I want to grow up to be Ronnie and Marina! They decide to share the home they live in with British women going through a mid-life crisis, either their own or one forced upon them by a spouse or other outside influence. Ronnie and Marina are full of spunk and verve, they challenge the woman who shows up to a variety of tasks to open them up and make them think about life as they know and what they really want out of it going forward. Granted this was started as a way to keep Ronnie's daughter from coming to stay long term and badgering them to live differently in their elder years. While Ronnie and Marina do play a significant role, the true main character is Beth the woman from England who finds herself cast into limbo by a husband going through a crisis. I so want to be Beth and to spend 3 months in Rome with these spunky ladies taking me under their wing and showing me their version of life! Witty banter, fun interactions, a gorgeous setting and an inspiring story of finding oneself later in life are all combined to make a wonderfully entertaining read that also inspires you to live your best life!

This is a review of the first and second instalment in this series.
I'm always a bit wary of some books set in any Italian historical city because they can be a sort of mix between a tourist guide and a fantasy.
This is not one of those cases, this is a series of poignant and life affirming books with some sad moments and hope.
I love Ronnie, her secrets and lover her guests and how her life can change.
Well plotted and compelling. Ronnie must be a millionaire to own and entire building in Rome but this detail is part of the suspension of belief.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

What an enjoyable read!
Having visited Rome and loved it, this book got my attention immediately with the title, and the fact that Kerry Fisher write it too!
I could totally relate to Beth as I read her story, and simply loved revisiting Rome through her eyes and the wonderful way it is portrayed in the book.
For me, it’s been a lovely bit of escapism as we’ve been having a typical British summer 🌧
I’m pleased to say I have the second book so I’m diving straight into that one next!

Really enjoyed escaping with this book the last couple of days.
The premise reminded me of The Enchanted April where, in this case, two elderly women advertise for the chance for a middle aged English women to stay in an apartment in Rome for a peppercorn rent, to find herself again.

Very easy to read and with only a few characters the writing made it very easy to follow. Witty and people I could easily picture I’m already looking forward to reading the next book!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Beth feels sad after she’s taken her daughter to university, but when her husband informs her that he’s going to Paris as he’s accepted a position there to work, and he thinks that Beth doesn’t interest him anymore, she’s unsure of what to do now.

When she notices a vacancy, she goes to Rome so that she can be the person her husband finds interesting.

When her landlady and neighbour who live in the same building start to give their view on the situation, Beth starts to wonder if Joel is the right person for her.

I recommend this book.

I have to say that what sets this book apart from other books in this genre, is the author's ability to understand the human condition, so very well. And that is why I enjoy them so much.

Beth finds herself at a crossroads. Her only child has just gone to university and her husband has decided she is boring and he wants a break from their marriage of over two decades. She sees an ad where an older lady in Rome is looking for a middle-aged British woman to "rediscover herself". So, Beth packs a suitcase and off she goes.

Ronnie is the owner of Villa Alba and she is an unusual 74 year old Vespa riding woman who has her own reasons for setting challenges for her new guest.

As Beth discovers Rome and completes challenges that Ronnie and her friend Marina have set her, a whole other world opens up. She starts getting some confidence and when she learns something about her husband, it really opens her eyes and makes her re-think her future.

Great book about female friendships and the role that women have in marriages etc. A real thinker.

Straight onto book 2 and Ronnie's story :)

5 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

🏛Excellent quick read: romantic and inspirational😍⛲

The Rome Apartment was a great trip to the vias and viales of Rome! Author Kerry Fisher did an excellent job of telling the story of Beth's reawakening in the face of a troubled marriage and, at the same time, describing beautifully the nooks and crannies of Rome, both the famous and largely hidden spots. The writing was straightforward, with just the right amount of detail and internal thought versus action and dialogue.

I found the concept of a well-off Rome widow with an empty apartment to spare seeking middle-aged British women to help through a crisis or pivotal time an original idea and Beth the perfect test case for the endeavor. Beth starts at a low point with her teenage daughter moving out for university and her husband ambushing her with his mid-life marital discontent and a proposed test separation. Beth's transformation as she gets to know Rome, Rico and her own worth turned out to be quite uplifting. How ironic that her discontented husband started the ball rolling and actually helped Beth get to a better place.

This needs to be a series! I would definitely come back for more!

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Thank you NetGalley for tbe eARC. I really enjoyed this story! I found myself lauging out loud and gasping in shock at times. I really want to read the next book as well! I am so invested in these women!

Beth and her husband have reached an impasse in their marriage. Joel wants a break and finds a job opportunity in Paris leaving everything open to whatever may follow. He doesn’t want to commit himself to whether he wants to stay or go from the marriage and Beth has been so compliant throughout that she cannot take a stand, though inwardly she knows she is a coward for not taking a stand.

A chance advertisement in a magazine is the impetus she needs to spend a few months in Rome with two older ladies who are so full of life that they somehow drag Beth from the dull and routine which she has followed throughout her marriage.

The story of revival, survival, finding new interests and even love is an invigorating read. It is fun to read about reviving interests one had when one was in your twenties, and know there is so much still to do when one is in one’s fifties.

