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Once We Were Sisters
Elise isn’t the same as her father. She’s like a sister to us. She’ll know what to do to keep us safe. She would never betray us…
Paris, 1940. Shops are being boarded up, Jewish children are loaded onto buses and eighteen-year-old Elise’s heart beats hard as she runs down the cobbled streets under the shadow of swastikas. She hates her father with all her he is working with the Nazis and has forbidden her to be friends with Myriam and Salomé, the Goldman sisters who are closer to her than her own family.
Elise will do anything to help the girls she loves as sisters, including sharing her father’s secret business. Every day she creeps out to their apartment, avoiding the cold-eyed soldiers who stalk the streets. But in trying to save them, will she bring terrible danger to their door?
Years later, newly pregnant Jeanne stares at the photograph of three young girls on the beach. She recognises her mother Elise in the centre of the picture, but who does her mother have her arms around?
Jeanne feels such love for the tiny new life inside her and feels desperate to connect with the mother who has always shut her out. Could finding these lost sisters, laughing and vibrant in the crumpled black and white photo, help Jeanne understand her mother and lay the ghosts of the past to rest?
A beautiful and deeply moving story about love and friendship and the bond between women in a time of fear and darkness. Fans of The Midwife of Auschwitz and The Nightingale will fall in love with this heartbreaking, hopeful read.
Paris, 1940. Shops are being boarded up, Jewish children are loaded onto buses and eighteen-year-old Elise’s heart beats hard as she runs down the cobbled streets under the shadow of swastikas. She hates her father with all her he is working with the Nazis and has forbidden her to be friends with Myriam and Salomé, the Goldman sisters who are closer to her than her own family.
Elise will do anything to help the girls she loves as sisters, including sharing her father’s secret business. Every day she creeps out to their apartment, avoiding the cold-eyed soldiers who stalk the streets. But in trying to save them, will she bring terrible danger to their door?
Years later, newly pregnant Jeanne stares at the photograph of three young girls on the beach. She recognises her mother Elise in the centre of the picture, but who does her mother have her arms around?
Jeanne feels such love for the tiny new life inside her and feels desperate to connect with the mother who has always shut her out. Could finding these lost sisters, laughing and vibrant in the crumpled black and white photo, help Jeanne understand her mother and lay the ghosts of the past to rest?
A beautiful and deeply moving story about love and friendship and the bond between women in a time of fear and darkness. Fans of The Midwife of Auschwitz and The Nightingale will fall in love with this heartbreaking, hopeful read.
395 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2026
541 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is my first read from this author. started off slow, ended up a brilliant and emotional read..Elise daughter is expecting a child she knows nothing about her past her mother is hiding the past, and she wants to know why and looking for the answers...Elise father is helping the nazi she can't believe it as they are friendly with a family of Jews with two daughters Elise is close to and her father demands to cut all ties with them..Elise helps the family but puts herself in danger.a heartbreaking read a definitely a five star book..
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A dark time, but with a glimmer of hope, that is what the book is about. Well grt ready for all the feelings this book will make you feel. Anger, laughter, heartache, sadness . I am really happy i read this book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
February 11, 2026
The war rages relentlessly across Europe, with no end in sight. Shops stand lifeless and closed, while buses brimming with Jewish children are whisked away to unknown destinations. Elise harbors deep resentment towards her father for collaborating with the Nazis. How could he? Her father has forbidden her from seeing or spending any time with her two closest friends, Myriam and Salomé.
Jeanne clutches an old photograph, recognizing her mother in the center of two girls. The other two girls remain a mystery to her. Driven by a quest to uncover the truth, Jeanne embarks on a journey to find these other girls, seeking answers to the questions that have haunted her for years. With an impending pregnancy, Jeanne yearns to reunite with her mother before giving birth.
Ann Bennett’s “Once We Were Sisters” is a remarkable story. From the very first page, she captivates me, drawing me into the story with such depth that I couldn’t put it down until the very last page. The book unfolds in my mind like a moving picture, with Bennett’s vivid descriptions of war-torn streets and the cries of young children immersing me in the story’s world.
This heart-wrenching and unputdownable tale explores the trials and tribulations of the past. War has an indelible impact on individuals and families, forever altering their lives. Amidst the darkness, the story emerges as a beacon of hope, inspiring readers with its message of friendship transcending boundaries and the bonds that become family. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I reached for the Kleenex box with every tear that fell, so be sure to keep them handy. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this story and highly recommend it to anyone seeking a poignant and uplifting read.
Jeanne clutches an old photograph, recognizing her mother in the center of two girls. The other two girls remain a mystery to her. Driven by a quest to uncover the truth, Jeanne embarks on a journey to find these other girls, seeking answers to the questions that have haunted her for years. With an impending pregnancy, Jeanne yearns to reunite with her mother before giving birth.
Ann Bennett’s “Once We Were Sisters” is a remarkable story. From the very first page, she captivates me, drawing me into the story with such depth that I couldn’t put it down until the very last page. The book unfolds in my mind like a moving picture, with Bennett’s vivid descriptions of war-torn streets and the cries of young children immersing me in the story’s world.
This heart-wrenching and unputdownable tale explores the trials and tribulations of the past. War has an indelible impact on individuals and families, forever altering their lives. Amidst the darkness, the story emerges as a beacon of hope, inspiring readers with its message of friendship transcending boundaries and the bonds that become family. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I reached for the Kleenex box with every tear that fell, so be sure to keep them handy. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this story and highly recommend it to anyone seeking a poignant and uplifting read.
February 10, 2026
Once We Were Sisters, a WWII historical fiction
O M G this story is so good! Full of bravery, and loss, and such amazing characters. This story takes place in France 1940, beginning right before Germany's invasion of Paris, and continues on through the war. FMC Elise and her parents are just returning from spending the summer with their close friends, the Goldman's. The Goldman sisters, Myriam and Salome, are like sisters to Elise, because they are the best of friends, even though she is a little older. Upon the two family's return, there seems to be a change in the air of Paris. All of a sudden, Elise's parents have cut ties with the Goldman's. Elise has started working at a flower shop, and still visits the Goldman's, but has to sneak away to do so. While some people think they are safe in Paris, very quickly the Jewish population is being forced to register as Jewish, lose their businesses, and start getting deported. Elise risks her life almost daily to aid the Goldman's and try to ensure they are not captured by the Nazis.
Elise is such an amazing character! She refuses to go along with her parents politics, as they have joined as Nazi collaborators with the new Vichy government. While she hates this new reality, it is also her father's name that allows her to run around Paris at night during the Nazi occupation, to visit the Goldman's, and assist them in all the ways that she does. Fast forward to the early 1970's, Elise's daughter is pregnant and in search of answers about her heritage. Elise refuses to give Jeanne any information, so Jeanne takes it upon herself to go to Paris, and learns first hand the courage, heartbreak, and sacrifice that her mother displayed during the war.
I loved the multiple point of view/dual timeline in this story. The reader gets to uncover Elise's story along with Jeanne, and it is such an exciting read. I couldn't put this book down as I excitedly waited to see how it would end.
The ending is also just a wonderful reunion of people that Elise lost touch with, or couldn't find, after the war.
Some quotes:
"On that twenty-minute stroll, she was continually reminded of the chilling news of the day before; the headlines on the newspaper stands, the agitated people hurrying about carrying gas masks, others pouring out of metro stations where they'd spent the night sheltering from air raids; the parks and gardens devoid of flowers, their lawns scarred with trenches and walls of ugly sandbags."
"Elise stared from one parent to the other. She suddenly saw them in a new light: as self-seeking, sanctimonious and downright cruel."
"He told me all those arrested had been sent to an internment camp in Pithiviers.'"
"Jean had started going to secret meetings of the growing French Resistance, and he passed them information Elise had gleaned from her father's files."
"Their faces were soft and innocent, and they both looked so young. It was unbearable to think of the horror they'd already suffered, the loss of their home, their father, that their family had been torn apart by the Nazis. She vowed once again that she would do everything she could to protect them and to make sure they were safe."
Thank you so much to Bookouture, Netgalley, and the author for a copy of this book!
O M G this story is so good! Full of bravery, and loss, and such amazing characters. This story takes place in France 1940, beginning right before Germany's invasion of Paris, and continues on through the war. FMC Elise and her parents are just returning from spending the summer with their close friends, the Goldman's. The Goldman sisters, Myriam and Salome, are like sisters to Elise, because they are the best of friends, even though she is a little older. Upon the two family's return, there seems to be a change in the air of Paris. All of a sudden, Elise's parents have cut ties with the Goldman's. Elise has started working at a flower shop, and still visits the Goldman's, but has to sneak away to do so. While some people think they are safe in Paris, very quickly the Jewish population is being forced to register as Jewish, lose their businesses, and start getting deported. Elise risks her life almost daily to aid the Goldman's and try to ensure they are not captured by the Nazis.
Elise is such an amazing character! She refuses to go along with her parents politics, as they have joined as Nazi collaborators with the new Vichy government. While she hates this new reality, it is also her father's name that allows her to run around Paris at night during the Nazi occupation, to visit the Goldman's, and assist them in all the ways that she does. Fast forward to the early 1970's, Elise's daughter is pregnant and in search of answers about her heritage. Elise refuses to give Jeanne any information, so Jeanne takes it upon herself to go to Paris, and learns first hand the courage, heartbreak, and sacrifice that her mother displayed during the war.
I loved the multiple point of view/dual timeline in this story. The reader gets to uncover Elise's story along with Jeanne, and it is such an exciting read. I couldn't put this book down as I excitedly waited to see how it would end.
The ending is also just a wonderful reunion of people that Elise lost touch with, or couldn't find, after the war.
Some quotes:
"On that twenty-minute stroll, she was continually reminded of the chilling news of the day before; the headlines on the newspaper stands, the agitated people hurrying about carrying gas masks, others pouring out of metro stations where they'd spent the night sheltering from air raids; the parks and gardens devoid of flowers, their lawns scarred with trenches and walls of ugly sandbags."
"Elise stared from one parent to the other. She suddenly saw them in a new light: as self-seeking, sanctimonious and downright cruel."
"He told me all those arrested had been sent to an internment camp in Pithiviers.'"
"Jean had started going to secret meetings of the growing French Resistance, and he passed them information Elise had gleaned from her father's files."
"Their faces were soft and innocent, and they both looked so young. It was unbearable to think of the horror they'd already suffered, the loss of their home, their father, that their family had been torn apart by the Nazis. She vowed once again that she would do everything she could to protect them and to make sure they were safe."
Thank you so much to Bookouture, Netgalley, and the author for a copy of this book!
November 22, 2025
OMG this book is fabulous! Utterly heartbreaking but sensitively told its the story of Elise a French woman who has joined the French resistance helping to get the Jewish children of France over the border to Switzerland to stop them being taken to concentration camps. This book will make you gasp, cry and feel a whole range of emotions from sorrow to anger. Life was very hard for these unsung heroes who devoted their lives to try and keep their country free. I could not put this book down, my eyes were literally glued to the pages. Highly recommend for readers who enjoy WW2 fiction. Ann has written a cracking story, I loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advance copy. Publication date 9 Feb 2026.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advance copy. Publication date 9 Feb 2026.
November 25, 2025
Once We Were Sisters is a beautifully crafted, deeply moving story about love, friendship, and the extraordinary bonds between women in times of fear. Ann Bennett brings 1940s Paris to life with vivid detail, capturing the danger, tension, and courage of those trying to survive the shadow of the Nazis. Elise’s loyalty to the Goldman sisters is heart-wrenching and inspiring, and watching her risk everything for them is unforgettable.
The story spans generations, as Jeanne struggles to understand her mother and the secrets of her past, weaving a powerful narrative about family, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. Heartbreaking, hopeful, and impossible to put down, this novel will stay with you long after the final page.
The story spans generations, as Jeanne struggles to understand her mother and the secrets of her past, weaving a powerful narrative about family, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. Heartbreaking, hopeful, and impossible to put down, this novel will stay with you long after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It’s been awhile since I have read anything by Ann Bennett but when I do go back to her books I am reminded what a great writer of historical fiction she is. This latest book, Once We Were Sisters, was one I read in two sittings. The chapters seemed to slip by quickly and I think this was because of the good pacing throughout plus the fact there was a clear beginning, middle and end without any filler in between. The story was expertly plotted with difficult and emotional subject matter tackled throughout. This was a story of survival in the most desperate of times. A tale of bravery, devotion, loyalty and courage battling against the odds. A brief prologue set in December 1942 introduces us to sisters Myriam and Salome who are being led through a forest in the hopes they can reach the Swiss boarder with France and secure safety. Just as they are about to reach that point disaster strikes.
The reader is then brought forward to Corsica March 1942. Jeanne is travelling to her mothers farmstead in the hills to tell her the news that she will be a grandmother. Jeanne for the most part has a good relationship with her mother Elise but there have always been an air of mystery surrounding specific details of her mothers past during the war. Elise reared Jeanne on her own and refuses to talk about the circumstances of her fathers death. Jeanne now that she herself is about to become a mother wants answers. She feels she can’t move forward in the present without knowing what her mother has been hiding. A dream/nightmare she regularly has lingers on within her long after she wakes up. Memories of an event that she is sure are tied to Elise’s past are trying to make themselves known. Secretly taking a photograph and reading through some documents that Elise has stashed away, Jeanne decides to visit France, the country of her mothers birth. If Elise insists on remaining evasive than Jeanne will just have to go digging for answers herself.
I presumed from this point on that the chapters would weave back and forth between Jeanne and Elise at a regular rate. That’s what usually occurs in a dual timeline novel but that wasn’t the case, and I was glad of it. Chapters from Jeanne’s perspective appear few and far between at just the right junctures to briefly summarise something or for her to connect the pieces of the puzzle that were making themselves known. I didn’t want her randomly meeting some man on her journey and falling in love and forgetting about her boyfriend. It would have felt too contrived. Instead, Jeanne is the link that binds past and present together but in a subtle and beautiful way and Elise, Myriam and Salome’s stories are allowed to shine and what an incredible story unfolds.
Life was good for the Goldman family of Louis, Esther, Myriam and Salome pre war. They were Jewish but did not practice and had wealth and could enjoy a lavish lifestyle. They were friends with Victor, Catherine and Elise Baudin as the men shared business interests. Summers spent in the South of France meant the three young girls, with Elise being the eldest, formed a strong bond beyond that ventured into sisterhood. A beautiful picture of friendship, togetherness, fun and familiarity emerged but all that was shattered as the Germans marched on Paris in September 1940. Their lives were never the same again. Elise had barely left her teens but she was forced to grow up quickly. As well as the conflict raging all around her there is an internal battle which she must wager as laws are enforced upon the Jewish population of Paris which sees the ties she has with the Goldmans severed. But will she allow these new rules and regulations to break her steadfast friendship with Myriam?
I said Myriam faced a conflict and that is due to her father's viewpoints. It was like Victor did a complete 360 as soon as the war broke out. He felt his bread was better off buttered on the other side and Catherine fell right into place alongside him as she favoured the lavish lifestyle she was accustomed to. Securing a place as a minister in the new Vichy government in the Free Zone gave Victor the status and power he had always wanted. To hear his antisemitic views spill forth appal Elise and to think that he can cast away the Goldmans with a drop of a hat is deplorable. Elise loves her father and that won’t change but she can’t stand by as her friends life goes from bad to worse with harsh laws, rationing, curfews and confinements. Here is where Elise threaded a very fine line. She had to be seen to be loyal to her parents but truly she was going against their horrific and unjust reviews and following her heart and mind no matter what danger it put her in. I found Elise to be astute, forthright and rebellious. All of which are very good characteristics to have in her situation. She could have turned a blind eye to the developments that ensued for the Goldman’s and so many others but that wasn’t in her nature.
Fear, tension, degradation, apprehension and anxiety all become commonplace as the days and months pass in Paris. The Goldman’s are devastated when round ups start to occur. Victor is taken and this is where I felt Elise really came into her own. Despite being so young she pushed herself forward into the lions den and did so with graciousness and fearlessness. Working in a local flower shop which had much going on behind the scenes afforded her to do certain things and I loved that she engaged in resistance work through looking through her fathers documents. She was aware of things before they happened and this information could help save people from persecution. Casting her own fears aside she kept doing this but would it ultimately lead her to danger not to mention the fate of the Goldman’s literally more or less falls into her hands.
There is so much more that happens from the point at which the Germans take over the City of Light but each event is worthy of its place within the book. Cliched as it sounds you really are taken on a rollercoaster of a ride and it was one which I didn’t want to end as the story become compelling with edge of your seat stuff ensuing. Nothing felt as if it was there just for the sake of it or to fill up a chapter or two. Instead the author really got inside the characters heads and the reader could envision themselves there alongside them as they navigated one cruel event after the other. It was as if they could not catch a break and I suppose given the persecution of Jews inflicted by Hitler there never was a chance to just relax and breathe during the war for you lived on your nerves never knowing would today be the day the Germans found you and took you away. When things reach extreme crisis point Elise once again showed she was made of strong stuff and she pushed aside thoughts of any consequences and just went for it which only served to show how brave and courageous she was. When the plot moved to a different part of France, I found the historical element of this interesting and informative as it was another piece of the war puzzle which I had had scant information about. It served to highlight how many people from all walks of life did their bit to fight the injustice, danger and violence that lurked around every corner.
There were chapters from Myriam's viewpoint which contrasted well with Elise’s chapters. Although honestly it was Elise and her incredible daring, grit and heroism that truly captured my attention. Myriam’s view served to show what it was like from the other side to be on the receiving end of so much hatred and to have your life turned upside down and shattered all because of your religion. The friendship between Elise and Myriam was cemented but as the prologue suggested that friendship would be tested. But would kindness, compassion, humanity, understanding and decency win out or will the worst befall the friends? Will Jeanne find the answers to the questions she has? Well, an afternoon spent in their company will answer those questions and so much more. You will be glad you made the effort to read this engaging heart wrenching story which tells us war is painful, but the past must never be forgotten.
