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The Midwife's Promise
New England, 1992 . Sophie’s hand trembles as she places the birthday card on to the creamy wood of her dresser – this one postmarked from far away, and signed with a name she’s never forgotten, despite their years apart. Downstairs, guests wait around a colourful pile of gifts – Happy 90th Birthday, Sophie! But Sophie has a gift of her own to give today – a tattered collection of photographs she’s never shown anybody. Holding it to her heart, a single tear slides down her wrinkled cheek.
France, 1942. Sophie is folding Camille into her arms, kissing her daughter’s hair. She’s smiling through tears at the plaintive cries of a tiny, perfect newborn baby – her first grandchild. As a midwife, she’s helped so many take their first breath, but this is special. In the street outside, Nazi soldiers patrol day and night, and each week more people disappear. Sophie clenches her fist and vows she’ll do anything to save Camille and her baby from that fate.
But when evil has stolen everything you know, even the truest promises are tested. Sophie swore she’d give her life for her family. How could everything have gone so terribly, heartbreakingly wrong?
A beautiful, heart-wrenching story of love, sacrifice, and the unyielding bonds of motherhood.
France, 1942. Sophie is folding Camille into her arms, kissing her daughter’s hair. She’s smiling through tears at the plaintive cries of a tiny, perfect newborn baby – her first grandchild. As a midwife, she’s helped so many take their first breath, but this is special. In the street outside, Nazi soldiers patrol day and night, and each week more people disappear. Sophie clenches her fist and vows she’ll do anything to save Camille and her baby from that fate.
But when evil has stolen everything you know, even the truest promises are tested. Sophie swore she’d give her life for her family. How could everything have gone so terribly, heartbreakingly wrong?
A beautiful, heart-wrenching story of love, sacrifice, and the unyielding bonds of motherhood.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2023
914 people are currently reading
746 people want to read
About the author
Eliza Graham
22 books243 followersEliza Graham is an Oxfordshire-based UK author whose adult novels reflect her fascination with how historical events affect families..
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
December 5, 2023
3.75 Stars
A heartbreaking story about a midwife during WWII
It's 1992, and Sophie is on the verge of celebrating a monumental milestone - her 90th birthday. But before she can revel in the joyous occasion, she carries a deep secret that has weighed heavily on her heart for decades, a secret that she now feels compelled to share with her family.
I have to admit, it took me a while to immerse myself in this book. However, once I finally did, I didn't want to put it down. Sophie's journey was filled with unimaginable obstacles and heart-wrenching moments as she fearlessly navigated through the treacherous landscape of war. If you enjoy historical fiction and don't mind a slower pace, this book is for you.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Eliza Graham, Dreamscape Select, and Storm Publishing for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
A heartbreaking story about a midwife during WWII
It's 1992, and Sophie is on the verge of celebrating a monumental milestone - her 90th birthday. But before she can revel in the joyous occasion, she carries a deep secret that has weighed heavily on her heart for decades, a secret that she now feels compelled to share with her family.
I have to admit, it took me a while to immerse myself in this book. However, once I finally did, I didn't want to put it down. Sophie's journey was filled with unimaginable obstacles and heart-wrenching moments as she fearlessly navigated through the treacherous landscape of war. If you enjoy historical fiction and don't mind a slower pace, this book is for you.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Eliza Graham, Dreamscape Select, and Storm Publishing for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
December 7, 2023
It was 1992 in New England and Sophie was preparing for her ninetieth birthday. She had much to share with her son, and felt now was the time. She'd written it all down, and as the memories of those days long ago swept over her once again, she wondered, as she always did, if she could have done anything differently...
Sophie was a well respected and well known midwife, always away from home tending to new mothers, women giving birth. Since her husband had passed two years prior, she'd become busier, using her work to stop her dwelling on past memories. But France was changing. The Germans had arrived although not in Lyon as yet. Sophie's daughter Camille, was alone a lot and she too missed her father. When she met Jean-Luc and fell in love, Sophie was unable to attend the wedding and Camille was devastated.
1942 and Camille wasn't far from giving birth. She'd sent a message to her mother, hoping for her support and comfort, plus her experience. And when Sophie arrived, Camille relaxed. But danger was closing in with a German interested in Jean-Luc's business and what he might be doing behind the scenes. When the safety of Sophie's hideout beckoned, they fled Lyon in her mother-in-law's vehicle, the car filled with women and children. Would they make it - safely - to their destination?
The Midwife's Promise is another heartbreaking but outstanding historical novel by Eliza Graham which I adored. Sophie is an excellent character, strong and determined, compassionate and caring. The dual timeline is mild with most of the story set during WWII in France. This is my second by this author, and I'll definitely be reading more. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Sophie was a well respected and well known midwife, always away from home tending to new mothers, women giving birth. Since her husband had passed two years prior, she'd become busier, using her work to stop her dwelling on past memories. But France was changing. The Germans had arrived although not in Lyon as yet. Sophie's daughter Camille, was alone a lot and she too missed her father. When she met Jean-Luc and fell in love, Sophie was unable to attend the wedding and Camille was devastated.
1942 and Camille wasn't far from giving birth. She'd sent a message to her mother, hoping for her support and comfort, plus her experience. And when Sophie arrived, Camille relaxed. But danger was closing in with a German interested in Jean-Luc's business and what he might be doing behind the scenes. When the safety of Sophie's hideout beckoned, they fled Lyon in her mother-in-law's vehicle, the car filled with women and children. Would they make it - safely - to their destination?
The Midwife's Promise is another heartbreaking but outstanding historical novel by Eliza Graham which I adored. Sophie is an excellent character, strong and determined, compassionate and caring. The dual timeline is mild with most of the story set during WWII in France. This is my second by this author, and I'll definitely be reading more. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2023
Oh, this book! How many times can your heart be shattered in just one novel? Multiple times, each time more excruciating than the previous one. This is a beautifully written story whose central character, Sophie, is an extraordinary woman. Although not based on a real person, women like Sophie have existed since the beginning of time. They are the unsung heroes whose calling in life is to be a midwife, a "sage femme."
This book is character-driven, although the plot is riveting and at times so intense it was physically painful. In addition to midwifery, Sophie's story includes hiding Jewish children and others from the Nazis in occupied France at great personal risk. The depth of research is staggering but so expertly woven into the story that you absorb the information painlessly. I suggest that you find some time when you won't be interrupted when you read this one and that you have plenty of tissues. I absolutely adored this book. (It will be released on December 6, 2023.)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.
This book is character-driven, although the plot is riveting and at times so intense it was physically painful. In addition to midwifery, Sophie's story includes hiding Jewish children and others from the Nazis in occupied France at great personal risk. The depth of research is staggering but so expertly woven into the story that you absorb the information painlessly. I suggest that you find some time when you won't be interrupted when you read this one and that you have plenty of tissues. I absolutely adored this book. (It will be released on December 6, 2023.)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.
November 21, 2023
Oh my heart. I was browsing titles on NetGalley and came across this one and was instantly drawn by the cover and synopsis. I was so happy to have been approved to read this ARC. This book was incredible, especially having worked on L&D before as a surgical tech and scrubbed in on a handful of Cesarean births. I appreciated that aspect so much more.
As a mother of two, my mama heart burst while reading this story. All the innocent sweet babies deserve our protection as they are the most vulnerable members of society. I kept thinking about this book when I wasn’t reading it and had to know how everything was going to come together in the end. Heartrending, sobering, and heroic. I truly appreciated every detail and every chapter. I adored this book. There were no profanities and no open door romance, although some content was triggering and hard for me to read. This will be in my top 10 of the year for sure. Definitely will be purchasing a physical copy for my shelves.
Thank you so much @netgalley for access to an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review!
As a mother of two, my mama heart burst while reading this story. All the innocent sweet babies deserve our protection as they are the most vulnerable members of society. I kept thinking about this book when I wasn’t reading it and had to know how everything was going to come together in the end. Heartrending, sobering, and heroic. I truly appreciated every detail and every chapter. I adored this book. There were no profanities and no open door romance, although some content was triggering and hard for me to read. This will be in my top 10 of the year for sure. Definitely will be purchasing a physical copy for my shelves.
Thank you so much @netgalley for access to an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review!
December 12, 2023
Wow this was a really good book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of The Midwife's Promise by Eliza Graham. This was a heartbreaking historical novel of WWII set in France. It has a dual timeline between 1942 and 1992. I have never read a book by this author before but I will now seek for others by her. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I would highly recommend it to others. I gave it a 5 star rating.
December 30, 2023
Thank you Dreamscape Select, Storm Publishing for accepting my request to read and review The Midwife's Promise.
Narrator: Naomi Frederick
Stars: 4
Heartbreaking World War 2 historical fiction with the midwife role as the reason for the story. This is a side I have never thought about, but believe in some form it happened. I found the story as a whole interesting. There were ups and downs of slight confusion -- some due to writing and some due to my head space in all fairness. I did want to know how the story ended but not at the expense of rushing.
The ending bothered me in ways I can't say. I won't spoil. And, after some thinking I realized it was realistic, I just didn't like it.
I liked the narrator. I would choose a book on her name (should I remember it).
This was worth my time.
Narrator: Naomi Frederick
Stars: 4
Heartbreaking World War 2 historical fiction with the midwife role as the reason for the story. This is a side I have never thought about, but believe in some form it happened. I found the story as a whole interesting. There were ups and downs of slight confusion -- some due to writing and some due to my head space in all fairness. I did want to know how the story ended but not at the expense of rushing.
The ending bothered me in ways I can't say. I won't spoil. And, after some thinking I realized it was realistic, I just didn't like it.
I liked the narrator. I would choose a book on her name (should I remember it).
This was worth my time.
October 29, 2023
I don’t often begin a review with tear-filled eyes but The Midwife’s Promise left me in a huge puddle. Gripped, devastated and heartbroken are just a few words I felt after completing this novel. But I must add, I also was full of hope and uplifted by the release of truth at the end.
Eliza Graham has this way of presenting a story that gently builds inside you and then she suddenly rips that entire world of security out from under your feet in one giant sweep of masterful words! It appears, she is not afraid to share shocking outcomes from traumatising events. True, that is life, and although this is fiction, these horrifying things would have happened in WWII. We get an authentic account of what it could have and would have been like when so many lives were threatened in France by the Nazis. This honest portrayal also seen in her characters— means they feel very real and personal. We feel great sadness for the victims. And tremble at the Nazis’s hate for the Jews and those who tried to help them. The suffering, the fear, the sacrifices, the difficult choices many had to make to survive make us wince. The pull and ties of love between a mother and child and a grandmother and her grandchild are painted in full colour across these pages. What would any mother/grandmother do if we were in the situation of Camille and Sophie? To what lengths would we go to protect our children?
Sophie is a dedicated midwife with an admirable passion to deliver babies safely. Her selfless drive to help others, shines like a beacon in this novel. You can easily put your full trust in her abilities as her movements and knowledge are clearly visible in the tasks she undertakes. She also puts herself at risk many times during the Nazis rule in WWII. Especially to help her daughter whose pregnancy has presented some challenges.
After being in hiding and receiving a note from her daughter, Sophie decides to go to her. This decision leads to good and bad consequences. To be reunited with her daughter and to help her with her delivery brings her great joy but the potential trouble her presence could unleash leaves her in a quandary. A mother’s heart though sometimes overrules reason and Sophie makes the perilous journey. But there are some delays along the way because she meets some people she cannot resist helping. This makes her trip a bit longer but the new friendships she develops will prove beneficial. She eventually reaches her daughter but danger lurks behind closed doors and she must make another difficult decision. I cannot say more or risk revealing the plot. But I will shout the praises of this woman who has such a fierce heart of love that her actions and thoughts made me cry. I was deeply moved by this character. She is not perfect, of course, but as a mother I can relate to her desire to protect, nurture and charge forward with little thought of her own safety to keep her child/grandchildren and any child free from harm.
Besides Sophie’s viewpoint, we also get Camille’s. I like her daughter very much, too. She seems sweet and devoted to her husband who appears to adore her. But the war has created complications in their lives. And it is hard to watch her walk through those moments of uncertainty and fear. She married what seems to be a good French man in the silk industry. But he is involved in some things she has no knowledge of which can mean he is either trying to protect her from the enemy or keep his less than favourable activities under wraps. Is he sympathetic to the Nazis or not? When his family are in danger, we truly discover whose side he is on.
