This story goes back and forth between Concetta and Gaetano and how their lives were affected by WWII. It took a little bit for me to get into it, but it was a sweet love story and look into how the war changed the lives of everyday people, not just soldiers.

At first I wasn't sure about this book, but it eventually really did grab my attention and I couldn't put it down! It ended just the way I hoped it would, but there were times I wasn't sure it would get there. A great read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. I loved this book and going along with the characters on their journey. I loved the storyline and the growth of the characters. I would definitely recommend this book. I did read this book in one day!

This was such a sweet and meaningful book!! I loved the characters, the different settings, and the dual timelines. I will be reading more from this author!

It is Sicily pre WWII and Gaetano and Concetta are young and in love. Concetta’s father makes a life changing decision to move the family to America. Concetta is determined that she will return to Sicily and marry Gaetano but WWII intervenes in her plans. We view the lives of the two through alternating chapters as WWII changes the world for everyone. This is an easy weekend read with short chapters and a predictable ending but a nice story.

Set in the 1940’s, Concetta and Gaetano are two young Italians whose lives are upended by war, family secrets, and societal expectations.

Concetta’s journey begins when her father abruptly moves their family from Italy to America, hiding a mysterious reason for their departure. In New York, she endures grueling hours in a sweatshop under the shadow of a sleazy boss, her dreams of getting back to Italy growing dimmer with each passing day. Meanwhile, Gaetano, the son of a man who tragically succumbed to PTSD, has to stay behind. Soon after, he is sent to fight for Italy alongside his best friend, Gianni, plunging him into the chaos of war.

The narrative spans years, as both characters navigate love and duty in separate worlds. Concetta is pressured by her family to marry another man, while Gaetano faces similar expectations after becoming a POW. These relationships ultimately crumble, and fate draws them back to each other.

While the story drew me in, randomly shifting to different supporting character perspectives was annoying for me, especially as they were not titled and you just had to figure out who was speaking. However, this also provides a multifaceted view of the challenges faced by the characters, enhancing the emotional depth of their journeys.

The Last Letter from Sicily captures the heartache and hope of individuals striving for connection amidst the turbulence of war and displacement. Despite its occasional narrative flaws, it’s a touching read that will resonate with anyone who believes in the enduring power of love.

This is a romantic story set against the backdrop of Italy and America during the second world war and tells the story of two lovers seperated because of the conflict. It's a lighthearted read that I enjoyed, The narrative flips between the two main characters and the struggles they face in Italy and America during the conflict and gives an understanding of what it was like for Italian immigrants at the time.

The Last Letter from Sicily is a poignant World War II novel that explores the complexities of love and loyalty during a turbulent time. Concetta and her family move from Italy to America just before the outbreak of the war, and the story unfolds through the lens of her love for a man torn between two sides of the conflict. It’s a touching narrative that highlights both the challenges and the enduring power of love, even in the face of war’s devastation.

What I appreciated most about the book was its unique perspective on WWII. We often hear stories of those directly involved in the fighting, but this story offers a different view—of individuals torn between allegiances, trying to navigate their emotions amidst the chaos of global conflict. The author does a great job of showing how war impacts not just soldiers, but the people who love them, as well as the immigrant experience of starting a new life far from home.

While the book does touch on some heavy, heartbreaking moments (as expected with any WWII story), it also includes some uplifting and hopeful ones, which keeps the narrative balanced. The emotional depth of the characters and their relationships adds a personal touch to the historical backdrop.

Overall, The Last Letter from Sicily is a solid read, offering readers a mix of heartache and hope, with a unique angle on WWII that I hadn’t considered before. I rated it 3 stars because while I found the story engaging, I felt there were parts that could’ve been explored further, especially in terms of character development and pacing. However, it’s definitely a worthwhile read for anyone interested in historical fiction with a personal, emotional touch.

I received an ARC from NetGalley, but as always, the opinions are my own.

I thought this was going to be a lovely story but it really disappointed me. The chapters were so short which it make the story flow very well and I found myself distracted easily. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review..

This book had the makings of a great story but unfortunately I was disappointed. I usually enjoy a book when it moves from one character to another in chapters but on this occasion I felt that the chapters were far too short and it ruined the flow for me. Interesting characters and era but just not for me.

