Rome, the architecture, the scent of pizza wafting through the air, the language so vibrant...all wrapped in the warmth of summer. That is exactly what Mary longs for, as she leaves her life in England behind to re-invent herself if Italy, Rome to be exact.

Never having the love of family and being sent from one foster family to another, she needs to start her life over, escape from her past. In doing so, she interviews on-line with the owner of La Dolce Vita Pizzeria and begins her new life as a waitress -- signing on for two months. As the family takes her in and welcomes her into their life, slowly Mary begins to set aside her doubts and is able step out of her comfort zone.

While the Rossi family open their arms to welcome her, Dante Rossi, blind from a shooting incident, is reticent to do the same. Mysterious with secrets of his own, as well as other secrets in the family, Mary has to try and win them over and be accepted.

This is a charming novel, and a fast read. Nothing overly complicated, just a good romantic book. My thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Italian-flavoured feel-good reading, concocted following Samantha Tonge's usual recipe

Apart from the noble-souled heroine, pizzeria-waitress Mary, there are three generations of lively, also great-souled, family members of her new Italian employer - up against some misguided baddies who make their lives difficult, resulting in the usual amount of second-guessing each other, lots of stress-relieving cookie-baking and 'glowing' and 'pinching' chests, clenching stomachs and 'squeezing' hearts.

When I heard Sam had a new book out I was first in the queue. There’s just something about her writing that whether it’s set in Greece, Rome or some other distant land she drags you, kicking and screaming, from the comfort of your own sofa and into another far flung location. There’s an awareness of all things cultural and an ability to set a scene that is Sam’s trademark. Match that with strong characters and quirky plots and you have a best seller…

Mary Smith is thrown out of her comfort zone and into Rome, more particularly as a waitress at a little pizza restaurant set in the most adorable Italian square. She meets the owner and other restaurant workers but is intrigued by the surly, uncommunicative but sexy as hell Dante. But he’s hiding a secret that could change everything. Not only that but, with the season about to launch and restaurant critics about to appear, there is a chance that their little slice of ‘the good life’ is going to prove unequal to the newer, brighter pizzerias.

Perfect way to while away a good few hours. This is a lovely read and I will definitely look for other books from this author.

Firstly I'd like to thank Samantha Tonge, Netgalley and Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to be a part of this blog tour and to be able to read this wonderful book.

We start of in the UK with Mary who quickly leaves for a summer in Rome. Leaving everything behind and her friend Jill. She moves into Pizzeria La Dolce Vita with the Rossi family. Everyone welcomes her with open arms apart from the dashing Dante Rossi and the head waiter Rocco. The Rossi family do have their secrets and are far from the perfect family that Mary has thought they are.

Mary helps the family to make their business better and helping them to stay on the Lombardi List. A new competitor has shown up to knock them off and slate their business. They go from strength to strength and all pull together. They help each other when in need.

I genuinely loved this book as I could relate to it. I myself moved for a summer to Jersey as I needed to do something for me. This is why Mary went, she wanted to try and create a better life for herself. She didn't go to fall in love but she did. Not just with the country and the family that has taken her in, but with a handsome suitor. I won't give away who as that would be a huge spoiler ;)

This book has a little of everything, secrets, romance, mystery, sun, Rome, Italy! It made me feel all warm and fuzzy especially on these very cold, damp, wet, and wintry days. I couldn't put this book down and I'm going to give this a 5/5. It's a truly beautiful read and I would highly recommend it to everyone and anyone.

This was mostly a good read. Could have done without the repeated terrorism scares that were mentioned but overall I enjoyed the characters and the setting.

Mary leaves her life in the UK to make her first trip abroad to Rome and work as a waitress at a pizzeria. Having not had a stable upbringing (foster care) she is shocked to find an actual family she fits into at the pizzeria. This includes the other lead character, Dante. Dante has been blinded in the line of duty and the reader could have done without that type of backstory in a romance like this.

It would have been nicer to focus on the budding relationship between Mary and Dante, Mary coming out of her shell, Mary finding a family, Mary learning Italian etc. Overall this was a decent read but I really do think it could have done without the repeated references to terrorism. I would like to read more books about the secondary characters such as Alfonso, Natale, Rocco, Enzo and everyone.

One Summer in Rome took me away from the dreary winter and made me feel warm and cozy! Samantha did a wonderful job at bringing the characters and the setting to life while also adding a bit of realism to the story. Some moments were very deep but the majority is lighthearted and feel good- something I expected going in and got when I was done. I very much recommend this one.

This is definitely a book to take on holiday. The places, sounds, and foods of Italy come to life as you read.

Mary Smith had a less than perfect childhood after experiencing many foster homes but now she is an adult she has bought herself a one way ticket to Rome to work in a Pizza restaurant. Mary is hardworking and kind hearted helping her colleagues along the way with romance definitely not on the agenda. The descriptions of the characters Mary meets and the insecurities Mary goes through are so beautifully written. I read this book in a day, never mind the washing and ironing, I was hooked and just wanted to carry on reading. I would happily recommend this book to anyone who loves Italy and loves a good story well told.

Heart warming, one minute laughing the next crying. It shows everyone needs family and love!

Review will be up on my blog (thecosiestcorner.blogspot.com) on publication day.

What a lovely and summery read! It had me longing for warmer days - and pizza! I've been to Rome before so reading this was like I was there again, visiting all the places Mary goes and eating the delicious pizza that Dante cooks! The cover is 100% what drew me in, it's so summery and bright! The pizzeria, the lemon tree and of course the colosseum in the background just make a beautiful cover that you will certainly be dying to read!

I hadn't actually read anything by Samantha Tonge before but had heart great things so was so excited when this came up on Netgalley to request! It was written beautifully and I honestly felt as though I was next to Mary in Rome. The descriptions will make your mouth water and you'll soon be looking up flights to visit! I felt the pacing of this novel was brilliant and I just found it so easy to read and really enjoyed it.

The story itself was so heartwarming and a delight to read. It follows Mary, who is our main character, as she gives up her life in London and moves to Rome to work as a waitress in a cute little pizzeria. When she first gets there, she feels put out and slightly overwhelmed at everything going on. She doesn't appear to be on the good side of a few other employees and this makes her very nervous and wondering if she has made the right decision moving to Rome.

The chef who makes the pizza's, Dante, is handsome and brooding and Mary can't help but find him attractive. As the story continues it's clear to see that Mary isn't the only one with a few secrets hidden away. When I first started reading this and read about Dante, I felt for him. What he went through must have been awful but the Rossi family who run the pizzeria all seem so supportive and it was so lovely to read about a family who care so much about one another.

Overall, a really enjoyable novel that is perfect to get you in the summer mood. Would highly recommend that you add this to your reading list! Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

Having really enjoyed Samantha Tonge’s work before I picked up this book for a light-hearted read between thrillers.

Whilst some of the themes were deeper than anticipated - including a childhood with various foster parents, a traumatic event, domestic violence and the death of a parent - the story was relatively light and tripped along easily.

The characterisation wasn’t as deep as her previous novels. Unlike those books, this didn’t create a need to find out what was happening - as nice as Mary and Dante were, there wasn’t the depth of emotion that can usually be found in books of this genre.

An enjoyable and easy read but preferred her books that are set in Greece (titles when I find them!)

3* from me

I've heard of this author and have some of her books in my pile to read but never read any of her books and so glad I have started now as want to read more. I couldn't put the book down so well written with great characters and you think you are in Rome when reading it and makes you want to go. Full of love and so heartwarming and how someone can change their lives. Really makes you dream of the summer which is great on a cold wet miserable day. I couldn't put the book down as so good.
Mary decides she's not happy with her life so wants to change it and buys a one way ticket to Rome and will she have regrets or not. She works in a cafe and as far as she is concerned men are not for her but she arrives at a family run pizzeria and she falls in love with them and rome. The chef for the pizzeria doesn't seem pleased with her arrival but with in time sparks are flying and secrets come flying out but are they good or not and can they work through them.
A delightful read and really makes you think of summer. Highly recommend anyone reading as such an easy read to.

Really enjoyed reading this book.

Set in Rome, Mary has moved there from England to live and work with the Rossi family. At the start of the book, everyone has secrets, which are revealed throughout the course of the book.

I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received a copy of One Summer in Rome by Samantha Tonge from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was intrigued by the summary and really wanted to like this novel, but the storyline could have been pulled together better and the characters developed more (less flat). It was a struggle to continue reading several times due to that, the errors in grammar, and the poor formatting.

I would try and read another book by the author in the future to see if the pacing of plot development, characterization and editing improves, but would not recommend this book. I rate it 2 of 5 stars.