Published 10th July 2024 by Boldwood Books.
From the cover of the book:
Two women, one village, and a war that changes everything…In wartime Italy, British POWs are sent to the farmhouse where Rosa works. Grieving her husband killed by the Allies, she is wary of the British soldiers, especially with her daughter to protect.
Meanwhile Emma sees an opportunity to protect her childhood friend Marco, an Italian soldier hiding from the Nazis.
As danger closes in, unlikely alliances form. Rosa’s distrust melts as she bonds with Tom, a charismatic Scotsman among the POWs. Together, they navigate the perils of war to protect their community.
With enemy forces tightening their grip, both women face immense risks. Their mission to save their loved ones turns into a daring plan to liberate their village. In a world where hope is scarce, can Rosa and Emma turn the tide of war in their favour?
A sweeping tale of love, loss and hope in times of strife, perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Rhys Bowen and Kristin Hannah.
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Italy, 1943. The war in North Africa has been won by the Allies, and German-occupied Italy is bracing itself for the invasion to come. At Marchese Ginori, a farm estate in Tuscany, a group of British POWs arrive to help work the land while the village's young men are away at war.
Rosa, one of the estate workers, is wary of the British men, especially after her soldier husband was killed by the Allies, leaving her and her small daughter with little option but to return to her family. Meanwhile, Emma, daughter of the estate's owner, knows she must remain strong for her father, even though she is weighed down with worry about the fate of her childhood friend Marco, whose life lies in the balance as a serving soldier in the Italian army.
As the Nazi's react to the threat of the Allied invasion to come, the POWs, Emma and Rosa form an unexpected bond, and the British men find themselves accepted as part of the community. Romance blossoms between Rosa, and a Scotsman called Tom, and Emma realises her childhood affection for Marco might become something more. But danger lies ahead, and there are always sacrifices to made in wartime.
Siobhan Daiko's sweeping novel, Daughters of Tuscany, is set at a crucial tipping point in World War II, just as the Allies are about to invade Italy. I do not think I have actually read a book set in Italy at this time in the war, and Daiko does an excellent job of delving into the historical events that followed, enriched by the complicated feelings of ordinary Italian people with divided loyalties.
Against this backdrop, Daiko introduces two young women with no real reason to welcome the invading army, or the POWs foisted upon them - Rosa, whose husband has become a casualty of war, and Emma who fears for the safety of her childhood friend Marco. Although their backgrounds are very different, many of their hopes, dreams and concerns about friends and family are shared, and as the story plays out from their points of view it is the human side of the impact of war on ordinary people that comes across - particularly when it comes to love and loss.
You can really feel the danger the village faces, caught between the invading Allies and the increasingly desperate actions of the occupying Nazi force. In a short space of time, attitudes change towards the POWs, who end up joining the deserting Italian soldiers who have returned to protect the community. There are lovely scenes of stolen moments between Rosa and Tom, and Emma and Marco, that heighten the suspenseful drama and the emotional impact of the fascinating partisan elements based on real events - which paint the Nazi occupiers are a very nasty bunch for our brave men and women to fight against from the shadows. There are some spicy scenes as passion boils over too.
What shines through this story is the bravery of Emma and Rosa, and the sacrifices they are forced to make. My heart was in my mouth for the entire second half of the book, and Daiko keeps the pace going beautifully all the way to the final moments when you learn the fate of all the characters you have come to care about.
This is my first Siobhan Daiko, but it will not be my last. Her writing is engaging, and I really enjoyed the way she blends fact and fiction in a way that gives you an intriguing glimpse of history through the eyes of compelling characters. A cracking read for lovers of wartime romance that packs a punch.
Daughters of Tuscany is available to buy now in hardcover, paperback, ebook and audio formats.
Thank you to Boldwood for providing me with an ecopy of this book in return for an honest review, and to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to be part of this blog tour.
About the author:
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.
You can find more about her books on her website .
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