First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Clara Benson for allowing me to read this a little early. I hate to admit that I got a bit caught up in all that’s happening in the world and set it aside for a little bit. So for that, I offer my apologies because usually i can read through a book in a few days time.

This is a story of a musical family set against the backdrop of a German occupied France in the 1940’s. The patriarch of the family was a well known composer who died suddenly and the matriarch was determined to live off of his name and ensure that their son follow in his fathers footsteps. She hobnobbed with the Germans to get her son recognized...all the while one of her two daughters was active in the French resistance. Her other daughter living in another city on a music scholarship was slowly finding her footing in the resistance as well. The family was full of secrets and lies and it wasn’t until a young secretary showing up several years later uncovers everything and changed the course of the family’s future.

A little slow to start, this book picks up intensity about about half way through and then it’s a can’t put down; read until your kindle battery dies book. One of my main reasons for reading this book was my curiosity bout the French resistance. Yes, it was based on history but the story itself is fictional. It does, however, give you enough information to pick your interest and make you seek out more details...which I love about historical fiction.

This book was unique compared to most historical fictions I’ve read before. It goes back forth between 1941 during the war and 1949 when the war had ended. I very much appreciated how Benson showed both sides of the during/after war life as you usually don’t get a glimpse into the years directly after.

It was equal parts about how two sisters, Maggie and Cecilia, work in the resistance against the Nazi’s much to their mothers disapproval, how it changed their lives after the war ended, and about their famous family where everyone seems to have a secret.

Bravery, heartbreak, family bonds, secrets and forgiveness. Benson kept me wanting to know what happened to these girls throughout the whole story!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of In Darkness, Look For Stars in exchange for my honest review.

Ms. Benson has writing a wonderful story that was inspired by the men and women of the French Resistance who died fighting the German Occupation. The characters were all engaging and you grew to care for them with every page you turned.

The story moves between the dates of: September 1941 in Le Bourget; Hertfordshire, 1949; Nice, 1941, Hertfordshire, 1950; Paris, 1942, 1943 and 1944. The story involves the lives of the Brouillard family - Mrs. Rose Brouillard and her children Cécilia, Sébastien and Marguerite (Maggie). The story opens with Maggie saving the life of Flight Lieutenant Alec McLeod - he reappears in the story later and plays a large role in the continuing storyline. Another key character is Harriet Conway who goes to Chaffingham House as Mrs. Brouillard's secretary. An important character that weaves through the lives of both Cécilia and Maggie is Emil Ginsburg - a brilliant musician and member of the Resistance.

So many things are hidden in that house, so many secrets and the past that they seem trapped in. Things like why Cécilia is in a wheelchair, why she has turned her back on her music. Why does Sébastien resent being forced to practice the violin constantly. The deep secrets that he doesn't want coming to light. The climactic last few chapters made me turn the pages quicker in shock and disbelief - hoping that there was a silver lining at the end of this wonderfully crafted book!

In Darkness, Look for the Stars by Clara Benson

Conflict, resistance, love, betrayal, ambition...and so much loss. This story was one that did have some happy moments but with war there is tension, fear and ultimately more loss than many can bear. The fight to survive and do what one perceives to be right is not easy and always takes a toll.

This story is set in the years of 1940, 1942 and 1949 moving seamlessly from one period to the other in a well scripted story that had me on the edge of my seat. I worried about the pilot dropped behind enemy lines and then about the girl who helped me to safety. I then wondered what would happen to Alec and Maggie and others as they were introduced. I hoped that the people I cared about would make it out unscathed or at least alive but not all of them did.

This book really made me think and feel and wonder what I would have done if I found myself in the shoes of Maggie, Cecilia, Harriet or even Rose. I was sad at times and wished the some of the characters had an easier time of it. Having been through a few wars I know it is never easy, people suffer and difficult decisions do not always provide the outcome desired. Life is hard and the characters in this book did not have it easy.

