Mia is a thirty-two year old researcher that lives on Long Island, New York. After her grandmother's death, Mia is sorting through her late grandmother’s belongings when she finds an old letter. With many questions, she decides to travel to Italy in search of answers. However, how one question pops up, another takes its place. Will Mia find all answers to the secrets she is looking for?

Wow. Seriously. There are a lot of WWII fiction books out there which are good, I’ve read many but this one really stands out as excellent. I absolutely loved every bit of it.
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This book has made chills go down my spine. It’s had me sat in tears with how beautiful it is. It’s kind of strange how you know what’s coming or something happens and you completely expect it and yet it’s so wonderfully written that it affects you more deeply than you’d imagine.
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Although the depths of this story are around Mia trying to find out her grandmothers story and what happened to her there is so much more going on. You want to know more about her aunts, her parents, you’re waiting for any bit of knowledge to be imparted. You get completely engrossed in the current timeline that you forget there’s another timeline running alongside, then you move into the historic timeline and all thoughts of the modern day are forgotten.
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If you enjoy dual timeline, historical fiction set around WWII then you will love this. I can’t wait for the second book in the series

This was a fascinating story that kept me turning the pages and wanting to discover what happened all those years ago. I loved going back in time and finding out more about the castle and the island. The food descriptions had me drooling too and I very much wanted to be there eating it all with Mia. Mmmm. Secrets of the Italian Island was a heart-breaking and heart-warming story. I loved that Mia got to discover more about her grandmothers life. I was just sad she hadn't found out sooner when so many more questions could have been answered. This was a very enjoyable read.

Fans of Barbara Josselsohn’s previous novels will be delighted at her new historical-fiction effort, which has all of the lyricism of her previous work but now also the appeal of a well-told split-time narrative. A story of mistakes, redemption, family, and love that will delight new and habitual readers of her fiction. The beauty of the Italian coast, the cruelty of war, the intertwining of present and past is all there in a gorgeous read.

Secrets of the Italian Island is a dual timeline story with a family mystery set on an isolated island. When Mia's grandmother passes away, her lawyer gives her a letter from a lawfirm in Rome. Apparently a woman named Annalisa or Pippa stole something from the Castle Parisso and they want it back. Their search has brought them to Mia's grandmother, Lucy. Mia begins a search of her grandmother's house and finds items that she has never seen before. She is sure that her grandmother left her clues to find the items and now she is heading to Italy to discover the truth.

I loved this book! Both of the timelines were interesting and I was invested in both of them. Barbara Josselsohn did a wonderful job of tying them together seamlessly even when going back and forth. All the characters were relatable and well developed and I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Some of the reveals were predictable, but not the overall story. The family mystery pulled me in and I wanted to know why Lucy had kept the secrets from Mia. Although the storyline set in 1943 and during the second world war, this was not a war story. There are no battles etc. but we do find out that there was some fallout from the nazi invasion that effected several characters from the past story. The setting of this story was amazing. The descriptions of the castle, the island, the sea and even the lights in the sky allowed me to picture it. My only concern is that this is the first book in a series/duology/trilogy? and therefore several things were left hanging. I want to know more and don't know how long it will be until we get the next book in the Sisters of War series. If you enjoy stories of family, historical fiction, mysteries, island settings or books set during WWII, then I recommend you pick this one up. I definitely enjoyed it.

Secrets of the Italian island is set on a fictitious Island before the coast of Rome. When Annalisa receives a threatening letter addressed to aher recently deceased grandmother summoning her to return an object that she is said to have stolen she immediately goes to Italy to investigate, leaving her boyfriend of one year in the states and in the dark about the fact that she is not in Italy with her friend but alone.

While in Italy she discovers that her grandmother has a secret past and was involved with the goings-on on the Island during the Second World War.

Although the story is interesting enough I found that there were quite a couple of inconsistencies, characters were not very well developed and some of the developments were hard to believe. The ending was abrupt and some of the storylines were underdeveloped, although I think that this is supposed to become a series so those stories may figure in future episodes. Maybe I'll give the next installment a try, maybe not.

I want to thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

'Not everyone understands what it means to want to know the past before finding a future'.

When Mia's grandmother Annalisa dies, the grandmother who raised her as a child and is her world, she is utterly devastated. However, after visiting the family lawyer, both a mysterious key and a cryptic letter cast doubt on just how well Mia knew her grandmother - despite how close their relationship was. Being the scientist Mia is she decides to get the facts, and to the bottom of this mystery, by visiting Italy; the home of her grandmother before her forced immigration to the USA during WWII.

Told using a dual timeline, 'Secrets of the Italian Island' revisits 1943 and Isola di Parissi, an island off the coast of Italy, where Annalisa smuggled herself and her sisters, in the hope of ultimately saving their sickly father. But this is the middle of a World War and rumour is, is the Nazis will soon invade their safe island. A rash decision puts everyone's fate in peril.

'Secrets of the Italian Island' is a story of secrets, love, lost love, and new beginnings. At the heart of the book is an unsolved mystery that keeps the reader genuinely intrigued and guessing at what may have happened. I also enjoyed drinking in the sights and sounds described throughout the book but I did, as which sometimes happens with dual-time narration, ultimately prefer one time over the telling of the other. However, as this book is the beginning of a series, there is plenty of complexity left to further be revealed in future editions. This was a good read for me and I anticipate a good read for most lovers of historical fiction and mystery.

This book definitely kept me up past my bedtime!!!
Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of Books on Tour! “Secrets of an Italian Island” by Barbara Josselsohn had me riveted to my couch. This book had me turning the pages so fast to see what would happen.
This story is told from two different time periods.

Mia 2018 travels to Italy to discover her grandmother’s secret.
Annalisa 1943 is a young girl trying ti help her family survive during WWII.

What follows is a gripping adventure that will keep you guessing. This book was sad, happy, and very well written. I could picture the beautiful island, I could feel the emotions and yes, at one point I cried. I liked the Long Island mentions in the story too.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Barbara Josselsohn’s foray into historical fiction begins with Secrets of the Italian Island. Based on a true story, this dual timeline is book #1 in the Sisters of War series. Main character Mia, grieving her grandmother Lucy’s recent passing in 2018, receives a letter claiming her grandmother is connected to an object of historical significance stolen from a castle on an island off the coast of Italy in the early 1940’s. Known as the Castle of the Poets for centuries, it had become a sanctuary for inventors, scientists, writers, and artists from all over the world. In the 1940’s the castle was stormed and overtaken by Nazis to house high ranking officials. The dual timeline continues with the saga of three sisters on a quest in 1943 to save their dying father. Papa, a Jewish tailor, should be leaving Italy, but due to his health must remain at home in his small village south of Rome. Annalise, oldest sister at 18 years old, has devised a daring plan to travel to the island, secure jobs in the castle kitchen, and find the owner, Patricio Parissi, who she hopes will help save her father.
Barbara Josselsohn’s well developed characters bridge the timelines for readers. In the current timeline, Mia’s boyfriend, Ryan, lacks empathy for her search to understand how the grandmother that raised her is somehow connected to a wedding dress found in a closet. When Mia travels to Italy, Ryan’s questioning phone calls and lack of support creates tension and distrust as the story progresses. Mia’s island tour guide, Leo, links readers to the latter timeline, as he shares the Parissi’s family history of the castle and the gruesome details of the Nazi takeover. Readers will also appreciate the impressive head of the castle kitchen, Signora Russo, and her intricate system of record keeping for guests in the castle.
Josselsohn’s prose is filled with anticipation, hope and fear in the sisters’ plan and her dialogue evokes emotions ranging from infuriating reactions to soul-stirring feelings shared on the dance floor. Along with analysis of the grandmother/granddaughter relationship readers can follow the sisters for an historic discovery and the threads of connection between artists and musicians of years past. Notes in walls and secrets leading to a love story on the Isola di Parissi, will be discovered in Secrets of the Italian Island.

In this duo timeline book, a modern young woman comes to realize that she knows absolutely nothing about the personal life of grandmother who raised her. Shocked to find personal items hidden by her grandmother for Mia to find after her grandmother's death, Mia begins a journey of discovery about her grandmother and herself. Horrifying and yet inspirational, this book is based on the true story of an island just before the Nazi invaded and slaughtered virtually everyone there.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy. I really enjoyed this book, and am hoping the story continues in the second Sisters of War book).

Saddened by the loss of her beloved grandmother Annalisa, Mia travels to Italy to solve a mystery. When she starts to go through her grandmother’s belongings, she makes a discovery that confuses her. She knows that she must find the answers to her grandmother’s past. The only way that she can do this is to go to Italy. She plans on traveling with her good friend, but that does not work out so she is on her own.

