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3.18 AVERAGE
3.18 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3/5 spice level - yes girl she was spicy
Something I loved that Abiola Bello said as she moderated the event with Cameron Capello was that in this book, there are “all forms of love entwined and damaged.” I think it’s so true with how Magdalen’s relationship changes throughout this novel with her mom, dad, best friend, and with Theo. In the beginning, Magdalen is shy and not confident in who she is, but by the end, she’s sure of what she wants and she recognizes her self worth a lot more. Theo is broody, but complex and you just want to shake his shoulders telling him to behave. Some bits of Magdalen really resonated with me and she was my favorite character besides Anika. I also just wanna hug Magdalen and Theo to tell them that everything will be okay.
I also liked how Cameron Capello how when she wrote Dexter, she “needed a villain.” I think it’s written so well and so often not included in love stories, which really captivated me about this one.
Some event memories include talking about how the writing process is, what pieces of media inspired the novel, what fan fiction is, difference between love and romance, what is shifting and is it real, and well the future of Cameron Capello’s writing
Cameron Capello said she hopes that when you read her book, this is what you think: “Everyone is accepting and deserving of love, doesn’t have to be romantic love. If you put yourself out there for love, you’ll get some.”
I truly enjoyed reading this book and attending this event.
I recommend this book if you love ~ to read (duh), love stories, books with beautiful endings but not necessarily happy, Italy, Theo James (name inspo for Theo in this book), and the forced proximity trope!!!!
Something I loved that Abiola Bello said as she moderated the event with Cameron Capello was that in this book, there are “all forms of love entwined and damaged.” I think it’s so true with how Magdalen’s relationship changes throughout this novel with her mom, dad, best friend, and with Theo. In the beginning, Magdalen is shy and not confident in who she is, but by the end, she’s sure of what she wants and she recognizes her self worth a lot more. Theo is broody, but complex and you just want to shake his shoulders telling him to behave. Some bits of Magdalen really resonated with me and she was my favorite character besides Anika. I also just wanna hug Magdalen and Theo to tell them that everything will be okay.
I also liked how Cameron Capello how when she wrote Dexter, she “needed a villain.” I think it’s written so well and so often not included in love stories, which really captivated me about this one.
Some event memories include talking about how the writing process is, what pieces of media inspired the novel, what fan fiction is, difference between love and romance, what is shifting and is it real, and well the future of Cameron Capello’s writing
Cameron Capello said she hopes that when you read her book, this is what you think: “Everyone is accepting and deserving of love, doesn’t have to be romantic love. If you put yourself out there for love, you’ll get some.”
I truly enjoyed reading this book and attending this event.
I recommend this book if you love ~ to read (duh), love stories, books with beautiful endings but not necessarily happy, Italy, Theo James (name inspo for Theo in this book), and the forced proximity trope!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
emotional
sad
medium-paced
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars rounded up.
Gosh I was so excited to read this book when it came out - the blurb just sang to me, two childhood friends who drift apart due to travel and reunite years later at their childhood home in Italy and bond over lost time
I listened to the book on audio and also followed alongside with my kindle arc and I really loved Magdalen's character - as flawed as she may be, raw, edgy, honest, vulnerable and emotional are all traits young women experience and I credit the authenticity of showcasing that side by the author. There is alot of compassion Magdalen also has for loved ones, her relationship with her father is evidence of this and a somewhat submissive one with her best friends, but she experiences joy when she is with them, an avenue to release her tensions where she doesn't have such liberty being overshadowed alot of the time, mostly by her brothers. Her unapologetic inner monologue felt relateable at times, especially as she is a people pleaser, but just to think from her POV and unpackaging that complex as the book went on made for an interesting read.
Theo took me longer to warm to, he definitely has skeletons in his closest. Although he champions and defends Magdalen wherever he can, unasked/unwanted and I sometimes read this as if he was imposing, insecure and genuinely not really practising what he was preaching, his own behaviour towards Magdalen and treatment of her felt unacceptable at times. Other than a physical attraction, I didn't understand how this couple worked together and though the ending of the story does explain his behaviour, it still doesn't excuse his treatment of Magdalen and I didn't find him very likeable sadly.
The premise of the book was still engaging, the description of Chivasso and exploration of the culture, architecture and ambience within the storyline made for a perfect summer read/escapism at its finest. The development of the story and ultimate ending was fitting for this for me personally and I definitely enjoyed the read more and more as it went on. A great debut! Thank you to Pan Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest unedited review.
Gosh I was so excited to read this book when it came out - the blurb just sang to me, two childhood friends who drift apart due to travel and reunite years later at their childhood home in Italy and bond over lost time
I listened to the book on audio and also followed alongside with my kindle arc and I really loved Magdalen's character - as flawed as she may be, raw, edgy, honest, vulnerable and emotional are all traits young women experience and I credit the authenticity of showcasing that side by the author. There is alot of compassion Magdalen also has for loved ones, her relationship with her father is evidence of this and a somewhat submissive one with her best friends, but she experiences joy when she is with them, an avenue to release her tensions where she doesn't have such liberty being overshadowed alot of the time, mostly by her brothers. Her unapologetic inner monologue felt relateable at times, especially as she is a people pleaser, but just to think from her POV and unpackaging that complex as the book went on made for an interesting read.
Theo took me longer to warm to, he definitely has skeletons in his closest. Although he champions and defends Magdalen wherever he can, unasked/unwanted and I sometimes read this as if he was imposing, insecure and genuinely not really practising what he was preaching, his own behaviour towards Magdalen and treatment of her felt unacceptable at times. Other than a physical attraction, I didn't understand how this couple worked together and though the ending of the story does explain his behaviour, it still doesn't excuse his treatment of Magdalen and I didn't find him very likeable sadly.
The premise of the book was still engaging, the description of Chivasso and exploration of the culture, architecture and ambience within the storyline made for a perfect summer read/escapism at its finest. The development of the story and ultimate ending was fitting for this for me personally and I definitely enjoyed the read more and more as it went on. A great debut! Thank you to Pan Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest unedited review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
I did enjoy this, but the characters were so infuriating. the way theo treated magdalen made me so angry, and she just forgave him so easily every time, with barely an apology from him. but then she'd get angry over other situations, like the bit with Lucia, that are barely worth being angry over compared to other things. the side characters were great though, I loved Anika and Dante (and Claudio) so much.
the stuff with their parents was also a little bit random as well - I suppose it did flesh out the links between the two families but the added trauma just felt unnecessary, like an attempt to add shock-value for the sake of it.
I did really love the setting though and the actual story was good, but the characters were a little disappointing.
the stuff with their parents was also a little bit random as well - I suppose it did flesh out the links between the two families but the added trauma just felt unnecessary, like an attempt to add shock-value for the sake of it.
I did really love the setting though and the actual story was good, but the characters were a little disappointing.