On this week’s episode of Rebecca and Rebecca, we’re reviewing THE ROMAN HOLIDAY RULE by debut author Andra Loy. Spoiler alert: we loved it. Below, we break down what makes this rom-com stand out, plus a few reasons we think you’ll want to pick it up too.

What THE ROMAN HOLIDAY RULE Is About

Lexi Walker has finally committed to the Italian adventure she and her late mother always dreamed about. She plans a meticulous itinerary, packs four sealed letters meant to be opened at Rome’s most iconic sites and carries her mother’s final painting to present at an art festival. Everything seems set for the perfect trip.

Then her mother’s artwork starts appearing in real life. Suddenly, Lexi’s carefully planned trip becomes unpredictable.

Meanwhile, Italian-American architect Mark Russo has sworn off American tourists after a painful breakup. He’s focused on one thing: winning a restoration bid that could reunite his estranged father with his grandfather. When a captivating woman sits next to him on the flight to Rome and proposes a photography challenge, though, he can’t resist the bet, or her charm. Whoever captures “the heart of Italy” in seven days wins.

As Lexi follows her mother’s letters across the city, she keeps running into Mark. Their competitive banter slowly turns into real chemistry. Still, they both know the cardinal rule of holiday romances: you can’t fall for someone who lives somewhere else and expect a happy ending.

A Rom-Com With Real Depth

Rom-coms are known for being light and fun, and this one absolutely delivers on that front. Underneath the humor, though, sits real emotional weight. Lexi is still grieving her mother, who passed away just a year before the story begins. Her father died when she was young, so nearly everything she knows about him comes through stories her mother told her.

That grief never overwhelms the story. Instead, it adds depth and makes Lexi easier to root for. Readers get to watch her process loss while falling in love, all without the pacing ever feeling heavy or slow.

There’s also a quieter tension running through the book: the difference between Lexi’s mother as “mom” and her mother as a world-famous artist. That dynamic adds another layer to Lexi’s journey, and it factors into some of the roadblocks she and Mark face along the way.

Real Magical Realism, Done Well

Before writing romance, Andra Loy wrote speculative fiction, and that background shows. The magical realism in this book feels grounded rather than gimmicky. Nothing about the setting changes; there are no aliens, no alternate dimensions, no fantastical worldbuilding. Instead, small, unexplained shifts happen throughout an otherwise realistic, present-day Rome.

Those shifts read less like plot twists and more like quiet coincidences; ones that happen a little too often to be random. The effect is subtle romantic magic, layered gently into an otherwise contemporary story.

Dual POV Done Right

The novel alternates first-person chapters between Lexi and Mark. That structure isn’t unusual for rom-coms, but giving equal weight to both perspectives is less common. Here, it works beautifully.

Each character has a distinct voice. Their beliefs, goals, and approaches to life come through clearly, so much so that chapter headers almost aren’t necessary to know whose head you’re in. Lexi plans everything down to the minute. Mark, an architect, is meticulous too, just in a completely different way. That contrast creates natural tension and plenty of charm.

A Big, Loud, Lovable Italian Family

One of the story’s biggest highlights is Mark’s extended family in Italy. Grandparents, cousins, and more show up throughout Lexi’s trip, often before Mark himself does. The family dynamic feels warm, boisterous, and completely believable, right down to the dinner-table banter and playful teasing.

Even though Lexi meets everyone somewhat by accident, she gets pulled into the family’s orbit just as naturally as Mark does. It’s easy to picture, and even easier to enjoy.

Roadblocks That Actually Make Sense

A common complaint about romance novels involves miscommunication used as an artificial plot device. Thankfully, this book avoids that trap. When Lexi and Mark hit a roadblock, they talk about it. Real conversations happen. New obstacles appear organically afterward, rather than the same misunderstanding dragging on for chapters.

Even the pair’s frequent run-ins throughout Rome feel earned. Nothing about their meetings relies on convenient coincidences; the setup behind each encounter makes logical sense within the story.

The Verdict

Rebecca and Rebecca highly recommend THE ROMAN HOLIDAY RULE. It balances humor, heart, grief, and romance without ever feeling uneven. Fans of Audrey Hepburn’s classic film Roman Holiday will appreciate the subtle nods throughout, and anyone dreaming of an Italian getaway will feel like they’ve traveled there themselves.

The audiobook narration also earns praise, so this one works well whether you prefer reading or listening.

Listen to the Full Review

Click the links below to view or listen, of find us wherever you tune in to podcasts. Our Linktr.ee also has a list of places where you can find Rebecca and Rebecca.

Mark your calendar: Author Andra Loy joins us for a full interview on October 28th. Don’t miss it!