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.
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.
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Community Reviews
When it comes to books with magical realism, often it can be hit or miss for me, but Rebecca Serle has consistently been the exception. I was a fan of The Dinner List and In Five Years, and while I enjoyed the setting and the leisurely pace of this one, I have to admit, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as her two previous books. But, once again, Serle has written something beautifully different.
Set mostly in Positano, Italy, this story features a setting to get lost in. Honestly, I think the plot could have been about almost anything. The descriptions of the seaside, the mouth-watering dishes, the textures and sensations of the place are what kept me turning pages.
But I did care about Katy and her story—eventually. It took some time for me to warm up to her. In the beginning, of course I felt for her situation, the loss of her mother. But, initially, she came across as somewhat self-centered. It didn’t help that she declared her mother the great love of her life—when she had a husband. While I felt for her, it didn’t seem to be a healthy attitude. But I hoped this would be a plot point in the book, and to some extent it was.
It’s impossible to discuss much of this book without giving away spoilers, which is the case for most of Serle’s books. While I didn’t always agree with some of Katy’s choices and words, I did understand that it was coming from a place of deep grief. She was searching for a way through her sadness, as well as finding who she would be without her mother.
It was fascinating going along with Katy as she met a much younger version of her mother in this new place. It’s something we all have to come to terms with—that our parents existed before us. That they lived lives we can never know everything about. Except Katy gets to experience a glimpse of that, and what a remarkable thing to contemplate.
Like most of Serles’s books, it’s hard to place this one in a specific genre. It includes romance, but at its heart, it’s about family, especially daughters and mothers. It’s brave and it’s different, and while it may have taken me some time to settle into One Italian Summer, by the end I was enthralled and wholly satisfied.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
#popsugarreadingchallenge2022 (prompt #40e - A book about travel)
Set mostly in Positano, Italy, this story features a setting to get lost in. Honestly, I think the plot could have been about almost anything. The descriptions of the seaside, the mouth-watering dishes, the textures and sensations of the place are what kept me turning pages.
But I did care about Katy and her story—eventually. It took some time for me to warm up to her. In the beginning, of course I felt for her situation, the loss of her mother. But, initially, she came across as somewhat self-centered. It didn’t help that she declared her mother the great love of her life—when she had a husband. While I felt for her, it didn’t seem to be a healthy attitude. But I hoped this would be a plot point in the book, and to some extent it was.
It’s impossible to discuss much of this book without giving away spoilers, which is the case for most of Serle’s books. While I didn’t always agree with some of Katy’s choices and words, I did understand that it was coming from a place of deep grief. She was searching for a way through her sadness, as well as finding who she would be without her mother.
It was fascinating going along with Katy as she met a much younger version of her mother in this new place. It’s something we all have to come to terms with—that our parents existed before us. That they lived lives we can never know everything about. Except Katy gets to experience a glimpse of that, and what a remarkable thing to contemplate.
Like most of Serles’s books, it’s hard to place this one in a specific genre. It includes romance, but at its heart, it’s about family, especially daughters and mothers. It’s brave and it’s different, and while it may have taken me some time to settle into One Italian Summer, by the end I was enthralled and wholly satisfied.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy.
Check out my reviews and playlists at A Book Wanderer
#popsugarreadingchallenge2022 (prompt #40e - A book about travel)
A woman goes to Amalfi after her mother dies. The story explores love, loss and grief. Also the connections between mother n daughters. It was an easy fun read, very enjoyable as she explores Amalfi area of Italy.
The description of Italy, the views, the food? Amazing
Everything else? Ehhh. The narrator was honestly just not super likable. Also, I really don’t vibe with cheating, even if it was cheating with someone while you’re transported 30 years in the past.
Everything else? Ehhh. The narrator was honestly just not super likable. Also, I really don’t vibe with cheating, even if it was cheating with someone while you’re transported 30 years in the past.
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