Lizzie a young woman is a tutor to Cristo a young boy whose mother died and his Father is a senior Italian leader and follower of Mussolini. She is soon joined by Signor Baldini another tutor and together they tutor Cristo but also engage in partisan activities with Vincenzo Baldini becoming a senior leader. A lot of war torn Italy is described a lot of war issues well portrayed. Thanks to Tessa Harris and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

"The Tuscan Daughter" by Tessa Harris portrayed a new angle of WWII, the Italians' perspective, that I hadn't previously read. I felt like I was not only learning while reading but also getting carried along in the historical journey of Lizzie, the English-born tutor to the son of Count de Falco, a fascist Mussolini frontman, and Vincenzo Baldini, a member of the Italian resistance. Many times while reading, I had to put the book down and Google a historical fact mentioned in the book because I was so intrigued.

The storyline made me think of a combination of Pam Jenoff's "Code Name Sapphire" and Kate Quinn's "The Alice Network" - both books I loved. If you're a fan of WWII historical fiction, a courageous woman not willing to "settle" and "...only take care of the household, bear children, and to make cuckolds..." mixed in with some brief, clean romance, I would highly recommend "The Tuscan Daughter." 5 stars all the way. #NetGalley

“The Tuscan Daughter” by Tessa Harris is a captivating historical novel set against the backdrop of World War II in Tuscany, Italy. As the war unfolds, protagonist Lizzie Thornton finds herself caught between love and loyalty, navigating the complexities of a country torn apart by fascism.

Lizzie, an English tutor to young Cristo, finds her world turned upside down when war is declared, and she is suddenly labeled an enemy in the country she has grown to love. With the arrival of Vincenzo Baldini, a member of the Italian resistance, Lizzie is drawn into a secret world of anti-fascist activism. Despite the risks, she joins Vincenzo’s unit and finds herself falling deeply in love. However, when her past resurfaces, Lizzie is forced to confront difficult choices that could jeopardize everything she holds dear.

Based on true events, “The Tuscan Daughter” is a sweeping and heart-wrenching tale of resilience, courage, and determination in the face of oppression. Harris skillfully weaves together elements of danger, suspense, romance, and mystery, creating a riveting narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

With its rich historical detail and compelling characters, this novel is sure to resonate with fans of World War II fiction. Harris delivers a poignant and unforgettable story that highlights the power of love and the strength of the human spirit in the darkest of times.

A really well researched novel with a dramatic ending. The narrative gave the feel of the day to day life of a partisan. The book made an entirely valid point, that many women took their part in the resistance struggle yet often received no recognition for their bravery. The main character faced a choice between two men, but more importantly two lifestyles, one where she would have a life of controlled domesticity the other where she was free to choose her role in life. The two men were different, one was controlling, 9ne wanted her to be free. Quite rightly, she chose freedom. All in all, a well worth read.

Tessa Harris’ The Tuscan Daughter opens on a breathless scene of escape. Just a few pages later, the reader is swept up into a world of mystery and suspense. Love blossoms between Lizzie and Vincenzo, at first understated but becoming more poignant after Vincenzo’s arrest. When Lizzie takes the post of governess to young Cristo, she was seeking a meaning to her life. Working alongside Vincenzo in the resistance movement she is forced to draw on an inner force she did not know she possessed This fortitude is put to the test when Vincenzo is jailed.
As events unfold, she finds herself in an impossible dilemma, caught between Vincenzo and her fiancé Hugh, two men who love her, while at the same time her life is in constant danger. She is a foreigner and the Wehrmacht is hunting down all Britons and Americans.
Lizzie finds herself on the run with a fiancé she no longer loves. She has not yet found the time (or the courage?) to tell him she wants to break off the engagement. She learns of Vincenzo’s death and loses the confidence that had propelled her into resistance work. She dithers. It is highly likely that the reader will interpret Lizzie’s relationship with her fiancé at this point as typical of women of that era in needing a man to provide security and make her complete. When Vincenzo had told her to get back to the safety of England, she had not fought for him nor fight for their love.
The classic misunderstanding. This was a let down.
Lizzie is no longer the strong-willed woman who became a resistance fighter and took on the perilous task of editing the underground newspaper. She behaves like a weather vane in a changing wind. Lacking is the argument to show why she turns to the fiancé she no longer loves.
While she participates in a skirmish alongside the partisans a new realization awakes in her, and a tragedy compels Lizzie to realize that her fiancé is not the man she thought he was. Yet, despite this, she follows him, suffers his abuse. At this stage in the novel, one might hear a scream rise from sensitive female readers.
Personally, my sympathies for Lizzie died at that point, along with my delight in the novel. The author uses the same plot device: Hugh, the fiancé believed to be dead but later turns up alive, then again Vincenzo is dead, but no, he turns up alive.
Fortunately, Tessa Harris snatches the story from what could have been a disappointing ending with a couple of rousing final chapters depicting liberation of Tuscan towns, and later Lizzie’s call to arms for women to fight for their rights.
Not Tessa's best book.

