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One Italian Summer

Pages
272
Published
2022
Language
English

Synopsis

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “[A] magical trip worth taking.” —Associated Press “Rebecca Serle is a maestro of love in all its forms.” —Gabrielle Zevin, New York Times bestselling author 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’s next great love story is here, and this time it’s between a mother and a daughter. With her signature “heartbreaking, redemptive, and authentic” (Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author) prose, Serle has crafted a transcendent novel about how we move on after loss, and how the people we love never truly leave us.

Vibe

About the author

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Rebecca Serle

Rebecca Serle is the author of the bestselling novel In Five Years. Her books often explore themes of friendship, fate, and the unexpected turns life can take. If you enjoyed In Five Years, you'll love diving into her other heartfelt stories.

Characters

KatyProtagonist
Dr. CarolSupporting
All characters in One Italian Summer

Frequently asked questions

  • Is this book based on a true story?

    The novel was inspired by a real trip the author took to Italy with her mother, during which they encountered a man her mother had dated decades earlier. This experience prompted the author to reflect on the lives of mothers before they became parents.

  • Is there a film adaptation of this book?

    Paramount Pictures has acquired the film rights to the novel, with Academy Award-winning actor Brie Larson attached to star in the project.

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