I have read a number of Siobhan Daiko's books now. I have enjoyed the ones set in Asia, but I really liked the previous books set in Italy. This was therefore a book that I volunteered to read straight away.

In this book there are really two stories which converge into one meaningful arc. One is the story of a Texan nurse named Carrie, and the other is a young man named Vito who is a resistance fighter. The first part of the really story is really giving us Carrie's story as the author gets her to where she needs to be

Carrie is a nurse in the American Army who finds herself stationed initially in Africa but subsequently in various places in Italy. In one of the locations a young girl is bought into the hospital with a head injury. The girl's name is Mimi, and she is the daughter of a Jewish couple who have gone missing. As Carrie cares for her, she becomes more and more attached to her and determined to find her parents.

Mimi had been found sheltering in a convent by Vito when he was looking for his sister. Vito was also injured and as a result Carrie and Vito start spending time together. At first, Carrie was reluctant to let her feelings for Vito to grow stronger because he was younger than her, but also, more importantly because war had already resulted in heartbreak.

I appreciated that we truly got to feel the uncertainty of never knowing where Carrie would be assigned to next, the fear of the falling bombs even in hospital where there should be no bombings at all, and the unbearable loss of loved ones.

Whilst I really enjoyed this book, there were times where I felt like the research was showing in the story. There's no doubt that there would have been a lot of interesting research, especially seeing as so many of the characters were based on real people and events.

The author talks about her love of Italy, and it really shows. Her descriptions of the countryside had me wishing that I could visit the areas described. I also found myself thinking about how amazing it is that so much of the country was rebuilt in the aftermath of the destruction of WWII, and that it is available to us to still see now.

The author's note mentions that her next book will once again be set in Italy, and I am there for it!

Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. I will also be sharing this review with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge which I host.

Not a dual-time story this time, instead a really intense and focused wartime read, supported by what must have been such extensive research which the author uses so well to recreate the horrendous experiences of her characters engaged in their efforts on the front line in Italy during WW2.

The story begins in 1944, where we meet Carrie, a Texan nurse, working first at Anzio under constant bombardment – the fear is something you can really feel, but also the determination to deliver – when her dreams of a happy future are shattered by a devastating loss. Vito is a partisan from Florence, who helps in the liberation of a convent where his sister is a nun, leading a group of hidden Jewish children to safety. Young Mimi – the Tuscan orphan of the title – is injured, and helps repair Carrie’s broken heart as both she and Vito, as they grow closer, attempt to find out what happened to her parents.

This is a thoroughly immersive story that really doesn’t hold back on its depiction of the horrors of wartime, or on the descriptions of medical trauma – I’ll admit I found it very difficult to read at times, but was stunned by the authenticity of the detail. But it’s also a very touching love story, and the wartime story is set against the author’s wonderful descriptions of the Italy she loves – the stunning landscapes and the heartbreaking damage to the fabric of its cities – and the found family story that unfolds is superbly done.

The characterisation is excellent, the story told in the third person, but from the viewpoints of both Carrie and Vito – we share their emotional journey, and the challenges they both face. It’s a story of endurance and bravery, and the personal stories entirely engaged me at an emotional level – but I also learned a great deal about the moving theatre of engagement as the hospital moved with it, and the stages of Italy’s long and hard-fought liberation. It’s a story filled with hope, and there are moments of lightness – but there’s plenty of factual content to satisfy those who might not be quite as engaged by a more straightforward wartime romance.

I do have to say though that this wasn’t my favourite book from the author – only a personal preference, but I just found it rather too traumatic an experience. But it certainly wouldn’t stop me from recommending it to others – the storytelling is as excellent as ever, it’s gripping and compelling, and it would make an excellent book club read with its multiplicity of engaging themes and richness of historical detail.

What a amazing heartwarming, romantic, powerful and heartbreaking story. Italy during WW2 came alive as Siobhan described the surrounding settings vividly. The Tuscan Orphan is really hard to put down as you follow Mimi, the Tuscan orphan, Carrie, the American nurse and Vito, Italian resistance fighter as theirs lives become intertwined. A story of love, hope, loss and faith this WW2 historical novel doesn’t disappoint.

