Oliver is a college student in Boston raised by two lesbians. Over a summer break, he travels to Rome to meet his biological father. In the shadows of ancient Roman monuments and the intrigue of the Vatican, he discovers troubling secrets about his past that inspire him to come out. He falls in love with a handsome Roman man and together they face surprising and life-changing events. Their passionate affair and Oliver's self-discovery unfold as Oliver peels back layers of Roman history. This fast-paced and compelling story includes beautiful and illuminating descriptions of archaeological, religious, and artistic sites in Italy. The plot takes readers inside the Vatican and explores the distressing impact of the its policies on LGBTQ people.