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Roman Holiday: An Emerald Bay Novella
Getting engaged is stressful, especially when your meddling— er, loving friends get involved.
Roman Burke is a bit of a control freak.
A former professor turned prep cook, he has been meticulously planning a beautiful Italian getaway, the perfect scenario to propose to his girlfriend. But just as everything looks like it’s going to go as planned, life gets in his way and he’s forced to put his little dream on the backburner.
Much to Roman’s surprise, however, he’s blind-sided with an all-expenses paid trip to Rome, courtesy of his particularly nosey group of friends. Forced to let someone else take the reins, will Roman ultimately be able to embrace whatever this chaotic version of his trip has in store?
Imogen Flynn is a free spirit, long since having learned to navigate the chaos life throws her way.
After an unexpected fling turned into a less-than-ideal love affair, and nearly losing the opportunity to pursue her PhD as a result, she’s finally at the finish line. With all that almost behind her, she’s eager for what comes next: building her future. Of course, that includes a life with the man who changed her life forever.
There’s just one problem: Roman hasn’t proposed yet.
But when she catches wind of this surprise Italian getaway, Imogen’s spidey senses start tingling. Will he pop the question that she hopes has been weighing on his mind as much as hers, or is this just another Roman holiday?
Roman Holiday is an Emerald Bay novella that takes place in between books 2 and 3. While you do not need to have read each book in the series, this story is intended as a followup to Roman and Imogen’s book Swipe Right, and contains references to events in the sequels.
Roman Burke is a bit of a control freak.
A former professor turned prep cook, he has been meticulously planning a beautiful Italian getaway, the perfect scenario to propose to his girlfriend. But just as everything looks like it’s going to go as planned, life gets in his way and he’s forced to put his little dream on the backburner.
Much to Roman’s surprise, however, he’s blind-sided with an all-expenses paid trip to Rome, courtesy of his particularly nosey group of friends. Forced to let someone else take the reins, will Roman ultimately be able to embrace whatever this chaotic version of his trip has in store?
Imogen Flynn is a free spirit, long since having learned to navigate the chaos life throws her way.
After an unexpected fling turned into a less-than-ideal love affair, and nearly losing the opportunity to pursue her PhD as a result, she’s finally at the finish line. With all that almost behind her, she’s eager for what comes next: building her future. Of course, that includes a life with the man who changed her life forever.
There’s just one problem: Roman hasn’t proposed yet.
But when she catches wind of this surprise Italian getaway, Imogen’s spidey senses start tingling. Will he pop the question that she hopes has been weighing on his mind as much as hers, or is this just another Roman holiday?
Roman Holiday is an Emerald Bay novella that takes place in between books 2 and 3. While you do not need to have read each book in the series, this story is intended as a followup to Roman and Imogen’s book Swipe Right, and contains references to events in the sequels.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2026
About the author
Thea Lawrence
12 books181 followersThea Lawrence is a neurodivergent PhD dropout turned romance author. After spending almost a decade in academia studying criminology (with a focus on carceral studies and prison theatre), she decided to shift gears for her mental health.
A lifelong storyteller, Thea has been an actor, burlesque dancer, screenwriter, and even dabbled in painting. Now, she focuses on romance stories with heart, grit, a dash of the forbidden, and a hell of a lot of spice.
Her hobbies include: Reading, binge watching Criminal Minds, reading comic books, coloring, and taking long walks around neighborhood.
She currently lives in Ontario with her partner.
INSTAGRAM: @thealawrenceauthor
TIKTOK: @thealawrenceauthor
WEBSITE: thealawrenceauthor.com
A lifelong storyteller, Thea has been an actor, burlesque dancer, screenwriter, and even dabbled in painting. Now, she focuses on romance stories with heart, grit, a dash of the forbidden, and a hell of a lot of spice.
Her hobbies include: Reading, binge watching Criminal Minds, reading comic books, coloring, and taking long walks around neighborhood.
She currently lives in Ontario with her partner.
