Review: Flirting in Italian

Author: Lauren Henderson

Release Date: June 12

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Pages: 336 

Source: NetGalley

[add on Goodreads]

Four girls. One magical, and possibly dangerous Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!

Why I Loved It:  I gave this book a pretty high rating on Goodreads, something I'm sure not everyone will do, mainly because the book was exactly what I needed.  It's a perfect summer book.  I have to say that the book was not at all what I was expecting.  I think I just thinking typical foreign, tourist love story kind of thing.  I was NOT expecting the main character to be British.

Violet is a strong quirky character that is pretty confident in herself and loyal to those she cares about.  Growing up in England, she feels that she is much different that her mother and her father's family.  One day she discovers her twin in a painting from many years back.  She does some research that leads her to a summer program in Italy so she can learn more about the girl in that painting.  That search leads her to an adventure with another British girl and two American girls.

As a group they bond over their dislike of the snobby Italian girl living in the house and their love of cute Italian boys *and there are plenty of cute ones*.  I really liked the way Ms. Henderson developed each of the girls personalities.  I really felt like I knew each of the girls when I was finished reading the book.

Now to the good part: Luca.  As always, there is a boy.  A delicious and gorgeous, slightly bad-boy-isque boy.  Violet falls head over heels for him, despite her best effort, and it seems he may reciprocate. Those kisses seem to say so.  I'm pretty sure I would recommend this book only on the swoony kissing scenes between Luca and Violet.  Very well written, in my opinion.

I also enjoyed the way the author described so much of Italy.  If there is anywhere in the world that I could go, it would be Italy.  I may be a pit biased then when I say that the background of the book is a huge part of why I loved the book.  So much of the description is beautiful (and here we may be talking about things other than the Italian countryside wink*wink*).  *Tells herself that Luca is a fictional boy* And moving on.

My only sad thing is that the ending left me feeling more unresolved than I would have liked.. and maybe a little creeped out.  But regardless, I loved the book.  And the cover.  The cover actually makes a little sense because there is a Vespa scene, and really?  Who doesn't love a good Vespa scene?

Who Should Read It:  I think anyone wanting a good, lighter summer read should pick this up.  People who are into contemporary fiction, romance, and a good mystery are more than likely going to like this.  Girls, got a thing for guys with accents?  Well this book is for you!