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Rebels and Resistance
Sewing Resistance - Seamstress, spy, survivor?
After witnessing the brutal nature of the Nazi regime, Hannah, a quiet Jewish girl with a rebellious streak, escapes Germany with her traumatised young son. Leaving behind her dreams, she seeks refuge in Paris with a childhood friend, Kat, in the hopes that this tie to her past will provide a desperately needed sanctuary for them both. Though reluctant because of her own precarious situation, Kat agrees to help.
But when the war reaches Paris, Hannah’s heritage once again puts them all at risk. Lacking the right papers, fleeing is out of the question. When Kat’s Nazi cousin demands to move in, the family turn to a dangerous life of disguise and subterfuge just to stay alive.
In Occupied Paris, they are the invisible, unseen and unheard, until an opportunity to resist appears. Will Hannah have the courage to find her voice and rebel, even if it means risking her heart, her family and her dreams? And how far will Kat go to take back what’s rightfully hers?
For fans of “The Nightingale” and “All the Light We Cannot See,” this historical suspense novel takes readers on a journey through the Occupation, re-imagining well-known figures such as Coco Chanel and her Nazi lover, the staff of the Ritz Hotel, as well as the brave individuals who worked for the Resistance and the SOE. Inspired by true stories and the powerful film documenting Paris’s liberation, “Sewing Resistance” is a gripping story of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit.
*** This book and its companion, 'Boy, Resisting', will launch with a special edition on Kickstarter in September 2025. ***
But when the war reaches Paris, Hannah’s heritage once again puts them all at risk. Lacking the right papers, fleeing is out of the question. When Kat’s Nazi cousin demands to move in, the family turn to a dangerous life of disguise and subterfuge just to stay alive.
In Occupied Paris, they are the invisible, unseen and unheard, until an opportunity to resist appears. Will Hannah have the courage to find her voice and rebel, even if it means risking her heart, her family and her dreams? And how far will Kat go to take back what’s rightfully hers?
For fans of “The Nightingale” and “All the Light We Cannot See,” this historical suspense novel takes readers on a journey through the Occupation, re-imagining well-known figures such as Coco Chanel and her Nazi lover, the staff of the Ritz Hotel, as well as the brave individuals who worked for the Resistance and the SOE. Inspired by true stories and the powerful film documenting Paris’s liberation, “Sewing Resistance” is a gripping story of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit.
*** This book and its companion, 'Boy, Resisting', will launch with a special edition on Kickstarter in September 2025. ***
- GenresHistorical Fiction
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2025
24 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
J.H. Foster
7 books5 followersJan writes in between being a mum and a small business consultant. Before COVID, she volunteered reading with children in her local school, helping them find the joy and escapism in books. Before that she ran several businesses herself and continues to passionately support small-medium sized enterprises. She loves history and folklore, which has fed into her ‘Naturae’ historical fantasy series of novels. Real life heroines and heroes always inspire her (in that order), which is why she offers readers a blend of fiction laced with reality. Only slightly obsessed with Vikings and Tudors, Jan thoroughly enjoys research trips and burying her head in books to flesh out the details of these time periods in her novels. That’s her excuse and she is sticking to it!
Jan (writing as J.H. Foster for historical fiction and Jan Foster for historical fantasy) is based in the North West of England and tries to drag her family and dogs out into the wilds or into windswept castles as much as possible - when it’s not raining! Passionate about getting kids active, she writes the Mitch and Mooch series to support children with not only reading and comprehension, but also encouraging them to try out new activities.
You can follow what Jan is up to on social media @janfosterauthor or check out her website for more details on publications and other articles or short stories she’s written www.escapeintoatale.com
Jan (writing as J.H. Foster for historical fiction and Jan Foster for historical fantasy) is based in the North West of England and tries to drag her family and dogs out into the wilds or into windswept castles as much as possible - when it’s not raining! Passionate about getting kids active, she writes the Mitch and Mooch series to support children with not only reading and comprehension, but also encouraging them to try out new activities.
You can follow what Jan is up to on social media @janfosterauthor or check out her website for more details on publications and other articles or short stories she’s written www.escapeintoatale.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 30, 2025
In a Nutshell: A historical WWII fiction featuring a mix of real and fictional people. Good plot, varied characters. A bit too widespread in its inclusions, making it feel slightly rushed. One half of a parallel duology, with this novel being aimed at adult readers and its partner aimed at middle-graders.
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Plot Preview:
The 'Rebels and Resistance' series offers a pair of interconnecting novels, where each book stands alone and yet works in sync with the other. This novel comes from a young mother's perspective and aims at adult readers.
The book begins well. There is no joyful background or any slow prelude to Hannah’s life. Instead, we start with a scene of direct terror. It offers a memorable beginning to the novel.
