Dochters van de Dordogne

Daughters of War #1

by Dinah Jefferies, Erica van Rijsewijk (Translator)

Eerste deel in een grandioze nieuwe trilogie van bestsellerauteur Dinah Jefferies.
Frankrijk, 1944. In het dal van de Dordogne, in een oud stenen huisje aan de rand van een lieflijk dorpje, hopen drie zussen op een spoedig einde van de oorlog. Hélène, de oudste, probeert de familie bijeen te houden, zelfs als de nazi’s dichter- en dichterbij komen. Elise, de rebel, is vastberaden: zij gaat bij het verzet, koste wat kost. Florence, de dromer, fantaseert over een tijd waarin ze weer vrij kunnen zijn. Maar dan gaat alles mis. Ongewild komen de zussen tussen twee vuren te staan. En dan komt ook een lang bewaard familiegeheim aan het licht…
Dochters van de Dordogne is een onweerstaanbare roman over moed, familie en je eigen weg vinden – perfect voor lezers van Muna Shehadi, Lucinda Riley en Santa Montefiore.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Romance, Historical, France, War

482 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2021

About the author

*Breaking News* Richard & Judy pick THE TEA PLANTERS WIFE for their autumn bookclub 2015. Here's what Santa Montefiore said: ‘My ideal read; mystery, love, heart-break and joy – I couldn’t put it down.’

Here's what Richard Madeley said. "The Tea Planter’s Wife is so much more than a conventional love story, with all its twists and turns and guilt and betrayal...deeply impressive. The fetid, steamy atmosphere of the tropics rises from these pages like a humid mist. We are on a tea plantation in 1920s Ceylon and 19 year old Gwendolyn Hooper is the new bride of the owner, a wealthy and charming widower. But her romantic dreams of marriage are overshadowed by echoes from the past – an old trunk of musty dresses; an overgrown and neglected gravestone in the grounds. Her new husband refuses to talk about them. Gwen’s perfect man is becoming a perfect stranger…"

Quote from the great author Kate Furnivall about my first book THE SEPARATION:

'A powerful story of love and loss that is utterly captivating. I was drawn deep into the world of Malaya and England in the 1950s in this intense exploration of what it means to love. Beautifully written and wonderfully atmospheric, Dinah Jefferies skilfully captures this fragile moment of history in a complex and thrilling tale. THE SEPARATION is a gripping and intelligent read.'


In 1985, the sudden death of Dinah Jefferies’ fourteen year old son brought her life to a standstill. She drew on that experience, and on her own childhood spent in Malaya during the 1950s to write her debut novel, The Separation. The guns piled high on the hall table when the rubber planters came into town for a party, the colour and noise of Chinatown, the houses on stilts, and the lizards that left their tails behind.

Now living in Gloucestershire, Dinah once lived in Tuscany working as an au pair for an Italian countess; she has also lived in a ‘hippy’ rock’n roll commune based in an Elizabethan manor house, but started writing when she was living in a small 16th Century village in Spain.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beautifully descriptive of the Périgord Noir, (Dordogne), ‘Daughters of War’ is set in 1944 during a time of great turbulence, with France under German occupation.

Hélène, Elise and Florence are three sisters living together with the uncertainty and terror of occupation, and being the eldest, Hélène sees it as her job to keep her sisters safe. However, that becomes increasingly difficult as the Allies come seeking their help.

Author, Dinah Jefferies, is a brilliant observer of the minutiae of everyday life and scalpel sharp when it comes to describing the effects of war, of invasion and occupation, something that destroys communities and families and often disrupts the development of the social and economic fabric of a country, whilst at the same time she reminds us of the life saving importance of family, friendship and love.

With terrific characters, and a wonderful storyline, I don’t really want to say too much about this one, other than, it is without question, one my favourite reads of 2021, and worth every one of those 5 stars! Just beautiful.

*Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review*

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in an atmospheric and character driven WW2 historical trilogy set in war torn France in the latter years of the war, focusing on the repercussions of the German occupation and their French collaborators on 3 sisters and the Dordogne village of Sainte-Cecile. It is 1944, and the Baudin sisters have lost their father, Charles, and their mother, Claudette, has left for England. The sisters are close and supportive, each of them with distinctly different personalities. The eldest Helene has taken on the maternal mantle of responsibility, and looking after her sisters, she is a nurse, working for a local doctor, Hugo Marchand. Elise is more headstrong, working at the cafe, determined to do all that she can to help the resistance, and the youngest, Florence is more of a dreamer and homebody, looking after the home, cooking, growing vegetables and taking care of the livestock, so critical with the impact of rationing.

The German occupation is ruthless, unforgiving, violent and brutal, doing all they can to squash any opposition, as we see the death and destruction, the horrors and repercussions of the war on the sisters and others in Sainte-Cecile, and the inevitable tragedies and heartbreak. Each of the sisters are to face different challenges, there are family secrets, and all the dangers of resisting the Nazis. Jefferies provides rich descriptions of the location and intricate details of what life was like in this turbulent period of history making this a dark, intense and compelling read, a family drama, of intrigue, love, loss, grief, friendship, courage, and the fight for survival.

This is a wonderfully complex historical read, engaging and the sisters are a wonderful characters in which to understand the devastating impact of war. I look forward to reading the next in the series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[TXGAL1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMGosh, Goodreads just rebooted itself and I lost my review. Ugh.

Well, this is a solid historical fiction work from Dinah Jeffries. Unbeknownst to me when I purchased it, this is book 1 of the Daughters of War series. I enjoyed this read so much, I will be getting Book 2.

WARNING: Sexual Assault

Location: WWII France

Three sisters try to survive when their country is at war and they are occupied by the Germans. Everyone in their village is on pins and needles…who do you trust; who are German sympathizers; what will happen next??

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hélène, Elise and Florence, three sisters with both French and English genes, lived in the old stone cottage that belonged to their parents. Their home in Sainte-Cecile, in the river valley of the Dordogne, was where the sisters had lived alone, once their mother Claudette, had returned to England. It was 1944 and the German occupation of France had been going for a long time - they all wished it was over. They'd been relatively safe where they lived, but there was still danger. Elise was in the Resistance and Hélène nursed for the local doctor, while Florence, the youngest, did the cooking and gardening around the place. But would their feeling of content last?

As the three young women became more involved with the Resistance and a young British man who'd parachuted into the area was doing his best to coordinate attacks against the Germans, the danger was escalating. The Germans could feel the edge of the defeat that was coming and were there with their acts of retribution. The horrors wouldn't end and the brutality of the men who had no care towards others continued...

Daughters of War is the 1st in Daughters of War trilogy by Dinah Jefferies and I loved it! Even though it was over 500 pages, the pages flew by. I've always loved this author's work and this one is no exception. I'm looking forward very much to the 2nd in the trilogy, The Hidden Palace, coming in September. Highly recommended.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister’s Helene, Elise and Florence Baudin live in the river valley of Dordogne in France, near the village of Sainte-Cecile and they have lived here for seven years. When their father Charles passed away, their mother Claudette took the girls to the family’s cottage in France and returned alone to England. Being the eldest Helene is responsible for looking after her younger sisters, she puts her own hopes and dreams on hold. Due to the war the sisters are unable to return to England and they hope no one in the village will tell the Germans they are only half French. Like everyone in France, they resent the Germans presence, and can’t wait for the allies to arrive and the war to end.

Helene's caring, she helps everyone and works for the local doctor Hugo Marchant, Elise owns a small cafe in town, and Florence looks after the cottage garden, she's a wonderful cook and homemaker. All three of the sisters become involved in the fight to free France, they all face hardship, danger, loss and the challenges of living in an occupied country. Daughter of War story is full of wonderful descriptions about the beautiful French countryside, the forest near the Baudin sister’s house, and life in the village of Sainte-Cecile and how the locals all support, help each other during the terrible war years and German reprisals.

Dinah Jefferies has done it again, the book is well written and I'm so excited that it’s part of a series, and I can’t wait until the next book is published and discover what else happens to Helene, Elise and Florence and especially after France has been liberated by the American's. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, in exchange for an honest review, if you like WW II Historical Fiction and I highly recommend Daughters of War and five stars from me.
https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three sisters, Helene, Elise and Florence Baudin live in the Perigood Noir, Dordogne. The story starts in 1944 with France under German occupation. Helen, a nurse, is very much the mother figure trying to care for her sisters. Elise runs a small cafe but is also involved with the resistance and Florence tends her garden and loves to cook. But there is much more to each of these women, who all are involved in some way in seeking to try and aid France and basically to survive during this harsh time. All of them will have to make decisions that will affect not only their lives but those of others. This is an interesting and intense read.
I liked the way the relationship between the sisters was brought out. As well as being a story of war and family, secrets from the past are brought to life and there is more than one romance takes place over the course of the story. There are also incidents that will change these women’s lives forever. Triggers that will be hard to read for some people are the rape scene and the brutal slaying of people who dare to go against the Germans. This book presents a clear picture of the brutality and inhumanity of war.
Thanks to BetterReading and Harper Collins publishers for my ARC to read and review. Although it took me a while to read it, this was not the book’s fault, as it did engage me. Just more life intruding. I wasn’t thrilled with the ending but I assume it does set things up ready for the next book in this series and more details will emerge in the next book. Fans of historical fiction with strong female characters should enjoy this one. A highly recommended read.

[Minna Mäkinen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this book and it certainly had a lot of potential. The three sisters, Helene, Elise and Florence are living in occupied France in 1944, inhabiting a small farm house on the outskirts of a small village in Dordogne.

The sensible, eldest Helene, the rebellious middle child Elise and the innocent dreamer, youngest Florence. There are lots of vivid descriptions of the lush countryside and the idyllic surroundings but for me, the magic ends there.

The sisters face the horrors of war but the events read like Emotions for Dummies. When sensible Helene does something daring, the author spends far too much time pointing out that this is something Helene wouldn’t normally do. I get it, she’s branching out.

Men appear in and out of their lives and over a course mere hours these supposedly independent living ladies form such strong attachments to these men that they are suddenly incapable of thinking about anything else. The author really did the sisters a disservice by reducing them to bags of emotions that can only be soothed by the presence of a man.

Elise’s work with the Resistance is glossed over and played out outside the main narrative, she merely goes off on a mission and comes back with no more than a few words dedicated to her work.

All in all, this had so much promise but fell flat on its face.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of War by Dinah Jefferies

Synopsis /

Deep in the river valley of the Dordogne, in an old stone cottage on the edge of a beautiful village, three sisters long for the end of the war.

Hélène, the eldest, is trying her hardest to steer her family to safety, even as the Nazi occupation becomes more threatening.

Elise, the rebel, is determined to help the Resistance, whatever the cost.

And Florence, the dreamer, just yearns for a world where France is free.

Then, one dark night, the Allies come knocking for help. And Helene knows that she cannot sit on the sidelines any longer. But bravery comes at a cost, and soon the sisters' lives become even more perilous as they fight for what is right. And secrets from their own mysterious past threaten to unravel everything they hold most dear…

My Thoughts /

What draws us together also tears us apart.

Occupied France, 1944. Sisters, Hélène, Élise and Florence, all in their twenties, live together in their mother’s small cottage in Dordogne in Southwestern France. Each sister is doing their best to protect themselves, their friends and neighbours to ensure that they all survive the Nazi occupation. From the opening chapter Dinah Jefferies plunges the reader right into the heart of the action. Written from the perspective of all three sisters (every few chapters, the story moves its focus to a different sister) – Hélène, the eldest, works as a Nurse in the village and has taken it upon herself to care for her two sisters after their father died and mother fled to England. Middle child, Élise owns and operates a café in the village. She has a rebellious streak and is determined to do what she can to help the Resistance in their efforts to stymie the German occupation. Florence, the youngest sister, is a kind-hearted innocent, who is always happiest when she’s digging and planting in the garden, tending to her animals or spending time cooking in the kitchen.

