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Love & Rome: Love triangles, wine and pasta
Moving from Melbourne to Rome was meant to fix Stella Chiaro's life - and it did, for a while. But destiny has other plans.
With a one-way ticket home, artist Stella is running out of time and money. She is desperate to find stable work in the art world to keep afloat, or she will have to leave her beloved Eternal City behind. The last thing she needs right now is distractions . . .
The arrival of the full moon brings both the sweet owner of the new local bar and a handsome new flatmate. The promise of a new job and new love suddenly beckon Stella, but she quickly finds herself repeating patterns she once vowed not to.
In a journey stretching to enchanting Florence and across the ancient cobblestones of Rome, Stella must free herself from the mess she's in. But is it too late? Will it be arrivederci to 'Rome Sweet Home'?
PRAISE FOR LOVE & ROME
'Love & Rome is such an enjoyable, timeless read and I found myself transported to Rome where I could almost smell the food on the street. This is a wonderful romantic novel about healing and reinvention and the passionate search for a true soulful love. Coloured beautifully by a world of food and art this is the perfect holiday read, especially if you love all things Italian. If you can't manage a romantic trip to Rome right now then this novel is the next best thing.' PIA MIRANDA
With a one-way ticket home, artist Stella is running out of time and money. She is desperate to find stable work in the art world to keep afloat, or she will have to leave her beloved Eternal City behind. The last thing she needs right now is distractions . . .
The arrival of the full moon brings both the sweet owner of the new local bar and a handsome new flatmate. The promise of a new job and new love suddenly beckon Stella, but she quickly finds herself repeating patterns she once vowed not to.
In a journey stretching to enchanting Florence and across the ancient cobblestones of Rome, Stella must free herself from the mess she's in. But is it too late? Will it be arrivederci to 'Rome Sweet Home'?
PRAISE FOR LOVE & ROME
'Love & Rome is such an enjoyable, timeless read and I found myself transported to Rome where I could almost smell the food on the street. This is a wonderful romantic novel about healing and reinvention and the passionate search for a true soulful love. Coloured beautifully by a world of food and art this is the perfect holiday read, especially if you love all things Italian. If you can't manage a romantic trip to Rome right now then this novel is the next best thing.' PIA MIRANDA
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2024
71 people are currently reading
975 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Lo Bianco
5 books65 followersJenna Lo Bianco is a writer, educator, PhD Candidate, and advocate for Italian language education in Australia.
With nearly 60 publications to her name, Jenna is trusted nationally and internationally to write about all things ‘Italian’. She is a Fellow of the International Specialised Skills Institute and Italian Australian Foundation, regular contributor to Segmento Magazine, and has written and consulted in educational publishing for more than a decade.
A romantic at heart, Jenna writes contemporary romances set in Italy that read like a fictional slice of ‘la dolce vita’, but are steeped in candour and truths – both the convenient and inconvenient – drawing upon her personal life experiences in Italy, and her intimate knowledge of the Italian language and culture.
She may appear to live in Melbourne, but her heart and soul are Rome’s most permanent residents.
With nearly 60 publications to her name, Jenna is trusted nationally and internationally to write about all things ‘Italian’. She is a Fellow of the International Specialised Skills Institute and Italian Australian Foundation, regular contributor to Segmento Magazine, and has written and consulted in educational publishing for more than a decade.
A romantic at heart, Jenna writes contemporary romances set in Italy that read like a fictional slice of ‘la dolce vita’, but are steeped in candour and truths – both the convenient and inconvenient – drawing upon her personal life experiences in Italy, and her intimate knowledge of the Italian language and culture.
She may appear to live in Melbourne, but her heart and soul are Rome’s most permanent residents.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
September 13, 2025
(⭐2.5)
⊹₊⟡⋆ 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴
𖤓 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘢𝘳𝘰 🎨
okay, so. um.
i regret to say i really didn't like stella all that much... i don't understand how she can have multiple guys (apparently) FIENDING for her. she was really irritating, mainly because she didn't listen to her best friend that she claimed was "LIKE A SISTER" when she was trying to WARN HER about something they both had been through? like you both have prior experience in this area and you're gonna ignore the warning signs?!
girl. be so for real.
𖤓 𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵 📸
i got a bad feeling about him from the start. he was such a weirdo, i really hated his ass ngl 😭😭😭
but yeah, at the very end, i'm glad for what happened to him. deserved! ☝️
THAT STUFF WITH THE TRADITIONAL FOOD? oh girl.
𖤓 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘰 🌙
he was just okay, i guess. just a regular guy. he wasn't anything special, but in comparison with VINCENT? he was a saint.
don't mention his tattoo to me though. i'll start laughing again. stop. ✋
i didn't really understand his insta-love for stella but at the end, he kinda redeemed himself cuz he was pretty cute with all those little things he did for her. he knows that girl's love language i suppose 🥹
𖤓 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢
stella had more chemistry with her best friend than either vincent or marco. 😔
she was a bit annoying at times but honestly she was the MVP in this one.
