The Words We Whisper
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-07-22 08:31:05
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Mary Ellen Taylor
- ISBN：B08C35GVLC
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Ruth
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This may have been the first novel by Mary Ellen Taylor that I've read， but it certainly won't be my last。 I quickly became invested in both the current-day story and the flashbacks to World War II Italy。 It was interesting to read a different perspective of that time period from all the books I've read。 The author cleverly tied everyone's secrets together to lead to an unexpected and emotional reveal。 Be sure to keep a box of tissues close by！ Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the advance co This may have been the first novel by Mary Ellen Taylor that I've read， but it certainly won't be my last。 I quickly became invested in both the current-day story and the flashbacks to World War II Italy。 It was interesting to read a different perspective of that time period from all the books I've read。 The author cleverly tied everyone's secrets together to lead to an unexpected and emotional reveal。 Be sure to keep a box of tissues close by！ Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the advance copy to read and review。 。。。more
Carolyn
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It was like watching a movie with the descriptions of the scenes， characters and the emotions conveyed so beautifully by the author。 An intense， emotional read about family， love， secrets， sacrifice and forgiveness。 Totally captivating。 Another outstanding book by Mary Ellen Taylor。
Janet Friesner
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Excellent。Read it all in one day。 It's after midnight but could not put this book down。 Have read all of her books but think this was the best so far。 Excellent。Read it all in one day。 It's after midnight but could not put this book down。 Have read all of her books but think this was the best so far。 。。。more
Trude
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The Words We Whisper is moving story about family and secrets。 Zara is a traveling hospice nurse。 Able to aid families when the loss of a family member is imminent she's been distant from her sister， Gina， and grandmother， Nonna， and lives in her van with her dogs。 But when she gets the call from her sister that her grandmother needs her she goes home where she becomes immersed in discovering secrets of the past。 Nonna sets her on a treasure hunt， of sorts， to find a box of secrets that she is d The Words We Whisper is moving story about family and secrets。 Zara is a traveling hospice nurse。 Able to aid families when the loss of a family member is imminent she's been distant from her sister， Gina， and grandmother， Nonna， and lives in her van with her dogs。 But when she gets the call from her sister that her grandmother needs her she goes home where she becomes immersed in discovering secrets of the past。 Nonna sets her on a treasure hunt， of sorts， to find a box of secrets that she is determined to share with Zara and Gina。 Told in alternating POVs between the present and Italy during WWII Zara discovers the truth about her family and who she really is。 Along the way she also reconnects with Gina and Nonna， rediscovers her family and opens her heart to the possibility of new love。 I really enjoyed this latest by Mary Ellen Taylor。。。the story is beautifully told， compelling and emotional。 Zara， Nonna， Gina and Nicolas are all real people that I would love to know。 All the characters are well written and fully developed。 The strength and bravery of the people of WWII Rome and Italy is inspiring。 Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book
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As usual I’m so impressed with how talented this author is！ Her ability to write so many different genres is brilliant。 Love her！
Judy Morris
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This was a fantastic book。 I loved it。 But the best part was the great author， she is so remarkable in her abilities to write such an amazing book like this。
Virginia Campbell
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Author Mary Ellen Taylor's beautifully-detailed writing brings to vivid life a poignant time and generation spanning tale， "The Words We Whisper"。 From WWII Italy to present-day Virginia， this powerfully emotional story will take readers on a journey of words that they will long remember。 Zara Mitchell is a traveling hospice nurse dedicated to the comfort and well-being of her patients。 With her big heart for people--and animals--she even adopts the pets of the patients who pass away。 When Zara' Author Mary Ellen Taylor's beautifully-detailed writing brings to vivid life a poignant time and generation spanning tale， "The Words We Whisper"。 From WWII Italy to present-day Virginia， this powerfully emotional story will take readers on a journey of words that they will long remember。 Zara Mitchell is a traveling hospice nurse dedicated to the comfort and well-being of her patients。 