Some books are quick reads, like a shot of vodka. But this one was like a fine Italian wine—best savored slowly with antipasti.
“Wish You Weren’t Here” by Christy Schillig was my second 5-star read of the year. Although it occasionally felt a bit slow it matched the tone and message of the book and captured the essence of Italian culture beautifully. Having spent a few months in Florence last year, the book transported me back there with its vivid characters and settings. One of my favorite parts was the setting descriptions of Umberto. I never made it to that specific city (I will be going there next time, now) but I felt like I was there while reading this book.
The characters also felt very real. I especially connected with the main character who sticks to her plans no matter what opportunities arise. James was a fantastic character as well, and I completely understood why Ava fell for him. He’s always behind his camera but as the story went on, it was pretty clear that was because he was hiding behind it.
The descriptions of Italy were so vivid that I’m ready to book a flight back! I would definitely recommend picking this one up for your next summer read.
