What's it about (in a nutshell):
Secrets of the Italian Island is a heart-wrenching and mysterious search for the truth that had been long since hidden away. When Mia's grandmother passes away, and Mia finds items among her grandmother's belongings that she has never seen before, she sets out on a journey to discover the truth about how her grandmother came to have them. This journey takes her to a small island off the west coast of Italy, where she learns more about her grandmother and herself.

My Reading Experience:
I love mysterious family histories, much like exploring my family's past. And when you add a mystery and intrigue around that history, let's say my attention was fully grabbed. I became instantly immersed in the story.

The past storyline (during WWII) where the mystery unfurls gripped me from start to finish as the stakes, personal and war-related, were always high as lives were in peril. My only critique is that the book left me hanging concerning some side plots and characters. So many questions were left unanswered, and I still want to know the what's and whys of Lucy's (the grandmother) story.

I also loved how this quest for Mia ended up as much a journey of self-discovery as it was to find the truth and clear her grandmother's name. I loved watching her bloom into the flower she was always meant to be and shed the toxic relationships in her life. Taking a risk and learning more about her grandmother helped her see herself more clearly, which is just so rewarding.

And that setting! The setting initially called to me, as I love spending my time off the Italian coast, even if it is just in book form. The descriptions took me to that island in every sensory way. The writing is so fluid and transportive that I can feel the sun beating down on me, see the turquoise waters surrounding the island, and smell the sea air fragrant with native flora.

Characters:
The characters are developed so well that they leap off the page, especially the ones in the past timeline. Their story took me on an emotional journey as I empathized with them, worried about them, and rooted for them to survive. They are all unique and interesting in their personal endeavors.

Narration & Pacing:
The story is told in two timelines – 2018 and 1943. I found that the past timeline flowed much better than the present, which suffered from some awkward dialogue and a lack of the things that made the past timeline so utterly compelling. The narration is told in third-person narration, focusing on Mia in the current timeline and Annalisa in the past. Since this is such a solid character-driven story, I wonder if first-person narration would have been a more emotional story with a much quicker pace. The pace stayed consistently medium throughout, which didn't bother me since I was so engrossed in the story. I was thankful it was not weighted down by too much exposition or a lack of action and mystery.

Setting:
The setting is one of the most memorable aspects of the novel. I love a beautiful setting, especially one on the water. And if it's an island with only a castle at the top, how could I not entirely fall in love with it. And I definitely did fall in love with this little island.

Read if you like:
Family history stories
WWII stories
Historical mysteries

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

This is book one in a new series. It’s a dual timeline story, from Italy to present day New York and is based on a true story.

There’s a lot of secrets that were kept as well as mistakes made. The story will keep you engrossed, wanting to continue reading to find out what happens next.

I recommend this book.

This was another good book by this author. It’s book one in a new series and I’m already looking forward to reading the next one. This book had dual timelines, both just as interesting. There’s romance and a bit of a mystery too. I wasn’t ready for it to end.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This dual timeline historical fiction was really good. It deals with a young woman, Mia, trying to solve mysteries surrounding her grandmother after her death. She discovers items that her grandmother (Lucy) left for her to discover about the same time that her grandmother's lawyer receives a letter saying that the "stolen" items have been traced to Lucy. In the other timeline, Lucy is a young woman in 1943 going to an Italian island to try to find a cure for her father.

Mia embarks on a journey to Italy to try to find answers to the questions about her grandmother that have been raised. She finds out plenty, but she also seems to find herself along the way.

This book kept me engrossed in the lives of both women. I loved this story of discovery!

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

SECRETS OF THE ITALIAN ISLAND:
Sisters of War Book One
by author Barbara Josselsohn

Secrets of the Italian Island,
the author's first within the historical fiction genre is a gift to its reader~ one which continuously captivates throughout and makes itself known as most refreshing, touching, and profound.

With a fully-formed cast of characters, I was led along a winding path to the agonizing fallout from war, the secretive and mysterious, the romantic, finding myself absorbed within a world of heart-tugging emotion within this beautifully written story of grit and grace.

In the hopes of finding answers, Mia finds herself on a journey of family discovery. As the layers begin to fall away, they ultimately reveal a deep connection between her beloved grandmother, Annalisa, and her ties to WWII, Italy.

Secrets of the Italian Island is a sweeping narrative of the breathtaking and compelling that is nothing short of wonderful and stands on its own as rich, supenseful, and alive as it leaps from the pages and into your heart!

I thank the author for this delightful experience, which has allowed me to happily and highly recommend Secrets of the Italian Island.

