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Tuscan Holiday
In this smart, tender, insightful novel, bestselling author Holly Chamberlin introduces two very different women who, over the course of two unforgettable weeks, learn about unbreakable bonds, unshakeable love, and the chances that come once in a lifetime--and change us forever...
When Elizabeth Caldwell planned a trip to Florence with her daughter, Marina, she secretly hoped for a warm, fuzzy bonding experience worthy of a Lifetime movie. But Marina--twenty-one, newly graduated, and close to her mom in many ways--has always been more the PBS dependable, practical, and completely in control. Elizabeth knows Marina wants to avoid the kind of "stupid mistake" that left Elizabeth a single mother at twenty-two, and she's bitten her tongue as Marina settles for a wealthy fiancé who gives her everything, she thinks she wants. After all, Elizabeth--unable to bring herself to fully commit to the man she has dated for years--is hardly an expert in romance.
Still, a lot can happen on vacation, especially in Tuscany, where every scent borne on the warm breeze inspires delight, and every view makes the heart soar. There, on streets once walked by Dante and Michaelangelo, Marina is blindsided by a gorgeous Italian named Luca who shows her how gloriously unpredictable passion can be. And Elizabeth finally lets go of the role that has defined her for so long to embrace her own uncertain future...
When Elizabeth Caldwell planned a trip to Florence with her daughter, Marina, she secretly hoped for a warm, fuzzy bonding experience worthy of a Lifetime movie. But Marina--twenty-one, newly graduated, and close to her mom in many ways--has always been more the PBS dependable, practical, and completely in control. Elizabeth knows Marina wants to avoid the kind of "stupid mistake" that left Elizabeth a single mother at twenty-two, and she's bitten her tongue as Marina settles for a wealthy fiancé who gives her everything, she thinks she wants. After all, Elizabeth--unable to bring herself to fully commit to the man she has dated for years--is hardly an expert in romance.
Still, a lot can happen on vacation, especially in Tuscany, where every scent borne on the warm breeze inspires delight, and every view makes the heart soar. There, on streets once walked by Dante and Michaelangelo, Marina is blindsided by a gorgeous Italian named Luca who shows her how gloriously unpredictable passion can be. And Elizabeth finally lets go of the role that has defined her for so long to embrace her own uncertain future...
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2008
273 people are currently reading
1491 people want to read
About the author
Holly Chamberlin
38 books565 followersHolly Chamberlin is a native New Yorker, but she now lives in Portland, Maine - the aftermath of stumbling across Mr. Right at the one moment she wasn't watching the terrain. She's been writing and editing - poetry, children's fantasies, a romance novel or two, among many other genres and projects - her entire life. She has two cats, Betty and Cyrus, and when she's not writing her hobbies include reading, shopping, and cocktails at six.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
July 25, 2011
Upon her daughter, Marina's graduation from college, Elizabeth Caldwell decides to take her, and herself, on a trip to Italy. She hopes the trip will allow them more bonding time. Of course, the trip becomes much more than that as each woman, in different stages of their lives, discover new things about themselves, and each other.
I wanted to like this book, but a few big things held me back. One little thing that bothered me were the "Dear Abby" type letters that were written at the very beginning of each chapter. Often they'd loosely mirror what had just happened or what was going to happen in the story, but overall they seemed misplaced and disjointed. At times the advice, perhaps an attempt at humor, really wasn't very funny. By the time I got to the middle of the book, I'd skip those parts completely.
Another thing that bothered me about this book was its title. "Tuscan" Holiday conjures up images of soaking up the sights of Italy, but instead of soaking, I felt the sights were just touched upon. Little detail was given to the journey itself. Instead I felt the backdrop could have really been anywhere. There was, however, more attention paid to Italian food rather than Italian culture.
But perhaps the biggest thing that irked me about Tuscan Holiday were the characters themselves, mainly the character of Marina, the daughter. At twenty-one, she was rather self-obsessed, self-righteous and downright rude to her mother. Even after having a change of heart I still felt a lot of Marina's motives were in the best interest of Marina. Any reader could see her uptight character was destined for change, but the way it comes on so suddenly after such a slow buildup seems far-fetched. Even the motives of characters at home i.e. Marina's grandmother and Elizabeth's mom never get explained. I just feel like if they were going to bother giving a bit of back story then perhaps that should have been the focus and we could have added those characters to the mix right at home, rather than an exotic locale, seemingly picked at random.
I wanted to like this book, but a few big things held me back. One little thing that bothered me were the "Dear Abby" type letters that were written at the very beginning of each chapter. Often they'd loosely mirror what had just happened or what was going to happen in the story, but overall they seemed misplaced and disjointed. At times the advice, perhaps an attempt at humor, really wasn't very funny. By the time I got to the middle of the book, I'd skip those parts completely.
Another thing that bothered me about this book was its title. "Tuscan" Holiday conjures up images of soaking up the sights of Italy, but instead of soaking, I felt the sights were just touched upon. Little detail was given to the journey itself. Instead I felt the backdrop could have really been anywhere. There was, however, more attention paid to Italian food rather than Italian culture.
But perhaps the biggest thing that irked me about Tuscan Holiday were the characters themselves, mainly the character of Marina, the daughter. At twenty-one, she was rather self-obsessed, self-righteous and downright rude to her mother. Even after having a change of heart I still felt a lot of Marina's motives were in the best interest of Marina. Any reader could see her uptight character was destined for change, but the way it comes on so suddenly after such a slow buildup seems far-fetched. Even the motives of characters at home i.e. Marina's grandmother and Elizabeth's mom never get explained. I just feel like if they were going to bother giving a bit of back story then perhaps that should have been the focus and we could have added those characters to the mix right at home, rather than an exotic locale, seemingly picked at random.
May 6, 2009
I was really disappointed in this book. It took too long to get into the heart of the story and by the time it did, I already didn't like the characters.
I think the daughter was a brat, was rude, selfish and so naive. The Mom they made out to be this tough woman when she was just a wimp in my mind. A real Mom would have spoken her mind and put that daughter in her place without living in fear of her daughter. At least that's how my Mom did it.
I think the daughter was a brat, was rude, selfish and so naive. The Mom they made out to be this tough woman when she was just a wimp in my mind. A real Mom would have spoken her mind and put that daughter in her place without living in fear of her daughter. At least that's how my Mom did it.
December 2, 2023
Love stories where the characters travel international. This time I found one that takes me to Tuscany.
A story about a mother and daughter probably last trip together before life and responsibilities get in the way for the daughter.
I love the advice given at the beginning of each chapter. So much of that was on the spot!
A story about a mother and daughter probably last trip together before life and responsibilities get in the way for the daughter.
I love the advice given at the beginning of each chapter. So much of that was on the spot!
July 31, 2012
Let me start by saying something that might seem contradictory to my four-star review: The book definitely has its flaws, and I can understand someone not liking it. The characters are black and white: The daughter, the young person, is extremely naive, while the mother, the older person, knows everything. The snippets at the beginning of each chapter were tiresome and unnecessary. The book speaks condescendingly to young people and makes overgeneralizations about them. The daughter's choice is a sad one, but not exactly a hard one--there's no suspense. The plot is a little predictable.
BUT I really, really liked this book. It's a quick, entertaining read. The mother's rants about Jotham's self-centeredness are thoroughly enjoyable. The book sometimes makes thought-provoking comments about life, like this one: "If there's bliss in ignorance, there's also danger and waste." What I liked most about it was the fact that it leads the reader to engage herself in her own self-reflection. It's worth checking out.
BUT I really, really liked this book. It's a quick, entertaining read. The mother's rants about Jotham's self-centeredness are thoroughly enjoyable. The book sometimes makes thought-provoking comments about life, like this one: "If there's bliss in ignorance, there's also danger and waste." What I liked most about it was the fact that it leads the reader to engage herself in her own self-reflection. It's worth checking out.
July 24, 2010
I'll start by saying the story is a good premise. Mom and daughter take a trip, hoping to get closer and end up with major life changes. In fact, I'd even say the ending was good. However, the two charcters are so snippy, catty, and just plain bitchy that you really don't sympathize with either.
It also seems very apparent to me that Chamberlin is a very angry and bitter daughter and/or mother. The chapter quotes from a rather hateful advise columnist alternating with some horrid quotes about the relationship mothers and daughters have are just so wrong I stopped reading them less than halfway through the book. (I confess I don't know if they're made up or not, just don't care enough to look).
Overall the whole thing left me feeling downtrodden and left a bitter taste for me.
It also seems very apparent to me that Chamberlin is a very angry and bitter daughter and/or mother. The chapter quotes from a rather hateful advise columnist alternating with some horrid quotes about the relationship mothers and daughters have are just so wrong I stopped reading them less than halfway through the book. (I confess I don't know if they're made up or not, just don't care enough to look).
Overall the whole thing left me feeling downtrodden and left a bitter taste for me.
November 25, 2010
Why did I finish this poorly written and trite book? Waste of my time.
The stupid pieces from an "advice columnist" at the beginning of every chapter were just ridiculous. I stopped reading them after a while.
And where was the editor?....every time the mother gave the name of an Italian dish (in Italian) she would then say "or beef with pasta". The use of this "or" construction made me nuts.
The stupid pieces from an "advice columnist" at the beginning of every chapter were just ridiculous. I stopped reading them after a while.
And where was the editor?....every time the mother gave the name of an Italian dish (in Italian) she would then say "or beef with pasta". The use of this "or" construction made me nuts.
October 7, 2012
I wanted to like this book far more than I did. However I found it frustrating in places. I wanted to smack the daughter. And the ending just left me cold. I wanted to know what happened when they got back from Italy. Also, I wanted more of Italy. It was still an ok read, but I wouldn't rush to reading it if you haven't already.
September 13, 2021
A mother/daughter trip to Tuscany. What’s not to love. 😊
January 7, 2025
A good book with references to places I’ve been!
August 23, 2025
a fun interesting read.
June 30, 2013
Tuscan Holiday by Holly Chamberlin
Marina Caldwell just graduated from college and before she marries her graduation gift from her parents is a 2 week trip to Tuscany. She's excited til she finds out her mother is going with her.
Her fiancee has a surprise-the honeymoon he's planned for them will be in Hawaii. She had hoped to go play tourist at the Grand Canyon and Sedona in Arizona.
On the trip of a lifetime many times men approach her mother and she's not swayed by them. She accepts drinks and the daughter can't fathom that men find her mother attractive.
She's constantly looking for a gift for her intended although they do a bit of sight seeing.
Love the daily journal and all their deepest thoughts to one another coming to light. The journey is one that puts you right on the street/museum with them as the details as so great.
Other surprises occur and Marina comes to realize she's not made any decisions as a couple for their wedding. That doesn't quite sit well with her and she plans to rectify that.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review
Marina Caldwell just graduated from college and before she marries her graduation gift from her parents is a 2 week trip to Tuscany. She's excited til she finds out her mother is going with her.
Her fiancee has a surprise-the honeymoon he's planned for them will be in Hawaii. She had hoped to go play tourist at the Grand Canyon and Sedona in Arizona.
On the trip of a lifetime many times men approach her mother and she's not swayed by them. She accepts drinks and the daughter can't fathom that men find her mother attractive.
She's constantly looking for a gift for her intended although they do a bit of sight seeing.
Love the daily journal and all their deepest thoughts to one another coming to light. The journey is one that puts you right on the street/museum with them as the details as so great.
Other surprises occur and Marina comes to realize she's not made any decisions as a couple for their wedding. That doesn't quite sit well with her and she plans to rectify that.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review
March 14, 2011
I thought this was a good, well-written book. It was a bit more reflective than I typically like my books. Both main characters, a mother and daughter, are looking back on their trip to Florence. There is a lot of discussion of feelings and not a lot of action. I felt that the book really captured a relationship between a mother and daughter.
Three things really bothered me:
1. At the beginning of each chapter were short letters or anecdotes about mothers and daughters. At first, I thought maybe one of the characters was a writer and was the one writing these. But they are unrelated to the story and just take up space. Some are humorous. Others are bitchy. I stopped reading them about halfway through.
2. They go into explicit detail about every meal they eat. Who cares? It does not develop the plot.
3. The term "Tuscan Holiday" is overused throughout. It could be a drinking game....drink every time the mom says it.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. At the end, I wanted to know what happened to the the characters. So, it definitely kept me interested.
Three things really bothered me:
1. At the beginning of each chapter were short letters or anecdotes about mothers and daughters. At first, I thought maybe one of the characters was a writer and was the one writing these. But they are unrelated to the story and just take up space. Some are humorous. Others are bitchy. I stopped reading them about halfway through.
2. They go into explicit detail about every meal they eat. Who cares? It does not develop the plot.
3. The term "Tuscan Holiday" is overused throughout. It could be a drinking game....drink every time the mom says it.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. At the end, I wanted to know what happened to the the characters. So, it definitely kept me interested.
August 29, 2010
I was a bit disappointed with this book. The daughter had to be the most ungrateful and spoiled brat in the history of books. If my mother bought me a trip to Tuscany for her and I for my graduation from college gift I'd be thrilled. And to forget Mother's Day? Wow. Nice work. Although the story was somewhat of a fun read, I just couldn't get past how obnoxious the daughter was and how the mother did not say anything when she should have told her ungrateful brat of a daughter off, and while she was at it, her own mother too.
I don't know why some people who reviewed this had a problem with the catty columnist or book quotes that preceded each chapter, they were funny and for goodness sakes, I'm sure most of us could agree with what they said. Obviously if you thought they were inappropriate then you are far too uptight.
Anyhow, it was an okay read, and I couldn't beat the price! (Free Kindle book from Amazon)
I don't know why some people who reviewed this had a problem with the catty columnist or book quotes that preceded each chapter, they were funny and for goodness sakes, I'm sure most of us could agree with what they said. Obviously if you thought they were inappropriate then you are far too uptight.
Anyhow, it was an okay read, and I couldn't beat the price! (Free Kindle book from Amazon)
November 3, 2008
I'd give it more stars, but the little intros of each chapter annoyed me. I saw what she was trying to do with the little cutesy quotes from a fake mothering book but it didn't fly. Worse was the excerpts from advice column. Skip those and read the rest of the chapter and then it is a good read. Oh, and the foods made me hungry! Who is taking me to Tuscany to feed me?
July 11, 2010
This was a fun summertime read- especially if you are traveling. It's mostly about a complicated mother daughter relationship with Tuscany and romance mixed. I thought the fake quotes from relationship books and advice columns were very entertaining.
February 2, 2012
This was trite and I should have just abandoned it, but I still have trouble doing that with a book. I would not recommend it. I was hoping for more Italy I guess. It is more like a mother daughter lifetime movie set on vacation in Italy.
July 22, 2016
This book is an interesting take on the relationships between mothers and daughters. She used an interesting technique at the beginning of each chapter, people writing in to the answer lady for advice about mothers. some were quite amusing.
March 14, 2016
2.5 stars
July 30, 2021
"Looking,seeing,is an intimate thing. More than talking, I think"
Marina, a young woman , whose life was extremely systematic, planning to marry her boyfriend after a year ,while having a very strict life plan, to me she seemed like she didn't even know how to be "alive". On the other side was Elizabeth, her mother who wanted to spend a month in Tuscan to improve their mother-daughter relationship, on the contrary , I pictured Elizabeth as a very young woman who actually knew how to live her life. I did like the book ,I'd totally recommend it to specific kinds of personalities (some people do need to read it) . The book however, had it's cons, I was passig throught a reading slump/block for some time and to make matters worse the book was very slow-paced (the story started around the 150 page) and I was so annoyed at Marina's hollow character by then. I also didn't like the "answer lady" answers a lot, her answers seemed too harsh, especially on some questions that I found them caring (it might also be because of my Middle Eastern culture, people are more passionate and are more used to having their family around, more attached to their parents). Since I studied literature, I overthink a lot of things and scenes in the books I read, yes, the characters ,in some people's point of views, might be hollow and undeveloped; however, Elizabeth's character was pretty deep, and Jothem's character was too (it was obvious how he resembled his parents), but from another point of view, Marina wasn't hollow either , she overthinked things, felt things that she never talked about.
Overall , I did like the book and as I said I'd recommend to specific people but I wouldn't consider it one of my favourites, but I made good friends with Marina and Elizabeth though❤
"I think that longing and desire and ambition are often about wanting what you've never had, what you've read about or dreamed about but haven't yet experienced"
Marina, a young woman , whose life was extremely systematic, planning to marry her boyfriend after a year ,while having a very strict life plan, to me she seemed like she didn't even know how to be "alive". On the other side was Elizabeth, her mother who wanted to spend a month in Tuscan to improve their mother-daughter relationship, on the contrary , I pictured Elizabeth as a very young woman who actually knew how to live her life. I did like the book ,I'd totally recommend it to specific kinds of personalities (some people do need to read it) . The book however, had it's cons, I was passig throught a reading slump/block for some time and to make matters worse the book was very slow-paced (the story started around the 150 page) and I was so annoyed at Marina's hollow character by then. I also didn't like the "answer lady" answers a lot, her answers seemed too harsh, especially on some questions that I found them caring (it might also be because of my Middle Eastern culture, people are more passionate and are more used to having their family around, more attached to their parents). Since I studied literature, I overthink a lot of things and scenes in the books I read, yes, the characters ,in some people's point of views, might be hollow and undeveloped; however, Elizabeth's character was pretty deep, and Jothem's character was too (it was obvious how he resembled his parents), but from another point of view, Marina wasn't hollow either , she overthinked things, felt things that she never talked about.
Overall , I did like the book and as I said I'd recommend to specific people but I wouldn't consider it one of my favourites, but I made good friends with Marina and Elizabeth though❤
"I think that longing and desire and ambition are often about wanting what you've never had, what you've read about or dreamed about but haven't yet experienced"
June 12, 2019
I had my doubts at first, but this was ultimately very satisfying. Single mother Elizabeth surprises her daughter Marina with a two-week trip to Italy -- for them to go on together. Marina, just graduated from college and engaged to the boyfriend she's had since age 15, is less than thrilled. So far, so good ... but the first hundred or so pages, from the time they arrive in Italy, consist of very similar scenes. Mother and daughter sightsee, dine, and disagree -- mostly over Marina's fiance Jotham, her preoccupation with shopping for him, and her insistence on staying in touch with him on her international cell phone. And it's very, very clear that the fiance is a bad call: a possessive, controlling guy who always needs to have his own way. I thought, and still think, there should have been more shades of gray here; Jotham isn't quite a villain, but he ought to have SOME redeeming qualities to make Marina's choice less clear-cut.
After mother and daughter have a full-on, blow-out argument, the story really starts to take shape. The argument clears the air enough for the two of them to begin moving forward in their relationship. Then Marina encounters temptation in the form of an attractive young Italian man. From that point on, Chamberlin gets to the meat of the story as the women re-evaluate the way they view themselves, each other, the choices they've made in their lives, and the choices they'll make in the future. After my initial misgivings, "Tuscan Holiday" turned out to be well worth the trip.
After mother and daughter have a full-on, blow-out argument, the story really starts to take shape. The argument clears the air enough for the two of them to begin moving forward in their relationship. Then Marina encounters temptation in the form of an attractive young Italian man. From that point on, Chamberlin gets to the meat of the story as the women re-evaluate the way they view themselves, each other, the choices they've made in their lives, and the choices they'll make in the future. After my initial misgivings, "Tuscan Holiday" turned out to be well worth the trip.
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June 1, 20213.5 Elizabeth Caldwell plans a surprise trip to Italy to celebrate her daughters college graduation,. Marina is reluctant to go to leave her fiancee but agrees to go to please her mother. Marina is planning on getting married soon and her fiancee is very adamant of what he expects their life together and seems to have planned way ahead evendown to the honeymoon which will be paid for by his parents. Once they get to Florence Elizabeth studies the guide books and plots out their time together but things do not always turn out the way one expects and Marina meets a young Italian and becomes involved with him. Also Marina has been talking with her mother about her father who has not been a part of her life and she has been raised by Elizabeth and her grandparents. Marina's father wanted nothing to do with her mother or her since before she was born but she is determined to seek him out. Complications arise when you have a fiancee and a new lover but Marina has to find her own way.
April 24, 2020
First off, I HATED the letters and book quotes at the beginning of each chapter. They seemed designed to make a mockery of motherhood and dripped with animosity for mother/daughter relationships. As both a beloved daughter and mother of a beloved daughter, they were disturbing to say the least!
Secondly, Marina was totally unlikable. Her poor mom buys her a trip to Italy so they could bond, and she ends up leaving her mom to have to sight see on her own so she could shack up with some guy she just met (while being engaged to someone else). Elizabeth was infuriating too. I'd be furious if my daughter did that to me, but she didn't say a word to her about it.
I would have been more interested in a story about what happened when they got back (Marina and Jotham's break up; Marina finding her dad; Elizabeth and Rob) than this boring Italy trip.
Secondly, Marina was totally unlikable. Her poor mom buys her a trip to Italy so they could bond, and she ends up leaving her mom to have to sight see on her own so she could shack up with some guy she just met (while being engaged to someone else). Elizabeth was infuriating too. I'd be furious if my daughter did that to me, but she didn't say a word to her about it.
I would have been more interested in a story about what happened when they got back (Marina and Jotham's break up; Marina finding her dad; Elizabeth and Rob) than this boring Italy trip.
August 12, 2021
If you're looking for a romantic novel set in the captivating city of Florence, this is NOT it. This is thoroughly American, with emphasis on self-determination, independence and selfishness. I( will give the author this. The changing relationship with mother and daughter is well portrayed as well as the two main characters epiphany, though I think they become more American instead of being softened by the beauty and culture of Italy. There is little ambience except for the constant focus on Italian food, just like the typical American tourist. Having been to Florence several times, it fell short in so many places: a cursory view of the art and architecture, the culture and people. Not at all what I expected.
February 11, 2018
book was ok...the parts I liked were the great descriptions of the buildings and sites that Elizabeth and Marina visited in Tuscany and Florence...also liked how Elizabeth figured out that her long time love was her everything and worth paying attention to...I found Marina pretty immature and at times annoying but by the end of the book liked her more...she learned alot about herself. THE parts of the book I found unnecessary and kind of frustrating were the chapter starters...especially the letters to "Dear Answer Lady" I just didn't get how they really added anything to the story. a fast read, but pretty unremarkable and a bit predictable.
February 18, 2018
Both mother and daughter have some serious growing up to do - and does anyone really think that surprising their 21 year old daughter with a 2 week mother-daughter trip to Italy is a good idea?
Like many have said, the snarky- and frequently downright mean- chapter headings were distracting and a little disturbing. Other reviewers have commented on how bratty Marina was, but it was actually Elizabeth who had serious issues. Marina just had to grow up a little.
Everyone was just a little “too...” to be believable.
It was an okay read. Not great. Not unpleasant. As for the setting- we’ll, you’ll read a lot about what they ate.
Like many have said, the snarky- and frequently downright mean- chapter headings were distracting and a little disturbing. Other reviewers have commented on how bratty Marina was, but it was actually Elizabeth who had serious issues. Marina just had to grow up a little.
Everyone was just a little “too...” to be believable.
It was an okay read. Not great. Not unpleasant. As for the setting- we’ll, you’ll read a lot about what they ate.
November 3, 2024
My favorite part about the writing is the author did a great job outlining the complexities in relationships at every age. From the age everything thinks they know everything and it’s all black and white, to the grey. However, I didn’t understand the purpose of the Answer Lady Q&A, as it had no connection to the actual story/book. It was a distraction to me. Author said she was worried about pulling off romantic scenes between Luca and Marina and she should be because they left a lot to be desired. I wish the story includer much more about Italy and far less about the mother and daughter and their relationships.
May 7, 2018
This book was surprisingly good. It was a free Kindle download from a few years ago that I saved to read while on vacation just a few weeks ago. It about a mother daughter trip to Tuscany and how that experience affected their world view and their relationship with each other and their romantic partners back at home. I didn’t always like the daughter, their relationship was strangely formal but I did enjoy the descriptions of Tuscany especially all the streets, cafes, and art in Florence. I was in that city and area while reading and I’d say she evoked the vibe and images of Tuscany perfectly
May 17, 2021
So many things to say...
This read like a tourist guide for restaurants and attractions. And when it wasn't that, it was the typical "Italian vacation, girl meets boy, falls in lust, ruins her whole life" trope.
Neither of the characters were relatable and the daughter was truly the most self-centered, intentionally ignorant of her problematic relationship character ever written.
And to have the end line of the book read "and then I walked into the rest of my life." sealed this as a book that I will wish I had not cracked the spine to engage.
This read like a tourist guide for restaurants and attractions. And when it wasn't that, it was the typical "Italian vacation, girl meets boy, falls in lust, ruins her whole life" trope.
Neither of the characters were relatable and the daughter was truly the most self-centered, intentionally ignorant of her problematic relationship character ever written.
And to have the end line of the book read "and then I walked into the rest of my life." sealed this as a book that I will wish I had not cracked the spine to engage.
June 4, 2021
This book was not at all what I had expected it to be. I wanted this to be like "An Affair to Remember" (Italian version). This wasn't even close. It was mostly about a woman whose lover left her and she never got over it and a daughter who judges her mother for that reason. They go on a trip to get closer - has a fling with an Italian man who has a lack of character and detail to their story. You do not get the closure ending you'd hope for either. The mom and daughter both show a bit of character development but this book was majorly lacking in my opinion. I wouldn't read it again.
August 9, 2021
I took this book out from the library because I liked the cover. It had very little to do with its cover, and so I got what I deserved! I finished it because I wanted a mindless read, and that’s pretty much what it was. A basic story with strange quotes at the beginning of each chapter that have nothing to do with what’s in the chapter—they felt like fillers to make the book longer. The reason I appreciated this book is because it reminded me of how great some books are. It’s always good to have a frame of reference.
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