This is truly a beautiful story. I loved the premise and the feelings and emotion depicted. However, I think the execution here was sorely lacking. The writing and editing were just not up to par. There was one time that I truly think the physical characteristics of a main character were switched mid-novel. I also think the book wrapped up far too nicely. The timing also seemed to be off. The build up was not steady or thorough and the ending felt rushed and odd. Like I said, I loved the story, but the book was meh for me. Honestly, 2.5 rounded up.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the way the author used true events to guide her story. Such an awful time in history with such amazing people risking their lives for their country and protecting others at their own peril. I enjoyed the characters and how they changed over time and through the experiences they encountered. I would definitely recommend this book.

A heartbreakingly beautiful story about surviving World World II in German occupied France. The writing draws you in from the very first page. I couldn't stop reading, I just had to know what was going to happen to these characters. Lane does a beautiful job at making you feel these character's emotions so strongly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are completely my own.
This is a wonderful story about what women, doctors, nurses, orderlies and homeowners did during the war. It was kind of like behind the scenes during the war. It is about two sisters helping total strangers during this horrible scary time. I like the characters and the story line.

A British nurse gets stranded at the evacuation from Dunkirk and two French girls witness the Massacre at Le Paradis. Will they be able to survive? Will their male friends?

It is pleasantly written novel. The trouble is I was aware of the real historical facts around Le Paradis and that threw me off the storyline. That also brings me to the only flaw I saw in this story: The Germans are pictured as all beast. While the massacre was seen even by fellow SS officers and regular army (remember it is at the beginning of the war so souls are not iced over yet) as a terrible crime and the perpetrator is challenged to duels and threatened to a court marshal. To stick to the historical facts would have made the story more layered.

I enjoy nothing more than a historical fiction book based on real facts that makes you feel as though you are a character in the room where the action is taking place and this novel does just that.
Soraya M. Lane takes it even further and has you feeling the pain, both emotional and physical, that Cate, Adelaide, Elise, Peter and Harry are experiencing.
I didn"t want it to end!!

Thanks to NG for allowing me to review this ARC!

Cate is a nurse tending to the injuries at Dunkirk when she is notified that the British army is retreating but leaving the injured as a result doctors and nurse are also being left behind. On the day of the abandonment of the injured soldiers Cate escapes the approaching Nazis along with Jack her current crush and recovering solider. While hiding from the Nazis’ Cate stumbles upon two sisters sheltering their own British soldier and thus they are thrown together in order to hide and survive the war.
It’s pretty good! Cate and Jack are super precious and their story was very cute I was surprised by the twist towards they end but was very happy when Cate realized that there are more important things than lies of omission, like Jack’s life. That twist was necessary to find out the fiancés fate but I feel like it could have been handled better but I was happy with the ending for both Cate and Jack. Next we have Harry, Elise, Adelaide and the puppy 🐶 Oscar. Their story was more complicated due to Adelaide trying to humanize the Nazis despite witnessing a war crime. While I understand people are complicate I don’t understand how Adelaide was able to look past the actions of their nazis actions, while her heart is in the right place the road to hell is paved with good intentions so while she is kind of stuck and doesn’t deserve that it was kind of a fitting. I do adore the dynamic between the sisters and Harry though they are very aware of the dangers and still do the morally correct thing twice so they get bonus points. I would be Elise in this situation wanting kick everyone out of my home to protect myself and family, I don’t know if I would be as brave as her. She is very aware of their situation and even though she’s hesitant at first she proves to be more competent at hiding and helping everyone than her sister and I loved the ending for her she deserves that ending she does a lot for everyone and her and Harry end up super clutch for the group as did Adelaide. Overall it was an interesting story set and I would recommend it just get the tissues ready.

