Cover Image: When in Rome

When in Rome

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Member Reviews

A great, fast paced story of everything going wrong, but right! Another one with a light sprinkling of romance, reminded me of the time I explored Rome – except I didn’t get a hunky Italian! This was a super easy read and I knocked it out in a couple of hours! I really enjoyed the way the city was lightly interwoven into the storyline.

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Sammi Shorten is sick and tired that her self-orchestrated gap year has turned into her becoming a couch potato. Determined to get back out and achieve something worthwhile for her life, she decides to take a trip to Rome. She never imagined her holiday would turn into the trip from hell, but at least there's one thing positive about it -- Marcello Bambozzi. Spending time with Marcello is wonderful, but knowing she'll be returning home to Australia is in the back of her mind. But when she finds herself in trouble, Marcello offers to help. Will she give him a chance, so they can achieve forever after; or will she walk away from the man she's fallen in love with?

I have loved every one of the previous books, but Marcello would have to be the best hero of the Hearts of the City series so far and together he and Sammi are a wonderful couple that face some tough obstacles to be together such as the pair being from different countries and the heroine sooner or later returning to hers after her trip; the heroine not trusting Marcello at a crucial moment when he's done nothing but prove he's trustworthy; and whether Sammi would survive the trip from hell with people she doesn't have anything in common with.

The way this story started had me liking the heroine immediately, as she's determined to get her life back on track and do something meaningful with her life. However, it also made me feel sorry for her since her mother seems awfully opinionated when it comes to what Sammi should and shouldn't be doing with her money. Why isn't she happy that her daughter is actually doing something more than staying at home and being a couch potato? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine met where this story had me completely enthralled, as the heroine realizes her trip might not be the trip of a lifetime she expected, but finds someone that can make it better. Will she give into the sparks that fly between her and Marcello?

Both the main characters were compelling and I loved the way they interacted with each other. In the beginning, it's palpable Sammi isn't used to being around men like Marcello, and I liked how determined she was to make the best out of a bad experience. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine is how she copes with everything she goes through, even if it means accepting the hero's help when she needs it most. While the hero, he's struggling to get his art class business off the ground, and I liked how the heroine helped him with her ideas. I also liked how kind and caring the hero was, especially in the moment when Sammi needed him.

Overall, Ms. Duggan has delivered another utterly fantastic read for this series where the chemistry between this couple was powerful; the romance hot and full of exquisite heat and passion; and the ending left me with a smile on my face and ready to cry happy tears because of which main character chased after the other, so they'd get their happy ever after. However, it was the decision the other made that had me loving the ending, as one of them had to have faith and take a giant leap for their happiness. Will it be Sammi or Marcello that makes a huge decision when it comes to where they'll end up -- Australia or Rome? I would recommend When in Rome by CJ Duggan, if you enjoy New Adult Romance, the mysterious strangers trope, or books by authors KM Golland, Jodi Perry, Lili St. Germain and Cindi Madsen.

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Oh how ive waited for this 4th book in the heart of the city series. Sammi is tired of sitting around at her parents house so books a trip to Rome, "I will not be falling for some gorgeous Italian man on my trip" I loved Marcello and sammi togther so much, the secondary characters really made the story what it was. a fantastic read by CJ Duggan once again, this is book 4 in a series of Standalones. I volunteered to read a copy of this book

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When I came across the first of C.J. Duggan’s ‘Heart of the City’ series, I did not realise the fun reads I would be in for. With a common theme of an Aussie girl overseas in a big city coming across local suave guy, it was bound to be amusing. Each book is unique and definitely a standalone (although this time round it was good to catch up with Sammi’s sister, Claire and Louis from Paris Lights briefly) with Duggan providing you with many laugh out loud moments - C.J. Duggan’s writing is bold, lively and really quite funny at times.


When in Rome continues on with the romantic comedy of previous instalments. Here we have a heroine on her “trip of a lifetime”, only to land smack-bang in the middle of a disaster - everything from the tour group to the very sad bed bug infested hotel. Some scenes and situations are sure to resonate on some level with those having travelled on a budget at any time of their life. It was another fun journey of discovery, as C.J. Duggan takes you not only around all the tourist traps of Rome but also a journey of self discovery for the lead character Sammi. The imagery is most definitely engaging as it feels like you are wandering the ancient laneways of Rome, taking in everything from the Spanish Steps, to throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain.


‘Although it was never really possible to be alone in a city where people flocked for the history, culture and romance, there was something rather spectacular about plunging into the essence of Rome with only myself for company.’


So whilst I thought Paris Lights was hysterical, New York Nights great - this book was on a par with London Bound - good but not quite up to the first two. This one seemed to venture a little more into the definite ‘young adult’ audience with its backpacking, bed-hopping, budget-holiday experiences.


‘It was like a love triangle from a seriously fucked-up YA novel. ‘Should I ask? No, actually, don’t worry—I’ve had my fill of teen angst for one night. Goodnight, Sammi.’


Setting aside these issues, I am still a fan of this series with witty banter, burning chemistry, hilarious and sexy encounters. If a quick, light and entertaining read is what you are after, then this is the book for you.


‘Being the youngest meant I always drew the short straw, and now, even on my independent, finally-becoming-an-adult holiday, here I was on the top bloody bunk again.’

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I love this series. But this was my least favourite of them.
I loved all the tourist stuff, I could imagine myself there and having been on group tours and ending up in the horrible hotels this made me laugh. I just didn't get the connect between the two of them. Especially at the end it just kind of ended I would have liked more.

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Oh how I have been looking forward to this story, and from the minute I open the cover I was hooked.

I have loved these jaunts around the world with Ms Duggan and her wonderful characters, and this trip to Rome was no exception.

I really do feel for Sammi. She is floundering in life, and we have all been like that at some stage. One snap decision and this little Aussie ends up in Rome on the holiday of a life time. I mean the history, the food, hot Italian men, who wouldn't want to go there.

Enter our Italian stallion (I mean, c'mon we have to call him that!), Marcello (am I the only one rolling my R's as I say his name??) You can't help but like him from the start, even if he is a bit of an ar$e - a seriously gorgeous ar5e!

I got swept away along with Sammi as she discovers Rome - and discovers herself. Ms Duggan writes with beautiful imagery that I could feel myself walking the cobbled streets, picture myself at the Spanish Steps, wished as I threw a coin into the Trevi Fountain.

Now I feel the need... the need for pasta and gelato!

So grab your passport, pack a toga and get ready for your own Roman Holiday.


** review will be added to Amazon and blog on release date **

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With Italian relatives and friends, and having made two month-long trips to Italy in the past year alone, I feel pretty connected to the country, so of course I was going to read this book.
When in Rome is what I guess you might call a romantic comedy: heroine books her “trip of a lifetime”, only to land smack-bang in the middle of a disaster. Nothing is how she expected it to be - but there’s a man…
I have never had a travel experience quite like Sammi’s, but anyone who has travelled a bit (or ever been on a tour) will appreciate some of the scenes and situations.
This is very much a “new adult” book as it should be. It’s young; it’s about a woman still in her backpacking, budget-holiday years. This is the real “new adult” experience - so different to all those billionaires and businesspeople.
As a comedy, there are some characters stereotypes, but they’re not over the top (but PLEASE, world, can we dump the “mean girl”?).
This is an easy, travel-themed read. The kind of thing you pick up knowing you’ll have fun. I’ll have to check out the other books in the series.

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Sammi is one interesting girl, "umm, so did you want to come in . . ." Don’t say nightcap, Sammi, don’t say nightcap —that’s so lame." Marcello tries to be noble, "if you come into my room, I am not going to be able to stop this time." I liked this book, I loved Sammi the girl kept me entertained.

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