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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
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
One of my favorite parts was how I felt like I was really in Italy. The author transported me here. This book was about grief and self discovery.
I felt like there was definitely some mystery and then you figure out that there is some weird time / alternate reality thing going on so I didn't really know what to expect. It sorta keeps you on your toes but has a beautiful bitter sweet ending
I'm not sure what Adam played a part in the story... we could've done without him honestly. But, it was beautiful and a bit predictable but very enjoyable and definitely transports you there. I just wanna go to Italy now...
I felt like there was definitely some mystery and then you figure out that there is some weird time / alternate reality thing going on so I didn't really know what to expect. It sorta keeps you on your toes but has a beautiful bitter sweet ending
I'm not sure what Adam played a part in the story... we could've done without him honestly. But, it was beautiful and a bit predictable but very enjoyable and definitely transports you there. I just wanna go to Italy now...
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
If you didn’t know by looking at the cover, this is a fluffy beach read. As long as your expectations are set to match that reality, it accomplishes the job. I have read her book “In Five Years,” which is also a beach read but is leaps and bounds better than this one.
4.5 stars the most perfect summer read. I was smiling and crying throughout. I’m so happy I finally read this!!!
LOVED the setting, food, etc descriptions and the mother daughter themes but the main character is childish and I’m just not that into magical realism.
“History, memory is by definition fiction. Once an event is no longer present, but remembered, it is narrative. And we can choose the narratives we tell about our own lives, our own stories, our own relationships. We can choose the chapters we give meaning.” (p. 239)
Katy was not my favorite main character I’ve ever encounter. But I really enjoyed the story and I resonated with how these themes of history and memory and love are shown and what it means for someone who has passed to live on within you.
Katy was not my favorite main character I’ve ever encounter. But I really enjoyed the story and I resonated with how these themes of history and memory and love are shown and what it means for someone who has passed to live on within you.
3.5 stars. Nothing gets me more than a good, descriptive setting of Italy, and now I want to move up my trip. Is booking a trip across the ocean for tomorrow too impulsive? Serle had me wanting to be there with Katy the entire time. Her grief was raw, and she was rediscovering herself in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
In the grand scheme of things Serle's writing had me hooked, and I when I got a chance to sit down with One Italian Summer, I flew through the pages. With that being said, there were major holes in the plot. I was simultaneously entranced and utterly confused. Without adding too many spoilers - There are so many questions regarding how Katy and her mother were reunited, and how all the details of this happenstance unfolded so flawlessly. This book did have me intrigued with Serle's writing, and I would definitely pick up another book by her, solely because of how enjoyable and light her writing style feels; Yet I have too many questions about this book for it to be one of my favorites.
In the grand scheme of things Serle's writing had me hooked, and I when I got a chance to sit down with One Italian Summer, I flew through the pages. With that being said, there were major holes in the plot. I was simultaneously entranced and utterly confused. Without adding too many spoilers - There are so many questions regarding how Katy and her mother were reunited, and how all the details of this happenstance unfolded so flawlessly. This book did have me intrigued with Serle's writing, and I would definitely pick up another book by her, solely because of how enjoyable and light her writing style feels; Yet I have too many questions about this book for it to be one of my favorites.
Loved this book. I always love Serle’s stories, but this one in particular stuck with me. The way she wrote about this mother-daughter relationship, and the grief that Katy feels in her bones, is so beautiful and raw and honest. The twists Serle puts into her storylines add something unexpected that I really enjoy.
I picked this one up for something easy and quick to listen to as an audio book, and it did the job. I wasn't super impressed with the person narrating it, I felt like it was pretty monotone in comparison to what I'm used to. The story was interesting enough to keep me continuing with it, but I found myself so frustrated with the main character, however, I don't think that was a bad thing because it just showed how codependent she was with her mother without really realizing it at the time. I enjoyed the descriptions, especially since it was based in Italy for the majority of the novel. Parts of it are still confusing to me even after I've sat with it for a minute, but maybe it's not a book for me to understand. Who knows. If i decide to pick it up again, I will read it instead of listen to it.