⊹₊⟡⋆ 𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘵
okay, so the plot in this book was described to me as a 'love triangle'... this was more of a love ANGLE. get it? no?
it was so glaringly obvious who our MC would end up with from like page 50 (at least for me). it just made me kinda wanna dnf because there was really no point in reading all the way to the end if i already can guess what will happen... but i powered through and did it anyway!
one thing i did adore was the setting. reading this made me want to go to italy so SOOO bad omg. 🥹
⊹₊⟡⋆ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴
i'm glad i got this off of my physical tbr, but oh man the urge to dnf was so strong 😔 proud of myself for pushing through.
p.s. another thing that irked me was all of the dialogue in italian with no translation?? i didn't understand majority of the jokes and quips because i had no idea what they were saying. it might have been beneficial for there to be a glossary or something at the start/end...
⊹₊⟡⋆ 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴
𖤓 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘢𝘳𝘰 🎨
okay, so. um.
i regret to say i really didn't like stella all that much... i don't understand how she can have multiple guys (apparently) FIENDING for her. she was really irritating, mainly because she didn't listen to her best friend that she claimed was "LIKE A SISTER" when she was trying to WARN HER about something they both had been through? like you both have prior experience in this area and you're gonna ignore the warning signs?!
girl. be so for real.
𖤓 𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵 📸
i got a bad feeling about him from the start. he was such a weirdo, i really hated his ass ngl 😭😭😭
but yeah, at the very end, i'm glad for what happened to him. deserved! ☝️
THAT STUFF WITH THE TRADITIONAL FOOD? oh girl.
𖤓 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘰 🌙
he was just okay, i guess. just a regular guy. he wasn't anything special, but in comparison with VINCENT? he was a saint.
don't mention his tattoo to me though. i'll start laughing again. stop. ✋
i didn't really understand his insta-love for stella but at the end, he kinda redeemed himself cuz he was pretty cute with all those little things he did for her. he knows that girl's love language i suppose 🥹
𖤓 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢
stella had more chemistry with her best friend than either vincent or marco. 😔
she was a bit annoying at times but honestly she was the MVP in this one.
⊹₊⟡⋆ 𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘵
okay, so the plot in this book was described to me as a 'love triangle'... this was more of a love ANGLE. get it? no?
it was so glaringly obvious who our MC would end up with from like page 50 (at least for me). it just made me kinda wanna dnf because there was really no point in reading all the way to the end if i already can guess what will happen... but i powered through and did it anyway!
one thing i did adore was the setting. reading this made me want to go to italy so SOOO bad omg. 🥹
⊹₊⟡⋆ 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴
i'm glad i got this off of my physical tbr, but oh man the urge to dnf was so strong 😔 proud of myself for pushing through.
p.s. another thing that irked me was all of the dialogue in italian with no translation?? i didn't understand majority of the jokes and quips because i had no idea what they were saying. it might have been beneficial for there to be a glossary or something at the start/end...
June 7, 2024
Stella Chiaro has moved from Australia to her beloved Rome to start over and fix her life. She's on a deadline to find a stable job or return home, and time is running out.
I loved The Italian Marriage, Jenna Lo Bianco's debut novel, and Love & Rome is every bit as enchanting.
Love & Rome is a fabulous read! I loved every character. Best friend Marcella stole the show, she is loud, outspoken, hilariously funny and so dedicated to Stella. Everything a best friend should be. Love interest Vincent, the new American flatmate, was handsome, confident and oh so smooth. The sweet and compassionate Marco, the owner of the new local bar, who Stella found she could open up to and relax. Each character is so perfectly drawn.
Love & Rome is the ultimate armchair travel story, destination fiction at its finest. Jenna Lo Bianco's vivid descriptions of the sights and food of Rome are a delight.
There are lots of Italian words throughout and while most were easy to understand in context to the conversations it was handy to have google translate close by.
I loved being immersed in Stella's dramatic life-changing journey from her traumatic past to a new life and love in Rome.
With The Italian Marriage and now Love & Rome Jenna Lo Bianco has proven herself to be a master storyteller.
I loved The Italian Marriage, Jenna Lo Bianco's debut novel, and Love & Rome is every bit as enchanting.
Love & Rome is a fabulous read! I loved every character. Best friend Marcella stole the show, she is loud, outspoken, hilariously funny and so dedicated to Stella. Everything a best friend should be. Love interest Vincent, the new American flatmate, was handsome, confident and oh so smooth. The sweet and compassionate Marco, the owner of the new local bar, who Stella found she could open up to and relax. Each character is so perfectly drawn.
Love & Rome is the ultimate armchair travel story, destination fiction at its finest. Jenna Lo Bianco's vivid descriptions of the sights and food of Rome are a delight.
There are lots of Italian words throughout and while most were easy to understand in context to the conversations it was handy to have google translate close by.
