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One Italian Summer
It's been a year since Milly, Elyse and Leonie's dad died, and a year since their last trip to Rome. Summer's here again, and once again they are heading with their mum to Italy - but what's it going to be like going without Dad? Rome still holds its familiar charms - the sun is still as warm, the gelato as delicious, the people as welcoming. But nothing is quite as it once was ...
With grief still raw for all of them, Milly is facing the additional awfulness of having to see Luke again - gorgeous, gorgeous Luke, who she had a fling with last year, and who she made a total fool of herself with - or so she thinks. What's going to happen this time? What's more, things between Milly, her sisters and their mum are rocky - Leonie is being tempestuous and unpredictable, Elyse is caught up with her new boyfriend, and Milly feels like she just doesn't know how she fits in any more.
Over one Italian summer, can Milly find a way back to the life she once had?
With grief still raw for all of them, Milly is facing the additional awfulness of having to see Luke again - gorgeous, gorgeous Luke, who she had a fling with last year, and who she made a total fool of herself with - or so she thinks. What's going to happen this time? What's more, things between Milly, her sisters and their mum are rocky - Leonie is being tempestuous and unpredictable, Elyse is caught up with her new boyfriend, and Milly feels like she just doesn't know how she fits in any more.
Over one Italian summer, can Milly find a way back to the life she once had?
245 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2017
14 people are currently reading
959 people want to read
About the author
Keris Stainton
22 books521 followersMy mum always claimed that when she lived in America for a year, my dad wrote to her every day and, in one of his letters, proposed. My dad denied this. But when she got home they got married anyway. In 1966 they emigrated to Canada. They'd wanted to go to New Zealand, but it was full.
I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which, by all accounts, is very cold. And also hot. But when I was four months old, my parents moved back to the UK.
When I was 18 I moved to London and worked in the music industry (eventually). A few years later I moved back up north. Now I live in Lancashire (which is lovely, particularly when it's not raining... which is about two weeks a year) with my two sons and two guinea pigs. All four are cute and hairy.
I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which, by all accounts, is very cold. And also hot. But when I was four months old, my parents moved back to the UK.
When I was 18 I moved to London and worked in the music industry (eventually). A few years later I moved back up north. Now I live in Lancashire (which is lovely, particularly when it's not raining... which is about two weeks a year) with my two sons and two guinea pigs. All four are cute and hairy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
December 19, 2017
5 Words: Family, friendship, love, sisters, loss.
The cover lead me to think I was going to read about summer shenanigans, that it'd all be fun and rose-tinted and wonderful...
And it was wonderful.
But it was also utterly heartbreaking.
It was quite hard for me to read this book at times. This could have been me and my two sisters if the ambulance hadn't arrived so quickly, and that hit so close to home that I ended up in tears a few times and even had to put the book down and step away.
The relationships between the sisters are absolutely perfect. They love each other, but they also snipe away at each other and nit-pick and tease. I loved the mother-daughter relationships too, with the care and affection and the misunderstandings. This family was real.
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone, but make sure that you have plenty of tissues at the ready because there will be tears.
Edit 19/12/2017: Thinking of this still brings me both a tear and a smile.
The cover lead me to think I was going to read about summer shenanigans, that it'd all be fun and rose-tinted and wonderful...
And it was wonderful.
But it was also utterly heartbreaking.
It was quite hard for me to read this book at times. This could have been me and my two sisters if the ambulance hadn't arrived so quickly, and that hit so close to home that I ended up in tears a few times and even had to put the book down and step away.
The relationships between the sisters are absolutely perfect. They love each other, but they also snipe away at each other and nit-pick and tease. I loved the mother-daughter relationships too, with the care and affection and the misunderstandings. This family was real.
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone, but make sure that you have plenty of tissues at the ready because there will be tears.
Edit 19/12/2017: Thinking of this still brings me both a tear and a smile.
February 12, 2019
[Gifted]
I CAME OUT TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND I'M HONESTLY FEELING SO ATTACKED RIGHT NOW.
This is wonderful. I started it expecting a summery holiday romance full of ice cream, beaches and winding medieval streets - which it is. But it's also a stunning portrait of loss, grief, support networks, sisterhood, and fathers. I cried. A lot. WE ARE OKAY levels of tears.
Also, Milly is the thirstiest young lady I've ever read about in fiction and I love her for it a lot. Female sex positivity in YA is still quite rare and this is completely unapologetic in it. I love her frank and honest discussions with her sisters about sex too.
I CAME OUT TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND I'M HONESTLY FEELING SO ATTACKED RIGHT NOW.
This is wonderful. I started it expecting a summery holiday romance full of ice cream, beaches and winding medieval streets - which it is. But it's also a stunning portrait of loss, grief, support networks, sisterhood, and fathers. I cried. A lot. WE ARE OKAY levels of tears.
Also, Milly is the thirstiest young lady I've ever read about in fiction and I love her for it a lot. Female sex positivity in YA is still quite rare and this is completely unapologetic in it. I love her frank and honest discussions with her sisters about sex too.
September 12, 2017
That's why. You're eighteen. You have to star living your own life. That doesn't mean we won't be a family it doesn't mean we're not going to be okay. You Turing your life on hold is not the answer here." (Elyse page 138)
4 Stars
One Italian Summer (OIS) is a short novel featuring reconciliation with family, falling in love and moving in with life.
It has been nearly a year since Milly's father suddenly passed away leaving a gaping hole in her and her families lives. Things take a turn for the better when the family flies out to Rome for aunt Alice's wedding. Which just so happens to be the place where the gorgeous Luke (best friend of cousin Toby) works during the summer.
OIS explores the different ways in which people grieve and move on when some one close passes away. This book made me cry so many times - it definitely has a truth to the words and I understood how the characters felt.
I liked the fact that there was history between Milly and Luke. It wasn't just some long standing crush that suddenly developed.
Over all OIS is a good light read full of drama, tears, family be romance. I definitely need to go back to Italy again soon!
4 Stars
One Italian Summer (OIS) is a short novel featuring reconciliation with family, falling in love and moving in with life.
It has been nearly a year since Milly's father suddenly passed away leaving a gaping hole in her and her families lives. Things take a turn for the better when the family flies out to Rome for aunt Alice's wedding. Which just so happens to be the place where the gorgeous Luke (best friend of cousin Toby) works during the summer.
OIS explores the different ways in which people grieve and move on when some one close passes away. This book made me cry so many times - it definitely has a truth to the words and I understood how the characters felt.
I liked the fact that there was history between Milly and Luke. It wasn't just some long standing crush that suddenly developed.
Over all OIS is a good light read full of drama, tears, family be romance. I definitely need to go back to Italy again soon!
July 21, 2017
Over the past couple of years, I've developed a love of travelling. I'm happy to report that YA has, too. This year's summer reads have involved adventures and road trips, and One Italian Summer sounded like the perfect holiday read. I've visited Rome and One Italian Summer brought back vivid memories of visiting gelato shops every day, doing the long (and very hot) walk up to the Colosseum, and relaxing around the Trevi fountain with a can of expensive Coke.
Milly, Elyse and Leonie travelled to Rome with their parents every summer. It has been a year since their dad passed away and a year since their last trip. This one won't be the same, but they're determined to let the tradition carry on.
One Italian Summer isn't all gelato and sunny weather. Milly, Elyse and Leonie are dealing with a terrible tragedy that they'll never fully recover from, and it affects each sister differently. I loved Keris' way of writing this close sibling relationship. Siblings are completely alien to me and yet these sisters are essentially best friends so I could relate. (I think it must be amazing to have ready-made best friends, although I know it isn't like this for everyone!). It was great to see such open, supportive conversations about grief, family, sex and sexuality. And hot on the agenda is Milly's sort-of-relationship with gorgeous boy Luke.
One Italian Summer has everything essential for a splendid summer story: family, friends, boys and a stunning location.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
Milly, Elyse and Leonie travelled to Rome with their parents every summer. It has been a year since their dad passed away and a year since their last trip. This one won't be the same, but they're determined to let the tradition carry on.
One Italian Summer isn't all gelato and sunny weather. Milly, Elyse and Leonie are dealing with a terrible tragedy that they'll never fully recover from, and it affects each sister differently. I loved Keris' way of writing this close sibling relationship. Siblings are completely alien to me and yet these sisters are essentially best friends so I could relate. (I think it must be amazing to have ready-made best friends, although I know it isn't like this for everyone!). It was great to see such open, supportive conversations about grief, family, sex and sexuality. And hot on the agenda is Milly's sort-of-relationship with gorgeous boy Luke.
One Italian Summer has everything essential for a splendid summer story: family, friends, boys and a stunning location.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
April 4, 2017
I liked the concept A LOT. A strong relationship between sisters is always going to draw me in, but even more because I'm fascinated by how different aged siblings work together in comparison to twins. The first couple chapters, where Elyse was picking cheese out of the fridge was golden. When the girls got to Italy, though, there was something missing for me. While there were still some tragically sad moments linked to their father's death, I wasn't on board for the whole 'there's-my-old-boyfriend-let's-make-each-other-jealous' plot line that consumed the latter half.
Still, it did give me all the summery vibes I need in the middle of exam revision, so if you're willing to deal with a romance cliche or two, this is a great book for that!
Still, it did give me all the summery vibes I need in the middle of exam revision, so if you're willing to deal with a romance cliche or two, this is a great book for that!
May 5, 2019
BIG NEWS- I'm running an international giveaway over on my Instagram. Head over to this link for more details!: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxAtiSxnk0n/
3.5 stars!
T/W- Grief
LGBTQIA+ representation- One of the three sisters is a lesbian and has a girlfriend.
This was such a quick, adventurous read. Going to Italy has always been on my bucket list, I love the food, the historical surroundings, my ancestor is buried out there. That in itself makes a good story... XD
After the death of their father from a heart attack, three sisters are making the journey to Rome for the first time since his passing. All of them have their own struggles with main character Milly not being sure if she wants to go to music college in Liverpool in the autumn, Elyse who wants to move in with her boyfriend but not being 100% sure if he really loves her and Leonie who hasn't told the truth about her sexuality and girlfriend to her family. Their Mum is struggling heavily to come to terms with her husband's passing, but all four of them still visit some of their late father's favourite places. When Milly rekindles with an old flame called Luke, she still has feelings for him but isn't sure if he likes her the same. I enjoyed the siblings aspect, each one had their own traits and interests. The grief topic was very heavy and by the end, I felt myself tearing up. I wasn't a fan of the storyline involving Milly and Luke, there were a few silly things that happened that didn't sit well with me. I loved the Italian setting, I just wanted more!
3.5 stars!
T/W- Grief
LGBTQIA+ representation- One of the three sisters is a lesbian and has a girlfriend.
This was such a quick, adventurous read. Going to Italy has always been on my bucket list, I love the food, the historical surroundings, my ancestor is buried out there. That in itself makes a good story... XD
After the death of their father from a heart attack, three sisters are making the journey to Rome for the first time since his passing. All of them have their own struggles with main character Milly not being sure if she wants to go to music college in Liverpool in the autumn, Elyse who wants to move in with her boyfriend but not being 100% sure if he really loves her and Leonie who hasn't told the truth about her sexuality and girlfriend to her family. Their Mum is struggling heavily to come to terms with her husband's passing, but all four of them still visit some of their late father's favourite places. When Milly rekindles with an old flame called Luke, she still has feelings for him but isn't sure if he likes her the same. I enjoyed the siblings aspect, each one had their own traits and interests. The grief topic was very heavy and by the end, I felt myself tearing up. I wasn't a fan of the storyline involving Milly and Luke, there were a few silly things that happened that didn't sit well with me. I loved the Italian setting, I just wanted more!
August 9, 2017
OKAY-ISH!
April 3, 2017
'One Italian Summer' was okay it was giving me 'Monte Carlo' vibes (great best friends travel movie) and I loved that all the main characters were sisters, but I don't think it hit the right emotional tone. Milly is struggling to move on from her father's recent death (and I guess in general, I didn't find it as deep as the other quest-to-bury-father's ashes books I've read, the better one would be 'Kids of Appetite' by David Arnold) and that's stopping her from living her life, but whenever Luke is on the scene she just wants to lick him or touch his birthmark, so...there was a disconnect.
June 19, 2017
I downloaded One Italian Summer by Keris Stainton off Netgalley awhile back and after mentioning it on Twitter, I got a message from the author. She very kindly informed me that One Italian Summer is very much a book about grief and she knew of the losses I've faced this year. But when I finally sat down to tackle some of my Netgalley reading this year ... this is the book that I gravitated towards anyway. I think I wanted to read a book about loss and grief, if only to see if these characters felt at all like how I felt. It felt like there could be comfort in that as well as heartbreak.
And you know what? I really loved this book. It is a book about loss and grief. It's a book about struggling to move on from it. It's also a book about sisters and kissing and it's set in Italy and is about figuring out important life stuff. I liked how it was about all of that. Plus, it just felt like a comfort. The main character in One Italian Summer is Millie. She's got two sisters, Leonie and Elyse and their dad died the previous year. They're all headed off to Italy where they have so many memories and family history involving their dad and the entire family are dealing with his death in their own ways.
I loved Millie and her sisters. They felt so real to me. The way they bicker with each other, the way Leonie is pretty gross. The closeness, the teasing, the secrets. I think I'll always love books involving sisters, which is sort of weird as I don't have sisters of my own. But I feel like if I did, they'd be like these three girls. My only sort of complaint about the book though is that I couldn't actually tell until much later in the book how old each of the girls were until it specifically mentions it halfway to three quarters of the way through. Sometimes it felt like Leonie and Elyse were maybe twins? Sometimes it felt like Leonie was way younger than the other two and I had to keep readjusting my mental image of them all when I came across new scraps of information regarding age.
In terms of the grief aspects of the book, I kind of loved that this book is set a year after their dad dies. So often stories like this are told sooner when the loss is more sudden, the grief more raw. But I liked that the sisters' feelings are a year old. And still painful, still able to cause heartache. It's a year on and Millie's mum is still kind of vacant and using work to hide from facing up to her feelings. There were things said about their dad that made me hurt. The silly little stories they remembered, the made-up words, the special moments shared between them all. The not wanting to let go. They end up talking to people that their dad knew before and one of the girls gets all excited about a story that isn't very exciting ... but it's something new that they didn't know before. And I completely relate to that feeling. I know what that excitement is like.
I also, of course loved Millie's complicated relationship with Luke. Someone she had history with from the previous summer and now they're both thrown together in the same place and don't know what to do about each other. I loved that delicious awkwardness at first, that underlying embarrassment together with yearning anyway. And Italy! How have I not mentioned Italy as yet?! Italy has to be one of my favourite places ever and reading about Rome and Positano made me want to visit all over again.
I'm sorry for the scattiness of this review. I'm out of practice. But if you couldn't tell, I did love this book. And I very much recommend it.
And you know what? I really loved this book. It is a book about loss and grief. It's a book about struggling to move on from it. It's also a book about sisters and kissing and it's set in Italy and is about figuring out important life stuff. I liked how it was about all of that. Plus, it just felt like a comfort. The main character in One Italian Summer is Millie. She's got two sisters, Leonie and Elyse and their dad died the previous year. They're all headed off to Italy where they have so many memories and family history involving their dad and the entire family are dealing with his death in their own ways.
I loved Millie and her sisters. They felt so real to me. The way they bicker with each other, the way Leonie is pretty gross. The closeness, the teasing, the secrets. I think I'll always love books involving sisters, which is sort of weird as I don't have sisters of my own. But I feel like if I did, they'd be like these three girls. My only sort of complaint about the book though is that I couldn't actually tell until much later in the book how old each of the girls were until it specifically mentions it halfway to three quarters of the way through. Sometimes it felt like Leonie and Elyse were maybe twins? Sometimes it felt like Leonie was way younger than the other two and I had to keep readjusting my mental image of them all when I came across new scraps of information regarding age.
In terms of the grief aspects of the book, I kind of loved that this book is set a year after their dad dies. So often stories like this are told sooner when the loss is more sudden, the grief more raw. But I liked that the sisters' feelings are a year old. And still painful, still able to cause heartache. It's a year on and Millie's mum is still kind of vacant and using work to hide from facing up to her feelings. There were things said about their dad that made me hurt. The silly little stories they remembered, the made-up words, the special moments shared between them all. The not wanting to let go. They end up talking to people that their dad knew before and one of the girls gets all excited about a story that isn't very exciting ... but it's something new that they didn't know before. And I completely relate to that feeling. I know what that excitement is like.
I also, of course loved Millie's complicated relationship with Luke. Someone she had history with from the previous summer and now they're both thrown together in the same place and don't know what to do about each other. I loved that delicious awkwardness at first, that underlying embarrassment together with yearning anyway. And Italy! How have I not mentioned Italy as yet?! Italy has to be one of my favourite places ever and reading about Rome and Positano made me want to visit all over again.
I'm sorry for the scattiness of this review. I'm out of practice. But if you couldn't tell, I did love this book. And I very much recommend it.
April 11, 2017
This was lovely. It handles dealing with grief so well. The characters are convincing, deep, and dynamic.
May 29, 2017
This book is a really hard one for me to read and review.
This book is a perfect example of why Keris is an awesome YA author. It had that lovely storyline and wonderful characters that I could get behind and I really enjoyed their story and got a sense of the setting complete with that summer holiday fine.
But boy this this one make my heart ache. The story spends a significant amount of time looking at how the sisters in the story deal with life after the death of their father and it's really raw and hard-hitting emotionally. You real feel for them as they try to work how to function as a family with such a vital part of the family gone and there were times I found it really hard to read because it made me think of how I might feel in a similar situation.
A truly brilliant book but a really hard one to read. You'll come out of it feeling like you've been through the wringer emotionally.
This book is a perfect example of why Keris is an awesome YA author. It had that lovely storyline and wonderful characters that I could get behind and I really enjoyed their story and got a sense of the setting complete with that summer holiday fine.
But boy this this one make my heart ache. The story spends a significant amount of time looking at how the sisters in the story deal with life after the death of their father and it's really raw and hard-hitting emotionally. You real feel for them as they try to work how to function as a family with such a vital part of the family gone and there were times I found it really hard to read because it made me think of how I might feel in a similar situation.
A truly brilliant book but a really hard one to read. You'll come out of it feeling like you've been through the wringer emotionally.
April 16, 2017
One Italian Summer was such an uplifting, adorable story. The second I saw it on Netgalley, I knew I needed it in my hands. Visiting Italy has always been one of my dreams, and I was so happy to be able to in this book!
To briefly synopsize the story, it follows a teenage girl named Millie whose family travels to Rome, Italy almost every year. This year, though, will be her first time going after her dad passed away, and she is scared that it will be different and just not as fun as it used to be. Adding in being scared to see a guy whom she'd hooked up with the year before, Millie has even more to be anxious about. Will Milly be able to find herself again through all of this mess?
I have to say that I was really fond of Millie. Her sweetness and loyalty stunned me, and even though her dad's death did get her upset once in a while, I believe that she was able to work through it and distract herself very well. I definitely saw bits and pieces of myself in her, and that is one thing I love about certain book protagonists.
Although I'm not completely sure if Millie and the love interest Luke were *the best* for each other, the romance was definitely still noteworthy and cute. I don't think it was this book's best quality, though.
As for the plot, there honestly weren't a ton of notable events in this story- it mainly focused on the characters, especially Millie mourning over her late father. But then again, most contemporaries I read don't have the most frivolous plots, so it's totally fine with me!☺️
Also, may I take a second to talk about the FAMILY TIES in this book?! I absolutely loved Millie's relationships with her remaining family members. Despite the fact that her dad's death kind of ripped them apart, I loved seeing them brought back together by the end of the book.
The one tiny thing that bugged me about this book was that yes, it was set in Italy, but there were very limited descriptions of the country. I wanted to hear more about the beauty of a place that Italy is! All it takes is one extra page to describe all of Millie's beautiful surroundings, come on!
All in all, One Italian Summer did not disappoint at all, and I enjoyed it immensely. From its strong characters to its family ties, there is truly something in this book for all YA contemporary lovers. So, if you dream of going to Italy, you'll get an awesome chance to in this book once it is published on May 4th, 2017!☺️
*I received a digital ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
To briefly synopsize the story, it follows a teenage girl named Millie whose family travels to Rome, Italy almost every year. This year, though, will be her first time going after her dad passed away, and she is scared that it will be different and just not as fun as it used to be. Adding in being scared to see a guy whom she'd hooked up with the year before, Millie has even more to be anxious about. Will Milly be able to find herself again through all of this mess?
I have to say that I was really fond of Millie. Her sweetness and loyalty stunned me, and even though her dad's death did get her upset once in a while, I believe that she was able to work through it and distract herself very well. I definitely saw bits and pieces of myself in her, and that is one thing I love about certain book protagonists.
Although I'm not completely sure if Millie and the love interest Luke were *the best* for each other, the romance was definitely still noteworthy and cute. I don't think it was this book's best quality, though.
As for the plot, there honestly weren't a ton of notable events in this story- it mainly focused on the characters, especially Millie mourning over her late father. But then again, most contemporaries I read don't have the most frivolous plots, so it's totally fine with me!☺️
Also, may I take a second to talk about the FAMILY TIES in this book?! I absolutely loved Millie's relationships with her remaining family members. Despite the fact that her dad's death kind of ripped them apart, I loved seeing them brought back together by the end of the book.
The one tiny thing that bugged me about this book was that yes, it was set in Italy, but there were very limited descriptions of the country. I wanted to hear more about the beauty of a place that Italy is! All it takes is one extra page to describe all of Millie's beautiful surroundings, come on!
All in all, One Italian Summer did not disappoint at all, and I enjoyed it immensely. From its strong characters to its family ties, there is truly something in this book for all YA contemporary lovers. So, if you dream of going to Italy, you'll get an awesome chance to in this book once it is published on May 4th, 2017!☺️
*I received a digital ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
September 15, 2017
Three sisters and their mother are going on vacation.. a happy occasion, a wedding, in the land of ‘amore’, Italy. This sounds like the perfect light summer reading and it is, the atmosphere, the people in Italy, the food, the sights, the Trevi fountain.. it was all easily imaginable and what’s more, it made me want to be there!
There’s only one thing that’s obvious right from the start of this novel, this family is dealing with the grief of losing someone. They all deal with it in their own way. I was happy to see that it didn’t weigh the story down at all though, it wasn’t written in a depressing way but more through the sharing of funny stories and reminiscing about their father. Even when hearing about the good and joyous things, you can feel how someone is missed so much. He seemed such a nice man and a good father. He was the life of any party, he listened to his daughters, he was the jokey dad, he wasn’t there anymore but through everything that was said it was easy to feel the emptiness he left behind.
Dad was sunshine and music and laughter.
I really liked this little family, the three sisters looking out for each other. I felt Leonie was sometimes more mature than Milly even though she was the youngest. I liked Luke as well, allthough I didn’t feel like I really got to know him. But he’s a good guy and someone who doesn’t go running from someone else’s grief. He knows what to say, he knows how to listen.
Maybe this wedding won’t be such a horrible event after all?
One Italian Summer was a very enjoyable and perfect summery read. There was room for much more than just the romance part and it was just as much about all the other family dynamics and relationships.
There’s only one thing that’s obvious right from the start of this novel, this family is dealing with the grief of losing someone. They all deal with it in their own way. I was happy to see that it didn’t weigh the story down at all though, it wasn’t written in a depressing way but more through the sharing of funny stories and reminiscing about their father. Even when hearing about the good and joyous things, you can feel how someone is missed so much. He seemed such a nice man and a good father. He was the life of any party, he listened to his daughters, he was the jokey dad, he wasn’t there anymore but through everything that was said it was easy to feel the emptiness he left behind.
Dad was sunshine and music and laughter.
I really liked this little family, the three sisters looking out for each other. I felt Leonie was sometimes more mature than Milly even though she was the youngest. I liked Luke as well, allthough I didn’t feel like I really got to know him. But he’s a good guy and someone who doesn’t go running from someone else’s grief. He knows what to say, he knows how to listen.
Maybe this wedding won’t be such a horrible event after all?
One Italian Summer was a very enjoyable and perfect summery read. There was room for much more than just the romance part and it was just as much about all the other family dynamics and relationships.
October 28, 2017
This book is beautiful. So, so beautiful. When I started reading it, I expected it to be a light, fluffy summer read (and yes, I know I read it in Autumn, but I miss the sun, okay?), but boy was I in for a surprise. This book is about love, fears, friendship, but above all about loss, especially about how to cope with loss a year later and also how to cope with loss if reality only kicks in a year later. For those people who don't understand how someone only starts grieving a year after losing someone, I highly recommend you read this book.
Another strong theme is family. The bond between the sisters is so lovely and empowering. They know about each other's flaws, but they accept them and help each other live with those flaws. The bond with their mother isn't as strong as it used to be, since it feels like they haven't only lost their father, but their mother as well. They confront their mother about this and maybe they don't do it in the most sensitive or thoughtful way, but that only shows the realism of the story.
I have cried while reading this book and I have laughed out loud. Overall, One Italian Summer is a lovely and heartfelt book and believe me when I say that you will want to hug your loved ones real tight after reading this book.
Another strong theme is family. The bond between the sisters is so lovely and empowering. They know about each other's flaws, but they accept them and help each other live with those flaws. The bond with their mother isn't as strong as it used to be, since it feels like they haven't only lost their father, but their mother as well. They confront their mother about this and maybe they don't do it in the most sensitive or thoughtful way, but that only shows the realism of the story.
I have cried while reading this book and I have laughed out loud. Overall, One Italian Summer is a lovely and heartfelt book and believe me when I say that you will want to hug your loved ones real tight after reading this book.
June 17, 2017
3.5 stars :)
June 18, 2017
A gorgeous summer read about family, romance, grief and growing up. Loved it!
June 19, 2017
What drew me to this book was the cover. It looks like the perfect summer read, but look can be deceiving, and although it is a perfect summer read, it also requires tissues and some chocolate. I expected a summer read with sea, sand, sun, and family, and although we do get that, we also get tears, and sadness.
Within the first few pages of One Italian Summer I knew it would be a book that made me cry, but it also had the crazy family moments, the sisterly teasing, and seeing how a family copes after losing a member. Milly, Elyse, and Leonie have lost thier Dad, but they also feel like this mum has gone too, with all the extra hours in work she is never home, and even when she is home she's not really there. Milly has taken it the hardest, and she is a shadow of her former self, she now worries if someone isn't home on time, she worries if they are out. Elyse and Leonie are trying to get life back to normal, and with the upcoming holiday to Italy they are hoping thier family can find it's spark again.
One Italian Summer is a book that really resonated with me, like Milly I remember the exact details of my Dad passing, random moments from several days beforehand, but every single detail of the day. When Milly mentions not being able to watch TV shows I related to this, I have a perfectly paused game of Minecraft that I've not touched for years, because my Dad helped me build the houses and craft items and make pens for animals. I've not been able to touch it since scared I would ruin something.
Is it strange to say I liked reading the struggles of the family, knowing that I'm not crazy for things I do/think of. But seeing how they overcome so much really made me smile. They are most definitely not a perfect family, but they felt real. Their time spent in Italy was something they really needed, to get away from it all and be surrounded by family and friends in a new environment with memories that can be shared with laughter and love.
Final Verdict
Looking back at my review it's a lot of rambling, and I honestly didn't make that many review notes, my emotions were up and down reading this one and it's a rare book lately that I finish in a few hours. I enjoyed this book so much for a variety of reasons, and I'm glad I judge books my covers.
Within the first few pages of One Italian Summer I knew it would be a book that made me cry, but it also had the crazy family moments, the sisterly teasing, and seeing how a family copes after losing a member. Milly, Elyse, and Leonie have lost thier Dad, but they also feel like this mum has gone too, with all the extra hours in work she is never home, and even when she is home she's not really there. Milly has taken it the hardest, and she is a shadow of her former self, she now worries if someone isn't home on time, she worries if they are out. Elyse and Leonie are trying to get life back to normal, and with the upcoming holiday to Italy they are hoping thier family can find it's spark again.
One Italian Summer is a book that really resonated with me, like Milly I remember the exact details of my Dad passing, random moments from several days beforehand, but every single detail of the day. When Milly mentions not being able to watch TV shows I related to this, I have a perfectly paused game of Minecraft that I've not touched for years, because my Dad helped me build the houses and craft items and make pens for animals. I've not been able to touch it since scared I would ruin something.
Is it strange to say I liked reading the struggles of the family, knowing that I'm not crazy for things I do/think of. But seeing how they overcome so much really made me smile. They are most definitely not a perfect family, but they felt real. Their time spent in Italy was something they really needed, to get away from it all and be surrounded by family and friends in a new environment with memories that can be shared with laughter and love.
Final Verdict
Looking back at my review it's a lot of rambling, and I honestly didn't make that many review notes, my emotions were up and down reading this one and it's a rare book lately that I finish in a few hours. I enjoyed this book so much for a variety of reasons, and I'm glad I judge books my covers.
July 1, 2017
3.5/5
Milly, Elyse and Leonie are sisters. They're preparing to go on holiday with their Mum for the first time since their Dad died. Their Mum isn't coping well - she's using work as a distraction, and the girls all have their own issues that they need to work through. Elyse is supposed to be moving in with her boyfriend, Milly is unsure whether or not to take her place at college, and Leonie is dealing with some personal changes.
This is the holiday that will either make them or break them - can they learn to move on and deal with their grief? Or are they really broken as a family?
This was a lovely book, it was somewhat of a surprise - I bought it as a Kindle Daily Deal because upon quick glance, it looked like a fluffy holiday summer thing and I thought it'd fit well into a blog post I'm doing. It turned out to be much deeper - I probably wouldn't have picked it up around my Dad's anniversary had I known it would be mainly about grieving - but I felt that it was a hopeful, comforting read. It's sad, very sad in places, but almost cathartic in a way too. There is a romance in here that's a little heavy on the "he's standing there and I want to lick his neck" stuff, but putting that aside I think there's a good story here.
I will read more from this author, I liked her writing style, her sense of humour and the way that all her female characters were strong and feisty, but not bitchy.
Milly, Elyse and Leonie are sisters. They're preparing to go on holiday with their Mum for the first time since their Dad died. Their Mum isn't coping well - she's using work as a distraction, and the girls all have their own issues that they need to work through. Elyse is supposed to be moving in with her boyfriend, Milly is unsure whether or not to take her place at college, and Leonie is dealing with some personal changes.
This is the holiday that will either make them or break them - can they learn to move on and deal with their grief? Or are they really broken as a family?
This was a lovely book, it was somewhat of a surprise - I bought it as a Kindle Daily Deal because upon quick glance, it looked like a fluffy holiday summer thing and I thought it'd fit well into a blog post I'm doing. It turned out to be much deeper - I probably wouldn't have picked it up around my Dad's anniversary had I known it would be mainly about grieving - but I felt that it was a hopeful, comforting read. It's sad, very sad in places, but almost cathartic in a way too. There is a romance in here that's a little heavy on the "he's standing there and I want to lick his neck" stuff, but putting that aside I think there's a good story here.
I will read more from this author, I liked her writing style, her sense of humour and the way that all her female characters were strong and feisty, but not bitchy.
May 12, 2017
Sisters Millie, Elyse & Leoni are headed on holiday in Italy to see their aunt marry.
A time they would normally be giddy with excitement, the prospect of sun, relaxation and romance...yet their time away is tainted with grief, sadness and many tears having recently lost their father unexpectedly.
Their mum has been burying herself and her grief in her work, she has completely disconnected with her daughters and this story take us on a journey of rediscovery, acceptance and healing.
For a YA novel, this story packs a powerful punch. I filled up in places, the grief described is very raw and real, reminding readers of the fact the mortality is real, harsh, unexpected and brutal.
Yet the tenderness and bond between the sisters is really touching, and pretty accurate. They tease, bicker and fall out, but ultimately love each other fiercely and are protective of one another.
I think the message behind this story is wonderful. It doesn't give a clear cut rosy ending, there's still hurt and healing to be done and although you can guess where things may be headed, there's enough realism in there for it to leave a lasting impression.
A beautiful told story told in a beautiful way.
I would like to thank Readers First for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A time they would normally be giddy with excitement, the prospect of sun, relaxation and romance...yet their time away is tainted with grief, sadness and many tears having recently lost their father unexpectedly.
Their mum has been burying herself and her grief in her work, she has completely disconnected with her daughters and this story take us on a journey of rediscovery, acceptance and healing.
For a YA novel, this story packs a powerful punch. I filled up in places, the grief described is very raw and real, reminding readers of the fact the mortality is real, harsh, unexpected and brutal.
Yet the tenderness and bond between the sisters is really touching, and pretty accurate. They tease, bicker and fall out, but ultimately love each other fiercely and are protective of one another.
I think the message behind this story is wonderful. It doesn't give a clear cut rosy ending, there's still hurt and healing to be done and although you can guess where things may be headed, there's enough realism in there for it to leave a lasting impression.
A beautiful told story told in a beautiful way.
I would like to thank Readers First for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2017
Realism in speech and action is an unusual element in this coming-of-age and overcoming-grief novel set mainly in Rome, Italy. So often life gets sanitized in fiction.
In this book, three English daughters and their mother take their yearly vacation to Italy after the death of the husband. All the women finally get a chance to deal with their grief, in different ways.
The eighteen-year-old narrator (first person, present tense) finds that the loss of her father has put her life on hold. The summer in Italy jump starts it again. She encounters a crush, and deals with many stifled feelings with his help.
There are sexual references and many vulgarities along the way, probably a very realistic depiction of most modern, young, English women. The acceptance by all of a gay character is lovely, and I truly hope it is realistic. Some of the English terms and expressions may not be familiar to all non-English readers.
I received a review-copy of this book. This is my honest review.
In this book, three English daughters and their mother take their yearly vacation to Italy after the death of the husband. All the women finally get a chance to deal with their grief, in different ways.
The eighteen-year-old narrator (first person, present tense) finds that the loss of her father has put her life on hold. The summer in Italy jump starts it again. She encounters a crush, and deals with many stifled feelings with his help.
There are sexual references and many vulgarities along the way, probably a very realistic depiction of most modern, young, English women. The acceptance by all of a gay character is lovely, and I truly hope it is realistic. Some of the English terms and expressions may not be familiar to all non-English readers.
I received a review-copy of this book. This is my honest review.
May 10, 2017
I really enjoyed this book and it was a lovely, quick read. It's a perfect summer read that still has an emotional edge. I liked the sisterly bond in this book but I really wish there had been more on the romance. I like that it wasn't a typical "they met and fell in love" situation but I wanted more of Luke. I'd love a follow up to this book, about how Milly goes to university and how things go with Luke. Overall, a good book that I'd recommend to those who like easy, contemporary books in the summertime.
September 24, 2017
I read this whilst on holiday, and it is a good summer book. It mostly focuses on grief so I wouldn't go in reading this thinking it's a just a cute contemporary romance because it's definitely a lot sadder than I was expecting. I'd recommend to contemporary fans and those looking for books focusing on family and grief.
October 29, 2017
‘You want things to happen to you. And if things happen to you, some of them will be bad. But that’s okay. You’ll survive.’ Milly’s in Rome with her sisters and Mum. Reeling from the death of her dad, Milly’s looking for love or is she searching for a way to put herself back together? A gentle romance and a lovely light NA book. My weekend binge read.
April 19, 2017
I enjoyed this! I had a lot of fun reading about the sisters in Rome while I was in Rome myself! It's short and sweet and made me love Italy all the more 😁
May 4, 2017
I was so excited to get my hands on a copy of One Italian Summer by Keris Stainton. I bumped it straight to the top of my TBR pile. I’ve loved all of the books I’ve read previously by this author so I couldn’t wait to dive right in. Initially, I thought that the book was going to be quite a light and breezy read. The story is set in Rome and follows three sisters and their mother, as they embark on holiday. This, however, is the first time they have been to Rome without their father. His death has hit them hard and they are all dealing with it in different ways. Grief and bereavement are prominent themes in the book which made some parts quite difficult to read. I felt very emotional while reading certain scenes which really packed a punch. This definitely wasn’t what I was expecting and made this title far more than just a summery, beach read.
I really loved the relationship between the three sisters, Milly, Leonie and Elyse. It was refreshing to see their sibling bond portrayed in such a positive light, as there seem to be so many books where all the sisters ever do is bicker and squabble. It was interesting to see how each of them coped with their feelings about their father’s death and how his passing had changed their lives.
The middle sister, Milly, narrates the story, so events are seen through her eyes. She is afraid that everything will be different now that her Dad isn’t with them. She has a constant fear of letting the people around her go. She worries that something might happen to them, which in light of events, is completely understandable. She is also afraid to see Luke, the boy that she has had a crush on for as long as she can remember. As readers, we know that something significant happened between them but we’re not quite sure what until later in the book. Although I thought that the issue of grief was handled well in the story, I wasn’t as convinced by the romance between Milly and Luke. I’m not really sure why but I just didn’t particularly see them being together. This made the whole thing fall a bit flat for me.
Personally, I enjoyed the fact that the theme of family was at the centre of the book. It was interesting to see how the dynamics of their family had changed and adapted and how the summer trip to Rome brought them all closer together.
If you are looking for a YA contemporary read with real heart then look no further than ‘One Italian Summer’.
I really loved the relationship between the three sisters, Milly, Leonie and Elyse. It was refreshing to see their sibling bond portrayed in such a positive light, as there seem to be so many books where all the sisters ever do is bicker and squabble. It was interesting to see how each of them coped with their feelings about their father’s death and how his passing had changed their lives.
The middle sister, Milly, narrates the story, so events are seen through her eyes. She is afraid that everything will be different now that her Dad isn’t with them. She has a constant fear of letting the people around her go. She worries that something might happen to them, which in light of events, is completely understandable. She is also afraid to see Luke, the boy that she has had a crush on for as long as she can remember. As readers, we know that something significant happened between them but we’re not quite sure what until later in the book. Although I thought that the issue of grief was handled well in the story, I wasn’t as convinced by the romance between Milly and Luke. I’m not really sure why but I just didn’t particularly see them being together. This made the whole thing fall a bit flat for me.
Personally, I enjoyed the fact that the theme of family was at the centre of the book. It was interesting to see how the dynamics of their family had changed and adapted and how the summer trip to Rome brought them all closer together.
If you are looking for a YA contemporary read with real heart then look no further than ‘One Italian Summer’.
March 4, 2017
This book is entirely brilliant. It's gorgeous, and moving, a love letter to sisterhood and family and Italy. It made me laugh and cry, and made my heart hurt in the best possible way for the characters. I absolutely, completely loved it.
June 7, 2017
“One Italian Summer” is a light ya romance that reads quickly but lacks much substance.
While there was an attempt at making the characters developed, I still felt somewhat removed from them, especially the love interest, Luke. There was little to no explanation of exactly why Milly was so interested in him, aside from a rather alarming amount of wanting to lick his muscles. Not going to lie, the amount of times a phrase like that was thought by her was a bit unsettling. I know this complaint may be nitpicky, but the author seems to lose track of what her characters were doing quite a bit. Characters would stand up twice in one page without sitting down, be in a car one second and in a parking lot walking to the car the next, etc. It kept pulling me out of the story.
That being said, “One Italian Summer” is still a cute romance if you’re looking for a beach read that doesn’t require much from you.
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
While there was an attempt at making the characters developed, I still felt somewhat removed from them, especially the love interest, Luke. There was little to no explanation of exactly why Milly was so interested in him, aside from a rather alarming amount of wanting to lick his muscles. Not going to lie, the amount of times a phrase like that was thought by her was a bit unsettling. I know this complaint may be nitpicky, but the author seems to lose track of what her characters were doing quite a bit. Characters would stand up twice in one page without sitting down, be in a car one second and in a parking lot walking to the car the next, etc. It kept pulling me out of the story.
That being said, “One Italian Summer” is still a cute romance if you’re looking for a beach read that doesn’t require much from you.
This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.
February 6, 2017
Despite finishing this on a freezing cold day in December, One Italian Summer made me feel all the warmth of the Italian sun.
Once again, Keris has delivered a stunning contemporary novel, with a beautiful sisterly relationship, a cute romance, and that discusses grief in such a realistic, honest way.
One Italian Summer is the book that you're going to want to pack in your beach bag this summer, the book that you won't be able to get out of your head after you've finished it. I loved it!
Full review to come on my blog soon.
Once again, Keris has delivered a stunning contemporary novel, with a beautiful sisterly relationship, a cute romance, and that discusses grief in such a realistic, honest way.
One Italian Summer is the book that you're going to want to pack in your beach bag this summer, the book that you won't be able to get out of your head after you've finished it. I loved it!
Full review to come on my blog soon.
May 8, 2017
I'm not usually one for super girly, fashion trends and gossip style books but as soon as I clapped eyes on the cover of this book I really felt positive about it. It is bright and gives off a summer vibe, reminds you of your own summer, the carefree, happy and thrilling memories you got to create with your own friends and family.
The first quarter of the book made me feel sad, because of the loss and the grief. It also made me reminisce of good times, memories I shared with close friends during my own summer.
As the story went on we got to meet Luke and be reminded what it feels like to be Milly but with our own name and a crush. The butterflies when you first develop a crush on someone, when you like them from afar but want them to know but you also want it to be a secret because you won't feel that stage of a crush again once they find out how you feel.
You feel nervous but it feels like the best time of your life when you spend time or have a moment with your crush. The world stands still, nothing else matters and you want the moment to last but almost always someone will always be there to ruin it at the heightened moment making you wonder what could have happened.
This book was lovely and lighthearted but brushed upon the subject of loss and grief and how it affects you and those around you. It was a really good read and I recommend it to anyone who wants a good laugh. Also kudos as it mentions finding nemo and who doesn't love finding nemo?
The first quarter of the book made me feel sad, because of the loss and the grief. It also made me reminisce of good times, memories I shared with close friends during my own summer.
As the story went on we got to meet Luke and be reminded what it feels like to be Milly but with our own name and a crush. The butterflies when you first develop a crush on someone, when you like them from afar but want them to know but you also want it to be a secret because you won't feel that stage of a crush again once they find out how you feel.
You feel nervous but it feels like the best time of your life when you spend time or have a moment with your crush. The world stands still, nothing else matters and you want the moment to last but almost always someone will always be there to ruin it at the heightened moment making you wonder what could have happened.
This book was lovely and lighthearted but brushed upon the subject of loss and grief and how it affects you and those around you. It was a really good read and I recommend it to anyone who wants a good laugh. Also kudos as it mentions finding nemo and who doesn't love finding nemo?
May 29, 2017
I really enjoyed this story. Although the cover makes you think of a light, contemporary, summer read, this story is so much more. It's the story of a family falling apart after the sudden death of their father/husband. It's heart breaking and the pace of healing and starting to move forward is realistic. The love story, because every summer read worth reading must have one, is slow burning and you are rooting for them every step of the way. The setting was amazing, but I would have like more descriptions of the scenery and surroundings so I really felt like I was there. I'd also love a sequel because I want to know what happens next! Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
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