The Forgotten Italian Restaurant by Barbara Josselsohn is a dual timeline historical fiction. Going back from present day to 1943 WWII in Italy, the story unwinds. So much heartache, so much hope, yet so much misconstrued tragedy. Will the past be revealed? Will the main characters Callie and Emilia find peace with the past and peace within themselves? With an unexpected ending, this was a 5-star read for me.

Releases Aug. 21st. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Reads like an italian passegiata, slow and meandering dual time line. Through the 2 passages of time intertwined and interlinked the story unravels.

It’s 1943 in Italy. Emilia is out in the dark, taking her basket with her, but where is she going and what is she up to?

In the present day, Callie arrives in Caccipulia, insistent on getting information that will explain why her Nonno and Nonna wouldn’t talk about what happened to them during the war.

Oliver runs a local cafe and promises to help Callie, especially when he recognises the old menu she has.

This was a beautifully told story that held my interest. Callie is a difficult character, she’s running away all the time, but from what? She grew on me as the story unfolded.

Lovely descriptive writing, which made me feel as though I was there and witnessing everything.

Based over two time periods, this made for a thrilling story that I didn’t want to put down. A tale of bravery and secrets, as well as love.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

After Callie’s sister Pam dies, she finds tickets for the two of them to visit Italy and learn more about their grandparents. She takes the trip and discovers the role her grandmother played during World War II.
In a dual timeline, Emilie is a 15-year-old half Jew whose father has recently died and her two older sisters are away. For a 15-year-old, she seems naïve about events and getting what she wants. She’s taken in by a fabulous cook and her daughter Corinna. Gradually she becomes involved with efforts to feed hiding Jews, but anger builds toward her absent sisters.
Neither Callie nor Emilie really appealed to me, but it’s a good story on learning the about grandmother’s life. This is book three of a series on the three sisters. I haven’t read the first two, but this can stand on its own.

Switching from 1943 to present time this is a story of how families were torn apart by the war. Callie finds a plane ticket when her sister dies and takes a trip to Italy to find how her grandparents lived before they came to America. Heartbreaking story about the war and a heartwarming story about the present.

Barbara Josselsohn writes spectacular historical fiction! I’ve enjoyed three novels by this author this year and am sad to hear that this is the final novel in her WW2 Sisters of War series.

Josselsohn focussed on three very different sisters with three different personalities and showed us their courage and resilience in wartime while she highlighted the value and strength of family. If you haven’t read this series, start with Annalisa’s (scientist) story in Secrets Of The Italian Island and move on to Giulia’s story (dressmaker) in The Lost Gift To The Italian Island before reading this one focussed on the storyteller, Emilia.

You’ll be swept back to Italy and have a front row to the sisters’ evolution as the author weaves the stories of 1943 and present-day into a spellbinding account. I always appreciate how Josselsohn ignites my curiosity and has me considering multiple possibilities as she paints her narrative with brushstrokes of serendipity, bringing together the unlikeliest of people. Emilio and Tori’s story is a great example of this craft. You’ll note that Josselsohn’s romance thread takes a backseat to her historical fiction story focussed on betrayal, forgiveness, secrets, courage and healing.

I’m eager to read whatever this author has planned next!

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

This is the 3rd in the series but this is the first book I have ready by Barbara Josselsohn, so it can be read as a stand alone and didn't feel like I was missing anything by not reading the others first.
I really enjoyed this storyline. It was a beautiful story with a lot of heartbreak on what they went through. It is about love of family, regrets and forgiveness. I will now go back and read the other story's in this series. Than you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I was asked to review this book by NetGalley

Three sisters, World war 2 and occupied Italy, told through a dual timeline from 1943 and 1999, we learn how the sisters survive the war. One of the sisters Callie travels to Cappipulia to find out about her grandparents and the alleged betrayl of her granmother.

This book is sad, insightful, well researched and a hint of romance thrown into the mix.

Interesting read and recommended due for publication August 21st 24.

This book written about World War and the Occupation of Italy is the third of a very well written series about three sisters and their lives. The story moves back and forth between the two timelines of 1943 and 1999 and tells us how the sisters and their friends and family survived during the war. Callie makes a trip to Cappipulia to see if she can find the history behind her grandparents and the woman her grandmother said betrayed her. This book is suspenseful, sad, happy and romantic all at the same time. Anyone who is interested in historical fiction will enjoy this. While there is some romance it is not the main focus of the book. This book can easily be read as a stand-alone but I suggest you read the series in order. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is such a beautiful and dramatic story. Reading about the painful period and what people went through touches my heart every time.
Both women here had gone through their own personal hell, and I think that this was one thing that connected them deeply. There was
an instant chemistry/connection that made them look like friends or even family. I loved how the story was more focused on how they
helped each other and less on the romantic aspect. My favorite parts were their first lesson and the time Callie went to be
completely honest.