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From the acclaimed author of Four Hundred and Forty Steps to the Sea and Under a Sardinian Sky comes a lyrical new novel set against a stunning Italian backdrop. Famed for its natural beauty and rich history, Sardinia in 1968 is notorious, too, for the bandits who kidnap wealthy landowners for ransom. Eleven-year-old Alba Fresu’s brother, and her father, Bruno, are abducted by criminals who mistake Bruno for a rich man. After a grueling journey through the countryside, the two are eventually released—but the experience leaves Alba shaken and unable to readjust to normal life, or to give voice to her inner turmoil. Accompanying her mother to cleaning jobs, Alba visits the villa of an eccentric signora and touches the keys of a piano for the first time. The instrument’s spell is immediate. During secret lessons, forbidden by her mother, Alba is at last able to express emotions too powerful for words alone. Ignoring her parents’ insistence that she work in the family’s car dealership and marry a local boy, Alba accepts a scholarship to the Rome Accademia. There she immerses herself in a vibrant world of art—and a passionate affair. But her path will lead her to a crossroads, where Alba will have to reconcile the past she fled with her longing for love and family to fully convey the music of her heart . . .

My Review:
A Roman Rhapsody is full of descriptive scenarios that make it all believable. The characters were well written and I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of the food, music and location.

This book was provided free of charge to me in exchange for my honest opinion.

The descriptions of the music! Of the food! Of the country! All wonderful. I couldn't ask for anything better than this in a novel. I fell in love with the characters, the writing and of course, Italy. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I'm not going to finish this book, and don't plan to post reviews online.

I found the language stilted, overblown and at times rather odd. The last straw was when "The studio filled with a salty sweetness", and, a "helix of salty steam twirling up into his face." and "the sounds weaving warmth into the space like a carpet of copper thread."

I tried!

I think this book is engrossing and entertaining.
The plot is not very original but you cannot help rooting for the characters. I liked the unusual Italian setting and I liked how it was described, quite realistic and interesting.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Ah Italy! Set in Sardinia and Rome, this is the story of Alba, a musical prodigy who is lucky enough to leave her poor origins in Sardinia when she wins a scholarship to the Academia of Santa Cecila. Oh the descriptions of the music! Of the food! Of the country! All lovely. Alba falls desperately in love with fellow student Vittorio but her acclaim eclipses his and sadly, the relationship fails. But, never fear, they have a second chance. All of this sounds vaguely simplistic but it's so much more. Alexander clearly has a deep love for both music and Italy. She's got a nice writing and story telling style. You will definitely find yourself rooting for these characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read especially for music and/or Italy fans.