This is a powerful story of Italian Jews during WWII. It is also a powerful story of three friends who go through so much together. I love WWII historical fiction but have not read what it was like in Italy during the war. It was a fascinating journey and if you want to learn more, the author has short videos of her research trip so you can see the places talked about in the book. This book has everything - love, family, heartbreak, triumph, tragedy and most any other emotion you can think of. I highly recommend this book!!!

There's not a lot of books about what happened in Italy after the so called racial law were issued.
This is a good one: well researched and compelling.
The beginning reminded me of a literary story called "The Garden of the Finzi-Continis" but as the story evolved I appreciated the style of writing and the storytelling.
I strongly recommend this story.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

An excellent read, an excellent author who captured my imagination from early on in the book have read a few by Same author and can highly recommend.

A well-woven and engaging historical novel set before, during and after the second world war.

Elisabetta, Marco, and Sandro have been best friends since forever. Elisabetta loves her books and dreams of being a writer herself. Marco is the sporty one, with a father who hopes he'll be the next professional cyclist in the family. Finally, Marco is the brains, an extremely promising mathematician, and Jewish. As the war develop, the three long-term best friends suddenly realise that according to the new rules they are no longer equal.

As they get older, their friendship develops into something more; Elisabetta is in love with both Marco and Sandro, and they both love her. They somehow manage to all three get along, with Marco and Sandro taking turns in spending time with Elisabetta.

The vivid story-telling by Scottoline brings the reader straight back to an occupied and war torn Rome, with poignant description of daily life including the struggles and the injustice experienced by the Jews.

Inspired by true historical events, but with the author's magical touch added, this is a thought-provoking story, which brings to life some of the daily struggles endured at the time.