Loved, loved, loved this book!!
I loved this book so much I have purchased the paperback just so I can have this beauty sitting on my bookshelf.

I was not able to get interested in this book and I did not finish it. The characters and the plot were not able to catch or keep my attention.

An interesting & unusual viewpoint of WWII, one which I had not previously considered. I had no idea that a German could have been conscripted from Jersey, & it was most enlightening to be privy to his thoughts on the matter. We are so used to considering them as ‘the enemy’, & of course we have the benefit of hindsight as to what Hitler & the Nazis were really like. It is easy for us to overlook the fact that Germans could also have felt patriotism, & pride in representing their country. I was also taken aback at the contrast between the conditions for (some, at least) soldiers from the two opposing sides. For a fin de siecle French hotel to become a soldiers’ barracks – I realised that officers had taken them over, but not the ranks as well.
Interesting how the remaining women on Jersey had to work together, sharing the required physical labour necessary to maintain life.
As the War proceeds, Jersey is to be under German occupation – which Fred/Siegfied/Eduard had never anticipated. But neither he nor his wife could ever have guessed what role he was expected to play in the War, either. (I’m only a few chapters in, & already I am thinking – how can these two ever reconcile after hostilities cease : they will have experienced such different wars. Will either of them ever be able to understand the other’s reality, especially when they are on opposite sides?)
How alarmingly quickly life as we know it - ‘normal’ life – can disintegrate. I am certainly thankful we have not had to experience times such as these in our country, for which of us knows how we would react to such circumstances? Would our moral standards withstand the threat to another’s life? And what of the German army? Both the best of men, & the worst of men, were swept up into it , with even siblings responding quite differently to what was being expected of them.
Much food for thought in this book, & it is closer to reality than much fiction written of the period. Thank you, Deborah Swift!

Celine and Fred are a young couple living in the town of Jersey, the Channel Islands. I didn't know anything about the Channel Islands, so this book was interesting to me on many levels. First of all, it's a war story. Set during WWII, it manages to look at the war from both sides. Fred, the husband, is a German national and conscripted into the German army. Celine is French, and she stays behind, naively believing that the Channel islands will be protected. .But France surrenders to and Jersey is occupied by the Germans.
There are many characters in the book and all are well rounded and believable. Celine is freinds with a Jewish woman, which adds an element of danger to her life.
The writing is tight and the story moves quickly. I could hardly put it down. Wartime Paris is decribed in detail, as is everyday life on the Island under German occupation. I highly reccommend this book to anyone, and especially to people wanting to know more about little-known WWII history.

The Occupation is a very interesting story, but it was a DNF for me. The pace was too slow and I just couldn't get into it.

I love historical fiction and this book did not disappoint. Character development is superb. The amount of research that must be required to write a book like this would have been a daunting task but the researchers h pays off with this beautifully written novel. I am not one to give the “cliff notes review” so I won’t spoil the story for you. Excellent read. I love it when I can sit and relax with a book and learn something new.

As a fan of 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society' I was drawn by the description of this book about the impact on ordinary lives of the Nazi occupation of Jersey during World War Two. However, as I began to read I became absorbed by the unusual perspective of Fred, a German living on the island who is married to Jersey native, Celine. but who is conscripted into the German army to fight. This is a wonderful, tender, poignant and heart-wrenching story of not only Fred and Celine who are ripped apart by force of birth, but also Celine's friend, Rachel, who is forced into hiding as she is Jewish. This book exceeded my expectations, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will certainly look out for more Deborah Swift books in the future. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance review copy.

This author has a gift for voice and character. The story is well written and leads the reader on a memorable and multi-layered journey. Heartbreaking at times.
Many thanks to Sapere Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

this was such a delightful novel. It tugged at my heart strings and made me cry so many times I can't even start.

"They won't come here. The Jersey Evening Post says these islands are not worth conquering. At least, not unless Hitler wants an ice-cream and a ride on a donkey."

But come they did, and they occupied the Channel Islands in far greater numbers than the tourists ever had. The British had tried to evacuate the islands, of course, before Churchill demilitarised it, but there were not enough boats for everyone. For Céline Huber, there was nothing to be done other than endure the occupation. As for Céline's best friend, Rachel Cohen would spend the next five years in hiding, for Rachel was a Jew, and everyone had heard the rumours about the camps the Jews were sent to.

Céline's husband, Siegfried "Fred" Huber's war was very different from that of his wife's. For Fred was German, and he had been conscripted into the German Army. Fred knew nothing about war. He was a pâtissier, a baker. He feared he would never survive the front, and he would never see his beloved Céline again. However, Fred's war would not be fought at the front, and surprisingly, nor would it be fought for Germany.

From a beautiful summer’s day spent on one of Jersey's sandcastle-perfect beaches to the day Céline learns the truth about her husband's war, The Occupation by Deborah Swift is the heartbreakingly poignant story of one young couple whose lives are irrevocably changed forever by the outbreak of World War 2.

Initially, The Occupation by Debora Swift was published as a short -story in The Darkest Hour: WWII Tales of Resistance, which was in aid of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC in 2019, and it was in that anthology that I first read it. Swift decided to republish this book as a full-length novel, and I have been on tenterhooks waiting to read it.

The Occupation is a tender exploration of what life was like for the islanders as they suffered five very long years under German military occupation during World War 2. With an impressively sweeping narrative and beautifully presented prose, Swift has bestowed upon her readers a book that is as majestic as it is brilliant. I am so glad Swift decided to relaunch this novel because it is an utterly enchanting, heart-rending tale, of war, occupation, friendship, and love.

The Occupation isn't a story of good verse evil — although there is plenty of evil to go around — it is instead an exploration of the human soul. How often can you look away from unimaginable suffering? What would you risk to save someone you cared about? How quick are you to judge your neighbour? And are you really a traitor if you dare to stand up and fight for the persecuted? All of these questions, Swift asks her readers through the actions of her protagonists.

The Channel Islands have always held a special place in my heart, and even today the fortifications can still be found on the islands — a sinister reminder of The Atlantic Wall. The story about the war from the islanders’ perspective is not unique, but it is indeed rare, and to find a story that has captured the very essences of the community during this era is a real treat. I felt like I was back on Jersey, only many years before my time!

Céline Huber is a wonderful heroine. Her story is one of hardship, suffering, heartache, and abuse. However, Céline endured everything that befalls her with grace and a tenacious belief that no matter how hard it gets, no matter how awful her life is, one day the mines will be cleared from the beaches and will be replaced by sandcastles. Her loyalty to her friend, Rachel, is absolute. She will do anything. She will bear everything if it keeps Rachel from falling into enemy hands. I thought Swift really surpassed herself with Céline's depiction. Her character is so very vivid in the telling and so very brave. This is a protagonist that a reader can really get behind.

What was there not to love about Fred Huber? Fred didn't want to go to war. He loves his wife to distraction, and he just wants to be back in Jersey, with Céline safely held in his arms. But as much as he longs for an end of a war, for a return of normality, the first thing he has to do is survive. But unlike the majority of men who felt they had no choice but to obey orders, Fred dares to think for himself. Placed as a spy in war-torn Paris to root out the leaders of La Résistance, Fred faces some tough decisions — does he stay faithful to the Fatherland, or not? As well as a spy, Fred is a translator and some of the things he is asked to translate freezes his heart and makes it easier to come to a decision. He thought he was a patriot, but Germany, under the Nazi regime, is going down a road Fred cannot follow. And hence the baker, the pâtissier, feels he has no other option than to fight for La Résistance. Fred's journey is a humbling story of the difference one man can make when you stand up to unimaginable evil. His conscience will not be silenced. He has to help La Résistance — he does not see any other choice. I adored everything about Fred. He is this lovely gentleman who would rather die than see his friends suffer at the hands of the SS. Fred's story left me in tears on more than one occasion, it is utterly harrowing and reminded me greatly of the late 1980's television show Wish Me Luck by Lavinia Warner and Jill Hyem. It has the same desperate feel.

There are several antagonists in this book — from neighbours who are more than happy to point fingers and shout accusations, to Fred's own brother. War does strange things to people, it is said, and Swift has certainly captured every conceivable emotion. At times the things the antagonists do, make for some challenging reading, but war is brutal, and Swift hasn't shied away from that fact.

