Italian for Beginners Author:Kristin Harmel Thirty-four-year-old Manhattan accountant Cat Connelly has always lived life on the safe side. But after her little sister gets married, Cat wonders if she has condemned herself to a life of boredom by playing by the rules. She decides to take a chance for once, accepting an invitation to spend a month with an old flame in Italy. But her reunion... more » with the slick and gorgeous Francesco is short-lived, and she finds herself suddenly alone in Rome. Now, she must see if she has the courage to live outside the lines for the first time - and to face a past she never understood. It will take an unexpected friendship with a fiery Italian waitress, a whirlwind Vespa tour of the Eternal City with a handsome stranger, and a surprise encounter with an old acquaintance to show Cat that life doesn't always work out the way you expect, but sometimes you have to have fall in order to fly.« less
If you are a big fan of 'Roman Holiday' this book is for you. It makes a lot of great references to the movie. If you have never seen the movie, or are not a big fan of it than this book is so-so.
I recommend watching the movie first to get all of the in-jokes Kristen Harmel is referring to between her characters.
I loved this book...particularily because I spent last Christmas in Rome and it was all so real to me. A very cute, but slightly predictable, story about finding yourself by taking some chances. Quick read!