The resilience of family in italy under the oppressive forces. Didnt realise there was a previous book might have defined story better but can be read alone. Not a great fan of war novels but this delves deeper into human phyche and characters.

Thanks to www.headofzeus.com, Aria & Aries and Netgalley.co.uk for a copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

As every bit as good as the first book, 'The Enemy Of Love', which has now been retitled, 'The Village Trattoria' . 'The Moonlit Piazza' continues the story of Elena Capaldi and her Italian family as they fight against the Nazi regime during the 2nd World War.

Both brave and fearless, Elena and her family run the Capaldi restaurant 'Casa Maria' on whatever scraps of food they are gifted or can salvage together. But at the heart of it all is their involvement with the resistance and their secret life.
Four sons, each working away behind the scenes, each in their own way fighting against German occupation, and each with their own secrets and stories to unfold.

And beside them three remarkably strong women who are unwilling to sit on the sidelines and let the men take all the risks.
This powerful and creative story tells of lives lived in fear, but with the determination not to be beaten.

I really hope that a third book is in the offing, as there is still a further story to be told.

🍝 Wow! I've read the first book in this series & remember getting really into it. I hadn't realized the next book was out but knew when I saw it that I had to read it.

🍞 This isn't an easy read because it is so sad. The war time seems unfathomable sometimes because I can't even begin to imagine what people went through. A lot of what's in this story is probably a very accurate portrayal of life in Italy during the war when the Germans took over & it's truly heartbreaking.

🍝 However, Annabelle's story is also a wonderful story about the closeness of family & love. How people came together to feed each other & be there for one another at the worst possible time. It's about seeing the person behind the uniform & trying to see the best in people.

🍞 For those reasons it's definitely a page turner & a story you really get into. There's hope through it all, which I very much enjoyed. The writing was brilliant & I'd highly recommend it.

Thank you Netgalley for the early copy.

Kelly

I have read a lot of this genre and found this to be a readable engaging novel. I was certainly gripped by the story as it unfolded and invested in the characters. Would recommend.

Found the book a bit slow to start but it did pick up and flowed much faster! Thanks for the opportunity to read it.

I thought the book was ok. The plot was slow in the beginning and about halfway it started to pick up. The book was a bit dry for me. There was no real growth for the characters. I wanted something more of dynamics with the main characters and there was none. There was no ups and downs.

The Moonlit Piazza is an absolutely captivating read that left me spellbound from beginning to end. The author masterfully creates a rich, immersive world and the depth of detail in the world-building is truly remarkable.

The protagonist, is a beautifully complex character whose journey of self-discovery and courage resonates deeply. Her growth throughout the story is both believable and inspiring, making her a heroine you can’t help but root for. The supporting characters are just as well-crafted, each bringing their own unique charm and depth to the narrative.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had figured out what would happen next, the author skillfully surprised me. The themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the fight between good and evil are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding layers of meaning that will leave readers pondering long after they turn the last page.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fantasy lovers. I can’t wait for the next installment!