Fallen for France

by Elizabeth Letts

An exquisite Arabian mare. A small boy leaving home. A young woman in France fighting to survive. The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Ride of Her Life braids a sweeping novel of love, war, empire, and the power of kindness in a world descending into darkness.

Beddou is six years old when he is sent off to apprentice far from his High Atlas village in Morocco. His mother gives him six amber beads to help him find his way home. That same month, a magnificent filly is born in Fes, in the splendor of the Sultan’s palace. For a brief, golden time, the mare belongs to the boy. But Beddou’s heart is broken when a soldier steals his horse and disappears into France just as the Great War roars to a start. Finding her seems impossible, but he vows to try.

Estelle, a young woman in France, finds a distressed Arabian mare wandering alone in the meadow behind her house. She is determined to look after this radiant creature just as tenderly as she cares for her vulnerable younger brother. But soon her world is torn apart, and she loses both the horse and her brother. She will spend the rest of the war searching for both.

Thomas is an Englishman hardened by his experience as a wartime veterinarian in France. He finds the mare and promises to protect her—and the woman who once loved her—but he doubts his own ability to keep anyone safe. As the pathways of the unforgettable mare and the boy’s desperate search intertwine, the separate strands of these strangers’ journeys converge, propelling them to make momentous choices that will change the course of their lives.

Spanning Morocco and France in the shadow of World War I, Fallen for France follows unforgettable characters whose lives are bound by a magnificent horse and a string of amber beads.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, France, Animals, Morocco, Horses, Historical

336 pages, Hardcover

First published August 25, 2026

About the author

Hi I'm Elizabeth Letts, #1 New York Times bestselling author, but on Goodreads I'm a reader just like you.

Growing up I read everything I could get my hands on-- as the daughter of an English major and avid library-goer I was never short on books.

I still like to read and I'd describe my taste as eclectic and leaning toward whatever strikes my fancy.
5 ***** means I truly loved it
4**** Good. A solid read.
3*** I did like it but was distracted by some minor issues.

If it's below a 3 that means I didn't finish, which is frequently the case for me. I don't leave bad reviews because I believe that every book has its readers.

Reviews

[Angela M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through the story of a young Moroccan boy kept from his family as an indentured servant and a young French woman trying to save her disabled brother the author has woven a story that connects the two by a beautiful Arabian horse and the amber beads his mother sent him off with. There’s almost a fairytale like quality in the beginning until the reality of war sets in . Beddou clever and smart beyond his years is sent away at six to earn his keep. He endures the cruelty of a cousin as an indentured servant, a shepherd until saved by a saddle maker. But things get complicated . A beautiful colt is born in the Sultan’s palace the same year as Beddou and their paths will cross for a short time. He is heartbroken once again having been taken from his mother and now having his beautiful horse Tassa taken from him . A young French woman , also knowing loss, crosses paths with the horse and the war.

I have not read a lot of WWI novels so it’s almost always a learning experience. This novel definitely covers an aspect of it that I was unaware of - that France recruited troops from its colonies including Morocco to fight in the war. The author has connections to Morocco in a number of ways and I appreciate her telling this story of its involvement in WWI. At times felt a bit of a wild goose chase as the horse changes hands many times . Too many things happen in between and I would be a spoiler to say more. A learning experience about the Moroccan culture in some ways as well . My heart went out to these characters as well as others in their lives .

I received a copy of this book from Ballantine through NetGalley

[Robin]

This is my 4th book by this author and it did not disappoint. I tend to speed read but I decided to slow down and really savor this gem. Also, I did not know a lot about Morocco and its struggles with France at the start of WWI. This book is told from several of the characters’ points of view. You have a young boy named Beddou who comes across an Arabian horse after he is sent off to be an apprentice and winds up with a man named Hassan. Hassan loses the horse after losing a bet to a French soldier named Jean Baptiste who takes the horse to France for the war. Beddou vows to find the horse and bring him back home to Morocco. The horse changes ownership several times in France due to the war. There you meet 2 more characters named Estelle and Thomas who both work hard to keep this horse alive. I loved the backstories of all the characters and how they came together. The author has written several books about horses and they are all fabulous and interesting and I am not even a horse person. This is a beautiful book that is easy to read. 4.5 stars for me. If you want to see more of my reviews, follow me on insta @rockingrobinreads. Thank you @elizabethletts for the ARC

[DJH · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional and beautiful tale of an Arabian horse and the human lives that she encounters on her journey!!

