Review Detail

Right now I'm loving contemporary romances set in European places. KISSING IN ITALIAN caught my interest as it takes place in Italy. I'm a quarter Italian and I love to read books set there.

What worked: The Italian setting which is a character. The author does a wonderful job showing the lush backdrop of Italy in such a way I felt like I was there! She did a great job weaving in Italian in such a way that I understood what was being said. There's also some history that is shown in a way that adds to the charm.

The relationship between the girls is believable. I really liked Kelly, the British girl who comes from a working class family. I guess I could relate with her insecurities of not being 'perfect' enough whenever she was around the others.

Violet's struggle to find out the truth of who she is continues in this book. In FLIRTING IN ITALY she finds a photo of a girl that could be her twin and looks nothing like her parents. I could sense her impatience to finally find out the truth and the horror that she might in fact be the half-sister of the really hot Italian guy Luca that she's attracted to. I mean, how horrific would it be to find out the hot guy you think you're totally falling for might in fact be your half-brother?

What I had issues with had to be Luca and Violet's on again off again relationship. Honestly? I didn't really feel the chemistry in this book. And I didn't really think Luca was that likable. He comes across as the stereotype Italian guy in that he kisses Violet right off the bat and does the whole hot and cold thing with her. Frankly I liked the American guy Evan much better.

Also the ending revelation was a disappointment as it was totally predictable. I won't give it away, but let's just say that I felt it was a little too convenient and easy to tie up the whole is she or isn't she related premise.

Overall, this is a fun summer read. There's romance, a lush Italian backdrop, gorgeous Italian guys and a heroine who sets out to find the truth on who she really is.