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The Schoolteacher of Saint-Michel
The war taught her to fight. The children taught her to hope...
Inspired by real acts of bravery and resistance, The Schoolteacher of Saint Michel is a heartrending and deeply moving story of one woman's courage and sacrifice during World War II
My darling girl, I need you to find someone for me . . .'
France, 1942. At the end of the day, the schoolteacher releases her pupils. She checks they have their identity passes, and warns them not to stop until the German guards have let them through the barrier that separates occupied France from Free France. As the little ones fly across the border and into their mothers' arms, she breathes a sigh of relief. No one is safe now. Not even the children.
Berkshire, present day. A letter left to her by her beloved late grandmother Gigi takes Hannah Stone on a journey deep into the heart of the Dordogne landscape. As she begins to unravel a forgotten history of wartime bravery and sacrifice, she discovers the heartrending secret that binds her grandmother to a village schoolteacher, the remarkable Lucie Laval...
Inspired by real acts of bravery and resistance, The Schoolteacher of Saint Michel is a heartrending and deeply moving story of one woman's courage and sacrifice during World War II
My darling girl, I need you to find someone for me . . .'
France, 1942. At the end of the day, the schoolteacher releases her pupils. She checks they have their identity passes, and warns them not to stop until the German guards have let them through the barrier that separates occupied France from Free France. As the little ones fly across the border and into their mothers' arms, she breathes a sigh of relief. No one is safe now. Not even the children.
Berkshire, present day. A letter left to her by her beloved late grandmother Gigi takes Hannah Stone on a journey deep into the heart of the Dordogne landscape. As she begins to unravel a forgotten history of wartime bravery and sacrifice, she discovers the heartrending secret that binds her grandmother to a village schoolteacher, the remarkable Lucie Laval...
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2021
1165 people are currently reading
2816 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Steele
5 books79 followersHello and thank you for visiting my author page.
I am the author of THE MISSING PIECES OF NANCY MOON and THE SCHOOLTEACHER OF SAINT-MICHEL.
NANCY MOON was inspired by my own love of vintage fashion and dressmaking, with some vicarious travel thrown in, and takes the reader on a tour of the glamorous hotspots of Europe in 1962.
THE SCHOOLTEACHER OF SAINT-MICHEL in set in occupied rural France in 1942, and the story of Lucie Laval and her pupils is one of hope and courage in time of war.
Although I originally trained as a classical musician, writing has always been my passion, and I am never found without a notebook on my person, in case of that unexpected moment of inspiration. I am usually found in the cafés of Stroud, my home town in beautiful Gloucestershire, or walking the local hills with my dog.
For lots of photographs charting my love of vintage fashion and all things home made, as well as the stories behind my stories, do follow my Instagram and Facebook pages @sarahsteeleauthor, or catch me procrastinating on Twitter at @sarah_l_steele.
Head to my website to find images of the originals patterns made by Nancy.
I am the author of THE MISSING PIECES OF NANCY MOON and THE SCHOOLTEACHER OF SAINT-MICHEL.
NANCY MOON was inspired by my own love of vintage fashion and dressmaking, with some vicarious travel thrown in, and takes the reader on a tour of the glamorous hotspots of Europe in 1962.
THE SCHOOLTEACHER OF SAINT-MICHEL in set in occupied rural France in 1942, and the story of Lucie Laval and her pupils is one of hope and courage in time of war.
Although I originally trained as a classical musician, writing has always been my passion, and I am never found without a notebook on my person, in case of that unexpected moment of inspiration. I am usually found in the cafés of Stroud, my home town in beautiful Gloucestershire, or walking the local hills with my dog.
For lots of photographs charting my love of vintage fashion and all things home made, as well as the stories behind my stories, do follow my Instagram and Facebook pages @sarahsteeleauthor, or catch me procrastinating on Twitter at @sarah_l_steele.
Head to my website to find images of the originals patterns made by Nancy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
December 28, 2021
Hannah Stone still missed her grandmother Gigi even though her death had been some years prior. She also missed her mother who had passed eighteen months ago and now she needed to care for her father who was distraught. Her need to care for her father, and her past secret meant she and Jack, the man she loved, separated as well. Hannah wasn’t sure what her life would be in the future. But when a long-lost letter was found from Gigi, addressed to Hannah, it set her on a course that would change her life.
Hannah took leave from her school teaching job in Berkshire and headed to France, to the small village of Saint-Michel where she would begin her search for Lucie Laval to pass on a message from her grandmother. She wasn’t sure if she’d be too late, but Hannah was going to do her best. When she reached the home where Lucie had lived during the war in 1942, Hannah met Sylvie and her sixteen-year-old daughter who were descendants of a good friend of Lucie’s…
Lucie Laval was a much beloved schoolteacher in Saint-Michel in 1942 when the Germans descended on the town. The division of the town meant Lucie and her assistant, Suzette had to walk the children to the bridge, see they showed their passes to the guards, then crossed the bridge to meet up with their parents on the other side. When the Resistance in the area began making things hard for the Germans, tensions rose, and retribution followed. Would Lucie ever see her beloved husband Gabriel again? What would be the outcome in this shocking, dreadful war?
The School Teacher of Saint-Michel by Sarah Steele is an incredibly moving story of the courage and determination of certain women during the war, as they did their utmost to do what was right. Lucie’s acts of bravery as she put her own life on the line time and again; her friends Violette, Renee and others, all showed remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, my first by Ms Steele, and I have no hesitation in recommending it highly.
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Hannah took leave from her school teaching job in Berkshire and headed to France, to the small village of Saint-Michel where she would begin her search for Lucie Laval to pass on a message from her grandmother. She wasn’t sure if she’d be too late, but Hannah was going to do her best. When she reached the home where Lucie had lived during the war in 1942, Hannah met Sylvie and her sixteen-year-old daughter who were descendants of a good friend of Lucie’s…
Lucie Laval was a much beloved schoolteacher in Saint-Michel in 1942 when the Germans descended on the town. The division of the town meant Lucie and her assistant, Suzette had to walk the children to the bridge, see they showed their passes to the guards, then crossed the bridge to meet up with their parents on the other side. When the Resistance in the area began making things hard for the Germans, tensions rose, and retribution followed. Would Lucie ever see her beloved husband Gabriel again? What would be the outcome in this shocking, dreadful war?
