Based on the novel by Jenna Evans Welch, the film follows Lina Emerson (Susanna Skaggs), who travels to Rome to fulfill her mother’s last wish to get to know her father, Howard (Owen McDonnell). Once in Italy, Lina discovers her mother’s old journal and retraces her footsteps through Italy, which leads her to uncover secrets about her mother’s past and her own identity.
Significant events in the film include Lina’s exploration of Rome, her growing relationship with her newfound friend and romantic interest, Lorenzo Ferrazza (Tobia De Angelis), and her complex feelings about Howard, whom she initially resents for not being part of her life. As Lina reads through the journal, she learns about her mother’s love affair with a young Italian man, which deeply affects her understanding of her mother’s life and choices.
In the end, it is revealed that Howard is not Lina’s biological father. Her real father is a man named Matteo, who was her mother’s true love in Italy. Despite this revelation, Howard expresses his deep care for Lina and his desire to be a part of her life, regardless of their biological connection. Lina also comes to terms with her feelings for Lorenzo, and they share a romantic relationship.
The film concludes with Lina embracing her new Italian family and friends, finding love, and deciding to stay in Italy for college. She finds a sense of belonging and home in Rome, surrounded by the people she loves and the culture that has become a part of her identity. The movie, like the book, is a feel-good story about family, love, and finding oneself in unexpected places.