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Rome's Last Noble Palace
Two women. Two different centuries. One attic room
American Isabelle Field has been shipped off to Rome to live with her aunt, Princess Elizabeth Brancaccio. Isabelle’s aunt and mother share a common goal – replicating Elizabeth’s success by marrying Isabelle off to a European nobleman.
But Rome in 1896 is on the cusp of a new century and Isabelle longs for more than a titled husband. She secretly designs costumes for Rome’s burgeoning theatre environment and dreams of opening a fashion atelier. Can she gather the courage to forge a life for herself, even if it means going against expectations?
Over a century later, doctoral candidate Sophie Nouri can’t believe her good fortune when she is selected to intern in Rome’s Near Eastern and Asian Art Museum. Even better, the position includes an attic apartment in the spectacular museum property, the Palazzo Brancaccio.
Overseeing a major exhibition is stressful, but tension alone can’t explain the disturbing nighttime presence in the deserted hallways of the grand palace – especially one no one else can sense. Almost as if a spectral being is trying to communicate with Sophie directly. Or warn her.
American Isabelle Field has been shipped off to Rome to live with her aunt, Princess Elizabeth Brancaccio. Isabelle’s aunt and mother share a common goal – replicating Elizabeth’s success by marrying Isabelle off to a European nobleman.
But Rome in 1896 is on the cusp of a new century and Isabelle longs for more than a titled husband. She secretly designs costumes for Rome’s burgeoning theatre environment and dreams of opening a fashion atelier. Can she gather the courage to forge a life for herself, even if it means going against expectations?
Over a century later, doctoral candidate Sophie Nouri can’t believe her good fortune when she is selected to intern in Rome’s Near Eastern and Asian Art Museum. Even better, the position includes an attic apartment in the spectacular museum property, the Palazzo Brancaccio.
Overseeing a major exhibition is stressful, but tension alone can’t explain the disturbing nighttime presence in the deserted hallways of the grand palace – especially one no one else can sense. Almost as if a spectral being is trying to communicate with Sophie directly. Or warn her.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2023
22 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Sullivan
8 books134 followersI write the women’s fiction stories I love to read, both contemporary and historic tales of women and the rich lives they lead along their journeys of self-discovery. A lifetime admirer and longtime resident of Italy, I’m often guilty of sneaking the bel paese into my stories.
Award-winning author of five novels, one short story collection and coeditor of two historical fiction anthologies. Proud member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association (WFWA), and the Historical Novel Society.
Please follow me on BookBub at: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kimbe...
Award-winning author of five novels, one short story collection and coeditor of two historical fiction anthologies. Proud member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association (WFWA), and the Historical Novel Society.
Please follow me on BookBub at: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kimbe...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 28, 2024
When I find just the right one, historical fictions have a special place in my heart for its gripping narratives that show me something spectacular from the past that I couldn't experience myself.
Rome's Last Noble Palace is exactly that. The novel is set in two different eras, one in the near beginning of the 1900s and one in the 2000s, and shows the stories of two different women who can't be anymore similar. Sophie Nouri is finishing her Persian art doctorate in an attic room where Isabelle Field, niece to the late owners of the palace, used to live---and where she encountered a horrific event that will haunt Sophie in the present.
I love the parallels between Sophie and Isabelle, how the two women are striving to reach their dreams against everything that is trying to stop them, be it societal pressure, lack of self-esteem, or something more. The writing is simply captivating without the need for deep language. I also love how the author managed to describe the Italian setting (where the book takes place) to the point that makes me feel wanderlust. Now I know what places to put in my bucket list.
This was such a nice, light read, but it's not by any means something one could easily swallow. There are triggering topics present, which I won't exactly tell for the sake of not spoiling anything, but discretion is advised while reading this book.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rome's Last Noble Palace is exactly that. The novel is set in two different eras, one in the near beginning of the 1900s and one in the 2000s, and shows the stories of two different women who can't be anymore similar. Sophie Nouri is finishing her Persian art doctorate in an attic room where Isabelle Field, niece to the late owners of the palace, used to live---and where she encountered a horrific event that will haunt Sophie in the present.
I love the parallels between Sophie and Isabelle, how the two women are striving to reach their dreams against everything that is trying to stop them, be it societal pressure, lack of self-esteem, or something more. The writing is simply captivating without the need for deep language. I also love how the author managed to describe the Italian setting (where the book takes place) to the point that makes me feel wanderlust. Now I know what places to put in my bucket list.
This was such a nice, light read, but it's not by any means something one could easily swallow. There are triggering topics present, which I won't exactly tell for the sake of not spoiling anything, but discretion is advised while reading this book.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2023
ROME'S LAST NOBLE PALACE
𝙺𝚒𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚢 𝚂𝚞𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚗
12/6/23
🖼️ 𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚘𝚙𝚜𝚒𝚜:
Two women whose lives are separated by two centuries but they share some similarities. Both are American living in the attic of the Palazzo Brancaccio and both have dreams which seem difficult to achieve.
In 1896, Isabelle is living in the attic of the newly constructed palazzo, as the niece of the Princess Brancaccio, who has plans to marry her into Italian royalty just as she did. Isabelle only wants to design beautiful clothes and love who she wants to love.
In 2006, Sophie is a doctoral student living in the attic of what is now a museum in the palazzo. She is feeling immense imposter syndrome being so young and in charge of such a vast collection.
Both women undergo traumatic events but each show strength and resilience.
🧵𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
This was a beautiful novel. I’ve never been to Rome but I feel like I’ve walked the Vias and explored the churches and Piazzas with the richly descriptive text and exquisite connection to place that only someone who calls it home can have. Rome truly became another character.
This dual-timeline/time-slip novel allows us to get a birds eye view of the world in two centuries, as different as could be. Italy in the days of noblemen where a woman is simply a trade for a stronger line versus present day where a woman is seeking a doctoral degree. Two vastly different worlds.
I enjoyed both timelines. This historical fiction includes a bit of mystery and suspense, along with a supernatural element.
OUT NOW (ebook is currently on sale for 99¢)
🪡Thank you @katerockbooktours for including me on this tour and @kimberlyinrome and @netgalley for the early review copy.
These thoughts are my own.
#supportindieauthors
𝙺𝚒𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚢 𝚂𝚞𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚗
12/6/23
🖼️ 𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚘𝚙𝚜𝚒𝚜:
Two women whose lives are separated by two centuries but they share some similarities. Both are American living in the attic of the Palazzo Brancaccio and both have dreams which seem difficult to achieve.
In 1896, Isabelle is living in the attic of the newly constructed palazzo, as the niece of the Princess Brancaccio, who has plans to marry her into Italian royalty just as she did. Isabelle only wants to design beautiful clothes and love who she wants to love.
In 2006, Sophie is a doctoral student living in the attic of what is now a museum in the palazzo. She is feeling immense imposter syndrome being so young and in charge of such a vast collection.
Both women undergo traumatic events but each show strength and resilience.
🧵𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
This was a beautiful novel. I’ve never been to Rome but I feel like I’ve walked the Vias and explored the churches and Piazzas with the richly descriptive text and exquisite connection to place that only someone who calls it home can have. Rome truly became another character.
This dual-timeline/time-slip novel allows us to get a birds eye view of the world in two centuries, as different as could be. Italy in the days of noblemen where a woman is simply a trade for a stronger line versus present day where a woman is seeking a doctoral degree. Two vastly different worlds.
I enjoyed both timelines. This historical fiction includes a bit of mystery and suspense, along with a supernatural element.
OUT NOW (ebook is currently on sale for 99¢)
🪡Thank you @katerockbooktours for including me on this tour and @kimberlyinrome and @netgalley for the early review copy.
These thoughts are my own.
#supportindieauthors
January 23, 2024
Open the pages of “Romes Last Noble Palace” by Kimberly Sullivan and you are transported through time in this historical fiction work spanning two centuries.
Sophie is a young woman and mother. She travels to Rome, Italy to give a lecture on Persian art at the Palazzo Brancaccio. She is hesitant to walk through those doors because history has not been kind to her. She remembers the events of 2006 when she was at the Palazzo Brancaccio as a young intern planning and curating a Persian art exhibit there alongside her assistant Sayed. Sayed was a young man from Iran who was fluent in Italian and English.
In 1896, an American girl, Isabelle, is sent to live with her wealthy aunt, Elizabeth, at the Palazzo Brancaccio. Her mother wants her to marry a wealthy man with status. Isabelle is a girl with dreams of opening her own atelier with her friend Stefania. She wants to marry for love, not status. Isabelle falls in love with a talented opera singer named Lamberto, but her hand of marriage is promised to Count Massimo.
The thread connecting Sophie and Isabelle is a small attic room in the palace. It is in that room that each woman experiences traumas that leave them making challenging decisions with lifelong consequences.
Kimberly Sullivan is known for her dual timeline novels, and she does not let her readers down with “Rome’s Last Noble Palace.” She presents a story filled with historical facts but sewn together with a supernatural thread. Sophie thinks she sees a ghost that is warning her of the danger she is facing.
Both storylines are well thought out and flow at a reasonable pace. Sullivan clearly knows her Roman history and sprinkles facts in just the right places. She creates scenes that will make you believe you have been transported into the story. Readers can clearly visualize the shops, parks, theaters, and the Palazzo Brancaccio.
Sullivan accurately portrays the struggles of women as the 20th century emerges. She also shares how trauma affects all areas of our lives, no matter what century we are in. “Rome’s Last Noble Palace” is an exceptional piece of historical fiction. Readers are kept well-engaged and will leave the story wanting to plan a trip to Rome.
Sophie is a young woman and mother. She travels to Rome, Italy to give a lecture on Persian art at the Palazzo Brancaccio. She is hesitant to walk through those doors because history has not been kind to her. She remembers the events of 2006 when she was at the Palazzo Brancaccio as a young intern planning and curating a Persian art exhibit there alongside her assistant Sayed. Sayed was a young man from Iran who was fluent in Italian and English.
In 1896, an American girl, Isabelle, is sent to live with her wealthy aunt, Elizabeth, at the Palazzo Brancaccio. Her mother wants her to marry a wealthy man with status. Isabelle is a girl with dreams of opening her own atelier with her friend Stefania. She wants to marry for love, not status. Isabelle falls in love with a talented opera singer named Lamberto, but her hand of marriage is promised to Count Massimo.
The thread connecting Sophie and Isabelle is a small attic room in the palace. It is in that room that each woman experiences traumas that leave them making challenging decisions with lifelong consequences.
Kimberly Sullivan is known for her dual timeline novels, and she does not let her readers down with “Rome’s Last Noble Palace.” She presents a story filled with historical facts but sewn together with a supernatural thread. Sophie thinks she sees a ghost that is warning her of the danger she is facing.
Both storylines are well thought out and flow at a reasonable pace. Sullivan clearly knows her Roman history and sprinkles facts in just the right places. She creates scenes that will make you believe you have been transported into the story. Readers can clearly visualize the shops, parks, theaters, and the Palazzo Brancaccio.
Sullivan accurately portrays the struggles of women as the 20th century emerges. She also shares how trauma affects all areas of our lives, no matter what century we are in. “Rome’s Last Noble Palace” is an exceptional piece of historical fiction. Readers are kept well-engaged and will leave the story wanting to plan a trip to Rome.
December 13, 2023
This story…wowzers! It was exactly what I’ve been looking for and was an absolute pleasure to read. Kimberly is truly an amazing writer and this story, is one everyone needs to read. I absolutely LOVED it!
We meet the beautiful American, Isabelle who is living with her aunt, the princess and her husband, the prince. Isabelle has come so that she may find a wealthy nobleman to marry. At least that’s why her Mom sent her. She has a friend and they enjoy designing beautiful gowns and then she meets her friend’s cousin who is also an opera singer. Isabelle and her opera singer fall in love and all seems to be good until it isn’t. Told in two different timelines, we also meet Sophie who is living in the same bedroom that Isabelle did many, many years before. Sophie has gotten the internships of internships. She is loving it until her nights become sleeplessly hard. She feels a “presence” in the room…
A dual timeline of two beautiful women going through oddly similar hardships, this story was hauntingly historical but filled with mystery and ghosts. It was tragic and yet, beautiful. It gave me everything I wanted in a story. The details were exquisite and I could picture it all in my head as a movie playing out. It was a wonderful read and I’m giving it 5 stars. Absolutely brilliant!
We meet the beautiful American, Isabelle who is living with her aunt, the princess and her husband, the prince. Isabelle has come so that she may find a wealthy nobleman to marry. At least that’s why her Mom sent her. She has a friend and they enjoy designing beautiful gowns and then she meets her friend’s cousin who is also an opera singer. Isabelle and her opera singer fall in love and all seems to be good until it isn’t. Told in two different timelines, we also meet Sophie who is living in the same bedroom that Isabelle did many, many years before. Sophie has gotten the internships of internships. She is loving it until her nights become sleeplessly hard. She feels a “presence” in the room…
A dual timeline of two beautiful women going through oddly similar hardships, this story was hauntingly historical but filled with mystery and ghosts. It was tragic and yet, beautiful. It gave me everything I wanted in a story. The details were exquisite and I could picture it all in my head as a movie playing out. It was a wonderful read and I’m giving it 5 stars. Absolutely brilliant!
November 24, 2023
I was drawn to this book because we plan to visit Rome this spring. I loved the many fountains, buildings and parks that were settings. I intend to visit some when we are there.
We follow two heroines 100 years apart who live in the attic rooms of the same building, the last noble palace built in Rome. Isabelle in 1896 has dreams and plans but society’s expectations block her and then the results of a violent act lead her to despair. Sophie in 2006 is living her dream, but her naïveté and generous heart are violated by a co-worker. The spirit of Isabelle is enraged and drives off Sophie’s attacker, but her dream is cut short and she doesn’t understand what happened.
When Sophie returns to Rome in 2016 with her 10 year old son, the final chapter of this saga plays out when Louisa reveals the history of Sophie’s room in the Palazzo Brancaccio.
I found I had to keep reading this book to discover the fates of Isabelle and Sophie. Both compelling and informative, I enjoyed this book very much.
Thanks to The Niche Reader for inviting me to read Rome’s Last Noble Palace through their ARC program!
We follow two heroines 100 years apart who live in the attic rooms of the same building, the last noble palace built in Rome. Isabelle in 1896 has dreams and plans but society’s expectations block her and then the results of a violent act lead her to despair. Sophie in 2006 is living her dream, but her naïveté and generous heart are violated by a co-worker. The spirit of Isabelle is enraged and drives off Sophie’s attacker, but her dream is cut short and she doesn’t understand what happened.
When Sophie returns to Rome in 2016 with her 10 year old son, the final chapter of this saga plays out when Louisa reveals the history of Sophie’s room in the Palazzo Brancaccio.
I found I had to keep reading this book to discover the fates of Isabelle and Sophie. Both compelling and informative, I enjoyed this book very much.
Thanks to The Niche Reader for inviting me to read Rome’s Last Noble Palace through their ARC program!
November 27, 2023
I was very lucky enough to to read a beta version of the scumptious new novel by Kimberly Sullivan!
Sophie and Isabelle share a lot in common, they both slept in an attic room of the gorgeous Palazzo BranCaccio. Only it was decades apart! Isabelle shows us the Palazzo, the last noble one built in Rome, in all it's glory as she lives with her aunt and uncle there in the 1890's. They are set to marry her off, but Isabelle has other ideas and dreams. Sophie moves into the same attic room after being chosen as an art intern during the present day. The palazzo is now a world-famous museum. Whatever happened to both women will change their lives forever and a bond will be formed across history.
This novel is filled with descriptions that bring the beginning of modern day Rome to life. And Sophie will bring the story full circle with her return in 2018. There's artists, history, tension, ghostly sightings, love, and more. You won't be able to put it down, but you'll want to keep reading forever. A resounding 5 Stars!!
Sophie and Isabelle share a lot in common, they both slept in an attic room of the gorgeous Palazzo BranCaccio. Only it was decades apart! Isabelle shows us the Palazzo, the last noble one built in Rome, in all it's glory as she lives with her aunt and uncle there in the 1890's. They are set to marry her off, but Isabelle has other ideas and dreams. Sophie moves into the same attic room after being chosen as an art intern during the present day. The palazzo is now a world-famous museum. Whatever happened to both women will change their lives forever and a bond will be formed across history.
This novel is filled with descriptions that bring the beginning of modern day Rome to life. And Sophie will bring the story full circle with her return in 2018. There's artists, history, tension, ghostly sightings, love, and more. You won't be able to put it down, but you'll want to keep reading forever. A resounding 5 Stars!!
January 7, 2024
Thank you @KimBerlyInRome @KateRockBookTours for my gifted book. My thoughts are my own.
I loved soaking in the Italian vibes in this historical fiction novel which is full of beautiful settings and rich food descriptions. I am ready to pack my bags and head to Rome!
In this novel, we have the dual perspectives of the two main characters, and multiple timelines.
ISABELLA (1896) dreams of designing elaborate costumes for Rome’s theatre environment. She lives in an attic room in the beautiful palace of her aunt, Princess Elizabeth Brancaccio. Princess Elizabeth is tasked with marrying Isabella off to a rich nobleman. While Isabella spends time designing dresses for her aunt’s friends, Isabella has different ideas about her future! Can Isabella gather the courage to face her dreams?
SOPHIE (2006 and 2018) is a doctoral candidate. In 2006, she is selected to intern in Rome’s Near Eastern Art Museum. She stays in an attic apartment on the museum property, the Palazzo Brancaccio. When Sophie experiences strange occurrences in her attic room, she starts to lose sleep and this affects her concentration on her project for the museum. Every night at 3:15 she hears a woman’s steps outside her door and a woman sobbing.
One night, something terrible happens.
In 2018, after her experiences in 2006, Sophie finally has the courage to return to Rome. Can she resolve her issues with the past and move forward?
I really enjoyed this novel. I preferred Isabella’s story over Sophie’s, and was pleased when the two stories intertwined in an unexpected way.
I recommend this novel if you enjoy:
*Historical Fiction *Dual Perspectives and Timelines *A Small Supernatural Element *Star-Crossed Lovers *Grand Palace Settings *Strong Female Characters *A Link from the Past to the Present
I loved soaking in the Italian vibes in this historical fiction novel which is full of beautiful settings and rich food descriptions. I am ready to pack my bags and head to Rome!
In this novel, we have the dual perspectives of the two main characters, and multiple timelines.
ISABELLA (1896) dreams of designing elaborate costumes for Rome’s theatre environment. She lives in an attic room in the beautiful palace of her aunt, Princess Elizabeth Brancaccio. Princess Elizabeth is tasked with marrying Isabella off to a rich nobleman. While Isabella spends time designing dresses for her aunt’s friends, Isabella has different ideas about her future! Can Isabella gather the courage to face her dreams?
SOPHIE (2006 and 2018) is a doctoral candidate. In 2006, she is selected to intern in Rome’s Near Eastern Art Museum. She stays in an attic apartment on the museum property, the Palazzo Brancaccio. When Sophie experiences strange occurrences in her attic room, she starts to lose sleep and this affects her concentration on her project for the museum. Every night at 3:15 she hears a woman’s steps outside her door and a woman sobbing.
One night, something terrible happens.
In 2018, after her experiences in 2006, Sophie finally has the courage to return to Rome. Can she resolve her issues with the past and move forward?
I really enjoyed this novel. I preferred Isabella’s story over Sophie’s, and was pleased when the two stories intertwined in an unexpected way.
