Thank you to Bookouture and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and Natalie Meg Evans is one of my favorite authors-she is a master at writing historical fiction. This story was about Imogen Fitzgerald and how her life was changed with the arrival of WWII. She was born in an English orphanage, but is now in Naples teaching English to two children. When war breaks out, her identity must remain a secret. When Giancarlo (the children's father) goes to war, she becomes involved with his brother, Fabrizio, smuggling food and even supplying information. This is a great WWII saga, with a lot of twists and turns. I really enjoyed this book-highly recommend!

Imogen Fitzgerald finds herself employed by a stern man names Giancarlo, Count de Trosini, in Naples. Imogen never quite felt comfortable around him, as a matter of fact, Imogen finds herself rather drawn to Giancarlo's half brother Fabrizio. The brothers are not close, and act more like business associates than brothers. Imogen becomes a tutor to his Giancarlo's children, Marco and Eloise. However, soon she finds herself involved in matters other than the children.

At only twenty-one years of age and not much experience as a teacher, she does do her best with Eloísa and Marco. Fortunately she had completed her teacher training despite her upbringing as a as an orphan. Through an interesting series of event, Imogen finds herself acting as a spy, creeping around, sharing secrets, and facing danger at every turn. While quite drawn to Fabrizio, her involvement with Giancarlo‘s two children is about to completely change. 

Mussolini is changing the very way of life for those in Italy, to say the least. As it is, Italy had already been rule for nearly two deacades. Talk of war is nonstop, and this has a ripple effect on everyone involved, including Giancarlo's son Marco. While Imogen would rather get back home to England, that proves to be impossible. Life there did not have promise, so now that she is stuck in Naples, she can only hope for a better life. With war on the horizon, returning home is not an option, and everything is about to get far worse. The country is at war with itself and Imogen is well and truly stuck.While Imogen cannot stop thinking about Fabrizio, she watches Giancarlo go through an intriguing transition and begins to see him in a new light. 

This book was no easy read. What did it did was to bring back memories of my junior high school history classes when I learned about Mussolini being in power. This book gave me a broader understanding of life in Italy during World War II and how no one remained unscathed by the taint of war. This intense read is was very well-written and a fascinating story. Natalie Meg Evans not only excelled at writing an excellent historical fiction novel, but she also did a fabulous job of weaving romance throughout the pages of this book. I was quite drawn to this well-written story and loved the wonderful ending.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Imogen Fitzgerald is twenty one she was raised in an English orphanage run by very strict Catholic nuns, her childhood wasn’t easy and she’s employed as a governess for Marco and Eloisa in Italy and she feels like she has a home. She loves the children, her job and when WW II starts she has no reason to return to England. Technically she’s an enemy alien, she looks Italian, and she hides her English identity and continues to look after the children while their father Count di Trosini is away fighting in Egypt.

Her employer has a half brother Fabrizo, they don’t get along and her boss isn’t keen for her or his children to associate with his brother. Fabrizo is a real ladies man, he’s also involved with the Italian resistance and sometimes he wants Imogen to help him. She’s torn between doing what her employer wants, staying away from his handsome brother and trying to resist Fabrizo’s charm and his requests.

When injured Giancarlo returns, Imogen notices her employer is very different and he’s not the cold person she’s dealt with in the past. He has always loved his country, his children and is he now in love with Imogen? By reading Into the Burning Dawn I gained a real understanding of what life was like for Italian people living in Naples during WW II, it was extremely difficult, severe food shortages, loved ones killed, fear of reprisals, bombing raids, damaged buildings and infrastructure destroyed. Natalie Meg Evans has written a compelling story, it’s hard to put down and five stars from me.

An absolutely gripping and beautiful story, set against the stunning backdrop of southern Italy, between 1940 and 1943.

This is my first novel by this author, but it won't be my last. The writing is sublime, and takes you on a visual journey of  southern Italy that makes you instantly fall in love with not only the country, but the characters too. There are many twists and surprising turns in this story that will keep you gripped to the very last page. 