The attention to the historical detail has to be commended. Swift has obviously spent many long hours researching what it was like in Jersey during the occupation, as well as what it was like in France. This novel has a large canvas, and the events that Swift depicts are as accurate as she could possibly make them, but then by adding in the human fragility and the suffering that this atrocious war caused, makes this book terribly difficult to put down.

The Occupation by Deborah Swift is a work of incredible scholarship, and it is in all ways a Historical Fiction success. This is a book that deserves to be read again and again.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.

This was a book about the 2nd World War. It was about two main characters who lived in Jersey. I did not know much about what happened in the Channel Islands during the war and so l learnt a lot about the occupation. There was a story about a German and his Jersey wife. It was sad at times and had rather a sad ending but it did portray life at that time.

Received this through Net Gallery and thank you to the very famous Claire Flynn! I never met a book I didn't like from this lady! As always she does her research and to be honest I never heard of the Channel Islands and have learned a lot by her writing about them and what happened on this Island. I'm sure this is just one of many amazing stories that happened there. You have a very deep story, having you understand what these people had to do to struggle to survive and the emotions they had to go through is very well displayed. You have the Nazis taking over,if your Jewish you try to hide and go on with your life hoping no one will discover this secret! The characters that are in this story you go through and feel the emotions that they have and make sure you have tissues when you do read!! WWII was not a easy time for anyone,especially the Jewish community and the Nazis who thought that you had something wrong with you. I really enjoyed this book and you just want to scream at the Nazis for what they did to these people on this Island that didn't deserve any of the cruel treatment and the abuses they had to endure,not only that,where could they go?. They stayed scared All the time and with the writing of this author you do feel All of it yourself!! A VERY MUCH READ! You will be so glad you did!

Thank you Netgalley and Sapere Books for my copy.

My rating : 3/5The Occupation by Deborah Swift is a war novel. This novel tells the story of sacrifices for greater good, friendship, individual and communal struggles and at the centre of this novel is two characters Celine and Fred Huber.

So, I have decided to divide my review in two parts. First, what worked for me and second, what did not.

Good things: very poignant, written well , full of hope and I can see why certain readers would love the book.

What didn't work for me: The opening paragraph was not very engaging and I wanted to dnf but I am glad that I didn't . I wish the characters had more depth. Some of them are unbelievably good and some are unbelievably bad.

I understand that there is a particular audience who enjoy WWII novels, I am simply not one of them.

THE OCCUPATION by DEBORAH SWIFT is a well told WW11 story with a difference. The author shows she has done a great deal of research into the Nazi occupation of both Jersey and France.
Celine and Siegfried "Fred" Huber are happily married, living in Jersey, where they own a high class bakery and patisserie, until Fred, who is German, gets his orders to join the German army.
It is a sad story, with their separation and the horrors of war, particularly as far as the plight of the Jews and other "undesirables" is concerned, but there is a glimmer of hope when we see how Celine and Fred each make choices that show their compassion and strength of character in the most terrible circumstances. I particularly like Celine's virtual laying down of her life for her Jewish friend Rachel Cohen.
It is a worthwhile and inspirational read and one you will not be able to put down. II am not going to tell you any more about the story as I do not want to spoil things for you.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Sapere Books Ltd. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

The novel is based on the German occupation of the Channel island of Jersey during WW2.. Fred and Celine have run a bakery for the past 10 years. Celine comes from Jersey while Fred is German. Germany conscripts Fred and Celine is left to run the bakery on her own. Fred is hassled when he joins the army and is coerced into translating French and English documents for the Germans during the Paris occupation. When he witnesses the atrocities committed by the Nazis and through his friendship with a cafe owner he ends up working with the French Resistance. Meanwhile back on Jersey the Germans have rounded up all the Jews for deportation. Rachael, Celine’s friend goes into hiding in Rachael’s home behind a fake wall in the bedroom. Fred’s brother, a big wig Nazi takes over Celine’s home so there is always the suspense of being discovered. The suspense in the novel was intense and well written. The storyline is loosely based on two women while Fred’s narrative is completely fiction but you get a good idea of what the French Resistance was like. Thank you to Sapere Books and netgalley for a preview of this novel.

The Occupation is a beautifully written novel and it did a nice job of telling both sides of WWII (at least within this tale). The descriptions are great and the characters, especially Celine, Fred and Rachael, have depth to them. It's also clear that the author has done some research in regards of WWII and the Channel Islands. It is a heartbreaking novel at times, but it needs to be read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Deborah Swift did a great job of telling both sides of this WWII tale.
Great characters. I thought Celine was portrayed very well - how horrendous it must have been to be married to a German and yet have a Jewish friend. Fred also was a good character and not what I expected.
The descriptions of scenes were fabulous.
A recommended read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Deborah Swift and Sepere Books Ltd for my copy of: The Occupation.

Jersey 1940, as part of English Channel Islands, it's obvious the Germans will invade any day, panic has set in and people are leaving the island on any boat they can find. Celine Huber and her friend Rachel Cohen try to leave but all the boats are full and they're left stranded on the island.
Both women have very good reasons why they need to leave, Celine is married, her husband Fred, owns the local bakery, his real name is Siegfried he's German, he has just been forced to join the German army and left her alone on Jersey.
Rachel is Jewish, she hasn't heard from her parents in 6 weeks, she works at the local bank as a teller, when she finally receives a letter from her parents neighbor in France it's bad news and her own life is in danger.

The Germans take over the island easily, the people left on Jersey are now cut off from the mainland and they will be for five long years.
Celine struggles to keep the bakery open, a farmers wife Mrs Flanders helps her, together they milk cows and make bread in the bakery. Of course all the best food is being eaten by the Germans and the locals are getting whats left. Rachel is busy working in the bank, the Germans start ordering people register, soon people are given notices that they will be sent to work in Germany and Rachel being Jewish is one of them.
Rachel knows if she leaves the Island her fate will be the same as her parents, she's desperate and has no idea what to do?

Fred has been conscripted into the German army in occupied France, when he arrives and he's shocked by how he's treated, As a baker he has some extra padding, he's unfit and he becomes a target for bullies. He's offered a way out, they also threaten the safety of his wife, he has no choice, he becomes a secret agent and he changes his name.

Edouard Vibert ( Fred ) is sent to work in Paris to translate documents in his tiny apartment, when he's asked to visit security headquarters at Avenue Foch and he's horrified. It looks fine from the outside, he discovers people are taken to the building, kept in cells, where they are tortured, he can hear them screaming and the men who commit these evil acts are monsters. They soon discover that Edouard has been eating at a local cafe, he washes dishes cafe, he's lonely, misses his wife, his bakery and they use this against him. The cafe owners name is Berenice and her son is a wanted man by Nazi's and his job is to find out any information about him and report this to his superior officer. Soon Fred makes a life changing choice, he hates the German army, all it stands for, he helps his friend Berenice, he's now also a wanted man by the Nazis and a deserter.

On Jersey, Celine is struggling, things are bad, food is scarce, all radios have been taken, the German's are kicking people out of their houses, they change all the clocks to German time and she decides to hide her best friend Rachel. The citizens of Jersey don't see it that way, they think she's a collaborator, not only is her husband in the German army, soon her brother in law Hurst arrives, he's nothing like his brother, he moves into Celine's house and the locals start calling her a Jerrybag.

The Occupation is a historical saga it follows the lives of two main characters, Fred and Celine Huber. Both had to make difficult choices during one of the worst wars in history, it's a story about love, loyalty, duty, survival and sacrifice. I really enjoyed the book, I highly recommend reading it and I gave it four stars.

The Occupation is a very well written book. I had heard of the people this book was inspired by so I went into it with some knowledge of the backstory. I love how the characters are portrayed and the vivid detail of each person. This book has all the elements I look for in historical fiction. It has a rich and detailed environment and setting, well crafted characters and the story line was well written, smooth and easy flowing through the pages. There was elements of love, loss and tragedy as well as mystery and intrigue but it also had parts of compassion and hope during a very dark period of world history.

I really enjoy a good WWII novel and I did enjoy this one very much. You don't see a lot of info about the Channel islands during WWII and I was glad to learn more. Such a hard time for them as they were British but forgotten and the Nazis quickly invaded and took over the island. If you enjoyed the The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society novel I highly recommend this book. I will look for further books from this author.