From the New York Times bestselling author of The Giver of Stars, a sweeping bestseller of love and loss, deftly weaving two journeys from World War I France to present day London. Paris, World War I. Sophie Lefèvre must keep her family safe while her adored husband, Édouard, fights at the front. When their town falls to the Germans, Sophie is forced to serve them every evening at her hotel. From … every evening at her hotel. From the moment the new Kommandant sets eyes on Sophie’s portrait—painted by her artist husband—a dangerous obsession is born.
Almost a century later in London, Sophie’s portrait hangs in the home of Liv Halston, a wedding gift from her young husband before his sudden death. After a chance encounter reveals the portrait’s true worth, a battle begins over its troubled history and Liv’s world is turned upside all over again.
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Great book that reveals the horrors of World War I and I. The atrocities committed and the atrocities suffered are unimaginable, but this book gives insight into what it was like; however, even with the suffering and the hopelessness, the power of love still shines through. The book takes many unexpected turns, keeping the reader fully engaged from beginning to end. Wonderful, tragic, inspirational!
This book was excellent!! I could NOT put it down! I was so involved with the characters, I couldn’t get them out of my mind. The ending was unexpected….LOVED the ending. I highly recommend!!!
Frankly, I’ve been getting a little tired of the hundreds of historical novels coming out right now, but I knew JoJo Moyes could tell a good story, so I took a chance on this one, and I’m glad I did. The story moves back and forth between Occupied France during WWI (so glad it was not WWII again), and a modern relationship story of an architect’s widow and an investigator specializing in the restoration of stolen art to rightful owners. The two periods are linked by a painting that starts out in French hands, passes through possession by a German general, and then ends up in England, only to become the focus of a contentious court battle. Very well done.
I loved this well-written, well-researched book with its twists and turns. A different, beautiful story. Thank you!
I will say just this: I think of this book as a loved friend. You have to read it.
The word is out–I am a big fan of Jojo Moyes! The Girl You Left Behind is the second novel I have read by Moyes. I loved this book so much I just didn’t want it to end. The two stories, one in the present and one taking place during WWI, are intricately woven together revealing a drama that takes place over a battle for ownership of a painting that may have been appropriated through coercion and duress during the war. We all have heard tales of the Nazis seizing the artwork of Jews during WWII, and the years of struggle that their heirs endure trying to reclaim a precious bit of what was stolen from their destroyed families. Moyes’s tale is a deviation on what is normally the historical truth of these tragic tales. Perhaps it is the one time it may have happened to be different, that what appears to be the truth is not.
At the center of this tale of the horrors of war is a French woman, Sophie, whose strength and determination to survive and protect those she loves will drive her to make choices that no one should ever have to make. The portrait of Sophie painted by her beloved husband, Edouard, holds the secret of what happened in the past and what will happen in the future. Solving the mystery of the painting’s provenance after one hundred years is linked inextricably to the fate of the lives of those who possessed it. How did it come to belong to Liv Halston, an English woman suffering over the loss of her architect husband? How far will Liv go to remain in possession of this painting that for he is a talisman of love and loss? Will she find love with the man who coincidentally is the one person who might take the painting from her? This story of love, loss, and the fragility of life, will take your breath away and keep you reading into the long hours of the night.
This is one of the best books I have read. It involves the Nazis stealing art from the Jews. Right after I finished reading, it was reported on the news that another building was located and filled with art that was stolen by the Nazis.
Good story
I enjoyed reading this book and the plights of Sophie and Liv. I was sincerely flummoxed at the first story switch, but caught up quickly. Paul needs to work on his communication skills. You’d get set up and there’d be another twist. It’s a good piece of historical fiction.
I liked this book very much. I was taken aback when I was so engrossed in the 1945? story and the characters within, and then suddenly the next chapter brought me to current day and a whole different set of people. I did, however, adust to the newer story and was pleased to learn how it connected to the earlier one. It was very interesting and informative.
The Girl You Left Behind is my favorite JoJo Moyes book. I read it while on vacation and couldn’t put it down. I was shocked at the character development and how amazing everything came together. I definitely preferred the historical story over the present day and at times, was disappointed when it would time warp me away from the historical story. So emotional and raw. The best of hers by far!
Kept my interest. Certain unexpected developments. Well written and ties up any loose ends at the end.
I loved this book. I don’t often say that.
I thought this book was well written. The characters were in depth & real. The story line was exceptional.
One of my fav’s. Could not put it down!
An absolutely wonderful read, I couldn’t put it down. Fabulous characterisation and an unforgettable story. Loved it!
Another wonderful book by Ms Moyes set between the present and WW1.
This is the first book I’ve read by JoJo Moyes, but it surely will not be the last. Intelligent and beautifully written, this dual-timeline story moves effortlessly from a French village during World War I to present day London. The two main female characters have strong, complex voices, while a third Goth character provides moments of great originality and humor. Yes, this book is built on the dark history and questioned ownership of a portrait – but it is so much more. This is an exploration of morality when black and white are blurred, of choices and their devastating consequences over generations, of doing the right thing. Don’t miss this one.
I love WWII historical fiction and I’m a huge fan of JoJo Moyes. The two put together made for a tremendous story!
Have read several of jojo moyes books. Haven’t been disappointed yet.
When I started this book I didn’t realize that it would have two different time periods in it. This was a happy surprise. I loved how the two stories related to each other and the strength of both female characters. Both stories were interesting and I was a little sad when I got to the end because I wanted the story to keep going. I did not see the ending coming. Great book!