This was a gripping historical fiction read and I was frequently at the edge of my seat! Well-researched and well-written. Highly recommend!

A slow burn, character driven and emotionally charged story, that builds to an epic conclusion.

The character development was sublime and the rapport between Hollywood starlet, Lola, researching her latest film role, and Rosa, the best friend of Luisa Giordano, the character Lola was to play, was a joy to read.

I was delighted to see the truth come out and the bad guys get their comeuppance.

Easily guessed twists, but enjoyable, nevertheless.

3.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Sarah Steele and for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the copy. What a fantastic book! The author has a great gift for characterisation - nuanced, interesting, believable people!Thanks to a great author we have warmth, wisdom and emotional intelligence, this book was a huge pleasure to read!

Throughout the novel, two strong women, Luisa Giordano and Lola Hart, come together to tell their stories.

In addition to losing her mother to a fatal illness, Luisa Giordano lost the man she loved to the Nazis during the war, as well as her unborn child to her own husband.

After discovering her husband's collaboration with the enemy, Luisa realizes she must use her voice to ignite the women of Naples with a fiery determination.

In 1962, Hollywood starlet Lola Hart rises from the backstreets of Naples to the glamorous world of Hollywood parties.

Although fame and fortune can numb the pain of the past, they can only do so for so long.

In accepting the role of a lifetime, Lola realizes that returning to Naples means confronting the ghosts of her past.

Lola finds out that the woman she will be portraying holds the greatest secret of all as she uncovers the story behind the film.

This story was written beautifully. Packed with emotion and heartache.

This book was AMAZING! I love quality Historical Fiction where you are entertained but also learn a lot. This book conjured up so many vivid pictures on my imagination - I had such clear pictures of the scenery and some characters. I don’t want to give much away but think Naples WW2 and strong, courageous women -,lots of twists and turns and, dual time story …. 1962 Hollywood and an actress is offered a dream role of an Italian Resistance heroine ……..
Read, enjoy and shake your head in disbelief at the bravery of these women who would do anything to protect their loved ones.

A great book about the Italian resistance in Naples and focused on the role women played in this little-discussed uprising. Cleverly told through two perspectives, going between when these events are happening during WW2 and 20 years later when a young Italian actress returns to Naples with her producer to research a new movie they are planning to make. Well paced, would make a great beach read - it has romance, heartbreak, intrigue, and triumph - what's not to like!

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

The story is set in Naples 1943 and Los Angles 1962 and is based around the stories of the heroes of the Italian Resistance.

Main characters Lola and Luisa, both strong and women, you read about their lives, where secrets are revealed, and families are separated.

It’s well-written, as as well as heart-wrenching.

I highly recommend this book..

My father was a member of the Italian Resistance and I was both curious and wary about this book.
I liked it and appreciated the characters and the well researched historical background.
A poignant and compelling story that I strongly recommend.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is a very long historical fiction read set in Naples 1943 and Los Angles 1962 where we see the two main characters come to life. This book is inspired by stories of the heroines of the Italian Resistance and is a wonderful and heartwarming read.

The two main characters Lola and Luisa are strong and courageous women, the story takes you on their journey where there are secrets, where families are torn apart and where courage shines a light. It is heart-warming yet heart-wrenching and is well written making it a seamless read.

A book I highly recommend if you love historical fiction.

Thank you NetGalley and Headline for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

What a wonderful book. I loved the characters, both Lola and Luisa, two different personalities, yet their hiding their real selves in full sight makes them so similar. Beautifully written, and full of atmosphere. An excellent beach read, and then a slow re-read later. Recommended.