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Luigina Vecchione
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Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War Two love story Paperback – October 21, 2021

by Luigina Vecchione (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 127 ratings
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Mariella yearns for a new life. When she meets Jack, an American GI visiting Rome, they only have one day before he ships off to Japan. Will they find their way back to each other and rekindle their love?

War has forced 15-year-old Mariella to grow up too quickly. She is denied an education and obligated to care for her siblings while a horrific childhood tragedy haunts her. Adding to her misery, the Germans occupy Rome, and starvation, brutality, and fear have become the norm.

Then she meets Jack, a kind American soldier with an endearing smile, and suddenly, a bright future seems possible. Despite the language barrier, they share meaningful connections. They have the same scars.

But the next day, Jack is shipped off to Japan. Although they promise to keep in touch, both know things will change. Is their blossoming love destined to die just as it begins? Or will Mariella and Jack find their way back to each other?

Greetings from Asbury Park is a gripping, romantic, and emotional novel that explores the Nazi occupation of Rome, the struggles of family, and how fate plays a role in love.

Order your copy today and join Mariella on her journey of sacrifice, redemption, and the pursuit of true love.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    364 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 21, 2021
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.91 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-13
    979-8491254989
  6. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In the historical romance novel Greetings from Asbury Park: A World War II Love Story by Luigina Vecchione, a young Italian woman and an American soldier fall in love during his brief assignment in war-ravaged Italy. Even though Mariella is just a teenager, the war has forced her to grow up fast. During the German occupation, her family has witnessed and experienced many brutal scenes. School is the only thing that offers Mariella any form of hope but even that is taken away. There seems to be no end in sight as the war continues to drag on. When news arrives that American forces are approaching Italy, Mariella's family is filled with hope. Soon after, people line up on the streets to celebrate the end of the war. When Mariella meets Jack, the handsome American soldier, she is immediately drawn to his kindness, but it will be years until they meet again.

Luigina Vecchione develops a brave lead character, wiser than her age, and who is dedicated to her family, the kind of character I could not help rooting for when reading this charming book. Mariella and Jack's story is hopeful but also realistic. It spans a couple of years and during this time, both do not forget the brief period where they met before Jack's assignment to Japan. Though separated by language and thousands of miles, the two share a powerful bond. The novel is not your usual World War II love story. It is expanded by a traumatizing family secret that Mariella's family does not want to address and Mariella also goes through other moving events. I highly recommend Greetings from Asbury Park for its imaginative plot and inspiring heroine." - Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

"Historical Fiction based on a true story based on a personal relationship. Not easy to write, but this was very well written. The story brought us the best suspense, drama and comedy shared by families. It has the reader in tears on one page to smiles and laughs on the next. If this is an inaugural book, I cannot wait for the next." - Harry Kantrovich, author of the play THE GREATEST GENERATION SPEAKS

"Vecchione crafts a rich historical fiction narrative and moving love story with broad-ranging settings". - The Book Life Prize

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09K1YFF3G
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (October 21, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 364 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8491254989
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.91 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 127 ratings

About the author

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Luigina Vecchione

Luigina Vecchione

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Luigina Vecchione is an actor and a writer. She’s lived, worked and raised a family on both coasts and in Europe. Now she is empty nesting with her husband in New York City. This is her debut novel.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
127 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Margaret A Go
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read Historical Fiction
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
This affecting debut novel is a welcome addition to WWII historical fiction, in particular its depiction of the little known history of the nine-month Nazi occupation of Rome in 1943. Amidst the deprivations of occupation the author weaves a story of a loving family struggling to survive past and present trauma. With the introduction of an Italian-American GI to the family’s acquaintance we are introduced to the beginning of a moving love story among many other themes.
The characters are well-rounded, especially Mariella. The depiction of her teenage anxieties and sensibilities and her struggle to overcome heart-rending tragedy are uncannily on point.
Among the many take-aways from this book for me was how deeply the way family members grieve terrible losses can affect surviving family members.
I highly recommend this novel.
4 people found this helpful
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Jack Tran
4.0 out of 5 stars engaging and suspenseful
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2021
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I found this book to be an engaging and suspenseful story about love during a time of upheaval and dreadful uncertainty. Love in the form of family, friendship, and romance experienced through a plucky, conflicted, compassionate, and sensitive protagonist, Mariella.
Don’t let the cover fool you. This is not just a love story between an Italian girl and an American serviceman during WWII. This is also a story about love ( and struggles ) between a mother and daughter, sisters, and even neighbors and friends and country.
The book moves at a crisp pace and is hard to put down as you find yourself rooting for Mariella.
War may be hell but it is stories like this that make you feel better about humanity.
Oh and that Jack is a good egg. Loved that the author explored a bit of the life of an optimistic American serving in WWII. I swear he sounded just like my Grandad.
5 people found this helpful
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Lisa
5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2021
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A moving story of tragedy, sacrifice and love during WWII that spans the continents from war torn Europe to the east coast of the United States. This was an easy reading page turner that you don’t want to put down because you get so invested in the character’s lives. If you are a fan of Jenny Lecoat’s The Girl from the Channel Islands, you’ll love this book.
One person found this helpful
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Michelle Toborowsky
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, a real Italian New Jersey story
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2021
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I loved this book! It tells a beautiful and hauntingly familiar story of love, Italy, the war, and New Jersey. Very vivid descriptions and characters. I am so reminded of my grandparents. Great story telling, a page-turner.
I love this book so much. I know I will be reading it again and again and recommending it to everyone I talk to.
One person found this helpful
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Tara
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story!
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2021
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It always intrigues me how our lives unfold. The sacred story, with all the nooks and crannies of love, pain, heartbreak, misunderstanding, and joy. Following Mariella, Giacomo (Jack), and their families throughout this book was a pleasure.
I enjoy reading historical fiction, and I’ve read many books about World War II. This book definitely piqued my interest to read more about occupied Italy.
I would highly recommend this book.
2 people found this helpful
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pepsimom
3.0 out of 5 stars the stars don’t reflect that I didn’t love the book
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023
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Loved the book, but the font on the pages made it difficult to read with kindle. I think I’m going to have to get an actual copy of the physical book to see if I missed anything along the way
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Karenb
4.0 out of 5 stars Romantic
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2023
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Romantic
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Alexis Amazonn
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2022
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I loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down! I had no idea this was a loosely based true story, the photo at the end made the book that much better! I highly recommend.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

M.C. Sullivan-Descroix
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read
Reviewed in France on October 14, 2021
Verified Purchase
As a big fan of historical fiction, in particular WWII, I absolutely loved this book. I learned a lot about what the war and the postwar period were like for a Roman family. I grew attached to the family. Mariella & Jack's love story kept me turning the pages. I highly recommend this book.
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