Our Italian Summer
-
-
5.0 • 6 Ratings
-
-
- $17.99
-
- $17.99
Publisher Description
Three generations of women in the Ferrari family must heal the broken pieces of their lives on a trip of a lifetime through picturesque Italy from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst
Workaholic, career-obsessed Francesca is fiercely independent and successful in all areas of her life except one: family. She struggles to make time for her relationship with her teenage daughter, Allegra, and the two have become practically strangers to each other. When Allegra hangs out with a new crowd and is arrested for drug possession, Francesca gives in to her mother's wish that they take one epic summer vacation to trace their family roots in Italy. She just never expected to face a choice that might change the course of her life. . .
Allegra wants to make her grandmother happy, but she hates the idea of forced time with her mother and vows to fight every step of the ridiculous tour, until a young man on the verge of priesthood begins to show her the power of acceptance, healing, and the heartbreaking complications of love.
Sophia knows her girls are in trouble. A summer filled with the possibility for change is what they all desperately need. Among the ruins of ancient Rome, the small churches of Assisi, and the rolling hills of Tuscany, Sophia hopes to show her girls that the bonds of family are everything, and to remind them that they can always lean on one another, before it's too late.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Probst's delightful latest (after Temptation on Ocean Drive) follows three generations of women on a monthlong tour of Italy as they attempt to repair their troubled relationships. The grandmother, Sophia Ferrari, suggests the trip as a way to postpone an imminent diagnosis for her increasing stomach pain and reconnect with her daughter and granddaughter, who are facing troubles of their own. Once on the ground, Francesca, an advertising executive suffering from panic attacks, attempts to leave work behind and repair her strained relationship with her daughter, Allegra, who believes she's an afterthought to Francesca's career. Allegra, too, has been at a crossroads since being arrested her back home for driving and smoking weed with her friends. In Italy, she meets someone who will listen to her, a young man studying to be a priest who's down for a bit of romance before taking up the cloth. Meanwhile, Francesca connects with their tour guide, and Sophia meets a promising man as well. The issues within the family are established early and offer little surprises, but the novel is carried by the rich interactions between the women, as well as the lush Italian landscape, city descriptions, and culinary pleasures. Probst consistently charms.
Customer Reviews
An enjoyable read
I loved being transported back to my time in Italy a good read if travel inspires u
Ticked all my boxes
If you are looking for a beautifully written journey then Our Italian Summer is the book for you. This story is about three generations of Ferrari woman getting their relationships and life back on track, it’s about taking a journey to Italy to find themselves and each other and it’s a story all woman can relate too. As they embark on this wonderfully described journey through Italy they all learn the importance of family and this journey also brings some life changing experiences for them all...... Sophia is struggling with some health problems and she decides it’s time to get her daughter and granddaughter together for a trip of a lifetime. Francesca is spending far to much time at work and is neglecting family time with her mum (Sophia) and her daughter Allegra who at eighteen is at an age where she needs her mum around...... Tuscany and Rome are described beautifully and as you join these woman on their journey you will find yourself imagining the places they are visiting because Ms Probst paints wonderful pictures with her words. This is not a romance, it’s a story about rebuilding a family, it’s about looking at yourself and coming to terms with what you see, it’s about three generations of woman reconnecting and bringing the family together again and this story will appeal to all woman. I loved this book and I highly recommend it to everyone so please one click this gem, you won’t be disappointed. I was captivated by a story that felt real, it felt like I had been here with my own mum and it brought back memories I will cherish forever. Beautifully written story from a very talented author.
What a Journey
What a beautifully written, emotional journey Our Italian Summer was. This is a story of three generations of Ferrari women who for a variety of reasons all embark on a trip of a lifetime to Italy. Their journey will effect them all in different ways and bring life changing experiences not only individually but for their relationships as a family.
Sophia is the matriarch and she is struggling with health issues, her daughter Francesca is a busy and successful career focused workaholic and her granddaughter 18 year old Allegra is at a cross roads in her life.
I was fully invested in this story; perhaps because I was in Italy the year before last, I could easily picture the sights as they explored Rome and Tuscany such was the descriptive writing.
This is not so much a romance story (although there is romance) but a story of re building family relationships, of taking stock and looking deep inside ourselves and coming to terms with what you find, of soul searching and reflecting on life as well as healing.
Told in multiple points of view, this story was at times an emotional roller coaster as walls are brought down brick by brick and the unconditional love of family brings much needed re-connecting for three generations of women.