The Secrets We Left Behind by Soraya Lane is an excellent WWII-era historical fiction. This is my favorite genre to read and this one kept me on the edge of my seat. This is my first exposure to this author. I will definitely be getting more of her work to read. This book is the story of two French sisters, Adelaide and Elise, and a British nurse, Cate, in WWII Nazi-occupied France. I found it both heartbreaking and romantic.

Lane is truly my favourite Historical Fiction author. She did not disappoint with this one, from the very first chapter I was hooked and already invested in the characters and plot. Her ability to weave stories and lives together is one of my favourite things about her novels. I cared so deeply for these characters in the couple hundred pages that I knew them and by the end they felt real and tangible. As with almost every one of her books, I was tearing up by the end of it, wishing it wasn’t coming to an end so soon. Another wonderful book that I had a great time reading.

The Secrets We Left Behind is a WWll novel set in France during 1940. Two French sisters, Elise and Adelaide, sacrifice their own safety to help two injured British soldiers and a nurse from a nearby hospital when the Nazis take control of the area. This is an emotional read about family and friendship that will pull you in from the start and hold your interest to the last page. If you are a historical fiction fan, I highly recommend this book. Thanks to the author Soraya M. Lane, publisher Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review.

What a wonderful book, from the onset it draws you into the story of incredible bravery, unimaginable cruelty, love, loss and hope The story is set in France just before the Dunkirk evacuation, in the hospitals they were awaiting transport to take them to the beaches and be repatriated to England. There would never be time to take all the staff and injured soldiers as they waited for the onslaught from the advancing German Army. These stories never fail to impress on me how they lived from day to day never knowing what the next few hours would bring and if they would survive.

Soraya M. Lane is an amazing writer of historical fiction and this book does not disappoint. The Secrets We Left Behind tells the story of two French sisters, Adelaide and Elise, and a British nurse, Cate, in WWII Nazi-occupied France. Adelaide and Elise live in the village of La Paradis, where they secretly witness the slaughter of a platoon of British soldiers by the Nazis and risk their lives to take in two of the survivors. Cate is left behind with one of her patients when the hospital is evacuated and they, too, end up at the door of Adelaide and Elise. It is a story of love, loss, betrayal, friendship, and trust, all told by three very strong women. I couldn't put it down. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. (less)

This book was captivating from the start. The Secrets We Left Behind is a story about the women of WWII. I always find it interesting how authors decide what to write about. Soraya M. Lane started with a question. What about the women? Three string women, Elise and Adelaide are sisters living in soon to be Nazi occupied France. Cate a nurse stationed in Dunkirk who chose to stay behind as the evacuations began when the Germans were closing in. Soraya told a story of how they all became connected in seemingly impossible ways. I loved the character and story development. Fans of The Nightingale will love this book. What lengths would you go to in order to ensure your family's safety? What sacrifices would you make in the face of so much sadness and horror? There's something about historical fiction especially WWII that always draws me in. Well researched as two characters and the events at Le Paradis and Dunkirk actually happened. The Nazi commander's name was changed in the story. At times both heartbreaking and beautiful, written with such description, this story will leave readers with a sense of hope, even in the darkest of times. The Secrets We Left Behind releases in May.

THE SECRETS WE LEFT BEHIND by Soraya M. Lane is a beautifully written and compelling work of historical fiction that was both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Set in Nazi-occupied France in 1940, it tells the story of three brave women whose paths cross unexpectedly. Cate is a nurse with the Royal Army Medical Corps that has been deployed to France to a chateau turned hospital near Dunkirk. German soldiers surround the area. When the decision is made to evacuate all British troops from France, personnel who draw a short straw must remain behind to care for soldiers who are too injured to make it to the evacuation point. Imagine how devastating it was to know you were being left behind to face the enemy, being made a prisoner of war or worse. In an act of unimaginable courage, Cate flees on foot with Jack, a critically-ill soldier in her care. Can they make it to safety before being caught? After a grueling journey on foot, they find their way to the home of French sisters, Adelaide and Elise, who have just witnessed Nazi soldiers commit a heinous crime against a group of surrendering British troops. The story is told from the points of view of the three women who all have secrets to hide. Can they trust one another to do what is right for all of them? Action-packed and full of suspense, I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. There are moments of sadness and joy, heartbreak and hope. I loved this story of friendship, love and honor and I know it will remain on my mind for some time to come. Highly recommended! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

Love WW2 books! And this one was a great one!
Love the writing style Lane has here! Beautifully written!
The characters were real fee!ing and felt every emotion that was in this novel!
A wonderful job done here!

The Secrets We Left Behind is a riveting historical fiction by Soraya M Lane.

The writing flows well and is easy to fall into. The descriptions of the war time terror, the fear, and setting are all well established.

Written in third person, the author does a great job following Cate, Elise, and Adelaide along this harrowing wartime journey. There are three main females, all of whom have an intriguing backstory.

This tale is gripping and will have you reading as quickly as possible. With dire situations, guns being fired everywhere, this story is not easy to forget. Everything flows well and is easy to read.

The Secrets We Left Behind is a must read for anyone in the mood for a wartime historical fiction read.

Cate is a nurse with the British Army, during WWII who after drawing straws, is forced to stay behind and help care for the wounded while her unit evacuates. Accepting her fate until she realizes the Germans are much closer than she believed, she and a patient named Jack make a run for it... hoping to find safety from the impending attack.

