My Review:

Wow, now that was one stunning and captivating read. The authors have done a wonderful job putting the story together in a Dual Timeline.

Set in the Coastal Town of Cordeval, France the old book shop becomes central to standing up against evil.

The story is told in 1941 and present day.

Margot, Lucy’s great grandmother had the courage and conviction to do what was needed to stand up against the banning of books and the takeover of her home by the Nazi’s.

Her and her friends form a secret book club. And what of the mystery surrounding Esther.

In the present day Lucy inherits her grandmother Mème’s Bookshop *Les Pages d’ Espoin*

With plans to sell it quickly and return to her life in the UK, her plans are derailed by a letter her grandmother left for her.

What will she find and how will it change her life?

You will have to read it to find out.

A very bright and emotional 5 Star Read.

Ellie Curzon is the pen name of Catherine Curzon and Helen Barrell. Catherine and Helen began writing together in the spring of 2017 and swiftly discovered a shared love of the past and a uniquely British sort of story. They drink gallons of tea, spend hours discussing the importance of good tailoring and are never at a loss for a bit of derring-do.

Catherine Curzon is an author and historian of old Hollywood and even older royalty. In addition to a series of eighteenth century biographies and a sell-out play, she has written extensively for a number of international publications, and has spoken at venues and events across the United Kingdom. Catherine lives in a haze of Dean Martin atop a steep Yorkshire hill, with a rakish gentleman and a very woolly dog.

Helen Barrell has written two books on Victorian crime, and has appeared on BBC1 and Radio 4. She loves researching family history and rummaging in libraries and archives. Originally from the south-east of England, Helen now lives somewhere in the Midlands with a large ginger cat, who resembles a Viking, and a well-stocked 1960’s cocktail bar.

• Mailing List: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/ellie-curzon
• Website: https://elliecurzon.co.uk/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadameGilflurt

The Resistance Book Club

The French Village at War

Ellie Curzon

• • Amazon: https://geni.us/B0H3CNDZ41social

Every page is shared in secret… and a single book could cost a life.

France, 1941. Margot locks her bookshop door and slips into the cellar, where a circle of brave women gather by candlelight to read the books the Germans are burning. They are risking everything to share forbidden stories and fight back. But one seat is empty… Esther is missing, and as a Jewish woman, she is in terrible danger. Whatever happens, Margot has promised to take care of Esther’s baby, darling Isabelle…

Present day. Lucy gasps as she descends into the cellar beneath the bookshop she has inherited from her grandmother. Wooden chairs are arranged in a circle, as if the resistance book club members have just vanished. A candle sits on a saucer; a book lies open.

Still grieving her grandmother, Lucy was left a letter about the wartime book club hinting at a devastating secret. And one book is wrapped in yellowed newspaper, addressed in faded ink to a woman named Esther. Does it contain a clue about the fate of the tiny baby hidden by the book club? What really happened on that dark night when one of its members was taken by the Nazis?

And as she uncovers the bookshop’s past, will the truth force Lucy to rethink everything she thought she knew about her own family?

The Resistance Book Club is a totally unputdownable and utterly heartbreaking story of incredible bravery in the darkest of times, and devastating family secrets that echo across generations. Fans of Evie Woods, Fiona Valpy, The Nightingale and The Alice Network will be utterly gripped.

What readers are saying about The Resistance Book Club:

‘At times I held my breath and at others my iPad held the tears that came straight from my heart… Amazing… brought these characters to life and into my heart!!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heartbreakingly beautiful… had me crying… could not put it down. A true testament to female friendship and resilience!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Incredible… I thought I knew what was coming, but I never did… had me laughing and crying and left me heartbroken at times. But then my heart swelled at other times… If you’re a lover of historical fiction, you’ll love this book!’ well_readhead, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Everything I love about historical fiction… heartbreaking, hopeful, and impossible to put down… incredibly moving… broke my heart… left me reflecting long after I finished.’ Second Chapter Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A beautiful and inspiring story… had me ready to book a flight to Normandy. I could practically picture myself wandering the streets and stepping into the little bookshop… powerful… I absolutely loved this.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘So many emotions were stirred in me… wonderful… I cried a fair few times.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Beautiful… The imagery is gorgeous… Genuinely heartwarming.’ sne_reads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wonderful… I could not put it down and neither will fans of unique WWII stories that inspire and intrigue. Recommended!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• ISBN: 9781807225872Publication Date: 11 August 2026