Publisher: Headline Review (26 Nov 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0755345939
Sarah Duncan’s A Single To Rome novel was recommended by a work colleague which I promptly borrowed. I have to say it’s a lovely book to come home and sit down with a cup of tea to.
Whilst the plot runs a rather comfortably predictable path, it was enjoyable all the same.
Sarah does a wonderful job of running your emotions through the mill with the main character, Natalie, lots of sympathy on the one hand, to one of ‘get a life woman and stop being so pathetic’, but is reflective I guess of any break-up where the person was not the instigator. You see Natalie has been dumped by her boyfriend and an indiscretion from her youth catches up with her professionally.
She meets Guy on a speed date, who offers her just in time, the chance to look after his apartment in Rome which he is trying to sell as part of his divorce. We are taken on the journey of self-discovery and new beginnings, to find that change is not necessarily such a bad thing after all. The self-awareness of the main character towards the end chapters was also quite refreshing.
Let’s not forget the other main character in the story – Rome. The descriptions by Duncan of the Italian city are so breathtakingly gorgeous, you feel that you are actually there.
One to curl up with on the darker nights when you wish it was still summer.
