Review: The Italian Girl by Anita Abriel

The year is 1943. Despite the Nazi occupation of Rome, Marina has a wonderful job working alongside her beloved father, Vittorio in his art gallery. That changes one afternoon when it turns out that Vittorio, a man of integrity and great courage, is found doing what he knows is right--hiding a Jewish artist in his basement. Vittorio pays the ultimate price, and a devastated Marina travels to Florence to stay with a family friend--American art expert Bernard Berenson. There, Marina finds refuge, friendships and new beginnings, and romance. But the desire to get revenge on the Nazi's runs strong. When her love, Carlos offers her the opportunity to save a priceless painting, Marina takes it ... and life takes another unexpected twist, one that will send her halfway across the world and leave her realising who she truly can--and cannot--trust ...

This is quite a page turner. Anita Abriel has carved out a name for herself as the author of twisty, page turning romances set during the Second World War. I've enjoyed each of her novels and love the easy, light style of her writing. Throughout the day, I often found myself going back to sneak in an extra page or even a chapter, and I spend and enjoyable summer evening reading the rest on my patio. Art is, of course, a subject close to my heart, and I love the respect that it was given in the novel.

Overall, a great read.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Australia for my ARC of The Italian Girl. 

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