With her big heart for people--and animals--she even adopts the pets of the patients who pass away。 When Zara's older sister， Gina， calls and begs Zara to come home to help care for their dying grandmother， Zara can't refuse。 Zara's grandmother， Nonna， may be showing signs of physical decline， but her mindset is as formidable as ever。 She immediately tasks Zara with cleaning up the attic and helping her to find special mementos。 Zara is surprised by a visit from Nicolas Bernard， the widower of one of her patients， Catherine， who had passed away two years ago。 Nicolas has been fulfilling a bucket list written for him by Catherine， and one of the items on the list involved Zara。 As Zara begins to sort through items from the attic， she and Gina realize there is much more to their grandmother's past than they could ever have imagined。 Zara is taken aback when she learns the real reason that she was summoned home， and her mind is awhirl now that life as she knew it will never be the same。 The three women come together as bits and pieces of truth fit together like a jigsaw puzzle， and a new sense of family begins to grow。 Throughout the present-day story， author Mary Ellen Taylor has interspersed glimpses into the past--into the turbulence of WWII Italy， the time and place which was the launching point for the events that would affect the characters and shape their lives。 The storytelling here is stellar， and I was deeply involved in seeing how the story line would be resolved。 Yes， there is poignancy， but there is also hope and affirmation。 "The Words We Whisper" is highly recommended。Book Copy Gratis Author 。。。more
Kristina
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The Words We Whisper by Mary Ellen Taylor is a dual timeline novel that takes us between the 1940s in Rome and the present day in Richmond， Virginia。 The story is told from multiple points-of-view which includes Zara Mitchell， Gina Mitchell， Nicolas Bernard， and Isabella Mancuso。 The main narrators are Zara， a traveling hospice nurse， and Isabella Mancuso， a dressmaker at a high-end shop in Rome in the 1940s。 I thought The Words We Whisper contained good writing， but it is a slow starter。 I had The Words We Whisper by Mary Ellen Taylor is a dual timeline novel that takes us between the 1940s in Rome and the present day in Richmond， Virginia。 The story is told from multiple points-of-view which includes Zara Mitchell， Gina Mitchell， Nicolas Bernard， and Isabella Mancuso。 The main narrators are Zara， a traveling hospice nurse， and Isabella Mancuso， a dressmaker at a high-end shop in Rome in the 1940s。 I thought The Words We Whisper contained good writing， but it is a slow starter。 I had a hard time getting into the book。 I thought the beginning was a bit of a put off and it is depressing。 I wish the story had begun differently （in a way that would have hooked me）。 The Words We Whisper is an interesting story with things I liked and some things I found less appealing。 I enjoyed the historical sections more than the present day。 Isabella lives in Rome and wants to help her country against the invading Germans。 I can tell the author did her research。 With regard to the modern section， I could have done without the romance。 I would have preferred to see more growth from Zara。 To have her coming into her own instead of falling in love。 I like how the author tied the past and present together。 Nonna’s secrets are slowly revealed with the big unveiling at the end。 While The Words We Whisper is a good story， I felt something was missing。 The Words We Whisper is a story about war， loss， love， sacrifice， forgiveness， and new beginnings。 The Words We Whisper is a good book to read while relaxing on a lounger by the pool。 。。。more
Gabrielle
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A wonderfully written story。 Zara is asked to come home and take care of her dying grandmother。 Once there she is tasked with cleaning out the attic， and searching for something her grandmother hid years ago。 While doing this， she and her sister Gina are attempting to mend fences， and she learns that Nonna isn't the only one who has secrets。 Then the husband of a former hospice patient shows up， and Zara has to hide her growing feelings for him， even from herself。 Richly woven strands from the p A wonderfully written story。 Zara is asked to come home and take care of her dying grandmother。 Once there she is tasked with cleaning out the attic， and searching for something her grandmother hid years ago。 While doing this， she and her sister Gina are attempting to mend fences， and she learns that Nonna isn't the only one who has secrets。 Then the husband of a former hospice patient shows up， and Zara has to hide her growing feelings for him， even from herself。 Richly woven strands from the past and the present form a tapestry that tells of love， loss， and new beginnings in this beautiful story by Mary Ellen Taylor。 。。。more
Kate
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This story alternates between present day and Rome in the 1940’s。 In present day we follow Zara， a hospice nurse， and in the 1940’s we follow Isabelle， a seamstress in a couture shop in Rome。 As both stories progressed and intertwined I found myself deeply invested in both women， and their stories。 So often in a book like this it is easy to not like one character or storyline as much， and be annoyed when the characters and timeline switch。 That wasn’t the case in this book， the two stories and c This story alternates between present day and Rome in the 1940’s。 In present day we follow Zara， a hospice nurse， and in the 1940’s we follow Isabelle， a seamstress in a couture shop in Rome。 As both stories progressed and intertwined I found myself deeply invested in both women， and their stories。 So often in a book like this it is easy to not like one character or storyline as much， and be annoyed when the characters and timeline switch。 That wasn’t the case in this book， the two stories and characters blended beautifully， and I was happy when things switched to go back to visit the other character。 This was such a beautiful story of love and loss， with characters that will stay with me for some time。 This was my first book by Mary Ellen Taylor， and definitely not my last。 。。。more
Cheryl
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The people came alive， they became people I knew。 This brought so much home！ Family， hospice， how the war affects individuals， all wrapped up with emotion and mystery。 This book switches between Isabella's point of view 1943 and Zara's point of view present day You are invested in both。 I truly cannot due justice to this book。 There is intrigue， emotion， mystery and most of all there truly is love。 Love and strength， perseverance in the darkest time， be it war， or watching a love one waste away。 The people came alive， they became people I knew。 This brought so much home！ Family， hospice， how the war affects individuals， all wrapped up with emotion and mystery。 This book switches between Isabella's point of view 1943 and Zara's point of view present day You are invested in both。 I truly cannot due justice to this book。 There is intrigue， emotion， mystery and most of all there truly is love。 Love and strength， perseverance in the darkest time， be it war， or watching a love one waste away。 I was swept away how Mary Ellen showed even with struggles this is not glum and doom。 This is life， the past and the present。 This heart hurting and heart warming。 There are moments of humor and I adore Zaras forth right。 When I finished， I sat back with a sigh and thought of how people are affected with war， and how I lost my dad to cancer and what hospice truly is like and I know I want a Zara in my life， and her Nonna and her sister， Gina。 Because life is to be lived， and they did indeed live it well。 Thank you Mary Ellen for showing me your other genre， for pulling out all the feels， for the relatable and life loved， I voluntarily share my thoughts and opinions and highly recommend this "The Words We Whisper" Be prepared to tear up， to smile， and to be in awe。 。。。more
Margie
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This is a fascinating story。 Ms。 Taylor takes us back in time to war torn Rome during World War II telling the story of one of the modern-day characters who experienced all the horrors of the bombings and war。 In the present this character finally tells the story of her life back then to her family。 I got totally caught up in this story。 It was a very compelling read rich in great characters and an intriguing storyline。 I loved some of the parallels from both time frames such as a man asking a w This is a fascinating story。 Ms。 Taylor takes us back in time to war torn Rome during World War II telling the story of one of the modern-day characters who experienced all the horrors of the bombings and war。 In the present this character finally tells the story of her life back then to her family。 I got totally caught up in this story。 It was a very compelling read rich in great characters and an intriguing storyline。 I loved some of the parallels from both time frames such as a man asking a woman to dinner and the woman declining the first time。 In both time frames the women eventually agree and that decision for each is life changing。 Bravo author Mary Ellen Taylor for your telling of such a heartwarming and poignant story。I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review。 。。。more
Vickie
