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Trigger warning: antisemitism, loss of a parent, war, concentration camps

Three childhood friends deal with fascism, racism, and tough choices in the days leading up to World War II.

Lisa Scottoline is another author I've never read, but historical fiction is my favorite genre and this is her first historical novel. It's time I give her a try!

High school students Marco, Elisabetta, and Sandro have grown up together in Italy. Marco is an athletic playboy following the family business of cycling who hides his difficulties with reading in school. Sandro is a Jewish boy with a penchant for mathematics who begins going to lectures at a local university. Elisabetta is bookish and dreams of writing novels and newspaper articles that don't revolve around domestic activities.

The book begins when an older Elisabetta decides to tell her teenage son who his father is, which sets up the mystery of the novel -- who is the boy's father? It could be one of her two friends or someone else entirely.

In school, the three main characters study textbooks praising Mussolini and fascism before WWII has begun. Anti-Jewish sentiment makes its first appearances in Italy as Hitler rises to power in Germany.

Elisabetta's life is far from charmed -- her father is a drunk and her mother leaves the family to escape her husband. She works at an Italian restaurant for Nona, who acts as a surrogate mother or grandmother figure. Elisabetta is teased at school but soon finds that both Marco and Sandro are interested in dating her.

Although Elisabetta loves Marco, she follows Nona's advice to date both boys. Sandro's family opposes him dating a gentile, but Sando insists that he's in love with Elisabetta. Marco, who quits school to join the fascist party, realizes that no matter who wins Elisabetta's affection, both boys will lose. Scottoline leaves the reader waffling between who the boy's father will be.

Feelings and familial obligations are strained with the characters' relationships as well as the politics surrounding the beginning of World War II. All of the characters experience loss as the result of the war or illness, and many of the Jews in the ghetto deal with starvation.

Cassandra Campbell reads the chapters from Elisabetta's point of view, and masters both English and Italian pronunciation. She also reads other minor female characters' chapters. Edoardo Ballerini reads all the male characters including Marco, Sandro, and other minor roles. His voice brings both Sandro and Marco to life; he accurately reflects the characters' emotions in his speech. Lisa Scottoline makes a brief cameo at the end to read the author's note and acknowledgments. The audiobook I received from Libro.fm also includes an interview with the author.

Recommended for fans of historical fiction, historical women's fiction, and World War II stories.

Lisa Scottoline is the internationally bestselling author of both fiction and non-fiction. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and lives on a farmhouse near Philadelphia.

Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons

Narrators: Cassandra Campbell & Edoardo Ballerini

Running Time: 19 hours, 7 minutes

Length: 480 pages

Release Date: March 23, 2021

I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I received a digital audio recording of this title from the publisher through Libro.fm as a librarian review copy. I read the latter edition. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.