Author: Christine Wells
Publisher: 8th June 2021 by HarperCollins Australia
Pages: 388 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: historical fiction, women’s fiction, World War II, romance, culture France
My Rating: 4.5 cups
Synopsis:
Set in the thick of the Paris Resistance movement during WWII, this exciting novel tells of the deep involvement of Catherine Dior and two young women who risked their lives to support her efforts—perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Jennifer Chiaverini.
France, 1944: The Nazis still occupy Paris, and twenty-five-year-old Gabby Foucher hates these enemies, though, as the concierge of ten rue Royale, she makes it a point to avoid trouble, unlike her sister Yvette. Until she, like her sister, is recruited into the Resistance by Catherine Dior—sister of the fashion designer, Christian Dior.
Gabby and Yvette are both swept into the world of spies, fugitives, and Resistance workers, and it doesn't take long for the sisters to realize that their lives are in danger.
Gabby discovers an elderly tenant is hiding a wounded British fugitive, and Yvette becomes a messenger for the Resistance. But as Gabby begins to fall in love with her patient and Yvette’s impulsiveness lead her into intrigue at an ever-higher level, both women will discover that their hearts and even their souls hang in the balance as well.
This page-turning novel is perfect for any reader fascinated by the role of women during World War II, whose stories are often untold, and introduces us to Catherine Dior, the fearless real-life Resistance hero.
My Thoughts
Sisters of the Resistance is a great WWII historical fiction read - a story filled with suspense, intrigue and some romance as well. Set in two time periods - but only three years apart - it highlights what women went through in their efforts to fight Nazism and also the immediate impact once the war was over. If you love this time period you will not be disappointed with Christine’s book.
Always looking for something fresh that sets stories from this era apart, on this occasion it was the inclusion of the very real Catherine Dior - sister of the famous designer and a real-life heroine of the French Resistance. This book is filled with many brave and courageous women - sisters in its many forms - who played such valuable roles in helping swing the tide against the Nazis.
‘Sometimes turning away from a fight is the bravest thing to do.’
If you make reference to the Dior’s then, of course, the world of haute couture is included providing a luxurious backdrop to this otherwise chilling tale. The descriptions of the fabrics, designs and gowns provide not only light to the dark but also a perfect entry to a tale of resistance and espionage.
‘Once she left the Maison Dior, the spell would be broken for good. By contrast with this wonderland of exquisite and extraordinary beauty, her ordinary life seemed to yawn before her like a desert canyon.’
The two sisters are fictional but once again provide that yin and yang of the female trope from the period. Both strong and patriotic in their own unique ways, they play their part in the guerilla tactics with a world full of spies and double agents, never knowing who to trust. The story comes full circle with the sisters' actions combining to highlight the strength of female bonds in the fight against the enemy. Sisters of the Resistance is a well developed, complex tale inspiring to all women of any era.
‘… the door handle rattled. She was about to call out to ask what the landlady wanted when Gabby walked in. The look on her face made Yvette’s heart give a single, hard ache. "Let’s go home,’’ she said, opening her arms to her sister. Gabby nodded and walked into her embrace.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
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