In dual timeline fashion, a story segues back to 1943 where three sisters had an important mission that had to do with their ailing father. They ended up working at a castle where their lives were irrevocably changed. This first book in a new trilogy by Barbara Josselsohn focuses on the oldest of the three sisters, Annalisa. Sadly, it took decades for something that she experienced to become clear.

Annalisa and her sisters worked at that castle on an Italian island that was eventually overtaken by the Nazis during World War II. In present day, Mia is determined to find the connection with what she discovered at her grandmother’s house, and what happened back during World War II. She has help in her quest when she meets someone named Leo while she is in Italy. While Mia’s intent is to clear her grandmother’s name, Leo has his own reasons for searching for answers at the same castle where Mia’s attentions are focused.

What a fabulous story! Aside from the talented writing, the drama was excellent, and I loved the similarities that existed between Mia and her grandmother Annalisa. I loved both of their stories and how the answers of the past were revealed. I look forward to the next books in the series as I want to know what happened to Annalisa’s sisters.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Mia’s heart is broken when she loses her precious grandmother, Annalisa. Mia is a thirty-two year old researcher that lives on Long Island, New York. Mia is sorting through her late grandmother’s belongings when she finds an old letter. Annalisa had never mentioned anything about the Italian castle to Mia. Mia travels to Italy in search of answers to so many questions. Mia is amazed at the beauty of the Italian coast. She takes a short boat ride from Parissi to the island and is sad to discover the island is closed to visitors. She doesn’t want to just give up as she desperately needs to find out what her grandmother was hiding all these years. She meets Leo, a local and promises to get her into the castle even though it’s closed. As Mia and Leo begin searching the old, dilapidated castle, they find more handwritten notes in the walls of the castle. As Mia and Leo read through the letters, many answers to their questions are answered, but many more questions come up. The more time Leo and Mia spend together they begin to fall in love. Mia has so many decisions to make, does she return to New York with more questions than answers or does she stay in Italy with her new found love?

Secrets of the Italian Island, by author Barabara Josselsohn, was a heart-warming and amazing story of family, new beginnings and uncovering family truths. This amazing story was full of mystery, intrigue and grabbed my attention from beginning to end. This unputdownable book was absolutely phenomenal, unpredictable and hit all the emotions. I loved this book and am so glad that it is the first book in a new series. Barbara Josselsohn is a wonderful author that knows how to draw the reader into the story and won’t let them go until the last page is turned. Her detailed descriptions of Italy make you feel like you are actually there. Everything about this story is amazing, don’t pass this one up. This time slip, historical fiction is indescribable. I highly recommend this book, it was absolutely fabulous!

EXCERPT: . . . she put her elbow on the metal armrest and peered out her window, the noisy clatter of the rails changing to a gentle metallic purr as her train emerged into the outside air from the depths of Manhattan. The woman was right - the city landscape looked dramatically different from even fifteen minutes ago, when the lowering sun lit the sky as she'd entered Penn Station.
But unlike the woman behind her, she didn't mind. Each year she waited with growing impatience for fall to come and the days to grow shorter. She loved how streetlamps and traffic signals, headlamps on cars and flashlights on phones, became weak substitutes for daylight. They aimed to make the night appear tame and restrained, like a tiger tucked behind a glass enclosure at the zoo. But their power was an illusion. Nobody controlled the night. The best you could do was make it your friend.

ABOUT 'SECRETS OF THE ITALIAN ISLAND' (SISTERS OF WAR #1): Italy, 1943. A castle once full of love and laughter is left in ruins by the Nazis, as three sisters are torn apart by one terrible mistake…

New York, present day. Broken by the loss of her beloved grandmother Annalisa, who raised her all alone, Mia is shocked when she finds an old letter sent from Italy in her belongings. Annalisa never told Mia about the magnificent, vine-covered castle on Isola di Parissi where she spent one long summer under the Italian stars. Or that she was accused of something terrible in the darkest days of World War Two…

Arriving on the stunning Italian coast just a boat ride away from Parissi, Mia is devastated to find the island closed to visitors. Desperate to find out what her grandmother was hiding, she finds dark and brooding local guide Leo, who promises to help her sneak in.

As they explore the crumbling castle surrounded by lush olive groves, Mia begins to fall in love with passionate Leo and the beautiful country he calls home. And soon they find handwritten notes hidden in the walls, which confirm her grandmother’s heartbreaking story. Annalisa arrived on the island with her two sisters but was forced to abandon them when the Nazis invaded.

