Books about World War II are a favorite of mine. This book is different than most because it focuses on Mussolini's Italy during World War II,

The book was fantastic. The author did a fantastic job capturing the feeling of the citizens of Italy during this time period.

The country is in turmoil and everyone is on high alert as a result emotions are running high as well. The main characters Sophie and Giorgio experience strong feeling of grief, love, and several moments of disagreement.

The book is a great choice for historical fiction fans and are curious about Italy during the war.

Highly recommend.

There's not a lot of book set in Italy during WWII and was curious about this one. It's a compelling story, the historical background is vivid and well researched.
There's a lot of drama and emotions while the story plays a greater game.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I enjoy historical novels that are set in the WWll era. The Enemy of Love was a bit different from most because it was set in Italy during WWll. The use of the Italian phrases in the book slowed me down as I had to consult a dictionary for better understanding. But that's ok, you're never too old to learn new things. At first, it reads like a novel about an Italian family that owned a restaurant, but that changes with the departure of Mussolini, and the presence of German forces becomes apparent. Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this novel. Thanks to author Annabelle Thorpe, publisher Aria & Aries, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A heartwarming tale of two people caught in the crossroads of war. The characters were beautifully written. The struggle the women faced inorder to be heard and appreciated is beautifully depicted. A good read for the historical fiction lovers.

#TheEnemyOfLove I downloaded from Netgalley & couldn't put down. I love finding books that have grit & make you think.
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⭐️ While set at a very hard time when Germans were occupying Italy, I loved being in Italy. The description, the people, the language. It all made me feel like I was there!
⭐️ The story & the writing. I was hooked on each person, what they were going through, and what was going to happen to them.
⭐️ The community & how everyone looked after each other with food and drink - such is the Italian way.
⭐️ The history. Sometimes, it's good to have perspective & realise how lucky we are now. The events in this book were heartbreaking.
⭐️ I fell into Annabelle's writing style straight away. I love when a book feels like home.
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Highly recommend!

Novels that focus on World War II Italy are less common than wartime novels of Paris, but reading The Enemy of Love, by Annabelle Thorpe, is a reminder that the war in Italy was different. Italy was a German ally, at least initially, but in 1943, Germany becomes an occupying force with the departure of Mussolini as a German ally. Thorpe chooses to focus on Italian life when German forces become more like prison guards and less like partners. At this point, survival becomes the focus of village life.

Thorpe creates a picture of Amatino, a small Italian village, where some citizens remain supporters of Germany and others just want life to return to pre-war normal. For the village, it is not at all clear if the Allied forces in southern Italy will be a good thing or bad. This complex historical setting serves as backdrop for a set of characters, who deal with love, family drama, and betrayal. Much of Thorpe's novel works well. She creates characters with complex and difficult lives, but whose motivations are not always well defined. Initially, several of the characters are missing back stories, and in some cases, those backstories are never provided. It takes a long time for relationships to be established, and in some cases, those relationships are never revealed. How are some of these characters related?

Another issue is the ending of the novel. By the time readers get to the concluding chapters, readers are invested in these characters lives. We want to know what happens. Who is feeding information to the Germans? Readers never learn exactly who has betrayed these characters. What happens to them? is this novel part of a series? The novel ends so quickly that readers are left hanging.

In many places the narrative is compelling, while in other places, the detail seems cluttered and overwhelms the reader. I do not want to provide spoilers. Thorpe handles grief and anguish well. While I very much enjoyed The Enemy of Love and appreciated all the historical information, it is the characters, who will keep readers focused on the novel. I wish Thorpe had focused more on the characters, who too often get lost in the history.

I do want to thank the author and publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Readers will learn a lot about Italy in the last 2 years of the war. That history will be a benefit for most readers. Thank you also to NetGalley for suggesting this novel.

When Mussolini is deposed, the people in Amatino, the villagers think their lives will get back to normal. When the Germans infiltrate the village, the Capaldi and Bertilli families decide they need to fight back. What will the cost be to them? Can they overcome their grief to find hope and love again? Their priest reminds them, "Love is the enemy of war."

In The Enemy of Love, Annabelle Thorpe explores Italy in the last part of World War II. If I had known Italian, I would have enjoyed the book more, but I was able to figure out what the Italian phrases through context clues. This book highlights the importance of family and neighbors. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

Annabelle Thorpe's novel, The Enemy of Love, takes readers on a journey to Mussolini's Italy during World War II, where we witness the bonds of family and friends as a small Italian village finds itself in the crosshairs of the war. The world is at war, but in Amatino, Sophie di Luca's life is the Trattoria di Luca, the restaurant she assumed her father would leave to her; instead, he arranged for Giorgio Capaldi to take over the restaurant, throwing Sophie's life into chaos.

The author provides the reader with a vivid picture of Amatino and its inhabitants during a time of great upheaval. The characters are interesting and compelling, each with unique motivations and desires, making it easy for readers to become invested in their lives. Although a bit slow at the beginning, the building tension caused by the conflict between Sophie and Giorgio moves the story along from start to finish.

The Enemy of Love is a well-written, compelling novel that explores themes of grief, love, and family conflict in a time of turmoil. This is an excellent read for those who love historical fiction and are curious about Italy during this turbulent time in histo