I loved being immersed in Stella's dramatic life-changing journey from her traumatic past to a new life and love in Rome.
With The Italian Marriage and now Love & Rome Jenna Lo Bianco has proven herself to be a master storyteller.
June 30, 2024
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
Love & Rome by Jenna Lo Bianco is a fun, sexy rom-com written in a lively style and I adored it. I was transported to Italy where the food and scenery of Rome and Florence were an absolute delight. 🍝🥖
Stella Chiaro moves from Melbourne to Rome in an attempt to make her life better but will she run out of time and finances while desperately trying to find work and have to return home?
Stella finds herself with a sexy new American flatmate, she also meets handsome Marco the owner of a new local bar.
It was fun to google some of the Italian words (naughty ones too) throughout the story. The cast of characters are perfectly loveable and throughout the story Stella’s best friend the sexy Marcella is a hoot and will have you smiling.
I loved the moon🌛stars ✨and art themes and the friendships are adorable. This is a story of healing, love and all things Italian. 🇮🇹
Such a well written and enjoyable read and I can’t wait to visit Rome and Florence later this year.
Publication Day 28 May 2024
Publisher Macmillan Australia
Thank you so much to the wonderful team at Macmillan Australia for a copy of the book.
Love & Rome by Jenna Lo Bianco is a fun, sexy rom-com written in a lively style and I adored it. I was transported to Italy where the food and scenery of Rome and Florence were an absolute delight. 🍝🥖
Stella Chiaro moves from Melbourne to Rome in an attempt to make her life better but will she run out of time and finances while desperately trying to find work and have to return home?
Stella finds herself with a sexy new American flatmate, she also meets handsome Marco the owner of a new local bar.
It was fun to google some of the Italian words (naughty ones too) throughout the story. The cast of characters are perfectly loveable and throughout the story Stella’s best friend the sexy Marcella is a hoot and will have you smiling.
I loved the moon🌛stars ✨and art themes and the friendships are adorable. This is a story of healing, love and all things Italian. 🇮🇹
Such a well written and enjoyable read and I can’t wait to visit Rome and Florence later this year.
Publication Day 28 May 2024
Publisher Macmillan Australia
Thank you so much to the wonderful team at Macmillan Australia for a copy of the book.
August 3, 2025
i think she had more chemistry with her friend’s boobs than either of the guys
May 28, 2024
Thank you Pan Macmillan for sending us a copy to read and review.
If you want to escape and do some arm chair travel, look no further, you can be off to Rome with this romantic contemporary, destination fiction read.
Love & Rome is a beautiful, cutesy, delectable feast with lots of tempting adventures and matters of the heart.
Stella dropped everything and moved to Rome from Melbourne.
But with finance and life, time is coming to an end.
She needs to find work now but interruption seems to be on the cards.
A new local business comes with a handsome owner and one of her new housemates is also easy on the eye.
But complications, chaos and destiny has other ideas…….
If you enjoy a welcoming, good read, then this is for you!
I loved the cast of characters and inviting setting in this tale.
It was very appealing and seductive, it made me want to hop on a plane and go there.
I’ve always had the desire to holiday in Italy and one day will go.
With friendship in peril, romance in the air, rocky courtship, tasty food, exotic atmosphere and life deadlines, there’s so much to delight in this book.
A deeply touching and profoundly relatable romcom that will leave a smile on your face.
If you want to escape and do some arm chair travel, look no further, you can be off to Rome with this romantic contemporary, destination fiction read.
Love & Rome is a beautiful, cutesy, delectable feast with lots of tempting adventures and matters of the heart.
Stella dropped everything and moved to Rome from Melbourne.
But with finance and life, time is coming to an end.
She needs to find work now but interruption seems to be on the cards.
A new local business comes with a handsome owner and one of her new housemates is also easy on the eye.
But complications, chaos and destiny has other ideas…….
If you enjoy a welcoming, good read, then this is for you!
I loved the cast of characters and inviting setting in this tale.
It was very appealing and seductive, it made me want to hop on a plane and go there.
I’ve always had the desire to holiday in Italy and one day will go.
With friendship in peril, romance in the air, rocky courtship, tasty food, exotic atmosphere and life deadlines, there’s so much to delight in this book.
A deeply touching and profoundly relatable romcom that will leave a smile on your face.
November 25, 2025
Andra delen i denna serie av kärleksbrev till Italien. Denna gången besöker vi Rom, där vi får följa Stella, en halvitalienare som flyttat från Melbourne, för att finna sig själv igen efter ett hemskt uppbrott. I Italien finner hon flera relationer som hjälper henne att bli den hon var ämnad att bli, men även relationer där hon trillar tillbaka i gamla spår. En kärleks triangel, som också fungerar som en metafor för de två valen Stella har framför sig för sitt liv. Vågar hon kasta sig ut i det okända och tro på sig själv? Eller ska hon ge upp, och åka tillbaka till det gamla och trygga? Snyggt skrivet. Min favorit relation är dock mellan Stella och Marcella, deras fina vänskap gav ett fint lager till berättelsen. Marcella skyddar Stella på alla sätt hon kan, även när Stella vägrar inse sanningen. Gillar också hämndplanerna, som gav en väldigt njutbar final.
En vackert skriven bok, med en extremt påtaglig italiensk känsla, blev verkligen transporterad till Rom. Gillade denna delen mer än första!
En vackert skriven bok, med en extremt påtaglig italiensk känsla, blev verkligen transporterad till Rom. Gillade denna delen mer än första!
June 13, 2024
“Destino waits for everyone”
What a beautiful, romantic novel. I loved being transported back to Italy. Set in Rome, this book is just perfect! The food, the art, the people… amazing!
Stella heads to Rome and will only stay if she can find a stable job. Time is ticking and love gets in the way.
I love Jenna’s writing and the Italian words and phrases popping up throughout the book, it makes you feel like you’re really there, I loved this! It was authentic and not over done.
I absolutely adored Marcella! What a hoot she was!! She was the best!
This story is full of hope, about finding yourself, starting over, believing in yourself and finding true love. I really enjoyed every page.
What a beautiful, romantic novel. I loved being transported back to Italy. Set in Rome, this book is just perfect! The food, the art, the people… amazing!
Stella heads to Rome and will only stay if she can find a stable job. Time is ticking and love gets in the way.
I love Jenna’s writing and the Italian words and phrases popping up throughout the book, it makes you feel like you’re really there, I loved this! It was authentic and not over done.
I absolutely adored Marcella! What a hoot she was!! She was the best!
This story is full of hope, about finding yourself, starting over, believing in yourself and finding true love. I really enjoyed every page.
July 18, 2024
/3 stars. honestly writing quality: 3.5 stars
things that brought the stars down
plot: didn’t really care about it tbh and it dragged on personally
length: did not need to be such a long book
i don’t think this is a bad book per say but it isn’t something i would utilise my precious reading time on in the future. maybe pick up if you like long vibe books and ur on holiday/have lots of time/cannot get access to other books
things that brought the stars down
plot: didn’t really care about it tbh and it dragged on personally
length: did not need to be such a long book
i don’t think this is a bad book per say but it isn’t something i would utilise my precious reading time on in the future. maybe pick up if you like long vibe books and ur on holiday/have lots of time/cannot get access to other books
May 13, 2024
I’ve just come back from the most wonderful armchair travel to Rome. I loved absolutely every page of Love & Rome. Just as the blurb promises it is a story of Rome, sex, wine and pasta..but it’s so much more! It’s such a love story of karma and destiny, friendship, art, the moon and stars…no spoilers, I’ll just say I adore this novel.
I loved Stella and her April the second deadline, I had so much fun with her bff and roommate Marcella (ahhh I would so read her story..) I absolutely loved being in Rome, ahh Rome Sweet Home, seeing ‘the two paces; frenetic and glacial..’ I could smell the ‘sweet perfume of the lilac wisteria cascading from the terrace of the palazzo..’
I loved The Italian Marriage so much a jumped at the chance to read an ARC of Love & Rome and I’ve loved this just as much for completely different reasons, I cannot wait to read whatever Jenna Lo Bianco writes next.
This has been a perfect chef’s kiss
I loved Stella and her April the second deadline, I had so much fun with her bff and roommate Marcella (ahhh I would so read her story..) I absolutely loved being in Rome, ahh Rome Sweet Home, seeing ‘the two paces; frenetic and glacial..’ I could smell the ‘sweet perfume of the lilac wisteria cascading from the terrace of the palazzo..’
I loved The Italian Marriage so much a jumped at the chance to read an ARC of Love & Rome and I’ve loved this just as much for completely different reasons, I cannot wait to read whatever Jenna Lo Bianco writes next.
This has been a perfect chef’s kiss
July 2, 2024
Nothing really happens. It’s a day-to-day life of a girl living in Rome who needs to find a job. She meets a hot Italian guy and that’s pretty much it. I wanted to love this book but it was missing depth. The Italian phrases interrupted the flow of the otherwise easy read.
September 8, 2024
***3.5*** UGH I really thought I’d love this. Enjoyed the start but the first love interest was just awful and the main character was blind to it??? Then I got the ick. Easy read nonetheless but I need a 5 star
September 10, 2024
Delightful read with a wonderful cast of characters!
I adored Marcella... we should all have a friend like her!
I loved the use of Italian language in the book... it was prominent, but with context, almost always understandable even for those who don't speak Italian.
This book is perfect for romance readers, Italy lovers, and anyone who has experienced the trauma of a bad relationship... love can exist on the other side.
I adored Marcella... we should all have a friend like her!
I loved the use of Italian language in the book... it was prominent, but with context, almost always understandable even for those who don't speak Italian.
