Favorites From The Old Blog | Review: ROMAN CRAZY by Alice Clayton & Nina Bocci

In 2010, I started the book blog Books Make Me Happy. In 2018, between a frustrating, snafu-filled web host move and lots going on outside of the blogiverse, I lost my motivation and closed the page down. Now — I’ve got my blog mojo back a bit, and am having a fantastic time with this new site. I love sharing new things, but hate the idea of losing so many awesome posts from the old blog. So… every now and then, I’m going to re-post something that originated there. A review of a book I loved, a chat with a favorite author, etc. At the end — I’ll add any new thoughts I have.

If you followed me here from BMMH, hope you love these little “blasts from the past”. If you’re new to my bookish world, I hope you find some new (old) things to check out!

Author: Alice Clayton & Nina Bocci
Format: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 336
Original Release: September 13, 2016
Review Copy: purchased

Avery Bardot steps off the plane in Rome, looking for a fresh start. She’s left behind a soon-to-be ex-husband in Boston and plans to spend the summer with her best friend Daisy, licking her wounds—and perhaps a gelato or two. But when her American-expat friend throws her a welcome party on her first night, Avery’s thrown for a loop when she sees a man she never thought she’d see again: Italian architect Marcello Bianchi.

Marcello was the man—the one who got away. And now her past is colliding with her present, a present where she should be mourning the loss of her marriage and—hey, that fettuccine is delicious! And so is Marcello…

Slipping easily into the good life of summertime in Rome, Avery spends her days exploring a city that makes art historians swoon, and her nights swooning over her unexpected what was old is new again romance. It’s heady, it’s fevered, it’s wanton, and it’s crazy. But could this really be her new life? Or is it just a temporary reprieve before returning to the land of twin-set cardigans and crustless sandwiches?

A celebration of great friendship, passionate romance, and wonderful food, Roman Crazy is a lighthearted story of second chances and living life to the fullest.

Initial Thoughts:
I have been waiting for a long time to get a story from Nina Bocci — and this partnership with Alice Clayton is like CHRISTMAS for me!! This can’t possibly be anything but awesome. ❤

What I Loved:
I know it’s awful, but the opening scene, as horrible as it would have been to ACTUALLY see, was friggin hilarious. The dialogue (both inner thoughts, and exchanges with other characters) is flawless. It’s quick, deliberate, witty, and just right. I also loved that I couldn’t tell which author wrote which parts. I didn’t notice any kind of separation in writing style or pacing. They blended their styles perfectly. And speaking of perfection — I’ve never been to Italy, but I feel like I just got the “living color crash course” version. The descriptions, the smells, the tastes, the atmosphere… made me feel like I was standing in the middle of Rome. It was everything I could hope for. Now, was there a lot of description… yes… and that can sometimes be a drag to get through. But in this case, nothing was overly done or unnecessary. Every. Word. Counted.

The relationship between Avery and her best friend Daisy is beautiful. Fun and supportive, and just the right amount of banter to keep each other on their toes. Avery’s rediscovery of her own self — her passion for her art, her skill in her own trade, and a sense of pride and self worth — it was a really fun journey to watch her take.

And then we have Marcello.
Dio mio! We all need a Marcello in our lives. Well, *I* need a Marcello in MY life!! The tension between these two was palpable from the start. The history that Avery and Marcello share, that one summer, years ago, was the perfect “jumping back in” point. Obviously they’re each different people now… but part of the gorgeousness of their relationship is that they really weren’t all THAT different where it really mattered. The more “adult”/”grownup” version of the couple was a joy to watch, as they rediscovered each other, made amends for their mistakes, and became what they should have always been.

What I Didn’t Love:
*crickets chirping*

Final Thoughts:
I. Need. More. Of. This.
That is all.

I was having so much fun with Nina as my “Author of the Month” for May, that I reread this book! Alice and Nina are absolute comic gold when they put their heads together, and Avery and Marcello still make my heart smile. Roman Crazy is fresh, relatable, and so, so summertime perfect. (I still need a book two, ladies!!!)