Into The Burning Dawn by Natalie Meg Evans is a story set in Italy and the main character is Imogen. She is 20 and has been raised in a catholic orphanage. She is employed as a governess for two children in Italy and she starts to feel like she finally has a home.Then WW2 begins and although she is an enemy of Italy she stays and uses her Italian looks to masquerade as an Italian and continue her job taking care of the children while their father Count Di Trosini, is fighting in Egypt.
The Count has a half brother who is not liked. He wants Imogen and his children to stay away from him. The only problem being is that Fabriza is a charming man and also helps the Italian Resistance. Imogen is tornboth ways between the two men.
The Count returns, but he has changed and Imogen notices he seems a warmer man than what left the country. The question is, is the Count now in love with Imogen, or not?
A historical fiction story that blends romance and the plight of the Italian people together to create a book that I was engrossed in until the last page.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the book and my place on this tour today

Wow. Wow. Wow.
I truly felt like I was reading a book on par with the Nightingale.
The book was so so good, that I will be hungover for days together. I can’t wait to read the rest of Natalie Meg Evans’s books. It’s been so very wonderful. I kept shipping Gianni and Imogen together, it’s too bad that she was blind to his love. Fabrizio was a complex person who can’t be expressed in words, you’ll find yourself rooting ad hating him in equal measures.

This is a well done historical novel that explores a new niche- a British woman in Italy during WWII. Imogen is the nanny for two children when war comes - and she opts to stay out of a sense of obligation. Giancarlo, the father of the children, warns her off his half brother Fabrizio but....As the war escalates, she becomes active in the resistance. She also finds herself growing closer to Fabrizio, but should she have paid more attention to Giancarlo? No spoilers from me. It's nicely atmospheric and emotional-and I learned a bit. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for fans of WWII fiction.

I have to say the story line seemed to go on and on in some places....but, overall, I rather enjoyed Into the Burning Dawn.
The interesting and intriguing history of southern Italy around the 1940’s to 1943 throughout the story helped keep me engaged. Though one character, at times, made me want to shake some sense into her.
Natalie Meg Evans is a new author to me and one I hope to read more from.
All in all, a entertaining and marvelous read with historical romance and certainly, intriguing history of Mussolini’s reign.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and author, Natalie Meg Evans, for the opportunity to read the arc of Into the Burning Dawn. This is my honest review and opinions.

Imogen Fitzgerald was raised in a convent ran by strict Catholic nuns. One of the nuns was nicer than the others and told Imogen stories about her home town of Naples where the young girl would later end up.

At twenty years of age, Imogen passed her exams aiming to be a teacher to orphaned children like herself. However when she refused to "admit" her mother, who had her out of wedlock with a possibly Italian sailor, was a sinner, the worst of the nuns made it so Imogen could never get a job in Britain.

She finds a job in Italy as a governess to Count di Trosini's two children, Marco and Eloisa and immediately gets attached to them as well as to the Count's half brother Fabrizio who's not a very good influence on the children so Giancarlo prefers to keep him at a distance.

A year later the country's at war. Imogen is falling deeper in love with Fabrizio whose intentions are never clear, and Giancarlo represents everything she hates, or so it seems.

After a failed attempt to ship her home, Giancarlo allows Imogen to stay at his villa even though her very presence could make everyone a target. She could pass for a northener and speaks good Italian, but will that be enough to keep her safe?

Imogen is forced to make choices that would surprise her younger self as she joins the Italian resistance, helps the war effort by cleaning up bomb sites, takes care of the house and the children while their father is at war and grows into a woman along the way.

This is a great book, really. The descriptions take me back to Naples (which I haven't visited in years) and it's easy to imagine I'm really there.

The Italian words were a real treat, more books should do this. And I could definitely hear "Eemogen", that was fun.

I like Imogen as a character and I can understand why she liked Fabrizio, but something about him just rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning...and wouldn't you know it, I was right!

Giancarlo was very likable and I wanted to smack Imogen for every angry thought she had towards him. JUST SHUT UP AND KISS HIM. YES, I KNOW YOU LIKE THE *OTHER* ONE, BUT THIS ONE, THIS IS IT.

It pained me how trusting Marco and Eloisa were and I'd like to give them a hug, they certainly need it.

Padre Domini was also pretty cool, I think he got enough scenes.

The ending was both expected and unexpected, I'm glad it ended happily.

I haven't read anything by this author before but I definitely will after this delightful story. I found it well researched and extremely entertaining.

*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Castello di Trosine

I enjoyed reading this book. It was exciting, suspenseful, Romantic and had quite a twist at the end.

I loved the characters they were believable and set in character with the story. The descriptions of the Italian towns and landmarks was very descriptive, I could picture the buildings, the inside rooms and the clothing the characters wore.

Imogene a British orphan travels to Italy to take a post as a Nanny at the villa known as Castello di Trosine. When WWII broke out she was to return, but she missed the boat and it was unsafe to travel by ship after that so she stayed in Italy under an assumed Italian name. She fell in love with the children she was caring for and was very protective toward them. The war years were hard and she did what was required of her to survive them.

She would have never guessed in a million years that she would fall in love with the Count and his brother, pose as an Italian girl, join a resistance group and risk her life not once, but several times.

The twist at the end, I never saw coming. I loved both the story and the ending. If you love WWII books you have to read this one. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Natalie Meg Evans, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to Bookouture and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and Natalie Meg Evans is one of my favorite authors-she is a master at writing historical fiction. This story was about Imogen Fitzgerald and how her life was changed with the arrival of WWII. She was born in an English orphanage, but is now in Naples teaching English to two children. When war breaks out, her identity must remain a secret. When Giancarlo (the children's father) goes to war, she becomes involved with his brother, Fabrizio, smuggling food and even supplying information. This is a great WWII saga, with a lot of twists and turns. I really enjoyed this book-highly recommend!

Imogen Fitzgerald finds herself employed by a stern man names Giancarlo, Count de Trosini, in Naples. Imogen never quite felt comfortable around him, as a matter of fact, Imogen finds herself rather drawn to Giancarlo's half brother Fabrizio. The brothers are not close, and act more like business associates than brothers. Imogen becomes a tutor to his Giancarlo's children, Marco and Eloise. However, soon she finds herself involved in matters other than the children.

At only twenty-one years of age and not much experience as a teacher, she does do her best with Eloísa and Marco. Fortunately she had completed her teacher training despite her upbringing as a as an orphan. Through an interesting series of event, Imogen finds herself acting as a spy, creeping around, sharing secrets, and facing danger at every turn. While quite drawn to Fabrizio, her involvement with Giancarlo‘s two children is about to completely change.

Mussolini is changing the very way of life for those in Italy, to say the least. As it is, Italy had already been rule for nearly two deacades. Talk of war is nonstop, and this has a ripple effect on everyone involved, including Giancarlo's son Marco. While Imogen would rather get back home to England, that proves to be impossible. Life there did not have promise, so now that she is stuck in Naples, she can only hope for a better life. With war on the horizon, returning home is not an option, and everything is about to get far worse. The country is at war with itself and Imogen is well and truly stuck.While Imogen cannot stop thinking about Fabrizio, she watches Giancarlo go through an intriguing transition and begins to see him in a new light.

This book was no easy read. What did it did was to bring back memories of my junior high school history classes when I learned about Mussolini being in power. This book gave me a broader understanding of life in Italy during World War II and how no one remained unscathed by the taint of war. This intense read is was very well-written and a fascinating story. Natalie Meg Evans not only excelled at writing an excellent historical fiction novel, but she also did a fabulous job of weaving romance throughout the pages of this book. I was quite drawn to this well-written story and loved the wonderful ending.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Imogen Fitzgerald is twenty one she was raised in an English orphanage run by very strict Catholic nuns, her childhood wasn’t easy and she’s employed as a governess for Marco and Eloisa in Italy and she feels like she has a home. She loves the children, her job and when WW II starts she has no reason to return to England. Technically she’s an enemy alien, she looks Italian, and she hides her English identity and continues to look after the children while their father Count di Trosini is away fighting in Egypt.

Her employer has a half brother Fabrizo, they don’t get along and her boss isn’t keen for her or his children to associate with his brother. Fabrizo is a real ladies man, he’s also involved with the Italian resistance and sometimes he wants Imogen to help him. She’s torn between doing what her employer wants, staying away from his handsome brother and trying to resist Fabrizo’s charm and his requests.

When injured Giancarlo returns, Imogen notices her employer is very different and he’s not the cold person she’s dealt with in the past. He has always loved his country, his children and is he now in love with Imogen? By reading Into the Burning Dawn I gained a real understanding of what life was like for Italian people living in Naples during WW II, it was extremely difficult, severe food shortages, loved ones killed, fear of reprisals, bombing raids, damaged buildings and infrastructure destroyed. Natalie Meg Evans has written a compelling story, it’s hard to put down and five stars from me.

