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Love Stories: Year Abroad Trilogy #3
Rome: Antonio & Carrie
Carrie's completely crazy about Antonio, her Italian boyfriend. He's incredibly cute, smart, and sweet, everything she's ever wanted. So what's the problem? He hates American girls. And he has no idea that she is one.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 14, 2000
2 people are currently reading
290 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Hawthorne
30 books1,615 followersaka Jade Parker and also writes with her son as J.A. London
(also writes romance under Lorraine Heath)
Rachel Hawthorne, who also writes as Lorraine Heath and Jade Parker, is the daughter of a British beauty (her mother won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero-who played the Joker on the old Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Herts, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan. She enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She writes for both adult and young adult readers. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Americana historicals. Her novels have been recognized with a RITA, Romance Writers of America’s most prestigious award for excellence, a HOLT medallion award honoring outstanding literary fiction, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, five Texas Gold Awards, the Golden Quill Award, the Rising Star Award as well as other awards and recognitions. Her novels have been selections of the Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Club. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times.
(also writes romance under Lorraine Heath)
Rachel Hawthorne, who also writes as Lorraine Heath and Jade Parker, is the daughter of a British beauty (her mother won second place in a beauty contest sponsored by Max Factor® during which she received a kiss from Caesar Romero-who played the Joker on the old Batman TV series) and a Texan who was stationed at Bovingdon while serving in the air force. Lorraine was born in Watford, Herts, England, but soon after moved to Texas. Her "dual" nationality has given her a love for all things British and Texan. She enjoys weaving both heritages through her stories.
When she received her BA degree in psychology from the University of Texas, she had no idea she had gained a foundation that would help her to create believable characters—characters that are often described as “real people.” She writes for both adult and young adult readers. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Americana historicals. Her novels have been recognized with a RITA, Romance Writers of America’s most prestigious award for excellence, a HOLT medallion award honoring outstanding literary fiction, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, five Texas Gold Awards, the Golden Quill Award, the Rising Star Award as well as other awards and recognitions. Her novels have been selections of the Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Club. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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June 2, 2025I read this with my high school friends 20-24 years ago? Wow. One of them reminded me of these books, and I honestly forgot that we read this trilogy and shared them with everyone in the group coz we only had 1 copy ☺️☺️ we enjoyed it and I plan on re-reading soon!
December 23, 2018
Such a cute book!!! I loved the story, it was adorable.
January 14, 2019
Antonio = ❤️
May 28, 2016
Before diving into my review of this title, I'd like to mention that this novel gives away everything that happens in the other two Year Abroad stories, so it's best to read them in the order they were released: London, Paris, Rome. Otherwise it's not worth purchasing all three unless you really love Rachel Hawthorne's writing.
That being said, I am not a huge R. Hawthorne fan, but I didn't find "Rome" to be an unpleasant read - just a long one. In "Rome", Carrie swears she didn't come to Italy to find a boyfriend until she meets the hottest boy on day one - Antonio Donatello - and then overhears him say something mean-spirited and stereotypical of Americans. She then devises a plot to pretend to be a true, native Italian and make him fall in love with her so she can turn the tables and reveal that he was actually in love with an Americana the whole time! Like "Playing for Keeps" another Love Stories title,"Rome: Antonio & Carrie" was written in the '90s and published in 2000, so it is a little dated, but - for better or worse - still very accurate when it comes to emotional thought processes and the actions that result from these processes of the young and inexperienced teen. However, the Year Abroad book 3 reads much more like your typical teen romance and lacks as much nuance in its young people's feelings and behaviors as Nina Alexander's "Playing for Keeps."
More concerning to me, however, was how much the book focused on both of the protagonists, Carrie and Antonio, being so caught up in national stereotypes and setting out to prove or disprove them in order to impose their perspective of the world onto it and those around them - or perhaps to convince themselves. Carrie, being half Italian, is sure she knows everything about the Italians and anything an Italian person in the novel does that resembles her beliefs is immediately taken as a sign that she's right! Therefore it can't be a stereotype and it must be a real trait that every other Italian also possesses. Antonio has only ever met the rude and ill-mannered Americans that come into the Romano's restaurant, La Sera, where he works as a waiter and so he comes to the conclusion that all Americans are so. And while Antonio attempts to grow out of his narrow mindset, Carrie never cures herself of this bad habit, or even questions it, which is really bothersome to me. The stereotypes presented are all beyond simple and cliché as well - as is the narrative progression. Three quarters of the book is simply Carrie carrying out her "revenge" plot and - spoiler alert! - panicking, realizing she had already fallen for Antonio and that this is gonna back fire. It isn't until the final chapters that her plot is finally revealed and she has to deal with the consequences. Following this lackluster climax, the resolution of the drama is relatively rushed and plays out almost to cleanly. Added to this is the constant switch between languages which is never made clear until a conversation is over and then Carrie clarifies by adding "and then I realized we spoke in English the whole time," or "and I spoke in perfect Italian the whole time." It's not only a little distracting, but also a little annoying particularly since many of the sentiments shared are supremely American and non-translatable. Once in awhile, Hawthorne also peppers the page with antiquated (even for 2000) Italian and the two or three words in an ocean of English is jarring and makes it very clear that Hawthorne herself is not too familiar with the language.
