Emotional, sure. Utterly gripping? Not really.
I had high hopes for The Last Letter from Sicily as I love WW2 historical fiction, but this one didn’t quite hold my interest. While the story is intriguing, the pacing felt slow, and lacked the flow that keeps me glued to a book. It was okay, but not one I couldn’t put down.

My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eARC.

A nice love story based on the author's grandparents. Quite interesting in some places as to historical details, this novel was written in a somewhat clumsy way: it often felt rushed in passages from one event to another, thus preventing depth in the overall storyline and character development.The dialogues were a bit artificial as well. Anyway a lovely story.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

I found the book The Last Letter From Sicily by Lindsay Marie Morris to be very interesting on how WW2 was for Italian immigrants in America and for those left behind in Italy. I liked how the author wrote on behalf of the two groups. The author explained what they went through with the war and what they were experiencing. There’s parts that are sad, happy and parts that make you feel angry. I felt the ending was missing something as I would have liked to hear on how their lives were affected

The beginning of WWII, a young Concetta’s life is upended by her family’s move to America from Sicily. Her first love, Gaetano is left behind. They correspond long distance to keep their love alive, can it last? Then regular life intervenes, this book tells us about Concetta’s life in a factory working to help keep her family afloat and Gaetano gets swept up in the war.
I did enjoy the story, but I just felt something was missing, depth I think, we stayed on the surface of the characters. Hearing about the long hours and the demanding work required by these girls with no laws to protect them was told very well. Enjoyable read.
I thank Storm Publishing along with NetGalley for providing this Galley edition for no requirement other than my offer to provide an unbiased review. Comes in with 4 stars.

A heartfelt, sentimental, and romantic story of an estranged couple, Concetta and Gaetano, set during World War II. I enjoyed the author's vivid and rich descriptions of the settings in both Italy and America. I particularly loved Concetta's passion for mathematics and how it shaped her perception of the world around her. However, I wish the characters were more multi-layered. I wasn’t entirely sure what drew Concetta to Gaetano or what her personality was truly like. While I could see the struggles her family endured, and I appreciated hearing from her younger sister's perspective, I wanted to learn more about Concetta’s complicated family dynamics and her country's history. Is Concetta headstrong, or is she more empathetic toward others?

The dialogue felt somewhat flat. Concetta seemed reluctant to follow her parents or her friend Maria, yet she rarely made independent choices and lacked varied responses beyond following directions. I also wish there had been more plot development beyond Concetta and Gaetano's yearning for one another.

Overall, I appreciated the incorporation of historical facts, Italian traditions, and the family-centric aspect of the novel. The ending was wonderful, and I loved the insight that Concetta’s father, Enzo, gained.

Thank you, Storm Publishing, for the early read! The book is a historical novel set in 1939, following seventeen-year-old Concetta as her family leaves their Sicilian village for America, forcing her to leave her secret love, Gaetano, behind. Before parting, they promise to keep in touch through letters.

As Concetta navigates her new life amid war and prejudice in America, her correspondence with Gaetano becomes her only link to the past. When Italy declares war on the U.S., his letters stop, leaving her desperate to find him.

As someone leaning more into historical fiction, this book brought forth many emotions. The writing is compelling, and the characters are engaging. This tale explores themes of forbidden love, sacrifice, and the longing for home, making it a captivating read for historical romance fans!

I can't wait to explore more books from Lindsay Marie Morris!

A twist on the timeless Romeo + Juliet set in Italy + the United States during WWII. If you are a fan of Historical Fiction with a twist of Romance you won't be able to put this down! Thank you to NetGalley, Lindsay and my friends at Storm Publishing for this eARC!

What to Expect:
⭐ Historical Fiction (WWII focus on US and Italy)
⭐ Dual POV
⭐ Multiple character storylines wrapped in to the main one
⭐ Best Friends Brother
⭐ A Romeo + Juliet vibe with a twist
⭐ Letter Writing + long distance romance
⭐ Immigrating from Italy to the US during the start of the war

My Thoughts:
I absolutely adored this book! The characters are written with such depth and emotion. The historical story points are so raw and real. There is a section of the book where the main character (Concetta) and her family immigrate to the US from Italy. It shows aspects of taking the boat, to landing at Ellis Island and the journy you would have to take to be allowed in to the US. I just went to New York, so maybe there was a deeper appreciation to this part but I really loved the details!

The story of Concetta & second main character (Gaetano) is both beautiful and tragic. Falling in love as kids and then torn apart during the war. Concetta and her family immigrate to the US, while Gaetano stays back eventually being drafted and deploying. Seeing their parallel stories run and the separate lives they're living is both heartbreaking and beautiful. Heartbreaking because life has taken them in two different directions, but beautiful because they really try to make it work through letters FOR YEARS! Even when they both question if the other is still out there and love them and meeting other people. I was so glad the author brought them back together because you are ROOTING for them in the end!

The story overall gives a Romeo + Juliet vibe but set inside WWII. Concettas father wants more for her than the life he sees her taking. He thinks it too simple and Gaetano too damaged. Yet he finds away on his own journey to see they love each other and it can work.

You find yourself going from rooting the two main characters on, to also rooting on Concettas family. You see the good and the bad of the Italians participating in the war... while I don't know a lot about their perspective I do know war is such a difficult thing for any family to have to be a part of. My brother is active military and having him deploy every few years is nerve wracking and your days are filled with more worry than anyone should have t0 bear.

Over all I loved this so much! I couldn't put it down. I read it in a DAY!

Synopsis:
Sicily, 1939. Seventeen-year-old Concetta has just received life-changing her family is leaving their sun-drenched Sicilian village and moving to America. Desperate to stay with her secret love Gaetano—a fisherman’s son her father would never accept—Concetta spends one last night with him beneath a blanket of stars. There, among the citrus-scented air and cricket song, he hands her a leaving a fountain pen, with a promise to keep their love alive through letters – and return to each other one day.

In America, Concetta refuses to let go of her dream of returning to Sicily, even as she struggles to navigate a strange new world of factory work and prejudice. Her letters to Gaetano become her lifeline, each one carrying fragments of her heart across the ocean. But when Italy declares war on the United States, Gaetano’s letters suddenly stop. As Concetta faces pressure to let go of her past and accept her new American life, she yearns to discover Gaetano’s fate—even if it means crossing a war-torn ocean to find him.

I have traveled to Italy twice and hence, I am always looking for novels based in my favorite country.

“The Last Letter From Sicily” takes us back to World War II. Here, we meet Concetta and Gaetano who fall in love in Sicily. Concetta desires to come a math teacher while Gaetano, is a dedicated Latin scholar. Concetta’s family decide to emigrate to the United States and not wanting to be separate from Gaetano, the couple decides to marry. But like many star-crossed lovers, Concetta’s dad forbids it.

The novel moves from Concetta’s struggles to adapt to American life in the United States while Gatetano fights as part of the Italian army. The two continue to write to one another, which highlights how important letters were to memorialize this time in history.

My grandparents were also Italian immigrants and my grandma in particular, had difficulty adapting to life in America. Concetta’s story reminded me of hers. I also appreciated learning more about the experience of serving in the Italian army. So many WWII novels focus on Germany, Austria, Poland, France and the U.K. and hence, I appreciated this perspective. This was enjoyable read with well developed characters and a unique perspective.

Four out of five stars.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Net Galley for a chance to read this book.

Sicily holds a special spot in my heart so I was thrilled with the rich descriptions of the region from the plants to the sunshine to the food. When reading it, I felt Sicily. This book contains sweet and gentle romance in juxtaposition to the backdrop of World War II which made it more impactful. The writing is simple but touchingly lovely. Sometimes I felt the characters and feelings a tiny bit unconvincing but overall really enjoyed my time in the story.

In 1939, Concetta's young life is full of beauty from Sicily to her beloved Gaetano. When her father announces the family will be moving to America as the war was approaching, Concetta was crushed. Though her father was deeply chagrined by the match, she promised Gaetano she would return one to Sicily one day. The boat trip is detailed and so is their first sighting of America. After a time, the family finds a house to call their own with the help of Concetta who had to work to contribute financially. She set aside money to make the journey back, even after Italy declared war on America. During the war Concetta wrote letters to Gaetano but didn't hear back from him. In a way time passed quickly yet it stood still. She did not forget him and was determined to discover whether he was living or not.

This novel was a wonderful palate cleanser between heavy books. The topic of war is always tough but the focus of the themes differs here. I am not a Romance genre reader in general but really enjoyed this wholesome romance which gave hope in the midst of the war.

My sincere thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this beguiling novel.

I had a hard time with this one
The writing style felt very middle grades and did not capture me into the characters lives. I felt Disconnected. A lot of this has to do with it being in 3rd person POV along with the changing perspectives—it was disjointed as I never stayed in a perspective long enough to connect and it was third person on top of that.

＊✿❀ 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 ＊✿❀

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗟𝗬
𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗔𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗦
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚


I love historical fiction and learning about the different time periods during the war. This book is based in Sicily and America, and the author did a fantastic job with her descriptive writing style, pulling me into the story , making me feel as if I were there in their world.

I loved how the story moved between Italy and America and is told from the perspectives of the main characters Gaetano and Concetta.

The characters were fleshed out well, and I got a sense of them individually, but I found the relationship building kind of lacking. I would have liked to have seen more backstory of their secret love story.

I feel that anyone who enjoys vivid imagery and historical fiction will love this story of war, and young love releasing January 16, 2025


Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy. My review was voluntary.

A truely staggering romance, i loved all of this, from the setting to the characters and the storyline. Set in WW|| the lovers parted by oceans, in america and sicily. You will the strenght of their love to bring them back together but the complications of events told set everything aside. Can love conquer?

This story hadmy heart from the very start. The love story from Sicily to America the couple that weren’t allowed to be and seperated by an ocean. This is a story of love and hope and holding onto a dream that love can conquer all. I had tears at points in the story as I got so involved in the characters.
Captivating story which will stay with me for some time.

The Last Letter from Sicily tells the story of Concetta and Gaetano, two star-crossed lovers whose lives are altered by the chaos of WW II. Concetta leaves Sicily against her will with her family who’s seek a new life in America, while Gaetano is called to serve in the war. Their stories unfold in parallel, bound by love, distance, and the bittersweet promise of reunion.

Set against the backdrop of wartime and immigrant life in America, the novel beautifully captures the tension between hope and despair. The author skillfully conveys the deep sense of longing felt by the characters as they navigate uncertain futures. Concetta’s journey is one of survival, resilience, and transformation, while Gaetano’s tale reveals the grim realities of war.

This is a story of contrasts—love and war, hope and loss, joy and heartbreak. The richly drawn characters bring depth to the narrative, from the deeply sympathetic to the morally ambiguous. While a few characters are unlikable or make questionable choices, they add to the realism of a world torn apart by conflict. Yet, it’s the characters you fall in love with—Concetta’s courage, Gaetano’s steadfastness, and the warmth of the communities around them—that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

I couldn’t put this book down. The pacing, emotional weight, and vivid descriptions kept me hooked from start to finish. A story of endurance and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds. It’s a must-read for those who enjoy historical fiction with heart.

Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates stories of love, loss, and the capacity to endure.

Concetta dreams of becoming a math's teacher and falls for Gaetano, a Latin scholar. Starting in the late 1930s we follow the trials ad tribulations of the young couple through the war years. She goes to America with her family and has to start a new life in a not very welcoming country. He remains in Sicily and is conscripted as Germany enters his world. Chapters then flip between their two stories. The horror of war, the problems of immigrants in America all provide very strong images. Concetta is an especially strong character and is determined to re-join Gaetano, come what may. There is a lot of interesting material about Italy and America in general regarding the war and the whole story is well-written. I would have liked a more extended ending. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for inviting me to read this book.

Although this is a love story, it is also a lot more. It explores the impact of war on people, the immigrant experiences and gender issues. In creating the character Conchetta, we are treated to the pull of family and duty over love. However, Conchetta, despite everything, stays true to herself. I would have liked more detailed author's notes, as I didn’t know a lot about the war in Italy, or about the treatment of POWs from there. Despite that I enjoyed the story, and learnt things along the way. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy to read, and freely review.

This book fixes on a lesser observed aspect of ww2, the relationship between Italy and USA. 8n particular, it focuses on the treatment of Italian immigrants as the war progressed. The book relates a realistic immigrant experience including arrival at Ellis Island. Within the narrative is a love story, where the female lead is caught between her promise to an Italian soldier serving in Sardinia and the attentions of an Italian American, leaving her with difficult choices to make. It’s an interesting read.

If you enjoy historical fiction and love stories, this book is right up your alley. It's set against the backdrop of WWII and tells the story of an unbreakable love. This book was a quick read for me and although I found it a bit slow at times, I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this captivating novel.

Set against the backdrop of WWII, The Last Letter From Sicily tells the poignant love story of Concetta and Gaetano. Their romance begins in Sicily, a place steeped in tradition and family ties. Concetta dreams of becoming a math teacher, and through her friend Alessandra, she meets and falls in love with Gaetano, a dedicated Latin scholar. However, their love faces an insurmountable obstacle when Concetta’s family emigrates to America, leaving Gaetano behind.

The novel alternates between their separate journeys—Concetta’s challenges as an Italian immigrant in Wisconsin and Gaetano’s harrowing experiences as a soldier in the Italian army. Their correspondence is a lifeline, but when war severs their communication, both must navigate profound uncertainty.

Lindsay Marie Morris vividly brings Sicily and wartime America to life. The descriptions of Sicilian culture and traditions, paired with the harsh realities of immigrant life in the United States, create a rich and immersive experience. The narrative deftly portrays Concetta’s resilience and determination as she carves out a new life while holding onto her love for Gaetano. Similarly, Gaetano’s story is deeply moving, offering a glimpse into the sacrifices and struggles faced by soldiers in wartime Italy.

While the central romance is compelling, I found myself wishing for a deeper exploration of their relationship at the beginning of the novel. A more detailed portrayal of their life in Sicily and the early stages of their love would have strengthened the emotional connection to their story.

Nonetheless, the book’s strength lies in its portrayal of love and perseverance during tumultuous times. The dual settings of Sicily and America, coupled with the challenges of war and immigration, make this a unique and memorable historical fiction novel.

My only regret is the ending, which left me yearning for an epilogue to tie up loose ends. Despite this, The Last Letter From Sicily is a beautifully written and heartfelt debut.

I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and wartime romance. Thank you again to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Last Letter From Sicily. I like historical fiction and this one did not disappoint. I thought that the book was a good and easy read. I knew a few of the words in Italian, but not most of them. They were pretty easy to figure out because they followed the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC.