I love reading historical fiction books that take place during WWII. This was a different focus. My problem with the book, though, was that the characters were not well developed. There was so much potential that was not fulfilled. This book did not meet my hopes for another interesting read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books/Simon & Schuster, Inc, for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Thank you Netgalley, Atria Books and Anita Abriel for free e-ARC of Lana's War in return of my honest review.

As a fan of historical fiction with a strong female character, I could not skip Lana's War, especially when I share a name with the protagonist. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. The story was not unique - it is as most historical fiction with a touch of romance during occupied Paris. What I liked is the protagonist - her fierce desire to fight against Nazi and her bravery. She was developed best, and I did enjoy reading about her mostly.

Overall, Lana's War is a good solid read.

Wonderful historical fiction novel. This was my first book by Anita Abriel, and I loved her writing style, though it was somewhat drawn out at times. Any lover of historical fiction, especially WW2 France will enjoy this! I enjoyed Lana's character.

Due to a family illness, and unexpected events, I am very far behind in writing my reviews.I found my self reading one book after another without writing the review -- that was a big mistake. I did enjoy this book very much, and plan to include it in an article & blog post about books related to Christmas. I happily give it 4 stars.

This is a lovely love story and while it has tragic moments is overall very hopeful. I enjoyed it as a fictional story. Where I struggled was it’s setting of WWII felt contrived and lacked genuine depth to the real life situation people lived. It felt too fake. And while 85% or more of the story is fake and you know this as the reader; I couldn’t help but feel there were real peoples stories I’d rather have known than this fictional one.
As a light read it was 4-5 stars. As historical fiction set during WWII it was maybe 2-3 stars.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

This is the year for Great historical fiction. And this was one of them Well written, researched and formed. Hard to put down at times.

I love historical fiction books and was excited to start reading Lana's War by Anita Abriel, a new-to-me author. I thought this book was both heartbreaking and incredible. I love reading about strong female protagonists and the strength and perseverance they have to get through any circumstance. A very moving novel and one I would recommend to historical fiction lovers.

I started this book 3 different times but couldn't keep any interest in it. The beginning starts off with Lana seeing her husband being executed for hiding a Jew in his piano. I wish I could have finished it.

I had high expectations for this book after enjoying her last book. I was disappointed at pacing and plot. I finished but chose not to post on my website. 2.5/5

Every time I think I am over WWII historical fiction, I get pulled back in. Lana's War by Anita Abriel gives readers a look into a lesser covered region during the war - the French Riviera. What makes this book compelling is that our protagonist Lana takes on the role of a Russian aristocrat who is the mistress of a Swiss businessman, but she's got hidden depths, which causes those around her to underestimate her, which is always a dangerous situation for those who do.

Fans of WWII historical fiction will certainly appreciate this addition to the canon. It's a story about how purpose can come from heartbreak, even in the darkest times.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

Lana's War is a great picture of what life was like during wartime in France. It is an incredibly exciting historical book that kept me glued from start to finish. The descriptions of the French Rivera are breathtaking even during such a dark time in history. Lana's character shows such strength and fortitude even in the toughest times. I highly recommend this book!

This story is extremely heartbreaking. WWII France is very hard to read about, but I do think this was written beautifully. I was transported to France and felt like I was experiencing the loss right along with Lana. I can tell there was a lot of research done prior to writing this book, which I appreciate. I know creative license is always used in historical fiction novels, but I think this remains true to the time period while also telling a story. Lana was a very likable character and her revenge story is one that will stick with me for awhile.


I received an advance copy; all thoughts are my own.

3.5 rounded up. A light WWII historical romance set in the French Riviera. The story follows Lana, a recent widow who goes to the French Riviera to help out with the Resistance after her husband is murdered by Nazis in Paris. There she finds danger, intrigue and romance and focuses on helping a young Jewish widow and her daughter. I really enjoyed the different setting (not many WWII books are set in the Riviera) and the fact that it wasn’t a typical love story. Lana doesn’t take the easy path when the war ends but chases after her own business dreams instead of pining for her missing lover or getting married to someone else. Definitely recommend and it pairs very well with Meet me in Monaco (also set in the French Riviera but during the post-war 1950s).

Thanks to Atria and NetGalley for a free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

"I wanted to help others survive the war...I never thought I'd end up at war with myself."

In 1943, after tragically losing her husband, young university student Lana Antanova, daughter of a Russian refugee, leaves war-ravaged Paris for the luxury of the French Riviera. Those around her think she's just a Russian aristocrat out for a good time, but in reality Lana is a spy for the resistance. As she becomes more involved with her partner in resistance Guy, a Swiss businessman, Lana's dangerous path crosses with that of Odette, a young Jewish girl.

This was a very well-written, historically accurate story about the lengths ordinary people can go to in the defense of others. I enjoyed the development of the relationships between Lana. Guy, Odette, and several other characters. I did think the ending was a bit flat in comparison to the emotional quality of the earlier parts of the book.

5 stars! I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read an advance copy of Lana’s War, the second novel that I have read by Anita Abriel. I admit that I gravitate toward WWII historical fiction, so the story immediately appealed to me. Abriel has an incredible ability to write original stories with likable characters. I highly recommend it.

The most unlikely spy makes the best spy. Lana Hartman didn’t set out to become a hero, but she had a desire to do something, anything to help undermine the Nazi’s. Her mother, Tatiana Antanova fled Russia during the revolution and her elevated status provides Lana perfect entrée in the French Rivera society where celebrities and wealthy businessman are prevalent as well as spies. It also provides the perfect cover; no one would suspect that this beautiful fashionable women could play a role in the resistance.

I won’t give away details as I don’t want to spoil the plot but … this novel is enthralling. I was sad when the novel ended but I was very satisfied with the ending. I received an advance digital review copy of this book all opinions are my own.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy for review. I found this book to be on the lighter side, despite the subject matter. The heroine, Lana Antanova, seemed to lack substance. I was also disappointed that much of the book read like a romance novel. It seemed like the author wanted to include aspects of women's empowerment but fell short in my view.

What a heartbreaking and powerful story. I am amazed by the amount of variety that I find within WWII novels, and by how moved I am while reading about strong female protagonists. I just love to read of the strength and perseverance of people in devastating positions. A moving novel!

This was an incredible book. I love stories that are empowering and impactful. I especially love stories that offer a voice to women - strong women. The protagonist, Lana, was courageous and fearless. She infiltrated the emigre community and stole secrets from German officers.

I couldn't put this book down. It was absolutely breath-taking. Highly recommended!

Months after losing her husband and her unborn child, Lana Antanova teams up with Guy Pascal in Nice, in order to help save Jewish families from being taken, helping them escape to have better lives. Lana's War is a powerful story of love, friendship, and discovery of people that you least expect it. This book captures your attention unexpectedly but in the best way possible.

I gave Lana's War 4.5 stars, loving the way it told such a powerful story of World War II and losing family to the war, but, bouncing back and finding love and what it is to be happy in time of war. I enjoyed reading about how Lana risked her life in order to help Jewish families escape and have a better life. She was heroic and I truly applaud her for how hard she worked.

I also quite enjoyed the blooming romance between Guy and Lana. It was a slow bloom of friendship before we officially dived into a blooming romance. The instant connection between them was simply amazing and I loved when they came together throughout the whole story. Their friendship was so important and the fact that they both cared so deeply for each other after getting off on the wrong start. I loved how they both supported each other and even though they both faced some dangerous situations, they both looked out for each other. The way they worked together in order to help people after their own struggles in life was such an important factor and I really liked it a lot.

I have been reading so many stories featuring female spies and yet each story is so unique and amazing, with a slightly different angle. Lana Antanova is living in Paris just as WWII begins. Her husband is a music teacher and the Gestapo kill him for hiding a Jewish student. Lana sees this all happen as she was coming to tell her husband she just found out she was pregnant. Lana falls into a depression and takes refuge in the convent where her husband was teaching music. There she finds out about the French Resistance from one of the nuns. There's an opportunity for Lana to help avenge her husband's death if she will pose as a mistress of a Swiss businessman Guy Pascal. Lana feels she has nothing to lose, so she decides to do it. She and Pascal gain entrance to the inner circle of the Nazis along the glamorous French Riviera, keeping up their cover story. Things start getting increasingly dicey when it seems one of the high ranking Nazi officers might be onto her. I found myself just reading and reading to find out how things would end. As with all of Anita Abril's stories, you have a glamorous setting, a little romance, and a suspenseful story. #NetGalley #LanasWar