The Lost Gift to the Italian Island
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Published by: Bookouture
Release Date: November 28, 2023
Pages: 302
ISBN13: 978-1837908448
Synopsis
Italy, 1943. With tears in her eyes, Giulia listens out for the sound of bombers flying overhead and thinks of the baby growing inside of her. Through the fabric of her lace dress her fingers touch the cold bullets carefully sewn into the seams. Luca might never forgive her, but she has to do this…
New York, present day. When Tori Coleman discovers that her mother was adopted, her whole world shatters. Jeremy, her boyfriend, wants to get married, but how can Tori commit when she doesn’t know who she truly is? The only clue to the identity of her biological family is a mysterious postcard with a photograph of an ornate wedding dress her grandmother Giulia made, which she’s told was gifted to a museum on an Italian island…
Tori arrives on Parissi Island, surrounded by turquoise Mediterranean waters, with the sweet smell of orange blossom filling the air. She soon finds the museum and learns that Giulia was Jewish, and secretly lived there during World War Two. She thought her grandmother abandoned her mother, but was she forced to leave and give up her child?
Just as she’s getting closer to answers, an unexpected call from Jeremy stops Tori in her tracks. As he passionately urges her to find out the truth, suddenly Tori wishes he were in Italy by her side, ready to propose again.
But then Tori is shocked to find bullets sewn into the lining of one of Giulia’s dresses and a notebook claiming she did something terrible during World War Two. Will the secrets in her family help her follow her own heart, or send her home from Italy with it finally broken forever?
An enchanting, unforgettable novel about desperate decisions in the dark days of war and the uplifting power of true love. Perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Soraya Lane and Victoria Hislop.
Add on GoodreadsPraise
"What a totally captivating story… As I read parts of the story through blurry eyes full of tears, I was completely engaged in the heartfelt journey of the characters."
–Nicola S., NetGalley reviewer
"Josselsohn knows just how to mobilize and energize her characters by giving them new challenges and opportunities… I was completely engrossed in a wonderful novel featuring love, family dynamics, secrets, abandonment, and bravery."
–The Literate Leprechaun
"Ms. Josselsohn has written another heartwarming book that you won't want to end."
–Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews
"Josselsohn amazes me with her deft and very moving handling of dual timelines that remind us how we carry our histories with us in our daily lives… I was so rewarded, even moved to tears, when I finished this novel."
–Jimin Han, author of THE APOLOGY
"If I had the option, I would give this book a perfect 10-star rating, and I genuinely did not want it to come to an end. From the cover to the storyline, I was thoroughly impressed. Trust me, you do not want to miss out on this heartfelt and beautiful novel.
–Behind the Bookshelf
Excerpt