“True love is more like a piece of rock embedded in the dirt. It calls no attention to itself, but it sticks, it stays.”

[Kathleen Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. It was excellent. I read this in one sitting because I literally could not put it down. The way these characters stories are interconnected with this horse, was so well done.

This a book set during WWI and features multiple pov’s of characters in Morocco and France. You learn throughout the story how this Arabian mare ties all these people together and really becomes the symbol of hope in each of their stories. It was so detailed and well written that you felt like you were there.

I was almost ready to rate it lower as I was heading toward the end. I wrongly assumed there was one character we would not find out what happened to, and I was already hurt that his storyline went the way it did. Luckily though, the author tells you what happens to all of these characters and he does get his dream in the end too. It all comes together in a beautiful way.

I just can’t say enough good things about this book. Historical fiction is a hit or miss for me usually as some can be incredibly slow. I’m happy to say this was not the case with, “Fallen for France”. I loved it, plain and simple. 5 stars!

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because it's a book about WWI and a horse - two of my genres - not realizing that I've read a NF horse book by the author before. For those who read King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian as a child, this is pretty nostalgic/reminiscent; an Arabian horse is brought to a European country with his Moroccan groom and so adventure commences. There are a few other central characters, including an English vet, a French girl, a brutish French deserter, and a Moroccan con man/soldier. The WWI action is pretty slice-of-war standard fare, complete with mild romance, but the depiction of independent and colonial Morocco was the highlight. The author (as noted at the end) has lived and researched in Morocco and is married to a Moroccan, so I appreciated the diligence and attention to detail. This probably isn't going to catch fire at my library, but is enjoyable enough for folks interested in the topic.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

[Sleuthfullyours · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story. The story of war written from totally new perspectives with differing nationalities drawn in and the consequences affecting ordinary lives.

[Susan]

Marking DNF at 25%. I have enjoyed all of Elizabeth's other books I've read but this one just isn't capturing me, which I regret. I think it's the combination of not really connecting with the culture and characters. Reading the author's notes, I see that this was a special project to the author due to her upbringing. I understand that and think it's great for her!

[Teresa A. Mauk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read at least two other books by Letts and have thoroughly enjoyed them. This one also displayed her knowledge of the equine world while also providing interesting history of Morocco's involvement in WWI as a French territory. The story involves several characters who are all connected by a beautiful Arabian mare once owned by the sultan, and a string of six amber beads.

[Claudia Dursa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on historical truth and wonderful characters,this is an engaging and interesting story of WWI.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC. . . .

*A sincere thank you to Elizabeth Letts, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently. #FallenforFrance #NetGalley 26|52:32f

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so glad to see that Elizabeth Letts had another book coming out and I was not disappointed. Fallen for France may be her best book yet.

Set in Morocco and France, Letts tells of a history I had no knowledge about. During WWI, France had the additional help of soldiers from Morocco to fight the German army. During that time horses were often used in fighting and they suffered just as much as the soldiers.

They story opens with the birth of a boy named Beddou in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. At a young age, he is sent to apprentice far from home. About this same time, a beautiful Arabian filly is born in the Sultan’s palace.

Through a series of events, for a brief time the filly belongs to Beddou. Hassan, his mentor and the man who rescues him from a bad situation, moves in and out of his life throughout the story.

At some point, both characters and the horse, find themselves in France where they eventually cross paths with Thomas, an English veterinarian with the Blue Cross and Estelle, a French woman who takes care of her disabled brother.

The story has wonderful characters and is full of adventure and suspense, as well as the themes of grief and kindness. It’s going on my list of favorites for the year.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine books for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to recommend this to others who love horses, historical fiction and wonderful stories.

[Martie Nees Record · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Historical Fiction / World War I/Morocco and France
Publisher: Ballantine
Pub. Date: August 25, 2026

I requested “Fallen for France” because I enjoyed the author’s earlier novel, “The Ride of Her Life.” As in that book, Letts combines meticulous historical research with vivid, character-driven storytelling that brings history to life. Set during the early years of World War I, the novel begins far from the European battlefields in a small Moroccan village, where a young shepherd boy named Beddou lives under the harsh care of his abusive uncle. His closest companion is a magnificent Arabian mare. Through the journeys of four interconnected characters, Letts explores how war affects both humans and animals in deeply emotional ways.

Beddou’s life changes when Hassan, a young Moroccan soldier, takes him under his wing. Hassan is one of the novel’s most complex characters—kindhearted and charismatic, yet also selfish and impulsive. When he steals the mare and takes her to France to serve as a warhorse, Beddou is left devastated. Through Hassan’s experiences on the front lines, Letts offers readers a close, often heartbreaking look at the realities of war.

In France, near the battlefront, a sweet young woman named Estelle discovers the exhausted and traumatized mare wandering alone near her family’s home. Estelle nurses the horse back to health with the same tenderness she shows her disabled younger brother. Yet, the mare is stolen again by a soldier. Another important character, Tom, is an English veterinarian working in a hospital for injured warhorses. Through Tom’s work, the novel reveals the terrible suffering endured by animals during wartime. When he eventually encounters the Arabian mare, now physically and emotionally broken, he becomes determined to save her.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its emotional depth. Letts portrays the horrors of war in sensory-rich language while balancing the darkness with moments of compassion, romance, and the enduring bond between humans and horses. Readers who love animals should be aware that some scenes involving the treatment of horses are difficult to read, but they are handled with honesty and empathy.

The novel also sheds light on the important role of colonial soldiers during World War I, a perspective that is not often emphasized in historical fiction. Overall, “Fallen for France” is a moving and memorable historical novel filled with compelling characters, rich historical detail, and powerful themes of survival, loyalty, and compassion. Fans of historical fiction and horse-centered stories will likely find it both educational and emotionally rewarding.

I received this Advance Review Copy (ARC) novel from the publisher at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
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[Carolyn Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

High in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, just a few years before the Great War erupts across Europe, the young boy Beddou is sold by his father to apprentice as a shepherd. His broken-hearted mother gives him a strand of amber beads, promising they will guide him home. On the same day, a radiant Arabian mare is born in the Sultan’s palace. After years of cruelty by the shepherd, Beddou is freed, and for a brief, golden time, becomes master of the stunning mare. When she is stolen and taken to the frontlines of war in France, the boy sets off find her. These disparate events are two of the beads that make up the strand of story Elizabeth Letts strings together in Fallen for France.

Other beads are added to the thread as the story gains momentum. Hassan, Beddou’s hero and mentor, whose derring-do becomes both legend and farce, carries the novel’s weight throughout the opening chapters. The unscrupulous French soldier Jean-Baptiste, a Frenchman born in Morocco, but loyal to no one, casts dark shadows that leave readers cringing. Thomas Bellow, an Englishman contracted with the Blue Cross veterinary volunteers, saves more than just horses during the raging war. And finally, Estelle, who like the fiery mare herself, is woven in and out of the narrative with the deftness of a master storyteller.

The novel is at once an epic tale of a horse who binds together people from different worlds, and an examination of the forgotten role of colonial soldiers from North Africa in the world’s first truly global war.

Love in its many forms compels the story. Beddou longs for his mother somewhere in the Atlas Mountains; Hassan can’t release the love he feels for the dancing girl Louhou back in Morocco; Estelle searches for her severely handicapped younger brother captured by the Germans; and Thomas grieves for his dead sister. In as much as love informs the motivations of each character, the love story between Thomas and Estelle compounds the tension without complicating or sentimentalizing the plot.

Fallen For France is a work of heart by the author. A self-described horse-crazy girl who grew up to become a horse-loving woman, author Letts is not a newbie when it comes to writing about horses. She has written three award-winning, narrative nonfiction bestsellers, The Eighty Dollar Champion, The Perfect Horse, and The Ride of her Life (as well as three other novels).

It’s also a deeply personal novel that draws from the author’s experiences serving with the Peace Corps in Morocco. It’s there she met her husband and has returned to his native village in the Atlas Mountains many times through the years and is still enthralled by his family’s storytelling. She admits to drawing from his family history and shared stories between the pages of Fallen For France, but the individual characters and plot are completely drawn from her imagination.Letts shares much about the development of Fallen For France in a personal note at the close of the novel.

I received an advance copy of Fallen For France from NetGalley.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all mankind. quoted in Fallen for France by Elizabeth Letts

Here I was, I thought, at my age—still reading horse stories.

In her Note From the Author, Elizabeth Letts talks about her inspiration for her latest book, including a book I read as a girl: King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry. I was hooked on ‘horse stories’ as a girl.

Fallen for France is a ‘horse story,’ about an Arabian horse of great beauty. And, it is a love story; love for this horse, and love for brothers and surrogate family; and between men and women. And, it is a war story telling how WWI’s horrors affects each character, including the horse.

Panoramic in scale, spanning continents and time, the story is emotional and heartbreaking.

A child is sent into the world with six amber beads. He bonds to a beautiful horse he calls Tassa. The horse passes from owner to owner. Tassa ends up a war horse in France. The boy gives his beads to those he loves.

The people endure great suffering. Several are soldiers. One a veterinarian for the war horses. One works as a nurse. The boy learns to repair what is broken. At war’s end, the men claim Tassa as theirs, but only one can keep her.

Here is the thing. I requested this book as soon as I saw Letts was the author. When I began reading, I doubted my decision, but soon found my interest, then I became totally invested in it, and at the end I was emotional. This book took me on a journey into the human heart. It showed me how people carry on in wartime. What keeps us going amidst great loss. And the remarkable way we can begin again afterwards.

Tassa unites these characters in a symbolic way, for she is more than a magnificent, stunningly beautiful horse. She is what is worth fighting for. She is what survives.

Thanks to Ballantine for a free book through NetGalley.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing I know Elizabeth Letts does well is horse stories.

And this sweeping saga set in WW I is that and so much more.

Here's what I loved:

📿 A string of six amber beads begin as a legacy from a mother to a son. Watch those beads. They really get around. She calls it "a circle of suns" and sends them along to warm him and bring him back home. Will they?

🐎 Tassa, the Arabian mare, is resilient! Named by a young boy who bonds with her in the Moroccan streets. She comes at a whistle. How will Tassa become a war horse?

📚 This is quite a mix. There is the angst of The Kite Runner, the grit of War Horse, and so much more. When it seems like some of the threads might get lost, keep reading. A chapter called "What Came After" will really wrap things up.

😪 A book about wartime is going to have some very sad events. The plot reflects the realities of war and can be quite heartbreaking at times. There are many character viewpoints including Beddou, the Horse, Hassan, Jean Baptiste, Estelle, and Thomas giving us their experiences apart and together.

✍ The Author's Note is worth a star. To see her personal connection with the settings and events of the book really elevated the read for me.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed going back in time on this immersive journey with Beddou and Tassa. The cast of characters were diverse and the story was rich with history and dramatic world building. If you enjoyed War Horse then this should be right up your alley. There were many similarities while also bringing it's own unique perspective.

The writing in this book just captivated me. I loved getting this glimpse of what life was like during the war and what the people and animals faced on a daily basis. Having multiple points of view, especially from characters with different ethnicities added a deeper and more personal feel to the story. It was eye opening to see what those horses had to endure during the war.

Thomas's accounts of the veterinarian procedures were probably my favorite parts. I couldn't imagine being able to do what he did for those poor horses in those conditions. My heart just broke for everyone. I liked that this story didn't shy away from the hard parts. Yeah, they were hard to read and brought out very raw emotions but it was also thought provoking and has lessons that can be taught and learned from it.

I really enjoyed this story. It brought out a wide range of emotions and touched my heart. The writing was compelling and did a wondrous job of portraying all the different landscapes and personalities of the characters. It was an immersive journey from start to finish and I would definitely recommend it!!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts in a poor village in Morocco where Beddou, at a very young age, is sent far away to apprentice as a shepherd high in the mountains. He is treated cruelly, never having enough food nor anyone who really cares about him. He yearns to go home to his mother, who had given him a string of 6 beautiful amber beads to treasure and help him find his way home. Via a long and complicated set of events, Beddou briefly owns a magnificent Arabian filly with which he forms a strong bond; however, the horse is stolen by another man who enlists in the war (WWI) and goes to France with the horse.

The horse and rider become separated in the chaos of the war and Estelle, a lonely young woman in a small French village, finds the horse and nurses it back to health. When the Germans invade the village, her home is destroyed and the mare escapes. She meets a British veterinarian who is charged with caring for all of the army's horses. He finds the mare and helps to nurse her back to health again. Meanwhile, Beddou, still back in Morocco, becomes determined to escape his servitude and go find his horse after discovering that the mare had been taken to France. All of these lives become inextricably intertwined in this interesting and emotionally compelling story of wartime in France.

[Diane Ferbrache · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction set in World War I France and Morocco. The story follows 4 main characters -- a young boy who is apprenticed as a shepherd in the mountains of Morocco, a Moroccan soldier in France's army, a veterinarian conscripted to treat horses and humans hurt in battle, and a young woman from the French countryside who is caring for her disabled brother. Their stories intersect as they interact with a beautiful horse, over the course of several years before and during the war.

I wanted to love this book since I've read other books by Letts and found them intriguing. The time period and the setting of Morocco certainly captured my attention, and the characters were all well written. Although I did finish the book, by about 2/3 of the way through, I found I was skimming some parts. There were amazing scenes that drew my attention and touched my emotions, but there were also many moments where the narrative dragged as characters spent a bit too much time being introspective. A bit too much overthinking every action. All in all, satisfying historical fiction with a unique focus. There's so little written about WWI and even less about Morocco and the war, this is a worthwhile read even if it's a bit slow at times.

[Angela M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a bona fide Elizabeth Letts fan, I dove into Fallen for France with extremely high hopes and breathless anticipation. This was the first fiction book of Elizabeth’s I’ve read and I loved it! I was absolutely mesmerized by a story Elizabeth weaves as beautifully as a fable and as intricately as a fairytale. Her characters are complex and unforgettable, yet still completely relatable. This saga will take you on twists and turns through a tiny village in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco to war-torn France during WW I. At the center of the story an almost mythical creature of perfection, a Royal Arabian mare, pulls the main characters together and connects them with a string of brilliant amber beads. One of my favorite aspects of this book is that each chapter focuses on one of the primary characters’ storyline. Elizabeth uses this literary technique brilliantly to develop her characters. At its core, this book is partly a war story, certainly a book for horse lovers, but ultimately, it is a poignant love story. I found this book deeply satisfying, thought-provoking, and incredibly moving. A must read 👍🏼

[Jackie Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adventure that never seems to slow down.

It takes place in Morocco and Northern France during WWI where soldiers, locals and horses died or suffered immensely. I had no idea that five hundred thousand Algerians, Tunisians and Moroccans signed up to fight in the Great War on behalf of France. Sadly, many never returned.

The story is well researched and follows the difficult lives of a handful of characters throughout this time and onward. Horse lovers will admire the beautiful Arabian mare who kept popping up in all sorts of places: at a palace, with a saddle maker, throughout the war and assisting the British Blue Cross. Would this fine horse end up in a butcher shop? It was intense with the war and filled with history during the early 1900s.

In 2018, a sixth grader in Colorado wondered what it was like during WWI for her great-grandfather. She was studying world history. It shows us the importance of saving family photos and remembering the stories. This is the third book I’ve read by Elizabeth Letts. It’s not my favorite but it’s a good one.

My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC. The views I share are my own.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing, immersive, atmospheric, and emotional novel largely set during WWI. This follows a horse, a beautiful Arabian horse, born in Morocco which links the stories of multiple people who eventually meet and matter to one another. Six year old Beddou is sold by his father into an apprenticeship as a shepherd in the mountains of Morocco and later rescued by Hassan who puts him to work in a leather shop where he meets the horse when it breaks free from a French officer. Estelle, in France, meets the horse when it, and later Hassan, arrives at the rural farm where she is caring for her brother Leo. Thomas is a British vet in France with the Blue Cross. This needs to be read without spoilers because it unfolds so beautifully (and at times tragically). There are multiple POVs, good people, and a villain or two but always the horse. And the amber beads given to Beddou by his mother. It's also a fascinating look at the involvement of Moroccans in WWI (don't miss the afterword). Beautifully written and paced, this was a real page turner for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A satisfying read I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morocco - Beddou is a very bright six-year-old that is sent away to work as an apprentice. His mother sends him away with 6 amber beads to help him one day find his way back home. He later finds himself caring for a very special horse that he loves dearly. Yet one day a soldier takes this horse.

France - Estelle, lives with her younger brother who can't walk or talk, but she faithfully cares for him. She one days finds an Arabian horse that is hurt, so she takes him to care for him. But as WWI rages on and she is soon seeing a soldier from England, Thomas, as well as one from Germany - she does not trust any soldier. The Englishman claims this is his horse and later the German says all horses are property of the Germans. Soon she loses both her beloved brother and the horse and has no idea where they are. She is determined to find both.

It seems war has a way of tearing things apart - lives, property and relationships. Yet, time seems bring some answers.

The Author's Note is quite interesting as it relates to this book she has written.

My thanks to Net Galley and Ballatine Books for the advanced copy of the e-arc.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I’m not a “horse person,” I agreed to read an advance copy of Fallen for France because I loved the author’s previous book, The Ride of Her Life, so much. I’m very glad I did. This is a wonderful work of historical fiction, and it explores a part of World War I history I knew nothing about. The story moves between Morocco and France, connecting people from all walks of life through a single thoroughbred horse in a way that feels both surprising and meaningful.

Readers will need to suspend disbelief for some of the coincidences that occur, but I appreciated that Letts avoids a fairy‑tale ending. The choices she makes give the narrative a more authentic, historically accurate feel. She also brings her characters vividly to life, and I especially liked that she allows even the story’s villains moments of goodness and attempts at redemption.

The ending includes a clever twist, and Letts wraps up the characters’ fates in a very satisfying way. I also appreciated learning about the author's personal connection to Morocco. Highly recommended, and I look forward to reading more from Elizabeth Letts.

[Kate Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really 4.6 stars for me.

Such an adventurous and unique story. Beautifully written. Every chapter is told from a different character’s POV, and somehow all of their stories intertwine in ways I never saw coming. It felt almost far-fetched at times, until the author’s note revealed the real historical facts that inspired the story.

Even though I’m not a horse person, I loved how the horse and the amber beads became the thread connecting everyone. Both were meant to be currency or means of trade, but instead they led the main character to the people he was meant to meet, enriching his life in ways money never could.

I loved the themes of trust, forgiveness, and finding home in people rather than a physical place. The Morocco and France settings were fantastic for my imagination. I only wish the love story had been a little stronger, but I guess that wasn’t really the point of the story.

Content warning for horse abuse/death and an uncomfortable sexual scene early on. A truly unique read that I thoroughly enjoyed despite these facts.

