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The Last Letter from Sicily
‘My dearest Gaetano, if this letter reaches you, know that my heart remains under the Sicilian stars where we made our promise...’
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.
From the terraced hills of Sicily to the brewing tensions of wartime America, this richly-woven tale of forbidden love and impossible choices will break your heart and put it back together again. Perfect for fans of Kelly Rimmer, Rhys Bowen, and Angela Petch, The Last Letter from Sicily asks just how far you would go to keep a promise made beneath the stars.
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.
From the terraced hills of Sicily to the brewing tensions of wartime America, this richly-woven tale of forbidden love and impossible choices will break your heart and put it back together again. Perfect for fans of Kelly Rimmer, Rhys Bowen, and Angela Petch, The Last Letter from Sicily asks just how far you would go to keep a promise made beneath the stars.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2025
346 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Marie Morris
2 books21 followersLindsay Marie Morris is a novelist and journalist. Based in Los Angeles, she brings a dynamic storytelling voice to every project, whether she's crafting historical fiction set in Italy or reporting on health, wellness, travel, and small business for modern readers.
A graduate of Marquette University with a B.A. in Communications, Lindsay began her editorial career in magazine publishing, serving as travel editor at Shape magazine before expanding into digital media, editorial project management, and non-profit marketing and communications. Her work has appeared in Forks Over Knives, The Chicago Tribune, and numerous other publications.
Inspired by her Sicilian-American roots, Lindsay's debut novel, The Last Letter from Sicily (Storm Publishing, January 2025), traces a World War II-era story of love, resilience, and family secrets across continents and generations. Her second novel, Beneath the Sicilian Stars (Storm Publishing, July 2025), returns to the same moment in history, following a new cast of characters whose lives are forever changed by a wartime promise, a buried truth, and the enduring pull of home.
When she's not writing fiction or journalism, Lindsay presents author talks, leads workshops on personal storytelling and historical fiction, and interviews Italian culture and history ambassadors about heritage, entrepreneurship, recipes, and hidden histories at lindsaymariemorris.com/blog.
A graduate of Marquette University with a B.A. in Communications, Lindsay began her editorial career in magazine publishing, serving as travel editor at Shape magazine before expanding into digital media, editorial project management, and non-profit marketing and communications. Her work has appeared in Forks Over Knives, The Chicago Tribune, and numerous other publications.
Inspired by her Sicilian-American roots, Lindsay's debut novel, The Last Letter from Sicily (Storm Publishing, January 2025), traces a World War II-era story of love, resilience, and family secrets across continents and generations. Her second novel, Beneath the Sicilian Stars (Storm Publishing, July 2025), returns to the same moment in history, following a new cast of characters whose lives are forever changed by a wartime promise, a buried truth, and the enduring pull of home.
When she's not writing fiction or journalism, Lindsay presents author talks, leads workshops on personal storytelling and historical fiction, and interviews Italian culture and history ambassadors about heritage, entrepreneurship, recipes, and hidden histories at lindsaymariemorris.com/blog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
January 16, 2025
🇺🇸First and foremost, I want to say that I have the utmost respect for those men and women in our military, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE🇺🇸!!!!!!! For those of you that have served and long since retired, thank you, my heart is always and forever with you. The Last Letter From Sicily written by Lindsay Marie Morris was honestly a mid read for me for many reasons, which I will state in my review. After finishing this book, it took me a few days to put a rating because I didn't hate this book nor did I love it, I decided to settle on a three star rating, which isn't necessarily bad, but it was in the middle for me. When I saw that stunning cover, I knew I had to get my hands on this book immediately, I mean look how beautifully detailed it is. Now, let's get into the issues I had with this book, the biggest issue I mostly had was despite it taking place during World War 2, we didn't really get an outlook on the front lines, we had a few incidents here and there, but nothing too big despite it being a war novel, the other issue I had was the ending, there was no epilogue, it just kind of ended out of the blue, also I didn't even sob reading this book like I anticipated. Despite the issues I had, I still recommend reading this book because others might feel different than I did. So, mark your calendars for January 16th, 2025 to get your hands on a copy. Please don't let my review persuade you, reading is subjective and everyone is entitled to their OWN opinions.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND STORM PUBLISHING FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!!
~💛🍋🌻LEMON FLOWERS💛🍋🌻~
Pale white,
Sweet to the nose,
Blossoms into bright,
Yellow fruit,
Sour on the lips,
Tart on the tongue.
"🇮🇹⭐My dearest Gaetano, if this letter reaches you, know that my heart remains under the Sicilian stars where we made our promise......🇮🇹⭐"
"😍Mathematics reveals it's secrets to those who approach it with pure love for it's own beauty😍".
"💅You are seventeen years old. When will you stand up for yourself and say what you want?💅"
"🏡Tu eris super domum meam🏡". -You shall take charge of my home.
The Last Letter From Sicily is a work of fiction, but several dates in this book match those of actual events. On July 11th, 1939, Concetta Balistreri, Enzo her Papà, Celestina her Mamma, and Giuseppina her sister all leave their home country of Porticello, Sicily for Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Enzo said America is the land of opportunity, he just wants a better life for his family. In Wisconsin, the Balistreri's live with Concetta's aunt Marcella until they find a place of their own. In Wisconsin, Concetta is learning to speak English by doing workbooks, Concetta also has to get a job to help pay rent for their apartment until her Papà finds a job to bring in more money, so Concetta decides to get a job doing sewing work in a factory. When Concetta's little sister, Giuseppina starts school, she gets made fun of and laughed at for not speaking perfect English. In America, these two sisters get called wop, guinea, and dago which are offensive Italian names, which just broke my heart because there's absolutely no need to be rude. Before leaving Sicily, Concetta was going to school to become a math teacher, but that's when her Papà decided to move to America, and Concetta could no longer attend college. On July 10th, 1939, seventeen year old Concetta vows to return to Sicily to be with her love, Gaetano. My heart broke for how these two sisters were treated during their time in America.
Gaetano Alioto is Alessandra's older brother, and Alessandra is Concetta's best friend. Gaetano is attending school in Palermo, Sicily to become a teacher. In Porticello, Sicily, Gaetano teaches Latin while working at his mother's grocery store market. Before Concetta and her family leave for America, Gaetano decides to ask for Concetta's hand in marriage so they don't have to be apart from each other, but Concetta's Papà will never approve of Gaetano. On the night before Concetta leaves, Gaetano gifts her a pearlescent green fountain pen in the promise of writing Gaetano letters everyday while she's living in America. On December 7th, 1941, on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu, the American military was attacked by enemy planes that were believed to have been from the Empire of Japan. On December 11th, 1941, Italy declared war on America. Being five thousand miles from Porticello, Sicily, the letters between Concetta and Gaetano stop because Gaetano is fighting in the war and America is now home to Concetta and her family. I wanted to see more of Gaetano's time in the war, It felt like I didn't really get enough insight of his time fighting on the front lines while trying to defend his country of Sicily. Like I said before, don't let my review stop you from picking up this book, these are just my own opinions on how I felt.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND STORM PUBLISHING FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!!
~💛🍋🌻LEMON FLOWERS💛🍋🌻~
Pale white,
Sweet to the nose,
Blossoms into bright,
Yellow fruit,
Sour on the lips,
Tart on the tongue.
"🇮🇹⭐My dearest Gaetano, if this letter reaches you, know that my heart remains under the Sicilian stars where we made our promise......🇮🇹⭐"
"😍Mathematics reveals it's secrets to those who approach it with pure love for it's own beauty😍".
"💅You are seventeen years old. When will you stand up for yourself and say what you want?💅"
"🏡Tu eris super domum meam🏡". -You shall take charge of my home.
The Last Letter From Sicily is a work of fiction, but several dates in this book match those of actual events. On July 11th, 1939, Concetta Balistreri, Enzo her Papà, Celestina her Mamma, and Giuseppina her sister all leave their home country of Porticello, Sicily for Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Enzo said America is the land of opportunity, he just wants a better life for his family. In Wisconsin, the Balistreri's live with Concetta's aunt Marcella until they find a place of their own. In Wisconsin, Concetta is learning to speak English by doing workbooks, Concetta also has to get a job to help pay rent for their apartment until her Papà finds a job to bring in more money, so Concetta decides to get a job doing sewing work in a factory. When Concetta's little sister, Giuseppina starts school, she gets made fun of and laughed at for not speaking perfect English. In America, these two sisters get called wop, guinea, and dago which are offensive Italian names, which just broke my heart because there's absolutely no need to be rude. Before leaving Sicily, Concetta was going to school to become a math teacher, but that's when her Papà decided to move to America, and Concetta could no longer attend college. On July 10th, 1939, seventeen year old Concetta vows to return to Sicily to be with her love, Gaetano. My heart broke for how these two sisters were treated during their time in America.
Gaetano Alioto is Alessandra's older brother, and Alessandra is Concetta's best friend. Gaetano is attending school in Palermo, Sicily to become a teacher. In Porticello, Sicily, Gaetano teaches Latin while working at his mother's grocery store market. Before Concetta and her family leave for America, Gaetano decides to ask for Concetta's hand in marriage so they don't have to be apart from each other, but Concetta's Papà will never approve of Gaetano. On the night before Concetta leaves, Gaetano gifts her a pearlescent green fountain pen in the promise of writing Gaetano letters everyday while she's living in America. On December 7th, 1941, on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu, the American military was attacked by enemy planes that were believed to have been from the Empire of Japan. On December 11th, 1941, Italy declared war on America. Being five thousand miles from Porticello, Sicily, the letters between Concetta and Gaetano stop because Gaetano is fighting in the war and America is now home to Concetta and her family. I wanted to see more of Gaetano's time in the war, It felt like I didn't really get enough insight of his time fighting on the front lines while trying to defend his country of Sicily. Like I said before, don't let my review stop you from picking up this book, these are just my own opinions on how I felt.
