Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR
Kindle Price: $2.99

Save $1.00 (25%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Audiobook Price: $14.43

Save: $6.94 (48%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Siobhan Daiko
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Girl from Bologna: A heart-wrenching historical novel from Siobhan Daiko Kindle Edition

by Siobhan Daiko (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,100 ratings
See all formats and editions

A tale of courage, loss and heart-wrenching redemption.


1944

Bologna, Italy, and the streets are crawling with German soldiers. Nineteen-year-old Leila Venturi is shocked into joining the Resistance after her beloved best friend Rebecca, the daughter of a prominent Jewish businessman, is ruthlessly deported to a concentration camp.

1981

Exchange student Rhiannon Hughes arrives in Bologna and meets Leila, her landlady. Soon, Rhiannon finds herself being drawn into a web of intrigue. Leila’s nephew seems to be interested in a far-right group, but how is the nefarious leader connected to Leila?

As dark secrets emerge from the past, Rhiannon is faced with a terrible choice. Will she take her courage into both hands and risk everything?

Perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen, Fiona Valpy, and Victoria Hislop.

Praise for Siobhan Daiko:


’I was completely absorbed by … all the characters and intrigue.’ Angela Petch, bestselling author of The Tuscan Secret.

‘This is a beautiful story with a compelling historical storyline that you won’t want to put down.’ Ann Bennett, bestselling author of The Orphan House.

‘Siobhan Daiko will tug at your heartstrings, and leave you desperate for more.’ The Coffee Pot Book Club.

‘This was one of those I never want it to end books.’ Goodreads Reviewer
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    309 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Boldwood Books
  5. Publication date
    August 3, 2023
  6. File size
    4607 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A wonderful read of the Resistance, of love, of war and of patriotism," ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Netgalley reviewer


"What a wonderful, emotional story," ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Netgalley reviewer


"I enjoyed this one so much," ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads reviewer


"I became fully engrossed from beginning to end," ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads reviewer


"A poignant and deeply moving story," ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads reviewer


"...full of twists and turns..." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads reviewer --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C45C4S2H
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Boldwood Books (August 3, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 3, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4607 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 309 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,100 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Siobhan Daiko

Siobhan Daiko

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Siobhan Daiko is a British historical fiction author. A lover of all things Italian, she lives in the Veneto region of northern Italy with her husband, a Havanese dog and a Siberian cat. Siobhan was born of English parents in Hong Kong, attended boarding school in Australia, and then moved to the UK — where she taught modern foreign languages in a Welsh high school. She now spends her time writing page-turners and living the dolce vita sweet life near Venice. Her novels are compelling, poignant, and deeply moving, with strong characters and evocative settings, but always with romance at their heart. You can find more about her books on her website www.siobhandaiko.org

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
1,100 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING READ
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
I absolutely loved this book! The characters were amazing! I could not help but love them all. They were all so brave and I could not help but wonder how they could remain so strong considering what they suffered through during the occupation. Just a wonderful story.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
California Dreaming
4.0 out of 5 stars Italian WW2 Resistance Novel
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
Interesting historical novel about WW2 Bologna, with many details about this historic city.
The Italian Resistance is well-depicted. It is also a romance novel, spanning three generations. Regional Italian food and wine are also well-described.
A good, quick read. Plan to read her other two related novels about Italy.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
donna gentile
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent read
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
I loved every page of this book. I felt like the story held my attention throughout the book.
It made me want to visit Bologna on my next trip to Italy.
Helpful
 Report
Harriet Gilliam
5.0 out of 5 stars Review
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
Have not known about Italy's history during World War Ii. This is an intriguing story of the lives of this family's love and loss
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Lynn
4.0 out of 5 stars Great storyline
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2022
Verified Purchase
Although it had great storyline it did not drag on. Leila did write her memoirs and it was part of her life I did not read all of them as they were a little to time consuming. I passed over many of them but I don't feel anything was lost in the story.
Helpful
 Report
Kathie J.
5.0 out of 5 stars History, Roman e and Adventure
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
I loved this story that interweaves WWII history in Bologna with current day. Romance and adventure kept my attention. I visited Bologna a few years ago and loved the old part of town and the Partisans’ photos on the wall. The city, it’s food and historical structures are woven throughout, and made this story even more special. A great read!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
George R. Adams
3.0 out of 5 stars COVER CHANES OF BOOK
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
WHY DID THE COVER OF THE ORIGINAL BOOK CHANGE TO THE NEW COVER.. SAME BOOK BUT NOW I NO LONGER HAVE THE ORIGINAL BOOK IN MY LIBRARY
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer debbie
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
It wa's hard to put this book down. It was so well written, it was as if you were right there, experiencing everything with the characters. Very emotional, and is an excellent read
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Royston
5.0 out of 5 stars Italian hero’s
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
A brilliant book about parts of what happened in Italy that I don’t think people know about.It’s well written and I couldn’t stop reading it
Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
Reviewed in Australia on December 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
Beautiful book. Sad but these stories need to be told. Let us never forget just how evil and how brave some people can be.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Lovequalitybargains
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
I could not put this book down it has a great story to it ,I never realised how badly the Italian people were treated ,and how brave the Partisans were,I will definitely read all. Of the books by this author .
Report
Clodagh V. Norton
5.0 out of 5 stars The girl from Bologna
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a very well researched book and what struck me most was the way the author drew you into the story with an explanation of the history and politics of the time and how that went on to influence and shape the present day of Bologna. But first and foremost, this is a romantic novel about people, about love,and about life. The author weaves a story which draws the reader in and the characters are real people and you live with them through all their trials and tribulations in this wonderful book. What struck me especially was how well the author understands Italy and its people. She writes the Italians how they are, and this is rare. Having lived in Italy myself for many years all too often a non Italian author writing about Italy and its people gets it wrong and out pops a cliche not a real Italian, not so with Siobhan Daiko. She constructs all her characters with sensitivity and understanding of human nature including the Italians. The story is gripping but also very real and takes you into that fascinating city which is, and always has been central to Italy geopoliticallly.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Chrissie
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
Another brilliant book by this author. I first read the girl from Venice…… wow that one will stay with me forever. This one too gives a 5 star rating. But I recommend you also read her other novels. Im soon to start reading the Tuscan orphan by her
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report