Emma's Review: The Girl Who Risked it All by Kate Hewitt

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

France, 1939: When Jewish refugee Hannah Lerner and her beloved younger sister Lotte arrive in a small French town alone, with no family to turn to, Hannah takes her sister’s trembling hands in hers and promises they will not be separated, no matter what…

But when a children’s home offers refuge to Lotte, Hannah has no choice. To keep her sister safe, she has to let her go. And as she leaves Lotte weeping at the gates, she vows that one day they will be together again. Terrified and alone, Hannah is soon rescued by Michel, a charming Frenchman who welcomes her into his home. As the weeks pass, his warm smile and deep brown eyes slowly make Hannah trust in kindness again.

But when Michel is sent to the frontlines, Hannah’s heart shatters once more. And when a local Nazi officer identifies her as Jewish, she knows she has precious time to flee. Travelling south, she resolves to fight back against the Nazis. When she is approached by the Resistance, Hannah is determined to do what is right.

Soon Hannah hears of a plot that puts her sister and so many other innocent lives in danger. She knows she must act quickly, but with time running out and her own life at risk, how far is Hannah prepared to go to save those she loves most?

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Emma's Review: Keepsakes from the Cottage by the Loch by Kennedy Kerr

Reviewed by Emma Crowley 

Tara Ballantyne hasn’t been home to Loch Cameron since her childhood sweetheart and fiancé Ramsay Fraser suddenly broke her heart. She’s certain the secret she’s kept ever since is why he left without saying goodbye. But when her mother Dotty has a fall, Tara knows she must return to help her family with their guesthouse.

Dotty has never been able to understand why Tara left the village in the first place. And on an errand for her mother at the local farmer’s market after another row, Tara is stunned when she runs into Ramsay. His deep, achingly familiar voice sends butterflies spinning through her stomach as they make plans to catch up. Could now be the moment to tell him her secret?

Then Tara sees Ramsay holding the hand of a little girl with a crooked smile just like his. Even if Ramsay still holds on to the other half of Tara’s gold pendant, it looks like he’s moved on for good. And she still can’t confess what she did all those years ago…

But seeing Ramsay again makes her mother light up, and Tara realises Dotty has missed him too. And as she comes to understand her mother more than ever before, Tara wonders if she’s been running away for all the wrong reasons. Will Ramsay always be the one who got away? Or if Tara finally opens up, will she find happiness in the village?

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Emma's Review: The Wartime Nurse by Imogen Matthews

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

1944, Nazi-occupied Holland. As Nurse Freddie cycles through the tulip fields, she looks like any other law-abiding citizen. But beneath her innocent smile lies an iron will to fight for freedom. The Nazis have no idea she is part of the resistance, and that she risks her life every day to deliver food and messages to hidden refugees.

After a failed attempt to take the life of a Nazi collaborator, Freddie is sent to an underground hospital to tend to a group of injured Allied airmen. And when unconscious English pilot Will wakes up and locks his dazzling blue eyes with hers, her heart jolts. As she tends to his wounds, she can’t help but fall deeply in love with this charming English officer.

Will and Freddie start to dream about a future after the war, but when the hospital is bombed by the Nazis, they lose each other in the chaos. With her heart shattered, Freddie vows to find Will and get him to safety – even if that means letting him go forever.

But Freddie’s world comes crashing down when she learns that Will has been captured. To save him, Freddie must infiltrate the hospital where he is held captive. But will saving him cost Freddie her life or her heart?  

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Emma's Review: The Wartime Nursery by Lizzie Page

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

Emmeline’s daughter, Lydia, has already been evacuated and now, as Emmeline loses neighbours and friends to the bombs raining down around her, she must leave London too – for safety and a fresh start.

Evacuated to Norfolk and lodging with local politician, Lawrence, and his unwelcoming wife, Emmeline’s loneliness drives her into the arms of other struggling single mothers. The women are desperate to aid the war effort, but they need someone to care for their children. Longing to help, Emmeline pleads with Lawrence to let her open a wartime nursery – the first of its kind.

Getting support for the nursery isn’t easy, as many believe mothers should stay home. But after rolling up her sleeves, Emmeline finally opens the doors to the old community hall she’s worked so hard to spruce up, and the children flood in. The toddlers are hungry for attention and Emmeline loves their sweet little faces – even poor, fatherless Billy who always throws porridge at her, tiny Alice who needs to be held constantly, and Freddy, with his cherub curls and wide eyes.

But Lawrence’s political rival is determined to close down the nursery – just as Emmeline’s put down roots in the village and finally found the purpose she’s always dreamed of.

Will Emmeline be able to save her nursery and stay in Norfolk with the friends and the children she loves so dearly? Or will she be forced to return to London and leave her new life – and true calling – behind…? 

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Emma's Review: The Resistance Bakery by Siobhan Curham

Reviewed by Emma Crowley

Paris, 1943. The scent of fresh baguettes hangs in the air as Coralie unbolts the door to her bakery with trembling fingers. She must get out of the city. Hiding her precious leather recipe book inside her coat, she promises never to let the secret locations of the people she worked tirelessly to save fall into German hands…

Present day. Raven is unhappy about being shipped off to the other side of the country for the summer to stay with the mysterious French grandmother she barely knows. And discovering a tattered, leather-bound book with yellowed pages full of handwritten recipes and coded numbers, she is stunned.

Her grandmother has never baked for her. And she refuses to talk about Paris, or the past. Flipping through the book, a faded photograph of a laughing couple falls out. As Raven scans the writing on the back she can scarcely believe her eyes…

What really happened in that tiny French bakery all those years ago? And could this forgotten recipe book finally bring healing to a woman still haunted by wartime secrets? Or has Raven’s discovery shattered any chance of bonding with her grandmother, before her time runs out? 

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