Scan barcode
readwithton's review against another edition
5.0
I have no words. I never read “historical” books, but this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I was instantly hooked. I wasn’t expecting the story to go the way it did - it was heartbreaking, but also incredibly romantic. I highly recommend this book!
thebookishlifeofnicole's review against another edition
4.0
Historical fiction and I have been in a weird place the past year. I’ve been finding the genre repetitive and nothing has really grabbed me the way it used it. But along come Jennifer Robson with this incredible story that absolutely blew me away and I was reminded of why I loved historical fiction so much.
Our Darkest Night is the story of Nina, a young Jewish woman in Italy who is forced into hiding in the Italian countryside with a man she’s just met in order to survive. In the first half of the book Robson introduces us to Nina, Nico and his family and life in the Italian countryside during WWII. The second half of the book was what truly makes this book so well done. The stakes increase and Robson does not shy away from the realities and atrocities of life as a Jewish person or anyone resisting the Nazi’s during this time period. I cried, I smiled, I was angry. This book was such an emotional ride and I always feel the sign of a well written book is it’s ability to provoke emotion in its reader. This story blends history with romance and family drama and will have appeal to any historical fiction lover. Although a devastating and emotional read at the end of the day it is a story about the power of love and hope in the darkest of times.
One of my favorite things about Jennifer Robson as an author is the unique setting she chooses to explore and I always love reading her author’s notes to learn more about the inspiration for her stories. This book is no exception and I strongly encourage any reader to take the time to read this!
Overall this book reminded of why Jennifer Robson is one of my favorite authors and can be counted on time after time to deliver a story with strong characters, immaculate setting, well-researched historical details, but most of all a story that sticks with you long after finishing the book
Our Darkest Night is the story of Nina, a young Jewish woman in Italy who is forced into hiding in the Italian countryside with a man she’s just met in order to survive. In the first half of the book Robson introduces us to Nina, Nico and his family and life in the Italian countryside during WWII. The second half of the book was what truly makes this book so well done. The stakes increase and Robson does not shy away from the realities and atrocities of life as a Jewish person or anyone resisting the Nazi’s during this time period. I cried, I smiled, I was angry. This book was such an emotional ride and I always feel the sign of a well written book is it’s ability to provoke emotion in its reader. This story blends history with romance and family drama and will have appeal to any historical fiction lover. Although a devastating and emotional read at the end of the day it is a story about the power of love and hope in the darkest of times.
One of my favorite things about Jennifer Robson as an author is the unique setting she chooses to explore and I always love reading her author’s notes to learn more about the inspiration for her stories. This book is no exception and I strongly encourage any reader to take the time to read this!
Overall this book reminded of why Jennifer Robson is one of my favorite authors and can be counted on time after time to deliver a story with strong characters, immaculate setting, well-researched historical details, but most of all a story that sticks with you long after finishing the book
jennyamtc's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway and was extremely happy that I did!! I was looking forward to reading a book of WW2 based in Italy, and it did not disappoint!!
This is a story of a young woman in Venice and the sacrifices and struggles she must endure for security and shelter during the war. This is my first novel by Jennifer Robson but will not be my last. I found it a little slow to start, but once it got going, I couldn't put it down!
Thank-you to William Morrow for the advance copy!
This is a story of a young woman in Venice and the sacrifices and struggles she must endure for security and shelter during the war. This is my first novel by Jennifer Robson but will not be my last. I found it a little slow to start, but once it got going, I couldn't put it down!
Thank-you to William Morrow for the advance copy!
matthewschirber's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great historical fiction piece that takes the reader on a romantic journey. I loved the real life stories that the writer took from. I would highly recommend this book.
dawnsworldblog's review against another edition
5.0
Set in Italy during the Second World War, Nina’s father is concerned for her safety as an Italian Jewish girl and so sends her away from Venice and the home and family she loves, to live on a farm in the countryside where, in order to stay safe, she will have to assume a new identity and pretend to be married to Nico. We then follow Nina and Nico and his family through the next couple of years while Italy became further under the Nazi regime.
Wow. This book stole my heart, ripped it out and then put it back together again. I made it as far as p.24 before I was sobbing and these were definitely not the only tears I shed over Nico and Nina’s story. They were such beautifully written characters and although their story was full of so, so much sadness and trauma, there was still an undercurrent of hope that ran through the book. I also adored all of the secondary characters in this book, Nico’s family, and Stella. Every single one of them left an impact on me.
Knowing that so much of what happened in this story was based on true events was absolutely heartbreaking and at times difficult to even comprehend but I think knowing the scale of atrocities that people went through, and not all that long ago, is so, so important.
Wow. This book stole my heart, ripped it out and then put it back together again. I made it as far as p.24 before I was sobbing and these were definitely not the only tears I shed over Nico and Nina’s story. They were such beautifully written characters and although their story was full of so, so much sadness and trauma, there was still an undercurrent of hope that ran through the book. I also adored all of the secondary characters in this book, Nico’s family, and Stella. Every single one of them left an impact on me.
Knowing that so much of what happened in this story was based on true events was absolutely heartbreaking and at times difficult to even comprehend but I think knowing the scale of atrocities that people went through, and not all that long ago, is so, so important.
amberjill's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
christinesmith205's review against another edition
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
themaritimereader14's review against another edition
5.0
I was antsy to get my hands on this much-anticipated book! I very much enjoyed several of her previous novels and I'm leaning into historical fiction in a big way lately. I absolutely loved this book!!! I listened to most of it on audio via LibroFM and was also so delighted and thankful to receive a paperback copy in the mail from a friend as part of a gift swap :)
This book follows two magnificent and resilient characters in Italy during World War II: Antonina, a young daughter of a Jewish doctor who is nudged into posing as a wife to Niccolo, a kind, Christian man who was training to be a priest and who is able to protect her by bringing her home to his family's farm. Understandably, many difficulties lie ahead for these two characters and my heart wrenched at various parts of this story as events unfolded on the pages but amidst the pain and suffering, there is hope and joy to be found in this story as well.
"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."
100% recommend this title to anyone who loves historical fiction with a love story and hardships of war in the plotline. The Italy setting was refreshing after so many WWII stories I've read set in France and England. The story in these pages is not one often told. The supporting characters, including Nico's family, Stella, and Father Bernardi all wormed their way right into my heart. The narration of the novel on audio was also exceptionally performed and brought the Italian accents and phrases to life in my ears.
This book follows two magnificent and resilient characters in Italy during World War II: Antonina, a young daughter of a Jewish doctor who is nudged into posing as a wife to Niccolo, a kind, Christian man who was training to be a priest and who is able to protect her by bringing her home to his family's farm. Understandably, many difficulties lie ahead for these two characters and my heart wrenched at various parts of this story as events unfolded on the pages but amidst the pain and suffering, there is hope and joy to be found in this story as well.
"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."
100% recommend this title to anyone who loves historical fiction with a love story and hardships of war in the plotline. The Italy setting was refreshing after so many WWII stories I've read set in France and England. The story in these pages is not one often told. The supporting characters, including Nico's family, Stella, and Father Bernardi all wormed their way right into my heart. The narration of the novel on audio was also exceptionally performed and brought the Italian accents and phrases to life in my ears.