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The French Resistance Hotel
France, 1940.
A hotel on the border.
Refugees upstairs. Nazis downstairs.
One woman will risk everything to save them.
After escaping an abusive relationship in Nice, Eloise thought she'd never find a home again. Until she arrives at the Hotel Cordier in the eastern town of Sainte-Béline, straddling the frontier between Switzerland and France.
But when the Nazis invade, everything changes.
Trapped under occupation, Eloise finds herself drawn to the resistance - and to André, its charismatic local leader. André is determined to use the hotel's unique position to save as many refugees fleeing persecution as he can.
It doesn't take long before the Germans start closing in. Facing the threat of discovery and the shadows of her past, Eloise must decide how much she is willing to risk for the cause, for freedom, for love . . .
A devastating, sweeping and romantic historical epic of the Second World War from a thrilling new voice in historical fiction, perfect for readers of Kristin Harmel, Fiona Valpy and Heather Morris.
A hotel on the border.
Refugees upstairs. Nazis downstairs.
One woman will risk everything to save them.
After escaping an abusive relationship in Nice, Eloise thought she'd never find a home again. Until she arrives at the Hotel Cordier in the eastern town of Sainte-Béline, straddling the frontier between Switzerland and France.
But when the Nazis invade, everything changes.
Trapped under occupation, Eloise finds herself drawn to the resistance - and to André, its charismatic local leader. André is determined to use the hotel's unique position to save as many refugees fleeing persecution as he can.
It doesn't take long before the Germans start closing in. Facing the threat of discovery and the shadows of her past, Eloise must decide how much she is willing to risk for the cause, for freedom, for love . . .
A devastating, sweeping and romantic historical epic of the Second World War from a thrilling new voice in historical fiction, perfect for readers of Kristin Harmel, Fiona Valpy and Heather Morris.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this warmhearted wartime novel which contained a wonderful cast of characters. Set in a small village in the Jura region of France it is about the resistance activities of a group of friends, twoof whom owned a hotel which straddled the border of France and Switzerland.
What struck me was how young all the main protagonists were and how bravely they endured the occupation, fighting back and saving as many of the persecuted as they could.
There were many heart in your mouth moments and of course sadness due to the situation they were in but also a blossoming love story and extreme fortitude in the face of adversity..
At the end of the book there was even a look to the future and a hint of how these brave fighters would feel now that their lives were no longer in danger and they had to go back to their normal lives. PTSD was not mentioned but I could imagine many would suffer from it after all they had seen and endured.
It is a subject many authors have tackled, a subject that is always interesting to read about and I think Ava Miller succeeded in writing about this period in history in a realistic way, a book that has obviously been well researched.
The characters were well rounded and believable and I was really rooting for Eloise, Marie , Julien and Andre, hoping they would survive the war and as I mentioned earlier their extreme youth was very impactful- I felt the same when I visited the Normandy war graves last year in France- how young all the soldiers were.
I definitely recommend this book and thank NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
What struck me was how young all the main protagonists were and how bravely they endured the occupation, fighting back and saving as many of the persecuted as they could.
There were many heart in your mouth moments and of course sadness due to the situation they were in but also a blossoming love story and extreme fortitude in the face of adversity..
At the end of the book there was even a look to the future and a hint of how these brave fighters would feel now that their lives were no longer in danger and they had to go back to their normal lives. PTSD was not mentioned but I could imagine many would suffer from it after all they had seen and endured.
It is a subject many authors have tackled, a subject that is always interesting to read about and I think Ava Miller succeeded in writing about this period in history in a realistic way, a book that has obviously been well researched.
The characters were well rounded and believable and I was really rooting for Eloise, Marie , Julien and Andre, hoping they would survive the war and as I mentioned earlier their extreme youth was very impactful- I felt the same when I visited the Normandy war graves last year in France- how young all the soldiers were.
I definitely recommend this book and thank NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
August 4, 2026
Review of advanced copy from NetGalley and publisher.
Eloise Dauphin flees her home in Nice after being violently assaulted. When she arrives in Sainte-Béline, in the Jura region, she meets Marie, who owns the Hotel Cordier. Marie finds her somewhere to live, and Eloise starts working in the local school as an assistant and also the school nurse.
It’s 1940, and the Nazis have invaded and arrived in Sainte-Béline.
Marie’s brother, André, escaped from a German camp when the French soldiers were captured. Arriving at the family hotel, he carries on with the Resistance, where Marie and Eloise also start helping. The hotel is not just in France, but also in Switzerland, which means the Nazis cannot go into that part of the hotel. The three, with the help of other members of the Resistance, start helping those in need get to the hotel & then over into Switzerland.
Goodness, I completely lost myself in this story. I went through a range of emotions and felt humbled by how brave people were during World War Two.
I loved the friendships and the relationships between the characters, such strong bonds were formed, it was heartwarming. I could feel their fear and pain as well as their courage and happiness through the author’s writing and descriptions.
This is one of those stories that will stay with me for some time to come.
Eloise Dauphin flees her home in Nice after being violently assaulted. When she arrives in Sainte-Béline, in the Jura region, she meets Marie, who owns the Hotel Cordier. Marie finds her somewhere to live, and Eloise starts working in the local school as an assistant and also the school nurse.
It’s 1940, and the Nazis have invaded and arrived in Sainte-Béline.
Marie’s brother, André, escaped from a German camp when the French soldiers were captured. Arriving at the family hotel, he carries on with the Resistance, where Marie and Eloise also start helping. The hotel is not just in France, but also in Switzerland, which means the Nazis cannot go into that part of the hotel. The three, with the help of other members of the Resistance, start helping those in need get to the hotel & then over into Switzerland.
Goodness, I completely lost myself in this story. I went through a range of emotions and felt humbled by how brave people were during World War Two.
I loved the friendships and the relationships between the characters, such strong bonds were formed, it was heartwarming. I could feel their fear and pain as well as their courage and happiness through the author’s writing and descriptions.
This is one of those stories that will stay with me for some time to come.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Eloise flees a horrible abusive relationship in Nice, She becomes friends with the owner of Hotel Cordier, on the border between France and Switzerland, and works at the school as an assistant. She uses her nursing skills to help children after playground accidents and is gradually brought in to helping the locals after the Jewish doctor is taken away by the Germans.
Because the hotel is on the border, it can be used to help hide refugees and smuggle them over the border. Eloise can also help patch them up, and she feels she's making a difference (including working with the newsletter to help the resistance workers). But then her past comes back to haunt her, when an old enemy returns and tries to use power over her...
Very well written with characters you can really root for, and showcases the bravery of ordinary people who will risk everything to save others.
Because the hotel is on the border, it can be used to help hide refugees and smuggle them over the border. Eloise can also help patch them up, and she feels she's making a difference (including working with the newsletter to help the resistance workers). But then her past comes back to haunt her, when an old enemy returns and tries to use power over her...
Very well written with characters you can really root for, and showcases the bravery of ordinary people who will risk everything to save others.
August 13, 2026
The French Resistance Hotel by Ava Miller is an engaging historical fiction novel set during the Second World War. Eloise arrives at the Hotel Cordier, located between France and Switzerland, hoping to rebuild her life. When the Germans invade, the hotel becomes a safe place for Jewish people and refugees escaping across the border. I enjoyed the strong and brave characters, especially Marie and Eloise, and their courage in helping the resistance. The unusual setting and the focus on the role of women made this story different from many other WWII novels I have read. It is a well-written and moving story of courage, friendship, and resistance, and I highly recommend it and thank NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
September 15, 2026
It's the first time I have read this Author books, I saw the title and thought this looks interesting,as I haven't read any war books, so decided to have ago,and l am glad l did,and I started to read it,and couldn't put it down, this story is brilliantly written and enjoyed every page, loved the characters,they all blended in well,l was only a small child when the first world war started, so I didn't know about the resistance that help people,specially the Jews to get to safe place's,this hook is well worth reading,l definitely learnt alot from it. I don't want to give anything away,so I am going to stop here.
September 6, 2026
These stories centered around any war but especially WW2, always amaze me with the resilience and courage of those most affected especially as we all now know the consequences of even small acts of restiance and courage. There are some heartwarming parts in this story which adds to the plot and even though it is a standalone, it would be great to revisit the characters again. Becca Mascull always writes the type of book that engages the reader from the first page and I always look forward to reading her books and am waiting for her next book already.
August 13, 2026
I love a WWII story that is well researched and makes me feel as if I am there. I want the author to write characters that make me feel like I am one of them. This story did all that. Sometimes I feel guilty in loving a war story. But there is so much more to the story than that. They are emotional, struggles, friendship and pulling together. A well researched story can also teach us history. Loved this story!
October 18, 2026
An eye-opening story of the strength and struggle of The French Resistance
This story was so moving as men and women faced the challenges of war, suffering and surviving as they loved and lost those in their lives. The war experience exposed the true nature of the heart and its commitment to family friends and country. Total strangers bonded together to fight evil with strength and spirit that they could only imagine before the war began.
This story was so moving as men and women faced the challenges of war, suffering and surviving as they loved and lost those in their lives. The war experience exposed the true nature of the heart and its commitment to family friends and country. Total strangers bonded together to fight evil with strength and spirit that they could only imagine before the war began.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
occupied france and the other half in neutral switzerland. In my mind the possibillities were endless. It just did not live up to my expectation. Were the main characters good,? Yes absolutely. I just wanted more. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
October 7, 2026
An amazing story
The French Resistance Hotel is an exciting story with much meaningful content and food for thought. There is so much to the story on a personal, community and national level for what happened in France during the war. I very highly recommend it.
The French Resistance Hotel is an exciting story with much meaningful content and food for thought. There is so much to the story on a personal, community and national level for what happened in France during the war. I very highly recommend it.