INSTAGRAM: @thealawrenceauthor
TIKTOK: @thealawrenceauthor
WEBSITE: thealawrenceauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 20, 2026
“iggy’s the puzzle piece i was missing, and i never want to lose that.”
oh, how i’ve missed the emerald bay crew. this was such a sweet and spicy little novella! this was the novella of my dreams, and i didn’t know i was missing it until i finished it!
as short as this is, there are so many intricacies inside. from the travelling to the vacation destination, to the places they visit and to the main event, everything was so perfectly roman and iggy, and i’m so grateful to have been an early reader for them! i teared up, i giggled, i barked (the spice? stunning) and so many things in between. the character cameos from previous books were incredibly perfect, and i think i may just have to reread this series before the end of the year!
thank you so much to thea for the e-arc! <3
⋆˙⟡ info ⋆˙⟡
ᰔ pages: 138
ᰔ pov: first person + dual
ᰔ position in series: book 2.5
ᰔ release date: september 30
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⋆˙⟡
ᰔ age gap
ᰔ sweet ‘n’ spicy
ᰔ italian getaway
ᰔ groupchat chaos
ᰔ comedy of errors
oh, how i’ve missed the emerald bay crew. this was such a sweet and spicy little novella! this was the novella of my dreams, and i didn’t know i was missing it until i finished it!
as short as this is, there are so many intricacies inside. from the travelling to the vacation destination, to the places they visit and to the main event, everything was so perfectly roman and iggy, and i’m so grateful to have been an early reader for them! i teared up, i giggled, i barked (the spice? stunning) and so many things in between. the character cameos from previous books were incredibly perfect, and i think i may just have to reread this series before the end of the year!
thank you so much to thea for the e-arc! <3
⋆˙⟡ info ⋆˙⟡
ᰔ pages: 138
ᰔ pov: first person + dual
ᰔ position in series: book 2.5
ᰔ release date: september 30
⋆˙⟡ tropes ⋆˙⟡
ᰔ age gap
ᰔ sweet ‘n’ spicy
ᰔ italian getaway
ᰔ groupchat chaos
ᰔ comedy of errors
Review of advance copy received from Author
There is something incredibly special about getting to return to characters who once broke your heart and finding them not just surviving, but living.
Roman and Iggy have always meant so much to me. Swipe Right was a story about grief, healing, and learning that moving forward doesn't mean leaving behind the people you've lost. It absolutely wrecked me the first time I read it, and somehow continues to wreck me every time I return to it.
Roman Holiday feels like the gift on the other side of all that pain.
Roman is still Roman. He's still carrying his grief. He's still a control freak who would probably schedule spontaneity if someone gave him the opportunity. And he is still completely, hopelessly in love with the purple-haired chaos gremlin who brought color back into his world.
But now he lets himself want things.
A future. A home. A family. Marriage. All the things that grief once convinced him might no longer belong to him.
And Iggy is still wonderfully, unapologetically Iggy. She's nearing the end of her PhD, looking toward the life and career she fought so hard for, and ready for whatever comes next with the man she never expected to find.
What could possibly go wrong?
Apparently, when you put these two on an international vacation with a group of meddling people who love them dearly, the answer is literally everything.
The chaos in this novella is spectacular. Plans go sideways. People interfere. Roman's desperate attempts to maintain some semblance of control are fighting for their lives. And through all of it, you get that wonderful Emerald Bay feeling of being surrounded by people who may drive you absolutely insane, but would also move mountains to give you something you thought was out of reach.
And underneath all the ridiculousness is the part that got me.
I said when I reviewed Swipe Right that grief doesn't just ask you to survive it. It asks you to learn how to live again.
This is Roman and Iggy living.
Not perfectly. Not without grief. Not without money problems, career changes, uncertainty, ridiculous friends, or plans that refuse to cooperate.
But fully.
Because happily ever after isn't a magical point where life stops being complicated. Sometimes it's finishing a PhD. Changing careers. Dreaming about a house by the bay. Letting other people help you. Laughing when everything goes catastrophically wrong. Looking at the person beside you and realizing that somehow, despite everything you've survived, the future is something you're excited to see.
