One Italian Summer: A Novel
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER In this "magical trip worth taking" (Associated Press), the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years returns with a powerful novel about the transformational love between mothers and daughters set on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast.When Katy's mother dies, she is left reeling. Carol wasn't just Katy's mom, but her best friend and first phone call. She had all the answers and now, when Katy needs her the most, she is gone. To make matters worse, their planned mother-daughter trip of a lifetime looms: to Positano, the magical town where Carol spent the summer right before she met Katy's father. Katy has been waiting years for Carol to take her, and now she is faced with embarking on the adventure alone. But as soon as she steps foot on the Amalfi Coast, Katy begins to feel her mother's spirit. Buoyed by the stunning waters, beautiful cliffsides, delightful residents, and, of course, delectable food, Katy feels herself coming back to life. And then Carol appears--in the flesh, healthy, sun-tanned, and thirty years old. Katy doesn't understand what is happening, or how--all she can focus on is that she has somehow, impossibly, gotten her mother back. Over the course of one Italian summer, Katy gets to know Carol, not as her mother, but as the young woman before her. She is not exactly who Katy imagined she might be, however, and soon Katy must reconcile the mother who knew everything with the young woman who does not yet have a clue. "Rebecca Serle is known for her powerful stories that tug at the heartstrings--and her latest is just as unforgettable" (Woman's World) as it effortlessly shows us how to move on after loss, and how the people we love never truly leave us.
BUY THE BOOK
These clubs recently read this book...
Community Reviews
The main character was so irritating in the first half of the book I would not have finished it if I wasnât reading it for a book club. The best part was the ending. The fact she called her mother the love of her life and that whole relationship dynamic would have made any therapist wealthy. Unhealthy relationships, unexplained story linesâ¦no real connection to the âtime travelâ no development there. I wish that was explored a little more. The setting as the best part. I hated the main characterâ¦she was just annoying. Nothing was really believable even for a fantasy type book. I wanted to love this and was so disappointed.
Got through 25% of this book and just couldn’t keep going. Couldn’t get past my dislike of the main character.
I don’t want to be this person but this book made me angry. I recently read Searle’s latest book and now get that she likes to introduce surrealism or more magical elements into her works.
However, there was still anger. I’ve never reacted so literally to a book. When she first kisses the man who is not her husband, I went “Oh, OK - that’s not the worst.” She started to find her way at that point acknowledging how messed up it was that this wasn’t Eric. But then when they had sex, I kept going “Oh, oh NO.” It was a total turnoff.
I am able to put aside the fact that she didn’t realize she was in the 1990’s and that she didn’t realize the time change elements here. But what I cannot put aside is how horrible a person Katy was. She went ON and ON and ON about her mother didn’t prepare her to live without her, how she didn’t know how to do things because her mother wasn’t there to tell her, etc. Oh come on, you’re 30. You’re an absolute idiot if you still needed Mommy to this extent. Similarly, you had the time to prepare for this when your mother was in treatment. Many don’t have that chance. You had warning. You’re just a horrible person, Katy.
However, there was still anger. I’ve never reacted so literally to a book. When she first kisses the man who is not her husband, I went “Oh, OK - that’s not the worst.” She started to find her way at that point acknowledging how messed up it was that this wasn’t Eric. But then when they had sex, I kept going “Oh, oh NO.” It was a total turnoff.
I am able to put aside the fact that she didn’t realize she was in the 1990’s and that she didn’t realize the time change elements here. But what I cannot put aside is how horrible a person Katy was. She went ON and ON and ON about her mother didn’t prepare her to live without her, how she didn’t know how to do things because her mother wasn’t there to tell her, etc. Oh come on, you’re 30. You’re an absolute idiot if you still needed Mommy to this extent. Similarly, you had the time to prepare for this when your mother was in treatment. Many don’t have that chance. You had warning. You’re just a horrible person, Katy.
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.