From this scene till a few chapters in, until just before Hannah’s second job, I was fairly invested in the story. But after a point, I felt like the plot was spreading itself thin, with too many subplots and not enough depth. Some arcs are connected to the French resistance and their efforts at countering the Nazis. But as everything comes from Hannah’s first-person POV, she is always at the centre of everything. It feels like a single character is handling too much. Some part of her role seems very convincing (especially her prowess with stitching and her willingness to do relatively menial work), but some aspects seem a bit convenient, especially as she isn't even trained to handle those things.
Hannah isn't the typical kind of Jew you see in WWII books. She was born a Jew, but due to certain circumstances not in her control (not going into spoilers), she follows the Catholic faith. I wish this duality had come into stronger play at some point in the plot. But after the halfway mark, this factor, as well as her dyslexia, stays relatively unaddressed.
The two key characters, Hannah and Katarina, have an interesting dynamic that is explored well in the novel. Some of their initial conversation feels stilted, which might be because of the long years apart, the drastic difference in circumstances, and the awkwardness of reuniting under unfavourable conditions. But we soon see their bond reignite in a realistic way, without going back to the jubilant friendship of their younger years.
The plot tries to make us feel sympathy only towards Hannah, but I also felt sorry for Kat. She also sacrificed a lot and it wouldn't have been easy to jeopardize everything she had for the risky endeavour of sheltering Jews, especially knowing her conservative family members. I wish we could have heard more from her perspective also, though I accept that the ‘companion novel’ idea wouldn’t have worked had this book contained a dual narrative.
Young Freddie is also a great character. I found it intriguing that this sweet little fellow doesn't even talk in this story, and yet he is the main character in the companion novel. I’m quite curious to see how his perspective is presented in that book.
Other than the above trio, the story also contains several real-life people, details of whom are present in the author’s note at the end. Some of these inclusions are popular figures such as Coco Chanel, but there are also several actual but unknown resistance fighters playing active roles in the storyline. I appreciate how the author provided details on these in her note, because I wouldn’t have known of their real-life antecedents otherwise. I also love how she clarified the parts where she took creative license with the facts for the sake of the plot.
I wish the cover depicted Freddie holding hands with his mom. The current cover design – that of a woman with a bag in hand and her back to the camera - has become overly common in this genre. Having a young boy in her arms or next to her would have created a nice differentiating factor.
I was glad that I read the free prequel (The Rebellious Maus and the Pogrom) the author sent with her mailing list. It helped a lot in understanding some of the background details, because they aren’t revealed in this novel even though they have a bearing on the events. Of course, this book can be read even without knowing the prequel story. Just that the prequel helps us understand certain character reactions better.
The story spans from 1937 till the end of the war, so it feels a bit too hurried. In covering such a lengthy time period and multiple subplots, it compromises a little on the emotional depth and structural integrity. The result is comprehensive but felt a bit disjointed and flat to me. I also wasn’t a big fan of the chapter titles. They offered spoilers at times.
To be fair, I've read way too many WWII novels and have probably burnt myself out in this genre now. I rarely pick up WWII fiction these days, unless there’s something in the blurb that stands out. The main reason I picked this book is the fact that it comes with a middle-grade companion novel. I don’t think I have ever heard of such a concept before – a single series aiming at two separate age groups! Plus, a middle-grade WWII novel is a challenging concept – providing information about such a tragic part of human history without traumatising young readers can't be easy.
On paper, the idea of this series of “companion novels” works brilliantly. But does the execution match up? I will update my review once I complete this book’s content partner, 'Boy Resisting '. As the two are meant to be in sync with each other, it ought to be interesting to see these events from little Freddie's perspective, especially as he's silent in most of his scenes in this book.
In the meantime, recommending this novel to those interested in WWII fiction and in a story about the French resistance.
3 stars.
My thanks to the authors for providing me with a complimentary copy of “Sewing Resistance”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The two indie authors behind this clever concept of paired WWII novels aiming at two distinct age groups have an ongoing (as of August 2025) Kickstarter campaign for this series. For more details, visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
1938, Paris. After witnessing a traumatic attack by the Nazis a year before, Hannah escapes from Austria along with her young son Freddie and goes to Paris, hoping to meet her estranged best friend Kat. Though Kat isn't too happy at being suddenly saddled with two Jewish refugees without any papers, she agrees to help out until Hannah can find a place for herself. But when the war reaches Paris, the difficult situation turns even more precarious. When some nightmares from the past make a reappearance at Kat’s doorstep, Hannah realises that it is time to stop being the ‘maus’. Is it time to finally rebel and roar back at the occupiers?
The story comes to us in Hannah’s first-person perspective.
The 'Rebels and Resistance' series offers a pair of interconnecting novels, where each book stands alone and yet works in sync with the other. This novel comes from a young mother's perspective and aims at adult readers.
The book begins well. There is no joyful background or any slow prelude to Hannah’s life. Instead, we start with a scene of direct terror. It offers a memorable beginning to the novel.