There are two timelines 1944 (France) and 1992 (New England) mostly so Sophie can tell her story. We start with Sophie celebrating her 90th birthday but she has a gift she must give her son. The truth. She cannot hold on any longer to her secrets that she has carried since the war. And these revelations prove powerful and purging. She is advanced in years and needs to unload her burden. Although she has written everything down for him, she feels it is cowardice if she does not tell him in person. Speak the truth and it will set her free. But how will this affect her son?
This is a haunting novel on the unyielding bonds of motherhood. I mean this sincerely, I was deeply affected by this story. There are places in it that made me wince, gasp and tremble. But I think the word that echoes throughout The Midwife's Promise for me is LOVE. Love that is fierce, unconditional, gripping and eternal. How far will a woman go to hold on to and protect her children and grandchildren? Some will cross rivers, fight demons (or anything evil) and risk everything—even their own safety. This novel represents a powerful statement – that there is an unbreakable thread that binds a parent to their offspring. I highly recommend The Midwife’s Promise but be prepared as this story will make you weep. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for a review copy.
Eliza Graham has this way of presenting a story that gently builds inside you and then she suddenly rips that entire world of security out from under your feet in one giant sweep of masterful words! It appears, she is not afraid to share shocking outcomes from traumatising events. True, that is life, and although this is fiction, these horrifying things would have happened in WWII. We get an authentic account of what it could have and would have been like when so many lives were threatened in France by the Nazis. This honest portrayal also seen in her characters— means they feel very real and personal. We feel great sadness for the victims. And tremble at the Nazis’s hate for the Jews and those who tried to help them. The suffering, the fear, the sacrifices, the difficult choices many had to make to survive make us wince. The pull and ties of love between a mother and child and a grandmother and her grandchild are painted in full colour across these pages. What would any mother/grandmother do if we were in the situation of Camille and Sophie? To what lengths would we go to protect our children?
Sophie is a dedicated midwife with an admirable passion to deliver babies safely. Her selfless drive to help others, shines like a beacon in this novel. You can easily put your full trust in her abilities as her movements and knowledge are clearly visible in the tasks she undertakes. She also puts herself at risk many times during the Nazis rule in WWII. Especially to help her daughter whose pregnancy has presented some challenges.
After being in hiding and receiving a note from her daughter, Sophie decides to go to her. This decision leads to good and bad consequences. To be reunited with her daughter and to help her with her delivery brings her great joy but the potential trouble her presence could unleash leaves her in a quandary. A mother’s heart though sometimes overrules reason and Sophie makes the perilous journey. But there are some delays along the way because she meets some people she cannot resist helping. This makes her trip a bit longer but the new friendships she develops will prove beneficial. She eventually reaches her daughter but danger lurks behind closed doors and she must make another difficult decision. I cannot say more or risk revealing the plot. But I will shout the praises of this woman who has such a fierce heart of love that her actions and thoughts made me cry. I was deeply moved by this character. She is not perfect, of course, but as a mother I can relate to her desire to protect, nurture and charge forward with little thought of her own safety to keep her child/grandchildren and any child free from harm.
Besides Sophie’s viewpoint, we also get Camille’s. I like her daughter very much, too. She seems sweet and devoted to her husband who appears to adore her. But the war has created complications in their lives. And it is hard to watch her walk through those moments of uncertainty and fear. She married what seems to be a good French man in the silk industry. But he is involved in some things she has no knowledge of which can mean he is either trying to protect her from the enemy or keep his less than favourable activities under wraps. Is he sympathetic to the Nazis or not? When his family are in danger, we truly discover whose side he is on.
There are two timelines 1944 (France) and 1992 (New England) mostly so Sophie can tell her story. We start with Sophie celebrating her 90th birthday but she has a gift she must give her son. The truth. She cannot hold on any longer to her secrets that she has carried since the war. And these revelations prove powerful and purging. She is advanced in years and needs to unload her burden. Although she has written everything down for him, she feels it is cowardice if she does not tell him in person. Speak the truth and it will set her free. But how will this affect her son?
This is a haunting novel on the unyielding bonds of motherhood. I mean this sincerely, I was deeply affected by this story. There are places in it that made me wince, gasp and tremble. But I think the word that echoes throughout The Midwife's Promise for me is LOVE. Love that is fierce, unconditional, gripping and eternal. How far will a woman go to hold on to and protect her children and grandchildren? Some will cross rivers, fight demons (or anything evil) and risk everything—even their own safety. This novel represents a powerful statement – that there is an unbreakable thread that binds a parent to their offspring. I highly recommend The Midwife’s Promise but be prepared as this story will make you weep. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for a review copy.
October 28, 2023
There are not enough words to explain just how much I loved this book. The tears, the gasping, the waking of my husband at night while I read… I can’t properly describe how this book took hold of my heart and held on tight while I read.
I am a former labor & delivery nurse and have always wanted to be a midwife/doula. Reading the book with some medical/delivery knowledge definitely helped in understanding the background, but if you don’t have any medical knowledge, do NOT let that stop you from picking this arc up when it comes out on December 6! I can guarantee you will love it.
The writing was so smooth. The length and pace made reading the story accessible and enjoyable. I don’t want to give away too much but know that this book pulls at all the emotions and I can promise you if you like any bit of historical fiction, romance, multiple POV, or any kind of book at all (lol) really, that you will love this book.
Thank you to @netgalley and @elizagraham1 for trusting me with these characters and this story! I am beyond lucky to have been able to review this arc!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
❤︎︎ Historical Fiction genre
❤︎︎ Multiple POV
❤︎︎ WWII setting
❤︎︎ Social Upheaval
❤︎︎ Dual Timeline
❤︎︎ Vivid character description
❤︎︎ Women’s fiction
❤︎︎ Light, touching romance
I am a former labor & delivery nurse and have always wanted to be a midwife/doula. Reading the book with some medical/delivery knowledge definitely helped in understanding the background, but if you don’t have any medical knowledge, do NOT let that stop you from picking this arc up when it comes out on December 6! I can guarantee you will love it.
The writing was so smooth. The length and pace made reading the story accessible and enjoyable. I don’t want to give away too much but know that this book pulls at all the emotions and I can promise you if you like any bit of historical fiction, romance, multiple POV, or any kind of book at all (lol) really, that you will love this book.