The reader is then brought forward to Corsica March 1942. Jeanne is travelling to her mothers farmstead in the hills to tell her the news that she will be a grandmother. Jeanne for the most part has a good relationship with her mother Elise but there have always been an air of mystery surrounding specific details of her mothers past during the war. Elise reared Jeanne on her own and refuses to talk about the circumstances of her fathers death. Jeanne now that she herself is about to become a mother wants answers. She feels she can’t move forward in the present without knowing what her mother has been hiding. A dream/nightmare she regularly has lingers on within her long after she wakes up. Memories of an event that she is sure are tied to Elise’s past are trying to make themselves known. Secretly taking a photograph and reading through some documents that Elise has stashed away, Jeanne decides to visit France, the country of her mothers birth. If Elise insists on remaining evasive than Jeanne will just have to go digging for answers herself.
I presumed from this point on that the chapters would weave back and forth between Jeanne and Elise at a regular rate. That’s what usually occurs in a dual timeline novel but that wasn’t the case, and I was glad of it. Chapters from Jeanne’s perspective appear few and far between at just the right junctures to briefly summarise something or for her to connect the pieces of the puzzle that were making themselves known. I didn’t want her randomly meeting some man on her journey and falling in love and forgetting about her boyfriend. It would have felt too contrived. Instead, Jeanne is the link that binds past and present together but in a subtle and beautiful way and Elise, Myriam and Salome’s stories are allowed to shine and what an incredible story unfolds.
Life was good for the Goldman family of Louis, Esther, Myriam and Salome pre war. They were Jewish but did not practice and had wealth and could enjoy a lavish lifestyle. They were friends with Victor, Catherine and Elise Baudin as the men shared business interests. Summers spent in the South of France meant the three young girls, with Elise being the eldest, formed a strong bond beyond that ventured into sisterhood. A beautiful picture of friendship, togetherness, fun and familiarity emerged but all that was shattered as the Germans marched on Paris in September 1940. Their lives were never the same again. Elise had barely left her teens but she was forced to grow up quickly. As well as the conflict raging all around her there is an internal battle which she must wager as laws are enforced upon the Jewish population of Paris which sees the ties she has with the Goldmans severed. But will she allow these new rules and regulations to break her steadfast friendship with Myriam?
I said Myriam faced a conflict and that is due to her father's viewpoints. It was like Victor did a complete 360 as soon as the war broke out. He felt his bread was better off buttered on the other side and Catherine fell right into place alongside him as she favoured the lavish lifestyle she was accustomed to. Securing a place as a minister in the new Vichy government in the Free Zone gave Victor the status and power he had always wanted. To hear his antisemitic views spill forth appal Elise and to think that he can cast away the Goldmans with a drop of a hat is deplorable. Elise loves her father and that won’t change but she can’t stand by as her friends life goes from bad to worse with harsh laws, rationing, curfews and confinements. Here is where Elise threaded a very fine line. She had to be seen to be loyal to her parents but truly she was going against their horrific and unjust reviews and following her heart and mind no matter what danger it put her in. I found Elise to be astute, forthright and rebellious. All of which are very good characteristics to have in her situation. She could have turned a blind eye to the developments that ensued for the Goldman’s and so many others but that wasn’t in her nature.
Fear, tension, degradation, apprehension and anxiety all become commonplace as the days and months pass in Paris. The Goldman’s are devastated when round ups start to occur. Victor is taken and this is where I felt Elise really came into her own. Despite being so young she pushed herself forward into the lions den and did so with graciousness and fearlessness. Working in a local flower shop which had much going on behind the scenes afforded her to do certain things and I loved that she engaged in resistance work through looking through her fathers documents. She was aware of things before they happened and this information could help save people from persecution. Casting her own fears aside she kept doing this but would it ultimately lead her to danger not to mention the fate of the Goldman’s literally more or less falls into her hands.
There is so much more that happens from the point at which the Germans take over the City of Light but each event is worthy of its place within the book. Cliched as it sounds you really are taken on a rollercoaster of a ride and it was one which I didn’t want to end as the story become compelling with edge of your seat stuff ensuing. Nothing felt as if it was there just for the sake of it or to fill up a chapter or two. Instead the author really got inside the characters heads and the reader could envision themselves there alongside them as they navigated one cruel event after the other. It was as if they could not catch a break and I suppose given the persecution of Jews inflicted by Hitler there never was a chance to just relax and breathe during the war for you lived on your nerves never knowing would today be the day the Germans found you and took you away. When things reach extreme crisis point Elise once again showed she was made of strong stuff and she pushed aside thoughts of any consequences and just went for it which only served to show how brave and courageous she was. When the plot moved to a different part of France, I found the historical element of this interesting and informative as it was another piece of the war puzzle which I had had scant information about. It served to highlight how many people from all walks of life did their bit to fight the injustice, danger and violence that lurked around every corner.
There were chapters from Myriam's viewpoint which contrasted well with Elise’s chapters. Although honestly it was Elise and her incredible daring, grit and heroism that truly captured my attention. Myriam’s view served to show what it was like from the other side to be on the receiving end of so much hatred and to have your life turned upside down and shattered all because of your religion. The friendship between Elise and Myriam was cemented but as the prologue suggested that friendship would be tested. But would kindness, compassion, humanity, understanding and decency win out or will the worst befall the friends? Will Jeanne find the answers to the questions she has? Well, an afternoon spent in their company will answer those questions and so much more. You will be glad you made the effort to read this engaging heart wrenching story which tells us war is painful, but the past must never be forgotten.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC. I’m grateful for the opportunity to read this moving and powerful story in advance, and I appreciate your continued support of reviewers.
Set against the shadows of Nazi-occupied Paris, Once We Were Sisters is a profoundly moving story of friendship, courage, and the quiet resilience of women whose lives are torn apart by war. Ann Bennett weaves a dual-timeline narrative from the 1940s to Corsica in 1972, exploring generational silence, buried secrets, and the lasting echoes of love and loss.
At the heart of the novel is the bond between two families: the Jewish Goldman sisters, Myriam and Salome, and their childhood friend Elise Bonnard. As France falls under occupation and antisemitism erupts into violence, Elise is forced to confront not only the cruelty of the regime but also the devastating moral betrayal within her own household. The courage she finds, risking everything to protect Jewish children and stand against hatred, is portrayed with compassion and emotional weight.
