3.5* This is a nice, fast, summery read featuring three sisters on their first trip to Rome since their father died. At first I wasn't sure I was going to like it because of the simple writing style, but I enjoyed it because it's easy to read and doesn't shy away from topics that other YA books are afraid to mention.The characters were so easy to relate to and the whole book just felt real. I recommend it if you're looking for something quick but thought-provoking and a little bit emotional.
Full review available on my blog (linked below).

Millie is trying to find normal again after the surprising death of her father. Her mother and sisters are all struggling; so when they decide to head to Italy for the summer they promise each other to try. Millie is hoping to reconnect with the gorgeous Luke, her first and current crush, that she had a thing with last summer. But is Millie ready to just move on, from her father, from his expectations? A great read that had me wishing I was in Italy!

Bittersweet and bubbly, Keris Stainton’s latest contemporary is a solid addition to this year’s crop of summer UKYA. I was engrossed from the start. Keris – who remains the only UKYA author I know who could convincingly be known by a mononym – returns to charming, big-hearted form with One Italian Summer. Fans of Emma Hearts LA and Jessie Hearts NYC will find her conjuring of a world-famous city has just the right romantic comedy touch. I would’ve liked a little more detail or a stronger sense of Milly and her family’s years-long familiarity with the city, but for a fun, fast literary mini-break, it just about works.

There’s lots to enjoy in this book: delicious food, family weddings, late-night parties, sunny weather, delicious food, busy streets, an LGBT subplot, even more delicious food. The writing style is chatty, frank and funny, with plenty of cheeky, laugh-out-loud moments. The family dynamics are rich and realistic, with room for both familiarity and tension. The characters are on the whole well-realised, flawed and distinct.

For as long as she can remember, teenager Milly and her sisters have spent a little bit of every summer in Rome with their parents, extended family and a cohort of friends. A wedding should make this trip the happiest ever – but still recovering from the loss of her dad, Milly isn’t sure anything can ever be the same again. She’s practically given up on college dreams, her mum works all the time, Elyse can’t wait to move out of home and in with her boyfriend, and Leonie is about to throw a curveball (natch). One Italian Summer may seem as light as a Victoria sponge but it is infused with the tang of heartache, perhaps more so than expected. The touristy hustle-and-bustle of Rome is tempered by the profundity and anchorlessness of loss. Its emotional core is never far from Milly’s narration. A tricky, and by no means always successful, balance between solemnity and messy reality makes for a summer contemporary with a serious side.

A full version of this review will appear on my blog closer to publication.

Before I begin, I'd like to start with a disclaimer: Netgalley provided me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I honestly really enjoyed reading this one! It was an interesting take on hearing about the different grieving stages the women were going through. I also loved the story between Luke and Milly. It was very sweet and reminded me of that first puppy love.

I really had a hard time following along with the story. Maybe it was because it's hard for me to understand British writing (being an American myself).

If I have to be sincere I don't know if to give this 3.5 stars or 4 stars.

The book was a great book, the writing style was great but for me personally it was boring.
It was very family oriented but it was the same thing over and over. Crying, sadness. I understand it's about dealing with the loss of a love one but how their feelings were described didn't move me. It was more of oh boy here they go again.
What I liked more were those scenes of the sisters together. Loved their relationship! My favorite was the youngest she was more outgoing and fun.
But overall nothing stood out, not a character or a scene.
And the Romance was very limited.
The reason I said I was in between giving this a 3.5 stars or 4 stars was because like I mention the writing style of this author was good, But this book was missing something.

If you love family based books where the romance is not the main focus this book is for you.

Yes, I'm reading this book in April and as it comes out at the start of May, you're probably longing for summer as much as I am. Warm weather and time off and fun. One Italian Summer is an adventure in itself. I completely escaped in the story, so much that I could almost smell the pizza and feel the sun. It was bliss.

Milly and her sisters Elyse and Leonie are going to Rome for the first time since their dad passed away. Their mum has been distant for the last year and with secrets hidden and longing for everything to be 'normal' again, the girls know the trip will change everything. For Milly, it means anxiety. Ever since her dad died, she's been nervous about everything and not really living...

I enjoyed this story so much because I felt a personal connection to it. Being a nervous person myself, I empathised with Milly's perspective of the world, and having also lost a loved one just over a year ago, the way she spoke about grief moved me. She describes how others seem to be moving on faster, better, easier, but she's still struggling, and I relate to this so much. Even more so, there's a poignant moment at the end of the book (no spoilers) featuring Fly Me To The Moon. That song is meaningful to me too, as it was played at the funeral of my deceased loved one. I found myself crying on a plane because of Milly. She felt exactly what I felt.

That's what makes or breaks YA, really. Whether you're a young adult yourself or much older, we've all experienced the emotions poured into these novels and therefore they need to be portrayed respectfully and realistically. One Italian Summer did this perfectly, also adding in moments of humour, wit, and a sparkle of romance.

The romance. Keris Stainton got it just right. There was no insta-love or crazy whirlwind of a relationship. It was two people who weren't perfect and even confessed they probably wouldn't last, but wanted to have fun anyway. This healthy portrayal that romance doesn't have to be intense or forever is so important and often ignored. On the same note, Milly's sexual desires aren't ignored. So many contemporary romances overlook the desires of the female protagonist, but not here. She's free to express how she's feeling about people and what she wants (which, after all is how it should be as it's a first person narrative).

All this is leading to one point: readers who enjoy Morgan Matson and Kasie West will enjoy Keris Stainton, who knows just how to write the perfect summer contemporary.

A solid 3.5. I thought this was going to be light and fluffy YA contemporary, but it had more emotional depth than I had anticipated. But it was a light, quick read, too. Not sure if that makes sense? Definitely brought Italy to life!