretty rubbishy life up until now. Going into care when she was a child and living with all manner of different foster homes has taken it's toll and made Mary feel as though she never really fitted in anywhere.
To add insult to injury her boyfriend has just dumped her so he can go and live in Dubai. But what does Mary do? Does she mope around in a heap of soggy tissues? Absolutely not. Like any strong-willed young lady, she decides she needs a fresh start...And when that fresh starts comes in to shape of working in a pizza restaurant in Rome that can never be a bad thing.
Mary doesn't look back as she books a one-way ticket to Italy and sets about starting her life afresh. She is certain she has done the right thing when she meets the owners of the La Dolce Vita, the Rossi's. They are a lovely family who welcome Mary with open arms (well, almost all of them do...Dante *cough*)
Mary loves the sights & experiences of living and working in a place as beautiful as Rome, but working in such a renowned pizza restaurant comes with its own challenges...Can the establishment stay on the famous Lombardi List? And then there's Dante to deal with...
I was like a big kid at Christmas when I got my hands on Samantha Tonge's latest novel. I absolutely adore her books and she is hands-down one of my favourite writers. Naturally, I had very high expectations for One Summer in Rome - not only because it was written by the wonderful Sam, but also because it was based in Rome - a place I am desperate to visit one day...
So did Samantha's latest release live up to my (ridiculously high) expectations? ABSOLUTELY.
I loved pretty much everything about this book, from the characters, to the story-line, to the idyllic sounding location. It was perfection in book form and I really want to take a trip back to La Dolce Vita and sample some of those pizza's for myself *drool*
Mary made for a wonderful lead character. She was brave and pretty kick-ass, which I always admire in a protagonist. It was wonderful joining her along for the ride as she went on a journey of self-discovery. I warmed to her really quickly and I felt as though we were the best of friends as I neared the end of the story. It's always really powerful when an author can create a character that has this effect on you. I genuinely cared about Mary and wanted the best for her.

Now on to the setting. Wowza. Can someone buy me a ticket to Rome, please? Samantha really brought this beautiful location to life for me. The beautiful scenery, the attractions, the sunshine...THE FOOD. Warning: Don't read this book if you are hungry, You will be craving pizza like crazy after reading Samantha's mouth-watering descriptions.
Whilst I've never been to Rome, it was amazing to experience it throughout the pages of this story, Samantha has clearly put a lot of research into the gorgeous location and she brings it to life with her writing so seamlessly.

If you're looking for an uplifiting, feel-good, cracker of a novel with characters to fall in love with and a story-line to really get your teeth into then look no further than One Summer in Rome. Beautifully written, this is a delightful taste of Italy & I challenge you not to want to take a bite...and then promptly gobble up the whole novel in one sitting.

This is a brilliant happy summer read with a bit of romance, I cannot see anyone not liking this, different things happening to each one of the Rossi family and Mary's new life in Rome. The descriptions of the area and especially the food are really good, you can almost taste the pizza. Another best seller by Samantha.

Mary Smith has finally made up her mind. Tired of her job and her annoying boss and sad because her boyfriend left her and moved to Dubai, she decides to leave London behind and move to Rome to start a new life, working in a pizzeria at the centre of the city. She falls in love with the Italian capital on her ride from the airport and also falls in love with the owners of the pizzeria who all welcome her with open arms. Almost all of them. Rocco, the head waiter, treats her coldly while Dante, chef and son of the owner, doesn’t seem to like her that much either. But Mary knows how to win them over.
This novel will make your mouth water with all the tasty dishes, the different types of pizza and desserts that are described page after page. The characters are warm and likable and you will enjoy reading about love, friendship and family in this entertaining and heart-warming novel.

First time for me to read a book from Samantha Tonge. I really really enjoyed it! Samantha Tonge's writing reminds me of Tilly Tennant's writing. And Tilly Tennant is one of my favorite author! This to tell you that I really really really loved "One Summer in Rome"! I didn't read this book, I devoured it! This book is about family issues, friendship, love, addiction, suicide, relationship issues and abuse. So many important topics are evoked in this book. I really loved it! And what a perfect setting for this story! ROME, Italia! Makes me want to visit this city even more! I recommend this book without any doubt!