From this scene till a few chapters in, until just before Hannah’s second job, I was fairly invested in the story. But after a point, I felt like the plot was spreading itself thin, with too many subplots and not enough depth. Some arcs are connected to the French resistance and their efforts at countering the Nazis. But as everything comes from Hannah’s first-person POV, she is always at the centre of everything. It feels like a single character is handling too much. Some part of her role seems very convincing (especially her prowess with stitching and her willingness to do relatively menial work), but some aspects seem a bit convenient, especially as she isn't even trained to handle those things.
Hannah isn't the typical kind of Jew you see in WWII books. She was born a Jew, but due to certain circumstances not in her control (not going into spoilers), she follows the Catholic faith. I wish this duality had come into stronger play at some point in the plot. But after the halfway mark, this factor, as well as her dyslexia, stays relatively unaddressed.
The two key characters, Hannah and Katarina, have an interesting dynamic that is explored well in the novel. Some of their initial conversation feels stilted, which might be because of the long years apart, the drastic difference in circumstances, and the awkwardness of reuniting under unfavourable conditions. But we soon see their bond reignite in a realistic way, without going back to the jubilant friendship of their younger years.
The plot tries to make us feel sympathy only towards Hannah, but I also felt sorry for Kat. She also sacrificed a lot and it wouldn't have been easy to jeopardize everything she had for the risky endeavour of sheltering Jews, especially knowing her conservative family members. I wish we could have heard more from her perspective also, though I accept that the ‘companion novel’ idea wouldn’t have worked had this book contained a dual narrative.
Young Freddie is also a great character. I found it intriguing that this sweet little fellow doesn't even talk in this story, and yet he is the main character in the companion novel. I’m quite curious to see how his perspective is presented in that book.
Other than the above trio, the story also contains several real-life people, details of whom are present in the author’s note at the end. Some of these inclusions are popular figures such as Coco Chanel, but there are also several actual but unknown resistance fighters playing active roles in the storyline. I appreciate how the author provided details on these in her note, because I wouldn’t have known of their real-life antecedents otherwise. I also love how she clarified the parts where she took creative license with the facts for the sake of the plot.
I wish the cover depicted Freddie holding hands with his mom. The current cover design – that of a woman with a bag in hand and her back to the camera - has become overly common in this genre. Having a young boy in her arms or next to her would have created a nice differentiating factor.
I was glad that I read the free prequel (The Rebellious Maus and the Pogrom) the author sent with her mailing list. It helped a lot in understanding some of the background details, because they aren’t revealed in this novel even though they have a bearing on the events. Of course, this book can be read even without knowing the prequel story. Just that the prequel helps us understand certain character reactions better.
The story spans from 1937 till the end of the war, so it feels a bit too hurried. In covering such a lengthy time period and multiple subplots, it compromises a little on the emotional depth and structural integrity. The result is comprehensive but felt a bit disjointed and flat to me. I also wasn’t a big fan of the chapter titles. They offered spoilers at times.
To be fair, I've read way too many WWII novels and have probably burnt myself out in this genre now. I rarely pick up WWII fiction these days, unless there’s something in the blurb that stands out. The main reason I picked this book is the fact that it comes with a middle-grade companion novel. I don’t think I have ever heard of such a concept before – a single series aiming at two separate age groups! Plus, a middle-grade WWII novel is a challenging concept – providing information about such a tragic part of human history without traumatising young readers can't be easy.
On paper, the idea of this series of “companion novels” works brilliantly. But does the execution match up? I will update my review once I complete this book’s content partner, 'Boy Resisting '. As the two are meant to be in sync with each other, it ought to be interesting to see these events from little Freddie's perspective, especially as he's silent in most of his scenes in this book.
In the meantime, recommending this novel to those interested in WWII fiction and in a story about the French resistance.
3 stars.
My thanks to the authors for providing me with a complimentary copy of “Sewing Resistance”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The two indie authors behind this clever concept of paired WWII novels aiming at two distinct age groups have an ongoing (as of August 2025) Kickstarter campaign for this series. For more details, visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
November 7, 2025
I was sent an ARC of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via the author Jan Foster.
*** This book and its companion, 'Boy, Resisting', will launch with a special edition on Kickstarter in September 2025.***
Sewing Resistance is a beautifully written historical fiction novel set during WW2 in Paris France.
We follow Hannah; a young, single mother, and her young son (whose POV is in the second part of this companion read Boy Resisting) as they flee from their convent home in Germany where they've been in hiding, on a harrowing journey to France to seek shelter with Hannahs old friend Kat. But when the war reaches France not far behind them, all three are thrown into immediate danger; Hannah and Freddie for being Jews and Kat for harbouring them.
As the trio fear for their lives and the future that they face if they survive, they each take action to resist against the Nazis and use their courage, skills and grasp at any opportunity that comes their way to make a change in the tide of the war.
The strength and character of Hannah, who is the main character in this book, is so powerful and realistic, and the book transported me directly into the bleakness and harshness of the life she was fighting for survival in. I loved that the author included real people within parts of the book such as Coco Chanel, Frank Meier the Jewish barman in the Ritz who supplied fake IDs for other Jews like Hannah, Blanche and Claude Auzello who managed the Ritz where Hannah worked, and many more who fought in the Resistance against Nazi Germany.
Any lover of historical fiction will love this beautiful and tenderly told story. I highly recommend reading the additional companion book Boy Resisting too as this is Hannahs son Freddies story and POV when the pair are separated and is another beautiful and heartfelt read.
*** This book and its companion, 'Boy, Resisting', will launch with a special edition on Kickstarter in September 2025.***
Sewing Resistance is a beautifully written historical fiction novel set during WW2 in Paris France.
We follow Hannah; a young, single mother, and her young son (whose POV is in the second part of this companion read Boy Resisting) as they flee from their convent home in Germany where they've been in hiding, on a harrowing journey to France to seek shelter with Hannahs old friend Kat. But when the war reaches France not far behind them, all three are thrown into immediate danger; Hannah and Freddie for being Jews and Kat for harbouring them.
As the trio fear for their lives and the future that they face if they survive, they each take action to resist against the Nazis and use their courage, skills and grasp at any opportunity that comes their way to make a change in the tide of the war.
The strength and character of Hannah, who is the main character in this book, is so powerful and realistic, and the book transported me directly into the bleakness and harshness of the life she was fighting for survival in. I loved that the author included real people within parts of the book such as Coco Chanel, Frank Meier the Jewish barman in the Ritz who supplied fake IDs for other Jews like Hannah, Blanche and Claude Auzello who managed the Ritz where Hannah worked, and many more who fought in the Resistance against Nazi Germany.
Any lover of historical fiction will love this beautiful and tenderly told story. I highly recommend reading the additional companion book Boy Resisting too as this is Hannahs son Freddies story and POV when the pair are separated and is another beautiful and heartfelt read.
December 13, 2025
Will recommend to anyone who loves WWII books. Absolutely lovely!
August 16, 2025
Sewing Resistance — JH Foster
HONEST BOOK REVIEW!!
First off, thank you so much for letting me ARC this book. Not only did I get to ARC it, but I got to Beta read it as well. And I can say I’m incredibly proud of what this has become. I can’t believe this mere google doc I was sent turned into a physical book that I can touch, hold, smell, show the world.
Now onto the stuff readers actually care about…
Sewing Resistance is set in WWII era Germany and France. Even though it was set in that time frame, it scarily is incredibly relatable to what’s happening in the United States today. UGH. I wanted it to be an escape but the amount of parallels I was drawing really stressed me out. I had to take several breaks.
HOWEVER!! The story itself is about a young woman and her son escaping terrible living conditions to go find work and live in France with one of her best friends. So, think Among the Hidden where the child has to be locked or hidden inside so no one else knows he’s there.. yeah that’s what Hannah (the young woman) had to do with her son, Freddy, at their friend, Kat's. There’s mystery, there’s intrigue. There's a spy who doubles as a seamstress... bro what?! I wanna know more!!
Why won’t Freddy talk? Where’s the camera??!?! (Is that a spoiler? Whoops…)
OH! There are familiar faces or I guess names since this is a book and you’re reading it not watching it— Chanel, hello! Winston Churchill, yo wassup! And some others…so it’s historically accurate in the sense there are names and things that either started from that time period or have been there during.
What else… There’s a parallel book written in Freddy’s pov that is basically all he’s going through living Among the Hidden style. I’ll leave a separate review for that one but definitely check this book out!
The kickstarter is coming up here real soon so be sure to follow JH Foster on instagram: @/jan.foster.author
If I haven’t sold you on this book, Im sorry. I’m not a great reviewer like everyone else on Goodreads or Instagram or Amazon. This is how I do it. If I did sell you on this, yay! Thanks for taking the time to read my review. You will not be disappointed.
Also! THE COVER IS JUST SO PRETTY OKAY IM OBSESSED.
HONEST BOOK REVIEW!!
First off, thank you so much for letting me ARC this book. Not only did I get to ARC it, but I got to Beta read it as well. And I can say I’m incredibly proud of what this has become. I can’t believe this mere google doc I was sent turned into a physical book that I can touch, hold, smell, show the world.
Now onto the stuff readers actually care about…
Sewing Resistance is set in WWII era Germany and France. Even though it was set in that time frame, it scarily is incredibly relatable to what’s happening in the United States today. UGH. I wanted it to be an escape but the amount of parallels I was drawing really stressed me out. I had to take several breaks.
HOWEVER!! The story itself is about a young woman and her son escaping terrible living conditions to go find work and live in France with one of her best friends. So, think Among the Hidden where the child has to be locked or hidden inside so no one else knows he’s there.. yeah that’s what Hannah (the young woman) had to do with her son, Freddy, at their friend, Kat's. There’s mystery, there’s intrigue. There's a spy who doubles as a seamstress... bro what?! I wanna know more!!
Why won’t Freddy talk? Where’s the camera??!?! (Is that a spoiler? Whoops…)
OH! There are familiar faces or I guess names since this is a book and you’re reading it not watching it— Chanel, hello! Winston Churchill, yo wassup! And some others…so it’s historically accurate in the sense there are names and things that either started from that time period or have been there during.
What else… There’s a parallel book written in Freddy’s pov that is basically all he’s going through living Among the Hidden style. I’ll leave a separate review for that one but definitely check this book out!
The kickstarter is coming up here real soon so be sure to follow JH Foster on instagram: @/jan.foster.author
If I haven’t sold you on this book, Im sorry. I’m not a great reviewer like everyone else on Goodreads or Instagram or Amazon. This is how I do it. If I did sell you on this, yay! Thanks for taking the time to read my review. You will not be disappointed.
Also! THE COVER IS JUST SO PRETTY OKAY IM OBSESSED.
November 11, 2025
I will admit, I wasn't convince I would be my cup of tea when I got it due to the word 'Sewing' in the title.
More fool me.
With the first couple of chapters I was hooked, keenly following Hannah and her son, Freddie, as they escape Nazi Germany and try to build a new life in pre-war Paris. And then the war comes.
This story had a lot of heart to it. I felt for Hannah as we followed her constant struggle to find her place. All of the characters in this book were fully realised people, and gave something to the plot. What's more, it is clear that the writer did her research well. There was a bit at the end I fact checked - not because I thought it was wrong, but because it was a fact that surprised me - and it only proved the depth with which the author researched her topic. This was clearly a book written with love, and I loved reading it!
More fool me.
With the first couple of chapters I was hooked, keenly following Hannah and her son, Freddie, as they escape Nazi Germany and try to build a new life in pre-war Paris. And then the war comes.
This story had a lot of heart to it. I felt for Hannah as we followed her constant struggle to find her place. All of the characters in this book were fully realised people, and gave something to the plot. What's more, it is clear that the writer did her research well. There was a bit at the end I fact checked - not because I thought it was wrong, but because it was a fact that surprised me - and it only proved the depth with which the author researched her topic. This was clearly a book written with love, and I loved reading it!
November 8, 2025
Sewing Resistance is a beautifully crafted story of courage, survival, and quiet heroism in Nazi-occupied Paris. Hannah is a relatable, determined protagonist whose love for her son drives her to take unimaginable risks, and Kat’s loyalty and resourcefulness add depth and tension to their story. The historical detail is vivid, from the dangers of forged papers to the workings of the Resistance, and the glimpses of Coco Chanel and the Ritz staff enrich the narrative without overshadowing the main characters. Heart-wrenching, suspenseful, and inspiring, this book kept me hooked and left me reflecting on resilience and sacrifice long after the last page.
January 3, 2026
I have read this book twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times, excellent read
October 25, 2025
Sewing Resistance and Boy Resisting are 2 books that can be read in tandem, as a parallel read. I read Boy Resisting first and then dove into this one. They are from 2 different perspectives and, although some events are the same, they are completely different, they're each their own story. Sewing Resistance is Hannah's account, Boy Resisting is her son's Freddie's account. Both extremely powerful reads. Both filled with historical accuracy. Both emotional and heart wrenching. But ...both have a thread of resilience, a thread of determination and a thread of hope, which carries this story, elevates this story to surpass exceptional. And that is due to the penmanship of JH Foster....
Austria, 1937, is a volatile country. The Nazis are everywhere, Jews are "enemies of the State", despised, rounded up, herded. Where being Jewish is inevitably a d@ath sentence. No abode is safe, not even a convent where Hannah and Freddie live. This is a story of a mother's love, the lengths she goes to, to keep her son safe. And the people who help keep them hidden. Sometimes, even in plain sight. The honourable, the humane, risking their own lives. In this scenario, Hannah and Freddie manage to flee the carnage in front of them and thus starts their arduous and lengthy journey to Paris. And Freddie has not uttered a word since he saw the nuns executed before his eyes. Once more, this young boy destroyed me emotionally but his toughness, his resilience, got both he and I through to the end.
Hannah's friend, Kat, initially refuses to house her and her desperation is so tangible, I swear I can taste it, her fear palpable. The kind Kat I'd met in the prequel resurfaces and, as Hannah, I uncoiled the tension inside me with a hefty sigh. Hannah even got a job as a seamstress for the coverted designer, Chanel. And a new beginning ensues. Except, it stales before it had a chance to flourish. War has reached Paris. The Nazis have reached Paris. Now survival takes on a whole new meaning, for both Hannah and Kat and Freddie. I loved Hannah's resolve, her determination in the face of danger, her dedication to live. For Freddie. To protect Freddie. But it was Kat who surprised me the most, although a good friend of Hannah's, and to Hannah, she shows none of her previous "flighty" behaviour, she's just as determined, just as resolute to keep Freddie safe. To keep Hannah safe. She's incredibly spunky, she doesn't allow anyone to bully her, override her, even her SS officer cousin, the dreaded and despicable Pieter. She doesn't cower. She gives as good as she gets. She fights back, passively.
Desperate for a job after Chanel closes her doors, Hannah snags one as a chambermaid at the Ritz, and because of the circumstances of Kat's "new tenants", she dare not enter Kat's house. Her anguish leaps off the pages as she, in her own words is, "trapped between longing and lurking, living and hiding". Amongst all the danger, the staff and management show support, show solidarity, small gestures which mean so much, and even love starts to bloom. I really loved the characters, their acts of quiet rebellion made my heart jolt. A chance discovery of information leads Hannah to want to do something, and she does. Not willing to let things slide, she rallies all those she can, Marc, the sweetest guy, Kat, her dearest friend and as many as she can, while trying to remain undetected. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things, as many did during this horrific, unjust historical period. Told with sensitivity but never skirting the truth, the vibrancy of events pounded away at me.
This is a read with correct historical facts, some largely known, others not so much. I thought it was sheer brilliance how the author weaved in the true facts, the true names of some into a fictional account. Coco Chanel and her lover, real events, for one such example. The accounts in this book were poignantly real, the desperation real, the hardships real, the terror palpable, the imagery of endurance under the greatest of distress is real. The author captured it all, each event, each subsequent challenge, each traumatic moment. It was as though a drummer boy had settled in me, beating furiously at my stomach, my heart, my very innards. As with Boy Resisting, this is not an easy read, but it is a read unashamedly highlighting a tragic and very traumatic period of history, with a glimpse into what the people of Europe, and undeed, the world, were forced to endure. All because of one megalomaniac. It's a read full of resilience and resistance. Of both the soul and the establishment forced upon one. And survival. By the end of the book, my entire being was flushed with exhilaration, I felt as though I had been liberated. Which, in a sense, I was, having lived through the events of this book together with Hannah, Kat and Freddie . Their bravery stands out. This story stands out. Both Sewing Resistance and Boy Resisting are exceptional reads.
January 7, 2026
In 1937, Austria, the SS terrorizes German Jew Hannah Edelstein, while the local convent hides Jewish children from the Nazis in a conspiracy of silence, even risking death from the son of her benefactor if it becomes known that his father housed a Jew and built his business on misfortune. Such are the compromises one must make to thrive in those times, or survive, in Hannah's case, and a character who does not pays the ultimate price early in the novel.
Hannah and her son Freddie flee to Paris. Determined to survive, she seeks her friend Katarina for protection. Though miffed that Hannah has not contacted her in years, Kat sets out to help the pair, although it is not easy, given Hannah's ethnicity and the thousands of refugees swarming Paris in search of work. The way Hannah gets Kat's help is cruel, if completely understandable; Hannah must be a survivor.
She ends up working at Chanel, which is ironic for all sorts of reasons, but things go well at first. Under Madame Du Blois's direction, Hannah proves herself quite talented at manipulating fabric. Caught between two worlds but part of neither, really, Hannah must walk a constant tightrope.
By 1939, Hannah aspires to show her own designs, but it is never the right moment. And then Germany invades Poland and France, Chanel closes her shop, Kat loses the house, and no moment is the right moment. A fortunate twist of fate allows her to stay in Paris working as a chambermaid at the Ritz. Ever adaptable, Hannah turns that into a job ladder, though she and Kat must confront a despicable face from the past, a face that threatens her and her son and necessitates her having to keep her distance from them. If she is recognized, if she is found out, it's curtains for all of them.
From negotiating the black market to dealing with the thousand indignities and atrocities brought on by the occupation, Hannah's quick wit and resiliency carry her through the day.
But that's not enough, as Hannah realizes that she and Kat are in a position to help the resistance. Unfortunately, her old lover shows up at the hotel where she works, essentially where she searches for intel, complicating matters greatly.
Even more complex are the nuts-and-bolts of putting together and running a network of contacts to transport resources, including intel. In a delicious irony, Kat's and Hannah's reliance on the black market to get goods for their masters gives them the means to carry out clandestine operations.
When an unexpected turn of events gives Hannah's cell a chance to cripple the regime by countering its lies, her connections to the past might get in the way, or worse.
The book reminds me of the romantic spy thrillers of Alan Furst as it effortlessly weaves the personal and historical. I liked it a great deal and recommend it for readers of the aforementioned and similar authors.
Hannah and her son Freddie flee to Paris. Determined to survive, she seeks her friend Katarina for protection. Though miffed that Hannah has not contacted her in years, Kat sets out to help the pair, although it is not easy, given Hannah's ethnicity and the thousands of refugees swarming Paris in search of work. The way Hannah gets Kat's help is cruel, if completely understandable; Hannah must be a survivor.
