Italy, 1943. With tears in her eyes, Giulia listens out for the sound of bombers flying overhead and thinks of the baby growing inside of her. Through the fabric of her lace dress her fingers touch the cold bullets carefully sewn into the seams. Luca might never forgive her, but she has to do this…
New York, present day. When Tori Coleman discovers that her mother was adopted, her whole world shatters. Jeremy, her boyfriend, wants to get married, but how can Tori commit when she doesn’t know who she truly is? The only clue to the identity of her biological family is a mysterious postcard with a photograph of an ornate wedding dress her grandmother Giulia made, which she’s told was gifted to a museum on an Italian island…
Tori arrives on Parissi Island, surrounded by turquoise Mediterranean waters, with the sweet smell of orange blossom filling the air. She soon finds the museum and learns that Giulia was Jewish, and secretly lived there during World War Two. She thought her grandmother abandoned her mother, but was she forced to leave and give up her child?
Just as she’s getting closer to answers, an unexpected call from Jeremy stops Tori in her tracks. As he passionately urges her to find out the truth, suddenly Tori wishes he were in Italy by her side, ready to propose again.
But then Tori is shocked to find bullets sewn into the lining of one of Giulia’s dresses and a notebook claiming she did something terrible during World War Two. Will the secrets in her family help her follow her own heart, or send her home from Italy with it finally broken forever?
An enchanting, unforgettable novel about desperate decisions in the dark days of war and the uplifting power of true love. Perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Soraya Lane and Victoria Hislop.
Buy Link:
Amazon: https://geni.us/B0C549N9RRsocial
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Barbara Josselsohn is an award-winning journalist and novelist who loves crafting stories about strong protagonists facing a fork in the road. She is the author of five previous
novels, including The Lilac House, The Bluebell Girls, The Lily Garden, The Cranberry Inn, and The Last Dreamer. She has also written hundreds of articles and essays in major and
regional publications about family, home and relationships. She lives just north of New York City and enjoys escaping to the beach or the mountains whenever she can. Other than writing, her biggest passion is her family: her husband, her three kids, and her rescue pup, a mini-schnauzer named Albie. She is currently at work on Book 2 of her Sisters of War series, a follow-up to Secrets of the Italian Island.
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- One-word review: Charming
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- Rating: 4.5 🌟s
My thoughts:
I love the Sisters of War series by Barbara Josselsohn. It has a gripping historical plot line and an emotional current-day plotline, and it is so full of family love that it just wrapped me in its warm embrace starting with page one. I don’t think I could ask for any more of a story than what it delivers naturally and effectively.
The historical plot line – Italy during WWII (mainly focusing on the islands off of the mainland) – is so compelling. It’s the story of three sisters who go through so much together and apart, all in the name of love – love for each other, their parents, and those special people in their lives. I loved learning more about what happened in Italy during that period.
The current plotline involves the sisters’ grandchildren and the consequences of what the sisters went through during the war on the current generation. How the war reverberated through the generations in one way or another. It was easy for me to get completely caught up in Tori’s – the main character – challenges and need to know more about the past. I especially loved the mystery angle of the plight to find her birth-grandmother.
I can’t rave enough about this series. You are just going to have to pick up the first book. Find out the secrets of the Italian Island for yourself!
10 responses to “The Lost Gift to the Italian Island by Barbara Josselsohn #BookReview #Historical mixed with #Contemporary with a smattering of #romance”
Wonderful review you definitely make me want to pick up the first book!
You should! I believe it’s kindle unlimited 💕
This sounds touching. Amazing review, Tessa!
It definitely is. There’s so much to the story.
Few of the historical fiction stories written about World War II focus on Italy, which is such a shame as they were deeply impacted. Definitely checking out this series. Wonderful review, Tessa💜
I believe the series is under Kindle Unlimited which is a huge plus. It’s very good. It’s just such a full story.
Great review, the book sounds brilliant.
It is lovely. Both books are so far.
I really enjoy alternating timelines, so this sounds like one I’d like. Especially with Italy being one of the settings.
It’s such a richly full story. And I believe it is in Kindle Unlimited which is a big plus!