Three Summers by Karen Swan

Author Karen Swan has crafted a story that draws the reader into the lives of the residents of a small Italian fishing village over three summers. Reading Three Summers is like taking a holiday in Italy with old friends. It’s 1957, and life is carefree and fun. Until it isn’t.

The village is preparing for the wedding of Rafaella’s sister. The whole village will be present, including the Giannelli brothers who, it seems, have seen unprecedented returns from the sale of their fish, if the new speedboat is anything to go by. For Rafaella, who is dating Fon Giannelli, all she can think about is the wealthy Franchetti family, who have returned from the city to their villa for the summer. She has always felt a close bond with Cosimo, but now he has brought a well-known model to the villa, and the rumours are rife that she is his new girlfriend.

Rafaella finds the attraction to Cosimo is still strong. Having kissed her before leaving for the city at the end of the previous summer, she is torn between her loyalty for Fon Giannelli and the desire that resurfaces for Cosimo. But the atmosphere between the teens is shifting. There is now a sense of competition between Fon and Cosimo and Rafaella is caught in the middle. When a devastating accident occurs at the lavish Franchetti villa, Rafaella makes a vow that will change all their lives. 

In the summer of 1961, Rafaella and Cosimo meet again under very different circumstances. Now the Giannelli brothers make the rules, and Rafaella finds she needs to make an agonising choice between how she lives her life now and her future. But with so much at stake, will her decision be the right one?

A seasoned author, Swan has become a master storyteller and has filled the pages of this novel with places I’d love to visit, characters I cared about and some I loathed. Although a riveting story, there were two parts to it: the first half was fun and happy, while the second part had sinister and dark undertones. However, it did have a happy ending!

Reviewer: Carole Brungar