This is captivating story that effortlessly blends romance, family secrets, and the allure of Italy. The narrative takes you to the stunning island of Ischia, and the descriptions are so vivid and lush that I could almost feel the warm sun on my skin.

The plot revolves around Alessia’s journey with her grandmother, Ornella, who finally opens up about the secrets she’s been keeping for over sixty years.

This is a lovely read that’s perfect for summer, and while it didn’t completely blow me away, it was still a perfectly fun and enjoyable story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

This story takes place on the Italian island of Ischia near Naples and has a confusing amount of characters which I won't all name.

Ornella, 83, left Ischia with husband Gennaro and daughter Silvana for England when she was in her twenties. She has never talked about her time there with granddaughter Alessia, 34, but suddenly she is keen to return for a month long holiday. The "everything was better then and people dressed properly" nostalgia was a bit much at first especially because it isn't true, but thankfully that died down a bit the more we delved into that era and its sexism.

What follows is a reunion with old friends and the making of new ones. In 1957, the island was used as a film set, and there seems to be a link between a famous film star couple and Ornella's family. Secrets and lies are exposed, family history is discovered and romance blooms. There are flashbacks, but not too many, and the story is well-rounded, capturing the warm island feel and delectable Italian food.

This is well-written and interesting and will warm you on a cold winter's day, though the twists are easy to guess. Read if you like family drama and Italian film stars.

I liked the story being told from different perspectives, and the dual timeline. Loved the setting. Thought the book started off slow. Good ending. It's just, I didn't feel gripped by the story. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alessia knows her grandmother grew up on the beautiful Italian island off the coast from Naples. But Ornella seldom talks about her life there – or why she never went back. So Alessia is amazed when Ornella reveals that as a young woman, she had worked on the set of a famous 1950s movie filmed on the island. Is there a link between the film set and the tragic death of Ornella’s teenage sister?

Ornella has kept her past – and the life-changing promise she made – a secret for over sixty years. She has tried not to think about the love she gave up. But now, perhaps the truth should finally be revealed. Travelling to Ischia together, Alessia falls in love with the captivating island. Meeting handsome journalist Roberto helps her dig deeper into her family’s past, too. Just what happened to Ornella’s sister? What heart-wrenching secret is her grandmother hiding?

This was a lovely trip to southern Italy! I love books about family secrets, and this one was very well done. I enjoyed Alessia and Ornella's characters, and loved the mystery of the past. Great read! 4.5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

What a way to escape the freezing cold winter and snow I am in the middle of! It was fun to imagine myself on the beautiful Italian island of Ischia and to watch this story of a young woman and her grandmother unravel/come together

This is a heartwarming and evocative story set on the picturesque island of Ischia. The novel delves into themes of family loyalty, hidden truths, and personal sacrifices, presenting a deeply emotional and authentic narrative.

Through vivid and enchanting descriptions, the island setting comes alive, showcasing the author’s intimate knowledge and affection for Ischia. The characters, particularly Ornella and Alessia, embark on heartfelt journeys—one to confront a complicated past, the other to uncover a family history filled with secrets.

The romance in the story is tender and understated, allowing relationships to develop naturally, while the narrative’s depth and emotional resonance make it a timeless and memorable read. Perfect for fans of immersive storytelling with a strong sense of place, this novel is a celebration of connection, self-discovery, and enduring bonds.

I enjoyed this book set in the present day on the Italian Island of Ischia.
Alessia and her grandmother, Ornella are making a summer trip to the island and end up staying longer than planned. The trip rakes up plenty of memories, good and bad, for Ornella, with the recollections being set in a 1950's timeline.
I enjoyed the tales from the movie set and the multi-timeline descriptions of the island and its inhabitants.
There are plenty of twists along the way resulting in a captivating, emotional read.

3.75 stars.

What a charming story! Alessia and her 83-year-old Nonna, Ornella, have come to the beautiful Italian island where Ornella grew up. The author set a really lovely scene on Ischia, between the visual descriptions and all the little sightsee locations given throughout, I really got a feel for this place I've never been.

At first, I found Ornella to be quite a dislikable character and really wasn't sure if I would vibe with her at all. But over the course of the book, you get to know her complexities and her life story, her reasons for leaving Italy when she was young. The book includes several chapters from the 1950s perspective of Ornella, and the author has weaved those into the story in the right moments without it being confusing or aggressively time-jumpy.

Between that and Alessia's own journey of falling in love with the island, you really get pulled into the story. Beyond these two MCs, the other characters are very engaging and add much to the plot and to their individual and combined stories. I particularly enjoyed Anna's role in the story.

If you're looking for a nice escape to a whimsical island, some investigating of family secrets, and a dash of romance, I'd encourage you to read this when it comes out.

