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Italian Escape
Secrets at the Rome Apartment
Everyone has something to hide. Back then, I was a young woman, without the imagination to know how it would all end, and how the terrible consequences of the choices I made would echo down the years…
75-year-old Ronnie has made it her mission to help women of a certain age rediscover themselves. The owner of a palazzo in Rome, she has left her troubled past behind and reinvented herself in the most beautiful city in the world. And now she helps other women to do the same. Renting out her spare apartment for three months at a time, Ronnie invites her guests to take on a series of challenges that will help them to embrace beauty and joy, to rediscover themselves and to live their lives to the full.
But Ronnie’s confident exterior hides heartbreak and closely-held secrets. Why did she leave England all those years ago and what was she running away from? How did a woman who helps others to fix their shattered lives become estranged from her very own daughter, Nadia, who has left Rome and moved to England to escape her?
As Ronnie welcomes her latest guest to the Rome apartment, Nadia appears unannounced on her doorstep – pregnant and alone. Ronnie is desperate for a chance to put things right and to be part of her precious grandchild’s life, but in order to fix her family, she will have to dig up secrets from her past that could risk destroying everything…
Get swept away to the sunny streets of the most beautiful city in the world with this heartwarming novel about love and second chances. Perfect for fans of Faith Hogan, Elin Hilderbrand and Sheila O’Flanagan.
75-year-old Ronnie has made it her mission to help women of a certain age rediscover themselves. The owner of a palazzo in Rome, she has left her troubled past behind and reinvented herself in the most beautiful city in the world. And now she helps other women to do the same. Renting out her spare apartment for three months at a time, Ronnie invites her guests to take on a series of challenges that will help them to embrace beauty and joy, to rediscover themselves and to live their lives to the full.
But Ronnie’s confident exterior hides heartbreak and closely-held secrets. Why did she leave England all those years ago and what was she running away from? How did a woman who helps others to fix their shattered lives become estranged from her very own daughter, Nadia, who has left Rome and moved to England to escape her?
As Ronnie welcomes her latest guest to the Rome apartment, Nadia appears unannounced on her doorstep – pregnant and alone. Ronnie is desperate for a chance to put things right and to be part of her precious grandchild’s life, but in order to fix her family, she will have to dig up secrets from her past that could risk destroying everything…
Get swept away to the sunny streets of the most beautiful city in the world with this heartwarming novel about love and second chances. Perfect for fans of Faith Hogan, Elin Hilderbrand and Sheila O’Flanagan.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2023
1447 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
July 19, 2023
The sequel was as good as the debut!
There are four women who hold up the story in this sequel; one needing to recalibrate and assess what she wants from her future while nursing deep wounds from her childhood, one struggling to cope after being left at a precarious point in her life, one searching for her place after being ditched for someone else, and another dealing with the consequences of blind love.
Through these characters, the author explores family, found family, love and second chances. She points out the danger of going along with things, of taking things at face value, of not slowing down to enjoy life, of tethering ourselves to our past when our anchors aren’t what we thought they were, and of the continual need to be right.
Along the way I got
(1) wanderlust to see The Galleria Spada, Borromini’s architectural wonders, and Diavu’s paintings of perspective.
(2) encouragement to build a bonfire of all my mistakes, to excavate all that is good and wise, and fashion something original, true and powerful from the embers.
(3) caught up in giggles (“Two batty old women who think they’re somehow the messiahs of the menopausal.”)
4) inspiration to add a crodino (a Campari without the alcohol) to my summer sipping menu!
🤩Most of all, I LOVED THE THEME OF PERSPECTIVE so tightly woven throughout this spectacular story AND an author who didn’t hammer the theme each time it appeared. When I saw it, I smiled and was thankful that the author left me room to make the connections myself!
Quotes I’m still thinking about:
“For every negative, every thing that annoys us, there is often a positive if we look hard enough.”
“No one ever argued their way to happiness.”
“Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forwards.”
Please tell me there’s a sequel! Worthy of all the stars.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
There are four women who hold up the story in this sequel; one needing to recalibrate and assess what she wants from her future while nursing deep wounds from her childhood, one struggling to cope after being left at a precarious point in her life, one searching for her place after being ditched for someone else, and another dealing with the consequences of blind love.
Through these characters, the author explores family, found family, love and second chances. She points out the danger of going along with things, of taking things at face value, of not slowing down to enjoy life, of tethering ourselves to our past when our anchors aren’t what we thought they were, and of the continual need to be right.
Along the way I got
(1) wanderlust to see The Galleria Spada, Borromini’s architectural wonders, and Diavu’s paintings of perspective.
(2) encouragement to build a bonfire of all my mistakes, to excavate all that is good and wise, and fashion something original, true and powerful from the embers.
(3) caught up in giggles (“Two batty old women who think they’re somehow the messiahs of the menopausal.”)
4) inspiration to add a crodino (a Campari without the alcohol) to my summer sipping menu!
🤩Most of all, I LOVED THE THEME OF PERSPECTIVE so tightly woven throughout this spectacular story AND an author who didn’t hammer the theme each time it appeared. When I saw it, I smiled and was thankful that the author left me room to make the connections myself!
Quotes I’m still thinking about:
“For every negative, every thing that annoys us, there is often a positive if we look hard enough.”
“No one ever argued their way to happiness.”
“Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forwards.”
Please tell me there’s a sequel! Worthy of all the stars.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
July 2, 2025
Nadia was 👎🏽💣
July 30, 2023
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.
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.
September 27, 2023
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 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.
July 28, 2023
Although I didn’t get a chance to read the debut, I was still able to enjoy this one as a stand-alone. Having said that, I do think I will go back and read the first book because there is some backstory to the characters that I think I would have benefited from learning a bit more of going into this one. Overall though, this can for sure be read as is.
There are four women at various stages in their lives in this story: one needing to rethink whether she is in need of a life change while she deals with the wounds of her childhood, one struggling with being ditched for someone else and another dealing with the comes of blind love.
I loved the theme of found family that ran through this story. These women all had various family issues and managed to find each other at a time when they needed it most, some in their twilight years, and became the family they didn’t have. They also learned from each others past mistakes! It’s so easy to try and keep your mistakes hidden, but they brought them to light and made them learning experiences, while not coming across as super philosophical or having it hammered into the reader. And it was funny at times! People tend to think of menopausal (or older) women as sitting around in their rocking chairs with a grumpy face, but not these women! They were active, inspired and insightful.
My favorite quote from the book, although there were several, is probably this one: “ Life can on,y be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
There are four women at various stages in their lives in this story: one needing to rethink whether she is in need of a life change while she deals with the wounds of her childhood, one struggling with being ditched for someone else and another dealing with the comes of blind love.
I loved the theme of found family that ran through this story. These women all had various family issues and managed to find each other at a time when they needed it most, some in their twilight years, and became the family they didn’t have. They also learned from each others past mistakes! It’s so easy to try and keep your mistakes hidden, but they brought them to light and made them learning experiences, while not coming across as super philosophical or having it hammered into the reader. And it was funny at times! People tend to think of menopausal (or older) women as sitting around in their rocking chairs with a grumpy face, but not these women! They were active, inspired and insightful.
My favorite quote from the book, although there were several, is probably this one: “ Life can on,y be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
January 8, 2025
I love Kerry Fisher’s observations of human behavior. I also love that her characters aren’t black and white in their opinions and feelings. They are layered and thoughtful, often wise with experience. The ability to see different perspectives could help all relationships.
December 13, 2023
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.
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.
October 28, 2024
Wow, this one packed a Lot of punches! Serious material comes to light and Wow, does it pull the heart strings! Excellent read.
April 26, 2025
This book!!!
So many of the reflections within take me back through my own reality.
Four fat real stars
So many of the reflections within take me back through my own reality.
Four fat real stars
June 29, 2023
This is a nice sequel, The Italian Escape is a good series about women who uplift each other, and more is revealed about Ronnie in this installment, and her relationship with her daughter Nadia. It is a short book, as a huge part of the ARC/ebook is composed of samples for other novels.