Thank you to @netgalley and @elizagraham1 for trusting me with these characters and this story! I am beyond lucky to have been able to review this arc!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
❤︎︎ Historical Fiction genre
❤︎︎ Multiple POV
❤︎︎ WWII setting
❤︎︎ Social Upheaval
❤︎︎ Dual Timeline
❤︎︎ Vivid character description
❤︎︎ Women’s fiction
❤︎︎ Light, touching romance
December 6, 2023
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, this book is excellent!!! A lot of WWII books are focused in the camps, whereas this one was not. A bit of a different take on the war times,.. a heartbreaking story, but also filled with triumph and heartwarming moments! The writing was so well done I felt like I was in the moments with them throughout feeling all the emotions. I personally really enjoy duel timeline flashbacks stories as well!
The story of Sophie and Camille will have you both smiling, and crying! Highly recommend
Thanks to Net Galley, Eliza Graham, Dreamscape Select and Storm publishing for the ARC!!
The story of Sophie and Camille will have you both smiling, and crying! Highly recommend
Thanks to Net Galley, Eliza Graham, Dreamscape Select and Storm publishing for the ARC!!
December 19, 2023
On her 90th birthday, Sophie has accepted that it is finally time to tell her son the secret she’s been keeping since his birth. The extraordinary Sophie Hansen then recounts her life as a midwife during the German occupation of France and the children whose lives she changed. Those she protected were not only those she brought into this world, but the children she helped cross the border into safety from the Nazis, and most importantly, her own child. While doing so, Sophie reflects on the multiple heartbreaking and life changing decisions she had to make in order to survive.
This novel caused my heart to break and swell many times over. So many times I found myself swept up in the story and feeling like I was experiencing these moments alongside her. I loved the strong female with admirable fortitude as the central character, and the story had a great pace and suspense which kept me interested from beginning to end. Overall, this was a beautiful story of how far a mother will go to protect her child despite the danger that doing so may cause.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC. All opinions and this review are my own.
This novel caused my heart to break and swell many times over. So many times I found myself swept up in the story and feeling like I was experiencing these moments alongside her. I loved the strong female with admirable fortitude as the central character, and the story had a great pace and suspense which kept me interested from beginning to end. Overall, this was a beautiful story of how far a mother will go to protect her child despite the danger that doing so may cause.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC. All opinions and this review are my own.
January 13, 2025
This was one of my book club books for January. Several of us had a hard time finding the book, so many of us - myself included - decided to listen to it. I would have preferred to read this since there was a split narrative inside a framework narrative, but it wasn’t too difficult to follow. I just would have preferred to be able to flip back to verify some details. Ah well.
The Midwife’s Promise was well written with good characters and an interesting story. It was just not a topic I wanted to read about. It’s set in Vichy France - which is an annoying & irritating bit of history. The main character is a midwife trying to help pregnant women & babies while also smuggling women & children out of France - which presents lots of annoying & irritating situations with the state of women’s health care, misogyny, and Nazis. So I just spent a lot of the time irritated and annoyed. If the writing hadn’t been as good, maybe I wouldn’t have been so annoyed 🤷🏻♀️
Anyway, I give this one ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️1/2. I might enjoy one of this author’s other books more as long as it’s not about a topic that I find irritating.
The Midwife’s Promise was well written with good characters and an interesting story. It was just not a topic I wanted to read about. It’s set in Vichy France - which is an annoying & irritating bit of history. The main character is a midwife trying to help pregnant women & babies while also smuggling women & children out of France - which presents lots of annoying & irritating situations with the state of women’s health care, misogyny, and Nazis. So I just spent a lot of the time irritated and annoyed. If the writing hadn’t been as good, maybe I wouldn’t have been so annoyed 🤷🏻♀️
Anyway, I give this one ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️1/2. I might enjoy one of this author’s other books more as long as it’s not about a topic that I find irritating.
December 17, 2023
Sophie has secrets! So many secrets! She decides to reveal them all on her 90th birthday. It is all about the past and what happened during the war. Her daughter, her grandchildren were all in danger and it was all up to Sophie.
This novel reeled me in and did not let me go. I loved Camille and her quiet ways and Sophie with all her secrets. I will be honest, I was a little hesitant to forgive Sophie for missing Camille’s wedding. But as the story moves along, all is revealed. I can’t fathom going through what Sophie went through to help other people. And then she risks it all to be by Sophie’s side for her difficult pregnancy.
And of course this novel has a big twist at the end. So many secrets and so much heartache…You MUST read this to find out! You will not be sorry!
Need a novel about love and risk with a twist…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
This novel reeled me in and did not let me go. I loved Camille and her quiet ways and Sophie with all her secrets. I will be honest, I was a little hesitant to forgive Sophie for missing Camille’s wedding. But as the story moves along, all is revealed. I can’t fathom going through what Sophie went through to help other people. And then she risks it all to be by Sophie’s side for her difficult pregnancy.
And of course this novel has a big twist at the end. So many secrets and so much heartache…You MUST read this to find out! You will not be sorry!
Need a novel about love and risk with a twist…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
December 1, 2023
3.75/5⭐️
Release Date: December 6, 2023
This was a liked-not-loved book for me. I enjoyed reading about the work of a midwife during WW2, a topic from that period that I hadn’t encountered before. But the themes here were ones that were familiar in other WW2 fiction- sacrifice, grief, and loss.
The beginning of the story was very engaging, and the author’s writing reminded me a lot of Kristin Harmel. But the middle and last twenty percent seemed to lag, and I wanted a bit more from the plot.
🥰Read this if you liked The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel. Readers who are diehard historical fiction fans should give it a try.
⚠️Content warnings:
Profanity: None
Sexual content: 2/5 (references and a brief scene with a bit more than kissing)
Triggers: Stillborn birth, shooting
Release Date: December 6, 2023
This was a liked-not-loved book for me. I enjoyed reading about the work of a midwife during WW2, a topic from that period that I hadn’t encountered before. But the themes here were ones that were familiar in other WW2 fiction- sacrifice, grief, and loss.
The beginning of the story was very engaging, and the author’s writing reminded me a lot of Kristin Harmel. But the middle and last twenty percent seemed to lag, and I wanted a bit more from the plot.
🥰Read this if you liked The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel. Readers who are diehard historical fiction fans should give it a try.
⚠️Content warnings:
Profanity: None
Sexual content: 2/5 (references and a brief scene with a bit more than kissing)
Triggers: Stillborn birth, shooting
September 24, 2023
This book is truly a heart-wrenching experience, with its ability to repeatedly shatter your emotions throughout its pages. The central character, Sophie, is portrayed as an extraordinary woman in this beautifully written narrative. Even though she's not based on a real person, Sophie represents the unsung heroes who have existed throughout history, those whose calling in life is to be a midwife, a "sage femme."
While the plot is undeniably riveting, it can also be incredibly intense, at times evoking physical pain. Sophie's story extends beyond midwifery; it delves into her courageous acts of hiding Jewish children and others from the Nazis in occupied France, putting herself at great personal risk. The author's meticulous research is evident but seamlessly woven into the story, allowing readers to absorb the information without effort.
While the plot is undeniably riveting, it can also be incredibly intense, at times evoking physical pain. Sophie's story extends beyond midwifery; it delves into her courageous acts of hiding Jewish children and others from the Nazis in occupied France, putting herself at great personal risk. The author's meticulous research is evident but seamlessly woven into the story, allowing readers to absorb the information without effort.
October 10, 2023
I could not put this book down. Clearly Sophie has a back story that goes back to the war. She was a very brave midwife who risked her life for others. When her daughter requires help, she risked her own safety to help. Tragedy and love ensued, heart breaking decisions had to be made. The loyalty of other people helped and it is easy to see why she made the choices she did. This was a beautiful story about love, courage and resilience. I hope to read more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to preview this book.
October 26, 2023
What an emotional novel !!! I really enjoyed it! So much tension, always building up (along with my heart beats!), and this, up to the end!!! A great story, also thought provoking (any good reason to separate a baby from his relatives?). I read it in two goes as I could not put the book down. A dual time storyline which I usually dislike, but it worked in this novel.... Not my first book by the author, (all very addictive!), and I definitely hope for more!
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
September 23, 2025
It is a story of dual timelines. World War II and 1992. The main character Sophie is turning 90 in 1992 and decides it’s finally time to pass the truth along to her son Paul. Her past is a heartbreaking story, although fictional ,there was a lot of devastation for all who lived through that time period in Europe.
May 3, 2024
Sweet story of mother and daughter during WWII. It always inspires me to read about sacrifices that parents make for their children during dangerous and stressful times.
June 22, 2024
WWII
Heartbreaking reminder of where the bonds of sacrificial love will take one.
Compelling story of a midwife during WWII.
Heartbreaking reminder of where the bonds of sacrificial love will take one.
Compelling story of a midwife during WWII.
October 17, 2023
I absolutely adored this book! This was such a fantastic read and is now one of my favorites of the year. What a journey this story takes you in. I could not put this book down! It will leave you captivated and engaged from the beginning till the end. Such a beautifully written WWII story filled with courage, strength, love, loss, and heartbreak. You will feel for these characters and become attached to them. I felt as if I was with them and was part of the journey as well. Highly recommend this to all those who love read historical fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC. All opinions and reviews are mine.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC. All opinions and reviews are mine.
May 6, 2025
The story of a midwife and how she deals with Nazi occupation and her love of helping women deliver babies. Enjoyed learning more about how women survived this time in our history and how people came together as strangers and ended up long life friends as they assisted each other to survive.
December 6, 2023
The Midwife’s Promise was a gripping and sad historical fiction novel that was about the lives of Sophie and her family during the turbulent times of World War II.
Set in New England in 1992 and France in 1944, the story brings together the past and the present, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and great difficulties.
Sophie was a strong and determined woman, whose unwavering love for her family made her to make difficult decisions in the face of such traumatic difficulties.
The book was brilliantly paced, alternating between the present-day celebration of Sophie's 90th birthday and the harrowing events of the past. The book made me think I was there in the sights, sounds, and emotions of wartime France.
Sophie's determination to protect her loved ones and her willingness to sacrifice everything for their safety was heartfelt and heartbreaking.
The Midwives Promise gave me a powerful reminder of the atrocities of war and the strength of the human spirit.
Fans of historical fiction and stories of love and survival will find this book a unforgettable read.
Set in New England in 1992 and France in 1944, the story brings together the past and the present, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and great difficulties.
Sophie was a strong and determined woman, whose unwavering love for her family made her to make difficult decisions in the face of such traumatic difficulties.
The book was brilliantly paced, alternating between the present-day celebration of Sophie's 90th birthday and the harrowing events of the past. The book made me think I was there in the sights, sounds, and emotions of wartime France.
Sophie's determination to protect her loved ones and her willingness to sacrifice everything for their safety was heartfelt and heartbreaking.
The Midwives Promise gave me a powerful reminder of the atrocities of war and the strength of the human spirit.
Fans of historical fiction and stories of love and survival will find this book a unforgettable read.
November 11, 2023
I'd just like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book which I've just read in one sitting. I couldn't put it down it was so gripping. It is a double time line story told from WW2 France and 1992 America. 90 year old Sophie has a secret she has decided she finally needs to reveal and she takes us back through the history of that secret. I'm not going to rehash the story again here. Just make sure to read it when it comes out on December 6th. You won't be disappointed!
Want to read
November 25, 2023The story of Sophie who will be turning 90 a celebration to be thrown with loved ones surrounding her. Yet something is weighting on Sophie. A secret she has kept most of her life, a secret that can change how certain people would feel about her. Is she willing to take the change of losing those people?
Sophie Hansen wife, mother but mostly a midwife. Sophie has seen so much as a midwife not all joyful. This was the time of the Occupation. No one seemed to be safe in France and many other parts of Europe, yet Sophie was able to continue her midwifery and her helping to smuggle children to a safer place until a day that would change Sophie's life forever and make her have to leave her precious daughter Camille at a time when she needed her mom.
With Sophie having to hide and be careful how she traveled, she had missed and important time in Camille's life her marriage and everything that goes with it. No one knew of Camille's family, her father was dead and her mother traveled helping people but no one knew how. Until Sophie receives a letter that Camille is pregnant but feels something is wrong and only her mother can help. So Sophie risks her life to help her daughter even though she can also risk her daughter's life. What happens after is a thrilling roller coaster of a ride for Sophie. What she would do to safe not only herself but her family. The ordeal she had gone through to get to reach this old age of 90 is amazing.
I was amazed at the drive and determination of this women. Her character was so well written. She was such a well rounded woman with such depth during a time that was horrifying. Ms. Graham really knew this character inside and out. Starting with a young wife experiencing the death of a husband, still trying to be a mother when her life's work kept pulling her away from the one thing she cherished in this world.
I have read many books about the German Occupation and the horrors it brought to Europe and i have always said I won't read another one. I am happy that I did read this one. I could not put it down. The story of a brave and wonderful women who took a real chance on saving her family and the things she had to do to pull it off. Now she needs to come clean and hope her family is still intact.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. So glad I was approved. Thank you Eliza Graham for a wonderful heartbreaking at times story. This will stay with me for awhile. Looking forward to your next one.
Sophie Hansen wife, mother but mostly a midwife. Sophie has seen so much as a midwife not all joyful. This was the time of the Occupation. No one seemed to be safe in France and many other parts of Europe, yet Sophie was able to continue her midwifery and her helping to smuggle children to a safer place until a day that would change Sophie's life forever and make her have to leave her precious daughter Camille at a time when she needed her mom.
With Sophie having to hide and be careful how she traveled, she had missed and important time in Camille's life her marriage and everything that goes with it. No one knew of Camille's family, her father was dead and her mother traveled helping people but no one knew how. Until Sophie receives a letter that Camille is pregnant but feels something is wrong and only her mother can help. So Sophie risks her life to help her daughter even though she can also risk her daughter's life. What happens after is a thrilling roller coaster of a ride for Sophie. What she would do to safe not only herself but her family. The ordeal she had gone through to get to reach this old age of 90 is amazing.
I was amazed at the drive and determination of this women. Her character was so well written. She was such a well rounded woman with such depth during a time that was horrifying. Ms. Graham really knew this character inside and out. Starting with a young wife experiencing the death of a husband, still trying to be a mother when her life's work kept pulling her away from the one thing she cherished in this world.
I have read many books about the German Occupation and the horrors it brought to Europe and i have always said I won't read another one. I am happy that I did read this one. I could not put it down. The story of a brave and wonderful women who took a real chance on saving her family and the things she had to do to pull it off. Now she needs to come clean and hope her family is still intact.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. So glad I was approved. Thank you Eliza Graham for a wonderful heartbreaking at times story. This will stay with me for awhile. Looking forward to your next one.
December 6, 2023
Eliza Graham's "The Midwife's Promise" weaves love, resilience, and the haunting echoes of wartime sacrifice. The novel's essence transcends the pages, touching the soul with its portrayal of Sophie's unwavering commitment amidst the chaos of World War II.
This book is a tribute to the unbreakable bond between a mother and her family, echoing through Sophie's determination to shield her loved ones from the harrowing clutches of war. Graham has written an evocative narrative that tells a story and invites readers to experience the depth of Sophie's emotions -- her joys, fears, and unwavering love that withstands the darkest of times.
Graham depicts the strength found in vulnerability, mirrored in Sophie's willingness to unveil her hidden past on her 90th birthday. The juxtaposition of New England, 1992, and war-torn France, 1944, creates an affecting contrast, allowing readers to travel through time and witness the resilience of the human spirit through Sophie's journey.
Graham's text dances between heartache and hope, painting a portrait of Sophie's sacrifices as a midwife amidst the setting of a tumultuous era. The story resonates within the reader's heart long after the final page is turned.
"The Midwife's Promise" is enchanting. It navigates the complexities of human relationships, the enduring power of love, and the profound sacrifices made in the name of family. Graham's narrative skill elevates this tale beyond an historical account, making it an emotional pilgrimage through the labyrinth of wartime trials and the enduring spirit of maternal devotion.
"A poignant tale of courage and sacrifice set within war-torn France, unveiling the unyielding strength of a mother's love."
"A haunting portrayal of resilience amidst adversity, weaving together the threads of love, loss, and the indomitable spirit of family."
"Gripping and evocative, this novel captures the heartache and hope of wartime, painting a vivid picture of unwavering maternal devotion."
"An emotionally charged journey through history, where love transcends the darkest of times, leaving a mark on the reader's soul."
"A beautifully crafted narrative that explores the depths of sacrifice, illustrating the unbreakable bonds forged in the crucible of World War II."
This book is a tribute to the unbreakable bond between a mother and her family, echoing through Sophie's determination to shield her loved ones from the harrowing clutches of war. Graham has written an evocative narrative that tells a story and invites readers to experience the depth of Sophie's emotions -- her joys, fears, and unwavering love that withstands the darkest of times.
Graham depicts the strength found in vulnerability, mirrored in Sophie's willingness to unveil her hidden past on her 90th birthday. The juxtaposition of New England, 1992, and war-torn France, 1944, creates an affecting contrast, allowing readers to travel through time and witness the resilience of the human spirit through Sophie's journey.
Graham's text dances between heartache and hope, painting a portrait of Sophie's sacrifices as a midwife amidst the setting of a tumultuous era. The story resonates within the reader's heart long after the final page is turned.
"The Midwife's Promise" is enchanting. It navigates the complexities of human relationships, the enduring power of love, and the profound sacrifices made in the name of family. Graham's narrative skill elevates this tale beyond an historical account, making it an emotional pilgrimage through the labyrinth of wartime trials and the enduring spirit of maternal devotion.
"A poignant tale of courage and sacrifice set within war-torn France, unveiling the unyielding strength of a mother's love."
"A haunting portrayal of resilience amidst adversity, weaving together the threads of love, loss, and the indomitable spirit of family."
"Gripping and evocative, this novel captures the heartache and hope of wartime, painting a vivid picture of unwavering maternal devotion."
"An emotionally charged journey through history, where love transcends the darkest of times, leaving a mark on the reader's soul."
"A beautifully crafted narrative that explores the depths of sacrifice, illustrating the unbreakable bonds forged in the crucible of World War II."
November 28, 2023
The Midwife's Promise by Eliza Graham is a gorgeously-written dual timeline WWII Historical Fiction novel, utterly engrossing with vivid descriptions and memorable characters. The writing captured my heart from the first page to the end with no stopping between. Pacing is sharp and quick when it needs to be but tender and lingering at other times. Unlike many other novels, this one is not fluffy or saccharine but real, harrowing and tragic. War details are not glossed over. Starvation is rife. Children are smuggled. People are senselessly murdered. Yet there are also slivers of sweet romance and optimistic moments.
