Anna has been surviving by herself since her husband’s death. Until one day she feels like she can no longer go on.
This was a somber look at the war. There was some romance to help soften the hardships. I did think the story ended a little abruptly, I think I needed a few more chapters.

Genoa, and the Italian city was filled with Germans in the 1940s and Anna - code name Marta - was alone and scared. She'd had the opportunity to flee Italy with her parents when they left for America, but Marta wanted to stay with her husband, Stefano. But when he was killed, she had nowhere to go, no one to help. After an air raid had sent everyone to the basement of the local hospital, Marta was leaving at the all clear, but she was dizzy, lightheaded, and when she collapsed, a Jesuit priest, Father Vittorio, found her and took her to safety. It turned out that Father Vittorio, along with her two hosts - Bernardo & Silvia - plus Mr X, were assisting Jews from the country, hidden behind the church. The operation was the DELASEM - Delegation for the Assistance of Jewish Emigrants - and Marta was determined to help.

As the group stealthily ushered families across the border into Switzerland, Marta, Father Vittorio and Mr X spent their time making papers for those escaping. The Germans suspected, but couldn't find anything out. But of course, danger was around the corner. Would Marta escape persecution? She was a Jew herself. And would anyone else escape? The kind hearted volunteers who saved thousands...

Daughter of Genoa by Kat Devereaux is based on the true story of DELASEM; the courage of those who worked tirelessly against the Germans; the determination of those in the front line, working daily to free more from persecution. The author's notes at the end of the book, with explanation of how this story came about, is poignant and important. Highly recommended.

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

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

The story is set in Genoa in 1944. Anna is a Jew, a widow and lives on her own and has so far survived, especially after the Germans invaded. She’s remained out of sight in her flat. But then that safe place is no more.

A priest sees Anna and advises her that he’ll help her, Anna doesn’t have any other options, so agrees. Father Vittorio takes her to a place, the printers shop, and they go to the place above it.

The story had me hooked from the beginning and it was hard to put down. I loved the characters and the story was well-written.

I highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Aria & Aries for this eCopy to review

I didn’t expect a wartime resistance story to feel so intimate and emotionally resonant, but Daughter of Genoa did just that. Kat Devereaux delivers a beautifully layered novel inspired by true events, where love, courage, and quiet defiance bloom in the shadows of fascist Italy.

📖 Plot Summary
Set in Nazi-occupied Genoa during the final years of World War II, the story follows Anna, a young Jewish widow hiding in plain sight. After an air raid destroys her home, she’s rescued by Father Vittorio, a Jesuit priest, and taken to a safe house run by the kind-hearted Bernardo and Silvia. There, Anna assumes a new identity and becomes part of a clandestine resistance network helping Jewish citizens escape persecution.

Anna’s secretarial skills honed during her former life make her an invaluable asset. As she begins producing false identity papers, she meets “Mr. X,” the enigmatic Massimo Teglio, a wealthy aviator and the mastermind behind the rescue operation. Amid the danger, a love triangle quietly unfolds between Anna, Massimo, and Father Vittorio, each man representing a different kind of devotion.

The novel is inspired by the real-life DELASEM network, and its emotional core lies in the bravery of ordinary people who risked everything to save others.

💔 What I Loved
Anna’s Voice: Her transformation from fearful fugitive to determined forger is compelling. She’s flawed, brave, and deeply human.

The Setting: Devereaux captures the claustrophobia of occupied Genoa with haunting precision, the fear, the silence, the coded glances. It’s atmospheric without being overwrought.

The Romance: The love triangle is subtle but powerful. It’s not about choosing between men, it’s about choosing who you become in the face of love and loss.

Historical Depth: The inclusion of real figures and events gives the story weight. The afterword adds even more poignancy, tying fiction to fact.

🕊️ Final Thoughts
Daughter of Genoa is a novel about resistance, identity, and the small acts of rebellion that ripple into history. It’s perfect for fans of The Nightingale or The Book Thief. If you’re drawn to stories of hidden courage and found family, this one will stay with you.

Annie's family fled to America years ago, to escape the Fascist regime, but Anna had stayed behind. Alone and terrified of discovery, Anna meets Father Vittorio, a Jesuit priest who takes her to shopkeepers Bernardo and Silvia, an older couple who offer shelter and safety without question. But when Anna discovers that this kind, quiet couple is part of a network of ordinary people daring to help Father Vittorio smuggle Jewish citizens, stripped of their status and rights, out of Italy. she is determined to help.

This story is set in the war-torn 1940s and inspired by true events. It's an inspiring storytelling us about the remarkable and selfless efforts to help others.

I liked Anna, she was a brave woman to stay behind while her family fled to America. This is an interesting read about how the priests and the resistance helped the Jews. There's a little romance to add to the mix.

Published 11th September 2025

I would like to thank #NetGaley #AriaandAries and the author #KatDevereaux for my ARC of #DaughterOfGeona in exchange for an honest review.

Daughter of Genoa is a tribute to those courageous enough to do what is right without seeking glory. The narrative often switched between first and third person, which became confusing when past and present were suddenly intertwined. I found the ages of the main characters unclear at times—they sometimes seemed older, then younger. I appreciated when their ages were finally clarified in the story. Marta/Anna also started referring to her lover, Mr. X, by his first name halfway through, even though the first half of the book consistently used his last name. The ending felt abrupt, leaving some characters without closure. While I admire the bravery and courage depicted, and the story itself is intriguing, the execution fell short, making it difficult to rate highly. 2 ½ stars
I would like to thank the author, Aria & Aries and NetGalley for my free copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.

This is the story of the resistance in Genoa in n the latter stages of ww2. It focuses on a love triangle between a Jewish girl, a pilot and a Jesuit monk. After the monk rescues her from the street and places her in hiding she be omes a forger of identity cards this helping people escape to a safe place like Switzerland. In doing so she meets the pilot, . Both men fall in love with her but neither will form a lasting relationship. The book is based on actual figures which gives it a ring of authenticity and the storyline, is great even if it is bitter sweet. However, there were a few loose ends left which were only tied up when you read the afterword. Despite this, the book portrays the love and loss on warfare really well, making this a thoroughly worthwhile read.

Daughter of Genoa is a historical romance novel set in the 1940's when Genoa, like most of Italy was under German occupation. Insipired by real life people and events, the story follows Anna, the daughter of a promenant Jewish antifacist and recently widowed Jew, who is desperately trying to avoid capture, by remaining hidden in her small flat at the harbour. She finds herself in a precarious situation after an air raid destroys her home and her despair is noticed by a Jesuit priest, Father Vittoria. He offers to help Anna and she reluctantly accepts, taking up refuge in a safe house above a printers shop with Bernardo and Silvia.

Anna begins to trust the couple and soon finds herself working alongside Bernardo, Silivia and Father Vittotia as part of the local resistance network. Anna is then introduced to the lead member, Massimo Teglio, or 'Mr X' and the story follows the new groups blooming friendships and relationships and Anna finds herself having a new sense of purpose, supporting other Jews. She also has to confront her past as she discovers more about her new-found friends.

Whilst parts of the story were compelling and captivating- I feel the author at times, downplayed the sense of urgency and danger that Anna and her resistance group were constantly under during Nazi occupation- it lacked the suspense that other novels in this genre have. Daughter of Genoa instead focused on the romance triangle between Father Vittoria, Anna and Mr X. It would have been nice to have found out a little more about what happened to Anna, and perhaps to add suspense, includemore about Father Vittoria's selfless act at the end.

what a powerful and heart breaking read. knowing how close to truths it is really is both inspiring and despairing. i cant imagine the people who took such brave risks. and i cant believe those who faced such fear as they were being targeted in such heinous ways. this book did such a good job of making these characters pulls you through those tough subjects.
we are told this story via Anna who finds herself widowed and now alone. her family managed to escape to America. one night every thing comes crashing around her in a bombing raid. she is helped by a Jesuit priest who is the kindness she couldn't have needed more. she is then taken to a safe place and helped without question once again by Bernado and Silvia who share there home with her. its their that she learns what also goes on behind these doors. they are part of the secret society helping those most in need at this time. its something Anna now feels is exactly where she needs to be and what she needs to be doing. she has the skill set of forgery and knowledge from her own previous life. Anna is working against injustice. but she knows she has secrets of her own and this is a dark time to have them. the world around her is full of danger and every day leads to more fears and sacrifices to be made.
i was in awe of this society. i cannot and will never be able to say how shocked and totally flawed i am by this group who did such brave and wonderful things. so selfless! these were people like me, my family, my neighbours. and they just stood up and fought and became extraordinary. i cannot get over it actually.
the characters in this book brought it so much to life. i felt the fears, risks and tough times. but i also felt the friendships, love and support of strength too.
the scene setting was just right. it played with my emotions all the way through. i felt built up and ready to cheer and applaud and feel bolstered by some people. and then horrified,fearful and hateful of others.
a beautiful book by Kat. shes done a wonderful job with this and certainly did a wonderful job on my heart.

Genoa, 1944: Widowed and completely alone, Anna Pastorino has been trying to keep a low profile since the Germans invaded Italy in her tiny flat near the harbour, her parents and brother escaped to America and one night she loses everything in a bombing raid.

A Jesuit priest Father Vittoria notices her despair and offers to help, she has no choice but to accept, he takes her to a safe house above a printer's shop in a quiet street near via Assarotti. Here she meets Bernardo and Silvia, they share with her their home with her and pet cat and she becomes a member of a secret forgery team run by Massimo Teglio, “The Scarlet Pimpernel” or Mr. X and it has links to Father Francesco Repetto.

