So heartbreaking. Based on a true story from WWII in Sicily. Very well researched. I was wrapped up in the story immediately.

I thought that this would be a generic WW2 resistance novel, but it was much more than that. An element of this novel covered WW2 but that just gave the opportunity for the heroine to meet, fall in love with and then marry an American officer who had a Sicilian heritage. The book was much more focused on rural Sicilian life with its intrigues and untold truths. The shadow behind the action was the influence of the Cosa Nostra and how they prevented people talking to the authorities concerning serious crime. Like other books by Siobhan, it was a carefully constructed plot that tugged at the heartstrings giving a previously unknown insight into Italian life. An excellent read.

Very well written book. There were many aspects of mystery, love, and betrayal. A very action filled book until the end.

The story begins in 1943 when Lucia lives at home with her twin brother Dina who she keeps on the straight & narrow, younger sister Anita and their parents. Dina is uncertain when family friend Gero returns to the village as Dina starts to get big ideas which could lead to trouble! To further complicate things Lucia starts to have feelings for Gero . Will this cause upset? It certainly leads to Lucia making life changing decisions that affect several people!
The present story is in 2005 when Jess inherits a small house from her grandmother Lucia whom she has never met. it starts to throw up unanswered questions which are fascinating as the story unravels.

I found it slow to kick off, that said once it did I couldn’t put it down. Loved Lucia's back story.

The Girl from Sicily is the 4th book from the Italian Resistance series by Siobhan but can easily be read as a standalone.
In short, inspired by true events, ‘The Girl from Sicily’ is an historical novel revealing the hidden secrets and consequences of one Sicilian family across generations.
It’s another heart wrenching story by Siobhan Daiko, her inspiration sourced from the rumoured assistance given to the Allies by the Sicilian Mafia during World War 11. The core of the story hinges on old Sicilian traditions, a code of silence known as the omertà and in this case, its devastating consequences. The book is beautifully written with a great sense of time & place…a moving and illuminating read.
Big thanks to Siobhan Daiko, Boldwell Books and NetGalley for this eARC which I chose to read in return for my honest review.

Book Four in the Girls from the Italian Resistance series, it’s the first I’ve read and was definitely fine as a standalone novel. Told over a dual timeline alternating between Jessica in 2005 and her grandmother in 1943. The novels starts with Jessica who has had infertility issues which has impacted her marriage. She inherits a farmhouse in Sicily from her grandmother she never knew.

I enjoyed learning of the history of Sicily during the war with Jessica- from mafia ties to the separatist movement. The Sicilian setting sounded divine and I loved all the food and winery references. I found myself turning through the pages as her grandmother’s secrets came out and enjoyed her slow burn romance with Pietro. An interesting bit of history I hadn’t heard of and I’m keen to read more of the series as I find stories of Italy during the war aren’t as common as UK, French or German stories.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC. This book was very good. I liked the love story but of course it being about Italy there were "friends of friends" which kept me intrigued! The ending was a tad predictable but there were many twists and turns and surprises as well! A very good story

An interesting read, I wasn’t aware of the significance of mafia in Sicily during and post WWII. It was good to learn about Sicilian culture and customs and the story flowed nicely between the two timelines. I found the Italian language spoken and subsequent immediate translation quite annoying and distracted me from the story. An unnecessary addition especially as many of the words are likely to be known to most people.

The first part of the book moved slowly but picked up place after about half way through. A story of family loyalties, human failings and love conquering all.

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

I thoroughly enjoyed Siobhan Daiko's new novel, The Girl from Sicily. Although set during World War II, the small village on the outskirts was not heavily impacted by the war. What I found fascinating was learning about the Mafia and their role during this time, as well as the old traditions and codes. This well-written and unputdownable novel is filled with love, loss sacrifice, and mystery. 4 ½ stars
I would like to thank the author, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for my free copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.
#TheGirlfromSicily #NetGalley

Set in Sicily, this book has a duel timeline of 1940’s during ww2 and 2005. I found the present day not very interesting and was more about Jess’s holiday romance than the finding out about the history. I found the writing and descriptions very simple and didn’t have much detail etc. I was a bit disappointed with the story set during ww2, there was nothing about the war instead it was about the criminal gangs (like the Mafia) Sicily and honestly I found this storyline confusing. Overall I don’t really enjoy this book, the storyline was confusing and flat and at times boring.
I would not recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions of this book are my own.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

A very good historical fiction based on true events. There was alot I didn’t know about this time period in Sicily considering my family is Sicilian! Would definitely recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC copy in exchange for my review.
A heartbreaking tale from wartime Italy, based on a true story

Lucia loved her brother Dinu to the depths of her soul, but she also worried about him. He was intelligent yet ambitious, resilient yet hot-headed, and there was a dark side to him that could lead him into terrible trouble one day.

Sicily, 1943: Lucia and her twin brother Dinu have always been inseparable, but their bond is threatened when Gero, the son of close family friends in America, arrives in their village. Although she finds herself developing feelings for him, Lucia worries about Gero’s dangerous connections and their influence on her brother.

As the chaos of World War II closes in, Lucia must navigate love and loyalty to make a difficult choice. Will she risk that the consequences of her decision could bring untold horrors and affect her family for decades to come?

2005: When Jess inherits a baglio, an ancient feudal farmhouse in Sicily, from the grandmother she never knew, she’s determined to uncover the truth about her family’s hidden past. Following the death of her parents and on the brink of divorce, Jess travels to the island alone. There, with the help of a charming Sicilian, she embarks on a quest to unearth a web of long-buried secrets.

But answers come at a price, and Jess must decide if she’s ready to confront a truth that could change everything…

Inspired by true events, this breath-taking novel reveals the hidden secrets of one Sicilian family across generations. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Kristin Hannah, and Kate Quinn, this is an unforgettable tale of love, loyalty, and sacrifice.