She ends up working at Chanel, which is ironic for all sorts of reasons, but things go well at first. Under Madame Du Blois's direction, Hannah proves herself quite talented at manipulating fabric. Caught between two worlds but part of neither, really, Hannah must walk a constant tightrope.
By 1939, Hannah aspires to show her own designs, but it is never the right moment. And then Germany invades Poland and France, Chanel closes her shop, Kat loses the house, and no moment is the right moment. A fortunate twist of fate allows her to stay in Paris working as a chambermaid at the Ritz. Ever adaptable, Hannah turns that into a job ladder, though she and Kat must confront a despicable face from the past, a face that threatens her and her son and necessitates her having to keep her distance from them. If she is recognized, if she is found out, it's curtains for all of them.
From negotiating the black market to dealing with the thousand indignities and atrocities brought on by the occupation, Hannah's quick wit and resiliency carry her through the day.
But that's not enough, as Hannah realizes that she and Kat are in a position to help the resistance. Unfortunately, her old lover shows up at the hotel where she works, essentially where she searches for intel, complicating matters greatly.
Even more complex are the nuts-and-bolts of putting together and running a network of contacts to transport resources, including intel. In a delicious irony, Kat's and Hannah's reliance on the black market to get goods for their masters gives them the means to carry out clandestine operations.
When an unexpected turn of events gives Hannah's cell a chance to cripple the regime by countering its lies, her connections to the past might get in the way, or worse.
The book reminds me of the romantic spy thrillers of Alan Furst as it effortlessly weaves the personal and historical. I liked it a great deal and recommend it for readers of the aforementioned and similar authors.
July 4, 2025
One of the most recognised historical events in modern memory is the calamity that was the second World War. Yet even knowing the details, the atrocities, it is something entirely different to be immersed in a story of people who did their best to resist. For even amidst the horrors, there was hope, and that makes all the difference.
In J.H. Foster’s Sewing Resistance, we follow Hannah Edelstein. Born a Jew and raised Catholic, the story starts with her in a convent in Austria with her young son, Freddie. When the convent is attacked, Hannah and Freddie hide and then run. After a year of travel, they end up in Paris at the door of her childhood friend, Kat, who takes them in. Only, the Nazis are about to arrive, and even working at a hotel under false papers, Hannah risks her life, and the life of her son and friend, every day. But living under Nazi oppression is not something that she can easily stomach, and when the opportunity arises to fight back, even in small ways, she takes it.
The characters in this book were expertly crafted. They felt real and their reactions to the horrible situations were so intense that I couldn’t help but be drawn into the drama, hoping that everything would turn out alright. The details were accurate to the time (with a few minor exceptions for the sake of plot), and it is obvious that the research that went into this book was meticulous and well thought out. And the plot itself was completely believable, even when the situation was terrifying and dragged all the characters into trouble again and again.
This book was a fairly quick read, considering the darkness of the subject matter. I liked the fact that I could be pulled along in the story instead of having to push my way through. Everything felt real, from the characters to the setting, to the ending, which made it all the more enjoyable to read. I will say that when I reached the ending I was hoping for more, but that has nothing to do with the ending itself, and everything to do with my being immersed in the book.
As always with books by J.H. Foster, Sewing Resistance is one that lingers in the thoughts and brings to mind a rich, historical world. Absolutely worth reading.
In J.H. Foster’s Sewing Resistance, we follow Hannah Edelstein. Born a Jew and raised Catholic, the story starts with her in a convent in Austria with her young son, Freddie. When the convent is attacked, Hannah and Freddie hide and then run. After a year of travel, they end up in Paris at the door of her childhood friend, Kat, who takes them in. Only, the Nazis are about to arrive, and even working at a hotel under false papers, Hannah risks her life, and the life of her son and friend, every day. But living under Nazi oppression is not something that she can easily stomach, and when the opportunity arises to fight back, even in small ways, she takes it.
The characters in this book were expertly crafted. They felt real and their reactions to the horrible situations were so intense that I couldn’t help but be drawn into the drama, hoping that everything would turn out alright. The details were accurate to the time (with a few minor exceptions for the sake of plot), and it is obvious that the research that went into this book was meticulous and well thought out. And the plot itself was completely believable, even when the situation was terrifying and dragged all the characters into trouble again and again.
This book was a fairly quick read, considering the darkness of the subject matter. I liked the fact that I could be pulled along in the story instead of having to push my way through. Everything felt real, from the characters to the setting, to the ending, which made it all the more enjoyable to read. I will say that when I reached the ending I was hoping for more, but that has nothing to do with the ending itself, and everything to do with my being immersed in the book.
As always with books by J.H. Foster, Sewing Resistance is one that lingers in the thoughts and brings to mind a rich, historical world. Absolutely worth reading.
