This wartime novel is the sequel to The Village Trattoria (formerly published as The Enemy of Love). As it is a continuation of the story about the Capaldi family, you really need to read The Village Trattoria first.

The story begins at the end of the previous novel. Elena Capaldi continues to run Casa Maria with her grandson Giorgio’s new wife Sophia. Giorgio is in hiding many miles away in Rome, where he takes the opportunity to assist the resistance. Sophia and Italian American friend Kat live together, both doing what they can to help fight against the Nazis who are operating a reign of terror in Amatino.

With the village ruled by the Nazis, the villagers are divided and no one is sure who to trust or who is likely to betray them. The Capaldi’s are sure there is a traitor in their midst, passing on secrets and sabotaging their efforts to assist the Allies.

I loved young Otto Schmidt, the young Nazi leutnant billeted with Elena. He had a grandmother who sounded so similar to Elena. Given his love of cooking and his desire to not fight the Italians, in spite of herself Elena finds herself teaching him how to cook Italian recipes. With Giorgio in Rome, in spite of her love for him, Sophia finds a deep connection to an American GI separated from the Allies and desperate to get back to the war.

This all takes place in Umbria in late 1943 before the Battle of Monte Cassino in early 1944, which would become a turning point for the Allied Forces.

There was so much tension in this epic continuation of the story. I felt like I was a part of Amatino, witnessing the secrets and betrayals first hand. This story, encompassed by the first two books so far, could easily be visualised as a television drama as it is so evocative and enthralling.

This story focuses on a prominent family who owns a restaurant called Casa Maria located in Amatino, Italy. They hold many secrets and are working together to uncover who the town traitor is. The reveal may be a shock! The story is filled with drama, intense moments, tragedy, and victories. It has several plot twists and turns that keep the reader guessing what will happen next!

Thank you to NetGalley, and Aria & Aries for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

"The Moonlit Piazza" is a great snapshot of what life was like in Italy during wartime.
The story focuses on love, good Italian food and friendships, both good and bad! A strong woman makes decisions that she believes are best for her family, amidst tough times.
A suspenseful and gripping read, the main characters are working hard to keep their spirits up and the community together. The twists and turns uncover secrets, all while trying to keep a sense of normality.
Suspense builds from the situations that are presented, it’s easy to feel a part of the gatherings and imagine how good the food would be.
I felt the emotional moments Elena experienced, the indecision and frustration. What an incredible story, the Italian roots run deep, right to the very end.

Thanks to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Even if you have not read the first story about this family and village in Italy, you will enjoy this story. There is enough of the backstory to follow along and this is totally compete in it's own right. The family restaurant is the centre of everything and conspiracies and plots sound. The nasty Nazi in charge of the town can't resist it, and the feisty woman running it does everything she can to protect her family. Even she is won over by the young German who comes to work there, and he finds the home he misses. There are traitors, plans gone wrong, misunderstandings and wartime chaos. Against it all is the love and desperate will of the family to survive. Wonderful!

The Moonlit Piazza by Annabelle Thorpe is book two of the Casa Maria series and was so excited to read it especially after recently reading the first book. So grateful that NetGalley and the publishers Aria & Aries gave me the opportunity to read an advanced edition of the book and give a honest review.

The story continues with all the main characters -

Nonna (Grandmother) Elena Capaldi continues running her Trattoria (restaurant) Casa Mia with her family. Her Son Rocco is now a partisan strongly involved with the resistance - spying, working in sabotage campaigns, defending and protecting everyone he can. Anything to confuse and destroy the German enemy and Nazi. He wants his family and the locals of his beloved home town of Amatino in Umbria Italy safe. Against Elena’s wishes Casa Maria is now forced to home Otto Schmidt a young Nazi German soldier and surprisingly an excellent cook. The family are now worried and have to be careful how things are handled.