With equal parts suspense, romance, family mystery and, history, there is something for every reader in this book. The atrocities of war are not glossed over here, and in fact, are described in such detail as to make the reader feel the impact of one human’s cruelty on another human being. As the story progresses, the sisters are faced with a series of important decisions. Should they give shelter to a deserter from the German army? Should they trust a British SOE soldier who arrives at the cottage one night injured and asking for assistance? Following their instincts and trying to find the balance between keeping themselves and each other, safe. Each of the sisters struggles with her own set of challenges to overcome.

The plot is quite fast paced and races along with the dramas of ordinary daily life under German occupation, and as the war continues and France’s liberation seems unlikely, family secrets are exposed (no spoilers here, but they are !!!) and the bonds between the sisters are severely tested. The descriptions of the French countryside are beautiful, and the detailed insights into the characters feelings and uncertainty draws you in as you experience what everyday life would have been like during such an uncertain time. The author has quite the gift for understanding and translating human nature into the written word. There are no one-dimensional characters here, they are all completely fleshed-out and realistic.

A very enjoyable read with an engaging story line.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Dinah this is the 2nd book I've read and enjoyed. I intend to read all of her books. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of War by Dinah Jefferies is the story of the German occupation of France during 1944 and the way it has altered the lives of three sisters.
It highlights the brutality of war and the courage of people struggling to survive.
This is the first book in a trilogy.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com

British author Dinah Jefferies has produced a fantastic opener to a brand-new historical fiction series. Daughters of War is an emotive and descriptive family saga, charting the back end of the Second World War. Set in the small river valley area of Dordogne in France, Dinah Jefferies presents a shifting perspective tale, that encompasses the varied experiences of three sisters during a time of great upheaval in Europe. Each sister depicted in the story has a very different viewpoint and experience of the war, that is expressed vividly through the penmanship of this well-versed historical fiction author. With themes of responsibility, survival, brutality, safety, protection, risk, bravery, determination, persistence and hope, Daughters of War presents a powerful ode to the war. Drawing in threads of mystery, intrigue, emotional drama, social ties, hardship and romance, Dinah Jefferies has composed an expansive novel. Daughters of War is set to a clear and beautifully presented wartime backdrop, that is fully supported by the author’s immersive style of writing. Dinah Jefferies covers invasion, resistance and occupation, all within the one highly engaging fictional family saga. I couldn’t put this one down and although it is set over five hundred pages, the story progressed quickly. Inspiring, moving, informative and highly readable, I stand firm in my full recommendation of Daughters of War.

*Thanks is extended to Better Reading/HarperCollins for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.

[Harri · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to force myself to finish this.

Author has characters reel off dates, facts and events like she has directly lifted them from history books. People do not talk like that! Show, don’t tell.

Regularly used language that would not have been used, particularly by women in this time and setting. (My grandmother lived in occupied France as a teenager).

Poorly drawn characters with no personalities or depth whatsoever. I didn’t relate to any of them.
None of it was believable.

Even the action scenes were dull.

Too much description of the countryside and weather. It doesn’t add anything when it is on every other page. Too much use of the word ‘gazed.’

Writer needs to sack her proofreader (or invest in one!!) as every few pages there was a typo or misplaced word of some sort.

I’ve read a lot of books set in WW2. This was terrible.

[Liz Mannegren · Rating 3 out of 5]

With so many glowing reviews on Goodreads, I was very excited to receive my copy of this novel. However, right from the start, I struggled with this story. The writing style wasn't compelling for me and there was a disconnect with the characters that I had a really difficult time bridging.

On the plus side, I thought the setting was well done. The book also managed to explore the sisters' relationships with each other while still maintaining an equal amount of action to keep me engaged. (And believe me, they experienced quite a lot through these 500 pages!) There were some truly heartbreaking scenes and I did grow to appreciate this story more as I continued reading.

There are a lot of other great reviews for this book so I encourage you to check them out before making a final decision for yourself. For me, while the book was okay, I probably won't be continuing with this series.

[Marjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wat een geweldig boek !
3 zussen wonen in de Dordogne tijdens de tweede WO
Verraad , geweld , liefde , gruwelijke scènes ….alles zit erin….

Deze net herlezen en ben nog net zo onder de indruk als de eerste keer
Heb het herlezen omdat ik inmiddels ook in het bezit ben van deel 2 en 3 dus nu lekker direct door met deel 2

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really lovely and atmospheric read set in the Dordogne during the last year of the war. I felt pulled in to the circumstances surrounding Helene, Elise & Florence from the first chapter & loved the setting of their beautiful cottage. I am very much looking forward to the second book in the series.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't honestly say I enjoyed this novel. I found it unnecessarily drawn out, and the soppy romantic passages didn't enhance the plot. Pathos verging on bathos too. Quite a disappointment really.

[Silke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dinah Jefferies woont momenteel terug in Groot-Brittannië, maar ze werd geboren in Maleisië en woonde daar tot ze acht werd. Ze heeft nog steeds een grote liefde voor Azië wat zich uit in haar boeken. Vandaar dat ik ook fan van haar werk ben. Met Dochters van de Dordogne richt ze zich op een andere regio, namelijk Frankrijk ten tijde van de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Het is bovendien het eerste deel van een trilogie.

Het verhaal speelt zich af in 1944 aan de vooravond van de landing van de geallieerden in Normandië. De oorlog is bijna ten einde en de spanning is te snijden. De Duitsers voelen zich meer en meer in het nauw gedreven en gaan dan ook vaker represailles uitvoeren. De drie zussen Hélène, Elise en Florence wonen in Saint-Cécile in het zomerhuis van hun moeder Claudette. Enkele jaren geleden heeft ze hen, na het overlijden van haar echtgenoot, daar naartoe gestuurd. Doordat de oorlog begon was het voor hen niet meer mogelijk om te terug keren naar hun thuis in Engeland en waren ze op zichzelf aangewezen. Nu, enkele jaren later zijn ze goed ingeburgerd. Hélène werkt als verpleegster bij de lokale dokter, Elise is aangesloten bij de Résistance en Florence houdt zich bezig met de huishoudelijke taken. Het dorp gaat gebukt onder de Duitse bezetting. Bovendien komen er geheimen boven water die het de zussen niet makkelijker maken.

Centraal in Dochters van de Dordogne staat de relatie van de drie zussen onderling en hoe ze proberen te overleven tijdens de barre oorlogsjaren. Dinah Jefferies heeft oog voor de omgeving en heeft dan ook veel aandacht aan de setting van haar verhaal. De vele dorpjes in de Dordogne met hun oude huisjes en de prachtige omliggende natuur worden op een beeldende manier omschreven. Het lijkt wel alsof je er zelf in ronddwaalt samen met de hoofdpersonages. Via Hélène en Elise, beide stadsmensen, wandelen we doorheen de smalle straatjes en zien we de oude traditionele winkeltjes, smidse, herberg,… Florence houdt van de natuur en gelooft in de elfjes die in de bossen wonen, via haar zal de lezer zien hoe mooi de natuur van de Dordogne is.
Het verhaal zelf zal aantonen hoe hard het leven was tijdens de oorlogsjaren en hoe vindingrijk men werd. Florence die met weinig heerlijke gerechten op de tafel toverde, Hélène die mensen verpleegde zonder alle nodige middelen en Elise, die de Maquis meehielp op allerlei ondenkbare manieren. Net als in haar andere boeken is ook hier weer de hoofdrol toegekend aan sterke, onafhankelijke vrouwen. De mannen krijgen maar een bijrolletje en verdwijnen even snel als ze zijn gekomen. Zoals bijvoorbeeld Anton en Heinrich. Ik blijf me nog steeds afvragen hoe het met hen is afgelopen, maar misschien komt dit in het tweede deel? Ben alvast benieuwd.
Hoewel het verhaal zelf mooi en aangrijpend was, zat er weinig diepgang in en was het nogal vlak. De vele en lange conversaties zorgden ervoor dat de kern vaak op de achtergrond werd geschoven. Soms leken de personages eerder op gevoelloze lappenpoppen. Bepaalde stukken waren voor mij hierdoor ook zeer onrealistisch. Zo miste ik bijvoorbeeld meer actie en reactie op Anton en Heinrich’s onthullingen en hun vertrek terug naar Duitsland. De drie hoofdpersonages lijken alles maar te ondergaan, maar hoe ze zich echt voelen blijft maar vaag. Bovendien worden er ook soms kleine sprongetjes gemaakt, waardoor je ook hier weer als lezer met vragen achterblijft. Hierdoor dacht ik ook soms dat het geheel niet volledig afgewerkt was. Soms bladerde ik zelfs terug omdat ik dacht dat ik iets gemist had, wat uiteindelijk niet zo bleek te zijn.
Al bij al ben ik een beetje teleurgesteld in deze historische roman. Het verhaal zelf is mooi, maar het is wat slordig gebracht en de personages worden op een vage manier neergezet. Ik miste meer emoties bij hen. Wat had ik toch graag geweten hoe Florence zich voelde toen Heinrich en Anton vertrokken, of Elise tijdens haar werk bij de Maquis of Hélène toen ze de Duitse officier verzorgde. Daarom een gemiddelde van drie sterretjes *** (vier sterren voor de inhoud en twee sterretjes voor de schrijfstijl, de manier waarop het verhaal verteld wordt).

