Description
By Rebecca W. Martin
Rome—once the heart of an empire, now the heart of the Catholic Church—has witnessed many love stories. When the Eternal City draws together a Swiss Guard and an American expat, a modern-day romance blooms in the shadow of Saint Peter’s Basilica.
Haunted by a broken engagement and betrayed by her best friend, Elena Gattino travels to Rome for a new job and the hope of a new life. Fueled by pasta and bolstered by prayer, she becomes brave enough to forge new friendships with the Rechsteiner siblings as she explores Rome and finds her footing at work.
Benedikt Rechsteiner is comfortable serving in the Swiss Guard, even if he recognizes his life lacks a special something…or someone. Simmering family tensions and uncertainty about his future have left Beni wary of relationships, but his unexpected feelings for Elena challenge him to face his fears.
Soon, Beni and Elena’s friendship turns into more, thanks to the matchmaking meddling of a Vatican spymaster, a Swiss Guard comrade-in-arms, and Beni’s overenthusiastic yet lovable sister. But then Elena’s past follows her to Rome, putting her in danger that even Beni may not be able to save her from. And if Beni wants to be with Elena, he’ll need to discern where his own future lies—and reconcile with his father after years of bitterness. Can the two forge a relationship strong enough to withstand the suffering that comes their way? Or will the tensions of their own lives pull them apart?
laknermegan –
I went into this book not knowing exactly what to expect since it’s from a debut author and I haven’t read a lot of Catholic romance books, but the cover grabbed my eye and the synopsis intrigued me. I was not disappointed! If you didn’t know this was the authors first book you wouldn’t be able to tell it from reading it. It was so well done! The setting of Rome made me feel like I was there, visiting the actual places in real life. I loved getting to “visit” Italy for the first time.
The characters were so well written. The romance between Elena and Beni was just scrumptious. I appreciated the fact that Elena isn’t your typical skinny heroine. Instead she struggles with some extra weight gain, and the feelings of trying to accept yourself that come along with that issue. I admired how Beni still found her attractive, and how he wasn’t perfect either.
I wasn’t expecting the mental health angle of the book, but it was very well done and fit in perfectly. The author perfectly captured the struggles that we all go through at times, while still offering hope that it doesn’t have to overcome us.
There was also some intrigue and suspense in the book, with regards to Beni’s job as a Swiss Guard and Elena’s difficult relationship with her ex, Chris. It kept me turning the pages to see how it would all turn out. I loved this story, the characters and setting so much! I’m excited that its the first in a series, though it can easily be a stand alone story as well. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher; all opinions are my own.
candideweekes –
Love in the Eternal City by Rebecca W. Martin was a great read!
I really enjoyed the place it takes you to. I’ve never been to Vatican City and now I would like to go and visit 🙂
The character were well developped and I could easily identify with Elena and Benedikt was perfect for her 🙂
I didn’t know anything about the Swiss Guards but I could tell that Rebecca did extensive research and her description and details were really appreciated.
— I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. —
Benita Thompson (verified owner) –
When I learned about this book’s existence, I thought “oh cool, I like romcoms and I’ve only ever read like one Catholic one, maybe I’ll check it out.”
Then I read it.
I melted a million times, cried, laughed, and lay awake for half an hour after finally putting my phone down at midnight (and I have a baby who doesn’t sleep through the night, so that’s saying something), smiling uncontrollably over how much I adore this book. I’m pretty sure haven’t fallen in love with a book so hard since The Lord of the Rings.
First and foremost, I was not expecting the mental health arc, and it was OH so good. Perfectly realistic, relatable in parts, and even helped me see some people in my life in a new way.
Then the characters’ faith, so beautifully represented and an incredible witness to the richness and depth of the Catholic Faith. It was seamlessly woven into the story, never preachy, and truly inspiring. The redemption and healing arcs were so moving!
All the characters, adorable and perfectly lovable. The Monsignor? The POPE??? (Side note, one chapter is entitled “If You Give the Pope a Pinecone”, which I feel is important.)
The humour—I highlighted a bunch of lines on my Kindle, which I NEVER do:
‘Beni has to pry my fingers off his waist. Mid-travel, I went from hands-off to hands very much on. I probably gave him an accidental Heimlich maneuver.’
“You are an empty-headed buffoon,” Oscar says in the tone of someone reciting a shopping list. “You have the brain of a sea slug and less common sense than a rabbit. Your reputation is doomed to be lower than dirt, and the best future you can hope for is as a garbage collector for a scientific base at the South Pole. There, I’ve forestalled your self-flagellation.”
“Oh, your son provides some excellent amenities,” I blurt out. “Have you seen his muscles?”
‘“Andiamo! Get to the hospital, he’s losing consciousness,” Monsignor Mercadante yells and slams the door shut.’ (spoiler alert, he is not losing consciousness)
In conclusion, if you want the best book you will ever read, go get this one without delay. It’s light enough to enjoy when you’re tired, but with plenty of depth. I’m getting a print copy as soon as it releases, and I’m gonna reread it so many times it’s not even funny. (The book is, though.)
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher; all opinions are my own.
meadav50 –
Confession: I picked this book up for two reasons.
1: That. Cover. LOVE. 🙂 I adore that this style is pretty in/cutting edge right now, and I hope to see it take over more Christian fiction in the near future.
2: Roseanna M. White and her husband are two of the folks behind Chrism Press, so I knew I could go in with high expectations regarding the writing style and quality of story.
Both of these reasons did not disappoint. 🙂 Martin’s debut novel is impressive–especially given it’s a debut–with both the aforementioned reasons paired with spot-on humor and intrigue. I was very curious to see how everything would pan out, pretty much from page 1, and was pleasantly surprised.
I learned a lot about the Swiss Guards and life in and around Vatican City, especially from a Catholic perspective. Being born and raised Protestant myself, there was certainly a dichotomy there on a few levels–quite the Venn diagram! But I did appreciate seeing and learning from how the MCs incorporated their faith into their everyday lives. Frankly, I feel we Protestants could stand to learn a few things, and I do love to see how liturgy is making a comeback on “our side of the aisle.”
This is a clean, fun read that makes me want to visit Rome and eat pasta and gelato!
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
joanna.colclough1 –
Wow! a book about adults actually intentionally dating! A miracle!
The author’s website describes this book as “virtuous fluff” and honestly that’s the perfect description. It’s fluffy. It’s a romance. Almost everything is perfect with clearly defined problems to face, and then we get a great happy ending. (that’s what we want and need sometimes) but it’s also so wonderfully wholesome and cute! And this is a kissing book! It’s not a prudish, restrictive, “we can’t touch each other” story. It’s just life! Plus some adventures (I gasped out loud once – SO exciting!) so it’s not just romance romance romance, but also life stuff like jobs, and also spies, hand to hand combat, secret missions, and intrigue!
All of the side characters are absolute gems (the Pope makes a few cameos! And I think he’s from Texas?!?)
I loved reading this book, and I also loved reading all the reviews of this book. 100% agree with all of them.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
paty.hinojosa –
I don’t know if I have adequate words to describe how and why I loved this book so much.
There are so many things about it! So, I’ll start;
The setting: personally, it’s my favorite: Rome. God’s providence allowed me to live 9 blissful years in the Eternal City. And the way she describes it is so vivid, that I felt transported there. So real, I could almost taste the gelato and the pasta! Love Italian food! And I didn’t need pictures to imagine perfectly well each scene and the beautiful places they visited.
The characters: Elena Gattino, an American girl with a broken heart, struggling with anxiety and depression that travels to Rome in need of a fresh start. Benedikt (Beni), a handsome Swiss Guard that has always lived trying to meet his father’s professional expectations but feels he has failed miserably. They both were lovable and relatable characters, especially because of their flaws. Anxiety and depression are not easy themes to approach and I think the author managed it tastefully and realistically. Having experienced this, I felt so connected to her. Elena also struggled with self-esteem and feeling good in her own skin because of having some extra weight. I love how she handles it and I love how Beni is attracted to her and loves her as she is! Beni’s struggles are also relatable: the pressure of being what your parents expect of you while trying to discover who you really area and what you really want. I loved how he falls for Elena, and the patience and gentleness he has with her knowing her background, and his protectiveness was swooning. The romance was truly sweet and clean! Also, the lives of Swiss Guards have always intrigued me, so this was a wonderful insight into a type of men I truly admire. The side characters are endearing as well, I loved Ri (Beni’s stepsister and Elena’s new bff) and her enthusiasm, Oscar (Beni’s comrade and bff) with his funny banter, the Vatican matchmaker’s (you’ll know who they are), and even the fictional Pope was so down to earth and humorous.
The plot: is totally captivating and enjoyable. It has a mix of drama and lightheartedness, and what made it even more engaging was the spy, political -with a touch of mafia- and international intrigue. I literally couldn’t put the book down. The danger Elena’s ex-fiancé posed also made it more mysterious.
Inspirational message: I loved how the characters lived their faith so naturally. I’m catholic and I just love Christian fiction in general, but I haven’t found that many catholic authors for fiction, historical or contemporary, so this was an amazing discovery. I also think this story can perfectly be appreciated by any Christian, or any person with another faith, or without one.
I can’t believe this story is the author’s debut novel, it is that well written.
Highly recommended. I’m so happy to learn this will continue as a series, I can’t wait for the next book to come out! Hopefully, Ri and Oscar’s story! Btw, the cover is fascinating!
I received a complimentary copy from the Publisher but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Talita Adendorff –
After seeing quotes from Love in the Eternal City circulating on social media, I knew I had to pick up this book, and Rebecca’s debut novel did not disappoint.
Love in the Eternal City is a captivating tale, written from a Catholic perspective, that is set against the stunning backdrop of Rome. Though I’ve never been to Europe, let alone Rome, the vivid descriptions in this book have sparked a deep desire to explore the ancient beauty of the city for myself.
The story follows Elena, an American who has been jilted and is struggling with personal issues. Seeking a fresh start, she arrives in Rome, where she meets Benedikt, a handsome Swiss Guard with a beautiful heart and a complex family dynamic. The romance that blossoms between them is both heartwarming and intricately woven into the charm and history of Rome.
Rebecca’s ability to bring the Eternal City to life through her writing, combined with the emotional depth of Elena and Benedikt’s journey, makes this a must-read. If you’re looking for a love story that will transport you to the streets of Rome and is filled with faith and some real emotion, look no further. This book is the perfect escape and inspirational read for anyone.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but the views and opinions are my own.
katie.r.fitzgerald –
I’m calling this a review, but it’s really a love letter to this amazing Catholic romance. Every so often, I read a book that feels like it was written just for me, and Love in the Eternal City is one of those. From beginning to end, I love everything about this book.
The main characters, Elena and Beni, are wonderfully believable protagonists who are devoted to their faith and yet have realistic flaws and problems to work through. They were easy to root for and so sympathetic.
The supporting characters are so well-developed, and they support not just the plot but the characters as people. There is a warm sense of community that permeates the world of the story. I especially love the Pope character, who is young, spry, and a bit mischievous in the name of serving the Lord and his people.
The pieces of the story involving the activities of the Swiss Guard were interesting and often suspenseful. Multiple times during Beni’s chapters, I gasped out loud – a true sign that a book is going to be a favorite.
I also loved the setting. I’ve never been to Rome or Vatican City, so I was excited by the armchair traveling I was able to do through the experiences of the characters.
There are so few Catholic romances out there. To have one that is not only true to the faith but so beautifully plotted and well-written is such a gift.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chrism Press. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
lanabobana –
What a satisfying read! This book takes the reader on a wonderful journey through the streets of Rome and the Vatican as the characters learn to face life, love, setbacks, forgiveness, and finding the path God has for each of them. The way forward is not easy but realistic so all readers can relate and even learn from the characters. The rich and detailed description transports the reader to Rome, complete with a longing for gelato.
This book has a great balance of romance with real life issues being tackled. Elena needs to deal with mental health issues, brought on by a previous relationship that has threatened so much for her. Beni has so many questions about where his life should be heading and where God belongs in it all. Enter the sigh worthy romance that develops between these two. Rebecca Martin has crafted a wonderful story that inspires, teaches, and leaves the reader smiling after the last page.
This book is written with a Catholic perspective and characters who are actively participating in their faith. It is nice to see faith worked seamlessly worked into everyday life within the pages of this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.