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A review by savvyrosereads
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Out March 1, 2022 [Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!]
Rating: 5/5 stars
When Katy’s beloved mother passes away, she decides to go alone on their planned trip to Positano, Italy—and promptly runs into the thirty-year-old version of her mother, very much alive and not exactly the woman Katy knows and loves.
I’ll be completely honest, I hit the Request button on NetGalley for this one because I was seeing everyone talk about it and I wanted to be in the loop. Then I almost immediately regretted it because it sounded ridiculously sad and the last thing I needed for the headspace I’ve been in lately. I went in with low expectations—honestly, if I made it through without upsetting myself, I figured it would be a win.
FOMO-induced requesting paid off this time. I am so so so glad I read this, because I have a feeling it is one of those books I won’t stop talking about or thinking about for years. As I expected, it is definitely sad (I was near tears by the middle of chapter one) but it is also gorgeous, and brilliant, and clever, and luxurious, and somehow, some way, it is FUN. The characters and the setting leapt off the page and I found myself racing to a picture perfect ending and a plot and character arc that was all I could ask for and more. Truly, One Italian Summer is a delight, and one that will stick with me for many many seasons to come.
Recommended for anyone, but especially those who like: mother/daughter stories; magical realism; luxurious beach aesthetics.
CW: Illness/death of a parent; abandonment; brief discussion of suicidal thoughts.
Rating: 5/5 stars
When Katy’s beloved mother passes away, she decides to go alone on their planned trip to Positano, Italy—and promptly runs into the thirty-year-old version of her mother, very much alive and not exactly the woman Katy knows and loves.
I’ll be completely honest, I hit the Request button on NetGalley for this one because I was seeing everyone talk about it and I wanted to be in the loop. Then I almost immediately regretted it because it sounded ridiculously sad and the last thing I needed for the headspace I’ve been in lately. I went in with low expectations—honestly, if I made it through without upsetting myself, I figured it would be a win.
FOMO-induced requesting paid off this time. I am so so so glad I read this, because I have a feeling it is one of those books I won’t stop talking about or thinking about for years. As I expected, it is definitely sad (I was near tears by the middle of chapter one) but it is also gorgeous, and brilliant, and clever, and luxurious, and somehow, some way, it is FUN. The characters and the setting leapt off the page and I found myself racing to a picture perfect ending and a plot and character arc that was all I could ask for and more. Truly, One Italian Summer is a delight, and one that will stick with me for many many seasons to come.
Recommended for anyone, but especially those who like: mother/daughter stories; magical realism; luxurious beach aesthetics.
CW: Illness/death of a parent; abandonment; brief discussion of suicidal thoughts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts