Having holiday-ed in Ischia a few years ago, I loved revisiting some of the places whilst reading this book. It was a delightful read, quite thought provoking at times comparing life in the 1950’s with the present day. Enjoy

I really enjoyed the idyllic setting of this book. Could almost feel the warm sunshine on my face as the story developed. Both poignant and heart rending this book holds you captive and wanting to hear more of the past meeting the present. Glorious.

I loved this sun-soaked dual narrative set on the beautiful island of Ischia. Alessia and her grandmother Ornella are stuck in a rut - they are both grieving and isolated from Italian family as they are the only ones left in London. When Alessia’s loses her job they make the decision to go back to Ischia for the summer, a place Ornella grew up in but abruptly left 60 years previously and has never returned.

The story deals with layers of mystery and glamour as the two women come to grips with the real secrets of their family and close friends on the island. The characters are thoughtfully drawn and their portrayal made me wish I was friends with them so I could go and visit the beautiful locations Springfield creates so vividly!

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a slice of Italian dolce vita in their lives! Many thanks to the publishers and netgalley for the Arc in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars ✨

Alessia and her grandmother visit Ischia, the island of her grandmother's birth. She slowly learns the secrets of the family , and finds love. Enthralling story, excellent reading for a cold winter's day.

This book started off really strong and while I enjoyed it, it did drag just a little for me in the middle! Loved the story though!

alessia and her grandmother travel back to the Italian island where her grandmother grew up, alessia finds out her grandmother was the star of a movie in the 1950's, lots of secrets come out.

Grab this one or any of the author’s books at curl up and enjoy the wild ride. You won’t be disappointed.
It makes a change to read a book that makes you feel good and is entertaining ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An Italian Island Secret by Victoria Springfield

I couldn’t have picked a better book to read on a sunny New Year’s Day in Australia than *An Italian Island Secret*. Floating in my backyard pool while immersing myself in this captivating story set on a beautiful Italian island was blissful.

The novel is filled with endearing characters and an intriguing plot that unfolds with secrets and regrets, ensuring it keeps you entertained from start to finish. It has been 60 years since Ornella last set foot on her beloved home, the Island of Ischia. Her granddaughter, Alessia, knows little about this place until Ornella’s sudden decision to return for the summer.

Throughout the story, old friends reconnect, new friendships are formed, and a web of secrets from the 1950s comes to light, affecting many lives on the island. The author beautifully portrays the setting, making you feel as if you are walking the charming old streets of Ischia.

I absolutely loved this book! From the Italian island, to the many layered stories, the tender relationship between Alesia and Nonna, the throwback of 1950’s cine, and much more. Wonderful book!

My rating:

Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Historical Fiction

Review:

This is a nicely written story that flows well, with the right amount of mystery and intrigue to keep you captivated till the end. The book is set in a beautiful location the scenery is described in great detail which made it very vivid, it felt like you were actually there. The characters are interesting, their actions and personalities were described with enough detail to make them appear realistic and each to relate to.

Overall:

A well written story with nice interesting characters, the plot flows well and the story captures you from the start and doesn’t let go until the end.

Review copy provided through Netgalley at no cost to me.

Having traveled to Italy several times, I always gravitate to books that will transport me to familiar locations and allow me to reconnect. Not only did this book achieve that, it added an element of mystery that had kept me engaged and guessing the entire time and ended with a hopeful, sweetness for many of the characters despite the trials and hardships throughout. Very enjoyable read and a recommended beach read.

Excellent book from Victoria Springfield and one I thoroughly enjoyed. Very well written, with a beautiful sense of place . Flipped back to 1957 and back to the present day seamlessly. Great cast of characters , recommended reading .

This uses the Italian element that I was looking for and enjoyed the feel of this. I was invested in what was going on with the characters and how the romance was happening in this universe. Victoria Springfield has a strong writing style and am excited for more.

An Italian Island Secret takes place in an idyllic and descriptive small Island. Author Victoria Springfield does a nice job describing the island of Ischia, only a ferry ride from Naples. In fact, I looked up Ischia, since the descriptions were so well done. It is a beautiful island. Springfield creates a family dynamic that begins slowly in England, but when the story moves to Ischia, the books begins to move a bit faster and with more story to tell. I would recommend that the author drop the entire England portion and pick up the narration on the arrival in Ischia. There are multiple narrators and dual time periods. The events of 1957 create several mysteries in a more contemporary period.

The story told in An Italian Island Secret focuses on several members of the same family. The 1957 backdrop is a Hollywood story being filled on the island. The dialogue is straight forward and without much complexity. There are many family secrets to divulge, and to be honest, except for one secret that involves a woman, who lives nearby, Anna, none of the secrets really need to be a secret. There are a lot of coincidences in the finally 30% of An Italian Island Secret, some of which were predictable. However, An Italian Island Secret was interesting and a quick read. It will not keep readers awake at night, but An Italian Island Secret is an enjoyable way to pass an afternoon reading.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC, in exchange for my honest reviews. I think most readers will enjoy An Italian Island Secret.

3.5 = 4 stars

I really enjoyed this novel. It’s a tale of romance dotted with intrigue and secrets. It’s beautifully written with some lovely characters and a plot full of new beginnings and second chance love. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the chance to review.

Ah, who doesn't like Italian summer, romance and some good old filthy family secrets? 😁 This book promises all that and more, and... it delivers!

It's been a couple of days since I have finished reading "An Italian Island Secret", and I am still thinking about this book and its characters. I'm still wishing that it would go on and on and that I would, thus, live vicariously through the characters in the story. Now, this unexpected bookish nostalgia (?) might simply come from my love for Italy (yes, I know I'm unique) and my recent visit to Napoli. I'm partial, one could say.

However, "An Italian Island Secret" is truly enjoyable. It began slowly and it took me a while to warm up to it, but then it carried me away. Through the beautiful, lively descriptions of Ischia this book let me travel there as well. Isn't that the magic of reading? Really, the sense of place and culture is very strong in this novel. I've even noted down some food and place names - who knows, maybe a visit to Ischia is next?

The characters and dialogue could have been a bit more elaborate (dialogue in particular sometimes felt a bit simplistic) but were still believable and interesting enough to keep me engaged. I felt as if I was part of Alessia's and Ornella's family, as if the secrets that were slowly being revealed were impacting my life as well as theirs. Oh, what I wouldn't give to know more about their lives, especially, to know how Anna's doing after all of what happened! I hope she's still letting her hair loose and is enjoying the swing.

If you're looking for an enjoyable, well written book based in Italy during the summer but you also enjoy some good plot, look no further. "An Italian Island Secret" seduces its readers with the beauty of Italy and then captured their attention with a great storyline.

An Italian Island Secret was a book that had it all. Great writing, great cover, great location, great story.

Sweet escape story. Italy is wonderful and I felt like I was there. Lots of secrets revealed and budding romance. Good stor. Would recommend.

An Italian Island Secret 🤫

4.25 ⭐️ read!!
I am in dire need of a direct flight and ferry to Ischia !! 😍Wow, did the descriptions of this wonderful island in Italy blow me away. With every mention of delicious delicacies (give me all of them) and absolutely stunning views and cafes, I could not put this down!

I loved the multiple POV and flashbacks in this book, it was so immersive reading about Ornella’s story and it tied in so well to the mystery. The mystery was slowly revealed, and not predictable (IMO), and was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time . All the characters were interesting and unique, I would have loved a bit more from Carmelinda, but I also think the story flowed well the way it needed to with the POV’s. Alessia’s romance was a short and sweet story. I would love to see more stories from a few couples and maybe more on what happened with certain characters, it was tied up quite well but I do have some questions still. Nevertheless, I will be checking more out from this author! Thank you to Victoria Springfield, NetGalley, and Boldwood books for this ARC access

Now I will be retreating to my reading room for some ‘Dolce far neinte’ ( the sweet art of doing nothing’)

When Alessia and her grandma leave England for a summer visit her hometown island off Italy. Lots of secrets revealed and budding romance. Good story, with bittersweet moments. Would recommend.