The Tuscan Daughter by Tessa Harris is a captivating journey through the stunning landscapes of Tuscany, woven with the complexities of love, loyalty, and political unrest during World War II. Lizzie Thornton, an English tutor in Lucca, faces moral dilemmas as she becomes entwined with the de Falco family, staunch supporters of Mussolini. The setting, from the cobblestone streets to the rolling hills, serves as a vibrant backdrop to the characters' lives. Lizzie, a relatable and strong-willed protagonist, undergoes a beautiful transformation amid political turmoil. Harris skillfully builds tension, leading to a gripping ending that left me satisfied. The novel sheds light on the lesser-explored aspects of Italy's role in the war, showcasing the brave women who fought against the detestable fascists as partisans. The inclusion of Lizzie's struggle, torn between loyalty and her desire for a better world, adds depth to the narrative. As war unfolds, Lizzie's connection to Vincenzo Baldini, a Partisan involved in a perilous newspaper, unravels a world of danger and choices. The story not only captures the historical context but also delves into the resilience and courage of Italian women during a tumultuous period. The Tuscan Daughter stands out as a poignant and insightful historical fiction novel, offering a unique perspective on the fight against fascism in Italy, and it has become one of my favorites in this genre. Harris's storytelling, coupled with the evocative setting and well-developed characters, creates a tale that resonates long after the last page is turned.

3.5 stars
This story is set in Tuscany in 1942. We follow Lizzie Thornton who is a British citizen living in Tuscany while working as a tutor for an 8-year-old boy, Christo. Christo is the son of Count Antonio de Falco who is a notable fascist and supporter of Mussolini. Lizzie finds herself in increased danger as war is declared in Italy. Things escalate when she becomes involved with another of Christo’s tutors, Vincenzo Baldini, as part of the resistance. As Lizzie becomes more involved with the resistance, she also finds herself becoming closer to Vincenzo. Lizzie becomes reunited with an unexpected person from her past and finds herself on a journey across Italy to find her way back home.
This book started out a little disjointed. I found the beginning of the relationship with Vincenzo to be slightly rushed and felt there were a lot of things we were told about after the fact instead of seeing develop. However, once I got past the first 30% of the book it really started to pick up as we followed Lizzie’s work with the resistance as well as her journey to finding herself. This book showed me another side of WWII that I wasn’t familiar with. It also did a great job of showing the resilience of the people of Italy and their fight for freedom. As a woman, I appreciated the look into the internal struggles that Lizzie went through when trying to find her independence. The internal struggle to fight back against expectations is something familiar even today. Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable story with likeable characters that kept me engaged throughout the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ digital for an advanced copy of this title in exchange for my honest review!

Allow author Tessa Harris to transport you to 1942 Tuscany where she’ll give you a startling first-hand account of life as a female partisan.

Lizzie Thornton, an English governess, is trapped in Italy when WW2 breaks out. Lizzie, tutor to a curious 8-year-old boy, Cristo, soon discovers what it’s like to be considered an enemy in her new home. She’s always had to be careful in the de Falco residence as Cristo’s father, Count Antonio, is a fascist and supports Mussolini.

Lizzie's decision to join forces with another one of Cristo's tutors as a member of the Italian resistance puts her in a position she's never been in before - that of risking everything for her beliefs. The tension ramps up when she’s sent to rescue someone being held by Mussolini’s fascists in the Castell’Arquato prison. Her best-laid ideals are put to the test when she is confronted with a choice she never thought she’d have to make. Does she have the courage to fight for what she really wants?

This novel caught my eye because of the great cover, the genre, and the fact that I’ve been to Lucca. Harris’ drive to write female partisans in Italy out from the shadows of history is a compelling read - one you’ll want on your tbr list!

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

This was a great historical fiction novel that took me through the picturesque landscapes of Tuscany during the years of World War II.
The story follows Lizzie Thornton, an English tutor living in Lucca, who finds herself caught in the midst of political turmoil and personal dilemmas.

Lizzie's admiration for her job as a tutor to young Cristo de Falco is tainted by the fact that his father, Count Antonio de Falco, is a prominent fascist and supporter of Mussolini.

Harris writes about the difficulties of love, loyalty, and political unrest.
From the cobblestone streets of Lucca to the rolling hills of the countryside, the setting becomes an important part of the story, and created a rich backdrop against which the characters' lives unfold.

Lizzie was a relatable and strong-willed fmc who underwent a beautiful transformation as she confronted her own fears and desires.
The tension and suspense built steadily through the novel, bringing a gripping ending that made me happy with the ending.

Tuscany, 1942: Born and raised in England, Lizzie Thornton moves to Tuscany to tutor eight-year-old Cristo, the son of Count Antonio de Falco, a notable fascist and supporter of Mussolini.
When war is declared, Lizzie is regarded as the enemy of Italy but is tolerated by the Count because of her closeness to his son. The Count is raising his son schooled in the fascist uniform and beliefs.
When Vincenzo Baldini arrives as another turor for the Count's son, Lizzie is exposed to another world, that of the Partisan. Vincenzo edits a newspaper which, if discovered by the fascists, could result in torture or death to anyone connected with the newspaper. Considering Italy as her home now, Lizzie also becomes part of the fight against the fascist regime.
When someone from her past comes back into her life, Lizzie must decide if she has the strength to fight for what she truly wants.
I loved this story, it is one of the few that I have read focusing on Italy and the patriot fight against the detestable fascists. This story also gives an insight into the role of the women of Italy, as partisans, against the fascists. Though women were not initially accepted as fighters, the downfall of fascist Italy was no doubt due in great part to the inclusion of women.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this fascinating story by Tessa Harris.

Spoiler Free honest 📚 review of The Tuscan Daughter by Tessa Harris 3⭐️. I was intrigued by a book focused on the Italian Resistance having not encountered many. The is a lot of repetition at times and has many run on sentences with lots of extending punctuation - ; : in odd places, but maybe it’s the ARC. There are also far too many random characters. The book starts with such a bang of foreshadowing which I don’t always enjoy. The story also progresses very quickly yet is super long with so many coincidences. I enjoyed the descriptions of Italian food which made me hungry! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

An amazing and sentimental look at one Englishwoman’s war in Italy. It is nice to see what Italy was like during WWII for a change.