this is a new to me author, but the book looked very interesting and I was eager to read it. This book takes place in two time periods--the older time period is during WW2 and is represented through a series of diary entries. It also is contemporary with the lives of Francesca and Thiago who are READING the diary entries. I have done some research on the Illuminated documents from the Medieval era and it's fascinating to learn about them.

The book did well peeling back the story of Helena through her diaries. We got pieces added in every chapter until we knew her whole story by the end. There is a sense of...supernatural? Through the "coincidences" that kept happening. But that was intended for the story. I definitely wanted to go experience that island and abbey for myself!

For those who would want to know--there is mention of premarital sex, rape, and one F- at the very end. Nothing is described in detail and is just mentioned more in passing.

The history was beautiful. The story was done well and interesting. The things mentioned above--well, I don't think they were needed for the story. Without them, it would have been just a clean historical fiction read.

3 stars--but only because I didn't love it. It was just a solid story but nothing really jumped out at me. It ended up fairly predictable.

**I received this ARC from Netgalley and was not required to share a positive review. All opinions are my own!

Francesca and Thiago who work for separate companies travel to the Island of Santa Caterina in Italy to a convent in order to bid on a book their employers wish to purchase.
They find out that the book has been hidden for many years and they have to follow clues written in a diary to find it.
A dual timeline story with some interesting characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This story is told in a dual timeline, present-day and 1944, set primarily on the island of Santa Carena, Italy. As you'd expect, World War II influenced the characters' lives in 1944 but it is more about the unwavering strength of women in times of trouble. The story emphasizes the lengths women will go to protect those they care about, always have and always will. It is also a testament to the power of books to connect and comfort us. The author does a masterful job of threading the characters through time to the present in ways I didn't see coming. There is a great plot barreling along but the characters are what made this book a great read to me.

Francesca and Thiago uncover secrets hidden in the diary, they read the story of Helèna, a young girl who lived on Santa Caterina during the war, and who risked everything to protect the island and its treasures from the Nazi invasion.
When Francesca finally discovers what happened to Helèna during the war, it will change her life forever. This book… I’m still at a loss for words. Such a beautiful, powerful and emotional story. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!!