I can't wait to see where the journey will lead me next...

5 Stars

#SecretsoftheItalianIsland
#BarbaraJosselsohn
#Bookouture
ARC

Wild Sage Book Blog

Positive aspects of this book: family mystery, unanswered questions, hunting grandmother’s past, Italian setting.
Negative aspects: I am forced to wait for the next one in the series.
Hot Italian Leo turns out not to be so Italian. I loved the mystery of the wedding dress and bowl and finally getting the revelations behind Lucy.
I’m ready for the next book!

A beautiful duel timeline historical novel of the past in Italy to present day in New York.
So many secrets have been made.
So many mistakes have been made.
Secrets of the Italian Island is a heartbreaking story based on a true story. This is the first book in the Sisters of War series and it will keep you enthralled and engaged throughout the book.
Barbara Josselsohn brings her characters to life and they become old friends along the way.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Secrets of the Italian Island (Sisters of War Book 1) by Barbara Josselsohn

I am glad that I am given the chance to read this historical fiction by Barbara Josselsohn. The story crossing with two timelines, present (2018) and the past (1943). The usual interweaving timelines are confusing but not in this story plot. Surprisingly the two timelines here are even more intriguing.

Mia Abram was a young science researcher in USA. She lost her parents in a car crash and she was raised by her beloved grandmother Lucy. Lucy was passed away last month and Mia went to her house to collect the belongings. The story then started with the secrets Lucy kept in the house and storage room. This traced back to grandmother Lucy's life in Nazi invasion in Parissi Island in Italy. Another time line was in 1943 which Annalisa (Grandma Lucy) life in Italy. About her life to save her father, her sisters and the one she loved - Aldo.

The secrets of Grandma Lucy revealed bit by bit. It was not the thriller type of secret, but it was really her life's secret. What made her behaved like this after the wartime. Why Grandma never smiled again and be truly happy and so on.

I would say Secrets of the Italian Island focused more on the romantic side instead of the WW2 side. Another perspective in historical fiction which made you quite emotional while reading.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookture and author Barbara Josselsohn for this historical fiction which was based on a true story!

Kindle: 363 pages
Pub date: May 11, 2023

I’m so excited to tell you that this phenomenal story will rank in my top 2023 historical fiction reads!

It grabbed my attention immediately and had me eagerly flipping pages by the end of the first chapter! For her first foray into historical fiction, new-to-me author Barbara Josselsohn impressed me with her ability. I’ve read a lot of historical fiction, many stories of grandmothers with hidden secrets, many characters who head off to Italy in search of answers, and many books with a WW2 setting involving the Nazi invasion BUT this was refreshingly different!!!

This first book of the Sisters Of War series is a dual timeline centering around two equally strong females. In the modern timeline, Mia Abrams, a 32-year-old researcher who lives in Long Island, uncovers clues that lead her to Italy to understand the secrets of her grandmother’s past. Eighteen-year-old Annalisa, in the 1943 timeline, is Mia’s Italian-born grandmother who is living on Piccino Island when the Nazis invade.

There’s so much to love about this story! I know readers will be impressed with (1) Josselsohn’s intriguing plot which tests Mia and Annalisa to their core, (2) the relationships these two heroines create that bond them to supporting characters and connect themselves to each other, and (3) the Mediterranean setting that challenges all of the author’s carefully crafted characters. The Nazi invasion is the backdrop to Josselsohn’s story and is aptly used to reveal what’s in her characters’ hearts and souls. I was in awe at the author’s ability to balance the details and the drama. With this genre, oftentimes authors want to cram as much of their research into the story and it ends up ruining my enjoyment. Josselsohn, capably handled the visible and invisible (to the reader) research with visual and cultural nuances of the era.

When I feel compelled to search out an author’s backlist, I know I’ve found an auto-read author. I can’t wait for the second installment of this series as I KNOW there's much more to Mia and Annalisa's story.

I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

A dual time line novel set in 1943 and 2018 in which Mia looks for answers about secrets her grandmother Annalisa kept from the family. While it starts on Long Island it quickly moves to the lovely island in Italy where Mia discovers there was more to her grandmother than she ever expected. The 1943 section tells her story. There's a romantic issue In Leo, the guide who helps Mia but that felt trope-y. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of WWII fiction.

It's impossible not to feel Mia's loss of her grandmother. We all feel the loss--her grandmother was such a strong woman, independent, and she left secrets behind which Mia has no choice but to figure out. For me, reading Secrets of the Italian Island was like forming an immediate friendship with modern day Mia who travels from NYC to the Italian coast to try and uncover the mystery. And I felt an immediate kinship with her grandmother, Annalisa, who we meet in Italy during World War II. This earnest and enlightening story moves seamlessly back and forth in time from modern day Mia to the war-time adventures of Annalisa and her sisters on a mission of their own. The stunning Italian coast, a castle in the hills, and a cast of amazing (and many historic) characters! I saw each enticing scene like I was watching a movie and I couldn't stop.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the writing style and the story. The descriptions of the island were pretty amazing. I just expected more references of WWII since this is Sisters of War book series and I signed up for this book because WWII is my favorite historical fiction era. :Lastly, I did not love the main character Mia, for some reason I could not relay to her at all. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved following Mia as she discovered who her grandma was. I liked that there was some romance without being super heavy on it. It wasn't an overwhelming amount. I felt like the book ended suddenly, but I think that had more to do with miscommunication of my Kindle than the story itself. All the story lines were tied up nicely and we got to know what everyone was doing moving forward. I typically don't like my WWII historical fiction, but I am looking forward to the next one!

For those readers of historical fiction, this book will captivate you. Set in two different time periods, a young woman returns to a remote Italian island to seek answers about her grandmother's past. Why did her grandmother have in her possession ( a lost and presumed stolen artifact) and a beautiful wedding dress hidden away? Family secrets, beautiful descriptions of the Italian coast and characters that will bring the story together.
This book reminds me of ones by Lucinda Riley and I will recommend to my fellow readers.

This book is totally enchanting. I was immediately under the spell of the characters, it's gorgeous setting and the fast paced plot. But this book is not a fairy tale. The historical setting (World War II) is meticulously rendered. The terror of that time is not glossed over. But neither is the heroism those challenges elicited from so many people.
Mia is a character you relate to and are totally rooting for! And Annalisa and her sisters will capture your heart. Dishy Italian men? Of course! Barbara Josselsohn does not disappoint! This is a very enjoyable book and you will think about its themes- what we owe our families and what we must do to follow our own dreams - long after you finish it.

This page-turner of a book had me rooting for the main characters (one in each time period) as they both struggle to find the answers to family secrets. I kept thinking I’d figured it out when I’d be proved wrong and have to keep reading to discover the truth.
The fact that the novel takes place in 1943 (in Italy) and 2018 (in Long Island) added interest and great visuals, particularly in Italy. I wanted to visit the Italian Island myself - to bask in the view and eat delicious food. The plot has a great sense of place and the characters are believable. I’m hoping there’ll be a sequel, because I’d love to find out what happens next!
I received a copy of the book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Secrets of the Italian Island by Barbara Josselsohn is a women's fiction. It's the first book from the Sisters of War series.

It's such a wonderful novel. The plot is incredible and unique. It's well-written, easy to follow, and with great scenery descriptions. You can easily picture the Italian Island and the feelings the characters had. There is a balance between the dramatic and the romantic parts.

This story was quite bittersweet. Half of it was about Mia who was slowly unraveling all the secrets her grandmother had kept from her. And the other half was about a young girl during the War who was trying to save her father and who fell in love. I liked Mia's part more because she managed to find herself, leave behind what held her back, discovered her ancestry, and felt what true love was.

My favorite scene was towards the end of the castle when they finally found what they were looking for.

I really liked this book and I can't wait to see what happens next. I will rate it with 4 stars.

I really enjoyed this book. I've reviewed for the author in the past. This book was like being in Italy without the packing and traveling. Well done to the author!

A story from WWII that leads to finding a secret her grandmother kept.

Italy...nothing better than that, right?

Along with secrets, it can't be beat.

We find out what Mia's Grandmother, Annalisa/Lucy, experienced in Italy while she worked at Isola di Parissi and we find out why Mia had to go to Italy after her grandmother died.

Visiting Isola di Parissi in 1943 has us enjoying the gorgeous Italian island and learning about Annalisa and why she left her dying father and took her two sisters there and what she found while there.

In 2018 we get to see the story unravel as Mia makes the trip to Italy to find answers and perhaps find love…what better place to fall in love than in Italy.

You will love both Annalisa's and Mia’s story.

A very enjoyable read with wonderful descriptions and great family discoveries.

When is the next flight to Italy? :)

Women's fiction fans will devour this book and not want either story to end.

Enjoy!! 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

I read this in an evening, perfect light entertainment which left me wanting more……. Such a delightful read, which I absolutely loved! Recommending secrets of the Italian island to everyone out there!