The Rebel Girls of Rome

by Jordyn Taylor Narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya, Jesse Vilinsky

Overview

Part historical mystery, part sweeping romance, The Rebel Girls of Rome brings the stories of two young women to brilliant life: Lilah, a college student looking to understand her grandfather's mysterious past, and Bruna, a queer Jewish woman who joins the resistance during World War II.

From Jordyn Taylor, author of The Paper Girl of Paris, this dual-contemporary and historical tale-where heartbreak, hope, and finding light in times of darkness are inevitably intertwined-is perfect for readers of Ruta Sepetys and Monica Hesse.

Now:

Grieving the loss of her mother, college student Lilah is hoping to reconnect with a grandfather who refuses to talk about his past. Then she receives a mysterious letter from a fellow student, Tommaso, claiming he's found a lost family heirloom, and her world is upended.

Soon Lilah finds herself in Rome, trying to unlock her grandfather's history as a Holocaust survivor once and for all. But as she and Tommaso get closer to the truth-and their relationship begins to deepen into something sweeter-Lilah realizes that some secrets may be too painful to unbury...

Then:

It's 1943, and nineteen-year-old Bruna and her family are doing their best to survive in Rome's Jewish quarter under Nazi occupation. Until the dreaded knock comes early one morning, and Bruna is irrevocably separated from the rest of her family.

Overcome with guilt at escaping her family's fate in the camps, she joins the underground rebellion. When her missions bring her back to her childhood crush, Elsa, Bruna must decide how much she's willing to risk-when fully embracing herself is her greatest act of resistance.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"The Rebel Girls of Rome alternates between the stories of two young women from the same Jewish family in different timelines: Lilah in the present day and her great-aunt Bruna in World War II. Both their stories kept me on the edge of my seat as details emerged about what happened to the family after a Nazi roundup in 1943. A gripping tale of resistance, survival, and love." — Kip Wilson, award-winning author of White Rose and The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin

"Sweepingly romantic and achingly mysterious, Jordyn Taylor's The Rebel Girls of Rome is both a historical document and a page turner. Through vivid prose and vibrant characters, Taylor reminds us of the power of love, family, and human resilience." — Abdi Nazemian, Stonewall and Lambda Award Winning author of Like a Love Story and Only This Beautiful Moment

"An emotionally gripping, timely tale of resistance and bravery, grief and love, The Rebel Girls of Rome is a story that needs to be told. Through impeccable research and complex characters, Jordyn Taylor expertly brings past and present-day Rome to vibrant life, capturing the indomitable spirits of survivors, the power of humanity, and the promise of hope. Readers will be inspired and enraptured." — Gabriella Saab, author of The Last Checkmate

[An] exceptional historical mystery... This rare depiction of the Jewish experience under Mussolini is, ultimately, a moving, cathartic family story of self-forgiveness and love." — Booklist (starred review)

"A complexly woven yet accessible story of family history, trauma, and healing."  — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for THE PAPER GIRL OF PARIS: "Gripping" — Kirkus Reviews

"Get ready to be transported to Paris in Taylor's incredible debut novel." — Seventeen, Editor's Choice

"If historical fiction is your jam, then we've got a treat for you with this debut novel."  — CNN Underscored 

"A quick read that history lovers will easily devour" — Teen Vogue

“Jordyn Taylor has written a book with all the gems you hope for in a story to treasure: mystery, romance, fi erce heroines doing brave things in the face of everything from familial trauma to historical tragedy. The way these parallel stories converge is brilliant and satisfying. I had to read this book all at once.” — Florence Gonsalves, author of Love & Other Carnivorous Plants and Dear Universe

“A must-read for fans of Code Name Verity, Taylor’s debut aptly blends mystery, romance, history, and complicated family dynamics into a compulsively readable story.” — Liz Lawson, author of The Lucky Ones

"A beautiful story of two girls' courage and commitment seven decades apart. THE PAPER GIRL OF PARIS takes us into the very heart of Paris, in both the darkest hours of the German occupation and of one modern family's deep grief, and invites us to fall in love. A finely crafted historical fiction debut." — Caroline Leech, author of Wait for Me and In Another Time

Kirkus Reviews

2025-05-03
A queer Jewish Italian girl joins the resistance during World War II; more than 80 years later, her grandniece attempts to uncover her story.

In 1940s Nazi-occupied Rome, 19-year-old Bruna Mosseri narrowly escaped when her family was sent to Auschwitz. Riddled with guilt over leaving them, Bruna joined the resistance, where she discovered not only a new purpose, but a rekindled bond with a childhood crush. In the present, American college student Lilah Tepper longs to connect with her grandfather Ralph, Bruna’s younger brother, though he refuses to open up about his childhood. When Tommaso Reni, a student in Rome, contacts Lilah about a long-lost family heirloom and a mysterious note from Bruna, she realizes that the great-aunt everyone assumed had been sent to Auschwitz may actually have survived. Lilah and her grandfather travel to Rome to uncover the truth about Bruna, forming a tentative new relationship along the way. Bruna’s and Lilah’s stories mirror one another—both young women cope with grief and must find the courage to pursue love after loss. Taylor subtly juxtaposes the girls’ sexuality: Bruna must keep her queerness a secret, while Lilah has the freedom to be open about her bisexuality. The alternating historical and contemporary storylines weave together, moving toward a satisfying, though perhaps too neatly wrapped up, conclusion.

A complexly woven yet accessible story of family history, trauma, and healing. (author’s note)(Historical fiction. 12-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192818558
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	07/08/2025
Edition description:	Unabridged

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