Book Blurb
Italy, 1943. The girl rushes down the winding streets, tucking the handwritten menu into the wicker basket and thinking only of thecode hidden on the delicate paper. Will anyone forgive her for what she’s about to do to save the man she loves?
Present day. Arriving in sun-drenched Caccipulia, Callie grips the faded restaurant menu in trembling hands. Found hidden in her family home, she is certain it will lead her to the truth about her grandmother’s life in Italy during World War Two. Why did her Nonna run away from this beautiful small town, never to return? Lost and alone in the world, could it help Callie understand who she is?
Local café owner Oliver’s dark brown eyes light up when he sees the menu. During the war, one brave family secretly fed desperate Jewish families hidden in safe houses through the village. Callie’s heart soars at the thought that her own dear grandmother was involved.
Diving into the town’s history during long walks down cobbled streets, Callie begins to feel at home under Oliver’s soft gaze. She wonders if she could build a life here with him. Until they push aside magenta flowers on a monument at the heart of the village, and uncover a secret that changes everything…
A grave mistake was made one dark night as the Nazis stalked the village, putting the whole town in terrible danger. When Callie finds out what her grandmother did, will it change the way Oliver feels about her? Will she stay and right the wrongs of the past, or be forced to leave Italy too, just like her Nonna?
A heartbreaking love story that will sweep you away to sun-drenched Italian vineyards to watch hope and bravery prevail in thedarkest days of war. For fans of Kristin Hannah, Victoria Hislop and Fiona Valpy.
Buy Link:
Amazon: https://geni.us/B0D42CZBV7social
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The Author
Barbara Josselsohn is a best-selling novelist and journalist who loves crafting stories about strong protagonists facing a fork in the road. The Forgotten Italian Restaurant is the third and concluding novel in her Sisters of War series, about three sisters separated during the darkest days of World War 2. Earlier books in the series include Secrets of the ItalianIsland and The Lost Gift to the Italian Island. Her previous books are The Lilac House, The Bluebell Girls, The Lily Garden, The Cranberry Inn, and The Last Dreamer. Barbara 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 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 her eighth novel, due out in 2025.
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My Review
One-word review: Poignant
Emojis: 🤔🥺 🥰
Rating: 5🌟s
My Top-Five-style Review:
5. The unique tone and plot of this story have completely captivated me. It’s a narrative unlike any other, with dual timelines and a character’s journey from the US to Italy to uncover what happened to the youngest of the three sisters the series is based around. This approach vividly underscores the diverse impacts of WWII on individuals, keeping me intrigued throughout.
4. The setting, so idyllic, serves as the perfect foil for the WWII timeline. The contrast between the serene beauty of the setting and the harsh realities of war in the timeline creates a compelling backdrop, immersing readers in the story’s world and enhancing their reading experience.
3. I highly recommend reading the series in order, so I would only read this book after reading the other two books. However, this story is so well-crafted that it can be enjoyed as a standalone without any confusion about the plot or characters.
2.The research and portrayal of the events and, more importantly, the experiences during WWII are not just phenomenal, they are enlightening. The characters in this series could easily be real people alive during that time. The authenticity is practically palpable, connecting readers to the characters and their experiences in a way that few other books can.
1. The series’ themes of family, found family, and sisterhood are not just moving, they are deeply touching. They resonated with me in a way that few other series have. This story didn’t just allow me to imagine, it made me truly feel the realities of that time.
21 responses to “The Forgotten Italian Restaurant by Barbara Josselsohn #BlogTour #BookReview”
I’d read this novel based on the setting alone. I wouldn’t have guessed it’s part of a series, and I’m very curious about what the grandmother did. Sounds like these books are winners for you, Tessa.
I love all the mystery held in the sisters’ stories 🩷
You had me at “Italy.” Sounds like a series I’d love. Thanks for sharing, Tessa.
It’s a lovely series, Staci! 🩷
This sounds lovely! Great review, Tessa💜
It’s really a wonderful series 🩷
I love reading books like these.
I hope you’re enjoying them 🩷
🙂
Wonderful review, it sounds like a great series!
It really is!
This sounds touching and I always enjoy books with journey and found family theme.
It is! Such a lovely story 🩷
I saw a review for this book elsewhere (maybe Teri’s) and the setting appeals to me though I don’t usually read the time period. Your review, Tessa, is definitely captivating on all counts. Thanks for the review and recommendation. 🙂
I don’t often read this time period either but the mystery behind this family really called to me. It’s such a wonderful story 🩷
Hi Tessa, this sounds great. I love books set in Italy, but I need to read more! 😊
Blessings, Jessica 💌
It’s really a lovely story 🩷
Wonderful review, Tessa. I also loved this book and series. I would have loved to meet the characters in the epilogue.
Right? It’s really a wonderful group of family and friends 🩷
It sure was. I would have loved to meet them all.
[…] the entrance, he noticed a woman in her late 20s, Barbara, standing by the door. To his surprise, Barbara held the door open for him with a warm […]