This is the second book in the When in Rome duology (though I wouldn’t mind seeing it become a trilogy at some point). It can be read as a stand-alone, but there are many references to the first book, so I would recommend reading them in order.

Family is incredibly important to both Beckett and Levi, they’ve both given up most of their lives to ensure that their families are taken care of. But now Levi is ready to let go, but Beck feels more trapped than ever before.

Levi dropped everything to help his mother after his father died, and still takes care of her, sometimes keeping things from her that he thinks might upset her. Around that same time, his sister got pregnant, so he helped raise his niece. When his sister died, he recommitted to both his mother and niece (even though she also has a doting step-father who adores her and her biological father who also adores her). Now that things are a bit more settled, he’s ready to sail around the world on his own.

Beck took over the care of her autistic brother when their mother left them in a parking lot and just took off. Her father, also on the autism spectrum, makes things more complicated for her, as he steps back and allows her to take charge. Beck keeps the connections in her life light, believing no one would want to take on her challenging family, and she forever puts her own needs last.

Levi and Beck are so sweet together. They both carry a ton of baggage and they both care deeply. But their desire to protect their own families the best way they know how, causes them to hurt each other and let each other down.

I’m not sure how I feel about the ending. I like where it’s headed, but not necessarily how it got there. But, like I said, I wouldn’t mind if the author adds a third story down the road.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC for review consideration through NetGalley, on behalf of the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.