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This was an epic tale of love， sacrifice， forgiveness， loss and new beginnings。 The story’s main narrator was Zara Mitchell， a hospice nurse who loves dogs and who deals compassionately with those entering the last stage of life。 When she returns home to Richmond， Virginia， because her grandmother Nonna is dying， Zara does not know what to expect。 She is used to dealing with death， but not that of the family member who raised her。 When Nonna insists that Zara clean out the attic and look for a p This was an epic tale of love， sacrifice， forgiveness， loss and new beginnings。 The story’s main narrator was Zara Mitchell， a hospice nurse who loves dogs and who deals compassionately with those entering the last stage of life。 When she returns home to Richmond， Virginia， because her grandmother Nonna is dying， Zara does not know what to expect。 She is used to dealing with death， but not that of the family member who raised her。 When Nonna insists that Zara clean out the attic and look for a particular treasure there， Zara pitches in quickly to the task， wanting to complete it before her Nonna dies。 In the attic is a journal that tells the story of a young woman in Rome named Isabella， a courageous young woman who faced down the Nazis and did all she could to help the Resistance and those in danger to escape。 The secrets of the attic drew me back to the book again and again。 Yes， there was a love story involved， several of them， in fact。 The time is from the past during WWII and to the present， with Zara having to cope with her own losses and inevitable changes that come with them。 I cannot say enough good things about this book！ It helped me to see the hardships of war more clearly and the sacrifices that the people in the land occupied by the Nazis had to make in order to continue to survive。 The characters became real to me， like watching a movie on television and having the actors step out of the screen and talk to me as they related their life’s story。 This is a book that I will long remember as more than a love story because it is a book that teaches the horrors of war and the triumph of love and compassion。 DisclaimerDisclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley。 I was not required to write a positive review。 The opinions expressed are my own。 I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR， Part 255， “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising。” 。。。more
Julia
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I received an ARC of this book in exchange for honest review。 I really enjoyed this book and the way it flashed between present day and World War 2。 There were enough plot twists to keep the book intriguing， but it was also straightforward enough to make it an easy summer read。 There were parts of the book - descriptions of war and the things that occurred that were hard to read - but it was accurate to the time period it was written in。
theliterateleprechaun
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“Nothing ever ends as we would expect。”The above quote summarizes the central theme running through this dual timeline historical fiction novel set in Rome 1943 and Richmond， Virginia present day。 I must admit， when I started to read and discovered that the story centered around granddaughters finding a notebook in the attic， I almost put it down。 I’ve read so very many books about the war where relatives go on an attic archaeology dig！ However， I kept reading and I’m glad I did。 This is more th “Nothing ever ends as we would expect。”The above quote summarizes the central theme running through this dual timeline historical fiction novel set in Rome 1943 and Richmond， Virginia present day。 I must admit， when I started to read and discovered that the story centered around granddaughters finding a notebook in the attic， I almost put it down。 I’ve read so very many books about the war where relatives go on an attic archaeology dig！ However， I kept reading and I’m glad I did。 This is more than a book about a grandmother’s secret life during the war。 It’s about how two estranged sisters pull together to help care for their 97-year-old nonna and in the process end up supporting each other。 If you love dogs， there’s a terrier lab mix named Gus， a chihuahua named Little Sister and a mut named Billy who have several appearances in the present-day plot。The 1943 timeline features Isabella Mancuso and her role in helping the Jewish community after Mussolini’s disenfranchisement of these Italians。 If you love Italian couture， the main character in the 1943 plot is the most talented atelier in Rome and works from a couture shop on Via Veneto by the Spanish Steps！ This wonderful book was a treasured read yesterday post-vaccination （fully vaxxed！） while I sat in the sunshine and tried to keep my mind off my sore arm！ This will go down as one of my favourite reads from 2021。 I thought it was a poignant read， as the present-day timeline features a theme we’re all facing as pandemic restrictions are lifted; the need to seize the day。 The journal provides answers for the girls and reminds them to chose love， pass on regret and seize the day。 Things I learned:- Couture houses panicked and hurried to collect outstanding fees from Jewish clients in case they ‘disappeared’- the Jewish community had to pay a ransom to the SS to spare future persecution- People were often engaged and married on the same day because the war had just ended and after too many years of hardship， people were ready to get on with their livesQuotes I loved:“People are rarely as simple as they appear。”“Choosing death is easy。 Choosing life is far more dangerous。” “Don’t underestimate the ordinary。”“Everyone thought they had all the time in the world， but， she realized， they were all passing through。”Mary Burton， （Mary Ellen Taylor， pen name） has a storytelling gift。 I don’t know how I hadn’t heard of her - especially since this is her 50th book！ Her strength is penning tales about loss and secrets and she seamlessly pulls together the timelines with a couple of twists you won’t see coming！ This historical fiction highlighting the impact of the past on the present， along with complex family relationships， and a sense of belonging needs to be on your radar come July 20， 2021。 I was gifted this advance copy by Mary Ellen Taylor， Montlake Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review。 。。。more
