Antonina's father had been planning how to protect her for a while since the Germans had invaded Italy and were starting to take Jewish people to camps.

His plan was to have Antonina pretend she was married to Nico.

Antonina didn't like the idea of leaving with a stranger and leaving her father and mother, but Nico was very nice and had a wonderful family who welcomed her as his wife. Well everyone but his sister, Rosa, but Rosa came to love Nina.

Rosa was angry because Nico was to be a priest and this girl took him from the priesthood. They wished they could tell everyone they really weren't married, but it was too risky. Someone may tell on them.

I became immersed in the family’s hardworking life and the wonder and joy of the simple life they led and their care for each other.

Of course they had to be concerned about the Nazi officers who stopped by and to worry that someone would find out Nina actually was Jewish.

You will fall in love with Nina and Nico and feel Nina's pain as she tries to fit in and learn how to be a Catholic.

You will actually become fond of each family member, feel their pain as well as their happiness, and want to be part of their loving family.

As in all WWII books along with the beauty and the strength of the people, there is death and cruelty.

The beauty of family and caring citizens will pull you into this marvelously written, well-researched book and help ease the horror of what was going on.

Do not miss this book. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.