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janeeyre_914716's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my heart! What a great and tender story about the French Resistance during WWII in 1941 and yet to have a love story intertwined with it from Sarah Sundin was well written. I thoroughly enjoyed this one for my first book of Sarah Sundin's books and now I totally want to listen/read more of her books. I absolutely loved Paul's and Lucie's story along with Paul's adorable little four year old girl Josie and her Feeney stories about the rock monsters (aka Nazi officers as she called them in her stories). I would recommend this book in a heartbeat hands down because it's a must read. Great story and I even came close a few times to tears, but I didn't *laughing* and yet my heart just burst at Lucie's and Paul's story. You'll just have to read and/or listen for yourself and see why this is such a tender hearted story and a story of finding love again for someone like Paul and his daughter and yet, Josie's relationship and view of Lucie Gerard was way too adorable and all I'll say is Josie is quite the little matchmaker and a good judge of character for a four year old ;)
jennifromthebooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
morgangiesbrecht's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first book by the author, and it certainly won’t be my last!
I haven’t read tons of WW2 fiction though I do enjoy studying the era. The history and details are realistic and utterly amazing. As a history nerd, that was probably my favourite part. I now feel somewhat educated on ballet and automobile factory operations. ;)
The characters were lovely and real. (Josie was a sweetheart.) There were some great faith aspects particularly in how we need to be careful of judging others. I thought it was tastefully woven into the story.
In terms of the plot, it was a gentle progression until about 75%; then I was desperately hooked on the action. Not the best thing when dealing with insomnia at 2am. ;)
The only thing I wasn’t super crazy about was the romance between Paul and Lucie. Don’t get me wrong; it was sweet and lovely and I was rooting for them, but…it was a bit too much for me at times. Angst and forbidden love aren’t really my thing.
I listened to the audiobook, which wasn’t my favourite because it was a little slow at times, but I’m a speed reader so that is a personal preference. Also, I wasn’t overly fond of the different accents the narrator performed; I commend her efforts, but I can’t say I found them all very natural. Again, that’s a just a personal opinion and nothing against the narrator.
Having listened to the book, I have no idea how to spell some of the French words used, particularly the words used to describe the opposite “class” of the artisans, essentially the business people. Anyways, it made me laugh because I am a creative, but I need structure. I can’t do the artisan free spirit thing. Is there a word for people like that? ;)
As a side note: Apparently this is a tie-in to When Twilight Breaks, and Peter and Evelyn get a cameo appearance. Well, me and my bad habit of not reading books in order didn’t know this and thought they were strictly stand-alones. It doesn’t affect the reading of the story, but if you’re like me and didn’t read WTB first, you obviously get the foreknowledge that whatever happens in the first book, Peter and Evelyn do end up together.
I haven’t read tons of WW2 fiction though I do enjoy studying the era. The history and details are realistic and utterly amazing. As a history nerd, that was probably my favourite part. I now feel somewhat educated on ballet and automobile factory operations. ;)
The characters were lovely and real. (Josie was a sweetheart.) There were some great faith aspects particularly in how we need to be careful of judging others. I thought it was tastefully woven into the story.
In terms of the plot, it was a gentle progression until about 75%; then I was desperately hooked on the action. Not the best thing when dealing with insomnia at 2am. ;)
The only thing I wasn’t super crazy about was the romance between Paul and Lucie. Don’t get me wrong; it was sweet and lovely and I was rooting for them, but…it was a bit too much for me at times. Angst and forbidden love aren’t really my thing.
I listened to the audiobook, which wasn’t my favourite because it was a little slow at times, but I’m a speed reader so that is a personal preference. Also, I wasn’t overly fond of the different accents the narrator performed; I commend her efforts, but I can’t say I found them all very natural. Again, that’s a just a personal opinion and nothing against the narrator.
Having listened to the book, I have no idea how to spell some of the French words used, particularly the words used to describe the opposite “class” of the artisans, essentially the business people. Anyways, it made me laugh because I am a creative, but I need structure. I can’t do the artisan free spirit thing. Is there a word for people like that? ;)
As a side note: Apparently this is a tie-in to When Twilight Breaks, and Peter and Evelyn get a cameo appearance. Well, me and my bad habit of not reading books in order didn’t know this and thought they were strictly stand-alones. It doesn’t affect the reading of the story, but if you’re like me and didn’t read WTB first, you obviously get the foreknowledge that whatever happens in the first book, Peter and Evelyn do end up together.
maryfaithreads's review against another edition
5.0
"If you imagine it, you can work for it. And if you work for it, someday you might achieve it."
Finished this book two days ago and still having an emotional breakdown over it. :')
After hearing so many of you say nothing but good things about Sarah Sundin's books for years, I finally picked one up. And it will definitely not be my last!
I just love this story, these characters. There's really no other way to explain it. I can't think of a single thing about this book that I would change. Lucie, Paul, and Josie felt so real to me. I was enchanted at times and terrified at others. Unlike many historical romances, this book did not gloss over the realities of war at all. The suspense felt almost unbearable at times and there were several moments when I thought I was going to cry from the stress of it all.
There was just so much love in this book. I wanted the best for Lucie, Paul, and Josie, and my heart ached when I thought they might not get their happy ending. This was just fantastic and instead of reading my rambling, nonsensical thoughts, you should go read the book instead.
Finished this book two days ago and still having an emotional breakdown over it. :')
After hearing so many of you say nothing but good things about Sarah Sundin's books for years, I finally picked one up. And it will definitely not be my last!
I just love this story, these characters. There's really no other way to explain it. I can't think of a single thing about this book that I would change. Lucie, Paul, and Josie felt so real to me. I was enchanted at times and terrified at others. Unlike many historical romances, this book did not gloss over the realities of war at all. The suspense felt almost unbearable at times and there were several moments when I thought I was going to cry from the stress of it all.
There was just so much love in this book. I wanted the best for Lucie, Paul, and Josie, and my heart ached when I thought they might not get their happy ending. This was just fantastic and instead of reading my rambling, nonsensical thoughts, you should go read the book instead.
simoneclark's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you, Netgalley and the author/publisher, for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy of this book. This in no way affects my review, all opinions are my own.
I think I went into this book with the expectation that it would keep me at the edge of my seat like When Twilight Breaks did. Unfortunately, this book only started doing this at around 70% or so. This book had a lot more romance in it too (a genre that I try to avoid if possible). With that being said, the book was great but it didn't reach the "I want to hug this book" status that When Twilight Breaks had for me. If you love romance and WW2, this book is definitely for you. If you want subtle romance with lots of action, chose When Twilight Breaks.
I think I went into this book with the expectation that it would keep me at the edge of my seat like When Twilight Breaks did. Unfortunately, this book only started doing this at around 70% or so. This book had a lot more romance in it too (a genre that I try to avoid if possible). With that being said, the book was great but it didn't reach the "I want to hug this book" status that When Twilight Breaks had for me. If you love romance and WW2, this book is definitely for you. If you want subtle romance with lots of action, chose When Twilight Breaks.
rebelqueen's review against another edition
1.0
Flat characters. WW2 literature is a crowded field and this one was not a winner.
ej_dh's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
fawnponzar's review against another edition
2.0
The storyline wasn’t terrible, but I started getting suspicious of all the God references, which aren’t unheard of in WWII books. Unfortunately, I had to bow out of this one once the main character started praying for guidance and was told to ask the Lord what he had to say about her love interest, and then next thing you know everything magically falls into place for her. Ick. This suggested that their Christianity was keeping them safe and rewarding them while those of Jewish faith were punished because they didn’t follow God “correctly.” I wish Christians would learn to reflect on their self-righteousness and understand how they are not the center of the universe.