Thank you to Rachel for letting me be part of this tour and HQ Digital for my copy of this book via Negalley. I have read a few of Samantha's books in the past and I really enjoy her style.

For the first few pages I wasn't a fan of Mary. I felt like she needed to believe in her self a little more. I found her a little bit pathetic. But after a few chapters Mary really came into her own. As we hear more about Mary's past her actions and lack of self worth become more understandable.

Dante is rather grumpy when we first meet him. His life has been tough over the last couple of years and his heart has taken quite the beating. Dante is however determined to live as normal life as possible and will not stand for being patronised.

There were a lot of things in this book that were easy to predict or work out but I just loved the journey Samantha took us on to get there.  I could see the romance blossoming from the very first meeting and really enjoyed watching it grow and grow.

I really liked the Rossi family. They were so welcoming to Mary and despite all their issues they still found a reason to smile. Lucia is the cutest little kid and Natale works so hard to be a good mum to her and help her father in the restaurant. I also loved Rocco. He was cold at first but as you began to break down his walls you realise he is a pretty decent guy.

This book is perfect for this sunny weather we have been having recently. I read most of this book while at the park under the rays and I could have easily been in the Vatican Gardens with Samantha's vivid descriptions of Rome. So grab an ice cream and settle down under the sun with your copy of this book now!

This was such a wonderful treat of a read, a read that whisks you away to Rome that wakens up all your senses with it's sights, sounds, tastes and aromas. The author, Samantha Tonge, took me to this beautiful sounding city with it's ancient monuments and piazzas filled with fountains, street artists and authentic Italian restaurants. I could easily picture the scenes and the characters taking part in their daily lives.
This is the story of Mary Smith who has taken the plunge to leave her broken heart in the UK and move to Italy to work for a small family-run restaurant in the city. Mary has had a tough upbringing and has longed for the love and support of a strong family unit. Joining this Italian family was difficult at first as she felt like an outsider but the warmth she felt from her new employers gave her the confidence she needed to accept herself and her history. Not all members of the family and team at the restaurant were quite so welcoming, Rocco the waiter and Dante the son had some reservations against Mary working at the restaurant. Slowly barriers were let down and Mary was beginning to understand this close-knit team. Mary also started letting her own barriers down but feared her heart would be broken again.
The restaurant has in the last few years experience much heartbreak and tragedy and it's been particularly hard keeping the business going with Mary's arrival she seems to have brought a certain joy and new ideas to the family.
A storyline that wasn't all sunshine and amore Samantha Tonge has included a few serious topics in the storyline that were dealt with in a very sensitive manner. However, to guide us away from the hardships of life we have a dance competition, Italian festival, Italian food, a wonderful feeling of togetherness and Dante who isn't your average book hero, he's so much more.
A book that makes you feel as bright, warm and comforting as the Italian sun and it's cuisine.

One Summer in Rome.. A perfect summer read if you ask me. But not only summer read. This book can be read at any time.

This might be a romance book but I loved diversity in it (aside my obvious favorite, romance). When I see such a diversity in a books that are often called easy-read, my heart just grows and I personally think that romance books need more diversity. In recent years, a lot of them are full of it which is great. And this book right here is a pure gem among the genre. LGBTQ member, a person with disability, mentioning of an addiction problems, mentioning of current day problems like terrorist attacks.. ← something that you will find in this book as well.

We don’t get only romance, as I’ve said, but we also get characters dealing with their problems of self acceptance, self love, abuse. That’s why I loved this book so much.

