The Girl Who Risked It All

The Emerald Sisters #3

by Kate Hewitt

“Quickly, you must help me!” Hannah gasps, her hands shaking. “The Nazis are going to take the children at daybreak, and we must find a way to save them…”

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?

The next book in the Emerald Sisters series tells a gripping and heart-wrenching story of courage, second chances and finding love, even in the darkest of times. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Kate Quinn and The Nightingale.

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Womens Fiction, Fiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2024

About the author

Kate is the USA Today-bsetselling author of many books of both historical and contemporary fiction. Under the name Katharine Swartz, she is the author of the Tales from Goswell books, a series of time-slip novels set in the village of Goswell.

She likes to read women's fiction, mystery and thrillers, as well as historical novels. She particularly enjoys reading about well-drawn characters and avoids high-concept plots.

Having lived in both New York City and a tiny village on the windswept northwest coast of England, she now resides in a market town in Wales with her husband, five children, and two Golden Retrievers.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even only half Jewish on their father's side was enough to cause trouble for Hannah Lerner and her younger sister Lotte. Their arrival in France, knowing no one, was fraught with difficulties, but when Lotte was offered housing with an orphanage which took Jewish children, Hannah realised her sister would be much safer there. Hannah herself had no idea where to go, and sheltering on a park bench in the middle of the night began her acquaintance with Michel and his parents. Hannah helped Michel's dad with sewing repairs, as she was an excellent seamstress. But the day a Nazi arrived in the shop was the day they knew Hannah needed to vanish.

Living in a house where resistance activities operated - living in plain sight - Hannah quickly joined their ranks. Delivering messages, making sure to be back before curfew, keeping her nerves strong and fears at bay, Hannah tried to see Lotte as often as she could. But it would be eighteen months before she saw her again, and Lotte was now a teenager. She was thriving in the environment with the other children, helping out with the younger ones. They continued to move as danger loomed, but the night Hannah heard the distressing news there was to be a raid the following morning and all children removed to the camps, Hannah was frantic in her rush to rescue Lotte. But could she do it; could she keep them both out of the Nazis' hands?

The Girl Who Risked It All is #3 in The Emerald Sisters series by Kate Hewitt and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Heartbreaking, filled with courageous people who were determined to best the Germans, one step at a time; Klaus Barbie, the Butcher of Lyon, was a part of this story, and what a horrible, cruel and vicious man he was. Hannah was a strong and determined character who joined the resistance ranks despite being frightened. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series, emotional and showing courage and strength. Hannah Lerner and her younger sister Lotte have arrived in France after being on the SS St Louis for months turned away from Havana and their father, and now Hannah is separated from her three friends she made on the ship but she has the sliver of emerald that holds them together and they will meet up again one day, but for now she and Lotte must do what they can to stay safe and find a place to stay.

War is imminent, and when Hannah goes to send a telegram to her father Lotte is taken into care of a group of people who care for orphan children, Hannah is devastated and makes haste to find her sister she realizes that maybe they can keep her safer there but she promises to that they will be together one day.

Roaming the streets Hannah has nowhere to go and tiredness see her fall asleep on a park bench when she is rescued by a Frenchman Michal who takes her to his family home where she soon is feeling comfortable and her heart is opening to Michal.

But war takes Michal to the frontline and soon Hannah is fleeing the Nazis as they learn that she is half Jewish, but sheer determination sees Hannah soon helping the Resistance, times are dangerous and very hard and Hannah has no idea if Michal is alive and of course there is the worry of her sister, but when she hears that there is a plot to take the children Hannah does the only thing she can her and a friend risk their lives to save the children, will they be successful?

A fabulous story that had me turning the pages, my heart thumping and cheering Hannah on the strength she shows is awesome, will she find love, will her and Lotte ever be safe and will the Emerald sisters meet as they had planned too?

I do highly recommend this one and the series.

My thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.

[linda hole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a strong book , with strong female characters. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

[Melissa * bookedwithmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve loved this series. I’ve enjoyed reading about the Emerald Sisters and what they experienced during the war after coming off the St. Louis. This book is about Hannah and her sister Lotte. They are part of the group that gets left in Paris. Hannah has no choice but to grow up fast. She’s barely 18 years old and has her sister taken away from her almost as soon as they arrive in Paris. She has nowhere to live and no job. She’s lucky enough to run into Michel and him and his family keep her safe and give her work.
She easily falls for Michel, but when he goes off to war and Hannah is forced to leave the safety of his family, she finds her way into helping the Resistance. I love reading about the Resistance. There are so many different stories out there that talk about how many different ways that people helped to take down the Germans.
I can’t wait for the last book in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC of this book.

[J.E. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gut-wrenching episode of the Emerald Sisters. A young girl and her sister try to escape the war to Havana to join their father but find themselves in the middle of the war—there is a lot of suspense, mystery, and events of the resistance.

This story had me running the gamut of emotions, from tears to inspirational joy. Even though it was a tough subject with the extermination of the Jews, it was handled without all the specific details that took place. I look forward to reading the next one.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was another good book by this author. It was intense and sad at times. Hannah and all the women in the book were strong and determined. Definitely recommend

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Girl Who Risked It All is the third book in the Emerald Sisters series by Kate Hewitt and I’m happy to say that this series continues to go from strength to strength. Each book has been so solid driving the story as a whole forward with not one book being slow or adding nothing to what the author is trying to convey. A brief prologue set in Paris in June of 1946 sees the women gathering at a café where they promised to reunite after the war. But there is shocking news which has been hinted at in the previous books but now further on in the book we get a solid answer with things falling into place. Or are they? I’m not quite sure how things are going to pan out. I know what my heart wants given how invested I have become in these characters and their intertwined stories but in another way I’m hoping Kate Hewitt might go against the norm and not have the all-round happy ending that many readers wish for. I’m being purposefully vague here as I don’t want to give anything away but suffice to say we are nicely set up for the concluding instalment and it will be interesting to discover how everything comes together.

This story focuses on Hannah and her younger sister Lotte. Their mother has more or less abandoned them to their fate as she is now married to a German officer. The sisters are mischlinges which means half Jewish and given the increasing dangers surrounding Jews in Germany and the fact that their mother has gone to the other side so to speak they are no longer safe in their home country. They board the St. Louis filled with German Jews bound for Cuba. Here they hope to reunite with their father who had went there many years before as persecution of the Jews increased. The journey onboard has been detailed in the previous books so I was glad there wasn’t a rehash of the same scenes as I felt it would have dragged the plot backwards instead of onwards. Ample information is provided for new readers so that they can slot right into Hannah’s story and there was the perfect refresher for those who have been with the series since book one. We see how Hannah makes friends with Sophie, Rosa and Rachel and that an emerald split into four pieces becomes their talisman in the hopes that one day they will reunite in Paris once the war has ended.

The much longed for new life in Cuba does not materialise. It was lie and a cruel trick had been played on them all. The four young women find themselves scattered with Hannah and Lotte being sent to France with little or no money and not being able to contact their father. Hannah is only 18 but she really steps up to the plate for Lotte and becomes the mother figure she so desperately needed. Hannah is strong, fierce and determined and has to grow up fast. She displays such incredible maturity as there is an awful burden placed on her shoulders but she deals with it admirably and responsibly. Through no fault of her own Hannah despite vowing to protect and keep her sister safe is separated from her sister which sees Lotte ending up in a home/orphanage for children. When Hannah locates her and tries to get her back she realises that perhaps it is the best place for her sister although it breaks her heart to be apart. The home is where she is with other children of her own age and considering the deteriorating situation and with the Germans advancing it is where she will be safe and cared for. Now Hannah has herself to look after and she can try and get to see Lotte whenever possible.

Hannah is determined that she will find a way to Cuba to her father but doors are closed in her face when she tries to get a new visa. Now she knows she is stuck in France for the duration of the war and she has no safe space to call home. When things are about to get a bit dicey, a chance meeting with Michel sees her fortunes change. She is taken in by his family and starts work as a seamstress with his father. Here the romance element of the book started to appear and yes let’s be honest it was too quick that the pair should fall head over heels for one another but I just went with it.

When France is invaded Michel goes to war and soon there is no news of him. The city of Lights is taken over by the Germans and once again life irreparably changes for Hannah. So much happens to Hannah and at times you forget that she was only 18 as she did things that no young women should have to do. Her story took many surprising twists and turns and at times I really felt that she was in the centre of the lions den and with one false move the game would be up and everything would come crashing down. When she is forced to flee Paris as her heritage is about to be discovered she finds herself in the Zone Libre and here is where I felt the book really took off as Hannah finds herself working with the Resistance. It still amazes me after having read hundreds of World War Two books that there is still lots more to be learned about what the everyday ordinary men and women did at the time with so few resources. Their ingenuity and the fact they were so brave and they put their lives on the line on a daily basis deserves nothing but admiration and gratitude. I often think would we in the present day being faced with the same situation do the same things?

