Harmel's approach to chick-lit is to focus, not on budding romance, but on the personal growth and self-discovery of the heroine. This has been true for almost every book of hers I've read. Unfortunately, what had started out as fresh and interesting has become a little stale. This book was okay -- and nothing more. The characters were very one-dimensional, even after their meticulously plotted out character development. It felt like Harmel was trying too hard with this book, tying in Cat's story with Roman Holiday, and giving her personality flaws that weren't really personality flaws. Not the best Harmel's written. If this had been the first book of hers I'd read, it probably would have been the last. ( )

Chick lit ( )

Light-hearted romp with some deep insights on how things are not always what they seem. I liked it, especially since I'm a fan of the movie Roman Holiday. ( )

This is a story about Cat age 34 a NY accountant who travels to Italy and ends up exploring not only the city but her emotional issues as well. I felt this was more a book on self discovery rather than romance but I was absorbed throughout.
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Sigh, what a perfect romance. This book took place in Italy and the way the author described the streets made you feel like you were there. Cat is the main character in this book, she is the one who always does for others and never for herself. After her mother leaves them when she is younger, then comes back, Cat had never forgiven her. Her dad, sister, and her were close and Cat thought she needed to take care of them. After her younger sister gets married, and she is embarrassed at the wedding by her grandmother asking why she has not gotten married yet-In front of everyone, Cat decides to go back to Italy where she was happy years ago. But after getting there she is dumped by the one guy she thought still loved her from a long time ago, and she has no where to go. Until she meets Karina who rents her a place to stay. Cat goes from the person who does for all, to the person who wants to do for herself and live her life. I loved the ending and who she wound up with at the end. This was a really fast read for me, I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it. ( )