Callie, a lonely small-town waitress, is still reeling from the discovery that she’s adopted when she arrives in Montevino, Italy in search of answers – the keys to the stunning hillside villa she has just inherited clutched tightly in her hand. Inside the rusted gates, and through a large wooden front door dripping with sun-kissed flowers, Callie can’t decide if she’s more astonished by her new … astonished by her new home or her first encounter with the mysterious young groundskeeper, Tommaso.
Wandering the villa barefoot at night, Callie finds a diary belonging to a woman named Elisa, wrapped in faded blue ribbon and hidden in her birthmother’s antique wardrobe. Page by page, Callie is swept away by its story of love, passion, heartbreak and betrayal as she reads how Elisa married her childhood sweetheart in secret before fleeing to the woods to join the resistance. They vowed to find each other again when the war was over, but history had other plans.
Callie is certain that her and Elisa’s lives are somehow connected, and that the truth about her family is hidden somewhere within the diary’s crinkled yellow pages. It gives her the courage to start asking questions around the close-knit village until, at long last, she feels her closed-off heart begin to open. Perhaps even enough to let someone in…
But when a devastating betrayal in the final pages of the diary unlocks a heart-breaking secret about who Callie’s mother really is, the chance for a new life shatters in front of her. Can she persuade the locals to forgive her past and accept the truth about her identity?
This unforgettable story of love, loss and secrets by the author of million-copy Amazon No 1. bestseller, Watch Over Me, is perfect for anyone who loves Fiona Valpy, Lily Graham, or The Letter by Kathryn Hughes.
Readers adore The Italian Villa:
‘Mesmerising! I was totally hooked… absolutely perfect and just flowed endlessly with such ease. I really can’t praise this OUTSTANDING book enough!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘I fell in love with this book! It was beautiful and captivating from start to finish. I loved Callie right from the beginning, she is such a relatable character. You laughed with her and cried for her throughout… Absolutely loved this entire book!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘From the moment I opened this book I was hooked. This is a beautifully written story with characters that tug at your heartstrings from the second they’re introduced. You can’t help but fall in love with them and the tiny village in Italy where it takes place… you feel as though you’re really there… I devoured this book in no time… you can’t wait to turn the page to find out what happens next…which is why I finished this book at 3 in the morning!… I was so enthralled from the very first page!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘I really loved it… makes you want to curl up in a chair with a warm drink and read this slowly. I found myself not wanting to devour this, but to savour every page. It’s emotional and empowering and the characters fill your mind completely long after you have finished the story.’ Crossroad Reviews
‘Truly amazing. The story had many heart-warming moments and a few heart-wrenching…I was completely charmed and transported…You will be as well if you choose to read it. So read it!’ One Page At A Time, 5 starsmore
This historical novel takes place in a small village in Italy. The main character is Callie, who lives in Texas spending 8 years in foster care after th death of hr parents. She is working hard as a waitress saving her money to go to college. At the age of 21 years, she is contacted by a lawyer that she has inherited a Villa in Montevino Italy. This is a beautiful place in the mountains. While living in the VIlla she discovers a old diary that takes her back to WW11 era. This diary brings alive the history and struggles of the peole during this time. Also a love story develops for Callie in this wonderful interest town. You will feel an attachment to the characters. This is a well written story and highly recommend
I’m finding it hard to read…. not a story I’m wanting yo get back to when I put the book down.
I loved this lovely, easy to read story. It is about a young women uncovering her families roots, and all the drama that comes with it. It takes place in a quaint town in Italy where everyone knows everyone’s business. Loved the diary she inherits to ad a parallel to her own Journey
Pleasant reading. Easy to follow, not too predictable.
Great story that is not too predictable…with a great look at small town Italian life.
An enjoyable read
I guessed the ending but it didn’t detract from the story
Loved the Italian setting and food descriptions. Enjoyed the diary inserts for a compelling additional storyline. Some were predictable and other times unpredictable. Fun read.
Different from other WW11 books I’ve read. The setting is Italy both during WW11 and current day. Worth reading.
Interesting twist, good mystery.
A great book based on real life with colorful characters! Great description of northern Italy!
Weak and confusing plot line. Unrealistic and contrived outcomes. Mediocre writing style. Sort of pleasant story but shallow.
I enjoyed this romantic read.
Okay
I liked the book. The thing I did not like was, at the beginning, the main character had a friend she was close to and then when the main character’s life turned in a different direction, there was no reference to the friend at all. I really thought the friend would show up at the end to wrap the story up, but it didn’t happen. It sort of seemed like the friend part of the story got edited out. I did enjoy the imagery of the Italian countryside.
When Callie turns twenty one she is handed a letter which will change her life.
She travels from Texas where she grew up, to North Western Italy where she learns of her past and that of her family.
A well written story set in present day and during World War 2.
This was my first introduction to Daniela Sacerdoti, and I was thoroughly impressed. Sacerdoti writes with beautiful emotion as she tells the story of Callie; a girl who lives in Texas and finds out her life is a lie. Loaded with new information, she travels to a small town in Italy to find her truth. While there, she bumps into Tommaso— a handsome groundskeeper. The two become inseparable, as fate unlocks more of her mysterious past.
This book was gripping and delightful; I enjoyed every bit of it.
If you’re in the mood for a historical romance that’s entertaining—this ones right up your alley.
A big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers and Bookouture for providing this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am a fan of historical fiction, but this one didn’t quite fit the bill for me. There was a story set during WWII, but it was told via diary entries, so it was fairly static. I think it might have been more impactful and dynamic if it had more connection to the contemporary storyline, as this is where the bulk of the story lies. I liked Callie’s story, but it seemed implausible at times. There were a few moments of connection between the two plots but would have been more enjoyable if it was correctly classified. As is, it was just okay. For a complete review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital pre-release ARC of the book.
Cassie’s Family
Imagine you are 21 years old, your parents died when you were ten, and that you grew up in an orphanage and foster homes. You are finally on your own, you have a job, friends, and a small home. Now you receive a letter in the mail from an attorney in Italy. Italy is a long way from America. It says you have inherited a house in Italy from your birth mother. Wait a minute, your parents died when you were ten. This must be a mistake. You call the lawyer, it is no mistake, your parents were your adoptive parents. Okay, who are my parents?
Cassie goes to Italy. The story you will read within these pages is that of Cassie and Tommaso, And Cassie’s family. It is also the story of her great grandmother Elisa and Leo during WWII. The story of her great grandmother is told through the journal left for her at the lawyer’s office to be given to her when she turned Twenty One.
The story is of finding love, of forgiveness, self discovery and courage. It is the story of Cassie finding her family in the present and the past.
This was a wonderful read, I really enjoyed it, and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Daniela Sacerdoti, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advance copy of this book.
Full Disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for writing an impartial review.
What makes historical fiction my favorite literary genre is the ability to learn more about history while disappearing into a good story. And THE ITALIAN VILLA gave me both.
Author Daniela Sacerdoti uses a structure I find many contemporary authors turn to these days — telling two distinct stories of two characters from different time periods and only fully explaining how the two stories connect at the very end of the book:
• The first story belongs to Callie, a self-reliant Texas waitress who grew up in foster care after her parents died, and is now trying to figure out what to do with her life.
• A second story is Elise’s. She is an ambitious woman living in a small Italian village who wants to become a doctor at a time when women simply did not do that. And she makes that commitment on the brink of World War II. Her story is told through her diary, which suddenly comes into Callie’s possession.
I won’t spoil the pleasure of discovering for yourselves how the lives of these two determined young women evolve — but I will say their stories are compelling and will keep you turning page after page. (I read the book in 2 days). There are long-buried family secrets to be uncovered. Plenty of romance, even for reluctant lovers. You’ll experience the slower pace of contemporary life in a small Italian village, where everyday gossip and interpersonal feuds sometimes originate in the history of families that have lived together for generations. And, of course, there’s also the death, random violence, and uncertainly of living during wartime.
My one criticism of the writing is a periodic tendency toward trite phrases. But I did not find that kept me from enjoying this novel.
A nice feel good story. I enjoyed the characters and had pretty much figured out a few things before Callie did.
Looking forward to more if this story line continues.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookoutre for the early copy