This was number 2 in the Escape to Rome series. It's helpful but unnecessary to read the 1st book, so it can be read as a stand-alone book. This story focuses on 'Ronnie' and her backstory. After Ronnie and Marina pick a new tenant for an apartment at Ronnie's Villa Alba, Ronnie's daughter Nadia appears at the Villa, pregnant and alone. With the backdrop of Rome, we learn more about Ronnie's background and why she left Cornwall and started fresh so many years ago.

I enjoyed this story as well. The writer makes Rome come alive in her books, as the characters explore the city as they heal. This one focuses on the relationships between parents and children and the healing properties of Rome. Highly recommended!'

Thanks to @bookouture, @netgalley, and the author of this ARC

I listened to this on audiobook.

This was a lovely story, very well written and entertaining. I loved getting to know all of the characters, although two of them I’d already had the pleasure of meeting from Kerry’s previous book, Ronnie and Merina. They were all delightful, it was great that we got to learn more of Ronnie’s history/background and her difficult relationship she had with her daughter.

I've not been lucky enough to have had the chance to visit Rome, but having read this book, I can almost feel (a very small tiny bit) that I have been. The way in which the author Kerry set the scenes and described all the different places in Rome, it just felt so real and bought it all to life for me.

Kerry truly is a delightful author, her books are well written, heartwarming, emotional and deal with real life issues that life can throw at us all in today's world.

I’m giving this book 4 stars because I like the author’s writing and love Ronnie. I enjoyed very much the parts related to her past. However, the author wrote that people either love or hate Annie. I am in that latter group. I just ended up skimming through her parts. Maybe Beth spoiled me in the first book. I’ll be on to book three and see where I end up.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

I had read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it and was therefore looking forward to this one. Didn't quiet enjoy it as much as the first, but can't really pinpoint why, so guessing it was just me. I like the way the two older characters bounce off each other in their abrupt but comical ways. Another good story that moves along at a nice pace. Couldn't get on with the daughter though. I will definitely look out for book 3.

One of my favourite books of 2022. The characters come alive, it explains life in Rome and the wonderful city comes to life. I have read both books in this series, lived both and I am eagerly awaiting the next book.

This book slowly crept up on me and settled in my heart. It's a long journey but a enjoyable one. I have no words except just beautifully warm.

I love this series and it's fabulous characters!

In this book, I really enjoyed reading about Ronnie's background and her younger years in Cornwall. When Ronnie's daughter, Nadia, arrived at Villa Alba, I felt optimistic for her and Ronnie's relationship, but actually, I soon felt I could have slapped Nadia for her behaviour towards Ronnie - who wouldn't want Ronnie as their Mum?

I related massively to Annie's circumstances and her relationship with her mother and sister, and I was intrigued to find out more about her, and how her situation would compare to Ronnie and Nadia's; she didn't disappoint, throwing a huge curveball into Ronnie's life, which really amped up the tension in the household - I was gripped!

I am so invested in these women's lives and so I am delighted to hear there is a third instalment on the way!

4.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Kerry Fisher and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Pack your bags, we’re going to Italy! If you are looking to lose yourself in a novel, this book is for you. This is the second book in the Italian Escape series but could easily be read as a stand alone book. I enjoyed the story with Ronnie, who works to help women become the best version of themselves. The dynamic between the four women and the secrets that are told over the course of the book had me hooked.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. I read the first book and this was the follow-up book. I must say I didnt get into right away like I did with the first book but it turned out good. I like the concept of women going to Rome for their "rebirth" we will call it.

Secrets at the Rome Apartment by Kerry Fisher is the second book in the new The Italian Escape and what another lovely read this was. Once I opened my kindle and found a shady spot in my garden I was transported back to Rome one of my favourite cities. This book was beautifully written just like her first book within this series, It was brilliant from start to finish. Plus, had a lovely charm to it, The book cover was beautiful.

A much loved book and a great holiday read. I can't recommend Secrets at the Rome Apartment enough Just amazing. Plus, 5 big stars.

Big thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review.

A well written novel. Good plot and character dynamics. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

Thnank you to Netgalley. the publishing houe and the author for the opporutnity to read a copmplimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This is the second book in the Italian Escape series but coul.d easily be read as a stand alone book. This was a lovely book, it made me smile long after I finished it. It was a lovely story that had me laughing along with Ronnie and Marina, and shedding a tear with Nadia. Feeling for the main charcaters is a big part of enjoying a book and with this book, I loved all of the characters. When Annie is chosen to be the next guest, Ronnie could not have guessed that her estranged daughter Nadia would show up pregnant asking to stay. The dynamic between these four women and the secrets that are told over the course of the book had me hooked.

Great book, cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Another enjoyable book by Kerry Fisher and the second in the series. I enjoyed this one as much as the first which is great. This book builds on the characters and the story told in the first book which I liked and it brings the story to life. I felt I could relate to and understand Ronnie more in this book, felt I knew her better.

There is a bit of everything in this book including humour at the right and appropriate moments. It is so easy to read and is one of those books you pick up and read and then you are finished as you just couldn't put it down. The setting is wonderful, the characters are wonderful and the story is wonderful.

So what will come next I wonder. 4 1/2 stars from me.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Kerry Fisher, Secrets at the Rome Apartment (The Italian Escape Book 2), Bookouture July 2023.

Thank you, NetGalley for sending me this uncorrected proof for review.

Secrets at the Rome Apartment continues the story of Ronnie, Nadia and Marina. A prologue establishes that one of the characters has been involved in a devastating accident. In the first chapter, Ronnie six years after his death, has obeyed her daughter, Nadia’s demand that she put flowers on her husband, Matteo’s grave. While there she meets Gianna, his mistress of twenty years and a reason for Ronnie’s reluctance. This chapter establishes that Ronnie’s secrets have impacted on her marriage and relationship with Nadia. Chapter 2 is a return to the past, June 1971, and Ronnie’s secrets begin to be revealed.

In the present Ronnie and Marina have congratulated themselves on their achievements during Beth’s stay at the Rome apartment (see The Rome Apartment, Book 1 in the series) and are about to reprise their success. Their wish to give a mature woman the time and challenges to deal with a crisis in their lives brings Annie to the apartment. They are well on their way with the challenges that form the basis of helping their guests find solutions to problems when Nadia arrives.

Nadia’s pregnancy illuminates the emotional problems that Ronnie’s past has inflicted upon her. Her reluctance to visit Matteo’s grave is replicated in her reluctance to impose upon Nadia and her independence.

The story continues with flashbacks to Ronnie’s past, its impact on her present, and surprises that will influence her relationship with Nadia. The whole gamut of emotions is drawn upon in developing the relationships between the women. Marina continues to advance her ideas with her ‘no holds barred’ stance with varying success. Ronnie ruminates upon a possible perfect future, its pitfalls, and her realisation that the past should no longer impact on her present.

Again, Kerry fisher avoids a predictable and easily judged storyline. The women’s interactions are worth examining rather than seen as part of a story that once again deals with self-deluding women in difficult marriages, the role caring for children has in maintaining unsatisfactory relationships and women’s learning to become self-sufficient. While The Secrets at the Rome Apartment deals with those issues, Fisher’s approach makes a worthy read of familiar themes.

Perhaps there will be third book in the series and Marina’s background and marriages together with her strong approach and determination to air unpopular views will serve as its core. Together with the continuation of Ronnie and Nadia’s developing relationship this would make an engaging read. In the meantime, The Rome Apartment and Secrets at the Rome Apartment do that job thoroughly.

This book builds on the characters in first book of this series and I loved finding out more about Ronnie’s past. I really empathised with the mother/daughter relationship problems and how it can be easier to get along with someone else’s mum than your own.. As the characters and their relationships develop we see that things are never black and white. This would be a great book to read before going on holiday to Rome as it tells a lot about hidden places that most tourists would miss. I hope there are several more books to come!

I read Book 1 and 2 back to back as they are such beautiful stories. Now I just want to get to the airport and go to Italy. The writing is so evocative and even in dreary UK you can imagine the food, scenery and beauty of Rome. The backstory of Ronnie closes this lovely domestic saga. I am always excited when a book from Kerry's comes out and this is a double bonus of two!

After finishing The Rome Apartment, I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this one, and I’m so glad I did.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series but the character development in this one just made it even more enjoyable for me.
Going into Ronnie’s background and learning more about her and what she’s been through really drew me into her character even more and I just love who she is, and how far she’s come. I really felt for her and at times, got a real lump in my throat as things were revealed about her.
I can not wait for more books in this series as I thoroughly enjoy the concept of what Ronnie is doing in Rome by renting out her apartment to “ladies of a certain age”, and I for one, can’t wait to see what other guests she welcomes in along the way.

The second book in the Italian Escape series introduces a new temporary tenant to the Rome apartment Annie who experienced a complicated relationship with her mother and sister. Annie is different from Beth, the escapee featured in book one, and initially, Ronnie and Marina find her challenging. However, she forces them to look at their past lives and mistakes and share what has always been secret. Ronnie's past and strained relationship with Nadia, her daughter, are explored in this story when she turns up in Rome unexpectedly in need of support. It's a poignant story with welcome moments of humour. The setting is vibrant and vividly described. I like the believably flawed characters, the dynamic between the women, the location and the shared secrets. It's an enjoyable emotional, escapist read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Book 2 - A good follow on that dips between the past and present day. Family complexities, secrets and facing up to life as it is. Here we see the long term fall out of an affair. Ronnie touches deep within her emotions and memories. Her long time and best friend Marina by her side and their new female applicant Annie who comes to stay in the villa with a bus load of baggage of her own. Nadia also makes an appearance of her own which ads to the stories depth. An interesting read.

In the first book in this Italian Escape series, the story was focused on how 75-year-old Ronnie helped a woman named Beth to see life in a new light. In this story, this book also explores Ronnie’s past. We learn how Ronnie came to live in Rome. Also, Ronnie’s daughter Nadia is pregnant, and Ronnie longs for the chance to better her relationship with her daughter, and is very much looking forward to becoming a grandmother. Meanwhile her Rome apartment has a new guest.

This powerful story explores the lives of these women. In fact, although less than 300 pages, this story is well packed. Quite readable, as it was interesting to s learn more about Ronnie, how she navigated her relationship with her daughter, and what her connection to her newest guest was.

Then, factoring in the beautiful backdrop of the story and everything came together flawlessly. Kerry Fisher draws you in to her wonderful characters and it was great imagining myself in picturesque Rome with these wonderful people.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.