An absolutely gripping and beautiful story, set against the stunning backdrop of southern Italy, between 1940 and 1943.

This is my first novel by this author, but it won't be my last. The writing is sublime, and takes you on a visual journey of southern Italy that makes you instantly fall in love with not only the country, but the characters too. There are many twists and surprising turns in this story that will keep you gripped to the very last page.

A highly enjoyable read, and if you enjoy historical romance with drama, this is a must.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing stuff! I really felt my heart torn up for Imogen. I felt so many emotions, even frustration at the annoyance of a certain character! And the twist at the end, although expected, was nicely put. I highly recommend this book! Five stars all the way!

I am a historical fiction nerd . So first of all ,i expected a war fiction romance book. And of course the book was about WW2 but for me it was more about the war between people. If you understand what i mean. How far people Will go to protect themselves and how far they Will go for their believes. The Italian words and names made the book , for me, harder to get into and harder to remember all the names. But i would recommend this book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest review

Natalie Meg Evans is seriously talented! So many amazing turns of phrase in this book. I was completely gripped by the slowly unfolding, intricate plot. I knew some of what might come to be, and even though the heroine was at times naive, I completely understood her actions and sympathized with who and how she fell in love. Her courage throughout the book and especially at the end makes her a heroine to admire and remember. I absolutely loved the resolution of the true love story that was unfurling in the background. The writing was superb, the historical details completely immersive without being obtuse. I would love to read anything this author writes. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review.

A very good historical novel taking place during Mussolini’s reign in Italy. Imogen an English governess is drawn into the intrigue and family dynamics of this aristocratic household. Giancarlo her employer is very rigid and a Facist. His bastard brother Fabrizio is involved in a secret organization which is against the government. Marco, Giancarlo’s son, is fascinated by his uncle Fabrizio and admires his rebelliousness. When Giancarlo joins the army he asks Imogen to marry him but she is in love with the dashing brother. She is then asked to handle the household When they move to Naples while Giancarlo is gone but she has to keep the children away from Fabrizio. She honors this request until they face unbearable deprivation from the war and Fabrizio tells her he needs to use the palazzo’s basement to store food for the poor. Gradually she gets drawn into Fabrizio’s secret organization. Everyone has said that Fabrizio is manipulative and not to be trusted but is he? You’ll have to read the novel to find out. There are several intrigues and different well developed characters throughout the story. This is the first time I have read this author’s work but it will not be the last.

An English teacher gets tangled in Italy's political turmoil during the Second World War.

Into the Burning Dawn by Natalie Meg Evans is the story of an English young woman who happens to be in Italy when the Second World War was declared. She ended up entangled in the local political turmoil, fearing being discovered as the enemy.

Imogen Fitzgerald was an orphan raised by very strict nuns. She was chastised by her mother's alleged sins and paid a high price for refusing to condemn her mom for her acts.

When she loses the opportunity to work for a school in Ireland, one of the nuns helps her secure a job as the Count de Trosini's children's teacher in Italy.

Giancarlo Trosini is a distant and judgemental man, and Imogen has a hard time understanding him. On the other hand, his half brother Fabrizio is everything she ever wished for.

When the Second World War starts, Imogen could not sail back to England and ended up tangled in a web of political intrigue, rebellion, and persecution.

Imogen is young and confident, but dangerously naive. I was a little annoyed by her initially, but I had to make allowances for her age and her upbringing.

She learned the hard way that things are very seldom what they first look like to be.

Giancarlo is an intriguing character. He was honorable, intelligent, and sensible but a little too direct, and aligned to the wrong side. I felt for him because he was so often misjudged and misunderstood.

Fabrizio is pure Italian charm, and I loved all the scenes with him driving around on his motorcycle. He was every girl's summer dream.

I enjoyed how the author explored the complicated family connections between the characters. The side characters were well-developed and engaging.

Into the Burning Dawn is recommended to readers who enjoy WWII stories with intrigue, conspiracy, and a hint of romance.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 09/23/2020 as part of the book's blog tour*

A wrenching emotional journey through four tragic years in Naples, as it fell to destruction from hostiles from it's natives and the war. A love story evolves amidst the chaos. A happy ending for a few but so much sorrow surround them.

With thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review.
First time reading this author and can highly recommend.
Into the burning dawn was an intriguing read from the beginning slightly long winded at times but I really enjoyed the history behind the story