Naughty Girls and Their Books: Roman Crazy by Alice Clayton and Nina Bocci

Avery Bardot steps off the plane in Rome, looking for a fresh start. She’s left behind a soon-to-be ex-husband in Boston and plans to spend the summer with her best friend Daisy, licking her wounds—and perhaps a gelato or two. But when her American-expat friend throws her a welcome party on her first night, Avery’s thrown for a loop when she sees a man she never thought she’d see again: Italian architect Marcello Bianchi.

Marcello was the man - the one who got away. And now her past is colliding with her present, a present where she should be mourning the loss of her marriage and—hey, that fettuccine is delicious! And so is Marcello…

Slipping easily into the good life of summertime in Rome. Avery spends her days exploring a city that makes art historians swoon, and her nights swooning over her unexpected what was old is new again romance. It’s heady, it’s fevered, it’s wanton, and it’s crazy. But could this really be her new life? Or is it just a temporary reprieve before returning to the land of twin-set cardigans and crustless sandwiches?

A celebration of great friendship, passionate romance, and wonderful food. Roman Crazy is a lighthearted story of second chances and living life to the fullest.

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Review

(by Cindy)

Roman Crazy is the first book by author Nina Bocci (with Alice Clayton).

I knew I wanted to read this book because I had the opportunity to travel to Rome last year, and I was excited to “revisit” it through the eyes of these authors and their characters.

After witnessing her husband’s infidelity with his secretary, literally before her eyes, Avery is done. Done with her marriage, and done with the woman she’s been pretending to be for the past nine years. Time away is exactly what Avery needs to find herself and reclaim the dreams and passions she so tightly locked away when she became the wife to Daniel, a man who was obviously more invested in his own needs than hers. When Avery’s college roommate Daisy invites her to stay with her in Rome, a summer in Italia sounds like just what she needs to press the reset button on her life. But the architecture, statues and frescos aren’t the only thing in Europe that attract Avery’s attention.

Avery met Marcello Bianchi nine years ago while studying abroad in Barcelona. Some would call what they had a wild affair. For Avery, Marcello was the love of her life, and walking away from him was and still is her biggest regret. So, on her first night in Rome, when Daisy introduces Avery to her co-worker, Marcello, all the memories and guilt come rushing back in.

I loved the story of Avery and Marcello. I found the storyline to be somewhat predictable; however, that didn’t bother me in the least. The characters are mature. The relationship is mature. Even the difficult and courageous conversations were what I expect (and appreciate) from grown adults. As a reader I was engrossed by the authors’ extensive attention to detail. I could see the streets, smell the food, and hear the sounds of Rome. The pictures they painted with their words that had me right back there walking those Roman roads all over again.

Roman Crazy is more than a love story. It’s even more than a second chance story. It’s an experience.

Five beautifully-written stars!

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