Latest Read: Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae

Here are the basics ...
Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae
Publication date: May 6, 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Category: Young Adult - Contemporary
Source: Received via Netgalley from publisher (Thanks!)
Summary: Pippa is in Italy for the summer and, despite her parents’ wishes, she has no intention of just studying the local art! She has a list of things of her own to do: from swimming in the Mediterranean Sea to getting a makeover – and falling for an Italian boy! As Pippa explores the dramatic ruins of Rome and Pompeii, she is swept into her own drama with two guys: an irresistible local she knows is nothing but trouble and a cute American archaeology student . . . Will she find her true love? (Adapted goodreads.com)

The good

If you happen to be one of those crazy people who doesn't love the idea of a summer spent in Italy, eating gelato every day and finding a super cute boy, Wish You Were Italian will certainly convince you otherwise. The entire time I read I kept craving gelato and wondering why I never meet any cute guys on my travels. (I must be doing something wrong.) Pippa is sent to Italy by her parents to attend art school and as silly as this may sound, she's actually not happy about it. She feels like her mom is trying to get rid of her and she doesn't want to be an artist or art gallery owner (like her parents), she wants to be a photographer.  The only two people who understand her are her grandmother and her best friend Morgan, who gives her a journal filled with assignments for her to accomplish. Like come up with ten goals for the summer. It's this journal and Pippa's own desire to take her summer into her own hands that inspire her to ditch school and explore Italy the way she wants to.

I envied Pippa's sense of adventure. At her age, I never would've just ditched school and hide that fact from my parents for weeks and travelled in a foreign country completely on my own. It was fun to live vicariously through her, if only for a couple hours. She's relatable and likable. And as she begins to see the many beautiful sights in Italy, she also comes across some pretty awesome people. A girl who becomes like another best friend to her and of course, two hot guys she's torn between. I knew immediately which guy I wanted her to end up with and I'm sure you'll all agree when you read this book. He was just adorable and it was impossible not to swoon and smile at their interactions. It was the sweetest summer romance that made me hope for their happily ever after.

But I have to say -- Italy is just as much a character in this book as Pippa is. I'm going to assume the author has been to Italy before, or at the very least did her homework, because there was so much detail. About the food, the sights and the people. I've never been to Italy before so I enjoyed reading about Pippa's own awe and excitement as she took in her surroundings. It was something I could relate to as I definitely experienced some culture shock (and wonder!) when I visited Paris a few years ago.

(Super minor) reservations

The whole tone of the book was fairly light but I expected reality to eventually come crashing down on Pippa. I just didn't expect it to be so.. serious? It felt a bit out of left field (which maybe was the point!) but I did appreciate the conversations and changes that happened in the aftermath.

Do I recommend?

Yes! This was such cute, feel-good contemporary romance! If that's what you're in the mood for, check this out.

Collaborative feature with Alexa! 

What 5 things would you want to do in Italy?

1. Go to Rome. Ok, this might be cheating because I'm picking a whole city but I've always wanted to visit Rome. To see the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Pantheon. So much to see!

2. Ride a gondola. It just seems so romantic! 

3. Gelato. You can't go to Italy and not get gelato. 

4. Pizza. Same reason as above. 

5. Meet a gorgeous Italian guy. A girl can hope!