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A review by theespressoedition
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
emotional
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
4.5
*UPDATE for reread: I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Lauren Graham, and it was spectacular. It has only been 2 months since I first read it and it felt brand new. It was just as meaningful and emotional and phenomenally written. And Rebecca Serle is still the queen of magical realism to me!
Did you know that a story about a 29-year-old could be considered "coming of age"? Because I certainly didn't before I read One Italian Summer, but now I do.
I've been a big fan of Rebecca Serle's truly phenomenal writing and ability to weave magical realism into a story in the most natural way ever since I read In Five Years. I loved her storytelling from the start and I sobbed my way through The Dinner List. The moment she announced this book, I added it to my TBR, and boy, I'm glad I did.
The book opens with a quote from Lorelai Gilmore. And, if you know me, you'll know that my favorite show in the entire world is Gilmore Girls, so naturally, this was the sign of a great book. In fact, the audiobook is narrated by Lauren Graham - and I was only three chapters into reading my eARC when I pre-ordered that audiobook because I just knew I would want to listen to it again and again.
Let's start with a few things to LOVE about One Italian Summer:
- it will make you HUNGRY (I'm talking moments where your stomach will growl aloud because of the phenomenal descriptions of divine Italian dishes).
- it will make you want to TRAVEL (I couldn't stop myself from looking up flights to Positano as I was reading because I'm now totally desperate to take a trip there, and more importantly, stay at the Hotel Poseidon Positano).
- it will make you crave ROMANCE (there are some majorly romantic vibes throughout this book, and while they're not the primary focus, they certainly made me appreciate my husband even more).
- it will make you CRY (this was a given, knowing the nature of the book and the way it deals with grief and finding yourself after hardship, but I still wasn't expecting quite how hard I would sob at times).
Really, truly, honestly, the only thing I did not care for about this book was the focus on infidelity. What I can't do is go too in-depth about this particular topic because it would lead to some major spoilers, but there were some things that definitely made me uncomfy. However, even if this is a triggering topic for you, I beg you to give it a chance because the ending is 100% worth it!
As usual, Rebecca is the queen of magical realism and an excellent twist. Some have debated that saying there's a plot twist is a spoiler, but if you're anything like me, you get excited when you hear that, so I'm keeping it in my review. My jaw practically landed on the floor and it felt so dang good. I love being shocked by a book.
I need to touch on what I wrote at the beginning. This is a coming-of-age book in so many ways. Yes, it's possible to have that happen at nearly 30 years old. As someone who is just one year younger than the protagonist in this book, I can relate so much to the feelings that she experienced and even the way she decided to handle them. Nothing was perfect, not even close, and she learned so much from the way she dealt with the grief of her mother's passing, her marital struggles, and wanting to find herself after years of just being who her mother expected her to be. It was wonderfully written and I really appreciated the heart behind it.
Please, do yourself a favor and read this book. It would make an excellent companion at the beach this summer or as an escape during the winter. You won't regret picking it up!
Did you know that a story about a 29-year-old could be considered "coming of age"? Because I certainly didn't before I read One Italian Summer, but now I do.
I've been a big fan of Rebecca Serle's truly phenomenal writing and ability to weave magical realism into a story in the most natural way ever since I read In Five Years. I loved her storytelling from the start and I sobbed my way through The Dinner List. The moment she announced this book, I added it to my TBR, and boy, I'm glad I did.
The book opens with a quote from Lorelai Gilmore. And, if you know me, you'll know that my favorite show in the entire world is Gilmore Girls, so naturally, this was the sign of a great book. In fact, the audiobook is narrated by Lauren Graham - and I was only three chapters into reading my eARC when I pre-ordered that audiobook because I just knew I would want to listen to it again and again.
Let's start with a few things to LOVE about One Italian Summer:
- it will make you HUNGRY (I'm talking moments where your stomach will growl aloud because of the phenomenal descriptions of divine Italian dishes).
- it will make you want to TRAVEL (I couldn't stop myself from looking up flights to Positano as I was reading because I'm now totally desperate to take a trip there, and more importantly, stay at the Hotel Poseidon Positano).
- it will make you crave ROMANCE (there are some majorly romantic vibes throughout this book, and while they're not the primary focus, they certainly made me appreciate my husband even more).
- it will make you CRY (this was a given, knowing the nature of the book and the way it deals with grief and finding yourself after hardship, but I still wasn't expecting quite how hard I would sob at times).
Really, truly, honestly, the only thing I did not care for about this book was the focus on infidelity. What I can't do is go too in-depth about this particular topic because it would lead to some major spoilers, but there were some things that definitely made me uncomfy. However, even if this is a triggering topic for you, I beg you to give it a chance because the ending is 100% worth it!
As usual, Rebecca is the queen of magical realism and an excellent twist. Some have debated that saying there's a plot twist is a spoiler, but if you're anything like me, you get excited when you hear that, so I'm keeping it in my review. My jaw practically landed on the floor and it felt so dang good. I love being shocked by a book.
I need to touch on what I wrote at the beginning. This is a coming-of-age book in so many ways. Yes, it's possible to have that happen at nearly 30 years old. As someone who is just one year younger than the protagonist in this book, I can relate so much to the feelings that she experienced and even the way she decided to handle them. Nothing was perfect, not even close, and she learned so much from the way she dealt with the grief of her mother's passing, her marital struggles, and wanting to find herself after years of just being who her mother expected her to be. It was wonderfully written and I really appreciated the heart behind it.
Please, do yourself a favor and read this book. It would make an excellent companion at the beach this summer or as an escape during the winter. You won't regret picking it up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cursing and Abandonment