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The Weight of Loyalty
“My long-term survival is doubtful under any scenario. Yet, I already defied the impossible by escaping from a watery tomb and swimming to this very spot. But luck is finite—it always peters out.”
As the island of Kefalonia falls under the harsh occupation of Italian soldiers in 1941, British sailor Oliver Graham washes ashore, desperate to evade capture. Rescued by the fierce and determined Natalía Giannatos, he becomes entangled in a web of love, loyalty, and betrayal.
With her brother and fiancé lost to the conflict, Natalía is driven by vengeance against the occupiers and a deepening bond with Oliver. But when an Italian colonel fixates on her, she must navigate a dangerous game of deception to protect her family and village. As Oliver struggles with his hidden heritage and his growing feelings for Natalía, they are thrust into the heart of the resistance, where every choice could lead to freedom or devastation.
In a story that intertwines love and sacrifice against the backdrop of war, The Weight of Loyalty explores the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths one will go to for love. Will Oliver and Natalía’s connection survive the trials of conflict, or will the brutal realities of war tear them apart forever?
As the island of Kefalonia falls under the harsh occupation of Italian soldiers in 1941, British sailor Oliver Graham washes ashore, desperate to evade capture. Rescued by the fierce and determined Natalía Giannatos, he becomes entangled in a web of love, loyalty, and betrayal.
With her brother and fiancé lost to the conflict, Natalía is driven by vengeance against the occupiers and a deepening bond with Oliver. But when an Italian colonel fixates on her, she must navigate a dangerous game of deception to protect her family and village. As Oliver struggles with his hidden heritage and his growing feelings for Natalía, they are thrust into the heart of the resistance, where every choice could lead to freedom or devastation.
In a story that intertwines love and sacrifice against the backdrop of war, The Weight of Loyalty explores the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths one will go to for love. Will Oliver and Natalía’s connection survive the trials of conflict, or will the brutal realities of war tear them apart forever?
375 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2025
5 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Mike H. Mizrahi
6 books140 followersAfter a career in corporate public affairs, Mike retired to pursue a deep passion: writing. He and his wife, Karen, led a mission trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo four years ago, and they were so moved, Mike wrote his first novel, Kabirizi’s Revenge. His second book, The Unnamed Girl, followed. Mike and Karen live in Woodland Hills, Calif., where they raised their two adult children. Mike loves reading and writing stories about sozo, which means to be rescued. Mike and Karen are very active in their church and community, and love to hike, travel, and go the movies and theater together.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 24, 2025
I’m still sitting with that final page. You know the feeling—when your heart’s too full and too broken all at once? That’s what The Weight of Loyalty left me with. This wasn’t just another wartime historical. This was intimate. Visceral. The kind of story that pulls you into the sand, into the salt-soaked wounds of survival, and doesn’t let you come up for air until you’ve felt every scar, every stolen kiss, every choice made with trembling hands.
Natalía Giannatos… my God, what a woman. She’s not the kind of heroine who breaks down—weathers the storm and then some, even when her heart is shattering quietly in the background. You can feel the ache in her bones, that righteous fire that comes from losing too much and loving too fiercely to let it happen again. I saw bits of myself in her—the anger, the protectiveness, the way she gives her heart only once but gives it completely.
And Oliver… That man. Lost, haunted, stitched together with secrets and grief, yet still so gentle in a world gone sharp. Watching him claw his way back from guilt, finding a purpose not just in resistance but in her—it hit deep. He doesn’t just survive the war. He survives himself. And that’s a different kind of battle.
What hit hardest, though, was how quietly powerful this book is. It’s not just about bombs and betrayal. It’s about the choices people make when the world is on fire. The cost of loyalty when love isn’t safe. The way one touch, one promise, can mean everything when you don’t know if you’ll see tomorrow.
Mike H. Mizrahi didn’t just write a story—he breathed life into this place, these people. I could taste the sea air, feel the tension in every shadow, and I’ll never forget that line about luck running out. Because when you’ve got nothing left but your loyalty—and maybe the person beside you—what else is there?
If you're looking for a book that will hold your heart hostage and make you grateful for every second of peace you've ever known, The Weight of Loyalty is it. This story matters. And I’ll be thinking about Natalía and Oliver long after the echoes of war fade from the pages.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Natalía Giannatos… my God, what a woman. She’s not the kind of heroine who breaks down—weathers the storm and then some, even when her heart is shattering quietly in the background. You can feel the ache in her bones, that righteous fire that comes from losing too much and loving too fiercely to let it happen again. I saw bits of myself in her—the anger, the protectiveness, the way she gives her heart only once but gives it completely.
And Oliver… That man. Lost, haunted, stitched together with secrets and grief, yet still so gentle in a world gone sharp. Watching him claw his way back from guilt, finding a purpose not just in resistance but in her—it hit deep. He doesn’t just survive the war. He survives himself. And that’s a different kind of battle.
What hit hardest, though, was how quietly powerful this book is. It’s not just about bombs and betrayal. It’s about the choices people make when the world is on fire. The cost of loyalty when love isn’t safe. The way one touch, one promise, can mean everything when you don’t know if you’ll see tomorrow.
Mike H. Mizrahi didn’t just write a story—he breathed life into this place, these people. I could taste the sea air, feel the tension in every shadow, and I’ll never forget that line about luck running out. Because when you’ve got nothing left but your loyalty—and maybe the person beside you—what else is there?
If you're looking for a book that will hold your heart hostage and make you grateful for every second of peace you've ever known, The Weight of Loyalty is it. This story matters. And I’ll be thinking about Natalía and Oliver long after the echoes of war fade from the pages.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 9, 2025
A Story of Love and Sacrifice
- This book explores the connection between British sailor Oliver Graham and Kefalonian resistance fighter Natalía Giannatos against the backdrop of war.
- Their story highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths one will go to for love, even in the face of brutal realities.
Kefalonia, a beautiful Greek island, was a key location during World War II.
Italian Occupation and German Massacre
- In 1941, Kefalonia was occupied by Italian troops, specifically the 33rd Infantry Division "Acqui" (Mountain), which were allied with the Germans at the time.
- On September 8, 1943, Italy surrendered to the Allies, and the Italian soldiers on Kefalonia refused to surrender to the Germans.
- The Germans launched a surprise attack on the Italian forces, leading to a fierce battle that lasted from September 13 to 22, 1943.
- Approximately 9,500 Italian soldiers were killed in battle or executed by the Germans.
The Kefalonian Resistance
- The local Greeks had mixed feelings towards the Italians, but their hatred for the Germans was more pronounced.
- Despite this, some Kefalonians showed solidarity with the Italian soldiers and assisted them during the battle.
- After the massacre, the Greeks helped some Italian survivors escape and hide from the Germans.
-Helping Allied servicemen with food, shelter, clothing, and evading capture and disrupting the enemy's operations, and gathering intelligence
John Capes and HMS Perseus
- John Capes was a Royal Navy submariner who survived the sinking of the HMS Perseus off the coast of Kefalonia in 1941.
- He was rescued by local fishermen and hidden by the Kefalonians, who risked their lives to help him evade capture. They gave him food, shelter, and clothing.
- Capes was eventually smuggled out of Greece and returned to Britain, where he continued to serve in the Royal Navy.
- However, after the war, Capes faced challenges in getting his story believed, with some even accusing him of being a deserter or spy.It wasn't until much later, when the truth about the sinking of the HMS Perseus came to light, that his story was fully acknowledged and appreciated.
- This book explores the connection between British sailor Oliver Graham and Kefalonian resistance fighter Natalía Giannatos against the backdrop of war.
- Their story highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths one will go to for love, even in the face of brutal realities.
Kefalonia, a beautiful Greek island, was a key location during World War II.
Italian Occupation and German Massacre
- In 1941, Kefalonia was occupied by Italian troops, specifically the 33rd Infantry Division "Acqui" (Mountain), which were allied with the Germans at the time.
- On September 8, 1943, Italy surrendered to the Allies, and the Italian soldiers on Kefalonia refused to surrender to the Germans.
- The Germans launched a surprise attack on the Italian forces, leading to a fierce battle that lasted from September 13 to 22, 1943.
- Approximately 9,500 Italian soldiers were killed in battle or executed by the Germans.
The Kefalonian Resistance
- The local Greeks had mixed feelings towards the Italians, but their hatred for the Germans was more pronounced.
- Despite this, some Kefalonians showed solidarity with the Italian soldiers and assisted them during the battle.
- After the massacre, the Greeks helped some Italian survivors escape and hide from the Germans.
-Helping Allied servicemen with food, shelter, clothing, and evading capture and disrupting the enemy's operations, and gathering intelligence
John Capes and HMS Perseus
- John Capes was a Royal Navy submariner who survived the sinking of the HMS Perseus off the coast of Kefalonia in 1941.
- He was rescued by local fishermen and hidden by the Kefalonians, who risked their lives to help him evade capture. They gave him food, shelter, and clothing.
- Capes was eventually smuggled out of Greece and returned to Britain, where he continued to serve in the Royal Navy.
- However, after the war, Capes faced challenges in getting his story believed, with some even accusing him of being a deserter or spy.It wasn't until much later, when the truth about the sinking of the HMS Perseus came to light, that his story was fully acknowledged and appreciated.
October 3, 2025
The Weight of Loyalty completely drew me in from the first page. Set against the backdrop of WWII on the island of Kefalonia, this story beautifully intertwines love, betrayal, resilience, and sacrifice. Oliver’s journey as a British sailor stranded behind enemy lines is both intense and inspiring, and his connection with Natalía is heartfelt and layered with real emotion.
Natalía’s character stood out to me the most strong, determined, and deeply human. Her fight to protect her family and village while navigating a dangerous web of deception had me hooked. The growing bond between her and Oliver felt genuine and was filled with both tenderness and tension.
Mike H. Mizrahi’s writing is vivid and immersive. The historical details, emotional depth, and moral dilemmas were portrayed in such a way that I felt like I was right there with the characters, living through every choice and consequence.
Natalía’s character stood out to me the most strong, determined, and deeply human. Her fight to protect her family and village while navigating a dangerous web of deception had me hooked. The growing bond between her and Oliver felt genuine and was filled with both tenderness and tension.
Mike H. Mizrahi’s writing is vivid and immersive. The historical details, emotional depth, and moral dilemmas were portrayed in such a way that I felt like I was right there with the characters, living through every choice and consequence.
July 1, 2025
You know the feeling you get when you finish a great book? That wow feeling of I just read a great book and I'm sad that it is over? I got that feeling with this book, it is that good.
From the great writing, to the exceptional descriptions of places and situations, to the magnificent characters and their development throughout the pages of the books, to the many well researched historical details this book is an excellent story about the toll war inflicts in a population but also on the soldiers on both sides of the conflict.
This is a book about war and its toll, but also about love, sacrifices and redemption and what are you willing to do to make everything better.
From the great writing, to the exceptional descriptions of places and situations, to the magnificent characters and their development throughout the pages of the books, to the many well researched historical details this book is an excellent story about the toll war inflicts in a population but also on the soldiers on both sides of the conflict.
This is a book about war and its toll, but also about love, sacrifices and redemption and what are you willing to do to make everything better.
June 5, 2025
Enemies, secrets, spies, and steamy tension? Yes, please! 💣💋 I couldn’t flip the pages of The Weight of Loyalty fast enough. Oliver’s washed-up-on-a-war-torn-shore vibe mixed with Natalía’s take-no-crap attitude? Perfection. This book is like sneaking into a war movie but getting way more romance, betrayal, and gut-punch plot twists than you bargained for. If you like your historical fiction hot, heroic, and hella risky—you need to read this. 🔥
June 9, 2025
The Weight of Loyalty is an emotional story set during WWII on the island of Kefalonia, where love and danger collide in unforgettable ways. Oliver and Natalía’s journey—through heartbreak, resistance, and impossible choices—captured my attention from the first page. I really enjoyed the vivid setting and the way the story balanced intense historical detail with raw, human emotion. It’s the kind of book that reminds you just how brave ordinary people can be in extraordinary times.
June 26, 2025
A book about war, and what people are willing to sacrifice to survive. How love, determination, and the will to live can help you overcome obstacles. With great world-building, charming characters, and romance, the book is a page-turner. It's worth reading, and I recommend it to all fans of this genre.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 9, 2025
Love, Lies & a Lot of Trouble in Paradise
This book swept me off my feet like a sailor in a storm—dangerous, daring, and dripping with tension, romance, and enough WWII drama to make my heart do somersaults.
This book swept me off my feet like a sailor in a storm—dangerous, daring, and dripping with tension, romance, and enough WWII drama to make my heart do somersaults.
July 17, 2025
I think I would have given this book a higher rating if I would have only read it and not listened to the British accent AI audio. It made it confusing as to who was speaking. Though I do appreciate all the Greek pronunciations done for me.
August 16, 2025
Thank you to @NetGalley for the free review copy in exchange for my honest review.
I was excited to read this book based on the description, title and cover, plus it is in my favorite genre of WWII historic novels. In all honesty, I struggled to get through this book. For me, the plot dialogue felt stilted, cliche' and some of the scenarios seemed very far fetched (despite knowing they are true occurrences).
The things I enjoyed about the book were the themes of survival against all odds, choices people make that create wars, the choices made during times of war, betrayals and the true cost of loyalty to those we love and the causes that lead us to make a hard stand. I found the occupation and resistance stories that took place on Kefalonia, Greece interesting. Mizrahi has a way of bringing the location to life. I could see the moonlight, hear the waves and smell the aromas of salt air, food, the vineyard and the wine. (I do love a good greek wine!)
Despite my own struggles with the book, I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the Greek occupation and resistance during WWII.
#TheWeightofLoyalty #NetGalley #GreekResistence #WWIIResistance #WWII #historicalfiction #historyandromance
I was excited to read this book based on the description, title and cover, plus it is in my favorite genre of WWII historic novels. In all honesty, I struggled to get through this book. For me, the plot dialogue felt stilted, cliche' and some of the scenarios seemed very far fetched (despite knowing they are true occurrences).
The things I enjoyed about the book were the themes of survival against all odds, choices people make that create wars, the choices made during times of war, betrayals and the true cost of loyalty to those we love and the causes that lead us to make a hard stand. I found the occupation and resistance stories that took place on Kefalonia, Greece interesting. Mizrahi has a way of bringing the location to life. I could see the moonlight, hear the waves and smell the aromas of salt air, food, the vineyard and the wine. (I do love a good greek wine!)
Despite my own struggles with the book, I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the Greek occupation and resistance during WWII.
#TheWeightofLoyalty #NetGalley #GreekResistence #WWIIResistance #WWII #historicalfiction #historyandromance
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews