I love a dual timeline book. Both of these timelines completely sucked me in, there were twists and tears. This was my first book y Mary Ellen Taylor and I had no clue what to expect. It was absolutely brilliant. Loved how well drawn the characters were. Can't fault it

The Words We Whisper
by Mary Ellen Taylor

A well written story about about family and the secrets kept and the impact they have on present times to others.

Zara a travelling hospice nurse is called back home to help her sister with her elderly grandmother that she believes to be ill. Her grandmother‘s is as sharp as ever wants some of her personal items found that are in her attic. Journals , a chest and a broach. The hunt for the items ‘Nonna’ is looking for brings Zara in connect with someone for her past. The story follows Nonna in 1943 Rome during WW2 and the decisions / secrets made then find a way to impact on present day.

The book tells for grief resilience and love during terrible times . A very good story all round both past and present an enjoyable read if sad in part

This story takes place during WWII in Rome and is juxtaposed against a story in the US in modern times.

It's a tale of loss and love, and of the endurance humans share when faced with those situations.

I recommend this for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially of the type that focuses more on the characters than the actual history.

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide me review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

"The Words We Whisper" by Mary Ellen Taylor is a touching and beautifully woven story of family, love, and self-discovery. Zara Mitchell, a hospice nurse, is a protagonist with a depth of character that draws readers in from the start. Her willingness to care for her ailing grandmother despite strained family relationships showcases her compassion and resilience.

The novel expertly navigates the complexities of family dynamics and the power of reconnection. Nonna, the grandmother, adds depth to the narrative with her sharp mind and her quest to uncover forgotten memories. The attic cleaning project serves as a metaphorical journey of self-discovery, as Zara not only reconnects with her family's history but also with a man from her past.

The historical elements, set against the backdrop of war-torn Italy in 1943, provide a rich and engaging subplot. The journal, the emerald brooch, and the wooden chest become conduits for unraveling family secrets and exploring themes of heroism and loss.

While the romance in the story is complicated and sometimes frustrating, it adds a layer of authenticity to the characters' relationships. Mary Ellen Taylor's writing is evocative and emotionally resonant, capturing the essence of love, regret, and the importance of seizing the day.

Overall, "The Words We Whisper" is a moving and thought-provoking novel that explores the power of storytelling and the enduring bonds of family. It deserves a solid four-star rating for its well-drawn characters, emotional depth, and beautifully crafted narrative.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! I wanted to enjoy this story, but I felt I had read it before. It was so similar to a lot of historical fiction books with no authenticity. I rate this book a 2.8

A lovely book but not one that I would read again as I found it to not really stand out against other books in the genre I’ve enjoyed more

I could not put this book down! It pulled me in and I couldn't stop reading I read this in one day! I was absolutely blown away from the story line and character development. Highly recommend.

Isabella and Mia become friends when they work at a clothing boutique in Rome, Italy during WWII. Meanwhile, in the present day, Zara and Gina find out secrets their Nonna has been keeping since the war that are directly related to Isabella and Mia’s fate.

This book is all about love, loss, sacrifice, and loyalty. At first, it’s hard to see the tie-in between the two time periods, but as time goes on and secrets are revealed, it becomes apparent how they are related. The storyline was very intriguing and full of adventure. I loved how the two timelines converged at the end. The reveal was quite surprising to me. If you are in the mood to read an emotional rollercoaster, this is the book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Autor Love: I really enjoy Mary Ellen Taylor’s writing. This is the third book by her that I’ve read and I look forward to many more. MET is a southern born woman which is reflected in her stories’ themes. She also writes as suspense author Mary Burton, with 50 titles altogether under both names.

Sum-it-Up: Zara, a traveling hospice nurse lives in her van with her pack of 3 dogs. She is called home to Virginia by her sister, Gina once their Nonna becomes ill. However, once home she realizes she was called under misleading pretenses. Zara, Gina, and Nonna explore their family’s past and history dating back to Italy in WWII. The book tells the family’s history through a diary Nonna has kept locked away in the attic.

An added bonus, Zara and someone from her past reconnect and are able to help each other heal after their losses.

Themes: The Words We Whisper includes come heavy topics including secrets, death, illness, WWII, loss, and grief… but on the flip side, it also includes family, healing, and romance.

Bookish Target: Readers enjoying historical Fiction, specifically WWII historical fiction will enjoy the dual time stories in The Words We Whisper. It will also be appealing to readers looking for a well written family drama.

Zara returns to her childhood home to help her elderly grandmother and finds out much more than she bargained for about her family’s past in Rome during World War II.

The story is told from multiple points-of-view which includes Zara Mitchell, Gina Mitchell, Nicolas Bernard, and Isabella Mancuso. The main narrators are Zara, a traveling hospice nurse, and Isabella Mancuso, a dressmaker at a high-end shop in Rome in the 1940s.

This was an epic tale of love, sacrifice, forgiveness, loss and new beginnings.

I had to give up at 10% unfortunately. I couldn’t get into the story and I’m sorry for it.
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

This dual storyline jumps back and forth between end of WWII and present day Rome. I was hooked from the beginning and the Rome setting was a nice change from the previous rash of Paris books. Perfect for anyone on a WWII kick like me.

I found this to be an enjoyable read, keeping me on my toes throughout. The storyline was written well and flowed seamlessly. I look forward to reading more by this author!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing hosue and the autor for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

Nonna's story is one I will remember for a while, the author did a wonderful job telling this tale and immersing the reader in the story from the past as well as the present. This book takes place in the present and in 1943 Italy. I loved the way the story was told and it is hard sometimes to find a new angle on the hidden diary or WWII book, I loved that this one was centered on a couture shop, which i found interesting. The characters instantly hooked me, what a heart breaking love story. I loved the relationships between the characters, I loved the dogs and the twist was well done.

I have read one other book from this author and was pleased to see this one was available. What a lovely storyteller she is and I acnnot wait for more books by this author.

Wow! I couldn’t put this down. Really enjoyable.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

Just wonderful!! This was definitely one of the best books I have read in a long long time. A tale of love, sacrifice, and loss. Zara is a hospice nurse who returns home to help her sister Gina care for their 98 year old grandmother, Nonna. Nonna insists Zara empty the attic to find a certain box. When she finally finds it, it contains a journal Nonna wants them to read. It details the lives of the narrator, Isabella, and Mia during the final days of the occupation of Rome by the Nazis. It's a sad but uplifting story with many deaths. The book alternates between the war and the present. Zara begins a tentative romance with Nicolas, the husband of Catherine, one of Zara's patients. All the characters are so fully described that they feel like friends. And the story grabs you and won't let go. I absolutely loved and highly recommend it!!

Thankyou to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me a copy of The Words We Whisper. Unfortunately this was a dnf, it just wasnt for me.

This wonderful book weaves stories from two different times - yet they intertwine in a very significant way.

Zara's present day story shows us the life of a Hospice nurse. Helping people accept the end of of their life.

Isabella's story of the past shows us a young woman's life living in a war torn Rome during WWII. Living on what she can while trying to help those that she can.

I can't do this book justice with describing it in my words. It's an amazing story of love, life, triumph and selflessness.

Loved it!

A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. A total surprise how the story ended but the mystery keeps you turning the pages to get to the end. Zara was called back to help her sister take care of their grandmother. There were plenty of characters and very easy to follow along. I loved the story where it started out in 1943 and then went to the present time but you got parts of how life was like in 1943.