The Girl from Lake Maggiore

by Siobhan Daiko

A breathtaking story of friendship, love and impossible choices, perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley, and All the Light We Cannot SeeLake Maggiore, Northern Italy, 1943 🇮🇹

In a quiet lakeside hotel nestled in the shadow of the Italian Alps, seventeen-year-old Giulia Leone lives a life untouched by war – until the day ruthless German SS officers arrive in the village.

Her father’s hotel is no longer a place of peace, but a trap for the Jewish guests who have taken refuge there. Among them is Ester, the bright, spirited girl who has become Giulia’s closest companion.

When a daring plan to help Ester’s family escape spirals into chaos, Giulia is the only one who gets away. Heartbroken but determined, she flees into the mountains and finds shelter with a band of courageous partisan fighters, led by Raffaele Ferrero, the hotel manager’s son.

Haunting memories of her family and best friend plague Giulia’s every waking thought, and she knows she must risk everything to fight back. But as a wanted person, finding where her loved ones have been taken – let alone saving them – may be impossible…

Inspired by true events, The Girl from Lake Maggiore is a moving and powerful story of resistance, resilience and the extraordinary lengths we go to for love.

Genres: Historical Fiction

312 pages, ebook

Published January 9, 2026

About the author

Siobhan Daiko is a British historical fiction author. A lover of all things Italian, she lives in the Veneto region of northern Italy with her husband, a Havanese dog and a Siberian cat. Siobhan was born of English parents in Hong Kong, attended boarding school in Australia, and then moved to the UK — where she taught modern foreign languages in a Welsh high school. She now spends her time writing page-turners and living the dolce vita sweet life near Venice. Her novels are compelling, poignant, and deeply moving, with strong female characters and evocative settings, but always with romance at their heart. You can find more about her books on her website www.siobhandaiko.org

Reviews

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this read to be wholesome & interesting. I admired the strong bonds the characters had with each other, pulling each other through a difficult time in history. What I loved most is that there’s a map, dates at the start of each part of the book & how detailed the scenery was, the environment, the characters, it really helps you visualise what was happening & it really takes you into that time period. There were a few harrowing moments that highlight the tragedy of this time period. The romance was really beautiful and I loved how much the two characters really loved each other.

In general this is a really cosy historic read with some empowering moments. A strong female character that will do anything to find answers regarding her family, you learn about World War 2 in Italy and honestly it’s a really beautifully written book.

If you are a fan of historical fiction or maybe you are similar to me where you miss being told war time stories by grandparents as my nan was full of stories, then this is the perfect read for you and I 100% recommend The Girl From Lake Maggiore.

[LindyLouMac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siobhan Daiko was inspired to write this wartime novel set on the shores of Lake Maggiore after reading about the atrocities committed by the Nazis in the area during WWII. The author personally knows the area from a childhood summer spent there and has based the fictional town of Marta on her memories of Meina, where a local hotel hosted Jewish refugees that were brutally killed by the Nazis.

Some of her protagonists such as Raffaele and Aquila are based on real partisans active in the region. The novel is the story of how when Raffaele and Guilia, the daughter of the hotel owner start sheltering Jews, their lives change dramatically. Consequently their actions lead them into great danger.

A comprehensive and realistically, at times harrowing account of the day to day routines of those involved in the resistance, with as well a blossoming love story. Worth a read if you are interested in life in Italy during WWII.

With thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

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[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Italy around 1943-5 this story could have been a lot more gripping. It tells the story of Guilia, a 17 year old young woman who, with the invasion of the Germans has to leave her home and flee into the mountains. Her parents own a hotel on Lake Maggiore and bravely, they shelter a number of Jews from the Nazis. Knowing it’s just a matter of time before everyone is taken away, Giulia forms a plan for all of them to escape. It goes horribly wrong and only Giulia and Raffaele, son of an employee of her father, escape into the mountains where they join the partisans fighting the Germans. So far so exciting. However, for many chapters after this the action more or less ceases and the story plods along with the various characters involved in sorties to obtain food and weapons.

There are many characters in the story but I feel we never really get into their heads or under their skin. Giulia and Raffaele are the two protagonists but they are very two dimensional. They are the ‘love interest’ in the story yet the writing is somewhat disingenuous in that Giulia wonders what is the ‘tingling’ she feels when he’s close. As for him, he wonders why he feels annoyed with her and grumpy when she is close. Dear me. Even an inexperienced 17 year old will know when she is physically attracted to a 20 year old, handsome muscular (of course) young man! And vice versa. The writing is somewhat annoying.

I found Daiko’s style to be quite distancing. Most of the action or fighting that takes place was written in a style more like an official report written in hindsight so the reader gets no sense of fear or danger. At least this reader didn’t.

Daiko has obviously done much assiduous research, as much of the story is based on true events and there is no doubting the bravery of the young men and women who fought against the horror of the Nazis. However, I’m sorry to say that I got a bit bored by the stilted dialogue and the style of writing which did not fully engage me.

Thanks to NetGalley for sending this ARC for my kindle. This is my honest opinion after a full read of the novel.

[Monika Caparelli-Hippert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich kannte die Autorin noch nicht, aber ein historischer Roman, der in meiner Lieblingsurlaubs-Location spielt, dem Lago Maggiore, das musste ich natürlich lesen :-) Und das Titelbild allein: könnte ein Urlaubsfoto von mir sein :-) Also, ich war gespannt und positiv vorbelastet; und gleich vorab, der Roman ist toll :-) Hat mich abgeholt, mitgerissen und alle Erwartungen erfüllt.
Zum Inhalt; die Geschichte beginnt 1943; wir sind am Lago Maggiore in Norditalien, die meiste Zeit im Piemont. Man sollte wissen, Italien war damals in weiten Teilen von der Deutschen Wehrmacht besetzt. Ganz grob: Es waren nicht „nur“ die Deutschen, die die Zivilbevölkerung unter der Knute hatten, es kamen noch die italienischen Faschisten unter Mussolinis Führung hinzu, und als Gegenbewegung hatten wir die Partisanen; lokale, oftmals recht junge, Italiener und Italienerinnen, die als paramilitärische Organisationen meist in den Bergen versteckt war und einen Guerillakrieg gegen die Besatzer führten.
Und so sind wir im fiktiven Ort Marta am Seeufer. Hier hat Giulia Leones Familie ein gutgehendes Hotel; die 17jährige Giulia wächst in Wohlstand und Geborgenheit auf, und die Geschichte setzt ein, als einige jüdische Familien sich für kurze Zeit im Hotel einquartieren. Giulia und Ester freunden sich an, und auch die Eltern Leone sind den Flüchtlingen wohlgesinnt. Als ein Trupp deutscher Soldaten sich im Hotel einquartiert, spitzt sich die Lage relativ schnell zu; und die Leones organisieren eine Flucht für ihre jüdischen Gäste. Dies misslingt fatal, und die Einzige, die entkommen kann, ist Giulia, für die sich ihr Leben plötzlich um 180 Grad wendet. Ihr gelingt eine Flucht in die Berge, und sie schließt sich den Partigiani an, und wir folgen ihr nun die nächsten beiden Jahre, die sie für immer prägen sollen. Aus dem verwöhnten höherem Töchterlein wird eine entschlossenen Kämpferin mit einem Löwenherz, die bei allem Grauen des Krieges - und es wird hier wirklich Dramatisch, die Autorin beschönigt hier nichts – trotzdem die Liebe findet und den Glauben an das Gute nicht verliert…..
Also, um es abzukürzen :-) : das war extrem spannend. Eine historisch super gut recherchierte Story, flüssig geschrieben, voller Dramatik und Emotionen, und mit einer hinreißenden Protagonistin. Wir haben hier alles; Liebe, Krieg, Freundschaft – die ganz großen existentiellen Themen, und das vor dem Hintergrund einer für mich zauberhaften Gegend.
Auch die Autorin kennt sich hier am Lago aus; wir haben hier auch in den Umschlagseiten Landkarten der Gegend; und wenn die Partisanen sich auf verschlungenen alten Maultierpfaden durch die Berge bewegen, hatte ich diese echt vor Augen (es gibt hier rund um den Lago extrem viele Wanderwege, heute touristisch erschlossen). Hat mich wie gesagt echt abgeholt.
Ich habe den Roman an einem Wochenende durchgesuchtet; der liest sich auch für Nicht-Muttersprachler sehr gut weg, und werde mir die Autorin merken.
Von mir gibt es eine Leseempfehlung, und ich bedanke mich beim Verlag und Netgalley für das Rezensionsexemplar, es war mir ein Vergnügen!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5★s

It was 1943 in Lake Maggiore, at the base of the Italian Alps, when Giulia Leone's peaceful life was interrupted; changed forever. The hotel her father owned, where they lived in one of the apartments, was housing many displaced Jews, including Giulia's good friend Ester and her family, the day the SS arrived, determined to remove all Jews from existence. Giulia quickly came up with a plan of escape and as the night it was attempted came undone, it was obvious someone had told of their plan to the Nazis. Giulia was the only one to escape, while her parents were caught up with the Jews fleeing for their lives.

Raffaele Ferrero, the hotel manager's son, took Giulia with him and his friend Paolo, where they eventually joined up with partisans, all determined to make a difference in this horrible war. Meanwhile Giulia was trying to find out what had happened to her parents, and Ester, but nothing could be found. She had to stay in hiding though as the SS had a price on her head, and she would be executed if they found her. What would be the outcome for these courageous fighters and the young woman who was hiding with them?

The Girl from Lake Maggiore is another well written historical novel - based on fact - by Siobhan Daiko which I really enjoyed. The cover is gorgeous; the landscape around the beautiful lake spectacular. Giulia was a brave but impulsive and impetuous young woman who found herself in trouble more often than not. Raffaele and his partisans were full of courage, determination and anger, which kept them going, all the while cold, hungry and missing family. I've enjoyed a number of this author's stories and this one was no exception. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Boldwood Books for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girl from Lake Maggiore is set in 1943 on the shores of Lake Maggiore, Italy in a town called Marta just before the invasion of the German army. The residents of the town believe there is an armistice, but this proves to be wrong.
Guila’s father, Aldo Leone, a businessman of some note has a prestigious Hotel on the lake shore and has over recent months been sheltering a number of Jewish families fleeing from the German atrocities.
When they discover there are Germans in the nearby town of Stresa, they are concerned but when they are told they are rounding up all the Jews in the area, Guila and her parents, along with some of the local fishermen, begin to plan an escape for the people who have been their friends for many months.
Unfortunately, this goes terribly wrong which sees Guila’s parents arrested, the families sheltering the Hotel shot or sent to Auschwitz and Guila having to seek help and hide from the Germans determined to arrest her.
She is helped by a young man Raffaele, a man who has always considered her as a rich, spoilt young woman, far too soft to join the local Resistance group. She proves him wrong, going on the become a valuable member of the local Resistance community, determined to seek justice for her friend Ester, killed by the German SS, and her family.
As the story wanders along over several years it loses the urgency of a group of young Resistance fighters and slowly blends into a love story of Raffaele and Guila set against the invasion of Italy with the final chapters almost far to modern for the balance of the story.
For those who enjoy a good love story set during wartime The Girl from Lake Maggiore is a comfortable and enjoyable read, but for those who need a lot more grit in the telling, it does fall somewhat short.

[Ann-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lake Maggiore September 1943. Giulia enjoyed a peaceful life in Marta on the shore of Lake Maggiore, a town largely untouched by the war. That was about to change as news of an armistice between Italy and the Allies brought an invasion of German troops. Giulia's family owned a hotel in Marta that sheltered many Jews, who were immediately rounded up by the Germans and locked up in the hotel. Giulia devised a plan to help them all escape by using a tunnel, so far undiscovered by the enemy, that would lead them to the lakeshore and fishermen to ferry them up the lake towards safety. But it all went wrong and Giulia was the only one to escape with two local boys, Raffaele and Paolo. Sheltering at first with Raffaele’s parents, they were forced to move up into the mountains when they heard that Giulia was wanted by the Germans. They managed to make contact with the Partisans and began a life in defence of their country.

For the remainder of the war Giulia, Raffaele and Paolo found themselves moving from place to place, sometimes joining with other Partisans, trying to keep ahead of the enemy whilst doing what they could to disrupt them. Woven into the story of their lives as Partisans is the growing love developing between Giulia and Raffaele. A very easy to read book revealing how the Partisans lived, their camaraderie, their exploits, their successes and their failures.

Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for an ARC for my honest review.

[Amanda Felton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to LBT for having me on this book review tour and for my gifted copy of this epub.

This was a historical fiction and it was really good and grabbed my attention right away. It was 1943 and we follow Giulia Leone and read about how her peaceful life was just changed forever. Her father they owned a hotel where they lived and where they housed many Jews that were trying to get out Switzerland and didn’t have anywhere else to go Giulia best friend is someone who is staying there and when the SS show up wanting to get rid of the Jews it just changes everything. So they form a plan to escape that doesn’t work either. Gosh I felt for them so much. Cause Giulia was essentially the only one who got away she got away with Raffaele the hotels manager son. And they eventually find a bunch of partisans and they try to do something about the awful war. I just couldn’t stop reading this book I had to know what was gonna happen next and if Giulia was gonna be ok. I mean I did feel like she got into more trouble than anything although I can see why. I do at times have a hard time trying to figure out where they were the partisans were hiding but I loved how much effort and research the author put into this book. This is definitely a book to read. I love historical fiction all of a sudden. I am just fascinated by history all around.

Definitely will be reading more or this authors work !!!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This is an historical fiction story set in Italy during World War II, the time span is roughly 1943- 1945, the main characters are Giulia and Raffaele. Giulia is a young woman living with her parents in a hotel in Italy that her father owns and Raffaele is the son of the hotel manager, Giulia’s father is harboring Jews in the hotel hoping to find a way for them to escape to Switzerland, unfortunately the plan falls apart, Giulia’s parents and the Jews are captured with only Giulia able to escape with Raffaele. Raffaele is part of a partisan groupiin Italy that Giulia is forced to join because the authorities are on the lookout for her, the main part of the story is about their work as partisans throughout parts of Italy, how Giulia becomes a valuable member and their ultimate friendship that becomes a love affair. I thoroughly enjoyed this story although it was difficult at times to determine the different locations the partisans were hiding out in, I appreciate the author’s research into the details, and I also appreciate the different characters in regard to their dedication, determination, and their respect and protection for each other.

[Shraddha Sondhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC received via NetGalley.

The first thought that came to me upon finishing the book was: “If there comes a choice, you must always choose dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.” That pretty much sums up the spirit of this book.

Set around Lake Maggiore in 1943, the story follows Giulia Leone, a privileged seventeen-year-old who could have easily stayed silent and untouched by the war. But when she sees the actual cost of remaining apolitical, especially through her best friend Ester, the Jewish girl hiding in her family owned hotel. Giulia chooses courage over comfort. And that one choice turns her into the kind of woman history should talk about more often.

With help from Raffaele Ferrero and , she grows from sheltered girl to determined freedom fighter. Her bravery isn’t loud or dramatic—it’s the quiet, instinctive kind that women have shown throughout history, often without recognition.

The timeline with Stella in the present adds a kind of like an anchor into the present keepng us from , linking past and present in a way that feels satisfying and heartfelt.

A well researched and convincing story about resilience, resistance, and the valour of women who refuse to bow to fear.

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

With every historical fiction story I become more impressed with those that stood up against the enemies in World War Two. At one time I thought I had an understanding of what occurred and then I open another book. I am clueless, and will always be clueless to all that the people experienced. Thanks to authors like Siobhan Daiko I get glimpses that I will never forget.

Giulia Leone is not yet an adult but will have to grow up fast. She lives in her family's hotel on Lake Maggiore in WW2. Many of their residents are Jewish. Her best friend, Ester, is Jewish. When the town is invaded by the Nazis her life changes and not for the best.

She is soon on her own, finding herself under the care of Raffaele Ferrero, a man that thinks little of her. The "Spoilt Brat" soon finds herself in a different world. I found the life of a partisan to be very harsh. I learned, as Giulia learned, how to survive in the mountains and fight for freedom. The story became very intense as they fought for their very lives and for the freedom of Italy. I feared for what would happen with each chapter. The struggles they experienced were extreme. I couldn't wait to see how her story would end.

[Su Thor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girl from Lake Maggiore by Siobhan Daiko is set in Italy in the 1940s. It is the story of Guila, a young woman whose father runs a small hotel on the shores of Lake Maggiore. They have been sheltering a number of Jewish families fleeing from being captured and set to one of the camps in Poland. However they are betrayed and just as they are supposed to be escaping, they are captured and Guila’s parents are arrested. Guila finds a place to shelter with the help of Raffaele. The heart of the story then begins as the pair contribute to the resistance movement.
I enjoyed this story, but feel that it only scraped the surface of the sacrifice and hardships which these brave people exhibited. As it is written it is suitable for a teenager to read. as it focuses on the dedication, determination, and the respect and protection they show each other. Definitely worth reading if you are interested in what happened in northern Italy during WW2.
Thanks to NetGalley, Siobhan Daiko and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review. All the opinions given are given freely and are my own.

[Ulli Zaiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a young italian girl who joyns the partisans and fights against the Germans and the italian fascists. The story is based on true events and while it is very informative to learn about the people resisting against the fascist the book wasn't really gripping. The story started out interesting with Giulia and her parents trying to help jewish guest escape to Switzerland. But once Giulia has joyned the partisans the story kept dragging on. There were whole chapters where the partisans just spend their days looking for food and waiting for something to happen. When they actually steal weapons or attack the fascists the events are told but it reads more like a report when those situations could have been told more gripping. The relationship between Giulia and Raffaele did lighten the story a bit but it also lacked the kind of storytelling that makes you really feel with the characters.
As it is I have to say I was tempted to DNF the book and only kept on reading because it was an ARC and I had to give feedback. Honestly this book felt like it was more non-fiction than a novel.
I received an ARC via netgalley.com and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked but didn’t love this - someone else in their review mentioned that it wasn’t as gripping as it could have been given the subject matter and that’s exactly how I felt too. It was fine but just felt like the telling was a bit simplistic and at times it felt like a group of kids playing at war rather than an actual war story! (But then the afterword does mention the inspiration for the partisans being a bit “hot headed” so that checks out)

I really wish there had been more at the start as well because I was really interested in how the refugees came to be at the hotel and would have liked more of that story and more of their new life in the hotel, but we just jumped forward very quickly to the escape. Because of this it was hard to care as much about Ester as Giulia did! I also didn’t feel like I got to know her and Raffaele all that well, so I wasn’t as invested in the love story.

Still, worth a read!

[nickiknackinoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girl From Lake Maggiore by Siobhan Daiko is a gentle and sad story about a young girl named Guilia. Her family own a popular hotel which is close to the Italian Alps and the Lake itself.
War breaks out in 1943, and although they don’t see much difference for a while, Germans suddenly appear and take over the hotel. All the Jews that were staying there are soon locked up together and guarded day and night.
Guilua’s best friend and her parents are among the prisoners. She tries to help them escape but the plan goes wrong and Guilua is the only one who manages to escape. Wirh the help of the hotel manager’s son Rafaelle, she escapes up into the mountains with the rest of his group of rebels. Her parents are arrested but they really want Guilia to give herself up. She stays away….
She soon throws herself into camp life, and learns lots of skills in order to be able to help when they need it.
The group travel all over, trying to get news of friends and family.
Guilia and Rafaelle have a funny relationship to begin with, as they’ve never really got to know each other. Their first impressions start to change.
This story is a gentle view of war. Focusing on a gang of rebels, how class was forgotten and true relationships formed.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #TheBoldBookClyb, #SiobhanDaiko.

[Nelli Lakatos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚏𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞? 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚎𝚡𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚛𝚢, 𝚋𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎, 𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚣𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕."

A World War II historical fiction set in Italy with the most beautiful cover and perfect themes like — love, friendship, resistance. When I see a WWII book it's an immediate must-read for me and I especially enjoy historical reads set in Italy so this was an absolute perfect combination.

Giulia's determination to help her friends escape were uplifting. Even at the most dangerous times her bravery inspired me, she was ready to sacrifice everything to save the ones she loved the most and never once gave up.

I highly recommend reading this heart-wrenching but still so hopeful novel to all historical fiction lovers.

[Tara Hoefs McGaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was more of a 3.5 star read for me. I've read a lot of WWII fiction, but think that this is the first one told in Italy. It was interesting due to that different perspective, but overall there was a lot of places and names that I skimmed over, because there was such an abundance of them throughout the book. It was hard to really connect with these "kids" and how they took on the fascists. It was hard to wrap my mind around a small group of teens taking on a large army. My favorite parts were the interactions between Giulia and Raffaele, but those too, seemed rather juvenile. i am grateful to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and all thoughts and opinions are strictly mine.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl From Lake Maggiore is such a heartbreaking yet awe-inspiring fictionalized accounting of events that happened during the occupation of Italy by Nazi Germany during World War II. The cruelty described as inflicted on the Jewish people and those who rebelled against the Nazi regime is unimaginable, and yet, it happened. The bravery of those who fought against these atrocities is inspiring because they fought despite being terrified.

Siobhan Daiko was able to paint a picture of both beauty and terror, families (both blood and found) and enemies, innocence and knowing. And even though you know how it ultimately ends for Nazi Germany, she is able to tell this story in such a way that keeps you turning the page until the end.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Italy during WWII, this is the story of Guilia, who goes from a life of privilege to resistance fighter. Set against the backdrop of Lake Maggio, a gorgeous location who has a lot of horror during the war. Guilia’s parents own a hotel and she is forced to leave her life of luxury and joins the resistance with Raffaele, the son of one of the hotels employees. Daiko’s research is thorough, you really get a feel for why it was like during the war and I enjoyed her authors notes. I enjoyed the romance between Guilia and Raffaele. The story did get bogged down a bit with details and was missing the emotion that could have really elevated the story which was a pity as it was an interesting bit of history.

[Linda S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girl from Lake Maggiore tells the story of Giulia, the pampered daughter of hotel owners in Lake Maggiore during the years of WWII beginning in 1943. The hotel manager's son is Raffaele, who thinks Giulia is a spoiled brat. When her best friend, Ester, and her family are taken away by the Nazis because they are Jewish and Giulia's parents are also taken away for helping Jews, Giulia joins the partisans, led by Raffaele, living in the hills to help fight for Italian independence from the Nazi invaders. The story moved slowly at times but it did have a satisfying ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Daisy Hollands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start about this book? Firstly look at the cover. Isn’t it gorgeous? Doesn’t it say that the story inside is going to be beautiful? It should do, because it truly is.

Descriptive, flowing story telling. Vivid imagery. I was transported to another time and place and I loved it.

Giulia is such a young protagonist but with such a strong character and a firm grasp of right and wrong. I was fully invested and rooting so hard for her.

A strange dichotomy that the same book can be at times heart breaking and yet uplifting. A beautiful, timeless story really. Pick this one up. You won’t regret it.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Italy during World War 2, this story is about Guila, who is wanted for hiding Jewish people. She escapes and becomes part of the resistance. The book centres around friendship, bravery, atrocities and the work of the resistance. It is also a gentle love story. Not having read much about the war in this part of the world, it gave a good insight into how life might have been at that time. It is amazing how brave people were in the face of great odds. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for introducing me to this author. I hope to read more of her work.

[Luisa Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Daiko sheds light on less familiar aspects of WW2 history with this story of resistance set in the Italian lakes, The book was clearly well researched and I was pleased to read in the author’s note which aspects were based on fact. It’s remarkable to think how young some of the resistance fighters were, as well as the cruelty of the fascists.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an ARC, which I read in exchange for an honest review.

[Cee · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I've read a number of WWII era historical fiction novels over the years, this was the first I've read that was set in Italy. It was interesting to learn about the Italian Resistance movement, which really isn't talked about as much in the history classes I've had previously. I did feel like the last 25% of the novel was rushed through and wish there had been a bit more details/time spent on the after the war portion of the story. Overall, I'll be keeping an eye out for Siobhan Daiko's other novels.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC edition of this book.

[R Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good at relating the day to day grind that belonged to the life of a someone in the Italian resistance in Ww2. However, it seemed to be caught between two themes. Was it a love story, or was it a detailed account of resistance life? The plot was 8nteresting, but certain events were telegraphed and became predictable. However to anyone reading about wartime Italy for the first time it is a great introduction

[Valerie McGurk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Italy 1943, Giulia lives in a lakeside hotel with her family. When the SS arrive her father’s hotel is no longer a place of peace, but a place where Jews are hunted. Giulia tries her hardest to save her friend and her family from the Germans. A powerful read, although I feel more could have been made of the story.

[Diane Saul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a resistance group in Italy during WWII. It follows the hardships and losses that occur during their fight. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

[Bev Walkling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical novel was inspired by the author's discovery of some of the atrocities committed by the Nazi's in the Lake Maggiore area of Italy. As the novel begins, Giulia and her family are hosting Jewish families in their hotel and naively cheering on the resignation of Mussolini when their hopefulness is quashed by the arrival of the Germans just as they are planning to lead their Jewish friends to safer places,  Giula is stunned when her parents are taken away by the Germans leaving her no idea where they are. As a teenager, she is unsure what to do, but want to fight back in some way.

Raffaele, the son of the hotel manager, is not a fan of Giulia, believing her to be a spoiled little rich girl but when he witnesses atrocities performed at the Lake, he knows that he needs to warn her parents and offer to assist in relocating the remaining Jews. After her parents disappear, Giulia appeals to Raffaele to let her join his partisan group. Knowing that if he doesn't help her escape that she will be arrested too, he agrees to bring her to a safe place. She is determined to prove her worth.

The rest of the novel details what it was like to live the life of a partisan. There were many different groups in the area and sometimes a group would work independently while other times they worked together. It wasn't an easy life. Food could be hard to come by and weapons were also difficult to find and maintain. Not everyone could be trusted and, in this story, there was a bounty on Giulia. They often needed to move around. While there were times of action, there were also days that were long and boring. In some of those times, a relationship began to develop between Raffaele and Giulia. Could they survive the battles to come? Would Giulia ever find out where her parents were taken?

This book definitely gives an insight into the day to day life of the partisan that I have not read much about in other historical fiction novels. At the end of the story author Daiko fills in the background of some of the real partisans who inspired this novel. It makes for a very interesting read, especially to this interested in stories of the war set in Italy.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel was about the Italian partisans who worked courageously during WW2 to help defeat the Nazis and Fascist Italians. It was interesting, but not great compared to other historical fiction novels. For one, the author did much more “telling” in her writing than she did of “showing”. At times it almost felt like I was reading a textbook. And at well over 350 pages, the book just seemed to keep dragging on.

* I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

[Andrea A · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to Net Galley , Boldwood, and the personal invitation I received to review this book.

I liked this book but didn't love it. Story was very good and well written . Giuliana Leone joins the resistance in Italy to help fight against the Fascists. In that process she falls in love, marries, and searches for her parents that were taken.

There were many characters and story seemed to drag but goid book.