Sara and Lainey always planned to take another trip together but life and then death gets in the way. Lainey dies and leaves money and her ashes to Sara with specific instructions to scatter them in Italy. Can Sara enjoy her freedom or will reality drag her down...?
Escape to the Rome Apartment is the third book in the series and I have previously read and reviewed the first book, The Rome Apartment. Some of the characters feature in this book but there are no major plot spoilers.
Ooh I was annoyed! Poor Sara has a job she hates and a family who take her for granted. She has split up from her husband but they still live together and she skivvies around after him and her grown up sons. Of course, I fully believe that people will only treat you badly if you let them and this is a theme that threads through the book as Sara realises she should have more power and freedom in her relationships.
Most of the book is set in the present to show Sara’s experience in Italy (she doesn’t move to Rome or the apartment until halfway so I was starting to think the title didn’t fit!) There are some chapters to show Sara’s past relationship with an Italian man and this helps us to understand how she ended up stuck with Declan, accepting second best.
Ronnie and Marina remain a force to be reckoned with from the earlier books. Their insight and determination reinforces how essential it is to grab every second of life, be true to yourself and value what is important. I felt so sorry for Sara that it takes the death of her friend for her to truly live herself.
Escape to the Rome Apartment is a light hearted but deeply profound book about making the most of life's opportunities.

#EscapetotheRomeApartment #NetGalley A nice easy read documenting Sara's discovery of herself following her divorce and the death of her best friend. A tale of relationships set in the beautiful Italian countryside and capital city. A good feel good read

So happy to have come across Kerry Fisher and her writing! It was great to start with ‘Escape to the Rome Apartment’ and I look forward to reading more from her. While it is Book 3 of a series, it made no difference to my enjoyment of this story, as it was a great stand alone .

We follow Sara, a woman of a certain age, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she carries out her deceased best friends last wishes. I loved her descriptions of places and cities and I felt I was there with her every step of the way.

My love of Italy was definitely satisfied by this uplifting feel good read. Would recommend to lovers of romance and or Italy. Thanks to Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Sara lost her best friend, Lainey to cancer. Lainey left a note for her to go to Rome and scatter her ashes. They had gone there is young adults and always wanted to go back.
Sara's marriage is over and her boys are graduating from high school. She quit her job and so she packs and goes.
I couldn't stand her ex. It was all about him and his needs. Her sons weren't any better. All 3 of the men needed a kick in the butt.
Once Sara gets on the plane she meets a women and this woman tells her about her friend with enough room in his apartment and all the fun they will have.
I enjoyed getting to see Rome through her eyes and the people that she met and maybe even a relationship. I enjoyed this book very much.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the arc to read.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'Escape To The Rome Apartment' by Kerry Fisher.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Kerry Fisher, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 11th April 2024.

This is the fourth book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'The Woman In My Home','Another Woman's Child' and 'The Rome Apartment' (book 1 in this series) and I would highly recommend them all. This is also the third book in 'The Italian Escape' series but each book in the series can be read as a standalone.

This novel consists of a prologue, 23 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is beautifully written and completely absorbs you in the stunning atmosphere of Rome and really sucks you in with the vivid descriptions leaving you feel the warmth of the the sun and smell of the sea. The synopsis and cover suits the storyline perfectly.

This book is another stunning addition to Kerry's stunning 'The Italian escape' series and was just as gorgeous as the previous book I have read in this series!! The storyline is authentic and realistic as well as easy to read and heartwarming. There was plenty of events going on throughout and it kept me hooked from start to end, I absolutely devoured it in one sitting while mainly sitting in the garden with the sun warming my legs at the same time Sara were being warmed by the sun in Rome, making it feel like I was there even more along with Kerry's evocative storytelling did. The storyline was filled with a range of emotions and was heartwarming, heartbreaking and had friendships, new starts, relationships, fun,joy, living in the moment and everything you could ask in the perfect book for escapism!!! There were several times that I had got so lost in the storyline that when I finally looked up it took me a few moments to even realise where I was!!! There were countless times I told myself one more chapter then bed but I ended up devouring it in one sitting while walking around with my kindle glued to my hand!! It felt like a lovely break away from a rainy Wales!! In this beautiful perfect Spring and Summer read we meet our 57 year old protagonist Sara. Sara separated from her husband Declan during lockdown but out of habit and convenience they are still living together along with their grown up twin sons. When Sara's best friend Lainey passes away and leaves her with £20,000 to use on herself for a break and to scatter her ashes in Portofino, Italy Sara can finally escape from her life and the job she hates for a while!! Declan objects to the trip and also seems to believe he has a claim on her £20,000 inheritance but Sara is putting herself first for once!! Sara books her tickets and gets on her flight to Italy where she meets Boo who encourages her to change her outlook on life. When she arrives at the apartment Sara meets the fabulous Ronnie and Marina and so her Italian adventure begins. Will Sara finally break free from her demanding ex and children? Will she discover herself in the beautiful atmosphere,people and surroundings of Italy? Grab your copy of this stunning novel and fly away to the stunning Italy where Kerry will leave you tasting the wine, seeing the beautiful sites and falling in love with the characters. I absolutely loved this much needed escapism where I was absolutely swept away from the start to the end. I absolutely loved the gorgeous atmosphere and the warm embrace of Ronnie and Marina. The storyline was so heartwarming as well as thought provoking and it was such an easy and relaxing read with moments of laughter, some anger, tension and sadness but overall happiness. This would make a lovely movie!!! An absolutely gorgeous book!! I cannot wait to go on my next adventure with the very talented Kerry Fisher wherever she may take me.

Although this is the third book in this stunning series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without any of the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

The characters were all unique with their own realistic traits, strengths and weaknesses. It was intriguing to watch Sara, Carlo, Beth Ronnie and Marina's friendships and relationships grow, develop and change throughout the the storyline. I loved meeting each and every one of them. The friendship between the women was beautiful and it must be amazing to have such friendships where they supported each other so much and I also loved the romance between certain characters. Anyway, I best not say anymore as don't want to give anything else away for future readers!! It's just so easy talking about this fantastic book and so much I want to tell you all about but i really need to control myself!!! Needless to say I absolutely adored each and every character each for a different reason. Well I say each and every one but I do not include Declan in that as I found him to be an absolutely self centered horrid little bleurgh! However, regardless of how I felt towards him all characters worked perfectly with the storyline and I was sad to say Goodbye to the majority of them as they have really become like friends to me !!! Kerry's evocative writing skills ensured they all leapt out of the pages and came to life before your eyes as you read the pages.

Well done Kerry on yet another absolutely gorgeous book!!! A completely different genre to what I am used to reading by you but absolutely amazing and shows how much talent you have!!I will definitely be looking for your books any time I need to be swept off to another country!!! This is exactly why you are one of my favourite authors. Here's to your next guaranteed success 🥂

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first chapter of Kerry's ''The Silent Wife'' which promises to be just as addictive as all the previous books I have read by this author and is one I'm definitely looking forward to reading myself!!

Overall a perfect light hearted, stunning unputdownable escape that will sweep you off your feet and land you in Rome.

271 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase, free on Kindle Unlimited and £7.99 in paperback at time of review on kindle via Amazon or free on kindle unlimited which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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I’ve read a previous book by the author and the story of Beth and Ronnie and Marina, so it was like coming home. I am green with envy over those who have “strong passports” and thus fly to wherever they want to go, do their thing, stay months in beautiful locations and enjoy to the full joie de viere.

This story captivates. Sara in a loveless marriage 57 years old uses a legacy to dispose the ashes of her bestest friend Lainey. Sara after a lifetime of giving in to the wishes of an over riding husband, and twin sons who want her to be general dogsbody, finds it very hard to think of herself first.

Finding love was an unexpected bonus, but finding friends and an independent path for herself was even better.

The beautifully detailed descriptions of Rome, Florence and the in between places, alongside the myriad nooks and crannies off the beaten track added so much more.

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series. They are enjoyable, light reads, but ones that held my attention. However, this third book just didn't do it for me. I felt it started too quickly, with little build up and that just seem to put my on the wrong foot. I didn't particularly warm to the main character and felt some of her decisions a little too unbelievable.
A shame as like I said I had enjoyed the other two stories.

Favorite Quotes:

I clung onto the rush of adrenaline, the dizzying high of ‘Am I really doing this?’, feeling like the school swot who’d suddenly started throwing chairs before flinging exercise books out of the window, pages of algorithms and equations a-fluttering, while swearing at the teacher.

He had a way of looking at me that made me feel as though I’d swum into a warm spot in a cold sea.

‘Now I’m all about the good karma.’ He pinched his thumbs and forefingers together in a mock-meditative pose. ‘Though I still love to see a total tosser get his comeuppance.’

Learnt helplessness. All my husbands suffered from it. Perfectly capable in the areas they were interested in, then lying around like beetles on their backs if something was too much effort.

It’s hard enough to stay alive without him boring me half to death.


My Review:

I reveled in this delightfully witty and insightfully written tale that kept chortling and smirking gleefully throughout my perusal. The writing style and storylines were a joy to delve into and were populated by uniquely authentic yet perceptively written and knowable characters. I haven’t had this much fun in ages. I want to stop time and just sit and read all of Kerry Fisher’s scribblings.

Another wonderful story in the Escape to the Rome Apartment series. A heart warming story with such relatable characters and familiar family traits. The descriptions of Italy are wonderful and make you want to go and pack your bags. I am envious of those yet to read.

Sarah is separated but still living with her soon to be ex husband and working at a job she hates. She is given an inheritance by her best friend who recently passed away, to buy her freedom and scatter her ashes in Portofino. Leaving her job and marriage behind, she heads off to Italy, to honor her friend's wishes. She lands first in Florence, staying at an apartment with a friend she met on the trip. Eventually, she ends up hearing about an apartment in Rome.


This was another fun and fast read. It’s number 3 of the Italian Escape series. I enjoyed the 1st 2 in the series. It’s helpful to read the other books but it’s not necessary. I loved the characters and it was nice to see a follow-up with Beth from the first story, as well as Ronnie and Marina who run the apartment. Sarah was a great character and it was fun to see her find her mojo, by leaving behind her job and marriage. I loved the descriptions of Rome and Florence as they wandered around and explored the cities.


Thanks to @bookouture, @netgalley, and the author of this ARC.

Escape to the Rome Apartment by Kerry Fisher and is the third book in the brilliant The Italian Escape series and it was another beautiful book from start to finish. I have loved this series and I always find Kerry wrote this series from her heart. This book was a beautiful, a heart warming story that will take your mind to a better and a beautiful Place to visit - Rome and especially if it is raining outside your window.

Once I opened this book on my kindle and started to read Escape to Rome Apartment I wanted to go back to Rome, sitting in Piazza Navona the square people watching and reading this book drinking coffee......and become apart of this story. This is why I love Kerry's books.......From the very first page you will find it hard to put your kindle down.

I loved it especially as it is a "down to earth book" and I highly recommend it.

A great holiday read.

Big Thank you to Netgalley and especially Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I had a wonderfully relaxing time with Sara on her journey to becoming a woman with adult children and a divorce in progress. Fed up with being a doormat she heads off to Italy with her best friend Lainey’s ashes in tow. Ready to finally honour her friends last wish to be scattered there. On the journey she encounters Boo and Carlo, Beth and co.
It’s heart-breaking and warming in equal measures. Ghosts of the past are laid to rest and a bright new life is in the making for all involved.

Escape to the Rome Apartment by Kerry Fisher

What made 57 year-old Sara to escape from her current home to the Rome apartment? Her hopeless marriage, dependent adult twins, terrible job experience and the death of her best friend Lainey. Lainey prepared the money for Sara a trip to Italy in order to scatter her ashes and also to find herself back. The author brought us with Sara to Italy to follow her adventure with her two new friends. The ups and downs of what Sara had been through were relatable.

The story setting was fantastic. A great place with plenty of imagination room, the characters with standing out personalities and strong POV of Sara. I enjoyed the book a lot. A mixture of feelings. Imagine we have a friend like Lainey, who cares you a lot. Many shared memories and she always encourages you to chase your dream.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my copy.

Pub date: April 11, 2024

Another winner from Kerry Fisher! This is absolutely one of my favourite book series' and I think this one is possibly my favourite of them all so far.

Sara and her husband separated amicably during lockdown, and are still living together, for convenience and out of habit. The death of Lainey, Sara's best friend, has made her re-evaluate and she realises that her husband is moving on with his life, doing whatever he likes, while Sara is still very much housekeeper to him and their eighteen year old twin boys.

Lainey has gifted Sara some money on the premise of Sara taking her ashes to scatter in Italy, but with an unspoken suggestion that Sara also uses that money to take time for herself, something she hasn't done for years. And so we once again find ourselves in Italy, with breathtaking descriptions, romantic scenery and culinary perfection.

While her husband demands she return to get their house ready to go on the market and arrange accommodation for their adult children, Sara, with the help her new friends Boo and Carlo, switches off her phone and immerses herself in her escapist life in Italy. It was a brilliant surprise to meet Beth and Rico again and of course, that brought with it a link to the wonderful Marina and Ronnie, who help Sara to shake off the emotional demons of her past and teach her to live for now.

A balm for my soul!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Kerry Fisher and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This is the third installment in this series and it did NOT disappoint. I absolutely love these books as they give me an escape. I feel like I am the person that is in Italy trying to figure out something in her life. I’ve been to Italy so I really enjoy reading about some of the places that I have visited.

There are so many heartwarming moments in this book, as well as tough moments. Either way, this book feels relatable. Whether it be missing a loved one, going through a divorce, trying to be there for your children but not always knowing how, or trying to figure out what’s best for yourself in your own life.

This book brought smiles and tears. The scene in Portofino with Lainey’s ashes was a tough one to read, but also so beautiful.

Of course I loved seeing Ronnie, Marina, Beth, and Rico back! I absolutely love these books and I cannot wait to read another one!

Many thanks to Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “Escape to the Rome Apartment” by Kerry Fisher. This is the third book in the series but it can be read as a stand alone story.
Pack your bags, because you’re going to Italy! The sights and sounds in the story will make you feel as if you are there. Sara’s best friend dies and leaves her money to travel to Italy. Since she’s stuck in a dead end marriage and basically a maid to her grown up twin boys, she decides to travel by herself. This is an emotional roller coaster read. It will show you that you are never too old for a second chance at life.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

"Escape to the Rome Apartment" is a story of family, friendships and finding oneself, with a bit of romance thrown in. The lead character is Sara, a 57 year old mother of twin sons, and a working woman. Having decided that they have grown apart, she and husband Declan had put off divorce because of the pandemic. Now matters come to a head and Sara finds the courage to stand up for herself and force some progress.

As Sara follows the wishes of her recently deceased best friend Lainey she meets new people and discovers a different lifestyle. She is no longer at the beck and call of 3 men but does as she pleases. We also discover the truth about her love for Italy.

This is an uplifting read for those in late middle age - life is not over and can still dish up some surprises!

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this eCopy to review

Kerry has done it again another excellent book about how it is not too late to live the life you want rather than the one others force you to. Once again I was swept up with the characters and locations, both expertly depicted. On another soggy week in the UK all I want is to escape to Rome and lap up some sunshine and perhaps find the inspiration to make changes in my own life.

A fantastic read

A great plot enhanced by the backdrop of Italy - and who doesn't love Italian culture? Their history, wonderful food and that laid back lifestyle. It's a story of new beginnings and being brave enough to take chances and change direction. As we glimpse journalist Sara's life, it seems right from the beginning, other people have influenced her choices - and she has made some bad ones herself. Continually bullied at work and given the more mundane projects, she decides enough is enough and walks out of her job. Home life is no better. At 57 with twin boys of 21) she has fallen into the role of the 'wife machine' with an expectation she will sort out every domestic problem and provide a smooth home life for husband Declan and the boys to drop in and out of. Despite Declan deciding their marriage has run its course and mentioned divorce, nothing has changed. That change comes when her best friend Lainey dies, leaving her £20,000 together with a request that her ashes are scattered at Portofino. Sara decides she will carry out her wishes, seeing it as an opportunity to get away and take stock of her life. Predicably Declan (who is the most selfish, insensitive individual) not only objects to the trip but also appears to think he has a claim on the £20,000. In the end, taking a leap of faith, Sara leaves, with the promise she will be back in a few days.
A chance meeting with a fellow passenger on the plane turns the whole visit on its head and the story takes Sara on a journey she did not expect, one which will change her life for good. Great characters, a wonderful story and, of course, Italy! I was rooting for Sara all the way.

I would like to thank Bookouture, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of Escape to the Rome Apartment in exchange for an honest review.

I did not read the other books in the series but this was great as a standalone. I love the storyline and that the main character is 57 years old. This is a beautiful and touching story. A fantastic summer read,