The later half of the book moved along at a swift pace and the months and years pass as Hannah’s resistance work is detailed. Where she carries out this work was quite a surprise, but it just goes to show that no corner from society stood back and did nothing. Every person was involved no matter how they had been previously viewed for what they did. Again, I am being very vague here as I don’t wish to give anything away but if you had said to me at the start of the book this is where Hannah would have ended up I would have been very surprised. But it all worked very well and one aspect of the storyline involving a breakout from a prison was very well written and allowed for a more different side to Hannah to emerge which proved to be tantalising and surprising.

Hannah is selfless in her actions when it comes to Lotte. At times she has to let go and it is very difficult for her but Lotte undergoes a transformation. I would have loved just a chapter or two from Lotte’s viewpoint as it would have provided an even more well rounded picture than there already was. To see her experiences and learn her opinions would have been quite beneficial. I loved how one strong element of a past book came into force as we raced towards the conclusion and like Hannah I was shocked but then things made sense and it answered a burning question that I had had since book one. There is a sense that with only one book left to go that the author is beginning to weave all the loose strands together but yet there are still plenty of unanswered questions and of course we still have to learn of Rachel’s story.

Hannah was a fabulous character, extremely well written and full of grit, strength, determination and courage. She was a young woman who kept ploughing on fuelled by the love she had for both her sister and Michel. She pushed herself beyond her limits time and time again and I really grew to like and admire her as a character. Hannah was someone who was hellbent on ensuring that evil would be defeated for humanity’s sake. She knew that many sacrifices would be made and suffering and loss would occur but she kept enduring on in the hopes that peace would one day rein and she would be reunited with the Emerald Sisters as promised. The Girl Who Risked It All was another excellent instalment in this series and it has only whetted my appetite for the conclusion and thankfully there is not long to wait as The Girl Who Never Gave Up will be published in January.

[Rachel Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and enjoyed the first two books in The Emerald Sisters series, so I had high hopes for this one. Believe me when I say that not only did it live up to the expectations I had in my head, but it SURPASSED them. I really and truly enjoyed Hannah’s story so much. While I know she wasn’t an actual person, I do know that there were many women during WWII that lived the life portrayed in this book.

This book had a brave FMC, it has romance, it had suspense, it had sorrow…it was just absolute PERFECTION. Make sure you add this one to your TBR.

So many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book early. I’m so glad I was able to share my thoughts on this one!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Who Risked It All by Kate Hewitt is the third book in the series Emerald Sisters which are the individual stories of four young women who met on the fated voyage of the St. Louis, the ship from Germany carrying Jews, which was turned back by Cuba, as well as several ports in the United States before heading back to Europe where they were each sent to different countries. This is the story of Hannah and her sister Lotte. Their mother had been married to a Jewish man until it became dangerous and she invited a Nazi official to move into their home. She no longer wanted to be bothered with her daughters so she managed to get them visas so they could join their father in Cuba. Sadly, they were turned away even as he was in a row boat awaiting them. They ended up in France where Lotte was put in an orphanage for her safety and evacuated several times, and Hannah met a young man who took her home to, thankfully, sympathetic parents. They fell in love but he joined the French army and was not heard of for several years, presumed dead. She continued to work with his father, who was a tailor, as she was an excellent seamstress, until she came across the radar of a cruel Nazi officer and was forced to run. In her new home she became an active member of the resistance.

This is a Holocaust series that is a little different than many. It focuses on things outside of the battlefield and the camps. It is a touching story of several years of abject misery and fear. Hannah was shy, but courageous. She managed to keep in touch with her sister and saw her occasionally, but many other surprising things happened along the way. It is well-written and well-researched. Hannah is a very sympathetic character. One who does what she has to do to survive. Along the way she loses many prejudices but develops some new ones. She learns to view people for who they are but that doesn’t stop her from spying on the them. It was a good book. Touching.

