The Stolen Letter: A completely gripping and emotional World War 2 historical novel

By Clara Benson

Book Overview

The longer her imprisonment went on, the more she cast her mind back to the stolen hours they had spent together. His love had blown in like an unexpected breath of warm summer air, giving her the promise of life and joy. But now they had been torn apart and she was tormented by the thought that they might never be reunited.

Italy, 1938: When Stella arrives in Florence, it's love at first sight. She is wowed by the rolling hills dotted with olive trees, the buttermilk villas with shuttered windows and terracotta roofs that glow gloriously in the sunlight. Even the breeze holds the scent of freedom ­- freedom from England, where the shadow of her past haunted her.

Then there is Ted, an American journalist who is wild and mischievous, with an arrogance bordering on rude. Stella is infuriated by him - but she cannot deny the lure of the danger and excitement he promises.

But there is something dark under the bright surface of this beautiful country, with unspeakable tragedies just around the corner. When the Nazis take control of Italy, Stella and Ted - and whatever dreams the future held for them - are ripped apart. As bombs descend, destroying everything in their wake, there is nothing to do but sit in darkness, praying to see tomorrow.

And it seems that even in Italy, Stella's past has found her. Somewhere in the winding streets of Florence there is a letter that could change the course of her fate. Unknown to her, it holds a secret with the power to rewrite her past, and everything she has been running away from. But will she live to find it? And with the odds stacked against her, will she ever see Ted again?

This beautifully spun and stirring tale is about the impossible tragedies of war and the miraculous possibilities of love. Fans of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale, Rhys Bowen's The Tuscan Child, and The Letter by Kathryn Hughes will be utterly captivated by this spectacular historical page-turner.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1838882022
• ISBN13: 9781838882020
• Release Date: September 2020
• Publisher: Bookouture
• Length: 394 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Historical Fiction

This is a historical fiction that takes place during WWII. I have to the beginning of this book is super slow moving and a little boring. The middle does so picking up the pace, and I did love the middle. I felt that the ending slowed down the pace again, and I did not loved the ending. I normally did not loved books that is about Art/Painting, but this book as a lot of other drama going on. I do feel the pacing of this book is off. I did love the characters. This is not the best historical fiction book I have read, but it was good/ok. Please looked into this book if you get upset about things that you read because there is some hard to read subjects. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Italy during World War ll

A Lovely Story Beautifully Written. A heartbreaking read about loss, and love, Friendships, new found love, and pure evil. This story is about a young girl Stella, whose Father is an art dealer, has remarried, and in doing so, sends her to boarding schools in England. She hardly ever sees or talks to her Father, he never visits...and no matter how much he ignored her...because of his new Wife, and going to live in Italy, Stella is devastated when she gets notice..he's been killed, struck down by a car while he's living in Italy. As she is turning 18...her Stepmother Monica( fathers new wife) asks her to come and visit with her..as she is finished with boarding school...and really has nowhere to live or go. She arrives at her stepmothers Villa, she meets Monica's Brother, Marius, and an American Reporter Ted..who happens to be a mutual friend of Monica's. As Stella gets settled into Italy and The Villa, she is taken to her stepmothers art Gallery...really her Fathers, and there she is given a message in the glass of the door window by the shop cleaner...to meet him at a certain time on a certain deserted street. He has something from her father and was told to give it only to her ! She goes to meet him....and is given a envelope and inside is a key to a safety deposit box at a bank !! ..its from her Father. She is told in the letter to keep it a secret , and go and open the safety deposit box ...and she'll find more instructions. She does as it says..which leads her to a stash of priceless paintings in a warehouse..that he was holding for a dear Jewish friend who was killed by the Nazi's. Throw into this story....a quick disasterist marriage to her Stepmothers young handsome brother, Marius..that brings her nothing but unspeakable abuse throughout her marriage....by his hands. Sooo much more to this terrific story ...its full of twists and turns, and secrets...that will help Stella understand more about her father and help to change her mind about her past and what she had thought of him. All the while trying to live through the start of war in Italy, running from her crazy husband, beaten half to death..and finding Ted, who really has cared for her from the first time they were introduced !!. Great Read !! All of 5 stars !! Full of mystery and surprises!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