What I liked:
* Maggie: strong, resilient, focused on doing what she believed to be right.
* Harriet: intelligent, caring, moving on with her life as she took on a job that was not easy
* Cecilia: suffering losses that broke her in more ways than one – enjoyed seeing her transformation
* Rex: a delightful boy who deserved more than he had in those first years of his life
* Alec: a good man who made it through the war and found his HEA
* Emil: a man of principle
* The portions that described music in colors
* The plot, writing, characters and story
* That it moved me, made me feel and care and as if I was in the story
* Thinking about my parents during their romance of the same time period
* That the characters faced tough choices in real life situations
* The real feel of the story
* Meeting a new author and loving the story she told

What I did not like:
* War – I hate it and wish there was a way around it and this book made me realize this once again
* Sensing something was going to happen, wanting to caution the characters and knowing I couldn’t save them from what was coming.

Did I like this book? Definitely
Would I read more books by this author? Without a doubt

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

First off, I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture, and author Clara Benson for providing me with an ARC of this novel.

In Darkness, Look For Stars is set during World War II and follows two lovers that you will find yourself rooting for. I was pulled in to this story from page one, and I was kept absolutely enthralled until the final page.

Our main characters, Maggie and Emil, are living in occupied Paris. They are part of the resistance, and Emil is a Jew who is in exponential danger. It also brings in some interesting components of sibling rivalry when Emil is sent to live with Maggie’s sister, Cecelia.

All in all, this was a great trip through a historical fiction novel, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in a timeline set during World War II.

Thank you again to those listed above for the chance to read this ARC!

After reading several WWII books recently, I was weary of diving into another one. But this book pleasantly surprised me. I was engulfed in the story from the beginning. There were many characters in this novel but it was easy to remember who was who. The characters are all tied together and the story flows smoothly. I would recommend this book to my friends and family.

I would like to thank Bookouture and Sarah Hardy for asking me to review this wonderful book and for being apart of the blog tour.
In Darkness Look For Stars is set in WW2 and follows two character's stories set during the war and just after. Clara Benson has created an amazing story that is full of mystery, love and family drama with the added drama of the war. This is one of my favourite stories recently.
A high society, musical family has to come to terms with living in occupied Paris, Maggie is part of the resistance and in love with a Jew while her sister is away in the south of France studying music safely away from the war for now, and their mother and brother are entertaining the Germans at their house. Emil must leave Maggie and hide in Nice with Cecilia who ends up helping the resistance too, but soon everything changes and loyalties needs to be decided. A family with different opinions on the war leads to some dramatic drama that feeds into the future.
A brilliant story that is full of twists and turns. I loved the mystery of it all and the way the story was told was amazing I felt like I was on the edge of my seat the whole time while reading. Maggie has to be my favourite character by far I loved her strength.
In Darkness Look For Stars is a must read for historical fiction fans and anyone who loves a complicated romance set in the WW2.

In Darkness Look for Stars is an impressive read from an author new to me, Clara Benson. On further research it appears that Clara has previously written historical mysteries but this is one of the first books that she has written featuring a World War two setting. I was completely engaged with this book from the opening chapter until the very last page. You are instantly drawn into the story from the brief introduction which sets the scene for what is to come. Flight Lieutenant Alec McLeod, crashes into the French countryside when he is forced to bail from his plane. His mission is abandoned and as he lies injured he wonders will he be captured and sent to a prisoner of war camp?

But fate has other plans in store as Marguerite, or Maggie, rescues him and brings him to a safe house. She is working for the French resistance and is doing her bit in the overall fight to win the war and see the Germans defeated. As Maggie leaves him he contemplates whether he will see her again and be given the opportunity to say thank you for what this woman did for him? This was the perfect introduction to the story and I did think it would go on to feature Alec heavily. Instead the focus shifts to Maggie and her family and the story that unfolds is one of heartbreak, love, loss and sacrifice.

The book switches effortlessly back and forth between Maggie and her sister Cecilia's experiences during the war years and the late 1940's/1950's based on the family now living in England. The author slips effortlessly between the two time periods and as there is not a significant gap between the two timelines, events are fresh in peoples minds and the memories are having a lasting effect on those that remain. There is plenty of mystery and secrets throughout the book and one can only guess as to the true extent as to what actually happened to leave a family in limbo, deeply hurting and unable to move forward.

Harriet Conway arrives in Hertfordshire to start a new job as an assistant to Rose Brouillard, the mother of Maggie, Cecila and Sebastien. Another brother was killed during the war and their genius musician father collapsed and died whilst conducting a performance of a piece he had written. The shadow of their talented and famous father lingers heavily over the family as Rose clings to the notoriety of a piece which achieved fame and fortune for the family. But this is not a happy family set up which Harriet soon comes to learn and as she delves deeper into the recent past she begins to uncover some startling truths which have been kept under wraps for quite some time.

Harriet was the catalyst that attempted to bring unity to the family in small baby steps at first. Harriet herself has suffered trauma and is only now attempting to glue the pieces of herself back together. She hopes that by working for the family she can return to some sort of normality but little does she realise what awaits her at Chaffingham House as Rose clings to a past that can never be regained and Cecilia has cut herself off from the world and is drowning in despair at what has befallen her. Cecilia never expected her life to turn out the way it has and as for her young son Rex she wants nothing to do with him.

The chapters based at the family home were stifling and oppressive. There is a fearful, mysterious atmosphere lingering over the house almost Gothic like in its portrayal. There is inner despair and a feeling of being completely and utterly broken. The family continue as if things are normal but Harriet feels like she is tip-toeing around on eggshells afraid to say or do the wrong thing. Sebastien is also under immense pressure to fulfil his mothers wishes to perform his fathers most famous piece. But the reader can sense that he is volatile and being to crumble under the intense strain. Rex is like a toy that once brought great happiness but is now left broken and unnoticed. Harriet knows that things need to change but she is fearful that if a can of worms is opened it will be very difficult to return its contents if what spills forth is what people want to hear or act upon.

I loved the tension built up around this aspect of the storyline and my sense of intrigue just grew and grew. It was like everyone was sitting on a ticking time bomb and as the minutes counted down the urgency in uncovering the truth became ever more prevalent. When Alex, now a flying instructor, arrives at the house looking for Maggie, Harriet's interest is piqued even further but to discover just exactly what is going on, one must look to the past and to uncover just exactly what happened during the war years to leave a family in such limbo where all the reader feels is that misery abounds and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. All Harriet wanted was a nice, quiet job with people who wouldn't do anything to crack the delicate shell she had formed around her. But Rose has a biting cruel, manner about her and she seems eaten up with spite, grief and hardship and as does Sebastian but what led them to feeling like this?

During the war Cecilia is a music scholar sent to Nice from the family home in Paris to continue her studies. Her sister Maggie sends letters with secret messages and soon she sends some precious cargo, her beloved Emil. Emil is involved in the resistance as is Maggie and to keep him safe he must lay low in Nice. Up until this point Cecilia has had her head stuck in the sand truly unaware of the dangers of war and what is going on around her. She needs to come into the real world having kept her eyes shut for too long. She finally begins to understand that many people are putting their lives in danger to help others and that Emil and Maggie are part of this. Soon Cecilia is thrown into the world of the resistance and we are shown how those who enjoyed the good life in Nice used this as a cover for their secret operations all part of a wider circle of opposition to the Germans. It was great to see Cecilia waking up and becoming more conscious of what was going around her and in turn playing an active although dangerous role in the overall plot. But soon Cecilia's head is turned but when the heart comes calling she feels no other option but to give in to it. Here her loyalties are tested and what ensues really sets us up for several sub-plots to develop and all the time you are wondering how does this connect back to the Cecilia in 1949. What happens to somebody to make them change so drastically?

When Cecilia finds herself caught between a rock and a hard place and she is forced to return to Paris, the story really took off to another level. She knows she has done wrong and the shame eats away at her but as they are living in turbulent times sacrifices have to be made and personal feelings have to be pushed aside as there are greater forces at work. These forces/plans led to some terrific nail-biting scenes both in 1950 and 1943 and my heart was in my mouth at all times. The story was brilliantly paced in the latter half especially as I raced towards the end to uncover the mystery that permeated the entire story. All the layers were being methodically dissected and the little clues and hints that had been dropped throughout the story began to make sense. The actions and opinions of characters became clearer although I wouldn't have agreed with them all. Those characters I didn’t really like for the majority of the book my opinions of those people began to change and I realised that Clara Benson had really written a fantastic story with memorable characters who believed at all times that they were doing their best. But perhaps some of them were misguided in that belief?

In Darkness Look For Stars is an excellent read and one that I enjoyed very much. The author is skilled at giving strong voices to all of her characters but whether you want to hear what they have to stay or indeed believe everything they say or stand for, well that is another matter. War, music, betrayal, forgiveness, understanding, love, grief and loyalties all play major roles in this book that I would definitely recommend you pick up and read especially if you enjoy historical fiction set in and around World War Two.

There are some difficult, sad, parts of this book but overall, I loved it! I would love
to read another book with these very interesting characters. This story is very well
written and wraps up everything nicely by the end.


Thank you, Clara Benson, NetGalley, and Bookouture for the ARC of this very good and sometimes heartbreaking book in exchange for an honest review.

This story is really wonderful! It has a dual timeline, but instead of the typical approach of one taking place during WWII and the second during present-day, the second timeline is set in 1949. Both timelines involve events surrounding the Brouillard family, with the 1949 timeline also introducing the perspective of Harriet, a live-in secretary to Rose, the matriarch of the Brouillard family. The family members must reflect on the events of the war and the implications of the wartime choices they each made. As Harriet gets to know the family, certain parallels emerge between her own life and the Brouillards, making her own character arc quite gripping as well.

This novel has an intriguing plot, interesting characters that are well-developed, and settings that really draw the reader into the story. I felt so much compassion for some of the family members, and utter disdain for others. The prose, while not breathtaking, is still excellent. I admit, I don't give 5-star ratings often. But this novel comes incredibly close and I highly recommend it for fans of historical fiction!

My main critique is actually in regard to the marketing of the book. I don't feel the title quite fits the story. The blurb on the back cover leaves the second timeline and the character of Harriet out entirely. And the cover, although quite beautiful, also fails to capture the story appropriately. This novel is marketed as a WWII novel on par with Pam Jenoff or Kristin Harmel, but the closest comparison in my mind is Kate Morton. Yes, one of the timelines takes place during the war, but the heart of the story takes place in 1949. It isn't a "typical" wartime novel; the focus is on family secrets and there is a gothic feel to the story that is a notable departure from most books of this genre.

This book was a big disappointment with me. I felt that it was just so boring and lacked any storyline.
It was just not for me

Resistance, music, war, love. The great ingredients for a great novel. I enjoyed this book and it left me wanting more. I hope the author will write a continuation to this story!

I felt this was a good book overall regarding the time of the distance in France during WWII. It is told in dual timelines. And is overall sad .

I really enjoyed this page-turner that featured several narrators and starts out in 1941 somewhere near Le Bourget with Maggie Brouillard working for the French Resistance against the wishes of her mother, Rose. Jean-Jacques Brouillard was a famous musician who died suddenly of a heart attack leaving his wife Rose to run the family. The story then moves to Hertfordshire 1949 where Harriet Conway, who has suffered loss of her own, takes on the job as secretary to Rose Brouillard. It isn't long before Harriet figures out that the Brouillard family is very dysfunctional and she starts to discover the family secrets. The story ends in 1950 with all the loose ends nicely wrapped up. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this very interesting, fast-paced and sometimes heartbreaking book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This historical fiction novel is set in France during WWII. This story is told in dual timelines about 4 or 5 years apart. The story centers on a famous musicians family and their time during the war. The novel is well written but overall is very very sad and depressing. Even the ending which had a some happily ever after elements left me so wanting a different outcome. The mother in this novel made me want to cringe over and over and kept hoping for her character to grow and change. Cecilias character was the best. I was also sad the author didn't include a note about the historical accuracy of the novel. Overall: Great writing, sad storyline.

This is a story about the French Resistance. Maggie and Cecelia are sisters who are very different from one another - Maggie is in France while Cecelia is in Nice. Maggie sends a Jew named Emil to Nice for her sister to look after and the adventure takes off from there. This story goes between 1941 & 1949-50. The book held my attention though it dragged in places. I figured out what had happened in the middle of the book but the author held a twist towards the last quarter of the book that took me by surprise. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good fighting back story.

First of all, what a lovely title and so apt during these dark times! Nothing compared to the dark times in the book I might add - this is ste during the war. There are two main storylines set in early 1940s and later as we follow Maggie Brouillard (1941)and Harriet Conway (1949).


There was a lovely musical overtone to this novel. A famous musical family who have to deal with the restrictions and persecutions that they face during the war. They were richly drawn and their trials and tribulations were real and raw. Music is an essential part to live and especially for musical families and performers. War and music side by side paints a rich picture of how two worlds can live side by side.

The war is obviously the all encompassing story and it’s one where secrets and betrayal soon come to light. What’s more important though, is that this novel looks at the human beings and families involved in all this and it’s heartbreaking as well as heartwarming.
An insightful look into what war can bring but what we can get out of life when everything is crumbling around us.


There’s plenty of war stories out there, but this one stands out for the unique musical edge to it.

This was a beautifully written book. We have many well rounded characters. There is Maggie, involved in the war resistance and in love with Emil, there is her sister Cecilia who we meet after the war who is now in a wheelchair and is a shell of her former self and barely getting by. Cecilia has a son named Rex who she can barely stand and doesn't want to take care of. Sebastien is a musical prodigy, as are most of the Broulliard children, but he is still trying to please his mother, Rose. Enter Harriet, she joins this family after the war as Mrs. Broulliard's secretary. Slowly secrets are exposed and the family must learn how, now that the war is over, they can come to terms with things that happened and move on.
A story that anyone who likes WWII fiction will enjoy.

A family in turmoil

In Darkness, Look for Stars was an engaging book from page one. A famous musical family and their trials during and after the war. The over the top expectations of the mother, Rose. The inability of youngest son Sebastian to meet her demands. The disgrace of Cecilia. The heartbreak of Maggie. The death of the father and the eldest son. Rose’s collaboration with the Germans, and the resistance activities of Maggie and Cecelia. The betrayal by Sebastian.

Fast forward to after the war is over. Maggie Is dead, Cecelia in a wheelchair, and Sebastian still trying to please his mother and become a famous musician. Enter Harriet the new secretary for Rose. How they all interact, the secrets that finally come out, and the shocking final act by Sebastian, is the story remaining.

The book is about the war, it is about resistance, betrayal, forgiveness, and life. Most of all it is about humans and their relationships with each other. It is about some that cannot recover from hurt and some that start new lives and find forgiveness.

I enjoyed reading the book, and I would recommend it.

Thanks to Clara Benson, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advance copy of the book.

Maggie Brouillard is the daughter of a famous musician, living in Paris in 1941. She is working with the Resistance, in love with Emil, another member of the Resistance, while her mother, Rose holds court for Parisians and Germans who might be able to help her son, Sebastian on the way to becoming a world class musician, like his father

1949. Harriet Conway is widowed, broken, and needing a job to get herself back together. She ends up at Chaffingham House, the Brouillards English home. Rose is a hard taskmaster, still trying to propel Sebastians career. Her daughter, Cécilia, who is confined to a wheelchair, had once been a talented musician and composer, but now she is a shell of her former self, unable even to care for her 7 year old son. Rex.

This is a really well written book, very atmospheric and obviously well researched. I enjoyed the intertwining of the stories from 1941 and 1949. The family dynamic works very well, and I really liked Harriets character. WWII seems to be a really popular period for novelists at present, and this is definitely one of the better ones I’ve read recently. Would definitely recommend this book.

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for a; honest review.