I have never been in Rome even tho I was in Italy but this book made me want to go visit Rome and see it. It is described with a lot of love and knowledge about this town that left me wonder, did author visit it once? The whole Italian vibe was nicely described in the book. I would also love to visit that small village that was mentioned once when they visited it. I’m a sucker for small villages and beautiful scenery.
Ohh, I know very well how hot summers in Italy can be. Originally being from Croatia (which means, being sea neighbor to Italy), our summers get pretty hot as well. I could practically feel the sweat and how is it working in the sun since I worked often enough in the summer to know it. Or just walking around in the summer heat.

I was pleasingly surprised when I saw a mention of crystals and that the main character is such a big lover of those. I love crystals my self and believe in their healing properties so crystals being mentioned in a book made me smile like crazy.

Mary has grown up the outsider, moving from home to home in foster care, never feeling enough and always afraid to speak her own mind lest the cycle start again. A particularly horrid job had her, on an impulse, grabbing brochures for Italy, and the opportunity to work in a small family-owned restaurant in Rome, housing provided was too good to pass up. She’d been stalling in the last moments, however, when her only friend, and mother figure, pushed her on the plane – demanding she find a new way of being.

Arriving at La Dolce Vita pizzeria, the Rossi’s are a welcoming bunch – if you ignore their head pizza maker Dante and a snarky waiter Rocco. Her rusty Italian, combined with a ‘rarely seen and never heard’ personality make her transition even more difficult, as she absorbs slights, snark and even an on-again-off-again friendly relationship with Dante. Plenty of secrets and things not spoken of are putting a damper of sorts on the little family, a year out from losing their mother, and two years out from ‘that day’ that left Dante, a former police officer, without sight.

Throughout it all, Mary is constantly talking herself through the next moment, the next challenge, never without a pocket full of healing crystals – the one thing (we come to learn) that she can count on to never leave her. Slowly, she starts to feel a part of the family, taking the risk to present ideas for more business and a way to stay on the Lombardi List – one frequently referred to by tourists choosing their next taste experience.

Most striking in this story is the character development and isues: from Mary’s seeming constant search for approval and a place to fit in, to Rocco’s jealousy all driven by protecting the family, and most of all the deep-seated guilt that Dante uses as a shield to keep everyone at arm’s length. And, this being a story completely of the day, there are terrorist scares a bit of unwarranted vitriol from a competing restaurant for the list spot, and revelations galore. Mary finds a new confidence in the welcome she’s received from most of the Rossi’s, and her determination to help them retain their place, as well as her realization that ‘disney perfect’ families and people don’t exist, comes as a great surprise. Tonge allowed readers to feel that Mary, as flawed as she was, had reasons for her submissiveness and fear of confrontation, and it was lovely to see her growth in taking a stand, particularly when it came to Dante loosening his grip on all of the guilt he held, from his partner’s and mothers deaths to his almost militant need for independence, and the feeling that he would never be ‘enough man’ to protect and care for another woman because of his blindness. What I expected to be a light and fun read wasn’t – the hidden depths, the rhyme and meter of conversations that mimicked (some better than others) the flow of Italian conversation, and the small insets of childlike sense from little Lucia all brought this story heart and a lovely happy ending.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at < a href= “https://wp.me/p3OmRo-9LY /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

After not long getting back from a trip to Italy, I still very much feel like I am in Italian mode, then again I'm never really out of it, if I'm being honest! I love anything and everything to do with the beautiful country, so reading Samantha Tonge's new book leading into Summer was a no brainer.

In "One Summer in Rome," we meet Mary Smith. She's decided to take her life in a new direction and has booked a one way trip to Rome. Her plan is to spend the Summer working for the Rossi family, in their pizzeria, and then see where life takes her. She's completely stepping out of her comfort zone, but it's just what she needs: a new start, a wonderful country, delicious food and the possibility of fitting in somewhere. Can life with the Rossi family be where she belongs? Will there be more than just history, sunshine and pizza for her in Rome?

Firstly, I know I said this back when I posted the cover reveal for this book, but isn't the cover just stunning? I absolutely love it. It's so warm and inviting, plus it has lemon and olive trees on it! Perfetto!! As for the story itself, I could so totally see myself following Mary's footsteps and disappearing off to Italy. It was such a fantastic adventure, although I would probably be a little nervous, like Mary, too. She was very brave booking a one way flight and going to work in a pizzeria with a family she didn't know, who spoke a language she wasn't completely fluent in. I admired her for that and how she took everything in her stride. I think that would be an amazing way to learn Italian; to be thrown in at the deep end and just do it, it worked well for Mary.

I've never been to Rome, but Samantha Tonge certainly made me feel like I was there. I could picture the fountains in the Piazza with the twinkling lights, couples walking arm in arm and the music and chatter from all the bars and restaurants floating into the center, creating a cozy atmosphere, that would have me not wishing to be anywhere else but right there. To top it off, going home to the delightful Rossi family and having late night chats over Mochaccino's would be fantastico! :)

There was one particular member of the Rossi family that touched my heart and who I really connected with and that was Dante. He was every bit the leading man and I was fascinated by his story. He was incredibly brave and so independent, even after everything he had been through. I definitely saw what Mary saw in him and was rooting for romance between the two of them!

If you're looking for a touching read, that will transport you to Italy for the summer and have you dreaming of pizza and coffee under the stars, then you will love "One Summer in Rome."

~4.5 Stars~

Summer in Rome by Samantha Tonge is a magical story of romance and family!

Mary is ready to make BIG changes in her life. She has given up her job as a waitress in a pub and is moving to Rome to live and work in pizzeria. Nothing is keeping her in England. Her ex-boyfriend has moved across the world, and she has no family to speak of. Mary thinks moving will help her forget her problems and possibly start anew. What she will come to realize is that your problems follow you no matter where you go, and her outlook on life and family are about to drastically change.

Even though Mary may not realize it, she is a strong woman. What a gutsy move to pick up and move to another country where you know absolutely no one! It will take her a while to realize her strength. She was a child in the foster home who really never felt like she belonged, and she really wanted to belong to someone who loved her. However, she thinks all those problems will be solved by finding someone to love, even though she has sworn off relationships in the meantime. Through a loving Italian family, she will learn how to be content and happy with herself. She will realize that she is “her own hero.” In the process, she may just discover her own Prince Charming and finally get that HEA she has been craving.

Dante is a pretty complicated man. An accident that left him blind has brought him to live in a world of darkness, and I mean that in the spiritual sense. He has become cynical, and he definitely has a dislike for Mary. As he is forced to spend days with her in the restaurant, his cold heart starts melting. Like Mary, he is a strong individual…a survivor. He will come to see that living life alone doesn’t make you strong. Being strong means trusting someone after your heart and trust has been obliterated. Mary may be just the woman to bring color and passion back into his life.

I thought the book had a great cast of characters, even the secondary ones made the book even better. They will welcome Mary into their lives, and she will learn some of her biggest life lessons in that pizzeria. The book was also very well written. Tonge truly transported me to Rome. I was as excited as Mary to see and experience the sites and smells. Now, I have added another place on my bucket list to travel. Great book that will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.

***READ AND REVIEWED FOR DEVILISHLY DELICIOUS BOOK REVIEWS***

It will soon be Summer and this book would be a perfect read to kick start your vacation, especially if you have any desire or intentions to visit Rome.

Samantha Tonge writes a delightfully romantic tale that put me in a happy mood for days and made me crave pizza for long after! Rome is described to perfection. I could just picture the busy piazzas, feel the thrum of activity, see the cityscape in the last rays of the day’s sunlight and taste the ripe flavours of freshly prepared dishes. Yet, there is no distracting info dumping about Rome. A few bits of trivia are thrown in but most of the descriptions are seamlessly woven into the tale.

Mary (or Maria as her Italian friends come to call her) is an English girl who has decided to uproot herself and find new fortunes in Italy. She’s never had much of a home or a family and despite trying to hold herself back from becoming too connected to others, is in search of a place where she can belong. I found myself liking this shy young lady quite a lot. She’s sweet and doesn’t yet realise just how strong she is. She doesn’t think she wants to find love but lets it in when it finds her. My only issue with Mary is that several situations arise within the novel that Mary conveniently has prior experience with; sometimes those scenes then become about her rather than the person at the centre of that particular event. Despite that I was excitedly waiting for Mary to find her ‘home’.