This is a breathtaking and heartbreaking story set during the second world war. The British troops in France are being evacuated because the Germans are overwhelming. Two French sisters are living alone after tragic losses. Three injured British soldiers and a British nurse show up at their house looking for a safe place to hide. The German military is all around them and the sisters have to decide if they are willing to help the soldiers and nurse. If they help, they risk their own lives. If they turn them away, they could be sending the visitors to their deaths. This is a powerful story of desperation, love, loss, hope, family and the sacrifices they were willing to make. This is a mesmerizing story that is based on some historical facts. The characters will capture your heart and break it a few times along the way. I highly recommend this book.

Imagine having your future determined by a lucky––or unlucky––draw of a straw. Cate, a British nurse, finds herself in the unlucky camp and makes a daring decision trading one desperate situation for another––a patient, in tow. So begins THE SECRETS WE LEFT BEHIND, which kept me turning the pages until the satisfying conclusion.

The era of WW11 is rife with fodder for talented storytellers, and it’s refreshing to read such a gripping tale told from three courageous women’s perspective. A story of trust, friendship and love tested under the most frightening of circumstances––a page-turner, start to finish!

BTW: The plot of this story is based on actual, historical events, which makes it all the more enjoyable!

A powerful, and very emotional story of survival during World War II
This is my first book by this author and I was blown away by her writing! She wrote this novel during Covid19 lockdown in New Zealand. Wow, something wonderful that has come out of lockdown!

This is basically the story of three very strong women. One is a British nurse who together with a wounded soldier are left behind in Dunkirk and must find their way to freedom. The other is a French woman who lives with her younger sister in a small village in France. They witness a massacre of British soldiers right in front of their house. They risk their lives helping two surviving British soldiers. The stories of these three women come together.

I could not stop turning the pages fast enough. I was that captivated with the story. This is hands down my favourite (so far) Historical Fiction book that I've read this year. A moving and compelling story that made me cry.

I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK, and Lake Union Publishing for kindly granting me access to this Advance Reader Copy.

Oh my heart, I LOVED this historical fiction novel so much! The characters are so deeply developed and will make you fall in love with every single one of them. My first book by Soraya M. Lane, but will definitely not be my last. LOVED and highly recommend!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I love this genre. And this is a compelling, beautifully written novel. it's both inspiring and heartbreaking, as is common with books in this genre. I like that the story is told from multiple points of view. The characters were easy to connect to. There was a lot of action, as well as suspense, to keep me engaged.

This is based on factual events in Dunkirk in World War II. The women are strong and compassionate, and the story quickly pulls the reader in. It's an emotional read overall. If you're a fan of historical fiction, this is one to check out.

If you love historical fiction, especially dealing with WWII, then Soraya M. Lane's, The Secrets We Left Behind, will not disappoint. .This was an enjoyable read and now I am off to see what else Soraya M. Lane has written.

This is a fast-paced read that had me hooked from the very first pages. It is 1940 France and Lilly and Cate are nurses taking care of wounded soldiers. With the German troops coming, Dunkirk is being evacuated and straws are drawn to see who goes and who stays. Lilly gets to go and Cate has to stay. At the last minute, Cate decides to make a run for it and takes Jack, one of her wounded patients, with her. After traveling at night and hiding during the day, Cate comes to a home occupied by sisters Elise and Adelaide DuPont who agree to let her and Jack stay there. Two other wounded soldiers have already crawled to the sisters' home as well. This story is told from the viewpoints of the three women, Cate, Elise and Adelaide. This is a very well written and historically accurate story and is full of a lot of emotions including fear, love, friendship and trust. I love WWII Historical Fiction and this book did not disappoint.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union publishing for the ACR of this fantastic book that I highly recommend to anyone who loves Historical Fiction.

The moment I picked up this book I was hooked.
1939 Dunkirk France.
Cate and Lilly what lies ahead for these two nurses, best friends and nearly sister's in law's Cate misses Charlie her fiancé but both girls are kept so busy tending the soldiers, as the Germans fly overhead and WW2 is declared they only are meant to spend a few months in Dunkirk then be shipped back home to England.
Elise and Adelaide French sister's witness so much heartache as they fight to survive. You really must read on, oh gosh harrowing accounts all the way through this book, a unique story that secrets were definitely left behind.
I loved it

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
The story is set in occupied France with varied point of views. It started with alternating views of a nurse in a hospital with the wounded soldiers and 2 sisters living in a farmhouse who witness an horrific incident. The story is fast paced and the stories do intertwine. Loved the story it told and will definitely recommend!!!

Visceral. When you start off at one of WWII's most infamous defeats (of the Allies) at Dunkirk and go right into one of its lesser known war crimes (the slaughter of nearly 100 British soldiers at Le Paradis), you know this is going to be one *intense* book. And it is. Here, Lane uses a British nurse and two French sisters to tell a tale of survival during the war's early years, when Germany seemingly could not be defeated. The way she tells it reads as some of the most gripping suspense (arguably even horror, without the supernatural elements often part of that genre) I've yet come across in tales of this era - and indeed, even in most other tales, period. From the opening chapters where the Germans attack through the closing chapters (other than the extended epilogue), Lane never really gives these characters - and thus, the reader - any real sense of calm or safety. The Germans are always *right there*, in mind if not in body, and the threat of capture and execution - or worse - is never far from anyones' thoughts. Releasing just one week before the 81st anniversary of the events it fictionalizes, this is easily one of the best books of Summer 2021, particularly for those looking for dark/ suspense tales. Very much recommended.

The story started out great and I was really enjoying it. Then slowly if just fell flat. Poor character development (really never felt attached to any of them), forced relationships that developed ridiculously quickly and seemed so out of character. Just wasn't satisfied with the ending either. Too many details left (exactly what was Jack's injury?) and just unrealistic attachments (every WWII novel I read placed in France seems to use General Schmitt as a characters there are other avenues to explore)

Overall, good story idea just needed better character development.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of The Secrets We Left Behind in exchange for my honest opinion.

My first Soraya M. Lane book. Definitely not my last. This book took me on an emotional journey. I could not put it down. Following the lives of 5 people brought together by tragedy, during one of the worst times in the history of the world. Germany has invaded France. 2 sisters living alone in a house just trying to get by happen to open the doors to strangers in need of help.

‘The Secrets We Left Behind’ tells of five young people whose lives suddenly collide in a French farmhouse at the height of WWII. The house belongs to sisters Elise and Adelaide, the only members left of their family. As the Germans advance towards their area, they unwittingly witness the Le Paradis massacre, a historical event I was unaware of until reading this novel. They make the dangerous choice to shelter the only two British soldiers to survive this horror.

Simultaneously, British nurse Cate is caught up in the fracas surrounding Dunkirk’s evacuation, but she and a wounded patient, Jack, uncertain what’s happening on the beaches of Dunkirk, make the decision to flee further into France instead. They too find their way to the home of the sisters, where the remaining five play a dangerous game of subterfuge and hiding as the Germans overrun the village. To complicate matters even further, Adelaide has caught the attention of a high-ranking Nazi officer, putting everyone in danger and causing conflict between the sisters as Adelaide struggles to reconcile her attraction for Wolfgang with the reports of his cruelty. Because clearly they can’t hide for an indeterminate amount of time in this farmhouse, the five come up with a plan (thanks to the burgeoning French resistance) to help the British stowaways be smuggled back to England.

I really wanted to love this book, but while it was an enjoyable, fast read, I didn’t love it. Without giving too much away, at times it felt like a rather cliche romance within a romance within a romance, and each of the romantic entanglements lacked the depth or plausibility I needed to connect with their characters — not to mention my frustration at foolish reactions or choices. The ending section felt oddly rushed, which unfortunately contributed to me feeling as if I didn’t really know any of the characters very well. So sadly, for me this was good but not great. However, I very much appreciate the publishers and NetGalley giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for my unbiased review.