Review: One Hot Italian Summer by Karina Halle


Note: An advanced reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author.

When it comes to imagery, Karina Halle is among a select few who does it so impeccably that it's almost as if you're in the same place as her characters, seeing what they see, hearing what they hear, experiencing what they experience, and feeling what they feel. With her latest novel, Halle takes readers to Italy and introduces us to an author named Grace Harper grieving the loss of her longtime writing partner and best friend while trying to come to grips with her writer's block as she attempts to write her first solo novel. Her powerhouse agent, Jana Lee, recommends a trip to Italy, even offering up her own villa for a month in hopes to inspire Grace's writing mojo. Grace thought she'd have to villa to herself, but the arrival of single father Claudio Romano and his ten-year-old son, Vanni, has her sharing space with them. Over the summer, Grace grows closer to the father and his son, but this Italian summer fling comes with a complication. Claudio is her agent's ex-husband and Vanni is the son they share. Could Grace lose her heart AND career?

It may no longer be summer (aka dry season) over here, but even with the daily rain showers and thunderstorms, Karina Halle's newest standalone was the ideal literary companion to snuggle with amidst cool temperatures while tucked in with a thick blanket and pillows galore. I quite enjoyed getting to know both Grace and Claudio, and Vanni reminded me of a number of students of mine back when I was still teaching. There was this laidback vibe to the story, but there was also this thrum of anticipation that was ever-present. I loved the connection that our main characters shared, and how they ended up becoming each other's muse, inspiring one another in ways they never thought possible. As always, reading Halle's words makes me feel as if I'm right there alongside Grace, Claudio, and Vanni, falling in love with Italy as much as I was falling in love with their story. Five stars go to One Hot Italian Summer.

Release Date: 30 July 2020 29 July 2020 (early release)

Date Read: 30 July 2020

Learn more about Karina Halle.

Purchase One Hot Italian Summer on Amazon.

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