Differences in Rome

by Meredith Deichler

Lucy and Marcus have always been on the opposite sides--honestly, they competed against each others as debaters throughout high school and college. It's not exactly a pleasant surprise to find that they both signed up for the same European tour offered to alumni of their college. However, as the group journeyed from Paris to southern France, the two started to build an unexpected connection, a friendship that hinted at the possibility of more. As the tour heads into its Italy for its final portion, Lucy and Marcus discover that years of differences and mistaken perceptions are hard to overcome.

167 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2019

Reviews

[Angie Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, this was a bit of a different spin from the other books, since instead of focusing on a couple that's already together and working out issues in their relationship, this is more of the formation of a couple--although a couple we've been more or less wondering about since the first book. ;)

I did feel like we missed a bit picking up Marcus and Lucy's story in Italy, since the glimpses we've had of them in the other books were often left incomplete. So it did feel like coming in partway through the story. However, I liked watching them learn to connect on a deeper level, and the complication with Vivian definitely helped to move things along! I also enjoyed the little glimpses of Janel and Tyrone, as well as the other couples we've already connected with during the series.

However, one issue really knocked the rating down for me. It's complicated, but it's important, so bear with me. At one point, Janel (Lucy's roommate) and Tyrone (Marcus's roommate) are talking late at night in Janel and Lucy's room. It's an important conversation, so Marcus and Lucy go into Marcus and Tyrone's room to give them privacy. Next thing we know, we have two couples waking up in the morning having fallen asleep in the other's room (on separate beds) and accidentally slept there all night. Everyone realizes this is really awkward, could lead to rumors, etc., and they work hard to make sure no one notices them leaving the wrong rooms.

So here's the thing. It was definitely accidental (although I'm not sure how you don't realize you're about to go to sleep at some point?), everyone was embarassed over it, and they did keep to separate beds. If it had ended there, I probably would have kept the rating higher--possibly even 3.5 stars. But then Vivian got involved and threatened to use her suspicions about what had happened to blackmail Lucy by threatening to start rumors about Janel with the Christian school she taught at. Obviously, Vivian is not a nice person, and this blackmail is wrong, and we don't need to cave to her, but what really bugged me was a part of Lucy's reaction. After coming on strong and making Vivian admit that she didn't know what she was talking about and couldn't prove anything (which was fine), she tells her that "while...Janel's school expects their staff to set positive examples for the children, they also allow their staff to have their own personal lives." So, basically, even if her accusation were true, it wouldn't affect anything. And even though the situation was mostly innocent and the blackmail was wrong, I really, really have a problem with the idea that a Christian school wouldn't discipline a teacher (or be justified in it) if she actually had spent the night with her boyfriend in the way that she's being accused of. That really bothered me a lot and is the main thing that knocks my rating down.

So basically, I enjoyed almost all of the story, but that one issue--and the fact that it was waved off so dismissively--really knocked the rating down for me. 2.5 stars

Content--mentions of drinking wine; one use each of "heck" and "sucks"; see above for one apparently compromising situation and the way it was handled; mentions of people's sex lives, sleeping around, etc., in regard to nasty rumors

[Cynthia Royer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light and easy reading

Light and easy reading . . . I definitely needed to read all three. There was enough natural relational conflict to keep the stores interesting but yet light. Fun use of humor with a little wisdom thrown in. Realistic even though the "happily ever after" was the plan all along