June 25, 2025
Sicily, Porticello. Concetta Balistreri is seventeen and madly in love with Gaetano Alioto and her father Enzo announces their leaving and going to America. The couple vow they will be together again and Gaetano gives her a fountain pen, with a promise to keep their love alive through letters until Concetta can return.
Concetta and her family are living in Milwaukee, she wanted to be a maths teacher and now she’s sewing dresses in a factory, where she’s called names and hands over most of her pay to her father who’s struggling to find work. Her letters to Gaetano become her lifeline, a reason to keep going until Italy declares war on the United States.
His correspondence stops and hers are returned, Gaetano and his best friend have been conscripted into the army. Concetta faces pressure in America, the factory starts making parachutes, one of the foremen is sleazy and her father decides he doesn’t want her to end up an old maid and he wants her to marry.
As we know Italian dads can be controlling, will Concetta be able to hold out until the war ends and be reunited with Gaetano and is this even possible she has no idea where he is and if he’s dead or alive.
The Last Letter from Sicily by Lindsay Marie Morris is a story about a couple separated by war, and how can you keep a promise when everything is getting in the way of you being together and I’m looking forward to the next novel called Beneath the Sicilian Stars.
Four stars from me a narrative inspired by the authors own grandparents and about love and longing, the great American dream and facing reality.
Concetta and her family are living in Milwaukee, she wanted to be a maths teacher and now she’s sewing dresses in a factory, where she’s called names and hands over most of her pay to her father who’s struggling to find work. Her letters to Gaetano become her lifeline, a reason to keep going until Italy declares war on the United States.
His correspondence stops and hers are returned, Gaetano and his best friend have been conscripted into the army. Concetta faces pressure in America, the factory starts making parachutes, one of the foremen is sleazy and her father decides he doesn’t want her to end up an old maid and he wants her to marry.
As we know Italian dads can be controlling, will Concetta be able to hold out until the war ends and be reunited with Gaetano and is this even possible she has no idea where he is and if he’s dead or alive.
The Last Letter from Sicily by Lindsay Marie Morris is a story about a couple separated by war, and how can you keep a promise when everything is getting in the way of you being together and I’m looking forward to the next novel called Beneath the Sicilian Stars.
Four stars from me a narrative inspired by the authors own grandparents and about love and longing, the great American dream and facing reality.
October 30, 2025
Seventeen-year-old Concetta and her family leave their hometown of Sicily for the brave new world of America. She is forced to leave behind her secret boyfriend Gaetano. But she vows to write to him and return to his arms one day. America is full of challenges for the new immigrants, and they are faced with prejudice and unemployment. Her father Enzo struggles to obtain work so Concetta supports the family by working in a clothing factory, foregoing her dreams of becoming a teacher. She writes to Gaetano planning to return to him when she has saved enough money. Then Italy declares war on America and Concetta's dreams are dashed. Suddenly, the Italians are the enemy and Concetta fears she will never see Gaetano again.
Faced with personal crises and forced to choose between loyalty to her family and her love for Gaetano, Concetta is caught up in an emotional battle. Can long-distance love overcome the many obstacles thrown at Concetta and Gaetano?
The Last Letter From Sicily is a love story that reveals the reality of wartime with a strong focus on loyalty. As the main protagonist, Concetta has our sympathy as she is forced into changing her life, as a dutiful Italian daughter should. The struggle of Italian immigrants settling in America is realistically represented - arriving with basic belongings, no English and no job. The bravery of all immigrants during the 30's and 40's cannot be understated. Concetta and Gaetano both face many challenges in their separate lives across the sea and when the war prevents further correspondence, they are forced into getting on with their lives while still wondering if their own love story is now at an end.
This is a sensitively written story. The author has created characters we can empathise with in their various struggles. The war setting is well-researched and a true snapshot of both sides' perspectives. I would have liked more correspondence between the two lovers. The stakes did not feel quite as high as they could have been when the letters stopped. And perhaops some of the conflict between certain people in Concetta's life in America could have been taken even further to add to the drama of the story.
However, The Last Letter From Sicily is an enjoyable love story and will take you on a journey from Sicily to America during a significant time in world history. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC. #TheLastLetterFromSicily #NetGalley.
Faced with personal crises and forced to choose between loyalty to her family and her love for Gaetano, Concetta is caught up in an emotional battle. Can long-distance love overcome the many obstacles thrown at Concetta and Gaetano?
The Last Letter From Sicily is a love story that reveals the reality of wartime with a strong focus on loyalty. As the main protagonist, Concetta has our sympathy as she is forced into changing her life, as a dutiful Italian daughter should. The struggle of Italian immigrants settling in America is realistically represented - arriving with basic belongings, no English and no job. The bravery of all immigrants during the 30's and 40's cannot be understated. Concetta and Gaetano both face many challenges in their separate lives across the sea and when the war prevents further correspondence, they are forced into getting on with their lives while still wondering if their own love story is now at an end.
This is a sensitively written story. The author has created characters we can empathise with in their various struggles. The war setting is well-researched and a true snapshot of both sides' perspectives. I would have liked more correspondence between the two lovers. The stakes did not feel quite as high as they could have been when the letters stopped. And perhaops some of the conflict between certain people in Concetta's life in America could have been taken even further to add to the drama of the story.
However, The Last Letter From Sicily is an enjoyable love story and will take you on a journey from Sicily to America during a significant time in world history. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC. #TheLastLetterFromSicily #NetGalley.
March 8, 2025
A beautiful story about love loss loyalty and choices set in Sicily Sardinia and America during World War Two" The characters are each given rich attributes such as determination and resilience"Pacing is perfect. Climax was a bit too predictable
December 25, 2024
I am addicted to historical fiction, I love learning about different periods in the world.
This book follows two individuals, who fell in love secretly while living in Sicily. Concetta, the FMC, dreams of being a math teacher, and through her good friend Alessandra, Concetta meets Alessandra's brother Gaetano. Gaetano is studying to be a Latin teacher, and Concetta slowly falls in love with him. However, Concetta's parents don't know about Gaetano, so when her father decides to take the family from Sicily to America (Wisconsin to be exact), the couple decides they should get married. Enzo, Concetta's father, rejects Gaetano's asking of Concetta's hand and the family departs to America. The story then flips back and forth between the MMC and FMC, as well as Concetta's little sister and Enzo. The book takes us through WW2 in Italy and being an Italian American immigrant during this period.
This is a fantastic historical fiction. I found the setting of Sicily to be interesting as most historical books during this period are set in Nazi Germany, France, or Poland. The author did an excellent job of flipping us back and forth between all the settings - I was invested in every area of the book. The book shows strong-willed characters who use their love for one another to fight the tests of time and distance, the author makes you root for these characters.
My only real complaint about the book is the ending. I wish we would have at least gotten an epilogue.
Thanks to netgalley for giving me the ARC for an honest review!
Why did I read? Netgalley Arc and I love historical fiction! Would I read again? For sure.
This book follows two individuals, who fell in love secretly while living in Sicily. Concetta, the FMC, dreams of being a math teacher, and through her good friend Alessandra, Concetta meets Alessandra's brother Gaetano. Gaetano is studying to be a Latin teacher, and Concetta slowly falls in love with him. However, Concetta's parents don't know about Gaetano, so when her father decides to take the family from Sicily to America (Wisconsin to be exact), the couple decides they should get married. Enzo, Concetta's father, rejects Gaetano's asking of Concetta's hand and the family departs to America. The story then flips back and forth between the MMC and FMC, as well as Concetta's little sister and Enzo. The book takes us through WW2 in Italy and being an Italian American immigrant during this period.
This is a fantastic historical fiction. I found the setting of Sicily to be interesting as most historical books during this period are set in Nazi Germany, France, or Poland. The author did an excellent job of flipping us back and forth between all the settings - I was invested in every area of the book. The book shows strong-willed characters who use their love for one another to fight the tests of time and distance, the author makes you root for these characters.
My only real complaint about the book is the ending. I wish we would have at least gotten an epilogue.
Thanks to netgalley for giving me the ARC for an honest review!
Why did I read? Netgalley Arc and I love historical fiction! Would I read again? For sure.
December 27, 2024
4 out of 5 stars.
'The Last Letter From Sicily' follows the relationship between Concetta and Gaetano, as they navigate their separation caused by Concetta departing Sicily to migrate to the USA and Gaetano being drafted in the Italian Army during WWII.
This novel initially appealed to me for multiple reasons. I enjoy reading a romance novels where the main characters face hardship and struggles appropriate to their time. I also enjoy historical fiction; particularly based around war time. I enjoyed learning more about the Italian experience during WWII, as I haven't previously focused on this. I also enjoyed learning more about immigration to the USA and the hardships faced upon arrival.
My only disappointment in this novel, was that the initial world building and building of the relationships of the main characters felt lacking. I wish there had been more time spent learning about life in Sicily pre-war, and having more insight into the early stages of Concetta and Gaetano's relationship. I believe this would have created a stronger emotional attachment to this relationship from the start, which would strengthen the readers experience with this novel.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the challenges faced by Concetta and her family during their immigration, and how they overcame these. I also enjoyed reading about Gaetano's experience of war and his mindset throughout.
I enjoyed seeing the character growth for both of these characters; their independent strengths and resilience really shone through.
Ultimately, this was a strong debut novel for the author, and I'm excited to see what else is created in the future!
Thank you to netgalley and Storm publishing for the opportunity to read this arc.
'The Last Letter From Sicily' follows the relationship between Concetta and Gaetano, as they navigate their separation caused by Concetta departing Sicily to migrate to the USA and Gaetano being drafted in the Italian Army during WWII.
This novel initially appealed to me for multiple reasons. I enjoy reading a romance novels where the main characters face hardship and struggles appropriate to their time. I also enjoy historical fiction; particularly based around war time. I enjoyed learning more about the Italian experience during WWII, as I haven't previously focused on this. I also enjoyed learning more about immigration to the USA and the hardships faced upon arrival.
My only disappointment in this novel, was that the initial world building and building of the relationships of the main characters felt lacking. I wish there had been more time spent learning about life in Sicily pre-war, and having more insight into the early stages of Concetta and Gaetano's relationship. I believe this would have created a stronger emotional attachment to this relationship from the start, which would strengthen the readers experience with this novel.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the challenges faced by Concetta and her family during their immigration, and how they overcame these. I also enjoyed reading about Gaetano's experience of war and his mindset throughout.
I enjoyed seeing the character growth for both of these characters; their independent strengths and resilience really shone through.
Ultimately, this was a strong debut novel for the author, and I'm excited to see what else is created in the future!
Thank you to netgalley and Storm publishing for the opportunity to read this arc.
January 19, 2025
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 ❤️
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 ❤️
February 28, 2025
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.
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 entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2025
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.
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.
July 22, 2025
Whilst an interesting premise, I just couldn’t get into this book. The writing felt quite simple, and the plot line very linear. Some things felt like they were added just for the page count or because during the research, the author heard of this happening and just decided to mention it but in reality, it felt like a random interlude (like the extended Ellis Island bit).
I didn’t feel connected enough to Concetta and Gaetano to really care that they were separated. Also her father calling her a wh*re on two separate occasions really just turned me off the whole book. It’s a book that aimed to showcase some of the civilian pain of war but frankly it fell flat.
2.5 / 5 stars ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
I didn’t feel connected enough to Concetta and Gaetano to really care that they were separated. Also her father calling her a wh*re on two separate occasions really just turned me off the whole book. It’s a book that aimed to showcase some of the civilian pain of war but frankly it fell flat.
2.5 / 5 stars ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
January 9, 2025
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 received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
January 8, 2025
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.
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.
January 11, 2025
I enjoyed this emotional story that covers a six year period that begins in Sicily, 1939 and ends in the same locale in 1945 with sections set in a few locations in the United States. As noted by the dates, this is a World War Two novel but one that focuses on parts of history I have not read about as often in Historical Fiction. Although Concetta and Gaetano, who tell the story from their viewpoints, are fictional characters, they were inspired by the author’s grandparents by the same names. It was lovely to read that The Last Letter from Sicily is motivated by family history as these types of stories are often extra special because they are written with such passion and care. This is truly a touching tribute that certainly honours the Sicilians who suffered and sacrificed much in the Second World War but even more so, highlights a tender romance that stood the test of time, distance and war.
Concetta’s story begins and ends in Porticello, Sicily with years away living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States with her family. We see her devotion to her parents but she particularly tries to abide by her father’s wishes. Yet, at what point must she draw the line when it begins to affect her future happiness? In the meantime, through a friend’s recommendation, she gets hired to work in a dress factory (sewing). One of her goals is to save a little money for a ticket so she can return to Sicily and her beloved. But she also takes on extra hours to help support the family while her father, Enzo, tries to find work as a carpenter. He struggles initially to get noticed for his skills but eventually teams up with another man from Sicily who has an established business. Their families get to know each other and Concetta dates this man’s son—even though her heart is still focused on Gaetano. Many issues arise as this fellow’s ideas of a women’s place are different from her own. He believes women should be housewives. While she wants to be a Math teacher.
Meanwhile Concetta battles issues at work: her boss makes advances on her. She is hemmed in by prejudice, harassment and obligation. Dealing with pressure from her father, Enzo, to marry a man she does not love, leads her to an engagement that will surely end in heartache, if she does not get the courage to call it off. For her heart still belongs to Gaetano in Sicily. Will the promise they made to each other be fulfilled? Or will war, distance and her father keep them apart?
The journey for this couple certainly was a difficult one with many challenges. After Concetta moved to Wisconsin with her family, Gaetano is shipped off to war. We follow his movements, the losses of his comrades, his time as a war prisoner, being shipped off to various locations and ending up in a place he would never expect. Throughout this time, he clings to the promise of seeing Concetta again and marrying her—even when he is tempted by another. There are some lovely poetic lines that describe the couple’s favourite Sicilian location. Plus the feelings between them are often displayed beautifully in their letters.
The horrors of war are visible enough in this novel to give us a clear picture of what it was like for the Sicilians but the love that carries this couple across time is quite moving and memorable. I liked the ending when order is restored and dreams are realised. The Last Letter from Sicily is a strong historical fiction novel that many will appreciate. It definitely will pull on readers with sensitive heart strings! 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.
Concetta’s story begins and ends in Porticello, Sicily with years away living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States with her family. We see her devotion to her parents but she particularly tries to abide by her father’s wishes. Yet, at what point must she draw the line when it begins to affect her future happiness? In the meantime, through a friend’s recommendation, she gets hired to work in a dress factory (sewing). One of her goals is to save a little money for a ticket so she can return to Sicily and her beloved. But she also takes on extra hours to help support the family while her father, Enzo, tries to find work as a carpenter. He struggles initially to get noticed for his skills but eventually teams up with another man from Sicily who has an established business. Their families get to know each other and Concetta dates this man’s son—even though her heart is still focused on Gaetano. Many issues arise as this fellow’s ideas of a women’s place are different from her own. He believes women should be housewives. While she wants to be a Math teacher.
Meanwhile Concetta battles issues at work: her boss makes advances on her. She is hemmed in by prejudice, harassment and obligation. Dealing with pressure from her father, Enzo, to marry a man she does not love, leads her to an engagement that will surely end in heartache, if she does not get the courage to call it off. For her heart still belongs to Gaetano in Sicily. Will the promise they made to each other be fulfilled? Or will war, distance and her father keep them apart?
The journey for this couple certainly was a difficult one with many challenges. After Concetta moved to Wisconsin with her family, Gaetano is shipped off to war. We follow his movements, the losses of his comrades, his time as a war prisoner, being shipped off to various locations and ending up in a place he would never expect. Throughout this time, he clings to the promise of seeing Concetta again and marrying her—even when he is tempted by another. There are some lovely poetic lines that describe the couple’s favourite Sicilian location. Plus the feelings between them are often displayed beautifully in their letters.
The horrors of war are visible enough in this novel to give us a clear picture of what it was like for the Sicilians but the love that carries this couple across time is quite moving and memorable. I liked the ending when order is restored and dreams are realised. The Last Letter from Sicily is a strong historical fiction novel that many will appreciate. It definitely will pull on readers with sensitive heart strings! 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.
December 31, 2024
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!
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!
January 11, 2025
This was an engaging historical romance, with the young lovers separated by war.
Concetta and Gaetano live with their families in a Sicilian fishing village in 1939. Concetta’s father, wary of Benito Mussolini and the political similarities that led to WWI, decides to relocate his family to America in a bid to get away from what he sees as a bad situation. He also does not approve of Gaetano’s proposal of marriage to Concetta, and familial duty forces her to go with her family to America. The two lovers promise to stay in touch via letters, and Concetta vows to return to Gaetano. As Concetta navigates her new life in Minnesota and tries to save enough to buy passage back, Gaetano is drafted into the Italian Army and then all correspondence stops as the US declares war on Italy. Each of them has to deal with both the memories of the other and their new life circumstances.
I really enjoyed how immersive this book was. The author did a really good job of painting realistic, immersive settings, whether in Sicily, Milwaukee, or Catania. I also enjoyed the author’s note at the end, where she describes that the story is based on her own grandparents. It gave the story an extra level of authenticity as it was clearly a labor of love. Most of the characters were well-rounded and interesting, but there was one in particular that showed up early on, disappeared for an enormous chunk in the middle of the book, and then reappeared at the end. It might not have been as noticeable except that the character was Concetta’s best friend, who introduced Concetta to her brother Gaetano. It seemed clear that the character was introduced early on to serve a purpose later in the story, but it seemed off that once Concetta moved to America that she would write Gaetano but not his sister, her best friend. Also, Concetta’s younger sister at times felt stuck as a younger age than she actually was.
This book would make a good beach read. Or if, like me, you like to read novels about the places you visit when you travel, then this is the book to read if you’re heading to Sicily.
This is an honest review based on the book provided by NetGalley and Storm Publishing.
Concetta and Gaetano live with their families in a Sicilian fishing village in 1939. Concetta’s father, wary of Benito Mussolini and the political similarities that led to WWI, decides to relocate his family to America in a bid to get away from what he sees as a bad situation. He also does not approve of Gaetano’s proposal of marriage to Concetta, and familial duty forces her to go with her family to America. The two lovers promise to stay in touch via letters, and Concetta vows to return to Gaetano. As Concetta navigates her new life in Minnesota and tries to save enough to buy passage back, Gaetano is drafted into the Italian Army and then all correspondence stops as the US declares war on Italy. Each of them has to deal with both the memories of the other and their new life circumstances.
I really enjoyed how immersive this book was. The author did a really good job of painting realistic, immersive settings, whether in Sicily, Milwaukee, or Catania. I also enjoyed the author’s note at the end, where she describes that the story is based on her own grandparents. It gave the story an extra level of authenticity as it was clearly a labor of love. Most of the characters were well-rounded and interesting, but there was one in particular that showed up early on, disappeared for an enormous chunk in the middle of the book, and then reappeared at the end. It might not have been as noticeable except that the character was Concetta’s best friend, who introduced Concetta to her brother Gaetano. It seemed clear that the character was introduced early on to serve a purpose later in the story, but it seemed off that once Concetta moved to America that she would write Gaetano but not his sister, her best friend. Also, Concetta’s younger sister at times felt stuck as a younger age than she actually was.
This book would make a good beach read. Or if, like me, you like to read novels about the places you visit when you travel, then this is the book to read if you’re heading to Sicily.
This is an honest review based on the book provided by NetGalley and Storm Publishing.
January 9, 2025
A young Italian girl and her lover are separated by sea and war when Concetta goes to the USA with her family and Gaetano fights for Italy. While the plot was good, the writing style was not great. I love historical fiction romances (which this is slightly), especially revolving around WWII. The struggle of a foreigner in the USA learning the culture while being unable to talk to her boyfriend due to war politics was new to me which was fun. However, the writing felt very middle grade. Shorter sentences, very basic dialogue, simplistic plot and actions.
Short entries of what was happening between large gaps in time (in addition to the simplistic writing) made it hard to get into while being a quick read. It was difficult to connect to the characters as there wasn't much depth to them. It was very surface level. Much of the story felt like it was more of a retelling of a backstory than the actual plot.
And then when the younger sister's "pov" appeared, the writing turned even more juvenielle making it seem like she was 6 rather than in 6th grade.
I felt like there was a lot of fluff "entries" that did not add to the story but were just there for the page count. and then there were unresolved topics.
One random thing that bothered me was how short the letters were, or at least how short the reader got to see them. They were writing about once a month because everything took so long, but the letters were only a couple sentences to a paragraph most of the time. You'd think they would make the most out of what they could.
The issues and reconnections and forgiveness and everything felt rushed and not in depth, making it hard to care or feel like it was really happening. Resolutions felt too easy.
I think the story had a lot of potential and I am disappointed I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
Short entries of what was happening between large gaps in time (in addition to the simplistic writing) made it hard to get into while being a quick read. It was difficult to connect to the characters as there wasn't much depth to them. It was very surface level. Much of the story felt like it was more of a retelling of a backstory than the actual plot.
And then when the younger sister's "pov" appeared, the writing turned even more juvenielle making it seem like she was 6 rather than in 6th grade.
I felt like there was a lot of fluff "entries" that did not add to the story but were just there for the page count. and then there were unresolved topics.
One random thing that bothered me was how short the letters were, or at least how short the reader got to see them. They were writing about once a month because everything took so long, but the letters were only a couple sentences to a paragraph most of the time. You'd think they would make the most out of what they could.
The issues and reconnections and forgiveness and everything felt rushed and not in depth, making it hard to care or feel like it was really happening. Resolutions felt too easy.
I think the story had a lot of potential and I am disappointed I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
January 17, 2025
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.
✧˖°. ⤷ I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
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.
✧˖°. ⤷ I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
January 8, 2026
What works about The Last Letter from Sicily:
• Cultural texture: The depictions of Sicilian life—foodways, the fishing industry, family structures and expectations, and the pressures surrounding WWII—are solid and respectful. For readers of Italian heritage (like me), that recognition factor carries real weight.
• Historical grounding: The research shows. It’s accurate and detailed without being heavy-handed. Immigration is handled with nuance rather than nostalgia alone, which elevates this above many “heritage novels.”
• Clarity and pacing: The clean, linear structure makes the story accessible and coherent throughout. It also progresses at a steady clip (don’t quite understand one reader review here who lamented the Ellis Island scene was prolonged. It wasn’t).
Where I wished for more:
• Prose & voice: The writing is clean and competent but largely unadventurous. It rarely surprises or vibrates at the sentence level, which matters to me as a discerning reader.
• Character depth: This is the biggest limitation. The characters—and especially the dialogue—feel somewhat flat. This was a shame, given that the love story at the foundation of this work is directly based on the author's own grandparents. I found myself observing rather than inhabiting their emotional lives, which blunted the stakes. Thus, the novel never quite earned intimacy with me. The characters came across as wooden game board pieces for the larger history lesson.
• Narrative risk: The linearity keeps the novel safe. I wasn’t challenged structurally or psychologically, so while I appreciated the book intellectually and culturally, it didn’t quite stick the landing viscerally.
My star ratings tend to hinge on that distinction. As a paesana, I might subjectively give this 4 stars for its cultural resonance and historical pedagogy. Objectively, for Goodreads, 3 stars feels fair. I would particularly recommend it to readers who love—or come from—Italian heritage.
• Cultural texture: The depictions of Sicilian life—foodways, the fishing industry, family structures and expectations, and the pressures surrounding WWII—are solid and respectful. For readers of Italian heritage (like me), that recognition factor carries real weight.
• Historical grounding: The research shows. It’s accurate and detailed without being heavy-handed. Immigration is handled with nuance rather than nostalgia alone, which elevates this above many “heritage novels.”
• Clarity and pacing: The clean, linear structure makes the story accessible and coherent throughout. It also progresses at a steady clip (don’t quite understand one reader review here who lamented the Ellis Island scene was prolonged. It wasn’t).
Where I wished for more:
• Prose & voice: The writing is clean and competent but largely unadventurous. It rarely surprises or vibrates at the sentence level, which matters to me as a discerning reader.
• Character depth: This is the biggest limitation. The characters—and especially the dialogue—feel somewhat flat. This was a shame, given that the love story at the foundation of this work is directly based on the author's own grandparents. I found myself observing rather than inhabiting their emotional lives, which blunted the stakes. Thus, the novel never quite earned intimacy with me. The characters came across as wooden game board pieces for the larger history lesson.
• Narrative risk: The linearity keeps the novel safe. I wasn’t challenged structurally or psychologically, so while I appreciated the book intellectually and culturally, it didn’t quite stick the landing viscerally.
My star ratings tend to hinge on that distinction. As a paesana, I might subjectively give this 4 stars for its cultural resonance and historical pedagogy. Objectively, for Goodreads, 3 stars feels fair. I would particularly recommend it to readers who love—or come from—Italian heritage.
January 25, 2025
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.
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.
February 26, 2025
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.
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.
January 4, 2025
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.
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.
January 6, 2025
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.
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.
December 26, 2024
The Last Letter From Sicily by Lindsay Marie Morris
Publish Date: Jan 16th
Three and a half stars.
‘The Last Letter From Sicily’ appealed to me for a number of reasons. My favourite kind of historical fiction are those that surround war, and in particular has a focus on the vulnerable and enduring sort of love that comes from living through the hardest of circumstances. I had not read a book before which has explored Italy during this period of time. I also was drawn to the concept of immigration to a new country, and how that would look for a couple in love.
I did enjoy the concept of this book. My one wish for this book would be that there had been more time given for Concetta and Gaetano to build their relationships at the start of the novel, between themselves and side characters, and explore life in Sicily in a bit more detail. I got a good sense of who they are as characters individually, but when they were together at the beginning of the story, I felt the relationship building and the world changing happened together so quickly that I didn’t build an emotional connection to the relationship.
I particularly enjoyed watching Concetta and her family settle into their new life in America. Concetta became such a strong person who did not lose herself or what she believed in even after so many changes and difficulties.
Overall, I believe this is a solid debut novel, and I will look forward to seeing what the author has to bring in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Publish Date: Jan 16th
Three and a half stars.
‘The Last Letter From Sicily’ appealed to me for a number of reasons. My favourite kind of historical fiction are those that surround war, and in particular has a focus on the vulnerable and enduring sort of love that comes from living through the hardest of circumstances. I had not read a book before which has explored Italy during this period of time. I also was drawn to the concept of immigration to a new country, and how that would look for a couple in love.
I did enjoy the concept of this book. My one wish for this book would be that there had been more time given for Concetta and Gaetano to build their relationships at the start of the novel, between themselves and side characters, and explore life in Sicily in a bit more detail. I got a good sense of who they are as characters individually, but when they were together at the beginning of the story, I felt the relationship building and the world changing happened together so quickly that I didn’t build an emotional connection to the relationship.
I particularly enjoyed watching Concetta and her family settle into their new life in America. Concetta became such a strong person who did not lose herself or what she believed in even after so many changes and difficulties.
Overall, I believe this is a solid debut novel, and I will look forward to seeing what the author has to bring in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
January 11, 2025
Last Letter From Sicily was a really sweet, beautifully written, very enjoyable historical fiction novel (with a dash of long-lost-lovers romance) set around WWII in Italy (specifically Sicily) & the US (specifically Milwaukee WI - I had no idea so many Italian immigrants went there in the 1900s!). Oh and the novel was based on the author's grandparents' story - how sweet is that!?
The WWII time period is probably my top favorite historical fiction time period to read about, but this was the first one I've read from the Italian/Axis perspective, and I found it absolutely fascinating and I definitely learned new things (I know more about Mussolini now than I did before!) . Honestly I couldn't put the book down, it was a gripping story! I loved all the Italian phrases and the beautiful descriptions of Sicilian scenery and life. It was interesting to read about immigrants coming to the US from an Italian perspective too (not to mention heartbreaking; what a tough time so many people went through!).
I do wish there had been character names at the top of each chapter, as occasionally we got the story from Concetta's dad (Enzo) or little sister's (Giuseppina) pov. I also wish that since we WERE getting multiple characters povs that we had been able to dive a little deeper into their characters. I think Enzo got a quick ending and resolution to all his character flaws, but we were left hanging a little bit with Giuseppina...what happened to her? Was the baseball guy a good thing? An epilogue might help tie up some of the lose ends!
The WWII time period is probably my top favorite historical fiction time period to read about, but this was the first one I've read from the Italian/Axis perspective, and I found it absolutely fascinating and I definitely learned new things (I know more about Mussolini now than I did before!) . Honestly I couldn't put the book down, it was a gripping story! I loved all the Italian phrases and the beautiful descriptions of Sicilian scenery and life. It was interesting to read about immigrants coming to the US from an Italian perspective too (not to mention heartbreaking; what a tough time so many people went through!).
I do wish there had been character names at the top of each chapter, as occasionally we got the story from Concetta's dad (Enzo) or little sister's (Giuseppina) pov. I also wish that since we WERE getting multiple characters povs that we had been able to dive a little deeper into their characters. I think Enzo got a quick ending and resolution to all his character flaws, but we were left hanging a little bit with Giuseppina...what happened to her? Was the baseball guy a good thing? An epilogue might help tie up some of the lose ends!
January 27, 2025
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.
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.
April 28, 2025
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.
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.
January 17, 2025
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.
January 22, 2025
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'.
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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'.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
January 7, 2025
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.
“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.
February 5, 2025
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.
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advance copy.
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