The Last Letter from Sicily is a poignant World War II novel that explores the complexities of love and loyalty during a turbulent time. Concetta and her family move from Italy to America just before the outbreak of the war, and the story unfolds through the lens of her love for a man torn between two sides of the conflict. It’s a touching narrative that highlights both the challenges and the enduring power of love, even in the face of war’s devastation.

What I appreciated most about the book was its unique perspective on WWII. We often hear stories of those directly involved in the fighting, but this story offers a different view—of individuals torn between allegiances, trying to navigate their emotions amidst the chaos of global conflict. The author does a great job of showing how war impacts not just soldiers, but the people who love them, as well as the immigrant experience of starting a new life far from home.

While the book does touch on some heavy, heartbreaking moments (as expected with any WWII story), it also includes some uplifting and hopeful ones, which keeps the narrative balanced. The emotional depth of the characters and their relationships adds a personal touch to the historical backdrop.

Overall, The Last Letter from Sicily is a solid read, offering readers a mix of heartache and hope, with a unique angle on WWII that I hadn’t considered before. I rated it 3 stars because while I found the story engaging, I felt there were parts that could’ve been explored further, especially in terms of character development and pacing. However, it’s definitely a worthwhile read for anyone interested in historical fiction with a personal, emotional touch.

I received an ARC from NetGalley, but as always, the opinions are my own.

I thought this was going to be a lovely story but it really disappointed me. The chapters were so short which it make the story flow very well and I found myself distracted easily. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review..

This book had the makings of a great story but unfortunately I was disappointed. I usually enjoy a book when it moves from one character to another in chapters but on this occasion I felt that the chapters were far too short and it ruined the flow for me. Interesting characters and era but just not for me.

I really enjoyed this novel and I was rooting so hard for Concetta and Gaetano. Can you imagine falling in love and having to leave them to move to the USA and the only want to correspond to each other was letters? Then one of you goes off to war and all letters stop.... and for years you don't know if that person is still alive. This novel is based back in the early 1940s when Concetta moves from Sicily to America leaving Gaetano behind. When Italy declares war on America, all letters stop and both are living their lives in completely different parts of the world without each other. It was a beautiful novel and puts so much into perspective.

Historical fiction and Italy are for me a winning combination. I was therefore delighted to have the opportunity via NetGalley to read 'The Last Letter From Sicily.' The author was inspired to write this story by her Sicilian grandparents whose names and her memories she uses, it is however entirely a work of fiction.

The protagonists Concetta and Gaetano, young lovers in Sicily just before the outbreak of WWII were separated when Concetta and her family moved to the USA. Concetta promises her love, that she will return to him one day. Until the war intervenes and communication becomes impossible the are able to keep in touch via letter. When they are no longer in touch it puts her under even more pressure to accept a way of life she is far from happy with. She does not give up on her dreams but does she overcome everything blocking them?

Set in Sicily and America during WWII this story provides an interesting insight into the struggles of those living through the experience. The writing style did feel very simplistic though with no depth and I do feel that the story did not reach its full potential. However this is a debut novel and I think the author has a lot more to offer so I will follow her writing development with interest. Thanks go to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review 'The Last Letter From Sicily'.

Loved this book and especially as it’s linked to the authors own grandparent’s story. Following the stories of Gaetano and Concetta through the years of WWII both in America and Italy was really interesting and gave a different view from the books I usually see. All the characters were likeable, even the grumpy father, he had his reasons to worry, it was lovely that little sister didn’t get forgotten and her story was also told. Great book and great author!

Quite a fascinating book, which, although I am not a great fan or romances or historical novels about WW2, I did enjoy reading! I think it was the setting that made me interested in reading it, and I am glad that I did.
I did find the style of writing of this author a little simple, which made me think of giving it four stars, but when I read at the end how much research she had done, which some authors do not do enough of, it went back to five stars.
Even though the ending was predictable, it was great to see just how it would come about.

This book makes a nice change in the genre of WWII stories, in that it tells of the Italians side of the war and how it affected them all. How they were victims along with the rest of the participants, they lived and died, mainly believing they and their leaders were doing what was right.

I found it a bit slow to start, and there were some characters I would have liked to know more about but it is an enjoyable read, very well written and gives a real flavour of the hardships of the era. Very well researched and I love that the author named the main characters after her Italian grandparents. Recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Ms Morris tells a sweet tale of love, war, loss, and hope.

Of all the many WWII stories I've read, this was the only one that focused on Italy and how that country's people were affected by the war. I found myself cringing in dread over Concetta's sleazy supervisor, weeping over Gaetano's experiences during the war, pondering the reveal of the 'treasures' that had been kept safe for so long.

I found the story very relatable and one I would recommend for 16+.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

Lindsay Marie Morris does a great job in writing this book, it had that historical element that I was looking for and enjoyed overall in this historical period. The characters had that that realistic concept and was glad everything worked together to tell the story. It was emotional and left me wanting to read more.

I loved The Last Letter from Sicily. It was an emotional story about love, war, and tough choices.

The story started in 1939, in a small Sicilian village, where 17-year-old Concetta was in love with Gaetano, a boy her family would never have approved of. But when her family announced they were moving to America, her world turned upside down.
Before she left, Gaetano gave her a special fountain pen and made her promise to keep their love alive through letters.

Life in America got hard for Concetta. She faced prejudice, gruelling factory work, and the loneliness of being far from home. Her letters to Gaetano became everything to her. But then war broke out, and his letters stopped. She started wondering if he was still alive.

This was a heartfelt story about love, hope, and courage, with powerful descriptions of Sicily and life as an immigrant in America. It was a brilliant read that kept me turning the pages to see if Concetta and Gaetano could find their way back to each other. If you love historical romance, try this book

Gaetano and Concetta are lovers split by World War 2 and the story follows their trials and tribulations throughout the war. There are glimmers of greatness throughout the story, but there are too many characters that have been half developed with random stories throughout. The characters of Gaetano and Concetta have been well developed, while the supporting characters seemed to be thrown in haphazardly. I think the author has potential and I will continue to read books by her and hope to follow her growth as a writer.

I don’t typically read historical fiction, but The Last Letter From Sicily completely won me over. Lindsay Marie Morris weaves a rich tapestry of love, loss, and resilience, set against the stunning backdrop of Sicily during a pivotal moment in history.

Concetta and Gaetano know each other on Sicily and promise to marry each other one day. However as the Italians join the WW2 Concetta moves to USA whereas Gaetano is enlisted to fight for the Italians in Sardinia. Eventually they meet once agin but have both of them moved on to much. Thanks to Lindsay and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

The Last Letter From Sicily by Lindsay Marie Morris is a book that truly touched my heart. It starts in 1939 with two young people in love in Porticello, Sicily, in Italy - a small seaside village with fishermen who sing "O Sole Mio" in the evenings as they prepare their nets for a night of fishing. The beauty of the sea and evening stars along with the music makes for an idylllic setting for Concetta and Gaetano to declare their love for each other. It is this love that is a guiding force in their lives over the next six years until World War II is finally over. Shakespeare wrote: "The course of true love never did run smooth" and this is true for the lives of Concetta, Gaetano, and the people closest to them during the years 1939 - 1945. I consider this novel to be a love story but it is also historical fiction as we see Concetta and her family become Italian immigrants in America and Gaetano get conscripted into the Italian army. As the book goes back and forth between their two very different stories we gain insights into the hardships the Italians faced during those years as "foreigners" in the U.S. as well as the nitty gritty details and dangers of men in the military in Italy. I highly recommend this book to those with an interest in the WWII time period, the Italians invovement in WWII, and daily life of immigrants. I received an ARC from Storm Publishing and @netgalley but all opinions are my own.

The Last Letter from Sicily is a stunning and moving World War II historical novel that transported me over two continents and into the heart of a forbidden love tale. Set in 1939 Sicily, it follows seventeen-year-old Concetta as she receives the heartbreaking news that her family is leaving their beloved village for America. Her love for Gaetano, a fisherman's kid her father would never approve of, is undeniable, and their final night together under the Sicilian stars cements a bond that time and distance cannot break. Gaetano presents her a fountain pen, and their love is memorialized in letters, each one promising that they will one day be reunited.

As Concetta adjusts to her new life in America, her letters to Gaetano serve as an emotional anchor, but the outbreak of war upends everything. When Gaetano's letters end abruptly, Concetta's determination to find him leads her on an emotional and risky trip across a war-torn seas in quest of the man she pledged to never forget. The work delves brilliantly into themes of love, sorrow, and the persistence of the human spirit, and I was glued to the pages to find out whether Concetta and Gaetano's dream would ever come true.
Morris has crafted a story that is both painful and inspirational. The rich historical background, the emotional connection between Concetta and Gaetano, and the eternal question of how far you would go to keep a promise made beneath the stars all combine to create a novel that will stay with you long after you've read it. The Last Letter from Sicily is a must-read for readers of emotive historical fiction, and it will inspire you to trust in the power of love, even in the darkest of times.

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of The Last Letter From Sicily.

It is 1939 in Sicily and teenagers Concetta and Gaetano are young and in love. They plan on getting married until Concetta’s father says they are going to America. She does not want to leave Gaetano and everything she knows. Once in America life is hard for her family and Gaetano is drafted to fight. They communicate over letters until the war halts the letters. They both hold on to the dream of being together but as the years pass it becomes more difficult but can there love stand the test of time?

I really enjoyed this story. I liked the characters and the dual points of view. I liked that there were historical elements involved too. Overall I enjoyed it.

Book: The Last Letter From Sicily
Author: Lindsay Marie Morris
Published: January 16, 2025(Today!)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(5/5)
Review:
What to expect:
- Family expectations
- Love
- War
- Heartbreak
- Racist Terms
- Italian words throughout

What a captivating, emotional read. 👏
There are a few time jumps, but the plot still flows well. The author has a note at the beginning of some changes that were made that didn't happen, but other than that, she followed it accurately. 👏 I loved the characters. They had depth. The fact that it was inspired by a true story is why I wanted to read this.

*I also want to give a shout out to an Italian exchange student who told me how to say some of these names and words correctly.*

Thank you to NetGalley , Storm Publishing , & the author for this eARC.

*All thoughts & opinions are my own.*

#TheLastLetterFromSicily #NetGalley #StormPublishing

The story is about love, love during the WW2. It is based on a true story. Concetta and Gaetano are separated from each other when Concetta's family moves from Porticello, Sicily, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Both dreamed of being teachers, but the war made them separate and forced them to work in completely different professions. It is a love story! Read the book to find out the ending.

I've been a fan of historical fiction set in the first half of the twentieth century for some time now. I’m also drawn to stories that vividly bring the past to life, with settings that feel as though they leap off the page. The Last Letter from Sicily satisfied both of these interests beautifully.

Set in 1939, the novel follows seventeen-year-old Conceta as she leaves Sicily with her family, drawn by the promise of a better life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As she embarks on this journey, she leaves behind more than her homeland—she also leaves behind a secret love, a young man she dreams of reuniting with someday. But the obstacles are immense: the war, thousands of miles of ocean, and the divide between their social classes.

The author masterfully portrays the struggles of immigration and the longing that ties Conceta to both her past and her future. The story’s characters are vibrant and relatable, and the emotional depth of Conceta’s journey keeps you turning the pages.

If you enjoy historical fiction, vivid settings, and themes of love, resilience, and hope, The Last Letter from Sicily is a novel you won’t want to miss. It’s a story that lingers long after the final page.