In the 1940s Nazi-occupied Rome, 19-year-old Bruna Mosseri narrowly escaped when her family was sent to Auschwitz. Feeling guilt over leaving them, Bruna joined the resistance, where she discovered not only a new purpose, but a rekindled bond with a childhood crush. In the present time, American college student Lilah Tepper longs to connect with her grandfather Ralph, Lilah, has just recently lost her mother to cancer. When she gets a message from a student in Italy asking about a family heirloom she knows she has to consult her grandfather, Ralph. Her grandfather is very closed off especially when it comes to his past so when they’re in Rome he does shut down conversations quickly as if he isn’t ready to face them. We learn more about his past, it’s also important to note that the heirloom is a locket that belongs to Bruna Lilah and her grandfather meet Tommaso, whom found the locket. Tommaso’s grandmother has history with Bruna and she’s also secretive but it’s understandable because both were survivors of the holocaust. Bruna’s and Lilah’s stories mirror one another—both young women cope with grief and must find the courage to pursue love after loss

The author has written a novel that is well written..The novel tells the story of family history, trauma, and healing. It engaged me so that I wanted to know what would happen next. The Holocaust story needs to be told, especially now with the growing number of those who deny it.

I'm a sucker for a dual perspective story where one of the perspectives is researching family history. And there were moments in this book that I thought were powerful. But overall, this one fell a bit flat for me. This story had a lot of telling and not enough showing, which made it hard for me to connect to the characters.

There are themes of guilt and generational trauma throughout the story and it does not shy away from the awfulness of living under a fascist regime. I also really enjoyed the perspective of queer people living in this time and place.

I think if you are a fan of well-researched historical fiction, this is worth reading, if only to get a different view of this time period.

What a great book taking historical fiction, making it accessible to a YA audience, and including queer representation to highlight a story and perspective we don't often get in this genre. I also really enjoyed the author's note at the end that shared what the author kept true to history, what was fictionalized or added for drama, and what she pulled from real records but made bolder for representation purposes. I'd highly recommend this to fans of Kate Quinn or anyone who is looking for easy-to-read yet still extremely emotional historical fiction in a beautiful setting.

Based on the cover and title, I worried this WWII history was going to be a little frivolous. I expected white-centered feminism with girls sneaking out to share rebellious newspapers. Hilariously, the newspaper bit is in the book, but in all other ways I was wrong wrong wrong.
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This book is POWERFUL and full of intersectional feminism. The stakes are real; there is no hiding the death and violence and hatred that bleeds out of fascist regimes. It’s heart-pounding, heart-wrenching and, really the best word I have is: POWERFUL.
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As I’m not the biggest fan of dual timelines, I thought I would find the modern day narrative trite or too fluffy up against the other narrative….but once again, my expectations were wrong. Both timelines address deep themes of grief, guilt, and family trauma in meaningful ways. Even the LGBTQ+ themes were done so very well in both timelines.
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An especially poignant narrative in today’s world, and definitely one I will be sharing as much as possible.

Jordyn Taylor has crafted a beautiful story about family, resilience, and serving. I found both Bruna and Lilah's stories to be compelling and I finished this novel in a day. However, I thought Lillah's storyline wasn't nearly as compelling as Bruna's. Her relationship with Tommasso felt a bit forced and stereotypical. I recognize that I am not the intended audience for this novel, so maybe that part is on me. I will add this to my library, but I can see just a handful of students being interested in reading it.

I really enjoyed Jordyn’s previous title, the Paper Girls of Paris, so I was quite excited to get my hands on this title. There are many things I enjoyed about this book. I think what Jordyn does successfully is showcase how women have always been part of resisting authoritarianism and fascist movements. She also does a great job at highlighting how the youth have always played a role in this matter as well. I genuinely felt for Bruna in these pages and her guilt.

Without giving too much away, I will say that how the end of the book comes together is quite lovely, but with the depth with which she is trying to share these people with us, I do feel like the pacing in the interpersonal relationships was wonky at time. I felt like we were supposed to feel more connected to Lilah than I actually did.

Still, I really enjoyed this book. I think it’s a solid 4.25 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital arc I. Exchange for my honest opinion.

The Rebel Girls of Rome is a powerful and emotionally resonant novel that seamlessly blends historical fiction with a contemporary coming-of-age story. Jordyn Taylor takes readers on a dual-timeline journey through love, loss, identity, and resistance, all set against the rich and heartbreaking backdrop of Rome—both past and present.

In the modern-day storyline, Lilah’s quest to understand her grandfather’s silence about his past draws readers into a quiet mystery steeped in grief and discovery. Her growing connection with Tommaso adds warmth and charm, even as their search reveals difficult truths. Taylor handles the emotional weight of inherited trauma with sensitivity, showing how the past continues to ripple through generations.

