Early One Morning by Virginia Baily

Rome, 1943. As Nazi forces occupy the city, Chiara Ravello makes a decision that will alter the course of several lives. Seeing a Jewish family being forced onto a truck, she suddenly claims one of the children as her own—and takes the young boy home with her.
 
Decades later, Chiara is living quietly in Rome when a phone call from Wales brings the consequences of that morning back into her life. Moving between wartime Italy and the 1970s, Early One Morning explores courage, identity, family, and the lasting effects of a single impulsive act of compassion.
 
Virginia Baily’s novel offers a moving portrait of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances and the connections that survive long after war has ended.
 
❤️ Why You’ll Love It
Historical fiction set in Nazi-occupied Rome during World War II
A story built around one extraordinary act of courage
Moves between wartime Italy and the 1970s
Explores family, identity, memory, and the consequences of difficult choices
Atmospheric European setting with an emotional, character-driven story
🎯 Perfect For
Historical fiction readers
Fans of World War II fiction
Readers who enjoy dual-timeline novels
Book clubs
Fans of emotional stories about family, survival, and resilience