Published July 2nd, 2026 by Scribner UK
Historical Fiction, Gay Fiction
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
A glorious novel of hope and healing for fans of Armistead Maupin, Fredrik Backman and Kate Atkinson from the author of The Miseducation of Evie Epworth
‘Rome is both healer and magician in this enchanting novel of homecoming and belonging, and of the transformational power of friendship. Delizioso’ Sarah Winman, author of Still Life
‘Taylor’s prose is lilting and lyrical, capturing the city’s beguiling atmosphere, creating the perfect backdrop for the allure of la dolce vita’ Daily Mail
1952, Trastevere, Rome. An idyllic maze crammed full of narrow streets and eccentric characters. A young English woman, Clementine Severs, arrives armed with a teaching certificate and enough idealism to fill a host of Grecian urns.
By 1976, she finds herself wilting, her youthful dreams squashed by time and tide. A chance encounter between an angel and a speeding mint green Vespa brings her into contact with a troubled young carpenter called Montgomery Marsh. Clemmie and Monty forge an unlikely friendship that takes them on a magical ride through the Eternal City in search of fresh hope and a new way of living.
Fun, spirited and full of heart, Roman Mornings, like the city of Rome itself, is a novel of mysterious beauty that you will want to revisit time and time again.
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MY REVIEW:
Matson Taylor has done it again! Uplifting, funny, heartwarming, transportive and addictive, Roman Mornings is an absolute delight. Matson gives us his take on la dolce vita, transporting us to Rome, 1976. Clemmy is trying out her new vespa when she literally crashes into Monty and lands him in hospital. His boss is less than understanding and fires him, so Clemmy and her friend Floss invite him to convalesce at their home. As Clemmy introduces Monty to the Eternal City, the two forge an unlikely bond in this magnificent tale of the power of friendship, found family, loss, healing and hope.
Beautifully written, this book is the perfect pick me up for any day of the year. The evocative imagery brings this labyrinthine city to life in glorious detail; I could feel the heat beating down on me, hear the sound of the chaotic Roman traffic, see the historic architecture and taste the gelato. I loved the magical realism in this book and how you were never quite sure if what the characters were experiencing was real or in their imagination. One of my favourite things about this book is the inter-generational friendships. I love them and this book contains some of my favourite inter-generational friendships ever. The bonds between Clemmy, Monty and Floss were a wonderful reminder that true friendship can be a balm for the soul. I loved how these people found a home in one another and the ways that they enriched each other’s lives. It was something special. The kind of friendship and acceptance we all hope for.
I’ve said it before: Matson is a comic genius, and once again he had me laughing out loud from the opening pages, showcasing his talent for creating witty, offbeat and charming characters who leap from the pages and are totally unforgettable. I adored the characters in this book and loved every moment I spent reading them. Clemmy is in her mid-forties and feeling disillusioned that life hasn’t turned out the way she planned when we meet her, while Monty is working in Rome and experiencing the city for the first time. I loved the wonder he felt when he looked around the city and watching him discover new things such as pistachio ice cream and cappuccino. Septugenarian Floss is an absolute hoot and was probably my favourite character. She doesn’t give a damn and is living life to the full. May we all be more Floss. And I cant forget Octavian, an unforgettable cat filled with attitude who totally stole my heart.
Witty, warm, joyous and moving, I loved every moment being back in Rome with these characters and never wanted it to end. Highly recommended.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮.5
Thank you Scribner UK for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Matson Taylor is a novelist and design historian.
His first two books, The Miseducation of Evie Epworth and All About Evie, were selected for the BBC Radio 2 bookclub and the Richard & Judy bookclub.
His third novel, Roman Mornings, is available to buy now.
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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx
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