Not really a fan of a tale that flits back and forth in time, that said I did stick this one out & did enjoy it. Lots of twists and turns to the inevitable conclusion.

I loved this. So many twists Moved back and forward in time. Worked well. Set mainly on an island off the Italian coast. You had romance, family secrets , a love between a grandmother and grand daughter. A really good read. Hard to put down. A nice neat ending.

Another charming and entertain8ng visit to Italy with a great romance to keep me happy. This author really does an excellent job of creating an evocative setting for her stories. I feel I am there in the sunshine, listening to the Italian being spoken around me and enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of Italy. A fabulous read.

Romance & long-term family mystery on beautiful Ischia🌅

4-4.5🌟 stars
Quite a good read that I enjoyed, with a beautiful Italian setting on the isle of Ischia a ferry ride from Naples. Ornella's family secret and the tragedy of her younger sister Maria's death, dating back to the late 1950's, kept her from returning to the island, after emigrating to the UK with husband and young child, until after her daughter Silvana's death. Her return with her Silvana's daughter Alessia in tow stirs up unsettling memories and uncovers long ago tragedy, hard choices and secrets. But it also gives Alessia a new lease on romance and leads to a good deal of healing and hope. Loved the progression and resolution of the plot, especially for brutally burned and disfigured Anna.

I felt it did start slowly, with too much atmospheric scene setting description for my taste early on, but once they settle in on the island the pace picked up, hints of simmering secrets started popping and my interest was fully engaged. The author did a good job of developing a community of characters, from movie stars and journalist to farmers, hairdressers and seamstresses, all interconnected in the unfolding drama.

The action alternates between the 1950's and the present but the transitions were well identified and not confusing.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared with Waterstones, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads and Bookbub on 1/9/25. To be shared with kobo and Google Play when published.

I enjoyed this one even though I guessed the outcome quite quickly in the book. This didn't spoil my enjoyment of this book. A delightful story with plenty of atmosphere and loveable characters. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Alessia's grandmother grew up on Ischia and she wants to go back after more than 60 years away. A famous film star has died and its brought back memories

Engaging book that featured both strong character and development that held my attention from beginning to end. Recommended as a beach / holiday read.development that held my attention from beginning to end. Recommended as a beach / holiday read.

This book offers the perfect blend of sun-soaked escapism, romance, and tantalizing family secrets. Set on the captivating island of Ischia, this story draws readers into a vivid, multi-layered narrative filled with emotion and intrigue.

This book is perfect for thos who love an Italian summer, a dash of romance, and a treasure trove of buried family drama. I felt like I was part of Alessia’s and Ornella’s family, as if their secrets and heartbreaks became my own. With every revelation, I found myself more invested, craving to know more about their lives and the choices that shaped them.

Springfield masterfully weaves past and present, intertwining Alessia’s growing connection to Ischia—and to a charming journalist named Roberto—with Ornella’s poignant memories of her youth. The mystery surrounding Ornella’s teenage sister and the life-changing promise she made decades ago is unraveled with a perfect balance of suspense and emotional depth.

The descriptions of Ischia are breathtaking, making the island feel like a character in its own right. The story brims with themes of love, loss, forgiveness, and healing, making it both relatable and deeply moving.

If you’re looking for a summer read that will whisk you away to the Mediterranean, stir your emotions, and keep you hooked until the last page, "An Italian Island Secret" is an absolute gem.

I loved Ornella and Alessia’s journeys.

The story is told from various perspectives but mainly follows Ornella and her granddaughter Alessia and how they journey back to Ischia, the Italian island where Ornella is from.

A story of love, hope, new beginnings and second chances. A fabulous read all round.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in change for a honest review.

What a book, filled with Italian sun, romance and some great family secrets!
Absolutely loved this book from start to finish, always kept you gripped with what secret was going to be revealed next and how the different love stories will progress.
Loved the past and present text to really add to the story!
Can’t recommend this enough!

An Italian Island Secret by Victoria Springfield is set on the sun-soaked isle of Ischia, weaving a dual narrative that spans decades. The story follows Alessia and her grandmother, Ornella, as they leave their London life to return to Ischia, a place Ornella left 60 years ago.

The vivid descriptions of the island allow readers to feel the warm sunshine and picture the beauty of the island. The characters, and the relationship between Alessia and her Nonna, are thoughtfully crafted, making their journey of healing and uncovering the past both poignant and heartwarming. The mystery of the past kept me engaged and guessing. This is a delightful read for lovers of historical fiction, multi-generational tales, or anyone looking for an escape to a picturesque Italian island.

Having holiday-ed in Ischia a few years ago, I loved revisiting some of the places whilst reading this book. It was a delightful read, quite thought provoking at times comparing life in the 1950’s with the present day. Enjoy

I really enjoyed the idyllic setting of this book. Could almost feel the warm sunshine on my face as the story developed. Both poignant and heart rending this book holds you captive and wanting to hear more of the past meeting the present. Glorious.

I loved this sun-soaked dual narrative set on the beautiful island of Ischia. Alessia and her grandmother Ornella are stuck in a rut - they are both grieving and isolated from Italian family as they are the only ones left in London. When Alessia’s loses her job they make the decision to go back to Ischia for the summer, a place Ornella grew up in but abruptly left 60 years previously and has never returned.

The story deals with layers of mystery and glamour as the two women come to grips with the real secrets of their family and close friends on the island. The characters are thoughtfully drawn and their portrayal made me wish I was friends with them so I could go and visit the beautiful locations Springfield creates so vividly!

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a slice of Italian dolce vita in their lives! Many thanks to the publishers and netgalley for the Arc in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars ✨

Alessia and her grandmother visit Ischia, the island of her grandmother's birth. She slowly learns the secrets of the family , and finds love. Enthralling story, excellent reading for a cold winter's day.

This book started off really strong and while I enjoyed it, it did drag just a little for me in the middle! Loved the story though!

alessia and her grandmother travel back to the Italian island where her grandmother grew up, alessia finds out her grandmother was the star of a movie in the 1950's, lots of secrets come out.

Grab this one or any of the author’s books at curl up and enjoy the wild ride. You won’t be disappointed.
It makes a change to read a book that makes you feel good and is entertaining ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An Italian Island Secret by Victoria Springfield

I couldn’t have picked a better book to read on a sunny New Year’s Day in Australia than *An Italian Island Secret*. Floating in my backyard pool while immersing myself in this captivating story set on a beautiful Italian island was blissful.

The novel is filled with endearing characters and an intriguing plot that unfolds with secrets and regrets, ensuring it keeps you entertained from start to finish. It has been 60 years since Ornella last set foot on her beloved home, the Island of Ischia. Her granddaughter, Alessia, knows little about this place until Ornella’s sudden decision to return for the summer.

Throughout the story, old friends reconnect, new friendships are formed, and a web of secrets from the 1950s comes to light, affecting many lives on the island. The author beautifully portrays the setting, making you feel as if you are walking the charming old streets of Ischia.

I absolutely loved this book! From the Italian island, to the many layered stories, the tender relationship between Alesia and Nonna, the throwback of 1950’s cine, and much more. Wonderful book!