"The Moonlit Piazza" by Annabelle Thorpe immerses readers in the heart of Italy during World War II, where themes of war, family, and love intertwine.

The story focuses on the Capaldi family, who run Casa Maria, a trattoria that symbolizes resistance and resilience in the face of Nazi occupation. The family matriarch, Elena Capaldi, epitomizes strength as she faces a moral dilemma: harboring a young German soldier who shares her love of cooking. This unlikely friendship prompts questions about trust and humanity amidst conflict.

The plot takes place in picturesque Amatino, where secrets lurk beneath the surface. Elena's grandson, Giorgio, is undercover at another family trattoria, leaving his wife Sophia to protect his whereabouts. Suspense builds as conspiracies brew among townspeople, some willing to betray the Capaldis for personal gain. Thorpe weaves an intricate web of intrigue that keeps readers hooked.

The atmosphere is evocative—you can almost taste the aromas from Casa Maria's kitchen, hear the laughter and whispers at family gatherings, and feel the omnipresent fear. Thorpe's writing is lyrical yet accessible, painting vivid images while maintaining a brisk pace. Emotions run deep as we experience Elena's fierce love for her family and her inner turmoil.

Characters are portrayed with nuance—neither purely good nor evil—which adds depth to their interactions and decisions. This complexity prompts readers to examine their beliefs about loyalty and betrayal. Certain plot points could have been further developed for greater emotional impact.

Ultimately, the novel is a heartfelt tribute to Italian heritage and familial bonds that will resonate with anyone inspired by stories of resilience.

It’s the sequel I predicted a couple years ago and have eagerly been anticipating, so I was thrilled when Aria & Aries sent it my way. The Moonlit Piazza by Annabelle Thorpe takes us back to Italy during WWII where we rejoin Sophia, Elena, Massimo, and the rest of the family as the war continues to ravage Europe. Added to the mix is the mysterious Kat, who townspeople are trying to figure out if she’s working for the Nazis and Schmidt, a German soldier who is residing in Elena’s home. Giorgio has been forced from Amatino under the guise that he is dead, but in reality, he goes to stay with his uncle for his safety. Whether in Rome or Amatino, family members work for the Resistance to bring an end to Nazi control of Italy.

Should you read The Village Trattoria before The Moonlit Piazza? I would recommend it highly. It is a great read and will help establish the background of the characters in atheism Moonlit Piazza. Thorpe puts you in the village and you’ll find yourself wanting to step into the restaurant for some of Elena’s homemade pasta dishes and desserts. There’s love and loss, revenge and redemption. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on May 26, 2025.

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #TheMoonlitPiazza #AnnabelleThorpe #ariaandaries

I like story set in Italy but I usually don't read those set in WWII as my father was a member of the Resistance so it's always complicated define if I liked or not.
This is a good one, a historical fiction with a touch of fantasy about cooking as a way of joining people (in some part of Italy it wasn't that easy and I'm also wondering about Rome after the Ardeatine)
I enjoyed it, recommended
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Moonlit Piazza takes us back to the small Italian village during WWII, and the Capaldi family.
(Although it follows Enemy of Love, you can enjoy The Moonlit Piazza as a standalone read).
This book is great for fans of historical fiction, especially those interested in WWII and the Italian resistance. This is a moving that will keep you hooked until the end.

My rating:
Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Historical Fiction


Review:

This is a well written story that takes you in time to life in a small Italian village during WWII. , The writing is vivid with great attention to detail this made it captivating and realistic. It tells the story of the Capaldi Family and shows the effects of war on not just everyday life but also on the relationships between family, friends and the other villagers and how each and every one of them responds and deals differently with the pressure they are under and dangers they all face.

The main characters are interesting and their actions were explained well, this made them realistic and easy to relate to.

This book starts where the previous book “Enemy of Love” finishes but each book can be read as a standalone.

Overall:

The book is very well written, vivid and with great attention to detail. The story captures you from the start, and has the right mixture, of suspense, mystery, some romance and a bit of adventure to make it interesting till the end.

This was such a good book! The writing style and the story line were amazing. Would read more like this in the future

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!