Another bold, stunning and captivating read from Angela Petch! The Sicilian Secret is so well written that it just floats along like a dream. The novel is set in a few timelines: 1927, 1940s, 1973. The past helps to tell a tragic and tender story set during World War II that echoes injustice all the way to modern day 1973.

The novel opens in Suffolk 1973 with Florence who is minding the cold, looking forward to the approaching spring season and the hope it represents. Her thoughts are on the dog she misses and the debate with herself about revealing some important truth to her niece. Something that has been very hard for her to do. Memories come flooding back as she looks at a photo of her favourite person, Paige, and considers her physical features, different from her own. It is obvious Florence does not think highly of her own appearance. She is also annoyed with the mis-information provided in a new book about what went on during the war. This passage hints that Florence knows a fair bit about the inside activities.

In the past timeline, a couple named Joy and Savio meet during their training to be torn apart abruptly. Each come from very different backgrounds yet have had their own share of heart breaking trials. Savio’s story is an example of what happened to the Italians living in England during WW2. This part of the plot is quite jarring as Savio and his parents are rounded up and sent to the Isle of Man to a facility for holding. Some terrible things happen as a result. The restrictions test Savio’s patience and his hot temper gets him into strife on more than one occasion. He continues to plea his innocence. Eventually his knowledge of Sicily plays a part in setting him free from the internment.

Lady Joy Harrison has her own battles with her cruel, uncaring mother. She misses her late father and draws strength from the memory of his love and acceptance. Joy then plans her escape from the restrictions and expectations imposed on her. She decides to enlist to do her part in fighting the war. It gives her some space and a chance to grow. It is during this time she meets Savio and they become close.

Modern day (1973) introduces us to Paige, niece of Florence/Flo—the lady we meet at the start of the novel. Paige is going through a rough time missing her aunt who tragically died in an accident. She is also struggling with her fiancé, his controlling mother and their upcoming wedding. Is Paige ready for this next step? The loss of her aunt has jolted her into reconsidering her accepted path. Will she be happy? She confides in her best friend who helps her come to the decision she must make. Then a strange half written letter from her aunt, a coded message from Sicily, an unusual piece of jewellery and an odd birth certificate shake her identity. Is everything she has known about her life been a lie? What truth was Flo going to reveal before her tragic death? Paige must make a journey to solve the mystery and discover her father.

Paige’s trip to Sicily is an intriguing one. I was transported to this gorgeous setting through the author’s divine descriptions. Angela Petch’s personal experience of the region is clearly noted and utilised. There was a familiarity about the environment as I followed the characters into both beautiful and frightening terrain. Even though I have never been to Sicily, I felt as if I had. Angela has a knack for drawing emotion out of you through her atmospheric scenes, believable characters and complex plots.

This novel moved me to tears numerous times. It is a beautiful, though tragic story in many ways. The perspectives are presented through various characters so it helped me connect to them in a very personal way. I felt I had walked a mile in their shoes.

The ending is well delivered and contains healing, understanding and copious tears. The questions are answered, the mystery is solved and a reunion is established. Plus, a new love is born. I highly recommend this powerful WW2 and modern day love story that left me sighing and pondering the many ingenius parallels in the two timelines. An absolute must read! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the review copy.

A lovely story that moves between the 1970s and WWII, when Lady Joy and Savio meet and fall in love. This plays off the seldom explored round up of Italians in the UK and the war in Italy, especially Sicily. Paige's discovery of a coded letter leads to a surprise family secret and a new appreciation for the women in her family. No spoilers from me. Great atmospherics. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a good read.

Joy is a Lady. Savio is an immigrant. What could these two have in common?
A lot it turns out.

In the 1970’s, a girl named Paige finds a letter. Addressed to a Joy and full of numbers and codes. What in the world is this.?

And so begins a story of love, danger and sacrifice. A tear-jerker. I used so many tissues and it was wonderful!


NetGalley/ Bookouture April 23, 2024

Having read some of Angela Petch’s other books, I was keen to get my hands on this one. As always, her writing is rich and atmospheric, giving an immersive sense of place and both periods featured in this dual timeline. Her characters are complex and interesting, and even if I didn’t altogether agree with some of their actions I found them entirely plausible and understandable, given the detailed context set up through the story.
All in all, this book is highly recommended for anyone interested in some of the less well-known aspects of WWII. For me it was a 4.5 star read.

This story is told in dual time, and I learned things I never knew about WWII.
I've known of the internment camps in the States, but not in England. Very sad, and yet, out of these comes a great read.
We travel from England to Italy, Sicily, and meet some great characters, from totally different backgrounds. Lady Joy, she comes from an aristocratic life, and Savio, a man born in England of immigrant parents. What do these two have in common, well we are there to see their relationship bloom.
We flash forward to the 1970's and a young woman named Paige gets devastating news, and we wonder how she plays into this story.
I loved how the author wove this read together, full of facts and danger, but you really don't know whom is the enemy.
A different WWII story, and I'll be looking for more by Angela Petch!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bookouture, and was not required to give a positive review.

Thank you for this advanced copy which was a great read, I had trouble putting this down! I liked the way it was written and it made for an easy read. I would definitely recommend and look forward to reading another book by this author! A stunner! I guarantee you’ll put everything on hold whilst reading this one.

Another profoundly moving novel from Angela Petch. This author has perfected the art of breathing life into forgotten World War Two history with her unforgettable characters.
An insight into the plight of Italians living in WW2 Britain provides a unique backdrop for a poignant story that is very relevant to challenges in contemporary society.
Set in England and Sicily during the 1940s and 1970s, I was swept away by the mystery and settings. In 1973, Paige inherits her aunt’s house. A collection of mysterious documents forces her to investigate her mother’s identity. I could not wait for her questions to be answered.
An achingly beautiful story, brimming with emotion and layers of meaning. Simply stunning!

This story draws you in slowly, but about halfway through I realized that I was enjoying it. It almost felt like it was written in a different language because of all the British phrases and terms that seemed strange to me as an American. The story felt a little choppy in some parts, but overall I liked it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is a fantastic story which spans a dual timeline in 1940’s and the 1970’s. In the midst of World War 2, Joy and Savio meet under unusual circumstances, whilst in the 1970’s we meet Aunt Flo who has decided it is time to finally shed her secret to her beloved niece Paige. With the characters and plots intertwining the book weaves you into the very fabric of their lives. I fell in love with Joy and Savio, their story is beautifully constructed and written with care and love. The historical references to the treatment of the English Italians when Mussolini joined forces with Hitler is a topic I was unaware of and this book has piqued my interest to research this further.
In the 70’s Paige is trying to decipher her Aunts messages and the cryptic letter leading to a trip to beautiful Sicily to solve the mystery.
I adored this book, wonderfully written, with care and attention and love. Thank you NetGalley!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I'm definitely a new fan of this author. I wasn't certain how I'd feel about it going into it cuz it wasn't something I normally read and I'm so glad I gave it a try. You really felt like you were there in the story that these characters became your friends

Angela Petch’s regular readers will probably be surprised how long it ‘takes’ to get to Italy in this Second World War dual timeline, but there’s no need to worry, The Sicilian Secret is a better novel for the time invested in building Savio’s story in particular. There is a real need to understand this fascinating character in order to understand his actions, and his whole narrative was beautifully researched and enthralled me.

It also made me angry that British citizens, who happened to have been born of Italian parents, were treated so shoddily during World War II. I knew about it before I read the book, but Angela Petch brought it to life in a way which left me feeling quite furious.

The story’s second timeline is in 1973, when after the death the aunt who raised her, Paige Caister finds evidence which makes her question everything she knew about her upbringing. It begins in Suffolk and ends in Sicily. With Angela Petch’s sumptuous descriptions of the landscape, people and food, it was certainly worth the wait to get there. I visited Syracuse last October and I want to go back!

A charming home named Squirrels Cottage, a vehicle named Bertha and a mysterious coded letter. These are just a few things that draw you in from the very beginning and set the stage for a mystery that was hard to put down until every question was answered. The author keeps you engaged with the story by dropping enough clues along the way and leaves you satisfied in the end.