This isn’t the first Tilly Tennant novel I’ve read and it certainly won’t be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish. The descriptions of Rome, the play between the three main characters, the growth of Kate's character over the course of the story, all had me captivated. This story had a good strong dose of 'grab happiness while you can' along with the courage to do so. A fun, uplifting read.

After Kate's husband dumps her, she decides to take a vacation to Italy. This book should be required reading for any new tourist, as Kate gets herself into all the typical dilemmas of a naiive tourist (someone gets her drunk, her purse is stolen, etc.) I kept shaking my head (how can she be so stupid) while slogging through the overly wordy dialogue which is sometimes repetitive. If one wants to read a fairy tale, this book might be worthwhile. But, I found it pretty uninteresting (had to skip over boring descriptives, conversations) and unrealistic as a novel. There were some ends left untied (e.g., the female officer at the questura--why is she leaving messages for Kate), and some "easy" resolutions of major issues (Kate's divorce suddenly accepted by Alessandro's very traditional mother) that didn't seem realistic. I finished the book thinking "this could never happen in real life." An interesting read, but not up to my standards for fiction.

A real pleasure to read as I love travel adventure and romance. This story had both. Kate has had a marriage breakup and decides to do something she's always wanted to do...She's travelling to Rome for a week holiday. She has lots of adventure and falls into romance.

There are many obstacles and family challenges but you'll find a great story here.

I love Rome and have enjoyed it whenever I have been. The book gives enough of a feel of being there, the sights, food, cafes and gelato shops to make me want to go back. So from the title alone I knew I had to read this book.

The characters in this book are well written and very likeable. They are what makes the book so enjoyable and one I read in one sitting and couldn't put down. Kate is someone you want to succeed, taking risks after being stunted for so long, learning to do new things alone and improve her life after a heartbreak. You wish her well and want happiness for her. Jamie and Alessandro are also very well written, full and real characters and help make the book fly by. Even Matt, who I should hate because of the hurt he caused, I can't. I simply pity him, his decisions and where they have led.

I've read reviews in which people complained the story is unrealistic because of the way in which Katie and Jamie meet and become friends. I find this unfair and wrong. I have randomly started chatting to strangers on holiday and still been good friends with them years later.

I can't fault this book at all. Tilly is always amazing to read and she has done it again with this story. One that has to be read and the best thing I have read so far this year (I know it is only February, but I do read a lot..).

What an absolute gem of a book. A lovely feel-good story.

Kate’s husband Matt dumps her after being together since school…..on friday the 13th too!
After a few months of moping around her sisters encourage her to get out and about.
Kate is the middle child, with Anna 2 years older and Lily 2 years younger than her.

Kate has a boring clerk job at Mr Woofy, a pet supply warehouse. Her hobby is dressmaking, and she makes lots for herself. And some fab ones for her sisters too.

She feels like she needs a holiday, and promptly books up one up to Italy.
The story follows Kate’s holiday to Rome. Her first trip as a solo traveller after her marriage break-up.
Her sisters are understandably concerned that she’s going on her own, but she tells them she’s a ‘grown woman’ and off she goes.

Once she’s through arrivals she looks for a taxi. She ends up sharing one with Jamie, who saves her from an unscrupulous looking taxi driver who was touting for business.
She hits it off with Jamie on the half hour trip to her hotel. Jamie is an American, living in New York. He works in advertising for a multinational company and travels all over the world. His hotel is only a couple of blocks from Kate’s and they agree to meet up again and swap phone numbers.
In fact they meet up that evening for dinner. Jamie has visited Rome many times and knows lots of lovely eateries that are off the tourist trail.
She also encounters an Italian policeman, Alessandro, through a series of incidents including getting pickpocketed. The chemistry between them is very sweet and clear to see.
The story weaves beautifully around these 3 characters taking in the sights of Rome, Alessandro’s family and incidents with Jamie. The city was so well described I felt I was there too.

When it’s time to go home what will Kate do?

