The Village Trattoria: A sweeping World War II saga and prequel to The Moonlit Piazza

Casa Maria #1

by Annabelle Thorpe

1943. Wartime Italy.

Casa Maria sits at the heart of the small Umbrian town of Amatino, famous for its food, wine and the di Luca and Capaldi families who run it. But now Italy is consumed by war and everything must change.

For talented cook Sophia di Luca, the discovery her father has left the trattoria not to her, but to the volatile and charismatic Giorgio Capaldi, is a bitter disappointment. Still grieving the sudden death of his wife, and in no mood to compromise, Giorgio's return to Amatino threatens everything Sophia has struggled to achieve.

As Mussolini falls and the Germans march in, the two families find themselves in conflict not only with a terrifying new enemy, but also with each other.

Annabelle Thorpe's gripping novel does for wartime Italy what Victoria Hislop does for Greece.

'A joyous read, which really spoke to me about the indomitability of the human spirit. A wonderful book.' Elizabeth Enfield, author of Ivy and Abe

Praise for Annabelle
'Unputdownable!' Claire Dyer, author of The Last Day
'A pacy, engaging tale of human weakness and of passion so overwhelming it can make fools of us all' Daily Express

Genres: Historical Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

Published July 4, 2024

Reviews

[Marilyn (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Enemy of Love by Annabelle Thorpe was a very moving novel. It was set in Amatino, a small Umbrian town in Italy. In 1943, Mussolini was struggling to maintain his rule over the Italian people. He was finally forced out of power and the Italian people were overjoyed. At the same time, they feared who would take his place. They had every right to be fearful. No sooner had Mussolini been ousted from his rule over the Italian people than the Nazis marched into Italy and reinstated Mussolini’s position. Life in Amatino was about to change drastically.

Two families were bound together by a restaurant they had owned and operated for generations. The patriarch of the di Luca family had just recently died. His daughter, Sophia was grieving terribly for her beloved father. Sophia had been helping her father run the restaurant by doing the cooking, serving and anything else that needed to be done. She had assumed that her father had passed the responsibilities of running their restaurant to her. Nothing prepared Sophia for the shock when she learned that her father had left the trattoria to Giorgio Capaldi. Sophia and Giorgio had grown up together. The trattoria was owned by both the di Luca and Capaldi families. Giorgio had lost his young wife and unborn child in an allied bombing incident. He was still grieving for his wife but came back from Rome to Amatino to honor the dying wishes of Sophia’s father. Elena, Giorgio’s grandmother suggested that Sophia and Giorgio work together. They agree to work as equal partners. That should have been their worst problem but it wasn’t. Unfortunately, the Nazi presence soon became unbearable. The Nazis began to destroy shops owned by Jews. The people of Amatino immediately began to hide their Jewish neighbors from the Nazis. Homes were taken over by German soldiers. Food supplies started to become scarce. Young and disillusioned Italian soldiers returning from the war were forced into hiding so the Germans would not arrest them or kill them. The people of Amatino were not happy with the strong Nazi presence in their town. They banded together to form a resistance movement and fight back. Would they be able to take back their town from the Nazis and if so at what cost?

Sophia and Giorgio, despite their squabbles, differences and denial, were not able to fight the attraction they were feeling for one another. It took them a long while to finally realize that they had feelings for one another. Sophia was so scared to let herself love anyone because anyone she had ever loved had died. She was so afraid of losing someone else that she admitted to being in love with. It took the wisdom of others to open Sophia’s and Giorgio’s eyes to the truth that was right in front of them. Would they recognize their true feelings in time to act upon them?

The ending was left with a lot of questions. Based on that, I assumed that Annabelle Thorpe was planning to write a sequel to The Enemy of Love. I hope that I am right. It would be disappointing not to have the unanswered questions that still lingered tied up. The Enemy of Love was about family, courage, strategic planning, caring, grief and the atrocities the Nazis committed during World War II. It was well written and researched. I enjoyed reading The Enemy of Love by Annabelle Thorpe and recommend it if you like historical fiction that takes place during World War II.

Thank you to Aria & Aries Publishing for allowing me to read The Enemy of Love by Annabelle Thorpe through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The funeral for her beloved Papa left Sophia di Luca gutted, with most of the small town of Amatino there to farewell a much-loved man. But it was 1943 in Italy, and the Nazis were just beginning to make their presence felt. The Trattoria di Luca was a magnet to food and wine lovers and with Sophia assuming the trattoria was now hers, she was shocked to see Giorgio Capaldi in the kitchen, preparing to cook up a storm. Could the two young people form a partnership to run the business? With the Capaldi wines and the Di Luca food, even with restrictions, it could work. Giorgio's grandmother, Elena, had always worked in the kitchen - her food was divine.

With Mussolini's fall from grace, the Nazis had arrived in droves. The cruel, the brutal, and the quietly kind - they were all there. But danger was everywhere and as the soldiers returned home after Mussolini's fall, they had to hide from the Nazis who were sending those they found to camps in Germany. Hiding Jews and returned soldiers, plus their families, was proving to be a challenge for those in the Resistance, and Sophia, Giorgio and others were soon deeply involved. When one of their number was killed, it made them all far more determined to oust their village of the Nazis...

The Enemy of Love by Annabelle Thorpe was an intriguing look into wartime Italy, their horrors and heartbreak being much the same as others places brutalized by the Nazis. There was a little too much in-fighting between the family members - it went on too long. With a war on, focus needed to be there. And there was one particular event which wasn't addressed before the end of the novel, so I still don't know the answer, and that's frustrating. But apart from that, I found this another good historical read which I'm happy to recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Umbrain town of Amatino in Italy, becomes a strategically important location for the Germans during the Second World War, it has an airfield, train line and it’s close to Rome. For years the di Luca and Capaldi families have been friends, they serve traditional local food at their restaurant Casa Maria and wine from the Capaldi Vineyard.

Sophia di Luca always though her father would leave the trattoria to her, but in Italy, women are expected to marry, have children and not run a business. He's arranged for Giorgio Capaldi to return from Rome, he left Amatino when his wife and unborn child were killed during an Allied bombing raid.

Sophia and Giorgio’s grandmother Elena have been keeping the restaurant doors open, it’s not easy due to food shortages and lack of supplies. Giorgio and Sophia are both suborn and strong willed and it doesn’t take long for the temperature to rise in the kitchen!

When Mussolini’s dictatorship falls, Gruppenführer Messell a senior group leader is sent to Amatino, he and his SS troops are looking for returned Italian soldiers, or men who have ignored their call up papers, Jewish people and members of the resistance. Everyone is worried, Sophia about her widowed mother, sister and her teenage brother Matti. Giorgio is concerned about his brother Russo, his grandmother Elena, her friend Isaac and the people hiding in the churches crypt. The resistance see it as their duty to steal, spy, and engage in acts of sabotage against the Germans and they have no idea this will lead to terrible repercussions for the people of Amatino.

I received a digital copy of The Enemy of Love by Annabelle Thorpe from NetGalley and Aria & Aries in exchange for an honest review. The author takes you back to wartime Italy and what it was like living in a small village, you discover the importance of the thousand year old tunnels built underneath the town and how the resistance hid in the nearby mountains. My favourite characters were Sophia, Giorgio, Elena, Matti, Father Massimo and Isaac, and it’s a story about family, traditions, food, war, and loss, tragedy, finding the strength to carry on and love. Four stars from me, I’m keen to read Ms. Thorpe’s next book and I hope it's about Giorgio and Sophia's relationship?

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I would never have picked up myself. Even though I love books set in the World Wars I tend to stick to the ones set in England.
The story is mainly about two families, the di Lucas and the Capaldis who have known each other all their lives but Sophia di Luca and Giorgio Capaldi butt heads when Sophia realises her late father has nominated Giorgio to run their restaurant when she had been expecting to take over. Giorgio has been fighting in the war and has also lost his wife so he is in no mood for arguing. The war impacts the village suddenly and violently and Sophia and Giorgio learn to work together against the hated Germans.
I couldn't put this book down once I started reading, it's a fantastic story. The descriptions of the village, the people, the war and the atrocities committed were brilliant.! Sometimes I had to put the book down, the tension was so palpable I needed a break. Elena, is Giorgio's Nonna and she is a wonderful character. She may be getting old but she knows how to keep them in line. She has suffered a lot because of the war but she has an indomitable spirit.
Food plays a big part in this story. Reading about what they were cooking and the ingredients made me salivate.
The ending suited the book but there was one thing happening throughout and we didn't get closure on it and I felt let down by that. There could easily be a sequel but I think it's going to be a stand alone book. Anyone who enjoys stories set in the war years is in for a treat with this book.

Many thanks to Aria and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.

[Yvonne G · Rating 5 out of 5]

“War is the enemy of love, cara – it tries to teach us that hate and brutality is all the world is capable of”

I haven’t read a good ‘weepy’ for some time now and although romance was just one element of this multi-layered storyline, it formed the bedrock for everything else, ably demonstrating the impact war can have on mind, body, soul and relationships. Thus, I make no apologies for the number of memorable moments I featured from the book, as they truly reflect the wonderfully poignant and evocative quality and descriptive nature of the narrative and dialogue.

So, The story in a nutshell…

...

When, in 1943, Luigi de Luca dies, the future of Trattoria de Luca, a joint venture between the di Luca and Capaldi families, is thrown into disarray. With the men engulfed in a war no one is certain they can win, or even know what they are really fighting for, Sophia di Luca expects management of the Trattoria to fall to her. She has worked alongside her father day after day and is almost as good a cook as he was. She is independent, strong-minded and has a good business brain. However, she has underestimated her father’s strong traditional views, that an Italian woman’s place is in the the home, as a daughter, then wife and mother. So, when she discovers that before his death Luigi had sent to Rome to ask his old partner’s eldest son Giorgio Capaldi to come home and take over the Trattoria, you just know that sparks are going to fly.

However, Giorgio, having been injured and invalided out of the army, is a man still very much drowning in his own grief and being back home, surrounded by his well-meaning family and friends, is not at all what he had in mind, especially as none of them know the full extent of his sorrow. His Nonna Elena, lives above the Trattoria and despite her advancing years, her word carries a lot of clout, both within the Capaldi family and in the wider environs of the town itself. When the arguing and bickering between Sophia and Giorgio, over the management of the kitchen becomes more than she can stand, she comes up with the idea that they should run the Trattoria together, as equal partners.

Right now, as a result of the life-changing events he has had to deal with, the Allies are the primary focus of all Giorgio’s anger, so when Mussolini falls, the new President surrenders to the Allies, and the Germans sweep into town, he is in the very small minority of inhabitants who are cautiously optimistic. The Allies now suddenly want to set up Resistance Units in Italian towns, which doesn’t sit well with Giorgio and splits the population down the middle, dividing families and pitting brother against brother, father against son. However, when the new regime becomes imbedded in the community and begins to show its true colours, rounding up the Jewish community and hounding down the very youngest of boys to be conscripted, everyone is forced to take sides, even Giorgio, especially when Sophia’s young brother Matti is well and truly in their sights. Two terrible, gut-wrenching incidents, which show their German masters up for what they really are, serve to pull everyone together ready to fight for the common cause and this time Giorgio is ready to be front and centre of any assault, fighting alongside Sophia who is determined that she wants to play an active role in avenging her family and is refusing to stand on the sidelines.

Alongside all of this, the growing feelings between Giorgio and the feisty Sophia cannot be ignored, as much as they both try to deny it, to the amusement and frustration of family, friends and indeed, the rest of the community. Even Giorgio’s hot headed brother Rocco, who, before he had headed off to fight and having now returned, thought he had an agreement with Sophia, eventually has to accept that his was probably a rather one-sided arrangement and eventually gives Giorgio his blessing. The constant denials of any feelings between the two lovebirds only leads to more fighting and acrimony, until it is not only Elena who is at her wits end, but also the young padre Massimo, who is determined that his two friends should sort out their feelings for one another, just in case the worst should happen.

When everyone’s unimaginable nightmares come true, salvation for the young couple comes from a selfless act of kindness and gratitude, which although in itself is not the panacea they might have wished for, will hopefully keep them both safe until hostilities are over and they can be reunited.

...

It seems to me that Italy’s place in WWII at this time, was very complicated, with the country’s leader Mussolini, pushing his people first one way and then the other, leaving communities quite divided about who their enemy really was. Author Annabelle Thorpe did an excellent job at illustrating the confusion that caused, in this microcosmic, single timeline snapshot, of wartime life in a small fictional town in the Umbrian district of Italy. The wider theatre of war was of course, alluded to, but in no great detail and certainly not enough to detract from the narrow focus she had set herself for this story, which although beautifully executed and told with a panache and verve, was thoughtfully tempered by a deep sensitivity to the needs of her individual characters.

