Member Reviews

I couldn’t wait to read this book after following Cameron on TikTok. This has everything I imagined it would plus more! Hope she writes another!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this! A romantic drama for fans of the Binding 13 series, Colleen Hoover, and Mia Sheridan.

Was this review helpful?

Capello’s thoughtful prose and emotional depth make this a deeply touching read, even if it requires patience to fully appreciate its introspective storytelling.

Was this review helpful?

I'll Look for You, Everywhere is a beautiful, meditative novel that resonates with anyone who has loved deeply and felt the sharp sting of loss. It’s a quiet, reflective read, full of emotional depth, perfect for those looking for a more reflective and poetic narrative.

Was this review helpful?

This book wasn't for me. I don't know if it is the age group at its centre, or the hype that surrounded it, but I just couldn't engage.

Was this review helpful?

Magdalen and Theo grew up next to each other. They're a couple years apart and best friends with each other's siblings, their fathers run a museum together, their mothers have been friends since college. Seven years ago, Theo left for university and never came back, same as Magdalen two years ago. Now, they both have to return to Chivasso for Magdalen's sister Lucia's wedding, and discover that not everything stayed the same, especially not the two of them.
The general plot and the writing in I'll Look for You, Everywhere was very fun. I loved the setting and the story's set up - best friend's older brother, returning to your home town, the not knowing the person you grew up with anymore - but for me, the characters fell very flat. Both Magdalen and Theo act (in my opinion) very irrationally most steps of the way, and then forgive each other for being so horrible time and time again. The tension between them and the way they keep pulling back from each other just to find each other again could have been handled very differently, and whilst I really enjoyed the writing of this book in all other points, this just made the experience way less enjoyable. I do have faith in Cameron Capello's writing though and will definitely read another book by her because I think this is an issue that can be easily resolved with writing other tropes or in general just getting more experienced with writing characters.

Was this review helpful?

I'll Look for You, Everywhere is not your typical romance, but it definitely is a love story. It is filled with exactly what you'd assume italian summers to consist of. It's full of lust, misunderstandings, longing and family secrets. Cameron Capello's writing was entrancing, luring me back in every time I put the book down. Even after finishing the book, I still found myself thinking of these characters.

A lot of people don't like miscommunication in books, and if that's the case then maybe this book isn't for you, but it is the human behaviour we have. Especially when our two characters have never felt this way about one another and have no idea how to give into their longing without ruining their relationship within their family.

Ultimately, I left the book wanting more from it, more depth with the characters to truly understand them. And the ending just didn't feel satisfying even though it was quite real. I would still recommend this book because I really did have a great time reading this and the writing was lovely.

How I wish I spent my summer in Italy...

3.75 stars

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars rounded up.

Gosh I was so excited to read this book when it came out - the blurb just sang to me, two childhood friends who drift apart due to travel and reunite years later at their childhood home in Italy and bond over lost time

I listened to the book on audio and also followed alongside with my kindle arc and I really loved Magdalen's character - as flawed as she may be, raw, edgy, honest, vulnerable and emotional are all traits young women experience and I credit the authenticity of showcasing that side by the author. There is alot of compassion Magdalen also has for loved ones, her relationship with her father is evidence of this and a somewhat submissive one with her best friends, but she experiences joy when she is with them, an avenue to release her tensions where she doesn't have such liberty being overshadowed alot of the time, mostly by her brothers. Her unapologetic inner monologue felt relateable at times, especially as she is a people pleaser, but just to think from her POV and unpackaging that complex as the book went on made for an interesting read.

Theo took me longer to warm to, he definitely has skeletons in his closest. Although he champions and defends Magdalen wherever he can, unasked/unwanted and I sometimes read this as if he was imposing, insecure and genuinely not really practising what he was preaching, his own behaviour towards Magdalen and treatment of her felt unacceptable at times. Other than a physical attraction, I didn't understand how this couple worked together and though the ending of the story does explain his behaviour, it still doesn't excuse his treatment of Magdalen and I didn't find him very likeable sadly.

The premise of the book was still engaging, the description of Chivasso and exploration of the culture, architecture and ambience within the storyline made for a perfect summer read/escapism at its finest. The development of the story and ultimate ending was fitting for this for me personally and I definitely enjoyed the read more and more as it went on. A great debut! Thank you to Pan Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest unedited review.

