3.5 Stars rounded to 4. I enjoyed the characters’ stories and transformations, but the book followed (primarily) 3 main characters and 4 timelines. It was a lot to keep track of, and often felt like the book had ADD.

The Italian Ballerina conveys the story of Court and Julia, each having their own timeline separately, but also an additional timeline together at a couple years later. Their lives are interrupted by WW2, each dealing with their own battles and obligations pre-war, then they intersect in Rome, Italy as they and AJ, another medic, strive to sacrifice and save Calla, a little Jewish girl - and others in the hospital they find sanctuary in, in the process. Weaved in and out is also a present-day timeline of Court’s granddaughter and Calla’s grandson, trying to figure out their grandparents’ past friendship.

Each individual story I liked. I enjoyed the battles, the personal wars and struggles each fought and how they all morphed with fighting for someone else. Or in Matteo’s and Del’s case, for empathizing and finding grace while caring for an aged and deteriorating Calla. But following 4 timelines was a lot of work. I barely had time to be invested in anyone by the time I was yanked away to follow somewhere else - and remember what happened the last time and what year it was. It wasn’t enough time to be as invested as you wanted to be in them while being super confusing. I wanted more of the stories of each of them but with so much going on, I felt like I only got part of what they could have been. I’m ok with dual timelines but this was a whole lot in constant motion and I didn’t care for that.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.