The timeline is easy to follow, the storyline is multi-layered, and the narrative is beautifully textured and nuanced, full of emotion and feeling. In such a close and insular community, which finds itself under German occupation, every strata of society is affected to varying degrees and no one escapes the wrath of an army flexing its military muscle. Jews, and people from other secular races, regardless of gender or age, are being rounded up, often beaten for the merest show of passive resistance, and with little order or supervision from higher authority, small clusters of unmarked graves begin to appear in secluded spots above the town. Young men of fighting age are also targets of the new regime and whilst there are those who can’t wait to stand up and be counted, some, such as Sophia’s young brother Matti, question exactly who and what they are fighting for, and seek to avoid capture, choosing instead to help the Allied Resistance movement which is gathering pace and strength across the country.

This open and descriptive style is also reflected in the cast of characters Annabelle has assembled, who are well developed and defined, and more than capable of telling their own story, which they do without any prompting. The really strong, standout characters for me were, Sophia, Isaac, Elena and Massimo, although to be honest, everyone played their parts to perfection. The two women, despite the vast difference in their ages and the eras in which they have been brought up, are remarkably united in their belief that despite their gender, they are more than capable of running a home and family, whilst still being independent enough to hold down a job, take their places and have their voices heard outside, in the wider society. Thus, any relationship between Giorgio and Sophia, is never going to be plain sailing, saccharine, or peaceful. However, when they can accept that they are equals in all aspects of a partnership, they will definitely work effectively and successfully as a good team.

Massimo, takes his role as padre to this small community, very seriously and is more than willing to put his own life at risk, in offering sanctuary to those who need it most. He is especially close to the Capaldi and di Luca families, and thus the Jew, Isaac, who has maybe not too secretly held a candle for Elena for many years, feelings which are reciprocated by the lady in question, although she might never openly admit it. Massimo stages his own small rebellion against his German captors, for which Elena and Isaac will be forever grateful. Whilst Isaac in his turn, makes the final and ultimate sacrifice of selfless love and devotion.

Annabelle gathers together in this story, all the emotions in the spectrum, with her strong, independent and feisty females. The impetuosity, over-enthusiasm and exuberance of a youth which doesn’t want to be suppressed. The compassion and selfless kindness of those least able to help themselves or others. And the sheer brutality and feral behaviour of those who have been indoctrinated with the belief that they reign supreme over others and can do no wrong.

She also uses a mix of real and fictional locations, although pertinent details enabled me to pinpoint whereabouts in the fantastic Umbrian Italian countryside I was. The ardent armchair traveller in me was teased by a genuine sense of time and place that I could almost step into and an atmosphere which lingered long after I had closed the final page. Annabelle definitely used the full palette at her disposal to paint both the physical location of her storyline and the portraits of her characters.

What typically makes reading such a wonderful experience for me, is that with each and every book, I am taken on a unique and individual journey, by some amazing authors who fire my imagination, stimulate my senses and stir my emotions. This storyline gave more than I could have hoped for on just about every one of those fronts, so thanks for some lovely memories to treasure Annabelle, although I might still have longed for a more conclusive ending, which neatly tied up all those ‘what if’ loose ends and denouements.

[Bookworm Blogger · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 (rtc)

I’d like to thank Amy from Head of Zeus for sending me an advanced copy of this book. I’m a huge fan of historical fiction and the synopsis of this one intrigued me. I’d also like to thank my good friend Wendy for buddy-reading this one with me, I loved our chats as we went along.

🪖The setting of this story was truly beautiful. Despite this taking place during WWII the picturesque descriptions and vivid landscapes were not ruined and came to life in my imagination. I was there in the underground caves, at the Capaldi restaurant with its delicious food and on the bench with Isaac and Elena watching the purple moon.

🍝I love Italian food, pasta is my downfall so I could not help but feel hungry when I was reading this one. Despite having very little to work with, the delicious recipes they cooked upmade my mouth water and definitely had me craving a trip to Italy.

💘Sophia and Giorgio are at the heart of this story. Whilst their initial meeting may not have gone smoothly you could feel the chemistry between them quite early on. They were both experiencing different forms of grief and loneliness. I agree with the padre though, they needed locking in a room to sort themselves out!

😥 Whilst the events of WWII are very familiar to me the brutality and utter devastation always tug at my heartstrings. Whilst reading this I could feel the continual tension, it never let up, the fear of what would happen next and how the different families would survive had me nervous to read on. The cave scene was especially nerve-wracking!

💫This was an action-packed, beautiful and tense read that gave a new perspective to the events of WWII. I am keen to read the sequel and find out what happens next for Sophia and Giorgio.

[theliterateleprechaun (on an Alaskan cruise) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed with the author’s ability to accurately portray the cultural differences in emotional complexity! I KNEW the book was set in Italy and written by someone who understood Italians within the first few pages. It rings authentic. Kudos to the author for immersing herself in the culture while she wrote this fantastic historical fiction account.

Thorpe’s love of these medieval towns and the bucolic landscapes of Umbria shows in her writing, endearing her book and characters to her readers. I’ve been to Orvieto, but had no idea about the tunnels and their history. After reading about how these tunnels sheltered the terrified townsfolk, escaping PoWs, and returning soldiers when Italy changed allegiance until the end of the war, I have promised myself to return and take an underground tour of Orvieto.

My inner history geek was as excited as my inner foodie when I discovered this book is peppered with food references and information about Italy during WWII. The tug of war between joy and sadness was echoed throughout the book with the family drama and political reality. I’d become attached to the characters early on and this added to my enjoyment.

Thank you for a superb novel - a time-travel and immersive experience - that I will remember for quite some time. Umbria and the di Luca and Capaldi families have nestled deep in my heart and I can’t wait for a sequel.

I was gifted this copy by Aria & Aries and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Paradise · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was a stunning read. Italy is one of my favourite countries and even amidst the devastating backdrop of war, the beautiful scenery shines through.

The opening chapter of The Enemy of Love is heart-breaking, but it sets the scene for Thorpe’s beautiful prose that will continuously toy with your emotions and leave you feeling bruised. It’s a book of two halves: there may be death, brutality and betrayal, but at its heart there is courage, hope and love.

It is very much a character-driven story and there are so many wonderful people to meet. I particularly related to Sophia, who wants to be independent and run the restaurant herself; when she falls in love with Giorgio she fights, it as it goes against everything she is trying to be. The older generation were also a delight to read about – everyone loves an Italian Nonna and I just wanted to give her and Isaac a big hug. Many of the characters feel like your own family and the warmth and smells of the family restaurant are quite immersive.