This book is perfect for romance readers, Italy lovers, and anyone who has experienced the trauma of a bad relationship... love can exist on the other side.
June 23, 2024
This book was exactly what I expected: an easy to read chick lit set in Rome. It was pleasant enough. It had Stella, a young woman living in Rome, feeling at home, finding herself. Of course she is beautiful, kind, an artist, clever, looking for a perfect job - typical lead character. There are two competing potential suitors - Vincent, the bad boy, and Marco, the lovely one. (We know Marco is the obvious winner because his name is Luna which goes with Stella - moon and stars.) There is Marcella, the outrageous, sexed-up, Italian best friend. There is Guiseppie and Ignazio and Carlotta and other stereotypical supporting characters. There is the obligatory Roman holiday feeling sites and settings mentioned. For me, that is where the book fell a bit flat. The descriptions were lacking something. The vibrancy of Rome didn't come through. The descriptions were very rote and boring - like reading a guide. Even Stella and Marco's day tour was lacking spark. Some of the timing was odd, either rushed or too long between events. The insta-love with Vincent was unrealistic. The revenge storyline was not as effective as it could have been. The mural creation was very tropey. I wasn't a huge fan of Stella, and I was annoyed by the typical she's-so-beautiful-all-men-love-her thing because her character was a bit average and flat. I also don'buy for a second that by 28 (and having studied late as it is discussed) she could have previously been a curator level art educator in charge of a prestigious team in Melbourne, and then get an even better job in Rome having not eorked for 18 months - I'm all for fairy tales but that met my limit of suspension of belief! The ending was rushed. The party was unnecessary - a list of iconic Italian character costumes. It's funny - for the author to be an expert in Italy, Rome, la dolce vita - that vibe dudn't come through in the book. I will still read her other stuff - I wonder if the first book is a bit better?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2025
The writing was really good, and the setting was nice, and the characters were sweet and I loved the use of Italian throughout the book - but it was just boring. Usually you’re like hoping the last pages aren’t 6 pages of acknowledgments so you get more of the story but this time I was like “okay let’s wrap it up”.
July 26, 2024
This was such a sweet romance and definitely a book for anyone who holds a piece of Rome in their heart. Marcella is the greatest Italian friend any girl could wish for. I found it transported me to Rome body and soul and there were just so many delightful local references and language. I was rooting for Stella from the very beginning and seeing her get every good thing had me cheering from the margins.
September 8, 2024
FIRSTLY THIS COVER IS GORGEOUS!! I thought it was a rly cute book that celebrated the day to day in Rome and while I really enjoyed the last quarter of the book, the rest of it was quite slow and the plot is very very simple so I did find myself a little bored at times. I liked how Italian was incorporated and if you want a book that celebrates Rome this is definitely the one 🇮🇹
February 17, 2025
Finally a book that makes me want to stay up and finish it
Read
September 10, 2025DNF (for now??)
February 24, 2025
This book made me feel all cosy inside! Such a cute love story which made me feel like I was walking the streets in Roma, absolutely perfetta
August 18, 2024
3.5 stars.
Moving from Melbourne to Rome was meant to fix Stella Chiaro's life - and it did, for a while. But destiny has other plans. With a one-way ticket home, Stella is running out of time and money. She is desperate to find stable work in the art world to keep afloat, or she will have to leave her beloved Eternal City behind. The promise of a new job and new love suddenly beckon Stella, but she quickly finds herself repeating patterns she once vowed not to.
How could I resist a romantic book set in Italy? The cobblestoned Rome streets whisked me back to my time in Italy a decade ago and enticed me to go back again soon!
I found it interesting that we, the readers, were immediately placed in the middle of Stella’s journey. When we met her, Stella was already a year into her trip in Rome, and her friendship with Marcella was already fully established. While this was a refreshing storytelling, I couldn’t help but feeling like I was missing out on something. I initially had some reservations about Marcella as I wasn’t sure she was a good friend to Stella, but I was glad to see I was completely wrong and she ended up being a bestie all girls should have in their lives!
Aside from that, this story was pretty much what I had expected. It was lighthearted and full of beautiful sceneries and delicious food. Given Italian food is a favourite of mine, this book made me salivate throughout. This was also a great introduction to the author’s writing. I will definitely read more from ‘the Italian teacher’
(Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)
See my bookstagram review.
Moving from Melbourne to Rome was meant to fix Stella Chiaro's life - and it did, for a while. But destiny has other plans. With a one-way ticket home, Stella is running out of time and money. She is desperate to find stable work in the art world to keep afloat, or she will have to leave her beloved Eternal City behind. The promise of a new job and new love suddenly beckon Stella, but she quickly finds herself repeating patterns she once vowed not to.
How could I resist a romantic book set in Italy? The cobblestoned Rome streets whisked me back to my time in Italy a decade ago and enticed me to go back again soon!
I found it interesting that we, the readers, were immediately placed in the middle of Stella’s journey. When we met her, Stella was already a year into her trip in Rome, and her friendship with Marcella was already fully established. While this was a refreshing storytelling, I couldn’t help but feeling like I was missing out on something. I initially had some reservations about Marcella as I wasn’t sure she was a good friend to Stella, but I was glad to see I was completely wrong and she ended up being a bestie all girls should have in their lives!
Aside from that, this story was pretty much what I had expected. It was lighthearted and full of beautiful sceneries and delicious food. Given Italian food is a favourite of mine, this book made me salivate throughout. This was also a great introduction to the author’s writing. I will definitely read more from ‘the Italian teacher’
(Thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)
See my bookstagram review.
June 15, 2024
Love & Rome is Jenna Lo Bianco’s delicious second novel and if you’re not hungry when you start reading, you will be ravenous by the time you finish.
Stella Chiaro has set herself a deadline, if she hasn’t secured a job in the art world by April 2nd, then she will leave Rome and fly home to Melbourne for good. The last thing she needs right now is romantic distractions, but with a good looking new flatmate and the sweet owner of the new local bar appearing in her life, will she repeat the patterns she has vowed to leave in her past?
I adored this book which transported me straight to the cobblestoned streets of Rome with all its history, beauty and tasty delights. I loved reading about Stella and her flatmate Marcella. Their beautiful friendship was aspirational and their teasing and joking was often hilarious. Marcella is the kind of loyal and loving friend every woman needs in her life.
Although, there were a couple of more serious issues touched on including betrayal and controlling relationships, overall this was a joyful and uplifting read which left me grinning from ear to ear.
If you’re looking for a fun and flirty romance with the added bonus of an Italian setting and plenty of Italian food then you absolutely must pick up Love & Rome.
Stella Chiaro has set herself a deadline, if she hasn’t secured a job in the art world by April 2nd, then she will leave Rome and fly home to Melbourne for good. The last thing she needs right now is romantic distractions, but with a good looking new flatmate and the sweet owner of the new local bar appearing in her life, will she repeat the patterns she has vowed to leave in her past?
I adored this book which transported me straight to the cobblestoned streets of Rome with all its history, beauty and tasty delights. I loved reading about Stella and her flatmate Marcella. Their beautiful friendship was aspirational and their teasing and joking was often hilarious. Marcella is the kind of loyal and loving friend every woman needs in her life.
Although, there were a couple of more serious issues touched on including betrayal and controlling relationships, overall this was a joyful and uplifting read which left me grinning from ear to ear.
If you’re looking for a fun and flirty romance with the added bonus of an Italian setting and plenty of Italian food then you absolutely must pick up Love & Rome.
August 7, 2024
‘Santa Maria’ This book was an absolute breath of fresh air and I loved it.
🩷 Rome
🩷 Delicious Foods
🩷 Love Triangle
🩷 Art
🩷 Friends To Lovers
🩷 Self Growth
🩷 Karma
The last couple of books I have read were ‘fine, like day old bread’ so this book was exactly what I needed and I inhaled it every chance I had.
I love books set in Italy and being in Rome is a bonus as it’s just so beautiful. What I really loved about this book was the vivid descriptions of everywhere that Stella visited, I feel like I was there with her. I loved learning about all the beautiful landmarks, about the art and of course all of the delicious food. I straight away google the pandora and have to have some soon. Carbonara is one of my absolute favourite dishes, it’s my go to comfort food when I want something tasty but quickly, I’m with Marcella, you never ever put cream in carbonara.
This book had Italian throughout and I loved that, it was easy to follow and added to the whole Italian experience.
I really enjoyed the storyline, I thought it was fun, cute, sexy and charming with a dash of real life hurt.
I absolutely adored Marco and loved him and Stella’s friendship, it was a pleasure to see it blossom.
We mustn’t forget Marcella as she was an absolute gem, I loved her fire and passion and of course her boobs haha. You will never find a more loyal friend and would be lucky to have this lady in your corner.
I absolutely hated Vincent, right from the get go and seriously just wanted to punch him in the face.
I really enjoyed seeing Stella’s growth, at certain points I wanted to scream at her for not listening to Marcella but she got there in the end, and I love how she felt with Vincent.
If you are like me and love a bit of arm chair travel then I recommend that you grab this book. It’s a gorgeous light read that will have you escaping to a beautiful place filled with beautiful food.
I should add that I enjoyed my voice chats with the author getting my pronunciation correct, thank you for the chats.
Destino ✨
🩷 Rome
🩷 Delicious Foods
🩷 Love Triangle
🩷 Art
🩷 Friends To Lovers
🩷 Self Growth
🩷 Karma
The last couple of books I have read were ‘fine, like day old bread’ so this book was exactly what I needed and I inhaled it every chance I had.
