Paris, 1940: He pressed the tattered book into her hands. 'You must go to the cafe and ask at the counter for Pierre Duras. Tell him that I sent you. Tell him you're there to save the people of France.'
Sliding the coded message in between the crisp pages of the hardback novel, bookstore owner Laurence slips out into the cold night to meet her resistance contact, pulling her woollen beret down further over her face. The silence of the night is suddenly shattered by an Allied plane rushing overhead, its tail aflame, heading down towards the forest. Her every nerve stands on end. She must try to rescue the pilot.
But straying from her mission isn't part of the plan, and if she is discovered it won't only be her life at risk...
America, years later: when Jeanne uncovers a dusty old box in her father's garage, her world as she knows it is turned upside down. She has inherited a bookstore in a tiny French village just outside of Paris from a mysterious woman named Laurence.
Travelling to France to search for answers about the woman her father has kept a secret for years, Jeanne finds the store tucked away in a corner of the cobbled main square. Boarded up, it is in complete disrepair. Inside, she finds a tiny silver pendant hidden beneath the blackened, scorched floorboards.
As Jeanne pieces together Laurence's incredible story, she discovers a woman whose bravery knew no bounds. But will the truth about who Laurence really is shatter Jeanne's heart, or change her future?
Inspired by true events, an epic and emotional novel about one woman's strength to survive in the most difficult circumstances and the power of love in the face of darkness. Fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and The Lost Girls of Paris will be completely gripped from the very first page.
Readers love Siobhan Curham!
'Heartbreaking... Gripping wartime drama... Will have your heart in your mouth.' French Village Diaries, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I absolutely loved this so much that I never wanted it to end... addictive from start to finish and I didn't want to put it down. It is the most unique WW2 story I have ever read... I loved every minute of it.' Confessions of a Bookaholic, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Just absolutely beautiful. Loved, loved, loved this amazing book. Poignant, heartbreaking and yet joyful. A wonderful book... It is an absolute triumph.' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Grabs readers from the beginning and won't let them go until they finish the last page... I loved absolutely everything.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Fantastic... You will love this book... I was immediately swept up.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Dazzling and sweeping tale of love... To tug at the heartstrings... Unforgettable.' Bookish Jottings, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Adored it... Truly beautiful... A fantastic read... I encourage all those who love historical fiction to pick up.' Whispering Stories Book Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