October 2, 2026
Thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the Jura setting. A welcome break from WWII novels set in Paris. Reminded me of the French TV series Un Village Français.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fleeing an abusive relationship, Eloise finds a job she loves - working as a teaching assistant in the local school - and new friends, two of whom run a hotel that straddles the border between France and Switzerland. With the outbreak of war, it becomes a route to safety for Jewish refugees - and Eloise herself becomes increasingly involved with the work of the Resistance, and developing a relationship with one of its key members. Until her former lover, now in a position of power, tracks her down and she needs to take desperate measures.
But this book is far more than that basic story line - the various relationships are wonderfully drawn, the new romance both emotionally authentic and believable, and the dangers of their perilous endeavour, under the noses of the Nazi invaders, had me constantly on edge. It’s a perfect tribute to the bravery of those who risked their own lives to save others, with well drawn characters whose success I was really invested in. Beautifully written, and very much recommended.
But this book is far more than that basic story line - the various relationships are wonderfully drawn, the new romance both emotionally authentic and believable, and the dangers of their perilous endeavour, under the noses of the Nazi invaders, had me constantly on edge. It’s a perfect tribute to the bravery of those who risked their own lives to save others, with well drawn characters whose success I was really invested in. Beautifully written, and very much recommended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Eloise Dauphin leaves Nice with her body and spirit crushed and thinks she will never feel safe again. Until she arrives at the Hotel Cordier on the eastern border town of Sainte-Béline, straddled between Switzerland and France.
Here she meets Marie the owner and works at the school as an assistant and uses her nursing skills to patch up children after playground accidents.
When the Germans invade, the Hotel Cordier is in a very unique position, half of it is in France and the other in neutral Switzerland. The Kommandant in charge of the troops doesn't believe Marie and soon finds out that she's correct and he can’t go past a certain point on the staircase.
The perfect location to hide and smuggle Jewish people and refugees over the border. André is a leader and he’s Marie’s younger brother, he is involved with the resistance, Eloise wants to help and despite the danger. The network grows, more men and women join, they publish a newsletter and disrupt German supply lines, and cause havoc and once the invasion starts the plan is for them to fight alongside the allies.
The Germans are desperate to catch the leaders, those who are helping refugees across the border and are closing in. Eloise thought she had escaped her past, and she starts to receive threats from a man.
I received a copy of The French Resistance Hotel by Ava Miller from NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an unbiased review. I have lost count of how many books I’ve read about the Second World War and this one is very different due to the location and being on the border of France and Switzerland.
The characters really make this story stand out I really admired Marie, Eloise, Doctor Halevy, Julien, André, Gerard and Fred.
An epic and well written historical fiction novel based around real facts and don't underestimate women and one discovers she’s not a timid mouse and instead a fierce lioness. Five stars and I highly recommend.
Here she meets Marie the owner and works at the school as an assistant and uses her nursing skills to patch up children after playground accidents.
When the Germans invade, the Hotel Cordier is in a very unique position, half of it is in France and the other in neutral Switzerland. The Kommandant in charge of the troops doesn't believe Marie and soon finds out that she's correct and he can’t go past a certain point on the staircase.
The perfect location to hide and smuggle Jewish people and refugees over the border. André is a leader and he’s Marie’s younger brother, he is involved with the resistance, Eloise wants to help and despite the danger. The network grows, more men and women join, they publish a newsletter and disrupt German supply lines, and cause havoc and once the invasion starts the plan is for them to fight alongside the allies.
The Germans are desperate to catch the leaders, those who are helping refugees across the border and are closing in. Eloise thought she had escaped her past, and she starts to receive threats from a man.
I received a copy of The French Resistance Hotel by Ava Miller from NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an unbiased review. I have lost count of how many books I’ve read about the Second World War and this one is very different due to the location and being on the border of France and Switzerland.
The characters really make this story stand out I really admired Marie, Eloise, Doctor Halevy, Julien, André, Gerard and Fred.
An epic and well written historical fiction novel based around real facts and don't underestimate women and one discovers she’s not a timid mouse and instead a fierce lioness. Five stars and I highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Simply beautiful.
France 1940.
One woman would risk everything in the name of freedom.
A hotel on the boarder, Switzerland and France, the hotel Cordier Sainte-Beline.
Eloise Dauphin flees away from abuse in Nice, and finds herself drawn to Maria's brother married Andre Cordier, a man of his words, a hero to his family, and she keeps saying never again but its not that easy.
A truly heroic love story begins,
This book takes you on a journey that these two characters together take on lots of challenges, unimaginable that draw you into page after page, to capture a freedom throughout the five years till WW2 comes to a end.
Beautifully written, interesting, and above all victory.
Its is just Simply Beautiful.
France 1940.
One woman would risk everything in the name of freedom.
A hotel on the boarder, Switzerland and France, the hotel Cordier Sainte-Beline.
Eloise Dauphin flees away from abuse in Nice, and finds herself drawn to Maria's brother married Andre Cordier, a man of his words, a hero to his family, and she keeps saying never again but its not that easy.
A truly heroic love story begins,
This book takes you on a journey that these two characters together take on lots of challenges, unimaginable that draw you into page after page, to capture a freedom throughout the five years till WW2 comes to a end.
Beautifully written, interesting, and above all victory.
Its is just Simply Beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews