France, 1940The German army has marched into Paris. Three siblings, three very different people leading very different lives, find themselves face to face with new occupants of their city, and none of them can guess what the occupation has in store for them, and how it will change their lives once and for all.Giselle Legrand, a renowned novelist and a socialite, encounters an unannounced guest in … unannounced guest in her apartment – a newly arrived chief of the Gestapo, Sturmbannführer Dr. Karl Wünsche, who is intended to billet there and who soon starts making rather unwelcome changes in Giselle’s lifestyle. Strong-willed and defiant, Giselle gets involved with one of the first Resistance cells, refusing to submit to the newly established authority despite the developing relationship between the two.
Kamille Blanchard, a new widow of the war left alone with a small daughter, is dreading the approaching army. However, she never expected that she could find love in the arms of an officer, who appears at her door as soon as the German army marches in. But will Kamille be able to trust a former enemy when he has to choose between his feelings and the duty for his country?
Marcel Legrand, a former history student and a deserter, fearing the capture by the Germans has no other choice than ask for the help from the ones he used to fear and avoid – the mysterious communists, who call for an uprising and freeing their country from the Nazi plague.
Soon, the fates of all three siblings will become intertwined in a dangerous knot, all of them, fighting for the same goal: a liberated France.
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Enjoyed the variety of characters & complex plot
Enjoyed the personalization of history
I will admit I was initially a little disoriented by this book. Giselle is a disorienting, frustrating character at first – intentionally so. Don’t let the first chapters of the book put you off, there is some very interesting character development moving forward. This is primarily a romance novel, set during the French Resistance; a book about human feelings first, where war is the setting and not the topic. The occupation isn’t sugar-coated, it’s just not described as gruesomely as in neo-realist literature because it’s not the main focus of the story. Which is good: in romance novels there is room for happy endings.
It was a good book for learning more about Nazi occupied france
I’m a WEll historical fiction buff. Most of the books I read are based on fact, as is this one. I didn’t know that German soldiers were quartered in small private homes. I assumed they were in large country houses. The story is about 2 sisters that each had soldiers living with them. Their reactions and their neighbors reactions created many problems and opportunities they never thought they would experience.
Excellent portrayal of France when it was occupied by the Nazis. Great story with appealing characters!
I really like this book! It was an easy to read book.
A very well- written book that is set in a sad time in history. Examines how several people in the same family cope with their current dilemma.
Good novel depicring ordinary citizens engaged in resistanc3 to Nazi occupiers.
Loved it!
Great reading
When I first heard about this book, I was interested, but wasn’t sure that a historical story was for me. And I typically shy away from things that happen during war-time (I still haven’t seen Saving Private Ryan). But the story seemed interesting, so I thought I’d give it a shot.
I am so glad that I did!
Following each of the siblings, and watching them become more aware of what is going on around them was surreal. Watching what each chose to do was moving. And seeing how the war was effecting not only them, but their friends and neighbors was…well, it was depressing.
Well written, thought provoking, and moving, I’ve already recommended it to my sister, and hope that everyone does what I did – give it a chance!
I’ve read many books about the WWII era and although this one was good, it was certainly not among the best. Now, several months after the reading, I can’t even recall the characters or story clearly.
Brought a realism through the fictional experiences of characters in the WWII Nazi invasion of France.
I liked this book so much I immediately read all 3 in the series
This books describes the lives of two sisters who are total opposites when Paris is occupied during the WW1.
ok, strange with the love affairs with the enemy
Not that well written. There are plenty other books in this genre that are much better.
Slow and predictable.
I loved the three siblings highlighted in the trilogy. The only reason it didn’t get 5 stars is the way it all wrapped up in the third book, which seemed rushed to me. But highly recommend it, all the same.