This book was interesting and thought-provoking. I liked how the fictional story weaved together with the historical facts of the time. I actually looked up various events that were mentioned to know more and you can tell the author did excellent research. I was hooked at the beginning because it raised a lot of questions that I was looking forward to uncovering throughout the pages, but as the story kept splitting, giving us various timelines, it became difficult to follow. I was not very invested in the romance aspect of it however I see how this was important to the different plot since love is a reason and motivation for many of the characters.

Court felt so real, he was flawed but with good intentions, trying to better himself and his actions and dedication showed how he was growing throughout the book. I really liked the present setting especially as the author described the scenery and food, made me want to pack my bags and fly to Italy, very accurate to what I’ve seen in the movies. Overall, a wonderful story full of hope and conviction on being good among all the bad. It all does come together and there is a twist that makes this story worth the read.

A story where the past collides with the present. 🇮🇹
 
When Delaney's grandfather passed away, her family received a letter from Italy about some inheritance that belonged to them. Delaney's grandfather was a man of secrets. He never spoke about World War II, about Italy where he fought during the war and not about Calla, the Jewish girl who witnessed her family being killed by the Nazis. Delaney personally delivered the suitcase her grandfather had kept since the war to its original owner living in Italy. In this magnificent place, she learnt not only about a famous ballerina but also about the brutality of the war and her grandfather's hidden past.
Based on real historical events, this book takes the reader to Italy in the time of World War II. Dual timeline, three heroes and one beautiful story. I loved the present time with the vivid description of Italy. It is a nice story of survival and secrets that finally came to light after many years. I've read many World War II books, but never heard about Syndrome K, an invented disease in one of the Italian hospitals, that saved people from the Nazis.
Engaging novel that I loved to read.
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are complete my own.

Kristy Cambron has again created a vivid, engaging novel interweaving lives and times in a beautiful story celebrating the good that can be found in the darkest of times.

This book intrigued me for several reasons:
*I love everything that I read by Kristy. Her writing is absolutely beautiful!
*A favorite time period with a new twist. I love WWII literature with some of my favorite books set in that time period. But I hadn't read any books set in WWII Italy. This was a fantastic setting!
*Beautiful cover and intriguing summary. I felt like this would be a hopeful, powerful story.

One of my favorite things about Kristy's stories is how she bring new perspectives to popular time periods. WWII is a popular and well documented time period. I love these types of stories that showcase the best of the human spirit and beauty among darkness. In fact, some of my favorite books are set during WWII. Kristy always impresses me with her unique settings and details within this popular genre. This novel is no different. I haven't read many novels set in WWII Italy. I was fascinated by the details of life there and how the Nazis occupation and influence affected the people. And the ways people resisted the darkness of this time. Add to all of this the historical details and true accounts from this time period, and the story is both engaging and fascinating. I couldn't believe the incredible courage and faith of our protagonists as they navigate a war torn world and try to do good.  

I love how Kristy creates multiple timelines and perspectives that she connects in clever ways. I really enjoyed Julia's timeline and learning so much about ballet and performance at this time. Delaney in the present day intrigued me as well. We often have a modern day timeline in Kristy's books and I always enjoy discovering how they fit into the past. I loved the journey Delaney goes on and how she discovers more about her family and herself. The modern Italian setting is fantastic as well! And I was particularly moved by Courtney's story with all that he saw and experienced. War is a horrific and dark place. Yet Kristy writes about it with such poise and grace.

As always, I was struck by the beauty and power of this story. Kristy writes deeply emotional stories that always inspire me. This story showcases the power of the human spirit and the triumph of goodness and light no matter the dark obstacles. I think what sets this book apart from others in the genre is the unique combination of beautiful writing and stories of human goodness. Kristy gives us a beautiful story that also gives me hope for humanity and for the goodness inside all of us.

I thought the back and forth on the timeline was hard to follow and I wasn’t drawn into the story enough to push through and finish it. I ended up not finishing it about a quarter of the way through.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the copy of this eARC.

