A wonderful story of intrigue and secrets and romance.

Lina is half Italian and half British she lives with her Aunt Agatha in Italy. Agatha does not speak Italian she has a club with other British and an American ladies where they look at all the artist’s portrait and discuss them they are a font of knowledge. Lina meets Edoardo who is an art dealer she thinks he works for the Nazis. We see Lina put in danger will she survive the war and will the ladies all live.

I really enjoyed the book I thought it was interesting and I kept wanting to read on to find out what happened to them all. I thought Lina & Edoardo worked well together and you wondered if they would end up together.

Well written and very informative.

I always particularly enjoy a book that sends me down my own research rabbit hole – the Ponte Vecchio, the Scorpioni, the Uffizi, the Shinnie maps, the Kunstschutz, the art of Cranach, and so much more – guided by the fascinating letter from the author that ends the book. Goodness, I even watched the two films she mentions, I became so engrossed in the subject. Wonderfully researched and beautifully written as always, this book – a work of fiction based on fact – really was history brought to life, as well as being a very involving romance and an edge-of-the-seat read that gathered pace throughout and left me breathless.

Essentially, this is the story of a group of women, living in wartime Florence – the Scorpioni – whose love of art found them helping prevent the destruction of the city’s treasures both during the Nazi withdrawal and the bombing that followed. It also tells how the Nazis looted the city’s many works of art, taking them out of the country – and the efforts of art historian Lina, working with the partisans, as she attempts to save them, particularly one previously undiscovered work by a favourite of the Fuhrer. It’s a rather moving love story too – as she works with art dealer Edoardo, who’s won her heart but has an unfortunate reputation and a complex past, and who she’s not sure whether to trust. And as the story builds, it becomes rather a thriller too, with lives risked to prevent the destruction of one of the most iconic sites of Florence.

The characterisation is excellent – not just Lina and Edoardo, but the whole supporting cast, sympathetic or otherwise. And particularly the ladies of the Scorpioni – all distinctive characters including Lina’s wonderful Aunt Agatha, women who’ve lived a little and all have their own stories, and who play their own parts in the story. The world-building is wonderful too – wartime Florence vividly recreated, making the reader feel very much part of it. And I thought the pacing was superb – quieter moments in the early book, experiences shared, discoveries made, secrets uncovered, then that major gear change that was so tremendously exciting, life-threatening and with an uncertain outcome, everything in the balance.

This book really has a bit of everything – romance, the art world, the impact of the occupation, the plundering of Florence’s treasures – and really captures the immense bravery shown by those who sought to make a difference and change the course of events. It’s such an immersive read, filled with suspense, and a well-told story that had me gripped throughout – and that fast-paced and heart-pounding climax really was stunning. Very much recommended.

My fascination for wartime history continues with another stellar read by Tessa Harris. Of late Great Reads & Tea Leaves has posted a few reviews from this time period, yet still I found myself drawn to learn and read more. The Florence Sisters were a strong and brave group of expat women (mostly elderly English ladies) who were determined to save Florence’s art from both the destruction of war and the greedy Nazis.

‘They were heroines. Each and every one of them. True sisters of Florence.’

Expert art historian, Lina (niece of one of the elderly ladies) is coerced to authenticate a priceless Cranach painting but declares it a fake in order to keep it out of the hands of the Nazis. This then sets off a chain of events that lead to a thrilling conclusion. Think of Monuments Men (who also make a guest appearance). Add in the courage of this group of women, a handsome art gallery owner and resistance fighters and you have a highly entertaining and absorbing read.

If you enjoy reading about Florence and art tied together with suspense and romance you are sure to enjoy this book. The Florence Sisters is another winning read that allows you to be immersed in this time period. The research is well done and the story is full of detailed drama, laced with love and hope.

‘When the war’s over, people will somehow rebuild their lives,’ she told him. ‘They always do, but if you destroy their achievements, what they’ve created over the past centuries, then it’s as if they never really existed.’

The Florence Sisters by Tessa Harris is a gripping, well written WWII novel. I loved the Paris Notebook and this one didn’t disappoint. The story takes place in Florence during the war while the city is under attack. Wonderfully researched history brought to life.

Lina the main character is an expert in art history and is forced to authenticate stolen masterpieces. A priceless portrait is deemed a fake setting the stage for the story. The book is filled with danger, tension, the fight for survival and is a real page turner.

I would recommend this book especially to historical fiction lovers. Thank you NetGalley and HQ publishers for an advance copy of this book.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

The story is set in Florence during the war in 1940, during which time the people had to live through the hard times.

Lina, is a history expert, and she has to prove that some portraits are with fake or real if they’ve been stolen, what happens next is based on these portraits and paintings that are gems.

The story kept you turning the pages.

I recommend this book.

Set in Italy during ww2 I was looking forward to reading this book but was a bit disappointed. This is a story of the Englishwomen in Italy when ww2 broke out. I couldn’t get into this book, it was slow to start and I didn’t find it very exciting. The writing was good but unfortunately didn’t grasp my attention.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

The Florence Sisters is a touching and well-crafted WWII novel about love and sacrifice. The historical setting felt real without being too heavy, and the characters had depth. A great pick if you like historical fiction with strong women at the center.

oh this book was a brilliant read. i was hooked by the character and plot alike. there was the tensions from every angle. you would think living throughout the war was hard and brave enough. but when you are a target or having to save targets then it must feel tenfold awful. i dont know the brave woman of this woman did what they chose and felt compelled to do each day. they were brave brave soldiers of war. the book is so filled with the emotional depth. you feel the toll of the war and also the toll of this group of woman as a group who chose to come together to save important and stolen pieces of art. and then when one such piece is felt to precious one of our ladies has to lie. lie to the enemy by saying its a fake. and what comes next is a whole new ripple effect.

this book was just superb. i was swept through a moment in time which never ceases to amaze me,terrify me and inspire me. for there were woman and men throughout this time doing things that went above and beyond the call. and it put them in the enemies eyesight and therefore even more danger. but where would we be without some truly courageous souls who lives amongst us?

This story is set in Florence, Italy in World War Two. It’s 1940 and the city is under attack. Known for its precious art a group of brave women work hard to protect the cities treasures from the invaders, right under their noses. A gripping read with good attention to detail.

Another cracker from Tessa Harris. I don't normally read much historical fiction but these books have converted me. Great story line that kept me intrigued. Have recommended it to a friend already

I loved the Paris Notebook and this book did not disappoint either. I've read a lot of books set around WW2 but only a couple with Italy as the background. I was aware of the movement of Art having watched the Monument Men and this book btrough to life the other people who will have been involved in trying to save the artwork from the inside.

Great book and will read more by her.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review a book by a new author to me.

After a slow start as a group of characters and a number of locations were introduced, the story quickly picked up pace and I found myself desperately wanting to know what would happen next. A fascinating historical fiction book that weaves secrets, romance and danger into the story as the Italian’s try to stop the Nazis from stealing their beautiful art.

I look forward to reading more by Tessa in the future.

The Florence Sisters is set in wartime Florence, Italy, in 1940. This book is about a city in the war and the brave women who had to live through it.
The main character, Lina, is an expert in art history. She is forced to prove that stolen masterpieces are legit.
She has to label a priceless portrait a fake, setting the book's scene.
The book was filled with danger and tension and was a page-turning read.
The Florence sisters were a strong, brave group of women determined to preserve and save Florence's art.
All the while under the enemy's noses.
Tessa Harris has written another great book.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

On publication, I will post the blurb and my review on my blog.

An exploration of the art world in Florence during WW2 in which the Nazis are trying to loot the treasures of Florence for their private collections. This story shows the effort that went in to protecting and saving the masterpieces of Italian art in the Uffizi gallery and elsewhere, and the risks some women took to preserve them. Lina is an engaging heroine, but I had a soft spot for her formidable aunt and the other ladies of The English Lades Art Appreciation Society who gave up their time and loyalty under considerable duress. It is unusual to read about older women and the eye-opening risks they took in their contribution to the war effort.

There is a nice tension between Lina and the owner of a gallery, Edoardo, who may or may not be a Nazi collaborator. Lina has to navigate this uncertainty whilst slowly falling for this enigmatic dealer, whose reputation means that he cannot be trusted.

Based on real events, this is a suspenseful novel of bravery and determination in the face of Nazi greed. Tessa Harris gives us a world of heightened passions - the beauty of art, a constant sense of danger, and a desperate romance that simmers beneath it all. Highly recommended.

WW2 fiction 1940 Florence Italy.
Oh my goodness heart rending and gripping.
A war torn city, a stolen masterpiece, two lives in the balance.
Italy declared war on Britain and every english man and woman have become the enemies.
Lina Dr Angelina Leone and her great aunt Agatha tell us their unique story.
This book is all about survival.
Absolutely lots of twists as the portrait of the Cranage has to be saved from the fascists.
Edoardo Bernini Lina's sweetheart has a hidden secret, and she doesn't know if she can trust him enough after a gruelling trauma that ends in a kidnapping will she get out alive and back to aunt Agatha?
Oh my goodness again this book was so unputdownable right through, loved the characters and their part in the story, as it all blends in making a history that will never be forgotten.
Loved it.

This is ideal for historical fiction readers, who enjoy straightforward, gentle storytelling with romance and action. Fans of the author will not be disappointed.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

On publication, I will post the blurb and my review on my blog.

What a beautiful story! I love Tessa Harris books and she has made me appreciate historical novels in a way that I haven’t in quite some time. Lina’s story was inspiring and hopeful. It really makes you appreciate those that came before us and paved the way for the rights we sometimes take advantage of today.