The good part is that though the story does not end conclusively there is a sequel (review follows)

What a wonderful summer adventure!
I loved the characters in The Rome Apartment.
The story is about rediscovering oneself and finding joy in life once again.
The setting of Rome was just beautifully written about by author Kerry Fisher. I loved how vivid the descriptions of the scenery and points of interest were.
I was lucky enough to get book 2 in the series which I am currently reading.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Dropping her daughter off at university is devastating to Beth, who feels unprepared to be an empty-nester. But her husband, Joel, drops an even bigger bombshell. He is taking a position in Paris because he just doesn't find Beth that interesting anymore. Never mind that Beth has been preoccupied these many years with the bulk of the parenting and housekeeping responsibilities while also frequently being the primary breadwinner so that Joel could explore his career options.

On a whim, Beth decides to temporarily move to Rome in hopes of becoming sufficiently interesting to maintain her husband's interest. But with the help of her opinionated and strong landlady and neighbor, Beth begins to wonder if Joel is worthy of her rather than vice versa.

The first book in a series that promises to be as entertaining and affirming as this first entry. #TheRomeApartment #NetGalley

This is my favorite summertime read of 2023. Thank you to the publisher, the author for this fantastic book, and to Net Galley . MY review opinions are my own. A sweeping engrossing story i read cover to cover. Welcome to your summer adventure in Rome !

Right away you meet Beth our main character. She is middle age when her life takes a unexpected and devasting turn as her husband of 24 years walks out to leave for Paris telling her she is " boring and predicitable." This on the same day they drop their daughter off at University. Encourgaged by a good friend she relunctly goes to Rome to stay in a apartment near the Vatican and discover herself anew. Her adventures in Rome start with a apartment house for women starting over in life and in need of a life change. She is encourgaged by two other residents to disccover the beauty and joy in Rome and thereby she will find her own joy. As she slowly comes alive she finds herself feeling happieness and experiencing joy and wonder each day. The ending will captivate the reader and you will like Beth and her transition in life to a happy fullfilled person open to new experiences. You will love the walks through Rome and all the beauty described by the author to feel as if you are in Rome. Very well written this is a wonderful read. I am now reading book two and cannot wait to experience life in Rome again through Beth';s experiences.

This is a wonderful book. It deals with the complex emotions of a couple on a break from their marriage as their daughter leaves home for university.. The relationships are in-depth and I really empathised with Beth. I wish I’d read it before a recent trip to Rome - now I’ll have to go again to visit all the places it mentions. I’m so pleased to see there’s a volume 2! I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for this eCopy to review.

What a fantastic book, whilst it might seem an escapist easy read The Rome Apartment had so many messages you could take away to help improve your life.
- Slow down and explore
- Find what brings you joy
- Look for the small things
- Mostly that life is short don't get stuck in a rut or worry what others think, go out and seize the day and live your life as you want it

I loved the scene setting in Rome, I've always wanted to visit but want to go even more now so I can visit places mentioned here

We follow Beth as she journeys to discover herself after dropping her daughter off at University and her husband saying she is boring and that he wants a trial separation. Desperate she answers an advert to stay a few months in an apartment in Rome all she has to do is follow Ronnie's and Marina's advice and challenges. Beth is a bit dubious at first but stays the course and transforms herself in the process

A really good read. I really enjoyed this book as we follow Beth to Rome after answering an ad for a English woman to stay in a villa for a few weeks she decides to take a chance and go as she was having difficulties in her marriage and her only daughter had just started university. I loved reading about all the lovely places in Rome bought to life by this author as it is one of my favourite places as I almost felt as I was back there again and the story was very interesting I'm sure it's the start of a great series of books

Rome js a balm for Beth, whose daughter has headed off to college and whose husband Joel has decided their marriage is stale. Her landlady Ronnie sets her on a course to find things in Rome that spark joy including, as it turns out, a younger man. And then Joel turns up. Read this for the delightful walk through a wonderful city and for Beth's journey to a better place, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, Also- know that this is short (perhaps a bit too short, especially for those who nostalgic for Rome).

What a lovely feel-good story this is, in the fantastic setting of Rome. I've never been there, but with our main character Beth, I've walked the streets and experienced so many wonderful sights. There was a great cast of characters in this book who we get to know and love and you can't help but root for Beth in her six week break to find herself after her daughter goes to University and her husband appears to be bored with her. I just loved it. the ending was perfect, the twist made me gasp with indignation and it absorbed my attention the whole way through. Marvellous!

If sending your only child off to university wasn't a huge change in your life, Beth is stunned when her husband Joel announces he wants a divorce. Floored and encouraged by one of her work collegues, she doesn't something that Beth doesn't do - she applied and is accepted to send ten weeks in a apartment in Rome. Its there she meet Ronnie, an expec who is renting out her apartment to keep her daughter off her back. Then there's Rico - will this Rome adventure end up being the best thing when she finds new love with the handsome musician.

This is a story of finding yourself and maybe taking a chance but also about discovery. This is book one of a brand new series by Kerry Alexander. A feel good read.

A lovely novella with a vivid lead character. Rome is a perfect backdrop for this read and a good storyline too. I am so pleased Ive got my hands on book 2 already and looking forward to seeing what happens next without waiting months for the next 1!

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.