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The Sunflower Girl
In the fields around Tuscany in summertime, sunflowers grow in profusion—wave upon wave of gold and green standing tall against the Italian sky. But for Signora Maria Ferraro, the bright yellow blooms carry only bitter memories. Though she loved them as a child, sunflowers have come to represent the most painful episode of her life. Not even her cherished daughter, Anabella, knows what happened to her during World War II, when the Germans overran her hometown of Florence and Signora Ferraro fell in love with a Resistance fighter. In the aftermath of loss and grief she found salvation through an unlikely source—cultivating roses on her farm in the Tuscan countryside. Now the blossoms symbolize everything that is both good and safe, and she nurtures them with as much care as she guards her past.
Yet to Anabella, the rose farm that once delighted her has become little more than a pretty prison. Despite her beautiful surroundings, Anabella longs for more. During one of her regular visits to Siena to sell their flowers, Anabella encounters a handsome young artist named Dante Galletti. His canvases are filled with images of a girl who looks just like Anabella—and Dante claims to have seen her in his dreams, running through a sunflower field. Through Dante, Anabella begins to see sunflowers, her cloistered existence, and the world itself through new eyes. As their relationship deepens, Anabella knows she will soon have to choose between loyalty to her mother, and the risks and rewards of living on her own terms.
Alternating between the viewpoints of both mother and daughter, and between Italy during World War II and a quarter-century later, The Sunflower Girl is a poignant and moving story of the choices we make in the name of love, and the secrets that echo through generations.
Yet to Anabella, the rose farm that once delighted her has become little more than a pretty prison. Despite her beautiful surroundings, Anabella longs for more. During one of her regular visits to Siena to sell their flowers, Anabella encounters a handsome young artist named Dante Galletti. His canvases are filled with images of a girl who looks just like Anabella—and Dante claims to have seen her in his dreams, running through a sunflower field. Through Dante, Anabella begins to see sunflowers, her cloistered existence, and the world itself through new eyes. As their relationship deepens, Anabella knows she will soon have to choose between loyalty to her mother, and the risks and rewards of living on her own terms.
Alternating between the viewpoints of both mother and daughter, and between Italy during World War II and a quarter-century later, The Sunflower Girl is a poignant and moving story of the choices we make in the name of love, and the secrets that echo through generations.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 24, 2018
55 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Rosanna Chiofalo
12 books114 followersRosanna Chiofalo is a first-generation Italian American whose parents emigrated from Sicily to New York in the early 1960s. She is the author of Bella Fortuna, Carissima, Stella Mia, Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop, and the novella "Seven Days of Christmas" which appears in the WHEN THE SNOW FALLS collection. She lives with her husband in New York City. Visit: RosannaChiofalo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 30, 2018
This had the potential to be a wonderful story. Set in Italy and told from the perspectives of the three main characters, the story shifted seamlessly between the 1970s and the WWII occupation of Italy by the Nazis. The characters are interesting, the plot intriguing. The author's voice has a lyrical quality that lends itself well to this story. I learned much about Italy during the war and the work of those who secretly resisted first the Fascists and then the Nazis. Though the mother in the story is difficult to like, it is obvious from the start that she has very serious reasons for her behavior. Waiting to learn the details of what led her to become such a different person from her younger self was what kept me reading. In the end it all made sense.
The major detraction for me was that the book should have had far superior editing leading to a rewrite. It reads as though an earlier draft rather than the finished, polished product was published. Too bad, because if not for that it would have been a truly lovely story.
The major detraction for me was that the book should have had far superior editing leading to a rewrite. It reads as though an earlier draft rather than the finished, polished product was published. Too bad, because if not for that it would have been a truly lovely story.
October 26, 2021
Sheltered for 26 years by her controlling mother, Anabella is ready for more after meeting artist Dante. What happened during WWII to make her mother, Maria, act this way? Will she be able to let her daughter follow her dreams?
Sunflowers have special meaning to me so I was drawn to this lovely cover and wanted to know why Maria has such bitter feelings about sunflowers. While I now understand why, I felt like much of the writing, plot, and conversations were stilted and unnatural. I liked the story at the beginning but the longer it dragged on, the more it just felt off. I did enjoy the romances between Maria and Franco and Anabella and Dante. That part was sweet. However, there was quite a bit of repetition throughout especially about why Maria acted the way she did. I did not need to hear her story THREE separate times: once in her chapters, once to Dante, and then finally, FINALLY to her own daughter. What took her so long to share her story? Sigh.
Lastly, I couldn't help but wonder... how the heck was Maria all of a sudden knowledgeable enough to write so many articles for the fictitious Florentines Against Fascism (FAF) newspaper? Where had she gained the experience to be be able to do that?
Location: 1943-1986 Italy
Sunflowers have special meaning to me so I was drawn to this lovely cover and wanted to know why Maria has such bitter feelings about sunflowers. While I now understand why, I felt like much of the writing, plot, and conversations were stilted and unnatural. I liked the story at the beginning but the longer it dragged on, the more it just felt off. I did enjoy the romances between Maria and Franco and Anabella and Dante. That part was sweet. However, there was quite a bit of repetition throughout especially about why Maria acted the way she did. I did not need to hear her story THREE separate times: once in her chapters, once to Dante, and then finally, FINALLY to her own daughter. What took her so long to share her story? Sigh.
Lastly, I couldn't help but wonder... how the heck was Maria all of a sudden knowledgeable enough to write so many articles for the fictitious Florentines Against Fascism (FAF) newspaper? Where had she gained the experience to be be able to do that?
Location: 1943-1986 Italy
July 23, 2018
Review also found at https://kristineandterri.blogspot.com...
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I chose this story because there isn't a wartime story I can walk away from. To add to that, I also discovered that I had previously read Chiofalo's work Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop and had loved it. I just had to read this.
This story is written through two perspectives, Maria's during the occupation of Italy in WW11 and her daughters from childhood to adulthood. Both stories equally interesting and eerily similar while being different at the same time if that makes sense.
As with most stories of this genre, it is filled with the things you would come to expect. Tragic love stories, horrific events and a theme of perseverance. I struggled with the character of Maria and how overprotective she was of her daughter. At times I just wanted to slap her however as the story progressed I was able to understand her and what drove her to be the person she was.
Having just finished the book only moments ago, I find myself reflecting and still feeling the story. This is an indication of a good book in my world when you just can't shake it after completion. I do know now that Chiofalo is an author I will actively seek out as after reading two of her books, I have yet to be let down.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I chose this story because there isn't a wartime story I can walk away from. To add to that, I also discovered that I had previously read Chiofalo's work Rosalia's Bittersweet Pastry Shop and had loved it. I just had to read this.
This story is written through two perspectives, Maria's during the occupation of Italy in WW11 and her daughters from childhood to adulthood. Both stories equally interesting and eerily similar while being different at the same time if that makes sense.
As with most stories of this genre, it is filled with the things you would come to expect. Tragic love stories, horrific events and a theme of perseverance. I struggled with the character of Maria and how overprotective she was of her daughter. At times I just wanted to slap her however as the story progressed I was able to understand her and what drove her to be the person she was.
Having just finished the book only moments ago, I find myself reflecting and still feeling the story. This is an indication of a good book in my world when you just can't shake it after completion. I do know now that Chiofalo is an author I will actively seek out as after reading two of her books, I have yet to be let down.
July 24, 2018
Well done dual time line, mother-daughter novel set in Italy during WWII and today. Maria fell in love with a Resistance fighter during the War. You can imagine what happened and why the effects linger in her mind today. She is entirely too protective of her daughter Annabella, who some might think should have stood up for herself at some point in her life. They sell flowers- lovely roses- and it is this aspect that makes this unique. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. There are secrets, there was trauma, there's a nice love interest...all the ingredients for a good read.
February 18, 2019
This book is set in Italy and tells of a shy, sheltered daughter raised by an overbearing mother who homeschools her daughter to keep her close and all to herself. We learn about the mother's marriage an Italian who worked against the Germans during their occupation of Italy, and also the mom's own work in the resistance. Annabella, the daughter, falls in love with an artist, but her mother rejects her boyfriend and she is forced to choose between her mother & her boyfriend. It's painful to read about the atrocities the Germans inflicted on the Italians but it is balanced by a beautiful love story woven throughout the book.
July 15, 2019
One of my favorite authors, and this plot was so interesting. I learned so much about Italy during World War II that I didn't realized happened. What a difficult time period and it was interesting to see events unfold and truly why some experiences in life shape us to be who we are including our fears as well as our growth. I am never disappointed with this author's books.
July 16, 2020
What a novel !!! And to think I found it hidden in a thrift shop . It’s a beautiful, emotional, hilarious and brutally honest story about mothers and daughters and a war that threatened to ruin Italy . There were many moments in this book that caused a lump to form in my throat and think of my own mother. It was one of those books where I didn’t want it to end and now that it did, I can already miss the characters .
September 20, 2021
3.5? Beginning was okay, middle was slow and tough to get through, end redeemed it somewhat?
July 12, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
I absolutely adored this book. Set in the beautiful countryside of Tuscany, Italy amongst the fields of sunflowers, this was the perfect summer read. I grew so attached to all the characters in the book, and I loved how it switched between Annabella’s story as well as her mother’s past. We learn about Signora Ferraro’s life during the war and everything that she had been through. We also witness the complex relationship that she ends up having with her daughter, Annabella. Annabella and Dante’s love story, as well as Signora Ferraro and Franco’s love story were so sweet.
Some of the details in the book could be seen as a bit repetitive and the writing was average, but the storyline and the character development was impeccable.
I absolutely adored this book. Set in the beautiful countryside of Tuscany, Italy amongst the fields of sunflowers, this was the perfect summer read. I grew so attached to all the characters in the book, and I loved how it switched between Annabella’s story as well as her mother’s past. We learn about Signora Ferraro’s life during the war and everything that she had been through. We also witness the complex relationship that she ends up having with her daughter, Annabella. Annabella and Dante’s love story, as well as Signora Ferraro and Franco’s love story were so sweet.
Some of the details in the book could be seen as a bit repetitive and the writing was average, but the storyline and the character development was impeccable.
May 1, 2019
I've read all of Rosanna Chiofalo's books, and have loved every single one of them, including this one! This book begins by telling the story of Anabella and her mother, Signora Ferraro, who own a rose farm in Pienza, a city outside of Siena, Italy. Anabella is sheltered as a child, and now, as she has become a young woman, is being courted by an artist by the name of Dante, who paints pictures of Anabella based on how he views her in his dreams. The story goes back and forth, from the present, to the past, in which we learn of Signora Ferraro (then Maria Rossi), and her time serving the resistance during World War II. We are then introduced to Maria's family, which include her father, brother, and sister-in-law, as well as her true love, Franco. As the book continues on, we learn of Signora Ferraro's desire to keep her rose farm blooming, and Anabella's longing to be with Dante. I thoroughly enjoyed the author's historical accuracies when speaking of Italy's involvement during WWII, along with the desire of Maria, Franco, and the rest of the resistance fighters to continue on with their dream of freedom, despite the danger it posed to their lives. I also loved the love stories between Maria and Franco, and later on, Anabella and Dante; each of them displaying the utmost patience, kindness, and perseverance when faced with unspeakable tragedies. The author did a wonderful job of giving us as readers the chance to know each of the characters in-depth, with our love only growing fonder for their happiness as the story continued. Overall, a very well-written piece of fiction, which kept me wanting more as I ended the book; would highly recommend to anyone wanting to read about history and love, all wrapped up into one!
January 26, 2022
The ideas and concepts were interesting in this book. But the way it was written... I found it to be so incredibly slow and boring. I found myself constantly skimming ahead and I wanted to see what happened with the story line, but as events happen, readers have to endure reading the even three different times or through three different perspectives. For example, we see why the mother behaves as she does, what happened in her past, with a flash back to that time period and the story being told through her perspective. And then we get to know about that same event all over again as the mother shares her past with Dante. And then again as she finally decides to share it with her daughter Anabella. So, the readers get to "hear" the same thing three different times. I think that totally takes away from the impact of the mother's story. Had it been written better, it would have been much more interesting. It could have been a real page-turner, but it wasn't written that way. I am glad I finally finished it. Now on to another book. Still, I think the concepts and ideas were really cool, but the way the story was written left me feeling so bored. I just couldn't wait to finish. The relationship between Anabella and Dante was also very on the surface. I didn't feel moved by their romance or that their relationship grew. It just happened and that was that. I did like Dante's character better than Franco's. Didn't really care for Franco at all. Dante seemed kinder. He was probably my favorite character. I felt like there was a lot of fluff with the characters all being over-the-top nice with each other. Just too much. I don't recommend this one as I found it too slow and painful to get through.
