The book gave me insight into the area of Tuscany and how the German occupation of the small villages during the Second World War had devastating consequences for families . The descriptions of this picturesque area is well done. The story line is easy to follow with the two time lines . The book is a quick read with an ending that ties the book together and concludes a mystery that developed during the Nazi occupation of this area and the villa whose ownership is now known.

Oh, Tuscany. This is the exquisitely written dual timeline World War 2 drama of the Italian Contessa, owner of a beautiful villa, and present-day Annie Reynolds, who finds out after her father dies that she is the heiress to the great villa in Italy.

This was exquisitely written, the characters, especially the Contessa, were absolutely fascinating, and I loved the search Annie goes on to uncover her family's past. Looking forward to the next installment of this series!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

A wonderful little book that kept me wondering until the end. I liked how the dual timeline used similar situations for the characters involved.

This moves back and forth in time to tell the Contessa's story-a tale of lies, love, and faith of a sort during WWII.. Annie, in the present, has been told that she is the rightful inheritor of the Villa Rosa but this comes with a big question. Is she the daughter of the Contessa who entertained the Nazis or someone else? But who? Annie's portions of the novel are only interesting in levering you into the WWII sections. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is in many ways a familiar plot but Carey is a good story teller and there's a lot to keep you turning the pages.

I thought the “past” parts of this book were beautifully written and truly grabbed my attention. The “present” parts fell a little flat for me. I felt like I skipped sentences just to get to the past parts. Overall, great storyline but a 3.5 star for me.

An Italian Secret is another stunning on the edge-of-your-seat World War II story from the talented Ella Carey. I read it in a day as I could not put it down! A fascinating dual timeline so beautifully written I felt transported to both Tuscany 1944 and to its modern day setting. The descriptions filled my senses to the point I was inspired with great desire to visit this gorgeous region. Although the Villa Rosa property and its surroundings are absolutely captivating, its beauty is not without thorns. It carries wonderful memories but also some heartbreaking history, too. When the Nazis stormed into the lives and homes of these peaceful people, it put everyone in such a state of fear that it made them feel like prisoners. The partisan resistance fought back with as much ammunition as they could but sometimes they were overpowered.

In the current day thread, Annie’s father passes and leaves her a letter with a strange message that she has inherited a villa in Italy called Villa Rose. This begins a tumultuous journey into her family’s past and challenges her own identity. The Villa, a diary and a few people hold many secrets and answers. She is determined to uncover the facts or risk her peace of mind and inheritance. Her love for her father and his voice resonating in her heart to not give up, keeps her moving forward. Even when she becomes discouraged with so many dead ends.

The nail biting tension in An Italian Secret reflects the difficult circumstances the Italians would have experienced during World War II. There is plenty of conflict in the modern timeline, too, with the Villa Rosa’s ownership being challenged. Annie must race against time to prove she rightfully owns it before another descendant takes full claim and begins a serious renovation to turn the property into a business venture that will erase all its history. He tries to manipulate her with what he thinks is the truth of her heritage. But are the rumours real? Is Annie really a child of a Nazis?

Contessa Evelina Messina, owner of Villa Rosa in 1944, is a very intriguing character who entertained Germans during the war. Did she keep the enemy close to watch their moves or side in with them? I have to admit, she is such a great actress, it leaves us wondering whose side is she on? I kept feeling she was a duplicitous character always hiding in the shadows— concealing her true feelings and intentions behind false words and actions. When we do get to hear her full story, it certainly puts some pieces of the puzzle in place— especially as far as Annie’s identity and inheritance are concerned. There are some pretty serious accusations thrown at Contessa that are intended to shame the family so her image and reputation play a big part in the plot.

The story is split between Annie (current day) and Cara (historical timeline). Her story is just as heartbreaking as Annie’s. Cara works as Contessa’s secretary. She loves the valley where she has lived all her life with her Papa in the pensione. He ran the hotel until it was closed by the Nazis. Cara has an opportunity to work for the well respected and admired Contessa at Villa Rosa and is encouraged by her father to take the position. Villa Rosa becomes a place of escape for Cara surrounded by all its beauty. One day news reaches Contessa that Cara’s Papa has been shot after trying to stand up to a Nazis who tried to rape a neighbour’s young daughter. Cara admires his bravery but losing him breaks her heart. It sets her on a path to resistance.

