Monday, January 26, 2015

Love, Lucy by April Lindner

Title: Love, Lucy
Author: April Lindner
Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Poppy
Classification: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: January 27, 2015
Source: ARC via the NOVL Newsletter (Thank you NOVL!)
Read: January 2015
While backpacking through Florence, Italy, during the summer before she heads off to college, Lucy Sommersworth finds herself falling in love with the culture, the architecture, the food...and Jesse Palladino, a handsome street musician. After a whirlwind romance, Lucy returns home, determined to move on from her "vacation flirtation." But just because summer is over doesn't mean Lucy and Jesse are over, too. 
In this coming-of-age romance, April Lindner perfectly captures the highs and lows of a summer love that might just be meant to last beyond the season.

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***I received an ARC of this book from the NOVL Newsletter in exchange for an honest review***


*I saw on Goodreads that this is a retelling of A Room With a View. Which I have never read. But that didn't keep me from liking the book.*

When I first finished reading this book I wasn't sure exactly how I felt. There were parts that I really liked, parts that I liked, and parts that frustrated me. 

Overall, I like this book, but I  didn't fall in love with the characters. And because I didn't fall in love with the characters, I didn't fall in love with the story.

I liked the pacing of the story and the writing. It was easy for me to picture the scenes and the characters. I was really interested in the sights that Lucy was going to be seeing in Italy as well as what was going to happen. It was a pretty quick read for me.

The book is divided into two parts. Part one takes place during the summer while Lucy is backpacking through Europe, specifically Italy. While in Italy she meets the handsome Jesse. They hit it off and start a summer romance. After spending the last of her vacation with Jesse, Lucy returns home. Which starts part two of the story. Lucy is in college and trying to get over her summer romance and moving on with her life. Yet she can't seem to escape thinking about Jesse and what they had together. 

My favorite part of the first half of the book was how much this story made me want to go to Italy. The writing is full of details and descriptions that made it easy for me to visualize and wish I was there too. (I really wanted to eat gelato and watch Roman Holiday while reading this book!) 

But I found myself a bit frustrated with the characters. As well as, the fighting between Lucy and Charlene during the first part of the book. (My frustration was mostly during the first part of the book.)
I get that they would argue and get on each other's nerves because they have spent so much time and doing every together. But there were a couple times where I felt like the fighting overshadowed other parts of the story. (Especially since I remember the bickering more than some of the other things that happened.)

The story really started to grab me more during the second part of the book. I was really curious to find out what would happen with Lucy and Jesse. I enjoyed her making new friends and being part of the college experience. Overall, I liked the characters a bit more during the second half of the story.

Lucy was a likable character, but I didn't like a couple of her decisions very much. I was invested in her life and the romance. I also enjoyed the relationship development with her mother and friends. I do like her character development throughout the story.

Jesse is a likable character too. Easy going and talented.

I enjoyed the blooming romance between Lucy and Jesse when they met in Italy. It was a quick, fast progress romance. But that didn't bother me. I enjoyed their banter and how much they have in common.

My Recommendation:

Overall, I liked reading this book, and I probably would re-read it in the future. There were parts that frustrated me and a couple decisions I didn't like, but it didn't ruin the story for me. I liked the story more than I didn't. And there is a bit of a love triangle. If you like quick paced romances, then you might like this story.

Would I Buy This Book?

Maybe. I liked it, but I didn't fall head over feet in love with it.
I would definitely check it out of the library or borrow it though!

My Rating:


When I first finished I figured rating it between a 3.5 & 4. But I have decided to rate up because I did like the story.


2 comments:

  1. I love books that is descriptive and makes you want to visit the places! I don't read much of such books though. I'm going to check this out! :)
    Azee @ UnderCover Critique

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