When in Rome [Audiobook, CD, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Gemma Townley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

...When in Rome, do as Audrey Hepburn would do. Failing that, run off with your ex-boyfriend, carry suspicious packages through customs and lie to the person who loves you. Georgie Beauchamp dreams of being Audrey Hepburn and being swept off her feet by a Gregory Peck look-alike. But instead she is living with an accountant - hell, she even works for an accountancy publishing firm. So when her glamorous ex boyfriend Mike comes back on the scene, Georgie finds herself drawn to his exciting lifestyle and drop-dead gorgeous looks. But is David hiding a life that is rather more glamorous then he is letting on? And could David and Mike's long-standing rivalry threaten to ruin both of them? Corporate scandals, Mafia-type intrigue and Georgie's desire for romance and excitement lead Georgie, David and Mike to experience a Roman Holiday they are all unlikely to forget in this action-packed romp.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Scattered with references to Roman Holiday, this would-be madcap romantic comedy by the sister of bestselling chick-lit writer Sophie Kinsella strives for love, laughs and intrigue but lacks the necessary charm and flair. Blithely irresponsible Georgie Beauchamps, a researcher at a legal publishing company in London, dates serious, dependable David Bradley, an accountant who investigates crooked financial dealings. But Georgie still holds a torch for her ex, the devilishly handsome Mike Marshall, and when Mike asks her to accompany him on a trip to Rome, Georgie jumps at the opportunity, thinking he has realized the error of his ways and is trying to win her back. But the suddenly wealthy Mike seems to be up to no good, and when David shows up in Rome on business, Georgie slowly starts delving into the puzzle. But Georgie unveils more than just a mystery-she discovers a source of strength in herself, uncovering a scandal at her own company and accusing long-suffering David of treating her like a child when he miraculously forgives her for her dalliances and betrayals. David may play along, but some readers will be rubbed the wrong way by Georgie. Though the plot zooms as fast (if sometimes as erratically) as a Vespa on the streets of Rome, the novel's selfish protagonist drains the fun from this jangly caper.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Booklist

Georgie is convinced life is perfect with her dependable accountant boyfriend, David, until her last boyfriend, the aimless (but devilishly sexy) cad, Mike, reenters it. Mike is now the owner of a swanky BMW and his own record company, and his flirty e-mails and champagne lunches have Georgie's head spinning and David's blood boiling. David's workaholic tendencies have Georgie agreeing to a weekend away with Mike. But the romantic Roman holiday turns sour when Mike is too busy in business meetings and has no time for fun. And then David surprises Georgie in Rome outside the Sistine Chapel. He gives her the Audrey Hepburn treatment, scooting her off to an Italian restaurant on a Vespa. Neither man will tell Georgie exactly why he is in Rome, and each takes numerous mysterious phone calls, meets with glamorous women, and dodges shady gangsters. Once back in London, she finds herself embroiled in suspect mergers and makeshift spy-girl antics. A slow start is more than made up for with endearing characters, a madcap plot, and a rewarding finish. Kaite Mediatore
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio on CD Unabridged Lib Ed; Library edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593553056
• ISBN-13: 978-1593553050
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)

More About the Author

GEMMA TOWNLEY is also the author of Little White Lies. She launched her writing career at the age of sixteen with a book review in Harpers & Queen. While at Reading University, Gemma, a singer, cellist, and bassist, found time to record two albums with her band, Blueboy, with which she toured the U.K., France, and Japan. After graduating, she worked on and contributed to a number of magazines, including Homes and Ideas, Pay Magazine, Expat Investor, and Company. She also wrote about music for style magazines including G-Spot and Second Generation. She later became an editor at Financial Management magazine.Gemma is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and is studying for an MBA at Henley Management College. She lives in West London with her husband, Mark..

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly Disappointing, July 9, 2006

By 

Ellie "mittbooks" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: When in Rome... (Paperback)

I love Rome and like this genre, so I was prepared to be enchanted by When In Rome... Instead I was disappointed by the main character, whose immaturity and lack of perspective ruined the book for me. The ex-boyfriend's character was extremely one-dimensional, making it impossible to understand why the heroine would want him back. Yet the current boyfriend's character is portrayed as near perfect, making the heroine's actions baffling to the reader. If the characters had been multi-faceted, the ensuing course of events might have been involving. Instead this attempted mad-cap adventure stubles before it gets of the ground.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Chick lit does Rome, February 27, 2004

By 

Tina "Tina" (Montreal, Quebec) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: When in Rome... (Paperback)

I really, really enjoyed this book! My opinion of most chick lit books lately has been that there is too much "crap" published out there. Its not always good.

This one is funny, witty and good. Our main character hooks up with her ex, while still with her current boyfriend. This, of course, leads her to all kinds of escapades, including a weird and totally impossible trip to Rome.

I laughed out loud at times (which I rarely do when reading) and thought the writing wonderful.

HOWEVER, the lead character was portrayed as so innocent and naive at times that It made me want to throw the book up against the wall. Come on, can we really be expected to believe that she never has a clue?

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bad bad beginning but excellent middle & end, September 2, 2004

By 

butterfly (wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When in Rome... (Paperback)

I am so glad that I didn't put this book down and not finish it. After reading the first 100 pages I could not believe what a self-centered, selfish, and idiotic girl Georgie was. I was appalled by her character or actually, the lack of it. And there were some things she was COMPLETELY oblivious too because she was so self centered. Totally obvious things. However, I checked on Amazon to see what other readers might have thought, whether anyone actually finished and liked this book. AND SO MANY OF THE READERS LIKED IT!!! I was shocked and decided to give the book a second chance. I took it on my plane trip from MSP to SEA and did not put it down once! I loved it! Georgie truly goes through some much needed transformations and gets to know herself and those she loves and thinks she loves deeper and more meaningfully. And really, this book isn't so much about a trip to Rome as it is about having the curtains lifted on your life. Letting some light shine through, being able to see yourself clearly. Seeing your family, friends, and loved ones clearly and really coming to know and appreciate their strengths and weaknesses.

So if you start reading this book and are totally put off by how shallow and stupid Georgie is, don't stop. Read it to the finish-you will be satisfied by your decision. And you will feel happy and refreshed like any good book makes you feel after its reading.

Oh and I read on the editorial review that Ms. Townley is Sophie Kinsella's sister! I have all four of Ms. Kinsella's novels & love them all! What a talented family!