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in alternating chapters from the point of view of Hélène, Élise and Florence, the author carefully delineates the three sisters’ personalities. Hélène is sensible, cautious and feels a keen sense of responsibility towards her younger sisters in the absence of their mother. Élise is impulsive, courageous but at times heedless of the risks to which she exposes herself and her sisters. Florence is sensitive, caring and has an instinctive feeling for the natural world.  At first, the sisters seem to lead a charmed life, tucked away in their cottage and fortified by the food Florence seems to be able to create out of nothing.  They are also fortunate to have, or have come into their lives, three handsome men who offer them practical help, reassurance and often a little bit more.

It is Hugo, the local doctor, and his wife Marie, who initially experience the realities of life under the Nazis. However, everything also changes for the sisters following a brutal encounter (the nature of which may be triggering for some) which is quite different in tone from that of the book so far.  In fact, this event signals a change to a much more dramatic storyline during which the author explores in minute detail how each of the sisters respond emotionally to the often traumatic experiences they witness. The revelation concerning their mother towards the end of the book, although resolving a mystery signalled early on, may not come as that much of a surprise to the observant reader but does bring unexpected complications.

What the book does particularly well is convey the realities of life under German occupation: the violence of the Vichy-supporting Milice, the fear of reprisals for acts of sabotage by the Resistance, the shortages of food and fuel.  It’s a time of distrust, divided loyalties and uncertainty about what tomorrow might bring.  After all, how can you plan for the future when you don’t even know if you’ll be there to see it? ‘The world was cracking and splintering deep in its bowels. And people were falling through the cracks, never knowing which of them was going to meet their fate.’

Another strength of the book is its descriptions of the landscape of the Dordogne, a gift surely to the area’s tourist board.  So, through the eyes of the sisters, the reader is given a picture of ‘the languid twists of the river’ from which can be seen castles perched on high cliffs and fortified hilltop towers with old stone walls.

The first in a planned trilogy, in the concluding chapters of Daughters of War the author lays the groundwork for a number of possible story arcs in subsequent books.

[Helen - Great Reads & Tea Leaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of War is the first book in a family saga set in the last two years of World War II. It follows the lives of three sisters living in a small village in Vichy France.
As always Dinah excels with the setting of this story - it is brilliant. The village of Sante Cecile and its inhabitants really come to life as the story narrative revolves between each of the three sisters.

If this is an era and locale you are partial to you will find the book a wonderfully absorbing read - sisters struggling to make sense of themselves and their place in life while under Nazi occupation. With the three varied narrations, Dinah provides three different perspectives of the impact of the war and the occupation of their village. Dinah has done her research as the horrors of war are very real and confronting. This is classic Dinah Jefferies with the evocative and rich descriptions and sense of place that you feel a part of the village yourself.

Daughters of War is an engaging book on how the war affected one family in one village during World War II. It is an excellent historical fiction with all the suspense, mystery, drama and romance one has come to expect from Dinah’s books - the first in what looks to be a most compelling series.

‘She still loved the feeling of stillness once the sun was going down … the space between the days was her only chance of peace. She would sit in the darkness of the garden after her sisters were in bed and she would take a long slow breath and ground herself in her life.’





This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book. The sisters story was compelling. It is 1944 in a small town in France. The three sisters have been living in the cottage in the woods for the last seven years and have survived the war because the youngest sister Florence is a genius in the garden and kitchen. She even keeps goats and has found a was to hide them from the Germans. Helene is the oldest. Her mother always told her she wasn't pretty but she loves her sisters and takes care of them by becoming a nurse even though her first love is painting. She is haunted by memories of her mother and knew something happened to turn her into the cold person she is now. Elise is the middle child, a little wild and is working with the Resistance. The youngest is 22-year-old Florence. She takes care of the house, is a genius in the kitchen and gardening. The town is occupied by the Germans and it is hard to know who you can trust. These characters were so well developed and even though the personalities were so different they loved each other deeply. I really don't want to give too much away because there is a lot going on but the story just flows. In the end I was hoping for an epilogue but was delighted to read this is the first part of a trilogy. I'm looking forward to reading more about the Baudin sisters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper 360 for providing me with this book.

[Pattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of historical fiction and was delighted to find this book about three sisters living in the French countryside during WE2. I became so immersed in the tale that I began to feel that I was right there with the characters! I felt enraged whilst reading about the restrictions and atrocities perpetrated by the nazi military and sincerely hope we remember those who suffered and work together to prevent history repeating itself. I never new about the massacre of innocent civilians in Tulle and Oradour. Oh and I discovered other is a trilogy of 3 books and I’ve just started book 2! Yea! Xx

[Thebooktrail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Booktrail the locations in the novel Daughters of War

The first in what I can say is going to be one fine series. Three sisters, Helene, Elise and Florence Baudin live in a valley in Dordogne, France. Their father is dead and their mother back in England. Helene as the oldest is now the caregiver of the family and does everything in her power to keep them all safe. She practically puts her own hopes and needs to the back of her mind and ensures that the sisters’ needs are taken care of. They are stuck in France and so can’t go to England but they are stuck in a strange situation as being only half French, they feel they are going to have extra problems living in France during war time.

I loved the story about the three sisters. Dinah has given each of them a clear voice and I felt I knew every one very well by the end of the novel. One works for a doctor, another has a cafe and the third is a homemaker. Life in the village is fascinating and there is so much detail carefully crafted into this novel. I can’t imagine what life must have been like living in such a situation. Three sisters, half French and half English who are left alone to care for themselves. Three sisters who have to navigate life in a village at the time of the German invasion. Life is hard, and the losses great. What struck me was the community spirit in the family and amongst the villagers. This is such a detailed and well painted picture of what life must have been like during the German occupation.

I’ve read many stories set in France during the war but never one that is so touching and moving. This was a special story with three sisters in such a rural and stunning part of France. I felt the contrast of the stunning landscape and the ugliness of war particularly well done. Dinah really got under the skin of her characters and the country at war and she painted quite the picture of war and the human emotions behind it. I have to say that there are certain scenes that are particularly heartbreaking and the ones involving rape and killing will make you cry. This is the true face of war sadly but to read it in this context really brings it home to you.

This novel is multilayered and well structured, detailing the horrors of war but also the touching human moments. I love the way Dinah has such a skill at bringing her characters to life. Giving them a voice, giving war a real face and bringing the hidden stories to the fore.

I am so pleased this is the first in a new series. In the hands of such a skilled author, we are in for a treat!

[Catherine Tempany · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A beautiful story, which reminded me a lot of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.

The story centres around three sisters - Helene, Elise and Florence who live in the Dordogne during Nazi occupation. It was impossible not to be drawn into their story, there are some really lovely moments of true hope, as well as some incredibly gut wrenching ones.

I like Dinah Jefferies books, my main gripe with them being that sometimes the female characters are a bit weak and too reliant on men to save them. Not so in this case, all of the women in this book are strong in their own ways.

I’m really looking forward to the next two books in this trilogy.

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Om jag hade skrivit en bok hade den varit ungefär som denna: krig, kärlek och blommor. Av alla böcker jag läst i mitt liv har jag nog aldrig läst en med så här mycket beskrivningar av flora, växter och örter. Sidorna var så pass fyllda färger och dofter att det ibland kändes som att jag stod mitt bland dem. Utöver denna fina detalj så gillade jag även karaktärerna och handlingen i helhet, den var low pace men ändå spännande🙃

Det var dock några saker som störde mig och trots att jag försöker så kan jag inte riktigt släppa dem. De gnager på mig och det gnager på betyget 🥲 Men den förtjänar ändå 4⭐️!

[Rachel Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️Daughters of War follows three sisters living in a small village in France occupied by the Nazies. However, the war is drawing to a close, but the brutality and despair remain. This book really got to me...certain parts which highlighted the trauma and inhuman acts committed within these small villages and upon the residents themselves. Living in constant fear and secrets, never knowing if today will be your last for yourself or for your family and friends.

How men can be so cruel and callous and have no regard for any human life. And yes, I say men as it was all men, and even today, wars are committed by greedy, power-hungry men, and everyone else is caught up in the cross fire.

I look forward to the next two instalments, which follow on years later following the sisters' lives and what they went through to endure any sense of hope for the end.

💔

[Oana · Rating 3 out of 5]

În timpul celui de-al Doilea Razboi Mondial, într-un sat din Franța ocupată de naziști trei surori luptă cu toate armele să supraviețuiască ororilor războiului, cu speranța unui viitor diferit.
Helene, cea mai matură dintre surori, este cea care protejează familia, încercând din răsputeri să își țină suprime în siguranță în timp ce Elise se alătură Rezistenței Franceze asumăndu-si riscuri care îi pun viața în pericol.
Florence mezina familiei si cea mai idealista și sensibilă dintre surori așteaptă cu nerăbdare eliberarea Franței si o viață mai bună pentru ea și familia sa.

[Linda Hogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read x

[Kathy Simmonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about this book? Except that I could not put it down from the moment I started reading it.

Full of suspense, mystery, intrigue, romance,, as well as soaring and beautiful descriptions of the Dordogne area of France, Daughters Of The War will get you gripped from the first to the last page.

Helene, Elise and Florence are sisters, living in Sainte Cecile, a village on the Dordogne area of France. France is at war, the Nazis control the entire country. He
Helene has had to be mother and father to her sisters since their mother left them there for England seven years earlier. Unable to return to England, the sisters make a life for themselves. Their lives seem far removed from the actual front line, yet all of their lives will be touched and changed by the war.
Each will have to make decisions, hard decisions that will impact their lives irrevocably.
There are a.so secrets from the past which will come back to impact them in devastating ways.

The descriptions of the loveliness of the area took me to those places. I sat and watched as Florence dug her garden, as Helene tended to patients, as Elise worked in her cafe, really a cover for the resistance. The beauty of France in stark contrast to the horror of war and its effects on ordinary people will stay on my mind for a long time.

This is the first in a series, recounting the lives of the three sisters. I greatly look forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughters Of War is the first book in a family drama set in the later years of WW2 and it follows the lives of three sisters, Helene, Elisa and Florence living in a small village in France.

I was completely hooked and enthralled by this book, the sisters were engaging and I love the camaraderie between them.

The way the author describes the village of Sante-Cecile really brought this story to life. A beautifully written historical drama that was pure brilliance!!

I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Clara · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF
I really tried with this one, I typically love historical fiction. About a third in I couldn't do it anymore. It just didn't hook me!