Renee
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The Words We Whisper is an amazing story。 It’s the kind of story that makes you want to snuggle up under the blanket with a cup of tea and read。 I really enjoyed it。 The characters were vivid and enchanting。 When the book brought you into the past into Italy， I almost felt like I was right there with them。 The story is wonderful， warm and courageous。ARC kindly provided by NetGalley for an honest review。
Margaret Hejmanowski
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very moving and inspirational。 Deep portral of love， a tear jerker。 Loved every word of it！！
Sparklin
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A perfect historical- love story。 Isabella a seamstress during the war。 Tells her story in the past。 Zara tells her story in the present。 When a emergency sends Zara back to her Nonna。 All is revealed in Nonnas time。
Mary
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The Words We Whisper is a duel timeline WWll novel。 I really enjoyed this story of sisters Gina and Zara and how they learned about their grandmother's secrets of her past in 1943 Rome。 Through stories told by Nonna and journal entries the truth is revealed。 This is a very emotional read。 Mary Ellen Taylor has become one of my favorite authors and I highly recommend this book。 Thanks to the author， publisher Montlake， and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for a honest review。 The Words We Whisper is a duel timeline WWll novel。 I really enjoyed this story of sisters Gina and Zara and how they learned about their grandmother's secrets of her past in 1943 Rome。 Through stories told by Nonna and journal entries the truth is revealed。 This is a very emotional read。 Mary Ellen Taylor has become one of my favorite authors and I highly recommend this book。 Thanks to the author， publisher Montlake， and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for a honest review。 。。。more
Cheryl Merrick
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I loved this story。 I figured out some good stuff of it but a few surprises。 I would love to see a sequel from Mia’s point of view。 This was the first ARC I have ever read and was so excited to receive a copy from the author。
Kookie9200
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book。Zara's job as a hospice nurse has taken her all over the place。 When she gets the call that her 97 year old grandmother is ill， she returns home to Virginia to help。 Complicated family dynamics have made communication difficult for Zara， her older sister Gina， and Nonna， but when Nonna tells Zara about the final task she wants completed， Zara complies。 Along the way， she discovers secrets that will change all she knows Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book。Zara's job as a hospice nurse has taken her all over the place。 When she gets the call that her 97 year old grandmother is ill， she returns home to Virginia to help。 Complicated family dynamics have made communication difficult for Zara， her older sister Gina， and Nonna， but when Nonna tells Zara about the final task she wants completed， Zara complies。 Along the way， she discovers secrets that will change all she knows about her family。I liked the story and thought the characters were interesting。 One thing that kept pulling me from the narrative， however， was how sections of the story would randomly change from third person to first person。 It made it difficult to stay in the story。 The build of the narrative was also good， but I did feel the ending was a tad rushed。 。。。more
Nisha Joshi
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This is the first novel I have read by Mary Ellen Taylor and I have to say， I am super impressed。 The story is told in two timelines - one is 1943， Italy， and the other is the current day USA。 The older story is told by Isabella， a seamstress， and the newer story is told by Zara， her granddaughter and a hospice nurse。 The two stories are told alternatingly and come together so beautifully， you cannot help falling in love with them。 Zara finds the meaning of life along the way。 The stories made m This is the first novel I have read by Mary Ellen Taylor and I have to say， I am super impressed。 The story is told in two timelines - one is 1943， Italy， and the other is the current day USA。 The older story is told by Isabella， a seamstress， and the newer story is told by Zara， her granddaughter and a hospice nurse。 The two stories are told alternatingly and come together so beautifully， you cannot help falling in love with them。 Zara finds the meaning of life along the way。 The stories made me root for Zara in her coming-of-age journey。Beautiful book beautifully written， 5 stars。 。。。more
