One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

Who doesn’t love Italy?  If you’ve been lucky enough to visit the Amalfi Coast, this book will transport you back.  The story is captivating and beautifully written.  Without further adieu, let me introduce you to One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle. This book publishes March 1/22.

From The Publisher:

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: two weeks in Positano, the magical town 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.

Book Review:

I adored this book.  The story is magical and written such that it brings the reader along for Katy’s journey.  Having travelled to Positano and the Amalfi Coast several years ago, I can even taste the food and wine that embraces Katy as she heals from a terrible loss.

I felt connected to this book.  I have the type of relationship with my Mom that Katy held with Carol.  The amount of courage it must have taken Katy to travel alone on this trip meant for the two of them is remarkable.  Particularly so soon after Carol’s passing.

Her two weeks away were instrumental for Katy.  As she heals from the trauma from a year of watching her mother pass, she is faced with choices about her future.  Swept away by the beauty of the area, she begins to see her life more clearly.

Before her death, Carol had spoken to Katy about her summer in Italy before she met Katy’s father.  She wanted to show Katy all the best restaurants and places to stay and visit and had planned an itinerary before her timely death.  This gave Katy some order to her life and her time in Italy – just as her mother always had.  When Katy recognizes a much younger version of Carol in her hotel lobby she instantly decides she must get to know her.

As Katy and younger Carol begin to enjoy each other’s company, Katy is presented with information that turns her world upside down.  This begins a time of strength and personal growth that changes her.  The conclusion is ultimately satisfying.

What I Liked:

• The beautiful storyline of a love between mother and daughter.
• The reminder that each of us has a story that may or may not be presented to the outside world
• The gorgeous narrative describing the essence of the Amalfi Coast.

I Recommend This Book To:

Readers who enjoy Women’s Fiction or books set in Italy.

My Rating:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Add One Italian Summer to your Goodreads shelf

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

Similar Books I’ve Reviewed:

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

Three Coins by Kimberly Sullivan

Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

Thank you for reading!  Have you been to Italy, or would you like to travel there?  Let me know in the comments.  As always, I hope that you have a wonderful day.