Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Weekend Read
Review: Someone once said that we vacation to take a break from ourselves, but Laura Fraser's novel shows how travel can actually help us uncover who we really are. I read this memoir over the weekend and felt as if I'd gone on a brief adventure myself. Although I'm happily married, I could completely relate to the author's sense of loss and confusion post-divorce, and also to the sense of empowerment (and mild surprise) she felt as she met men who found her attractive and finally one she was interested in, too. More important, regardless of the fellas in the book, Laura Fraser stands on her own as an interesting, mature (I mean that in a good way), REAL character in this novel, absent perfect bodies or hair or clothes or the right thing to say all the time. But the book is still eminently sexy because you can easily put yourself into Ms. Fraser's well-traveled shoes. It's a quick read, a combination travelogue, love story, and girl-power piece, perfect for a little getaway of your own.
Rating: 
Summary: A Champagne Cocktail: Light and Charming
Review: This book is charming, from start to finish. It is billed as non-fiction. If it were fiction, something dramatic would have to happen. But as it is, this memoir of an angst-free international affair reads like a cross between an early Susan Cheever novel like "Looking for Work" and a Shirley Hazzard novel set in Italy, like "The Evening of the Holiday." The book is drenched in Mediterranean food and sunlight. The narrator, Laura, is a lovely woman, a big blonde American, perhaps just a tad too concerned with her weight. (How many more conversations can we women be subjected to about diets? It's boring and it holds us back!) There's a lot of sex in this book, yet Laura is never explicit, and frankly, I'd like to know more about her lover. I nearly didn't read this book because of the author's weird decision to employ the second person voice. Why did she do this? After a couple of pages I didn't notice it, the way you don't notice subtitles on a foreign film after a moment. Despite this, the writing is crisp, the organization is simple but enviable, and I highly recommend this book to any woman looking for a charming, diverting read.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: I essentially read this book in one sitting. I have been to many of the places Fraser described, and the descriptions gave me goose bumps. I respect her honesty, and would recommend this book to anyone looking for an adventure or a little romance.
Rating:
Summary: Three words: Yum, yum, and YUM!
Review: Bored with your life? Dissatisfied with your relationship? An Italian Affair is an excellent short-term remedy. It's an armchair travel romance, with exotic islands, deserted beaches, sumptuous feasts, a sensual Frenchman, and tasteful sex - lots of it. The story is written it in the first person, and while this device seems forced at first, it eventually helps the reader slip into Laura's character and live vicariously. It gives this memoir a unique voice. Although An Italian Affair is a wonderful beach book, it has substance as well. The underlying story of Laura's abandonment by her husband and the way in which this affair helped her heal gives weight to the narrative. I liked this book very much. The author captures well the experience of falling in love with a man from a different culture. An Italian Affair sent my mind spinning backward to when I had a similarly delicious experience, and I liked that part best of all. Thanks, Laura.
Rating:
Summary: Enticing Book
Review: This book is so enticing because it is nonfiction. She writes from the heart and is so honest in her thoughts. Great book and inspiring story!
Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone wanting an adventure of the heart!
Review: When I read "An Italian Affair", I couldn't put the book down. I read it all in one night. My love and passion to be able to visit Italy someday with someone special had me caught in Laura Frazier's heart and in her words. "M" (the professor) takes her places she never thought possible. "M" took ME places in my heart, I never thought still existed! If you like the mix of romance and travel, this is the book to read. Great job Laura!!!
Rating:
Summary: Delicious Reading
Review: I am not a fan of romantic novels, but I really enjoyed reading this book. The perfect mix of flirtatious romance, exotic scenery and food, and an occasional outpour of tender emotions makes this book refreshingly enticing. The liberal sprinkling of Italian phrases is a charm rather than a distraction because the author skillfully makes sure that her readers understand the conversation. This is a first person narrative written in a second person style. It is a bit strange at first, but you get use to it real fast! This is the perfect book for the rainy weekend. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Loved this book
Review: I loved this book. After I had a horrible heart wrenching break up, a friend lent it to me. I found it uplifting and inspiring. It showed a womans confidence and strength in getting through hard times. Its about finding yourself after losing your self in someone else. I would highly recommend this book to any woman to read at any point in their life.
Rating:
Summary: Like having coffee with your best girlfriend
Review: I really enjoyed this book and since having finished it have found myself missing the story. (I'd love a sequel!) I'm a recent mom (a 1 yr old)and happily married yet there's always that question about what life might've been like had I chosen or fallen into single woman adulthood. Spending time with Laura was like exploring my alternate life. (I was a videomaker and budding writer in my college days and my dream was to be a travel videographer. C'est la vie...neeeded money at some point, went to grad school and became a college counselor instead.) Anyway, Ms. Fraser's descriptions of Italy, California, London and Morocco are colorful and visual. She has the strong voice of a woman who knows herself...for better or for worse and is confident in who she is by the end of the book. I admire her spunk, independence and humor. I also sympathize with what she might have imagined her alternate life to be.
Rating: 
Summary: Why did it take so long to finish this book?
Review: Because it just wasn't that interesting. Yes the second-person style was irritating but ultimately I just didn't have any interest in wondering where this relationship was going. Nor did I have any interest in the author's healing process. In many parts of the book I sensed she was writing stuff just to get back at her ex. Why am I a part of this and how did this get published - I kept asking myself. But I did finish it - what can I say - insomnia and at 2 am I'm not that picky.
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