This was a terrific historical fiction novel. This tells the story of two sisters both during WWII and a few years after. It keeps going back and forth. I listened to this one as an audiobook. A lot of time it's hard for me to keep up with alternating POVs with an audiobook but I felt like Gabby and Yvette's voices were so distinctive that it was easy to keep up with.

Excellent historical fiction! Well-developed characters with interesting twists--I was worried it wouldn't end well but happy both sisters got their happily ever after. Highly recommend!

Thank you for letting me listen to this title. It was engaging and fun. I felt transported to this time and could feel the tension that was running through the book.

I was excited to read this book. I love historical fiction with strong female protagonists, particularly those involved in the Resistance movement during WWII. It being pitched to fans of Kate Quinn and Jennifer Chiaverini sealed the deal.

The audiobook was narrated by the immensely talented Saskia Maarleveld, who also read The Rose Code, Resistance Women, The Huntress, The Alice Network, The Victory Garden, and The Home for Unwanted Girls, all favorites of mine.

The book never drew me in because the dual timeline jumped between 1944 and 1947 also had a dual narrative between Yvette and Gabby in each of those timelines. Yikes. It was hard to follow. I was hoping to learn more about Catherine Dior, sister of fashion designer Christine Dior, but she played a minor role. Both sisters had a romantic interest, making the book too sappy and somewhat formulaic. Overall, Sisters of the Resistance was enjoyable, just not phenomenal. 5 stars for the narration, 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for the book.

I'm not sure I knew the sister of Christian Dior was involved in the French Resistance until I read Natasha Lester's (amazing) The Paris Secret. Catherine Dior was a passing secondary character in that novel so when I heard that Christine Wells was writing a novel that focused more on Dior's role in World War II? I was immediately intrigued. Sisters of the Resistance was a riveting read that shines a light on the women who worked behind the scenes, at a great risk to their own lives, as they fought to liberate their country from Nazi Germany.

Here's the book's description:
France, 1944: The Nazis still occupy Paris, and twenty-five-year-old Gabby Foucher hates these enemies, though, as the concierge of ten rue Royale, she makes it a point to avoid trouble, unlike her sister Yvette. Until she, like her sister, is recruited into the Resistance by Catherine Dior—sister of the fashion designer, Christian Dior.
Gabby and Yvette are both swept into the world of spies, fugitives, and Resistance workers, and it doesn't take long for the sisters to realize that their lives are in danger.
Gabby discovers an elderly tenant is hiding a wounded British fugitive, and Yvette becomes a messenger for the Resistance. But as Gabby begins to fall in love with her patient and Yvette’s impulsiveness lead her into intrigue at an ever-higher level, both women will discover that their hearts and even their souls hang in the balance as well.

I may have been interested in this book at first because of the Catherine Dior connection but the novel isn't actually about her. Sure, she plays an extremely important role and is featured prominently but the story isn't told by her. The reader follows sisters Gabby and Yvette as they each do work to help Dior's resistance network. It shouldn't matter that it wasn't really about Dior. I believe I've read that there isn't actually a lot of material on Dior and her part in the resistance for researchers and writers to pull from. It makes sense that authors, like Wells, don't want to put fictional thoughts in the minds of real people when the information just isn't there. That's all fine. What I don't love is when publishers try to capitalize on a Big Name in History to sell books. I think historical fiction fans are interested enough in learning more about the people (women especially) that we haven't read about before. Those lesser known stories that are only just being talked about now, decades later. None of this is a bad thing, exactly, but I think readers need to temper their expectations when going into this novel as it is not told from Dior's point of view.

All that said, this novel is a fascinating look at what it would have been like in Paris during the Occupation and as residents worked together to fight back. The French Resistance is so interesting. The number of people, especially women, who put their lives in danger to protect their Jewish neighbours or to provide a safe house for injured Allied soldiers or pilots is astounding. And many of them believed that they were just doing what any normal person would do. But the thing is, a lot of people didn't do anything. It was a terrifying time so it's understandable that some people just weren't able to justify risking their own lives to save someone else's. So many women were left widowed because their husbands had to go off to fight at the front. Why would they risk what little they had left? But others? Like Catherine and the other Resistance Fighters? There was no question. They did everything they could. And there were so many ways that people were helping. I don't want to spoil anything but Wells does a good job of highlighting the many different types of things Parisians were doing to save their city. It was awe-inspiring.

The story is told from both Gabby and Yvette's perspectives (third person) and in two time periods. During the war, in 1944, and afterwards, in 1947. It's similar to what Kate Quinn did in The Rose Code but it wasn't quite as nimbly done. I listened to both novels - they're actually narrated by the same person, Saskia Maarleveld, who I find incredibly talented - so I know it wasn't a listening vs reading thing that had me comparing the two. I can't put my finger on what didn't work but it wasn't as well done as I was expecting. Not to say that it was bad! I find the post-war period really interesting because it did take years for Europe to emerge from the shadow of war and I think that's a time period that should be explored a bit more. *searches for more novels set in the late 1940s*

As I said, I listened to the audiobook of this novel. Maarleveld put on a French accent (Parisian, not Quebecois like I'd be used to hearing in my own country) when the sisters and other French characters were speaking. It was a bit more of a reminder that, technically, they would have been speaking French most of the time and yet I was reading (listening) in English. It's always a bit weird to read novels like that but what else is there to do? I can't read a book in another language! (Even if I am trying to learn French online. It's slow going.) Maarleveld has a really pleasing voice and I'll definitely be looking into more of the novels that she narrates.