The School Teacher of Saint-Michel by Sarah Steele is an incredibly moving story of the courage and determination of certain women during the war, as they did their utmost to do what was right. Lucie’s acts of bravery as she put her own life on the line time and again; her friends Violette, Renee and others, all showed remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, my first by Ms Steele, and I have no hesitation in recommending it highly.
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
January 19, 2022
Dual timeline novel set in the DORDOGNE
This is the latest novel from the author of The Missing Pieces of Nancy Moon, which took the reader on a delightfully picaresque meander through Europe. This time the author focusses on the Dordogne, inspired by the setting – as she says at the end – when she was sitting in a friend’s garden, surrounded by the local and beautiful cherry trees. The seed of an idea was sown.
In present day Berkshire, Hannah has gone through a tremendous period of loss, and her head teacher suggests she take a little time off from school. She is in possession of a letter from her French Grandmother Gigi, which, although considerable time has passed since it was written, exhorts her to go and find Lucie in Saint-Michel and to apologise on her behalf. For what, she has no idea. Now she has the perfect opportunity to drive down to the Dordogne and see if she can pull together the pieces of this tantalising jigsaw. A period away would also be a balm to her broken soul.
She finds her accommodation at Les Cerisiers and begins to trawl back in time. Through Hannah’s researches, the period of 1942 becomes accessible to the reader, (a point in time when the village was divided on the bridge between occupied France and free France). She finds listed recipes, many of which featured cherries – cerises – which, she discovers were not only a tasty addition but also had a very specific meaning. She discovers more about the locals and their motivations and the individual parts they played in the war. The author paints a picture in bold colours and contours, and conjures up the hardships and mistrust that were rife at the time. The village was not left unscathed, as occupying soldiers were billeted amongst the inhabitants. The final clues take her to Paris.
This is an engaging read that is very atmospheric of time and place.
This is the latest novel from the author of The Missing Pieces of Nancy Moon, which took the reader on a delightfully picaresque meander through Europe. This time the author focusses on the Dordogne, inspired by the setting – as she says at the end – when she was sitting in a friend’s garden, surrounded by the local and beautiful cherry trees. The seed of an idea was sown.
In present day Berkshire, Hannah has gone through a tremendous period of loss, and her head teacher suggests she take a little time off from school. She is in possession of a letter from her French Grandmother Gigi, which, although considerable time has passed since it was written, exhorts her to go and find Lucie in Saint-Michel and to apologise on her behalf. For what, she has no idea. Now she has the perfect opportunity to drive down to the Dordogne and see if she can pull together the pieces of this tantalising jigsaw. A period away would also be a balm to her broken soul.
She finds her accommodation at Les Cerisiers and begins to trawl back in time. Through Hannah’s researches, the period of 1942 becomes accessible to the reader, (a point in time when the village was divided on the bridge between occupied France and free France). She finds listed recipes, many of which featured cherries – cerises – which, she discovers were not only a tasty addition but also had a very specific meaning. She discovers more about the locals and their motivations and the individual parts they played in the war. The author paints a picture in bold colours and contours, and conjures up the hardships and mistrust that were rife at the time. The village was not left unscathed, as occupying soldiers were billeted amongst the inhabitants. The final clues take her to Paris.
This is an engaging read that is very atmospheric of time and place.
August 17, 2021
I loved Sarah Steele’s debut novel, The Missing Pieces of Nancy Moon and when I saw that she had a new book, set during the period of WW2, this was going to be a must read.
The Schoolteacher of Saint-Michel, is a dual time novel, set during occupied France in 1942 and the present day, where schoolteacher Hannah has had a tumultuous time after a long term breakup whilst looking after her newly widowed father who is in ill health. The discovery of a letter from her adored late grandmother Gigi and a change of circumstances allows Hannah to go to France to try and fulfil Gigi’s wishes and the story goes back and forth in time as gradually Hannah tries to piece together events from over 70 years before as to what happened in the village of Saint Michel during the German occupation and in particular, the story of schoolteacher, Lucie Laval.
Lucie Laval was one of a number of people working against the Germans in the Dordogne which had been split by the demarcation line separating Free France from occupied France. Surrounded by collaborators and not knowing who they could trust amongst neighbours, her contribution was vital and it is thanks to the courage and bravery of Lucie and her companions that many young lives were saved. Without giving away any plot detail, the historical aspect was without a doubt the favourite part for me and whenever the tension and worry got too much I was glad to get back to Hannah in the present day for some relief!
Even though I felt that Hannah was mainly there as a vehicle to tell the historical part of the story it didn’t spoil anything for me. I enjoyed the way that the links to the past were discovered by Hannah and her contemporaries and the surprises that were revealed.
I really did enjoy this so much and with this second book, Sarah Steele has firmly cemented her place on my must read author list. The historical part of the story is a such a compelling read, it draws you in so completely to the plight of these people and the dangers they faced. The characters are superbly drawn, there is an atmospheric sense of place and the cruelty of the regime made me shudder, no matter how many times I read of similar stories. It is a beautifully told story of the bravery of ordinary people doing extraordinary things in doing what they see as the right thing. I am sure this would greatly appeal to any reader who enjoys WW2 fiction.
There is an interesting author note at the end explaining the real life events that inspired this novel.
The Schoolteacher of Saint-Michel, is a dual time novel, set during occupied France in 1942 and the present day, where schoolteacher Hannah has had a tumultuous time after a long term breakup whilst looking after her newly widowed father who is in ill health. The discovery of a letter from her adored late grandmother Gigi and a change of circumstances allows Hannah to go to France to try and fulfil Gigi’s wishes and the story goes back and forth in time as gradually Hannah tries to piece together events from over 70 years before as to what happened in the village of Saint Michel during the German occupation and in particular, the story of schoolteacher, Lucie Laval.
Lucie Laval was one of a number of people working against the Germans in the Dordogne which had been split by the demarcation line separating Free France from occupied France. Surrounded by collaborators and not knowing who they could trust amongst neighbours, her contribution was vital and it is thanks to the courage and bravery of Lucie and her companions that many young lives were saved. Without giving away any plot detail, the historical aspect was without a doubt the favourite part for me and whenever the tension and worry got too much I was glad to get back to Hannah in the present day for some relief!
Even though I felt that Hannah was mainly there as a vehicle to tell the historical part of the story it didn’t spoil anything for me. I enjoyed the way that the links to the past were discovered by Hannah and her contemporaries and the surprises that were revealed.
I really did enjoy this so much and with this second book, Sarah Steele has firmly cemented her place on my must read author list. The historical part of the story is a such a compelling read, it draws you in so completely to the plight of these people and the dangers they faced. The characters are superbly drawn, there is an atmospheric sense of place and the cruelty of the regime made me shudder, no matter how many times I read of similar stories. It is a beautifully told story of the bravery of ordinary people doing extraordinary things in doing what they see as the right thing. I am sure this would greatly appeal to any reader who enjoys WW2 fiction.
There is an interesting author note at the end explaining the real life events that inspired this novel.
November 6, 2022
Toch wel teleurgesteld in dit boek dat een heel hoge score krijgt hier op goodreads. Ik vond dat het echt niet vlot las en het duurde ook een eeuwigheid voor het thema van een schooljuf die joodse kinderen helpt ontsnappen eindelijk naar voor komt. Ook het present verhaal loopt traagjes pagina per pagina maar zonder veel spanning.
September 27, 2022
Beautiful, captivating, and heart-tugging!
The School Teacher of Saint-Michel is predominantly set in France during 1942, as well as present day, and is told from two different perspectives; Hannah, a young woman who journeys to France after her grandmother’s death to unravel the secrets of her past, and Lucie, a school teacher who even at the detriment to her own safety does whatever she needs to in order to smuggle as many Jewish children as possible over the demarcation line and out of Nazi-occupied territory and into free France.
The prose is vivid and expressive. The characters are multi-layered, vulnerable, and resilient. And the plot is a moving tale about life, love, heartbreak, loss, guilt, grief, desperation, courage, hope, war, survival, suffering, romance, familial relationships, and regret.
Overall, The School Teacher of Saint-Michel is the perfect blend of historical facts, evocative fiction, and palpable emotion. It’s a bittersweet, affecting, tender tale that will make you smile, make you cry, and resonate with you long after you finish the final page.
Thank you to Mobius Books US for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The School Teacher of Saint-Michel is predominantly set in France during 1942, as well as present day, and is told from two different perspectives; Hannah, a young woman who journeys to France after her grandmother’s death to unravel the secrets of her past, and Lucie, a school teacher who even at the detriment to her own safety does whatever she needs to in order to smuggle as many Jewish children as possible over the demarcation line and out of Nazi-occupied territory and into free France.
The prose is vivid and expressive. The characters are multi-layered, vulnerable, and resilient. And the plot is a moving tale about life, love, heartbreak, loss, guilt, grief, desperation, courage, hope, war, survival, suffering, romance, familial relationships, and regret.
Overall, The School Teacher of Saint-Michel is the perfect blend of historical facts, evocative fiction, and palpable emotion. It’s a bittersweet, affecting, tender tale that will make you smile, make you cry, and resonate with you long after you finish the final page.
Thank you to Mobius Books US for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2022
Beautifully told story of WWII. Old photos, old letters, old cookbooks and old, imperfect memories are pieced together to allow a contemporary school teacher uncover the story of a courageous school teacher during the German occupation of St Michel, France.
The Author’s notes enhance an excellent piece of WWII historical fiction.
The Author’s notes enhance an excellent piece of WWII historical fiction.
October 12, 2021
Dreadful. Can’t believe I read it all the way to the end. 👎🏻
March 19, 2022
4.5 stars. This is a beautiful story of love and sacrifice set across two timelines. One timeline takes place in Saint-Michael during world war 2 and the other is The present day following Hannah’s journey uncovering her beloved grandmothers secret.
Hannah has suffered the loss of her mother, sibling and grandmother Gigi. She is clouded by grief and guilt which causes her to push away her boyfriend Jack. She finds a note from Gigi asking her to find a lady named Lucie and to say sorry. Hannah cannot believe what she uncovers.
Hannah sets off to Saint-Michael where she learns about the town’s history during the war. She learns there was a resistance in the town ran the operation ‘The Cherry Road’ where they smuggled children to safety. During her research lies are uncovered and families are reunited. Can she find the reason why her grandmother needed to apologise to Lucie?
During her journey Hannah finds herself again. She is able to make friends and find peace with her troubled past.
This story is absolutely beautiful. I connected with all the characters and felt invested in their stories. Steele’s writing is wonderful and allowed me to feel that I was living among the heroes in France.
I will have to read more from this author asap.
Thank you to headline for gifting me a copy and having me on the blog tour.
Hannah has suffered the loss of her mother, sibling and grandmother Gigi. She is clouded by grief and guilt which causes her to push away her boyfriend Jack. She finds a note from Gigi asking her to find a lady named Lucie and to say sorry. Hannah cannot believe what she uncovers.
Hannah sets off to Saint-Michael where she learns about the town’s history during the war. She learns there was a resistance in the town ran the operation ‘The Cherry Road’ where they smuggled children to safety. During her research lies are uncovered and families are reunited. Can she find the reason why her grandmother needed to apologise to Lucie?
During her journey Hannah finds herself again. She is able to make friends and find peace with her troubled past.
This story is absolutely beautiful. I connected with all the characters and felt invested in their stories. Steele’s writing is wonderful and allowed me to feel that I was living among the heroes in France.
I will have to read more from this author asap.
Thank you to headline for gifting me a copy and having me on the blog tour.
February 3, 2024
Een mooi verhaal. Het is fictief, maar is zo geloofwaardig geschreven dat je het ook zou geloven als het waargebeurd zou zijn. Overigens is het verhaal wel gebaseerd op een aantal waargebeurde feiten. Het leuke is dat heden en verleden afgewisseld worden. Daardoor weet je vaak al net iets meer dan de hoofdpersoon. Al had ik daardoor wel dat de delen in het heden wat voorspelbaar waren, omdat je als lezer al meer weet. Voor een oorlogsverhaal is het verhaal vrij luchtig, omdat er ook een feelgood tintje aanzit. Daardoor was het niet zwaar. Ik heb dit boek al twee keer eerder bij de bibliotheek geleend, maar ik moest het steeds terugbrengen voor ik het kon lezen. Ik ben blij dat ik het nu eindelijk heb kunnen lezen. Ik vind het wel een aanrader.
January 15, 2023
Weet niet zo goed wat ik van dit boek moet vinden vandaar 3 sterren. Ik had hoge verwachtingen van dit boek en toch wel wat teleurgesteld.
Positief: mooi historisch verhaal beeldend omschreven
Negatief: (te) veel personages, langzame verhaallijn.
