Hearts of the Resistance by Soraya M. Lane was a fantastic tribute to the brave women fighting in the resistance during WW2! An interesting and suspenseful novel portraying friendship, commitment and strength. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Three very different women, all fighting for the same cause. Rose is fighting because they killed her husband, Hazel is fighting because she is the best in radio. Sofia is fighting because her father killed her mother. All come together to fight in France in German territory.

Though Rose and Hazel do know each other, they haven't seen one another for quite awhile. Though it is Rose who recommends Hazel. The Resistance needs good radio operators, and Hazel is one of the best. Sofia comes after running from Berlin to get her Jewish boyfriend out. After seeing her Nazi father hang her mother for hiding Jews, Sofia knew with her fluent French, she had to leave and she had to fight against him. Coming together by happenstance, all three form a tight bond that withstood the evil and horrors they endured.

I enjoyed this story, though I knew there were women in the Resistance, I don' think I have read a book solely on them. I also enjoy Ms. Lane's writing and bringing each story to life.

I thought this would be a 4 star read for me, but it really just falls at 3.
I loved how it focused on the role women played in the Resistance that led to victory in France. I thought the author captured the desire of women to take action to end the war. Lane managed to land somehwere between very light/barely there danger and the brutal descriptions found in Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front. I appreciated the more realistic view of the danger the Resistance faced.
The romance elements in the story felt very simplistic, contrived and too easily tied up with a pretty bow. I read another review that mentioned how each of the three women were basically the same - and I thought: yes, there wasn't really much difference between them.

It's a good story but it's not in the "best of" section for me within WWII fiction.

I was provided a dARC from the publisher via NetGalley; these are my honest thoughts.

Another classic Soraya M Lane story. A compelling page turner. Buckle up and enjoy this cast of strong, empowered women.

At the height of World War II, three women, from very different backgrounds, come together to fight for freedom, the men they love, and, each other. When Hazel is offered the opportunity to parachute into Nazi occupied France, she leaps at the chance to do more for the Resistance than just file paperwork. Alongside her childhood friend, French-born Rose, she quickly rises up the ranks of the freedom fighters. For Rose, joining the resistance is another link to her late husband, Peter, and another way to honor his memory while moving on without him. And, Sophia is joins to fight for her beloved, Alex, and the others like him. Together, they form a bond that will last a lifetime. But, amidst the turmoil and tragedy of war, they risk losing everything they each hold dear, even each other.

I just finished reading this amazing story and I’m completely in awe. Honestly, I need more than five stars to do this one justice. Soraya Lane has created an amazing cast of characters, each one vibrant and unique, even the ones who are only in the story for a short time and, at first, appear not to contribute as much. Told from the points of view of all three of the ladies who join and fight together against the evil of the Nazis, a brilliant story unfolds. Historical facts and intense drama are blended seamlessly, highlighting the immense talent of the author. There’s just so much to say that I don’t know how to get it all out.

I loved to experience what women do for us in war. Pulls on the heart strings, for sure. I loved to experience what women do for us in war. Beautifully written and poignant.

I generally really like reading historical fiction, but this novel just fell flat for me.

The three protagonists weren't all that well-developed, the romances felt unnecessary and, in some cases, rushed, and the novel just didn't really take enough risks. The beginning and setup was fine, but at the half-way point there is a time jump that makes the rest feel rushed.

Overall, I like the general idea of this novel better than the execution.

“Hearts of Resistance” by Soraya M. Lane was one of those books that you cannot stop reading. French-born Rose lost her husband during the war, Hazel an English woman whose fiancé is fighting for the British, and Sophia, a German is hiding her Jewish boyfriend while helping Jews flee the Nazis have been thrown together in a unique situation. Rose is a major part of the French Resistance who is being sought by the Gestapo. Hazel has been a childhood friend of Rose and has volunteered to bring her out of France before the Gestapo find her. Sophia has been betrayed to the Gestapo, imprisoned, but has escaped. These three courageous women have been brought together by circumstance and are determined to do their duty and get out of France to safety in England.

This book is a real page-turner. I read this three-hundred-eighteen-page book in a day and a half. I could not stop reading. The three women were so different in character. All three have been changed by the dynamics of wartime Europe. Will they be able to work together to save each other and their causes? The story of these women is a testament to those brave individuals who risked their lives to further the downfall of the Nazi regime and make the way smoother for the Allied invasion. Ms. Lane is a superb author. Her historical background for this novel and the descriptions of the mood of fear of the French people, the landscape, and the all-pervasive idea that death could be just around the corner, literally, all this was expertly portrayed in the story. I highly recommend this book to those who have an interest in that time in history.

I loved this book! Such a great heartbreaking story of 3 women go through things we just can’t Imagine! I loved every word of this book! I will be reading more of this author!!

I wish I could say otherwise, but I did not enjoy the time I spent with this book. The characters and situational drama felt cliched and trite. Lane tries too hard to create dramatic tension and never lets the reader catch their breath. The resulting pace is blistering and gives the novel a monotonous quality that is difficult to ignore. The plot itself felt like of ripoff of both The Alice Network and The Nightengale, but without the genuine sense of ambiguity that left readers of those novels questioning the fate of the protagonists. Lane's work is predictable and I cannot see myself recommending her books to other readers.

I have read many books that took place during WWII. This would rank close to the top of the list. I had not realized the importance of the radio operator for the Resistance. The relationship between the 3 women was what drew me in, even though it took a little while for trust to build. I would definitely recommend this book.

Hearts of Resistance by Soraya M. Lane

Brief Summary: This novel tells the story of three women; Hazel, Rose, and Sophia, who work for the resistance in France and take on various missions. I am a WWII enthusiast but had not read a novel that focuses solely on the work of the resistance and the important role that women played.

