Theodora Fairchild is tired of teaching Latin to middle school students who are forced to take "dead language." When she decides to go back to graduate school and work on her Ph.D. in Latin Literature, she is elated to be surrounded by faculty members who love studying the ancient world as much as she does.

The head of the department, Julian, seems to be a little too friendly and makes her feel a bit uncomfortable, but she finds his advice helpful. The person in the department she has the deepest connection with is a visiting fellow named Grant Proctor. She falls hard and fast for Grant and he admits he has feelings for her, too. The romance happens rather quickly, and I thought there could have been more build up to the moment when Theo and Grant profess their love for each other. After they return from Christmas Break, something seems wrong with Grant. He is distant despite the fact he still swears his undying love for her. They agree talk about their relationship at the end of spring break.

Theo's entire world makes a sudden and shocking shift when she takes in a stray cat one night out of the cold. When she wakes up, the world she has known is turned on its head. In addition to all of this, Grant is missing and Theo must find him before it is too late.

BY JOVE is full of references to ancient Roman history. The department meetings are attended by the characters in full Roman costume. Marissa Doyle goes into great details about Roman dress, Roman eating habits, and even Roman games. If you really enjoy Roman history and mythology, BY JOVE by Marissa Doyle will be a fun read.