I laughed, I cried, it was beautiful
I forgot to write my review on this book but I want to thank the author and publisher for giving me the chance to read it early! I loved every second of it

This was such a lovely read. I was a little unsure at first when Katy first arrived in Positano, and what happened happened, but it all came together so nicely. The Italian characters were wonderful and the ending tugged at my heart strings. Really enjoyed it.

There were some things I really enjoyed about this book, but overall I found it quite confusing and disappointing.

I wasn't totally accepting of Katy's apparent obsession with her mum, as I think the centre-of-my-world view of the mother/daughter relationship, especially from the daughter's point of view, only really exists in childhood. However, I was willing to accept that this was a byproduct of her grief and I could see how someone might question so many things after such a great loss.

I didn't really understand her beef with Eric, though, aside from the fact that maybe her mother's death had made her put her whole life in perspective and she was questioning everything.

What I did love and appreciate about this book was her journey to the Amalfi coast. I definitely felt transported and present there due to the writer's lively and specific descriptions of the landscape, food and community there.

However, I felt that Katy's physical and emotional journey to Italy was enough to push the book forward and the added complication / question over her heritage and this mysterious appearance of her mother's younger doppelganger 'Carol'. The book didn't need this and the fact that it was not explained or rectified, confused me a lot!

*3.5 stars

I enjoyed this book! We follow our main character Katy as she travels to Italy on a trip that was meant to be with her mother Carol, but Carol passed away before they could go.

This starting with a quote from Lorelai Gilmore, aka one of my favourite characters ever, told me I would definitely enjoy this. Having a really close relationship with my own mother made this really quite emotional for me, and I could not imagine being in Katy's shoes.

I didn't expect the magical realism element to this book, as I went in knowing very little, having read and enjoyed Serle's book 'In Five Years' and knowing I wanted to read more by this author. So the little twist to this story took me by surprise and it was a very pleasant one.

One thing I didn't love so much, and the reason I couldn't rate this higher, was the romance element to the book. I don't think it was necessary, and while I liked how the book ended, I feel we could have reached that same conclusion without the involvement of the romance between Katy and Adam.

Overall thought, this was a really enjoyable, if not emotional, read that I would definitely recommend. I'm looking forward to reading more of Rebecca Serle's books in the future!

A great summer romance and one that has me wanted to visit Italy right away! I loved the characters and the plot! Thank you netgalley for the review copy!

The perfect beach read! What's not to love in this delightful feel good romance. I've loved all her books and Rebecca is an auto buy for me now on Amazon!

This was a lovely summer read with a lot of depth within. I really enjoyed the premise and the characters within. The perfect escapism to Italy!

Thank you netgalley for this ARC - I now want to escape to Italy it sounds just perfect for a summer escape

A lovely book with a sad theme of dealing with grief. Katy hopes travel can help, particularly if it helps her feel closer to her mother. But it also creates questions. It left me longing for a visit to Positano to enjoy Italian sunshine.

A book I had to keep putting down simply because I found it an emotive read. That’s not to say that it’s traumatic and unreadable at all. Simply because I wanted to absorb it slowly. The depiction of grief was portrayed with dignity and careful thought. I felt I could relate so much to the bond between Katy and her Mum Carole. Similar plot references to Helen Fisher’s Space hopper but don’t in completely different way if that makes sense. I found it compelling and also simply beautiful. Well done!

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

I absolutely loved this book! The premise immediately hooked my interest and it was filled with twisty characters and such intense plot!

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle this book was so beautifully written from start to finish I loved reading this especially as its not a book/gene that I usually read, But the cover caught my eye and I am so glad it did. This book would be great for a holiday read or a book where you just want to hide away for a few hours and dream you have the sun on your face, with a cold glass of Chianti listening to the sea in the back ground.

This is a book that will have you smile, Laugh out loud and even shed a tear or two, Plus, dream you are there with Katy walking the streets in Italy. You will love it like I did.

I highly recommend this book.

Big Thank you to Netgalley Quercus Books, Quercus the publishers for my ARC.

A really enjoyable book that touches on what ties us to family. I loved the setting and it was a great escape read. A solid four out of five star read.

This story was about Katy, who is grieving her mum - her best friend and whole world. We find her irrevocably changed and questioning her marriage.

So she embarks on a trip to Positano, that she should have been on with her mother, a trip that was transformative for her mother many years prior. But when Katy arrives, she meets that very same younger version of her mother.

The plot may not be believable but who wouldn't want the chance of something a little bit magical, where they could spend more time with loved ones and see them in a whole new light? And for that reason, I fully embraced the story❤

The setting was described beautifully and the food sounded so mouth watering. It's definitely on a list of places I'd love to travel and I almost felt like I was there.

It reads like a love letter for a parent and I definitely shed a tear.

4⭐


Thank you to Netgalley, Quercus Books and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for approving me for this book.

I felt the writing was done well in this book but there was just something missing for me and I couldn't get into it and enjoy it as much as I hoped I would.

Really enjoyed this novel by Rebecca Serel. Excellent escapism, fabulous setting and really well plotted. I also particularly liked the mother/daughter link and finding a younger version of her mother in the past. Lovely. I possibly enjoyed In Five Years more, as I think there were slightly more sub plots/depth there, but that's my only real critique.

Katy and her mum, Carol, were due to go on a two week holiday to Positano, where Carol spent a magical summer shortly before meeting Katy’s Dad. Unfortunately Carol passed away before this happens. Leaving her husband and father at home, Katy decides to go on the trip alone.

A story of grief with a touch of magical realism, Searle transports us to the coast of Italy with her wonderful writing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think it is best going in not knowing too much about it!

Thanks to @netgalley and @quercusbooks for the review copy.

The story is not your normal romance story, as above all it is a story about Katy's love for her mother who she recently lost to cancer.

When I finished the story I had had a nice visit to Italy, but I wasn't sure what to think about Katy nor her story and what had actually happened. I was rather confused and not that satisfied.

I guess this just wasn't my cup of tea, but the writing style was still really good and I will definitely be reading more of Rebecca's books!

A heartbreaking read that was told so beautifully, I cried so much with sadness and also happiness! Brilliant writing, will be reading this author’s previous works now!