July 28, 2023
Wow! This book is better than the first and unleashes a flood of feels! I do recommend reading the series in order as the first book is absolutely wonderful, but also is a major foundation upon which this story is built. In this book our host in Rome, Ronnie, becomes not only the host of broken women, but unravels the mystery that made her the broken woman that she was/is as well. I said the first book was wonderfully entertaining as well as inspiring and I must say that it also applies to this book. This series, this book in particular, really drives home the point that everyone has their own perspective of life events as each person has their own personality and relationships to the people involved. I read both the first book and this book back-to-back and must say that I am bereft that I am leaving Rome, Ronnie and Marina without a return visit already listed on the docket! While this could easily be just a two-book series, I really, really, really hope the author sees fit to allow us more visits to Rome, Ronnie and Marina!!! Grab these books, a cuppa and cuddle in for a wonderful afternoon or two of entertainment!
August 14, 2023
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.
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.
January 9, 2026
📚 Quick Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Secrets at the Rome Apartment is one of those gorgeous, character-led reads where the setting does half the work. Rome feels alive, warm, a little seductive, and full of atmosphere that makes you slow down and really savour the pages. At its heart, it’s a story about women, the stories they tell themselves, the truths they avoid, and the moments that quietly but firmly demand honesty.
⸻
💖 What I Loved
• The characters felt properly human. Not polished, not neatly wrapped, but messy, layered, and believable. The kind you find yourself thinking about long after you’ve put the book down.
• Marina is my feisty favourite, without question. She’s warm, spirited, and unapologetically herself. Every time she appeared, the story lifted.
• Ronnie had me torn. I desperately wanted her to be stronger with her daughter, to hold her ground more firmly, to stop shrinking herself. But that frustration is exactly why she works so well as a character. You can see how she got there, how love and fear slowly blur boundaries.
• Nadia is, quite frankly, a damaged soul. She doesn’t come across well for much of the book, and I suspect that’s exactly as it should be. She’s prickly, defensive, and hard to warm to. Yet towards the end, she begins to soften just enough for you to glimpse who she could be. I found myself thinking that she could actually be a really lovely person if she ever laid some of that baggage down.
• I’m deliberately not mentioning their guest this time, but just the thought of her makes me smile.
• The emotional pacing is beautifully judged. Nothing is rushed, nothing is over-explained. The story trusts you to feel what’s unfolding.
• The writing itself feels warm and immersive, the kind that lets you read between the lines and notice what isn’t being said.
⸻
🌀 What I Struggled With
Very little. Some moments made me feel tense or frustrated, particularly around family dynamics, but that felt intentional rather than uncomfortable in the wrong way.
⸻
💫 Favourite Line or Moment
Two moments truly stayed with me.
One part way through made me gasp out loud. My heart genuinely sang, and I had to put the book down for a moment just to steady myself.
And then the ending. Quiet, tender, and beautifully done. It felt earned rather than wrapped up for convenience.
⸻
🎯 Who Should Read It
If you love character-driven stories, emotionally rich writing, and books that explore the messiness of relationships and past choices, this is a perfect read. Especially for anyone who enjoys stories about women and the lives they lead behind closed doors.
⸻
🧠 Final Thoughts
A truly glorious book. Warm, thoughtful, and emotionally satisfying. An easy five stars.
Secrets at the Rome Apartment is one of those gorgeous, character-led reads where the setting does half the work. Rome feels alive, warm, a little seductive, and full of atmosphere that makes you slow down and really savour the pages. At its heart, it’s a story about women, the stories they tell themselves, the truths they avoid, and the moments that quietly but firmly demand honesty.
⸻
💖 What I Loved
• The characters felt properly human. Not polished, not neatly wrapped, but messy, layered, and believable. The kind you find yourself thinking about long after you’ve put the book down.
• Marina is my feisty favourite, without question. She’s warm, spirited, and unapologetically herself. Every time she appeared, the story lifted.
• Ronnie had me torn. I desperately wanted her to be stronger with her daughter, to hold her ground more firmly, to stop shrinking herself. But that frustration is exactly why she works so well as a character. You can see how she got there, how love and fear slowly blur boundaries.
• Nadia is, quite frankly, a damaged soul. She doesn’t come across well for much of the book, and I suspect that’s exactly as it should be. She’s prickly, defensive, and hard to warm to. Yet towards the end, she begins to soften just enough for you to glimpse who she could be. I found myself thinking that she could actually be a really lovely person if she ever laid some of that baggage down.
• I’m deliberately not mentioning their guest this time, but just the thought of her makes me smile.
• The emotional pacing is beautifully judged. Nothing is rushed, nothing is over-explained. The story trusts you to feel what’s unfolding.
• The writing itself feels warm and immersive, the kind that lets you read between the lines and notice what isn’t being said.
⸻
🌀 What I Struggled With
Very little. Some moments made me feel tense or frustrated, particularly around family dynamics, but that felt intentional rather than uncomfortable in the wrong way.
⸻
💫 Favourite Line or Moment
Two moments truly stayed with me.
One part way through made me gasp out loud. My heart genuinely sang, and I had to put the book down for a moment just to steady myself.
And then the ending. Quiet, tender, and beautifully done. It felt earned rather than wrapped up for convenience.
⸻
🎯 Who Should Read It
If you love character-driven stories, emotionally rich writing, and books that explore the messiness of relationships and past choices, this is a perfect read. Especially for anyone who enjoys stories about women and the lives they lead behind closed doors.
⸻
🧠 Final Thoughts
A truly glorious book. Warm, thoughtful, and emotionally satisfying. An easy five stars.
July 22, 2023
Dredging up past mistakes to heal rifts: moving😣
4-4.5🌟stars
I was really glad to find out more about British expat widow Veronica (Ronnie) in this second novel in Kerry Fisher's Rome Apartment duology. This book roped me in with its strong emotional content as it hops back and forth between the present and the 1970's, from Rome to Cornwall in southwest England. Ronnie's story is very moving as she tries to connect with her resentful daughter, maintain a presence in her new granddaughter's life and deal with her guilt and regrets from a youthful love affair in Cornwall with a married man that ended tragically. Fisher does a realistic job of highlighting the eternal struggles within families when life throws curves to pull them apart.
I did not find Ronnie's daughter Nadia a very sympathetic character but her troubled relationship with Ronnie is understandable as their history is revealed. What caught my sympathies most in this book was the relationship between Ronnie and the young daughters of her "soon to be divorced" lover Eddie and how that affects Ronnie's ability to connect with her husband and daughter. And Ronnie's determination to heal the rift with Nadia. Powerful stuff, all with a backdrop of summer days in beautiful Rome, where each excursion reveals a treasure of art, history or just a piece of joyful living. Even a quiet cemetery!
Although I fully enjoyed this novel I preferred the romance and personal transformation for Beth in The Rome Apartment, the first book in the set. Still, both are great stories that I wholeheartedly recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
4-4.5🌟stars
I was really glad to find out more about British expat widow Veronica (Ronnie) in this second novel in Kerry Fisher's Rome Apartment duology. This book roped me in with its strong emotional content as it hops back and forth between the present and the 1970's, from Rome to Cornwall in southwest England. Ronnie's story is very moving as she tries to connect with her resentful daughter, maintain a presence in her new granddaughter's life and deal with her guilt and regrets from a youthful love affair in Cornwall with a married man that ended tragically. Fisher does a realistic job of highlighting the eternal struggles within families when life throws curves to pull them apart.
I did not find Ronnie's daughter Nadia a very sympathetic character but her troubled relationship with Ronnie is understandable as their history is revealed. What caught my sympathies most in this book was the relationship between Ronnie and the young daughters of her "soon to be divorced" lover Eddie and how that affects Ronnie's ability to connect with her husband and daughter. And Ronnie's determination to heal the rift with Nadia. Powerful stuff, all with a backdrop of summer days in beautiful Rome, where each excursion reveals a treasure of art, history or just a piece of joyful living. Even a quiet cemetery!
Although I fully enjoyed this novel I preferred the romance and personal transformation for Beth in The Rome Apartment, the first book in the set. Still, both are great stories that I wholeheartedly recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
August 4, 2023
In this second Rome Apartment book, the focus is on Ronnie, the owner of Villa Alba, including the apartment in question. It’s Ronnie who tells her own story this time, following two timelines: one covering her life in the 1970s, when she was in her 20s and desperate to escape her stifling home life in Cornwall, having enjoyed the freedom of university life and a year in Paris; the other is the present day, starting immediately after the departure of book one’s apartment guest, when Ronnie and her magnificent friend Marina are looking for the second woman who will stay in the apartment to benefit from Rome’s magic.
The guest this time is Annie Gordon, who surprises Ronnie, coming across as someone who knows who she is and has no need of guidance to face or change the future. She’s confident and knows how to stand up for herself. But Ronnie recognises there is a vulnerability about her as well. This vulnerability lies in a difficult relationship with her late mother and a huge fall-out with her sister, whom her mother favoured and who indulged their mother in turn.
Annie’s problem prompts Ronnie to grapple with her own difficult relationships, both with her late parents and her daughter. The need for forgiveness, from her parents and her daughter, weighs heavily on Ronnie. As the reasons behind the strained relationships are revealed (there are a few “oh, my goodness” moments) I felt increasing sympathy and admiration for Ronnie in equal measure.
In addition to another cracking story, I now have even more places in Rome I need to visit if I manage another trip there.
I wonder if Kerry Fisher might be open to persuasion to allow us to spend some more time in the apartment? Because I for one would love to!
The guest this time is Annie Gordon, who surprises Ronnie, coming across as someone who knows who she is and has no need of guidance to face or change the future. She’s confident and knows how to stand up for herself. But Ronnie recognises there is a vulnerability about her as well. This vulnerability lies in a difficult relationship with her late mother and a huge fall-out with her sister, whom her mother favoured and who indulged their mother in turn.
Annie’s problem prompts Ronnie to grapple with her own difficult relationships, both with her late parents and her daughter. The need for forgiveness, from her parents and her daughter, weighs heavily on Ronnie. As the reasons behind the strained relationships are revealed (there are a few “oh, my goodness” moments) I felt increasing sympathy and admiration for Ronnie in equal measure.
In addition to another cracking story, I now have even more places in Rome I need to visit if I manage another trip there.
I wonder if Kerry Fisher might be open to persuasion to allow us to spend some more time in the apartment? Because I for one would love to!
August 23, 2023
This book focuses on Ronnie, Nadia and Annie with a bit of Marina thrown in as well. It does go from the past to the present numerous times and gives you the reasons why Ronnie came to live in Italy and didn’t want to go back to England.
Annie says she needs some help in her life which is exactly what Ronnie and Marina are looking for. But when she arrives Annie doesn’t quite seem to be someone who needs anything at all, her life seems pretty well put together. But we do know that often what we show as people on the outside, is not who we truly are on the inside.
The same holds true for Ronnie, she puts on a brave front, but inside of her, the history and events that she had to go through when she was younger was a mess. Nadia suddenly shows up on her doorstep while Annie is there, pregnant and alone. Two things Nadia swore would never happen. Ronnie treads lightly as she tries to repair their relationship, but when the secrets of her past finally come out, maybe that is what Nadia needed to know about. Because sometimes keeping secrets isn’t the best option for everyone at all.
This is the second book in the series by Kerry Fisher. I am actually glad that she released both of them at the same time so you can easily go from one to the other. You can read one without the other but it is nice to read them both. Through these books, Kerry has given a lot of us places to visit while in Rome that are off the beaten path and not what everyone flocks to see. Cant wait to see if there is going to be another woman that needs help and if we are going to discover some of Marina’s past as well. As others have said, one quote in this book stands out as being very true “Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forwards.”
Annie says she needs some help in her life which is exactly what Ronnie and Marina are looking for. But when she arrives Annie doesn’t quite seem to be someone who needs anything at all, her life seems pretty well put together. But we do know that often what we show as people on the outside, is not who we truly are on the inside.
The same holds true for Ronnie, she puts on a brave front, but inside of her, the history and events that she had to go through when she was younger was a mess. Nadia suddenly shows up on her doorstep while Annie is there, pregnant and alone. Two things Nadia swore would never happen. Ronnie treads lightly as she tries to repair their relationship, but when the secrets of her past finally come out, maybe that is what Nadia needed to know about. Because sometimes keeping secrets isn’t the best option for everyone at all.
This is the second book in the series by Kerry Fisher. I am actually glad that she released both of them at the same time so you can easily go from one to the other. You can read one without the other but it is nice to read them both. Through these books, Kerry has given a lot of us places to visit while in Rome that are off the beaten path and not what everyone flocks to see. Cant wait to see if there is going to be another woman that needs help and if we are going to discover some of Marina’s past as well. As others have said, one quote in this book stands out as being very true “Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forwards.”
July 22, 2023
Oh wow, this is the story of Ronnie, and how she came to be living in Rome and what has made her the woman she is.
Ronnie is living in Rome, whilst giving middle-aged British women a chance to rediscover themselves by staying in one of her villas for 3 months, being set tasks by Ronnie and her best friend Marina.
When Ronnie's daughter Nadia shows up one day, pregnant and alone, it really throws Ronnie. Ronnie and Nadia have always had a difficult relationship and with pregnancy hormones running amok as well as Ronnie's deep-seated guilt from the past, it ends up being an emotionally fraught time for both of them. And then there is Annie, their latest UK guest, who has some secrets of her own.....
Such an amazing story, full of connections between women and all those emotions to deal with (or not, as the case may be).
Families, blood and otherwise, are always tricky things to try and navigate.
I think the author does a great job of dealing with all the different personalities and I have to admit wincing a bit when Nadia said certain things because it reminds me of when my own daughter first became a mother.
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
Ronnie is living in Rome, whilst giving middle-aged British women a chance to rediscover themselves by staying in one of her villas for 3 months, being set tasks by Ronnie and her best friend Marina.
When Ronnie's daughter Nadia shows up one day, pregnant and alone, it really throws Ronnie. Ronnie and Nadia have always had a difficult relationship and with pregnancy hormones running amok as well as Ronnie's deep-seated guilt from the past, it ends up being an emotionally fraught time for both of them. And then there is Annie, their latest UK guest, who has some secrets of her own.....
Such an amazing story, full of connections between women and all those emotions to deal with (or not, as the case may be).
Families, blood and otherwise, are always tricky things to try and navigate.
I think the author does a great job of dealing with all the different personalities and I have to admit wincing a bit when Nadia said certain things because it reminds me of when my own daughter first became a mother.
4.5 stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
July 20, 2024
Veronica is 74 as she begins telling this story, and I'm so interested in how thoughtful older people see life, that I was excited to discover this book. After a prologue, we meet Ronnie, who is visiting her husband's grave at the same time as his long-time mistress. Ronnie comes to understand Matteo might have had some justification for what he did.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. At present, Ronnie and her friend Marina, who is around 80, live in a fourplex in Rome. There, they invite troubled women who need to rethink their lives to come and visit for a few months and get straightened out. This time, the visitor, Annie, has a surprise, and it's quite unbelievable. Another visitor is Ronnie's adult daughter, Nadia, who has a chip on her shoulder. That chip is named MOTHER, and nurturing it is Nadia's passion.
The novel describes how a tragedy in Ronnie's young adulthood shaped her, and as the story progresses, she decides to move past the fear and guilt, and live again. I've enjoyed Fisher's books but this one was not as satisfying. The premise--that two difficult women have any business setting themselves up as counselors--is mystifying. The daughter is a spiteful witch. I have to confess I skimmed toward the end.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. At present, Ronnie and her friend Marina, who is around 80, live in a fourplex in Rome. There, they invite troubled women who need to rethink their lives to come and visit for a few months and get straightened out. This time, the visitor, Annie, has a surprise, and it's quite unbelievable. Another visitor is Ronnie's adult daughter, Nadia, who has a chip on her shoulder. That chip is named MOTHER, and nurturing it is Nadia's passion.
The novel describes how a tragedy in Ronnie's young adulthood shaped her, and as the story progresses, she decides to move past the fear and guilt, and live again. I've enjoyed Fisher's books but this one was not as satisfying. The premise--that two difficult women have any business setting themselves up as counselors--is mystifying. The daughter is a spiteful witch. I have to confess I skimmed toward the end.
