Meeting my brother’s terrified gaze, my heart breaks in two. The order has been given to kill him. But I never thought my lover would be the one to say it. As the war rages around us, I know I must choose a side.

Spain, 1935: When Vivi arrives in Madrid, she is captivated by the city. Full of heat and colour, it is a world away from the grey of her life as a lonely newlywed back in Berlin. But her diplomat husband and beloved brother Christian are here for one reason only: to bring the Nazi regime to Spain, and to destroy everything that stands in their path.

When Vivi is caught in a bombing raid, her world changes in an instant when she is thrown unexpectedly into the arms of Emilio, a member of the militia. As she gets to know him, she feels sympathy for his cause. And as he stares at her with his warm brown eyes, she knows she is truly being seen for the first time in years…

But falling in love with Emilio is dangerous. Vivi knows that Franco and his Nazi allies are closing in on the resistance in Madrid. And while she does everything she can to protect Emilio, and the movement she now feels part of, she knows her brother and the Luftwaffe are growing ever more bloodthirsty for traitors.

When Vivi’s worlds collide and her brother is taken captive by Emilio, she faces an impossible choice. Should she betray her beloved brother to save Emilio, or will she be forced to choose family loyalty? Whichever side she chooses, will she be able to live with the consequences?

A heartbreaking and emotional page-turner about how true love can triumph against evil. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and The Book of Lost Names.

What readers are saying about Catherine Hokin:

‘Phenomenal… Literally broke my heart… Unputdownable… I was drawn into the story at the flip of the first page and I went through an entire box of Kleenex by the time I arrived at the last page. This masterpiece of a story is one that I highly recommend.’ Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wow what an amazing, stunning book! Couldn’t put it down and have talked nonstop about it! Absolutely heartbreaking.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heart-wrenching… A moving tale… Powerful… The emotional impact of the story lingers long after the final page… Devastating… Unforgettable.’ Novel Nerd Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Took my breath away. I can’t stop telling people about this one… Beautiful… Pulls on your heartstrings.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘My heart was torn in half… Very emotional read… Five stars.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