I really enjoyed this novel and I was rooting so hard for Concetta and Gaetano. Can you imagine falling in love and having to leave them to move to the USA and the only want to correspond to each other was letters? Then one of you goes off to war and all letters stop.... and for years you don't know if that person is still alive. This novel is based back in the early 1940s when Concetta moves from Sicily to America leaving Gaetano behind. When Italy declares war on America, all letters stop and both are living their lives in completely different parts of the world without each other. It was a beautiful novel and puts so much into perspective.

Historical fiction and Italy are for me a winning combination. I was therefore delighted to have the opportunity via NetGalley to read 'The Last Letter From Sicily.' The author was inspired to write this story by her Sicilian grandparents whose names and her memories she uses, it is however entirely a work of fiction.

The protagonists Concetta and Gaetano, young lovers in Sicily just before the outbreak of WWII were separated when Concetta and her family moved to the USA. Concetta promises her love, that she will return to him one day. Until the war intervenes and communication becomes impossible the are able to keep in touch via letter. When they are no longer in touch it puts her under even more pressure to accept a way of life she is far from happy with. She does not give up on her dreams but does she overcome everything blocking them?

Set in Sicily and America during WWII this story provides an interesting insight into the struggles of those living through the experience. The writing style did feel very simplistic though with no depth and I do feel that the story did not reach its full potential. However this is a debut novel and I think the author has a lot more to offer so I will follow her writing development with interest. Thanks go to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review 'The Last Letter From Sicily'.

Loved this book and especially as it’s linked to the authors own grandparent’s story. Following the stories of Gaetano and Concetta through the years of WWII both in America and Italy was really interesting and gave a different view from the books I usually see. All the characters were likeable, even the grumpy father, he had his reasons to worry, it was lovely that little sister didn’t get forgotten and her story was also told. Great book and great author!

Quite a fascinating book, which, although I am not a great fan or romances or historical novels about WW2, I did enjoy reading! I think it was the setting that made me interested in reading it, and I am glad that I did.
I did find the style of writing of this author a little simple, which made me think of giving it four stars, but when I read at the end how much research she had done, which some authors do not do enough of, it went back to five stars.
Even though the ending was predictable, it was great to see just how it would come about.

This book makes a nice change in the genre of WWII stories, in that it tells of the Italians side of the war and how it affected them all. How they were victims along with the rest of the participants, they lived and died, mainly believing they and their leaders were doing what was right.

I found it a bit slow to start, and there were some characters I would have liked to know more about but it is an enjoyable read, very well written and gives a real flavour of the hardships of the era. Very well researched and I love that the author named the main characters after her Italian grandparents. Recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Ms Morris tells a sweet tale of love, war, loss, and hope.

Of all the many WWII stories I've read, this was the only one that focused on Italy and how that country's people were affected by the war. I found myself cringing in dread over Concetta's sleazy supervisor, weeping over Gaetano's experiences during the war, pondering the reveal of the 'treasures' that had been kept safe for so long.

I found the story very relatable and one I would recommend for 16+.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

Lindsay Marie Morris does a great job in writing this book, it had that historical element that I was looking for and enjoyed overall in this historical period. The characters had that that realistic concept and was glad everything worked together to tell the story. It was emotional and left me wanting to read more.

I loved The Last Letter from Sicily. It was an emotional story about love, war, and tough choices.

The story started in 1939, in a small Sicilian village, where 17-year-old Concetta was in love with Gaetano, a boy her family would never have approved of. But when her family announced they were moving to America, her world turned upside down.
Before she left, Gaetano gave her a special fountain pen and made her promise to keep their love alive through letters.

Life in America got hard for Concetta. She faced prejudice, gruelling factory work, and the loneliness of being far from home. Her letters to Gaetano became everything to her. But then war broke out, and his letters stopped. She started wondering if he was still alive.

This was a heartfelt story about love, hope, and courage, with powerful descriptions of Sicily and life as an immigrant in America. It was a brilliant read that kept me turning the pages to see if Concetta and Gaetano could find their way back to each other. If you love historical romance, try this book

Gaetano and Concetta are lovers split by World War 2 and the story follows their trials and tribulations throughout the war. There are glimmers of greatness throughout the story, but there are too many characters that have been half developed with random stories throughout. The characters of Gaetano and Concetta have been well developed, while the supporting characters seemed to be thrown in haphazardly. I think the author has potential and I will continue to read books by her and hope to follow her growth as a writer.

I don’t typically read historical fiction, but The Last Letter From Sicily completely won me over. Lindsay Marie Morris weaves a rich tapestry of love, loss, and resilience, set against the stunning backdrop of Sicily during a pivotal moment in history.