Despite the strong themes of family and friendship, this book is hard hitting and emotional. There were times I had to take a pause before continuing as I was so caught up in the moment, but I couldn’t put it down and stayed up past my bedtime to finish it.

Thorpe also discusses how people change when their livelihood is threatened, showing us the anger, resignation and fear in different characters and how they respond – will they fight for their family, betray their friends or surrender to their desperation and give up. It makes you wonder how you would react in a similar situation.

We are left with a lot of unanswered questions, but I have now found out that there is a sequel, so I hope all will be revealed next year!

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The Enemy of Love is a beautifully written story of family, grief and war. I loved how we’ve been introduced to the two families and how they’ve united in their fight against the Germans. It’s full of action and at times my heart was in my mouth as we feel intimately involved with Sophia and Georgio and their family.
Food is a huge part of this story and Annabelle Thorpe has described the need for comforting meals throughout the trials they face. The descriptions of the food itself have been mouthwatering and every part of the story- whether in memory of someone or as a reminder of the strength needed.
Wonderful in-depth characters litter the story - adding such colour and warmth to the stark contrast of the Nazis - Elena, the matriarch of the two families is definitely my favourite character - with her feisty, never give up attitude she shows the youngsters how to survive.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s pretty much like any other WW2 book I’ve read. Sophia and Giorgio are in love but don’t really want to admit it. The war comes to their small town and everything changes.
I kinda feel like a few things were left open and were never really resolved. This is a love story set in the middle of a war.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

[bookishcharli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one, there’s something so soothing and satisfying about reading historical fiction that I really like and when I read them it makes me want to read them more often. This book is woven with history, food and lots of Italian culture which I absolutely adored learning about. I loved the way the book ended, it seems like a very true to life ending to me.

If you enjoy historical fiction then you’re going to enjoy this one.


Thank you to Head of Zeus for sending me a copy of this book along with some Italian goodies.

[dalia♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✯¸.•´*¨`*•✿ 𝟓 ⭐️ ✿•*`¨*`•.¸✯


*ੈ✩ 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 *ੈ✩

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ ever read a book that was not hyped, a book few people know of? I have, since the moment I saw this book on a shelf in a bookstore in Rome I knew I wanted to read it, maybe it was my love for fantasy, or my fantasies for Italy that made me find it. However I don’t regret picking it up and buying it.

*ੈ✩ 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 ੈ✩

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ When Sophie’s father dies she expects to be the one that inherits their family’s famous restaurant. But an unexpected turn of events say otherwise. Now Sophie is being forced to run the restaurant alongside the bright and insufferable Giorgio —. Unfortunately outside the warm and welcoming restaurant dark threats begin to appear, as Natzi slowly begin to occupy the village Sophie has grown in. Now the families must be more united than ever as they fight to assure a safer future for themselves and for the ones they love.

ੈ✩ 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 ੈ✩

➳ Giorgio: his character is shaped beautifully, allowing us to see the way he develops throughout the book. The character’s chemistry is flawless in the way the author presents him, showing us a glimpse at a human being, not a saint, or perfection. (which I am sick of finding in books)

➳ Sophie: to all the authors out there who claim to have written ‘strong’ FMC *clears throat* : THIS IS HOW A POWERFUL FMC IS WRITTEN. She is a woman not a dragon, not an warrior angel, not a raging solider. You can kill people with a word not just a sword (side-eyeing a lot of fantasy books right now). But yes, Sophie is an amazing character to the end, independent, lethal, smart, imperfect.

➳ Side characters: I have never gotten a glimpse at such great characters in a long time, but these SC are just breathtaking. Every character is unique, every dialogue is smooth, EVERYTHING feels natural.

ੈ✩ 𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐚 ੈ✩

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ the aura of this book is just beautiful: it is warm because of the feeling of family and safety you encounter in the characters and in their worry for one another. It is sad because of the war that makes them endure losses and leaves parts of them hollow. It is beautiful because we are in ✨Italy✨and the views and food and words and people are just *chef’s kiss*🥹👌🏻.

ੈ✩ 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ੈ✩

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ after reading an utterly disappointing book I actually loved this one, and I am begging you to read it because the most precious treasures are usually hidden at the bottom of the sea. And this book is a treasure it just needs to be dug up. :)

ੈ✩ 𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 ੈ✩

『Live to fight another day. 』

『Men need strong women in their lives. 』

『Knowledge is the greatest weapon of all. 』

『Nothing is ever certain, until it happens. 』

『It can be hard to recognise a friend, when he is dressed as your enemy. 』



✯¸.•´*¨`*•✿ 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 ✿•*`¨*`•.¸✯

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeously-written The Enemy of Love is set in Umbria, Italy in 1943 WWII. Casa Maria is usually a place of idyll and celebrating family with good food and wine but freedoms are yanked away when the Nazis take control. Overnight Italy changes. Most take sides and even allies become enemies, friends turn against friends. Trust, loyalty, sorrow, love and hope intertwine and become blurred. People hardly had time to breathe before their families started disappearing.

Sophia di Luca is an excellent cook and is shocked when her father leaves the family trattoria to Giorgio Capaldi instead of her. Neither is thrilled but the two decide to work side by side and produce minor miracles in the kitchen. Sophia is proud and independent and stands up for what she thinks is right; Giorgio has tragically lost his wife and lives in grief and chooses not to take sides. Spitfire matriarch Nonna announces the trattoria would remain open and only those who could should pay. The dishes they lovingly create are described with mouthwatering detail and I love that Italian phrases and menus in Italian are included. Italy is beloved to me and author Annabelle Thorpe's stunning details transported me instantly, heart and soul.

Nazi Germans were often brutal and vicious but not all Germans shared their mentality. War details are not glossed over which contribute to the layer of reality which is painful but necessary. Mussolini is in power and loyalties are torn. Do you fight for country or family and to what lengths?

Food, nature character and emotional descriptions are living poetry, one of my favourite aspects of this novel. So easy to read in spite of the subject matter. This book has soul written into each word and engages all the senses. If you are a Historical Fiction fan, please do not pass this one by. I like that it is not canned or cookie cutter and descriptions aren't trite.

My sincere thank you to Aria & Aries for providing me with an early digital copy of this phenomenal novel.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

1943 & Casa Maria sits at the heart of the small Umbrian town of Amatino, famous for its food, wine and the di Luca and Capaldi families who run it. But now Italy is consumed by war and everything must change. For talented cook Sophia di Luca, the discovery her father has left the trattoria not to her, but to the volatile and charismatic Giorgio Capaldi, is a bitter disappointment. Still grieving the sudden death of his wife, and in no mood to compromise, Giorgio's return to Amatino threatens everything Sophia has struggled to achieve. As Mussolini falls and the Germans march in, the two families find themselves in conflict not only with a terrifying new enemy, but also with each other.
A very well written book which drew me in from the first page. The characters had depth & were well portrayed the descriptions of the village & surrounding area made me feel as though I was there & the dishes served in the trattoria mouth watering. I really liked both Sophia & Giorgio but it was Nonna Elena who I loved. At times I found this book to be very emotional as I was so caught up in a village coming to terms with their German occupiers. It’s one of the reasons I don’t read WWII books very often they make me too emotional. I thought this book was a stand alone but there are somw questions which are not answered so I hope the author writes a sequel
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard about this book and thought it sounded like a good read.

From the beginning of the story, the setting and the characters were brought to life. I was interested in the characters, and the book felt like an escape while I was reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

[Laura A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Sophia is surprised to learn that her father left the restaurant to someone else. She asks herself why. She is trying to get along with the new owner, but he makes it hard to do.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to follow but I very much enjoyed this WW2 story set in Italy

[Dwina Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Mussolini is deposed, the people in Amatino, the villagers think their lives will get back to normal. When the Germans infiltrate the village, the Capaldi and Bertilli families decide they need to fight back. What will the cost be to them? Can they overcome their grief to find hope and love again? Their priest reminds them, "Love is the enemy of war."

In The Enemy of Love, Annabelle Thorpe explores Italy in the last part of World War II. If I had known Italian, I would have enjoyed the book more, but I was able to figure out what the Italian phrases through context clues. This book highlights the importance of family and neighbors. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

[Hazel Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publishers for an advanced copy of this beautiful book. I’m sure any fan of historical fiction will love this one as much as I did. It definitely has some Captain Corelli vibes, as it deals with the same period of history, this time in Italy as we discover what life was like for two families during the war as the Italians surrendered to the allies and the Germans tried to retain power. The story centres around Sophia Di Luca and her relationship with the Capaldi family with whom she shares the running of the family Trattoria after her father died. This is a very readable book with a continually moving plot. I really loved all the characters including Elena, Isaac, Georgio and Rocco. I was really caught up in the emotion of the story and felt the horrors of war through their eyes. However, I think I felt the ending came too soon. There were quite a few unanswered questions- who was feeding information to the Nazis and how will it end for this family when the allies inevitably come to liberate Italy? It’s crying out for a sequel here as I for one would love to read more about the Capaldi and Di Luca families.

[Cat Strawberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, what a wonderful and emotional read! It’s 1943 and Sophia di Luca’s family are celebrating the life of her recently deceased father with a special meal for family and friends. While grieving the loss of her father, Sophia finds herself even more devastated when she learns that her father didn’t leave the trattoria to her to run, but rather to Giorgio Capaldi who hasn’t been in town for a long time until now. With the war getting worse Sophia is determined to run the trattoria, but with the Germans soon moving into Italy and their home town of Amatino, what will happen to the family and their community?

I loved this book from the first page. The story begins with a chapter set in 1941 which gives us an instant glimpse into the heart-wrenching world of the war for certain characters before beginning the story following Sophia as she and her family host a meal to remember her recently deceased father. From the start you can feel how close the family and community of Amatino are and this book did a good job of immersing you in the world of this small Italian town with its beautiful colourful hills, vineyards, and more. The setting of this book is really shown well and I felt like I was there in this beautiful town among these lovely families.

After Sophia discovers her father left the trattoria, the family restaurant, to be run by Giorgio rather than her she’s very upset and determined to run it regardless of her father’s wishes. Despite the fact that the Di Luca and Capaldi families have been close all their lives, after the death of his wife while he was away at war, Giorgio has been absent from Amatino until now. Not only does Sophia feel annoyed at the thought of Giorgio running the trattoria but she’s also annoyed at the fact that he doesn’t seem to be able to cook at all without creating a huge mess and the two of them end up arguing straight away which sets up an interesting atmosphere at first.

The story switches between following Sophia to following Giorgio and also Giorgio’s nonna Elena too in many chapters. Switching between the characters gives us more insight into why they think the way they do and I love what happens in this story as events move on and Sophia and Giorgio eventually grow closer. This story takes place over the course of months but it’s so beautiful and emotional too. I didn’t know much about what happened to Italy during the war and so this story does a good job of showing us some of the events that happened with Mussolini and the Germans in the later years of the war, and also the Italians views towards the allied forces too.

A lot happens in this story and it isn’t all about the trattoria, although much of the story takes place there and the mentions of meals and the food made me hungry and want to eat the delicious dishes mentioned! However the story is about more than the trattoria and the food, it’s about the two families, especially the individual characters as they go through some truly wonderful as well as truly heart-breaking moments. The book really immerses you in the setting and the story as you learn more about the families, what they and their community goes through and there’s a wonderful romance story blossoming throughout the book too which made me love this all the more.

The build up to the ending is so dramatic. The increasing Nazi influence on the area is felt deeply and some horrifying things happen. I don’t want to give anything away but there are some truly heart-breaking moments in the story, mentions of some deaths and some horrible actions, both bullying and worse by the Nazis which does reflect the truth of what happened during the war. Although there are some very heart-breaking moments, the story is one filled with beauty and hope, and it’s a story that leaves you feeling so hopeful for the future at the end.

The book does have a few uses of the f and s swear words, in both English and other languages, and quite a few words in Italian and German which are not all translated so I was left having to look up the odd word, although it’s not necessary to do so to enjoy the story, but I do prefer it if words or phrases in books are mostly translated as I like to know what characters are really saying. The ending is good and as I say the overall ending leaves you feeling very hopeful and it’s a beautiful tale of love, hope and resilience through the worset of times, but there are also a few unresolved things which stay unresolved even at the end of the story* and I do wish there was an epilogue of some kind that would have made this book even better for me as I wanted to be sure the characters will be alright. But it’s still a beautiful and very hopeful ending and one which left me satisfied, especially after the events that are near the end made me so emotional and made me think the book was going to end in a very different way!

Overall this is a lovely historical fiction story with some beautiful descriptions and a wonderful romance story too. It’s definitely an emotional read though, it will leave you feeling heart-broken one minute and then smiling the next at the resilience and wonderful nature of the characters from these two families and their wider community. And although I do wish that the ending had an epilogue or another chapter to make it even better*, it’s still a book that left me feeling satisfied while reading it and it’s one I would recommend if you love to read a book set during world war II in beautiful, rural Italian town.

*Since publishing this review I’ve been informed there is a sequel to be published next year, hence the unresolved parts to the story, and knowing this now, I’m not longer concerned about those unresolved issues, just I’m so utterly excited! ☺️
-Thanks to Aria for a free copy.

[Monika Caparelli-Hippert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zum Inhalt auf deutsch: wir sind in der kleinen Stadt Amatino in Umbrien, zu Zeiten des 2. Weltkriegs. Das Herz der Stadt schlägt im Ristorante Casa Maria, das von den Familien di Luca und Capaldi geführt wird. Die Hälfte der männlichen Bevölkerung ist im Krieg, das Essen rationiert, aber Sophia di Luca hat die Casa Maria mit allem Herzblut und kulinarischem Enthusiasmus gemeinsam mit ihrem Vater und der älteren Elena Capaldi geführt. Nun ist ihr Vater verstorben, und Giorgio Capaldi, Elenas ältester Enkel, kommt zurück nach Amatino und soll gemeinsam mit Sophia das Restaurant leiten……keine gute Idee, findet Sophia, die das gerne eigenständig gemacht hätte. Auch Giorgio ist alles andere als begeistert, eine widerspenstige und eigensinnige Co-Geschäftsführerin zu haben. Doch als die deutsche Besatzung über die Stadt einfällt, wird sich der Alltag noch einmal komplett für alle ändern, und Giorgio und Sophia springen über ihren Schatten….und sollen sich ineinander verlieben.
Das ist so im groben der große Erzählstrang. Im Prinzip haben wir hier eine Liebesgeschichte, die sich vor dem Hintergrund eines kriegsbesetzten kleinen italienischen Ortes abspielt. 1943 war der Krieg im vollen Gange, Mussolini wurde in diesem Jahr zum Teufel gejagt, um dann aber wieder aufzutauchen, und die italienische Bevölkerung hatte mit dem Bombardement der Alliierten einerseits und der deutschen Besatzung andererseits zu leiden. Die Männer waren entweder offiziell im Krieg oder als Partisanen versteckt im Untergrund. Der Roman lebt von der – finde ich – authentischen Darstellung dieser Zeiten, und um den Überlebenskampf der Bevölkerung. Emotionale Zeiten, sehr mitreißend belletristisch verpackt. Ms Thorpe schreibt flüssig, bildhaft, gefühlsbetont und weiß Spannungsbögen zu setzen. Das hat mir sehr gut gefallen, das hat sich wirklich gut weg gelesen und ich konnte mit allen Protagonisten mitfiebern.
Was mir den Lesefluss aber immer wieder unterbrochen hat, waren die italienischen und deutschen Einwürfe. Um das Ganze authentisch zu machen (das war wohl die Idee dahinter), werden den Protagonisten des Öfteren italienische oder deutsche Sätze oder Worte in den Mund gelegt und in kursiv eingefügt. Das kann ganz gut ankommen – wenn, ja wenn die Sprache denn auch stimmen würde. Als deutsche Muttersprachlerin und jemand, die italienisch kann, muss ich leider sagen, zu 90 Prozent haben hier aber weder Grammatik noch Satzbau gestimmt. Wenn ich schon den deutschen Wehrmachtsoberst und die deutschen Soldaten authentisch in deutsch sprechen lassen will, dann sollten die Sätze schon stimmen, und sorry, das war maximal ne Google-Translator-Übersetzung, das hat alles nicht gepasst. Im italienischem ähnlich, und das ist dann halt unfreiwillig komisch. Da hätten vielleicht mal Muttersprachler gegenlesen sollen.
Mir war es teilweise auch zu viel der Kulinarik. Sophia und Giorgio (ach eigentlich alle italienischen Protagonisten 😉) sind entweder leidenschaftliche Köche oder Esser, und ich schätze mal, die Autorin auch 😉, und so haben wir hier sehr viele Gespräche darüber, was es jetzt gleich zu kochen und zu essen gibt. Ich esse auch gerne, vor allem italienisches Essen, aber hier hat sich echt viel ums essen gedreht. Ich habe das manchmal schon überflogen.
Abgesehen von diesen wenigen Abstrichen kann ich dieses Buch aber sehr gerne weiterempfehlen. Wir hatten Liebe und Krieg, Freundschaft, Familie und Verrat, das war schon großes Kino!
Übrigens: Krieg ist der Feind der Liebe – falls sich jemand fragt, wie es zum Titel kommt – da wird durchaus am Ende drüber philosophiert. Denn die Liebe ist das Wichtigste, was es im Leben gibt 😊!

[Camilla Liberatore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Village Trattoria by Annabelle Thorpe was previously published as (The Enemy Of Love). It is book one of the Casa Maria series.

Set in Amatino a town in the Umbrian region of Italy not far from Rome during the time of Mussolini Dictatorship decline in World War II. The Germans settled there because of the areas close proximity to the capital city, train system and airfield.

Casa Maria is the town’s main restaurant that has been a family run business for many generations owned jointly by Luigi Di Luca and Vittorio Capaldi and their families. The owners are proud Amatino locals who use locally produced food and beverages to make their traditional Italian dishes. So local that they even produce wine from Vittorio Capaldi Vineyards to use in the restaurant.

Sofia is Luigi’s daughter and has hopes and dreams of her own - to take over her father’s footsteps and continue his legacy in owning and running the family restaurant. However, Italian traditions dictate that women are to be married, have children looking after their household and not run the restaurant business. Sofia doesn’t want to be married.

Unbeknownst to Sofia, Luigi who has been ill for sometime, arranged Giorgio Calpaldi to return from Rome to take over the family business apon his death. Even though Sofia and Elena Giorgio’s Nonna (Grandmother) has been working together in the restaurant. Sofia is upset when she finds out that Giorgio wishes to takeover and believes she is capable of running the restaurant business without his assistance.

Giorgio has also been a soldier and returns injured. He was married to Angelina who was expecting and tragically killed. This sadly haunts Giorgio and misses his Wife and unborn child terribly.

Together the three of them decide to continue their operation even with the hardships of war, scarcity of supplies and food shortages. The business continues with confidence.

Along come The SS troops run by Gruppenfuhrer Messell the senior officer who infiltrated Amatino searching for returning Italian soldiers, men old enough to fight who have ignored requests to join the war efforts, resistance fighters and anyone hiding Jewish or the enemy. Anyone caught doing the wrong things or fight against the Nazi Germans were severely punished.

Everyone in Amatino are affected and concerned about what the future holds. There are many who want to fight and can’t due to injuries, others who want to fight and believe they will make a difference but are too young and their families want to protect their innocence, or simply they don’t want to fight, lastly those who feel they have a duty to defend and protect themselves, loved ones and other locals of their beloved town the best way they know how is to join the resistance.

Sofia is worried about her widowed mother, her sister Lottie, her brother Matti who is one of many young men who are ignoring the war call up orders.

Giorgio is concerned about his Grandmother who is housing and hiding one of many locals a Jewish man named Issac, a dear friend and his brother Rocco who is one of the returning Italian soldiers and Sofia’s fiancee.

Will Sofia, Giorgio and their family be safe?
Will Sofia find her happiness?
Will Giorgio find peace in a turbulent world?

A rating of 5 stars I give this dramatic storyline. The author’s descriptive writing takes you on a journey to the events of the terrible period of Italian war history. It is as if you were there in amongst the locals yourself. As if you were one of them willing to protect their family, reputation, town and survive at all costs. Looking forward to reading the next book of the series.

Will also review it soon.

[Sheri Metzger Karmiol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novels that focus on World War II Italy are less common than wartime novels of Paris, but reading The Enemy of Love, by Annabelle Thorpe, is a reminder that the war in Italy was different. Italy was a German ally, at least initially, but in 1943, Germany becomes an occupying force with the departure of Mussolini as a German ally. Thorpe chooses to focus on Italian life when German forces become more like prison guards and less like partners. At this point, survival becomes the focus of village life.

Thorpe creates a picture of Amatino, a small Italian village, where some citizens remain supporters of Germany and others just want life to return to pre-war normal. For the village, it is not at all clear if the Allied forces in southern Italy will be a good thing or bad. This complex historical setting serves as backdrop for a set of characters, who deal with love, family drama, and betrayal. Much of Thorpe's novel works well. She creates characters with complex and difficult lives, but whose motivations are not always well defined. Initially, several of the characters are missing back stories, and in some cases, those backstories are never provided. It takes a long time for relationships to be established, and in some cases, those relationships are never revealed. How are some of these characters related?

Another issue is the ending of the novel. By the time readers get to the concluding chapters, readers are invested in these characters lives. We want to know what happens. Who is feeding information to the Germans? Readers never learn exactly who has betrayed these characters. What happens to them? is this novel part of a series? The novel ends so quickly that readers are left hanging.

In many places the narrative is compelling, while in other places, the detail seems cluttered and overwhelms the reader. I do not want to provide spoilers. Thorpe handles grief and anguish well. While I very much enjoyed The Enemy of Love and appreciated all the historical information, it is the characters, who will keep readers focused on the novel. I wish Thorpe had focused more on the characters, who too often get lost in the history.

I do want to thank the author and publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Readers will learn a lot about Italy in the last 2 years of the war. That history will be a benefit for most readers. Thank you also to NetGalley for suggesting this novel.

[Joanna Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Enemy of Love is set in the small Italian town of Amatino during World War II. It's 1943 and. Sophia Di Luca has just lost her father, who ran the Casa Maria Restaurant with Elena Capaldi. Reluctantly, she now finds herself working with Elena's grandson Georgio, newly returned from the war. Sophia has dreams, ones which do not include the expectation she will settle down, raise a family and become a housewife. She has ambitions to run her own restaurant, and to visit New York where one of her uncles now lives. Georgio, is mourning the loss of his wife Angelina in an allied air raid, which killed both her and their unborn child. Sophia and Georgia know each other well having grown up together, but childhood friendships are a thing of the past. Now Sophia finds him a challenge as they take on the responsibility for running the restaurant. When Mussolini loses control of Italy, Hitler moves his troops in, occupying Amatino and life changes for everyone. The feel of a town occupied during wartime is written so well. You can feel the fear, see the cruelty and understand how everyone who lives there is under a constant threat, not only from the Germans, but from would be collaborators.
A wonderful read, beautifully written with some great characters. Elena, the wise, perceptive matriarch, made me smile with some of her observations. Bertelli, the larger than life film director living in his grand palazzo while wanting to help the resistance and, of course Sophia and Georgio who seemed to be destined for each other, only to have events, mostly beyond their control, pull them apart.
There is danger, drama and tragedy in this story, but through all the characters' struggles, also love and hope. There are hold your breath moments too. And the ending left enough loose ends for me to wonder whether a sequel is planned. I do hope so as there is great potential to continue the story. Well deserving of five stars – an exceptional read.
My thanks to Netgalley, Annabelle Thorpe and Head of Zeus for an ARC of The Enemy of Love in exchange for an honest review.

[Bookfan36 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Enemy of love by Annabelle Thorpe

Brief synopsis from the book cover:
1943, Wartime Italy.
Trattoria di Luca sits at the heart of the small Umbrian town of Amatino. For decades it has been run by the di Luca and Capaldi patriarchs and become a byword not only for fabulous food, but also wine from the Capaldi vineyard. But now the last of these great men is dead, Italy is consumed by war and everything must change.
Sophie di Luca has always assumed her beloved father would leave the trattoria to her, a fine chef in her own right. But in Mussolini's Italy a woman's place is strictly in the home, and Sophie's father has secretly arranged for Giorgio Capaldi to come back from Rome to take over Trattoria di Luca.
Charismatic, forceful, grieving the loss of his wife and unborn baby in an Allied bombing raid, Giorgio is in no mood to compromise with Sophie. As conflict within the family rises, Mussolini falls and the Germans march in. Life is about to become very dangerous indeed.
My rating:

Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Historical Fiction


Review:

This is a well written story that gives you an historical insight into life in a small Italian village during WWII. The effects it has on the relationships between family, friends and the other villagers and how each and every one of them has to decide how to deal with and respond to the invasion of the Germans into their village and their lives. Some are willing to do more than others and this creates tensions and dangers for everyone. The main characters are interesting and described in great details, this gave them a realistic feel

The book is very well written, vivid and with great attention to detail. The story flows well, and has the right mixture, of suspense, romance and a bit of mystery to make it captivating.

Review copy provided through Netgalley at no cost to me.

[Francisca den Otter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set in a little town in Umbria in Italy which is not too far from Rome. Anyway it’s a small town with a square with a nice restaurant owned by two families, farms in the valley’s and vineyards surrounding the village. Sounding like a nice Italian farming town.

From the two families running the restaurant one of the owners has passed away and he has left his part to the son of the other owner. His daughter Sophia, is not at all pleased with this decision. But she has to deal with it. But working alongside Giorgio seems to be more fun than she had envisioned and together, and with nonna Elena, Giorgio’s grandmother, they run the restaurant. As the story is set during World War Two something is yet to happen.

The people of the village are in the middle of all the struggles and have to deal with German soldiers inhabiting their house. At that time Mussolini rules Italy and as one might know during 1943 the fascist regime fell and Mussolini was defeated. Most of the Italians wanted to end the alliance with Germany and have the Alliance help them free Italy I order to end the war.

In this light it is hard to know who you can trust and the one neighbour who seems friendly might actually become your enemy. Against this backdrop we follow Sophia, her mother and her two siblings and Giorgio, his father and grandmother and his siblings. The story might be small but as I actually not knew that much about Italy during the war it learned me a lot, also because I searched the internet for more information about Italy during WW2, and it gave me a good picture of how life must have been for the ordinary Italian citizen.

Because the war is still going on at the end of the book, I get the idea that it might have a sequel.

Characters (Karakters) | Atmosphere (Setting) | Writing style (Schrijfstijl) | Plot (Plot) | Intrigue (Boeiend) | Logic (Geloofwaardig)| Enjoyment (Leesplezier).
C = 8 | A = 8 | W = 8 | P = 8 | I = 8 | L = 8 | E = 8 | Score 8,00 = 4 stars

[Jo Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Enemy of Love by Annabelle Thorpe is a wartime epic set during World War II at a time when Mussolini is working with the Nazis, and the Italian soldiers are beginning to feel disillusioned with the war. It centres around two families, the Di Luca family and the Capaldi family. Following the death of her beloved father Luigi, Sophia di Luca expects to inherit her father’s restaurant, only to find that he has left it to Giorgio Capaldi, and she is expected to work with him. It is an Italy that had changed under fascist rule, and where strong women had been encouraged to work, they were being treated like second class citizens whose duty was to get married and have children.

The chemistry between Sophia and Giorgio is irresistably hot, but Giorgio has lost his wife, when she was killed by an Allied Forces bomb, and Sophia had an understanding with Giorgio’s brother Rocco who is a soldier away from home, so there are obstacles to them being together. I found it amusing that everyone around them could sense it more than they could themselves, and even the local Padre was frustrated by them!

The setting, in a fictional town called Amatino, in the Umbrian countryside, was idyllic, and described so wonderfully that I could picture the olive trees, the vineyards and even the funicular leading down to the farms below the town. I particularly enjoyed the imagery of the secret interconnecting caves and tunnels beneath the town, which allowed people to move around without discovery. The atmosphere in the town changed dramatically after Mussolini was deposed, and more Nazis entered the town with a stricter regime which included locating the Jews in the town and executing people they believed were against the Nazis.

The descriptions of the food had my mouth watering as I read this book, although food was scarce in the town, with a secret source of food, Sophia, Giorgio and his grandmother Elena were able to continue to run the restaurant and also secretly help feed some of the struggling locals. Elena was such a strong, vibrant character, a true matriarch, and the glue holding the families together.

The Enemy of Love was a story of family, love, grief, sorrow and the constant desire to survive at all costs.

I was excited to read that there is going to be a sequel to this enthralling story, as there were loose ends, and I feel that there is so much more of a story to tell.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this moving historical novel, the realities of WWII in Italy are brought to light through the tale of headstrong Sophia di Luca and her family, who must fight in every way they can to protect their freedom, their loved ones and their home.

I learnt so much about Italy's experience of the war as I read this story. It is told from the perspectives of different members of the Capaldi and Luca families, and you get to know many of their friends. This is a really clever narrative technique as it shows how a variety of ages, genders, religions, allegiances and temperaments reacted to the brutality of war. Some perspectives are hopeful, some are feisty, others are heartbreakingly sad, but all are raw and human and powerful, showing the highs and lows of life.

I also really enjoyed the way Italian culture and language were woven into the tale. It shows how strongly the characters cling to their identity, their roots and their home despite the sinister presence of the Germans and the Allies around them. The love plot is realistic too, and had enough conflict and passion to keep me engaged.

The ending left me a little unsatisfied as I wanted more of the characters' stories, but I understand why it finishes where it does – as is the case with war, many stories are cut short and left uncertain, and all that is left to cling to is love, hope and family connection.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a story of strength and community in the darkest of times. Thank you to Head Of Zeus for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Yvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Capaldis and di Lucas have long been entwined, but when Sophia di Luca’s father leaves the running of the Casa Maria restaurant to wounded and widowed Grigorio Capaldi, complications arise within their closely knit families. As the events of 1943 unfold within Italy, there is cause for celebration as Mussolini loses power, and the war intrudes further into the village of Amatino than ever before as it becomes occupied by the Germans.

This is a wartime story of family issues, the beginnings of a Resistance movement, and complications that affect the possibility of a future together for Sophia and Grigorio. Along with the unexpected beauty of the author’s descriptive prose in an ultimately devastating prologue, the choice to use active present tense made this an even more compelling read, and it quickly became clear that I knew much less about the timeline of World War II within Italy than I had supposed.

From the clattering of pans in the Casa Maria kitchen to the furtive efforts to thwart the Nazi agenda, The Enemy of Love is an exciting page-turner of a Historical Fiction novel by Annabelle Thorpe.

Highly recommended.

My thanks to Aria for the invitation to read a temporary digital galley via Netgalley. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the Head of Zeus for my advance copy

In 1943, the di Luca and Capaldi families have been running the Trattoria di Luca for decades , drawing the two families together both professionally and personally. But when Sophie di Luca's father passes away, she is shocked to learn that he never planned for her to follow in his footsteps. Instead, he named grieving widower Giorgio Capaldi as his successor. Giorgio, who ran away and abandoned the trattoria years ago while Sophie remained close and kept it open. Sophie and Giorgio disagree from the start about the way to cook and run the cafe, and neither is ready to compromise. Things only get worse when Mussolini's rule ends and the Nazis enter to fill the vacuum.

This is a story about love, loss, food and family, set during a dark time in Italy's history. So often passion can morph from negative to positive, both in love and in politics. This story is a love story, but not only between people but also between people and the land which they call home. I could relate so much to the sights and sounds and smells of Umbria, as my hometown features quite similar weather and landscapes. But a word to the wise: don't read this book hungry, as mouthwatering food is featured prominently. This book could make you cry, but I suspect that there may be more coming to help uplift you again too.