I loved that this was a WWII novel where the war wasn’t the sole focus of the story, but that we still got glimpses of it. I loved that it was a multi-POV with Concetta and Gaetano telling their sides, but that we also got chapters from Concetta’s family. We also got to see the war from both Italy and America and saw a tiny glimpse of how “enemy aliens” were treated during the war, though I do think that was sugarcoated a bit since it was generally through the lens of Concetta and Giuseppina. I enjoyed that Enzo and the rest of the family eventually made it back to visit Italy, and that Enzo got to experience some peace. I enjoyed where the story left off, but I do think it could have benefited from a short epilogue that jumped a few years later. I really wanted to know if Concetta ended up going to school and becoming a teacher. I like to think she did. Overall I would recommend reading this story.

A beautiful read about young lovers split apart by family, moving to a different country with promises to reunite but little could they envisage a world war which would test both of them .
Can’t recommend it enough

As the great granddaughter of two Italian immigrants who I unfortunately never got to meet. I was intrigued by the summary, as it had some common threads to their experience. Leaving Italy in the hopes of providing a better life for his family, but having to leave behind extended family members, and in my great grandfather's case, his childhood sweetheart, with the promise that he would send for her, or return to bring her back to America with him, this book really gave me all the emotional hits. Wonderful read!

Historical fiction is not my forte, but I truly love a book placed in the World War II era. This book was interesting because of its location and that’s what intrigued me. Following the two main characters as they fell in love and tried to keep that love was so sweet and painful at times. Seeing how the Italians were managing their lives in WWII was really interesting and I overall enjoyed this book.

A story that is about love, losing love and finding oneself.

When young Gaetano and Concetta fall in love they face problems when Concetta has to move away and leave her love. Gaetano has his own problems when he has to join the war and face uncertainty of his life fighting for his beloved Italy.

They both have a dream and have never forgotten one another. But can their love survive different continents.

The events that follow them both, form what they will become in years to come.

A touching emotional story that reflects life as it was during WWII.

This was a lovely story of love during a time of war. The ups and downs of life over which you had no control. Then the war ends and there is hope once more. Great conclusion.

I found the writing in this somewhat immature and it didn’t really capture my interest in the way that I had hoped.

Concetta is in front of a huge, life-altering decision.

The young woman is in love with Gaetano, a kind man that loves her back and wants to have her as his wife. And while she wants the same, her father objects to the marriage with the son of a disgraced man. Moreover, Concetta’s father intends to take his family from his village in Italy to America, in search of a better life, and Concetta cannot stay behind. So, she has to decide her fate.

Moving to the States eventually, she keeps on corresponding with Gaetano, trying to pass time until she can return for him. World War II, though, changes their lives irrevocably, as they are in opposing countries.

Will they ever meet again?

The last letter from Sicily is a touching work of historical fiction, told in a dual POV (both Concetta and Gaetano are represented in the book), spanning the years of the war, and some time before and after it. The narrative shifts from Concetta's attempts to fit into the American dream by providing for herself and her family, to Gaetano’s life since being drafted and stationed for the interests of Italy. The agony and the longing of both is palpable, especially as the characters understand that they need to move forward, as communication between them stops. The story had me mesmerized, rooting for those two to end up together, and if the book had a hundred more pages with details on their separate stories, I would be very pleased indeed.

Thank you to Lindsay Marie Morris and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion of this read.

This was a charming story of love lost and found. My favorite thing is the fact that this was based on a real love story. I wasn’t drawn in the way I had hoped. The story came across as a bit young adult. I’m thankful to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story.

An enjoyable historical romance set against the back drop of Italy and America in World War Two. Some parts were a little unrealistic and I'm not sure about the historical accuracy.

This book offers a snapshot of life for Italians during WWII, Italian POWs, and Italian immigrants in America - it certainly piqued my interest to find out more. The story is well written and kept me turning the pages. The characters are relatable, the romance is sweet, and the struggles of the time were addressed in a small way. I enjoyed this story but would have loved more depth.

