Ebook: 314 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romantic Fiction, WWII, Italy,
Publisher: 9 January 2026 Boldwood Books
Source: NetGalley
Location: Lake Maggiore, Northern Italy, 1943
First Sentence: Guilia pressed down hard on the brakes of her bike. A woman was running down the middle of the road!
Review Quote: 'an exciting, impeccably-researched wartime adventure with lots of heart ... the perfect mixture of tragedy and happiness': Reader Review
My Opinion:
Siobhan Daiko was inspired to write this wartime novel set on the shores of Lake Maggiore after reading about the atrocities committed by the Nazis in the area during WWII. The author personally knows the area from a childhood summer spent there and has based the fictional town of Marta on her memories of Meina, where a local hotel hosted Jewish refugees that were brutally killed by the Nazis.
Some of her protagonists such as Raffaele and Aquila are based on real partisans active in the region. The novel is the story of how when Raffaele and Guilia, the daughter of the hotel owner start sheltering Jews, their lives change dramatically. Consequently their actions lead them into great danger.
A comprehensive and realistically, at times harrowing account of the day to day routines of those involved in the resistance, with as well a blossoming love story. Worth a read if you are interested in life in Italy during WWII.
With thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the opportunity to read and review.
Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:
A breathtaking story of friendship, love and impossible choices, perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley, and All the Light We Cannot SeeLake Maggiore, Northern Italy, 1943 🇮🇹
In a quiet lakeside hotel nestled in the shadow of the Italian Alps, seventeen-year-old Giulia Leone lives a life untouched by war – until the day ruthless German SS officers arrive in the village.
Her father’s hotel is no longer a place of peace, but a trap for the Jewish guests who have taken refuge there. Among them is Ester, the bright, spirited girl who has become Giulia’s closest companion.
When a daring plan to help Ester’s family escape spirals into chaos, Giulia is the only one who gets away. Heartbroken but determined, she flees into the mountains and finds shelter with a band of courageous partisan fighters, led by Raffaele Ferrero, the hotel manager’s son.
Haunting memories of her family and best friend plague Giulia’s every waking thought, and she knows she must risk everything to fight back. But as a wanted person, finding where her loved ones have been taken – let alone saving them – may be impossible…
Inspired by true events, The Girl from Lake Maggiore is a moving and powerful story of resistance, resilience and the extraordinary lengths we go to for love.
Previous Review: Daughter of Hong Kong
Author Profile
Courtesy of Amazon
Siobhan Daiko is a British historical fiction author. A lover of all things Italian, she lives in the Veneto region of northern Italy with her husband, a Havanese dog and a Siberian cat. Siobhan was born of English parents in Hong Kong, attended boarding school in Australia, and then moved to the UK — where she taught modern foreign languages in a Welsh high school. She now spends her time writing page-turners and living the dolce vita sweet life near Venice. Her novels are compelling, poignant, and deeply moving, with strong characters and evocative settings, but always with romance at their heart.
Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:
Amazon Author Page. Author Official Website. Goodreads Author Page