When I saw that One Italian Summer was set in Positano, Italy (where I spent my 10th wedding anniversary many years ago), my attention was piqued. I prepared for a story about the mother/daughter bond that would give me all the feels that was also a love letter to the beauty of Positano.

My favourite part of the book were the descriptions of the area, culture, and food! But there is more to this book than quaint streets, delicious meals, and trips to Capri. As with her previous book In Five Years, Serle adds a magical realism element to this story which follows Katy, a 30-year-old woman who takes a trip to Positano after her mother who was supposed to take the trip with her dies.

The story has some romance, but it is more a story about loss and the bond between mother and daughter. I felt compassionate towards Katy and her grief, but I also struggled to connect with her. She came off as immature, impulsive and her grief didn't impact me the way I expected - nary a tear was shed (which surprised me). I think this stems from her relationship with her mom, Carol. I adore my mom. I love her to bits! But the way Katy's bond with her mom was described as the two of them being each other's 'soul mates' was uncomfortable, codependent and simply over the top. I ended up feeling bad for Katy's husband who didn't stand a chance competing against his own mother-in-law for his wife's affection. It was just too much.

The magical realism aspect and the BIG twist were interesting and give the story a different perspective, but they are not explained enough to the reader (or even Katy who never seemed to question it). In the end, I was left with the descriptions of the location and food far outshining the story about family, loss and finding oneself.

For me, this story made me fall in love with Italy all over again and I desperately want to go back! This would be a good pick if you want to be transported to Positano and Capri with vivid descriptions of the people, food, and culture as a beautiful backdrop for a story about grief, moving on with a magical realism element.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Atria Books for my complimentary digital copy provided in exchange for my honest review.

WOW, I loved Rebecca's other books but this one is just so beautiful and so special. This book covered it all- mother/daughter relationships, grief, the challenges of starting adulthood.

What a beautiful book!!!!!

This book gave me all the feels as it covered a couple of topics that have been heavy on my mind the past couple of years - the death of my own mother and how to hold onto myself now that I'm a wife and mother. Combine that with Rebecca's amazing descriptions of Positano and Capri and I was transported to the days I spent there years ago. She captured the essence and the beauty and the magic of Italy perfectly.

I truly loved this story and the only reason I didn't finish it in one sitting is that I began it at 11 p.m.

As part of my reading plans for 2022, I'm committed to selecting more new releases and branching further out of my normal mystery / thriller genres. When I read the description of Rebecca Serle's One Italian Summer, it sounded exciting. A 30ish American woman's mother passes away unexpectedly, so she takes the Positano trip they'd always dreamed about, but all on her own. When she arrives, the woman 'meets' her mother there, and readers are left wondering... is this science-fiction, fantasy, or just a dream?

I must admit, in the first few chapters, I was immediately put off by the book. The main character, Katy, is married and grieving at her mother's funeral. Readers learn she told her husband she wanted a divorce that morning because her mother was the love of her life, and the woman's death has prompted Katy to re-evaluate everything. By all accounts, even Katy said her husband was wonderful, and he was loved by her parents. While I understand Katy's despair at her mother's death, she was also incredibly selfish, rude, and immature in the way she treated her husband. When she tells him she's leaving and putting their marriage on hold, I wanted to drop the book. But I also wanted to find out how she meets her mother again.

Fast-forward a few chapters, Serle's writing magically brought Italy to life, resulting in me remembering all my amazing times there a few years ago. When she meets her mother in Positano, my freeze toward her melted and I could better see her being a torn young woman. I was still angry for the way she treated her husband, but I also very much enjoyed the book. I won't give away the spoilers on how she encounters her mother, though it was a lovely 'twist' and puts readers at ease. I didn't care much about the how it happened, instead relaxed into the impacts on Katy's life choices and ability to re-visualize her future.

I'm waffling between a 4 and 5, ultimately settling on 4.5 stars with a lean toward the 5 because I can't remember another book that took me from disliking it so much to liking it so much in such a brief period. I'm rating the character growth, setting / tone, writing style, and ability for the story to evoke so many emotions in me. I still didn't love Katy's character but not liking a character isn't a reason to give a book less stars in my opinion. It means the author did a good job and conveying the full picture of the people involved in the story. Life like, we don't always like those closest to us even though we might love them. In the end, I zipped thru this book on a Sunday afternoon and am very glad I took the chance.

Katy’s entire world feels like it has fallen apart after her mother Carol dies. Their relationship was much more than just mother and daughter - Carol was her best friend, her steadfast advisor, and the center of her life. After a long struggle with cancer, Katy’s mother seemed to be far removed from the woman to be reckoned with that she was most of Katy’s life. When the dreaded event finally happened, Katy was not only left with indescribable grief but tickets to their long-planned mother-daughter trip to the Amalfi Coast.

Unable to face the empty house of her mother and an unsatisfying marriage, Katy decides to take the trip alone. She hopes to find the transformative healing of the Italian summer that her mother experienced alone almost thirty years ago. The last thing Katy imagined she’d find was the actual ghost of Carol to appear before her as healthy, lively, and real as she had been on that past solo trip. Katy must grapple with this strange ghost or doppleganger and get to know her mother in this new, but impossible, form.

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle will make you fall in love with Positano and the magic of the Amalfi Coast. This story focuses on overcoming loss and how deeply we are connected to those we love. Filled with beautiful scenery and tantalizing Italian experiences, this book will make you dream of your own transcendent experience and the possibilities that being true to yourself can bring.

I recommend this book to fans of Gilmore Girls and people wanting to travel to Italy.

While reading, I found myself relating to Katy very much because I have a close friendship with my mother too. Katy's character development in the story is not only believable, but inspiring too. She finds a lot about herself, her mom, and examines what she really wants in her future. Carol and Katy's mother-daughter relationship is so refreshing to see, not a lot of authors write about this topic and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of Rebecca Serle's back-list of books. One Italian Summer will stick to you like wet sand on the beach - you won't be forgetting the wonderful message of this novel.

I had a feeling that this book was going to be amazing, and I was right. Emotionally heart-wrenching, beautifully written, heart-warming, and will give you all the feels. Really, you're going to want to run, don't walk to pre-order it, it comes out in March 1st, 2022!

I loved this one! As a mother and a daughter I connected to the relationship and the grief she was going through. I loved the magical element and wondered where the author would take us through that story. This was so atmospheric - I could picture myself in Italy. She really brought the setting to life which was my favorite part of the book!

3.5 stars. This book is pretty emotional but still fun. I love Serle's writing style and felt like I was truly transported to Italy with the detailed descriptions of Positano, its surrounding cities, the well-known sights and all the yummy food. I enjoyed reading about the powerful relationship between Katy and her mom and the unexpected twist the book took towards the end.

I had a harder time connecting to the time traveling component. There was no real explanation when this happened so I wondered if it was a strange dream, hallucination or if Katy was switching back and forth between two time periods. I also found the romantic relationship that took place a little forced and hard to connect to while reading.

Overall, this was a fine book to me and a quick read but not my favorite.

Read if your like:
-The Amalfi Coast
-Mother/daughter stories
-Time travel
-Jewish rep
-In Five Years

Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Serle, and Atria Books for an E-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I truly loved everything about this book: the plot, the setting, the characters, and the theme. It was east to navigate and I found myself engrossed in Katy's story. It tore me apart in a different way then In Five Years did but it still had me captivated in the same way. Do yourself a favor and add this one to your TBR, I don't think you'll be disappointed. It is available 3/1/22.

As my first NG arc I was excited to read Rebecca Serle’s work. The story was moving and emotional, it focuses on the MC’s journey after her mothers passing. The different stages of grief were seen being overcome by the MC throughout the novel. The bond she shared with her mother was unravelled to reveal hidden truths then rebuilt as she discovered the reality of the life her mother lived. Reading this felt like I was on the journey along with the the main character and the author does an amazing job in making you feel connected to the characters. The setting of Italy was beautifully depicted in a way that transports you to it. It took me a while to get through it this since it was slow-paced, but the last few chapters were interesting with an imaginative twist. The plot was fresh, but some of the chapters seemed repetitive. Three stars for the creativity and imaginative writing style!

Let me start off by saying that, while I read this one, I highlighted, Googled, bookmarked, and noted all of the places mentioned in Positano and Capri. I have essentially used this book to plan my future trip to the Amalfi Coast 😂

I was immediately consumed by Katy’s story. After losing her mother, her best friend, Katy decides to take the mother-daughter trip that they had planned to the Amalfi Coast. The story took a turn that I did NOT see coming.

I love the idea that this is a love story between a mother and a daughter. Even more so than a love story describing the bond between mother and daughter, 𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝙸𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚗 𝚂𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚛 explores the fact that we are all human, we all make mistakes, we all have a past, and it is all of those components that make us the individual that we are.

Once again, Rebecca Serle has adeptly woven a captivating emotional story with a twist of magical realism. Katy Silver is struggling with the recent loss of her mother Carol, who was also her mentor and best friend. She questions everything about her own life, her marriage , her work and her purpose. Katy and her Mom had planned the trip of a lifetime to Positano Italy so they could explore together the things Carol loved about the place. Awash in grief, Katy decides to make this trip alone and in Positano she meets a 30 year old, Carol, who embodies her Mom as a younger woman. As Katy experiences the joy of seeing her mother again, she struggles to find herself. The book delivers a heart wrenching portrayal of grief while exploring the powerful mother/daughter bond, identity and how one moves on after loss in a way that’s both impactful and uplifting. The author’s use of descriptive language immerses the reader in the food, landscape and breathtaking beauty of the Amalfi coast so much so that you feel as if you too took a trip to Italy. Escape to Italy with this story of love, grief and moving forward after loss, you won’t regret it.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Katy has always been exceptionally close to her mother, Carol. When Carol Dies after a long illness, a devastated Katy is lost and needs to re-evaluate her life and marriage. Early in her mother’s illness they planned mother/daughter trip to Portofino, Italy, an important place from her mother’s past. Katy decides to go on the trip by herself and think about her life. Now comes the magic time warp part, her mother, a 30 year old Carol is in Portofino too. Katy learns much more about her mother and herself in this beautiful Italian city.

Wow, I really loved this book! One Italian Summer is a beautifully written story and the epitome of what a book should be. It was emotional (mother and daughter relationship/loss), engaging (literally could not put it down), a delightful escape (Italy and the food!), romance (marital questions/temptation), self-awareness and growth (finding peace and contentment within).

Thank you, NetGalley, Atria Books, and Rebecca Serle for my advanced readier copy in exchange for my honest review. I have read and enjoyed other books by Rebecca Serle, but this was my favorite. I am a big fan!

One Italian Summer publishes 3/31/22, I highly recommend it!

One Italian Summer, by Rebecca Serle, is a beautiful story of the love a mother and daughter share. The setting is in the famous Italian destination of Positano. As described by Katy's mother, the area is a must-visit destination. Katy sets out planning a trip for her mother's 60th birthday. They fill their trip plans with visits to lots of places that Katy's mom loved when she was there 30 years ago. Things happen and when the time to go arrives, Katy goes alone. She finds the place just as described and with the help of a few new friends, and the itinerary she and her mother had planned, she is able to see the place through the eyes of her mother. Very well written with the descriptions leaving me longing to visit there myself!
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with an ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Despite being a short book, there was too much description without finesse throughout the story. It hits some of the sad notes of The last five years, but as a whole it's not a first recommendation for me.

One Italian Summer
by Rebecca Serle
Pub Date: March 1, 2022
Atria
* Enjoyed the setting
* magical-realism
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.
This is a powerful, thought-provoking book. This book brings up lots of questions and doubts that are deep.
This is a great book. I will be recommending it. Thanks to ATria and NetGalley for the aRC.
4 stars

This book takes you on a mother-daughter journey you will never forget! Positano is a character in itself, and Rebecca Serle uses all the senses to take us there. This story has a bit of everything, and will not disappoint. I already know this will be one of my favorite reads of 2022!

I received an eGalley of this book from Net Galley.

This is a beautiful book. Its a beautiful story. Is it a perfect story? No, but in a lot of ways I think that's partially the point. The highlight of the book, for myself and i'm sure many others, is the way Serle paints Italy, Positano in particular. Its a character in and of itself and its beautiful and breathtaking.

But beyond wanting to book an immediate one-way ticket to Positano, the story, of the love between a mother and a daughter and how that loved shaped the life of the daughter, is precious. Its beautiful and moving. Its not perfect. Again, it shouldn't be. My first Serle novel was In Five Years, drawn in by the lure of a magical realism that I hadn't seen in books before. I wasn't quite moved by that piece of magic as I was by the impossible that happens in OIS.

Knowing the broad strokes of Serle's writing, and obviously from the jacket copy, you go into the story knowing that Katy, fresh off the loss of her mother, FINDS her mother, her mother at a younger age, in the place they were supposed to visit together. Its a place that has held more than a soft spot for Carol, Katy's mom, over the years and its heartbreaking to feel Katy's pain and hope all wrapped up into one as she realizes that this is not a fever dream, her mother is there.

Its a beautiful way for a daughter to get to know her parent before she became a parent. For Katy, this is also life changing, in a way, because, ***SPOILERS***

as it turns out, Katy has not found her mother in her own time, in her present, but Katy has dropped into her mother's time, the time when her mother lived in Positano, and when, she discovers, her mother had left her six month old daughter, Katy herself, behind.

That twist sold the story for me. That twist shed light on the complicated relationships of mothers and daughters, not only of Carol and Katy, but all of us. Katy knew her mother as perfect, but she was able to see her through a new lens, a younger lens. She never knew her mother before she was a mother, and getting that gift, that gift of understanding that her mother was not only her mother, but a person in her own right, changed so much.

Katy discovers her mother does not and did not have all the answers that she thought she did. And while this is a blow to Katy, who now feels she was left unprepared for life, she can almost wipe away the veil from her eyes and begin to look at her life through her OWN lens, and not a lens first filtered through her mother's. Because of their close relationship, and perhaps that relationship was so close because Carol left when she was young and she was making up for those months apart, Katy didn't have the chance to truly become a person. And isn't that something a lot of mothers and daughters deal with? So much of our own selves are molded by what our mothers have taught us, the wisdom they impart, the answers they give us. Mother knows best, after all. Except, what if mother doesn't? What if mother is just as human and flawed as any one else?

To see Katy understand that while her mother loved her fiercely, that perhaps she stunted her in some small (or big) way, was beautiful, and sad. Katy has already lost her mother and cannot share these revelations with her. She simply has to move forward and LIVE.

And that is nothing, if not beautiful.

I know I will like a book when it starts with a Lorelai Gilmore quote.

Katy Silver is lost. She's young, not yet 30, married to her college sweetheart. He's a Disney exec, and she has a dream copywriting job at an advertising agency. But Katy lost her mom, who also happened to be her best friend, to cancer. This loss occurs on the eve of a trip to Italy; the two were planning a trip for years to return to the village her mom visited as a young woman. Unsure of moving forward with her life, she tells her husband she needs a break and goes on the mother-daughter dream vacation alone. Or so Katy thinks. On her first day in Positano, she meets a 30-year-old Carole Silver.

An elevated beach read, Rebecca Serle transports the reader to the Italian seaside. This book was incredibly easy to get into. I read almost half the book in one sitting because I couldn't put it down. Who is this woman Katy met who looks exactly like her mom's younger version? The hotel staff seems a little magical. But is this her mother from the past, or is there a perfectly rational explanation for this woman?

The imagery and adventures Katy and Carol's experience make this book fly by. Well, it would have gone faster if I didn't stop every other chapter to Google a location. Beautifully written, I highly recommend this book. It will make you treasure your mother-daughter relationship as you experience Katy and Carol's ups and downs. One Italian summer would make a great gift for mothers day.

Superb setting, Serle's storytelling is so masterful the mother-daughter tale reads like a fast thriller. The attention to detail gives this book an added charm.