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3.18 AVERAGE
3.18 AVERAGE
sad
Honestly wasn’t feeling this book until 75% of the way in. It often felt unclear — in the beginning things jumped around, people and places were introduced confusingly. Ultimately Theo/Mag had beautiful chemistry and the last quarter of the book clarified a lot/tied up loose ends, but I wish it hadn’t taken so long to get there? There were some really beautiful phrases and paragraphs, however.
emotional
slow-paced
I’d been looking forward to reading this one, who doesn’t enjoy a love story set in Italy?
The story is told from the POV’s of both Magdalen and Theo. They have both returned to Italy for the summer. I absolutely loved Magdalen and Theo and all the attraction and tension between them.
This is a slow burn romance with complex family dynamics. Magdalen and Theo’s families have always been close so there is a lot of history which also means there are a lot of secrets too.
Overall I really enjoyed this and that ending I’m still thinking about it now!
Thank you to Bookbreak for sending me a copy.
i’m not usually one for a romance but this has to be one of the best books i’ve read this year! perfect for a summer of delightful yearning, this story will transport you to a small italian town full of nostalgia, lovers & complete beauty. i can honestly say it was a pleasure learning about the complications of everyone’s lives & not one character felt underdeveloped or stuck, each one had their use to the narrative while also having their own lives which was so refreshing.
another thing i appreciated was the inclusion of the italian language & culture. as someone who’s learning italian & is in love with the country, i felt that i was building a stronger connection to the setting, i only wish there was more of this. i also enjoyed reading the italian & realising i knew what it meant!
now, the love story…one of the best i’ve read. both theo, magdalen & their relationship were so genuine that following the gradual growth felt so rewarding. the split narrative really added to how they are individual characters with different perspectives & backstories, connecting with each other not because they’re both perfect but because they have a mutual understanding. parallel to the main romantic narrative, there is almost a catalytic mystery that lingers along the chapters, causing this underlying tension that both shatters & envelopes the story to a satisfying & heartbreaking conclusion. you must read!!
another thing i appreciated was the inclusion of the italian language & culture. as someone who’s learning italian & is in love with the country, i felt that i was building a stronger connection to the setting, i only wish there was more of this. i also enjoyed reading the italian & realising i knew what it meant!
now, the love story…one of the best i’ve read. both theo, magdalen & their relationship were so genuine that following the gradual growth felt so rewarding. the split narrative really added to how they are individual characters with different perspectives & backstories, connecting with each other not because they’re both perfect but because they have a mutual understanding. parallel to the main romantic narrative, there is almost a catalytic mystery that lingers along the chapters, causing this underlying tension that both shatters & envelopes the story to a satisfying & heartbreaking conclusion. you must read!!
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Headlines:
Gossipy family and friends
Hedonistic
Angsty
This contemporary fiction had strong romantic elements but couldn’t be classified as being under the romance genre. Set in Italy, the story tracked two families coming back together with childhood friends as adults. The main characters, Magdalene and Theo were complicated individuals but none moreso than Theo.
The whole vibe of this read was hot summer, hedonism, longings and angst. It was fast-paced and kind of addictive with side serving of frustration. My frustrations sat with Theo, a hard to like guy, cocky but with issues around self worth. Magdalene (pronounced Maudlin on the audio) desired Theo from a distance with zero expectations of that desire being returned. She had a naivety to her characterisation which I liked reading but Theo treated her like trash back and forth.
Some of the parents of the piece were garbage, Theo’s father especially and I began to see why Theo was the way he was. Friendships were knotted up and everyone had family that connected them in some way.
I wanted more at the end but the ending also seemed authentic to the push and pull of the characters.
I listened on audio and the narration was dual POV, dual narration, done well.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.
Gossipy family and friends
Hedonistic
Angsty
This contemporary fiction had strong romantic elements but couldn’t be classified as being under the romance genre. Set in Italy, the story tracked two families coming back together with childhood friends as adults. The main characters, Magdalene and Theo were complicated individuals but none moreso than Theo.
The whole vibe of this read was hot summer, hedonism, longings and angst. It was fast-paced and kind of addictive with side serving of frustration. My frustrations sat with Theo, a hard to like guy, cocky but with issues around self worth. Magdalene (pronounced Maudlin on the audio) desired Theo from a distance with zero expectations of that desire being returned. She had a naivety to her characterisation which I liked reading but Theo treated her like trash back and forth.
Some of the parents of the piece were garbage, Theo’s father especially and I began to see why Theo was the way he was. Friendships were knotted up and everyone had family that connected them in some way.
I wanted more at the end but the ending also seemed authentic to the push and pull of the characters.
I listened on audio and the narration was dual POV, dual narration, done well.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced