Review: My Roman Summer

 

Livia is excited to be spending the summer in Rome, but she's sorry that it took her grandmother's fall to make it happen. Her grandmother isn't excited to see her. Instead, there's a boy who is delivering food to her grandmother. She's happy to see him. Livia doesn't remember Giulio, but he lives next door to her grandmother. She's an honorary grandmother to him. Every time she turns around, he's there. He even works at the family cafe. 

He's set up Italian lessons for Livia as her language is rusty. She's annoyed at the way he makes her feel inadequate. He seems to know something about the cafe; something he's not sharing. The cafe is in trouble and she's not sure she can help save it. Livia is also not sure about her feelings for Giulio.  

As an Italian in Scotland, she's never really fit in. But as a person who lives in Scotland, she feels like an outsider in Rome too. Can she ever feel like she belongs?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved the summer in Rome - from the places to the food to the people. I felt badly to Livia. she felt so out of place in the world, in between two cultures. I really enjoyed the moments in the cafe; it felt like a character in the book. I love how the relationship developed and changed over the book. I wish there was a little more in the relationship between Livia and her grandmother. I love how the Italian lessons turned out and the friendships that were created during that time. This is an adorable summer romance with banter, sweet moments, and an amazing countryside. 

This book did have me googling places the book mentions in Rome. Now I want to go back. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable.

It's supposed to be a scratch and sniff cover (lemons) but mine didn't work.

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: A great summer romance for your school and public library collections: highly recommended. 

Review: What Happens in Amsterdam

Dani loses her boyfriend and her job. She decides to take a job in Amsterdam and moves halfway around the world. It doesn't go as planned.

First her apartment is horrid.

Second, her job is worse.

Her apartment floods

The tech company goes bankrupt

She literally runs into someone on her bike.

She discovers she knows him. He broke her heart when she was 17 and he was a foreign exchange student who lived with her family for a year.  Could fate be giving them a second chance?

My Thoughts: This second chance romance turned out to be a marriage of convenience book. I felt so bad for Dani and how she struggled to find her place in Amsterdam. She had some horrible moment, funny but horrible. I like how she reconnected with Wouter. She and Wouter had some very cute moments together. I love how they did touristy things together. I loved Dani's relationship with her sister. I didn't want this book to end. I confess, now I want to visit Amsterdam. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for your romance section

Hand this to: arm chair travelers, those who love fish out water stories, and readers of Hallmark movies

BookTok Review: All Road Lead to Rome

 

If you're a fan of fake dating and travel romances, this book is for you!

I want to travel to Rome and see all the hidden sights in this book. 

Look at that cover!

I didn't want this book to end. I couldn't put it down. 

@yabooknerdlibrarian Loved this #romancebook set in #Rome - makes me want to visit! #fakedating #famous #booktok #yabooktok #travel @Random House Children’s Books #Inverted ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Review: All You Knead is Love

 

Alba's unhappy about being shipped off to her grandmother's house in Barcelona. She doesn't know her grandmother. Alba just really needs a place where she belongs. Her father hates her. Her mother's always chooses her father. Alba's heartbroken and longing for love.

After some time, she begins to thaw. She begins to discover relationships with people and with the city. Just as she begins to hope again - her mother arrives. Alba isn't sure she's ready to trust her mother. But maybe she's ready to give her one more chance. After all, the city gave Alba hope. Can it give her her mother back too?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I loved exploring Barcelona with Alba. I loved getting to know Alba as she struggled with her own identity and finding her chosen family. The relationships in this book were the best - and they were unique. The characters made this book - showing us compassion, love, hope, and joy. I loved the moments Alba spent with Toni. Alba is healing from her parents and their treatment of her - particularly her father. But also her mother. She's a strong character but also a vulnerable one. An amazing read that will stick with you long after the book has been read. 

*Also love the title

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended. So much heart in this story - making it perfect for your school and public libraries.

Review: Love and Olives

 

Liv's world changed forever when her father left their family when she was eight. Liv never understood how he could leave without looking back. Years later, she's spent her time trying to fit in. She doesn't want anyone to leave her again.

Out of the blue, her father invites her to Greece during the summer. Her mother forces her to go. Her father's making a documentary for his search for the lost city of Atlantis. Liv remember all the times they talked about finding the city together.

Now they possibility is before them. But Liv isn't ready to go backwards in time. Can she and her father heal the past in order to move forward together?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. After reading this book, I really want to travel to Greece. I loved reading about the island and the people on it. I felt terrible for Liv and her struggles trying to figure out her relationship with her father. I admired the way it all came together in the end - especially the mention of mental health. I loved the mention of Atlantis and trying to find the lost city. I found that fascinating. I loved the bookstore with it's hidden nooks and crannies. I wasn't sure about Theo at first, but he grew on me, I really did enjoy his conversations with Liv. They talked about the deep stuff.  

Cover Thoughts: Amazing

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great summer romance that tackles family drama and mental health problems - highly recommended.

Review: Love and Gelato

Lina's mom died, leaving Lina alone in the world with one wish. She wants Lina to go to Italy - just like she did as a teen. She hopes that Lina will fall in love with the country.


When Lina arrives, she's staying with the father she's never known. He works in a cemetery. Lina can't wrap her head around living in a cemetery, especially so soon after losing her mother. Plus, she's curious as to why she's never known about her father.


When her mother's friend gives her a diary, Lina starts learning about the past and her mother's choices. What she learns will change Everything.

My Thoughts: I'd been wanting to read this book forever after hearing so many great things about it, but it's always checked out at my library. I went to check the shelf before I left for vacation, but it wasn't there. But luckily I checked the return cart and there it was!

And it didn't disappoint, I couldn't put this book down. I lost myself in the pages of Italy - the sights, the relationships, and of course the gelato. I loved Lina trying to navigate life after her mother's death, especially in a new country. I loved reading her mother's journals and discovering the truth about the past. I love how that changed everything and yet it didn't. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfection
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your library if you don't already have it.

Review: I See London, I See France

Sydney and her BFF talked about traveling to Europe, but Sydney doesn't want to leave her agoraphobic mother.When Leela's boyfriend kisses another girl, she begs Sydney to travel with her instead.

The two have them have four and a half weeks in Europe with a starting point (London), some plans for France, and leave from Rome. But the rest of the trip is open.

Where will they go? What will they do? And which boys might they kiss?

My Thoughts: God I loved this book. It reminded me of my traveling days  (I did a semester abroad in Bath, England in college). I liked how they had wiggle room in their travel plans. I loved reading about all the sights. 

I loved the romance. 

Leela's behavior annoyed me at times. But I'm glad they took this trip together and had time to readjust their friendship. 

I felt terrible for Sydney and how she took care of her mother, sometimes putting her life on hold. 

I also love how these girls are in college.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable
Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your YA section. It's a must have for public libraries. 

Reading this book made me want to travel, so I made a top ten list of places I'd like to go (or maybe go back to).

Back to:

Wales

Paris

Rome 

Florence

Never Been:

London

Scotland

Greece

Netherlands

Austria

Switzerland

Where would you travel to?

Review: Wanderlost

Aubree and her sister got into a little trouble one night, which creates havoc for Elizabeth's summer plans. She talks Aubree into taking her place on a tour through Europe with senior citizens.

Aubree, who has no interest in traveling, becomes a tour guide. Except that she leaves her binder full of travel notes, itineraries, and travel tips on the plane. Without them, she has no idea what she's doing.

Then her boss's son joins the tour and everything changes. She's been flirting with Sam on the phone. As they spend more time together, she falls for him. But he think she's her sister. What will happen when the truth eventually comes out?

My Thoughts: I loved this book, it made me want to travel too. I would love to do a Sound of Music tour. I loved reading about various countries and cities in Europe. I loved the seniors on the tour, each of them had their quirks, but they seemed fantastic. I loved the romance. I love how Aubree grew over the novel, not wanting to traveling and staying comfortable to pushing the boundaries and trying new things. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Highly Recommended for all YA sections
Matching Earrings:

Wanderlost earrings from my ETSY shop

If You Like Pin:

Top Ten Tuesday: Set Outside The US

This week's topic is favorite books set outside The US. I love a good travel romance (in fact of the first longer pieces I ever wrote was a travel romance in England.) I have a bunch of these and can't wait to check out more recommendations from others. I'll try to keep the list short, but you know me...

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

This year's reads:

Last year's reads:

Plus these earrings from my Etsy shop are perfect for this theme:

Review: Two Summers

Just as she's about to board the plane, a phone call pulls away Summer's attention.

If she answers the phone, it's her father canceling her trip to France at the very last minute. Now she's stuck in her small town with a best friend who isn't thrilled at having her back. Summer feels lost and alone. She takes her aunt's college photography class and begins to look at the world in a new light until her world comes crashing down.

Or

If she ignores the phone, she travels to France. There's no one to meet her at the airport. Her artist father is in Berlin for the next two weeks. Summer stays at his house with artists, At first she's scared but soon she starts exploring with her new boyfriend. Until her world comes crashing down. 

My Thoughts: A YA version of the movie Sliding Doors where either path could be the true path. I adored this book. 

I love how in both scenarios Summer grew and changed, allowing herself to let go. I like how she explored her world, both in New York and in France. I loved reading about her taking pictures and how she realized that she too was an artist.

In both scenarios the moment that rocked her world changes everything and I like how it happened. I liked her aunt and her mother. I liked her interactions with Hugh and Wren. Even Eloise grew on me. This book made me want to travel to France and take more pictures. 

Cover Thoughts: Fun
Source: I won an ARC

Final  Thoughts: This summer read is perfect to read by the water. Be sure to grab it this summer.

Review: Sophomore Year is Greek to Me

Zona and her father are close - each relying on each other. But Zona's dad changes the rules when he decides to go to Greece to write a book.

Zona has NO desire to leave school or her friends or the paper for six months. She has even less desire to meet the family who cut off contact with her mother.

After several conversation, it's clear that her dad isn't budging.  Resigned, Zona packs up and leaves New York behind for Greece - and maybe a a chance to uncover her heritage.

My Thoughts: I now want to go to Greece to explore and soak up the culture!

Some my favorite moments:
The bathroom scene with the ducks
Zona meeting her Greek family for the first time
Exploring Greece and taking chances
Her relationship with her father
The newspaper notes written between father and daughter
Her BFFs from New York (I wouldn't mind a book about either of them)
I like how she handled her concern about her friend's anorexia - she didn't sweep it under the rug and she didn't take the easy way out. It took guts. 
Experiencing new things (even if they're scary)
I love how Zona uncovered the meaning of family 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Set for review

Final Thoughts: I hope there's a junior and senior book planned because Meredith Zeitlin rocks. Sophomore Year is Greek to Me is the perfect summer book with exploring a new country, testing your ideals, and trying new things. Zona's ambitious, smart, and someone I'd like to meet.

Review: Royally Lost

Becca isn't interested in playing happy families on a trip through Europe with her brother, her father, and her step mother. She's miserable until she meets a boy. Even though he's not on the tour, she keeps bumping into him.

When they decide to hang out, it's not long before Nikola and Becca fall for each other. Nikola starts following the tour, giving them more time together, but he has a a secret.

He's not your average guy, he's actually a prince. Nikola's angry at his parents and annoyed at having his entire life already planned out.  He needed to get away for a few days, so he slipped away without telling anyone. What will happen when the media catches up with them?

My Thoughts: I loved how Nikola wanted his freedom to choose his own path and maybe to change the country's strict rules. I like how he spend time on the bike following the tour. I liked Becca (although at times, I think she was too dramatic). I liked the tourist moments where the two of them explored Europe together.  A fun summer romance set in Europe about finding yourself, figuring our your future, and understanding your family better.

Cover Thoughts: Love it
Source: My Library