Her Darkest Hour: Beautiful and heartbreaking World War 2 historical fiction

Name: Her Darkest Hour: Beautiful and heartbreaking World War 2 historical fiction
Rating: 4 (2 reviews)

Sharon Maas

May 2020 · Bookouture

4.0

2 reviews

Ebook

350

Pages

Eligible

About this ebook

‘You and me – we’re sisters, not enemies. We’ve got a real enemy at our door and we need to focus on that – together, united. I don’t want to be fighting you as well.’

In the small French town of Colmar, swastikas hang from lampposts, tanks are lined up outside the town hall, and twenty-one-year-old Marie-Claire is in love. She will do anything for her childhood friend Jacques, including spying on her German boss, Dietrich Kurtz. Anything to make Jacques see her in a new light, as something more than just a silly little girl.

But when Jacques rejects her, everything changes. Mortified and stung, Marie-Claire feels the need for revenge. She turns her back on those she loves and is catapulted into a new life.

Her little sister Victoire is aghast at her sister’s traitorous behaviour, not least because Marie-Claire is endangering Victoire’s own life-threatening mission, hiding Jewish refugees in their mother’s wine cellar. And when Marie-Claire marries Kurtz, Victoire knows her relationship with her sister has been poisoned for ever.

But when Victoire learns someone she loves is in terrible danger, her only choice is to trust the sister who betrayed her. Kurtz, Marie-Claire’s cruel and heartless husband, has key information and Victoire must persuade Marie-Claire to obtain it, even if it means risking Marie-Claire’s life. As secrets come to light and close bonds are broken, will the sisters be able to heal old wounds?

An unforgettable and unputdownable story of two sisters ripped apart by World War 2. Fans of The Nightingale and The Ragged Edge of Night will fall in love with Her Darkest Hour.

Praise for Her Darkest Hour:

‘I adore, admire and look up to this author. She is one of my absolute favourite writers - I read anything and everything she writes and needless to say she never disappoints… this is definitely her best book yet. Beautiful and powerful, heartbreaking and empowering…. Everyone needs to read this book now more than ever. If you are going to read one book during these strange extraordinary times we are all living through make it this one.’ NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this novel, with its wonderful cast of characters and gorgeous prose. The storyline was engaging and flowed seamlessly. Highly recommended!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A great historical novel with interesting characters’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘It's a beautifully descriptive read that made me feel as if I was standing on the sideline watching the story play out until the end’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I love historical fiction, and I really enjoyed this. It's my first novel by Sharon Maas, and it definitely won't be my last. The story is beautifully written.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I loved this book… a powerful read.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I really liked this book! There is a lot of depth to it … There were several parts, I couldn't breathe thinking the character was going to get caught.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Praise for Sharon Maas:

‘If only I could give this book 100 stars rather than 5!… This book is epic, a mesmerizing book of strength through unimaginable losses… Heart-breaking and beautifully written, this is a gripping tale of bravery… One of the best and most memorable historical books I’ve ever read!’ Deanne’s Book Thoughts, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ratings and reviews

4.0

2 reviews

Shirley McAllister

May 22, 2020

A War Torn Family I couldn’t stop reading this book. I have definitely found a new author, I will be reading more. I needed Kleenex with this one, it was a real tearjerker. This book begins at the beginning of WWII in a village in France. The characters involved differed in opinions over the war and whether or not the Nazis were evil or not, and how long they would remain in France. The main characters were Marie-Claire, Victoire, Juliette, Margaux, and Jacques. Against everyone’s warnings, Marie-Claire goes to work as a secretary for a high ranking Nazi officer. (which later proves to be a very bad choice). Jacques was raised next door to Marie-Claire , he was like a brother to her. Jacques was involved in a French resistance group as was his sister Juliette and Marie-Claire’s sister Victoire. Margaux was the mother of Marie-Claire and Victoire. This family was torn apart by the war. There was loss, death, a brutal marriage, and bad feeling between family members because of the war and actions taken by the characters . This included actions by the Nazi’s, a concentration camp, actions by the resistance, deaths, hating, loving, forgiving, and survival. It was a time of pain and heartbreak. A time of young people growing up hard during the war. Their choices and the realization that they had consequences. A family secret long hidden, and how it affected all persons involved. This book is brutally honest and realistic. It tells the story as it was in the time period in which it was written. The scenes and the fashion as well as the furnishings of the homes and locations are described in vivid detail. It is a hard period to read about but interesting as well. I liked reading about the clothing they wore and how they furnished their homes. Also the descriptions of the scenery. The characters are well developed and believable. The story is well written. It is definitely a page turner and I would recommend it. Thanks to Sharon Maas, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Cathy Geha

May 25, 2020

Her Darkest Hour by Sharon Maas Set during World War II in Alsace this is a story of choices and how they impact not only the person who makes the choice but also their family, friends, and community. Choices made in “the heat of the moment” tend not to have the same clarity and far seeing wisdom that those decisions and choices that are made carefully after consideration of all the known options. Choices indicate that there is more than one answer, solution or way forward. And in this book the choices made by more than one person have long reaching impact for many. I found myself being feeling that * Marie-Claire was naïve, selfish, emotional, seeking friendship and approval and more often than not made choices that left her less than happy * Marie-Claire’s family did not understand her * Jacques was more involved with himself and his cause than with the people he used to serve his “higher goal” * Kurtz was evil through and through * Side—supporting characters were expendable * War is evil * Victoire, Marie-Claire’s sister, did come through for her in the end * This was a dark gritty sad read that did not really make me feel good when I read the last page * Perhaps my past experiences with war impacted my reading of this book Did I enjoy this book? Yes and No Would I read more by this author? I would if the subject interested me Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review. 3-4 Stars

1 person found this review helpful

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