I was invited to read The Girl Who Risked It All by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #KateHewitt #TheGirlWhoRiskedItAll

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah is a Jewish refugee and arrives in France with her younger sister Lotte.  Hannah has promised to keep her safe, protect her and never be separated from each other.  But with the war looming, Hannah has no choice but to leave Lotte at a children’s home that has offered to take her in.  It’s the only way Hannah can protect her.  Hannah has no where to go and finds herself wandering aimlessly but knows she can’t survive without somewhere to go.  Soon she meets Michel, and he and his parents welcome her into their home.  When Michel is sent to the frontlines, Hannah once again is completely alone.  She joins the Resistance and is determined to keep others alive.   But when Hannah heard of a raid planned on the children’s home where Lotte was living, she knew she had to rescue her sister.  Unsure if she could save her, Hannah wonders where will they go from there to continue to be free, and out of the hands of the Nazis?

The Girl Who Risked it All, written by author Kate Hewitt is an amazing story of courage, strength and never giving up.  I love all the stories of the courageous people, and what they did for each other during the horrific war.  The sacrifices they made for total strangers that soon became family to them.  Each other was all they had and with their massive internal strength they somehow survived.  Hewitt is an amazing author with so much detail in her writing that you can feel the cold night air on your face and the emotions of having to leave family behind to protect them.  My heart was broken into the smallest of pieces during much of this story, but I never lost hope.  This inspiring story is one that I highly recommend.

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this series shadows previous books in the series. I am reminded about the past books in the series in away that adds so much to the story. It added more excitement to the story.

The story began on the SS Louis as people attempted to escape Germany. When Cuba refused them a safe haven, the passengers were distributed in different countries. Hannah and her little sister, Lotti, were transported to France, a place that should have been safe.

Hannah and Lotti faced numerous challenges from the moment they stepped off the ship. They struggled with the language. They had little money. They had no where to go until the government intervened sheltering Lotti in an orphanage leaving Hannh in shock without a roof over her head.

Like so many homeless, Hannah takes refuge on a park bench. She is rescued by Michel before she found herself in jail. Meeting Michel is the beginning of a journey riddled with danger, intrigue and spying. She is the victim of circumstances. Her stumbling into the resistance gave her a life full of adventure and uncomfortable moments.

Hannah finds herself deeper and deeper in the resistance in Lyon. Her life got more complicated. She risked much to help France. I never realied some of the ways that people acquired information from the Germans. I never realized to what extent some would go to help prisoners escape. I don't know how Hannah was able to keep going, surviving. Hannah had me on the edge of my seat as she worked within the shadows.

[Sue Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE GIRL WHO RISKED IT ALL is the third novel in the Emerald Sisters series by KATE HEWITT, but it can easily stand alone. This series is quite outstanding as the author gives us the story of four young women who pledged their friendship on the ill-fated St Louis which was forced to turn around, having been refused landing in Cuba, and in fact everywhere else, with Jews who were escaping the Nazis. Each of them with a piece of a broken emerald, promising to meet up at Henri’s cafe in Paris when the war was over……..
On the 20th June 1939 Hannh Lerner and her younger sister Lotte arrive in Boulogne. While Hannah is trying to book passage to go back to Cuba to their father, Lotte is taken away to a Jewish children’s home in Monmorency, which proves to be a blessing in Lotte’s case, but upsets Hannah who goes to find her.
The handsome and kind Michel Dubois finds her sleeping on a park bench and takes her to his home where she works as a seamstress in his father’s tailor’s shop.
She flees to Lyon where she works as a seamstrss at Germaine Guerain’s brothel. She works with Germaine and other resistants and meets Sophie, one of the four emerald sisters……..
I am not going to tell you any more excepting to say that the courage of these resistants as they fight against the horrors of the German occupation of France is well contrasted with the cowardice of the Nazi bullies.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the third Emerald Sisters novel, readers rejoin Hannah Lerner and her little sister Lotte upon their return to Europe, this time to France and a small village in the country. Hoping to stay together, Hannah eventually accepts a children’s home’s offer to provide Lotte with a safe place, forcing the two sisters to separate as war looms on the horizon. Lonely and afraid of the Nazi threat, local Frenchman Michel offers Hannah protection and kindness until he goes off to war. As the Nazis move closer to this small village, Hannah must do what is right for her, Lotte, and Michel by fighting back against the Nazis and doing everything she can to protect her loved ones. In this thrilling and emotional continuation of the Emerald Sisters series, Kate Hewitt brings the dreadful feeling of the French population in the months before the Nazi invasion to life through Hannah’s eyes. With Hannah anchored by her relationships to Lotte and Michel (as well as with the other Emerald Sisters), this novel is character-centric and deeply moving in its narrative structure. A brilliantly written historical fiction novel about France during World War II, fans of the genre and of the previous Emerald Sisters books will love this latest instalment.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in a series by Kate Hewitt that centers on four young women who meet during World War II. They are four Jewish women attempting to escape Nazi Germany with their families on board the S.S. St. Louis, which was turned away from Cuba. The four end up in very different circumstances, but promise each other they will meet up again when it’s “safe.”

Like earlier books in the series, The Girl Who Risked It All gives us a glimpse of life after World War II, with three of the four women meeting up as they promised. We know that one of the women is not there, but not who it is. One of them remarks that she knows the missing woman will not be there because she saw her cut down.

Hannah was on board the St. Louis with her younger sister, Lottie. They were on their way to live with their father in Havana, Cuba after their mother remarried an S.S. Agent. When the remaining passengers are divided up to go to various European countries, Hannah and Lottie find themselves in France. While Hannah is out one day trying to arrange passage to Cuba, Lottie is taken to an orphanage. Hannah manages to track her down, but the setting Lottie is in is much better than what Hannah can offer her at the current time.

While trying to figure out her next step, Hannah makes the acquaintance of Michel. He’s a jazz musician who lives with his parents nearby. They offer Hannah shelter and she helps out in the father’s tailor shop. Being only half-Jewish, many of the restrictions once the Nazis invade France don’t apply to her, but Hannah stays hidden as much as possible until one day she is discovered. With contacts in the Resistance Network in France, Hannah is sent south to the Vichy area where she finds herself working as a seamstress in a brothel that caters to German officers and becoming a part of the Resistance.

To read my full review, please go to The Girl Who Risked It All by Kate Hewitt – A WWII Tale of Resilience

[Inspiredbypmdd Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in Awe of Kate Hewitt’s talent, she reels me in almost instantly and this 3rd book of the Emerald Sisters and it’s gripped me, made my heart race and my breathing stop.
Hannah’s story is heart-breaking, her mother a very cold fish, divorced her Jewish father and married a Nazi, as she didn’t want Mischlinge in her home, she packed Hannah and her younger sister Lotte off on the SS St. Louis to Cuba to be with their Jewish father.
It wasn’t as simple as that, although it was for their mother. On the SS St Louis things became complicated and the friends Sophie, Rachel, and Rosa, Hannah had made say goodbye to each other. Each leaving with a shard of Emerald.
It’s wonderfully written from start to finish, you can feel the acceptance and strength that shines through Hannah and her love for her sister. The strength her shard of Emerald affords her.
The embrace of Michel and his family, the homesickness for a home she longed for she never had before. I really resonated with that sentiment. It reminds me of a Soul Asylum song called Homesick.
A highly recommended read. 5 stars and more.

[Reads Like a Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! So grateful I had the chance to read an ARC (thanks NetGalley and Bookouture). A beautiful story about survival and endurance through WW2. Hannah and her sister Lotte, are sent to their father in Havana in 1939. When that trip doesn't end as they planned Hannah has to pivot to keep herself and her sister safe.

It was interested to hear Hannah's perspective and see how she found survival within the challenges and dispair of WW2. There are certainly some dark moments in the book, but Kate Hewitt did a great job in telling truths while finding inspiration in Hannah's story.

This historical novel has vibes of The Nightengale, so if you enjoyed that you will enjoy this!

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah and her sister Lotte are inseparable. Hannah vows to do everything to keep Lotte safe and by her side but when Little is taken in by a home for children Hannah believes that she may be better off staying in the home. The strength of the female characters in the story is testament to the times, you needed to be courageous and brave and that is what they are. It is truly inspiring and I went through every emotion possible while comprehending the book. As with the previous books I am still thinking about The Emerald Sisters and I finally had a couple of my questions answered in this book. It's a hard story to put down and stop thinking about. I adore Lotte and it was great watching her character grow. Make sure you put aside some time and tissues before reading!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Hewitt has written another fantastic book. The Girl Who Risked it All is a great continuation of the Emerald Sister series. An inspirational novel with strong female characters. I loved reading Hannah’s story, her courage during a time of hardship and the unknown had me swept away, unable to put the book down. I can’t wait to read the next book. If you enjoy reading gripping WW2 historical novels filled with romance, bravery, suspense and grief I highly recommended this series.
I would like to thank the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.
#TheGirlWhoRiskedItAllTheEmeraldSistersBook3 #NetGalley.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl Who Risked It All (The Emerald Sisters Book 3) by Kate Hewitt is Hannah’s along with her sister, Lotte, story. Part of the 1939 SS Louis passengers who were denied safety in Cuba. They have landed in France. Not as safe of a place as time goes by.

