Family secrets and lies- and Sicily. Lily was adopted after she was pulled from the rubble caused by an earthquake but now someone has turned things upside down and she's exploring her past. This moves between the 1970s and 1980s (keep this in mind). You might guess the secrets but that doesn't mean this isn't a good read.

It is a well written book. I enjoyed the plot, the characters and the amazing setting. It is a great summer read.

A family drama set in iconic Sicily initially in 1977. Lily' lives a privileged life, including an annual holiday to the same villa in Sicily. She knows she was a survivor of an earthquake in Sicily in 1968, but nothing of her birth family and that isn't problematic until she meets a stranger on the beach, who upsets the family dynamics and changes Lily's life forever. Lily returns to island ten years later, to find out who she is.

Family secrets are at the centre of this story, brought to life with the vivid description of its setting in Sicily. Character driven, it examines how one chance encounter can change relationships and threaten the core values of a previously happy family. Lily's character development is the greatest as she moves from childhood to adulthood and finally discovers her roots. It highlights that well-meant actions and decisions sometimes have unforeseen consequences.

If you are looking for a poignant, deep holiday, read then try this perfect escape to Sicily and all its secrets.

I received a copy of this book from Aria Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Secrets in Sicily is the third book from Penny Feeny but there has been an incredibly long gap since publication of her last book The Apartment in Rome. The author seemed to have dropped off the book radar but I was always secretly hoping she would write another book and every now and then would check online to see if she had anything new coming out. So I was very surprised when at last Secrets in Sicily popped up with its bright, colourful cover and intriguing title. Reading the blurb the premise for this book sounded very promising. Initially I thought it might have been a dual timeline novel but I was soon proven wrong.

It begins in the summer of 1977 on the island of Sicily where Jess and Alex McKenzie holiday at Villa Ercole with their children Lily and Alex. They stay with a friend Gerald who lives there year round with his maid Dolly. These two characters are more on the periphery of the story but yet are important as the villa is an anchor to which the characters at certain stages found themselves bound to. Both Dolly and Gerald are constants in the story when all around them is turmoil, uncertainty and anguish caused by an event whose repercussions are very far reaching and have an emotional impact on all those involved. The author sets the scene well of the enjoyable times the McKenzie's have spent on the island. Alex and Jess need this one month every year to stop, relax and take stock before facing into what the next year holds.

It's made clear from the outset that Lily is adopted. Alex several years before was doing charitable work and helped in the rescue of people following an earthquake in Belice. Lily was the baby he pulled from the ruble and following some time in a convent with nuns, Alex formally adopted her and later went on to have Harry with Jess. They are like one family unit now but what happens when elements of the past begin to sniff around the fringes of their holiday and family time? All actions have consequences and in this case the question is raised what actually happens after a natural disaster? What are the repercussions for those left behind? No doubt Alex and Lily were selfless in adopting Lily not wishing her to linger in a convent when they could take her back to England and give her a good home. But was everything done to ensure no family members remained?

A chance meeting on the beach with a woman sets in motion a chain of events that will test the family to their limits. Fractures begin to appear in the relationship of Jess and Alex and maybe they were there to begin with but this new found pressure only exasperates and widens the cracks ever so slightly. The character of Carlotta was mysterious and I was unnerved reading the chapters which featured her in part one. You never knew her true intentions and at times I just wanted her to back away and leave sleeping dogs lie but I suppose you have to follow what your heart and soul was says. I did find Carlotta's back story and family history slightly confusing at the beginning, there were different names and information bandied about and I found it challenging to follow what was going on. I think things needed to be made a little clearer for the reader as Alex and Jess attempted to uncover some information re Carlotta.

As the book progressed and split into different sections and the years passed, both Carlotta and Lily found more of a voice and I found myself preferring the later half of the book where Lily is now a young adult exploring the world. She is now old enough to begin to discover what really happened to stop Alex and Jess visiting Villa Ercole. She showed maturity and understanding as she sought answers. You did have to remember when reading that this book is set in the late 1970's and up to 1988 so certain things had not been invented then which would have made things much more plain sailing. I am someone who needs firm, concrete evidence in order to believe something so I found it difficult when certain characters took things on face value. If it had been me I would have wanted definitive answers and would not have been willing to engage in discussion or even attempt a relationship until I had said answers.

I think if the book had begun in the late 80's and followed on to the 90's the ending would not have been as ambiguous leaving the reader to make up their own mind as to what had happened. Lily I feel has to take great leaps of faith and trust that she is making the correct decision. At times there was a lot of skirting around the issue but the story was packed full of uncertainty and tension which did make for a very good read. But certain points I felt it would have benefited from the major characters sitting down and really getting everything out in the open and maybe even to throw in a few more surprises and twists and turns as the secret as mentioned in the title is revealed very early.

Overall Secrets in Sicily was an enjoyable read with beautiful descriptions of the island and what it means to the characters. The cover may suggest it's a light beach read but I think you get a lot more than you bargained for as it is a thought provoking read which throws up many questions - How can we forget those in the past when they seem to have such a forbearing on the present? How can one simple, loving, selfless act cause so many repercussions? Moral dilemmas make themselves know and each character has to question themselves and those around them very carefully. An interesting and pleasing read from Penny Feeny. Let's hope it won't be quite as long a wait for book number four.

In 1968, Belice in Sicily suffered a huge earthquake. Surviviors fled and relocated. Secrets in Sicily is set in a fictional place called Roccamare and follows Jess and Alex McKenzie on yet another summer holiday to Villa Ercole and well-known welcome guests for owners Gerald and Dolly.
Lily, Jess and Alex's daughter, has many many fond memories of her choldhood holidays on this part of the island. She was adopted as a child but for the most part she and her family have a privileged life. It is on their boliday to the island in 1977 that, Lily, then aged 10, meets a mysterious woman named Carlotta on a beach. From that day on, her life changes and 10 years later she vows to return to Sicily to uncover secrets she needs answers to. Who is Carlotta? What does she want? How is her appearance and presence going to affect Lily and the other characters?

In Secrets in Sicily, Penny Feeny weaves an intricate tale of secrets and family bonds and it is set in beautiful Sicily. I felt I got a good feeling for what the island is like, although the descriptions are mainly used as a compliment to the plot. Despite this, they were well-described although I felt like I wanted the descriptions of the scenery, food and Italian customs to be more vivid. I liked Lily and the book has a wonderful summery feel and captures the anticipation and happiness of being somewhere you love as a child and then returning years later.

A relaxing and laid-back summer-themed story. 3.5 stars,

Thanks to Penny Feeny and Aria for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review Blog tour post on July 15th. Book#2 for the Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon Reverse Readathon July 2018. Thank you for a slot on the blog tour for this title.

Lily was rescued from the rubble of an earthquake as a young baby in Sicily and was taken to be looked after by the nuns. She was not claimed and after a couple of years Alex who rescued her and his wife Jess decided to adopt her and take her back to England. They used to come back to Sicily for a holiday every summer with Lily and their son Harry, until 1977 when they met a woman called Carlotta who seemed to take far too much interest in Lily. Worried that they would lose her they returned to England and didn't go back to Sicily. When Lily is 21 however Carlotta reappears in Lily's life and she returns to Sicily to find out the truth about her past.

A lovely book that really draws you into the story and the characters, and the setting for the story certainly helps with the descriptions of beautiful Sicily

Lovely summer feel good book. Well written. Perfect idylic place that made me wish i was there with them. Nice characters and plot

We start in 1977 with Lily and her family on their yearly holiday to Sicily. Lily is adopted but a happy and loved child. But after bumping into an unknown woman on the beach Lily’s life changes almost beyond recognition

Years later Lily returns to Sicily to try to uncover the secrets the island holds. Secrets about her, her family and her birthright. This book explores humanity and all its flaws with compassion and understanding whilst using family dynamics to help the readers see differing perspectIves

Read it!

This story focuses on the life of Lily, rescued as a tiny child from the rubble of an earthquake in Sicily, and sent to an orphanage when no one claimed her. She is adopted a few years later by her rescuer, Alex and his wife Jess. Every year, they return to Sicily on holiday, but one year, a strange woman named Carlotta keeps following Lily and her brother around. The remainder of the book focuses on what happens next and why Carlotta is so interested in Lily. The saga is followed through Lily's teen years and young adult life.

The book provides a close look at life in rural Sicily, as well as the story of family relationships. I enjoyed reading it for both reasons.

Fab story which really draws you I from the start. Good flow with strong characters and a story line that has lots of twists and turns

Enjoyed the plot, characters and the setting. I haven’t read this author’s books before and probably would read again

An interesting story of the potential issues following on from a natural disaster. Family dynamics and other relationships give breadth to the narrative. Sicily is lovingly described, with some great characters amongst the older supporting cast. A good read.

I have mixed feelings about this book.

The Pros...
Nice writing style.
Beautiful backdrop.
Pretty cover.
The main character was likable.

Cons...
Only one.
I just could not seem to really get into the story. It didn't hold my attention.

This may just be a matter of personal taste. Given that I liked the writing style, I would most certainly read another book by Penny Feeny.

I loved the setting in Sicily but I found the book hard to follow and the ending disappointing. The writing style wasn't very consistent and I couldn't keep track of the characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was an up and down story. One minute I liked the book the next not so much. I do wish they would have had all the translations from Italian to English. I’m sure it would not have made the story better just more interesting. I had trouble keeping up with all the characters too many names thrown out with no back ground. Lily was a good character her brother seemed like an afterthought. Her “parents” were from the hippie age and normally that would have been ok but they needed to stick to their beliefs through the whole story. I thought the end was too abrupt and would have liked to have more of a story with Lily and her boyfriend along with the long lost Mother’s wedding.

I enjoyed this book and it was a good read. The author has a good writing style and I would read more from her in the future. I was disappointed with the ending though as it seemed quite vague and didn't tie things up with the story as I had hoped.

My review has been posted to Goodreads.

Review has also been tweeted as usual.

Thank you! :c)

A good story overall, and I like the progression through the years. Lily is just a young girl when the story begins. Her family is visiting Sicily, and she gets approached by a young woman. As the story continues. it is revealed that Lily had survived a horrible earthquake that took many lives, including most of her family. The family she is with now had adopted her, as the man who found her took her out of an orphanage after a few years, when no family came to collect her. I did like the story, but at times a little is she or isn't she got distracting. Would recommend this story, and enjoyed the plot. Especially liked the ending.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading more from this author.