Sofia has only just married Giorgio Capaldi who is now hiding in Rome, living with his Zio (Uncle) Alessandro. Working in their other family run Trattoria. Not wanting Gruppenfuhrer Messell Nazi senior officer to know Giorgio’s whereabouts. Secretly mentioning he is now dead. There is hatred and no trust whatsoever with him. Will this secret keep Giorgio alive and safely return to his loving wife? Will the double faced, nasty, vile one minute and charming and caring the next Gruppenfuhrer Messell find out about all the secrets they and the resistance are holding onto dearly?

Annabelle has written such an important story about the struggles and hardships that was faced by many in Italy as well as all other nations involved in WWII. Her description of the food and supplies shortages, tragic conditions, love and loss, destruction, that Italians endured and survived from horrific acts performed by Nazi Germany. Is a testament to the real life evil events that occurred during this terrible moment in history. You feel like you are being transported into the Trattoria Casa Maria sitting with Nonna Elena and Sofia eating a beautiful Italian meal, drinking the amazing wine and plotting the next plan of attack with the resistance against the atrocious Nazi. You have also now become a resistance fighter.

A 5 stars book and I highly recommend it.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Moonlit Piazza is the continuing story of the Capaldi family during the Nazi occupation of Italy during WWII. I had trouble remembering all the characters' names, so this wasn't as enjoyable for me as most historical novels I read. Thanks to the author Annabelle Thorpe, publisher Aria & Aries, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the first book about Casa Maria in Amatino. The book has been an eye-opener for me about Italy during WO2. I already had the idea that the story would get a sequel as the war was still raging when the first book ended. I was right in that sight.
We meet the people from the first book again, Sophia, Giorgo, Elena and Kat, to name a few. The book begins with the wedding of Giorgo and Sophia and Giorgo’s escape to Rome. After that we subsequently follow Sophia, Kat and Elena in Amatino and we learn about Giorgo’s live in Rome.
The life in Amatino is not as it used to be anymore. Elena needs to prepare food for the Germans and even has a young German soldier at her place who is forced to help her cook food for the trattoria.
In Rome Giorgio has his own problems and Sophia and Giorgio long for eachother but cannot be together. There is no news from Roma and vice versa Giorgio is lacking news from Amatino about Sophia.
At a certain point I was dreading the story and was about to give up on the book. I persevered and the last chapters became interesting again. The big accident, Bertelli and Otto where all interesting. Elena finally showed what she was worth and so did some others in the town.

This is an interesting story about a town coming together to try and figure out who within their town is spilling their secrets to the Nazis. This story is told from a couple different points of view, allowing the reader to try and work with the villagers to find the traitor. The story is enjoyable, and I loved that Elena could foster a true friendship between herself and a young Nazi soldier. A relationship that allowed her to protect her restaurant and allowed him to foster a love of cooking. I think that this is a great book for anyone in a book club and would create some dynamic conversations.
Thank you so much to Aria and Aries and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Set in World War II in the village of Amatini, we have two distinct groups. The despised Nazi occupiers and the Italian villagers, seething and backed by their Resistance creating minor pockets of revolt. There is also the personal lives of all, because life does go on despite the harshness and cruelty that abound. The love stories and life stories of the inhabitants form a major part of this book.

Things come to a crux when news reaches the village that a munitions loaded train is going to cross a bridge nearby. This is just what the rebels were waiting for. A chance to disrupt the supply and obtain badly needed ammunition. What they didn’t envisage was a traitor in their midst who fed them false information. The train turned out to be carrying POW and Italians and the carnage was terrible.

Finding out who the traitor was, was equally hard though suspicion had centered on someone. Getting it confirmed was a very bitter pill but punishment had to be meted out. The final scene of getting rid of the man who controlled the Nazi occupation in Amatini was a masterpiece of planning and drama.

The story was a harsh one but a realistic one, brilliantly portrayed by the villagers of this town. Germans and Italians both passionate to their cause with an odd exception of a single German in this story, wh

Brilliant!! That's the first word that comes to me after reading this book. I loved the first one in the series, The Enemy of Love, which has now been retitled The Village Trattoria and I'd recommend reading this first to get the best out of the series but this one is even better! There's angst, love and family drama but it's the tension that really gets you. At times I was holding my breathe wondering what was coming next.
The Capaldi and Di Luca families are still the center of the village trying to keep the restaurants going even though Elena's is under Nazi control. She continues to be the law in her own family. She's forced to house a very young German soldier but actually becomes quite fond of him. Sophia's and Giorgio's relationship is as fiery as ever and Rocco and Giorgio continue to butt heads and tempers often flair.
There's a traitor in the village and it's a shock when they are revealed. There is a lot of sadness and when one person I liked was killed I nearly cried.
If you love books set in World War II with family drama and you love history then this is a must read!! The author really knows her stuff.

Many thanks to the publisher Aria and Aries and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.

The Moonlit Piazza is a beautifully written story about a family who in spite of the circumstances they are forced to live in, remains strong, resilient to their beliefs, and working against the Nazi tirany. There are the big armed conflicts and also the domestic ones, such as the discovery that the enemy can be a good cook and help the kitchen and the questioning that follows should such help be accepted when they also can do so much damage? As any other book on WWII this is not an easy read as it although a work of fiction has a lot of reality in it but it's entertaining and a good portrait of time.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

In April 23 when I read an ARC of The Enemy of Love – later published as The Village Trattoria - I gave it a five star review. It was a brilliant read, and at the time, as there appeared to be enough loose ends to continue the story, I hoped we hadn’t seen the last of the de Luca and Capaldi families, and the residents of Amantino currently livIng under German occupation.
The Moonlit Piazza begins where The Village Trattoria ended. Giorgio has fled to Rome to stay with his uncle Alessandro while his new wife Sophia remains in Amantino with the rest of the family. New characters arrive, including the mysterious Kat. Is she really a link with the Allies, or maybe a German spy? Matriarch Elena’s German lodger Schmidt too comes under scrutiny, as tension rises concerning the identity of the person giving away secrets and putting lives at risk. The ruthless Gruppenfuhrer Messell rules Amantino with an iron hand and his unpredictable moods cause havoc and death to the townspeople in equal measures.

It’s a well-crafted story, with life in Italy under German rule realistically portrayed. There’s fear, and anger, love and loss but hope as well. Elena is a strong fearless matriarch. During the occupation her restaurant supports the family and the town, while all the time plotting Messell's demise.
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Although The Moonlit Piazza can be read as an independent novel, reading The Village Trattoria first, will give a broader feel to the characters as well as more of their backstory . Hopefully there will be a third in the future. It’s far too soon to let go of these characters.

Highly recommended.

My thanks to Netgalley, Aria & Aries and the author for an ARC of The Moonlight Piazza in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the previous book in the series ‘The Enemy of Love’ and it was good to return to Elena Capaldi and her family trattoria.
Time has moved on and Italy has been occupied during WW11. The needs and wants of family and the village take up Elena’s time and the trattoria becomes the focal point for many.
Tragedy, romance, thrills and tension made this an exciting historical read and worth recommending.

📚Book Review📚

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I want to thank Netgalley for approving me for an ARC of this book. A special thank you to @wendyreadsbooks and @jan_is_reading for buddy reading this with me.

This was a great follow up to the first book and I loved revisiting the beautiful Italy and the home of Elena and Sophia.

Amongst the beautiful scenery and delicious food we are thrown into WW2 and seeing how the community reacts to being occupied by the Nazis. The tension and fear was palpable throughout and I honestly didn't know who would survive.

Elena still remains my favourite character. Her ability to bring everyone together and remain headstrong in the face of trying times was admirable. I particularly liked her friendship with Otto.

A beautiful story that depicts another aspect of the war that is lesser known.