I love books set in Italy and being in Rome is a bonus as it’s just so beautiful. What I really loved about this book was the vivid descriptions of everywhere that Stella visited, I feel like I was there with her. I loved learning about all the beautiful landmarks, about the art and of course all of the delicious food. I straight away google the pandora and have to have some soon. Carbonara is one of my absolute favourite dishes, it’s my go to comfort food when I want something tasty but quickly, I’m with Marcella, you never ever put cream in carbonara.
This book had Italian throughout and I loved that, it was easy to follow and added to the whole Italian experience.
I really enjoyed the storyline, I thought it was fun, cute, sexy and charming with a dash of real life hurt.
I absolutely adored Marco and loved him and Stella’s friendship, it was a pleasure to see it blossom.
We mustn’t forget Marcella as she was an absolute gem, I loved her fire and passion and of course her boobs haha. You will never find a more loyal friend and would be lucky to have this lady in your corner.
I absolutely hated Vincent, right from the get go and seriously just wanted to punch him in the face.
I really enjoyed seeing Stella’s growth, at certain points I wanted to scream at her for not listening to Marcella but she got there in the end, and I love how she felt with Vincent.
If you are like me and love a bit of arm chair travel then I recommend that you grab this book. It’s a gorgeous light read that will have you escaping to a beautiful place filled with beautiful food.
I should add that I enjoyed my voice chats with the author getting my pronunciation correct, thank you for the chats.
Destino ✨
January 24, 2025
Ooomf this book is filled with so much deliciousness!
Set in Rome, Stella has recently relocated from Melbourne having a dual citizenship, hoping to find the perfect job and live in her perfect city
Having just had a horrible breakup in Australia and lost her job, she sets a goal of finding her dream job by April Second or she will pack up and return home
Her wonderful roommate Marcella (who is just the most fabulous side character) is determined to see Stella find herself in Rome
With a one way ticket home, Stella must put herself out there and hope that destiny has a plan or will she fall back into old habits?
I thoroughly enjoyed this romcom. Jenna’s writing is flawless and flows beautifully with tastes of Italian mixed in. While still touching on some tough topics too
I felt I was sitting in Rome listening to Stella and Marcella chat and cook
Set in Rome, Stella has recently relocated from Melbourne having a dual citizenship, hoping to find the perfect job and live in her perfect city
Having just had a horrible breakup in Australia and lost her job, she sets a goal of finding her dream job by April Second or she will pack up and return home
Her wonderful roommate Marcella (who is just the most fabulous side character) is determined to see Stella find herself in Rome
With a one way ticket home, Stella must put herself out there and hope that destiny has a plan or will she fall back into old habits?
I thoroughly enjoyed this romcom. Jenna’s writing is flawless and flows beautifully with tastes of Italian mixed in. While still touching on some tough topics too
I felt I was sitting in Rome listening to Stella and Marcella chat and cook
Read
June 2, 2025great book, easy read
January 1, 2025
There are few places that have my heart like Rome. So, I really wanted to get lost in this book, the romance of Roma and the soul of Italy.
The storyline is cute overall, but was lacking some punch for me in a few areas.
Firstly, the main character - Stella - felt like she was lacking some personality. She had a sound back story and there was a lot happening for her, but I didn't get a true sense of who she really was. Similarly, Marco lacked some depth and characterisation, making it hard for me to really root for him.
I also found the prose somewhat formal, even during dialogue, which made it a bit stilted and, at times, not really believable and lacking natural flow.
While I liked the use of Italian throughout, some of the phrases seemed complicated and I didn't know what they meant (and I wasn't clear if the following sentences were a translation), which at times I think took away from its use and gravitas.
What I did like: most of the peripheral characters, like Marcela, Vincent and Carlotta were vivacious, lively and had depth, which truly did bring the story to life. The characterisation of Rome itself certainly helped to set the scene and move the story along, as well, and I enjoyed how the heart of the city was a character in itself in many respects.
The book was easy to read, wasn't too long, and was definitively PG rated, making it cute - albeit not altogether realistic - and a nice escape.
The storyline is cute overall, but was lacking some punch for me in a few areas.
Firstly, the main character - Stella - felt like she was lacking some personality. She had a sound back story and there was a lot happening for her, but I didn't get a true sense of who she really was. Similarly, Marco lacked some depth and characterisation, making it hard for me to really root for him.
I also found the prose somewhat formal, even during dialogue, which made it a bit stilted and, at times, not really believable and lacking natural flow.
While I liked the use of Italian throughout, some of the phrases seemed complicated and I didn't know what they meant (and I wasn't clear if the following sentences were a translation), which at times I think took away from its use and gravitas.
What I did like: most of the peripheral characters, like Marcela, Vincent and Carlotta were vivacious, lively and had depth, which truly did bring the story to life. The characterisation of Rome itself certainly helped to set the scene and move the story along, as well, and I enjoyed how the heart of the city was a character in itself in many respects.
The book was easy to read, wasn't too long, and was definitively PG rated, making it cute - albeit not altogether realistic - and a nice escape.
June 2, 2025
Whether you’ve been to Rome or not, this book captured everything about the city. The culture, the love of food, love, the beautiful landmarks and so much more.