Positief: mooi historisch verhaal beeldend omschreven
Negatief: (te) veel personages, langzame verhaallijn.
January 24, 2025
Weer een mooi boek over dappere mensen en het verzet in Frankrijk tijdens WO II
June 2, 2022
Het verhaal begint met een proloog waarin je meteen nieuwsgierig wordt gemaakt naar de rest van het verhaal. Vervolgens begint het verhaal vanuit het perspectief van Hannah. Hannah woont in Engeland en is niet bepaald gelukkig op dit moment. Het besluit om de brief van haar grootmoeder Gigi naar Frankrijk te volgen, verandert Hannah. Hannah is een prettig personage om over te lezen en samen met Hannah ga je op onderzoek wat er zeventig jaar geleden is gebeurt met de kersenboomgaard, met Lucy en met Gigi. Hannah weet namelijk vrij weinig van haar grootmoeder en stuit op vele ontdekkingen. De vrouw en haar dochter, bij wie Hannah tijdelijk in woont, zijn ook sprekende personages. Ook Lucy is een personage dat aanspreekt. Alle personages maken een mooie ontwikkeling door en je sluit de personages zo in je hart.
Het verhaal wordt wisselend verteld vanuit Hannah in het heden en vanuit Lucy in 1942. Het verhaal in 1942 gaf een beeld weer van de oorlog in het kleine Franse dorpje, van de dappere inwoners, maar ook van de communistische inwoners. Naast het geheime verzet, komt er ook genoeg verraad in voor. Deze delen van het verhaal vond ik persoonlijk het interessants, omdat het een beeld geeft van die tijd.
De schrijfstijl van Sarah Steele is beeldend, je waant je zo in het Franse dorpje. Het doet zelfs verlangen naar het leven in de Franse Dordogne. Daarnaast leest het verhaal vlot en zijn er ook zeker spannende stukken aanwezig. De kersenboomgaard heeft natuurlijk ook een grote rol in het verhaal en komt in beide tijdlijnen dan ook terug. Ook het receptenboek van Lucy is een belangrijke factor in het verhaal. Het verhaal is eigenlijk een grote onopgeloste puzzel, waarbij stukje bij beetje puzzelstukjes op zijn plek vallen. En de grote vraag die Hannah beantwoordt wil hebben, is wat de connectie is tussen Lucy en Gigi. Naarmate het verhaal eindigt, vallen alle stukjes op zijn plaats en worden de twee tijdlijnen mooi met elkaar verweven.
Dit is het Nederlandse debuut van Sarah Steele, maar ik mag hopen dat er meer boeken van haar vertaald zullen worden. Dit boek is in ieder geval een enorme aanrader, als je op zoek bent naar een fijne historische roman met Franse setting in oorlogstijd. Fijne personages, prettige schrijfstijl en een intrigerend verhaal. Zeker een aanrader!
Het verhaal wordt wisselend verteld vanuit Hannah in het heden en vanuit Lucy in 1942. Het verhaal in 1942 gaf een beeld weer van de oorlog in het kleine Franse dorpje, van de dappere inwoners, maar ook van de communistische inwoners. Naast het geheime verzet, komt er ook genoeg verraad in voor. Deze delen van het verhaal vond ik persoonlijk het interessants, omdat het een beeld geeft van die tijd.
De schrijfstijl van Sarah Steele is beeldend, je waant je zo in het Franse dorpje. Het doet zelfs verlangen naar het leven in de Franse Dordogne. Daarnaast leest het verhaal vlot en zijn er ook zeker spannende stukken aanwezig. De kersenboomgaard heeft natuurlijk ook een grote rol in het verhaal en komt in beide tijdlijnen dan ook terug. Ook het receptenboek van Lucy is een belangrijke factor in het verhaal. Het verhaal is eigenlijk een grote onopgeloste puzzel, waarbij stukje bij beetje puzzelstukjes op zijn plek vallen. En de grote vraag die Hannah beantwoordt wil hebben, is wat de connectie is tussen Lucy en Gigi. Naarmate het verhaal eindigt, vallen alle stukjes op zijn plaats en worden de twee tijdlijnen mooi met elkaar verweven.
Dit is het Nederlandse debuut van Sarah Steele, maar ik mag hopen dat er meer boeken van haar vertaald zullen worden. Dit boek is in ieder geval een enorme aanrader, als je op zoek bent naar een fijne historische roman met Franse setting in oorlogstijd. Fijne personages, prettige schrijfstijl en een intrigerend verhaal. Zeker een aanrader!
March 15, 2022
A beautiful dual timeline story following Hannah and her search for information on her grandmother’s life, living in a French village during the Second World War.
The present time
Hannah is looking through a drawer in her father’s bedroom when she finds an old faded letter addressed to her. It is from her beloved late grandmother, Gigi, asking Hannah to find Lucie Laval and ‘tell her I am sorry’. The letter explains where Lucie lived, in the French village of Saint-Michel-sur-Dordogne. Hannah decides she will travel to the village to try to find out what happened to Lucie and what her grandmother was sorry for.
The second timeline is set in 1942, in the village in France. The German demarcation line ran right through the centre of the village meaning half of the village was under German control and the other half French. The children had to cross the line each day to go to school, and they had to have papers with them to allow them to cross each way. We meet Lucie who was the school teacher and find out about her selfless bravery. We also meet other villagers and come to realise many have their secrets and we should not judge people without knowing the reasons they are doing what they are doing.
The story moves back and forth between the timelines as we follow Hannah in her search to fill in the gaps of what she knows. She is also helping the museum put together a more complete picture of the village during the war.
I scooted through this gorgeous book which does tug at the heart strings but is also very uplifting. It is clear the author has undertaken a lot of research. She has written what to me reads as an authentic account of life during the war in a French village, with some villagers joining the Resistance and others trying to save themselves by embracing the German occupation.
And those cherry bakes had my mouth watering!
A gorgeous read which is going to stay in my heart for a long time.
The present time
Hannah is looking through a drawer in her father’s bedroom when she finds an old faded letter addressed to her. It is from her beloved late grandmother, Gigi, asking Hannah to find Lucie Laval and ‘tell her I am sorry’. The letter explains where Lucie lived, in the French village of Saint-Michel-sur-Dordogne. Hannah decides she will travel to the village to try to find out what happened to Lucie and what her grandmother was sorry for.
The second timeline is set in 1942, in the village in France. The German demarcation line ran right through the centre of the village meaning half of the village was under German control and the other half French. The children had to cross the line each day to go to school, and they had to have papers with them to allow them to cross each way. We meet Lucie who was the school teacher and find out about her selfless bravery. We also meet other villagers and come to realise many have their secrets and we should not judge people without knowing the reasons they are doing what they are doing.
The story moves back and forth between the timelines as we follow Hannah in her search to fill in the gaps of what she knows. She is also helping the museum put together a more complete picture of the village during the war.
I scooted through this gorgeous book which does tug at the heart strings but is also very uplifting. It is clear the author has undertaken a lot of research. She has written what to me reads as an authentic account of life during the war in a French village, with some villagers joining the Resistance and others trying to save themselves by embracing the German occupation.
And those cherry bakes had my mouth watering!
A gorgeous read which is going to stay in my heart for a long time.
March 19, 2022
I was enchanted by this unexpected gem of a book. This is a book I'd never have come across I don't think, if I hadn't read a best seller of a book called The Paris Library. It came up as a suggestion on my kindle after I finished The Paris Library as it had similar themes, World War Two, France, the occupation by the Nazis, strong, brave women. Also the two books use the device of dual timelines. Both books, too, are based although fiction on facts.
But , in my opinion, this book is SO much better than The Paris Library and deserves a wide audience and many, many glittering reviews.
It has tension, mystery, brilliant characters and it' is exciting, nerve tingling, sweet and full of hope. Really a lovely book. I enjoyed it hugely.
"They were walking a tightrope stretched across a deep gorge. "
Indeed they were. Oh my heart. And the childrens' names at the end - "The cherries." I finished reading with a tear in my eye! Beautifully written. It would also make a terrific film.
I thought, to begin with, we were a little in womens magazine territory, but I couldn't have been more wrong. It was a joy to read and I couldn't put it down until I got answers. I assumed all along who Gigi was, so that wasn't a great reveal, but that didn't matter. I was glad to be right. Loved it! A great start to my reading year. Four really good books.
But , in my opinion, this book is SO much better than The Paris Library and deserves a wide audience and many, many glittering reviews.
It has tension, mystery, brilliant characters and it' is exciting, nerve tingling, sweet and full of hope. Really a lovely book. I enjoyed it hugely.
"They were walking a tightrope stretched across a deep gorge. "
Indeed they were. Oh my heart. And the childrens' names at the end - "The cherries." I finished reading with a tear in my eye! Beautifully written. It would also make a terrific film.
I thought, to begin with, we were a little in womens magazine territory, but I couldn't have been more wrong. It was a joy to read and I couldn't put it down until I got answers. I assumed all along who Gigi was, so that wasn't a great reveal, but that didn't matter. I was glad to be right. Loved it! A great start to my reading year. Four really good books.
December 9, 2021
When I first received this book to review from Hachette Australia I was immediately interested because I am a school teacher myself, and I haven’t read many books with teachers as the main character.
This book is an incredible historical fiction of the bravery of a small town during WWII in occupied France, and in particular the courage and determination of the school teacher, Lucie Laval.
This book was well written with dual timelines and multiple POVs, which worked really well together. I loved reading about 1942 and following Lucie Laval through her story and also the present day timeline of Hannah, who is trying to piece together the series of events, exactly what happened in 1942, and where her grandmother fitted into it all.
I really enjoyed this historical fiction and at some points I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next. It was beautiful, inspiring and heartbreaking all at once.
I recommend this for readers who enjoy adult historical fiction and are interested in WWII.
This book is an incredible historical fiction of the bravery of a small town during WWII in occupied France, and in particular the courage and determination of the school teacher, Lucie Laval.
This book was well written with dual timelines and multiple POVs, which worked really well together. I loved reading about 1942 and following Lucie Laval through her story and also the present day timeline of Hannah, who is trying to piece together the series of events, exactly what happened in 1942, and where her grandmother fitted into it all.
I really enjoyed this historical fiction and at some points I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next. It was beautiful, inspiring and heartbreaking all at once.
I recommend this for readers who enjoy adult historical fiction and are interested in WWII.
January 12, 2022
Great story about the French resistance
I highly recommend reading this excellent story by Sarah Steele. From the first chapter I was drawn into the history of this particular chapter of the brave resistance during German occupation of this small village
The author paints a wonderful story of courage strength and love in the midst of tragic times. Hannah who is the lead character of this story was portrayed by this author in completely believability
By her excellent description Sarah Steele made this entire story come alive. Found it to be one of the best books I've ever read because of the great quality of writing and description of this period of time.
Its so well done found it impossible to put down .I actually read it twice because somehow I felt connected to the people of Saint - Michel and didn't want to let them go
This is what a great story does and I intend to follow any future books by Sarah !
I highly recommend reading this excellent story by Sarah Steele. From the first chapter I was drawn into the history of this particular chapter of the brave resistance during German occupation of this small village
The author paints a wonderful story of courage strength and love in the midst of tragic times. Hannah who is the lead character of this story was portrayed by this author in completely believability
By her excellent description Sarah Steele made this entire story come alive. Found it to be one of the best books I've ever read because of the great quality of writing and description of this period of time.
Its so well done found it impossible to put down .I actually read it twice because somehow I felt connected to the people of Saint - Michel and didn't want to let them go
This is what a great story does and I intend to follow any future books by Sarah !
September 11, 2021
The school teacher of saint Michel by Sarah Steel
Wow such an amazing well wrote work of fiction. It is that good you really believe it's a true story. I can't recommend this book enough. The characters are so captivating, you believe in them and feel there emotions. This book is so fast paced and high in action with so many twists and turns you will be on the edge of your seat. You just can't put it down. You will be so emotional due to its great sense of atmosphere. It is so heart warming and heartbreaking at the same time. The ending is just wow amazing! I didn't see any of the book happening before it did. We all love an unpredictable tale. So much praise to the author and publishers. This author is definitely one to watch. I will be reading all her books.
Wow such an amazing well wrote work of fiction. It is that good you really believe it's a true story. I can't recommend this book enough. The characters are so captivating, you believe in them and feel there emotions. This book is so fast paced and high in action with so many twists and turns you will be on the edge of your seat. You just can't put it down. You will be so emotional due to its great sense of atmosphere. It is so heart warming and heartbreaking at the same time. The ending is just wow amazing! I didn't see any of the book happening before it did. We all love an unpredictable tale. So much praise to the author and publishers. This author is definitely one to watch. I will be reading all her books.
December 1, 2021
Hannah found a letter left by her late grandmother, Gigi, about her hope to be able to find Lucie and said sorry.
This letter brings Hannah for her solo journey to France and tries to piece together about what happened in Saint- Michel village during the German occupation in 1942, and to find about Lucie Laval.
1942, Lucie Laval was a teacher, actively worked against Germans with her husband, Gabriel. Both of them ran "Cherries Operation" which saved many children.
I love the author's writing style; this is not a usual historical fiction, as it's just full of twists and turns which kept me so tense.
Grab a copy of this book and start your journey to find out who's Gigi and uncovered her past story.
This letter brings Hannah for her solo journey to France and tries to piece together about what happened in Saint- Michel village during the German occupation in 1942, and to find about Lucie Laval.
1942, Lucie Laval was a teacher, actively worked against Germans with her husband, Gabriel. Both of them ran "Cherries Operation" which saved many children.
I love the author's writing style; this is not a usual historical fiction, as it's just full of twists and turns which kept me so tense.
Grab a copy of this book and start your journey to find out who's Gigi and uncovered her past story.
December 23, 2021
A beautifully constructed story that speaks to the heart.
August 31, 2022
A Little predictable book and it’s too bad it’s fictional. I liked the “old” story, Hanna’a part was very dull to me.
December 3, 2025
Set in France in WW2, this story will put you on the edge of your seat! It’s the story of a schoolteacher, Lucie, who got involved with the Resistance and was instrumental in smuggling children out of the country. Gradually her trusted friends got involved and together they risked everything to ensure that these tiny lives were saved, right down to a newborn baby, the last child to be taken down the “Cherry Road”.
The Cherry line of the resistance was given that name due to the cherry’s the school teacher grew in her backyard and made into loaves of Cherry bread. The bread was taken openly across the demarcation line by Lucie and her friends, from occupied France into Free France, however, hidden in the bread were directions to a baker in free France telling her what children to expect next and where to meet up. The children were referred to as cherries.
But, as with any good story, there is an antagonist so terrible, you loathe to even see their name on the page. And so it is, that a vile lo scum villain of a person takes it upon herself to let the Germans know what she suspects is happening next door!
This book is a must read. I read the first couple chapters over a day or two because I was busy getting ready for the Christmas holiday. Then one cold night, December 3 to be exact, I sat down at 7 pm and there curled in my chair in a room lit only by the wood fire and the soft glow of my Christmas tree, I breathlessly read until I finished the book at 1:00 am.
Whatever you do, do not skip this book! Is it deep and filled with history? No. Is it philosophical and thoughtful? No. Is it a riveting story that swallows you up? Yes! This book did everything a book is supposed to do- it takes you away from your own life and pulls you into the life of the heroine making you forget that you are comfortably seated in your living room and not sneaking through the woods with a baby in your basket and the Germans in hot pursuit! I loved everything about it and that’s saying a lot because I hate dual timelines and this is written with dual timelines!
The Cherry line of the resistance was given that name due to the cherry’s the school teacher grew in her backyard and made into loaves of Cherry bread. The bread was taken openly across the demarcation line by Lucie and her friends, from occupied France into Free France, however, hidden in the bread were directions to a baker in free France telling her what children to expect next and where to meet up. The children were referred to as cherries.
But, as with any good story, there is an antagonist so terrible, you loathe to even see their name on the page. And so it is, that a vile lo scum villain of a person takes it upon herself to let the Germans know what she suspects is happening next door!
This book is a must read. I read the first couple chapters over a day or two because I was busy getting ready for the Christmas holiday. Then one cold night, December 3 to be exact, I sat down at 7 pm and there curled in my chair in a room lit only by the wood fire and the soft glow of my Christmas tree, I breathlessly read until I finished the book at 1:00 am.
Whatever you do, do not skip this book! Is it deep and filled with history? No. Is it philosophical and thoughtful? No. Is it a riveting story that swallows you up? Yes! This book did everything a book is supposed to do- it takes you away from your own life and pulls you into the life of the heroine making you forget that you are comfortably seated in your living room and not sneaking through the woods with a baby in your basket and the Germans in hot pursuit! I loved everything about it and that’s saying a lot because I hate dual timelines and this is written with dual timelines!
April 14, 2022
Recensione completa su Scheggia tra le pagine
Parto col dire che questo non è un libro brutto, però a me non ha regalato emozioni, forse perché mi è sembrato un po’ banale e privo di colpi di scena.
Tutto si capisce fin troppo presto, almeno per il lettore.
La protagonista è Hannah, un’insegnante che dopo un anno burrascoso, trova una lettera della nonna Gigi che le chiede di cercare una cerca Lucie Laval.
Ma chi è Lucie?
Hannah decide di partire per la Francia, diretta a Less Cerisiers, il posto da dove iniziare le sue ricerche.
Complessivamente questo libro non mi è dispiaciuto, però troppi elementi non mi hanno convinta, tanto da renderlo banale e privo di un qualche guizzo in grado di stupirmi.
Nella prima parte ho trovato Hannah veramente insopportabile; nonostante la narrazione sia in terza persona, c’è un continuo ricordare la morte di Lorna – la madre – e di Sam. Di questo poi si anticipa continuamente alla disgrazia, senza mai spiegare nello specifico, tanto da innervosirmi. Va bene la suspense, però evita di scrivere di Sam ogni tre per due.
Dalla seconda parte conosciamo anche Lucie, la maestra che nel 1942, in piena guerra, continua a insegnare nonostante il villaggio sia pieno di occupanti tedeschi.
Il villaggio si trova a ridosso della linea di demarcazione che divide la zona occupata da quella libera e ogni giorno Lucie accompagna i bambini che devono tornare dai genitori oltre il ponte.
Le gesta di Lucie e delle persone che le sono vicine sono davvero interessanti e si percepisce – attraverso la scrittura – la tensione in alcuni momenti, però il collegamento con il presente e con la storia di Hannah si capisce subito.
Parto col dire che questo non è un libro brutto, però a me non ha regalato emozioni, forse perché mi è sembrato un po’ banale e privo di colpi di scena.
Tutto si capisce fin troppo presto, almeno per il lettore.
La protagonista è Hannah, un’insegnante che dopo un anno burrascoso, trova una lettera della nonna Gigi che le chiede di cercare una cerca Lucie Laval.
Ma chi è Lucie?
Hannah decide di partire per la Francia, diretta a Less Cerisiers, il posto da dove iniziare le sue ricerche.
Complessivamente questo libro non mi è dispiaciuto, però troppi elementi non mi hanno convinta, tanto da renderlo banale e privo di un qualche guizzo in grado di stupirmi.
Nella prima parte ho trovato Hannah veramente insopportabile; nonostante la narrazione sia in terza persona, c’è un continuo ricordare la morte di Lorna – la madre – e di Sam. Di questo poi si anticipa continuamente alla disgrazia, senza mai spiegare nello specifico, tanto da innervosirmi. Va bene la suspense, però evita di scrivere di Sam ogni tre per due.
Dalla seconda parte conosciamo anche Lucie, la maestra che nel 1942, in piena guerra, continua a insegnare nonostante il villaggio sia pieno di occupanti tedeschi.
Il villaggio si trova a ridosso della linea di demarcazione che divide la zona occupata da quella libera e ogni giorno Lucie accompagna i bambini che devono tornare dai genitori oltre il ponte.
Le gesta di Lucie e delle persone che le sono vicine sono davvero interessanti e si percepisce – attraverso la scrittura – la tensione in alcuni momenti, però il collegamento con il presente e con la storia di Hannah si capisce subito.
September 20, 2023
I loved everything about this book - the dual time frame; the setting of a tiny village on the border between Occupied and Free France in 1942 and the story of the extraordinary bravery of ordinary women and men.
In present day England Hannah, a schoolteacher, is struggling with the recent breakup of her relationship and difficulties with her job as a schoolteacher, when her father has a mini stroke and is taken into hospital. She is also trying to deal with unresolved grief over the deaths of her mother fairly recently from cancer and her brother years ago. The headteacher of the school she teaches at gives her several weeks’ compassionate leave so that she can look after her father and address her own problems, but her father surprises her by making the decision to go into a care home rather than home to the crumbling cottage where all their memories are based. Whilst preparing a bag of her father’s belongings for his hospital stay, Hannah finds a letter in a bedside drawer, addressed to her, from her beloved French grandmother Gigi asking her to find someone called Lucie and to say “sorry” on her behalf. No longer needing to use her leave to look after her father, Hannah looks on the internet and finds that the house given for “Lucie” is owned by an estate agent who lets out rooms and impulsively books herself in.
The story alternates between Hannah’s investigations in the present day and what happened in 1942, which is a story of amazing bravery and audacity by ordinary women and men under the noses of the occupying Germans. It is one of the best books I’ve read this year (and I’ve read some crackers!) and I thoroughly recommend it.
In present day England Hannah, a schoolteacher, is struggling with the recent breakup of her relationship and difficulties with her job as a schoolteacher, when her father has a mini stroke and is taken into hospital. She is also trying to deal with unresolved grief over the deaths of her mother fairly recently from cancer and her brother years ago. The headteacher of the school she teaches at gives her several weeks’ compassionate leave so that she can look after her father and address her own problems, but her father surprises her by making the decision to go into a care home rather than home to the crumbling cottage where all their memories are based. Whilst preparing a bag of her father’s belongings for his hospital stay, Hannah finds a letter in a bedside drawer, addressed to her, from her beloved French grandmother Gigi asking her to find someone called Lucie and to say “sorry” on her behalf. No longer needing to use her leave to look after her father, Hannah looks on the internet and finds that the house given for “Lucie” is owned by an estate agent who lets out rooms and impulsively books herself in.
The story alternates between Hannah’s investigations in the present day and what happened in 1942, which is a story of amazing bravery and audacity by ordinary women and men under the noses of the occupying Germans. It is one of the best books I’ve read this year (and I’ve read some crackers!) and I thoroughly recommend it.
May 15, 2023
Het duurde even voordat het verhaal me pakte (pas toen we voor het eerst teruggingen naar het verleden) maar toen had het me ook echt te pakken!! Ik vond het echt heel mooi, heel beeldend geschreven!! Aanrader!
September 25, 2023
This book goes between 1942 and the present. Hannah is trying to fulfill a promise to her grandmother, G.G. A beautifully written story of courage and love. The audible book's presentation is wonderful.
February 24, 2022
3 stelle e mezzo
“La scuola degli specchi” è un romanzo del quale mi sono innamorata a prima vista grazie alla sua meravigliosa copertina e che ero convinta non mi avrebbe delusa, trattandosi di un romanzo storico e di un'autrice della quale ho sempre sentito parlare solo bene.
Mi sono, invece, ritrovata alle prese con una storia che fatica a ingranare, eccessivamente descrittiva e ricca di dialoghi inutili. Ma non è questa la parte peggiore: a metà romanzo, l’autrice fa un salto in avanti di cinque anni e passa a narrarci la storia della figlia di Véronique, protagonista della prima parte di storia. Nulla di male, se non fosse che cambiano completamente gli scenari e che, di questa cosa, non si fa accenno da nessuna parte.
Rimane un romanzo eccessivamente prolisso, dispersivo, che racconta una parte interessante della storia francese, che, però, avrebbe meritato sicuramente un approfondimento maggiore.
La recensione completa nel blog
“La scuola degli specchi” è un romanzo del quale mi sono innamorata a prima vista grazie alla sua meravigliosa copertina e che ero convinta non mi avrebbe delusa, trattandosi di un romanzo storico e di un'autrice della quale ho sempre sentito parlare solo bene.
Mi sono, invece, ritrovata alle prese con una storia che fatica a ingranare, eccessivamente descrittiva e ricca di dialoghi inutili. Ma non è questa la parte peggiore: a metà romanzo, l’autrice fa un salto in avanti di cinque anni e passa a narrarci la storia della figlia di Véronique, protagonista della prima parte di storia. Nulla di male, se non fosse che cambiano completamente gli scenari e che, di questa cosa, non si fa accenno da nessuna parte.
Rimane un romanzo eccessivamente prolisso, dispersivo, che racconta una parte interessante della storia francese, che, però, avrebbe meritato sicuramente un approfondimento maggiore.
La recensione completa nel blog
January 3, 2023
Even inkomen maar daarna niet meer weg te leggen.
February 7, 2022
Thoroughly engrossing … I was reading this for hours in the middle of the night. It is a long book but I couldn’t put it down.
The author uses the useful formula of alternating from the present to the past, that being of war ravaged France, specifically the village of St Michel in the Dordogne region, contrasting with protagonist, Hannah’s resolve to find out more about her late grandmother’s life.
