An Italian Affair is a wonderful, absorbing historical saga that just draws the reader into the story.

The characters are all very well developed, realistic and I felt I went on a real journey with them through the ages. I didn’t know much about Italian history between the wars so I thought it was fascinating to read about the rise of Mussolini and his fascist party. The historical detail for this time was brilliant and I felt that I could picture all the action, and the wonderful Italian countryside, vividly as if I was witnessing it all first hand.

There was a lot of action in this book which made the book hugely enjoyable and helped ensure the reader was thoroughly gripped, especially in the war years . Even though I knew how some of the things would play out from reading other books based in the second world war, I still found myself caught up in the action and holding my breath as things unfolded. Some of the events are truly heartbreaking especially as by the time it happened I had grown very fond of the characters involved. I actually had to stop reading the book for a little bit as the story had affected me so much.

The ending and the twist was truly shocking and took me completely by surprise which I always enjoy. I found myself flicking back through the pages to see if I should have guessed earlier.

This unbelievably is the author’s debut novel and I’m so excited to read more from this talented author, especially if she creates more stunning historical sagas like this one.

Huge thanks to Alainna from Orion for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Orion for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

Alessandra Durante is grieving the loss of her husband in rather tragic circumstances when she learns that she has inherited her ancestral home in the Tuscan Hills. She decides to move there with her daughter, Diana leaving her son Robert under the care of his godfather and at boarding school.

Then war breaks out and the book divides into focusing on the various characters and what they are up to.

These include Robert as he becomes a man and makes a decision to join the war effort even though he knows his mother will not approve of him enlisting. Also Alessandra as she takes care of those around her, having relied on her husband when he was still alive in England. Plus Diana as she becomes a woman. And Davide, who learns things about his background that he struggles to deal with.

With a plot twist that was rather unexpected, I would highly recommend this book.

This stunning debut opens with a tragic death which leads to momentous decisions, life changing acts and the unveiling of secrets.

I was completely engrossed in this part of the world and part of history about which I know very little-the between war period in Italy when Mussolini and his Fascist Revolutionary Party came to power.

It was an absolute pleasure to engage myself with the lives of Alessandra, Diana and Robert, I could not begin to imagine the decisions that Alessandra had to make, by taking one child to her inherited Villa, whilst leaving her other one behind.

‘An Italian Affair’ is best enjoyed with an sparkling Italian wine, and as such, devoured wholeheartedly. An affair in more ways than one, it is a sweeping family saga,historical fictions and emotional rollercoaster which was just a joy to read.

An Italian Affair is the début novel from Caroline Montague and for a first book it is certainly a very impressive read. I hate using the term sweeping historical fiction but that is what this book is. It's an epic story that has you swept up in the lives of the central characters as you journey with them through times of change and turbulence as they live through an era when the world is altered forever. I loved that this story had a clear beginning, middle and end with certain stages scattered throughout which allowed us to gain a sense of the inner working of the family unit we follow and how they came to be the people they were. Sometimes stories go off on tangents and lose their way but this wasn't the case here. I thought the story went from strength to strength and carried on to a deeply satisfying conclusion with a twist I didn't see coming. Although there was a niggle in the back of my mind that something wasn't right with regard to a certain set up but I never could quite put my finger on it. The author almost lulls you into a false sense of security and then boom she hits you with a curve-ball that has you screaming with the injustice of it all and hoping that a comeuppance will be served.

But before we reach that point there is plenty that comes before it and Caroline set everything up so well. The prologue, slightly longer than prologues I have read before, was tense and imparted a lot of necessary information. It assuredly set the tone and feeling for the entire novel as a life amending event befell the Marston family as the patriarch meets with an accident but it is the tension built up within a few paragraphs that shows that the author is a real talent. I felt the families pain, loss and devastation that their rock has gone. That the man they loved so much and looked to for guidance and leadership is no more.

Alessandra, his wife, has to step up and to be honest I thought she was going to be one of those weak women I've often read about in other books who can't function at all once their husband has gone. That the children no matter their age have to take over. Instead over the course of the story she blossomed and grew in strength and tenacity. This was never over played though, in the fact that all of a sudden she could do and did remarkable things that she would never have dreamed possible before. Instead as we progress through the life events that befall the family she grew over time and it all felt natural and realistic. She harboured a deep love for her husband that wasn't forgotten or didn't diminish in an instant. She had to come to terms with and forge an acceptance that he was gone but he would live on forever in their hearts and that every action and thing she did for her family and the children Robert and Diana too, would make him proud. For events were sent to test them and their friends and neighbours to the max.

Moving the plot away from London to the rolling Italian countryside was an inspired choice for a different setting as it allowed the characters to move out of their comfort zone. An inheritance leads to a change of fortunes for the Marston family and soon Alessandra and Diana finding themselves living and working on an Italian farm. The descriptions of the farm, surrounding countryside and villages were so vivid and well thought out. I could imagine everything so clearly in my head and could visualise Alessandra stepping outside her door and what a stunning view would be before her eyes. As the descriptions of the setting were brilliant I think this helped in later chapters when war broke out and there was lots of passages describing partisan activity in the countryside I could also clearly visualise this too. Robert chose to remain in London to continue his studies and this decision plays a vital role in the man he grows up to be. It was brilliant the way things were set up and we learned the workings of the families life in Italy for several years before the outbreak of war for it allowed us to see what changes came about. How new links and a new life were established in Italy before the actions of a mad man altered everything.

Diana arrived in Italy a scared, young teenager lacking confidence and still very much in the grieving process but as the years pass she changes into an inspiring young woman who is willing to embrace and accept love no matter the consequences. Her devotion, bravery and strength towards the one she loved demonstrated what a remarkable woman she grew in to. I admired how she stood by her mother and kept things going during times of trauma, unrest and danger. They both made so many sacrifices and along with close neighbours and the unit they had built with workers on the farm they placed themselves in danger time and time again as the war encroached ever further towards their home.

The middle section of the book as set during the war years was fascinating and it showed a clear division between life pre war and during the years of upheaval. I thought it was excellent that we moved back and forth between Italy but we also gained a deeper insight into Robert as a young man as he battles with his own conscience and battles in the war with what is right and wrong. I think I would have become tired of reading scenes set in Italy all the time although when everything reverts back to Italian soil and the undercover work of the partisans these scenes were expertly researched. All the hidden networks that existed at the time and the work they carried out were invaluable and I think it was excellent to have them included in this story as it opened up another strand to the war that we may not think about or have much knowledge on.

Robert was the character who I felt really transformed over the course of the story. He was an intelligent man and this was noted and used to great affect during the war years. Although life wasn't plain sailing for him as he battled with what he was tasked to do. I thought it was very realistic that he got close to people with whom he was working especially when flying bomber aircraft only for these relationships to be snatched away. That is what happened during that time and it showed the futility of war and how life can be gone in an instant. Robert became immersed in duty and loyalty to his country. He becomes resilient and hardened at least on the outside but on the inside I think he was facing and dealing with a maelstrom of mentions that threatened to overspill and when revenge comes calling this is certainly what happened. Robert was a character who was reconstructed from an innocent young school boy to a man filled with grit and determination but one wondered what would the fallout of the war be for all the characters you have come to be deeply invested in since you read that intense prologue?

An Italian Affair was a gripping read that provides the reader with a solid storyline packed full of depth and emotion. It is a very promising début novel from Caroline Montague that gave me the twist I was craving when I least expected it. I sense there are even greater things to come from her in the future and I for one am excited to see what era in time she will take us to next.

An Italian Affair is such a beautiful novel that I struggled to part with it.

Alessandra is grieving the loss of her husband when she discovers that she has inherited her ancestral family home in Italy. Her own Mother had been shunned from the family for marrying an Englishman, and Alessandra has never seen the country that her Mother grew up in.

But she has dreamed about it for a long time.

When the news comes of the inheritance Alessandra is in a dark place, and realises that this may be something to help put her life back together. But she must take only her daughter, Diana whilst her son, Robert completes his prestigious education.

Alessandra and Diana take to Italy almost immediately, and work hard to fit in with the local community and end to ensure that they live up to the Durante name. Eventually Diana must start at the local school, where she first meets Davide a young man set to capture her heart.

Meanwhile back in Britain, Robert has finished his education and signed up the Royal Air Force, determined to do his bit as the threat of war draws ever nearer. In his letters to his sister, he begs her not to tell Alessandra. But how could Diana keep such a secret.

Yet as World War Two breaks out, it becomes clear his is not the only secret, and the Durante family must do everything that they can to help those that they love, and themselves to survive the War

This is a beautifully written wonderful story. I loved the characters and the setting and the plot. This is a gem of a book. There is love, loss and betrayal all put together into a brilliant historical story.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review What a fantastic book first time reading this author won't be my last an extremely cleaver plot that held your attention through out I love books set in this era a romance of its time well worth reading

I loved this book, wonderful characters and a compelling story set in war torn Italy. I thought the writing was very good and the characters so engaging. I would certainly seek out other books from this author.

Excellent, old fashioned, war time adventure read. The characters are believable and rounded, their adventures exciting and keep you thoroughly drawn in. The Durante family are split between England and Italy with mother and daughter at the old family home in Tuscany and the son at school then in the RAF in England. All are grieving at the death of the father. It's 1937. The son becomes a fighter pilot but, after being injured, is taken into training for the SOE from where he ends in Italy training partisan groups. His mother and sister run the family estate which also acts as a shelter for those who need it. Persecution of the local Jews, sabotage by the partisans and atrocious repercussions by the occupying Germans keep the action and adrenaline flowing. Naturally there is a traitor but their denouement is right at the end and a complete side swiper as far as I was concerned. I wouldn't say that there were any great underlying morals to the book (as seems so often necessary these days) but, at times, I like an honest adventure story to keep me entertained. The book does show the dedication of patriots during times of war, the conflicts within groups and how these can be overcome in an encompassing way. Read and enjoy.