[Kyle Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️. Audiobook. This was a surprise for me, it took me a bit to get into this book but once more characters were introduced I became hooked and by the end I was so invested and I just loved how it came together. Historical fiction, beginning of WWI, in Morocco and France and I love being exposed to different places and time periods I’m not as familiar with. The story beautifully navigates the connection between character through an Arabian horse and a string of amber beads. You can tell the author has a passion for horses, but it was not overly done. You can also tell she heavily researches and weaves in the detail skillfully with her immersive storytelling. Although the story had many ups and downs, it was also filled with hope and compassion. Beddou, Estelle and Thomas all stole my heart, and I was rooting for them. Addiction, grief, war crimes, animal harm, and death are all explored.

[Cory Beyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and @BallatineBooks for this ARC. 1905, Beddou was only six years old and was sent into slave labor to work as a Shepard in the hills of Morocco. Before he left, his mom gave him a string of amber beads to keep safe until he would return. When he was 11, and man named Hassan rescued him and took him to work as an apprentice in his saddle shop. There he met who would become his beloved horse "Tassa". Beddou was betrayed and the horse was taken by a friend across the ocean to France to fight in WW1. The horse, the beads and his story will travel continents for many years to come. Letts is such an amazing writer. I soaked up this story just like her other books. Also, you will find in the Author's notes why this story is so personal. #FallenForFrance #ElizabethLetts #BallatineBooks #Aug2026

[Kim McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A majestic tale of family, honor and humanity in times of war brought together by a special Arabian mare. A Moroccan boy apprenticed to a saddle maker ends up caring for an Arabian mare who steals his heart only to have her stolen from him and pressed into service headed for the French battlefields. Shellshocked she escapes to a farm where a young French woman and her disabled brother as well as a British Veterinarian care for her. As the Germans edge closer she flees losing the horse and her brother. They are separated by battle lines and trauma as they come full circle. For anyone who has ever lost their heart to a horse and readers who enjoy stories of humanity and compassion during war - this is for you. Readers of HORSE by Geraldine Brooks and THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE will enjoy. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

[Jean Mader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several books by Elizabeth Letts and Fallen for France is now my favorite. This story focuses on a beautiful Moroccan horse, 2 Moroccan boys, and a Moroccan woman who are all wise and determined in their ways. When World War begins, we also meet a lovely young French girl, an interesting English veterinarian, who cares for the allies horses, and a soldier from French Algiers. There are many ups and downs in each of their lives.

What I really appreciate about Author Letts is that she is so balanced in her viewpoint of each character and their situation. There are no “bad guys”, just people dealing with their world as best they can. Beautifully written and a pleasure to read. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advance digital mercies copy. This is my honest review.

[SHIRLEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Beddou, a bright 6 year old Moroccan boy who is apprenticed to a shepherd wit a cousin who abuses him. e is rescued by Hassan who puts him to work ins leather shop where he finds Tassa, a red mare from the Sultan's stable.
The story proceeds through Morocco and into France at the start of WWI.
The characters in the story are richly described and their interactions with Beddou and Hassan weave an engaging tale encompassing love and loss, family as well as the desperation that war imposes on the people in the theater of war.
Parts of the story were difficult to read, but others were heartwarming - Beddou's mother giving him 6 amber beads (6 shiny suns) to help him find his way home.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own

[Meg Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this, but I wish the story had a little more cushion to it. I felt like I was sitting in one of those fancy living rooms with decorative chairs that aren’t really meant for comfort, rather just to be looked at.
This story felt edited down to the bare bones. There is not one ounce of fat in these pages. Every word has purpose, but there’s not much to soften it up so you can really sink into it. It’s beautiful, but terse.
Normally, I find myself complaining that an author droned on for about 50 pages too many. That was not the case at all in this book. You almost have to struggle to keep up with it.
It starts off feeling like a folk story or fairy tale, but quickly transforms into more of a serious historical fiction novel.
If you’re an avid reader, I think you’ll enjoy this. I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who dabbles.

4.1⭐️