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Michael David (on hiatus)'s Reviews > One Italian Summer
One Italian Summer
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HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
An entertaining trip through Italy. While enjoyable, it’s missing the emotional punch I expected.
Katy’s mother has recently passed away, and she is in grief mode. Before her mom, Carol, died, they planned a trip to Italy. That was Carol’s trip of a lifetime, and she wanted her daughter to experience it too. Unfortunately, Carol passes away a few weeks before their vacation.
Katy makes a rare, bold decision. She is going to take the trip on her own. Just as she’s enjoying the food, the view, the ambiance…she meets her mother! The younger version of Carol at 30 years old.
The plot transpires.
I really enjoyed this one for the most part. The scenery of Italy was amazing, the description of food kept me hungry, and the plot kept me itching to read more. I was compelled.
However, I never really felt an emotional connection to the main theme (loss of a parental figure). I assumed I’d be crying my eyes out the whole time. There were some touching moments, and I have to admit…I couldn’t put it down. Yet, it almost ended too early and with little emotion and reflection. It was a tad too perfect when it should have been a bit more of a rough ride.
I’m glad I didn’t pass on this, but I’m also not sure how long it will stay with me. I have mixed feelings over the character of Katy. I could sympathize…but distantly. Overall, I’m sure I was meant to feel something more, but I’m not exactly sure what that deep feeling was supposed to be.
3.5 stars.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for a widget of the ARC in exchange for an honest review: Publication Date: 3/1/22.
Review also posted at:
An entertaining trip through Italy. While enjoyable, it’s missing the emotional punch I expected.
Katy’s mother has recently passed away, and she is in grief mode. Before her mom, Carol, died, they planned a trip to Italy. That was Carol’s trip of a lifetime, and she wanted her daughter to experience it too. Unfortunately, Carol passes away a few weeks before their vacation.
Katy makes a rare, bold decision. She is going to take the trip on her own. Just as she’s enjoying the food, the view, the ambiance…she meets her mother! The younger version of Carol at 30 years old.
The plot transpires.
I really enjoyed this one for the most part. The scenery of Italy was amazing, the description of food kept me hungry, and the plot kept me itching to read more. I was compelled.
However, I never really felt an emotional connection to the main theme (loss of a parental figure). I assumed I’d be crying my eyes out the whole time. There were some touching moments, and I have to admit…I couldn’t put it down. Yet, it almost ended too early and with little emotion and reflection. It was a tad too perfect when it should have been a bit more of a rough ride.
I’m glad I didn’t pass on this, but I’m also not sure how long it will stay with me. I have mixed feelings over the character of Katy. I could sympathize…but distantly. Overall, I’m sure I was meant to feel something more, but I’m not exactly sure what that deep feeling was supposed to be.
3.5 stars.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for a widget of the ARC in exchange for an honest review: Publication Date: 3/1/22.
Review also posted at:
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One Italian Summer.
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Reading Progress
February 22, 2022
–
Started Reading
February 22, 2022
– Shelved
February 24, 2022
– Shelved as:
widget-received
February 24, 2022
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 98 (98 new)
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Michelle
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Feb 24, 2022 01:48PM
3 to 3.5 stars seems to be the rating I keep seeing for this one. A shame it didn't have the emotional pull. Excellent review, Michael! 💖
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I didn’t feel her grief either! Glad you enjoyed this more than I did! Wonderful review! 💖
Fab review Michael! I enjoyed all those food descriptions too!
Great review, Michael! Sorry this one didn’t work for you. On to the next!
"The plot transpires." LOL! Best story description ever!
The setting is amazing, but the rest sounds like a miss. Great review Michael!
I didn't care for the protagonist but loved the trip to the Amalfi Coast. I zipped through it, too. Spot on review, Michael! :-D
Michelle wrote: "3 to 3.5 stars seems to be the rating I keep seeing for this one. A shame it didn't have the emotional pull. Excellent review, Michael! 💖"Thanks, Michelle! Luckily, it was still much better than I was expecting.💕
Jayme wrote: "I didn’t feel her grief either! Glad you enjoyed this more than I did! Wonderful review! 💖"Thanks, Jayme! I was dreading it, so I'm glad I enjoyed it a bit more too!🤗
Holly wrote: "Fab review Michael! I enjoyed all those food descriptions too!"Thanks, Holly! Food descriptions usually don't do anything for me, but I was ravenous the whole time! Lol!
JaymeO wrote: "Great review, Michael! Sorry this one didn’t work for you. On to the next!"Thanks, Jayme! Could've been much worse. PHEW!🤣
Regina wrote: ""The plot transpires." LOL! Best story description ever!"It was either that or "yada yada yada".🤣
I was also hoping that this would be deeply emotional. She definitely got me misty with In Five Years! I am glad you enjoyed the setting, though. It's always nice to have a read that really transports you somewhere else. Great review, Michael!
JanB wrote: "The setting is amazing, but the rest sounds like a miss. Great review Michael!"Thanks, Jan! I never really had an urge to go to Italy, but I may be changing my mind. Lol!
Terrie wrote: "I didn't care for the protagonist but loved the trip to the Amalfi Coast. I zipped through it, too. Spot on review, Michael! :-D"Thanks, Terrie! Glad you loved the "trip" too! :)
Lilli wrote: "I was also hoping that this would be deeply emotional. She definitely got me misty with In Five Years! I am glad you enjoyed the setting, though. It's always nice to have a read that really transpo..."Thanks, Lilli! I so agree! I still have to read In Five Years, and I'm looking forward to it. Hope you have luck with this one! :)
An excellent heartfelt review, Michael! The setting sounds appealing ❣️🤗
Thoughtful review, Michael! I think of her books as extra emotional, so it’s a bummer to hear that’s missing here.
Great honest review Michael! Good luck on your next read!
L.A. wrote: "An excellent heartfelt review, Michael! The setting sounds appealing ❣️🤗"Thanks, L.A.! Super appealing setting.🤗
MarilynW wrote: "Great review, Michael 💕"Thanks, Marilyn!
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "Thoughtful review, Michael! I think of her books as extra emotional, so it’s a bummer to hear that’s missing here."Thanks, Jennifer! This is the first I've read of hers, so I'll be very curious to see what you think.
Mary Beth wrote: "Great review!"Thanks, Mary Beth!
Lori wrote: "Great honest review Michael! Good luck on your next read!"Thanks so much, Lori!
Italy would be awesome right about now. Sorry it didn't tick all the boxes but at least it was alright. Hope you had some wine with it. Nice review, Michael
I had trouble forming an emotional connection with In Five Years, so I get what you mean. Super review.
Seems this one will still stay off my TBR 😏.
Love your review. The synopsis sounds fantastic, but sounds like a good book when you don’t know what else to read. 🤗
The emotional is what draws us in to this type of story right? Great review, Michael ❤️📚
Jen wrote: "Italy would be awesome right about now. Sorry it didn't tick all the boxes but at least it was alright. Hope you had some wine with it. Nice review, Michael"Thanks, Jen! I may have had a sip or two to enhance the reading experience. :)
NZLisaM wrote: "I had trouble forming an emotional connection with In Five Years, so I get what you mean. Super review."Thanks, Lisa! I know a lot of folks that loved that one, but maybe it's a trend? Thank you for letting me know!
Lucy wrote: "Seems this one will still stay off my TBR 😏."Haha Even though it was mostly enjoyable, there are better reads out there. :)
Kat (Books are Comfort Food) wrote: "Love your review. The synopsis sounds fantastic, but sounds like a good book when you don’t know what else to read. 🤗"Thanks, Kat! Yes, an entertaining read for when you're not sure what to read next..spot on!🤗
Claude's wrote: "The emotional is what draws us in to this type of story right? Great review, Michael ❤️📚"Exactly, Claude! Thanks so much!💕
Terrific review, Michael. Too bad it lacked the emotional connection. It’s actually one of my fears�.to miss out on Italy before my demise. 😬😱
Awesome review, Michael! I am looking forward to reading this one at some point.
Great honest review Michael, I think I'll pass on this one :)
I've seen quite a few three stars or less for this one Michael! A shame the emotions weren't described as well as the food was 😂
Wonderful review Michael
Fabulous review, Michael�..even if it wasn’t completely satisfying. 🤗📚
Terrific review, Michael! I totally understand what you mean about the lack of emotional connection. Some authors achieve that a lot better than others!
Taina wrote: "Terrific review, Michael. Too bad it lacked the emotional connection. It’s actually one of my fears�.to miss out on Italy before my demise. 😬😱"Thanks, Taina! I hope you get a chance to go. You should just make it happen!🙌
Marilyn wrote: "Awesome review, Michael! I am looking forward to reading this one at some point."Thanks, Marilyn! I hope you enjoy it!
Dorie - Cats&Books :) wrote: "Great honest review Michael, I think I'll pass on this one :)"Thanks, Dorie! Completely understandable. :)
preoccupiedbybooks wrote: "I've seen quite a few three stars or less for this one Michael! A shame the emotions weren't described as well as the food was 😂"Thanks, Fran! I couldn't agree more. Those food descriptors were making my stomach rumble.🤣
Margaret wrote: "Wonderful review Michael"Thanks so much, Margaret!
Paromjit wrote: "Fabulous review, Michael�..even if it wasn’t completely satisfying. 🤗📚"Thank you kindly, Paromjit!🤗
Virginie wrote: "Terrific review, Michael! I totally understand what you mean about the lack of emotional connection. Some authors achieve that a lot better than others!"Thanks so much, Virginie! It seems like it would be easy to do given the storyline, but I just really didn't feel it.
