‘A beautiful and heart-breaking story… as impossible to put down as it is to forget… a book that will break your heart and have you reaching for the tissues as you find yourself completely and utterly mesmerized by this captivating tale’ Bookish Jottings, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐In the small French town of Colmar, swastikas hang from lampposts, tanks are lined up outside the town hall, and fifteen-year-old Victoire … fifteen-year-old Victoire dreams of adventure. She is desperate to defeat the Germans but is dismissed as too young to help. But her family has always fought to do the right thing, and when a desperate mother and child seek refuge, Victoire doesn’t hesitate to hide them in the family wine cellar.
Her sister Marie Claire is unaware of Victoire’s actions. Rejected by her childhood sweetheart, Marie Claire has turned her back on those she loves. She is catapulted into a new and frightening life, seduced by the power the Germans can offer, forcing Victoire to cut all ties with her sister.
But when Victoire learns someone she loves is in terrible danger, her only choice is to trust the sister who betrayed her. Marie Claire’s cruel and heartless husband has key information and Victoire must persuade Marie Claire to obtain it, even if it means risking Marie Claire’s life. As secrets come to light and close bonds are broken, will the sisters be able to heal old wounds?
An unforgettable and unputdownable story of two sisters ripped apart by World War 2. Fans of The Nightingale and The Ragged Edge of Night will fall in love with Her Darkest Hour.
Praise for Her Darkest Hour:
‘A wonderful story!… It was a book that drew me in and held my attention right to the end… one that will stay with me, it was heart-wrenching at times but so well done.’ Donna’s Book Blog
‘What a beautiful, heart-wrenching tale!!!… it was amazing! I couldn’t put it down! The writing was so beautiful!’ Goodreads Reviewer
‘I adore, admire and look up to this author. She is one of my absolute favourite writers – I read anything and everything she writes and needless to say she never disappoints… this is definitely her best book yet. Beautiful and powerful, heartbreaking and empowering… Everyone needs to read this book now more than ever. If you are going to read one book during these strange extraordinary times we are all living through make it this one.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I loved this novel, with its wonderful cast of characters and gorgeous prose. The storyline was engaging and flowed seamlessly. Highly recommended!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A great historical novel with interesting characters’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘It’s a beautifully descriptive read that made me feel as if I was standing on the sideline watching the story play out until the end’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I love historical fiction, and I really enjoyed this. It’s my first novel by Sharon Maas, and it definitely won’t be my last. The story is beautifully written.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I loved this book… a powerful read.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I really liked this book! There is a lot of depth to it… There were several parts, I couldn’t breathe thinking the character was going to get caught.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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One of three books that share time , place and characters. Love these books and wish for more!
Another great book by Sharon Maas. The last book I read of hers was also during WWII in the same region of France.
This story takes place in Colmar, a small french town in the Alsace region of France, which has alternated between German and French control over the centuries and reflects a mix of those cultures.
The story follows a family and close friends who grew up together on one of the vineyards in the area. The Germans have overtaken the town and the people are having to learn to adapt to the new “normal” having to learn German, change their names to a German name, and if the were suspected of being Jewish, they were told they would be moved to a different location.
It is a story of family differences, sacrifices and love, loyalties and distrusts. Some involved in resistance work, one working for the Germans and being disowned by family, this story will keep you wondering what is going on, and wanting to know how it will turn out.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book.
A historical fiction novel that follows three females in WWII, this book is well-written and kept me interested. I liked that it had a linear timeline; unlike other historical fiction novels, it stayed only in WWII. I thought the author did a good job of making each of the female’s experiences unique. However, I would have liked more of Juliette’s story, as she sort of came and went. Other characters made cameos, which is understandable, but still a little jolting to have them come and go quickly. I also thought that the ending seemed a little rushed. But I still thought it was well-written and insightful. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of the book.
Her Darkest Hour by Sharon Maas
Set during World War II in Alsace this is a story of choices and how they impact not only the person who makes the choice but also their family, friends, and community. Choices made in “the heat of the moment” tend not to have the same clarity and far seeing wisdom that those decisions and choices that are made carefully after consideration of all the known options. Choices indicate that there is more than one answer, solution or way forward. And in this book the choices made by more than one person have long reaching impact for many.
I found myself being feeling that
* Marie-Claire was naïve, selfish, emotional, seeking friendship and approval and more often than not made choices that left her less than happy
* Marie-Claire’s family did not understand her
* Jacques was more involved with himself and his cause than with the people he used to serve his “higher goal”
* Kurtz was evil through and through
* Side—supporting characters were expendable
* War is evil
* Victoire, Marie-Claire’s sister, did come through for her in the end
* This was a dark gritty sad read that did not really make me feel good when I read the last page
* Perhaps my past experiences with war impacted my reading of this book
Did I enjoy this book? Yes and No
Would I read more by this author? I would if the subject interested me
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
A War Torn Family
I couldn’t stop reading this book. I have definitely found a new author, I will be reading more. I needed Kleenex with this one, it was a real tearjerker.
This book begins at the beginning of WWII in a village in France. The characters involved differed in opinions over the war and whether or not the Nazis were evil or not, and how long they would remain in France.
The main characters were Marie-Claire, Victoire, Juliette, Margaux, and Jacques. Against everyone’s warnings, Marie-Claire goes to work as a secretary for a high ranking Nazi officer. (which later proves to be a very bad choice). Jacques was raised next door to Marie-Claire , he was like a brother to her. Jacques was involved in a French resistance group as was his sister Juliette and Marie-Claire’s sister Victoire. Margaux was the mother of Marie-Claire and Victoire.
This family was torn apart by the war. There was loss, death, a brutal marriage, and bad feeling between family members because of the war and actions taken by the characters . This included actions by the Nazi’s, a concentration camp, actions by the resistance, deaths, hating, loving, forgiving, and survival. It was a time of pain and heartbreak. A time of young people growing up hard during the war. Their choices and the realization that they had consequences. A family secret long hidden, and how it affected all persons involved.
This book is brutally honest and realistic. It tells the story as it was in the time period in which it was written. The scenes and the fashion as well as the furnishings of the homes and locations are described in vivid detail. It is a hard period to read about but interesting as well. I liked reading about the clothing they wore and how they furnished their homes. Also the descriptions of the scenery.
The characters are well developed and believable. The story is well written. It is definitely a page turner and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Sharon Maas, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book in return for an honest review.