What an enjoyable read. The beautiful Italian setting on the isle of Ischia was just so magical. Springfield did a wonder job describing the island. I could see the plump tomatoes and feel the wind from the ferry ride from Naples. I loved the progression and resolution of the plot, especially for brutally burned and disfigured Anna. What a well written emotional story. Also, Springfield did a good job of developing a community of characters, from movie stars and journalist to farmers, hairdressers and seamstresses, all interconnected in the unfolding drama. I felt like I knew and liked each of the characters.
I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a good read that will pull on the heart strings!

A slow start but overall a good dual timeline. With secrets and twists and turns. Lovely scene setting of Ischia and a good mix of characters.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

I enjoyed An Italian Island Secret, a dual timeline story set on a beautiful island near Italy. A grandmother and her granddaughter return to her hometown and secrets are uncovered.

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

I loved this book by Victoria Springfield which is set on a gorgeous isle of Ischia, it’s a dual timeline story.

We follow Alessia, along with her grandmother, Ornella, when they leave London and go back Ischia, the place Ornella hasn’t been back to for decades.

I loved the descriptions of the island, the places and the characters.

It was interesting to read about the relationship both characters shared and how the past impacted their lives. How this mystery was untold, kept me turning the pages.

I highly recommend this book.

An Italian Island Secret by Victoria Springfield is a captivating read that transports you straight to the enchanting island of Ischia. The story is rich with substance and emotion, weaving together themes of family loyalty, hidden pasts, and personal sacrifices in a way that feels deeply authentic and moving.

The vivid descriptions of Ischia are breathtaking; I could almost feel the warmth of the sun and see the beauty of the landmarks as I read. The author’s intimate knowledge and love for the island shine through, and I found myself frequently Googling the places mentioned to immerse myself even further—each time, they were exactly as described. Reading about this idyllic setting while snow fell outside my window made it all the more magical.

What stood out most was how naturally the threads of the story came together. The narrative felt like life itself—unfolding in a way that was both simple and profound. The romance was understated and genuine, allowing the relationships to develop at a realistic and heartfelt pace, rather than overwhelming the story.

The characters were wonderfully crafted—each one memorable and endearing, except for a single exception, but they don’t deserve any more of my attention! Ornella’s journey to confront her past and Alessia’s discovery of her family’s history were both poignant and inspiring.

This book had the feel of a “proper” novel, the kind with real depth and heart, reminiscent of older stories that stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.

Victoria Springfield has created a masterpiece that I will treasure and happily recommend to others.

Not really a fan of a tale that flits back and forth in time, that said I did stick this one out & did enjoy it. Lots of twists and turns to the inevitable conclusion.

I loved this. So many twists Moved back and forward in time. Worked well. Set mainly on an island off the Italian coast. You had romance, family secrets , a love between a grandmother and grand daughter. A really good read. Hard to put down. A nice neat ending.

Another charming and entertain8ng visit to Italy with a great romance to keep me happy. This author really does an excellent job of creating an evocative setting for her stories. I feel I am there in the sunshine, listening to the Italian being spoken around me and enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of Italy. A fabulous read.

Romance & long-term family mystery on beautiful Ischia🌅

4-4.5🌟 stars
Quite a good read that I enjoyed, with a beautiful Italian setting on the isle of Ischia a ferry ride from Naples. Ornella's family secret and the tragedy of her younger sister Maria's death, dating back to the late 1950's, kept her from returning to the island, after emigrating to the UK with husband and young child, until after her daughter Silvana's death. Her return with her Silvana's daughter Alessia in tow stirs up unsettling memories and uncovers long ago tragedy, hard choices and secrets. But it also gives Alessia a new lease on romance and leads to a good deal of healing and hope. Loved the progression and resolution of the plot, especially for brutally burned and disfigured Anna.

I felt it did start slowly, with too much atmospheric scene setting description for my taste early on, but once they settle in on the island the pace picked up, hints of simmering secrets started popping and my interest was fully engaged. The author did a good job of developing a community of characters, from movie stars and journalist to farmers, hairdressers and seamstresses, all interconnected in the unfolding drama.

The action alternates between the 1950's and the present but the transitions were well identified and not confusing.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared with Waterstones, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads and Bookbub on 1/9/25. To be shared with kobo and Google Play when published.

I enjoyed this one even though I guessed the outcome quite quickly in the book. This didn't spoil my enjoyment of this book. A delightful story with plenty of atmosphere and loveable characters. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Alessia's grandmother grew up on Ischia and she wants to go back after more than 60 years away. A famous film star has died and its brought back memories

Engaging book that featured both strong character and development that held my attention from beginning to end. Recommended as a beach / holiday read.development that held my attention from beginning to end. Recommended as a beach / holiday read.