May 27, 2019
This was such a fun book to kick off summer. As a Kansas native (and avid sunflower lover) I LOVED getting to read a book that centered around sunflowers so much!! The story pulls you in and won’t let you go. The symbolic representation of the roses and sunflowers throughout the story adds the perfect to touch to the emotions the characters experience. While this book was slightly confusing to read (due to the multiple character POV’s and two different time era’s) it was interesting to see the world through both the mother and the daughters eyes. Experiencing all of their emotions individually had a much deeper impact on me as the reader than if the book would’ve been written through only one of their POV’s. Adding Dante’s POV into the mix made it that much more of a delectable read.
The relationships throughout this book are extremely realistic and very relatable. I thoroughly enjoyed the parallels between Maria & Franco and Anabella & Dante. In the end, you have become so close and attached to all of the characters... it made it hard for me put the book back on the shelf. While I was THOROUGHLY satisfied with how the book ended (it was the perfect way to wrap up this story), I still craved more from Anabella, Dante, Maria, and Franco and I wanted to spend more time in the rose gardens and fields of sunflowers.
Set against the Tuscan countryside and weaving in bits of Italian culture and language, The Sunflower Girl keeps you guessing and coming back for more.
The relationships throughout this book are extremely realistic and very relatable. I thoroughly enjoyed the parallels between Maria & Franco and Anabella & Dante. In the end, you have become so close and attached to all of the characters... it made it hard for me put the book back on the shelf. While I was THOROUGHLY satisfied with how the book ended (it was the perfect way to wrap up this story), I still craved more from Anabella, Dante, Maria, and Franco and I wanted to spend more time in the rose gardens and fields of sunflowers.
Set against the Tuscan countryside and weaving in bits of Italian culture and language, The Sunflower Girl keeps you guessing and coming back for more.
August 14, 2018
This is a favorite author of mine and I was thrilled to receive this book for review.
Rosanna Chiofalo has a talent for writing stories that touch your heart and are visually stunning, In this next book the reader is swept away to a flower farm in Italy . A beautiful place that is home to Maria and her daughter. Maria harbors a terrible heartbreak from WWII and the loss of her great love. She lets her grief guide her as protection for her daughter who she watches over and wants to protect from any heartbreak. As the sunflower farm grows into a rose farm and the seasons change Maria is not able to let go of her grief and heartbreak. Her inability to move forward affect her relationship with her daughter and soon her daughter will also have a broken heart.
I love the vivid descriptions and being swept away to a flower farm in Italy. The compelling timelines that traverse from WWII to present day are done in a pleasing way to the reader. The full effect of the complexities of Maria are foremost in this touching story, I loved it and highly recommend this book.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity to review this wonderful book. This is a book to read when you can savor it and not be interrupted for you will want to indulge yourself in the authors wonderful prose and the fields of Italy,
Rosanna Chiofalo has a talent for writing stories that touch your heart and are visually stunning, In this next book the reader is swept away to a flower farm in Italy . A beautiful place that is home to Maria and her daughter. Maria harbors a terrible heartbreak from WWII and the loss of her great love. She lets her grief guide her as protection for her daughter who she watches over and wants to protect from any heartbreak. As the sunflower farm grows into a rose farm and the seasons change Maria is not able to let go of her grief and heartbreak. Her inability to move forward affect her relationship with her daughter and soon her daughter will also have a broken heart.
I love the vivid descriptions and being swept away to a flower farm in Italy. The compelling timelines that traverse from WWII to present day are done in a pleasing way to the reader. The full effect of the complexities of Maria are foremost in this touching story, I loved it and highly recommend this book.
Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity to review this wonderful book. This is a book to read when you can savor it and not be interrupted for you will want to indulge yourself in the authors wonderful prose and the fields of Italy,
June 8, 2018
This story is breathtaking. Anabella is a young girl growing up on a rose farm in Pienza. Her father passed away years earlier and her mother is raising her alone. Sunflower Girl is about this mother and daughter, but it's so much more than that. It's about life in Italy during World War II and the courageous people who made up the resistance. The author tells the story of two young people, part of the resistance, who fell in love during this dark time. And! In this story, we meet Dante, an artist, who dreams of a lovely lady and paints her into his works of art. It's about the estrangement of a mother and daughter, sunflowers, love, loss, romance, family, memories, suffering and forgiveness. A satisfying read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 22, 2018
WWII horror memories drive the mother of Anabella to harbor her throughout her life. Signora Ferraro, in her mind, is protecting Anabella from the pain of losing all of the people she will love. It all backfires when Anabella meets Dante, a painter who has dreamed of her and painted her over and over. Theirs is a love for the ages but she finds her mother cannot accept the r=new reality of not being the only person in her daughter’s life.
This is a heartfelt story of protection going past a livable boundary and of the journey of two women to find a new normalcy in their relationship.
This is a heartfelt story of protection going past a livable boundary and of the journey of two women to find a new normalcy in their relationship.
July 19, 2018
Although Annabella is in her twenties, she has led a protected life within the confines of her mother’s flower farm in Italy. When she meets Dante, everything changes, and Annabella begins to resent her mother’s overprotective ways. In alternating chapters, the story of Annabella’s mother, Maria, and her experiences in Italy during WWII help explain why Maria has been so overprotective, while their relationship continues to evolve. A bit repetitive at times, and a little drawn out, but I liked the historical background.
August 29, 2023
Written as in World War 2, this was my first read from this author, involving German invasions , families finding ways to focus on flowers, art work, etc as a part of their comfort & livings. Controlling emotions shattering families, but love prevailing through it all.
It was hard for me to imagine a book with all this diversity could keep me reading, but this author has a real way of drawing you in and I do hope to read more of her works.
It was hard for me to imagine a book with all this diversity could keep me reading, but this author has a real way of drawing you in and I do hope to read more of her works.
March 25, 2019
This story was a little slow to get going, but once it did I found it to be quite interesting. I loved that the story was set in Italy and occasionally Italian words and phrases were thrown in. I especially enjoyed Senora Ferraro's story as a young woman fighting in the Resistance. Romance, some historical fiction and a great setting made for a good read.
June 30, 2021
Set in WWII Facist threatened Italy, with periodic jumps forward a few decades to the future and back. Both a love story and the story of an intense Mother-Daughter relationship. POV switches back and forth between Mother and Daughter. Very much enjoyed the descriptions of Florence, Siena and the beautiful Tuscany hills and fields.
November 18, 2018
Too much of a love story and not enough history for me. I would have liked a more in-depth look at the resistance fighters. That part of the story is key to how each character developed yet it was skimmed over.
July 14, 2019
Good read
Good read, not a jumping back and forth in time lover. I do love sunflowers and that's why hI read this story. Loss of loved ones can change your life good or bad. Some can't more on. I can relate.
Good read, not a jumping back and forth in time lover. I do love sunflowers and that's why hI read this story. Loss of loved ones can change your life good or bad. Some can't more on. I can relate.
June 7, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It had a nice pace to it. As an Italian American, I felt the book was very relatable, especially the Mother’s character. I also like the depiction of dreams, which is also taken seriously in our Italian family.
January 21, 2019
This book was a great story about love and family. It was well written and so easy to read! Highly recommend and looking forward to reading more of this author!
January 31, 2019
I enjoy reading WWII stories. This is about a resistant fighter....quite intriguing.
April 16, 2019
Loved it!!
August 7, 2019
This is a beautifully written book! I loved reading every minute of it!
October 12, 2021
3.5 Stars
June 10, 2023
I enjoyed this story. The setting was beautiful. It was a light read which was nice after working. I also love the flower themes throughout the book.
June 8, 2018
This book has it all..Historical fiction, love, family, heartbreak and vivid descriptions of Italy. I didn't expect to feel so many emotions while reading this book.. A great read of love and loss yet at times a little repetitive and long but a great read.. i would definitely recommend.
August 26, 2018
The Sunflower Girl is a well written novel. Great plot, characters and setting. The author is new to me and I enjoyed her writing. I recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews