Content Warning: Eating Disorders

In the book "Florence at sunset" by Jessie Chaffee, the gorgeous scenery of Florence combines with the main character with a strong character, being everything you need to unwind at the end of a week. Although it seems like an easy book to read, it touches on sensitive topics such as eating disorders and the mental strength you need to pick yourself up when you fall.

Hannah is a young American woman who leaves Boston and moves to Florence, not knowing anyone and not knowing the language, with the idea of reinventing herself and starting over. She decides to join a canoeing group, where she meets a nice Italian, Luca, who will show her the beauties of Tuscany.

The book uses detail as the main technique, and the description of the panic attacks that the main character goes through are very realistic, any reader can find himself in the character. Hannah is a strong character who learns to live with an eating disorder, even defeat it,

But a battle is not a straight line, but a roller-coaster with ups and downs and the moment it falls, it must learn to get back up and continue the battle.

Also, Luca is a character that is impossible not to sympathize with from the first meeting. Although cold at first, he helps Hannah when the Italian wine is a little too much for her empty stomach, and stays by the American's side when the Florence sun no longer brings her comfort.

The hardships the characters go through and the fact that their flaws are not omitted and are constantly reminded make the characters human, being realistically written and easy to relate to. 

The streets of Florence and the Tuscan villages they visit are vividly described and details such as tourists or locals who appear in the author's descriptions complete the scene and transport you directly to the Italian city. In the same vein, few books speak about such sensitive subjects with honesty and empathy, an unfiltered and at the same time poetic language.

Thus, the book is an ode to the beauties of Italy, and Hanna's charisma and Luca's humor will stay with you long after you finish reading this book. The events of the characters are a key to the mind of someone suffering from an eating disorder, but Hannah shows us that it is up to us to heal and continue a battle no matter what obstacles we face, and that the support of friends and family counts in so much.