A family heirloom, handmade in Paris. A wartime sacrifice that changed everything. And a secret kept for generations.
Paris, 1940. Clutching a delicate silver dove-shaped brooch – the last gift from her beloved Otto, with a message of love engraved in the back – Lally flees her home in Paris. With her closest friend by her side, she dodges the Nazi gunfire echoing all around the city streets. But as they become more and more desperate during the darkest days Europe has ever known, one must make a terrible sacrifice for them both to survive…
France, 2014. After her father’s death, grieving Hope starts a new life in France. All she knows of her father’s family is that they were separated in World War Two. And her only inheritance is a unique, dove-shaped brooch.
Exploring an antique market one day, Hope’s breath catches in her throat at what she finds. A wartime picture of a green-eyed girl, a silver brooch pinned to her dress, shaped like a dove in flight. Hope has only ever seen one like it before.
Certain it’s her family heirloom, Hope is desperate to find the woman in the portrait. But it soon becomes clear that some wartime secrets are dangerous to uncover…
Will Hope’s discoveries change everything she ever believed about her father? And even if she does find the truth, will it bring her healing – or tear her apart?
Fans of The Letter, The Nightingale and We Were the Lucky Ones will be utterly swept away by this heartbreaking and unforgettable tale about family secrets in World War Two and the bonds that held people together during terrible times.
What readers are saying about Natalie Meg Evans:
‘Wow… Amazing… found myself reaching for the Kleenex box so many times… Gripping… had me from the very first word on page one until the very last… Broke my heart over, and over again. I devoured this book in one sitting… I was breathless… A must-read. I loved it.’ Page Turners, ?????
‘By far the best book I’ve read this year. There have been a few 2 am bedtimes because I couldn’t bear to put it down without another chapter… or 2… A fantastic book.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????
‘Wow, I adored and inhaled this… I fell in love… won my heart… Heartbreaking, gripping… Fantastic… Perfect.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????
‘This book had me from the very first page… outstanding. If you only read one book of historical fiction, make it this one. Excellent.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????
‘Broke my heart… Historical fiction lovers will devour this heartbreaking novel.’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????