June 1940, Paris. For days she’s seen the flashes in the night sky. She’s heard the drone of planes and the thump of marching boots. Doors shut as the German flag billows over the Eiffel Tower. Leaving Cora just one last chance to get her letter out of Paris…
The Nazi occupation has begun, and soldiers stand guard on every corner. The terrifying threat of war hangs in the air, and whispers of an unimaginable death toll roll across Europe. But Cora Mayhew has come to Paris from America to search for her birth mother – a fine silver locket her only clue – and she refuses to give up now.
One winter day, the air thick with fog, Cora is on a train – praying that it will lead her to the mother she never knew. But when the train is struck by bombs, throwing her from her seat as the carriage lurches off the tracks, all she can think about is everything she’s left behind.
Bruised and gasping for air, Cora struggles to her feet, shaking glass from her hair. Surrounded by passengers taking their last breaths and crying out for their loved ones, Cora knows she must find a way to send a heart-wrenching letter she’s been carrying around for weeks and return to her dear adoptive family while she still can.
Staggering from the wreckage, Cora shelters in a nearby ditch. But as the cold sets into her bones and her fighting spirit slips away, a German soldier finds Cora and offers her a chance at escape… With golden-flecked hazel eyes, handsome Max Heller is everything a Nazi shouldn’t be: kind, good-humoured and selfless.
With Max’s help, Cora uncovers a devastating secret about her birth mother, which makes her even more determined to get home. The key to Cora’s safe journey lies in the letter she’s been trying desperately to get out of Paris. Now she is faced with a choice: place her trust in the hands of the enemy, or go it alone and risk never making it out alive?
A heart-breaking story of love, belonging, and resilience in Nazi-occupied Paris as one woman searches desperately for the truth in the face of grave danger. The perfect wartime read for fans of The Dressmaker’s Gift, The Lost Girls of Paris and The Nightingale.
What readers are saying about Kate Eastham:
‘Guaranteed to have you grabbing for the tissues… I had a really hard time putting my Kindle down to do my adult responsibilities… Heart-breaking… This book is perfection.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This book has everything. It makes you laugh, has you holding your breath and makes you cry. You won’t be disappointed!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Get those tissues ready, you’re going to need them… So well written, and the characters feel so well drawn that I found myself sobbing on many occasions.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Ensure you have time to read this in one sitting… Heart-breaking.’ @karen_loves_reading, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wonderful storyline and lovely characters all written beautifully.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I enjoyed this book very very much!… I’m so glad I chose this amazing story… Will make you laugh, cry… I was glued to the story until the end!’ Nicki’s Book Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Heart-breaking… The characters are realistic and sympathetic… Emotional.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
