Scan barcode
A review by ninubean
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
2.5
It's an easy enough read so I did finish it. My favorite parts were the descriptions of Italy and the food, though they were repetitive and ended up feeling more like an obnoxiously American travel blog.
The more I read, the more I became aware that Katy is more than slightly unhinged and not in a good way. Her view of her mother is obsessive and toxic. I know grief is strange and life-altering, but good god, girl - GET A GRIP. Katy's inner monologue constantly gave me the ick, like how are you going to act like this at your big age... no accountability over her own decisions and so bafflingly self-centered. Her interactions with her mom were honestly kind of creepy sometimes, not sentimental like I think the author wanted. Not to mention the fact shejumped on the first hunk that showed interest in her. Am I supposed to sympathize with her while she's cheating on her nice husband? It was nauseating how callously they treated the situation. While we're at it, Adam never really stopped her advances when she was drunk or CLEARLY emotionally distraught? Such big red flags on both sides.
I understood the sentiments this book aimed for. It did make me think about my mom as a woman before she had me and made me miss her even though she is still here. I do think Italy is a magical place where magical things happen. I wish the book lingered more in that atmosphere. Katy's character ruined this concept. She is straight-up loathsome.
The more I read, the more I became aware that Katy is more than slightly unhinged and not in a good way. Her view of her mother is obsessive and toxic. I know grief is strange and life-altering, but good god, girl - GET A GRIP. Katy's inner monologue constantly gave me the ick, like how are you going to act like this at your big age... no accountability over her own decisions and so bafflingly self-centered. Her interactions with her mom were honestly kind of creepy sometimes, not sentimental like I think the author wanted. Not to mention the fact she
I understood the sentiments this book aimed for. It did make me think about my mom as a woman before she had me and made me miss her even though she is still here. I do think Italy is a magical place where magical things happen. I wish the book lingered more in that atmosphere. Katy's character ruined this concept. She is straight-up loathsome.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Grief