Anna or Matta has a sense of purpose, a circle of friends, and every Jewish person like herself they help is a victory against the Germans, prejudice and injustice. However, Anna and Father Vittoria have secrets that could endanger everyone, Genoa is full of dangerous and desperate people, who would report anyone suspicious and “The Scarlet Pimpernel” has a price on his head.

I received a copy of Daughter of Genoa by Kat Devereaux from Aria & Aries and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The characters in this narrative are amazing, brave, compelling and selfless.

Based on the actual work and individuals of DELASEM or The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee a network in Genoa, Italy, which provided fake papers and money during the Holocaust, a moving story of friendship, love, bravery, heroism, and how ordinary people did extraordinary things during one of the worst times in modern history and tyranny.

Five stars from me, a perfect blend of genuine and fictional characters and I highly recommend.

Based on true events with real life characters this was a story of the events happening to Jews in War torn Genoa. Having lost her husband Marta, is taken to a safe house where she meets Father Vittoria and Massimo Teglio who work for the Italian Resistance. She undertakes work for them until the time comes that she has to escape.
I did enjoy the novel but found it more of a love story than other Resistance historical fiction novels I have read. It was interesting to read the notes at the end to discover what had happened to the 2 main male characters

Anna lives in Genoa, a young widow and a Jew. With the German occupation and loss of her job, she hides away ... until the night her apartment and all her possessions are destroyed by an American bomber.

Anna is found by a young lady and taken to a priest, who helps to hide her with Sylvia and Bernardo. Where she is also known as Marta.

Anna is bored, and with the help of Mr X and the priest she works for them producing fake ID cards for Jews.

The story reminds us that not just on Poland, France and Germany but in Italy as well Jews were victimised and treated badly during WW11

Anna Pastorina is scraping out a living in Italy in 1944; her father is Jewish and escaped with her mother and brother to America. She remained with her husband who was subsequently killed and she was dismissed by his family as being beneath them socially and having a Jewish father. An air-raid by the RAF and she survives in the shelter but her meagre home doesn't. She's befriended by a Jesuit priest who takes her to a safe house. There she meets Massimo Teglio (a real-life person) and, together with Father Vittorio, they produce very good fake documents. Although falling for Teglio she is eventually persuaded to leave and head for Switzerland. Who knows what happened to her there. I enjoyed the fact that the story was based on real occurrences with real people and clearly the author has done a lot of research into this. I did not get any sense of the utmost despair, urgency and fear of life under German control though. It was essentially a love story between Teglio and Maria, and the angst of Father Vittoria, terminally ill, and falling hard for Anna. Disappointing I'm afraid and I'm obviously in the minority of reviewers.

Its 1944 Genoa and Anna Pastorino is struggling to survive in a world where any one suspected of being Jewish is a target. With very little money, no possibility of getting work and no one who will help her, she is thrown adrift when, following an air raid, her tiny home and all her possessions are destroyed.

This is a very moving read, so believable, it incorporates two real people into the narrative, Massimo Teglio & don Francesco Repetto, which makes it even more emotive. The author has obviously done a lot of research on the area and the way it suffered during WWII. I liked that in the Authors notes, we find out what happened to the two men. My only small niggle is that I would have liked to have more of a conclusion to how Anna ended up. However, I really enjoyed this book. Recommended.

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

This story was very emotional and heart wrenching. Anna Pastorino has been widowed and is on her own. Due to a part Jewish heritage she has been surviving on her wits since the Germans invaded Genoa. Anna lives in her small flat near the harbour, she’s not really coping and barely goes out. until an RAF bomb destroys her only shelter. When a Jesuit priest approaches her offering help, she has no choice but to accept. She follows Father Vittorio, to a safe house above a printers’ shop in a quiet street. The printers shop is actually a forgery workshop and Anna gets drawn into working with the resistance.

I really enjoyed this book it’s was a thought provoking read. Life was so hard during WW2 and this story portrays it in a sensitive way. I highly recommend, totally worthy of 5 stars.

Daughter of Genoa by Kat Deveraux

Genoa, 1944:

Widowed and alone, Anna Pastorino has been surviving on her wits since the Germans invaded. The daughter of a prominent Jewish antifascist, Anna lives a hidden life in her small flat near the harbour ... until an RAF bomb destroys her only shelter. When a Jesuit priest approaches her offering help, she has no choice but to accept. She follows her new friend, Father Vittorio, to a safe house above a printers’ shop in a quiet street near via Assarotti.

OMG I loved this and I couldn't put it down . It is so good , when I did put it down I felt as if it could be carrying on without me and I was missing out !

Loved the plot and the characters . I found them so believable and interesting . The author wrote so eloquently about it you could almost imagine yourself as a bystander .