A few years ago my husband and I took a cruise with a 12-hour stop in Italy. We booked a private tour of the Amalfi Coast and spent several hours in Portofino. I knew I had to read A Girl from Portofino as soon as I saw the title, as our time in Portofino was the highlight of our trip.

This book had me at Page One. It is beautifully and smoothly written. The vivid descriptions of Portofino invoked wonderful memories of having coffee in the piazza, lunch in a ristorante cut into the mountainside, of the sea, the flowers and so much more.

Siobhan Daiko mastered transitioning from one decade to the other with ease. I know so much about the Holocaust and WWII but had little knowledge of Italy's resistance movement until I read this book. The characters of Gina, her twin sister Adele and Enzo, as well as all of the resistance fighters, are well defined. There wasn't a character I didn't like, except for the horrid Nazis. I was not surprised to read in the authors notes that the key Nazis in this story were "real" men and the atrocities they imposed were as described. The skirmishes and battles waged by the resistance fighters were realistic because they echoed actual events. Enzo/Vinnie, Rosso, Don Rino were inspired by actual members of the Italian resistance movement.

Historical fiction is my favorite genre but I tend to shy away from romantic historical fiction. Although Siobhan Daiko is described as a writer of romantic historical fiction, I found the romantic relationships in this book secondary to the strength, actions and resilience of the resistance movement; especially the women of the movement. The romances are tastefully woven into the story of how the partisans organized and fought for freedom for Italy. Throughout WWII women played critical roles in resistance movements all over Europe, but I had no idea they fought side-by-side with the men in Italy.

The ending was not a surprise. It was a pleasant wrap-up to a riveting story of resistance, determination and survival.

What an amazing book you are hooked from the beginning of this WW2 and Italian resistance story. The main characters are great strong characters and it works well in the two timelines, I always love books set in Italy and this period of history and the different choices of the twins definitely adds an extra dimension to the book. Definitely recommended for fans this historical era

The Girl from Portofino is mainly set in stunning Liguria in both 1940s and 1970. Gina is told of her father's unexpected death in Italy so travels with her 24-year-old daughter, Hope, to the funeral. She hasn't been home for many years but settles in quickly as in ways time has stood still. She knows she must face her past as a resistance fighter in WWII. Not only that but she discovers her identical twin sister's true story written in her very personal diary. Wayward Hope has her own feelings about family she meets for the first time. Themes are courage, choices, love, forgiveness and hope.

Portofino is a lovely backdrop and the author's vivid descriptions of the topography , culture and delectable food (and that cover!) took me there in an instant. The story is multi sensory...I could hear the dialect, taste the local dishes and feel the sea air. But the war descriptions are horrific and gut wrenching and I could envision those, too. I like that the author does not gloss over the realities of war.

Other than the descriptions of oft-visited Italy, my favourite aspects of the book are the relationships and the glue which hold people together. Very insightful and thoughtfully written.

Historical Fiction readers, do not miss this wonderful series. I eagerly await the third book which is due to come out in July!

My sincere thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fascinating book.

Turn up the volume on Burt Bacharach’s ‘What The World Needs Now’, pour yourself a prosecco and be swept away to the Italian Riviera in an epic read about the heart-wrenching loss, uplifting courage and untold secrets of Gina, The Girl From Portofino.

Told in dual timeline, mainly 1970 and through a WW2 diary, this book features the adventures of two identical twin sisters; one who fought with the partisans and one who worked for the Germans.

Gina has come home to the resort of Portofino with her 24-year-old daughter, Hope, to attend her father’s funeral. While in her old bedroom, she discovers and reads her twin sister’s diary and is forced to confront her past.

Daiko writes to bring attention to what can happen if we don’t lay our demons to rest. Her inspiration for this book is James Frederick Wilde and escaped British POW who fought with the Italian Resistance. As is always the case with Daiko’s writing, she is able to place readers in the action and with the people of the time. I felt like I was one of the Portofinesi and felt their pain as well as their pride. This is the first book I’ve read that I felt really describes the life of a resistance fighter. Daiko’s research is meticulous.

I am eagerly awaiting book 3 in the Girls From The Italian Resistance series, The Girl From Bologna, which publishes July 1, 2022. If you haven’t read book 1, The Girl From Venice, add it to your TBR list! Daiko is an author you'll want to add to your historical fiction favourites!

I was gifted this advance copy by Siobhan Daiko, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I loved this book. It was interesting and it told about WW2 from a different perspective, this was a real page turner with its vivid descriptions I could picture Italy with its beauty and its outstanding building. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.