Reviews tagging 'Pregnancy'

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

3 reviews

toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I liked this book a lot. it felt unique but also gave eat pray love vibes which I loved. emphasis on the eat - the food descriptions made me so hungry. the relationship between mother and daughter almost made me cry because of how close I am with my own mom. the fact that Lauren Graham narrated the audiobook was the icing on the cake. there were some aspects of the book that I didn't connect with, such as the romance subplot. I came here for family drama and tears, not necessarily romantic relationship drama, you know?
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readingwithtrey's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This book was not at all what I was expecting. BUT, it was in a good way. I didn’t really love In Five Years so I was nervous going in. I’ve also seen mixed reviews for this one and to be honest, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it in the beginning. Katy was not the most likeable character for me, but I chalked it up to her grief. 

As the story went on, I found myself really drawn to Positano. Though I’ve never visited, I felt like I could truly appreciate everything about it and now it’s at the top of my bucket list of places to visit one day. The author did really well with that aspect of the story. 

The last few chapters of the book are what sold it for me. I thought the message around women and motherhood was beautiful and will resonate with a lot of people. I don’t give this one five stars, because something just didn’t work but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Whatever it was kind of kept me from looking forward to picking this one up. I do feel like it would work better as a movie and would not be surprised if it’s made into one.

{ Favorite Quotes }

“History, memory is 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.”

“I am my own, just as she was hers.”
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thatswhatshanread's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This is quite possibly the Italian escape novel. Immersive, light, and magical. It’s almost like the book is four dimensional because I could basically taste the fresh Neapolitan food, feel the brush of warm sand between my toes, smell the sea, and trek up and down the steps of Positano and beyond. 

Rebecca Serle’s writing is very comforting. I think that’s the best way to describe it. It’s not abrasive or trying to prove anything earth-shattering—it just tells a story like it’s been written by your grandmother. Like you’ve heard it before, but find it special every time you read it. This book instantly felt like a memory to me, a summer in Italy to find my way back to myself.

There are some plot holes and parts I didn’t quite understand the reasoning for, but overall I really enjoyed this one. Bellissima! 
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