A good, quick read and perfect for those who enjoy light WWII historical fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for an ARC for review. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

In this excellently written and deeply enjoyable new World War II historical fiction novel, readers follow Concetta, an aspiring teacher, and her secret boyfriend Gaetano as they prepare for their future in 1939 Sicily until her father decides that the family is leaving the island for America. Dreaming of Sicily and a reunion with Gaetano, the two continue writing about the hardships in America and life in Sicily until Italy declares war on the United States, stopping their letters entirely. Pressured to move on and commit to her American life, Concetta is determined to find out what happened to Gaetano, even if she has to return to Italy on her own. With a charming love story at the heart of this historical fiction novel, readers will love Concetta’s relationships with Gaetano and her family and how they evolve over the years. The historical detail and difficulties of being Italian in the United States during the war is particularly interesting since this is not typically spotlighted in the genre, and Morris does a fantastic job bringing these historical details to life in this excellent new release. With a cast of fantastic characters and a great emotional storyline, readers will love this new World War II historical fiction novel and Concetta and Gaetano’s story.

The Last Letter From Sicily is a sweeping novel of war and forbidden love. When Concetta's family moves from Sicily to America in 1939, Concetta must leave her boyfriend Gaetano behind. They vow their love to each other and pledge to reunite as soon as they are able. However, Gaetano is drafted into the army and the letters between Gaetano and Concetta stop. As the fighting intensifies, life goes on for them both. Morris has crafted an interesting story of new beginnings and old flames.

This story goes back and forth between Concetta and Gaetano and how their lives were affected by WWII. It took a little bit for me to get into it, but it was a sweet love story and look into how the war changed the lives of everyday people, not just soldiers.

At first I wasn't sure about this book, but it eventually really did grab my attention and I couldn't put it down! It ended just the way I hoped it would, but there were times I wasn't sure it would get there. A great read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. I loved this book and going along with the characters on their journey. I loved the storyline and the growth of the characters. I would definitely recommend this book. I did read this book in one day!

This was such a sweet and meaningful book!! I loved the characters, the different settings, and the dual timelines. I will be reading more from this author!

It is Sicily pre WWII and Gaetano and Concetta are young and in love. Concetta’s father makes a life changing decision to move the family to America. Concetta is determined that she will return to Sicily and marry Gaetano but WWII intervenes in her plans. We view the lives of the two through alternating chapters as WWII changes the world for everyone. This is an easy weekend read with short chapters and a predictable ending but a nice story.

Set in the 1940’s, Concetta and Gaetano are two young Italians whose lives are upended by war, family secrets, and societal expectations.

Concetta’s journey begins when her father abruptly moves their family from Italy to America, hiding a mysterious reason for their departure. In New York, she endures grueling hours in a sweatshop under the shadow of a sleazy boss, her dreams of getting back to Italy growing dimmer with each passing day. Meanwhile, Gaetano, the son of a man who tragically succumbed to PTSD, has to stay behind. Soon after, he is sent to fight for Italy alongside his best friend, Gianni, plunging him into the chaos of war.

The narrative spans years, as both characters navigate love and duty in separate worlds. Concetta is pressured by her family to marry another man, while Gaetano faces similar expectations after becoming a POW. These relationships ultimately crumble, and fate draws them back to each other.

While the story drew me in, randomly shifting to different supporting character perspectives was annoying for me, especially as they were not titled and you just had to figure out who was speaking. However, this also provides a multifaceted view of the challenges faced by the characters, enhancing the emotional depth of their journeys.

The Last Letter from Sicily captures the heartache and hope of individuals striving for connection amidst the turbulence of war and displacement. Despite its occasional narrative flaws, it’s a touching read that will resonate with anyone who believes in the enduring power of love.

This is a romantic story set against the backdrop of Italy and America during the second world war and tells the story of two lovers seperated because of the conflict. It's a lighthearted read that I enjoyed, The narrative flips between the two main characters and the struggles they face in Italy and America during the conflict and gives an understanding of what it was like for Italian immigrants at the time.