‘The Italian Girl’s Secret’ by Natalie Meg Evans is a historical fiction novel that is set in Italy during World War Two. I have always been a history geek and this book being set in Italy made it a little different for me. I have read a few books set in Italy and always enjoy them. This book looked intriguing with a synopsis to match.
Carmela del Bosco lives on a farm with her Grandmother. They keep the farm going even with the wartime situation they are in.
One day Danielo, Carmela’s half-brother, brings an injured man to the farm and asks Carmela to hide him until he can be picked up by the Resistance. It soon becomes apparent that Sebastiano is not all he seems as, dosed up with morphine, he begins to speak English. He is obviously an English agent which puts Carmela’s life in extreme danger, particularly with a fascist cousin and Nazi’s everywhere.
Sebastiano has important information which he needs to inform the Allies as they advance towards Italy. Carmela finds herself drawn to him and so begins to help. She finds herself reuniting with her estranged father as she is forced to leave the farm and as the story unfolds we see her learning more about him while they fight against enemy forces.
Carmela is a character after my own heart. A strong woman who is underestimated by all and proves herself constantly throughout the story. The setting of Italy was beautifully written, and the people were very well drawn, to the point that it was like they were three dimensional.
A love story laced with so much danger that every sense was highlighted and it becomes so much more than ‘just’ about the romance. This was a highly dangerous time and the author has portrayed that so clearly. The horror of the events that unfolded around Carmela even made me emotional. The bravery shown by the Resistance and the Italian people reminded me of the strength people had all over Europe at this time.
A story that keeps you reading with the vividness of the writing and the twists that make you feel you are experiencing them first hand. This makes me want to know what happens next. A gripping tale of bravery and love during a time when the world was in turmoil.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of the book.
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