Although there have been several recent books and movies about efforts to locate missing artworks that were sheltered, hidden and consequently protected during WWII in Italy, Morelli's book is a first for me in that it uses a young girl, Stella, as the voice of this particular experience. She is a 13 year old girl, sent for safety reasons, to an outlying area in Italy to live with unfamiliar relatives. She quickly finds that the family is chosen to safeguard an extensive collection of paintings, which, if discovered by the Germans, could prove to be disastrous for the family, as well as the many refugees they are caretaking on their farm. The famous painting, PRIMAVERA by Botticelli, plays a pivotal role and is truly the centerpiece in this story as Stella and Sandro, a new friend, develop a blossoming understand of the the beauty and mystery of art as they look at and learn more and more about this painting.

I really enjoyed this perspective, and was impressed with the story line as Stella and Sandro grew quickly emotionally and intellectually as they also began to learn about the vagrancies of those sheltering not only the art, but them, and actually all of humanity. Both main characters tugged at my heart throughout the story. Still, I felt like the last chapter or two came together almost too quickly after the slower pace of the rest of the book, and Stella's clear understanding of her future happened just a bit too quickly to seem plausible to me. Still, the ending was quite satisfying. The quotes by Botticelil from his diaries and those from Captain Foster (a Monuments officer) beginning most chapters solidly contributed to the focus of each chapter.

There was one negative issue for me personally was the author's continued overuse of sentence fragments throughout the text. While an occasional fragment can solidify or impact a certain idea or experience, for me it sometimes made the writing (and reading) an almost jarring experience.

History, in and of itself, can be dry. However, historical fiction gives each of us a way to learn through story telling. With The Keeper of Lost Art: A Novel, Laura Morelli wove a tale that holds the reader's attention while giving them the opportunity to learn about the impact of war on a country's culture. In this case, the preservation of works of art that are historically import to a country and its people.

When Stella's mother sends her away from the city of Torino, Italy to live in the Tuscan countryside, it is with the belief that she is sending her to safety. Albeit that she is sending her to live with relatives who Stella has never met due to a messy family history. Initially, Stella is unhappy living in the countryside, especially with the obvious resentment of her Aunt Angela towards her. Stella is also disenchanted with continuing her education and can't wait to be able to leave school and go to work.

Stella's opinion of the importance of staying in school changes gradually over the course of the story when the villa where her family lives as the caretakers in the absence of the actual owners becomes a hiding place of some of Italy's most famous works of art. Along with her new friend Sandro, one of the refugees who finds safety at the villa, Stella's eyes and heart are opened to the beauty of art, the stories it tells and the importance of it from a cultural and heritage perspective. This new appreciation of art reawakens a new zest in Stella to continue her education.

Keeping the works of art safe becomes extremely challenging once the Germans arrive in Tuscany, commandeering the villa for their own use. Stella and her family become ever fearful that the German's will discover the paintings and claim them as spoils as war in the name of Adolf Hitler.

There is so much historical depth to this story that I could go on and on, but I encourage all readers of historical fiction to read it for themselves. I thank Laura Morelli, William Morrow Paperbacks and Netgalley the opportunity to read and ARC of The Keeper of Lost Art: A Novel

The Keeper of Lost Art by Laura Morelli is a fantastic story especially for historical fiction aficionados.
Each chapter begins with a paragraph from the lost diary of the artist Botticelli and an entry from the diary of a Monuments Men hero, Captain Foster. These entries were fascinating to read.
The story begins when 12 year old Stella is sent to live with her aunt, uncles and cousins to escape harm. She is sent to the Villa Santa Lucia where her uncle is a driver for the English owner who has fled to Switzerland. It is now up to Stella and her family members to care for the villa and surrounding vineyards. Her mother has stayed behind in Torino, to continue working.
We meet Signor Poggi from the Uffizi Galleries in Florence. His job was to locate a safe place to hide the works of art that the Nazis are threatening to destroy or steal. He chose Villa Santa Lucia because the ceilings were high, there were large, open rooms with shutters that closed and the doors could lock with a key. Stella's uncle is reluctant at first but then agrees and precious artwork begins its journey to be hidden at the Villa. I loved how the author builds this story around many characters. Each one playing an important role. Soon the Villa isn't just hiding and storing art work, but also local desperate people, refugee children, teachers, or even lost or runaway soldiers. Many found refuge there. We meet soldiers from India, New Zealand, Canada, and some American troops. Their interactions in the story are heartwarming.
Boticelli's Primavera is one of the masterpieces being hidden there. Stella befriends a young refugee boy who loves to draw and they are amazed at this painting. A true friendship is forged between this boy and Stella who are determined to do their part to protect this art.
I feel that the title of this book, The Keeper of Lost Art, could be any of these characters in the story, even the Villa itself. I absolutely loved this book.
Thank you to the author. She is a brilliant storyteller and her research is impeccable for authenticity. This is such an amazing story.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow publishing for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my review.