Mia soon realizes that the accusation against Annalisa might be true, and that Leo has his own reasons for wanting to dig up her family’s past. The terrible mistake Annalisa made tore apart the island community. Will it force Mia to leave Leo, and Italy, forever?

MY THOUGHTS: I really wanted to love this as I have previous books by this author. And there were parts I loved, but there were also parts that were boringly repetitive and I frequently felt that I was being 'told' the story rather than seeing it through the characters eyes.

I enjoyed the mystery of Annalisa's hidden life, even though some parts of it didn't hang together as well as they could have.

Am I going to continue with this series? At this point I am undecided but leaning towards yes, as I would love to know what happened to Annalisa's sisters Guilia and Emilia after they left the island.

⭐⭐⭐.1

#SecretsoftheItalianIsland #NetGalley

I: @barbara_josselsohn_author @bookouture

T: @barbarajoss @Bookouture

#contemporaryfiction #familydrama #historicalfiction #mystery #romance #WWII

THE AUTHOR: Barbara Josselsohn grew up on Long Island and lived for several years in her beloved New York City before moving to the northern suburbs. She began her career as a business journalist and then turned her attention to her first love, fiction. Barbara teaches writing at the Sarah Lawrence Writing Institute and other venues, and is the founder and coordinator of the Scarsdale Library Writers Center, which supports and promotes local writers. She and her husband live in Westchester, N.Y., and have three children.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Cranberry Inn by Barbara Josselsohn for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Secrets of the Italian Island was my first introduction to the writing of Barbara Josselsohn and boy was I impressed. This is a dual timeline story which moves between Mia in 2018 and Annalisa in 1943 as the Germans are strengthening their hold on Italy. The story is really gripping and rich in detail in terms of the descriptions and imagery used particularly when the Italian island of the title features. There is a good, solid storyline throughout which keeps the reader guessing and the fact that there is no messing around with an overly long introduction means that we get straight down to business. The premise of the story is clearly set out and off we go and what follows is an engrossing story of love, devotion and of reconciling the past with the present in order to right a wrong.

Mia lives in New York and is coming to terms with the death of her beloved grandmother Lucy. She was the woman who raised her following the death of her parents when she was very young. Mia misses her desperately but had always wondered what made her so unhappy as there was always an air of sadness around her. Mia receives a letter from someone in Italy claiming Lucy had a different name and asking after a bowl stolen from a castle on an Italian island. This is shocking news to Mia and she can’t comprehend that Lucy is perhaps not Lucy after all no matter that she would ever steal something in the first place. Mia searches for a key to a storage unit that she never knew existed. As she looks through her grandmother’s house, she discovers an exquisite wedding dress hidden in the attic and sewn into the dress is a key. Said key opens the unit and lo and behold there is the bowl in question.

So sets in motion an adventure of uncertainty for Mia and she asks herself why has her grandmother saddled her with these discoveries. Mia wants Lucy’s name cleared and faces no other choice but to go to Italy and to try and get to the island which is now privately owned, in the hopes that she will find conclusive evidence that her grandmother is being blamed in the wrong. By embarking on this trip Mia hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the woman that raised her-why did she appear cold and stilted at times? Why had she hidden so much? Everything she said and did seemed to be borne of great hurt, pain and loss? What were the roots of her problems and will this journey provide her with the answers or only cause more worry, anguish and confusion?

I did feel at the time of reading and this is the only fault I found with the book and maybe it’s just me reading it and others may feel differently but I thought there was just that little bit too much focus on the modern day aspect of the story. That it tended to dominate too much, and I wanted to get back to Annalisa’s story set in the past. Yes, the present day gave us great insight into the past, but I wanted to be back there in the past for much more of the book. That’s the historical fiction lover in me coming out and don’t get me wrong I thought both strands of the story were very well written but it was more of Annalisa I wanted rather than Mia.

When Mia arrives in Italy, I enjoyed the confusion as she finds herself part of a group that she shouldn’t have been part of as this allowed for the introduction of Leo Bonetti. Leo will change everything for Mia both on a personal level and in terms of her discovering the answers she seeks. They begin to work together and surprising things are uncovered as Mia makes it to Castello di Parissi on the island. Connections become apparent and the pair edge ever closer to the truth surrounding the mysterious bowl and they also edge closer in terms of their friendship. Well I was there for it all and loving every minute of it. I just felt completely engulfed and consumed by the wonderful story unfolding.

In the timeline in 1943 a fascinating story unfolds of Annalisa and her two younger siblings Emilia and Giuila who are secretly travelling to the island in the hopes of gaining work there in order to get closer to the reclusive, Patricio Parissi. He is the one who could save her father’s life but as the world is very unstable and the Germans draw ever closer time is running out and Annalisa has a tough task ahead of her. The island has long been revered as a haven for great minds- artists, inventors, writers, scientists and philosophers have all stayed there and it is known as a centre of inspiration and creation. The descriptions of the island were so on point and magical and the more we delve into the reasons for Annalisa deciding to journey there the more fascinated I became.

A real mystery started to unfold, and it reminded me of Lucinda Riley’s books in a way that there were so many layers that were slowly pulled back leading to a great finale. Annalisa, always had a scientific mind and finding a cure for her father was always at the forefront of her every thought and action. She went through every hoop in order to get to Patricio and I admired her persistence in doing this as he really did hold the key. I loved the development of the storyline between Annalisa and Aldo also as it fed well into the overall plot and helped bring things full circle with Mia. But as I have mentioned I would have loved even more of Annalisa and the scenes set in the past than we got.

Secrets of the Italian Island really gave me that thrilling feeling of discovering a new author and subsequently wanting to read everything they have written in the past and will write in the future. It was brilliantly placed and plotted with an air of mystery with every turn of the page and a real sense of Mia delving into the past to uncover hidden secrets and at the same time this helped her to make sense of her own situation. It’s a book that if time allows you will want to devour in one sitting. I find it hard to believe that this is the author’s first foray into historical fiction as it read like she had been writing in the genre for years as there was such a strong sense of character, plot and setting. It was clear a lot of research had been undertaken in order to do the story justice and Barbara Josselsohn certainly has. The one thing I will say is that there were numerous unanswered questions at the end and I particularly wanted to know the fate/outcome of two characters in particular but as this is the first book in the Sisters of War series, I suppose I will just have to patiently wait for the next instalment to see whether my questions will have answers or not. In the meantime, I would definitely recommend this book. It takes you on an epic and memorable journey which you won’t want to end.

This is the first book in a brand new series and also the first book I’ve read by this author. After I had finished reading this book my first word to myself was ‘Wow’ what a wonderful read. Told in duel timelines , 1940’s and present day and both timelines were superb to read. Often with duel timelines one timeline is better than the other but not in this book. Everything about this book was perfect, from the characters to the settings. This is a story filled with secrets and love and I honestly can’t recommend it enough to fans of historical fiction. The fact it’s based on a true story made it all the more poignant. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

The perfect Story.

Secrets of the Italian island.
By Barbara Josselsohn.

Historical fiction.

Fabulous story about the past and the present.
Duel time lines. These books are some of my absolute favorites.

I have read several of this author's Books and well I must say each book is a perfect story. But this one is my favorite.

This story takes you back in time, a time when war was happening, 1943 but also a young girl was doing everything she could to save her father.
So much history for one family.

Then we have the present day 2018
Mia, Lucy granddaughter planning a trip with her best friend to Italy 🇮🇹. Looking for information that we'll she never knew. Before..

Will Mia Discover what she's looking for. Or will the secrets remain forever.. don't wait to find out get your copy today. Your going to love this one as much as I DO.

This was an amazing book Im Excited for a second book that is coming in december 2023.

Secrets of the Italian Island by Barbara Josselsohn is an absolutely gorgeous and page-turning World War Two romance novel set in Italy in 1943 and in the present day. It truly is an enchanting, fast-paced, and captivating novel. Full of secrets and twists, I honestly couldn’t get enough!

The historical setting of the novel is meticulously rendered and you can tell the author thoroughly researched the area, and the characters are spellbinding! It’s book 1 in the Sisters of War series and I can’t wait to read the next one!

Overall, if you are a fan of historical romance novels, Secrets of the Italian Island by Barbara Josselsohn is definitely worth checking out. It’s one of my favourite reads of 2023 so far!

'Secrets of the Italian Island' is an immersive and historically rich novel that transports the reader to a fanciful world of the castle on the Isola di Parissi, Italy, that is shadowed by the looming threat of the Nazi invasion in 1943. The dual narrative that parallels Mia in 2018 walking the footsteps of her Grandmother’s, Lucy (aka Annalisa), life in 1943, unravels the story of love, hope, secrets and tragedy. Through this path, Mia’s character transforms and her identity becomes clearer through discovering the hidden life of her Grandmother and her losses. Mia becomes an independent and hopeful character that continues the life and legacy of Lucy by continuing her passion of science. It is only through Lucy’s sacrifice and turning her back on hope and love after 1943, that Mia can confront her life’s purpose as a scientist, preserving Lucy’s legacy, family reputation, and pursuit of love.

Barbara Josselsohn’s dedication to description creates a vivid and vibrant life at the castle that emphasises the tragedy caused by the Nazi invasion throughout the novel. The guests, who were great thinkers, painters and inventors are murdered in their prime which provide a distinct and emotional reminder of the atrocities of the war. This novel is fast-paced, well written and full of mystery where the reader is left with a mixture of answers and even more questions by the novels denouement. This is a novel of hope, loss and family that creates emotionally driven and rich characters that help the reader relate to the character's struggles, thoughts and feelings.

Secrets of the Italian Island is the first book in Barbara Josselsohn’s new series called Sisters of War. I love Barbara Josselsohn’s books and this one was well worth the wait. A beautifully written historical fiction by a very talented author. Told in dual timelines, I could not put this one down. Ms. Josselsohn paces this one perfectly. Her descriptions are vivid and will transport you to Italy! The characters, well developed, will take you on a wonderful journey filled with secrets and mystery. A heartbreaking story with a very intriguing plot. You will be on an emotional roller coaster ride that will leave you wanting the next book in the series. If you love historical fiction I highly recommend you read this one….you will not be disappointed.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and Barbara Josselsohn for this phenomenal story to read and review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
#netgalley #bookouture #barbarajosselsohn
#secretsoftheitalianisland #sistersofwar. #arc

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Secrets of the Italian Island is a heart-wrenching and mysterious search for the truth that had been long since hidden away. When Mia's grandmother passes away, and Mia finds items among her grandmother's belongings that she has never seen before, she sets out on a journey to discover the truth about how her grandmother came to have them. This journey takes her to a small island off the west coast of Italy, where she learns more about her grandmother and herself.

My Reading Experience:
I love mysterious family histories, much like exploring my family's past. And when you add a mystery and intrigue around that history, let's say my attention was fully grabbed. I became instantly immersed in the story.

The past storyline (during WWII) where the mystery unfurls gripped me from start to finish as the stakes, personal and war-related, were always high as lives were in peril. My only critique is that the book left me hanging concerning some side plots and characters. So many questions were left unanswered, and I still want to know the what's and whys of Lucy's (the grandmother) story.

I also loved how this quest for Mia ended up as much a journey of self-discovery as it was to find the truth and clear her grandmother's name. I loved watching her bloom into the flower she was always meant to be and shed the toxic relationships in her life. Taking a risk and learning more about her grandmother helped her see herself more clearly, which is just so rewarding.

And that setting! The setting initially called to me, as I love spending my time off the Italian coast, even if it is just in book form. The descriptions took me to that island in every sensory way. The writing is so fluid and transportive that I can feel the sun beating down on me, see the turquoise waters surrounding the island, and smell the sea air fragrant with native flora.

Characters:
The characters are developed so well that they leap off the page, especially the ones in the past timeline. Their story took me on an emotional journey as I empathized with them, worried about them, and rooted for them to survive. They are all unique and interesting in their personal endeavors.

Narration & Pacing:
The story is told in two timelines – 2018 and 1943. I found that the past timeline flowed much better than the present, which suffered from some awkward dialogue and a lack of the things that made the past timeline so utterly compelling. The narration is told in third-person narration, focusing on Mia in the current timeline and Annalisa in the past. Since this is such a solid character-driven story, I wonder if first-person narration would have been a more emotional story with a much quicker pace. The pace stayed consistently medium throughout, which didn't bother me since I was so engrossed in the story. I was thankful it was not weighted down by too much exposition or a lack of action and mystery.

Setting:
The setting is one of the most memorable aspects of the novel. I love a beautiful setting, especially one on the water. And if it's an island with only a castle at the top, how could I not entirely fall in love with it. And I definitely did fall in love with this little island.

Read if you like:
Family history stories
WWII stories
Historical mysteries