Highlights: I loved learning about how the resistance worked from how agents got in to the training to various missions and how the survivors regrouped after missions went wrong. Anytime I read World War II fiction, I can’t help but think what I would do if I was in that situation. I really appreciated how the heroines explained why they took the risks from not wanting to stand by the horrors of the time and do nothing to wanting a sense of purpose in a time when nothing made sense and losses abound. I also really liked learning how the resistance movement got their supplies. And of course I loved the love stories for Rose, Hazel, and Sophia. I also loved how badly these women wanted to make a difference in a time when little was expected of them towards the war effort. The risks that every day citizens took is inspiring.

Explanation of Rating: 5/5 This book grabbed me from the beginning and kept a can’t put it down fast pace! I can’t say enough about the highlights I ready mentioned above.

Psychology Factors: Each heroine experienced anxiety and hypervigilance at various times during their work. It was really remarkable to see them transcend their anxiety to bravery and courage.

Favorite Quotes: “Kill or be killed.” This quote was used to justify taking another’s life in a time of war.

I recommend this novel for book clubs, World War II enthusiasts, history lovers, and thriller lovers. This book is different from other World War II novels I’ve read in that it explains the nuts and bolts behind how the resistance works and the various missions they executed. The novel opens with the quote from Gen. Eisenhower about the importance and value the French resistance had towards the Allied campaign which was quite sobering to read.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

4.5 stars! This was a captivating and powerful book!

This novel tells an unforgettable story about three courageous young women whose lives intersect as part of the Resistance during WWII. Sophia, Hazel and Rose come from very different backgrounds and are each determined to become part of the Resistance during WWII.

I am very drawn to WWII stories, especially those that involve the brave members of the Resistance. For me, this book is a stand-out story in this genre. The writing was exquisite. The characters were unforgettable. The story was deeply touching.

This is my first novel by Soraya Lane and I look forward to reading more from her. Her writing drew me in from the first chapter, her characters had my heart from the first page, her story had my full attention from the first sentence. The novel was highly intriguing and suspenseful from the first to last page.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Soraya Lane for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review! It was a true pleasure to read this story.

An enjoyable read....love this time period...Well written...Five stars.

One Day the world will talk about us. It will start as whispers about the women who infiltrated France. They'll talk about disguises and gasp at the type of training we might have done, the fact that we knew how to kill and code and courier. One day, maybe by the time we have grandchildren, we'll be able to smile, knowing the women who made history, those women they speak about with such admiration.

A unlikely group of 3 women with three very different backgrounds come together to fight one the of bloodiest wars ever. Their stories told in their voices as they are pulled into the war and the sacrifices they made to secure that Germany would be defeated.

Hazel engaged to be married before the war. A woman who came into her own once she realized what she was made of. She was recruited by The French Resistance by an unknown source. Unbeknownst to her parents and fiancé, she trained in England before she was sent to France to advance the movement with her skills as a radio controller and decoder. The woman she became while in France changed her life forever.

Sophia a German whose father was a Nazi supporter. Sophia nothing like her father, hid her boyfriend a Jewish man before they were forced to part ways. With her father getting close to the truth, they promised each other that they would find their way back to each other. Each having a purpose in the war effort to defeat Germany. In running from her home in Berlin, Sophia finds her way to Rose.

Rose a widower who recently found that she is pregnant, will fight for the memory of her husband. The movement of the French Resistance to stop Germany in the war effort. To cause chaos and to help the enemies of Hitler.

Each of these women have a purpose and are driven to fight at the greatest odds. You will admire their determination, grit, and fight. Nothing will stop them and the fight that is in each one of them, becomes contagious for all women. Based on actual facts, this became a much read.

A Special Thank You to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

I received a copy of this Via #NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

It is one of those books that makes you think. Strong women who defy the odds. A war story about women who want to be there, doing more than just working back home. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
You won’t regret reading this one.
A big 4.5 stars that won’t disappoint.

Hearts of Resistance by Sonya M. Lane is a story based on true events about three courageous women who for their own reasons joined the French Resistance. It is unbelievable that history books never mention the brave women who fought against the Nazi Regime in WW II. This action packed story was hard to put down. I kept wondering "How did these women rind the strength and courage?" and
"Are they going to survive the war?" Heart of Resistance is a book to read, this riveting story will enlighten you.

I thought this book was perfectly fine - but it didn't blow me away.

Told through alternating perspectives; Rose, French born and newly widowed, Sophia, German-French born and wanted by the Nazi's (whom her father is a member of), and Hazel, English born but fluent in French. All these women come together to join the French Resistance in the hopes of helping the Allies win the war against the Germans.

I always like a novel with alternating perspectives, but in this case, it felt like the women were all just a little too similar. I also felt as though I had recently read books like this, and that those books had a better developed storyline - and one that tugged at my heartstrings a little more (The Alice Network, The Confidant, Code Name Verity, The Nightingale, Letters to the Lost).

That said - if you enjoy WWII dramas, a little romance, strong female leads, and a little excitement... then you will likely enjoy this book.

Sometimes a book isn't bad, it's just that a reader might have read something a little too similar to be able to rival that reading experience. I think that is precisely my issue with this book.

Review: When I saw this book on NetGalley I knew I had to read it. I few things stood out for me about this book. It was set in the war and was about women who go to fight. I was not disappointed. This was an amazing read, told using different view points which really enhance the story,  its cleverly written. Loved it. Will be looking out for more by this author!

I absolutely loved this book! As a lover of historical fiction, I knew I would enjoy Hearts of Resistance but the book exceeded my expectations. Three women from different parts of Europe, from completely different backgrounds, find themselves together fighting the Nazis in the French Resistance.

If you like historical fiction, you will love this book. Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.