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The Resistance Bakery
‘Phenomenal… Had me flying through!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow… Loved every moment.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Captured my heart.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I loved everything about this!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Couldn’t put it down!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Paris, 1943. The scent of fresh baguettes hangs in the air as Coralie unbolts the door to her bakery with trembling fingers. She must get out of the city. Hiding her precious leather recipe book inside her coat, she promises never to let the secret locations of the people she worked tirelessly to save fall into German hands…
Present day. Raven is unhappy about being shipped off to the other side of the country for the summer to stay with the mysterious French grandmother she barely knows. And discovering a tattered, leather-bound book with yellowed pages full of handwritten recipes and coded numbers, she is stunned.
Her grandmother has never baked for her. And she refuses to talk about Paris, or the past. Flipping through the book, a faded photograph of a laughing couple falls out. As Raven scans the writing on the back she can scarcely believe her eyes…
What really happened in that tiny French bakery all those years ago? And could this forgotten recipe book finally bring healing to a woman still haunted by wartime secrets? Or has Raven’s discovery shattered any chance of bonding with her grandmother, before her time runs out?
The Resistance Bakery is an unforgettable page-turner about forbidden love and family secrets in World War Two. Fans of The Letter, The Nightingale and Fiona Valpy will be totally hooked.
What readers are saying about The Resistance Bakery:
‘ do not begin this book if you have food cooking or housework to do! Your food will burn and your house will stay dirty, because you will not be able to put it down!…The best historical fiction… Brilliant.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Had me on the edge of my seat… Plus wiping tears from my eyes… captured my heart— hook, line and sinker… A must-read.’ Cindy L Spear, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Hooked… I want more… Captivating… A storyline you won’t forget. I would read this book over and over again.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Kept me awake… I just couldn’t stop reading… This book will really stay with you after you finish reading it.’ DianeLikesToRead, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow. This book is one I will remember….
‘Wow… Loved every moment.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Captured my heart.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I loved everything about this!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Couldn’t put it down!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Paris, 1943. The scent of fresh baguettes hangs in the air as Coralie unbolts the door to her bakery with trembling fingers. She must get out of the city. Hiding her precious leather recipe book inside her coat, she promises never to let the secret locations of the people she worked tirelessly to save fall into German hands…
Present day. Raven is unhappy about being shipped off to the other side of the country for the summer to stay with the mysterious French grandmother she barely knows. And discovering a tattered, leather-bound book with yellowed pages full of handwritten recipes and coded numbers, she is stunned.
Her grandmother has never baked for her. And she refuses to talk about Paris, or the past. Flipping through the book, a faded photograph of a laughing couple falls out. As Raven scans the writing on the back she can scarcely believe her eyes…
What really happened in that tiny French bakery all those years ago? And could this forgotten recipe book finally bring healing to a woman still haunted by wartime secrets? Or has Raven’s discovery shattered any chance of bonding with her grandmother, before her time runs out?
The Resistance Bakery is an unforgettable page-turner about forbidden love and family secrets in World War Two. Fans of The Letter, The Nightingale and Fiona Valpy will be totally hooked.
What readers are saying about The Resistance Bakery:
‘ do not begin this book if you have food cooking or housework to do! Your food will burn and your house will stay dirty, because you will not be able to put it down!…The best historical fiction… Brilliant.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Had me on the edge of my seat… Plus wiping tears from my eyes… captured my heart— hook, line and sinker… A must-read.’ Cindy L Spear, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Hooked… I want more… Captivating… A storyline you won’t forget. I would read this book over and over again.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Kept me awake… I just couldn’t stop reading… This book will really stay with you after you finish reading it.’ DianeLikesToRead, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow. This book is one I will remember….
422 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2024
2176 people are currently reading
1133 people want to read
About the author
Siobhan Curham
40 books468 followersHi, I’m Siobhan - which for those of you not familiar with the wonder of Irish names, is actually pronounced, Shiv-on!
I’m an award-winning author of over 50 books, fiction and non-fiction, for adults, young adults and children, and my first book was published back in 2000, so I’ve been at this writing game for almost a quarter of a century now.
I’m also a former council estate kid and a university drop-out - I dropped out because I didn’t think I had what it took to make it in the middle class world of publishing. Thankfully I managed to overcome my self doubt and fear and achieve my writing dreams, and now I love helping others do the same through my mentoring, courses and talks.
I don’t know about you, but during the pandemic I felt as if my life had collapsed in on itself and I’d had to shrink myself to fit this strange new world of lockdowns and zoom calls (oh, so many Zoom calls!) and working from home and working alone. Even when things returned to some semblance of normal back in 2022, I felt that I’d lost sight of who I was and I’d definitely lost my joy for living.
Then, an unexpected trip to Jamaica changed everything, jolting me back to life and reminding me of who I truly am. In a bid to never lose sight of myself and my sense of wonder and purpose again, I started travelling more and writing a weekly Substack letter called Wonderstruck. And in September 2023 I gave up my home in the UK and pretty much all of my worldly goods to solo travel the world while I write my books and mentor other writers.
I send Wonderstruck out to my subscribers every Sunday morning, writing about the places I visit and the lessons I learn there. My sole aim for writing this letter is to inspire others to rediscover their own sense of purpose, wonder and adventure.
If you've enjoyed reading any of my books I'd love it if you joined the Wonderstruck community over on Substack.
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing my books, I really appreciate it!
Siobhan
Substack: siobhancurham.substack.com
Facebook: Siobhan Curham Author
Instagram: @SiobhanCurhamAuthor
Twitter: @SiobhanCurham
For more information about my books, mentoring and courses, please visit: http://www.siobhancurham.com
I’m an award-winning author of over 50 books, fiction and non-fiction, for adults, young adults and children, and my first book was published back in 2000, so I’ve been at this writing game for almost a quarter of a century now.
I’m also a former council estate kid and a university drop-out - I dropped out because I didn’t think I had what it took to make it in the middle class world of publishing. Thankfully I managed to overcome my self doubt and fear and achieve my writing dreams, and now I love helping others do the same through my mentoring, courses and talks.
I don’t know about you, but during the pandemic I felt as if my life had collapsed in on itself and I’d had to shrink myself to fit this strange new world of lockdowns and zoom calls (oh, so many Zoom calls!) and working from home and working alone. Even when things returned to some semblance of normal back in 2022, I felt that I’d lost sight of who I was and I’d definitely lost my joy for living.
Then, an unexpected trip to Jamaica changed everything, jolting me back to life and reminding me of who I truly am. In a bid to never lose sight of myself and my sense of wonder and purpose again, I started travelling more and writing a weekly Substack letter called Wonderstruck. And in September 2023 I gave up my home in the UK and pretty much all of my worldly goods to solo travel the world while I write my books and mentor other writers.
I send Wonderstruck out to my subscribers every Sunday morning, writing about the places I visit and the lessons I learn there. My sole aim for writing this letter is to inspire others to rediscover their own sense of purpose, wonder and adventure.
If you've enjoyed reading any of my books I'd love it if you joined the Wonderstruck community over on Substack.
Thanks so much for reading and reviewing my books, I really appreciate it!
Siobhan
Substack: siobhancurham.substack.com
Facebook: Siobhan Curham Author
Instagram: @SiobhanCurhamAuthor
Twitter: @SiobhanCurham
For more information about my books, mentoring and courses, please visit: http://www.siobhancurham.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
September 23, 2024
“In a world ruled by hatred and fear, happiness is an act of rebellion.”
Author Siobhan Curham takes readers on a culinary journey through time and into the wartime kitchen, showing us what cooking and baking were like during a crisis.
She brings the German occupation of Paris and the resistance movement to life with a story about a courageous patisserie owner who takes her future into her own hands.
Mademoiselle Coralie Donnadieu is one character I’d love to meet! She has every reason to accept defeat but chooses to be a happiness rebel instead. When the Abwehr (German Intelligence Service) takes over her workplace and makes it their headquarters, Coralie makes a concerted effort to save her future by befriending the enemy.
“Other people can only make you feel small if you let them.”
I loved that she stirred an intention into the mixture and loved the history behind Raven’s mom’s name. I learned about ‘eintopfsonntag’ and ‘vollkornbrot’ and many ways that both countries made adjustments to recipes to survive.
The well-executed dual timeline added to the mystery and propelled the story. The vivid descriptions of food were fantastic and the forbidden romance and spying added to the tension.
Curham writes fantastic wartime fiction. It’d be a shame to miss out on this 5-star story.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Author Siobhan Curham takes readers on a culinary journey through time and into the wartime kitchen, showing us what cooking and baking were like during a crisis.
She brings the German occupation of Paris and the resistance movement to life with a story about a courageous patisserie owner who takes her future into her own hands.
Mademoiselle Coralie Donnadieu is one character I’d love to meet! She has every reason to accept defeat but chooses to be a happiness rebel instead. When the Abwehr (German Intelligence Service) takes over her workplace and makes it their headquarters, Coralie makes a concerted effort to save her future by befriending the enemy.
“Other people can only make you feel small if you let them.”
I loved that she stirred an intention into the mixture and loved the history behind Raven’s mom’s name. I learned about ‘eintopfsonntag’ and ‘vollkornbrot’ and many ways that both countries made adjustments to recipes to survive.
The well-executed dual timeline added to the mystery and propelled the story. The vivid descriptions of food were fantastic and the forbidden romance and spying added to the tension.
Curham writes fantastic wartime fiction. It’d be a shame to miss out on this 5-star story.
I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
September 29, 2024
What a great place to hide anything to do with the French Resistance.
No one, including the Germans, can resist a bakery and especially Coralie's scrumptious pastries.
We follow Coralie from 1943 Paris where she owns a patisserie, but also does resistance work to present day in San Francisco where we meet her granddaughter, Raven, she never knew.
Raven is determined to find out about her grandmother's life during the war and especially when she finds a worn cookbook with notes and a photograph inside that makes her think her grandmother fell in love with a Nazi.
Raven is afraid to ask too much because she is enjoying staying with her grandmother.
THE RESISTANCE BAKERY is a heartbreaking, but also uplifting read with such delicious food your mouth will be watering.
If you have read Ms. Curham's books, you know you will be in for a marvelous read. If you haven't read her books, this will be a perfect one to start with.
So “treat” yourself to a lovely read you won't be able to put down or forget and one that has a great main character. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
No one, including the Germans, can resist a bakery and especially Coralie's scrumptious pastries.
We follow Coralie from 1943 Paris where she owns a patisserie, but also does resistance work to present day in San Francisco where we meet her granddaughter, Raven, she never knew.
Raven is determined to find out about her grandmother's life during the war and especially when she finds a worn cookbook with notes and a photograph inside that makes her think her grandmother fell in love with a Nazi.
Raven is afraid to ask too much because she is enjoying staying with her grandmother.
THE RESISTANCE BAKERY is a heartbreaking, but also uplifting read with such delicious food your mouth will be watering.
If you have read Ms. Curham's books, you know you will be in for a marvelous read. If you haven't read her books, this will be a perfect one to start with.
So “treat” yourself to a lovely read you won't be able to put down or forget and one that has a great main character. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
August 19, 2024
The Resistance Bakery
By: Siobhan Curham
Pub date: September 24, 2024
Publisher: Bookouture
5🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐
Paris, 1943
A beautiful dual timeline.
I loved the idea of a bakery helping with the resistance. Coralie bakes in the early hours and works tirelessly with the resistance.
🥐
Current day
Raven is sent to her grandmothers across the country. Raven does not know her well, and is not thrilled with the idea. Her grandmothers is French and what Raven will discover about her grandmothers past will bring them closer than she ever thought.
This novel is such a wonderful treat which ties the past with the present and gives you hope. I find it fascinating to discover more about our families past and the ties that bind you.
By: Siobhan Curham
Pub date: September 24, 2024
Publisher: Bookouture
5🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐
Paris, 1943
A beautiful dual timeline.
I loved the idea of a bakery helping with the resistance. Coralie bakes in the early hours and works tirelessly with the resistance.
🥐
Current day
Raven is sent to her grandmothers across the country. Raven does not know her well, and is not thrilled with the idea. Her grandmothers is French and what Raven will discover about her grandmothers past will bring them closer than she ever thought.
This novel is such a wonderful treat which ties the past with the present and gives you hope. I find it fascinating to discover more about our families past and the ties that bind you.
November 25, 2024
In 1984, a rebellious 13-year-old was sent to be with her grandmother for the summer. Cindy called herself “Raven” and is struggling with anxiety and depression, although no one really knows that. Her parents are always fighting and she feels like an afterthought most of the time.
Her grandmother, Coralie, is estranged from the family a bit and lives like a recluse in Sonoma, California. She’s widowed and has never talked about what it was like living in Paris during the Nazi occupation. Raven and Coralie bond, and soon she is opening up to her granddaughter about things she never divulged to anyone, not even her late husband.
The Resistance Bakery immerses the reader in Paris during the occupation. Coralie is an up-and-coming pastry chef at the Hotel Lutetia when the tanks roll in. Most of the staff leaves the hotel, which is taken over by the Nazis and becomes the headquarters of the Abwehr, the German Intelligence service. Coralie leaves as well, then finds out that by working there she could be of help to the French Resistance.
The themes here are what I expected from historical fiction set during World War II. The Nazis are bad and the French people are like the metaphorical frogs in boiling water. The ones who know what’s coming leave. The ones who stay behind don’t think the bad things will happen. Slowly but surely they do, from the imprisonment of dissenters and demonstrators to the round-up and deportation of Jewish French citizens.
To read my full review, please go to The Resistance Bakery by Siobhan Curham – Love and Conflict in WWII
Her grandmother, Coralie, is estranged from the family a bit and lives like a recluse in Sonoma, California. She’s widowed and has never talked about what it was like living in Paris during the Nazi occupation. Raven and Coralie bond, and soon she is opening up to her granddaughter about things she never divulged to anyone, not even her late husband.
The Resistance Bakery immerses the reader in Paris during the occupation. Coralie is an up-and-coming pastry chef at the Hotel Lutetia when the tanks roll in. Most of the staff leaves the hotel, which is taken over by the Nazis and becomes the headquarters of the Abwehr, the German Intelligence service. Coralie leaves as well, then finds out that by working there she could be of help to the French Resistance.
The themes here are what I expected from historical fiction set during World War II. The Nazis are bad and the French people are like the metaphorical frogs in boiling water. The ones who know what’s coming leave. The ones who stay behind don’t think the bad things will happen. Slowly but surely they do, from the imprisonment of dissenters and demonstrators to the round-up and deportation of Jewish French citizens.
To read my full review, please go to The Resistance Bakery by Siobhan Curham – Love and Conflict in WWII
September 24, 2024
*Warning: Do not begin this book if you have food cooking or housework to do! Your food will burn and your house will stay dirty, because you will not be able to put it down!*
One of the best historical fiction novels I’ve read (and I’ve read a lot of them!)
The author very skillfully navigates between two timelines, Paris during the Nazi Occupation, and the other in 1984. The young protagonist of the 80’s period was around my same age, so the references to pop culture in those chapters brought back a flood of memories. And the strategy of having the grandmother reveal her WW2 experiences to her granddaughter through flashbacks was a brilliant device!
I highly recommend this novel to any history buff!
One of the best historical fiction novels I’ve read (and I’ve read a lot of them!)
The author very skillfully navigates between two timelines, Paris during the Nazi Occupation, and the other in 1984. The young protagonist of the 80’s period was around my same age, so the references to pop culture in those chapters brought back a flood of memories. And the strategy of having the grandmother reveal her WW2 experiences to her granddaughter through flashbacks was a brilliant device!
I highly recommend this novel to any history buff!
October 14, 2024
I flew through this book, reading 20% the first day and 80% the second! I loved the story, I’ve never read an historical fiction book about WWII from this perspective and it was really compelling. The story conveyed the emotion of the time without taking me so deep that it wrecked me. (I appreciate that!) This book read like a movie to me, just descriptive enough to paint the picture without dragging on. I learned some things throughout the book, as well. Thank you for that. The timeline with the granddaughter was slow and a bit repetitive for the first 4-5 chapters of her story, but in the end I could see how that was important to establishing her character. All of the characters were so well written and they will stay with me for a while. I can’t say enough about this book, it had it all! 🙌🏻 I will be looking for more books from this author!
October 2, 2024
Absolutely loved this book! It showed that even in darkness and in war, love can find its way to shine through, and in the end, that is all that matters.
Coralie and Reinhardt come from different backgrounds. Coralie is a French Pastry Chef and Reinhardt is a German Chef. Their paths intertwine while working together at the Hotel Lutetia during the Nazi Occupation of France. From the moment the two meet, there is an electrifying spark between the two of them - but relationships between the two of them are strictly forbidden. Coralie’s fellow countrymen would deem her a traitor if they knew her feelings. Reinhardt’s fellow soldiers would see him as a traitor for fraternizing with their occupied citizens. Can they defy the odds? Can their feelings withstand war, hate, brutality, and more?
I loved this story so much!
Coralie and Reinhardt come from different backgrounds. Coralie is a French Pastry Chef and Reinhardt is a German Chef. Their paths intertwine while working together at the Hotel Lutetia during the Nazi Occupation of France. From the moment the two meet, there is an electrifying spark between the two of them - but relationships between the two of them are strictly forbidden. Coralie’s fellow countrymen would deem her a traitor if they knew her feelings. Reinhardt’s fellow soldiers would see him as a traitor for fraternizing with their occupied citizens. Can they defy the odds? Can their feelings withstand war, hate, brutality, and more?
I loved this story so much!
April 15, 2025
Little sappy at times but enjoyed this historical fiction and its ties to cooking/baking. Sweet story. 4.4 stars for me. If looking more for historical not your book but heartwarming story tied to ww 2.
April 24, 2025
Great read .
French pastries, romance, and WWII
French pastries, romance, and WWII
August 26, 2024
No surprise here, that The Resistance Bakery is another well-crafted, powerful page turner WW2 novel by Siobhan Curham! With each release of hers that lands in my hands, I say it is the best and my favourite of her books. And then she releases another that tops the one before. I loved the historical thread of the two chef’s: one a mains course specialist and the other a dessert queen. They meet during a difficult period in Paris’s history when the Nazis have taken over the beautiful city of fashion, love, fine food and art. But these two come from very different backgrounds.
This dual timeline feast is about the devastating effects of family secrets in the present but also the seeds of betrayal, mistrust, vengeance and misinformation that had been sown in the past. It is also about friendship, sacrifice and forbidden love blossoming in the most unexpected places and between two people who are on opposite sides of the fence.
Coralie in 1943 has been gifted a patisserie bought by a very dear friend, Madame Manteux— the sweet seventy year old Jewish lady, who becomes threatened by the new order set out by Hitler. On Sunday’s, Coralie also works at Hotel Lutetia— beside Reinhardt, a German chef, brought in to prepare food for the elite officials. She has accepted the position so she can spy on the Nazis with hopes of carrying important information back to the Resistance. As for Reinhardt, she is unsure if she can trust his words. But as she gets to know him, she feels at ease in his presence. They become quite close which goes against their country’s positions. He seems to sincerely care about her. But is he just playing along to gain her confidence and then turn her in? Coralie, of course, does not reveal her true purpose—even in their closest moments. Though she will receive some information later in the story that will rock her world and devastate her heart. Information that will haunt her for the next forty years…
In the 1984 timeline we meet rebel grand-daughter Raven/Cindy, who is shipped off to spend time with her Grandmother Coralie. Initially it is a form of punishment. But possibly it is also meant to give her parents time to sort out their troubles. Once arriving at her grandmother’s, Raven encounters a very different world and person than she expected. And when she discovers through a bit of snooping that Coralie was a resistance fighter in WW2, this sets her imagination on fire with excitement. She wants to know more but at first her grandmother is not keen to share her past. But Raven’s persistence slowly draws Coralie out of the memory shadows where she must face her demons of painful experiences that she has buried for years. As she slowly unravels the story of her past, healing and growth start to happen. Not only for Coralie but for Raven as well.
The secrets Coralie has carried throughout her life have been a great burden. And it isn’t until she is challenged by her granddaughter Raven to share her story of the past that she will be free. Free to forgive, to heal and even have a second chance at love.
I loved the way Siobhan created the two timelines and how seamless one flowed into the other in telling the story of the past and present. Beware, though, there’s plenty of heartbreak with the loss of lives and images of suffering Jews. But this story is also about the unbroken spirit of many who fought back and their resilience to overcome the greatest tragedies ever.
I could not finish this review without mentioning the food that is described in scrumptious detail. I am reminded of my time many years ago in Canada’s French Quebec City (labelled little Paris) where I dined on unbelievable French cuisine: including French pastries, mouth watering cakes and numerous other treats that made my taste buds burst with heavenly excitement. I really appreciated the cooking and recipes discussed between these chefs and the reaction on the customers faces and comments (even though many mentioned were the responses from Nazis secret service members) once tasting the foods. There are some very lovely moments in the kitchen and also some horrific ones.
There is plenty of danger on these pages and it comes across very real and had me on the edge of my seat more than once. Plus wiping tears from my eyes at the loss of beloved characters. I also cheered for those who survived, healed and reunited. This is one magnificent story that captured my heart— hook, line and sinker. The characters are exquisitely portrayed and I truly got to know them and their desires, fears and dreams. I will not forget them—ever. I highly recommend The Restistance Bakery. It is without question a must-read for lovers of divine French food and exceptional WW2 fiction stories. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.
This dual timeline feast is about the devastating effects of family secrets in the present but also the seeds of betrayal, mistrust, vengeance and misinformation that had been sown in the past. It is also about friendship, sacrifice and forbidden love blossoming in the most unexpected places and between two people who are on opposite sides of the fence.
Coralie in 1943 has been gifted a patisserie bought by a very dear friend, Madame Manteux— the sweet seventy year old Jewish lady, who becomes threatened by the new order set out by Hitler. On Sunday’s, Coralie also works at Hotel Lutetia— beside Reinhardt, a German chef, brought in to prepare food for the elite officials. She has accepted the position so she can spy on the Nazis with hopes of carrying important information back to the Resistance. As for Reinhardt, she is unsure if she can trust his words. But as she gets to know him, she feels at ease in his presence. They become quite close which goes against their country’s positions. He seems to sincerely care about her. But is he just playing along to gain her confidence and then turn her in? Coralie, of course, does not reveal her true purpose—even in their closest moments. Though she will receive some information later in the story that will rock her world and devastate her heart. Information that will haunt her for the next forty years…
In the 1984 timeline we meet rebel grand-daughter Raven/Cindy, who is shipped off to spend time with her Grandmother Coralie. Initially it is a form of punishment. But possibly it is also meant to give her parents time to sort out their troubles. Once arriving at her grandmother’s, Raven encounters a very different world and person than she expected. And when she discovers through a bit of snooping that Coralie was a resistance fighter in WW2, this sets her imagination on fire with excitement. She wants to know more but at first her grandmother is not keen to share her past. But Raven’s persistence slowly draws Coralie out of the memory shadows where she must face her demons of painful experiences that she has buried for years. As she slowly unravels the story of her past, healing and growth start to happen. Not only for Coralie but for Raven as well.
The secrets Coralie has carried throughout her life have been a great burden. And it isn’t until she is challenged by her granddaughter Raven to share her story of the past that she will be free. Free to forgive, to heal and even have a second chance at love.
I loved the way Siobhan created the two timelines and how seamless one flowed into the other in telling the story of the past and present. Beware, though, there’s plenty of heartbreak with the loss of lives and images of suffering Jews. But this story is also about the unbroken spirit of many who fought back and their resilience to overcome the greatest tragedies ever.
I could not finish this review without mentioning the food that is described in scrumptious detail. I am reminded of my time many years ago in Canada’s French Quebec City (labelled little Paris) where I dined on unbelievable French cuisine: including French pastries, mouth watering cakes and numerous other treats that made my taste buds burst with heavenly excitement. I really appreciated the cooking and recipes discussed between these chefs and the reaction on the customers faces and comments (even though many mentioned were the responses from Nazis secret service members) once tasting the foods. There are some very lovely moments in the kitchen and also some horrific ones.
There is plenty of danger on these pages and it comes across very real and had me on the edge of my seat more than once. Plus wiping tears from my eyes at the loss of beloved characters. I also cheered for those who survived, healed and reunited. This is one magnificent story that captured my heart— hook, line and sinker. The characters are exquisitely portrayed and I truly got to know them and their desires, fears and dreams. I will not forget them—ever. I highly recommend The Restistance Bakery. It is without question a must-read for lovers of divine French food and exceptional WW2 fiction stories. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.
November 5, 2024
Truly in my resistance WW2 book era and I love it, this was such a good story - took me a while to read as I have been reading books a lot quicker but I felt almost as if I was saving this one and didn’t have want it to be over, the story of Coralie and Reindhart and everything in between!! Really enjoyed it 🥐🥐
December 20, 2024
the good and bad of Paris
Lovely story. I felt my mouth watering over all the pastries, but I also felt a small piece of what it must have been like to be there in the midst of it and not be able to trust anyone! Good read!
Lovely story. I felt my mouth watering over all the pastries, but I also felt a small piece of what it must have been like to be there in the midst of it and not be able to trust anyone! Good read!
August 2, 2025
Another remarkable story of brave people who fought against Hitler’s evil. Wonderful audio with an excellent narrator. Warning: you will want to eat pastries.
August 25, 2024
Imagine your whole life changing in a moment. That's what happens to Coralie the moment that the Nazis invade and take over Paris. Her entire life is upended; her job as a Patisserie Chef at a hotel that housed artists and resistance from the Germans has been taken over, and her best friend and adopted mother figure lives in constant fear of being sent away since she is Jewish. So, she decides to fight back, return to the hotel, spy on the Germans, and pass resistance messages through her bakery. But, when she begins to realize not all Nazis are evil and even starts to fall for one, can she continue resisting? Or, is the man who claims to love her not who he seems to be?
Flash forward forty-some years, and Coralie's granddaughter has come for a visit. She knows next to nothing about her estranged grandmother, and when she sees a photo album with a swastika on it, she begins to fear her grandmother was a Nazi supporter. Through baking, the two begin to share pieces of their lives, and it isn't long before Coralie shares the secrets of her time in Nazi-occupied WWII Paris with her granddaughter. Secretes she hasn't spoken of since the war. Sometimes giving voice to our pasts and the painful secrets can set us free.
It is a beautiful and heartwarming story about resistance and love during war. It is a novel about the importance of finding family and standing up for what you know to be correct, even if it is an unpopular opinion. This novel had me crying from joy at the end and from frustration while reading it. I couldn't wait to hear the next section of Coralie's story. It made me regret never talking to my grandfather about his experiences during the war.
Flash forward forty-some years, and Coralie's granddaughter has come for a visit. She knows next to nothing about her estranged grandmother, and when she sees a photo album with a swastika on it, she begins to fear her grandmother was a Nazi supporter. Through baking, the two begin to share pieces of their lives, and it isn't long before Coralie shares the secrets of her time in Nazi-occupied WWII Paris with her granddaughter. Secretes she hasn't spoken of since the war. Sometimes giving voice to our pasts and the painful secrets can set us free.
It is a beautiful and heartwarming story about resistance and love during war. It is a novel about the importance of finding family and standing up for what you know to be correct, even if it is an unpopular opinion. This novel had me crying from joy at the end and from frustration while reading it. I couldn't wait to hear the next section of Coralie's story. It made me regret never talking to my grandfather about his experiences during the war.
August 18, 2025
I do like WWII novels. This story is told as happening and the present of the character telling her story to her granddaughter. It’s a good story but not great. I could easily put it down and then pick up again when I had time. I had no problem reading where it left off. Still a good read.
February 25, 2025
An interesting and enlightening angle on German occupation of France. Sadly only two stars as the writing is very cliche and just not very good imo!
May 12, 2025
This story grew on me a bit as I read (the romance was sweet if unrealistic), but the YA tone and flat writing really was a turn-off for me.
September 28, 2024
Siobhan Curham’s new novel The Resistance Bakery takes readers to the heart of the City of Lights, Paris. An intriguing, dual timeline story unfolds of one woman’s determination to do her bit to rise up against the Germans who have occupied the city she calls home. The chapters are short and move back and forth between Paris during the war years and America in 1984. From the outset, I much preferred the chapters set in Paris and found myself rushing through the American chapters in order to get back to the female heroine, Coralie, and her experiences of working for the resistance right under the noses of the Abwehr, the German intelligence service. The first half of the book, truthfully I found to be quite slow going but around the midpoint, the plot picked up and I became more invested for the eventual outcome for the characters.
In 1984, Cindy, although she prefers to be known as Raven, is only 13 but is being shipped off to the grandmother she doesn’t know very well at all so her parents can work on their marriage. Raven was a ball of anxiety not because of the situation with her parents, more so she is worried about the threat of nuclear war. She regularly skips school and has displayed challenging behaviours but deep down I think she was insecure. To be honest, I didn’t care much for Raven as I felt she was so young what would she possibly bring to the story but the further I read the more I came to understand that she was the conduit that would bring the past and present together and things might come full circle. The inquisitive side of her wants to get to know her grandmother Coralie better and when she discovers a photo of the Eiffel Tower and subsequently a photograph album and also a notebook with recipes she wants to dig deeper and find out about her grandmother's past.
Coralie adores baking and cooking and through this medium she slowly starts to forge a bond with Raven and reveals her story. We come to know and appreciate all that she went through during the war but there are still unresolved issues, and something is eating away at Coralie. What is revealed is surprising and shocking and it’s only as I delved deeper into the chapters set during the war that I began to form a clearer and much bigger picture of Coralie. The woman she was during those troubling and difficult times, why she did certain things and why she has kept things and some aspects unresolved.
As previously mentioned, right from the first chapter introducing the reader to Coralie in Paris, this is what held my attention. In fact I wanted these chapters to be longer with more significant events that would have driven the plot further on much earlier rather than at the point at which I felt this occurred. Coralie was abandoned on a doorstep in Paris when she was a baby and adopted by Arnaud and his wife Olive who taught her everything she knows about baking and pastries. They have since died and Coralie is 18 and has worked as a housekeeper for former opera singer Madame Monteux. But now Madame Monteux has gotten her a job in the Hotel Lutetia which has been a refuge for artists, musicians, writers and politicians who have fled Germany as their views go against those of the Hitler and the Nazi’s. But times are changing and soon Coralie’s beautiful city is under Nazi occupation. The hotel once a place where she felt safe and secure and could indulge in her passion for pastry is not what it once was. It has been taken over by the Abwehr and is now the centre for German Intelligence.
Food, baking and in particular cakes and pastries play a prominent role throughout the book and it works very well for it is how Coralie can work for the Resistance. She is given a shop to turn into her own patisserie thanks to Madame Monteux but at the same time her talents do not go unnoticed by the Germans and she is given a job working once a week supplying cakes and pastries for the top brass in the intelligence division. She is astute and knows that this can play to her advantage and yes, she threaded a very fine line throughout the book maintaining one façade whilst working in the kitchen but when not there she was doing her best to protect her beloved Madame Monteux who was Jewish.
It’s obvious Coralie didn’t need to do anything for the war effort but I felt she wasn’t the kind of person who could sit back and let many injustices befall people she held close to her heart but she also hated the way her city was forced to curtail to people who had no right to be there. Fellow resistance members work with her at the hotel and she is also tasked with doing certain things that if discovered would put her own shop under threat. At times, I felt there really wasn’t much happening and with each new chapter months would have passed or it would be a new year. Personally, I needed a little more excitement, secrecy or mystery in the first half and I was longing for it. For as much as I loved Coralie as a character I wanted to see her challenged and pushed beyond her limits a bit more. That came in the later half and yes it was worth the wait.
The second half felt as if it was a different story to what had gone before, I became much involved with the story unfolding. The plot regarding the German chef Reinhardt took a surprising turn and I thought it was divisive and would give much food for thought and opportunity for discussion for readers. It meant a different side to Coralie emerged and she was forced to battle between her conscience, what was morally right and her heart. Initially, I felt anger that she would go against what she stood for and was trying to achieve and then I thought but doesn’t everyone deserve some form of happiness?
The last quarter or so there were plenty of shocks and twists and turns and some jaw dropping moments that shake Coralie to her very foundation and set her on a path very different from the one she first ventured upon when she began to engage in resistance work. I myself was shocked because the author had led me to believe one thing and I was so certain of it and then within a paragraph my opinions rapidly changed. But how does this feed into Coralie and Raven in the present? If you wish to know you’ll have to get a copy of this book and discover the answers for yourself.
The Resistance Bakery, although not my favourite read by Siobhan Curham, brought to light another facet of the war that I knew nothing about. It’s a story of courage, bravery, heartbreak, connections and heroism and a good inclusion to the World War Two historical fiction genre.
In 1984, Cindy, although she prefers to be known as Raven, is only 13 but is being shipped off to the grandmother she doesn’t know very well at all so her parents can work on their marriage. Raven was a ball of anxiety not because of the situation with her parents, more so she is worried about the threat of nuclear war. She regularly skips school and has displayed challenging behaviours but deep down I think she was insecure. To be honest, I didn’t care much for Raven as I felt she was so young what would she possibly bring to the story but the further I read the more I came to understand that she was the conduit that would bring the past and present together and things might come full circle. The inquisitive side of her wants to get to know her grandmother Coralie better and when she discovers a photo of the Eiffel Tower and subsequently a photograph album and also a notebook with recipes she wants to dig deeper and find out about her grandmother's past.
Coralie adores baking and cooking and through this medium she slowly starts to forge a bond with Raven and reveals her story. We come to know and appreciate all that she went through during the war but there are still unresolved issues, and something is eating away at Coralie. What is revealed is surprising and shocking and it’s only as I delved deeper into the chapters set during the war that I began to form a clearer and much bigger picture of Coralie. The woman she was during those troubling and difficult times, why she did certain things and why she has kept things and some aspects unresolved.
As previously mentioned, right from the first chapter introducing the reader to Coralie in Paris, this is what held my attention. In fact I wanted these chapters to be longer with more significant events that would have driven the plot further on much earlier rather than at the point at which I felt this occurred. Coralie was abandoned on a doorstep in Paris when she was a baby and adopted by Arnaud and his wife Olive who taught her everything she knows about baking and pastries. They have since died and Coralie is 18 and has worked as a housekeeper for former opera singer Madame Monteux. But now Madame Monteux has gotten her a job in the Hotel Lutetia which has been a refuge for artists, musicians, writers and politicians who have fled Germany as their views go against those of the Hitler and the Nazi’s. But times are changing and soon Coralie’s beautiful city is under Nazi occupation. The hotel once a place where she felt safe and secure and could indulge in her passion for pastry is not what it once was. It has been taken over by the Abwehr and is now the centre for German Intelligence.
Food, baking and in particular cakes and pastries play a prominent role throughout the book and it works very well for it is how Coralie can work for the Resistance. She is given a shop to turn into her own patisserie thanks to Madame Monteux but at the same time her talents do not go unnoticed by the Germans and she is given a job working once a week supplying cakes and pastries for the top brass in the intelligence division. She is astute and knows that this can play to her advantage and yes, she threaded a very fine line throughout the book maintaining one façade whilst working in the kitchen but when not there she was doing her best to protect her beloved Madame Monteux who was Jewish.
It’s obvious Coralie didn’t need to do anything for the war effort but I felt she wasn’t the kind of person who could sit back and let many injustices befall people she held close to her heart but she also hated the way her city was forced to curtail to people who had no right to be there. Fellow resistance members work with her at the hotel and she is also tasked with doing certain things that if discovered would put her own shop under threat. At times, I felt there really wasn’t much happening and with each new chapter months would have passed or it would be a new year. Personally, I needed a little more excitement, secrecy or mystery in the first half and I was longing for it. For as much as I loved Coralie as a character I wanted to see her challenged and pushed beyond her limits a bit more. That came in the later half and yes it was worth the wait.
The second half felt as if it was a different story to what had gone before, I became much involved with the story unfolding. The plot regarding the German chef Reinhardt took a surprising turn and I thought it was divisive and would give much food for thought and opportunity for discussion for readers. It meant a different side to Coralie emerged and she was forced to battle between her conscience, what was morally right and her heart. Initially, I felt anger that she would go against what she stood for and was trying to achieve and then I thought but doesn’t everyone deserve some form of happiness?
The last quarter or so there were plenty of shocks and twists and turns and some jaw dropping moments that shake Coralie to her very foundation and set her on a path very different from the one she first ventured upon when she began to engage in resistance work. I myself was shocked because the author had led me to believe one thing and I was so certain of it and then within a paragraph my opinions rapidly changed. But how does this feed into Coralie and Raven in the present? If you wish to know you’ll have to get a copy of this book and discover the answers for yourself.
The Resistance Bakery, although not my favourite read by Siobhan Curham, brought to light another facet of the war that I knew nothing about. It’s a story of courage, bravery, heartbreak, connections and heroism and a good inclusion to the World War Two historical fiction genre.
August 31, 2024
The Resistance Bakery by Siobhan Curan is a powerful dual timeline historical novel that totally consumed me.
The action is set in Paris during the Nazi occupation from 1940 and also in America in 1984. Chapters alternate between the two time periods which are linked by a granddaughter hearing of her grandmother’s wartime exploits.
We see that not all Germans are Nazis who agree with Hitler. “I was … taken aback by how normal they [Nazis] looked.” Evil does not look so different from anyone else.
As young French and German people mixed in a hotel kitchen, hatred did not come easily. They were all united in their love of cooking. “The whole point of war is to get us to hate each other, but for what?” War seemed even more futile when the enemy was just like us.
A young French pastry chef is conflicted in her mind between the dreadful treatment of her Jewish friend and also the kindness of a German cook. Her emotions are tossed by the wind.
The non-Jewish pastry chef shows her loyalty to her Jewish friend by wearing the star of David on her clothes too. “I’m choosing not to see it as a target … I’m choosing to see it as a sign of how much I love you.” Resistance comes in many forms as seen when the two women dress up in their posh frocks, wear a smile and sing.
In 1984 there was the fear of a nuclear war between Russia and the United States. No one wants war but politicians drag the people into it. “It gives me hope that ordinary people are the same all over the world, it’s just our leaders that get us into these messes with their crazy power games.”
The granddaughter in 1984 feels misunderstood and invisible to her parents but bonds with a grandmother she has not seen for five years. Despite the generational gap, the two are united especially as the grandmother ‘sees’ and ‘gets’ her granddaughter. We see the importance of listening and of letting people express their individuality.
As the characters bond over food, the reader’s taste buds are tempted. Creating food and pastry dishes can be seen as an art form.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Resistance Bakery. It was an engaging read with a delightful set of characters.
I will leave you with my favourite quote:
“In a world ruled by hatred and fear, happiness is an act of rebellion.”
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
The action is set in Paris during the Nazi occupation from 1940 and also in America in 1984. Chapters alternate between the two time periods which are linked by a granddaughter hearing of her grandmother’s wartime exploits.
We see that not all Germans are Nazis who agree with Hitler. “I was … taken aback by how normal they [Nazis] looked.” Evil does not look so different from anyone else.
As young French and German people mixed in a hotel kitchen, hatred did not come easily. They were all united in their love of cooking. “The whole point of war is to get us to hate each other, but for what?” War seemed even more futile when the enemy was just like us.
A young French pastry chef is conflicted in her mind between the dreadful treatment of her Jewish friend and also the kindness of a German cook. Her emotions are tossed by the wind.
The non-Jewish pastry chef shows her loyalty to her Jewish friend by wearing the star of David on her clothes too. “I’m choosing not to see it as a target … I’m choosing to see it as a sign of how much I love you.” Resistance comes in many forms as seen when the two women dress up in their posh frocks, wear a smile and sing.
In 1984 there was the fear of a nuclear war between Russia and the United States. No one wants war but politicians drag the people into it. “It gives me hope that ordinary people are the same all over the world, it’s just our leaders that get us into these messes with their crazy power games.”
The granddaughter in 1984 feels misunderstood and invisible to her parents but bonds with a grandmother she has not seen for five years. Despite the generational gap, the two are united especially as the grandmother ‘sees’ and ‘gets’ her granddaughter. We see the importance of listening and of letting people express their individuality.
As the characters bond over food, the reader’s taste buds are tempted. Creating food and pastry dishes can be seen as an art form.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Resistance Bakery. It was an engaging read with a delightful set of characters.
I will leave you with my favourite quote:
“In a world ruled by hatred and fear, happiness is an act of rebellion.”
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
October 1, 2024
I have read many world war II historical novels over the last two decades and I must say, “The Resistance Bakery”, is now at the top of my list of favorites. There are some stories that are so engaging, thought provoking, and so brilliantly told, one can’t exactly find the right words to express their appreciation for such immersive story-telling. This is one of those stories in my opinion.
One of the many topics explored in this story I admire Curham depicting is of forbidden love or love in the most dire and dangerous scenarios-if you will- and the consequences that results either in its tragic end or happy ends and new beginnings.
I must say she also touches greatly on relationships and interactions between people that we consider the enemy or evil at best during war and afterwards. It is certainly a taboo subject and even today more times than not, people still can’t have an open and honest conversation about the subject. You see, Curham brings humanity to the table and gives you food for thought. No pun intended. In this story, not everything is cut and dry and often times not everything is what it seems. I respect that aspect of the story and it allows us to know-as humans-how wrong or misinformed our personal assumptions and beliefs can be towards a person or people and the situation they’re in themselves. This just goes to show that our hearts will deceives us.
Curham’s descriptions of the pastries Coralie baked activated my senses of wonderful scents and imagination of being transported to a bakery so much so I immediately thought of the French bakery not four miles from my home and the delectable treats it has to offer. This just goes to show how atmospheric this story is told.
I love a good resistance story and a French one to boot. There is suspense, mystery, secrets, courage, forgiveness, love, laughter, music, sorrow, anger, danger, heroism, and then some… A truly beautiful story. I will be thinking about, “The Resistance Bakery” for a very long time.
Stephanie Hopkins
I reviewed an ARC of this book from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.
One of the many topics explored in this story I admire Curham depicting is of forbidden love or love in the most dire and dangerous scenarios-if you will- and the consequences that results either in its tragic end or happy ends and new beginnings.
I must say she also touches greatly on relationships and interactions between people that we consider the enemy or evil at best during war and afterwards. It is certainly a taboo subject and even today more times than not, people still can’t have an open and honest conversation about the subject. You see, Curham brings humanity to the table and gives you food for thought. No pun intended. In this story, not everything is cut and dry and often times not everything is what it seems. I respect that aspect of the story and it allows us to know-as humans-how wrong or misinformed our personal assumptions and beliefs can be towards a person or people and the situation they’re in themselves. This just goes to show that our hearts will deceives us.
Curham’s descriptions of the pastries Coralie baked activated my senses of wonderful scents and imagination of being transported to a bakery so much so I immediately thought of the French bakery not four miles from my home and the delectable treats it has to offer. This just goes to show how atmospheric this story is told.
I love a good resistance story and a French one to boot. There is suspense, mystery, secrets, courage, forgiveness, love, laughter, music, sorrow, anger, danger, heroism, and then some… A truly beautiful story. I will be thinking about, “The Resistance Bakery” for a very long time.
Stephanie Hopkins
I reviewed an ARC of this book from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.
September 24, 2024
THE RESISTANCE BAKERY by SIOBHAN CURHAM is a WW11 story that takes place in Paris during the German occupation, where Mme Monteux, her dearest friend, buys Coralie Donnadieu a patisserie, which they call the Patisserie Resilience, where Coralie creates “the best desserts in Paris, even in the world,” according to German chef Reinhardt who works with her at the Lucretia hotel on Sundays, where she prepares delicious desserts for the members of the Abwehr who have taken over the hotel as their headquarters. The horrors of Nazi occupation, with their arrogance and hatred of the Jews, is well described, as Coralie and her friend Baptiste do all they can to keep the Jewish Mme Monteux safe and in good spirits.
Coralie makes the most of her time working at the Lutetia helping the surly sommelier Raphael with his work in the resistance. She is befriended by Inga, Canaris’ secretary and agrees to pass notes for her, hoping to find out information for the resistance. Her friendship with Reinhardt starts out in the same way, but leads to something more………
In 1984, Raven is sent far from home and her best friend Melissa, to stay with her grandmother, Coralie. Raven is a troubled young girl largely due to her parents’ continual fighting She feels she is in the way and the cause of their marital strife. She is terrified of rhe Russians and nuclear warfare, but no one takes her feelings seriously until she meets her amazing grandmother……..
The cookery book and photo album from the war years fascinate Raven, and her grandmother’s courage and honesty bring healing to them both as she tells her story…….
I do not want to tell you any more in case I spoil you read.
I found this novel both heartbreaking and heartwarming, with a good dose of hope in the midst of danger and sadness.
I waa given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are copetely my own.
Coralie makes the most of her time working at the Lutetia helping the surly sommelier Raphael with his work in the resistance. She is befriended by Inga, Canaris’ secretary and agrees to pass notes for her, hoping to find out information for the resistance. Her friendship with Reinhardt starts out in the same way, but leads to something more………
In 1984, Raven is sent far from home and her best friend Melissa, to stay with her grandmother, Coralie. Raven is a troubled young girl largely due to her parents’ continual fighting She feels she is in the way and the cause of their marital strife. She is terrified of rhe Russians and nuclear warfare, but no one takes her feelings seriously until she meets her amazing grandmother……..
The cookery book and photo album from the war years fascinate Raven, and her grandmother’s courage and honesty bring healing to them both as she tells her story…….
I do not want to tell you any more in case I spoil you read.
I found this novel both heartbreaking and heartwarming, with a good dose of hope in the midst of danger and sadness.
I waa given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are copetely my own.
September 22, 2024
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley.
4.5 Stars
This book skillfully intertwines two timelines—Paris in 1943 and San Francisco in 1984—creating a captivating narrative of family, secrets, and survival. The story begins in Nazi-occupied Paris, where Coralie, a brave baker, hides not only her precious recipes but also the coded locations of people she’s secretly been helping escape German capture. Her leather-bound recipe book is her lifeline, and she swears to protect its contents at all costs.
Decades later, in 1984, Raven is reluctantly sent to spend the summer with her estranged French grandmother in San Francisco. Unfamiliar with the woman who has kept her past under lock and key, Raven stumbles upon an old, tattered recipe book filled with handwritten notes and a faded photograph. As she begins to piece together the mystery behind the book, Raven uncovers a connection to her grandmother’s secretive past during World War II.
The alternating timelines are masterfully handled, with each one bringing to life strong, complex women who persevere through their challenges. Coralie’s harrowing experiences during the war and Raven’s journey to reconnect with her grandmother blend seamlessly. The discovery of wartime secrets in the recipe book doesn’t just provide insight into history, but also becomes a means for healing, bridging the gap between generations.
This novel excels not only in its engaging plot but also in its evocative descriptions. The vivid portrayals of Parisian patisseries, with their mouth-watering pastries, transported me into the heart of France, making it almost impossible not to crave a trip to Paris (again). Moreover, I loved the 80s references!
4.5 Stars
This book skillfully intertwines two timelines—Paris in 1943 and San Francisco in 1984—creating a captivating narrative of family, secrets, and survival. The story begins in Nazi-occupied Paris, where Coralie, a brave baker, hides not only her precious recipes but also the coded locations of people she’s secretly been helping escape German capture. Her leather-bound recipe book is her lifeline, and she swears to protect its contents at all costs.
Decades later, in 1984, Raven is reluctantly sent to spend the summer with her estranged French grandmother in San Francisco. Unfamiliar with the woman who has kept her past under lock and key, Raven stumbles upon an old, tattered recipe book filled with handwritten notes and a faded photograph. As she begins to piece together the mystery behind the book, Raven uncovers a connection to her grandmother’s secretive past during World War II.
The alternating timelines are masterfully handled, with each one bringing to life strong, complex women who persevere through their challenges. Coralie’s harrowing experiences during the war and Raven’s journey to reconnect with her grandmother blend seamlessly. The discovery of wartime secrets in the recipe book doesn’t just provide insight into history, but also becomes a means for healing, bridging the gap between generations.
This novel excels not only in its engaging plot but also in its evocative descriptions. The vivid portrayals of Parisian patisseries, with their mouth-watering pastries, transported me into the heart of France, making it almost impossible not to crave a trip to Paris (again). Moreover, I loved the 80s references!
September 7, 2024
I wasn't sure what to expect when I began The Resistance Bakery. I hadn't expected the story to grab hold of me and keep me entertained until the very end. I expected to have tears. I expected to be angry. What I didn't expect was to become intrigued by the French Resistance during the early years of the war, only to learn things aren't always as they seem.
The Nazis entered Paris in June 1940 with lots of fanfare. Those in power took over the Lutetia Hotel. They took over the kitchens. The French fled the hotel to the safety of their beloved city. Even Coralie, a pastry chef that worked in a bakery within the hotel had plans to flee the hotel.
When an opportunity presented itself, Coralie agrees to make her pastries at the hotel on Sundays. She becomes the eyes and ears for the resistance. She is doing what she can to save her city and her friends. Coralie's story is full of adventure and danger. She risks much, including her heart, to discover the secrets of the Abwher located within the hotel.
The story is told through a dual timeline. I loved how the past comes to life as Coralie tells her granddaughter her story. It is a story that she has never shared before. The story is full of her struggles with the past and acceptance of her actions. All of the heartache within the story was worth it when Coralie returns to Paris and finds her past.
The Resitance Bakery maybe a historical fiction but it was so believable that I couldn't put it down. I had such fun playing researcher, attempting to discover what was true and what was fiction. Now if I can find a French bakery so I can try all that Coralie created.
The Nazis entered Paris in June 1940 with lots of fanfare. Those in power took over the Lutetia Hotel. They took over the kitchens. The French fled the hotel to the safety of their beloved city. Even Coralie, a pastry chef that worked in a bakery within the hotel had plans to flee the hotel.
When an opportunity presented itself, Coralie agrees to make her pastries at the hotel on Sundays. She becomes the eyes and ears for the resistance. She is doing what she can to save her city and her friends. Coralie's story is full of adventure and danger. She risks much, including her heart, to discover the secrets of the Abwher located within the hotel.
The story is told through a dual timeline. I loved how the past comes to life as Coralie tells her granddaughter her story. It is a story that she has never shared before. The story is full of her struggles with the past and acceptance of her actions. All of the heartache within the story was worth it when Coralie returns to Paris and finds her past.
The Resitance Bakery maybe a historical fiction but it was so believable that I couldn't put it down. I had such fun playing researcher, attempting to discover what was true and what was fiction. Now if I can find a French bakery so I can try all that Coralie created.
September 29, 2024
Historical fiction is not often on my radar, but this one caught my attention because of the culinary aspect and the story being wrapped in WWII. Within a few pages, I felt whisked away inside the time period, a time before cell phones, social media, and other modern day conveniences. To absorb the atmosphere of the environment I was reading, I powered the TV off and turned off all notifications, leaving calls and texts to vibrate (in case of an emergency). Absolutely worth the quiet time because this book was incredible!
The dual timeline of the 1940’s to present (present being the 80’s for the book) flowed well as the story unfolded that Coralie was telling her granddaughter, Raven, a story that she’s kept locked up for years. She could have easily accepted an unfavorable path, instead, opting for one that provided adventure, courage, and a unfortunately, devastating heartache.
I put myself in Coralie’s shoes, absorbing the smell of the baked goods, the sights, sounds, physical touches, and the underlying fear of wondering if what she was doing would be the right choice. Working alongside the Abwehr (the enemy – Germany’s Intelligence Service), she has a front-row seat to their inner workings.
Coralie and Raven find a connection and eventually, a sense of peace during the time they share. It’s a bit sentimental as I long for the days that my own grandparents shared stories of triumph and tragedy of their own during the same time frame. Absolutely an incredible read for those who long to connect to the past!
A quote to leave you with that will stick with me: “In a world ruled by hatred and fear, happiness is an act of rebellion.”
The dual timeline of the 1940’s to present (present being the 80’s for the book) flowed well as the story unfolded that Coralie was telling her granddaughter, Raven, a story that she’s kept locked up for years. She could have easily accepted an unfavorable path, instead, opting for one that provided adventure, courage, and a unfortunately, devastating heartache.
I put myself in Coralie’s shoes, absorbing the smell of the baked goods, the sights, sounds, physical touches, and the underlying fear of wondering if what she was doing would be the right choice. Working alongside the Abwehr (the enemy – Germany’s Intelligence Service), she has a front-row seat to their inner workings.
Coralie and Raven find a connection and eventually, a sense of peace during the time they share. It’s a bit sentimental as I long for the days that my own grandparents shared stories of triumph and tragedy of their own during the same time frame. Absolutely an incredible read for those who long to connect to the past!
A quote to leave you with that will stick with me: “In a world ruled by hatred and fear, happiness is an act of rebellion.”
December 20, 2024
In this fascinating, high stakes, and emotional dual-timeline and dual-perspective World War II historical fiction novel, readers follow Raven, spending the summer with her estranged and mysterious French grandmother, as she discovers why her grandmother does not bake or talk about her past in Paris. When she discovers a faded photo and a handwritten recipe book, Raven has either found a way to connect with her grandmother Coralie or has destroyed their relationship when it is too late. Flashing between the present day and occupied Paris in 1943, readers gain fascinating, emotional, and personal insights into intergenerational relationships and the German occupation of France in this incredibly detailed novel. In the Coralie POV sections, Siobhan Curham really brings the historical elements of the German occupation and the differing dynamics between the German army and French civilians to life through vivid descriptions and realistic character interactions. As she develops Raven and Coralie’s modern-day dynamic, Curham reveals her strength in writing character development and relationships between characters, as Coralie and Raven are the stars of the novel. With its brilliant characters, vibrant historical setting, high stakes of life under occupation, and incredible character development, readers will love this new World War II dual timeline and dual perspective novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy.
May 18, 2025
Paris, 1943. The scent of fresh baguettes hangs in the air as Coralie unbolts the door to her bakery with trembling fingers. She must get out of the city. Hiding her precious leather recipe book inside her coat, she promises never to let the secret locations of the people she worked tirelessly to save fall into German hands…
Present day. Raven is unhappy about being shipped off to the other side of the country for the summer to stay with the mysterious French grandmother she barely knows. And discovering a tattered, leather-bound book with yellowed pages full of handwritten recipes and coded numbers, she is stunned.
Her grandmother has never baked for her. And she refuses to talk about Paris, or the past. Flipping through the book, a faded photograph of a laughing couple falls out. As Raven scans the writing on the back she can scarcely believe her eyes…
What really happened in that tiny French bakery all those years ago? And could this forgotten recipe book finally bring healing to a woman still haunted by wartime secrets? Or has Raven’s discovery shattered any chance of bonding with her grandmother, before her time runs out?
I couldn't stop listening to this book. Loved the story and the back and forth through time. Paris during the Nazi occupation and the tension between Germans and French people. Loved the baking part of it...I felt like I could smell the baguettes baking!
Present day. Raven is unhappy about being shipped off to the other side of the country for the summer to stay with the mysterious French grandmother she barely knows. And discovering a tattered, leather-bound book with yellowed pages full of handwritten recipes and coded numbers, she is stunned.
Her grandmother has never baked for her. And she refuses to talk about Paris, or the past. Flipping through the book, a faded photograph of a laughing couple falls out. As Raven scans the writing on the back she can scarcely believe her eyes…
What really happened in that tiny French bakery all those years ago? And could this forgotten recipe book finally bring healing to a woman still haunted by wartime secrets? Or has Raven’s discovery shattered any chance of bonding with her grandmother, before her time runs out?
I couldn't stop listening to this book. Loved the story and the back and forth through time. Paris during the Nazi occupation and the tension between Germans and French people. Loved the baking part of it...I felt like I could smell the baguettes baking!
September 27, 2024
This is the 3rd book I’ve read by Siobhan Curam and I’ve loved them all. This book was hard to put down. It is a dual-timeline story in WWII in Paris and San Francisco in 1985. In 1985, Raven is a teenager sent to spend the summer with her grandma, Coralie, who she barely knows. Gradually, she opens up
to her and shares about her time as a baker in Paris during WWII.
Coralie, the main character, was a baker in Paris when the Germans occupied the country. She was horrified at the way they were treated by the occupiers as well as the French government and wanted to join the French Resistance and use her position as a baker extraordinaire to work at the Hotel Lutetita and get closer to Abwher that worked at the hotel. I loved learning more about the food and cooking during that time, both French and German. The author weaves a wonderful story of friendships, forbidden romance, and spying. One of my favorite quotes in this story was “In a world ruled by hatred and fear, happiness is an act of rebellion.” In the face of what was happening to the Jews, Coralie tried her best to keep her close friend's spirits up. So they became happiness rebels trying to find joy where they could. Overall, a great story and I’m looking forward her next story.
Thanks to @bookouture, @netgalley and the author of this ARC
to her and shares about her time as a baker in Paris during WWII.
Coralie, the main character, was a baker in Paris when the Germans occupied the country. She was horrified at the way they were treated by the occupiers as well as the French government and wanted to join the French Resistance and use her position as a baker extraordinaire to work at the Hotel Lutetita and get closer to Abwher that worked at the hotel. I loved learning more about the food and cooking during that time, both French and German. The author weaves a wonderful story of friendships, forbidden romance, and spying. One of my favorite quotes in this story was “In a world ruled by hatred and fear, happiness is an act of rebellion.” In the face of what was happening to the Jews, Coralie tried her best to keep her close friend's spirits up. So they became happiness rebels trying to find joy where they could. Overall, a great story and I’m looking forward her next story.
Thanks to @bookouture, @netgalley and the author of this ARC
September 27, 2024
Two interesting timelines. Paris 1943 on the brink of being overwhelmed and then the Nazi occupation. Cora lie is a young woman and does not know how the future is going to be. Even though very young, she is a brilliant baker and this is what draws the attention of the Nazi Abwehr who have occupied the hotel she works in, and forces her to continue. Much against her will. She is ready to do her part helping the French resistance and it is through her baking that she does this.
Fast forward to present day times and Raven is sent to stay with her grandmother for a short time. Rebellious and angry at her forced departure Raven is surly and unhappy making her feelings known. A chance reading of a recipe book and journal Raven discovers a whole world of stories behind her grandmothers younger years and together they unravel a story of sadness, treachery, love and change.
The story highlights the ingenuity of a resistance movement and how far the need to survive goes. History particularly the WWII period was harsh and unforgiving and people did survive. People also became treacherous and deceiving and at the same time helped others at great personal risk and the examples of bravery are so many.
An excellent historical fiction read
Fast forward to present day times and Raven is sent to stay with her grandmother for a short time. Rebellious and angry at her forced departure Raven is surly and unhappy making her feelings known. A chance reading of a recipe book and journal Raven discovers a whole world of stories behind her grandmothers younger years and together they unravel a story of sadness, treachery, love and change.
The story highlights the ingenuity of a resistance movement and how far the need to survive goes. History particularly the WWII period was harsh and unforgiving and people did survive. People also became treacherous and deceiving and at the same time helped others at great personal risk and the examples of bravery are so many.
An excellent historical fiction read
August 24, 2025
This was selected for our bookclub read. I wasn’t thrilled because I’m a bit weary of WWII novels and felt like I am ready for another subject. BUT this definitely reeled me in. I was very invested in the modern day relationship between Raven and her grandmother. At first I wished that was what the book was about.
Raven has been sent to stay with her grandmother (who she barely knows) while her parents duke it out. Feeling alienated from her parents she did not arrive at her grandmothers in the best frame of mind.
There are so many subtleties woven into the story that by the end of the book you realize the need for her grandmothers remembrances of her life in Paris during the war.
Maybe I found the very end a tad cheesy but sometimes a wonderful ending is what you need.
NOTE: the war years were easier to read because the story takes place in one place. And there are not so many characters you lose track of who’s who. Actually a story from one young woman’s point of view and her loyalty and love of her friends. The cautionary tale might be: ‘be careful of judging too fast. Sometimes things are not as they appear.’
Raven has been sent to stay with her grandmother (who she barely knows) while her parents duke it out. Feeling alienated from her parents she did not arrive at her grandmothers in the best frame of mind.
There are so many subtleties woven into the story that by the end of the book you realize the need for her grandmothers remembrances of her life in Paris during the war.
Maybe I found the very end a tad cheesy but sometimes a wonderful ending is what you need.
NOTE: the war years were easier to read because the story takes place in one place. And there are not so many characters you lose track of who’s who. Actually a story from one young woman’s point of view and her loyalty and love of her friends. The cautionary tale might be: ‘be careful of judging too fast. Sometimes things are not as they appear.’
September 16, 2024
This has not been my favourite ww2 read. I found the initial chapters quite boring, and I almost gave up on it, but I’m glad I didn’t. Once the story began for real it was gripping in the race to find out the family story. As the details of events in Paris unfold the author tries to divert us with the making of macarons and the contract with the Abwehr, as the resistance activities begin to emerge. However, it isn’t until chapter 61 that everything comes together. Raven in the 1980s is mouthing off about nuclear war and learning about her Grandmother. For me the jumping backwards and towards between he 1940s and the 1980s distracted from the story but others might find that entertaining.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy, and to bookuture for publishing this and to Siobhan for writing the story. I have freely written an honest report having read the book to the end. While it was not my cup of tea this would appear to those diverted by the fresh smell of French pastry and for those who can cope with the dual mystery.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy, and to bookuture for publishing this and to Siobhan for writing the story. I have freely written an honest report having read the book to the end. While it was not my cup of tea this would appear to those diverted by the fresh smell of French pastry and for those who can cope with the dual mystery.
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