Was this review helpful?

i’m not usually one for a romance but this has to be one of the best books i’ve read this year! perfect for a summer of delightful yearning, this story will transport you to a small italian town full of nostalgia, lovers & complete beauty. i can honestly say it was a pleasure learning about the complications of everyone’s lives & not one character felt underdeveloped or stuck, each one had their use to the narrative while also having their own lives which was so refreshing.

another thing i appreciated was the inclusion of the italian language & culture. as someone who’s learning italian & is in love with the country, i felt that i was building a stronger connection to the setting, i only wish there was more of this. i also enjoyed reading the italian & realising i knew what it meant!

now, the love story…one of the best i’ve read. both theo, magdalen & their relationship were so genuine that following the gradual growth felt so rewarding. the split narrative really added to how they are individual characters with different perspectives & backstories, connecting with each other not because they’re both perfect but because they have a mutual understanding. parallel to the main romantic narrative, there is almost a catalytic mystery that lingers along the chapters, causing this underlying tension that both shatters & envelopes the story to a satisfying & heartbreaking conclusion. you must read!!

Was this review helpful?

Soaked in melodrama and sultry summer tunes, this book is all about family secrets, misunderstood characters, and messiness. Magdalen and Theo are infuriating yet deeply relatable. They struggle with events from their past that affect their mental health and ability to trust each other, especially intimately and relationship-wise.

While I did enjoy the overall story, there was a bit too much unnecessary drama and miscommunication—or should I say non-existent communication? I feel like none of the characters ever really talked to each other, and even though I saw Magdalen and Theo’s end coming, it’s not quite satisfactory. Sure, it’s real. But it could’ve been better.

I still definitely recommend this if you like family drama, (sort of) the childhood friends to lovers and brother’s best friend trope, finding your mental struggles represented amidst the pages of a book, and carefree summer vibes!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for giving me this ARC review.

A perfect, sizzling Italian holiday read with the angst and drama of Magnolia Parks and the vibe of The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Magdalen and Theo have done a good job running away from their demons they left behind in their hometown of Chivasso. But when Magdalen's sister announces her wedding, the pair must begrudgingly return to the small Italian town and it soon becomes apparent that a lot has changed since Theo boarded that 5am flight seven years ago without a goodbye. But as the searing tension between Magdalen and Theo builds making it unbearable from them to be apart, so does the threat of their demons lurking in the shadows that could separate them forever.

Oh my, this book! It has the perfect recipe of a gripping plot, flawed characters that you make feel all of the emotions and beautiful writing that will have you swooning with adoration or sighing with heartbreak. I just need to know if this is the end of Theo and Magdalen's story! I'll Look for You, Everywhere is an addictive and heart-breaking read that will keep you by the poolside at your holiday resort sipping cocktails all-day long, just so you can finish it.

Was this review helpful?

Amazing amazing writing
It felt truly like a story
But the characters man…… especially theo, ended me
Im sorry but the miscommunication because of him, made half the story unbearable to read i was ready to throw punches at him
But magdalene, she an angel i loved her so much
Overall it s a great first book for this new author

Was this review helpful?

Theo and Magdalen both return home for Magdalen's sisters wedding. They grew up as neighbours, with both families becoming friends. This is the first time they've seen each other in 7 years, and there are definitely some sparks flying between them.

This was such a great summery read, set against the backdrop of sunny Italy.

I quite often found myself getting annoyed at Theo's character. He was definitely of the miscommunication trope! I did really like Magdale, though. I felt she was really genuine and sweet. I wanted nothing but the best for her. Although Theo did mess up a few times, I still wanted a happy ending for him. Also, it was no wonder he acted the way he did!

I did guess the twist with this story quite early on, but that didn't effect my enjoyment of it at all, I still really wanted to know how the story would evolve and more importantly how it would end. I think the ending was perfect for the characters. I don't think any other ending would have done the characters' justice.

Was this review helpful?

Two childhood neighbors. A whole lot of secrets. One family wedding to make things right. Full of angst and beautiful prose, I’ll Look For You Everywhere is the only summer romance you need this season. I’ve been a member of Cameron’s Fable book club and have been following her publishing journey for a while now, so it’s an honour to have received an ARC of her debut. I think both fans of literary love stories such as Alone With You in The Ether and Normal People as well as lovers of angsty, high-tension contemporary romances will get a lot out of ILFYE. The writing was to die for and totally engrossing, and so was the setting and characters. The book reminded me a lot of Magnolia Parks and I can see it being a favorite amongst readers of that series. Thank you Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

Wow! This book has my heart. The characters had me hooked right from the start. Magdalen and Theo were lost souls that couldn’t deny their attraction to each other. The family dynamics were Unique with 2 best friends siblings trope! This book genuinely felt real and relatable. Nothing appeared to over done or unreal. I genuinely think this is one of my faves of the year so far!! It gave me allll of the feels.

Was this review helpful?

Currently studying in Oxford, Magdalen Savoy returns to Chivasso, her home town in Italy, for her sister’s wedding and to spend the summer with her family. Their neighbours, the Scottish/Italian Sinclairs are connected to the Savoys in business, with both of their fathers co-owning a museum. Looking forward to seeing her childhood friend Anika Sinclair, she is surprised to find Anika’s brother Theo there, having recently returned from America after a seven year absence.
I’ll Look for you Everywhere is many things. Narrated by Magdalen and Theo, It is a tale of old and enduring friendships. Of past secrets which work their way to the surface. And two complex individuals trying to fight their attraction for each other against the backdrop of a hot, Italian summer. Added to this, there’s the wedding of course, and a slow burning, steamy romance that develops between Magdalen and Theo. The conclusion to the story wasn’t quite what I expected, but overall, it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book.

The writer has created real and believable characters that will stay in the memory long after you’ve turned the last page. Recommended.

I would like to thank Pan Macmillan, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of I’ll Look for You Everywhere in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars

Headlines:
Gossipy family and friends
Hedonistic
Angsty

This contemporary fiction had strong romantic elements but couldn’t be classified as being under the romance genre. Set in Italy, the story tracked two families coming back together with childhood friends as adults. The main characters, Magdalene and Theo were complicated individuals but none moreso than Theo.

The whole vibe of this read was hot summer, hedonism, longings and angst. It was fast-paced and kind of addictive with side serving of frustration. My frustrations sat with Theo, a hard to like guy, cocky but with issues around self worth. Magdalene (pronounced Maudlin on the audio) desired Theo from a distance with zero expectations of that desire being returned. She had a naivety to her characterisation which I liked reading but Theo treated her like trash back and forth.

Some of the parents of the piece were garbage, Theo’s father especially and I began to see why Theo was the way he was. Friendships were knotted up and everyone had family that connected them in some way.

I wanted more at the end but the ending also seemed authentic to the push and pull of the characters.


I listened on audio and the narration was dual POV, dual narration, done well.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

The first few chapters were really gripping and the writing was really beautiful. The I was completely drawn in after the first page. I loved the way the author made you feel like you were in Italy and the atmospheric nature of this book is what i enjoyed the most. However, I personally didn’t connect well to the fmc and mmc. The male main character felt very flat and somewhat generic of that "bad boy" aesthetic so not all of his actions were surprising. I didn’t particularly understand the attraction between them because it felt very forced and instant and there was no building tension between the two from years past to now that would warrant the chemistry the author wanted us to understand existed between them. I think i just had very high hopes and didn’t consider the fact that this book is a debut novel. It is, however, despite the faults i had with it, entertaining. While this book wasn’t particularly for me, i think a lot more people who love summer romances and beach reads will enjoy the pacing of this book and the romance a whole lot more.

Was this review helpful?

After following along Cameron’s publishing journey I was very excited to dive into her debut! And let me say - reading this poolside during a hot European summer holiday is THE optimal way it should be read. Would highly recommend.

Firstly, as a self proclaimed prose snob I was really impressed with the elegance and depth of the writing. The setting, emotional arcs and interiority of the characters were really beautifully written. It reminded me a bit of the angsty, vulnerable prose of Alone with you in the Ether, which is such a fantastic love story. For being quite long for romantic fiction, I flew through it and found myself thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading. As a side note - I’d love to know how this book is categorised, as I’m not sure it can be called capital R Romance if it doesn’t quite have a happy ending, or even a happy for now. As a Romance reader who definitely expects genre rules to apply, I’d really recommend the marketing reflects that or there may some very unhappy Romance readers!

As a literary love story, I really adored the slow exploration of love amidst healing and the ebb and flow of pain. Magdalen and Theo definitely have their work cut out with for them and I enjoyed seeing them come together. The tension was truly top notch, as well as the spicy scenes! Overall, I think I prefer my romance a little sweeter with a bit more emotionally mature characters, but I really loved the writing and the delicate way the character’s vulnerability was explored, both together and apart. Would absolutely love to read a sequel!!

Was this review helpful?

Theo and Magdalen are both back home after many years for a wedding.
Magdalen has grown up and their is a definite connection between the two.
however, they both have secrets which threaten their happiness and ghosts which must be put to rest if they are to have their happy ever after.




🎄

Was this review helpful?