My Review:

What an emotional journey through the war. The author shows us opposite perspectives and delivers them well.
We follow Jewish girl Noemi and Catholic boy Pascal from the start of the troubles through the war, their friendship is tested and at what point do you wake up and truly know if there is a good and a bad jew, or maybe you understand deep down there’s no division and can’t act on that knowledge.
They’ve been friends since the crib, and slowly but surely Hitlers forced ideology pulls at their love and friendship.
Noemi sees and experiences what’s happening and has a real understanding, Pascal on the other hand is blinded by his father and his desire to be a proud soldier. Not thinking how this affects those Hitler wants to wipe out.
He cant see his dads true colours.
The shift in perspective is handled well and there are so many layers to Naomi’s story.
I found it interesting, fascinating and gripping as well as shocking. A recommended read.

Book Description:

Germany, 1941. Noemi’s hazel eyes shine with tears as she takes Pascal’s hand. ‘Please don’t go,’ she begs him. ‘If you leave me now, we might never find each other again…’

When Pascal kisses Noemi and presses his mother’s silver locket into her hands, it is a moment she has been longing for her whole life. Growing up they were fearless, exploring the wild mountains in the Bavarian countryside together. But when war is declared, overnight their love becomes forbidden – Noemi is Jewish, while Pascal is being pressured to become a Hitler Youth officer by his father.

When Noemi’s parents are captured and taken to Dachau, she knows her hometown is no longer safe. With time running out, Pascal smuggles her onto a train, praying she will survive until the war is over. Devastated, he watches the train leave, promising himself that one day he will find the girl who took his heart and locket.

Noemi’s life on the run plunges her into new dangers, but she never loses hope that one day she will make her way home to her family again. She tells herself that family can never now include Pascal, but still she remembers the pendant he gave her, and hope flickers in her chest like a flame, that one day somehow they might reunite…

But as the world burns around her, will she have the strength to find and forgive him? And if she does, will their love last – or will the war’s shadows tear them both apart forever?

A heartrendingly emotional page-turner about hope in the darkest of days, and how love must always prevail. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and The Book of Lost Names.


Author Bio:

I seem to have followed a rather meandering career, including marketing and teaching and politics (don’t try and join the dots), to get where I have always wanted to be, which is writing historical fiction. I am a story lover as well as a story writer and nothing fascinates me more than a strong female protagonist and a quest. Hopefully those are what you will encounter when you pick up my books.
I am from the North of England but now live very happily in Glasgow with my American husband. Both my children have left home (one to London and one to Berlin) which may explain why I am finally writing. If I’m not at my desk you’ll most probably find me in the cinema, or just follow the sound of very loud music.
I’d love to hear from you and there are lots of ways you can find me, so jump in via my website https://www.catherinehokin.com/ or on my Cat Hokin FB page or on twitter @catherineh66267.
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Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0F3X99JW1social

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