The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon is a historical fiction novel written by Suzanne Goldring. It was originally published on February 25th, 2022 by Bookouture. I was able to obtain an Advance Review Copy (ARC) on NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goldring presents this novel as a dual timeline, with switching between the years of 1943 in Italy and 2019 in London. In 1943, Gabriella is a young teenager navigating the streets and life while in the middle of a deadly war, and trying to find a way to make a difference in the lives of the people around her. So her and her brother run the streets and in between the houses, desperate to find information of the mystery of what is going on in their town, and even in their home.
In 2019, Sofia is mourning the death of her father, a famous painter who was very private about his works that are currently being moved to an exhibition. While trying to find information about the paintings, she realizes one is missing, and ends up traveling to meet her aunt Gabriella for the first time, and learn more about her father’s past and the girl that changed his life.
I have not read too much of historical fiction, but it is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres, especially when I read novels as enjoyable as this one. Goldring especially shines in her creation of characters, and their emotions are clearly displayed within the story. The only thing I did not enjoy about the book was I felt like I wanted more information about the title character, but that could be a sign of how well Goldring writes and shows that I am thirsty for more.
Overall, I give this book 4/5 stars. I recommend it for fans of historical fiction, but it is also an easy read to follow. There was no confusion with the dual timeline, and it was very well-written.

Such a read that will stay with you. I cried and felt so many emotions reading this one. Definitely would love to read more books by this author in the future.

The Girl With the Scarlet Ribbon by Suzanne Goldring is a perfect read for those who enjoy historical fiction, particularly learning about different perspectives and unknown stories set during the WW2 time period.

This is a dual timeline story. The past thread is set in 1943 Florence during the German occupation, and the present thread is set in London and Florence in 2019. The two threads are successfully woven together to tell the story of and artist and the mystery behind the meaning of his paintings.

The author does a good job developing the characters, the setting was beautifully descriptive bed and the ending wrapped everything up nicely.

A hearty thank you to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

Rating 4.5 Stars

Suzanne Goldring’s The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon is a captivating historical novel guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings.

In 1943, the beautiful city of Florence was wrenched apart by war. With her family being constantly tormented by ruthless soldiers, fourteen year old Gabriella couldn’t sit idly by waiting for somebody to rescue her and the people she loved most in the world. She needed to do something to fight for her family and sought out her old friend Stefanina, who was an unlikely member of the Italian Resistance. With her dark curls and scarlet ribbons, nobody suspected that Stefanina risked her life daily to deliver deadly secrets and important information. But one day, Stefanina disappeared never to be seen again…

In 2019, Sofia is mourning the loss of her beloved father, a world-famous painter. Determined to find something that could keep her connected to her deceased parent, Sofia begins to look through his collection of paintings which he had painted during the Second World War. Her father had always been reticent about this period of his life and never spoke about it. As Sofia looks through his collection, she is shocked when she realizes that one painting is missing. Determined to track it down, Sofia travels to Florence, the city her father had lived in during the war, and discovers an earth-shattering secret, her aunt Gabriella, an elegant Italian woman now living in a palazzo, and the painting of the girl with the scarlet ribbon hidden in a little bedroom.

As Sofia uncovers the story of the hidden painting, a story of courage, resilience and betrayal emerges. But will getting to grips with her family’s past help Sofia to vanquish old demons and forge forward into the future? Or will it just lead to more heartbreak?

Suzanne Goldring is an exceptional writer of historical novels who imbues her stories with atmosphere, emotion, drama and intensity. The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon is an unforgettable tale of secrets, bravery and love that will bring a tear to the eye and keep readers engaged until the very last page.

Her characters are sensitively written, beautifully drawn and brilliantly nuanced and readers will cry with them and be inspired by their courage, integrity and determination to triumph against all the odds standing in their way.

A terrific historical novel readers will have trouble putting down, The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon is a beautifully told tale by Suzanne Goldring.

This is the story of Jess, who is given away by her mother as a baby. This didn't stop Jess being a kind, loving, caring and compassionate.

The writing in this book is fantastic and makes you feel like you are walking the streets of Ryhope alongside the characters. Unfortunately for me, I read a lot of books in this genre and the characters didn't come to life the way I would have liked. I had no vested interest in any of the characters and while Jess is a lovely character, she didn't do it for me either.

This book was on the boring side and felt like it was the same story everyone else writes but didn't come close to finding any originality.

It won't stop me trying more from this author though.

Thank you netgalley for my ARC copy

1943 Florence: Gabriella and her little brother Riccardo are anxiously living from day to day under Fascist rule. The sights and experience of war will live with them for a lifetime. 2019 London: Sofia is organising an exhibition of her father's art but heads to Italy to try to understand his imagery.
The Girl With The Scarlet Ribbon is a dual timeline historical novel set mainly in Florence during WW2 and the present day.
Sofia in 2019 wants to uncover the inspiration for her father's paintings. Through the dual timeline we discover the wartime experiences that shaped his childhood and the grief and loss that have featured in his art ever since.
The devastation of war and the mistakes of youth are brought to life as we follow the hardships faced by Gabriella and Riccardo. I feel that the author has extensively researched the geographical area, culture and history. The girl with the scarlet ribbon is a secondary character yet has a profound effect on the siblings but we don't discover the extent until the end of the book.
The writing style is vivid and descriptive. The many mentions of Italian food will make your tummy rumble even with the lack of resources available during wartime. Emotion is high and wonderfully described, often heartbreaking as the children struggle to process what is happening to their community.
All of the characters are represented authentically although I felt quite annoyed with Riccardo's widow as she relentlessly complains about their marriage but never confronted him. The characters are complex and very human, bringing their experiences to life within the pages.
The Girl With The Scarlet Ribbon is an absorbing and heartbreaking historical novel.

A stunning story by this wonderful writer. Set in two times current today and back during WW2. Both timelines are gripping and piecing together the story is beautiful. I love historical fiction particularly WW2. This one set in Italy was another interesting learning experience of their suffering during this.

This is the fourth book that I have read by this author and, in my opinion, her best yet. She weaves a story between two-time frames and two main characters, as is her style.

The first setting is Florence, 1943 and Gabriella and her artist brother, Riccardo, are growing up and learning how to survive under the Nazi occupation of their country. But who do you trust? Who are your friends, and who are your enemies? How do you protect your own family amidst all this chaos?
Years later, Sophia and her mother are dealing with the death of her artist father, Riccardo. He has left them with specific instructions to go back to Florence and locate his long-lost sister. Soon, Sophia learns about the tragedies that befell her family and the mystery surrounding her father's work.

I could not put this book down. I love the authors writing style. I find her stories to be engaging and keep you up late at night, turning the page. This book will grapple with your emotions and leave you spent!

Her descriptions of Florence were right on point, and I could picture myself in this city. If you enjoy historical novels with an unfolding family mystery, this one is for you.

Thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and Suzanne Goldring for this ARC.
5 out of 5 stars
Available now everywhere
a deal on Kindle at only $4.99

I am a huge fan of Suzanne Goldring. Her novels are impeccably researched, heartfelt, and unique. The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon is no exception. This may be my favorite one yet.
As with past books, there is a contemporary story line that alternates with the historical timeline. And (again, as usual) the author does a masterful job switching between the two.
This works because each of the timelines is fully realized in its own time. It is almost like reading two different stories – except they weave together to make an even fuller narrative.
In the present, Sofia is tasked with putting together an exhibit of her recently deceased father’s paintings. Riccardo is world-renowned, and the paintings are full of symbolism that neither Sofia nor her mother (Isobel) understand.
In the historical timeline, we get Riccardo’s story of growing up in Italy during the German occupation of WWII. If one even knows a hint of history, some of the symbolism in Riccardo’s paintings are abundantly clear from the beginning.
But the pathos in the story comes from his childhood, and how the events that he witnessed created the tortured mind that produced the famous paintings.
I know that sounds convoluted, but it really isn’t. It is straightforward and easy to follow. The topic and the focus grab the reader with its uniqueness and almost weaves a spell that allows for seamless transitions.
I don’t want to say how Sofia and Isobel come to learn more about Riccardo’s paintings, because that is part of the surprise of the story. But it is an interesting twist and allows for some self-reflection from both characters.
I will say, however, that I did not like Isobel. I thought she was, to put it bluntly, a shrew. I understand why the author wrote her character that way, but it was annoying, and I felt no pity for her complaints about how much she suffered at the hands of Riccardo’s genius.
Honestly, Sofia was a saint for putting up with her.
And a last word about the symbolism. These were my favorite parts of the book. As I mentioned, some were obvious, and others only became apparent after Riccardo’s story is learned. But all of it is fascinating and gives this novel a truly unique spin.
Suzanne Goldring is a masterful author, and The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon is an excellent addition to the genre.

This story takes us between very different times for Italy; 1943 at the height of World War Two, and modern day. Parts of this story will resonate extremely loudly with readers given the current climate. The descriptions were hypnotic, almost elevating you to a witness of the events rather than a reader. The locations were beautifully portrayed, and I could close my eyes and see where they were and what they were doing. Brilliant!

I instantly liked Gabrielle, who on being so concerned by what was going on in her country she offered her services to the resistance. Very strong at a young age. Then we have Sofia, who seems to have that same familial strength. I found each character carefully created with attention to detail but no so it even threatened to overshadow the plot.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and recommend it to and reader of historical fiction. I gave The Girl With The Scarlet Ribbon, by Suzanne Gold ring, four stars.

A gorgeous but sad story of ww2 in Italy. My own family are from Italy and my grandmother was born around the beginning of the war. I know it was immensely difficult during those years and after the war ended. The story tells of strong women, hints at the culture of Italy, and teaches us about the nature of war. Thanks to netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc.

A poignant and interesting story, well written and emotionally charged.
I liked the storytelling, the characters, and the story kept me hooked till the end.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 stars

The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon tells the story of Gabriella and her younger brother, living in Florence in 1943. They’re struggling to survive, and when bad things happen, Gabriella is determined to right her wrongs and do what she can to make things better. It’s also the story of Sofia, who is mourning her recently deceased father, an Italian painter. Her father never said much about the inspirations behind his paintings, and as she struggled to catalog them, she realizes one painting is missing.

The book switches between the two times as the story is told, weaving the tales together, until you learn how Sofia and Gabriella are connected. Sofia and her mother take a trip to Florence, where they meet a sister that she never knew her father had, and learn about the missing painting. The two characters – Sofia and Gabriella – are welcome narrators, and the story weaves and bobs as you find the clues to what Sofia’s father shared in his paintings, and what he could never talk about after his time in Florence in 1943.

I was provided an ARC copy of this book through Netgalley. My thanks to the publisher and the author for providing it to me.

“The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon” is my first book by Suzanne Goldring. This book is set in Florence, Italy in two timelines. The first is during WWII in 1943 when it was occupied by the Germans, the second is in 2019. What ties these two storylines together is Riccardo, a famous artist who recently died, but who was a boy of twelve during the past story. In the WWII timeline, we follow Riccardo’s sister, Gabriella, through her life while trying to survive, but also working with the partisans. Gabriella becomes reluctant friends with a pair of sisters, whose father is a facist commander responsible for the death, torture and deportation of many Jewish people and partisans. The sisters were cruel and Gabriella was more a of pet to them, but had food and Gabriella was allowed to bring some home to her family. Gabriella mistakenly trusts their cousin and shares something with him that changes her life as well as Riccardo's and her parents. All that happens during this time takes the blinders off young Riccardo's life and affects his art, then and in the future. The second timeline tells the story of Sofia, Riccardo’s daughter, trying to figure out who her father really was. During a trip to Florence with her mother Isobel, which Riccardo set up in extreme detail, they meet Gabriella and she fills them in on why he painted what he painted, as well as other information that shaped him into the man he became.

I read a lot of historical fiction set during WWII, but not a lot set in Italy. This story was presented in a different way, sharing how this time affected someone for the rest of their life. The strong and unique storyline, a family saga, complex and troubled characters, and a time shown through emotional and meaningful art added a unique storyline. Suzanne Goldring shares the harsh life the people of Florence lived during that time in a harsh, realistic way. Everyone was affected except those who aligned with the Germans. Riccardo's and Gabriella's family was a great representation of a wealthy family living without food and constantly in fear. At first I wasn't sure what to think about Isobel, Riccardo's widow. She was bitter and angry at her deceased husband, but after hearing his story, I could see how she seemed to be not much more than his maid or housekeeper. All the characters were well written with detail. Once again, I learned something about a period in time set in a place that I did not know much about. Once I started reading this well written story, I had a hard time putting it down. I do recommend you read the author's note at the back about her inspiration, research, and literary license. If you enjoy historical fiction, especially set during WWII, I recommend you pick up The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon.

Wow. So very beautiful and touching. I was moved by this powerful story. Beautifully written. Just wonderful. Do read this one.

The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon is a WWII novel told over two timelines - 1943 and 2019. Sofia and her mum Isobel, are mourning their dad/husband who had been somewhat of a control freak. He has left instructions for them for after his death. Isobel is reluctant but Sofia wants to learn more. Gabriella is Riccardo’s (dad/husband) sister and tells us of life in Italy in 1943. Suzanne Goldring has encapsulated the historical aspect of WWII again. I have learned so much about the war from reading her novels. I loved it.

Told through a dual storyline in both past and present times, this is a beautifully written novel with vivid descriptions and a heartbreaking story. Especially at a time like we are in right now, this is an especially poignant tale.

The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon is an emotional historical fiction read that had me hooked from the very beginning. Set in Florence in the year 1943 and also present day 2019 it’s a duel storyline. The duel storyline was told really well and I loved slipping back to the past and also then going forward to 2019 as the author had me engrossed in both times. I absolutely loved the way the author described things so vividly and the descriptions of the food, herbs and roses that I could almost taste and smell them. Of course this wasn’t what this book was about there’s a lot more to it. It’s an emotional and at times difficult read hearing about how people suffered and did their best to survive during war time. 4⭐️

The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon by Suzanne Goldring was an emotional roller coaster that I was not ready for! It is a historical fiction that follows two separate timelines, one in 1943 during World War II and another in 2019.

The story itself follows the same family throughout different generations and very poignantly tells of their experiences and views. The story crosses many countries and cities ranging from England to Italy and is extraordinarily heartbreaking. If you are looking for a tearjerker, this it definitely it!

The author did an excellent job writing about the atmosphere and the descriptions of the carious cities. She was able to bring the reader into this world and wouldn't let us go! I absolutely enjoyed the authors writing very much. The intricacy in which the story was woven was also extremely riveting, as well as, the inclusion of the artistic side of things.

One of the main characters was an artistic soul and seeing his story unfold in the past, as well as, how those in the present search to understand him resonated with me greatly. This book is truly a masterpiece.

Thank you Net Galley, the publishers and the author for providing me with an ARC for review. The views above are my own.

This is such a beautiful read, you can tell how much research the author has put into her writing.

I enjoyed both timelines, especially interactions between Gabriella and her mother.

Sophie and Isabel’s journey to Florence was my favourite part of the book, I wish the book was longer as I didn’t want it to end.