There are multiple strong female characters. It would be a good idea to keep a notebook handy and draw a friendship-cum-family tree (visual map) to annotate who they all are.
I guessed the identity of the enigmatic GiGi early on. I was so happy that my premise was correct.
This books reminds us once again that the round-up and deportation of Jewish citizens of France was a terrible event that had far-reaching consequences. The children suffered the most when their parents were brutally taken away from them, to the camps in Poland. Brave citizens took many of these children in and worked at the peril of their own lives to take them towards Spain, from where they could be transported eventually to safety in England.
This book hones in on ‘The Cherry Road’, a pseudonym given to a Resistance cell’s efforts, with the assistance of brave local women, to smuggle these children through dangerous occupied territory and checkpoints operated by Nazis.
It was good to read about a redeeming German character, (medical) Dr Otto Weber. In the guise of a Nazi officer, he helped the Resistance operatives, because, as he said, he was born to save lives. As a little aside, it is comforting to read that his daughter to Violette, growing up in the USA, was named Ottoline.
I highly recommend this book for those who can’t get enough of historical fiction, set in WW2, and don’t want to read from just the plethora of books set in the concentration camps. This is Vichy France, with all its ambiguities during the Occupation by the Germans.
The author uses the useful formula of alternating from the present to the past, that being of war ravaged France, specifically the village of St Michel in the Dordogne region, contrasting with protagonist, Hannah’s resolve to find out more about her late grandmother’s life.
There are multiple strong female characters. It would be a good idea to keep a notebook handy and draw a friendship-cum-family tree (visual map) to annotate who they all are.
I guessed the identity of the enigmatic GiGi early on. I was so happy that my premise was correct.
This books reminds us once again that the round-up and deportation of Jewish citizens of France was a terrible event that had far-reaching consequences. The children suffered the most when their parents were brutally taken away from them, to the camps in Poland. Brave citizens took many of these children in and worked at the peril of their own lives to take them towards Spain, from where they could be transported eventually to safety in England.
This book hones in on ‘The Cherry Road’, a pseudonym given to a Resistance cell’s efforts, with the assistance of brave local women, to smuggle these children through dangerous occupied territory and checkpoints operated by Nazis.
It was good to read about a redeeming German character, (medical) Dr Otto Weber. In the guise of a Nazi officer, he helped the Resistance operatives, because, as he said, he was born to save lives. As a little aside, it is comforting to read that his daughter to Violette, growing up in the USA, was named Ottoline.
I highly recommend this book for those who can’t get enough of historical fiction, set in WW2, and don’t want to read from just the plethora of books set in the concentration camps. This is Vichy France, with all its ambiguities during the Occupation by the Germans.
September 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. The story of a group of women assisting the resistance in a German occupied France. The atmosphere was intense and the German's (well most of them) were barbaric. The sense of place was brilliant and I enjoyed most of the characters.
Hannah reads an old letter from her dead French grandmother asking her to go to France to find someone and tell them that she was sorry. Hannah travels to a small village in the Dordogne to find out the mystery. Then we find out the story of the inhabitants of the village during the war.
my only gripe was that I was really enjoying trying to work out who her grandmother had been as she was obviously one of the people living in the village. It crossed my mind that she could be one particular character (would have been most obvious) but ruled it out due to the information given on ages etc. Turns out it was her! I was a bit cross as there was obviously inaccurate information in the text. Near the beginning of the book it is mentioned that Hannah's father is 74 (in a conversation with the doctor in hospital) that means that given that section of the book is in the present times he must have been born around 1945/1946. This means that his mother in 1942 when the historical part was set must have been at least in her early teens to have had a baby only 3-4 years later. We also find out later that Hannah's grandmother married in 1954 (her marriage certificate) so either Hannah's dad was born out of wedlock to a very young child or the author got her dates mixed up!!! because if he was born after marriage it wouldn't have been until 1955 which would have made him only mid 60's. I know this might sound petty but part of this novel was the mystery so the information could have been checked before printing. after thoroughly enjoying the book that ending annoyed me.
Hannah reads an old letter from her dead French grandmother asking her to go to France to find someone and tell them that she was sorry. Hannah travels to a small village in the Dordogne to find out the mystery. Then we find out the story of the inhabitants of the village during the war.
my only gripe was that I was really enjoying trying to work out who her grandmother had been as she was obviously one of the people living in the village. It crossed my mind that she could be one particular character (would have been most obvious) but ruled it out due to the information given on ages etc. Turns out it was her! I was a bit cross as there was obviously inaccurate information in the text. Near the beginning of the book it is mentioned that Hannah's father is 74 (in a conversation with the doctor in hospital) that means that given that section of the book is in the present times he must have been born around 1945/1946. This means that his mother in 1942 when the historical part was set must have been at least in her early teens to have had a baby only 3-4 years later. We also find out later that Hannah's grandmother married in 1954 (her marriage certificate) so either Hannah's dad was born out of wedlock to a very young child or the author got her dates mixed up!!! because if he was born after marriage it wouldn't have been until 1955 which would have made him only mid 60's. I know this might sound petty but part of this novel was the mystery so the information could have been checked before printing. after thoroughly enjoying the book that ending annoyed me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2022
When I start dreading the end of a book, I know that it was a good one and this was one of those books. I love historical fiction and this one had everything to keep you hooked. This was a dual timeline story, one taking place in St. Michel in 1942 during WW2 and the other in present day. There was much to uncover throughout these timelines from Hannah's own traumatic past to that of Lucie Laval and the brave women of St. Michel and of course the main mystery, how did Hannah's grandmother, Gigi, fit into Lucie's story? What was their connection? I enjoyed how the author developed the characters, especially the women of St. Michel, in such a way that I felt I knew each of them and became invested in their stories and what would become of them. What struck me most was the optimistic way they were each portrayed (save one) and that despite their differences and preconceived notions of one another, they worked together and sacrificed for a cause that was important to all of them, all without falling into the sickly sweet (stereotypical) trap of female comradery. Though a work of fiction, the story was inspired by real acts of bravery and I couldn't help but be moved by the strength, tenacity and courage of these women. It was a beautiful story that was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I was on the edge of my seat for the last half dozen chapters, needing to know what happened but also not wanting the conclusion to come. I highly recommend this book especially if you like reading historical fiction, specifically stories about WW2 and the often overlooked role women played in it. Sarah Steele is now on my "must watch" list of authors.
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