One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

When Katy’s mother dies, she is left reeling. Carol wasn’t just Katy’s mom, but her best friend and first phone call. She had all the answers and now, when Katy needs her the most, she is gone. To make matters worse, their planned mother-daughter trip of a lifetime looms: two weeks in Positano, the magical town Carol spent the summer right before she met Katy’s father. Katy has been waiting years for Carol to take her, and now she is faced with embarking on the adventure alone.

But as soon as she steps foot on the Amalfi Coast, Katy begins to feel her mother’s spirit. Buoyed by the stunning waters, beautiful cliffsides, delightful residents, and, of course, delectable food, Katy feels herself coming back to life.

And then Carol appears—in the flesh, healthy, sun-tanned, and thirty years old. Katy doesn’t understand what is happening, or how—all she can focus on is that she has somehow, impossibly, gotten her mother back. Over the course of one Italian summer, Katy gets to know Carol, not as her mother, but as the young woman before her. She is not exactly who Katy imagined she might be, however, and soon Katy must reconcile the mother who knew everything with the young woman who does not yet have a clue.

Kindle, 272 pages

Expected publication March 1, 2022

by Somin & Schuster Canada

4.5/5 stars

This book caught me totally off guard.  I'm not sure if coming off a creepy read that this was what I needed or I just needed to revisit Italy (I love Italy!).  But alas what a great visit it was.  Even though it comes in at 272 pages it does pack a punch.

I loved the location and the visualisation put me right there, from the crystal clear water to the landscape to the food and wine.  I've been to Italy (but not this spot) a couple of times and this brought back so many memories.

Told from the POV of Katy, grieving the death of her mother she embarks on an adventure that was suppose to be the two of them.  Katy questions everything in her life now and decides that she needs this time for herself.  Not know what to expect she gets something so unexpected - the chance to see her mom 30 years ago.  

One Italian Summer is a well written emotional story. It is a story about grief, overcoming and discovering yourself at the same time.  This is my first time reading a Rebecca Serle book, she drew me right in wanting to read just one more chapter (pun intented).  Definitely an author I will read more of.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada for a digital ARC (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.