July 16, 2023
Intention and outcome have proved mismatched in Secrets at the Rome Apartment (The Italian Escape Book 2) by Kerry Fisher.
This was a fun read and very atmospheric. It was a good story with an interesting plot and a great locale. It had a solid ending. 75-year-old Ronnie has made it her mission to help women of a certain age rediscover themselves. The owner of a palazzo in Rome, she has left her troubled past behind and reinvented herself in the most beautiful city in the world. And now she helps other women to do the same. Renting out her spare apartment for three months at a time, Ronnie invites her guests to take on a series of challenges that will help them to embrace beauty and joy, to rediscover themselves, and to live their lives to the full.
However, she thinks she can bend the person to her will and shape them the way she sees fit, which doesn't always turn out the way she wants, and it is quite skewed thinking.
Plus, what a great cover. The cover drew me in, and the story and the author's writing style kept me invested.
A good solid book and one I would recommend; 4 out of 5 stars for me.
#SecretsattheRomeApartment #NetGalley @bookouture
This was a fun read and very atmospheric. It was a good story with an interesting plot and a great locale. It had a solid ending. 75-year-old Ronnie has made it her mission to help women of a certain age rediscover themselves. The owner of a palazzo in Rome, she has left her troubled past behind and reinvented herself in the most beautiful city in the world. And now she helps other women to do the same. Renting out her spare apartment for three months at a time, Ronnie invites her guests to take on a series of challenges that will help them to embrace beauty and joy, to rediscover themselves, and to live their lives to the full.
However, she thinks she can bend the person to her will and shape them the way she sees fit, which doesn't always turn out the way she wants, and it is quite skewed thinking.
Plus, what a great cover. The cover drew me in, and the story and the author's writing style kept me invested.
A good solid book and one I would recommend; 4 out of 5 stars for me.
#SecretsattheRomeApartment #NetGalley @bookouture
July 22, 2023
This is the second in this wonderful engaging series based in Rome. I had loved the first in series and enjoyed this next book . Thank you to the publisher, the author and to Net Galley for the opportunity. This next book features Ronnie the owner of a apartment house in Rome near the Vatican. Ronnie has made it her mission in life to open her apartments to women of a certain age starting over in life. She has changed their lives and enjoyed seeing positive changes in her guest. In this book her selfish daughter arrives pregnant and Ronnie is challenged to forge not only a relationship with her but deal with the pregnancy. As she helps her daughter Rome works its magic and both are forever changed.
This is a fun read to find out more about Ronnie,her background and her happy life in Rome. The author brings Rome alive for the reader. You will feel as if you took a walking tour of Rome and as if you can taste the food . A fun read.
This is a fun read to find out more about Ronnie,her background and her happy life in Rome. The author brings Rome alive for the reader. You will feel as if you took a walking tour of Rome and as if you can taste the food . A fun read.
July 29, 2023
This is the second installment in the Italian Escape series and this book did NOT disappoint. While the concept of the book was the same as the first one – a British woman comes to stay in the Rome apartment to try and look at life a different way, there was so much more to this one. This book really focuses on the mother-daughter relationship between Ronnie and Nadia. We come to understand Ronnie more and learn more about her background and what made her the way that she is. There is also a surprise twist in the book which made the book even better! This book really touched my heart because my relationship with my mother isn’t the best – she has never accepted some of her shortcomings. And she doesn’t understand my way of parenting as I am trying to break generational trauma. This book gives one hope that being open and honest can help mend that relationship. It really touched my heart. I really hope that there is a third installment of this series. The author did hint at one a bit, and I’m looking forward to it!
July 31, 2023
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.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
September 26, 2023
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.
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.
March 7, 2024
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.
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.
July 14, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this eCopy to review
I loved book 1 in this series so was very happy not to have to wait to read book 2 and it is just as good. Again it has very positive messages about living your best life, but you have to work hard to find yourself and change it.
This book focuses more on Ronnie's past and why she has such a difficult relationship with her daughter Nadia. Please note this book does feature Domestic abuse which may be triggering for some and difficult family relationships. By the end of the book as all Ronnie's secrets come out, she is able to build a closer relationship with her daughter which I loved
Again the descriptions of Rome are amazing and I loved all the characters. A wonderful read.
I loved book 1 in this series so was very happy not to have to wait to read book 2 and it is just as good. Again it has very positive messages about living your best life, but you have to work hard to find yourself and change it.
This book focuses more on Ronnie's past and why she has such a difficult relationship with her daughter Nadia. Please note this book does feature Domestic abuse which may be triggering for some and difficult family relationships. By the end of the book as all Ronnie's secrets come out, she is able to build a closer relationship with her daughter which I loved
Again the descriptions of Rome are amazing and I loved all the characters. A wonderful read.
May 1, 2025
This was a much better book than the first book in the series.
This is Ronnie's story - the owner of the Rome Apartment, how her past catches up with her, her self-sufficient (and in my opinion - completely ungrateful) daughter comes home and to almost rely on her mother. This story touches on some real world issues that may trigger the listener *domestic abuse* I had been unaware before it came up so caught me of guard and meant I had to re-listen to bits again - but a real-life take on it - its not flowered which is exactly as it should be!
The author has a great writing style and some completely loveable characters and has made me so excited for my trip back to Italy later this year - thanks for a wonderful story - and one that feels real and not just another story set in the sun 💜
This is Ronnie's story - the owner of the Rome Apartment, how her past catches up with her, her self-sufficient (and in my opinion - completely ungrateful) daughter comes home and to almost rely on her mother. This story touches on some real world issues that may trigger the listener *domestic abuse* I had been unaware before it came up so caught me of guard and meant I had to re-listen to bits again - but a real-life take on it - its not flowered which is exactly as it should be!
The author has a great writing style and some completely loveable characters and has made me so excited for my trip back to Italy later this year - thanks for a wonderful story - and one that feels real and not just another story set in the sun 💜
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2025
Heartfelt touching story
Wow I never thought I could dislike a fictional character more than the dislike I have for Nadia! What the heck is stuck up that awful woman's butt!? Seriously, what is her problem?
This is a mother's and daughters heartfelt and heartbreaking story that I didn't intend on finishing in one sitting without a break.
I loved the setting and the atmosphere and I loved Marina the almost 80 year old sassy lady who I could imagine being a close relative to Sophia of The Golden Girls.
The vibe through the book is not cheerful and upbeat, it is more somber and melancholy, plot of going down memory lane and sad times from the past and dealing with the pain still years later.
This is a good rainy day book to read in a day or two.
Wow I never thought I could dislike a fictional character more than the dislike I have for Nadia! What the heck is stuck up that awful woman's butt!? Seriously, what is her problem?
This is a mother's and daughters heartfelt and heartbreaking story that I didn't intend on finishing in one sitting without a break.
I loved the setting and the atmosphere and I loved Marina the almost 80 year old sassy lady who I could imagine being a close relative to Sophia of The Golden Girls.
The vibe through the book is not cheerful and upbeat, it is more somber and melancholy, plot of going down memory lane and sad times from the past and dealing with the pain still years later.
This is a good rainy day book to read in a day or two.
July 27, 2023
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
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
November 2, 2023
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.
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.
October 26, 2023
I devoured book one, The Rome Apartment and became invested in the indefatigable women characters. When I started reading Secrets at the Rome Apartment, I wondered how Kerry Fisher could better The Rome Apartment, but she has, in spades.
Secrets at the Rome Apartment is a beautiful story about the outgoing and confident Ronnie, who, with her friend Marina, 'helps women of a certain age rediscover themselves'. As Ronnie's story gently unravels to reveal a painful secret from her past, it paves the way to rekindling her relationship with her estranged daughter. Wonderful story!
Secrets at the Rome Apartment is a beautiful story about the outgoing and confident Ronnie, who, with her friend Marina, 'helps women of a certain age rediscover themselves'. As Ronnie's story gently unravels to reveal a painful secret from her past, it paves the way to rekindling her relationship with her estranged daughter. Wonderful story!
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