I recommend this novel if you enjoy:
*Historical Fiction *Dual Perspectives and Timelines *A Small Supernatural Element *Star-Crossed Lovers *Grand Palace Settings *Strong Female Characters *A Link from the Past to the Present
November 14, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this story and it took me a while to read too, keeping me entranced the whole time. It is told in three different storyline’s. The earliest one being Isabelle’s in the late 1800’s. The other two were Sophie’s story, one from the early 2000’s when she was in Rome to set up an exhibition on Persian art and the other from the current time when she went back to Rome to do a presentation on Persian art. It was heartbreaking what happened to Isabelle, especially when she was just starting to get her life together and actually live the life that she wanted. I loved how she came to Sophie’s rescue when Sophie was in trouble. I wish there was a bit more about that and I would have loved for the perpetrator’s point of view as well. This story is for those who love history, a little bit of romance, friendship and some supernatural. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 24, 2023
Another delightful novel from Kimberly Sullivan. This one is a dual timeline (or maybe triple timeline) story that takes place mainly in Rome in 1897, 2006 and 2018. The 19th century historical events conjure a world that reminded me of some of E. M. Forster’s Italian novels, like Room With a View. The author clearly loves her adopted country, and makes us do the same. The formal Victorian manners, the rebellious young woman with dreams of her own - the pluses and minuses of living in that era.. all combine to make one turn the pages. The modern character who comes to live in the same palazzo in Rome is someone to root for too. As always with this author’s books, I turned the last page longing to visit Italy again…
December 14, 2023
I visited Rome this past May and I’m actually going back in 2024 so I loved all the location descriptions in this multi timeline book set in Rome.
The timelines are mainly in 1896 and 2006 with a few chapters happening in 2018.
The 1896 main character is Isabelle who is an American staying with her Aunt and Uncle, Prince and Princess Brancaccio. Isabelle is supposed to be making a marriage match, but she would rather be a dress designer.
The 2006 main character is Sophie who is interning at the Palazzo Brancaccio which has become a museum.
These two women both stay in the same room in the Palazzo over 100 years apart.
Each timeline has its own fascinating plot and there are some similarities between both Isabelle and Sophie.
There is also a ghost in the 2006 timeline which was an interesting bridge between timelines.
There are trigger warnings in both timelines.
The timelines are mainly in 1896 and 2006 with a few chapters happening in 2018.
The 1896 main character is Isabelle who is an American staying with her Aunt and Uncle, Prince and Princess Brancaccio. Isabelle is supposed to be making a marriage match, but she would rather be a dress designer.
The 2006 main character is Sophie who is interning at the Palazzo Brancaccio which has become a museum.
These two women both stay in the same room in the Palazzo over 100 years apart.
Each timeline has its own fascinating plot and there are some similarities between both Isabelle and Sophie.
There is also a ghost in the 2006 timeline which was an interesting bridge between timelines.
There are trigger warnings in both timelines.
December 11, 2023
I love how Kimberly Sullivan always takes readers on a vacation and immerses them in the setting. "Rome's Last Noble Palace" takes readers into the heart of Rome with this dual timeline. Two women, a century apart, but both have ties to a location in Rome. With historical fiction, an air of mystery and likeable characters I was hooked! The pacing of the story was great! The dual timeline was well laid out and clear for me to follow who was who and when the events were occurring. Thank you to Kimberly Sullivan and Kate Rock Book Tours for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
December 13, 2023
This dual time line story is part historical fiction, part mystery, and totally enjoyable. The connection between the main characters and what they are facing along with the descriptions of Rome kept me reading and wanting to know more.
The main characters are women that are just starting to figure out life and what they want when they come to reside in the attic room of Palazzo Brancaccio. Isabelle, a niece of the Princess Brancaccio who orchestrated the creation of the Palazzo Brancaccio, was sent from New York by her mother who wants her to make a good match. Isabelle is on the outskirts of the family and sees how the world is changing in 1896. She wants to be part of the change and longs to open a fashion atelier with her friend Sophie and is drawn to Sophie's cousin, an opera singer. But the Princess has other plans for Isabelle and those plans put Isabelle in danger? Will Isabelle survive and find the courage to stand up to her family and create the life that she really wants?
Sophie lands the internship of her dreams at the Eastern and Asian Art Museum that is housed in the Palazzo Brancaccio. A perk of the job is lodging in an attic room. The room has a wonderful view but something keeps waking her at night. Sophie is in charge of a massive exhibition and needs help, especially with the language but will her trust put her into danger? Years later Sophie returns to Rome and the Palazzo Brancaccio and needs to figure out the past of the attic room in order to move forward in her life.
What is the connection between Isabelle and Sophie? What is the significance of the attic room? Will they create the life they want?
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Kate Rock Book Tours for providing an arc for my honest review.
The main characters are women that are just starting to figure out life and what they want when they come to reside in the attic room of Palazzo Brancaccio. Isabelle, a niece of the Princess Brancaccio who orchestrated the creation of the Palazzo Brancaccio, was sent from New York by her mother who wants her to make a good match. Isabelle is on the outskirts of the family and sees how the world is changing in 1896. She wants to be part of the change and longs to open a fashion atelier with her friend Sophie and is drawn to Sophie's cousin, an opera singer. But the Princess has other plans for Isabelle and those plans put Isabelle in danger? Will Isabelle survive and find the courage to stand up to her family and create the life that she really wants?
Sophie lands the internship of her dreams at the Eastern and Asian Art Museum that is housed in the Palazzo Brancaccio. A perk of the job is lodging in an attic room. The room has a wonderful view but something keeps waking her at night. Sophie is in charge of a massive exhibition and needs help, especially with the language but will her trust put her into danger? Years later Sophie returns to Rome and the Palazzo Brancaccio and needs to figure out the past of the attic room in order to move forward in her life.
What is the connection between Isabelle and Sophie? What is the significance of the attic room? Will they create the life they want?
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Kate Rock Book Tours for providing an arc for my honest review.
December 8, 2023
I was really captivated by the concept of this story. Two women in completely different worlds and lifetimes are living in the same space. And obviously, there is the ghost aspect. Isabelle’s story has such heartfelt moments and such tragedy. I think I was drawn more to her story. But I love how it all came to such a nice conclusion for Sophie, too. The Rome aspect was an entity all of its own. It really felt like it had its own role. Especially in the beginning, it was a little tough for me to get beyond Rome and into the characters.
December 8, 2023
I was really captivated by the concept of this story. Two women in completely different worlds and lifetimes are living in the same space. And obviously, there is the ghost aspect. Isabelle’s story has such heartfelt moments and such tragedy. I think I was drawn more to her story. But I love how it all came to such a nice conclusion for Sophie, too. The Rome aspect was an entity all of its own. It really felt like it had its own role. Especially in the beginning, it was a little tough for me to get beyond Rome and into the characters.
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December 8, 2023Many thanks to the Niche Reader for the ARC!!! The story was rich in the history of Rome in the late 1800's, including the heartfelt love story between Isabelle and Lamberto. BRAVO to Ms. Kimberly Sullivan!
December 8, 2023
An interesting book that held my attention. I wasn't too sure what to expect, but the writing style drew me in and I found myself wanting to read on to see where the story went.
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 23, 2024
Spooky, fascinating look at the past.
January 9, 2024
I only read this book in exchange for the promise of an Amazon gift card that I needed cause my cat had passed away. Cut to 30 days later and I even emailed them to let them know I hadn’t gotten the gift card. I take my librarian status on these sites so seriously. So I am editing this review 1/8/24 to let you know why I chose this book
Tv and film fans alike will find comfort in Kimberly Sullivan's novel available today. It's a little Sandy, a little Keanu and a little Bridgerton. Remember that episode of Charmed with the painting? This is like that but more regal, noble. It's the embodiment of that feeling that you KNOW someone is with you, but not in an evil way, to guide you.
Tv and film fans alike will find comfort in Kimberly Sullivan's novel available today. It's a little Sandy, a little Keanu and a little Bridgerton. Remember that episode of Charmed with the painting? This is like that but more regal, noble. It's the embodiment of that feeling that you KNOW someone is with you, but not in an evil way, to guide you.
May 28, 2024
Rome's Last Noble Palace is an excellent reminder that women continue to struggle for agency in society.
The book tells the story of two women who live two hundred years apart. There's Isabelle, who's being forced into an unwanted arranged marriage, and Sophie whose imposter syndrome and poor self-confidence are holding back her art history career. Both women long for more than they have, but lack the courage to chase their dreams.
Then, when they finally do find their voice, they suffer unthinkable consequences. The lesson in the story is that despite the advances women have made, misogyny and violence toward women still thrive.
Tying the two stories together is a paranormal subplot that plays out in a surprising way. I didn't see that twist coming. (Hee - neither did the antagonist.)
Sullivan is an ex-patriot living in Rome, and her love for her adopted city is evident on every page. She does a spectacular job of bringing the city's architecture and art to life. I felt like I was being given a mini tour in addition to the story.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced read in exchange for this honest review.
The book tells the story of two women who live two hundred years apart. There's Isabelle, who's being forced into an unwanted arranged marriage, and Sophie whose imposter syndrome and poor self-confidence are holding back her art history career. Both women long for more than they have, but lack the courage to chase their dreams.
Then, when they finally do find their voice, they suffer unthinkable consequences. The lesson in the story is that despite the advances women have made, misogyny and violence toward women still thrive.
Tying the two stories together is a paranormal subplot that plays out in a surprising way. I didn't see that twist coming. (Hee - neither did the antagonist.)
Sullivan is an ex-patriot living in Rome, and her love for her adopted city is evident on every page. She does a spectacular job of bringing the city's architecture and art to life. I felt like I was being given a mini tour in addition to the story.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced read in exchange for this honest review.
December 1, 2023
Women’s fiction author Kimberly Sullivan is back with her newest release, Rome’s Last Noble Palace, an historical fiction account of two women centuries apart. This is a dual-timeline novel following two female main characters, Isabelle and Sophie, as they both inhabit the same attic room in the Palazzo Brancaccio Museum in Rome, Isabelle from 1896-1897 and Sophie in 2006 and 2018.
Sophie’s story alternates between the years 2006 and 2018. In 2006, she is a doctoral student interning at Rome’s Near Eastern Art Museum while living in an attic room in the Palazzo Brancaccio Museum. She meets a native Italian, Martina, and they quickly strike up a friendship as Martina offers to help Sophie learn Italian. In Sophie’s story in 2018, she has returned to Rome with her son, Matt, for a lecture and meeting at the museum and to visit with her old friend Martina. Isabelle’s story takes place from 1896-1897 as she is sent to Rome to live with her aunt, who is a princess. However, Isabelle, who is an American, dreams of bigger things for her life than simply marrying an Italian nobleman.
As a doctoral student, Sophie is stressed as she oversees a major exhibition at the Near Eastern Art Museum, but when she begins experiencing ominous ghostly sounds outside her attic room at the same time each night, she wonders if there is a spirit living in the museum that has a message for her. When Sophie meets Luisa, who is interested in the occult, including seances and communicating with spirits, she is thrilled at the idea of being able to freely talk to someone about the disturbing nighttime presence she keeps hearing. Isabelle, in her time, is longing for more than to simply be married off to a nobleman, and works in secret with her friend Stefania designing costumes for the theater.
The one unique characteristic that both Sophie and Isabelle have in common, even centuries apart, is that they are leading tortured lives. As they both navigate their lives the best they can to try to escape the issues that plague them, they will both face unexpected circumstances and unsavory people will attempt to prevent them from achieving their goals.
The way in which Sullivan wrote this book, utilizing the dual-timeline, was quite distinctive. It’s a style that one might think would be confusing for the reader, but in fact, the author did an impressive job of keeping each character’s story separate and easy to follow. Since there are essentially two main characters, this means that there is a large supporting cast of characters as well. With such a large cast, it is often easy to let them fall between the cracks underdeveloped, but once again, Sullivan achieved success here by not only thoroughly developing all necessary characters, but also making them extremely relatable to the reader. While reading, there were certain characters I wanted to give a big hug to, and simultaneously, other characters that I hoped would experience the brutal sting of karma.
A rather special aspect of this book was that it incorporated two very different genres, historical fiction and the supernatural. I thoroughly enjoyed learning historical aspects during Isabelle’s story, while relishing the shivers that went down my spine as the ghost story was explored during Sophie’s timeline. While including such diverse topics could have led to a book feeling choppy, Sullivan integrated these two very different genres seamlessly and flawlessly.
Quill says: Sullivan has achieved a winner with the historical fiction account combined with a haunting tale in Rome’s Last Noble Palace. Readers will be drawn into the book by the amazing setting of Rome, while the eerie and thrilling ghost story will ensure that they remain transfixed until the last page.
Sophie’s story alternates between the years 2006 and 2018. In 2006, she is a doctoral student interning at Rome’s Near Eastern Art Museum while living in an attic room in the Palazzo Brancaccio Museum. She meets a native Italian, Martina, and they quickly strike up a friendship as Martina offers to help Sophie learn Italian. In Sophie’s story in 2018, she has returned to Rome with her son, Matt, for a lecture and meeting at the museum and to visit with her old friend Martina. Isabelle’s story takes place from 1896-1897 as she is sent to Rome to live with her aunt, who is a princess. However, Isabelle, who is an American, dreams of bigger things for her life than simply marrying an Italian nobleman.
As a doctoral student, Sophie is stressed as she oversees a major exhibition at the Near Eastern Art Museum, but when she begins experiencing ominous ghostly sounds outside her attic room at the same time each night, she wonders if there is a spirit living in the museum that has a message for her. When Sophie meets Luisa, who is interested in the occult, including seances and communicating with spirits, she is thrilled at the idea of being able to freely talk to someone about the disturbing nighttime presence she keeps hearing. Isabelle, in her time, is longing for more than to simply be married off to a nobleman, and works in secret with her friend Stefania designing costumes for the theater.
The one unique characteristic that both Sophie and Isabelle have in common, even centuries apart, is that they are leading tortured lives. As they both navigate their lives the best they can to try to escape the issues that plague them, they will both face unexpected circumstances and unsavory people will attempt to prevent them from achieving their goals.
The way in which Sullivan wrote this book, utilizing the dual-timeline, was quite distinctive. It’s a style that one might think would be confusing for the reader, but in fact, the author did an impressive job of keeping each character’s story separate and easy to follow. Since there are essentially two main characters, this means that there is a large supporting cast of characters as well. With such a large cast, it is often easy to let them fall between the cracks underdeveloped, but once again, Sullivan achieved success here by not only thoroughly developing all necessary characters, but also making them extremely relatable to the reader. While reading, there were certain characters I wanted to give a big hug to, and simultaneously, other characters that I hoped would experience the brutal sting of karma.
A rather special aspect of this book was that it incorporated two very different genres, historical fiction and the supernatural. I thoroughly enjoyed learning historical aspects during Isabelle’s story, while relishing the shivers that went down my spine as the ghost story was explored during Sophie’s timeline. While including such diverse topics could have led to a book feeling choppy, Sullivan integrated these two very different genres seamlessly and flawlessly.
Quill says: Sullivan has achieved a winner with the historical fiction account combined with a haunting tale in Rome’s Last Noble Palace. Readers will be drawn into the book by the amazing setting of Rome, while the eerie and thrilling ghost story will ensure that they remain transfixed until the last page.
November 7, 2023
Rome's Last Noble Palace by Kimberly Sullivan is a captivating work of fiction rooted in the enchanting city of Italy. In this narrative, we follow Sophie Nouri, who, after a lengthy twelve-year absence, bravely confronts the ghosts that have barred her from Rome, her former home. Accompanied by her son from Vermont for a conference engagement at the Palazzo Brancaccio—the museum that not only served as her previous workplace but also as her residence—Sophie's journey stirs a cascade of personal recollections. These memories intertwine with the history of another inhabitant of the palazzo from over a century ago. In 1896, this noble estate was rocked by a dark misfortune. The story teases us with a question: Will Sophie uncover the truth about the mysterious woman who once resided in the attic room of the palazzo?
The book's narrative structure is particularly compelling, weaving between the present-day experiences of Sophie and the life of Isabelle in the late 19th century. As a reader who appreciates both contemporary and period narratives, I found the alternating chapters between the two time periods to be an effective technique for maintaining my engagement. The suspense built around the outcomes of these parallel lives, separated by more than a hundred years yet connected by shared geography, is a strong narrative hook.
The contrasting depictions of Rome's evolution from the 1800s to the present are vividly rendered, allowing one to traverse time through Sullivan's evocative scenery. The friendship dynamics—between Sophie and Martina and Isabelle and Stefania—add a heartfelt layer to the novel, culminating in a satisfying resolution to Sophie's harrowing tribulations.
While the journey through the dual timelines was intriguing, a more intertwined revelation of their connection earlier in the novel could have enriched the reading experience. I enjoyed the story, but I thought specific segments of the narrative, particularly Isabelle's discussions with Stefania's cousin, Lamberto, might benefit from more variety to avoid repetitiveness. I felt that the debates over personal ambitions versus familial expectations, while essential to Isabelle's character development, occasionally retread familiar ground.
Readers with an affinity for suspenseful historical fiction and evocative dual narratives will likely find Rome's Last Noble Palace a rewarding read. The author has crafted a story that, while traversing through time, captures the essence of Rome and the perennial human struggle for self-determination.
The book's narrative structure is particularly compelling, weaving between the present-day experiences of Sophie and the life of Isabelle in the late 19th century. As a reader who appreciates both contemporary and period narratives, I found the alternating chapters between the two time periods to be an effective technique for maintaining my engagement. The suspense built around the outcomes of these parallel lives, separated by more than a hundred years yet connected by shared geography, is a strong narrative hook.
The contrasting depictions of Rome's evolution from the 1800s to the present are vividly rendered, allowing one to traverse time through Sullivan's evocative scenery. The friendship dynamics—between Sophie and Martina and Isabelle and Stefania—add a heartfelt layer to the novel, culminating in a satisfying resolution to Sophie's harrowing tribulations.
While the journey through the dual timelines was intriguing, a more intertwined revelation of their connection earlier in the novel could have enriched the reading experience. I enjoyed the story, but I thought specific segments of the narrative, particularly Isabelle's discussions with Stefania's cousin, Lamberto, might benefit from more variety to avoid repetitiveness. I felt that the debates over personal ambitions versus familial expectations, while essential to Isabelle's character development, occasionally retread familiar ground.
Readers with an affinity for suspenseful historical fiction and evocative dual narratives will likely find Rome's Last Noble Palace a rewarding read. The author has crafted a story that, while traversing through time, captures the essence of Rome and the perennial human struggle for self-determination.
December 9, 2023
This book tells the story of two women separated by a century and united by a room and terrible circumstances. Told in a triple timeline with two points of view and one historical house, the Palazzo Brancaccio, which is as much a protagonist in the story as the two main characters.
The book tells the story of Isabella in the 1900's and Sophie in 2006 and 2018. Both women lived in the Palazzo Brancaccio, specifically in a little room in the attic.
Isabella was an American young woman who comes to live with her aunt, the Princess of the Palazzo, sent by her mother to find a husband from the Noble class, but Isabella doesn't desire that kind of life, she wants to work as a clothes designer and a theater and opera costume designer. Her life is being dictated by her aunt and the society she has been living in, much to her despair. She gets attacked in her room by the men that her aunt and mother chose for her.
Sophie on the other hand, comes to Rome for the first time in 2006 as a doctoral candidate and an intern of the Near Eastern Art Museum, housed in the Palazzo Brancaccio, as part of her duties she has to curate and oversee a major Persian art exhibit that is going to be housed at the museum. Thinking that she has been hearing strange noises at night in her room because of the stress of her job, she discovers that there is a presence in her room that comes to visit every night.
Sophie gets assaulted in her room by her coworker and is being saved by the presence in her room, who attacks Sophie's attacker and reveals herself, this presence is Isabella who saves Sophie's life.
It takes more than 10 years for Sophie to come back with her son, to Rome and to the Palazzo Brancaccio, this time as a professor.
I like the different timeframes of the story and the way the author weaved them and connected the stories, and I also liked the mesh of historical fiction writing with he paranormal theme.
The book grabbed my attention since the beginning and I kept reading to know the fates of Isabelle and Sophie.
The book tells the story of Isabella in the 1900's and Sophie in 2006 and 2018. Both women lived in the Palazzo Brancaccio, specifically in a little room in the attic.
Isabella was an American young woman who comes to live with her aunt, the Princess of the Palazzo, sent by her mother to find a husband from the Noble class, but Isabella doesn't desire that kind of life, she wants to work as a clothes designer and a theater and opera costume designer. Her life is being dictated by her aunt and the society she has been living in, much to her despair. She gets attacked in her room by the men that her aunt and mother chose for her.
Sophie on the other hand, comes to Rome for the first time in 2006 as a doctoral candidate and an intern of the Near Eastern Art Museum, housed in the Palazzo Brancaccio, as part of her duties she has to curate and oversee a major Persian art exhibit that is going to be housed at the museum. Thinking that she has been hearing strange noises at night in her room because of the stress of her job, she discovers that there is a presence in her room that comes to visit every night.
Sophie gets assaulted in her room by her coworker and is being saved by the presence in her room, who attacks Sophie's attacker and reveals herself, this presence is Isabella who saves Sophie's life.
It takes more than 10 years for Sophie to come back with her son, to Rome and to the Palazzo Brancaccio, this time as a professor.
I like the different timeframes of the story and the way the author weaved them and connected the stories, and I also liked the mesh of historical fiction writing with he paranormal theme.
The book grabbed my attention since the beginning and I kept reading to know the fates of Isabelle and Sophie.
December 6, 2023
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kimberly Sullivan for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Rome's Last Noble Palace coming out December 6, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
American Isabelle Field has been shipped off to Rome to live with her aunt, Princess Elizabeth Brancaccio. Isabelle’s aunt and mother share a common goal – replicating Elizabeth’s success by marrying Isabelle off to a European nobleman.
But Rome in 1896 is on the cusp of a new century and Isabelle longs for more than a titled husband. She secretly designs costumes for Rome’s burgeoning theatre environment and dreams of opening a fashion atelier. Can she gather the courage to forge a life for herself, even if it means going against expectations?
Over a century later, doctoral candidate Sophie Nouri can’t believe her good fortune when she is selected to intern in Rome’s Near Eastern Art Museum. Even better, the position includes an attic apartment in the spectacular museum property, the Palazzo Brancaccio.
Overseeing a major exhibition is stressful, but tension alone can’t explain the disturbing nighttime presence in the deserted hallways of the grand palace – especially one no one else can sense. Almost as if a spectral being is trying to communicate with Sophie directly. Or warn her.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I thought the subject matter was interesting. I haven’t learned much about Rome in the late 1800s, so I was excited for that time period. I really wanted to love this because of the dual time and I love Rome. Unfortunately there were a few things I didn’t like about this book. I won’t give anything away, but what happened to Isabelle and Sophie was a little much. I think it was an odd way to connect them across time if that was the goal. That whole plot point really made me not vibe with the book. I would check out other books by this author though.
American Isabelle Field has been shipped off to Rome to live with her aunt, Princess Elizabeth Brancaccio. Isabelle’s aunt and mother share a common goal – replicating Elizabeth’s success by marrying Isabelle off to a European nobleman.
But Rome in 1896 is on the cusp of a new century and Isabelle longs for more than a titled husband. She secretly designs costumes for Rome’s burgeoning theatre environment and dreams of opening a fashion atelier. Can she gather the courage to forge a life for herself, even if it means going against expectations?
Over a century later, doctoral candidate Sophie Nouri can’t believe her good fortune when she is selected to intern in Rome’s Near Eastern Art Museum. Even better, the position includes an attic apartment in the spectacular museum property, the Palazzo Brancaccio.
Overseeing a major exhibition is stressful, but tension alone can’t explain the disturbing nighttime presence in the deserted hallways of the grand palace – especially one no one else can sense. Almost as if a spectral being is trying to communicate with Sophie directly. Or warn her.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I thought the subject matter was interesting. I haven’t learned much about Rome in the late 1800s, so I was excited for that time period. I really wanted to love this because of the dual time and I love Rome. Unfortunately there were a few things I didn’t like about this book. I won’t give anything away, but what happened to Isabelle and Sophie was a little much. I think it was an odd way to connect them across time if that was the goal. That whole plot point really made me not vibe with the book. I would check out other books by this author though.
October 28, 2023
Overall Rating = 4.58
Storyline & Concept = 4.25
Writing & Delivery = 5
Editorial = 4.5
A young American woman, Isabelle Field, is sent to Italy in 1896 to live with her aunt who married into royalty. Isabelle’s mother wishes the same for her daughter. Yet Isabelle would prefer to pursue her dream of being a dress designer and to marry for love. More than a hundred years later, Sophie Nouri, a doctoral candidate specializing in Persian Art, travels from Vermont to Rome to work as an intern at a museum that was established in the Palazzo Brancaccio, Isabelle’s home and the site of an incident that changed the course of her life. Sophie is the only person to feel a connection to Isabelle and her suffering, as if fate had led her down that path.
This is a tale of two women, both restrained by their own fears and doubts, who connect across a century with the help of a spectral being. Although this novel covers three distinct timelines (the late 1800s, 2006, and 2018), they were all clearly identified and there was no confusion. In fact, it added a layer of suspense to wonder where each story was going and how they would join. The ending was brilliant. The author skillfully intertwined the storylines while maintaining an excellent pace throughout. The settings in both 1896 and modern-day Rome were well-described, as were the characters within those settings. I love that real-life individuals and settings were interspersed with fictional characters and events. This is a story of love, friendship, and strength, but it also covers topics that could be troubling for some. It would appeal to a wide audience that loves historical, paranormal, or women’s fiction.
Sublime Line: “An intriguing tale of two exceptional women, separated by a century, but connected by common relationships and traumas.”
Storyline & Concept = 4.25
Writing & Delivery = 5
Editorial = 4.5
A young American woman, Isabelle Field, is sent to Italy in 1896 to live with her aunt who married into royalty. Isabelle’s mother wishes the same for her daughter. Yet Isabelle would prefer to pursue her dream of being a dress designer and to marry for love. More than a hundred years later, Sophie Nouri, a doctoral candidate specializing in Persian Art, travels from Vermont to Rome to work as an intern at a museum that was established in the Palazzo Brancaccio, Isabelle’s home and the site of an incident that changed the course of her life. Sophie is the only person to feel a connection to Isabelle and her suffering, as if fate had led her down that path.
This is a tale of two women, both restrained by their own fears and doubts, who connect across a century with the help of a spectral being. Although this novel covers three distinct timelines (the late 1800s, 2006, and 2018), they were all clearly identified and there was no confusion. In fact, it added a layer of suspense to wonder where each story was going and how they would join. The ending was brilliant. The author skillfully intertwined the storylines while maintaining an excellent pace throughout. The settings in both 1896 and modern-day Rome were well-described, as were the characters within those settings. I love that real-life individuals and settings were interspersed with fictional characters and events. This is a story of love, friendship, and strength, but it also covers topics that could be troubling for some. It would appeal to a wide audience that loves historical, paranormal, or women’s fiction.
Sublime Line: “An intriguing tale of two exceptional women, separated by a century, but connected by common relationships and traumas.”
December 13, 2023
This story…wowzers! It was exactly what I’ve been looking for and was an absolute pleasure to read. Kimberly is truly an amazing writer and this story, is one everyone needs to read. I absolutely LOVED it!