Yeni
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This is an exceptionally well written book。 Zara Mitchell is a hospice nurse that travels around taking care of those in need。 She is called home to take care of her grandmother。 While she is home her grandmother wants her to clean out the attic because she is looking for a specific item。 On her grandmother's insistence she proceeds to clean it out。 While she is home she reconnects with a man from her past。 She has feelings for him， but is unsure if to pursue them because of his past。 Zara finds This is an exceptionally well written book。 Zara Mitchell is a hospice nurse that travels around taking care of those in need。 She is called home to take care of her grandmother。 While she is home her grandmother wants her to clean out the attic because she is looking for a specific item。 On her grandmother's insistence she proceeds to clean it out。 While she is home she reconnects with a man from her past。 She has feelings for him， but is unsure if to pursue them because of his past。 Zara finds what her grandmother is looking for and proceeds to uncover a long buried secret。 As I read the book I found it difficult to describe the feelings I had for the characters。 Each one played an important role in the story and without them the story would not have been the same。 They are all strong individuals who did what they felt was right regardless of the pain they suffered。 She did an amazing job of bringing the characters to life。 I have read many books， but this book will be one that I will not be able to forget。 I know that it is one that I will pick up over and over again。 I have always been one that prefers stories that are written in the present。 The past and present collide in this story， but it only added to it。 Without it the story would not have been the same。 It is an unforgettable read and one that will have you feeling so many different emotions。 。。。more
Marjorie
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I love books that go back and forth between the past and the present。 This novel switches back and forth between 1943 Rome， Italy during World War II， as told by Isabella， and the present day in Richmond， Virginia， mostly narrated by Zara。 I learned a lot about the interactions between the Italians and the Germans during the war， and their thoughts concerning American allies。 The courageous men and women in Italy did not know who could be trusted， as it was hard to distinguish between who were t I love books that go back and forth between the past and the present。 This novel switches back and forth between 1943 Rome， Italy during World War II， as told by Isabella， and the present day in Richmond， Virginia， mostly narrated by Zara。 I learned a lot about the interactions between the Italians and the Germans during the war， and their thoughts concerning American allies。 The courageous men and women in Italy did not know who could be trusted， as it was hard to distinguish between who were their friends， enemies， or spies。 Loyalties are primary。 Family and friends are key。 And loss can be brutal。 The present surrounds 97-year-old Nonna and her two granddaughters， Zara and Gina。 Brought together under the same roof due to new circumstances， the truths of their family and what took place in Rome are gradually revealed。 The strengths and bravery of especially the women involved throughout this novel were brilliantly portrayed by this author。 Hard times and secrets were prevalent throughout。 I highly recommend this book to those of us who treasure how the past intertwines with and shapes the present， especially when characters have lived in both eras。 [I received an early complimentary copy of this book directly from the author and my opinion is my own。] 。。。more
Linda
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Mary Ellen Taylor is the author I turn to when I want to just escape and be entertained。 This time out she really overdid herself。The story is told from two eras。 The World War II era is taking place in Italy and told by a young seamstress named Isabella。 The present day story takes place in the USA and is told by a young hospice nurse named Zara。 How these two eras and their stories with all their experiences and secrets join to tie their histories together is what Ms。 Taylor does so very well。 Mary Ellen Taylor is the author I turn to when I want to just escape and be entertained。 This time out she really overdid herself。The story is told from two eras。 The World War II era is taking place in Italy and told by a young seamstress named Isabella。 The present day story takes place in the USA and is told by a young hospice nurse named Zara。 How these two eras and their stories with all their experiences and secrets join to tie their histories together is what Ms。 Taylor does so very well。 The message that their stories impart is that there is nothing more important than the bonds of family。 There are many twists and surprises throughout the book including some real stunners at the end， but Ms。 Taylor tells it so well that you will feel that you are walking beside the characters throughout。 This has got to be one of her best in my opinion and I think you will truly enjoy it。Thanks so much to the author for my free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion of her book。 It is due out July 20， 2021。 。。。more
Kim
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I received an ARC of this book。 Mary Ellen Taylor has written another great book！ The first sentence， “ Nothing ever ends as we would expect” grabs ahold of the reader immediately。 The reader is transported between 1943 and the present。 Mary Ellen did an amazing job creating strong women characters each with their own secrets。 Their secrets are shared as the women come together for a family emergency。 If you are a fan of Mary Ellen’s gift of storytelling， you will not be disappointed with this g I received an ARC of this book。 Mary Ellen Taylor has written another great book！ The first sentence， “ Nothing ever ends as we would expect” grabs ahold of the reader immediately。 The reader is transported between 1943 and the present。 Mary Ellen did an amazing job creating strong women characters each with their own secrets。 Their secrets are shared as the women come together for a family emergency。 If you are a fan of Mary Ellen’s gift of storytelling， you will not be disappointed with this great read！ 。。。more
Melissa Ammons
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I received a gifted copy and am providing a review。 Available July 20， 2021。Never be “afraid” to pick up a book outside of your favorite genre。 Like this one， you may be missing a true gem！This book combines the past with the present。 Nonna （the grandmother of the story） lived in Italy during the 1940s， the time of the war。 She guards her past and her secrets， hidden away in a box and the deep recesses of her memory。 She took her granddaughters in， Gina and Zara， and raised them so she is pretty I received a gifted copy and am providing a review。 Available July 20， 2021。Never be “afraid” to pick up a book outside of your favorite genre。 Like this one， you may be missing a true gem！This book combines the past with the present。 Nonna （the grandmother of the story） lived in Italy during the 1940s， the time of the war。 She guards her past and her secrets， hidden away in a box and the deep recesses of her memory。 She took her granddaughters in， Gina and Zara， and raised them so she is pretty much all they know。 Now， at the age of 97， she has decided to tell her secrets。 Zara came home on the notion that Nonna needed her to take care of her （Zara being a traveling hospice nurse）。 Wait until you find out the truth about that！If you like books that are based on the premise of the past meeting the present， I am certain you will enjoy this one。 This book has it all – the older generation finally telling their past secrets。 A relationship between sisters。 The chance at love … in the strangest of places。 The thing about historical writing， for me anyway … it has to be interesting。 This one hits that mark。I am so glad to have had the opportunity to read this book。 Make sure you set aside a day for this one … had I had the time， I would have devoured these words in one sitting。 。。。more
Amy
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I love a good Story Teller。 I love a story where as the reader I can let go， not stress and let it unwrap itself to me。Mary Ellen Taylor is that Story Teller。The Words we Whisper is the 4th Taylor novel I've had the pleasure of reading。 I read the ARC copy。 In this novel we get to learn what ties the past and the present through the stories of Isabella， Mia and Zara。I did not read the premise before starting， when I realized the history was related to German occupation in Italy I thought I might I love a good Story Teller。 I love a story where as the reader I can let go， not stress and let it unwrap itself to me。Mary Ellen Taylor is that Story Teller。The Words we Whisper is the 4th Taylor novel I've had the pleasure of reading。 I read the ARC copy。 In this novel we get to learn what ties the past and the present through the stories of Isabella， Mia and Zara。I did not read the premise before starting， when I realized the history was related to German occupation in Italy I thought I might not enjoy this story。 How wrong I was！ This is a story I didn't want to end。 I could clearly visualize and feel her story come alive over the pages。I am not a prolific writer， and I do not want to give the story away， I do however want to say the reader can easily be transported into this story and leave feeling changed。 I know I did。 I loved the bravery and compassion of the characters。 It's a story I would not hesitate to re-read。Bravo Ms。 Taylor， and thank you for sharing your gift of good story telling with us。 。。。more
Debbie Lyon
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