Thank you to @NetGalley for the free review copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was excited to read this book based on the description, title and cover, plus it is in my favorite genre of WWII historic novels. In all honesty, I struggled to get through this book. For me, the plot dialogue felt stilted, cliche' and some of the scenarios seemed very far fetched (despite knowing they are true occurrences).

The things I enjoyed about the book were the themes of survival against all odds, choices people make that create wars, the choices made during times of war, betrayals and the true cost of loyalty to those we love and the causes that lead us to make a hard stand. I found the occupation and resistance stories that took place on Kefalonia, Greece interesting. Mizrahi has a way of bringing the location to life. I could see the moonlight, hear the waves and smell the aromas of salt air, food, the vineyard and the wine. (I do love a good greek wine!)

Despite my own struggles with the book, I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the Greek occupation and resistance during WWII.

#TheWeightofLoyalty #NetGalley #GreekResistence #WWIIResistance #WWII #historicalfiction #historyandromance

A Story of Love and Sacrifice
- This book explores the connection between British sailor Oliver Graham and Kefalonian resistance fighter Natalía Giannatos against the backdrop of war.
- Their story highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths one will go to for love, even in the face of brutal realities.

Kefalonia, a beautiful Greek island, was a key location during World War II.

Italian Occupation and German Massacre
- In 1941, Kefalonia was occupied by Italian troops, specifically the 33rd Infantry Division "Acqui" (Mountain), which were allied with the Germans at the time.
- On September 8, 1943, Italy surrendered to the Allies, and the Italian soldiers on Kefalonia refused to surrender to the Germans.
- The Germans launched a surprise attack on the Italian forces, leading to a fierce battle that lasted from September 13 to 22, 1943.
- Approximately 9,500 Italian soldiers were killed in battle or executed by the Germans.

The Kefalonian Resistance
- The local Greeks had mixed feelings towards the Italians, but their hatred for the Germans was more pronounced.
- Despite this, some Kefalonians showed solidarity with the Italian soldiers and assisted them during the battle.
- After the massacre, the Greeks helped some Italian survivors escape and hide from the Germans.
-Helping Allied servicemen with food, shelter, clothing, and evading capture and disrupting the enemy's operations, and gathering intelligence

John Capes and HMS Perseus
- John Capes was a Royal Navy submariner who survived the sinking of the HMS Perseus off the coast of Kefalonia in 1941.
- He was rescued by local fishermen and hidden by the Kefalonians, who risked their lives to help him evade capture. They gave him food, shelter, and clothing.
- Capes was eventually smuggled out of Greece and returned to Britain, where he continued to serve in the Royal Navy.
- However, after the war, Capes faced challenges in getting his story believed, with some even accusing him of being a deserter or spy.It wasn't until much later, when the truth about the sinking of the HMS Perseus came to light, that his story was fully acknowledged and appreciated.

An amazing and fascinating historical fiction book set on the gorgeous Greek island of Kefalonia during ww2. With resistance activity, love and danger all mixed together. I also enjoyed the romance side of the story even thought it was heartbreaking at times.
Would definitely recommend

this book was stunning. i have read a few books now of wartime in Kefalonia. its one of my favourite places to read about. and its hard sometimes to see this place now so beautiful and cherished, was once the beating drum of cruelty and war time events, all on such a small place.
Oliver and Natalie were fantastic characters. they both balance each other out in their strengths. but Natalie for me was so kick ass i loved having such a take no rubbish woman. ive read more and more recently of what woman had to do whilst "left" at home and once again am finding them extraordinary. its a braver we only hear of in a side piece of the man of wartime. and so i try to actively seek out stories of war featuring them.
what Natalie and Oliver had to face both for their own lives and their paired hearts was risky as hell. and it would test anyone to their limits. the need to fight, the need for justice, the need for love is all scooped up in this page turner of a novel. and how do you be brave, fight for good when you are against one disgusting seemingly unstoppable in their cruelty enemy?
you could feel their feelings ramp up off the pages throughout. and you were wishing alongside them for it to turn out with some semblance of ok.
this book was brilliant. totally captured my hours right until the end.

Love, Lies & a Lot of Trouble in Paradise

This book swept me off my feet like a sailor in a storm—dangerous, daring, and dripping with tension, romance, and enough WWII drama to make my heart do somersaults.

The Weight of Loyalty is an emotional story set during WWII on the island of Kefalonia, where love and danger collide in unforgettable ways. Oliver and Natalía’s journey—through heartbreak, resistance, and impossible choices—captured my attention from the first page. I really enjoyed the vivid setting and the way the story balanced intense historical detail with raw, human emotion. It’s the kind of book that reminds you just how brave ordinary people can be in extraordinary times.

Enemies, secrets, spies, and steamy tension? Yes, please! 💣💋 I couldn’t flip the pages of The Weight of Loyalty fast enough. Oliver’s washed-up-on-a-war-torn-shore vibe mixed with Natalía’s take-no-crap attitude? Perfection. This book is like sneaking into a war movie but getting way more romance, betrayal, and gut-punch plot twists than you bargained for. If you like your historical fiction hot, heroic, and hella risky—you need to read this. 🔥