Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst: Review

This year must be the year to visit Italy. I think this is the third story I have read and reviewed that is based in Italy. But when it comes to Jennifer Probst any story she writes is an automatic go-to for me.

This women’s fiction includes beautiful stories of romance and travel. What a perfect book to review this month while stuck in the house! Read on for my thoughts.

Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst
ISBN-13: 978-0593098462
Publisher: Berkley (January 12, 2021)

Synopsis:
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 of 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.

Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst Review

There’s no perfect family. Every family is loaded with trials and tribulations and the family in this story is particularly unique.

We have a single mother of an almost 18-year-old. Along with her aging mother, the dynamics are what you would expect in an all-female layout. One’s a workaholic. One is insecure and wants the love and attention that she so desperately needs. And the other is dedicated to her granddaughter and tries to take care of everyone.

Needless to say, tense situations arise until it is almost a requirement to take a much-needed vacation. And what better place than to travel to beautiful Italy.

It’s a destination full of amazing works of art, fabulous farmland, and beautiful cities. The women finally start relaxing and learning about each other.

Meeting other people and discovering love in unexpected places is a wonderful part of the story. Probst tells a beautiful tale that brings healing, tender hearts, and best of all, acknowledgment for the depth of love and the strength of women.

This bookish trip to Italy leaves you with the warmth and understanding of family connections, love and first crushes, learning to let go, and acceptance of others. A beautiful story that makes you want to book your own trip and just believe in a happily ever after.

Probst is a go-to queen of sweeping women’s fiction abundant with romance and family ties. What a realistic yet dreamy story.

4 STARS!

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.