I would like to thank Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted as part of the The Tuscan Orphan blog tour hosted by Rachel’s Random Resources.
The Tuscan Orphan is the latest captivating novel from historical fiction author Siobhan Daiko. I was hooked from cover to cover and completely enchanted by Carrie and Vito’s powerful story set against the beautiful setting of Tuscany. Siobhan Daiko truly is one of the queens of World War Two historical fiction and The Tuscan Orphan joins the list of her incredible novels which should be read by every fan of the genre.
In our story we get to see both Carrie’s work as a nurse in the US army and Vito’s partisan work, including seeing how they overlapped in certain parts of the Italian Campaign along The Gothic Line. Maintaining the high standard we see in all of Siobhan Daiko’s novels, the story was clearly meticulously researched and her knowledge of the Italian campaign of World War II is truly outstanding. The Italian settings came alive on the page and it was fantastic to travel with Carrie’s unit across Italy and see how different towns and cities were impacted by the war.
Both the prologue and the epilogue are written from Mimi’s POV and are the only two chapters written in first person. Bookending the main narrative, which is written in third person, in this way shaped the novel in a beautiful way and it was wonderful to start and end the novel focusing on the character who gives it its name.
Both of our dual protagonists – Carrie and Vito – were fantastically written with such depth to their characters. Carrie was a brilliant strong female protagonist and her courage, empathy and selflessness amazed me throughout the novel. Vito was also a fantastic character and I think we see the most character development from him over the course of the novel as his partisan activities, blossoming feelings for Carrie and paternal relationship with Mimi mature him. Mimi was a truly wonderful young character who was fantastically written as a realistic child and her resilience at such a young age was inspirational. We do get a blossoming romance between Carrie and Vito and this is well-written to compliment the main narrative whilst not taking away from the gripping, and at times hard-hitting, story of war.
Overall, The Tuscan Orphan is a truly fantastic piece of World War Two fiction and a story which will stay with me for a long time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I have posted an extended review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk and the post is linked.

4.5 Stars

The Tuscan Orphan is a beautifully told story of nursing on the front lines of WWII and a found family.

In 1944, Carrie is working as a nurse on the front lines and Vito is a resistance fighter. Vito is working to liberate a convent when he discovers a group of children in hiding. Vito rescues little Mimi and they both end up in the military hospital where they meet Carrie. With the help of Vito’s family, Vito and Carrie promise the youngster they will find her parents but this is an uncertain promise in wartime.

The author creates likeable, admirable, and multi dimensional main characters. She provides vivid descriptive details of the landscape and the action. I’ve read quite a few WWII stories set in France, Germany, and Poland but not many set in Italy. The horrors of war are juxtaposed to the beauty of the landscape, towns, and heroic individuals. The author also gives us an authentic look at the resistance movement and frontline nursing. This compelling story of two difference makers is well-researched, realistic, and page-turning.

I must mention for sensitive readers that because this takes place on the front lines, there is a great deal of medical trauma and content.

Of the many heartfelt themes, found family is one of the most poignant. A story with a found family trope is certain to win me over. Other thoughtful themes in The Tuscan Orphan include wartime romance, nursing on the front lines, friendship, loyal family, tragedy of war, endurance during difficult times, loss and grief, and hope.

Content Consideration: wartime injuries and death, loss and grief

I’m happy to recommend The Tuscan Orphan for fans of heartfelt and compelling WWII historical fiction. If you love an Italian setting, you will appreciate this vividly told story. Readers (and book clubs) looking for stories of strong, independent women and medical content will not be disappointed.

Thanks #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #TheTuscanOrphan upon my request. All opinions are my own.

The Tuscan Orphan’s synopsis really drew me in and kept me wanting to know more. Siobhan Daiko has done an amazing amount of research about WWII in Italy. I have read so much about the WWII era but never about Italy. The story’s main character, Carrie, is a US army nurse who has volunteered for duty at the front lines. I felt almost as if I were there, hearing the fighting and bombing that they are surrounded with. The descriptions of how the Army personnel were living gave me a feeling of understanding how great the sacrifices the veterans of war made.
Daiko described the destruction of the areas that were bombed and totally decimated so that people who survived had no home to return to.
I enjoyed reading this book and will seek out other books written by Siobhan Daiko. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read this advance copy.

I absolutely love Siobhan Daiko’s historical fiction books and this one is no exception.

Set in beautiful Tuscany, US nurses, Carrie and Louise were fabulous characters. Feisty and determined young women who were totally dedicated to supporting injured soldiers in WWII.

The little girl, Mimi, captured my heart when she was brought into the hospital, seriously injured and alone and her bond with the young Italian partisan, Vito, was so heartwarming.

I was very emotionally invested in this story, desperately hoping Carrie wouldn’t suffer any more loss and that Vito would return to her and Mimi safely.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Siobhan Daiko and Boldwood for an ARC in return for an honest review.

The Tuscan Orphan is described as: "Heartbreaking and immersive, this powerful story of the strength of the human spirit will delight fans of Kristin Hannah..." I couldn't agree more with all of that.

I'm always interested in books about orphan or adoption, so seeing that in the title drew me in. WWII books have felt a bit overdone for me in the last few years, but being that this one was set in Italy where most are set in Poland, Germany or France, this did help in drawing me in as well. I really liked the Carrie story line and thought that for a typical "nurse on the frontlines" plot, Daiko did a really good job of keeping it interesting and with enough unique details that I didn't feel it was just another WWII nurse story. The brutality of the war contrasted against the beautiful imagery of the setting made for an impressively well written story. This one is definitely worth checking out if you're interested in a WII histfic with Italy as the setting!

Thanks to Boldwood and the author for giving me the chance to read and review this book. Thanks also to Rachel at Rachels Random Resources for organizing the #blogtour.

The Tuscan Orphan by Siobhan Daiko is a powerful historical novel that I just could not put down.
It is set in Italy during the latter years of World War II. We follow three main characters – an American nurse, an Italian resistance member and a young Tuscan orphan. Their lives will become entwined as the Nazi bombardment continues and the allies fight for peace.
I thought the beginning and the ending were extremely well thought out. I loved how the same character speaks in both, with the result that the reader feels that the circle has closed.
We ‘see’ some things through the eyes of an innocent child. It brings the horrors of war even closer as the innocent should be protected and not have to be subjected to the Nazi reign of terror.
The events really happened though the characters are fictional. Very little is heard of the Italian campaign as the events in France over shadow it. But the Nazis and the fascists were brutal. The battles in Italy were terrible. No one could escape the war.
In between times, life still went on. People fell in love and seized the day. “The future is uncertain for us all. It’s better to live in the present.” Everyone took life a day at a time. Everyone worried and feared losing loved ones because you just never knew.
The landscape of Italy came alive under the author’s marvellous pen. Siobhan vividly painted the landscape for us. The heat, beauty and vitality of Italy sprang to life as our senses were bombarded. The beauty of the scenery was in sharp contrast to the brutality of war. This was not fields of mud but a hot, vibrant landscape.
I really enjoyed The Tuscan Orphan. I was equally entertained, educated and horrified by the events in Italy. It is a fabulous read.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Carrie had been working in the various hospitals as the US Army doctors and nurses were moved to wherever the front was. The carnage and brutality broke Carrie's heart; the heartbreak of seeing what the Nazis were like in the time of war, shocked her to the core. Carrie made friends with several of the nurses, especially Louise; working together, talking their days through, helped immensely. Then, the air raid which struck the hospital they were working in changed lives forever...

Resistance fighter, Vito was in the process of liberating a convent where his sister Anna belonged. He discovered the nuns were sheltering some Jewish children whose parents had been taken, so he and his fellow resistance fighters prepared to take them to safety. But the Germans were nearby and both Vito and the child he was carrying, little Mimi, were injured, rushed to the nearby hospital in Florence where US Army nurses were working. Carrie was put in charge of Mimi's care and when she met Vito, they became close friends. Would they be able to find Mimi's parents once the war was over? She missed them dreadfully.

[book:The Tuscan Orphan|199082963] by [author:Siobhan Daiko|7091256] is another exceptional historical novel from the pen of this author. I have read several of Daiko's novels - all set in Italy - and have thoroughly enjoyed them, with this one being no exception. The verbal descriptions of the beauty of Tuscany, of the surrounding areas untouched by war, are so well written, I could visualise it. I'm keen to read more by this author, and recommend [book:The Tuscan Orphan|199082963] highly.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

It's always interesting to learn about historiacl events in the gift-wrapping of fiction. Although some facts may be altered there is still the basic enlightening from which to launch ones own research. I believe this is the case with this book.

Seeing and experiencing WWII through Carrie, an American army nurse's eyes, gave me some of the 'feel' of the terror and carnage and heartaches that the actual nurses and doctors would have experienced as it happened. Kudos to them and the locals in Italy. Namely, Vito and Ezio representing resistance fighters. Kudos to dear young Mimi too.

I found the title of the book misleading as I felt the story was more about Carrie the nurse, rather than Mimi the orphan. I also caution potential readers who may not wish to read about intimate bedroom scenes.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

November 2023

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

I cheered as I read about Carrie and Vito saving lives. Their help for Mimi was heartbreaking. This was a good and well written story.

A brilliantly researched book about USA medical teams involvement in World War II battles in Italy. I was completely unaware of the history behind these brave people and this story has opened my eyes about what happened. The fictional characters add great dimension and pull at your heartstrings whilst you hope for a happy ending. There’s a lot to recommend!

Thank you Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

Words that best describe this book are hope, love, war and loss.
Carrie Adams is with the American Army Nursing Corps alongside her friend Louise. Disaster strikes the camp killing many, this has a lasting affect for Carrie who thinks it will be a long time before she gets over her grief.
During an attack on the convent resistance fighter Vito, who is visiting his sister who is a nun helps to evacuate the children, carrying a young girl Mimi to safety. Only she is injured by crossfire and is taken to the hospital where Carrie is working.. it then becomes a mission to find her parents. Meanwhile Vito and his group of partisan fighters are out to seek revenge on Mario Carita for the evil he has carried out.

I found it hard to adapt so quickly after the loss of Bill Ainsworth, however I did enjoy the story. It was an education in the Italian conflict and the beautiful buildings mentioned. It was my first time with this author.

Siobhan Daiko has written an excellent novel about the families affected, military men and women’s struggles during WW2 with The Tuscan Orphan. Written from various characters viewpoint, with the utmost respect and depth of understanding of the war and its consequences to each individual’s life.
I was taken in and felt I was living and breathing with the main characters named Carrie as she struggled to make each life she touched a little better, especially a little girl named Mimi.
I remained committed to the storyline right up the happy ending!
There are to many characters to name them all, but you will be enthralled with most of them.
#Boldwood
#SiobhanDaiko
#TheTuscanOrphan
#NetGalley

This book got better the more you read. I found some of the earlier parts too sentimental for my personal taste, but having said that others may love that aspect of the book. I particularly enjoyed the detail about the end of war in Italy when there was a political standoff on the Italian border. I knew little about this before. The characters Carrie, mimi and Vito are great and it is important to tell people about holocaust related events in Italy. It was nice to see a profile of Jewish people who were part of the resistance as we do not understand how much they fought against their genocidal treatment. All in all, this is another well written, informative account. I will look forward to siobhans next novel

I enjoyed reading this book because it was based on real facts. There was every emotion in this book. Sadness, fear, apprehension and happiness. I do recommend that you should read it

What a well researched story about the allied campaign through 1944 and 1955 in Italy and the role that medical staff of the US army played.

The story of the horrors of war, the beauty of the Italian cities and towns and the people of Italy are told through the eyes of Carrie Adams , a US army nurse who volunteered to go to the front line.
There is romance, sorrow and hope in Carries life while she is nursing the injured.

Vito an Italian partisan resistance member comes into Carrie’s life just when she needs hope to carry on.

Mimi is a Tuscan orphan who Vito rescues from a convent that is safe harbouring Jewish children from the Nazis. Vito’s sister is a nun with the convent. Mimi and Vito are injured and sent to the Army hospital that Carrie is assigned to.

This book is a history lesson for that period of time as we not only learn what life is like for the nurses and Drs tending to the injured but we also learn about the army movements and partisan resistance movement.
A truly engaging read

romance, historical-novel, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, medical-caring, nursing-care, WW2, Italy, surgical-units, mobile-medical-units, exhausting, US-army, grief, grieving, orphaned, Jewish, HEA, war-is-he!!, war-wounds*****

A wonderful novel filled with love, loss, hope, and the horrors of war in Italy. It abounds with excellent descriptions of people, emotions, places, and events. Excellent read.
I requested and received an EARC from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Thank you

Siobhan Daiko's deep love and respect for Italy flow through this novel, from the first page to the last. If you've never visited Florence, you will want to after reading this and if you have been there, you'll want to return.

If you are looking for some romance, it's here but it's surrounded by the brutal fighting of the Allied Italian campaign of 1944-45. The main character, U.S. Army nurse Carrie, volunteers for the front line in Anzio. The descriptions of the constant shelling & bombing by the Germans of the hospital zone are horrendous, as are the conditions for the medical staff & patients. Even combat troops called the hospital, "hell's half acre" and preferred their foxholes.

Through Carrie, the reader gets the full Italian cultural experience as she visits different cities & museums. We also get the Italian partisan resistance efforts through Vito. The Tuscan orphan, 5-year-old Mimi, is the constant thread that pulls the story together. Although the Allied push through Italy is carefully documented throughout the book, the author never fails to illustrate what the war has done to the civilians and their homes. That is the true tragedy of war. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I have new respect for the women who served in Italy as nurses in the U.S. Army. They were truly remarkable.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.