“Nobody outside the village knows the orphanage exists, Celina. We’re hidden by the mountains and everyone is sworn to secrecy. Please don’t give the soldiers a reason to come here…”

1944. In a quiet village in German-occupied France, schoolteacher Celina ushers young Jewish children into her classroom. Watching their bright smiles as they learn how to write, she and sweet, handsome Remy promise to protect them. Every day she pretends to send them home, waving at the local police roaming the streets, as instead they sneak away to hide upstairs.

But Celina can’t stop thinking about the note left on her bedside table last night. Written in the secret code used by the Resistance, it told her a baby she’s sheltering could be reunited with its mother. Will Remy ever forgive her if she attempts to take the baby home? If she’s caught, they could discover the orphanage…

New York, present day. Haunted by a loss he refuses to speak about, Rachel’s grandfather is slowly losing his memories. Then Rachel finds a name scribbled into the old children’s book he used to read to her, which leads her to a French village with a dark and dangerous past.

Nothing can prepare Rachel for what she finds behind the orphanage’s crumbling façade. But as her own future becomes entwined with her grandfather’s wartime secrets, she will learn just how much courage it takes to follow your heart.

A breathtaking, emotional historical novel that will sweep you away to World War Two France, to the dangers of Nazi occupation, and the hope that prevailed in the darkest of times. For fans of Victoria Hislop, Soraya Lane and Fiona Valpy.

What readers are saying about Barbara Josselsohn:

“A book to be devoured, once you begin you won’t be able to stop until the last page is turned… Heart-warming, feel-good… A must-read… I absolutely loved this.” Page-Turners Book Reviews by Caroline, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I am at loss of words to explain how I felt about this book… Loved… Amazing… A wonderful masterpiece. This book will stay with me for a long time.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I devoured this beauty in a day! Talk about being hooked to a book!… Had me from the first page and didn’t let go!… Will tug at the heart.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Totally enchanting. I was immediately under the spell of the characters… Gorgeous… will capture your heart.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Enchanting… phenomenal… magic… I cannot recommend it enough.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Phenomenal… Grabbed my attention immediately and had me eagerly flipping pages by the end of the first chapter!… There’s so much to love about this story!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Absolutely gorgeous and page-turning… Enchanting… Captivating… I honestly couldn’t get enough! … Spellbinding!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