I really enjoyed this dive into Italian art and history during WWII. I was unaware of the historical aspects of this novel, and it gave me a different perspective on WWII than I had previously had, and made me really appreciate the people who were willing to risk it all to save works of art as well as hide refugees in their homes. Morelli's descriptions throughout the book also made it feel so much more real, and I found myself rooting for Stella's family, the works of art, and of course, Sandro. I appreciated, also, that this was told from the perspective of a child, as it gave a sense of whimsy/wonder to a very tragic/serious period of time in European history.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

The Keeper of Lost Art is the latest novel by Laura Morelli. It’s the story of two of two young people hiding from the novel in a tuscan villa, along with 300 pieces of priceless art from Rome’s museums. The owner of the villa has fled, but young Stella’s uncle feels he has a sacred responsibility to maintain and guard the villa until its owners (who have fled the Nazi’s) come back. As time goes by and the Nazi’s move across Italy, refugees begin to come to the villa for safety. Among them is Sandro, a young teenager with rare artistic talent. Although Stella is not supposed to share the secret of the hiding place of the art, she shows it to Sandro and the art’s hiding place becomes Stella and Sandro’s hiding place. Eventually the Nazis make it to the villa and the delicate dance of protecting both the art and the hidden refugees s begins.

The Keeper of Lost Art is a touching coming of age story, and also the story of belief: belief in mankind, belief in taking care of those in need, need even when you are in need yourself, and the necessity of fighting evil in any way that you can. It’s a truly touching and inspirational story!

Thanks to William Morrow for an advanced copy of The Keeper of Lost Art which came out in April.

This was an interesting story inspired by the true story of a Tuscan Villa that was used as a hiding place for some Florentine art during World War II. I've enjoyed Morelli's other stories about art during World War II and this story was captivating.

The importance of art in our lives is a timely reminder. Stella is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Tuscany to escape the city bombings during WWII throughout Italy. After arriving, as the bombings of Florence continue, Stella’s uncle is tasked with protecting a variety of art treasures from the Uffizi and other collections, at great risk to the family. Stella is coming of age as the war continues on and she fears her mother might already be dead. Stella grows up , accepting more responsibilities and develops a love of the art. The brutality of the war is emphasized, as well as the Herculean efforts to protect some of the world’s best artworks. Recommended particularly if you love art history. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

-WWII
-A villa outside of Florence Italy
-Hidden priceless works of art….

This book follows preadolescent, Stella, and her life as she comes to stay with her aunt and uncle during WWII in Italy. Through this story, we see the tragedies that took place in the countryside of Italy during the war and also the importance of art and how it was so threatened - all told through the voice of young Stella.

I loved how this had parts of true history with the Monument Men (and women) who risked their lives to find and preserve art. Also, I loved how we saw a village and a family come together through Nazi occupation.

If you love history and art, this one is for you! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ebook I received. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Keeper of Lost Art
By: Laura Morelli
Review Score: Four Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints
•Historical Fiction
•Beautiful Location: Tuscany
•Life under occupation
•Monuments Brothers with a Twist

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An ARC of The Keeper of Lost Art was kindly provided by William Morrow. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this wonderful book!

Wow, what an interesting book! We meet Stella, a young girl who moves in with her extended family into a Tuscan Villa during World War 2. Her uncle is asked to hide some of the portraits from the Uffizi Gallery, all while they are also hosts to German occupiers.

Stella meets another refugee names Sandro, a boy with an eye for art, and their friendship begins. I loved seeing the War through the eyes of Stella, Morelli really gives a unique vantage point!

This story weaves art, war, love, and youth all together, all set across the backdrop of a beautiful Tuscan villa. I really enjoyed the integration of the Moments Men as well, and how they added to the story.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a different take on World War 2 Historical Fiction. If you like Historical Fiction, definitely check this one out!

Author Laura Morelli beautifully weaves a historical fiction of WWII Italian mansion and the occupants forced to live together. My favorite characters are a girl, Stella, sent by her mother to stay with her uncle and family until the “distrubance” in Torino and a young orphaned boy, Sandro, who shows up on the family doorstep with a group of refugees. These two are allowed by her uncle to gain entrance into a secret room where he has agreed to store and protect more than 300 masterpiece paintings from the Florence Uffizi Gallery. While both are so appreciative of the paintings, they find both a solace in that room and Stella gives Sandro reading lessons while Sandro, who is a gifted artist, teaches her to draw. Stella senses that her aunt disapproves of her and teaches her how to cook and make the various pastas. While there are many, many refugees who live deep in the underground wine cellar, all feel the agony of German soldiers who commandeered the villa and make them provide food and drink. A touching story of a family trying to preserve the villa for the owners who had fled to Switzerland yet couldn’t refuse the people who had arrived with only a few clothes on their back and no food. Everything pitches in as the land is full of orchard trees and many gardens to feed everyone with at least some food. Please don’t miss the author’s notes and truly appreciate the depth of her research. Many thanks to #authorLauraMorelli, #NetGalley and #William Morrow Publishing for this amazing ARC; the opinions reflected are truly mine.

Nice blend of historical fiction and suspenseful story. Using young people as main characters added to the story. Thanks to #NetGalley and #TheKeeperOfLostArt for advanced digital copy.

Thank you so much for an early arc! This was an interesting story and take in history. I enjoy reading historical fiction and loved the aspects the author dove into in WWII. It was uniquely written that kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next and the path they each take. In a time that there was so much of the unknown. I would recommend this to my friends to read. I have been to Italy and loved the details used throughout the book to be in the story.

If you read the author’s previous book, The Lost Masterpiece, this book will seem familiar. It is the story of WWII and the treasures of Florence hidden in the countryside told from the perspective of those protecting the hidden art. Young Stella Costa has been sent away her bombed city to family in Tuscany near Florence. Her aunt is not thrilled to have her. As Stella struggles to find her place in the family and workout secrets of the past the war progresses. New arrivals come to the Tuscan villa, refugees, art and occupying Germans. There is much to contend with which makes for an interesting story.

An extremely well-written book. Morelli’s passion for art is evident as every scene that involved the paintings leaped off the page with feeling.

Unfortunately I found I couldn’t connect with any of the characters and the story took too long to gel. It distressed me that I was able to set the book aside for a few days in between readings.

I think my reaction was more one of personal taste than any flaw with the writing itself. it simply wasn’t my cup of tea.. 3.5 or 3.75.

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.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the tribute to the great art of Botticelli and all of those who work throughout the ages to preserve the great art of the past, including the brave Monuments Men of the Second World War. At the start of the book, World War II is still raging through Italy, and young Stella is sent to live with relatives in the countryside of Tuscany, none of whom she has ever met. Employed by a wealthy couple, who have now fled the country, it falls to all of the family members to find a way to safeguard the treasures of their wealthy employers and maintain the house. The house and the family have become a refuge for various other refugees fleeing the ravages of the war, including young Santos, a budding artist himself. At the heart of the artworks the family is protecting are treasures from the Uffizi Galleries, including Bottechelli's famous Primavera. Stella, Santos and her family face dangers from all sides, as the Italian war effort disintegrates, and Germans invade the countryside. There is danger not only from the invading German army, but all face the specter of starvation or worse, while still hiding the precious artworks. Laura Morelli has written a completely absorbing historical fiction centered on two brave young people facing a world that makes no sense, as they work with their family to save some of the most important paintings in the world from the devastation and destruction of war. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own.

Laura Morelli’s love of art and history shines through in The Keeper of Lost Art. In an effort to save the great works of art during the war, many of the pieces were sent to locations in Tuscany to be hidden from the Germans. One such location was the Villa Santa Lucia, where twelve year old Stella is sent to live with her aunt and uncle to escape the bombings in Torino. Zio Tino and Zia Angela are caring for the villa after the owner fled to Switzerland. As more people flee the Germans, Tino houses the refugees in the wine cellar. Among them is Sandro, a young talented artist who teaches Stella to draw and discover her own love of art. Tino is approached by Signor Pozzi, who asks him to hide pieces of art from the Uffizi Gallery. Stella begins sneaking Sandro in to see the art. She had never felt accepted by her aunt and resented having to go to the village school, but the hours that she spends before the art as she watches Sandro sketch and talk about the pieces are magical. When the Germans arrive life becomes days of fear and deprivation, but the art must be protected.

It is wonderful to watch Stella’s transformation from a child to a young woman. She takes Sandro under her wing when he arrives, bringing him to the school and standing up for him against the mayor’s son. He has a problem reading so she offers help in exchange for art lessons. As she grows older there is a comfort in his presence and a thrill as they sit together before La Primavera by Botticelli. Morelli’s tale is a coming of age story amid the horrors of war. It is also a lesson in history and art as she begins her chapters with entries from Botticelli’s diaries as well as journal entries from Captain Wallace Foster, a member of the Monuments unit. The story is based on one of the hiding places in Tuscany and she ends her story with notes on the actual events. I am a fan of Morelli’s historical fiction and The Keeper of Lost Art is one of her best. I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for providing his book.

In 1942, as Torino is being torpedoed by the Germans, Stella Costa’s mother sends her to safety to live with distant relatives in a Tuscan villa. When she arrives, she discovers that her new family has been tasked with a great responsibility: hiding nearly 300 priceless masterpieces from Florence, including Botticelli’s famous Primavera. With the arrival of German troops imminent, Stella finds herself a stranger in her family’s villa and she struggles to understand why her aunt doesn’t like her. She knows it has something to do with her parents—and the fact that her father, who is currently fighting at the front, has been largely absent from her life. One of the refugees that takes shelter at the villa is a boy Stella's age named Sandro. They form an instant bond and they make a pact - she will teach him to read and in return, he will teach her to draw. They take refuge in the villa’s “treasure room,” where the paintings are hidden. There, Botticelli’s masterpiece and other works of art become a solace, an inspiration, and the glue that bonds Stella and Sandro as the dangers grow.

This book was inspired by the incredible true story of a single Tuscan villa used as a hiding place for the treasures of Florentine art during World War II, The book is both heartwarming with the growing friendship between Sandro and Stella, and heartbreaking, with all of the loss of life and the terrible circumstances the Italian people lived through during the war. It is unimaginable how people had to survive hidden in cellars to avoid detection, and the utter disregard the Germans showed towards Italian families, as they came in and commandeered their homes and forced them to feed and house them, then they destroyed their homes before they left. I always enjoy this author's books and the way they show what happened to famous works of art during the war. If you are a fan of historical fiction, then you will love this!

This was a wonderful coming-of-age story that was based on true events. The main family in the story were keepers of art masterpieces they hid from the Germans in a shed on their property. The family also helped in other ways during the war which makes up the bulk of the story. I loved the characters with their unique personalities and felt a connection with them. The descriptions of the villa and landscape were dreamy and made me want to visit someday. I also liked how the author sprinkled Italian words, Tuscan history, and local celebrations throughout the story. I felt I learned a lot about the area and its culture. The ending was very hopeful and uplifting. If you enjoy reading WWII stories, this is a great pick!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Although historical fiction is my favorite genre, I hadn't read much about World War II in Italy. This book brought out the beauty of Tuscany, the lives and personalities of the Italians who lived there and so much about the fabulous art from the Uffizi Gallery, Having spent much time in Tuscany and in Florence, this book transported me right back there. Although the places that I stayed did not seem to be places of interest to the Germans, I could picture the rolling hills, the flowers, and the villas that dotted the area.
The main character was Stella, a preteen when she was sent to live with relatives while her mother stayed in Torino, working in a factory. Although she didn't know the family before living there, she was quickly given the duties of the other girls in the family. She attended the village school, where she was the oldest and newest child. Her aunt and uncle were storing some paintings for the Uffizi and guarding them while the owners of the villa returned to England as the war crept closer to Tuscany. Stella soon developed a friendship with Sandro, another child who was living there, and who shared a love of art. The story thus became a coming of age story set among the worst possible circumstances.
The villa became the home for many southern Italian refugees who escaped their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. While they lived in the wine cellar, successive waves of German paratroopers, tankers, Kiwis and Indians lived there as well.
The descriptions of the various takeovers of the villa and the grounds, as well as the destruction and disregard for the family that was housing them were eye-opening.
Each chapter opened with a few sentences by Sandro Botticelli and captain Wallace Foster of the Monuments men. which reinforced the significance of the art that was saved from destruction.
I loved this book and the story it contained. Although I've visited the Uffizi, I found myself googling the masterpieces again to review the descriptions and the history included in the book. I am thankful for receiving the ARC of this book from NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers, and am expressing my own opinions of it.

This is a real gem of a historical fiction read. I’ve read many a WW2 historical fiction, but this was my first from the POV of Italians. Beautifully set in a Tuscany villa, the story follows Stella as she comes of age while the war takes over the land and all in its way.

Morelli writes the scenery and each character so well you feel as though you are experiencing this moment in time right there with them. The art and the metaphor it serves; as well as the use of quotations from the artist and the monuments officer who reclaimed the artworks; alongside the Italian sayings and culture form a full experience that I highly recommend.

I loved Stella and Sandro and would love to see where their individual stories go. Zio Tino, and truly the whole cast of characters will find a place in your heart.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins and the author for a great ARC read, and Happy pub day eve to this book!

Give this book a full chance as it takes a little bit to catch its stride. I will be honest, it took me until about the 40% mark to really start turning the page and get invested with the story. The first half of the book had a lot of "slog" to it with details and narrative that I found to be unimportant to the overall story. Once I hit that certain point, The Keeper of Lost Art was an enjoyable read!

As a frequent reader of WWII HF, The Keeper of Lost Art provided a story that is a bit different than what is currently saturating the market. Laura Morelli offered something that is not often written about which resulted in a thoroughly researched book that had me side-googling images of the gorgeous paintings and settings she references. I love it when a book presents facts in such a way that it doesnt take away from the plot, but instead compliments it and leaves me as a reader wanting to know more. Well done in that regard!

Again, it is just that the pacing was off; I found myself skimming sentences and even paragraphs.

I've read a few books set in Italy during World War II but none quite like this. There is no pressure release valve of a dual timeline story here. This is just the life of Stella, a preteen girl who has been sent to live with her aunt, uncle and cousins in the country while her mother stays in Torino to work in an ammunitions factory. Stella is suddenly in a new place with new people and away from everyone and everything she has ever known. There is no reliable news source or communication outside the village and news is passed from person to person in rumors and whispers.

This was a poignant story of survival as Stella and her family focus on feeding an ever-growing group of houseguests - some welcome and some not as well as an assortment of occupiers. Stella really doesn't fully understand what is going on in the world around her she just knows she wants to survive it along with the people she cares about. Through everything is her friendship with Sandro and their love of the art that is occupying a portion of the villa they are all living in.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and found it a bit different from other World War II Homefront stories. I did have a bit of trouble keeping up with who was who as there are a lot of side characters but the feeling of the book made up for that.