But for all my gripes and complaints, "Rome" was a cute, light read which had several enjoyable moments, some character growth, and a number of clever and funny lines. If you're looking for something to help you catch up on your Reading Challenge, survive a long delay at the airport, or just waste time, this 179 page novel will do that.
That being said, I am not a huge R. Hawthorne fan, but I didn't find "Rome" to be an unpleasant read - just a long one. In "Rome", Carrie swears she didn't come to Italy to find a boyfriend until she meets the hottest boy on day one - Antonio Donatello - and then overhears him say something mean-spirited and stereotypical of Americans. She then devises a plot to pretend to be a true, native Italian and make him fall in love with her so she can turn the tables and reveal that he was actually in love with an Americana the whole time! Like "Playing for Keeps" another Love Stories title,"Rome: Antonio & Carrie" was written in the '90s and published in 2000, so it is a little dated, but - for better or worse - still very accurate when it comes to emotional thought processes and the actions that result from these processes of the young and inexperienced teen. However, the Year Abroad book 3 reads much more like your typical teen romance and lacks as much nuance in its young people's feelings and behaviors as Nina Alexander's "Playing for Keeps."
More concerning to me, however, was how much the book focused on both of the protagonists, Carrie and Antonio, being so caught up in national stereotypes and setting out to prove or disprove them in order to impose their perspective of the world onto it and those around them - or perhaps to convince themselves. Carrie, being half Italian, is sure she knows everything about the Italians and anything an Italian person in the novel does that resembles her beliefs is immediately taken as a sign that she's right! Therefore it can't be a stereotype and it must be a real trait that every other Italian also possesses. Antonio has only ever met the rude and ill-mannered Americans that come into the Romano's restaurant, La Sera, where he works as a waiter and so he comes to the conclusion that all Americans are so. And while Antonio attempts to grow out of his narrow mindset, Carrie never cures herself of this bad habit, or even questions it, which is really bothersome to me. The stereotypes presented are all beyond simple and cliché as well - as is the narrative progression. Three quarters of the book is simply Carrie carrying out her "revenge" plot and - spoiler alert! - panicking, realizing she had already fallen for Antonio and that this is gonna back fire. It isn't until the final chapters that her plot is finally revealed and she has to deal with the consequences. Following this lackluster climax, the resolution of the drama is relatively rushed and plays out almost to cleanly. Added to this is the constant switch between languages which is never made clear until a conversation is over and then Carrie clarifies by adding "and then I realized we spoke in English the whole time," or "and I spoke in perfect Italian the whole time." It's not only a little distracting, but also a little annoying particularly since many of the sentiments shared are supremely American and non-translatable. Once in awhile, Hawthorne also peppers the page with antiquated (even for 2000) Italian and the two or three words in an ocean of English is jarring and makes it very clear that Hawthorne herself is not too familiar with the language.
But for all my gripes and complaints, "Rome" was a cute, light read which had several enjoyable moments, some character growth, and a number of clever and funny lines. If you're looking for something to help you catch up on your Reading Challenge, survive a long delay at the airport, or just waste time, this 179 page novel will do that.
January 9, 2011
I used to read these books in high school. Years ago I picked some up at a bag sale or books by the pound sale. Due to my move I have not gotten a new library card yet, so I'm trying to read some things that are already on my shelf.
This was a cute story and pretty much as expected. Good reminder that it's important not to judge others, to put yourself in their shoes and also that the way you treat others will be reflected back to you.
This was a cute story and pretty much as expected. Good reminder that it's important not to judge others, to put yourself in their shoes and also that the way you treat others will be reflected back to you.
October 31, 2014
I thought this was a cute and fun book to read. I read the series in High School and loved it. I liked this story because it was a bit different. When you thought it was going one way it went another way, but came back again.
December 21, 2008
This one was good because.... well heck i don't know it was just good
August 7, 2010
Ooh Antonio! Your so sweet.
September 26, 2010
Carrie doesn't deserve Antonio.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 28, 2011definitely my least favorite year abroad book. i really didnt like antonio's character in the beginning and that just set me off.
March 28, 2017
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews