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

This was an emotional dual timeline story set in Italy during 1920's in Florence and the 1940's in Bari, Rome.


It’s 1920 and Eva and Elio, twins both have arrive at an art academy in Florence, this is a well known academy. For Elio, she wants to live a better life after what’s she’s seen in the war, and Eva is just happy to be there.

The twins are close, but slowly they begin to move away from each other as they want different things from their lives.

Then in 1940 Sienna who lives in Rome and works for an owner of an art gallery, who isn’t just selling art, he also keeps a list in a book of 'lost art' which he hopes will be back with the owners.

Sienna leaves Rome, taking the book with her soon after the owner is taken into custody. She’s been advised to travel to Bari, where a family will help her.

The story was well written, hard to put down and you read about the way of life of people during the war, as well as those who want to protect the art. There was also secrets kept by families.

I highly recommend this book.

Really loved the story line and how the lives intertwined. The changing of perspectives and times was a little confusing at first until I got to know the characters. A sad but/and beautiful ending.

For me, the history underpinning this story was fascinating, opening up new aspects of the Second World War I’d known nothing about before. I would expect no less from this talented writer.
This is a tale of a country divided by war and by politics, occupied by invading forces and suffering bitter hardships. In the southern port of Bari, Alessia and her family eke out an impoverished existence in the absence of the men who have gone to war. Further north, Siena is working for an art lover, helping to catalogue treasures and smuggle them out of reach of Nazi looting. They share a connection which only becomes clear as the story progresses, although there are hints in the somewhat fragmented timeline (which did make things a bit confusing at first).
It’s an intriguing book although I felt the title could perhaps set up expectations that had little to do with the bulk of the story. The main characters are interesting and well drawn, and the conclusion was satisfying.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Keeper of Lost Art is a lovely story, but it is spoiled by the fact that the author flits between three timelines - 1921, 1938 and 1943 and that make it hard to flow the flow of the story. Every bit is important and the story would flow better if the book was spit into 4 sections: 1921, 1938, 1943 and Conclusions. Each section is important to the storyline and its final outcome and keeping each part separate would have helped the flow of the book. It is possible to read it this way, by checking the titles of each chapter and reading accordingly. With all this apart, it is a story worth reading, I fully recommend persevering with the layout.

Thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review. All the views given here are my own and they are given freely.

An emotional dual time line story set in Italy during the 1920’s in Florence and in the 1940’s in Rome and a small seaside country town of Bari.
In 1920 twins Eva and Elio have been accepted into a prestigious art academy in Florence . Elio has returned from war and is seeking a better life. Eva is just pleased to be accepted into an art academy. Despite the closeness of the twins they start to drift apart as they see life differently.
In 1940 Sienna is living in Rome and working for an art galley owner who is doing more than buying and selling art. He is keeping a record in a black book of ‘lost art’ in the hope it can be returned to their rightful owners after the war. Sienna flees Rome with the black book when the Nazis arrest the gallery owner. Sienna has been told to go Bari and seek help from the family that live there.
This is an engaging historical fiction story about the hardship of life during the war and the bravery and commitment of those seeking to save the art of Italy. It is also a story of a family secrets, love and trust. A good weekend read.

“The world turned as it turned. The truth was that it was all right. Every choice, every mistake, every lie … was under pinned by love.”

When a secret isn’t yours to tell, how well can you walk the line between fact and fiction? How can you share your heart, when it’s tied to the secrets of your past? Set in Italy and spanning 3 decades, this non-linear story weaves together three women striving to survive. A story which beautifully depicts the complexity of life: struggle between what is right and what feels good, the sacrifice of self for another, the importance of community in the midst of adversity.

i really enjoyed this book. we dont usually see a dual timeline that switches to the before the world war we are in to reveal the secrets. we are usually taken to a more modern day search. so i appreciated# learning of times around both the wars. but my what a horrific time we still learn about going on in those times. in the war people were desperate. and still managed to be brave either for bigger tasks or simply keeping those they love safe at home whilst others were off fighting. i cant imagine the balance of trying to keep it all together at that time. particular if where you are living is going through worst times of strife than others. the fear you must carry with you daily must seem like a unimagined weight.
in this book we are given the earlier years story of a brother and sister. Eva and Elio come to study for bigger and better things. but its not an easy ride and what happens create a divide between them. but the consequences will change lives and shape futures. it also means secrets are long kept.
the modern day story is one of the second war. Sienna is a courageous woman. she is determined to do her bit and becomes involved in protecting and saving the art of Italy from the Germans. and she boldly does so when she is given a piece and told to run. she runs to the door of Alessia. Alessia once showed what Siena holds cant refuse her. so she takes her in even though she is struggling as it is to take care of her own family.
Bari isnt the safest of places to be at the best of times. but this new situation brings even more frantic risk to their doors. watching these two woman unwavering bravery as well as their growing trust and friendship was one of the best parts of the stories for me. they are both vulnerable but so strong in their own ways. and in ways im not sure i could ever be. and as the war comes closer they continue to show that strength of character and purpose still fuels them both.
this story has lots of hidden secrets that come to light and how the two timelines are linked was such a wonderful revealing. i was a tad emotional at times too and could clearly picture the locations in my mind.

Hiding the Italian artworks that Mussolini was gifting to Hitler was a dangerous undertaking but there were some who hid their own fears to save the heritage of their homeland. The backstory of a few of the women involved in this effort against a background of privations and fear is the beauty of this riveting novel. *****Review
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital galley from Storm Publishing via NetGalley.
#TheKeeperOfLostArt by @lelitabaldockwrites @stormbooks_co #WW2 #historicalnovel #family #wartimeSurvival #romantic #Italy #hidingValuedArt #tense #action #danger #resist #goodreads #oppression

I never miss a book for lelita.
She's always got the style and the technique of grabbing me as a reader.
A fiction set at the time of ww2, full of paintings and secrets.
This story is written in two times, pre ww2 and after it, depicting the beauty of Italy before the war and moarning the ruined Italy after the war.
Her words are so alive that you feel like being a part of the family of Alessia. Alessia, the sweet-natured girl who I consider the real protagonist in the story.
The keeper of Lost Art is a highly recommended, page-turning story!

Siena worked at the art gallery in Rome, along side an elderly man she'd begun to love as a Nonno, helping him with the cataloging of Italy's art. But as the war moved closer, she realised that was not all they were doing. The black book which the Dottore secreted away needed to be kept safe, and when Siena finally fled Rome, she took it with her.

Arriving in Bari, a port city in southern Italy's Puglia region, Siena continued to the home she'd been sent to. When Alessia opened the door to the stranger, who begged for shelter after her exhausting journey from Rome, she and her Nonna couldn't refuse. Alessia, her younger brother Nicco and their Nonna lived as quietly and unobtrusively as they could, while waiting for the war to end, and their Papa, and Nonna's son, to arrive home. The rationing was harsh, they were always hungry, but Alessia did her best with what little they had. And although the British were manning the port of Bari, and assured the locals the Germans wouldn't come, they did. The bombing was horrific, the deaths and injuries terrible. Both Nicco and Alessia were injured, Nicco the worst, but they were still alive...

The Keeper of Lost Art is a beautiful story by Aussie author Lelita Baldock, only spoiled by the constant chopping back and forth in time. With three timelines - 1921, 1938 and 1943 - it was hard to keep up, and often broke the flow of the story. All sections were important to the story, but I think it could have been executed better. I enjoyed the section with Alessia and her family, and their hardship in Bari, the most. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read and review.

The book describes the life of an Italian family in Bari, Puglia, Italy, before and during the Second World War. Alessia, Niccolas, and Nona Bianca barely survive the shortage of food and water. As Bari is a small village, the neighbors help each other in spite of all the difficulties, and they maintain their friendship. At the end of World War II, Alessia's father returned to Bari, and then some family secrets were revealed. Despite the difficulties, the family was happy to be reunited.

WWII in Italy. A woman is hiding a secret. A tragic yet beautiful story. A must read. This ARC was given to me in exchange for an honest review. This review is mine.

This was well done historical fiction set in southern Italy during WW2; mostly in the town of Bari, on the beautiful coast of the Adriatic Sea. The author described Bari and its people so vividly, and I loved reading about a place that I knew little about.

The efforts to save the great art of Italy were familiar to me. However, that took a back seat (for me) to the story of Alessia, her family, her neighbors and her friends. Sienna’s life in Rome also grew interesting as her back story was revealed. Her grit and courage made her a great character.

I spent most of the book trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together but I was guessing almost up to the reveal. It was definitely complicated!

Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

This was an excruciating read. I almost DNF'd this book many times, and had it not been an ARC I would have dropped it at 27%. In fact, part f me is angry at myself for suffering through this, and wasting my precious time. The writing style is nauseating at best, the plot non-existent and the characters insufferable. I would have left Siena at an orphanage too, the dreadful little twit. This is not about art, it's not about people, it's not really about anything. The timeline jumps all over, and it's impossible to keep track of anything that is actually happening. The characters become irrationally angry over things that make no sense. Of course James couldn't tell them about the mustard gas.... have you ever heard of a security clearance????? Those existed even in the 1940's. Nothing about this book would make me pick up another tome from this author. I'd rather read the dictionary: it has more depth than this book.

I was swept away by The Keeper of Lost Art—a beautifully written, emotional story that stayed with me long after the final page. Set against the backdrop of war-torn Bari in 1943, this novel struck the perfect balance between historical detail and personal drama. I felt every ounce of Siena’s fear and determination as she carried her dangerous secret—the ledger—and found unexpected refuge with Alessia.

What really moved me was the slow build of trust between the two women. Their connection felt genuine and layered, and as their hidden pasts began to surface, I was completely hooked. The mystery tied to art and family secrets gave the story a deeper resonance, and I loved how the author wove that thread through both the present danger and the emotional heart of the book.

Some pacing felt a little slow in places, especially early on, but the payoff was worth it. The writing is lyrical without being overdone, and the descriptions of Bari under siege were haunting and immersive.

This is a story about courage, sacrifice, and the quiet power of art to preserve truth. If you enjoy historical fiction with strong female leads and emotional depth, The Keeper of Lost Art is a must-read.

This book was absolutely stunning and also immensely heartbreaking, and I mean that in the best way possible.

Siena was a wonderful character to follow along with. Alessia was so strong. This book was so moving. Full of love and choices you have to make in hard times. I’ve never read anything like this and it opened up a new genre of books to me.

An emotional story! I enjoyed it, liked the idea of the plot. I felt though that the psychological side of the characters was sometimes rather clumsy. I know the feeling of guilt is deeply engraved in us but at times I found it misplaced and not realistic in this story. One timeline less would have made the reading smoother as well. However, the novel remains a good read.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

I found The Keeper of Lost Art to be a very emotional story. In times of distress people do not always think in a positive way. Decisions made in the 1920's are exposed in the 1940's. The dual timeline gave me insight into the life after World War One.

Elio and Eva venture to Rome to study art. Things don't go as planned. Elio leaves school and goes searching for what is missing from his life. Eva remains behind and finds what makes her feel alive. Her actions change everything. She soon discovers the truth, but will not give up her child to a man she thought loved her.

A little more than twenty years later; Siena escapes to the home of Auri di Bari. She fled Rome as the Nazis took control. She was endanger. She had been working with others hiding Italy's art. The Nazis were now rounding up members. A book isting where the art had been hidden is thrust into her hands. She is told to run and not look back.

When Siena arrived in Bari; it was under English and American control. That did not mean life was easy. The struggles had me in tears. Their desperation had my heart breaking. To be reminded of the horrors of war, the losses, gutted me. To learn about the mustard gas that would kill and maim residents left me speechless and fuming.

During all the horrors they experienced Siena was searching for her past. She hid the book, given to her for safe keeping, in the cellar. She discovers many painting hidden in the darkness bringing light to her world.

Her life was a mystery yet to be solved. The discoveries were shocking. The revelations shattering. Finally, after more than twenty years truths will be revealed.

This was a beautiful story, told over two timelines. Rome, 1940s, Siena is a private, determined, and stubborn character, helping to hide Italys art from the Germans, whilst searching for her birth mother. Bari, 1940s, Alessia a very kind and caring character, worrying about how to take care of her Nonna, younger brother, and neighbours while her father fights in the war. Both are brought together as around them bombs fall on Italy.
Florence 1920s, we follow twins Eva and Elio, who arrive in to study art at Accademia di Belle Arti. A dream come true, involving a lot of hard work with little praise from Professore Renzetti, resulting in a divide between the siblings.

This was such a lovely story. I enjoyed reading about the work involved in the smuggling and recording of art and the passion of those involved. I really connected with Alessia, with her strong love and protection for her family, worries for her missing father, and struggles as she takes on the 'mother' role in the house. I loved the descriptions of Florence, Rome and Bari, I felt I could easily see them in my imagination. The two timelines were easy to keep track of, although there were a number of chapters between the switches. There are a number of emotional moments, which will leaving you blinking back the tears. This is one for those who love historical fiction that includes family secrets long hidden, hope, love, and friendships.

A beautifully written historical novel that captures the quiet bravery of women during wartime, the emotional weight of sacrifice, and the redemptive power of art. Set against the evocative backdrop of 1943 Bari, Italy, the story blends suspense, found family, and hidden truths in a way that feels both intimate and expansive.

Siena is a character you root for from the start—her courage, vulnerability, and unwavering sense of purpose come alive on the page. I was especially drawn to her dynamic with Alessia, a woman grappling with her own responsibilities and grief while war creeps closer. Their slow-building trust and the revelations that follow were deeply moving.

The writing is rich with sensory detail—the descriptions of war-torn streets, smuggled sketches, and quiet moments between women trying to survive were some of my favorite elements.