The Fisherman's Daughter
by Melinda Sue Sanchez
Adult Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 288 Pages
Summary
Eighteen-year-old Marianna De’Angelis has grown up on her father’s fishing boat off the picturesque coast of Sicily, Italy. She traverses the nearby countryside on horseback and bicycle and works alongside her mother selling fish at market. It is a simple, happy life. But when WWII erupts and the Nazis overtake the country, Marianna’s peaceful world is shattered.
In the midst of chaos, Marianna encounters a handsome, young Italian soldier named Massimo Scalvone. Though she tries to keep her distance, Marianna finds herself powerfully drawn to Massimo. Yet all the while, the man she is growing to love conceals a deadly secret—a secret that ensures that in a world now ruled by politics and greed, Massimo is not free to give his heart. Devastated, Marianna immerses herself in helping her family and neighbors survive the war. But soon, merely helping is not enough, and the young woman undertakes increasingly dangerous missions for the resistance. Although Marianna and Massimo each harbor secrets, their only hope of survival is to trust each other with the truth of who they really are.
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My Review
THE FISHERMAN'S DAUGHTER is a story about a girl coming into womanhood and the man who can't help but fall in love with her even if it's dangerous to do so during the German occupation of Italy during WWII. The townspeople and family come across as genuine, as does the picturesque Italian countryside. The tale meanders along until towards the end when the story becomes intense as these two fight for the freedom of Italy. Readers who enjoy sweet WWII stories and sweet romance may enjoy this story.
This story was a mixed read for me. I really loved parts of it and felt rather meh about others. I think I have certain expectations for war stories and so this one didn't quite live up to those, but was still enjoyable.
Here's what I liked about the story... I enjoyed the setting in Italy and the various characters. I liked Marianna and Massimo and could definitely feel their chemistry. I loved Marianna's family! I loved the time she spent fishing with her father, in the kitchen with her mother, and her strong bond with her brother. I also like her friends and the way she tries to help the poor and sick of her community. I felt like I was invited in to this small town in the Italian countryside and the Italian culture. I really enjoyed the last third of the book where the story picks up.
Then the meh parts... Much of the first half of the story felt slow to me. The romance felt a little dramatic and young to me, especially under the circumstances. Marianna and Massimo due some really foolish things that should have ended a lot worse than they did. I also had some issues with how open the characters were in regards to secrets when they would have been much more tight-lipped during the war. It just felt like they were acting the parts and not really living them for most of the story in regards to each other and war secrets. The parts with their families and friends felt much more genuine in comparison.
In the end, was it what I wished for? I enjoyed the story overall, especially the last third. I'd recommend it to those who are looking for a WWII romance that is on the lighter side.
Content: Some war violence, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a review nor affect it in any way.
This story was a mixed read for me. I really loved parts of it and felt rather meh about others. I think I have certain expectations for war stories and so this one didn't quite live up to those, but was still enjoyable.
Here's what I liked about the story... I enjoyed the setting in Italy and the various characters. I liked Marianna and Massimo and could definitely feel their chemistry. I loved Marianna's family! I loved the time she spent fishing with her father, in the kitchen with her mother, and her strong bond with her brother. I also like her friends and the way she tries to help the poor and sick of her community. I felt like I was invited in to this small town in the Italian countryside and the Italian culture. I really enjoyed the last third of the book where the story picks up.
Then the meh parts... Much of the first half of the story felt slow to me. The romance felt a little dramatic and young to me, especially under the circumstances. Marianna and Massimo due some really foolish things that should have ended a lot worse than they did. I also had some issues with how open the characters were in regards to secrets when they would have been much more tight-lipped during the war. It just felt like they were acting the parts and not really living them for most of the story in regards to each other and war secrets. The parts with their families and friends felt much more genuine in comparison.
In the end, was it what I wished for? I enjoyed the story overall, especially the last third. I'd recommend it to those who are looking for a WWII romance that is on the lighter side.
Content: Some war violence, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a review nor affect it in any way.
About the Author
Melinda S. Sanchez grew up spellbound by the characters of wonderful books—Pippie Longstocking, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Kit Tyler, Charlie Bucket, Karana, and more.
In second grade, she wrote her first book. It featured two mice that got married; the wife always wore curlers and cold-cream to bed, and the husband was in the military. By the age of twelve she was prolific in writing poetry and stories.
As an adult, Melinda lived in the picturesque country of Italy and fell in love with the people, language, landscape, and history. She met her husband there, and together they have five beautiful grown children and four perfect granddaughters. They also have a house full of dogs, cats, exotic lizards and creatures, and birds. Between the people, animals, reptiles, and birds, there are plenty of characters to inspire and keep Melinda spellbound and writing, writing, writing for a long time to come.
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