Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - One Italian Summer

how angry Katie got with Carol for taking the trip to Italy after she was born. I understand that she felt deceived, but I feel like Katie’s reaction implied that she thought Carol taking this time discounted every single memory they ever had together and morphed her into an absent mother. I understand Katie’s shock, I just found it incredibly overblown.

The message of the story is poignant and really has something to say about the nature of life and our place in it. The power we have to make our own choices and change our perspective.

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rachel26's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny sad 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

4.0

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emmy_likes_2_read's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

1.0

This was a poorly written book at its finest. The descriptions of Italy were beautiful and made me want to travel for a summer vacation. However, the plot was not thought out at all.

1. The descriptions of Carol and Katie's relationship were low-key disturbing. This is not, I REPEAT, is NOT a healthy relationship. For a daughter to say, "my mother was the love of my life" is not heartwarming. It's gross. It's giving I need therapy.

2. The time warp concept was not thought through at all.

After reading the book I have no clue how she was able to travel back to 1992 nor do I know how she was able to see and contact present day people while in 1992.

3. I will never support a cheater. Ever. Cheating is wrong. Period.

I'm also very angry at the fact that when her husband (who, by the way, sounds like a LOVELY man.) shows up, there were no conversations about her cheating on him while she was in Italy. It's just let's spread mom's ashes and call it happily ever after. I don't support that.

4. The plot twist was quite honestly ridiculous and makes me question the author's beliefs on women and motherhood.

For someone to become upset over the fact that a mother of baby went on the vacation she has always wanted to go on is ridiculous. That whole moment was so incredibly childish and selfish.

5. Kate is not a character you will easily get behind. She's incredibly self-absorbed and childish.

Overall, I do not recommend this book.

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kat_rowlen's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Solid 3 star listen. The FMC was a little whiny and pathetic for my taste. Really didn’t like how caught up she was in “belonging” to her mother. Also we never really got an explanation as to how everything happened.

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theinstabookworm's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Was the MC's relationship with her mother questionable at BEST? Yes.

But, I also think that some of the story does portray grief accurately. Especially when a loved one dies young.

However, Serle took it too far when this story could have been an exploration of grief in adults who learn to navigate through the world without their parents.

Lauren Graham narrates the audiobook, and, as a big Gilmore Girls fan, I loved that. I also didn't see the twist coming.

But does Katy need therapy, both grief counseling and other? Yes, yes she does.

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itsmebecca's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I read it in one day. Enough said. A fun by the pool or sea read. I’ll be booking my trip to Positano shortly.

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