Name: Wish You Were Italian
Rating: 4 (4 reviews)
ISBN: 9781408855522

Kristin Rae

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? The perfect reckless romance to enjoy whether you are home or abroad.

An If Only novel

Wish You Were Italian

Abandoning a summer art program to explore the sophisticated locales of Italy, Pippa enjoys tourist ventures, from swimming in the Mediterranean to eating an entire pizza, while pursuing relationships with two local boys. Simultaneous.

An If Only Novel

Jess

Read this review on my blog! --&gt; <a href="http://gonewiththewords.com/2014/05/review-wish-you-were-italian-by-kristin-rae.html" rel="nofollow noopener">Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae</a> Wish You Were Italian was the type of book that when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. What would Pippa do next? Would she see Darren? Would they finally kiss? Would she (please!) forget about Bruno??? Where would she visit next?? While I could’ve devoured this book in one weekend, I stretched it out a little longer because I wanted to savor it. And yes, it not only made me want to desperately visit and explore Italy, it totally made me a gelato fan (Favorite? Southern Buttered Pecan by Talenti). I loved how Pippa was young in so many ways, but mature and determined enough to explore Italy on her own, without her parents knowing. Was it risky and dangerous? Of course! Did I totally forget about those two things until her dad brings it up at the end? You betcha! And I really shouldn’t have so easily done so, considering I’m a mom and I have a daughter, lol. Oops. I mean, Pippa’s best friend and Gram knew where she was and she kept in contact with everyone by email mostly, so it wasn’t completely reckless. But anyway…I loved Pippa. She was sweet and funny and I was totally rooting for her to have the time of her life. Pippa has two very different guys in the picture, but to her it’s clear who the real contender for her heart is. That doesn’t mean she gives in easily, but it does make for some fun tension between the two. No, there isn’t really a love triangle, so don’t worry. It’s not really like that. I very much was a fan of Darren. I thought he was adorable and sweet and perfect for Pippa. Their relationship builds from friendship to something more at a good pace I think, but I was ready for them to just make out already. Ha! I did appreciate how Kristin Rae wrote Bruno to be a redeemable “bad” guy. He makes mistakes but he also makes things right. I also loved Pippa’s girlfriends, both back home and in Italy. Yay for positive girlfriend relationships! Overall Wish You Were Italian was the perfect cute Summer read. If you’re in need for something that will make you smile this is the book you want in your hands.

yerin

I am sooo team Bruno. I mean Darren was cute and all but I'm all for Italian bad boys

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This was *exactly* the book I needed in my life after finishing a heavy read earlier today. It was so freaking charming. I've always had a hint of wanderlust, but this book kicked it into high gear. It makes me want to book a flight to Italy, eat gelato, take a whole bunch of photos and meet a hot boy guy.

One of the things I loved most about this book was the catalyst for Pippa's adventures in Italy – the "to-do" list/scrapbook from her BFF Morgan. I thought it was clever and thoughtful and gave me a lot of insight into their friendship. While Morgan isn't in the book that much, she plays a HUGE role in Pippa's life while she was overseas. I loved following Pippa through all of her Italian adventures. I was so very jealous. It was easy to get swept away and live vicariously through her. Krista's descriptions of everything from the people to the places to the food were so vivid it felt like I was right there with Pippa. 

The characters in this novel were wonderful. I really liked Pippa. I related to her if for no reason other than her love of photography because I share that love. I was incredibly jealous of her shooting her way through Rome . Darren was adorable. I was rooting for him all along. Bruno definitely had charm and I could see how Pippa could get swept away with him. Her friendship with Chiara and her interactions with all the other characters were also realistic and enjoyable to read about. 

Wish You Were Italian is part of a series, but they're standalone novels. I didn't read the first book and didn't feel as though I was missing anything. (I did, however, go back to buy the first book just because I want to see how it compares.) This was a great, mostly light and fluffy YA contemporary with humor, heart and a whole bunch of swoons. There was one little bit of the book that wasn't nearly as light and fluffy – and did make me a wee bit teary eyed – which added a little depth to the story. But overall, Wish You Were Italian will deliver more smiles and "awwwwws" than tears. I finished the book and just wanted to sit and hug it for awhile. I might have, actually. Might. :)

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

TOTES ADORBS! Yup, I said it. (Please don’t tell me husband… I endlessly tease him when he jokingly says anything even close to “adorbs” or “totes”, so this will have to remain our little secret… ;)) I Wish You Were Italian was the type of contemporary story that I love so much. In a reading slump? Looking for a quick story to read on a chilly, rainy afternoon? This is the perfect book to get you through a I-don’t-know-what-to-read-today type of situation. It will leave you smiling and swooning and wanting more.

Wish You Were Italian takes us on Pippa’s trip to Italy for a summer school trip at an art school. At least that’s what her parents THINK she is doing. Not Pippa’s idea of a super-fun summer by any stretch of the imagination. She takes it upon herself to completely ignore her prior plans put in place by her mother, (oh man, she’s going to be in SO much trouble when her parents find out!) and instead decides to stay in Rome and follow her heart. With the help of a few newly-made friends, Pippa ends up having much more of a summer than she ever expected.

This fantastic group of characters is entertaining from their first appearance. Though we have a little back and forth in the feelings department when it comes to Pippa and who she’s biding for, the dreaded love triangle was at such a minimum it didn’t bother me one bit. Pippa loved her Italian Stallion Bruno and the butterflies and giggliness he brought out in her, yet his player-ness was easily detected and Pippa forced herself to remember not to fall for his flirtatious nature. (Easier said than done.) Then there was Darren. *swooning sigh* There was just something about this boy that I fell hard for. His adorableness shown through the pages and was difficult not to fall for. He was so sincere and real, and super sweet, and obviously adorable with his full head of curls. (Or so I can imagine.) Yet Pippa had to be careful not to fall for him either, since where would the relationship go after the summer was over? He lived in Italy and she would be going back home at the end of the summer. Such a conundrum.

Along the lines of Anna and the French Kiss and The Chapel Wars, this is a feel-good type of contemporary that can be read at any time of year. Yes, it takes place during the summer and in scorching temps, but I read it in the chilly Fall weather and loved it just as much. My reading slump has officially come to an end with the help of this cuteness. If you’re looking for a fun book to keep you entertained, while addressing self-growth and inner strength, plus get to spend a little time in Italy with two swoon-worthy guys, this is the book for you!

Audiobook Impressions:
Sandy Rustin was ideal for this story in all ways. She had a fantastic Italian accent (which came in handy both with the female AND male Italians Pippa met along the way.) and also performed Pippa exactly as I would picture her. Her independence, her strengths (and weaknesses), and her adorable bubbly humor stined through beautifully with Sandy Rustin’s performance.

(Thanks to Bloomsbury for the review copy!)


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