Reviews

Remy vs. Rome by Bonnie Callahan

ayeshalovesfable's review

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5.0

Remy vs Rome is basically a romantic comedy book along with solving mystery and treasure hunting. Again I’m not a huge fan of thriller or crime genre but this book didn’t disappoint me.

Bonnie Callahan described each and every detail of art pieces, Italy and other things. I have never been to Italy but after reading this book I now feel differently like I have.

The characters were amazing and adorable in the novel. I liked every character especially Lorenzo. That guy was an amazing detective and I really admire him. Remy, in my opinion thinks too much. That’s why i don’t like her that much like Lorenzo. But their chemistry was great.

It was fun to read Italic phrases in the novel. Thank you Bonnie for translating and including them. I now know a few words in Italian.

In short REMY VS ROME is a fun read that will take you on a short trip to Rome.

nerdetterecs's review

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5.0

Oh my goodness, this book was so much fun. This is like if Emily Henry did The Da Vinci Code, but better.

The plot: Remy finds herself on New Year’s Day living with her sister after a broken engagement. With no plans and no prospects, she quits her job to fly to Rome, where she had her first kiss at the age of fourteen, hoping to rediscover some of that magic. Instead, she finds herself accidentally embroiled in international crime scheme - and she’s a prime suspect.

To prove her innocence, Remy teams up with Lorenzo Rossi, the sizzling Sicilian detective supervising her house arrest. Their investigation takes them through the history of Rome itself as they race against the clock to crack the case.

Bonnie Callahan has absolutely nailed the art of the rom-com - I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book. Remy is hilarious, endearing, relatable, and adorably oblivious as a protagonist. Lorenzo is devastatingly handsome but also awkward, shy, and a bit of a nerd. And Rome itself is a character in the novel, rendered in such detail on the page that you can’t help but see it through Remy’s starstruck eyes. You can really feel how much the author loves Italy and Italian culture, and I was totally immersed in the setting as Remy and Lorenzo explored beautiful Roma. Throw in a cast of lovable side characters and you’ve got a recipe more delectable than the pasta dishes Bonnie describes throughout the story. (I would MURDER for a carbonara right now.)

This book has it all: secret societies, Italian grandmothers, vino, carbs, and chemistry that jumps off the page. If you love romance and could use an escape to bella Italia, you’ll want to give this one a read!!

Thanks so much to Bonnie Callahan for sending me an ARC to review. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

kmallinson93's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

moll_fe2002's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

alohabooksandbujos's review

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5.0

I knew right away when I saw Bonnie marketing “Remy Vs Rome” that I had to read it immediately!

Remy turns to a trip to Rome to escape the heartbreak and reconnect with herself. What she didn’t expect was to instead be wrapped up in a heist of an ancient amulet and being a prime suspect. Under house arrest and being babysat by a cute detective, Remy starts to hunt for clues to wipe the slate of suspicion that she was involved.

Bonnie Callahan magically transported me to Rome and made me fall in love with the city and Remy at a record speed. The beautiful descriptions, hilarious characters, tense storyline filled with missing pieces and twists. This was a perfect balance of romcom meets mystery/thriller! Remy is a character that is so easily relatable and filled with gusto and spark. Lorenzo is written in a way that leaves you jealous of Remy and all the time she gets to spend with him. A recipe that nails the humor, love, and mystery for a delicious tale fit for an afternoon of unputdownable reading.

A debut that hits every mark, Bonnie Callahan is surely an author to keep an eye on. If you’re looking for something different, a read that will have you transported, or even something that’ll lead to dinner inspo with detailed food descriptions that have you convinced you can smell the dish through the pages- this is for you.

literary_snowflakes's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Every once in a while I need a fun little romance to get me out of a reading slump and this one was perfect. 

What I liked about it:
- Rom/Com aspect of it was great. I laughed so much as Remy’s internal monologues can be very relatable, or at the least entertaining. 
- The histories and mysteries. It’s so fun when historical elements are introduced in such a fun way. Missing treasure? Ancient history? Mysterious cult? Unraveling clues to find said missing treasure? I’m here for all of it. 
- The romance was nicely done. Things got a little heated but not too graphic and the scenes were fade to black. 
- The incorporation of the Italian language and the translation of the phrases. 
- Single POV. Sometimes you don’t need multiple perspectives. 

There wasn’t too much that I didn’t like about it. The miscommunication/lack of communication trope exists and I know many people hate that but it makes sense for the characters. Both are pretty scared/timid when it comes to relationships and Remy is the queen of jumping to the worst case scenario. 
I am someone who isn’t as direct/confrontational so this is very realistic to me even though people seem to have strong opinions about it. The characters are definitely lovable and I can’t wait to read more from this author. 

You may enjoy this book if you like:
- Destiny/fated romance 
- Art/art history
- mysterious clues and a treasure hunt 
- charming Italian detectives 😉
- fade to black romance 
- self discovery

bellsbooksandwritings's review

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Many thanks to Bonnie Callahan for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review!

REMY VS. ROME is a fun detective romance set in Rome. It’s about a woman named Remy, who flies to Rome after a breakup to get over her ex and to rediscover herself. That same night she meets an Italian stranger and agrees to go on a date with him. This turns out to be a huge mistake since he’s actually a wanted criminal!

Implicated in the theft of an ancient amulet, Remy soon finds herself under house arrest. Luckily the detective in charge of the investigation, who is both very kind and very handsome, is also her protector. They feel attracted to one another almost immediately, but they need to focus on solving the case. “Their investigation takes them on an intimate, two millennia treasure hunt through Rome, where Remy digs up more than she bargained for.”

I usually really like books set in Rome (or Italy in general), because they give such holiday/summer vibes. The same goes for RVR! I think it focused mostly on Remy and Lorenzo’s (the detective) attraction/feelings, but because they were also working the case together, it was different from/more unique than some of the other romance books I’ve read. I do have to say that some parts were a little predictable, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

If you like romance and detectives, and are interested in Rome and its wonderful history, you should give this one a try!

kaitlyn_thebooktasting's review

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

kaitjudge's review

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

timeforbooksandwine's review

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5.0

I loved everything about this book! From the way the author was able to describe the beautiful Italian setting, to almost being able to taste the pasta and wine being described on the pages. Bonnie Callahan did an amazing job of writing this story, and was really able to take the reader on an adventure through Rome!

Remy was such a great protagonist. I really felt like I could connect with her, and honestly I just want to be her best friend. Lorenzo was definitely the kind of love interest I like seeing in RomComs; forbidden but the chemistry and tension is clearly there. It was great to see how their relationship and dynamic shifted during the book, as different events occurred throughout the story.

As for the plot, this was just the book I needed to finish up my summer reading! Not only was there adorable and spicy romance and humour, but there was also adventure and a little bit of mystery. Think Mindy Kaling humour mixed with an Italian version of National Treasure or the Da Vinci Code. Can’t go wrong with that combo! Once I started reading, I couldn’t put the book down!

Overall, I absolutely loved this book and could not recommend it enough! Anyone who loves a good romcom and wants to feel like they are a part of an Italian adventure, give this book a go and you will not be disappointed! Now excuse me while I go try to convince my Italian boyfriend to make me carbonara for dinner - I blame Remy!

Thank you to the author @bonniecallahan for my #gifted e-ARC and final copy in return for an honest review.