Overall, Sisters of the Resistance was an interesting read that shone a light on the important work French Resistance members, like Catherine Dior, did during World War II. Christine Wells' novel is a good one for historical fiction fans who are looking to learn even more about the time period.

*An egalley and an advanced listening copy of this novel were provided by the publisher, HarperCollins Canada/Harper Audio, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Any lover of World War 2 Historical Fiction will love this gem written by Christine Wells and narrated by the masterful Saskia Maarleveld. I loved her when she did Kate Quinn's books and I immediately recognized her voice in Sisters of the Resistance.

Here we have 2 sisters Gabby and Yvette who are both fighting for France each in their own ways. It was easy to get swept away into the lives of the women back in the 40's who fought for what was right. This was also the first time I read about Catherine Dior and her part in the war.

This was my first book by Christine Wells, but it won't be my last!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

(3.5 stars, rounded up)

Trigger warnings: attempted rape, war

Gabby and Yvette Foucher are sisters living in France during World War II. Yvette is a fashion house courier and uses her errands as a cover for delivering messages. Gabby's role as the concierge of her building allows her to hide and aid an injured British soldier. Neither sister knows about the other's involvement.

The novel vacillates between wartime and post-war stories. After the war, Yvette is returning to France to give her testimony in the trial of the collaborator Louise Dulac. Gabby is shocked to find her sister in France.

Both sisters are healing after the war and coming together may be what they need to begin again. Yvette learns about what really happened with the Resistance from Gabby, and she must reevaluate her misconceptions about the events.

I was hoping this book would help me learn about Christian Dior and his sister, but they are minor characters in the novel.

Saskia Maarleveld lives up to her status as one of my favorite audiobook narrators and delivers both narration and dialogue with flawless accents and pacing.

Recommended for World War II fiction readers who like their stories based in France.

1947: Yvette is going to testify at a trial in Paris where she is worried about reconnecting with her mother and sister. She hasn’t communicated with them since she was whisked out of France in 1944. While in Paris, Yvette hopes to model for Christian Dior who is having his first fashion show. She once knew him during the war as she was a messenger for the fashion house where he worked as a designer. Her sister Gabby has taken over the running of the apartment house where they grew up. She has been receiving letters from England, but she is too afraid to open them.

Flashback to 1944: Yvette and Gabby are coping with the German occupation of Paris. Both young women want to do their part against the Germans and each in her own way. With distinctly different personalities, their acts of resistance differ greatly.

Once I realized that this audiobook would flip back and forth in time, I paid closer attention to the date at the beginning of the chapters. Saskia Maarleveld is an excellent narrator. Her voices and accents are remarkable. I will be seeking out other audiobooks narrated by her.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen to this alc in exchange for an honest review.

Listening to the audiobook with its excellent narration including topnotch voice changes for the various characters was a enjoyable way to become immersed in the Parisian fashion business during World War II. Sisters Gabby and Yvette Fouche are brought into the French Resistance movement by Catherine Dior, sister of Christian Dior. She is a real person and at the end of the war, caught by the Germans and sent to Buchenwald. Although a secondary character in the book, she provides the base for the story. The story continues after the war, as Gabby and Yvette forge on with their lives. The feeling of tension throughout the book is enhanced by Saskia Maarleveld’s ability to convey French, American and German voices of the many characters in the book.

In occupied Paris, sisters Gabby and Yvette Fouche are recruited by Catherine Dior, sister of fashion icon Christian Dior. Catherine (Ginette) who was ultimately caught and sentenced to Buchenwald serves as a secondary character in this story. The intertwined narratives of the young women alternately switch between the intense days of 1944 when Parisians were hopefully expecting liberation to 1947 when Yvette returns to testify at the trial of a French film star who is considered a collaborator.
The famous fashion house of Leland and Dior continued to create designs that everyday Parisians could not afford but were worn by the wives and companions of the Nazis .The workings of this luxury business serve as a fascinating backdrop to the everyday lives of Parisians living under occupation. Most enjoyable in the audio version of this compelling story is the fluid voice of the narrator who effectively uses a neutral voice to tell the story but effectively speaks excellent French and even manages British and German voices as needed. This story appeals on many levels as solid historical fiction and satisfying romance with strong, believable characters.

WOW...Could not stop listening to Christine Wells’ , Sisters of the Resistance. Thanks to NetGalley for sending me the audible book version. I found the novel riveting and spellbinding a definite page turner. The story is inspired by the real life events of Catherine Dior during the Paris Resistance. Two sisters, recruited by Catherine Dior are caught up in a world of spies, betrayals, death . Through their harrowing events they find the importance of love for family and courageousness.
The narrator did an excellent job of reading the novel. I found myself lost in her storytelling.

Sisters of the Resistance is an alluring historical novel of the German occupation of Paris during World War II. Inspired by the actual spy network of Catherine Dior, it's the story of two sisters, Gaby and Yvette.

Gaby is assisting their mother as the concierge of a small apartment house. Yvette makes deliveries for the fashion house of Christian Dior, where she makes the acquaintance of Katheen du Lac, a famous actress and mistress of a highly placed SS officer. The book opens after the war, when Yvette is preparing to testify in the trial of Kathleen du Lac. The story continues to move between the sisters during the war years and the aftermath.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for World War II historical fiction.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free digital audio copy of this title to review from Net Galley.

#SistersoftheResistance#NetGalley

Note: I received an ARC via the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

First of all, I want to commend narrator Saskia Maarleveld for the outstanding performance in this audio book. She not only excels with the different characters but also their different nationalities, languages and accents. It makes the audio book of this novel even more immersive than the story already is.

I highly recommend this novel, especially as an audio book. The Sister MCs are well placed among real historical figures and the reader will quickly care about their stories. The narrative is carefully surrounded by its locations, mainly Paris, France, and the split between past (1944) and present (1947) is highly successful at building additional suspense.

My single point of criticism is the book's cover, which is much too dull and tame for this outstanding novel about exceedingly strong and brave women. I am glad I looked at this book anyway and am grateful for the publisher to grant me access.

Sisters of the resistance follows sisters Yvette and Gabby, two very different sisters in Paris during and after WWII.
Yvette is impulsive and has gotten in trouble during the German occupation. Gabby is helping her mother as a concierge in their apartment building and is much more reserved. Both sisters become involved in the resistance movement without the other knowing. They are both connected to Catherine Dior, sister of the renowned designer and recruited by her into the resistance.

Fast forward to 1947 and post-war Paris: Yvette is a model and Gabby has taken over the full time concierge work.
The sisters have not seen each other for years and neither is sure how the other will react to their work during the war.

The narrative alternates between the sisters and transforms from the gritty occupation of Paris to the high-end fashion world of Dior. For fans of Historical Fiction and strong female characters, this is a great read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance read copy.

Sisters of the Resistance was breathtaking, shocking, invoking, and inspiring! The only Dior name I've ever known is Christian, and I am so thankful for #netgalley with this advanced read because I could not put this book down!

This is historical fiction set in Paris during WWII. There are characters both fiction and based off real individuals (ie Catherine Dior) The novel’s main speakers are sisters Gabby and Yvette Foucher. These sisters both are part of the Resistance recruited by Catherine Dior. The novel begins 1947 as Yvette returns to Paris from New York. We, as readers, move between Paris 1944 and Paris 1947. The story shares the sisters views of events and while reading one realizes one may survive a way but no one does without scars. Highly recommend. Thank you to #netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.

It's more of a 2.5-star read for me; the writing isn't bad, but I just didn't feel invested for most of the book--and I love WWII novels. Plus, the way the author jumped around in the storyline didn't work for me and I think may be part of why I felt detached from the story. The book has interesting concepts and I'd still probably tell library patrons about it because it's a popular genre, but I wouldn't highly recommend it.

Sisters who don't who how they can trust or if they can trust each other. No one, even your family, is quite who you expect them to be. Christine Wells demonstrates the daily life of women from the houses of couture to the grand apartments of Paris in 1944 and in 1947. The characters and conversations draw you in. The vivid descriptions of war time Paris and post war recovery are vivid and engaging. The sisters struggle to reconnect after the war while only knowing part of the story. Saskia Maarleveld's narration propels the story, describes the dangers, and has you rooting for love and sacrifice to not cost too much. Protecting those you love while sacrificing love for protection. The Sisters of Resistance does not disappoint. Thank you Harper Audio and Net Galley for the Advanced copy of the Audiobook.

I never cease to be amazed at the fascinating moments in history that have been overlooked by books and newsreels. I don’t think it’s coincidental that many of these stories are about women. This story is based on the life of Catherine Dior, sister of the famous designer, and her work in the French Resistance. As the war draws to a close, Nazis in occupied France are getting more and more worried…and more and more dangerous. Dior enlists two young women, Gabby Foucher and her sister, Yvette to help smuggle secrets to the Allies. All of them are putting their lives on the line, Gabby for the man she’s hiding from the Germans and Yvette, for love of country and hatred of the Nazis. Several years after the war, Gabby and Yvette, who is working as a model for Dior in New York, meet up again, determined to uncover the fate of their brave friend, Catherine. Be prepared to be blown away by yht courage and sacrifice of these women. You will be moved to tears

The Sisters of the Resistance is a great World War II story of two sisters who become heroine in Paris. Great story. I will be reading more of Christine Wells.