I love books like this ~ someone who discovers a secret that challenges how they identify themselves!

First of all, THAT cover! Dare I say the best I’ve ever seen?!

Secondly, Greenwood’s ability to share her character’s journey was stellar. Kate Arden embarks on an emotional journey when uncovering a family secret. Greenwood carried her through the multitude of emotions after showing us how discombobulating the discovery was. Readers are aware of Kate processing the secret; dealing with the shame and anxiety and working through anger and denial. I loved that Greenwood allowed Kate space to realize the importance of not discounting her past while she was forging ahead with a new identity. Likewise, I appreciated the flip side. Reading about Sophia Armstrong's anguish and lack of choices was heartbreaking. Greenwood's ability to pull me into the story made all the difference in the world.

Greenwood had the perfect balance of history, mystery and romance. I was captivated by this story about unlocking secrets. I lost track of time and wasn’t aware of the 400 pages. I had to know the challenges in Kate’s background and why they occurred. Venice has a special place in my heart and I make sure we stop there every few years, so this made the story that much more appealing to me. I loved being transported back to the magical surroundings of La Serenissima.

Historical fiction lovers will want to put this story about what ‘finding yourself’ really means on your reading list this Spring!

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

What a delightful book! So happy I have found this author and give thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for the advanced copy in return for an honest review! While I said delightful, it's a historical fiction/mystery/adventure that keeps you reading. It follows Kate's journey to find her mother through a difficult home life, a war plaguing the land and trying to find her true self. The pages turn themselves.

mystery meets historical fiction!! takes place is 1940s, and the author did a great job transporting the reader to that time!

I had to read this book in one sitting. I loved the strong female characters in this novel. It takes place as WWII unfolds. We read 2 stories taking place at this time in 2 different settings, England and Italy. The two story arcs will eventually be joined. The mystery of Kate, our main female character’, and her personal history drives the plot but all the supporting stories are gripping too. Kate’s drive for independence, her helping evacuee children near Stratford and Cornwall, and her siblings’ stories make for riveting reading.

This one ticked all the boxes for me. Historical fiction and an elusive mystery, set during and after World War 2., with a very likeable strong female character. Kate Arden doesn’t want to get married and take on that female role, she has painting in her heart. As her feelings of never quite belonging and her desire to find out more about her background strengthen, she accumulates clues, however, the start of the war impacts her life. The stories of her time looking after children who were bombed and evacuated were really interesting. After the war, the truth gradually comes out, despite the attempts of a couple of villains to thwart this. I enjoyed the characters and the way the pieces of the mystery fitted together, and I hope to read more by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC to read and give an honest review of.