The characters were really likeable and had good depth. There are some touching and emotional scenes, both in Rome and with her family in Manchester.

It took me away from the grey British winter days perfectly and I even searched the internet for Rome webcams, finding the landmarks written about in the story. The Spanish Steps look fab, and watching people throwing coins in The Trevi Fountain.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the review copy in return for an honest review.

This is a fun, very entertaining read. I laughed a lot while I was reading.

When you see Rome in the title of a book what do you think of? I know I think of good Italian food, a city steeped in history and sexy Italian men. Ok so my thoughts may be a bit stereotypical, but Rome is Where the Heart is has all of that and a good deal more too - for this is a book featuring at least half the story in The Eternal City, but takes in another side to the city too.

Yes there is Italian food, how could you have a book like this without it, and Kate ends up having some great meals with two very different men in the city - Jamie who she meets at the airport, and Alessandro who she meets for the first time at The Spanish Steps. One of them even take her to have a good Italian meal with the whole family, so you get a good insight as to a large Italian family dynamic at work, and I must say I really enjoyed his sisters and mother.

Both Jamie and Alessandro are happy to take on the role of tour guide on various days of Kate's week in Rome, and we see The Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and The Vatican amongst the other smaller sites. In fact The Colosseum plays its part in Kate's second meeting with Alessandro. I should mention that he is a Roman policeman!

Kate has not come to Rome to look for love, more to try and start making her own way in the world, after her decree absolute comes through in her recent divorce. However fate has other plans for her!

This is a highly enjoyable story that is a pleasure to read, and definitely shows another dimension to Tilly Tennant's writing, especially with some of the more serious story threads that are intermingled with the fun. Jamie is heavily involved with one of the more serious stories, as is Lily, Kate's younger sister who I really felt for.

Rome is Where The Heart Is, gives an energetic look at Rome, and is also a lovely story of the closeness of sisters, with most of the story set to the most glorious of backdrops.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Tilly Tennant has allowed me to escape in her latest read, Rome Is Where The Heart Is. Taking into consideration that I live in Massachusetts and it is fairly cold at this time of year, it was so nice to dive into this cozy read and journey to Rome! Tilly has made the setting picturesque and I felt like I was there even though I was only sitting on my couch! She has also developed some amazing characters that could easily be considered your best friends. All of this put together made me adore the book!

Now, although I am fairly new to the author, I would certainly consider reading many more of her novels in the future based off of this one. It's just a wonderful and heartwarming read.

This book would be perfect for those who love heartwarming romantic comedies, those who enjoy escaping in a book and journeying to places all around the world, and those who enjoy the chick lit genre as a whole!

Slightly boring - completely predictable. It was a simple read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Kate's husband walks out on her without warning and as her decree absolute comes through she feels bored with life so decides to take a holiday to Rome. She meets Jamie an American businessman who decides to show her around Rome but abandons her in a restaurant where she proceeds to get drunk and falls asleep on the Spanish steps, where she meets Alessandro, a policeman who helps her find her way back to her hotel.
The was the story of Kate and Alessandro falling in love with different smaller stories interwoven regarding Kate's family and Jamie. A great book that I would recommend.

Another lovely book from Tilly Tennant. The perfect summer read and has made me really want to visit Rome. Tilly has managed to describe the buildings and the areas so well that I felt I was right there with the characters.
If you’re looking for a light fluffy read then why not give this a chance

Thanks to NetGalley and BookCouture for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars...

Easy reading, escapist chick-lit that takes you straight to the heart of Rome, and helps our heroine Kate find a missing piece of her own heart.

This is my first experience reading a Tilly Tennant book, and it won't be the last. She has an easy way with words that help transport you to the time and place of the book's setting and get engrossed with the colorful characters she creates.

Kate has planned a trip to forget the craziness her reality has become. She needs to get away from everything familiar and strike out on her own. She chooses to do this in Rome, somewhere she's always dreamed of visiting. She has many fun and off-the-wall experiences there, including meeting a new American friend and tasting the famous Italian romance. Her adventures there change her, and her whole outlook on life, prompting big decisions. Read it and find out all the details...

Recommended to Chick-lit readers, who might enjoy a change of scenery

**Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC to read and review**

Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture, and Tilly Tennant, for this ARC. This is an honest review.
So every once in a while I choose to vary my reading genres from thrillers to cozy mysterys. I am very particular with these cozy reads, as I prefer mine with a good story, and some substance.
Tilly Tennant has now become one of my favorite authors in this group. I have already purchased a few of her other books to read, and if they are as good as the one I just read, I'll likely get them all.
I loved the characters, the story line., and since I've been to Rome, I could picture all Kate's adventures . So loved visiting Rome again. Thank you for this new book ! Can't wait for book 2 :-) !
Review on Goodreads and to Amazon as soon as they allow it.

Was really disapointed in this book. I am a huge fan of Tilly's but this wasnt up to her usual standard. Felt the book very slow straight from the off and just dragged in the whole book

Another Tilly success story. I love all her books and this was no exception. With a sunny location and a very attractive Italian man what more could a girl ask for when recovering from a divorce she never wanted?

I normally really like Tillys books but i found this far to outlandish and prectictable

An enjoyable cozy love story. I liked how it was set in Italy. The characters were likable and very family oriented.

I was drawn by the title of this book to start with, it made me re read it to make sure I read it right and then it made me smile thinking back to my time in Rome too! Then I looked at the cover which made me want to read it even more – it’s so cute!

The first couple of chapters I couldn’t quite work out the main character and didn’t feel that I connected with her that well and I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy the book but by the fifth chapter I was hooked! Every chapter left me wanting to carry on reading. My housework and family have pretty much been neglected whilst I have read this.

I have decided not to give any spoilers in my review but I will say that the story is beautiful. The descriptions of Rome are spot on and the way it brought back some of my memories was really something. The buildings and main attractions, the culture and food – bang on… especially the gelato! No good story in Italy is complete without it! And the men!!!!

This is the perfect holiday read, or lazy Sunday afternoon read or that perfect distraction to a dreary weekday commute. I would definitely recommend this book. I cannot wait to read more from Tilly.

Thank you to netgallery, bookouture and Tilly for allowing me to review this book. I’m so glad I did.
I will be sharing my review on netgallery, amazon and goodreads.

Kate Merry has been unceremoniously dumped by her husband, quite out of the blue. She had no idea this was coming and when her divorce becomes final, she decides to go on a holiday to Rome.

Rome opens up a new world for her and changes up everything.

An interesting, fun, easy read, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was just what I needed on a dreary January day to help me get through it . A book I'd recommend if you are after an easy breezy fun read.

Rome is Where the Heart is by Tilley Tennant is superb. The title alone snagged my attention. From there, I was following a young woman who marriage and work life were dull as ever. No wonder her husband wanted a divorce. But then again, he proved to be a dirt bag...and his wanting a divorce was the best gift ever for his wife. Kate was shocked, furious, and sad her husband dumped her. But then life, presented a perfect moment for her to travel. Rome...the city all love. Once she arrives, she meets a complete stranger. A gay man whose humor and charming personality, as well as good looks, make him the perfect guy friend. He takes on helping Kate explore and taste Rome's finest food and places. I laughed so hard. This guy is the one people should invite to all social events. He can easily make any situation fun and easy going. His friendships with Kate helps not only her and him to...then, the plot gets even more intense. Unexpected people come into their life. Each friend has a whirlwind of events that will change everything. But their friendship will continue to grow. A hot romance between Kate and an Italian man was absolutely steamy. No sex...no dirty scenes. But their chemistry sparked enough attention to keep me interested. Alessandro has a complicated life. Life dealt him a sad hand until he meet Kate while just getting off duty. From there things are interesting. I was intrigued even more to know what will happen. I hope Tilley Tennant writes another book on these characters. I have come to love each one. They have a way of pulling me into the book. Overall, Rome is Where the Heart is...is indeed the perfect romance for all. I highly recommend it.