Scan barcode
kbusemeyer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The ending definitely saved the book a bit for me but I still didn’t love it. My favorite thing about the book was the way Positano was written about; I think the author did a great job at capturing the magical atmosphere and immersing the reader in Italy.
I found the whole thing with Adam extremely weird, even if it was “30 years in the past”. It felt really icky to read about and then for Eric to show up and Katy to suddenly remember that she does love him and they reunite even though she technically slept with Adam a few days ago.
The switch between present and past was really well done, like I kind of had an inkling from a few things (the phone and Adam not knowing some popular things) but it never felt like it was an obvious thing.
I hated the conflict, it felt contrived and like it was only there so Katy could have the revelation later that her mom doesn’t belong to her or her family. Also there was a lot of building to Katy realizing that she didn’t ask enough questions about her mom to get to know her that I found more convincing.
I think it was probably just a culmination of the grief and the shock of realizing her mom left while she was still young, but still.
Overall, maybe I just didn’t super connect to a woman whose identity was completely tied to her mothers. I think the grief and self-discovery piece was nice, but all the elements together just didn’t do it for me I guess. Although I do want to visit Italy and the Amalfi coast now!
I found the whole thing with Adam extremely weird, even if it was “30 years in the past”. It felt really icky to read about and then for Eric to show up and Katy to suddenly remember that she does love him and they reunite even though she technically slept with Adam a few days ago.
The switch between present and past was really well done, like I kind of had an inkling from a few things (the phone and Adam not knowing some popular things) but it never felt like it was an obvious thing.
I hated the conflict, it felt contrived and like it was only there so Katy could have the revelation later that her mom doesn’t belong to her or her family. Also there was a lot of building to Katy realizing that she didn’t ask enough questions about her mom to get to know her that I found more convincing.
I think it was probably just a culmination of the grief and the shock of realizing her mom left while she was still young, but still.
Overall, maybe I just didn’t super connect to a woman whose identity was completely tied to her mothers. I think the grief and self-discovery piece was nice, but all the elements together just didn’t do it for me I guess. Although I do want to visit Italy and the Amalfi coast now!
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death
wanderingbeyondpages's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Minor: Child death
please take me to Positano nowmartapsalvado's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is one of those books that are far from perfect, but so entertaining. Some things that the characters did or think didn't reasonate with me and some aspects of the plot itself didn't make much sense. The ending compensated some of these flaws. Nonetheless, I had a lot of fun reading this and loved the descriptions of Positano. The character devolpment is there too, although sometimes it felt a little abrupt. A good summer read overall!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Death, Cancer, and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment, Medical content, Alcohol, and Child death
zamzamzebra's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Terminal illness
Moderate: Child death
thatswhatshanread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This is quite possibly the Italian escape novel. Immersive, light, and magical. It’s almost like the book is four dimensional because I could basically taste the fresh Neapolitan food, feel the brush of warm sand between my toes, smell the sea, and trek up and down the steps of Positano and beyond.
Rebecca Serle’s writing is very comforting. I think that’s the best way to describe it. It’s not abrasive or trying to prove anything earth-shattering—it just tells a story like it’s been written by your grandmother. Like you’ve heard it before, but find it special every time you read it. This book instantly felt like a memory to me, a summer in Italy to find my way back to myself.
There are some plot holes and parts I didn’t quite understand the reasoning for, but overall I really enjoyed this one. Bellissima!
Rebecca Serle’s writing is very comforting. I think that’s the best way to describe it. It’s not abrasive or trying to prove anything earth-shattering—it just tells a story like it’s been written by your grandmother. Like you’ve heard it before, but find it special every time you read it. This book instantly felt like a memory to me, a summer in Italy to find my way back to myself.
There are some plot holes and parts I didn’t quite understand the reasoning for, but overall I really enjoyed this one. Bellissima!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Terminal illness, Alcohol, Cursing, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Infidelity
Minor: Child death and Medical content
sba2x's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Death, Grief, Cancer, Child death, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Terminal illness
More...