In the 1940s German Nazis occupied many countries and though death was commonplace, tiny lives were brought into the world during the cruelest and most destructive era in history, giving hope where the seemed to be done. Midwife/nurse/mother Sophia's skills are in high demand but her life is at constant risk every single day. Travel is extremely difficult and she is questioned at every turn. Her passion for her job sometimes override her family life until her daughter Camille is in dire straits. She moves heaven and earth to reach her. Mother/daughter stories always tug at my heartstrings. A mother's love is unlike anything else.
Later, in the 1990s, Sophie reflects on her family, the war and its dreadful repercussions which forever changed lives. Her guilt is overwhelming at times yet she has had to learn to come to terms with her choices.
If you seek a stellar Historical Fiction chock full of emotions and packed with fascinating midwifery life during WW, this is for you. Prepare your heart to hurt but the reward pays dividends. Immerse yourself and allow it to seep in. The Midwife's Promise reminds me of a masterful piece of art with many layers to be explored from different angles.
My sincere thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this stellar novel.
In the 1940s German Nazis occupied many countries and though death was commonplace, tiny lives were brought into the world during the cruelest and most destructive era in history, giving hope where the seemed to be done. Midwife/nurse/mother Sophia's skills are in high demand but her life is at constant risk every single day. Travel is extremely difficult and she is questioned at every turn. Her passion for her job sometimes override her family life until her daughter Camille is in dire straits. She moves heaven and earth to reach her. Mother/daughter stories always tug at my heartstrings. A mother's love is unlike anything else.
Later, in the 1990s, Sophie reflects on her family, the war and its dreadful repercussions which forever changed lives. Her guilt is overwhelming at times yet she has had to learn to come to terms with her choices.
If you seek a stellar Historical Fiction chock full of emotions and packed with fascinating midwifery life during WW, this is for you. Prepare your heart to hurt but the reward pays dividends. Immerse yourself and allow it to seep in. The Midwife's Promise reminds me of a masterful piece of art with many layers to be explored from different angles.
My sincere thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this stellar novel.
December 8, 2023
1992: In New England, planning for Sophie’s 90th birthday is underway. Feeling her age with the upcoming birthday, Sophie very much wants to give her granddaughter a special gift from her past but in doing so, she will be forced to open up about her own history she has kept mostly to herself for several decades.
1942: Sophie is a well-respected midwife, who values human life above all else. Delivering babies and caring for new mothers is her life’s work. After losing her husband unexpectedly, Sophie leaves her Paris apartment and finds solace in helping others across the country. When she is asked to help aide young Jewish children to the Swiss border, Sophie’s only hesitation is the separation from her own daughter in order to keep her safe. Though the distance pains her heart, Sophie knows keeping her daughter in the dark about her resistance activities will keep her from harm as she is now married to a man who does business with the Germans. When her own daughter ends up with a difficult pregnancy, Sophie knows she must come out of hiding to help her. While fleeing for Lyon the course of Sophie’s life changes forever.
The Midwife’s Promise is a frame story beginning and ending with Sophie’s 90th birthday, but the life she led as a midwife in France is the real story, one of motherhood and its difficult choices, as well as sacrifice in wartime. Sophie’s journey is one that will have you reaching for the tissue box. It should come as no surprise she kept much of her past in the past, but her strength of character is admirable.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and the author Eliza Graham for the advanced copy of the audiobook. The Midwife’s Promise is out now. All opinions are my own.
Http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
1942: Sophie is a well-respected midwife, who values human life above all else. Delivering babies and caring for new mothers is her life’s work. After losing her husband unexpectedly, Sophie leaves her Paris apartment and finds solace in helping others across the country. When she is asked to help aide young Jewish children to the Swiss border, Sophie’s only hesitation is the separation from her own daughter in order to keep her safe. Though the distance pains her heart, Sophie knows keeping her daughter in the dark about her resistance activities will keep her from harm as she is now married to a man who does business with the Germans. When her own daughter ends up with a difficult pregnancy, Sophie knows she must come out of hiding to help her. While fleeing for Lyon the course of Sophie’s life changes forever.
The Midwife’s Promise is a frame story beginning and ending with Sophie’s 90th birthday, but the life she led as a midwife in France is the real story, one of motherhood and its difficult choices, as well as sacrifice in wartime. Sophie’s journey is one that will have you reaching for the tissue box. It should come as no surprise she kept much of her past in the past, but her strength of character is admirable.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and the author Eliza Graham for the advanced copy of the audiobook. The Midwife’s Promise is out now. All opinions are my own.
Http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
December 11, 2023
The Midwife's Promise by Eliza Graham
Narrated by Naomi Frederick
New England, 1992 We start with Sophie living in the US, about to celebrate her 90th birthday. She's had a good life, a full life but also a life that holds so many secrets. There are three people she has had to hold back from discussing. She's said little about her beloved husband, Bernard, who died more than fifty years ago. But she's also said absolutely nothing about a woman and her newborn baby, a woman she's never been able to forget.
France, 1942 Sophie has loved her work as a midwife, she's loved it so much that she's often left her husband, Bernard, and her daughter, Camille, to their own devices. Sophie is always yearning to be out there helping, always running off to take care of others. The guilt has hit her many times about how little time she has spent with Camille. Now Camille is a grown, married, and needs her help and Sophie will go to her even though Sophie will put so many people in danger by doing so. Finally, Sophie is ready to put her daughter first.
But war doesn't have time for those who want to make up for slights of the past. War will run over all plans to do better, to make amends, to try to be the present mother making up for not being present in the past. Now that Sophie will do anything for her family, this really is her very last chance.
We see the war in France from various angles. There are the people being persecuted for who they are and there are the people being persecuted for who they help. Sophie's daughter Camille is safely married to a wealthy businessman who loves her and can shield her from much of war's deprivation. So even though Sophie is elsewhere, hiding and helping, nursing those who need her skills, she's content that her daughter is in good hands. But then she gets a note from her daughter and she knows she must go to her no matter the risk. What she does now has a bearing on the future and she will carry the weight of her decisions for the rest of her life. There is a gentleness to this story during all the brutality and I appreciate the softness and matter of fact-ness of the narration of the audiobook as I listened to heartbreaking events.
Pub December 6, 2023
Thank you to Dreamscape Select, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for this ARC.
Narrated by Naomi Frederick
New England, 1992 We start with Sophie living in the US, about to celebrate her 90th birthday. She's had a good life, a full life but also a life that holds so many secrets. There are three people she has had to hold back from discussing. She's said little about her beloved husband, Bernard, who died more than fifty years ago. But she's also said absolutely nothing about a woman and her newborn baby, a woman she's never been able to forget.
France, 1942 Sophie has loved her work as a midwife, she's loved it so much that she's often left her husband, Bernard, and her daughter, Camille, to their own devices. Sophie is always yearning to be out there helping, always running off to take care of others. The guilt has hit her many times about how little time she has spent with Camille. Now Camille is a grown, married, and needs her help and Sophie will go to her even though Sophie will put so many people in danger by doing so. Finally, Sophie is ready to put her daughter first.
But war doesn't have time for those who want to make up for slights of the past. War will run over all plans to do better, to make amends, to try to be the present mother making up for not being present in the past. Now that Sophie will do anything for her family, this really is her very last chance.
We see the war in France from various angles. There are the people being persecuted for who they are and there are the people being persecuted for who they help. Sophie's daughter Camille is safely married to a wealthy businessman who loves her and can shield her from much of war's deprivation. So even though Sophie is elsewhere, hiding and helping, nursing those who need her skills, she's content that her daughter is in good hands. But then she gets a note from her daughter and she knows she must go to her no matter the risk. What she does now has a bearing on the future and she will carry the weight of her decisions for the rest of her life. There is a gentleness to this story during all the brutality and I appreciate the softness and matter of fact-ness of the narration of the audiobook as I listened to heartbreaking events.
Pub December 6, 2023
Thank you to Dreamscape Select, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for this ARC.
December 6, 2023
Once again.... I AM S H A T T E R E D !!
What an absolutely heartbreaking story, and yet, totally uplifting and wonderful...
This is the story of Sophie. A midwife who is turning 90 today. But as her family is celebrating her big day, she drifts off into the past, and recounts the story of her life...through her eyes...for all of them, and all of us.
You WILL cry. But at the same time, you will laugh and smile too. And, if you are like me your heart will be touched, will be exploding with love, and will be shattered beyond recognition...all in one book!
You see, Sophie is a mid-wife. And she was VERY active during the Hitler regime...and was also active with trying to help Jewish children escape.
But in the interim, she had to give up time. Time with her own family.
Cami (Camille) is her grown daughter, who is now all grown up and having a baby of her own. But, when a scare arises, she reaches out to her Mom for help. Even though she KNOWS this is not a good idea with all that is going on around them...
And in true MOTHER form, Sophie has to go to her daughter to offer her help.
The story that unfolds is phenomenal, and one that will stay with me for a long time.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!!
Thanks to #NetGalley, #StormPublishing and #DreamscapeSelect for an ARC of this audiobook which is releasing today, 12/6/23.
#TheMidwifesPromise by #ElizaGraham and beautifully narrated by #NaomiFrederick.
Follow me on FB @ #BookReviewsWithElaine or IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr for all my upcoming reviews and previews.
What an absolutely heartbreaking story, and yet, totally uplifting and wonderful...
This is the story of Sophie. A midwife who is turning 90 today. But as her family is celebrating her big day, she drifts off into the past, and recounts the story of her life...through her eyes...for all of them, and all of us.
You WILL cry. But at the same time, you will laugh and smile too. And, if you are like me your heart will be touched, will be exploding with love, and will be shattered beyond recognition...all in one book!
You see, Sophie is a mid-wife. And she was VERY active during the Hitler regime...and was also active with trying to help Jewish children escape.
But in the interim, she had to give up time. Time with her own family.
Cami (Camille) is her grown daughter, who is now all grown up and having a baby of her own. But, when a scare arises, she reaches out to her Mom for help. Even though she KNOWS this is not a good idea with all that is going on around them...
And in true MOTHER form, Sophie has to go to her daughter to offer her help.
The story that unfolds is phenomenal, and one that will stay with me for a long time.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!!
Thanks to #NetGalley, #StormPublishing and #DreamscapeSelect for an ARC of this audiobook which is releasing today, 12/6/23.
#TheMidwifesPromise by #ElizaGraham and beautifully narrated by #NaomiFrederick.
Follow me on FB @ #BookReviewsWithElaine or IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr for all my upcoming reviews and previews.
December 4, 2023
This is the first book I’ve read by Eliza Graham and I will definitely be reading more! I loved her writing style – I was hooked from the start and read this book way too quickly. I got to the last page and was so disappointed that it had ended!
This is a dual timeline novel, set in France in 1942, and New England in 1992. There are some interesting historical facts woven throughout the story and the reality of the danger, fear, and horror of this awful time was brought to life through the characters. I enjoyed delving into the lives of Sophie, Camille, their friends, and family. Their journeys are terrifying and heartbreaking at times, a great example of the secrets one had to keep, never knowing who to trust, the speed at which life can change forever, and the importance of family and friendship.
What an emotional rollercoaster – this is a heart-wrenching story of love, sacrifice, strength, and loss. My heart was broken more than once and I was so invested in the characters that I felt their grief keenly. This book really struck a chord and I learned so much from it - it is unfathomable that events such as those depicted in this book actually happened and my heart hurts just thinking about it. If you like WWII historical fiction with a touch of romance, I think you’ll enjoy this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for an advance copy for review.
This is a dual timeline novel, set in France in 1942, and New England in 1992. There are some interesting historical facts woven throughout the story and the reality of the danger, fear, and horror of this awful time was brought to life through the characters. I enjoyed delving into the lives of Sophie, Camille, their friends, and family. Their journeys are terrifying and heartbreaking at times, a great example of the secrets one had to keep, never knowing who to trust, the speed at which life can change forever, and the importance of family and friendship.
What an emotional rollercoaster – this is a heart-wrenching story of love, sacrifice, strength, and loss. My heart was broken more than once and I was so invested in the characters that I felt their grief keenly. This book really struck a chord and I learned so much from it - it is unfathomable that events such as those depicted in this book actually happened and my heart hurts just thinking about it. If you like WWII historical fiction with a touch of romance, I think you’ll enjoy this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for an advance copy for review.
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