And because apparently three full-length Emerald Bay books weren't enough, Thea Lawrence somehow emotionally disembowels us in novella form.
I should have known better.
This world has always been about beautifully imperfect people finding their way forward, and getting another glimpse of Roman and Iggy reminded me exactly why I fell in love with Emerald Bay in the first place.
Swipe Right taught Roman that loving again didn't mean loving his late wife any less.
Roman Holiday lets him discover just how much life he's still allowed to want.
And God, it feels good to see him living it.
Roman and Iggy have always meant so much to me. Swipe Right was a story about grief, healing, and learning that moving forward doesn't mean leaving behind the people you've lost. It absolutely wrecked me the first time I read it, and somehow continues to wreck me every time I return to it.
Roman Holiday feels like the gift on the other side of all that pain.
Roman is still Roman. He's still carrying his grief. He's still a control freak who would probably schedule spontaneity if someone gave him the opportunity. And he is still completely, hopelessly in love with the purple-haired chaos gremlin who brought color back into his world.
But now he lets himself want things.
A future. A home. A family. Marriage. All the things that grief once convinced him might no longer belong to him.
And Iggy is still wonderfully, unapologetically Iggy. She's nearing the end of her PhD, looking toward the life and career she fought so hard for, and ready for whatever comes next with the man she never expected to find.
What could possibly go wrong?
Apparently, when you put these two on an international vacation with a group of meddling people who love them dearly, the answer is literally everything.
The chaos in this novella is spectacular. Plans go sideways. People interfere. Roman's desperate attempts to maintain some semblance of control are fighting for their lives. And through all of it, you get that wonderful Emerald Bay feeling of being surrounded by people who may drive you absolutely insane, but would also move mountains to give you something you thought was out of reach.
And underneath all the ridiculousness is the part that got me.
I said when I reviewed Swipe Right that grief doesn't just ask you to survive it. It asks you to learn how to live again.
This is Roman and Iggy living.
Not perfectly. Not without grief. Not without money problems, career changes, uncertainty, ridiculous friends, or plans that refuse to cooperate.
But fully.
Because happily ever after isn't a magical point where life stops being complicated. Sometimes it's finishing a PhD. Changing careers. Dreaming about a house by the bay. Letting other people help you. Laughing when everything goes catastrophically wrong. Looking at the person beside you and realizing that somehow, despite everything you've survived, the future is something you're excited to see.
And because apparently three full-length Emerald Bay books weren't enough, Thea Lawrence somehow emotionally disembowels us in novella form.
I should have known better.
This world has always been about beautifully imperfect people finding their way forward, and getting another glimpse of Roman and Iggy reminded me exactly why I fell in love with Emerald Bay in the first place.
Swipe Right taught Roman that loving again didn't mean loving his late wife any less.
Roman Holiday lets him discover just how much life he's still allowed to want.
And God, it feels good to see him living it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved Roman Holiday! It was loving, sweet, and hit all the right spots for a novella. I loved getting to follow their story and watching their relationship unfold. They really felt like they were made for each other, and there was just something so easy and heartwarming about their connection.
I also loved how much travel was incorporated into the story. All the different places and the feeling of being somewhere new made me want to pack my bags and go explore somewhere myself. It added such a fun atmosphere to the romance and made the whole book feel like a little escape.
The happiness and sweetness throughout the story honestly made my heart melt. It was such a light, refreshing read, and sometimes that is exactly what you need. The novella was a perfect addition to the series and gave me that cozy, feel-good feeling I was looking for.
This book also managed to pull me out of the little reading slump I had been in, so I’m definitely giving it extra love for that. I would absolutely recommend the series as a whole, and I think Roman Holiday is such a fun addition
I also loved how much travel was incorporated into the story. All the different places and the feeling of being somewhere new made me want to pack my bags and go explore somewhere myself. It added such a fun atmosphere to the romance and made the whole book feel like a little escape.
The happiness and sweetness throughout the story honestly made my heart melt. It was such a light, refreshing read, and sometimes that is exactly what you need. The novella was a perfect addition to the series and gave me that cozy, feel-good feeling I was looking for.
This book also managed to pull me out of the little reading slump I had been in, so I’m definitely giving it extra love for that. I would absolutely recommend the series as a whole, and I think Roman Holiday is such a fun addition
Read
August 13, 2026I needed more from Roman and Imogen and this novella was absolutely what I craved!
Aww... now Imogen and Roman are just too cute ! Their trip is full of chaos and disasters but I was here for all of it !
Again , I know I mentioned their friends group being goals, but this is next level friendship. They care so much about each other , even through the sarcasm and banter , they still admit they love each other ! I love that the males are sensitive and not scared to admit their feelings ! I find that sexy AF !
Timing just wasn't on Roman's side and I felt sorry for him that every plan wasn't happening the way he intended !
I just loved this read and I was just rooting for them the whole time!!
Thank you again Thea for this arc! I absolutely loved it ! ♡
Quotes I loved :
"I'd give you everything if I could , darlin'."
"Sometimes the thing you least expect ends up being more than perfect"
☆☆☆☆☆
Aww... now Imogen and Roman are just too cute ! Their trip is full of chaos and disasters but I was here for all of it !
Again , I know I mentioned their friends group being goals, but this is next level friendship. They care so much about each other , even through the sarcasm and banter , they still admit they love each other ! I love that the males are sensitive and not scared to admit their feelings ! I find that sexy AF !
Timing just wasn't on Roman's side and I felt sorry for him that every plan wasn't happening the way he intended !
I just loved this read and I was just rooting for them the whole time!!
Thank you again Thea for this arc! I absolutely loved it ! ♡
Quotes I loved :
"I'd give you everything if I could , darlin'."
"Sometimes the thing you least expect ends up being more than perfect"
☆☆☆☆☆
September 24, 2026
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘨𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵.”
———————————————————————
I’m so happy to get more Iggy and Roman. Our original Emerald Bay babies. Thankful that Thea wrote more of their life together so we can see where they are now! It was fun to see where this fit within the timeline of the rest of the series to see their reactions to Frankie and Daphne. It was a short read but I felt like I got so much out of it.
———————————————————————
“𝘐𝘨𝘨𝘺’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘻𝘻𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵.”
———————————————————————
🏛️ Holiday In Italy
🥘 Bonus Novella
🏛️ Meddling Friends
🥘 Comedy Of Errors
———————————————————————
I’m so happy to get more Iggy and Roman. Our original Emerald Bay babies. Thankful that Thea wrote more of their life together so we can see where they are now! It was fun to see where this fit within the timeline of the rest of the series to see their reactions to Frankie and Daphne. It was a short read but I felt like I got so much out of it.
———————————————————————
“𝘐𝘨𝘨𝘺’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘻𝘻𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵.”
———————————————————————
🏛️ Holiday In Italy
🥘 Bonus Novella
🏛️ Meddling Friends
🥘 Comedy Of Errors
Review of advance copy received from Author
The perfect way to wrap up Roman and Imogen’s story. Spicy, sweet, so funny you’ll cry laughing. Everything that could go wrong, does, but it’s thoroughly entertaining. This novella is the essence of their story, all they’ve overcome together, and the people they’ve become because of each other. And I really can’t wait to see what’s next from Thea!
September 25, 2026
It was so fun getting to see such an in-depth look the future for Roman and Imogen. Their trip to Italy didn't always go as planned, but it was perfectly imperfect and amazing. It took the whole trip for him to ask because he was waiting for just the right moment, but Roman finally proposed to Imogen. Sweet and funny and spicy. Loved it!
October 2, 2026
Iggy and Roman!!!! I love these two!!!
😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨
Thea doesn’t misstep at all, change rooms, smex clubs, beautiful Italian terraces. All delicious and panty-melting.
The light that Iggy brings and her sassiness, all the meddling friends knowing they are the perfect match. I’m so glad that Thea was able to share this snippet with us. 1,000,000/10 so much fun.
😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨
Thea doesn’t misstep at all, change rooms, smex clubs, beautiful Italian terraces. All delicious and panty-melting.
The light that Iggy brings and her sassiness, all the meddling friends knowing they are the perfect match. I’m so glad that Thea was able to share this snippet with us. 1,000,000/10 so much fun.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am thrilled that Thea decided to give Roman and Iggy an extra happily ever after moment, they deserved it and this trip and story was perfect for them
Thank you Thea for the ARC 💕 being on your street team is such a joy and a daily riot of laughs
Thank you Thea for the ARC 💕 being on your street team is such a joy and a daily riot of laughs
Review of advance copy received from Author
*I received a copy of this book as an ARC. This review and thoughts are mine alone.*
Rating: 5⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
If you want a spicy book? You call Thea.
My GOD these two.
A quick little trip to Rome that was entirely planned by Roman’s friends and family to surprise Imogen.
Little do they know that there will be plenty of mishaps, a surprise proposal (maybe?), a whole lot of spice, and lots of cooking.
I fully loved and devoured this book in like two hours.
Add them to your TBR ASAP!
Rating: 5⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
If you want a spicy book? You call Thea.
My GOD these two.
A quick little trip to Rome that was entirely planned by Roman’s friends and family to surprise Imogen.
Little do they know that there will be plenty of mishaps, a surprise proposal (maybe?), a whole lot of spice, and lots of cooking.
I fully loved and devoured this book in like two hours.
Add them to your TBR ASAP!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2026
5 ⭐️
This was such a fun little novella, and made me so nostalgic, I have really missed Roman and Izzy!! Roman wasn't the only one who thought the plan of proposing to Izzy was jinxed haha, but it so authentically them. And it wouldn't have been so perfect for them, if it didn't have a few hiccups and spicy moments. I'm so happy these two got their happy ending, and this novella was such a great little nod to my faves in Emerald Bay.
I can't thank Thea and her team enough for the early review copy, it's always such a pleasure and joy being part of her Street Team.
This was such a fun little novella, and made me so nostalgic, I have really missed Roman and Izzy!! Roman wasn't the only one who thought the plan of proposing to Izzy was jinxed haha, but it so authentically them. And it wouldn't have been so perfect for them, if it didn't have a few hiccups and spicy moments. I'm so happy these two got their happy ending, and this novella was such a great little nod to my faves in Emerald Bay.
I can't thank Thea and her team enough for the early review copy, it's always such a pleasure and joy being part of her Street Team.
Review of advance copy received from Author
There is nothing I love more than getting to revisit couples I adore in a fun lil novella. Who wouldn't want more of Iggy & Roman. They are so stinking cute as well as being super freaking hot.
This may be a quick read but it's got everything I love about this series. Super sweet romance, hilarious meddling friendship group that adore each other, banter and excellent spice.
This trip probably took about 10 years of Roman's life and watching him stress about every detail was equal parts hilarious and adorable.
Highly recommend this whole series
I read an arc
This may be a quick read but it's got everything I love about this series. Super sweet romance, hilarious meddling friendship group that adore each other, banter and excellent spice.
This trip probably took about 10 years of Roman's life and watching him stress about every detail was equal parts hilarious and adorable.
Highly recommend this whole series
I read an arc
July 23, 2026
Review of Advanced Reader Copy received from author.
I absolutely devoured this novella!
Imogen and Roman’s trip might’ve been a little chapter but it was what I’d have expected from them!
It was so lovely to return to these beloved characters and see them get the happily ever after they deserved ❤️
I absolutely devoured this novella!
Imogen and Roman’s trip might’ve been a little chapter but it was what I’d have expected from them!
It was so lovely to return to these beloved characters and see them get the happily ever after they deserved ❤️
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews