I tend to read a lot of stories set during WWII. It was an interesting time and it is easy to have a clear bad guy- 'cause, you know, Hitler. Other characters are often more complex and it is interesting to see their decisions fluctuate on the scale somewhere between good and bad, depending upon what challenges they face that day. Finding food for their families, staying out of the way of SS soldiers, helping others in need, small kindnesses that help save someone else for that day. Of course, there are also people that turn in those helping others or Jewish families trying to stay under the radar and those who whole-heartedly bought into the propaganda of the day.
Then there are the stories of those in the Resistance. Those stories always fascinate me. At some point the people carrying out their various missions realize that they could die on any given day. But the danger can also be alluring and as addictive as a drug and I think we see that a little bit in this story.
Lana is a woman who just wanted to live a life as normal as possible during the war. She lives in occupied Paris and is married to a kind and compassionate man. Her husband is killed helping Jewish children and Lana sees everything that she wanted taken away from her. She chooses to honor her husband's memory and move past her anger and grief by joining the Resistance. One can also conclude that she doesn't really feel like she has much left to live for so she is willing to take risks with her life.
Cue her spy mission on the French Riviera. Lucky for her, she gets to live the posh high life while on her mission. Unluckily for her, that means she puts herself in direct danger trying to get information out of high level Nazis. This was a fast-paced story and I tore through the book. I really liked both Lana and Guy, her partner on this mission. There were a few things here and there that seemed to be a little bit of a stretch and worked out a bit too neatly, but if you read enough memoirs about Holocaust survivors you realize that many of them barely escaped notice or hid in plain sight- if they had the resources. Knowing this made some of the events easier to accept. Definitely a reading recommendation for fans of Alice's Network and other similar books, although this one is a bit of a lighter read. Not sure how to back that claim without spoilers. I can also say that I did not sob my way through the book like I did Alice's Network or Nightingale but I did find it to be a fulfilling and satisfying read.

The cover got me on this book, but it was just okay. Compelling enough to finish, but not a read that will stick with me all year. If you are a historical fiction person, then you might really enjoy this read more than I did. Definitely give it a try!

Another WWII story about a young woman who joins the resistance and falls in love with a wealthy man.

I wanted to read this historical novel because the setting in French Riviera 1943. and the premise were intriguing. I love novels set during World War II and especially like French settings.
I really enjoyed the story, Lana is a wonderful protagonist - brave and determined to make a difference in the lives of Jewish children who are in danger.
Unfortunately, the novel came apart for me during the last few chapters. The ending was a big surprise, but it seemed implausible to me.

i really enjoyed reading this book, it was a great historical read with interesting characters. I really enjoyed going through this book.

This book is thoroughly entertaining. It's like watching a really good movie. It may not be the best thing ever, but you don't regret the time spent doing it.

Lana is pregnant at the beginning of WWII, excited to tell her husband, when she sees him brutally murdered by a Gestapo officer while trying to protect a child. Instead of wallowing in her sadness, Lana joins the Resistance, going under cover to try to get information from the Nazis, which the Resistance will then use to help sneak Jews out of France. As I said, thoroughly entertaining. You will not be able to stop reading.

I also quite enjoyed this author's other book The Light After the War. I would also recommend that one.

Lara’s War is set in 1940’s between Paris and the French Riviera during World War ll.
Lara witnesses a Nazi officer brutally murder her husband. The shock of husband’s murder causes the miscarriage of their first child. She is recruited by the French Residence to help in their efforts to rescue Jews living in France from the Nazis. Her role is to be that of a wealthy woman living with a Swiss aristocrat looking to have fun and attend all the best parties while getting close to German Officers to gain information about the raids to deport all Jewish people from France. The premise could have been very exciting. Unfortunately, the story did not evoke intrigue or suspense for me. It did not have that heart pounding sense of danger or the thrill of relief when the missions were a success. The ending jumped ahead by 10 years and seemed rushed too quickly to conclusion.

Lana's War is based on a woman's fight for redemption during WWII after she loses what matters most to her. She is recruited to go undercover as a spy for the Resistance on the French Riviera. She attends galas and meetings where high-ranking Nazi officials discuss the war. There is also romance intertwined throughout the novel.

This one fell short for me. The characters were superficial and the writing was choppy. The emotions weren't deeply portrayed as you would expect in a WWII historical novel. The ending was wrapped up nicely for the characters involved, which was somewhat satisfying after reading this entire book. I will give the author another go in hopes that she takes her writing to the next level. Thank you Atria and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Lana's War is a fast-paced, energetic novel filled with love, thrill, war and adventure.

When we first meet Lana, she is devastated. Widowed and morning the loss of their unborn child, Lana must continue her husband's work after was killed for hiding Jewish children in his piano. Lana decides she won't stand aside and watch as more children are taken away from their homes and their parents, so she decides to join the Resistance and do whatever she could to make a difference...

It's there in the Riviera that Lana finds her purpose, passion and a handsome man, Guy, who is fighting for the Resistance and for her heart.

I loved the adventure of this book. The story was an easy and exciting read - I finished it in one day! The historical elements that wove throughout the story, really brought Lana's War to life. I wish there had been a bit more detail at the beginning and the end, both felt a bit abrupt. I wanted a little more breathing room to really get to know Lana, though I still rooted for her!

I truly enjoyed Lana's War and would definitely recommend it!

Thanks to NetGalley for my review arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Abrial writes heartwarming stories with good characters. The stories are set in beautiful places where the scenery is described in vivid detail. Her books are a great escape; slow paced treats for the reader.
Advanced copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

I enjoyed this different setting and a look at WWII war. time and the French Riviera . Lana, was the daughter of a Russian Countess a who joins the resistance to help the Jewish community escape the invading Germans. The book weaves history, suspense and romance together into a fictional book which I like. Unfortunately for me this one fell a bit short in the emotional department regarding a lack of emotion! I did enjoy reading it!
Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity~

This was such a captivating read and I just could not put it down. I really love Anita's writing and this book did not disappoint. I love WWII novels, especially those set in France, but I have not read many that took place on the French Riviera. I really loved that aspect of this novel and how I could just picture the surroundings through the author's writing. Lana was such a tough an amazing character, to have survived so much and still find the strength to join the resistance and help others. I really loved the romantic aspect to the story as well. My only complaint is that I wanted more! The ending felt a bit abrupt to me because of that. Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

This was a different take on spies for the French resistance during WWII. This is set in the French Riviera and the author brings the local color to life. Also, the protagonist is from an aristocratic Russian family so she fits in very well with the Russian community's social scene. The plot is fast-paced and Lana is strong, determined and courageous.

3.5 stars

Paris, 1943. Lana Hartmann loses her husband and unborn child. When asked to join the French Resistance, she accepts the offer. She lost her child, but she’ll help other children to live. She leaves Paris behind and heads to Nice to join forces with a Swiss spy named Guy.

What interested me into this story was the French Resistance in the south. It brings some interesting facts, but the romance spoils it. It also brings exciting descriptions of the Riviera and what makes it unique, for example the perfumeries.

The setting and premise are interesting. The plot moves swiftly. But the narrative could be more polished. Lana gulps a lot. She is naïve at times. She doesn’t necessarily come across as a strong character.

I enjoy well-developed characters who reveal their thoughts and feelings, but Lana constantly analysis everything. And because of that, when she expresses her feelings they fall flat. I didn’t feel her pain. When something is being said to her and she thinks it over, it creates unnecessary repetition. Some bickering between Lana and Guy was a bit too much.

A very good historical novel about a Parisian woman who loses her husband and unborn child due to the Gestapo’s occupation of Paris. She is recruited to go to the Riviera as a resistance fighter who job is to help Jewish families and children escape. Her assignment is to be the mistress of a wealthy Swiss entrepreneur. She befriends a Jewish mother and daughter who have recently lost her husband/father. Lana is the daughter of Russian aristocracy and can easily infiltrate the emigre Russian society in the Riviera thereby meeting German officers. The novel has suspense, intrigue, twists and turns, romance and beautiful descriptions of the landscape. Lana is a strong female character. All the characters are well developed and interesting. I particularly fell in love with Odetta the daughter. This was an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Lana's War is another in the spirit of works by the likes of Kirstin Harmel. Lana, a woman who finds herself becoming involved in the Resistance movement. Setting the book in the Riviera gives it a unique flavor and Lana is an interesting character. It feels very familiar and comforting and I could see myself coming back to this again and again.

From the author of The Light After the War. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. Lana’s husband, a professor of music, was shot while teaching Jewish students how to play the piano. During her mourning, she was approached to move to Nice with the Resistance. She takes on a new life to save others. Great book!!! #lanaswar #anitaabriel #jan2021

First, I want to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Lana’s War. The author, Anita Abriel, has written another excellent novel of love, courage and survival. She makes her characters come to life!
It’s 1943 in Paris and the Germans have taken over the city. Food is becoming scarce and the Jewish population is systematically being rounded up and loaded onto trains for camps.
Lana comes from Russian nobility but the family fortune is gone. She is happily married to a musician when disaster happens. She goes from peeling potatoes at a local convent to a new and dangerous life.
Had to keep reading but was afraid of what was going to happen next!
This is a much more personal story of beautiful people living in villas and having lavish parties which include high ranking members of the Nazi party than the usual WWII books.
If you like a combination of romance and intrigue Lana’s War is for you. It is scheduled to publish January 12,2021.

Lana, a Russian countess via her mother's side, lost her husband and child in a short period of time in World War 2 Paris. Lana is scouted to help the Resistance save Jews on the French Rivera while pretending to be the lover of a wealthy man from Switzerland. I absolutely adored this book and fell in love with the characters quickly. Each individual had their distinct personality and they felt like real people. This book will find its way in my top World War 2-themed fictional love stories.

I really loved Anita Abriel's previous book The Light After the War so I had high expectations for this book. This is the story of Lana, a Parisian of Russian descent, who during WWII loses everything and moves to the French Rivera to help the Resistance by posing as a Russian countess. There were not really any surprises in this one- a Jewish family, a handsome male spy/love interest, and a neighbor with secrets. I liked that this WWII fiction had action but wasn't stressful to read. I also liked the different setting of the French Rivera. However, I thought this was much more formulaic than her previous book. I think this will appeal to WWII historical fiction readers who like a strong female character and a happy ending. 3.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.