Friday, October 20, 2023

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle



Reviewed by Kristin

Katy and her mother Carol have always been close. Even though Katy is a fully-grown woman and even married, she still considers her mother the most important person in her life. When Carol dies right before their long anticipated mother-daughter trip to Italy, Katy is devastated.

Unanchored and feeling her marriage falling apart, Katy decides to travel to Positano alone. As she hesitantly checks into the hotel and begins to enjoy the sun and the food, she begins to relax. Until somehow, a younger version of Carol is standing right in front of her, laughing and inviting her along on an excursion. Katy is shocked and confused—how could she be seeing her dead mother? Cautiously, she takes Carol up on her offer and begins an unlikely friendship with the one person she misses most.

Katy gets to know Carol as a young and carefree woman, but also sees some of the familiar characteristics Carol will have later in life. This mystical occurrence is something that Katy does not understand. However, Katy embraces the experience as fully as she can in order to have her mother back, however strange the circumstances.

I read this as an ebook through Tennessee READS, while on a plane to…not Italy. While this was somewhat disappointing when I deplaned to slightly less friendly weather and landscapes, the imagined Italian seaside stayed with me. The brilliant colors of the town, the sea, the delicious food, and even a delicious and tempting man flavored Katy and Carol’s story.

Ultimately, this is a story of mothers and daughters, loss, and the seemingly impossible task of moving on with life when your favorite person in the world is gone.

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