Decades later, Elise’s daughter Jeanne begins to unravel the truth her mother has refused to speak of. Her search for answers becomes a powerful bridge between past and present, revealing sacrifice, loyalty, and the hidden emotional cost of survival. The slow unfolding of Elise’s story is heartbreaking and compelling, and the final revelations land with real emotional force, equal parts devastating and hopeful.
Bennett’s writing captures both the brutality of wartime France and the tenderness of found-family bonds. The characters feel human and layered, shaped by fear, love, duty, and impossible choices. While some plot moments lean toward coincidence, they ultimately serve the sense of fate and circumstance that defined lives during such turbulent times, and the story never loses its authenticity or emotional pull.
This is a novel about bravery in small, everyday acts; about love that endures across years of silence; and about the strength of women who refuse to break, even when the world around them does.
Heart-wrenching, poignant, and beautifully told, a must-read for fans of WWII historical fiction.
Set against the shadows of Nazi-occupied Paris, Once We Were Sisters is a profoundly moving story of friendship, courage, and the quiet resilience of women whose lives are torn apart by war. Ann Bennett weaves a dual-timeline narrative from the 1940s to Corsica in 1972, exploring generational silence, buried secrets, and the lasting echoes of love and loss.
At the heart of the novel is the bond between two families: the Jewish Goldman sisters, Myriam and Salome, and their childhood friend Elise Bonnard. As France falls under occupation and antisemitism erupts into violence, Elise is forced to confront not only the cruelty of the regime but also the devastating moral betrayal within her own household. The courage she finds, risking everything to protect Jewish children and stand against hatred, is portrayed with compassion and emotional weight.
Decades later, Elise’s daughter Jeanne begins to unravel the truth her mother has refused to speak of. Her search for answers becomes a powerful bridge between past and present, revealing sacrifice, loyalty, and the hidden emotional cost of survival. The slow unfolding of Elise’s story is heartbreaking and compelling, and the final revelations land with real emotional force, equal parts devastating and hopeful.
Bennett’s writing captures both the brutality of wartime France and the tenderness of found-family bonds. The characters feel human and layered, shaped by fear, love, duty, and impossible choices. While some plot moments lean toward coincidence, they ultimately serve the sense of fate and circumstance that defined lives during such turbulent times, and the story never loses its authenticity or emotional pull.
This is a novel about bravery in small, everyday acts; about love that endures across years of silence; and about the strength of women who refuse to break, even when the world around them does.
Heart-wrenching, poignant, and beautifully told, a must-read for fans of WWII historical fiction.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Once We Were Sisters by Ann Bennett was a book I truly loved, even though it stirred up so many emotions. It made me feel heavy, sad, and deeply worried for the characters, yet also hopeful and profoundly thankful for the everyday gifts we so often take for granted—the air we breathe, the clothes we wear, and even the simple freedom of walking from my house to a friend’s place.
Ann Bennett’s writing is exceptional. The emotions of the characters are so vividly rendered that I felt as though I was right there with Elise, Maryam, and Salome—running, hiding, and desperately searching for a way to survive under unimaginably harsh circumstances. I especially appreciated how romance was woven into the story without overshadowing the gravity of the situation. It blended seamlessly, adding tenderness without diminishing the weight of the narrative.
Choosing a favorite character is difficult, but if I had to pick one, it would be Elise. She stood out as determined and courageous, even in moments of fear. Her vulnerability—especially in the way she cared for her daughter, Jeanne—made her feel deeply human rather than idealized. I also understood and empathized with her complicated love for her father, which felt painfully real and honest.
This is a story that will linger with me for a long time. I finished it days ago, yet I still remember the characters clearly—something not every book achieves. I’m truly glad I requested this book and was given the opportunity to read it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Ann Bennett’s writing is exceptional. The emotions of the characters are so vividly rendered that I felt as though I was right there with Elise, Maryam, and Salome—running, hiding, and desperately searching for a way to survive under unimaginably harsh circumstances. I especially appreciated how romance was woven into the story without overshadowing the gravity of the situation. It blended seamlessly, adding tenderness without diminishing the weight of the narrative.
Choosing a favorite character is difficult, but if I had to pick one, it would be Elise. She stood out as determined and courageous, even in moments of fear. Her vulnerability—especially in the way she cared for her daughter, Jeanne—made her feel deeply human rather than idealized. I also understood and empathized with her complicated love for her father, which felt painfully real and honest.
This is a story that will linger with me for a long time. I finished it days ago, yet I still remember the characters clearly—something not every book achieves. I’m truly glad I requested this book and was given the opportunity to read it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 9, 2026
ONCE WE WERE SISTERS by ANN BENNETT is a WW11 novel that will keep you riveted as you follow Elize Bonnard in the early 1940’s, during the war in France, as she courageously works to help Jewish children escape the Nazi regime, to her life on her farm in Corsica in 1972. It is a story about unconditional love, incredible bravery and unselfishness, against the backdrop of hatred and the inhumane treatment of Jews, as the Vichy government joins the Nazis in their reign of terror……
Victor Bonnard and Louis Goldman have been the best of friends as well as business associates, and the Goldman daughters are like sisters to Elize. The families spend holidays together and seem to be inseparable…..And then comes the German occupation of France, and personal ambition and antisemitism come out into the open………
In 1972, Elise’s daughter Jeanne, who is expecting her first baby, is desperate to learn about her father. She cannot get her mother to open up about her past and takes a trip to France, following clues she finds hidden in her mother’s room, to search for the truth. ……
This heart wrenching story is beautifully told, and is a must read as it tells the truth of the atrocities perpetrated during the second world war, and how a young woman’s actions can bring hope into a hopeless situation.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
Victor Bonnard and Louis Goldman have been the best of friends as well as business associates, and the Goldman daughters are like sisters to Elize. The families spend holidays together and seem to be inseparable…..And then comes the German occupation of France, and personal ambition and antisemitism come out into the open………
In 1972, Elise’s daughter Jeanne, who is expecting her first baby, is desperate to learn about her father. She cannot get her mother to open up about her past and takes a trip to France, following clues she finds hidden in her mother’s room, to search for the truth. ……
This heart wrenching story is beautifully told, and is a must read as it tells the truth of the atrocities perpetrated during the second world war, and how a young woman’s actions can bring hope into a hopeless situation.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
February 19, 2026
Once We Were Sisters completely pulled me in from the very beginning. The dual timeline between Nazi-occupied Paris and the present day creates immediate emotional tension, and I was hooked by both storylines.
In 1940 Paris, Elise risks everything to protect the Jewish sisters she loves as family, even as her own father collaborates with the Nazis. The wartime chapters are tense and immersive, capturing the fear and impossible moral choices of occupation.
But what resonated most deeply with me was Jeanne’s present-day storyline. As she reflects on her own pregnancy and begins searching for answers about her father, her longing to understand the silences in her family felt raw and incredibly relatable. Even when her mother shares what details she knows, Jeanne’s need for deeper clarity adds a powerful emotional layer to the novel.
This is a story about loyalty, secrecy, sacrifice, and the lasting impact of hidden truths across generations. It’s both heartbreaking and hopeful, and the dual narrative structure keeps the pages turning while building toward an emotionally satisfying conclusion.
If you love World War II historical fiction centered on female friendship and mother-daughter relationships, this is absolutely worth reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
In 1940 Paris, Elise risks everything to protect the Jewish sisters she loves as family, even as her own father collaborates with the Nazis. The wartime chapters are tense and immersive, capturing the fear and impossible moral choices of occupation.
But what resonated most deeply with me was Jeanne’s present-day storyline. As she reflects on her own pregnancy and begins searching for answers about her father, her longing to understand the silences in her family felt raw and incredibly relatable. Even when her mother shares what details she knows, Jeanne’s need for deeper clarity adds a powerful emotional layer to the novel.
This is a story about loyalty, secrecy, sacrifice, and the lasting impact of hidden truths across generations. It’s both heartbreaking and hopeful, and the dual narrative structure keeps the pages turning while building toward an emotionally satisfying conclusion.
If you love World War II historical fiction centered on female friendship and mother-daughter relationships, this is absolutely worth reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this story. The characters were compelling and human, and they showed inspiring bravery and courage in the face of the many tragic and heinous events that took place in France during WWII. I needed something more fictional than historical while reading this, and Ann Bennett's new novel gave me exactly what I sought. Some readers might say that "too many" coincidental events happened in the lives of the book's characters, but I have a feeling that the gathering force of the freight train that was Nazi Germany in the 1940s made those events plausible. Set in Paris in the 1940s and in Corsica in 1972, the story follows two French families--one is Jewish and the other is Christian. The main story focuses on sisters Myriam and Salome, and their family friend, Elise. Elise's adult daughter, Jeanne, also plays an important role, acting as a catalyst for the unwinding of her mother's story and secrets. This book highlights friendship, love, and the strength of women, even in the darkest times.
Avoiding spoilers, I will just say that I got chills (and tears) at the ending and most of it was not at all predictable.I am appreciative of Bookouture and NetGalley for the eARC of this beautifully heart wrenching story. All opinions are my own.
Avoiding spoilers, I will just say that I got chills (and tears) at the ending and most of it was not at all predictable.I am appreciative of Bookouture and NetGalley for the eARC of this beautifully heart wrenching story. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Once We Were Friends is a intriguing dual timeline. The readers discover Elise's past thanks to her daughter's curiosity. Jeanne wants to know about her father, about her mother's past, about a past her mother refuses to talk about.
I was transported to Paris to a time before the Germans took over, back to a time when the Jewish people walked freely on the streets. Elise's family is close to the Goldman family vacationing together each year. War came and everything changed. Elise's father distanced himself from his Jewish friends. Her mother denied the friendship with the Goldmans. Elise saw things differently.
Elise's decisions and actions give glimpses into the challenges of war. The author's words had me running in fear with Jewish children. Her words had my heart beating fast. Her words crushed me, tore me apart with every failure, every loss. I found myself in awe of those that risked everything to save those they did not know. The suspense was nail biting. The drama grabbed me and didn't let go.
I finally grasp a small understanding of why my family members do not talk of the that time period. The war ended but the anger continued. Opionions didn't change. People, like Elise, are heroes in my eyes. I didn't think how failures would haunt them. We should all read books like this to gain understanding. We need to make sure that the past is never repeated.
I was transported to Paris to a time before the Germans took over, back to a time when the Jewish people walked freely on the streets. Elise's family is close to the Goldman family vacationing together each year. War came and everything changed. Elise's father distanced himself from his Jewish friends. Her mother denied the friendship with the Goldmans. Elise saw things differently.
Elise's decisions and actions give glimpses into the challenges of war. The author's words had me running in fear with Jewish children. Her words had my heart beating fast. Her words crushed me, tore me apart with every failure, every loss. I found myself in awe of those that risked everything to save those they did not know. The suspense was nail biting. The drama grabbed me and didn't let go.
I finally grasp a small understanding of why my family members do not talk of the that time period. The war ended but the anger continued. Opionions didn't change. People, like Elise, are heroes in my eyes. I didn't think how failures would haunt them. We should all read books like this to gain understanding. We need to make sure that the past is never repeated.
February 21, 2026
Heartwarming and heart breaking
This story was inspired by a real organization in France called OSE which cared for Jewish children hiding from the Germans during the early years of the war. As risks increased that they would be captured, they helped settle children into homes or cross into Switzerland. It was dangerous work, and not all survived.
The story is told via dual timeline. In 1972, Jeanne is pregnant and determined to get her mother to tell her about her family history. Elise is unwilling to share more than the bare minimum. From 1939 to 1942, readers find out about the friendship that Elise shared with two younger Jewish girls. As war began and life became harder for the Jewish people, Elise chose to follow where her heart knew she should go, even if it meant leaving her own family behind.
The narration moves back and forth between Jeanne's search for her ancestry, and her mother's wartime experiences. As a reader I could not fail to be moved by this fascinating story of love, friendship and shame for imagined faults.
This story was inspired by a real organization in France called OSE which cared for Jewish children hiding from the Germans during the early years of the war. As risks increased that they would be captured, they helped settle children into homes or cross into Switzerland. It was dangerous work, and not all survived.
