synopsis (Goodreads)

Flirting in Italian

by Lauren Henderson

Published by Random House Children's Books

available June 12,2012

Four girls. One magical, and possibly dangerous Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!

MY REVIEW 

A lighthearted story about 4 young girls, 2 British and 2 American, who travel to Tuscany for the summer to study.  The story's main focus is Violet.  A young British girl whose mother is Nordic and her father is Scottish.  What would you expect with those genetics?  Well, it's not what you get.  Violet looks Italian.  She sees a portrait in a local gallery with an Italian girl from a Tuscan Villa. The girl in the portrait is a dead ringer for Violet.  It's this portrait and doubt over her heritage that encourages her to travel to Italy.

 What do you think happens?  Well, four girls in Italy.  Learning Italian, art history and boys.. Yes, boys.  The girls are getting a crash course in Italian youth parties.

 Back to Violet, she meets a young man named Luca who lives as the very same villa where the portrait originated.  Remember the portrait? Of the girl who is a spitting image of Violet?     

The story continues...

A fun, well written, lighthearted story.  I like the style of writing used by Lauren Henderson.  Violet is a funny character.  She is confident about some things, and full of self doubt about others.   I like the character.  I also like the other three girls spending the summer with her, studying.  (and partying!)

This book does have a villain. In the form of a jealous girl.  Daughter of the hostess of the summer school.  Elisa..

If you want a fun book to read while sitting at the beach, or sitting outside enjoying the sun, this is the book for you.  No vampires, werewolves or anything paranormal.  Just a bunch of kids learning and playing at the same time.  There is a story here, and book two hopefully will clear up some of the lingering questions.  I'll keep my eye out for book two.

I enjoyed this book and give it 4.5 stars