I enjoy reading historical fiction when it’s well written, and I’m able to learn something new. Both of those elements are present in Laura Morelli’s soon to be released book “The Keeper of Lost Art.” My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. The book is scheduled for release on April 22, 2025.
And check out all of my reviews at my book blog Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com).
It’s 1943 in war-torn Italy, a country undergoing dramatic internal turmoil on the verge of joining the Allied forces and declaring war on its former Axis partner, Germany.
Twelve-year-old Stella Costa is sent by her mother from Torino to live with distant relatives in a villa in Tuscany. Stella does not know these aunts, uncles and cousins, nor is she prepared for the great responsibility about to be bestowed upon them. But the turn of events over the course of the next 18 months will shape her into the young woman she becomes.
Stella’s relatives, caretakers of the villa, but now minding it for the owner who has fled to Switzerland, are asked to safeguard more than 300 priceless masterpieces from the Uffizi Galleries in Florence. The fear is that the Germans will confiscate anything they believe to be of great value. Stella and her newfound family put their lives on the line every day.
As the story unfolds, refugees are fleeing their homes as the fighting escalates. Many of them are given food and shelter at the villa. One of the refugees, a twelve-year-old boy named Alessandro, strikes up a friendship with Stella. He has a gift for drawing, and an understanding of the valuable treasures being hidden in the villa. Together, they vow to keep the masterpieces safe.
As if that isn’t enough daily tension, Stella doesn’t understand why one of her aunts is cool toward her. Though over time she learns it has something to do with her parents – and the fact that her father, whose whereabouts are unknown, has been largely absent from her life.
For readers, it’s an interesting coming-of-age story wrapped around the historic efforts to safeguard Italy’s cultural treasures during World War II. There are some points midway through the story that slow the book’s generally solid narrative, a few sections seeming a bit redundant. At one point German soldiers requisition the villa and turn Stella and her family into forced labor. These chapters seem to go on for a while making me wonder, don’t these guys have somewhere to be? But the character development is solid, and Morelli does a good job of conveying the daily struggles for food, shelter and safety that existed in Italy at that time.
One additional nitpick: Stella is clearly the main character in this story, though her uncle Tino is the key person charged with protecting the works of art. So, who is “the keeper” referenced in the title? And is the art truly “lost?” Or just hidden? As I said, it’s a nitpick.
Overall “The Keeper of Lost Art” is an enjoyable and informative read that I’m comfortable recommending. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

The Keeper of Lost Art is a beautifully crafted historical novel set during WWII, where a young girl is sent to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in a villa in Tuscany for safety. The family is secretly hiding priceless Italian paintings to protect them from destruction and looting.

From the very first page, this book captivated me. The writing is elegant and doesn't rely heavily on dialogue, which worked perfectly in this case. The vivid descriptions and atmosphere transported me to Tuscany in a time of great turmoil.

What I loved most about this novel was the central theme that art, even in the darkest times, can offer hope. The paintings weren't just pieces of history to be preserved—they symbolized resilience, beauty, and humanity in the face of war.

However, I’m giving the book 4 out of 5 stars. While the story was gripping overall, the pacing did slow down in some areas, and I found certain sentiments were reiterated a bit too often. Despite this, it's still a moving and thoughtful read that I recommend to fans of historical fiction.

What an great book
I learned about the history of the arts during the war
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book early

Imagine a world where the masterpieces of Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Van Gogh were lost forever—hidden away in the shadows of war, their beauty silenced. Laura Morelli’s The Keeper of Lost Art invites you into this very world, where art, history, and survival collide in a gripping tale that will linger in your mind long after the final page.

In this dazzling novel, young Stella navigates a war-torn landscape. Her journey is not just about survival; it’s about preserving the soul of humanity, embodied in the priceless art her family is sworn to protect from the invading Germans. The tension of each page mirrors the fragility of the art itself, with every brushstroke symbolizing hope in the face of despair. As Stella grows amidst turmoil, she and her new friend, Sandro, find solace in Botticelli’s world-renowned masterpiece, Primavera. Morelli exquisitely paints a vivid picture of the art world, making every brushstroke of the narrative come alive. Her passion for Italy and art history resonates from the very beginning, threading through every enchanting scene.

What makes The Keeper of Lost Art truly stand out is its seamless blend of historical detail and modern suspense. As someone who has been obsessed with art history my entire life, Morelli’s novel struck a deep chord, revealing the often-overlooked sacrifices made to preserve masterpieces during WWII. Stella’s growing passion for art lies at the heart of the story, adding layers of complexity and tension as soldiers and refugees pass through the villa, seeking refuge. However, Stella quickly discovers that her passion for the paintings is not shared by everyone. Sandro, with his love for drawing, helps Stella see how even an ordinary sketch can transform one’s imagination and view of the world.

While many WWII stories like Anne Frank’s diary focus on survival in hiding, The Keeper of Lost Art offers a fresh perspective on the war’s impact on art and cultural preservation. For those not immersed in the art world, it’s easy to overlook the sacrifices made to save the masterpieces we now take for granted. What would our world be like if Botticelli, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Van Gogh were confined to history books, and we could no longer stand before their works and feel their emotional resonance?

Morelli’s characters are as richly developed as the paintings they seek to hide, each with their own motives and secrets. As you turn the pages, you’ll find yourself rooting for Stella and Sandro, and wondering just how much the past can influence the present. As I followed Stella’s story, I felt her pain and uncertainty. A young teenager, left in the dark about her parents’ fate, Stella’s desire to continue school fades as survival takes precedence. Thankfully, Sandro, with his natural talent for art, becomes her beacon in the darkness. Sandro teaches Stella to draw, while Stella helps Sandro learn to read—both finding a measure of peace amid the war’s chaos. In their bond, forged in the crucible of war, we see the enduring power of creativity—how art always finds a way to shine through even the darkest times.

For those not as obsessed with art history as I am, the story might occasionally feel verbose, slowing the pacing. The tension of hiding priceless art is palpable, but a few more moments of near-discovery would have added even more suspense to this gripping tale. I found myself imagining how the family might have hidden the artwork in stressful situations, rolling up canvases to transport them safely around the estate. Perhaps Poggi, the conservator, could have trained Stella and others early on, setting up a scenario that would shape Stella’s life forever.

In short, The Keeper of Lost Art is a must-read for anyone captivated by mysteries that intertwine Italian history, art, and the resilience of the human spirit. Laura Morelli has truly crafted a masterpiece with this enchanting and unforgettable story.


I really, REALLY enjoyed this story. As someone who lived in Tuscany to study art history during college and am very familiar with Florence, historical places and the museum's, I immediately fell in love with the story written.

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨I would give the rating a 4.5/5, as I REALLY wanted to see a piece of action where the family needed to hide the paintings and internal struggle of how not to damage the artwork became Stella's and Sandro's main focus for a bit to keep the readers on their toes.

When Stella is sent from Torino to live in the Tuscan countryside, her mother believed she would be safer, far from the frequent bombings. At first, she struggles with the changes and her desires to leave school and move on with her life. But when the villa her uncle is protecting is used to secretly store priceless Italian art, the whole family is plunged into intrigue, especially once the Germans arrive. More than ever, the family and the refugees at the villa must work together to protect their treasure.

My initial reaction: WOW! I was absolutely hooked from the moment we are introduced to Stella and her cousins. Her aunt and uncle are a delicate balancing act to the family, two sides of a coin. Sandro broke my heart almost immediately.

The start of every chapter with the lost diaries of Botticelli and Captain Wallace brought a level of context as I was only vaguely familiar with what happened with Italian art during World War 2.

No spoilers but the ending left me in tears and full of hope. I highly recommend The Keeper of Lost Art.

The only thing keeping this from a 5 star review is the pacing - towards the middle it slowed down and felt slightly clunky.

ARC provided by William Morrow

One can never go wrong when picking up a new Laura Morelli book, so I knew I was in for a great read - but even I was blown away by how good this was! Unputdownable and lovely are the two words I would use to describe this!. Fantastic and utterly addictive would also suffice :) Either way, you are in for a treat!