Book Blurb:
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle: 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.
My Review: 4.5 stars – Guest Review
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle is an emotionally moving, sentimental, powerful, and beautiful story. It is a tribute to mothers and daughters, and to Positano and the Amalfi Coast of Italy. This enchanting story about the unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters really resonated with me, and I savored every minute of it. It is better if the readers goes in without knowing too much about the premise of the story. The author, as in all of her novels, injects a bit of magical realism and time travel into the story. There are unexpected twists and turns that initially left me confused, but it all made sense in the end.
The characters in the book were multidimensional and easy to connect with. I felt like I was traveling with Katy on her journey as she discovered things about herself and what she wants for the rest of her life as she gets to know her mother as a real person. The book was heartwarming, heartbreaking, and a tear-jerker at times.
The author’s descriptions of Positano and the Amalfi Coast were unbelievable. She takes the reader on a virtual vacation to Italy. Through the gorgeous imagery of the beautiful towns nestled into the hillsides, the hotels, picture perfect weather, and delicious food, I was totally transported to Italy. I wanted to book a ticket on the next plane to experience Positano. The author perfectly captured the sights and sounds of this captivating place. It was the perfect backdrop for a story about grief and moving on.
Serle writes lyrically and profoundly about the themes of loss, grief, family, self growth, motherhood, regret, and second chances. I have recommended this heartbreaking and magical book to everyone I know. Guest Review courtesy of Guest Fairy Ronna.
Quotes I liked:
There is more to life than just continuing to do what we know. What got you here won’t get you there.”
“History, memory by definition fiction. Once an event is no longer present, but remembered, it is narrative. And we can choose the narratives we tell——about our own lives, our own stories, our own relationships. We can choose the chapters we give meaning.”
“…….one of life’s important challenges is determining what to hold on to and what to let go of. Do not be fooled into believing that you do not know which is which. Follow the feeling, follow it all the way home.” (From the author’s Acknowledgements)
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