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Daughters of Italy #1
Een Italiaans geheim
Een ontroerende roman over moed en trouw, verraad en familiegeheimen, in het prachtige Toscane
Toscane, 1944. Als de nazi’s Italië binnenvallen, doet prinses Evelina Messina er alles aan om ze een warm welkom te geven in haar landhuis Villa Rosa. Tegen haar dorpsgenoten zegt ze dat ze de Duitsers te vriend wil houden om haar medemens te beschermen, maar ze doet zo haar best, dat steeds minder mensen haar geloven.
Tientallen jaren later bezoekt de Amerikaanse Annie Reynolds het in verval geraakte landgoed. In zijn laatste woorden biechtte haar vader op dat Annie geadopteerd was, en dat Villa Rosa haar toebehoort. Als Annie het dagboek vindt van de beruchte prinses Evelina Messina, waar veel pagina’s zorgvuldig uit zijn weggesneden, begint ze te twijfelen aan het negatieve beeld van Evelina dat de dorpelingen schetsen.
Zal Annie kunnen ontrafelen wat zich toen heeft afgespeeld? En zal dat haar eigen leven ook onherroepelijk veranderen?
Toscane, 1944. Als de nazi’s Italië binnenvallen, doet prinses Evelina Messina er alles aan om ze een warm welkom te geven in haar landhuis Villa Rosa. Tegen haar dorpsgenoten zegt ze dat ze de Duitsers te vriend wil houden om haar medemens te beschermen, maar ze doet zo haar best, dat steeds minder mensen haar geloven.
Tientallen jaren later bezoekt de Amerikaanse Annie Reynolds het in verval geraakte landgoed. In zijn laatste woorden biechtte haar vader op dat Annie geadopteerd was, en dat Villa Rosa haar toebehoort. Als Annie het dagboek vindt van de beruchte prinses Evelina Messina, waar veel pagina’s zorgvuldig uit zijn weggesneden, begint ze te twijfelen aan het negatieve beeld van Evelina dat de dorpelingen schetsen.
Zal Annie kunnen ontrafelen wat zich toen heeft afgespeeld? En zal dat haar eigen leven ook onherroepelijk veranderen?
254 pages, Paperback
Published January 21, 2025
1158 people are currently reading
703 people want to read
About the author
Ella Carey
29 books685 followersElla Carey is the USA Today and Amazon charts bestselling author of Secrets of Paris series, as well as the standalone kindle bestsellers, Secret Shores, The Things We Don’t Say and Beyond the Horizon, set around the brave, unsung Women’s Airforce Pilots of World War Two.
A New York Secret is the first in Ella's new Daughters of New York series and published on March 12th, 2021. Laced with all the glamour of New York, the book is set in an exquisite Uptown restaurant where Lily Rose is training to become head chef in the 1940's. Ella traveled to New York to research the book, which involved going incognito on foodie tours, visiting some of New York's most famous restaurants, and exploring the atmospheric streets of Greenwich Village. The whole experience resulted in her developing a serious addiction to cannoli, a passion for The Strand Bookstore, a love for The Village, along with six new novels set in New York, all to be published in the coming years.
The second book in the series, The Lost Girl of Berlin, released on July 12th, 2021, and is set in the aftermath of the Second World War amongst the ruins of Berlin and then, in fabulous post war New York, and the third book in the series is The Girl from Paris, telling the story of Vianne Mercier, a Parisian fashion designer who travels to New York, and for whom beautiful couture is a fairytale.
Ella was born in Adelaide, Australia, and was educated at the University of Adelaide, completing a music degree in classical piano at the Elder Conservatorium, and an arts degree with a double major in History and English Literature.
Ella lives in Melbourne, Australia with her family. Ella's house is run by one very elderly and adored Italian Greyhound, and one cute puppy called Sassy who thinks she is the boss! And Ella's garden is managed by four chickens, Miss Pertelote, Annie, Harriet and Fox's Dinner.
Ella has recently signed a nine-book deal with Hachette UK imprint Bookouture. Bookouture have published all of Ella’s previous books, which have reached over one million readers in English alone, and are also publishing Ella's New York series for publication in 2021, 2022 and 2023. This sweeping historical series of six books, featuring unforgettable characters, will tell the stories of dazzling hopes and difficult dreams in America, before, during and after the Second World War.
Ella's New York series and her Paris Secrets Series have been sold for translation into many countries into over twenty languages.
When she’s not writing, Ella enjoys studying Italian, walking along the beach, travelling when she can, and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves to chat with her readers, and would be delighted for you to join her lovely group of long time readers on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ellacareyaut..., and on her website at www.ellacarey.com, where you can find more information about the background behind her books, and join her mailing list for regular updates about her upcoming novels.
A New York Secret is the first in Ella's new Daughters of New York series and published on March 12th, 2021. Laced with all the glamour of New York, the book is set in an exquisite Uptown restaurant where Lily Rose is training to become head chef in the 1940's. Ella traveled to New York to research the book, which involved going incognito on foodie tours, visiting some of New York's most famous restaurants, and exploring the atmospheric streets of Greenwich Village. The whole experience resulted in her developing a serious addiction to cannoli, a passion for The Strand Bookstore, a love for The Village, along with six new novels set in New York, all to be published in the coming years.
The second book in the series, The Lost Girl of Berlin, released on July 12th, 2021, and is set in the aftermath of the Second World War amongst the ruins of Berlin and then, in fabulous post war New York, and the third book in the series is The Girl from Paris, telling the story of Vianne Mercier, a Parisian fashion designer who travels to New York, and for whom beautiful couture is a fairytale.
Ella was born in Adelaide, Australia, and was educated at the University of Adelaide, completing a music degree in classical piano at the Elder Conservatorium, and an arts degree with a double major in History and English Literature.
Ella lives in Melbourne, Australia with her family. Ella's house is run by one very elderly and adored Italian Greyhound, and one cute puppy called Sassy who thinks she is the boss! And Ella's garden is managed by four chickens, Miss Pertelote, Annie, Harriet and Fox's Dinner.
Ella has recently signed a nine-book deal with Hachette UK imprint Bookouture. Bookouture have published all of Ella’s previous books, which have reached over one million readers in English alone, and are also publishing Ella's New York series for publication in 2021, 2022 and 2023. This sweeping historical series of six books, featuring unforgettable characters, will tell the stories of dazzling hopes and difficult dreams in America, before, during and after the Second World War.
Ella's New York series and her Paris Secrets Series have been sold for translation into many countries into over twenty languages.
When she’s not writing, Ella enjoys studying Italian, walking along the beach, travelling when she can, and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves to chat with her readers, and would be delighted for you to join her lovely group of long time readers on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ellacareyaut..., and on her website at www.ellacarey.com, where you can find more information about the background behind her books, and join her mailing list for regular updates about her upcoming novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
September 20, 2023
Annie Reynolds and her two siblings were devastated when their father died, but it was the brief words he said to Annie just before he passed that changed everything she'd thought about her life. The letter she found in her father's desk, as directed by him, sent her to Tuscany, to the beautiful Villa Rosa, which had been deserted since not long after the war. Annie felt like she'd come home - but the presence of another person, who said the Villa Rosa was his inheritance, stirred feelings of resistance in Annie. Her father had told her the Villa Rosa was hers, now it seemed like she had to prove it...
Tuscany in 1944, and the Nazis had taken over. The villagers were starving as the Germans took most of the food, and whenever the partisans attacked German strongholds, the reprisals on the villagers was horrendous. Contessa Evelina Messina owned the magnificent Villa Rosa with Cara as her secretary, plus a cook and gardener lived in. But her son Raf was a partisan, running the groups in the hills and mountains, while his mother had no idea. And when she took a German in as her lover, she was shunned by all.
What would Annie discover about the past? Her searching was arduous, and nothing seemed to come to the surface. Would she give up and head back to her home in America? Or would she find the truth, unpalatable though it may be?
An Italian Secret is the 1st in the Daughters of Italy series by Aussie author Ella Carey and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Excellent characters, great pacing, both heartwarming and heartbreaking scenes - I love this author's work, and this one is no exception. Looking forward to #2 already! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Tuscany in 1944, and the Nazis had taken over. The villagers were starving as the Germans took most of the food, and whenever the partisans attacked German strongholds, the reprisals on the villagers was horrendous. Contessa Evelina Messina owned the magnificent Villa Rosa with Cara as her secretary, plus a cook and gardener lived in. But her son Raf was a partisan, running the groups in the hills and mountains, while his mother had no idea. And when she took a German in as her lover, she was shunned by all.
What would Annie discover about the past? Her searching was arduous, and nothing seemed to come to the surface. Would she give up and head back to her home in America? Or would she find the truth, unpalatable though it may be?
An Italian Secret is the 1st in the Daughters of Italy series by Aussie author Ella Carey and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Excellent characters, great pacing, both heartwarming and heartbreaking scenes - I love this author's work, and this one is no exception. Looking forward to #2 already! Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2023
Another beautiful story from Ella Care, I read this one in one sitting I could not put it down, a mystery to uncover, awesome characters the setting is beautiful, set over two time lines we get to know Annie and Cara and I loved them and this story.
Annie Reynolds lives in America she is an exceptional chef and loves Italian food, but when her father passes away and leaves a letter and two keys, Annie is shocked at what the letter reveals, the contents take her on a journey to Tuscany, Italy and to the Villa Rosa, a beautiful home that has been left abandoned for many years, here she starts the search for her history.
1944 and Tuscany is controlled by the Nazis and the owner of Villa Rosa Contessa Evelina Messina has a few people working for her, her secretary Cara, a gardener Alphonso and a cook Bettina one son left at the start of the war and her other Raf is working with the Partisans, unbeknownst to his mother, Evelina takes a German as her lover and soon the Nazis have taken over Villa Rosa.
Annie arrives at the Villa Rosa her inheritance, only to find Luca there working on the garden and then to discover that there is someone else who is claiming Villa Rosa as his. Annie is determined to not give up on finding the truth and what her searching uncovers is heartbreaking but shows courage and strength, will she finally find the truth?
I am a big fan of Ella Carey’s stories and this one is another beautiful story, she has bought these characters to life, pulled me into the story and I felt all of the emotions, yes I cried and I cheered them on, this is a story that I highly recommend, it is one for the keeper shelf, don’t miss this one, I can’t wait for the next one in the series.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
Annie Reynolds lives in America she is an exceptional chef and loves Italian food, but when her father passes away and leaves a letter and two keys, Annie is shocked at what the letter reveals, the contents take her on a journey to Tuscany, Italy and to the Villa Rosa, a beautiful home that has been left abandoned for many years, here she starts the search for her history.
1944 and Tuscany is controlled by the Nazis and the owner of Villa Rosa Contessa Evelina Messina has a few people working for her, her secretary Cara, a gardener Alphonso and a cook Bettina one son left at the start of the war and her other Raf is working with the Partisans, unbeknownst to his mother, Evelina takes a German as her lover and soon the Nazis have taken over Villa Rosa.
Annie arrives at the Villa Rosa her inheritance, only to find Luca there working on the garden and then to discover that there is someone else who is claiming Villa Rosa as his. Annie is determined to not give up on finding the truth and what her searching uncovers is heartbreaking but shows courage and strength, will she finally find the truth?
I am a big fan of Ella Carey’s stories and this one is another beautiful story, she has bought these characters to life, pulled me into the story and I felt all of the emotions, yes I cried and I cheered them on, this is a story that I highly recommend, it is one for the keeper shelf, don’t miss this one, I can’t wait for the next one in the series.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
August 16, 2023
Like her previous books, this debut in the Daughters of Italy, An Italian Secret, centers around an old abandoned building.
Contessa Evelina Messina (Tuscany, 1944) and Annie Reynolds (Carmel-by-the-Sea, present-day) both have something in common with the abandoned home in the Tuscan hills…and it’s not just DNA that connects them to the property. All three are (1) frozen in time, waiting expectedly, to realize their full potential and (2) both women answer the call to fight.
“Why not fight for the life you deserve? Why settle? Why not fight for the love you deserve?”
The Contessa, the owner of Villa Rosa, makes a calculated decision in facing off the Germans who’ve entered her valley. In answering the call to fight, she plays the role of a welcoming host and entertains them in an effort to keep them at bay. In choosing this course, she presses pause on the life she had and plays the waiting game in hopes of restoration. Her choice has rippling effects.
Annie Reynolds is also in a holding pattern. She’s grieving the loss of her father and now trying to come to terms with the information he shared in a death letter. Will her connections to Villa Rosa be the catalyst for restoration; of her own life and of the villa? By taking her father’s advice, Annie answers the call to fight. Like the Contessa, she’s also fighting for what’s rightfully hers. Although these women approach waiting and fighting differently, they are essentially journeying parallel roads across time toward the same goal.
Love, war, hope, and despair all take a leading role in this powerful book, but it’s the Villa Rosa that pulls the vying forces together - into submission. I absolutely loved this book about the power of restoration. It kept me spellbound and I needed to see a resolution.
I am eagerly awaiting book two in this series.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Contessa Evelina Messina (Tuscany, 1944) and Annie Reynolds (Carmel-by-the-Sea, present-day) both have something in common with the abandoned home in the Tuscan hills…and it’s not just DNA that connects them to the property. All three are (1) frozen in time, waiting expectedly, to realize their full potential and (2) both women answer the call to fight.
“Why not fight for the life you deserve? Why settle? Why not fight for the love you deserve?”
The Contessa, the owner of Villa Rosa, makes a calculated decision in facing off the Germans who’ve entered her valley. In answering the call to fight, she plays the role of a welcoming host and entertains them in an effort to keep them at bay. In choosing this course, she presses pause on the life she had and plays the waiting game in hopes of restoration. Her choice has rippling effects.
Annie Reynolds is also in a holding pattern. She’s grieving the loss of her father and now trying to come to terms with the information he shared in a death letter. Will her connections to Villa Rosa be the catalyst for restoration; of her own life and of the villa? By taking her father’s advice, Annie answers the call to fight. Like the Contessa, she’s also fighting for what’s rightfully hers. Although these women approach waiting and fighting differently, they are essentially journeying parallel roads across time toward the same goal.
Love, war, hope, and despair all take a leading role in this powerful book, but it’s the Villa Rosa that pulls the vying forces together - into submission. I absolutely loved this book about the power of restoration. It kept me spellbound and I needed to see a resolution.
I am eagerly awaiting book two in this series.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
October 1, 2023
Ella Carey is always on my automatic read list. I love her books and the Daughters of New York series was pure gold. An Italian Secret is the first in a new series - Daughters of Italy - and can be read as a standalone but I am hoping there will be links with future upcoming books.
‘She could look at the situation with the villa as a problem or an opportunity, and looking at it as an opportunity might give her the chance to make a new start.’
Ella is a phenomenal author. On this occasion she alternates the story between Annie in the present day and Cara during the war. The writing is engaging with plot lines of secrets, danger, family and love. I was a little surprised when the book ended just past the 80% mark on my device. It did seem a little abrupt or maybe I was just not ready for it to end?
‘People could be so complex, and right now, trying to fully understand Sandro, the Contessa, this family, felt as impossible as trying to grasp the history of this villa that she needed to unravel to get to the truth.’
I was in awe once again learning of the lengths people went to in order to provide resistance to the Nazis. On this occasion Ella highlights the crucial role Italian partisans played in paving the way for the Allies to liberate. With strong and inspiring characters and a gripping plot, Ella looks set to undertake another stunning series.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
‘She could look at the situation with the villa as a problem or an opportunity, and looking at it as an opportunity might give her the chance to make a new start.’
Ella is a phenomenal author. On this occasion she alternates the story between Annie in the present day and Cara during the war. The writing is engaging with plot lines of secrets, danger, family and love. I was a little surprised when the book ended just past the 80% mark on my device. It did seem a little abrupt or maybe I was just not ready for it to end?
‘People could be so complex, and right now, trying to fully understand Sandro, the Contessa, this family, felt as impossible as trying to grasp the history of this villa that she needed to unravel to get to the truth.’
I was in awe once again learning of the lengths people went to in order to provide resistance to the Nazis. On this occasion Ella highlights the crucial role Italian partisans played in paving the way for the Allies to liberate. With strong and inspiring characters and a gripping plot, Ella looks set to undertake another stunning series.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
September 25, 2023
This is an absolutely beautiful story. The story is split between two time periods, current day with Annie, and WWII with Cara. I was intrigued how the two story were going to weave together and Carey did a great job of bringing these two stories together. Carey brings Italy to life in her writing. She paints a beautiful picture which made me want to visit Italy again immediately. I want to see that Villa and potentially live in that Villa!
There is so much love in this novel, and not just relationship type of love. There’s familial love, friendship love, the love of history, the love of land, and love of life. These characters are all captivating. They will steal your heart.
There is so much love in this novel, and not just relationship type of love. There’s familial love, friendship love, the love of history, the love of land, and love of life. These characters are all captivating. They will steal your heart.
August 31, 2023
An Italian Secret is another stunning on the edge-of-your-seat World War II story from the talented Ella Carey. I read it in a day as I could not put it down! A fascinating dual timeline so beautifully written I felt transported to both Tuscany 1944 and to its modern day setting. The descriptions filled my senses to the point I was inspired with great desire to visit this gorgeous region. Although the Villa Rosa property and its surroundings are absolutely captivating, its beauty is not without thorns. It carries wonderful memories but also some heartbreaking history, too. When the Nazis stormed into the lives and homes of these peaceful people, it put everyone in such a state of fear that it made them feel like prisoners. The partisan resistance fought back with as much ammunition as they could but sometimes they were overpowered.
In the current day thread, Annie’s father passes and leaves her a letter with a strange message that she has inherited a villa in Italy called Villa Rose. This begins a tumultuous journey into her family’s past and challenges her own identity. The Villa, a diary and a few people hold many secrets and answers. She is determined to uncover the facts or risk her peace of mind and inheritance. Her love for her father and his voice resonating in her heart to not give up, keeps her moving forward. Even when she becomes discouraged with so many dead ends.
The nail biting tension in An Italian Secret reflects the difficult circumstances the Italians would have experienced during World War II. There is plenty of conflict in the modern timeline, too, with the Villa Rosa’s ownership being challenged. Annie must race against time to prove she rightfully owns it before another descendant takes full claim and begins a serious renovation to turn the property into a business venture that will erase all its history. He tries to manipulate her with what he thinks is the truth of her heritage. But are the rumours real? Is Annie really a child of a Nazis?
Contessa Evelina Messina, owner of Villa Rosa in 1944, is a very intriguing character who entertained Germans during the war. Did she keep the enemy close to watch their moves or side in with them? I have to admit, she is such a great actress, it leaves us wondering whose side is she on? I kept feeling she was a duplicitous character always hiding in the shadows— concealing her true feelings and intentions behind false words and actions. When we do get to hear her full story, it certainly puts some pieces of the puzzle in place— especially as far as Annie’s identity and inheritance are concerned. There are some pretty serious accusations thrown at Contessa that are intended to shame the family so her image and reputation play a big part in the plot.
The story is split between Annie (current day) and Cara (historical timeline). Her story is just as heartbreaking as Annie’s. Cara works as Contessa’s secretary. She loves the valley where she has lived all her life with her Papa in the pensione. He ran the hotel until it was closed by the Nazis. Cara has an opportunity to work for the well respected and admired Contessa at Villa Rosa and is encouraged by her father to take the position. Villa Rosa becomes a place of escape for Cara surrounded by all its beauty. One day news reaches Contessa that Cara’s Papa has been shot after trying to stand up to a Nazis who tried to rape a neighbour’s young daughter. Cara admires his bravery but losing him breaks her heart. It sets her on a path to resistance.
I found at times I was holding my breath and hoping for the best in Annie’s and Cara’s lives. As I became acquainted with all the characters, I felt as if I knew them. My favourites, though, were the women. Cara’s and Annie’s stories were intriguing to me. And when Contessa’s story is rolled out, the past and present meld into one whole. Exciting revelations begin to appear about each of these ladies causing me to admire them even more for their great courage and perseverance.
In An Italian Secret, we witness betrayal, secrets, violence, abuse, jealousy and rage but there is also steadfastness, truth, revelations, kindness, love and restoration.
This story hums with creativity, polished writing, exceptional research and finesse. The old Villa is a character who whispers of a past wrapped in layers of facades. It teaches us that things and people aren’t always what they seem, so we must not judge too quickly. And in this story, there are plenty of surprises you might not expect! This is a powerful, mesmerising family drama that should not be missed. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy
In the current day thread, Annie’s father passes and leaves her a letter with a strange message that she has inherited a villa in Italy called Villa Rose. This begins a tumultuous journey into her family’s past and challenges her own identity. The Villa, a diary and a few people hold many secrets and answers. She is determined to uncover the facts or risk her peace of mind and inheritance. Her love for her father and his voice resonating in her heart to not give up, keeps her moving forward. Even when she becomes discouraged with so many dead ends.
The nail biting tension in An Italian Secret reflects the difficult circumstances the Italians would have experienced during World War II. There is plenty of conflict in the modern timeline, too, with the Villa Rosa’s ownership being challenged. Annie must race against time to prove she rightfully owns it before another descendant takes full claim and begins a serious renovation to turn the property into a business venture that will erase all its history. He tries to manipulate her with what he thinks is the truth of her heritage. But are the rumours real? Is Annie really a child of a Nazis?
Contessa Evelina Messina, owner of Villa Rosa in 1944, is a very intriguing character who entertained Germans during the war. Did she keep the enemy close to watch their moves or side in with them? I have to admit, she is such a great actress, it leaves us wondering whose side is she on? I kept feeling she was a duplicitous character always hiding in the shadows— concealing her true feelings and intentions behind false words and actions. When we do get to hear her full story, it certainly puts some pieces of the puzzle in place— especially as far as Annie’s identity and inheritance are concerned. There are some pretty serious accusations thrown at Contessa that are intended to shame the family so her image and reputation play a big part in the plot.
The story is split between Annie (current day) and Cara (historical timeline). Her story is just as heartbreaking as Annie’s. Cara works as Contessa’s secretary. She loves the valley where she has lived all her life with her Papa in the pensione. He ran the hotel until it was closed by the Nazis. Cara has an opportunity to work for the well respected and admired Contessa at Villa Rosa and is encouraged by her father to take the position. Villa Rosa becomes a place of escape for Cara surrounded by all its beauty. One day news reaches Contessa that Cara’s Papa has been shot after trying to stand up to a Nazis who tried to rape a neighbour’s young daughter. Cara admires his bravery but losing him breaks her heart. It sets her on a path to resistance.
I found at times I was holding my breath and hoping for the best in Annie’s and Cara’s lives. As I became acquainted with all the characters, I felt as if I knew them. My favourites, though, were the women. Cara’s and Annie’s stories were intriguing to me. And when Contessa’s story is rolled out, the past and present meld into one whole. Exciting revelations begin to appear about each of these ladies causing me to admire them even more for their great courage and perseverance.
In An Italian Secret, we witness betrayal, secrets, violence, abuse, jealousy and rage but there is also steadfastness, truth, revelations, kindness, love and restoration.
This story hums with creativity, polished writing, exceptional research and finesse. The old Villa is a character who whispers of a past wrapped in layers of facades. It teaches us that things and people aren’t always what they seem, so we must not judge too quickly. And in this story, there are plenty of surprises you might not expect! This is a powerful, mesmerising family drama that should not be missed. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my review copy
December 23, 2025
Secretul jurnalului este primul volum al seriei Daughters of Italy și este unul absolut captivant și minunat, o poveste care împletește două fire narative, unul prezent și unul trecut, una despre căutarea identității și a familiei, despre lupta de a supraviețui într-o lume în care războiul face ravagii. Este un alt roman din universul celui de Al Doilea Război Mondial, care mi-a purtat pașii într-o zonă în care chiar sper să ajung într-o zi: Toscana, Italia, dar care, deși în prezent se revelă lui Annie, personajul central, ca una feerică, cu peisaje minunate și cu mâncăruri care îți lasă gura apă, pe vremea Carei, cel de al doilea caracter central, aceasta avea de înfruntat naziștii, sperând să fie eliberați curând de către Aliați, iar lumea era una încărcată de incertitudini, suferința, pierderi și frica aceea continuă, accentuată de toată teroarea comisă de soldații naziști, care seamănă distrugere în urma lor.
Am iubit cartea asta. Am mai spus-o și o mai spun, nu cred că mă voi sătura vreodată de ficțiunile istorice, mai ales de cele legate de cel de Al Doilea Mondial. E nevoie să înțelegem trecutul pentru a putea să creăm un prezent mai bun. Însă, dincolo de faptul că romanul cuprinde o poveste despre război, este un pic mai mult de atât: poveste de dragoste, aceea pură și de durată; poveste de găsire a identității, de căutare a adevărului despre un trecut tulbure. Este pur și simplu o poveste care împletește suferința cu vindecarea, dragostea care trece dincolo de timp și spațiu, căutarea cu disperarea. Singurul lucru pe care mi l-aș fi dorit ar fi fost să fie puțin mai lung, mai de durată, pentru a mă putea bucura mai mult de el. Și un final care să nu lase neapărat loc la interpretări, dar fiind abia primul volum, cred că răspunsurile vor veni mai apoi.
Am iubit cartea asta. Am mai spus-o și o mai spun, nu cred că mă voi sătura vreodată de ficțiunile istorice, mai ales de cele legate de cel de Al Doilea Mondial. E nevoie să înțelegem trecutul pentru a putea să creăm un prezent mai bun. Însă, dincolo de faptul că romanul cuprinde o poveste despre război, este un pic mai mult de atât: poveste de dragoste, aceea pură și de durată; poveste de găsire a identității, de căutare a adevărului despre un trecut tulbure. Este pur și simplu o poveste care împletește suferința cu vindecarea, dragostea care trece dincolo de timp și spațiu, căutarea cu disperarea. Singurul lucru pe care mi l-aș fi dorit ar fi fost să fie puțin mai lung, mai de durată, pentru a mă putea bucura mai mult de el. Și un final care să nu lase neapărat loc la interpretări, dar fiind abia primul volum, cred că răspunsurile vor veni mai apoi.
September 26, 2025
Dit boek is alles wat je mag verwachten van een boek van 250 pagina’s dat ook nog eens twee verschillende verhalen wil vertellen. Ideaal voor in het vliegtuig of aan het zwembad, maar het blijft erg aan de oppervlakte. Verhaallijnen worden slecht uitgediept en het gaat in een razend tempo. Daardoor voelen sommige passages geforceerd en cliché. Het einde is verrassend verrassend, wat het een beetje goed maakte. Al met al: vermakelijk, maar geen goed boek.
May 4, 2025
top! ik vond het leuk dat er twee verhaallijnen waren in twee compleet verschillende periodes maar dat die heel mooi op elkaar aansloten en naar elkaar toewerkten. laatste paar hoofdstukken waren heel goed, eind goed al goed, of toch niet, of toch wel, plottwists, liefde, verraad. mooi. heb er van genoten.
8.5👍
8.5👍
August 18, 2023
Prepare to be totally captivated by glorious Tuscany, both past and present, when you read this newest novel by Ella Carey. The story is told in a dual timeline, beginning with the death of Annie's father in the present and the discovery that she is adopted, quite a shock at age 33. The second timeline is set in Tuscany in 1944 at Villa Rosa, a magnificent house that feels like a living, breathing character in this book. The plot weaves through the present and past as Annie tries to unravel her ancestral connection to Villa Rosa and its role in the Nazi occupation. There's a touch of romance, the partisan resistance during World War II, the rich history of Tuscany, and a surprise twist at the very end.
I loved the women in this book...their strength, perseverance, courage, and pride. Reading this made me miss my dad and dig out my mom's favorite Tuscan cookbook because the food references made my mouth water. I was already a fan of Ella Carey and I can't wait for the next book in this new series!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.
I loved the women in this book...their strength, perseverance, courage, and pride. Reading this made me miss my dad and dig out my mom's favorite Tuscan cookbook because the food references made my mouth water. I was already a fan of Ella Carey and I can't wait for the next book in this new series!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.
September 24, 2023
I thought this was a good dual timeline story. Cara’s story is set during WW2 and Annie’s is present day. Annie finds out she’s inherited an Italian Villa and heads to northern Italy.
I liked both stories but liked Annie’s more. I wasn’t quite ready for it to end. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
I liked both stories but liked Annie’s more. I wasn’t quite ready for it to end. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
September 27, 2023
An Italian Secret is the first in the Daughters of Italy series by Ella Carey. I love books set in Italy during World War Two as at times I feel I have become too accustomed to reading books set in Germany during this time so having a different setting is very refreshing. There is a superb sense of time and place throughout this book with such vivid descriptions and imagery that make you feel as if you have been transported to Tuscany. The valley and village of Cortona where the story is set come alive through the pages. You can visualise what beautiful area it is full of olive groves, cypress trees, hills and gardens but that during the war the residents lived in a constant state of fear under Mussolini’s rule and even more so when the Germans invaded their little oasis of peace and calm.
The story is told in a dual timeline format moving back and forth between the present day and 1944. Chapters alternate between Cara and Annie’s perspectives and whilst reading you are keen to discover what is the link between the pair, if any, and just what happened during the later stages of the war that led to the beautiful Villa Rosa being abandoned for so long. In the present day Annie lives in California where she is a chef. Her mother died several years ago and she has an older brother and sister. Her father’s health has been failing for quite some time and he has retreated into himself and the past. Annie is called to his bedside and he has the chance to tell her there is a letter in his desk for her. When he passes she discovers the letter with two keys, it details that she has inherited a property in Tuscany. She knew nothing of this nor that her parentage is not what she thought it was. With the one constant in her life gone Annie decides there is nothing for it but to travel to Italy and see what is there. She always thought she knew who she was but now she has to figure out who this new person is and why has she long felt a connection to Italy.
Annie arrives in Italy to find Luca, a landscape gardener, working at the beautiful but abandoned Villa Rosa. The gardens have been left to run wild but instantly Annie can see what beauty was once there but there is a shadow or sadness there too within the house. What secrets does it hold and how has she come to inherit it? Luca wonders who she is and claims that she is not the rightful heir that a man named Sandro is. Sandro soon arrives to the villa and it’s clear he feels very entitled and is not willing to share the exact truth with Annie. His grandfather was the son of the owners the Contessa Evelina Messina and her husband and he believes that he has a direct connection and the villa belongs to his family. He wants to turn the villa into a corporate business which is the complete opposite to Annie’s wishes. Even though she is just newly arrived in the area she feels at home there and she can envisage the gardens transformed to what they once were and she herself using the produce for cooking wonderful meals and entertaining.
As there is no firm evidence to suggest that Annie is the heir. A battle of sorts ensues between the pair but until there is something concrete Annie is not giving up. I admired this about her, that she didn’t lay down and accept what Sandro had said as she knew there had to be a firm reason as to why her father wrote that letter and she is in possession of the keys. She wasn’t going down without a fight and with Luca by her side who becomes more than just a source of help she was determined to dig deep and uncover who she was and why according to locals a source of shame surrounds the villa. I loved the element of mystery throughout the book but I felt there could have been a bit more searching and uncovering as things seemed to happen very quickly. A few more twists and turns throughout the book rather than very near the end would have been great. Instead of getting everything in one fell swoop.
In the past we follow Cara, who is secretary to the Contessa. A horrific incident which leads to the death of her father encourages to take part in partisan activities in the valley. The partisans and resistance are determined to rid the area of Germans and with the Allies approaching the sense of urgency increases. Cara has to be wary as the Contessa is on the German side and entertaining German officers. Her son Nicolas has long left the villa and her younger son Raf although not living in the villa is very much featured in the story. Raf is very much against what his mother stands for and can no longer contemplate living in the villa. Cara and Raf have a connection which has been thwarted by the Contessa and her personal views and actions. Coming from different backgrounds and social classes they should not be together but when one feels a spark and love developing really one should pursue this rather than quashing it.
I loved that Raf was the complete opposite to his mother and I wanted to know even more about his involvement in activities in the area. Cara spurred on by what has happened to her ventures down a dark and dangerous path but I was rooting for her all the way. She was brave and fearless and was well aware of the bigger picture and what the results of her and many others actions could potentially be. As I was reading through Cara’s chapters, I was constantly seeking clues that would perhaps reveal the connection to Annie’s story in the past. I had a slight inkling but wasn’t 100% correct which I was glad for as I do like to be surprised when the reveals in a book do finally come to the fore.
I really enjoyed the book as a whole but I felt the chapters were too short. That there was too much chopping and changing between the two timelines. I was equally invested in both strands of the story but this rapid movement from one viewpoint to another made the book feel slightly disjointed. I felt I was only getting into a chapter and then it ended suddenly. A lot of Annie’s chapters ended on cliff hangers which in one way was great because it kept you reading on and I was dying to know what would happen next but then on the other hand I found myself abruptly jerked back to the past or vice versa. If the chapters had been a bit longer this would have helped. At times, it read as if there were two separate stories and that I might have been better off reading all of Annie’s chapters and then Cara’s or else I was racing through chapters to get back to a character and not fully absorbing what I was reading. This makes it sound as if I didn’t enjoy the book but that’s not the case I loved the concept of the entire story and as I have said the setting was magnificent and the plot itself very strong. It’s just I would have preferred a bit more fleshing out of detail within chapters.
I found the book ended very abruptly at the 82% mark. I thought I had a fair bit to go and then all of a sudden that was it, there was no more and I could have read on. There was a rush of info given in order to tie things up and I struggled to digest the connections and family heritage so I reread the final chapters again to make sure I had everything right. I wanted to be sure that I knew how people connected and what their motivations were for doing certain things. Given this is book one, I hope the story will continue on with these characters as I feel there is more to come from them. If this doesn’t happen and we are introduced to new characters in book two I hope at least we get a paragraph or two detailing what happened next or even if they were background characters that would be great. An Italian Secret certainly lived up to the title and whilst reading all I was constantly wondering what are the connections? Will Anna discover the truth of her heritage or will shame reign upon the family forever? This is a very good read despite some of the issues I had with the structure and length of the book. I will definitely be back to read book two as the series shows enormous potential.
The story is told in a dual timeline format moving back and forth between the present day and 1944. Chapters alternate between Cara and Annie’s perspectives and whilst reading you are keen to discover what is the link between the pair, if any, and just what happened during the later stages of the war that led to the beautiful Villa Rosa being abandoned for so long. In the present day Annie lives in California where she is a chef. Her mother died several years ago and she has an older brother and sister. Her father’s health has been failing for quite some time and he has retreated into himself and the past. Annie is called to his bedside and he has the chance to tell her there is a letter in his desk for her. When he passes she discovers the letter with two keys, it details that she has inherited a property in Tuscany. She knew nothing of this nor that her parentage is not what she thought it was. With the one constant in her life gone Annie decides there is nothing for it but to travel to Italy and see what is there. She always thought she knew who she was but now she has to figure out who this new person is and why has she long felt a connection to Italy.
Annie arrives in Italy to find Luca, a landscape gardener, working at the beautiful but abandoned Villa Rosa. The gardens have been left to run wild but instantly Annie can see what beauty was once there but there is a shadow or sadness there too within the house. What secrets does it hold and how has she come to inherit it? Luca wonders who she is and claims that she is not the rightful heir that a man named Sandro is. Sandro soon arrives to the villa and it’s clear he feels very entitled and is not willing to share the exact truth with Annie. His grandfather was the son of the owners the Contessa Evelina Messina and her husband and he believes that he has a direct connection and the villa belongs to his family. He wants to turn the villa into a corporate business which is the complete opposite to Annie’s wishes. Even though she is just newly arrived in the area she feels at home there and she can envisage the gardens transformed to what they once were and she herself using the produce for cooking wonderful meals and entertaining.
As there is no firm evidence to suggest that Annie is the heir. A battle of sorts ensues between the pair but until there is something concrete Annie is not giving up. I admired this about her, that she didn’t lay down and accept what Sandro had said as she knew there had to be a firm reason as to why her father wrote that letter and she is in possession of the keys. She wasn’t going down without a fight and with Luca by her side who becomes more than just a source of help she was determined to dig deep and uncover who she was and why according to locals a source of shame surrounds the villa. I loved the element of mystery throughout the book but I felt there could have been a bit more searching and uncovering as things seemed to happen very quickly. A few more twists and turns throughout the book rather than very near the end would have been great. Instead of getting everything in one fell swoop.
In the past we follow Cara, who is secretary to the Contessa. A horrific incident which leads to the death of her father encourages to take part in partisan activities in the valley. The partisans and resistance are determined to rid the area of Germans and with the Allies approaching the sense of urgency increases. Cara has to be wary as the Contessa is on the German side and entertaining German officers. Her son Nicolas has long left the villa and her younger son Raf although not living in the villa is very much featured in the story. Raf is very much against what his mother stands for and can no longer contemplate living in the villa. Cara and Raf have a connection which has been thwarted by the Contessa and her personal views and actions. Coming from different backgrounds and social classes they should not be together but when one feels a spark and love developing really one should pursue this rather than quashing it.
I loved that Raf was the complete opposite to his mother and I wanted to know even more about his involvement in activities in the area. Cara spurred on by what has happened to her ventures down a dark and dangerous path but I was rooting for her all the way. She was brave and fearless and was well aware of the bigger picture and what the results of her and many others actions could potentially be. As I was reading through Cara’s chapters, I was constantly seeking clues that would perhaps reveal the connection to Annie’s story in the past. I had a slight inkling but wasn’t 100% correct which I was glad for as I do like to be surprised when the reveals in a book do finally come to the fore.
I really enjoyed the book as a whole but I felt the chapters were too short. That there was too much chopping and changing between the two timelines. I was equally invested in both strands of the story but this rapid movement from one viewpoint to another made the book feel slightly disjointed. I felt I was only getting into a chapter and then it ended suddenly. A lot of Annie’s chapters ended on cliff hangers which in one way was great because it kept you reading on and I was dying to know what would happen next but then on the other hand I found myself abruptly jerked back to the past or vice versa. If the chapters had been a bit longer this would have helped. At times, it read as if there were two separate stories and that I might have been better off reading all of Annie’s chapters and then Cara’s or else I was racing through chapters to get back to a character and not fully absorbing what I was reading. This makes it sound as if I didn’t enjoy the book but that’s not the case I loved the concept of the entire story and as I have said the setting was magnificent and the plot itself very strong. It’s just I would have preferred a bit more fleshing out of detail within chapters.
I found the book ended very abruptly at the 82% mark. I thought I had a fair bit to go and then all of a sudden that was it, there was no more and I could have read on. There was a rush of info given in order to tie things up and I struggled to digest the connections and family heritage so I reread the final chapters again to make sure I had everything right. I wanted to be sure that I knew how people connected and what their motivations were for doing certain things. Given this is book one, I hope the story will continue on with these characters as I feel there is more to come from them. If this doesn’t happen and we are introduced to new characters in book two I hope at least we get a paragraph or two detailing what happened next or even if they were background characters that would be great. An Italian Secret certainly lived up to the title and whilst reading all I was constantly wondering what are the connections? Will Anna discover the truth of her heritage or will shame reign upon the family forever? This is a very good read despite some of the issues I had with the structure and length of the book. I will definitely be back to read book two as the series shows enormous potential.
September 12, 2023
I was pleased and grateful to receive an ARC of this - I really wanted to enjoy this book.
I was swept up in the beautiful Italian setting! I really enjoy a split timeline and dual POV, but for some reason I found this fell flat.
The plot and characters had so much potential but I really struggled to get invested, I feel like everything could have been fleshed out a bit more instead of a lot of repetition. The ending felt very abrupt and short-lived.
Confused by the high ratings so far, but perhaps the writing style just wasn’t up my street.
I was swept up in the beautiful Italian setting! I really enjoy a split timeline and dual POV, but for some reason I found this fell flat.
The plot and characters had so much potential but I really struggled to get invested, I feel like everything could have been fleshed out a bit more instead of a lot of repetition. The ending felt very abrupt and short-lived.
Confused by the high ratings so far, but perhaps the writing style just wasn’t up my street.
September 30, 2023
Tuscany, 1944: As Cara runs into the grand entrance hall of the Villa Rosa, she flies to a stop. There is a gun pointing straight at her head, a Nazi staring down at her from the steps above. But even as her heart thumps so loudly she is sure it will jump out of her chest, she keeps smiling, desperately hoping that he won’t spot the precious diary she has hidden under her shirt. Because if he does, it’s not just her life at stake…
Years later, American chef Annie arrives in the tiny village in Tuscany. She is utterly heartbroken by her beloved father’s death, and his earth-shattering revelation that she was adopted. Why did he never tell her the truth? She clutches his last gift—two ancient brass keys—and directions to the stunning Villa Rosa. As she climbs through the steeply ascending hill gardens covered in fruit trees, she wonders if the peach-coloured walls of the magnificent house are hiding the answers her father couldn’t bear to tell her.
Annie quickly falls in love with the crumbling villa, and with handsome gardener, Luca, whose eyes sparkle as bright as the Tuscan sun. Searching for any clues about her past, they discover a musty diary from 1944 hidden away in the basement of an old bookstore, written by Cara Cartazzo, the wartime secretary at the villa. Back inside the Villa Rosa’s haunting main bedroom, Annie can barely breathe as she opens the first, yellowing page…
Her heart begins to race when she finds an entry about a baby, born in the villa at the end of the war. But Annie is devastated when she sees that crucial pages have been torn out. Annie and Luca try to discover more from the villagers, but no one dares speak about the Villa Rosa’s past. What happened there all those years ago? What did Cara have to hide?
Annie is certain the key to her past lies with finding the missing child – but when she discovers the truth, will she be strong enough to face who she really is at last?
An utterly gripping, sweeping page-turner that will transport you to the olive groves of Tuscany. With a truly heartbreaking family secret from World War Two at its heart, page after page, chapter after chapter, you will be hooked! I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for the next book in “The Daughter’s of Italy” series. Highly recommended
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Years later, American chef Annie arrives in the tiny village in Tuscany. She is utterly heartbroken by her beloved father’s death, and his earth-shattering revelation that she was adopted. Why did he never tell her the truth? She clutches his last gift—two ancient brass keys—and directions to the stunning Villa Rosa. As she climbs through the steeply ascending hill gardens covered in fruit trees, she wonders if the peach-coloured walls of the magnificent house are hiding the answers her father couldn’t bear to tell her.
Annie quickly falls in love with the crumbling villa, and with handsome gardener, Luca, whose eyes sparkle as bright as the Tuscan sun. Searching for any clues about her past, they discover a musty diary from 1944 hidden away in the basement of an old bookstore, written by Cara Cartazzo, the wartime secretary at the villa. Back inside the Villa Rosa’s haunting main bedroom, Annie can barely breathe as she opens the first, yellowing page…
Her heart begins to race when she finds an entry about a baby, born in the villa at the end of the war. But Annie is devastated when she sees that crucial pages have been torn out. Annie and Luca try to discover more from the villagers, but no one dares speak about the Villa Rosa’s past. What happened there all those years ago? What did Cara have to hide?
Annie is certain the key to her past lies with finding the missing child – but when she discovers the truth, will she be strong enough to face who she really is at last?
An utterly gripping, sweeping page-turner that will transport you to the olive groves of Tuscany. With a truly heartbreaking family secret from World War Two at its heart, page after page, chapter after chapter, you will be hooked! I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for the next book in “The Daughter’s of Italy” series. Highly recommended
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 19, 2023
An Italian Secret by Ella Carey is a simply marvellous dual timeline novel. It is the first book in the Daughters Of Italy series which promises to be fabulous.
The action is set in present day and in Northern Italy in 1944. 1944 was naturally a time of great unrest as the partisans were fighting against the occupying Nazis. All around was great danger as one was not always sure where sympathies lay. It was a time of great risk and extraordinary bravery. Rumors existed but where did the truth lay?
In present day a deathbed letter throws a character into confusion. Has her whole life been a lie? She travels from America to Italy in search of the truth.
Since 1944 there have been rumors about a baby existing whose father was a high-ranking Nazi. A branch of the family is seen as originating from a black sheep. Will the truth ever be known?
There are beautiful bonds between fathers and daughters in both time periods. The love radiates through the pages.
Secrets and lies have been formulated in order to protect the innocent and for lives to be lived out in peace and quiet.
As a family villa is crumbling and in the process of renovation, an old family diary comes to light. Will we finally learn the truth from long ago?
The beauty of Italy comes to life under Ella Carey’s marvellous pen. This beauty contrasts with the danger and ugliness of war in Italy in 1944.
All the characters were delightfully drawn and sprang to life in both time periods.
I thoroughly enjoyed An Italian Secret. It was a mesmerizing and powerful read.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
The action is set in present day and in Northern Italy in 1944. 1944 was naturally a time of great unrest as the partisans were fighting against the occupying Nazis. All around was great danger as one was not always sure where sympathies lay. It was a time of great risk and extraordinary bravery. Rumors existed but where did the truth lay?
In present day a deathbed letter throws a character into confusion. Has her whole life been a lie? She travels from America to Italy in search of the truth.
Since 1944 there have been rumors about a baby existing whose father was a high-ranking Nazi. A branch of the family is seen as originating from a black sheep. Will the truth ever be known?
There are beautiful bonds between fathers and daughters in both time periods. The love radiates through the pages.
Secrets and lies have been formulated in order to protect the innocent and for lives to be lived out in peace and quiet.
As a family villa is crumbling and in the process of renovation, an old family diary comes to light. Will we finally learn the truth from long ago?
The beauty of Italy comes to life under Ella Carey’s marvellous pen. This beauty contrasts with the danger and ugliness of war in Italy in 1944.
All the characters were delightfully drawn and sprang to life in both time periods.
I thoroughly enjoyed An Italian Secret. It was a mesmerizing and powerful read.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
September 24, 2023
Tuscany, 1944, Contessa Evelina Messina owns the wonderful Villa Rosa. But as the Germans move to take over Northern Italy, Evelina entertains the soldiers to gather any information from them that she can. Serving them fancy dinners and expensive wine from her wine cellar, the locals begin to wonder which side she is actually on. Many years later Annie Reynolds’ father passed away and his last words to her was that she was adopted and the beautiful Villa Rosa was hers. When she begins to investigate her past, some of the locals tell her that Evelina Messina had a child with a Nazi. When Annie discovers an old diary with entries dating back to 1944, some of the pages had deliberately been removed. Annie is certain that those missing pages are the truth to her past. Reading through Evelina’s diary, Annie discovers that the Contessa did everything she could to keep the enemy Nazi’s at bay. And now the truth must be discovered and made known, and Annie is the only one that can make that happen.
An Italian Secret written by author Ella Carey, was a heartbreaking story of finding out the truth and uncovering family history. I loved every page of this story from cover to cover. This dual timeline novel was completely unexpected and I was enthralled with its history. I loved Annie’s story the most because of her determination to uncover the truth. This was a story that completely captivated me and I wasn’t ready for it to end. I am so happy that this is the first book of a brand new series. I can’t wait to read the next installment. Thank you Ella Carey for such a phenomenal read…you never disappoint. I loved this story and I highly recommend it.
An Italian Secret written by author Ella Carey, was a heartbreaking story of finding out the truth and uncovering family history. I loved every page of this story from cover to cover. This dual timeline novel was completely unexpected and I was enthralled with its history. I loved Annie’s story the most because of her determination to uncover the truth. This was a story that completely captivated me and I wasn’t ready for it to end. I am so happy that this is the first book of a brand new series. I can’t wait to read the next installment. Thank you Ella Carey for such a phenomenal read…you never disappoint. I loved this story and I highly recommend it.
September 9, 2023
This is book 1 in The Daughters of Italy Series and was an excellent historical fiction novel set in two timelines, during WWII and the present. Told from the POV’s two of the main protagonists, American Annie Reynolds in the present and Tuscan Cara in the past. The author has given us a beautifully written and poignant story in which both parts are centred around one character and the ultimately revealed truth about her life during and after WWII.
Briefly, in Tuscany in 1944 widowed Contessa Evelina Messina consorts with the occupying German Army and is having an affair with one of the senior German Officers. Estranged from her eldest son and with her younger son working with the partisans she only has her servants for company and one of these is local girl Cara who is her secretary. In the present, following the death of her much loved father Annie travels to Italy to claim the house that her father told her on his deathbed was hers by rights. What she doesn’t expect is a member of the Messina family to claim the property as his.
A story full of lies and deceit, both good and bad and the dreadful legacy of the German invasion of this gentle part of Tuscany. As the book progresses the two timelines start to come together and when the long hidden family secrets come to light they meld perfectly revealing the heartbreaking truth. The story set during the war was particularly shocking as the Nazi’s raped, murdered and pillaged their way through Italy. A very enjoyable family drama.
Briefly, in Tuscany in 1944 widowed Contessa Evelina Messina consorts with the occupying German Army and is having an affair with one of the senior German Officers. Estranged from her eldest son and with her younger son working with the partisans she only has her servants for company and one of these is local girl Cara who is her secretary. In the present, following the death of her much loved father Annie travels to Italy to claim the house that her father told her on his deathbed was hers by rights. What she doesn’t expect is a member of the Messina family to claim the property as his.
A story full of lies and deceit, both good and bad and the dreadful legacy of the German invasion of this gentle part of Tuscany. As the book progresses the two timelines start to come together and when the long hidden family secrets come to light they meld perfectly revealing the heartbreaking truth. The story set during the war was particularly shocking as the Nazi’s raped, murdered and pillaged their way through Italy. A very enjoyable family drama.
September 23, 2023
An Italian Secret by Ella Carey (Daughters of Italy #1)
Emotional and touching WW2 historical fiction.
A dual timeline between Annie Reynolds in present time and Contessa Evelina Messina who’s the owner of Villa Rosa in the wartime 1944 in Tuscany.
The story started with Annie was losing her beloved father. She was told that she’s adopted and she was now inherited the magnificent Villa Rosa in Tuscany. Annie decided to fly to Tuscany to search for her real identity.
Sandro Messina met Annie. He told Annie he was the real descendant of the Villa and his renovation plan to change this historical Villa to an entertainment venue. Annie now needed to fight for her ownership of Villa Rosa. Luckily she found lots of secrets of Villa Rosa in a diary..
Back to 1944 in Tuscany, Contessa Evelina Messina, the owner of Villa Rosa was somehow suspected having affair with a high-ranking Nazi. There’s a rumor that she’s pregnant…
Annie urgently needed to find her connection between Contessa Evelina Messina.
The author smartly weaving both timelines very well together, without any confusion. The detail, the link and the relationship were cleverly plotted. The twists were unexpected. The characters were likable. some romances involved too!
I can’t wait to read her next book of this series.
Many thanks to Bookouture for arranging this book tour!
Kindle: 331 pages
Pub date: Sep 22, 2023
September 28, 2023
“An Italian Secret” is the first book in the daughters of Italy series by Ella Carey which is an absolutely beautiful story. The story is split between two time periods, the current day with Annie, and WWII 1944 with Cara. Full of love, grief, betrayal, heartbreak, hope and human nature at its best and worst.
Annie, who lives in San Franciso, has recently lost her father, who left her a letter saying she “is a child of Italy” and she owns a beautiful villa in Tuscany ‘The Villa Rosa’. So, Annie takes the big jump on a plane to Rome a train to Florence and finally a bus to Cortona. She finds the “Villa Rose”, but it has been emptied for decades now and no answers to why the villa is her’s.
Cara’s story is set during WII Tuscany in 1944 at “Villa Rosa” where is the secreter of Contessa Evelina Messina in the depth of the Nazi occupation of Italy. After the sudden loss of her father Cara pleads to help the partisans with whatever she can do to help her fellow countrymen, women and children.
What would Annie discover about the past?
Or will the past destroy the future?
The beauty of Italy comes to life within the words of this great author which I thoroughly enjoyed, as it was full of exceptional characters, pulled me into the story, read at an excellent pacing, and both heartwarming and heartbreaking scenes that were full of emotions throughout the book.
Annie, who lives in San Franciso, has recently lost her father, who left her a letter saying she “is a child of Italy” and she owns a beautiful villa in Tuscany ‘The Villa Rosa’. So, Annie takes the big jump on a plane to Rome a train to Florence and finally a bus to Cortona. She finds the “Villa Rose”, but it has been emptied for decades now and no answers to why the villa is her’s.
Cara’s story is set during WII Tuscany in 1944 at “Villa Rosa” where is the secreter of Contessa Evelina Messina in the depth of the Nazi occupation of Italy. After the sudden loss of her father Cara pleads to help the partisans with whatever she can do to help her fellow countrymen, women and children.
What would Annie discover about the past?
Or will the past destroy the future?
The beauty of Italy comes to life within the words of this great author which I thoroughly enjoyed, as it was full of exceptional characters, pulled me into the story, read at an excellent pacing, and both heartwarming and heartbreaking scenes that were full of emotions throughout the book.
September 6, 2025
Oplæser: Julie Riis. Rigtig fin oplæsning. Tror det er første gang jeg høre hende.
Dette er en ganske fin roman der kobler fortid og nutid sammen.
Fortid: Italien er hårdt ramt under 2. verdenskrig, hvor tyskerne har invaderet landet. Villa Rosa ligger højt hævet over det smukke Toscanske landskab. Villaen er ejet af en smuk kvinde, der har 2 sønner. Den ene er stukket af, da krigen brød ud - og han har aldrig set sig tilbage. Den anden, den yngste søn, er en del af frihedsbevægelsen. Villaen ender med at blive en vigtig brik i slaget om Toscana.
Nutid: Annie opdager først ved sin faders død, at hun er adopteret. Det viser sig, at hun er arving til en gammel villa i Toscana, som hun aldrig før har hørt om. Hun lover sin fader på hans dødsleje, at hun vil tage til Italien og finde ud af sin fortid. Men da hun ankommer, er der en anden person, der meddeler at HAN er den retmæssige arving til Villa Rosa. Annie må grave i historien, for at finde ud af, hvad der er sandhed og hvem der er den rigtige arving.
En fin historisk fiktions roman.
Dette er en ganske fin roman der kobler fortid og nutid sammen.
Fortid: Italien er hårdt ramt under 2. verdenskrig, hvor tyskerne har invaderet landet. Villa Rosa ligger højt hævet over det smukke Toscanske landskab. Villaen er ejet af en smuk kvinde, der har 2 sønner. Den ene er stukket af, da krigen brød ud - og han har aldrig set sig tilbage. Den anden, den yngste søn, er en del af frihedsbevægelsen. Villaen ender med at blive en vigtig brik i slaget om Toscana.
Nutid: Annie opdager først ved sin faders død, at hun er adopteret. Det viser sig, at hun er arving til en gammel villa i Toscana, som hun aldrig før har hørt om. Hun lover sin fader på hans dødsleje, at hun vil tage til Italien og finde ud af sin fortid. Men da hun ankommer, er der en anden person, der meddeler at HAN er den retmæssige arving til Villa Rosa. Annie må grave i historien, for at finde ud af, hvad der er sandhed og hvem der er den rigtige arving.
En fin historisk fiktions roman.
September 23, 2023
A letter from the present opens up a mystery from the past....
Revelations from it will cause changes that will last!
Shared from two timelines - the Second World War and the present, too,
Family dilemmas and secrets kept for decades revealed anew.
An inherited property in Tuscany is where it is set
Where folks remember the history they'll never forget.
But what really happened in those days so long ago?
And how will they affect her, Annie wants to know!
A story where assumptions impact falsely on what is true
And a hidden diary with missing pages starts to give the clue.
A moving story of tragedy, resistance and espionage, too,
As well as a modern romance seeking to discover what is true.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
Revelations from it will cause changes that will last!
Shared from two timelines - the Second World War and the present, too,
Family dilemmas and secrets kept for decades revealed anew.
An inherited property in Tuscany is where it is set
Where folks remember the history they'll never forget.
But what really happened in those days so long ago?
And how will they affect her, Annie wants to know!
A story where assumptions impact falsely on what is true
And a hidden diary with missing pages starts to give the clue.
A moving story of tragedy, resistance and espionage, too,
As well as a modern romance seeking to discover what is true.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
October 9, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel by Ella Carey and found it very hard to put down! This is an emotional story of family, love, loyalty, betrayal, and strength, told in dual timeline that was easy to follow. I loved the main characters - Cara during WWII and Annie current day - they were well developed, likeable and plausible. The author paints a beautiful picture of Tuscany and left me longing to go there. I loved the history woven into this story and got a good feel for what life was like in Tuscany during WWII - I now have a desire to find out more about the history of Italy, particularly during this period. I’ll be reading more by Ella Carey and can’t wait for the next book in this series!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Ella Carey for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Ella Carey for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2023
I used to avoid historical fiction like it was a death sentence, but lately I’ve read quite a few and have loved being transported to a time and place to learn a little about history. And then throw in some mystery and intrigue and I am sold. I read this pretty quickly and was drawn into the story. I was lucky enough to visit Tuscany a few years ago and loved the setting.
What if you found out your life was a lie and you were adopted? Annie sets off to uncover the truth of her past. Told in the present and during WWII. This is a story of hope, courage, drive and strength. There is secrets and betrayals along with discoveries and growth.
This was another historical fiction book that delightfully surprised me.
What if you found out your life was a lie and you were adopted? Annie sets off to uncover the truth of her past. Told in the present and during WWII. This is a story of hope, courage, drive and strength. There is secrets and betrayals along with discoveries and growth.
This was another historical fiction book that delightfully surprised me.
August 22, 2023
Although I enjoyed this war time story set in the beautifully scenic hills of Tuscany, I gave it 4 stars because reading it felt like a little bit of a chore - it wasn’t a book that I couldn’t put down. I liked the switch in timelines between the past and present, but just felt that some of the characters were too easy and superfluous, especially Luca and Sandro from the present timeline. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters from the past timeline and loved how that story unfolded. This is book 1 in a series and I will still be looking out for future books to read.
September 15, 2023
It’s always a pleasure reading an Ella Carey book, and this was no exception. A decent storyline and good characterisation and this book gave a real flavour of Tuscany, both present day and in 1944. If anything, I wanted more from this story. It ended abruptly and certain characters disappeared from the narrative with little explanation of what their fate was. The owner of the villa was a double agent, in bed with a nazi yet giving secrets to the Allies. I would have liked more detail on her experience.this remains though, a satisfying read
October 9, 2023
An Italian Secret by Ella Carey is a dual timeline between WWII Italy to present day. In present day when Annie's father dies, she learns that all she believed to be true...isn't. Traveling to Tuscany from California, Annie seeks to uncover truth...of her parentage, her inheritance, and her heritage.
So many twists in this story left me wondering how the answers Annie sought would unravel. A definite page-turner from a new to me author.
A copy was provided for my review, but all opinions are my own.
So many twists in this story left me wondering how the answers Annie sought would unravel. A definite page-turner from a new to me author.
A copy was provided for my review, but all opinions are my own.
August 14, 2024
This was a great book. I actually read the 2nd book first but it did not ruin this story for me. Told both during the last year of WWII in Italy and present day, it weaves an entrancing story that was hard to put down. Cara is working at Villa Rosa and joins the resistance to fight the Nazis as the Allies advance in Tuscany. Annie, in present day, has been given a letter that she is the owner of this villa and she goes to Tuscany to discover her roots. It was a story of love and betrayal and courage. Loved it!
November 28, 2024
A lovely story. Annie finds she's inherited a villa in Tuscany. When she arrives to claim it she discovers that somebody else has a claim on it and is planning to turn it into something she disagrees with. She has to find out about the villa and its owners to find out if she is the true heir. During this she meets Luca who is the grandson of the original owner's gardener. His mother is also trying to trace her family history. Together. Annie and Emelia discover what happened during the war and the goodness in their own parents. I don't want to give any more away. Read the story.
September 6, 2023
The book gave me insight into the area of Tuscany and how the German occupation of the small villages during the Second World War had devastating consequences for families . The descriptions of this picturesque area is well done. The story line is easy to follow with the two time lines . The book is a quick read with an ending that ties the book together and concludes a mystery that developed during the Nazi occupation of this area and the villa whose ownership is now known.
September 17, 2023
The ravages of Nazi occupation of Tuscany and a woman in search of her birth family’s identity combine to create a story of fear, loss, love and secrets. Told in two time frames, the story pulls you into a time of fear and horror caused by the Nazis and into a search for truth cloaked in lies and rumor.
A very entertaining novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A very entertaining novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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