It's always a bonus when you read a fabulous novel whilst learning something you never knew about. This book was so enlightening in more ways than one. Thoroughly addictive!

Beneath the Sicilian Stars is a historical fiction novel that follows one Sicilian family before, during, and after World War 2.
Vincenzo, Maria, and their children Mario and Annalisa emigrate to America before World War 2.
Mario enlists in the U.S. military instead of becoming a fisherman like his father. Shortly after enlisting, Mario is sent to Hawaii on the U.S.S. Arizona.
Vincenzo is sent to an internment camp shortly after the rise of Mussolini.
Maria and Annalisa are left behind to sort things out and hold on to what's left of the family.
In Sicily, Annalisa's cousin Alberto struggles to hold his family together.
World War 2 tears this family apart and brings it back together in surprising ways!
Do not miss this beautiful story about family, survival, and love!

Pittsburgh, California. Annalisa Aiello is sixteen and she idolises her older brother Mario, she and her father Vincenzo can’t believe it when they announce Pearl Harbour has been attacked by the Japanese. The next day the United States declares war and her father is arrested for being an “enemy alien” and they still don’t know what happened to Mario and he was on the USS Arizona. Annalisa is left with her mother Maria, despite living in America for over two decades she only speaks Italian, nothing she does pleases her and she’s extremely religious.

Isola delle Femmine, Sicily. Alberto Cardinale is Annalisa's cousin and he decides to leave the fishing village and his parents Lorenzo and Vittoria and move to Palermo and work at the naval yard. His plan is to send money home and he has no idea that where he’s living and his job will be a target for bombing raids.

I received a copy of Beneath the Sicilian Stars by Lindsay Marie Morris from Storm Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I had no idea how badly Italian men were treated in America, the only mistake they made was not becoming citizens. Not only was Vincenzo worried about his family in the States he was also concerned for his relatives in Sicily and leaving his teenage daughter with his bitter wife Maria.

Four stars from me, and I didn’t see the big secret coming at the end and it was due to a 'promise forged beneath the Sicilian stars.' I admired Annalisa’s character, yes she made some silly choices and I had to remember she was a teenager and was the only one who could help her father. I've read the authors previous book The Last Letter from Sicily and both focus on family, being torn apart and separated by war and the consequences and the hardships they faced. No it's not flawlessly written but it's full of information and I found it interesting.

A Captivating Journey of Love and Redemption in Sicily

Beneath the Sicilian Stars is a beautifully written, emotionally rich story set against the sun-drenched backdrop of Sicily. With vivid descriptions and heartfelt characters, it captures the tension between past and present, love and loss, tradition and change. The setting comes alive with every page, and the romance is layered with secrets that slowly unfold. A perfect read for those who enjoy sweeping settings, family drama, and second chances. Atmospheric and moving. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The cover and title of this historical fiction novel were irresistible! 💙 It has an epic feel, as families struggle against challenges, including anti-Italian prejudice on the U.S. home front, during WW2. It was very well researched, and shone a light on interesting elements of social history, as well as telling a fast-paced and compelling story.

Many thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Wars are horrible and the impacts on ordinary people are severe. This story looks at the incarceration of foreigners in America in World War 2, and the consequences for his family. As well as, there is the impact on the Sicilian relations. For Annalise and Alberto, as young people at the start of the war, there is a lot of pain, uncertainty and growing up to do. The characters in this story were believable and courageous, and also showed the importance of family and the community. There is a delightful twist at the end. It is always worth reading about different aspects of war, and learn something new. This is the second book I have read by this author, and I thoroughly enjoyed both of them. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a chance to review this book.

The story follows the experiences of the Italian Aiello and Cardinale families. The Aiello family migrate to the United States to California leaving behind their family, friends and their culture. Sadly, there is no work and no future for their children in Sicily. The Cardinale family however, remain in Sicily under Mussolini’s rule as WWII approaches.
This is a well written and obviously well researched historical fiction of how the families lived in Sicily and California during the war.
The discrimination, the heartache, the strength and the loyalty of families in the turbulent time of war is powerfully captured in ‘Beneath the Sicilian Skies’. A must read for historical fiction readers.

One of the best things about World War II novels is that they always have a strong family dynamic. Although sometimes these families might have a different opinion of what is going on but in the end they realize that their relationship with each other is what matters. Beneath The Sicilian Stars by Lindsay Marie Morris does a wonderful job of portraying the importance of family during the second world war.
In California in 1941 we are introduced to Annalisa Aiello who is sixteen years old and has the most wonderful family. However that perfect family life soon becones torn apart when the Japanese attack pearl harbor where her brother is stationed. To make matters worse is that her father ends up getting arrested because of his Italian heritage. Annalisa soon realizes that she will get no where by just sitting around and waiting for something to happen. So she goes out of her comfort zone and goes on a journey to bring her father home.In Europe we are introduced to her cousin Alberto does his best to keep himself together as the war continues to destroy things. Will they find a solution to move forward or will questions of the past tear them apart.
Besides taking place during the second world war we are also introduced to tibets that took place during the first world war long before Annalisa was born. You have to admit some of the trials this family goes through are very hard but it seems they manage to pull through. Overall I really enjoyed this novel and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster. It follows Annalisa Aiello and her family's fight for survival and hope during World War II.
I read this in a day! I absolutely devoured it. The story and the characters are written with such emotional depth. It will have your heart racing from chapter one. I highly recommend this book!
5🌟

📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Lindsay Marie Morris and Storm Publishing📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚

I love learning as I read, perhaps that’s why I’m drawn to historical fiction.

This new-to-me author spotlights two families, one on each side of the Pacific Ocean, to show how wartime affected each differently. I read about the Aiellos in California and the Cardinales in Sicily and their struggle for identity, their sacrifice, their patriotism, and the secret promise that they made ‘under the Sicilian stars.’

I read in awe of the plight of the Sicilians and the injustices that resulted from the signing of Executive Order 9066. Many immigrants came seeking a new life, a better life and poured their heart and soul into making it happen. How sad to be treated so inhumanely by their adoptive country, that it resulted in Italian Americans remaining silent for generations.

You’ll see the power of love, the strength of family, the struggle for identity and the building of resistance as you power through this compelling read. I won’t forget Annalisa and Alberto’s story any time soon.

This is a must-read for historical fiction lovers!

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

oh anyone and everyone should read this book. it took me away to live amongst both our characters. i was pulled in to the settings, the locations the scenarios each of them faced. i cared about these characters pretty quickly and was turning pages to find out their story and if they would be ok.
there was so much depth in Marie's storytelling. she built this world around us and showed us all the points we need to be utterly absorbed in it.
it was hard, it was tough and it was raw at time but it was also brave, touching and tender all a the same time. it was a book that took your hand one minute and pulled at your arm the next. one minute making your heart bold and the next ache.
this book was one of my favourites of its kind for a while. and will sit amongst them for a while to come i feel.
i love how we can be told the tale of the two characters but they never felt separate and they never once wavered or made us wish for one over the other. they were one. all one glorious success of a story and a honour to read such a book.