This book follows Stella who is on the hunt for a permanent job in Rome so she can forever escape the heartbreak she endured, back home in Australia.
Stella’s friendship with Marcella was so much fun and was a true sisterhood bond, which I loved.
I enjoyed reading all about beautiful Rome it felt like I was there.
I liked that this book wasn’t just about Stella moving to Rome and finding love. It was a bumpy ride to begin with. It covered relationship struggles, falling in love and reminding us to always have the right people by our side.
I did struggle with some of the Italian words during sentences. Not having the translation next to or at the bottom of the page made it tricky at times.
Love & Rome just celebrated its 1st year since release, congrats Jenna for your hard work and determination on this one, it was worth it!
This book follows Stella who is on the hunt for a permanent job in Rome so she can forever escape the heartbreak she endured, back home in Australia.
Stella’s friendship with Marcella was so much fun and was a true sisterhood bond, which I loved.
I enjoyed reading all about beautiful Rome it felt like I was there.
I liked that this book wasn’t just about Stella moving to Rome and finding love. It was a bumpy ride to begin with. It covered relationship struggles, falling in love and reminding us to always have the right people by our side.
I did struggle with some of the Italian words during sentences. Not having the translation next to or at the bottom of the page made it tricky at times.
Love & Rome just celebrated its 1st year since release, congrats Jenna for your hard work and determination on this one, it was worth it!
June 11, 2024
Another one of my author's :-)
Jenna is honestly one of the most exciting new Aussie romance/women's fiction authors out there. And excuse me as I squeal because Josie Alibrandi loved this book too;
'Love & Rome is such an enjoyable, timeless read and I found myself transported to Rome where I could almost smell the food on the street. This is a wonderful romantic novel about healing and reinvention and the passionate search for a true soulful love. Coloured beautifully by a world of food and art this is the perfect holiday read, especially if you love all things Italian. If you can't manage a romantic trip to Rome right now then this novel is the next best thing.'
—PIA MIRANDA
AHHHHHHHHH!!!
Jenna is honestly one of the most exciting new Aussie romance/women's fiction authors out there. And excuse me as I squeal because Josie Alibrandi loved this book too;
'Love & Rome is such an enjoyable, timeless read and I found myself transported to Rome where I could almost smell the food on the street. This is a wonderful romantic novel about healing and reinvention and the passionate search for a true soulful love. Coloured beautifully by a world of food and art this is the perfect holiday read, especially if you love all things Italian. If you can't manage a romantic trip to Rome right now then this novel is the next best thing.'
—PIA MIRANDA
AHHHHHHHHH!!!
August 29, 2024
“We don’t get to choose love. No. It chooses us.” 💫🌕
I was VERY close to DNFing this book, but boy I am glad I didn’t
I did not like the first 30% of this book and how quickly Vincent and Stella got together. I also did not like Vincent from the start. I was intrigued by Marco and Stella’s friendship/relationship and wanted to keep reading and boy I am glad that I did. I think the author purposely made you dislike Vincent and his relationship with Stella from the beginning. From about 50% onwards I was HOOKED!
Because of my near dnf and also the regular use of Italian (which I didn’t mind) which took away part of my reading experience as I didn’t know half of the words makes this 4⭐️ for me
I was VERY close to DNFing this book, but boy I am glad I didn’t
I did not like the first 30% of this book and how quickly Vincent and Stella got together. I also did not like Vincent from the start. I was intrigued by Marco and Stella’s friendship/relationship and wanted to keep reading and boy I am glad that I did. I think the author purposely made you dislike Vincent and his relationship with Stella from the beginning. From about 50% onwards I was HOOKED!
Because of my near dnf and also the regular use of Italian (which I didn’t mind) which took away part of my reading experience as I didn’t know half of the words makes this 4⭐️ for me
Read
April 18, 2024Who doesn’t love an Italian romance! Written by Australian Jenna Bianco, author of The Italian Marriage, this contemporary romance will sure delight. The novel transports the reader to the enchanting streets of Rome and Florence, weaving a tale rich with passion, art, and the quest for true love. It’s a story about finding love and happiness all taking place within the backdrop of Italy and all it’s beauty. Gently paced and well written, Love & Rome is a must read for fans of romance and to inspire those afraid to take chances on things that may in the end lead us to true happiness.
- Jodie
- Jodie
January 15, 2025
Reading Love & Rome propelled me back to Roma for all her beauty and intricacies. The character development was filled with anticipation and excitement. This book would help people heal from past hurts and help them regain their purpose. The new found appreciation of art is mind blowing and I need to get my hands on the poster of Judith beheading Holofernes! Everyone needs a friend like Marcella, although I feel I may just want to be her! And everyone can see that the moon always belongs with its star.
🌙 💫 My heart is full! Grazie Jenna! ❤️
🌙 💫 My heart is full! Grazie Jenna! ❤️
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