The book follows medic hero’s and a Jewish girl as they try and age Jewish people during WWII. It jumps between two timelines and comes to present day where Delaney just lost her grandfather and is summoned to Rome to help unlock the contents of a secret suitcase and additional secrets she never knew about her grandfather. I love WWII books and this is high up on my list now. It was very well done and the mystery aspect of what her grandfather did during the war kept the book a page turned. Over all it’s so good and deserves 4.5 stars.

A beautiful and heartbreaking story. This book has dual timelines, the present and moments during WWII. I struggled sometimes keeping the timeline straight during the WWII era as it went back and forth, but after a little while I could usually sort it out.

It's always amazing to me to read about sacrifices made during wartime and the things good people did to keep going and helping others. This story is poignant, heartbreaking, but also heartwarming. Court, AJ, Julia and Calla's story of sacrifice and love was beautiful. I really enjoyed this book.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

Though history is being written daily, the past continues to fascinate us. Obsessed with uncovering the hidden stories of people who risked their lives to save others, events that changed the course of history, plots that deceived the greatest of enemies, and the places that housed these incredible moments, it’s no wonder authors keep finding inspiration to write. Kristy Cambron is one such author. Taking readers on an intricate journey between the past and present, her latest book, The Italian Ballerina, is an incredible story of loss, redemption, sacrifice, love, and faith.

Rome 1943: Indiana native Courtney Coleman doesn’t believe he’s worthy of a happy ending. Convinced it’s better to leave than stay, he enlists in the army and becomes a medic. Caught in the crossfire as the Nazis clear the Jewish ghetto, Court makes a hasty decision that could cost him his life. Is one little girl’s life worth disobeying orders and risking everything?

"You can’t keep living for yourself, Court. Once you figure out what that means, you’ll finally find home . . ."~ Kristy Cambron

British ballerina Julia Bradbury has dreamed of dancing on the stage of La Scala in Rome since she was a child; however, when the Nazi Regime takes control of the Eternal City, Julia must take refuge in a hospital on Tiber Island until it is safe to return home. Wanting to do her part in the war effort, Julia works alongside the nurses and doctors to save Jewish refugees under the guise of a fictional disease called Syndrome K. Walking on a fine line between life and death, Julia’s life is put at greater risk when two Allied medics arrive at the hospital with a little girl who refuses to tell them her name. Will they be able to hide from the Nazis and reunite the girl with her family, or will their enemies learn their secrets before they can escape?

"Il Morbo di K—Syndrome K—is a farce. An invention of this hospital. And the quarantine, a ruse to support it… There is no sickness here beyond the plague of being born a Jew."~ Kristy Cambron

Present Day: Returning to her childhood home after losing her grandfather, Delaney’s life isn’t what she’d hoped it would be. Unclear of what her future holds, she struggles to figure out what’s next; however, when an Italian woman declares ownership of a family possession, Del finds herself on a plane to Rome to learn about her grandfather’s untold past. Will Rome capture Delaney’s heart like it has so many others, or will the past stop her from embracing a future almost within reach?

"Rome gets under your skin when you’re not looking. And then it goes deeper—into your heart—and never leaves."~ Kristy Cambron

The Italian Ballerina is an excellent novel! Weaving multiple storylines into a fabulous narrative, it took time to get used to the jumps; nevertheless, by the second half, I was completely absorbed and impatient to see how the picture would come together. Authentic, raw, and full of incredible history, I loved Kristy Cambron’s writing style and how she incorporated a faith element into the story that didn’t feel forced. Though I thought this would be a predictable read, the ending took me by complete surprise and filled me with an unexpected flood of emotion.

I love what Kristy writes in the author’s note at the end of the book: “From AJ Nelson’s pursuit to save others, Court Coleman’s finding faith and restoration within his own heart, Julia Bradbury’s longing for deeper meaning to her calling, and Delaney and Matteo’s journey to uncover truth for the grown Calla so many years later . . . All show the impact just one life can have on the lives—and faith journeys—of so many others. In this way history is powerful. To remember. To learn. To see and understand the human experience through another’s lens.“

Historical fiction lovers will fall head over heels for The Italian BallerinaThe Italian Ballerina! It’s a World War II novel you don’t want to miss!

*Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!*

Wow was this book both beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. Cambron does an incredible job of writing both historical fiction and romance in one and pretty flawlessly. She switches back and forth between 3 different people, between the current time and a few years during WWII. The characters are all unique and incredible. Their stories will make you cry - happy and sad tears. The different stories are all woven together, making the move complete.

Rome 1943 - a British Ballerina is hiding in a hospital on Tiber Island - where they are rescuing Jewish Italians who are “sick” with a fake disease. When two allied medics come in with a little girl, Julia is determined to find her family, except she refuses to share her name.

Present Day: Del lost her grandfather, a doctor and WWII vet. When an Italian woman reaches out looking for an heirloom, Del finds herself in Italy trying to learn about her grandfather’s past.

Anyone looking for a romance novel that reads more like historical fiction, I would absolutely read this.

Happy Pub Day!

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

A touching story during WWII about getting a little girl home.

This story was broken up into the past (1940s) and the present. I liked that the past (Court, AJ, Julia, Calla) and present information (Delaney learning Calla's and her Grandfather's stories) got to the same parts in the story around the same time.

I really liked the symbolism and story behind the suitcase in unraveling the secrets and finding its way home. The legacy of ballet was a nice touch as well.

I have read a lot of books from this time period, but this story brought some unique aspects and settings.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

This book was just a little difficult for me to follow with several points of view and different timelines. I really enjoy the historical fiction and the stories but it's just difficult to follow. I'd give her books another try.

A riveting WWII story that revolves around the invented Syndrome K sickness as a cover to hide people in a Italian hospital during the war. A novel that follows two American medics, a British ballerina, and an orphaned Jewish girl before the war, during the war, and some of their families in present day. Due to the multiple timelines, it takes a while to get into the book and discover how all the characters relate to one another, but quickly picks up once you start to piece the story together and makes you not want to put it down. I always love a good historical fiction that draws you in and leaves you wondering more about the time, and this one did not disappoint. Would honestly make a great movie.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Words fail me in communicating the beauty and artistry of this new historical fiction title from Kristy Cambron. This is my first time reading one of her books. It will not be the last. The imagery is simply superb. Items like the pink toe shoes, the small suitcase decorated with cherries, the photos, and more are etched in my memory. The beauty and grace of a ballerina dance through the text keeping hope alive. The Syndrome K ploy was genius. I have never heard of it before. There is so much contained in this story. My review has barely scratched the surface. I invite you to join Court, A.J., Calla, and Julia in this heartbreaking and heartwarming journey.

I have read two other WW II novels recently that I would also recommend: Eternal and Our Darkest Night.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron
All I can right now is “wow.” What a beautiful, powerful, and touching story. I don’t have very much experience with WWII fiction, so I didn’t know what to except with Cambron’s “The Italian Ballerina”, and I can easily say anything I did expect was infinitely better. This story follows multiple timelines that eventually work their way into two: present day, and during the war, and the issue I often have with dual timelines of preferring one over the other was definitely not present here! I was equally engaged with Delaney and Matteo’s modern day search for the past, as I was with the journey of Court, AJ, and Julia and their mission to save Jewish people in Rome. I couldn’t wait to hear what happened next at the end of every chapter! Everything from the action, to the romance, to the faith was so spot on. If you love World War Two history, or even if you’re like me and are a beginner to the time period, I assure you that I recommend The Italian Ballerina! Out on July 12th from Thomas Nelson Fiction.

I was so glad to read a World War II story that did not include death camps or people living in a tortured existence. Yes, things were grim, but the characters and the setting of the story gave a sense of hope instead of despair.

When two American medics come upon a little girl whose parents are being rounded up for transport, one of the soldiers risks his life to save her. Separated from their unit, the medics are given shelter in a hospital with an adjoining church.

Julia, an aspiring ballerina from London is also at the hospital for safety, waiting until she and her dancing partner are able to go home. Julia meets the medics and the little girl they have nicknamed Calla. Together the three of them agree to keep Calla safe and to help find her family.

This is a dual timeline, with the descendants of the characters trying to piece together the events from the war that brought their families together. For those romantic readers, a budding romance becomes part of the story as well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson—FICTION for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to provide my honest review.

There were several things that pulled me into the story: one of the main locations being Italy, historical fiction, and a sub-topic that I had never heard about --- namely Syndrome-K. I really enjoyed the main characters of Julia, Calla and Court. The side-characters, Penn and AJ were used to help give the main characters some depth and back-story and thus had an important part to the story. There is another inanimate character to this story....a little girl's suitcase hidden away for many years and finally being returned to the owner. This suitcase carried a storyline of its own and brought the story together finally in Rome. Starting the book - it took me awhile to really get into the story and characters because of the rapid changing sometimes of not two, but three timelines. Once that clicked the story just kept evolving and becoming more "unputdownable". The loyalty and love that is shown among the chracters of the timeline focused on the Italian hospital where the American soldiers and Jews are kept from the Germans by the fear of the fake Syndome-K....was wonderfully written. The reader can feel the desperation, admiration, and love among Julia, Calla, Court and AJ. The present day timeline is what brings it all together in another gently written language of love and honor. Thank you to NetGalley andThomas Nelson Fiction for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #TheItalianBallerina #NetGalley.

In 1943, with the fall of Italy’s Fascism and the Nazi regime occupying the streets of Rome, British ballerina Julia Bradbury is stranded and forced to take refuge at a hospital on Tiber Island. It is here that she learns of Syndrome K, a deadly sickness that is sweeping through the quarantine wards. It is actually a fake disease, but she is drawn into one of the greatest cons in history and agrees to help the friars of the adjoining church, and two Allied medics, in rescuing Italian Jews from the Nazis. Yet when she meets a little girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina, Julia is determined to reunite the young dancer with her family if only she would reveal her name.

The story then switches to present day, with Delaney Coleman returning home to help her parents after the loss of her grandfather, a WWII veteran. When a mysterious Italian woman claims she owns one of the family’s precious heirlooms, Delaney is compelled to uncover what’s true of her grandfather’s hidden past. Together with the woman grandson, Delaney learns of a Roman hospital that saved hundreds of Jewish people during the war. Soon, Delaney begins to question everything she know about her grandfather.
Based on true accounts of the invented Syndrome K sickness, The Italian Ballerina was an interesting story with such dynamic characters. I really enjoyed the character of Court as was as Julia, who were such determined and strong characters. The other characters of Calla and AJ also added to this story, giving such great depth. Whilst at times, I found the dual storyline a bit confusing, it did eventually all sink in. It is wonderful to have a book, reveal an unusual story during such a dramatic period of time in history.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Perhaps Kristy Cameron’s books aren’t really for me, I want to like them (and did like one written in a different style), but I always find myself struggling to connect with her execution of the multiple timeline plot. This one was no exception, especially with two storylines happening in the past simultaneously, not to mention the present one; and none of them feeling particularly compelling.

#BookRevew: THE ITALIAN BALLERINA by Kristy Cambron

I have finally read and finished a Kristy Cambron book. I love historical fiction and I have heard good things about her books. The cover is beautiful. I like the green outfit. This was my first time reading about WWII Italy so I was pretty excited.

This was a split time novel in WWII and present day. The different dates in the first few chapters of WWII were confusing at first but intriguing nonetheless. I enjoyed it more as I became familiar with the characters and the series of events. I appreciated the tenacity and compassion of Court, AJ and Julia. Calla was a trouper.

This story will capture the hearts of WWII fans. The mystery of the suitcase was nice and made me flip the pages fast. This story will capture the hearts of WWII fans. The mystery of the suitcase was nice and made me flip the pages fast. The author’s note highlighted the true historical events which were very sad. I didn’t know about the Syndrome K sickness so that was interesting. Calla's story was touching and got me teary eyed. I would definitely check the author’s other books.

Rating: 4 stars
Pub date: 12 July 2022

Thank you Thomas Nelson and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron is great WWII novel based on true events.
I liked the dual timeline and also the romance. I must say I was attached to the characters and was heartbroken after finishing the book. 5 stars for sure


Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me a an e-arc.

A touching story about yet another early talked about aspect of WWII, the Syndrome K. I love how the Italian hospital came up with a fake disease to foil the Nazi goons.
It was a bit confusing at first because there are different times, personalities, and locations to keep straight.
The story is beautifully told and very moving.
The cover art is exquisite.
Dance your way thismhistorical novel.