Annabelle’s writing has transported me again to beautiful Italy. I’m back in the arms of the family with Sophia and the wonderful Elena.
This is a brilliant follow up to The Enemy of Love.
The mystery of the mole, the horrors of the Nazi occupation and the heartfelt community spirit ( in the main!) all wrapped up in this wonderful storytelling.
So many secrets to hold and the pressure of not knowing who to trust must have been so difficult to bear.
Sophia is certainly a firecracker and her spirit, and that of Kat and Elena, shows the strength of the women left to manage the home and family plus businesses, whilst many of the men were off fighting in the resistance.
This is one emotional read and my heart was in my mouth many times as we learn of the struggles and pain many of these families had to go through.
Such a beautifully written sensitive story

The second in a series about this Italian family set during WW2. It certainly is helpful to read the first book, ‘The Village Trattoria’, before this one as it gives context and the introduction to the characters. This is one of the strengths of this author who is very good at character development and interaction. Looking forward to a follow up.

In this follow-up to The Enemy Of Love, we revisit the Umbrian town of Amatino and the Di Luca and Capaldi families a short time later on in WWII.

The author captures the atmosphere of the time, the way the villagers were treated by the majority of the occupying soldiers and the ever present fear of what could happen as neighbour turns again neighbour when there are reprisals for any resistance made. This isn’t an easy read, but it is well worth it. The search for the traitor in the village takes many twists and has a surprising conclusion.

Elena, the matriarch feels exactly as an Italian Nonna would be, with a strong hand and will, guiding her family, trying to keep them all safe, and putting on a brave front. You see how petty rivalries grow out of all proportion in the day to day business of survival. Well researched and written, a must-read. 4 1/2⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The small village of Amatino in Umbria, Italy, was seething with Nazis, while Elena Capaldi kept a strong hold on her trattoria, the Casa Maria. Her son and grandsons were all instrumental in the resistance, in keeping some control with the Nazis. Sophia, newly married to Giorgio Capaldi, was keeping his whereabouts secret from the gruppenführer, Messell, who was a slimy individual, brutal and cruel on one hand, while being smooth and charming when it suited him. But no one trusted him, least of all Elena. With the Casa Maria also housing a young German, Otto Schmidt, they knew any meetings held needed to be kept away from him.

When a bitter rival threatened to tell Messell where Giorgio was, they tried their best to keep her sweet. But would that work? And would Giorgio remain safe in Rome with his uncle Alessandro? The danger was high, the Nazis reach long. Would Sophia ever see her husband again?

The Moonlit Piazza is the 2nd in the Casa Maria series by Annabelle Thorpe and I enjoyed it very much. A different setting to the usual WWII settings, it had a big focus on food, the beautiful, delicious Italian food, with Elena leading by example, teaching how to make many things I felt I could just about taste! Great characters, with Elena's grandsons deep into the resistance, while the strong, determined women kept the home fires burning. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Head of Zeus for my digital ARC to read and review.

Italy in World War II. Hidden loves and dangerous secrets, suspicion and lies swirl around trattoria Casa Maria, as the Nazis tighten their grip on power. Family-run Casa Maria is the beating heart of beautiful Amatino in Umbria. But now it is under Nazi control, to the fury of matriarch Elena Capaldi. Forced to give board to a hated young German soldier Otto Schmidt, she reluctantly realises he shares her passion for cooking and can be a real help. In Rome, Elena's charismatic grandson, Giorgio, is undercover at the other family trattoria, leaving his new wife, Sophia, to keep the secret of his whereabouts.
This book continues the Capaldi family story & another well written book. I enjoyed the book but as with most war time books I find them an uncomfortable read, maybe because they are a bit close to home & I’m old enough to have seen first hand the aftermath of the conflict. That said I did enjoy it & felt for the struggles facing the town’s inhabitants. The pace starts slowly but gradually increases, the characters are well portrayed & have depth. I hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of the Capaldi family
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own