One Darkest Night is a historical novel set in 1940's Italy during World War II. Antonina Mazin is a Jewish woman living in Venice and studying to be a nurse. As danger grows for Jews in Italy, her father arranges with a family friend for her to leave Venice and move to the countryside, where she will live as a farmer's wife with a new name and new identity. Nina, as she is now known, grows close to Nico as they make a new life in dangerous times. But Nico's work rescuing Jews attracts attention from a very dangerous man.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction and especially am interested in the 1940's. I have read very few books set during 1940's Italy, so the setting was also interesting to me. I have read several books by Jennifer Robson and enjoy her writing.

This is a well told, engrossing story. Nina is a very likable, sympathetic protagonist and I immediately was interested in her story and concerned about her safety. Nico, who had been studying for the priesthood before returning to his family's farm and getting involved with the Resistance, is a fascinating character. I loved Nina and Nico's love story too; it was beautifully written.

The second half of the novel is even darker, as danger grows for Nina, Nico, and their families. Some of the chapters were harrowing and difficult to read. I'm glad I continued reading, though; Our Darkest Night is a sensitively told, unusual story.

I recommend this novel for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone interested in life during World War II.

Robeson is a new to me author. Having heard wonderful things about The Gown, I was eager to read her.

Our Darkest Night is not your typical WWII historical. For starters, it’s set in Italy. Second, a large part of the book focuses on the arrangement between the two main characters. I enjoyed the farm setting and Nina’s growing maturity from young girl to wife and mother.

And then... just as I was used to the gentle pace, Robeson threw in a curveball. I won’t spoil it for you. Let’s just say the book went from gentle to dark in a snap. Well played Ms Robeson. Well played.

Jennifer Robson's Our Darkest Night is a moving and engrossing World War II era novel, following Antonina, a young Jewish woman, who has to pose as a Christian man's wife when the Nazis occupy Italy.

I have enjoyed many of Robson's works, and this is one is no different (although perhaps "enjoyed" isn't quite the appropriate word for the subject matter - but it definitely was hard to put down). While the basic plot does echo many other Holocaust themed stories (which makes perfect sense), the Italian perspective and Nina and Nico's romance, as well as the historical detail, make for an excellent and engaging read. The lead characters are likeable, and their joy and pain is palpable due to Robson's fantastic writing. I recommend this to fans of World War II set fiction.

4 stars

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for this copy, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I love Jennifer Robson's books so I was extremely excited to get to read Our Darkest Night in advance. This novel was an appreciated deviation from the typical WWII/Holocaust literature as it is set in Italy rather than France, Germany, or other occupied territory.

Robson's books are always rich in detail and her characters charming. It's difficult not to like Nico and his family. Especially Carlo. I would move mountains for Carlo. And, of course, our protagonist Nina immediately endeared herself to me with her love of learning and her devotion to her parents. She proved to be a strong and capable character, much like Robson's other heroines. I felt genuine joy, terror, and hope for her as the narrative progressed. I really enjoyed immersing myself in the world of 1940s Occupied Italy. While I didn't find the writing as strong as Robson's other novels, I couldn't pull myself away from the book.

What I really loved and appreciated was the connection to the experience of her husband's Italian family that Robson discusses in her Author's Note. I love that she chose to set her WWII novel in their world.

Overall, this is a strong 3.5 rounded up to a 4 because I always love a story that pulls me in right until the end. While I didn't like this novel as much as I enjoyed her WWI trilogy, Our Darkest Night is a great distraction nonetheless. I will definitely return to it again in the future.