Author: Kristin Hannah

It is hard to believe this book is written by the same author as Firefly Lane. The Firefly series was a nice story (like a beach read) but this one has some real depth to it. I checked the publication dates; this one was written five years earlier than Firefly Lane.

Vianne and Isabelle are sisters living in France at the beginning of the Second World War. Their father came back from the Great War a damaged man and, when his wife died, he more or less abandoned his daughters. Vianne married young and Isabelle was sent off to a variety of boarding schools, all of which she managed to escape or be expelled from.

When the Nazi’s take over France Vianne’s husband is sent to the front and Vianne is forced to billet Nazi soldiers in her house. Isabelle is convinced she can do something to aid the French in the war and soon joins the Resistance.

The story follows all the character through to the end of the war with vignettes that happen several years after the war. I loved the stories and it has been a long time since the ending of a book made me cry.

Goodreads Rating: * * * * *