Book Review - Rome For The Summer by Lynne Shelby

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Title: Rome For The Summer 

Author: Lynne Shelby

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: Headline Accent

Publication Date: 23rd June 2022

Rating: 4 Stars

Kate Harper has always loved the painting that has hung in her parents' dining room for years, never suspecting that it is worth a fortune. When her art dealer boyfriend cheats her family out of the proceeds of the painting's sale, she is left devastated and alone.

Kate discovers that two hundred years ago, the girl in the painting, Charlotte Browne, ran off to Rome with the artist who painted her portrait, but her eventual fate is unknown.

Hoping to uncover the mystery of what happened to Charlotte, Kate seizes the chance of a summer job in Rome, where she strikes up a friendship with Jamie Taylor, an English artist. As they explore the city and start to piece together the surprising secrets of Charlotte's life, Kate finds herself wondering if a summer in Rome can mend a broken heart...

I have to admire the sheer amount of research that Lynne Shelby must have put into the writing of this novel, at least I am assuming that not too much artistic licence has been used, with the amount of art and history in this book. 

For this really is a book that lovers of Art and to an extent history will absolutely love.  Unfortunately neither of those are areas that I have any great interest in, so while I can admire the authors clear love of them and the skill of writing fabulous descriptions of paintings and frescos, as well as an account of a story that happened 200 years previous - it wasn't for me as engaging as it could have been. 

That being said all the present day story, the search for the truth about Charlotte, the friendship between Kate and Jamie and the whole summer in Rome, I truly adored. 

I loved Kate who transported herself to Rome to work as a guide at The English House (a former residence for English artists),  and wants to start drawing again, recover from the deceitful man she had been dating, and just discovering and exploring Rome. 

It is a real slow burn romance, in fact there is a secondary romantic storyline that felt at times more prominent and that I enjoyed reading about too. 

I feel as though I have definitely been transported to Rome, and was able to from my armchair visit many of the iconic tourist attractions, in addition to those off the beaten track.  It was clear that the author really loves and knows Rome well, from the writing. 

A really lovely story, and one that any history of art lover especially will enjoy! 

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