Published 2nd July 2026 by Scribner.
From the cover of the book:
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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London, 1952. Clementine (Clemmie) Severs, newly qualified teacher from Harrogate, is bringing the delights of English literature to the young minds of North London - but she dreams of much more. Taking the plunge, she heads for Trastevere, Rome, where she hopes to indulge her passion for Keats, and become a fully-fledged writer.
Rome, 1976. Twenty-four years later, Clemmie's dreams seem like youthful fancy. Although living with her charismatic, much-married friend Floss and the splendid cat Octavian is never dull, the drudgery of her job translating less than exciting technical journals into English and the lack of romance in her life is bringing her down.
In an attempt to brighten Clemmie's outlook, the irrepressible Floss gifts her a mint-green Vespa, and instructs her to throw caution to the wind, but her maiden voyage ends in disaster when she runs down Monty Marsh, a young chippy whose eyes have been opened by the delights of Rome. It is a moment that will change all their lives for ever...
With character-led gorgeousness that brings all the wonder of the eternal City alive, and a delightful side-order of magical realism, Matson's delicious third novel, Roman Mornings, is a tonic for the soul.
The story centres around the sun-washed Piazza della Scala, where Clemmie and Floss abide, in a three story house where history has seeped into its pores - and where Octavian rules in fluffy hauter. Into their lives comes Monty, in need of a place to stay and convalesce, via the serendipitous Vespa incident and some very unusual happenings amongst Rome's stately statuary (you have to be there).
Monty's arrival sets in motion a meandering tale filled with glorious characters, including the fabulous nuns Sisters Geraldine and Tomasina; all manner of Roman bit players; a naked German - and later down the line, the lovely Bob, on his odyssey through Europe in his converted Mr Whippy van. Everything comes together in an unconventional whole that celebrates the life-affirming highs and lows of their past, present, and futures, guided by the interventions of said statuary... and the prodding of Octavian's sage words in Monty's receptive ears.
Have the tissues handy, because Matson fills this novel with emotionally stirring moments, and he spares nothing in delving into heartbreak and revelations that tell of shocking history. But this is not a sad book by any means, the spark that grows between this little band of friends envelopes you in a big warm hug made up of gentle humour, second chances, slow-burn love stories, found family, hope, and healing.
Matson shows a different, more mature, side to his writing from his previous books about Evie Epworth in this novel, and I was here for it all. Keep those tissues nearby for the epilogue, too... I sobbed. Wonderful stuff!
Roman Mornings is available to but now in hardcover, ebook and audio formats.
Thank you to Scribner form sending me a review copy of this book.
About the author:
Matson Taylor is the author of two best-selling novels. He is also a design historian and has worked at museums in London and Rome. Roman Mornings is his third novel.
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