“Our Italian Summer” is an extraordinary story of three women who embark on a magical summer vacation of soul-searching, fence-mending and dream-chasing. What an opportunity they had to travel to the land of their ancestors, something I would have loved to have done with my daughter and mother. How wonderful it would be to experience the customs of Italy, the beautiful scenery, and the delicious food. Sophia, Francesca and Allegra had no idea that their vacation would change their lives forever. They needed this time to truly get to know the women they had become away from work, away from school, and away from the confines of everyday life. Together, they would visit beautiful churches and dine at unforgettable restaurants, all while learning about where they came from and where life would take them after they returned home. Sophia, the matriarch of the family, could see that her daughter and granddaughter were hurting and she prayed that this vacation would bring them closer together. Francesca, whose job was her life, needed to turn off her phone, put away her laptop and look at this vacation as a chance to relax and open her eyes to new beginnings. Allegra, the studious high school senior, was at a crossroads in her life. She wanted to pursue her own career while her mother was pushing her to be just like her. As I was reading, I found myself becoming part of the story, experiencing their feelings and wishing I could accompany them on their journey of reflection. I felt many emotions while reading: I became teary-eyed, laughed out loud and agreed with their heated family discussions. I felt as if I knew all of them, as they reminded me of my close Italian relatives. Family is everything and as long as we open our hearts and listen closely, we can solve our problems while love does all the work.