A highly enjoyable read, and if you enjoy historical romance with drama, this is a must.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing stuff! I really felt my heart torn up for Imogen. I felt so many emotions, even frustration at the annoyance of a certain character! And the twist at the end, although expected, was nicely put. I highly recommend this book! Five stars all the way!

I am a historical fiction nerd . So first of all ,i expected a war fiction romance book. And of course the book was about WW2 but for me it was more about the war between people. If you understand what i mean. How far people Will go to protect themselves and how far they Will go for their believes. The Italian words and names made the book , for me, harder to get into and harder to remember all the names. But i would recommend this book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest review

Natalie Meg Evans is seriously talented! So many amazing turns of phrase in this book. I was completely gripped by the slowly unfolding, intricate plot. I knew some of what might come to be, and even though the heroine was at times naive, I completely understood her actions and sympathized with who and how she fell in love. Her courage throughout the book and especially at the end makes her a heroine to admire and remember. I absolutely loved the resolution of the true love story that was unfurling in the background. The writing was superb, the historical details completely immersive without being obtuse. I would love to read anything this author writes. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review.

A very good historical novel taking place during Mussolini’s reign in Italy. Imogen an English governess is drawn into the intrigue and family dynamics of this aristocratic household. Giancarlo her employer is very rigid and a Facist. His bastard brother Fabrizio is involved in a secret organization which is against the government.  Marco, Giancarlo’s son, is fascinated by his uncle Fabrizio and admires his rebelliousness. When Giancarlo joins the army he asks Imogen to marry him but she is in love with the dashing brother. She is then asked to handle the household When they move to Naples while Giancarlo is gone but she has to keep the children away from Fabrizio. She honors this request until they face unbearable deprivation  from the war and Fabrizio tells her he needs to use the palazzo’s basement to store food for the poor. Gradually she gets drawn into Fabrizio’s secret organization. Everyone has said that Fabrizio is manipulative and not to be trusted but is he? You’ll have to read the novel to find out. There are several intrigues and different well developed characters throughout the story. This is the first time I have read this author’s work but it will not be the last.

An English teacher gets tangled in Italy's political turmoil during the Second World War.

Into the Burning Dawn by Natalie Meg Evans is the story of an English young woman who happens to be in Italy when the Second World War was declared. She ended up entangled in the local political turmoil, fearing being discovered as the enemy.

Imogen Fitzgerald was an orphan raised by very strict nuns. She was chastised by her mother's alleged sins and paid a high price for refusing to condemn her mom for her acts.

When she loses the opportunity to work for a school in Ireland, one of the nuns helps her secure a job as the Count de Trosini's children's teacher in Italy.

Giancarlo Trosini is a distant and judgemental man, and Imogen has a hard time understanding him. On the other hand, his half brother Fabrizio is everything she ever wished for.

When the Second World War starts, Imogen could not sail back to England and ended up tangled in a web of political intrigue, rebellion, and persecution.

Imogen is young and confident, but dangerously naive. I was a little annoyed by her initially, but I had to make allowances for her age and her upbringing.

She learned the hard way that things are very seldom what they first look like to be.

Giancarlo is an intriguing character. He was honorable, intelligent, and sensible but a little too direct, and aligned to the wrong side. I felt for him because he was so often misjudged and misunderstood.

Fabrizio is pure Italian charm, and I loved all the scenes with him driving around on his motorcycle. He was every girl's summer dream.

I enjoyed how the author explored the complicated family connections between the characters. The side characters were well-developed and engaging.

Into the Burning Dawn is recommended to readers who enjoy WWII stories with intrigue, conspiracy, and a hint of romance.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 09/23/2020 as part of the book's blog tour*

A wrenching emotional journey through four tragic years in Naples, as it fell to destruction from hostiles from it's natives and the war. A love story evolves amidst the chaos. A happy ending for a few but so much sorrow surround them.

With thanks to  netgalley for  an early copy in return for an honest review. 
First time reading this author  and can highly recommend. 
Into the burning dawn  was an intriguing  read from the beginning  slightly  long winded at times but I really enjoyed the history behind  the story