The Girl From the Paradise Ballroom by Alison Love

★★★★✩
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The first meeting between Antonio and Olivia at the Paradise Ballroom is brief, but electric.

Years later, on the dawn of World War II, when struggling Italian singer Antonio meets the wife of his wealthy new patron, he recognizes her instantly: it is Olivia, the captivating dance hostess he once encountered in the seedy Paradise Ballroom. Olivia fears Antonio will betray the secrets of her past, but little by little they are drawn together, outsiders in a glittering world to which they do not belong. At last, with conflict looming across Europe, the attraction between them becomes impossible to resist--but when Italy declares war on England, the impact threatens to separate them forever.

The Girl from the Paradise Ballroom is a story of forbidden love and family loyalties amid the most devastating war in human history.

Alison Love’s The Girl From the Paradise Ballroom tells a story different than I originally expected (based on the summary), but it delighted me nonetheless - I always enjoy a good World War II-era book (with romance, of course). Set in England, this novel has a very interesting cast of characters and through them, Love shares a story around the experience of being Italian during the war. This aspect of World War II is not one I had previously considered or learned, so in that regard, The Girl From the Paradise Ballroom completely fascinated me. Readers of historical fiction should be sure to add this book to their to-read lists - it’s a quick and enjoyable read.

Thanks to Blogging for Books, I received a copy of The Girl From the Paradise Ballroom and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.