In this dazzling debut novel by Margaret Wurtele, we meet Giovanna Bellini. Giovanna and her family enjoy an idyllic life in the Italian countryside. But when World War II erupts, Giovanna's peaceful world comes crashing down on her. Not only must Giovanna and her parents cope with the terrible war consuming Italy, but Giovanna's brother, Giorgio, has been missing for over six months. When Giorgio was recruited to fight alongside the Nazi soldiers, he decides to desert the army in favor of joining the local partisans and helping the Allies.

As the war begins to cripple life in Italy, Italians are forced to share their space with Nazi soldiers. When Giovanna begins volunteering at the School of Santa Maria, she encounters Nazi soldier, Klaus Eisenmann. Giovanna becomes fascinated by the handsome and mysterious soldier who quickly becomes equally captivated by Giovanna. As the war escalates and Giovanna's life is in jeopardy, she finds a loving protector in Klaus.

Although only seventeen years old, Giovanna decides to help the Allies defend Italy against Germany. Giovanna secretly makes contact with her brother, Giorgio, and begins supplying the partisans with food and supplies. When Giovanna steps into the harsh world of the partisans fighting for Italy's freedom, she meets Mario Ravo. Maria is severely injured, and Giovanna decides to to help him. Her need to save his life leads her to a frantic search for a place to shelter him from the Nazi soldiers. But Giovanna's friendship with Mario will create an outrage among family and friends, who fear Giovanna's association with him could cost her her life. Mario is not simply a partisan helping the Allies. Mario Ravo is also Jewish, but Giovanna can't ignore the undeniable bond developing between them.

Margaret Wurtele has written a World War II novel which beautifully stands out among the genre. THE GOLDEN HOUR vividly brings to life the destruction caused by Nazi Germany in Italy. But Wurtele also humanizes Nazi Germany with the creation of Klaus Eisenmann.

Giovanna's friendship and eventual infatuation with Klaus shows a side of Nazi Germany seldom encountered in novels. I was also impressed with the depth Margaret Wurtele wrote Giovanna. Wurtele created a self empowered young woman determined to follow her heart amongst the dangers and atrocities of World War II. Profoundly moving, THE GOLDEN HOUR whisks readers into Giovanna Bellini's seventeen year old heart as she explores her feelings for Klaus and later for Mario.