One Italian Summer

Well, this will definitely be an unpopular opinion. I am beginning to feel like maybe this author just isn't for me. This is 3 for 3 duds and unloves (the previous books being In Five Years and The Dinner List). I feel the same with this one that I did with those two, I couldn't connect, let alone even liked, the main character.

Within the very first chapter I had my qualms about where this was going and had an inkling that I may not like this one. This is the quote that started the hesitation: “If your mother is the love of your life, what does that make your husband?”

That statement isn't even the totality of Katy's near obsession and seemingly unhealthy attachment to her mother. She is 30 years old, her mother passes which is traumatic, but then she continues to “float” through her days, suddenly deciding she no longer wants to be married, decides her mother has abandoned her without giving her the tools to live life competently, and flies off to Italy to “find” herself. I can completely understand that people need to grieve in different ways but this seems a tad extreme to me.

Upon arriving in Italy, she continues to be adrift, not even thinking of her husband Eric. The way she treats him is atrocious to me. He stood by her, comforted her, held her up and has continually been there for her. Katy does not appreciate this, nor respect him as she jaunts around Italy like she is a single woman. This REALLY irked me and I almost didn't finish this. If it wasn't for this being a buddy read, I would have stopped about halfway through.

One of things I did love is the way Carol (Katy's mom) appears to Katy while she is in Italy. This was a fun and unique addition to this story, and one of the only elements I really loved. The other element being the descriptions of Italy ... the scenery, the food, and the atmosphere.

That being said....another WTH am I reading moment came when Katy and Carol have been spending a lot of time together, and Katy finds out something that essentially puts her in a panic, and she blows up at her mom. She is seemingly in shock that her mother had a life and feelings outside of her. She is after the only love of her mother's life, the same as her mother is hers....right? SMH

While this isn't one I loved, or would even recommend, I know a lot of readers are enjoying this one and I am glad they are. This author definitely isn't my cup of coffee but readers are vast and different so if you have had your eye on this one, try it out and see where you land.