The story is told via dual timeline. In 1972, Jeanne is pregnant and determined to get her mother to tell her about her family history. Elise is unwilling to share more than the bare minimum. From 1939 to 1942, readers find out about the friendship that Elise shared with two younger Jewish girls. As war began and life became harder for the Jewish people, Elise chose to follow where her heart knew she should go, even if it meant leaving her own family behind.
The narration moves back and forth between Jeanne's search for her ancestry, and her mother's wartime experiences. As a reader I could not fail to be moved by this fascinating story of love, friendship and shame for imagined faults.
February 21, 2026
📆 dual timeline.
👀 multi POV
🐢 -🐇 medium-paced
What a rollercoaster of a book that was! From desperately hoping they would all survive, to knowing that was unlikely, to glimmers of hope again. I've really been through the wringer on this one.
Bennett writes believable, loveable characters, who feel just right for the time period they are living in. I could easily believe I was in Nazi occupied France and could almost feel the tension in the air.
I found the plot gripped me instantly, I love a book where the prologue starts somewhere near the end of the story, meaning you just have to read on to find out how the characters got there. The book was fraught with danger throughout, especially the last 5 chapters which had me holding my breath with tension.
I was struck by how young Elise was, and how brave, although I'm well aware how young many resistance members were. The difference in her and her Father's beliefs added a real layer of complexity to the story.
I was already a massive fan of Bennett's writing, and this book has further cemented that.
👀 multi POV
🐢 -🐇 medium-paced
What a rollercoaster of a book that was! From desperately hoping they would all survive, to knowing that was unlikely, to glimmers of hope again. I've really been through the wringer on this one.
Bennett writes believable, loveable characters, who feel just right for the time period they are living in. I could easily believe I was in Nazi occupied France and could almost feel the tension in the air.
I found the plot gripped me instantly, I love a book where the prologue starts somewhere near the end of the story, meaning you just have to read on to find out how the characters got there. The book was fraught with danger throughout, especially the last 5 chapters which had me holding my breath with tension.
I was struck by how young Elise was, and how brave, although I'm well aware how young many resistance members were. The difference in her and her Father's beliefs added a real layer of complexity to the story.
I was already a massive fan of Bennett's writing, and this book has further cemented that.
December 5, 2025
Once We Were Sisters goes back and forth from the 1940s to 1972. Jeanne the daughter of Elise wants to know more about her mother's life. Elise has been very secretive about her past. She refuses to discuss her father, Jeann'es grandfather or talk about her life during World War 2 and the Holocaust in Europe. Elise was friends with the Goldman sisters. When the Holocaust started closing in and taking innocent Jewish people away Elise makes it her mission the protect the Goldmans. she is disgusted that her own father turns against the Jewish people even joining the Nazis. elise devotes herself to helping hide Jewish children. Jeanne sets out on her own to figure out why her mother refuses to talk about her past. this story is heartbreaking. I found myself hoping that the Goldman sisters and Elise have a good outcome up to the very end of the book. Don't want to give spoilers. I found this to be a good read. I would give this book a 4.5
February 14, 2026
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This time slip novel takes us on a journey from WWII to 1972.
Elise WWII - Elise lives in Nazi-occupied Paris. She risks everything to protect her Jewish friends, Myriam and Salome, the Goldman sisters. Elise will risk everything to help her “adopted” sisters.
Jeanne 1972- Jeanne is Elise’s daughter. When Jeanne finds out she is pregnant, she tries to find out more about her unknown father and her mother’s life in France during the war.
This was a gut wrenching novel about family loyalty and doing what is right. I enjoyed both of the timelines and I liked how it all tied up in the end. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#Once We Were Sisters
#AnnBennett #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BooksSetDuringWWII
This time slip novel takes us on a journey from WWII to 1972.
Elise WWII - Elise lives in Nazi-occupied Paris. She risks everything to protect her Jewish friends, Myriam and Salome, the Goldman sisters. Elise will risk everything to help her “adopted” sisters.
Jeanne 1972- Jeanne is Elise’s daughter. When Jeanne finds out she is pregnant, she tries to find out more about her unknown father and her mother’s life in France during the war.
This was a gut wrenching novel about family loyalty and doing what is right. I enjoyed both of the timelines and I liked how it all tied up in the end. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#Once We Were Sisters
#AnnBennett #NetGalley #Bookouture #BooksOnTour #BookLove #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BooksSetDuringWWII
January 27, 2026
Jeanne’s mother, Elise, has always refused to talk about Jeanne’s father. Now she is pregnant with her own child, she needs to know what her mother is hiding. After finding some paperwork and a photograph from her mother’s house, Jeanne heads off to Paris to see if she can find the two girls with her mother in the photo, as well as information about her father.
It’s 1940 in Paris, and the Germans have invaded. Elise’s parents have said she has to keep away from her friends, Myriam and Salomé Goldman. Elise’s father is working with the Nazis, and she refuses to kowtow to him.
Trying to outwit the Nazis, she does all she can to save her friends and their parents.
This is an emotive story told with a dual timeline. I could completely understand why Jeanne wanted to know about her father, but I could also understand how difficult it was for Elise to discuss what happened.
I thought the relationship between Elise and the Goldman family was beautifully written, I could feel the love between the friends.
I do enjoy this author’s books and look forward to reading more.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
It’s 1940 in Paris, and the Germans have invaded. Elise’s parents have said she has to keep away from her friends, Myriam and Salomé Goldman. Elise’s father is working with the Nazis, and she refuses to kowtow to him.
Trying to outwit the Nazis, she does all she can to save her friends and their parents.
This is an emotive story told with a dual timeline. I could completely understand why Jeanne wanted to know about her father, but I could also understand how difficult it was for Elise to discuss what happened.
I thought the relationship between Elise and the Goldman family was beautifully written, I could feel the love between the friends.
I do enjoy this author’s books and look forward to reading more.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Overall I liked the book. The story is beautifully written and easy to read. I loved discovering the rebellious part of the main character Elise and also getting an insight from a character that was not Jewish was quite refreshing. The ambiance and the historical background were greatly done and the character development was one of the best parts of the book. However, the ending was in my opinion a bit of a let down, It felt rushed and not so well connected with the rest of the story. I also didn't like the parts where Jeanne was telling her point of view because they completely felt out of the story and way too mystical for my liking. Overall I gave the book three stars and I do think it is a good book for people who haven't read a historical novel before.
