I managed to get through two books this month, which is pretty good for me. I like to read before bed and if I'm feeling low on inspiration or in the case of the second book, constantly so I could finish it!
The Rome Affair - Karen Swan
Blurb: "The glamorous capital city of Italy is brought to startling life in The Rome Affair, a compelling novel by Karen Swan.
1974 and Elena Damiani lives a gilded life. Born to wealth and a noted beauty, no door is closed to her, no man can resist her. At twenty-six, she is already onto her third husband when she meets her love match. But he is the one man she can never have, and all the beauty and money in the world can't change it.
2017 and Francesca Hackett is living la dolce vita in Rome, leading tourist groups around the Eternal City and forgetting the ghosts she left behind in London. When she finds a stolen designer handbag in her dustbin and returns it, she is brought into the orbit of her grand neighbour who lives across the piazza – famed socialite Viscontessa Elena dei Damiani Pignatelli della Mirandola. Though the purse is stolen, Elena greets the return of the bag with exultation for it contains an unopened letter written by her husband on his deathbed, twelve years earlier.
Mutually intrigued by each other, the two women agree to collaborate on a project, with Cesca interviewing Elena for her memoirs. As summer unfurls, Elena tells her sensational stories, leaving Cesca in her thrall. But when a priceless diamond ring found in an ancient tunnel below the city streets is ascribed to Elena, Cesca begins to suspect a shocking secret at the heart of Elena's life."
I found this a little wordy, the descriptions are long and involved and although the world building was great, I did slow down the pace of the book a lot. I did however really enjoy it, I liked Cesca and despite Elena's character being a little unusual I did like her too in the end. The double twisty plot twist at the end was both weird and awesome at the same time. I'm glad I read it, being transported to Rome was definitely peak escapism.
Red, White and Royal Blue - Casey McQuinston
Blurb: "What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?
Alex Claremont-Diaz is handsome, charismatic, a genius – pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House ever since his mother first became President of the United States. There’s only one problem. When the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an altercation between Alex and Prince Henry, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse.
Heads of family and state devise a plan for damage control: stage a truce. But what begins as a fake, Instagrammable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon they are hurtling into a secret romance that could derail the presidential campaign and upend two nations."
Yes I bought this because of the hype and yes it was worth it. I inhaled this book it was that awesome. The characters were so well written and I just loved the bond between Alex and Henry. Such a great read and honestly I struggled to put it down. Even now, Alex and Henry live rent free in my mind. Bravo Casey McQuinston. I'm also pretty excited this is being made into a movie as well!
Have you read either of them? What did you think?
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