Review: To Tuscany with Love by Gail Mencini

To Tuscany With Love

by Gail Mencini

Publisher: Capriole Group

Pages: 392

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Can one college semester abroad change the course of your life?

Bella Rossini, a vivacious college junior, lands in jail overnight with acquaintances whom she mistakes for friends. Shipped off to Tuscany by her mother, Bella is suddenly thrust into living with seven strangers during one life-altering summer. 

Meet Hope, the sturdy and practical girl, steadfast in her loyalty to her boyfriend; Meghan and Karen, identical twins with an eye for fashion and beauty to match; Stillman, haunted by his hard past, and Phillip, an athlete, both fueled by competition; Lee, by family mandate in pre-med; and Rune, the Hollywood-bound wild child. All add sizzling chemistry and rebellious humor to the mix. 
In one whirlwind summer, while uncovering the charms of Italy, they discover both friendship and 
love.

After their summer together, life – and loss – happens. 

Returning to Tuscany 30 years later, their dreams, anger, secrets and disappointments create an 
emotional kaleidoscope. Their reunion sends them on a startling collision course that none of them 
could have predicted.


Kritters Thoughts:  A group of college students are thrust together in a foreign country and become completely connected and after 30 years a reunion is in the works and they are given the opportunity to regroup and catch up.  Bella is the main character of the 8 students and it was easy to become completely attached to her character.  

The unique thing about this book that made me completely fall in love with it was the structure.  The author starts with the students as they go to Tuscany and embark on the adventure.  It was easy to learn each of the characters and the parts they would each play.  The middle section of the book takes place away from Tuscany in each of their respective homes.  It easily time lapses from their time in Tuscany to catch up the reader on their lives and stops right before the 30 year reunion.  Finally the third section is the crazy reunion.

The ending was completely different from what I wanted, but I was still satisfied with how it concluded.  A book that I would recommend at any time of the year and for many types of readers!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Ebook 2013 Challenge: 81 out of 50

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from JKS Communications.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.