January 27, 2026
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book from the author at an event last year, so I was willing to look past any small spelling errors throughout (although there were not too many).
The book follows Hannah through the whole of WW2 and her exploits in various places of work, as well as her efforts to do what she can for the war effort. She does seem to have a knack for finding trouble at every turn, but not to the detriment of the story.
The use of historical facts and figures really helps the ground the story and keeps you invested in how the fictional characters will be able to navigate the real life horrors that took place in Paris at that time.
My only real criticism of the story is that I felt like the end seemed a little abrupt. It almost felt like it just stopped, but maybe thay was because I just wanted to read more about these characters!
The extra information at the end about the research and actual history was interesting and I enjoyed finding out a little more about some of the real people who were mentioned within the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and am somewhat regretting the fact that I did not purchase Boy, Resisting at the same time!
The book follows Hannah through the whole of WW2 and her exploits in various places of work, as well as her efforts to do what she can for the war effort. She does seem to have a knack for finding trouble at every turn, but not to the detriment of the story.
The use of historical facts and figures really helps the ground the story and keeps you invested in how the fictional characters will be able to navigate the real life horrors that took place in Paris at that time.
My only real criticism of the story is that I felt like the end seemed a little abrupt. It almost felt like it just stopped, but maybe thay was because I just wanted to read more about these characters!
The extra information at the end about the research and actual history was interesting and I enjoyed finding out a little more about some of the real people who were mentioned within the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and am somewhat regretting the fact that I did not purchase Boy, Resisting at the same time!
December 22, 2025
Hannah escapes Austria with her young son and makes her way to Paris where her childhood friend reluctantly shelters them. War is brewing, and the Nazis are razing everything in their path. When Paris falls to the Nazi regime, Hannah and her son are trapped without papers. Survival is the only thing that matters and joining the Resistance is the best and most dangerous way to achieve it.
I’ve read a few paranormal/fantasy books from Jan Foster before, so I was interested to try her historical fiction, written as J.H. Foster. I haven’t read many revisionist history books, but I found this one to be enjoyable and equally heartbreaking and compelling. The real-life people depicted really fleshed out the plot and added depth while the story followed a strong cast of fictional characters. As always, Ms. Foster’s writing is superb.
Lovers of WWII history and fiction should give this story a try.
5 Stars
I’ve read a few paranormal/fantasy books from Jan Foster before, so I was interested to try her historical fiction, written as J.H. Foster. I haven’t read many revisionist history books, but I found this one to be enjoyable and equally heartbreaking and compelling. The real-life people depicted really fleshed out the plot and added depth while the story followed a strong cast of fictional characters. As always, Ms. Foster’s writing is superb.
Lovers of WWII history and fiction should give this story a try.
5 Stars
July 10, 2025
For Jewish Hannah, nicknamed Maus, and her son, Paris is first a refuge, then a trap. But from within that trap, Maus, her friend Kat, and even Maus’ young son Freddy, overcome their omnipresent fear to become part of the Resistance. Opening with a horrifying atrocity, the novel moves forward with gripping suspense and ends with dynamic action. Foster writes with clarity and vividness as quiet but valiant Maus moves from the illusory safety of Chanel’s workshop to the luxury of the famed Ritz Hotel, from street riots into the shadowy murk of the catacombs. Historical characters have roles from small to pivotal and the secondary characters are well developed. The companion book about Freddy looks to be entertaining for adults as well as children.
August 25, 2025
I would never normally read a war related story but this one has changed my mind. Sewing Resistance is engaging and fascinating from the first chapter, with real life characters and vivid descriptions. It doesn’t shy away from the horror and atrocities at that time but cleverly creates a tale including the practicalities of how the Resistance moved information around. Hannah’s story is so compelling I couldn’t put it down and finished the book in two days. Highly recommend.
August 24, 2025
I thought that this would be an interesting read about a woman spy in the Nazi Resistance era, but I honestly had a hard time with it. First, it didn’t kick off to an aspiring start with the lag and complex storyline. I couldn’t really follow it along and the foreign phrases didn’t help either. This was a nice effort and the writing was fairly fine, but it was just too long and confusing for me.
November 18, 2025
A powerful and emotional wartime story. Sewing Resistance follows Hannah’s fight for survival in Occupied Paris, blending danger, heartbreak, and courage. With rich historical detail and unforgettable characters, this novel is perfect for fans of The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See. A gripping tale of resilience and quiet rebellion.
July 13, 2025
Well written, historically accurate, and characters that feel like real people, all with a plot that is neither too frantic nor too slow. I particularly enjoyed how some of the characters were dealt with at the end, but no spoilers!
October 23, 2025
This historical novel was inspired by true wartime events. Nazis. Yikes. The real sources used for background makes this book quite startling and scary. The story is well written, showing the incredible courage of the French Resistance, risking their lives to fight back. Good read.
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