One Italian Summer

A Novel

By: Rebecca Serle

Narrated by: Lauren Graham

Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

In this “magical trip worth taking” (Associated Press), the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years returns with a powerful novel about the transformational love between mothers and daughters set on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast.

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: to Positano, the magical town where 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.

“Rebecca Serle is known for her powerful stories that tug at the heartstrings—and her latest is just as unforgettable” (Woman’s World) as it effortlessly shows us how to move on after loss, and how the people we love never truly leave us.

©2022 Rebecca Serle. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Coming of age

Coming of age with a little bit of magic. This read will make you want to eat pasta and drink champagne.

Great summer read.

Loved it!! Very entertaining story. I will be looking for more from this author.

I didn’t want it to end!

This is one of the best books I have read (listened to) in a while. It really gave me such a deep feeling of finding and loving yourself. That you don’t always have to have it together and life will guide you where you need to go.

A welcome Vacation

A friend recommended this with the knowledge that I would likely relate to the setting , having spent several days in the heart of Positano
Though I tend to favor historical narratives, I had been looking for something lighter as a break. I am sure that the ability to visualize the settings , from my own memories, added to my enjoyment but it is a good , at times sentimental , read. It’s exploration of a mother/daughter relationship is authentic and relatable

Half decent book, terrible narration

While I have read books that are much more beautifully crafted, I thought this book had heart, and I liked the element of magical realism that occurred within the story. The descriptions of the beauty of the Amalfi coast I found accurate. The food descriptions made me hungry! I am still not fully sure how I feel about the protagonist who comes across as needy and self absorbed through much of the book. It’s hard to see what is special about her. I understand grief well, and the power love has to transform us. The book was about that, as well as about the importance self determination and having the bravery to forge your own path, but I found my lack of connection with the protagonist made the message of the book fall a little bit flat.

What might be at stake here, however, is the absolute abysmal narration. It was so horrible I found myself cringing and trying to listen past Lauren Graham’s brash, whiny and oftentimes flippant delivery. It was as though she’d never heard a human conversation before. She spoke in clipped phrases and her voice was heavy and mismatched to the content. Ugh it was actively bad. Also the Italian words she spoke were terribly mispronounced. More cringe. I wonder what I would have thought about this book if I had read it, instead of listening to Graham. I think this was a case of the narration really negatively impacting my overall impression.

So overall it could be a decent but forgettable beach type read, but read it!! Do not listen!

Excellent!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author paints a beautiful picture of Positano. The relationships, how family makes us who we are, how we don’t always realize what we are capable of and the fragility of life. Highly recommend.

Story good but audible hurts it

I think the premise and the story is beautiful and well written. The person who narrates the story is, unfortunately, too dry and masculine. She lacks feeling and tenderness. I feel she rushes thru And doesn’t not have the intimate connection to the character. It’s distracting and fails to highlight the emotions and passions of the characters.

Always Travel

Weather your young or old this story will help you understand Life and Love!!
KAWIII

Wonderful story

I loved the story and the characters.
I did not enjoy the narrator…I think her reading was abrupt and choppy.
It would have been so much better if read by someone who expressed feeling.

touching life lessons

A beautiful story that leads you on a thoughtful adventure with Katy. Loved this book!