Who is this book for?
- Fans of Danielle Steel's romantic storytelling style.
- Readers interested in historical fiction set during World War II.
- Those who enjoy stories of resilience and survival against difficult odds.
- People who appreciate narratives that blend personal drama with historical events.
- Readers looking for an emotional, character-driven story with a satisfying resolution.
Who is unlikely to appreciate this book?
- Readers seeking a deeply nuanced or gritty portrayal of World War II.
- Those who prefer complex, literary prose over straightforward storytelling.
- Readers who dislike romantic subplots in historical fiction.
- People who are sensitive to simplified or glossed-over depictions of historical atrocities.
- Readers who are critical of convenient plot developments or unrealistic coincidences in narratives.
Things online reviewers enjoyed about this book
- Beautifully written story about a family torn apart by World War II
- Emotionally charged narrative with themes of love, loss, and resilience
- Well-researched historical context of Nazi-occupied France
- Strong character development, especially for the protagonist Arielle
- Compelling exploration of identity and belonging during wartime
- Effective portrayal of the French Resistance
- Balances romance with historical realism
- Captures the disorientation and grief of families separated by war
- Engaging plot that keeps readers invested in the characters' fates
- Improved writing compared to some of Steel's recent works
Things people didn't like as much about this book
- Relies on convenient coincidences that may strain credibility
- Simplifies some of the political nuances of the era
- Pacing inconsistencies, especially in the final third of the book
- Predictable romantic elements familiar to Steel's regular readers
- Glosses over some of the true horrors of WWII
- Contains a potentially unnecessary rape scene
- Simple, declarative sentence structure that some readers find unbearable
- Lacks depth in character complexity for some readers
- Writing style feels rushed and lacking in substance to some
- Second half of the book becomes unrealistic and historically inaccurate for some readers