I found at times I was holding my breath and hoping for the best in Annie’s and Cara’s lives. As I became acquainted with all the characters, I felt as if I knew them. My favourites, though, were the women. Cara’s and Annie’s stories were intriguing to me. And when Contessa’s story is rolled out, the past and present meld into one whole. Exciting revelations begin to appear about each of these ladies causing me to admire them even more for their great courage and perseverance.

In An Italian Secret, we witness betrayal, secrets, violence, abuse, jealousy and rage but there is also steadfastness, truth, revelations, kindness, love and restoration.

This story hums with creativity, polished writing, exceptional research and finesse. The old Villa is a character who whispers of a past wrapped in layers of facades. It teaches us that things and people aren’t always what they seem, so we must not judge too quickly. And in this story, there are plenty of surprises you might not expect! This is a powerful, mesmerising family drama that should not be missed. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy.

Delightful historical drama set in Tuscany during World War Two and the present day. Good ,interesting characters and surprising twists.

This is sharp, beautifully written and incredibly powerful. I have been completely pulled in from very early on in this one. It has definitely been a book that is bound to be a success.

Although I enjoyed this war time story set in the beautifully scenic hills of Tuscany, I gave it 4 stars because reading it felt like a little bit of a chore - it wasn’t a book that I couldn’t put down. I liked the switch in timelines between the past and present, but just felt that some of the characters were too easy and superfluous, especially Luca and Sandro from the present timeline. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters from the past timeline and loved how that story unfolded. This is book 1 in a series and I will still be looking out for future books to read.

I really enjoy this author and was definitely looking forward to this book. It did not disappoint! I am a huge fan of the dual timeline historical fiction. This author’s writing draws me in from the first page. Loved the stories and characters.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Prepare to be totally captivated by glorious Tuscany, both past and present, when you read this newest novel by Ella Carey. The story is told in a dual timeline that begins with the death of Annie's father in the present and the discovery that she is adopted, quite a shock at age 33. The second timeline is set in Tuscany in 1944 at Villa Rosa, a magnificent house that feels like a living, breathing character in this book. The plot weaves through the present and past as Annie tries to unravel her ancestral connection to Villa Rosa and its role in the Nazi occupation. There's a touch of romance, the partisan resistance during World War II, the rich history of Tuscany, and a surprise twist at the very end.

I loved the women in this book...their strength, perseverance, courage, and pride. Reading this made me miss my dad and dig out my mom's favorite Tuscan cookbook because the food references made my mouth water. I was already a fan of Ella Carey and I can't wait for the next book in this new series!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.

I am a big fan of historic WWII novels and this is a good one. In present time, a young woman (Annie) is left a letter with two keys from her dying father. In it, she is told that she has inherited a villa in Tuscany from a mother that she had no knowedge of.. In the past, the reader meets another young woman (Cara) working at the Villa as a secretary during WWII. From there , the story takes off. Underground resistance from the local people, German atrocities, and what it took to survive in those trecherous times. A terrific read.

Like her previous books, this debut in the Daughters of Italy, An Italian Secret, centers around an old abandoned building.

Contessa Evelina Messina (Tuscany, 1944) and Annie Reynolds (Carmel-by-the-Sea, present day) both have something in common with the abandoned home in the Tuscan hills…and it’s not just DNA that connects them. All three are (1) frozen in time, waiting expectedly, to realize their full potential and (2) both women answer the call to fight.

“Why not fight for the life you deserve? Why settle? Why not fight for the love you deserve?”

The Contessa, the owner of Villa Rosa, makes a calculated decision in facing off the Germans who’ve entered her valley. In answering the call to fight, she plays the role of a welcoming host and entertains them in an effort to keep them at bay. In choosing this course, she presses pause on the life she had and plays the waiting game in hopes of restoration. Her choice has rippling effects.

Annie Reynolds is also in a holding pattern. She’s grieving the loss of her father and now trying to come to terms with the information he shared in a death letter. Will her connections to Villa Rosa be the catalyst for restoration; of her own life and of the villa? By taking her father’s advice, Annie answers the call to fight. Like the Contessa, she’s also fighting for what’s rightfully hers. Although these women approach waiting and fighting differently, they are essentially journeying parallel roads across time toward the same goal.

Love, war, hope, and despair all take a leading role in this powerful book, but it’s the Villa Rosa that pulls the vying forces together - into submission. I absolutely loved this book about the power of restoration. It kept me spellbound and I needed to see a resolution.

I am eagerly awaiting book two in this series.

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