While all of the books in this series have strong young woman, Hannah stands out the most. When danger comes, she does not shrink away but is truly courageous in ways heartbreaking that leave me breathless and on the edge of my seat as I read. What a wonderful finale to the Emerald Sisters series, for surely Hannah is a shining gem in a dark, dark time.
4.5 Stars

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third story in the series of the Emerald Sisters. The focus in this story is on Hannah who is returned to Europe from the SS St Louis ship that was turned away from Cuba. Hannah and her sister Lotte are sent to France. Here, the sisters are separated and Hannah tries to forge for herself and to get her sister. My heart broke for the girls as they fought to survive as the Reich invaded France and went after those who were Jewish. The author did a great job of weaving a story with historical accuracy. My only disappointment is the story ended before the 4 friends who each have a piece of the emerald are reunited. I hope the last book ties it all up!

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from Kate Hewitt!

The Girl Who Risked It All continues the Emerald Sisters series. The story revolves around Hannah and her sister Lotte as they live through the fearful and terrifying actions of the Nazis in France. The story is well written and based on some actual events that happened as well as fictional activities to make up the story.
I recommend this book. It provides insight into what it was like to live in fear, not knowing what the next day, hour or minute could bring, and how far Hannah would go to save her younger sister.

[Nethanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is about 4 girls who meet on a ship to Cuba. They have left Germany to build a save life there. But they don’t get access so before short they’re back in Europe. This story is about Hannah and her sister Lotte. It follows their journey during the war. Will they ever meet her friends again, can they keep their promise to meet again in Paris?

I enjoyed reading about the strength and struggles and danger. Asking myself what would I do. Can’t wait for the conclusion of this series.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed this series.
Hannah, responsible for her sister Lotte, is stranded in Europe as the darkness closes in.
Hewitt details Hannah’s adventures and experiences as a woman living in the shadows during a dangerous time.
I don’t think readers can appreciate the actual anguish, anxiety, and fortitude people endured for what seemed like an eternity during WWII.
It’s a very good book.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the early read.

[Carey Mundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series and will Anxiously be awaiting the next book. In this one, Hannah and her sister Lottie have been returned to a France after the ill-fated journey to Cuba. They are separated during the war with young Lottie hidden with other children in the depths of the French countryside. Hannah, meanwhile, leaves Paris and ends up working for the Resistance in Lyon. This is their story

[Dawn Lawrence Read_with_Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow, I loved this book so much. It was tense, dark in places, heartbreaking and a tough one to put down. I really enjoy WWII fiction so was really excited to read this. Was not disappointed it was such a riveting read. The main characters were very likeable and the storyline held my interest. Highly recommend this book and the two earlier books in the series.

[Margaret Wray · Rating 4 out of 5]

War torn France and a young woman trying to survive and keep her sister safe from the roundups by the Nazi’s. Interesting story . Living in a brothel and hearing the secrets of the Nazi’s and passing on to the Resistance would have been more than scary if caught, The fear on a daily basis would have been nerve racking! A good read

[Melanie Heaney-Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous story of 4 new friends. It's gripping, emotional, horrific and very real. You are invested in these girls and their family's futures as you follow them from Europe to the Americas and back again.
I could not put each one down and read it as soon as I was able.

Thank you Kate Hewitt for keeping me enthralled.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Kate Hewitt is a favorite author. This book grabs you immediately, and never lets go. Very exciting from start to finish. How the characters survive left me gasping! It’s hard to accept the difficult years people lived through in WW2. it’s good to know what went on during that time period. Well worth reading.

[Helen VanDien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3's the Best so Far

I enjoyed Book 1 and 2, but Book 3 is my favorite so far. Poor Hannah just can't seem to catch a break. Every time she seems to be somewhat safe, it seems a new danger comes her way. What makes these books so engrossing for me is there is so much actual history weaved into the story. On to book 4!

[Cheryl Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the Third book in the Emerald Sisters series. Four women meet on the SS St Louis hoping to escape Germany in 1939. Each book tells their story based on fact and fiction. I’m on an emotional roller coaster and each story gets stronger and stronger. Look forward to The Girl Who Never Gave Up.