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The True Meaning of Love: A Novel
As Russian troops amass on Ukraine’s borders and the city of Kyiv swiftly comes under attack, the lives of four very different women change in an instant.
Tatyanna, the orphaned young ballerina who dances with the famous ballet school is devastated when her boyfriend and best friend are killed. She must now decide whether to stay and fight, or flee to safety and join a Paris ballet.
Yulya, the young wife and mother whose happy, normal life is destroyed by wartime forcing her to leave her husband and elderly parents to flee to another country to keep her children safe.
Sasha, the dedicated doctor who risks all to selflessly stay and save lives regardless of politics.
And Oxana, the elderly grandmother, too old to leave and devoted to her husband, is determined to stay in their home and care for him while life disintegrates around them.
The impact of war on these women and the people they love, and how they face the challenge to keep safe comes down to the true meaning of love . . .
Tatyanna, the orphaned young ballerina who dances with the famous ballet school is devastated when her boyfriend and best friend are killed. She must now decide whether to stay and fight, or flee to safety and join a Paris ballet.
Yulya, the young wife and mother whose happy, normal life is destroyed by wartime forcing her to leave her husband and elderly parents to flee to another country to keep her children safe.
Sasha, the dedicated doctor who risks all to selflessly stay and save lives regardless of politics.
And Oxana, the elderly grandmother, too old to leave and devoted to her husband, is determined to stay in their home and care for him while life disintegrates around them.
The impact of war on these women and the people they love, and how they face the challenge to keep safe comes down to the true meaning of love . . .
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2026
About the author
Danielle Steel
1,017 books17.5k followersDanielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 12, 2026
With Russian troops massing at Ukraine’s borders and Kyiv under attack, four distinct women’s lives change instantly.
Tatyanna, an orphaned ballerina, is devastated when her boyfriend and best friend die. She must choose between staying to fight or fleeing to join a Paris ballet.
Yulya, a young wife and mother, has her normal life destroyed by war, forcing her to leave her husband and parents to flee and protect her children.
Sasha, a dedicated doctor, risks everything to stay and save lives regardless of politics.
Oxana, an elderly grandmother too old to leave, is determined to stay in her home with her husband as life crumbles around them.
Quite honestly, this book was actually pretty good and quite serious—not what I would expect from Danielle Steel. However, I found it quite depressing, and so many of the characters died. To be honest, I lost track of all the deaths; too many people died, and I just didn’t care anymore. There were too many characters, but I felt this book was good and very different from the other Danielle Steel books, which are silly fairytales.
Tatyanna, an orphaned ballerina, is devastated when her boyfriend and best friend die. She must choose between staying to fight or fleeing to join a Paris ballet.
Yulya, a young wife and mother, has her normal life destroyed by war, forcing her to leave her husband and parents to flee and protect her children.
Sasha, a dedicated doctor, risks everything to stay and save lives regardless of politics.
Oxana, an elderly grandmother too old to leave, is determined to stay in her home with her husband as life crumbles around them.
Quite honestly, this book was actually pretty good and quite serious—not what I would expect from Danielle Steel. However, I found it quite depressing, and so many of the characters died. To be honest, I lost track of all the deaths; too many people died, and I just didn’t care anymore. There were too many characters, but I felt this book was good and very different from the other Danielle Steel books, which are silly fairytales.
August 14, 2026
the true meaning of love
Oh my, this was a difficult book to read….and I’m sure hard to write. She must have had to do some in-depth background study. It sure isn’t like most of her latest books. The stories of these poor people in a war zone were tragic and some had better results than others. The names and places were hard to get straight in my head so slow start. As it went on it became a faster page turner. It took me a bit longer to finish it. I couldn’t do anything else until I did. The war in Ukraine is a terrible thing and the people have very difficult circumstances to overcome . I hope one day it will be over and they can get their country back to a new normal.
Oh my, this was a difficult book to read….and I’m sure hard to write. She must have had to do some in-depth background study. It sure isn’t like most of her latest books. The stories of these poor people in a war zone were tragic and some had better results than others. The names and places were hard to get straight in my head so slow start. As it went on it became a faster page turner. It took me a bit longer to finish it. I couldn’t do anything else until I did. The war in Ukraine is a terrible thing and the people have very difficult circumstances to overcome . I hope one day it will be over and they can get their country back to a new normal.
August 15, 2026
Not one of my favorites by Danielle Steel but it really brought the situation in Ukraine to life & made me realize how blessed we are here in America. The innocent people affected by this senseless war is crazy & what bothers me the most is the news barely reports on it anymore. Pray for Ukraine & their people.
August 15, 2026
I’m not a fan of this book. Since the war in Ukraine is ongoing I really wasn’t in a mindset to read even more about it. Not much of a storyline either, in my opinion. In a romance I prefer to get away from present day life. In this book you were constantly being bombarded with war facts, details and information.
August 16, 2026
Wonderful story with great characters as they struggle through the war in Ukraine.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were wonderful as they struggle in war torn Ukraine. Found it very hard to put the book down.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were wonderful as they struggle in war torn Ukraine. Found it very hard to put the book down.
August 14, 2026
2.5 stars.
August 14, 2026
Another A+
Danielle Steel has done it again. Actually had to pause reading several times reading about the atrocities of this war just made me cry.
Danielle Steel has done it again. Actually had to pause reading several times reading about the atrocities of this war just made me cry.
August 15, 2026
My new favourite of her books :)
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August 16, 2026Contextualizes the continuing war in Ukraine.
Interesting read but she repeats herself a lot
Interesting read but she repeats herself a lot
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews