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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two Love Story (Jack & Mariella Book 1) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Christie Mitchum

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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love storyGreetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Greetings From Asbury Park was a heartfelt, emotional read!

I’m not usually a fan of WWII books, but this one was different. It didn’t take place in Germany. It depicted the brutal German occupation of Rome.

Mariella and Jack are the main characters, although Jack doesn’t appear until much later in the book. A good portion of the book is about Mariella and her family. They had already endured a horrific tragic event in their lives, and as the book opens, they are suffering from brutal treatment from the Germans and possible starvation. Fear rules their lives.

Mariella is forced to give up so much, like her education. However, her tenacity and perseverance is incredible. As the war ends, she meets a handsome American soldier and spends an unforgettable day with him. There is an instant connection between them, but he has to leave. The two become pen pals for years. As the years pass, readers see how the two of them are living separate lives, but that connection is still there. I liked that their love story wasn’t rushed, making the story so much more believable. They get to know one another through their letters to each other.

This was truly an incredible read. Vecchione’s ability to make me feel everything Mariella and her family felt is a testament to her skill as a writer. I’m eagerly anticipating the next book in the series to see where Mariella’s journey takes her next.

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Greetings From Asbury Park by Luigina Vecchione – review by Emily Jensen

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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love storyGreetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that I mostly loved because I just love historical romance novels. This is a sweet story about Mariella, an Italian with a huge family, falling in love with an American soldier during World War II. She’s lost so much already, and so when he goes back to America and writes about his engagement, she assumes she’s lost him, but fate has other plans for both of them.

While it was a very sweet love story that had a lot of stakes involved, I also loved how they showed the humanity of both Jack and Mariella and where they both seemed to want the both for themselves, their families and their countries and also showing the hell that war is for everyone involved, no matter whether they’re on the front lines or not.

I was so glad this book had a sequel!

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Greetings from Asbury Park (Jack & Mariella Book 1) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Gillian Fawell

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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love storyGreetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story swept me away right from the start. Mariella’s story gives a true insight into how many everyday Italians and others around the world had to fight to survive during World War 2. Neighbours spying on each other, very little food, the list goes on. Do yourself a favour and read this book!

Reviewed by @sparkinside

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Greetings From Asbury Park by Luigina Vecchione review by Charlisa Wahtomy-Alba

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<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60886985-greetings-from-asbury-park” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1650982037l/60886985._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60886985-greetings-from-asbury-park”>Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21894769.Luigina_Vecchione”>Luigina Vecchione</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6598210530″>5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Like many young people back then, our main character, Mariella, has to be mature beyond her years. She meets a nice young GI, Jack, who has very little time left to spend in Italy. He is about to shipped to Japan but they make the most of their time. Before he heads off they exchange addresses and a promise to keep in touch. Will they be able to endure the time and distance? I enjoyed the characters and how this story was written. The characters are very likeable and their story draws you into their world. I’m looking forward to the continuation of Mariella and Jack’s story.
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Greetings from Asbury Park (Jack & Mariella Book 1) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Shannen Kern

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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love storyGreetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a beautiful and emotional story! It is set in World War II which is apparent in the way the author portrays amazing imagery with their words. The character development is quite incredible as they are relatable even from a different time period. Mariella is a teenager, but like so many during WWII, she was forced to be very mature for her age. Jack is a nice soldier that gives her hope until he gets stationed far away. While my heart felt squeezed through many of these pages, I still highly recommend it. If you enjoy historical fiction with romance and drama, please pick this up and give it a chance! I am eager to read the next book in the series.

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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Greetings From Asbury Park by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Finn Cunningham

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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love storyGreetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Greetings from Asbury Park: A WWII love story by Luigina Vecchione, was a wonderful read. I absolutely love historical fiction, and anything to do with Rome, so of course I picked this up! A beautifully crafted story of love, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit. The characters emotions and interactions were so vivid it was as if Mariella was sitting beside me, telling me herself. A truly beautiful book, that I honestly wish I could experience for the first time all over again!

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Greetings from Asbury Park (Jack & Mariella Book 1) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love storyGreetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an epic historical romance which held me captivated throughout. The wonderfully detailed descriptive narrative along with the added historical details made me feel both immersed in the story and transported back in time to WW2. Main characters Mariella and Jack are so likeable and relatable that I felt invested in their journey. Mariella is living in Rome and has had to grow up quickly due to the war, having been denied an education she has had to care for her siblings. Mariella is also haunted by a horrific childhood trauma, and then the Germans occupy Rome. Along with the other Italians she then lives in daily fear whilst starvation and brutality have become normal. Mariella is dreaming of a new life when she meets an American GI Jack and despite the language barrier they have an instant connection, but they only have one day together before he ships off to Japan. Although they promise to keep in touch they are both aware that anything can happen during a war, but they will both try and get back together once the war ends, if they both survive. This really is as the blurb says, “a gripping, romantic, and emotional novel” and the mix of the storyline, the characters and the historical elements all had me gripped from page one. Life for the Italians in Nazi occupied Rome and the horrors they suffered really came across in the narrative. However, despite it being a difficult read, emotionally, at times the overall feeling of hope and the pursuit of true love makes this a heartwarming and inspirational read.

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Greetings from Asbury Park (Jack & Mariella Book 1) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Julie Johnson

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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love storyGreetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

I’m a fan of historical reads, those set in the WWII area, and ones that have a bit of romance. This is the perfect combination!

Jack and Mariella’s story tugged at my heart strings just a bit. There story isn’t necessarily original but it’s their story and it matters. This author did such a great job of weaving the story, that it was as if I was there watching it all play out in person. The emotions are raw and real and you’ll find yourself not wanting to put this book down until it’s finished!

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Greetings From Asbury Park (Jack & Mariella Book 1) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Crystal Brehant

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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love storyGreetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a story! There is so much emotion in this story – love, pain, courage, and so much more. The author is a brilliant writer who draws you into the story as if you are there experiencing it first hand. This story felt real as I was reading it. It is based on a true story, but that doesn’t automatically make it feel real. The author’s writing is what makes it so. I could not put this book down! This is not just a love story, but more than that, it is a story of family, life and all that comes with it. All while taking place during the second world war.

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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story (Jack & Mariella Book 1) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Katie Turner

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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love storyGreetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Greetings from Asbury Park by Luigina Vecchione is a heart capturing story about war, the strength of family and still having the room to love deeply after witnessing so much devastation. I was absolutely captivated by this story from beginning to end! I loved Mariella, her family, Jack. The author put a lot of heart into telling this story and it shines through radiantly. Splendid writing and detail. The characters were all very realistic with personalities and interactions to match the setting.

Highly recommend to any lovers of historical fiction who enjoy a story that is so perfectly descriptive that you are experiencing and feeling everything with the characters- from their fears to sharing their beautiful heartfelt moments. Very well done! I’m very excited to start the next book.

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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story (Jack & Mariella Book 1) by Luigina Vecchione – Review by Barbara Bohls

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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love storyGreetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story by Luigina Vecchione
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story made me get lost in the past. It is such a gentle but not gentle reminder of what it was like during WW2. It has love, anger, hurt, fight or flight response, and tragedy. It is well written and very descriptive so you can picture everything that is going on in the book in your head like watching a movie. I was completely caught up in what was going to happen next that I kept turning the pages. It is a gripping retelling of young love that happens at the worst time. Then they keep in touch, it is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Their love is so pure and you feel that as you continue through the book. I had tears and I had hope. This book is just amazing and I can’t wait to read the second book in this series. I feel like we are only scratching the surface as to what is to come with the main characters. It is a journey I didn’t know I needed but I am not invested in.
Reviewed by: @bbohls

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