We meet the beautiful American, Isabelle who is living with her aunt, the princess and her husband, the prince. Isabelle has come so that she may find a wealthy nobleman to marry. At least that’s why her Mom sent her. She has a friend and they enjoy designing beautiful gowns and then she meets her friend’s cousin who is also an opera singer. Isabelle and her opera singer fall in love and all seems to be good until it isn’t. Told in two different timelines, we also meet Sophie who is living in the same bedroom that Isabelle did many, many years before. Sophie has gotten the internships of internships. She is loving it until her nights become sleeplessly hard. She feels a “presence” in the room…
A dual timeline of two beautiful women going through oddly similar hardships, this story was hauntingly historical but filled with mystery and ghosts. It was tragic and yet, beautiful. It gave me everything I wanted in a story. The details were exquisite and I could picture it all in my head as a movie playing out. It was a wonderful read and I’m giving it 5 stars. Absolutely brilliant!
We meet the beautiful American, Isabelle who is living with her aunt, the princess and her husband, the prince. Isabelle has come so that she may find a wealthy nobleman to marry. At least that’s why her Mom sent her. She has a friend and they enjoy designing beautiful gowns and then she meets her friend’s cousin who is also an opera singer. Isabelle and her opera singer fall in love and all seems to be good until it isn’t. Told in two different timelines, we also meet Sophie who is living in the same bedroom that Isabelle did many, many years before. Sophie has gotten the internships of internships. She is loving it until her nights become sleeplessly hard. She feels a “presence” in the room…
A dual timeline of two beautiful women going through oddly similar hardships, this story was hauntingly historical but filled with mystery and ghosts. It was tragic and yet, beautiful. It gave me everything I wanted in a story. The details were exquisite and I could picture it all in my head as a movie playing out. It was a wonderful read and I’m giving it 5 stars. Absolutely brilliant!
December 16, 2023
Having never been to Rome, Sullivan did an amazing job of making me feel like I was walking the streets of Rome with both Isabelle and Sophie. I enjoyed the dual povs and the dual timeline. Sullivan did a great job of weaving together two characters that are separated by hundreds of years.
The pacing, however, was too slow for me. There were a few moments when the story lagged for me. That is the only thing that kept it from being a four-star review (For the purpose of Goodreads and Amazon, I'll mark this as a four-star review). The characters were relatable and likable enough. There was just enough mystery to spark intrigue.
I think this was better off being a duology instead of fitting everything into one book. Fitting everything into one book made it feel longer than it actually is. However, the story was beautifully told. While I think I may not have been the target audience (despite my being extremely interested in the synopsis because this wasn't awful by any means), I think there's an audience for this book, and they will love it.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with an element of the supernatural.
The pacing, however, was too slow for me. There were a few moments when the story lagged for me. That is the only thing that kept it from being a four-star review (For the purpose of Goodreads and Amazon, I'll mark this as a four-star review). The characters were relatable and likable enough. There was just enough mystery to spark intrigue.
I think this was better off being a duology instead of fitting everything into one book. Fitting everything into one book made it feel longer than it actually is. However, the story was beautifully told. While I think I may not have been the target audience (despite my being extremely interested in the synopsis because this wasn't awful by any means), I think there's an audience for this book, and they will love it.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with an element of the supernatural.
March 31, 2024
This is an absorbing, beautifully-written time-slip novel set in the stunning Palazzo Brancaccio in Rome. Sophie, a young American from Vermont, arrives there in 2006 to work on a Persian-Italian exhibition. Soon her nights are affected by lack of sleep because she hears footsteps and then the sound of sobbing in her attic room. Who could this presence be?
Isabelle, also an American, stays at the palace in the late 19th century with her aunt, Princess Brancaccio. Her ambitious mother and her aunt want to marry her off to a wealthy nobleman but Isabelle wants a career designing costumes. She also likes the charming opera singer Lamberto, but can he be trusted?
I found the historical setting very interesting, having stayed on the Via Nationale many times, and the characters were engaging. However, as with several novels today, the story was deeply depressing. I am not sure why depressing novels are all the rage! I will check out Kimberly Sullivan’s other novels, though.
I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Isabelle, also an American, stays at the palace in the late 19th century with her aunt, Princess Brancaccio. Her ambitious mother and her aunt want to marry her off to a wealthy nobleman but Isabelle wants a career designing costumes. She also likes the charming opera singer Lamberto, but can he be trusted?
I found the historical setting very interesting, having stayed on the Via Nationale many times, and the characters were engaging. However, as with several novels today, the story was deeply depressing. I am not sure why depressing novels are all the rage! I will check out Kimberly Sullivan’s other novels, though.
I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
December 3, 2023
Past and present gracefully intertwine in Rome’s Last Noble Palace. When Sophie lands a plum internship to curate an artisan exhibit at Palace Brancaccio, her anxiety at succeeding is heightened by the unearthly sobbing spooking her every night in her attic bedroom. In 1896, American Isabelle wants to become a fashion designer and marry a handsome opera singer, rather than the odious count her Princess aunt is trying to foist upon her. In the attic, both women suffer similar traumas that link them in a horrifying way. When Sophie finally returns to Rome years later, she can no longer avoid the tug of learning the story behind the haunting moments. The beauty and magic of the city are finely detailed in the dual timelines, enhancing the intriguing stories of two young women striving for their dreams.
December 30, 2023
Century-old buildings carry secrets. Walking through a ruin or antiquated structure today imagined stories rise like ghosts. Who else once walked the halls? What lives once loved and grieved behind these doors? This is the intriguing premise of Sullivan’s latest novel. Written as a dual timeline, the stories take place in the same beautiful palace, the Palazzo Brancaccio in Rome. For present-day Sophie the palace houses an art exhibition; yet in 1896, Isabelle came to live there with an aunt and uncle soon after it was constructed. Though a hundred years apart, the women stay in the same attic room where—you guessed it—dreams and terror reside. This is one fast page-turner. And even though the time shifts mean the reader can be ahead of the characters, Sullivan throws in plot twists to keep us on edge. This is an artful, twisty, eerie, captivating story—bellissimo!
February 16, 2024
I love historical novels. In this book I enjoyed some of the descriptions of various well known places in Rome and surrounding country side. Apart from that, this is the worst book I have read in a while. The plot was quite pathetic and totally predictable. The first nightly ghost episode happening to Sophie, you knew what was eventually going to happen to Isabelle.
I skimmed through the book to the end because I was trying to find something positive to say. This author either gets confused with her characters, or the editor didn’t do a good job. Half way through the book, but mostly toward the end, the author/editor gets the characters Sophie/Isabelle mixed up. Not a book I would recommend. I read the electronic version.
I skimmed through the book to the end because I was trying to find something positive to say. This author either gets confused with her characters, or the editor didn’t do a good job. Half way through the book, but mostly toward the end, the author/editor gets the characters Sophie/Isabelle mixed up. Not a book I would recommend. I read the electronic version.
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