Allow author Tessa Harris to transport you to 1942 Tuscany where she’ll give you a startling first-hand account of life as a female partisan.

Lizzie Thornton, an English governess, is trapped in Italy when WW2 breaks out. Lizzie, tutor to a curious 8-year-old boy, Cristo, soon discovers what it’s like to be considered an enemy in her new home. She’s always had to be careful in the de Falco residence as Cristo’s father, Count Antonio, is a fascist and supports Mussolini.

Lizzie's decision to join forces with another one of Cristo's tutors as a member of the Italian resistance puts her in a position she's never been in before - that of risking everything for her beliefs. The tension ramps up when she’s sent to rescue someone being held by Mussolini’s fascists in the Castell’Arquato prison. Her best-laid ideals are put to the test when she is confronted with a choice she never thought she’d have to make. Does she have the courage to fight for what she really wants?

This novel caught my eye because of the great cover, the genre, and the fact that I’ve been to Lucca. Harris’ drive to write female partisans in Italy out from the shadows of history is a compelling read - one you’ll want on your tbr list!

I was gifted this copy by HQ Digital and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This was a great historical fiction novel that took me through the picturesque landscapes of Tuscany during the years of World War II.
The story follows Lizzie Thornton, an English tutor living in Lucca, who finds herself caught in the midst of political turmoil and personal dilemmas.

Lizzie's admiration for her job as a tutor to young Cristo de Falco is tainted by the fact that his father, Count Antonio de Falco, is a prominent fascist and supporter of Mussolini.

Harris writes about the difficulties of love, loyalty, and political unrest.
From the cobblestone streets of Lucca to the rolling hills of the countryside, the setting becomes an important part of the story, and created a rich backdrop against which the characters' lives unfold.

Lizzie was a relatable and strong-willed fmc who underwent a beautiful transformation as she confronted her own fears and desires.
The tension and suspense built steadily through the novel, bringing a gripping ending that made me happy with the ending.

Tuscany, 1942: Born and raised in England, Lizzie Thornton moves to Tuscany to tutor eight-year-old Cristo, the son of Count Antonio de Falco, a notable fascist and supporter of Mussolini.
When war is declared, Lizzie is regarded as the enemy of Italy but is tolerated by the Count because of her closeness to his son. The Count is raising his son schooled in the fascist uniform and beliefs.
When Vincenzo Baldini arrives as another turor for the Count's son, Lizzie is exposed to another world, that of the Partisan. Vincenzo edits a newspaper which, if discovered by the fascists, could result in torture or death to anyone connected with the newspaper. Considering Italy as her home now, Lizzie also becomes part of the fight against the fascist regime.
When someone from her past comes back into her life, Lizzie must decide if she has the strength to fight for what she truly wants.
I loved this story, it is one of the few that I have read focusing on Italy and the patriot fight against the detestable fascists. This story also gives an insight into the role of the women of Italy, as partisans, against the fascists. Though women were not initially accepted as fighters, the downfall of fascist Italy was no doubt due in great part to the inclusion of women.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this fascinating story by Tessa Harris.

Spoiler Free honest 📚 review of The Tuscan Daughter by Tessa Harris 3⭐️. I was intrigued by a book focused on the Italian Resistance having not encountered many. The is a lot of repetition at times and has many run on sentences with lots of extending punctuation - ; : in odd places, but maybe it’s the ARC. There are also far too many random characters. The book starts with such a bang of foreshadowing which I don’t always enjoy. The story also progresses very quickly yet is super long with so many coincidences. I enjoyed the descriptions of Italian food which made me hungry! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

An amazing and sentimental look at one Englishwoman’s war in Italy. It is nice to see what Italy was like during WWII for a change.