The historical timeline is where the book truly shines. Bruna is a courageous and complex heroine, caught in the brutal reality of Nazi-occupied Rome. Her journey from survivor to rebel is gripping, and her relationship with Elsa adds a beautiful, tender layer of queer representation that feels both heartfelt and historically grounded. Bruna’s struggle to live authentically in the face of danger is a standout element of the novel.

While some plot connections between the two timelines are a little predictable, the emotional arcs are strong and satisfying. The writing is accessible yet impactful, making the heavy subject matter digestible for teen readers while still honoring its seriousness.

Overall, The Rebel Girls of Rome is a heartfelt and inspiring story about resistance, remembrance, and the courage it takes to tell—and live—your truth. It's a compelling read for fans of historical fiction with strong female leads and a touch of romance.

The Rebel Girls of Rome is a moving dual-timeline historical novel that intertwines resistance, identity, and the weight of family secrets across generations. Jordyn Taylor crafts a poignant and suspenseful story that takes readers from modern-day college campuses to the heart of Nazi-occupied Rome, threading emotional resonance through both past and present.

Lilah’s journey to uncover her grandfather’s Holocaust-era past is both tender and compelling. As she navigates grief and a budding connection with Tommaso, the novel gently explores themes of inherited trauma and the complexities of memory. Her storyline offers a quieter tension, but it’s the 1940s timeline that delivers the emotional punch.

Bruna’s narrative—harrowing, brave, and at times heartbreaking—captures the high stakes of wartime resistance. Her fight for survival and her growing love for Elsa are portrayed with courage and sincerity, adding a layer of queer representation that feels both timely and rooted in historical truth. The moral weight of Bruna’s choices, and her internal conflict between guilt and self-acceptance, give the book its strongest moments.

While some of the modern timeline’s plot points feel slightly predictable, the emotional payoff—especially as Lilah connects the dots to Bruna’s acts of defiance—is worth it. The blend of historical fiction and personal discovery is done with care and heart.

Fans of The Book Thief or The Nightingale will appreciate this story of resistance, remembrance, and the rebel girls who refused to be silenced.

It took me a little bit to get into The Rebel Girls of Rome (publication day July 8, 2025) by Jordyn Taylor, but once I did, I was hooked. Going back and forth in time in the present-day, from the perspective of Lilah who is visiting Rome with her grandfather Ralph (Raffaele), and in 1943, from the perspective of Bruna, Raffaele's older sister, who are Jews living in Rome with their family. Ralph refuses to talk about what happened during the war, (he was only 4 or 5 in 1943) and he believes that his entire family was sent to Auschwitz and died.

And Lilah is grieving, too, as her mother recently died from pancreatic cancer, and she had had a complicated relationship with her father, Ralph, probably because of his war trauma. But Lilah and Ralph are in Rome because someone named Tommaso found her on social media because they came into possession of a locket with a note signed by Bruna Mosseri, who they have traced as Ralph's older sister.

Going back and forth in time, we learn what really happened when the Fascists rounded up the Mosseri family and how both Ralph and Bruna were able to escape being sent to Auschwitz. Bruna joins the Resistance and reunites with her first crush--another girl--and is involved in actions with results that break her heart.

There is romance for people of all ages, and queer characters both in the past and present, and all of the threads were nicely tied up in a bow. One could argue that there are too many coincidences, but I was still enthralled by the story. As I noted earlier, the beginning of the book is a little slow--I thought the first chapter was too much info-dumping, not enough story--but after a couple of chapters the author found her way and I enjoyed it. I also thought it was completely weight-neutral, no mention of body size in a negative way.

First, thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After devouring The Paper Girl of Paris I was beyond excited to be given the chance to read an early copy of The Rebel Girls of Rome by the same author.

In The Rebel Girls of Rome, we get a duel POV from Lilah a college student in the present day, and Bruna, a young Jew living in Rome during the Nazi occupation. In an effort to get closer with her grandfather, Lilah visits Rome to learn more about her family history and retrieve a necklace that belonged to her great aunt.

This was a deeply moving story that highlights the lasting influence of family history on our present lives. It also powerfully illustrates that standing up for you believe in- and for what is right- is always worth it.

Thanks NetGalley for giving me access to this ARC. I recently read another multi-timeline YA novel about Jewish survivors of WWII so I was hesitant to read this one. Ultimately being set in Rome won me over, and I’m SO GLAD I gave this book a chance because it was MUCH better than the other one I read even though they’re so similar in premise. Both timelines of Rebel Girls of Rome were well paced with compelling characters — I was invested in all of it — and the plot points intersected at the perfect moments.

partment in Romeo that he think belonged to Lilah's family, she convinces her grandfather to take a 3-week trip to Rome to see if they can figure out more about her grandfather's lost family, and particularly, his lost sister, Bruna.