Dante is a flawed yet perfect hero in this story. His backstory is painful and his scars show, not just in his blindness, but also in his interactions with Mary. His strength, compassion, weaknesses and love for family are all shown and help to create a full picture of this tragic hero. This story is told from Mary’s perspective only. For the most part it works but I did miss just a tiny bit of Dante’s shift from resisting to accepting Mary’s love and admiration. Overall though, I think the author did a great job in showing how Dante’s character undergoes change.

Issues such as physical disabilities, terrorism, addiction, abuse and suicide are all addressed in this story. These matters are given sufficient detail so as not to be dismissive of the ugly realties, yet light enough to have the story still easily fall into the lighter side of contemporary romance.

My one criticism of the tale would be the dialogue. Some conversations between characters switch direction with dizzying speed. I suppose that’s realistic but it is difficult to follow (especially when reading a proof copy). In other instances the dialogue doesn’t ‘sound’ natural and is too formal or better suited to thoughts than spoken words. However, these issues do not take away from the feels the story brings on.

The feels… this story gave me “the feels”. I don’t know why. Maybe it was my mood. Maybe it was loving the interactions between Dante and Mary. Maybe it was wanting to know where the story would go, how the wonderful extended Rossi family would find their peace… I don’t know. This story made me laugh, sigh, cry and get angry. There was one scene early on, where Dante rejects Mary’s affection. I felt my own heart drop at how his words hurt her. I was fully immersed in the lives of these characters.

I completely enjoyed reading this story. The characters, setting and deeper issues discussed made this a compelling read that I recommend to anyone looking for some romance.

I took a lot away from 'One Summer in Rome', a lot more than I expected actually, and yes that is a good thing!

First of all, let me give this book cover a bit of loving' - how gorgeous does that look by the way! I can almost feel the heat radiating from the sunshine. Now, I have never been to Italy and, whilst it has been a dream of mine to go, I feel as though I took a trip to the Italian capital thanks to Samantha Tonge and her latest offering.

Mary Smith hasn't had an easy life. She's been pushed from pillar to post for as long as she can remember, but due to the fact that her scars are still raw, Mary knows that she needs to do something drastic before her life runs away without her. Some people may get an image overhaul or enrol in further education to get into their dream career. Some, yes. Mary however, no. What does she go and do? Purchases a one way ticket to Rome to work in a family pizzeria business. Drastic? Perhaps. Ideal? Damn right! There's nothing like changing your life by visiting a new country with everything crossed that you can make a new life over there. I thought she was brave although a little bonkers! Good on her though!

It didn't take too long for the idyllic, Italian lifestyle Mary so badly craved, to take her under its wing. It also didn't take long for Mary to realise that working in a family run business wasn't all homely and cosy as she first thought. It was clear that several of her new colleagues had their own challenges that they had to battle on a daily basis and, whilst Mary knew that it wasn't her business to pry, she couldn't help but lend an ear to any member of her new Italian family. The only thing was, who was going to take it?

Whilst part of me thought that this book was going to be an easy-read (in a good way), it actually turned out to be an easy-read with such intense depth, I'm surprised the wind wasn't blown out of my sails. No, that is not a negative, it's a bloomin' good thing! I never expected the storyline to have a serious side to it. Yes it caught me off guard, but because I was surprised by the path the storyline chose to take, I found that certain events shocked me in more of an emotional manner than just an 'omg what?!' manner.

Dante is such an inspirational character. To be honest, they all are. Each character had their own story to tell due to what they had been through or were currently going through, and I found that the difference in dynamic between each of the characters was absolutely fantastic to read. It just worked one hundred percent. I am in awe at how many hurdles Samantha Tonge managed to create for her characters, whilst also describing each character's situation with such sensitivity, realism, and empathy. I am sure it took a lot of research to nail so many different situations, but it certainly paid off that's for sure!

If I were to write about each individual thing that resonated with me, I would be here a while and get my wrists slapped for spoilers. A lot of 'One Summer in Rome' warmed my heart, made me feel emotional, whilst also managing to breathe a new life in me that I thought was long gone. One part in particular made me feel like breaking down. Not because I was sad or anything, but because the talk about 'being your own hero' resonated with me on multiple levels and allowed me to feel like I had been given my own special pair of wings to be a hero. Yes, mine and the characters situations are completely different, but I couldn't help but put the 'be your own hero' under lock and key in my heart.

'One Summer in Rome' took me on a trip of a lifetime, rocked my emotions like a boat on choppy seas, whilst also filling my heart with heroic and special love like never before. Samantha Tonge has written a truly inspirational, memorable, energising, and beautiful read which I will hold very dear for a long, long time.

I really do feel that this author has outdone herself with her latest novel. Whilst Samantha Tonge does state that you need to be your own hero, I can safely say that, thanks to her timeless literary skills and huggable way of writing, she is now my hero for making me feel like I can be a hero.

One Summer in Rome is really a book about self discovery! About believing in yourself, even when you have doubts! Like when you are standing at the bag check in, and about to make a huge step into the relative unknown, well that's what happened with Mary, who is getting off to the wonders of Rome, after a life in England full of hardship and neglect, but will Rome be any different?

I'm going to be very blunt here, I wasn't sure I was expecting much more from this book, than a light fluffy romance, that would just be a summer read, but this book was so much more, the rollercoaster of feelings that I experienced actually shocked me, I honestly wasn't expecting that much warmth, and heart in this book, but it was all there and so much more! But being the greedy person I am I would have enjoyed a few more details, but that didn't detract from the story.

This is the first book I have ever read by Samantha Tonge, and I would certainly read books by her again, as I enjoyed her writing style and the plot did spark my desire to watch Shirley Valentine again.

I give One Summer in Rome 5 stars! And all I'm left to say is, Well Done Ms. Tonge for an outstanding book!

Oh man ONE SUMMER IN ROME by Samantha Tonge really touched my heart and I fell in love with Rome, and the Rossi family, and the vulnerable and compassionate Mary Smith who is everything you would want in a friend and family member.

Mary doesn't know what it feels like to belong, to be a part of a family, having grown up in different foster care homes all through her childhood. So when her boyfriend decides to leave her behind, Mary isn't surprised but this time it pushes her to take a chance at her own adventure and so she finds herself with a one-way ticket to Rome where a waitressing job awaits her. Rome is everything she dreamed of and more, and most members of the Rossi family that own the restaurant where she works and lives make her feel like part of the family. If only the handsome brooding chef, Dante, could let down his guard a little, maybe they could be friends ... or more. But Mary isn't the only person carrying baggage from their past and as the tourist season picks up with serious competition from a new restaurant, will this summer be the only one for Mary to find out who she really is and what she wants from life, in the magical ambience of Italy?

I have only travelled to Rome once but the exquisite descriptions of this magnificent city really brought it back to life for me and made me want to book a flight there as soon as possible. The characters are completely loveable as they try to work their way through all of the emotions and heartache of the past and present, and I desperately wanted them all to find happiness and realise their own strength. The food, the settings, the sights, the smells are all excellently depicted and made my mouth water on more than one occasion and as Mary, Dante, and the entire Rossi clan opened up throughout these pages, I definitely found myself with a tear in my eye many a time.
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ONE SUMMER IN ROME by Samantha Tonge is not the first book that I have read from this talented author but it is certainly my favourite and I really hope this is not the last that we see of Mary Smith and the magic of Rome. An excellent contemporary story with plenty of romance and emotion to tug at your heartstrings.

I'm going to start my review by saying that this book was a delight! I guess in a way I was anticipating a light summery story and I did get that but there was also so much more to this story which made it even more enjoyable. Everything was balanced out and all came together to create a much more rounded story.

I have to admit that I was so jealous of all the delicious food mentioned in this book. It's safe to say that I was left craving pizza although I don't think anything I make would live up to the stunning food described in this book. This family run business definitely left an impression on me along with the people who worked there. Samantha Tonge well and truly whisked me away to Italy and I loved every moment!

Mary goes on quite a journey and I really enjoyed seeing her flourish in an environment that supported her. There were some wonderful and inspiring themes in this story along with loving the positive feelings I was left with. There are some sensitive issues too but I felt that they were handled well. One Summer in Rome is about finding yourself and the love a family can give whether it is by relation or finding people who accept you for who you are.

Beautiful, romantic and hopeful!

Five stars from me!

With thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for my copy.

I adored the main character Mary Smith she was so vulnerable, fragile and desperate to find a place where she truly fitted in. Life hadn't been kind to Mary and it took immense bravery to book a one-way ticket to Rome to start afresh, working in a pizzeria owned by the Rossi family.

She arrived full of hopes but received a somewhat lukewarm reception from a few of her colleagues, especially the handsome chef Dante and waiter Rocco. It was interesting to see if Mary could gain the trust of her colleagues after such a shaky start.

Would she ever achieve her lifelong wish to 'belong'?

It was never going to be easy for Mary, the Rossi family had many secrets including tragedy, health problems and prejudice to deal with, and I found myself glued to the pages to see how the story unfolded.

Samantha Tonge deals with some sensitive subjects in the book but there are plenty of light moments and lots of romance too. The Italian setting comes to life with the descriptions of stunning Roman architecture and mouth-watering food ...... you just want to book the next flight out there!

Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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.

As delicious as a gelato eaten in a picturesque Italian piazza under a Mediterranean sky, One Summer in Rome is a gorgeous and uplifting romantic treat I found absolutely impossible to resist.

Mary Smith has had enough. She is sick of leading an ordinary life that is sadly lacking in excitement and gusto and is determined to do something about it before it is too late. Realizing that she cannot continue to sit around hoping for something to happen, the time has come for Mary to take charge of her own destiny and become the mistress of her own fate, so she packs her bags, waves goodbye to her humdrum existence and buys a one-way ticket to Rome for a summer she hopes will be one she will not easily forget!

Mary might yearn for excitement, but she is adamant that men are strictly off the agenda for her. Mary has got neither the time nor the inclination for romance or a relationship of any kind – besides, no sooner had she set foot on Italian soil that she was completely and utterly bowled over by the beautiful Italian capital. Mary has never known a time where she was this happy – not only is living in the city of her dreams, but she has also been welcomed with open arms in the charming family-run pizzeria La Dolce Vita! Everything seems to be going swimmingly for Mary – the only fly in the ointment is that chef Dante Rossi doesn’t seem to be too keen on having her around the place.

Dante is the most infuriating, aggravating and gorgeous man she has ever clapped eyes on! Romance might be off the cards for Mary, but even she cannot deny that the mysterious Italian chef has awakened feelings deep within her which she had thought long-buried! However, Dante has made it clear that there is absolutely no place for Mary at La Dolce Vita – even if she cannot shake off this feeling that there is something bubbling beneath the surface of the jovial family-run pizzeria…

Sparks quickly begin to fly and Mary finds herself at the centre of it all. Her one summer in Rome is certainly going to be unforgettable, but will she manage to find the happiness which she has been searching for for so long? Will Rome end up being the place she can call home? Or will fulfillment continue to prove elusive?

Samantha Tonge has penned a breezy, exciting and heart-warming romantic read that is a joy from start to finish! One Summer in Rome is a wonderful tale that tugs at the heartstrings and tickles the funny bones and will keep readers riveted and enthralled from beginning to end as they find themselves swept up in this fabulous romance.

With a lovely heroine, a gorgeous hero, a splendid setting and plenty of laughter, emotion and heart, One Summer in Rome is a mesmerizing tale that should be in everyone’s beach bag this summer!

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.