Loosely inspired by the film starring Audrey Hepburn, The Roman Holiday Rule is Andra Loy's charming and cozy debut novel full of Italian romance. Daughter of a world-famous painter who died last year, Lexi must complete their bucket-list trip to Italy alone. When she has a chance encounter with a handsome stranger in the airport, she assumes she will never see him again, until Mark sits next to her on her flight and keeps popping up in her travels around the city of Rome. And when Mark isn't around, Lexi seems to always run into a member of his large, extended family.
Touring various landmarks mentioned in letters her mother left her to open in Rome, Lexi learns more about not only her mother but also herself. As each letter and location is revealed, readers will begin to wonder if some magic isn't perhaps afoot to constantly bring Lexi and Mark together. Loy describes the locations--including the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps--with a level of adoration that shows the beauty of what could otherwise be cliché tourist traps.
With a low spice level, The Roman Holiday Rule nonetheless has plenty of chemistry and romantic tension. Lexi and Mark, whether flirting or fighting, play off one another perfectly. The magic is subtle, so readers usually averse to the genre can still enjoy their story, while readers who adore a little enchantment will be pleased. An inviting debut, The Roman Holiday Rule will leave readers wanting another adventure with Andra Loy. --Alyssa Parssinen, freelance reviewer and former bookseller