A terrific fictionalised account of a reality for many, this book brings life to a part of our history which must never be forgotten, the protagonist is an amazing character and I found myself deeply invested in her story.

Thanks to Netgalley for a preview copy of this book for an honest review.

Wow...I enjoyed Anita Abriel's first book and was excited to read this. I LOVED IT!! Have read a lot of World War 2 historical fiction lately but something about Lana's story really moved me.

I would absolutely recommend this book!!

It was Paris 1943 when Lana Antanova had joyous news for her husband. But when she saw him executed brutally by a Nazi, she thought her world would end. The subsequent loss of her unborn child devastated Lana – how would she cope? But cope she did. After some time with her mother and step father, Lana left for the French Riviera where she was determined to be a part of the French Resistance and help to save the Jewish people who were being persecuted by the Nazis.

Joining forces with Guy Pascal, a Swiss national, they lived together in Guy’s villa in Cap Ferrat. Her cover story as Guy’s mistress, a party girl who would befriend the Germans, gave her chills, but she was determined to avenge her husband and baby, and all the Jews who had already been murdered. As the days and weeks flowed by, tension, terror and bravery kept them going. When Lana befriended a twelve-year-old Jewish girl and her mother, more danger threatened. What would happen as the Nazis became more brazen and more Jews needed to escape?

Lana’s War by Aussie author Anita Abriel is another brilliant historical novel. I enjoyed the author’s debut novel, The Light After the War, and this one didn’t disappoint. The bravery of the Resistance is well known; through Lana’s eyes, it shows another aspect of their courage and dedication in foiling the evil of the German Nazis. I found the characters well written and easy to like (apart from the Germans of course) and particularly liked Odette. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Paris 1943: Lana Hartmann is on her way to see her husband Fredric to tell him some very good news, when she arrives at the convent where he teaches music, she's horrified to see Gestapo officer Alois Brunner shoot him dead for giving a Jewish girl piano lessons and she flees the scene.
Lana’s devastated she doesn’t know what to do, she’s in complete shock for a couple of months and once she finally drags herself out of bed she passes her time by helping at the convent. Lana’s approached to join the resistance they want her to move to the French Riviera to be a spy, her mother Tatiana is a Russian countess and Lana has the perfect background to mix with the other Russian aristocrats already living there. They want her to mingle with the white Russians, attend glitzy parties, and go to the casino; hopefully drunken German soldiers might mention things in front of a pretty woman and let their guard down.

Lana's worried what people will think of her living with Guy Pascal a Swiss industrialist so soon after her husbands death; despite it only being a cover story, they assure her during such times these things are over looked by high society and she’s far too young to be single for long. The plan is for her gather information under the Nazi’s noses about upcoming raids, Jewish people are being sent to a camp at Drancy and the couple also help Jewish people escape. Lana is kind, thoughtful and despite numerous warnings from Guy that she needs to be extremely careful, she can’t save everyone and she still takes risks. Lana can’t turn away and ignore someone who needs help and especially a recently orphaned young Jewish girl.

Set in the beautiful French Rivera Lana’s War is a story about revenge, Lana has a very strong conscience, and she wants France to be free from Nazi rule and her husband death has made her very determined to achieve this. She wants to help save as many Jewish people as she can, she also wants justice for her husbands Fredric’s death and hopefully Alois Brunner will get what he deserves. I really enjoyed Lana's War, I highly recommend reading this book and especially if you like WW II historical fiction and five stars from me.