I really enjoyed reading a queer perspective under Fascist rule in 1940s Italy and learned so much about the work of the partisans in Rome. I feel like so many WW2 books are set in France or Poland, so it was refreshing to read about an area that I wasn't as familiar with during the war. Bruna's story was captivating, and seeing Lilah and her grandfather come together as they learned more about what happened to her was satisfying. His survivor's guilt and Bruna's was realistic and understandable after all they had been through. While the romance between Lilah & Tomosso seemed more friendship-based than romance and not as swoony as other YA romances, I did appreciate that he seemed to see through her grief and challenged her to feel it rather than push it down. The budding love between their two grandparents was also cute! Many of my high school students will love this one, and I can't wait to add it to the collection!

Thank you to Harper Collins & Netgalley for the e-ARC. This one's out July 8th!

A quick but impactful read featuring one family’s time in Rome during WWII.

Short Synopsis:
Lilah is desperate to connect with her grandfather and learn about his past. Bruna is living out her worst nightmare, being separated from her family during a war. Both women know they need to fight to save their family. Told in a dual POV and dual timeline story, the author weaves together the history of one family’s time in Rome during WWII.

My Thoughts:
This was a beautifully heartbreaking story of one family’s resistance and how it shaped their future. I loved the unique perspective and learning more about WWII within Rome. I also loved how historical research was woven into Lilah’s story and how that information was used towards reaching her goal of connecting with her grandfather. The author’s way of bringing hope to the story was refreshing and much needed in a story that dealt with such tough topics.

Read this one if you like:
✨ Historical fiction
✨ WWII stories
✨ Themes of resistance
✨ Queer relationships

Thank you to Harper Collins and the author, Jordyn Taylor, for providing a Net Galley e-arc. All opinions are my own!

Really do both perspectives in a dual timeline novel keep me intrigued, but Lilah and Bruna's stories kept me on the edge of my seat! Lilah was able to have her own struggles and triumphs without taking away from the struggles that Bruna was facing during the Holocaust. The raw emotions that Bruna was feeling broke my heart, it felt real and authentic. Taylor has beautifully weaved together a multigenerational family tale that will surely capture all readers hearts.

Jordyn Taylor has written some of my new favorite books! I love, love, love the dual perspectives/timelines. The themes of generational trauma, romantic love, platonic and familial love, and grief are so present throughout the book. The author does an amazing job of explaining these topics and exploring queer identities in different timilines. Bruna is one of my favorite characters of all time!

Un-put-downable. Completely engrossing and informative. Highly recommended. I really enjoyed the dual POV and the way it revisiting trauma with the grandparents balanced against the younger generations need to know.

I think this will be a hit with tweens and teens who are interested in historical fiction set during WWII. The fact that it features Italian Jewish refugees makes it unique, and the story is told in the current timeline with Lilah, before jumping back to her great aunt who was feared dead. Through Bruna we learn how she and Raphaelo (Lilah's grandfather) survived. We also discover her own secrets she kept in a time when to reveal them would have been dangerous.

I think readers will relate to uncovering family history, and will enjoy the author's note that tells more about the factual aspects and the parts that she embellished. This was a fast-paced, intriguing story that I think will be interesting to fans of WWII history.

The Rebel Girls of Rome is a touching story of love, hope, and survival during WW II. It is an important book to help us all remember the Holocaust to ensure nothing like that ever happens again.

The story flips back and forth between present day Rome and Rome in 1943/44.

Present Day: Lilah, a college student grieving the loss of her mother, wants to reconnect with her grandfather and learn about his past. Lilah receives a letter from an Italian student in Rome named Tommaso who claims he's found an old family heirloom linked to her grandfather. Lilah and her grandfather travel to Rome to unlock her grandfather's history as a Holocaust survivor. In the process, Tommaso and Lilah begin to develop a sweet relationship.

1943/44: Nineteen year old Bruna and her family live in the Jewish quarter of Rome under Nazi occupation. When the Germans round up all the Jews in their neighborhood, Bruna is separated from her family. Overcome with guilt at escaping her family’s fate in the camps, she joins the underground rebellion, where she is reunited with her childhood crush, Elsa. Bruna, Elsa, and the other members of the resistance do all they can to fight against the Nazi's.

While the story is fictional, most of the events in the book, as well as some of the characters, are based on historical events and people. This book really brings to light the guilt that so many Holocaust survivors lived with because they survived and others did not. It also tells the amazing stories of non-Jews who hid Jewish families and rebelled against the Germans in different ways. It is an emotional story but also an important one. Let us never forget what happened, so that history does not repeat itself.

I wasn't the biggest fan of Jordyn's first novel, but the summary on this one sounded much more my speed and I'm glad I gave it that chance. It was fun and flirty but also heartwarming in a really soft way.

The Rebel Girls of Rome – Jordyn Taylor
A thrilling and empowering historical novel that shines a light on the overlooked women who shaped history. Taylor’s characters are fierce and unforgettable, bringing the past to life with gripping storytelling and meticulous research. A must-read for historical fiction fans who love stories of rebellion and resistance.