While Paris Slept A Mother Faces A Heartbreaking Choice In This Bestselling Story Of Love And Courage In World War 2

On a platform in occupied Paris, a mother whispers goodbye. It is the end. But also the beginning... 'What a book... Emotional and heartrending...absolutely phenomenal. I was on tenterhooks throughout. A wonderful achievement' JILL MANSELL *** THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER *** 'I absolutely loved it. An ingenious plot, wonderful believable characters and it moved me to tears. A fabulous read' LESLEY PEARSE 'An amazing story of love, resilience and the human spirit' TRACY REES 'You'll have your heart in your mouth and tears on your cheeks as it reaches its rich, life-affirming conclusion... Had me completely and utterly enraptured' LOUISE CANDLISH 'Brace yourself for a brilliant read. This will tug at your heartstrings' BEST 'Made me think and cry and rage and smile at mankind's capacity for both terrible, heartbreaking cruelty and beautiful, selfless love' NATASHA LESTER 'A heartbreaking debut' JANET SKESLIEN CHARLES, AUTHOR OF THE PARIS LIBRARY Paris 1944 A young woman's future is torn away in a heartbeat. Herded on to a train bound for Auschwitz, in an act of desperation she entrusts her most precious possession to a stranger. All she has left now is hope. Santa Cruz 1953 Jean-Luc thought he had left it all behind. The scar on his face a small price to pay for surviving the horrors of Nazi Occupation. Now, he has a new life in California, a family. He never expected the past to come knocking on his door. On a darkened platform, two destinies become entangled. Their choice will change the future in ways neither could have imagined... Beautiful. Powerful. Luminous. Unforgettable. A stunning portrait of the brutality of war and the tenacity of love. In the tradition of Virginia Baily's Early One Morning, M. L. Stedman's The Light Between Oceans and Heather Morris's The Tattooist of Auschwitz. 'Historical fiction fans, rejoice! A new voice has entered the arena and she's one to watch. A gripping tale of love and sacrifice. Perfectly paced and plotted, and evocatively written' Woman & Home 'A powerful and poignant debut from a brilliant and bold new novelist' Imogen Kealey, author of Liberation JUST SOME OF THE FIVE-STAR REAL READER REVIEWS FOR WHILE PARIS SLEPT... 'I loved this novel, I'm still crying. A truly beautiful book that captures the meaning of parental love in all its forms. I highly recommend this book to all my book groups. *****' 'A heartbreaking and emotional read based around WW2. Absolutely fantastic. I have no hesitation in giving this 5 stars *****' 'This book was beautiful - a book on love and courage demonstrated in different ways, showing that there is no one way to love or be brave. I was unable to stop reading *****' 'I loved While Paris Slept. I finished the novel with tears in my eyes. An uplifting novel and will be great for book clubs' *****' 'Wow, what an emotional rollercoaster of a read. The characters so believable. Highly recommend'

One woman must make the hardest decision of her life in this unforgettably moving story of resistance and faith during one of the darkest times in history. Santa Cruz, 1953. Jean-Luc is a man on the run from his past. The scar on his face is a small price to pay for surviving the horrors of Nazi occupation in France. Now, he has a new life in California, a family. He never expected the past to come knocking on his door. Paris, 1944. A young Jewish woman's past is torn apart in a heartbeat. Herded onto a train bound for Auschwitz, in an act of desperation she entrusts her most precious possession to a stranger. All she has left now is hope. On a darkened platform, two destinies become intertwined, and the choices each person makes will change the future in ways neither could have imagined. Told from alternating perspectives, While Paris Slept reflects on the power of love, resilience, and courage when all seems lost. Exploring the strength of family ties, and what it really means to love someone unconditionally, this debut novel will capture your heart. Includes a Reading Group Guide.

''Riveting'' Lesley Pearse on The Letter. ''Gripping'' Good Housekeeping on The Secret. From the #1 bestselling author of The Letter comes The Secret - a powerful, twisting novel that you won''t be able to put down. Mary has been nursing a secret. Forty years ago, she made a choice that would change her world for ever, and alter the path of someone she holds dear. Beth is searching for answers. She has never known the truth about her parentage, but finding out could be the lifeline her sick child so desperately needs. When Beth finds a faded newspaper cutting amongst her mother''s things, she realises the key to her son''s future lies in her own past. She must go back to where it all began to unlock...The Secret. What readers are saying about the unputdownable stories of Kathryn Hughes: ''Get set to be hooked'' ''A page-turner from the very beginning'' ''This is one of the BEST BOOKS I have ever read'' ''I cried buckets of tears reading it'' ''A beautifully told, tragic tale''

Paris, 1940: He pressed the tattered book into her hands. 'You must go to the café and ask at the counter for Pierre Duras. Tell him that I sent you. Tell him you're there to save the people of France.' Sliding the coded message in between the crisp pages of the hardback novel, bookstore owner Laurence slips out into the cold night to meet her resistance contact, pulling her woollen beret down further over her face. The silence of the night is suddenly shattered by an Allied plane rushing overhead, its tail aflame, heading down towards the forest. Her every nerve stands on end. She must try to rescue the pilot. But straying from her mission isn't part of the plan, and if she is discovered it won't only be her life at risk... America, years later: when Jeanne uncovers a dusty old box in her father's garage, her world as she knows it is turned upside down. She has inherited a bookstore in a tiny French village just outside of Paris from a mysterious woman named Laurence. Travelling to France to search for answers about the woman her father has kept a secret for years, Jeanne finds the store tucked away in a corner of the cobbled main square. Boarded up, it is in complete disrepair. Inside, she finds a tiny silver pendant hidden beneath the blackened, scorched floorboards. As Jeanne pieces together Laurence's incredible story, she discovers a woman whose bravery knew no bounds. But will the truth about who Laurence really is shatter Jeanne's heart, or change her future? Inspired by true events, an epic and emotional novel about one woman's strength to survive in the most difficult circumstances and the power of love in the face of darkness. Fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and The Lost Girls of Paris will be completely gripped from the very first page. Readers love Siobhan Curham! 'Heartbreaking... Gripping wartime drama... Will have your heart in your mouth.' French Village Diaries, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I absolutely loved this so much that I never wanted it to end... addictive from start to finish and I didn't want to put it down. It is the most unique WW2 story I have ever read... I loved every minute of it.' Confessions of a Bookaholic, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Just absolutely beautiful. Loved, loved, loved this amazing book. Poignant, heartbreaking and yet joyful. A wonderful book... It is an absolute triumph.' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Grabs readers from the beginning and won't let them go until they finish the last page... I loved absolutely everything.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Fantastic... You will love this book... I was immediately swept up.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Dazzling and sweeping tale of love... To tug at the heartstrings... Unforgettable.' Bookish Jottings, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Adored it... Truly beautiful... A fantastic read... I encourage all those who love historical fiction to pick up.' Whispering Stories Book Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Paris, 1944: secret agent Juliette is on her most dangerous mission of the war so far. But then her children are kidnapped, and to get them back she may have to commit the ultimate betrayal - that of France itself... Four years ago, when France fell to the Nazis, Juliette made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind her two precious children to join the Resistance and defend her country. Now a spy in Paris, she must work with Captain Daniel Diaz - an American agent she's taken an instant dislike to - on a dangerous mission to uncover a deadly Nazi plot. As the pair play their parts, Juliette begins to see another side to Daniel, and their feelings for each other start to grow. But just as love blossoms, Juliette receives a ransom note that changes everything. Someone in Paris knows who she is. And they've kidnapped her little son and daughter. The message is clear: betray your country, or you'll never see your children alive again. Juliette has sworn a sacred oath to save France at all costs, but she could never sacrifice her children. So, against all the odds, she decides to attempt the impossible: rescue her children and continue her dangerous work fighting the Nazi threat. But as the mission forces Juliette and Daniel to the very brink, will they succeed on all fronts? And if not, will France pay the ultimate price, or will Juliette? A completely gripping and heart-wrenching historical novel about hope, betrayal and one mother's limitless courage. Perfect for readers of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and My Name is Eva, this epic story will leave you breathless. Readers love Amanda Lees: 'What an amazing book... One of the best historical fiction books that I have read... Love!' Robin Loves Reading ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I was completely captivated from the first page to the last. This rapidly moving story held my attention and I couldn't put it down. I found myself holding my breath... absolutely an amazing historical fiction... fabulous.' Page Turners ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'My new favourite... LOVED.' Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“WOW!!!!… Clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you will need them!!!… It had me in tears by the end and I do not cry easily!!!… An absolutely unputdownable, addictive and compelling devastatingly beautiful heartbreaking book!!! I LOVED it!” Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you had to make an impossible choice to save your long-lost daughter, you would… wouldn’t you? It’s a warm early summer’s evening when Mia’s doorbell rings. She opens the door to see a teenage girl standing in the shadow beyond the porch light—and in an instant she knows who it is. Daisy, the daughter she gave up as a baby. Daisy steps forward, as she says tearfully “I’m sorry I didn’t call first. But something happened. And I really needed… you.” Seventeen years before, knowing she couldn’t possibly give her beautiful little girl Daisy the future she deserved, Mia made the hardest decision of her life—to give her up. And Suzanne seemed the perfect adoptive mother: calm, stable, and full of love for the daughter she’d always dreamed of having. The two mothers promised to keep communication open, so Daisy could have Mia’s love and support along with Suzanne’s. But as the years passed, Mia moved away, and their visits happened less. Now Daisy is almost a stranger to Mia—angry, closed and broken—nothing like the tiny girl she once couldn’t bear to say goodbye to. But now Daisy has arrived on Mia’s doorstep, and she says she has a terrible secret. One she can never tell Suzanne. And she believes the only person who can help her is Mia. Her birth mother. Mia, however, has secrets of her own. Ones she is afraid to let Daisy or anyone else know. And while Suzanne desperately seeks a way to bring her child home, can Mia overcome her past to help the girl they both call their daughter in her darkest hour before it’s too late? Totally gripping emotional women’s fiction from the author guaranteed to make readers cry. Kate Hewitt’s story will grab you by the heartstrings and never let you go. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Diane Chamberlain and Jojo Moyes. Readers are loving The Child I Never Had: “Whew. This was a very emotional novel, from page one… A beautiful, heart-wrenching, at times overwhelming novel about truth, forgiveness, and family… Uttering captivating.” KKEC Reads, 5 stars “Absolutely heartbreaking… Kate Hewitt’s books should come with a warning: only read if you’ve plenty of boxes of tissues in the house because tears will be shed and heart-strings will be severed… Intensely emotional… Brilliant.” Bookish Jottings, 5 stars “Brilliant... Emotional but uplifting, a really heart wrenching read that you will need tissues for! I dare the hardest of hearts to not shed a tear!” NetGalley reviewer “Very emotional… It had me reading it long after I should have gone to sleep as I just could not put it down. I loved it.” NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars “I was transfixed. It was emotionally painful to put the book down, especially considering I had a math exam coming up. But it was totally worth it… Brilliant… Please read it!” BookGuru, 5 stars “Kate Hewitt never seems to stop amazing me with her beautifully written emotional stories that have the ability to make you cry… I often found myself both happy and sad… A book you can immerse yourself into.’ Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews, 5 stars “An absolute rollercoaster of a read, this book will have you reeling!.” The Motherload Book Club, 5 stars “Emotional… Has so much love… Such a wonderful, heartfelt novel that I truly enjoyed and read in a day!… Twists that will leave you gasping as secrets are revealed!” Goodreads reviewer

By the early 1940s, when Ukrainian-born Irène Némirovsky began working on what would become Suite Française—the first two parts of a planned five-part novel—she was already a highly successful writer living in Paris. But she was also a Jew, and in 1942 she was arrested and deported to Auschwitz: a month later she was dead at the age of thirty-nine. Two years earlier, living in a small village in central France—where she, her husband, and their two small daughters had fled in a vain attempt to elude the Nazis—she’d begun her novel, a luminous portrayal of a human drama in which she herself would become a victim. When she was arrested, she had completed two parts of the epic, the handwritten manuscripts of which were hidden in a suitcase that her daughters would take with them into hiding and eventually into freedom. Sixty-four years later, at long last, we can read Némirovsky’s literary masterpiece The first part, “A Storm in June,” opens in the chaos of the massive 1940 exodus from Paris on the eve of the Nazi invasion during which several families and individuals are thrown together under circumstances beyond their control. They share nothing but the harsh demands of survival—some trying to maintain lives of privilege, others struggling simply to preserve their lives—but soon, all together, they will be forced to face the awful exigencies of physical and emotional displacement, and the annihilation of the world they know. In the second part, “Dolce,” we enter the increasingly complex life of a German-occupied provincial village. Coexisting uneasily with the soldiers billeted among them, the villagers—from aristocrats to shopkeepers to peasants—cope as best they can. Some choose resistance, others collaboration, and as their community is transformed by these acts, the lives of these these men and women reveal nothing less than the very essence of humanity. Suite Française is a singularly piercing evocation—at once subtle and severe, deeply compassionate and fiercely ironic—of life and death in occupied France, and a brilliant, profoundly moving work of art.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Orphan comes an unforgettable historical novel about a secret collection of Dior gowns that ties back to the first female pilots of WWII and a heartbreaking story of love and sacrifice. England, 1939: The Penrose sisters couldn't be more different. Skye is a daring and brash pilot, and Liberty the one to defy her at every turn. Even if women aren't allowed in the Royal Air Force, Skye is determined to help the war effort. She's thrilled when it reunites her with her childhood soulmate, Nicholas. She's less thrilled to learn Nicholas is now engaged to an enigmatic Frenchwoman named Margaux Jourdan. Paris, 1947: Designer Christian Dior unveils his glamorous first collection to a world weary of war and grief. He names his debut fragrance Miss Dior in tribute to his beloved sister Catherine, who forged a friendship with Skye and Margaux through her work with the French Resistance. Present Day: Fashion conservator Kat Jourdan discovers a priceless collection of Dior gowns in her grandmother's vacant cottage. As she delves into the mystery of their origin, Kat begins to doubt everything she thought she knew about her beloved grandmother.