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The Girl from Lake Maggiore by Siobhan Daiko x-book

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What to expect

A breathtaking story of friendship, love and impossible choices, perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley, and All the Light We Cannot See! โœจ

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Lake Maggiore, Northern Italy, 1943 ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

In a quiet lakeside hotel nestled in the shadow of the Italian Alps, seventeen-year-old Giulia Leone lives a life untouched by war โ€“ until the day ruthless German SS officers arrive in the village.

Her fatherโ€™s hotel is no longer a place of peace, but a trap for the Jewish guests who have taken refuge there. Among them is Ester, the bright, spirited girl who has become Giuliaโ€™s closest companion.

When a daring plan to help Esterโ€™s family escape spirals into chaos, Giulia is the only one who gets away. Heartbroken but determined, she flees into the mountains and finds shelter with a band of courageous partisan fighters, led by Raffaele Ferrero, the hotel managerโ€™s son.

Haunting memories of her family and best friend plague Giuliaโ€™s every waking thought, and she knows she must risk everything to fight back. But as a wanted person, finding where her loved ones have been taken โ€“ let alone saving them โ€“ may be impossibleโ€ฆ

Inspired by true events, The Girl from Lake Maggiore is a moving and powerful story of resistance, resilience and the extraordinary lengths we go to for love.

โ€˜An absorbing wartime story so beautifully researched youโ€™re there on every pageโ€ฆ each chapter sparkles like sun dots on the lake at the center of the story. I so enjoyed this story, a kaleidoscope of familial loyalty, wartime tension, and a warm, sensitive romance. Highly recommended.โ€™ Jina Bacarr

'A beautifully written novel, one that you will get swept away in!' Carly Schabowski

'Utterly moving!' Catherine Law

'A compelling story in a beautiful setting.' Ann Bennett

โ€˜A moving story of the fierce bonds of friendship and the tender, heart wrenching emotions of first love. Well researched, the author portrays the harsh reality of partisan life in Italy in their courageous fight against the Nazis.โ€™ Helen Parusel

Praise for Siobhan Daiko:

'...like meeting an old, dear friend after a long absence. What a poignant, emotional, thoroughly enjoyable read this was! ... such beautiful prose and such a brilliant story that completely transported me.' Renita D'Silva

'A beautiful story with a compelling historical storyline that you wonโ€™t want to put downโ€™ Ann Bennett

โ€™I was completely absorbed by โ€ฆ all the characters and intrigueโ€™ Angela Petch

'an exciting, impeccably-researched wartime adventure with lots of heart ... the perfect mixture of tragedy and happiness' Reader Review

'A poignant and emotionally charged novel that explores the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity and I was hooked from start to finish' Reader Review

'So much heartache but alongside this the love of the people who did so much in WWII' Reader Review

'a powerful historical novel that I just could not put down' Reader Review

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Details

Author
Siobhan Daiko
Narrator
Stephanie Cannon
Duration
7 hours 24 minutes
Release Date
9 January 2026
ISBN
9781836330981
Format
x-book®
Publisher
Boldwood Books
Genre
Historical fiction, Family life fiction, Narrative theme: Coming of age, Narrative theme: Love and relationships, Narrative theme: Interior life, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss, Narrative theme: Politics, Narrative theme: displacement, exile, migration, Narrative theme: Sense of place, Narrative theme: Social issues

Synopsis

A breathtaking story of friendship, love and impossible choices, perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lucinda Riley, and All the Light We Cannot See! โœจ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Lake Maggiore, Northern Italy, 1943 ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡นIn a quiet lakeside hotel nestled in the shadow of the Italian Alps, seventeen-year-old Giulia Leone lives a life untouched by war โ€“ until the day ruthless German SS officers arrive in the village.Her fatherโ€™s hotel is no longer a place of peace, but a trap for the Jewish guests who have taken refuge there. Among them is Ester, the bright, spirited girl who has become Giuliaโ€™s closest companion.When a daring plan to help Esterโ€™s family escape spirals into chaos, Giulia is the only one who gets away. Heartbroken but determined, she flees into the mountains and finds shelter with a band of courageous partisan fighters, led by Raffaele Ferrero, the hotel managerโ€™s son.Haunting memories of her family and best friend plague Giuliaโ€™s every waking thought, and she knows she must risk everything to fight back. But as a wanted person, finding where her loved ones have been taken โ€“ let alone saving them โ€“ may be impossibleโ€ฆInspired by true events, The Girl from Lake Maggiore is a moving and powerful story of resistance, resilience and the extraordinary lengths we go to for love.โ€˜An absorbing wartime story so beautifully researched youโ€™re there on every pageโ€ฆ each chapter sparkles like sun dots on the lake at the center of the story. I so enjoyed this story, a kaleidoscope of familial loyalty, wartime tension, and a warm, sensitive romance. Highly recommended.โ€™ Jina Bacarr'A beautifully written novel, one that you will get swept away in!' Carly Schabowski'Utterly moving!' Catherine Law'A compelling story in a beautiful setting.' Ann Bennettโ€˜A moving story of the fierce bonds of friendship and the tender, heart wrenching emotions of first love. Well researched, the author portrays the harsh reality of partisan life in Italy in their courageous fight against the Nazis.โ€™ Helen ParuselPraise for Siobhan Daiko:'...like meeting an old, dear friend after a long absence. What a poignant, emotional, thoroughly enjoyable read this was! ... such beautiful prose and such a brilliant story that completely transported me.' Renita D'Silva'A beautiful story with a compelling historical storyline that you wonโ€™t want to put downโ€™ Ann Bennettโ€™I was completely absorbed by โ€ฆ all the characters and intrigueโ€™ Angela Petch'an exciting, impeccably-researched wartime adventure with lots of heart ... the perfect mixture of tragedy and happiness' Reader Review'A poignant and emotionally charged novel that explores the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity and I was hooked from start to finish' Reader Review'So much heartache but alongside this the love of the people who did so much in WWII' Reader Review'a powerful historical novel that I just could not put down' Reader Review

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