February 11, 2026
This is a great story of female friendships. Elise goes against her Vichy father to do what she can to protect her Jewish friends. By doing so she ends up helping the resistance. She has so much compassion and love for Myriam and Salome. That compassion spreads to all the others that she helps.
As much as I like Elise’s timeline, the second timeline was my favorite. Jeanne is on a mission to find out her mother’s history and who her father is. She feels that she needs to know before her baby comes into the world.
The ending was extra emotional. I definitely got teary. As sad as the story is, the hope we get at the end makes all the difference.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy of this book.
As much as I like Elise’s timeline, the second timeline was my favorite. Jeanne is on a mission to find out her mother’s history and who her father is. She feels that she needs to know before her baby comes into the world.
The ending was extra emotional. I definitely got teary. As sad as the story is, the hope we get at the end makes all the difference.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Once We Were Sisters is a dual time period read about WW II Paris and the Nazi Occupation. This book highlights friendship and the bond between a Christian and Jewish family. We also see into the life of Jeanne in 1972 who is interested in discovering the mysteries of her mothers past. The author does an excellent job capturing the cruelity and bitter reality of the second World War. This book held my interested and up until the end I hoped for a happy ending for the Goldman sisters, Elise and Jeanne. I was not disappointed. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this wonderful novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story highlights a family in the 1970s and during World War II in France. At first, the 1970s plot did not grab my attention. However, after several page turns into the Paris setting before and during the war, I was hooked!
Elise had a privileged life in Paris. She treasured her city, her summer home, and most of all her two best friends who happened to be Jewish. When Germany invaded France, Elise's parents quickly became collaborators. Elise pivoted and did everything she could to stop the Nazi plan of rounding up Jewish families.
NetGalley and the publisher provided a free copy of the book for a review.
Elise had a privileged life in Paris. She treasured her city, her summer home, and most of all her two best friends who happened to be Jewish. When Germany invaded France, Elise's parents quickly became collaborators. Elise pivoted and did everything she could to stop the Nazi plan of rounding up Jewish families.
NetGalley and the publisher provided a free copy of the book for a review.
February 9, 2026
Once We Were Sisters is a historical fiction set in WWII. This is the first book I've read by Ann Bennett and found this to be a moving and loving story about sisterhood and sacrifice. This story switches back and forth between 1940s Paris and present day. I always love to try and figure out how the timelines go together. I loved this book even though it was a difficult read. The middle of the story was hard to read at times as it was about Elsie hiding away her close family friends who were Jewish. I loved Elsie's determination to do the right thing even when her parents were thinking of only themselves. I have been reading lots of WWII historical fiction lately and this one is one of the best.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is unmissable - a must read. It has romance, danger, emotion. As a dual time line story it works well. The book begins in 1942 with a daring escape and ends with 3 sisters being reunited. Throughout it dips backwards to the years of WW2 as the daughter in 1972 finds out about her Mother, the war hero.
Once started it hooks you and you just want to know more.
Thank you Ann Bennett for bringing this story to life and to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy in exchange for this freely given review - these are my own opinions freely given
Once started it hooks you and you just want to know more.
Thank you Ann Bennett for bringing this story to life and to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advance copy in exchange for this freely given review - these are my own opinions freely given
Read
February 8, 2026This novel depicts hard choices made after 1939 in France.
Once family betrays another for the sake of a moral and righteous code that proved fatal.
Elise held true to her values but lost everything during the war and shut it out.
Jeanne, her daughter, conducts her own detective work to unlock her mother’s past.
There are a mix of heartwarming and gut wrenching scenes.
There is a great twist at the end of the story that demonstrates life can come full circle.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance read.
Once family betrays another for the sake of a moral and righteous code that proved fatal.
Elise held true to her values but lost everything during the war and shut it out.
Jeanne, her daughter, conducts her own detective work to unlock her mother’s past.
There are a mix of heartwarming and gut wrenching scenes.
There is a great twist at the end of the story that demonstrates life can come full circle.
Thanks Bookouture and NetGalley for the advance read.
March 15, 2026
Once We Were Sisters is a beautifully written WW2 dual timeline, set in France. With the country divided between the occupied and free zones, friendships and families are tested. The story mixtures family mystery, love, sisterhood and betrayal into a compelling story of courage and hope. Ann Bennett delivers a gripping, powerful and emotional read. The ending moved me to tears. Highly recommended read. 5 stars
I would like to thank the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.
#OnceWeWereSisters #NetGalley
I would like to thank the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.
#OnceWeWereSisters #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The plot for this story sounded intriguing, and I liked how it could provide a different character perspective with the daughter not in favor of her parent's choices. For myself, I struggled with connecting to the characters. I felt I was being told the story, like the next step is this, and the next step is that. I wasn't getting the deep emotional pull like I've read in other stories related to WW2. For myself, the idea of the story caught me, but it wasn't for me.
February 11, 2026
Couldn’t put this down! Stayed up too late too many work nights reading it and zero regrets. A delicious mystery set in the 1970s that sends Jeanne delving into her mother’s past, and what she got up to during the war years. Most of the book was set in the 1940s and followed her mother, Elise, and Elise’s young Jewish friend Myriam. I seem to be reading a lot of books set in France lately too, and this is definitely one of the best.
February 17, 2026
Two sisters, Myriam and Salomé and their best friend Elise, they seems like three sisters but than the war starts and all is different because the two sisters belong to a Jewish family.. when her family breaks the friendship what will Elise do, can she help their friends?
What a great story , really emotional and with great storytelling.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this story.
What a great story , really emotional and with great storytelling.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this story.
April 25, 2026
lovely.. deep and different. not your usual type of story
This story tells of the heartbreaking things that happened during those times, betrayal and friendship as well as sacrifices made. This author has brought out the story so well, you’d think it was true and while much is sad as were the circumstances of the time, still you do not feel like you are left hanging in the air at the end.
This story tells of the heartbreaking things that happened during those times, betrayal and friendship as well as sacrifices made. This author has brought out the story so well, you’d think it was true and while much is sad as were the circumstances of the time, still you do not feel like you are left hanging in the air at the end.
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