Elise and her sister Adelaide secretly watch a group of British Army men surrender from their home. Believing it will be a quick capture and go the girls are shocked to witness the surrendering troops shot down and slaughtered. They have no reason to believe there are survivors...

Over the course of the story the lives of these three women converge, providing you with a story of ultimate love and survival.

This was a refreshing change from the usual WWII historical fiction I most often read. I really enjoyed how the characters lives and choices came together. I found the characters to be relatable and likeable as well. I also really enjoyed the summary at the back where the author dives into more detail about this time in history. I give this read a solid 4 🌟

Wow! This was an action-packed novel full of romance and danger! The Secrets We Left Behind brings a British nurse, 2 soldiers, and 2 French sisters together in quite an adventure in German-occupied France. I could not put this book down, and ended up finishing it in one day!!! This is my favorite Soraya Lane book yet!

t's 1940 and Cate, an English nurse, is working at the clearance hospital in Dunkirk. She loves her work and taking care of injured soldiers despite the fact that her fiancé has been declared 'missing, presumed dead'. As the bombing by the German army gets closer, there is a decision to evacuate the troops to England. But some people need to remain at the hospital to help the wounded, so the staff draws straws. Cate gets the short straw and watches her friends and co-workers and many of the injured leave for Dunkirk beach and hopeful evacuation. One of the few patients left is Jack and Cate has been having romantic feeling about him since he arrived. When the Germans arrive to take prisoners, Cate and Jack escape. Their walk to hopefully get to a safe place is filled with fear of capture and I was rapidly turning pages during this part of the book. They finally find a house with two young women living in it and ask for help. Sisters Elise and Adelaide are reluctant at first. Their town has been taken over by the Germans and they are already hiding a wounded English soldier. They all know that if they are discovered, they will all be executed. As each day passes, they lives become more perilous especially when a high level Nazi becomes interested in Adelaide. There are decisions to be made that will possibly put them in more danger.

The author had me rapidly turning pages throughout this book. I needed to find out if they were able to escape or be executed. My favorite characters were Cate and Elsie. Both were stronger and more resilient than they knew and it was their bravery that helped the other people in the house.

This is a fantastic WWII story about strong women who did their best in extreme situations to help the Allies win the war. It's apparent on every page that the author has done extensive research. Many of the characters and plots were based on real people. This is a book full of suspense, history, love and an overwhelming need to help others.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Two sisters are risking everything to keep a British nurse and two wounded soldiers safe from the Nazis.
Everything is on the line when they decide to leave and catch a boat back to France. Terror reins as they make their escape.
A great story of Dunkirk. The women involved are courageous and strong.
Great read!

4.5 stars! The Secrets We Left Behind is another great WWII historical fiction novel from Soraya M Lane. Filled with suspense, friendship, love, and loss - you’ll become invested in the characters as you follow them through the story.

Set in occupied France in 1940, Nurse Cate flees Dunkirk with one of her patients when her field hospital is about to be captured by the Nazis. At the same time in a nearby town, sisters Elise and Adelaide witness German troops slaughter 100 British soldiers who were attempting to surrender. Two British soldiers survive and show up at Elise and Addy’s doorstep fighting for their lives. When Addy catches the eye of a high-ranking German official and Cate and Jack also end up at their home in need of hiding, how far will they all go to survive and stay safe from the Nazis?

Thank you #NetGalley, Soraya Lane, and Amazon Publishing UK for the advanced copy of #TheSecretsWeLeftBehind in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review
Soraya M. Lane has done it again! "The Secrets We Left Behind" was a truly magnificent novel. She always seems to capture this intimacy with every character to make you feel like you can relate with everyone involved even the negative people.

Romantic and heartbreaking, joyful and suspenseful. 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 rounded up.

Occupied France, 1940. The British are being evacuated from Dunkirk as the Germans continue to advance. Nurse Cate, who works at the nearby field hospital, draws the short straw and is left behind. But when the Nazis arrive, Cate decides to flee rather than become a POW…taking with her one of her patients, a charming soldier named Jack.

At the same time, in Le Paradis, France, sisters Elise and Adelaide watch as nearly 100 British soldiers surrender to the Germans only to be shot and killed on the spot. Two soldiers, Harry and Peter, survive beneath the bodies of their friends and find safety with the sisters, who risk everything to take them in.

The story follows as Cate and Jack’s journey brings them right to Elise and Adelaide’s door. The sisters are already in over their heads caring for the injured soldiers. Meanwhile, Adelaide has caught the affections of a handsome and high-ranking German soldier. Can the sisters keep their visitors, and themselves, safe while all eyes are on them?

The book is narrated by Cate, Elise, and Adelaide, three strong women who all make their own sacrifices. Each story is compelling and made me want to keep reading to see what happens next. The stories are romantic and heartbreaking, joyful and suspenseful all at the same time. Overall I really enjoyed The Secrets We Left Behind! I also liked how parts of it are based on truth. I’ll definitely be looking into more books by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

My thanks to NetGalley for this advance copy.

The characters are charming and reflect the mood of the German occupation of France during WW2. I soon became immersed into this beautifully told story of the British and French striving against all odds to survive after the mass evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk and their resourcefulness and nerve. It is written in such a personal manner that you are drawn in and become part of this factual based story of survival. The author, through extensive research, has cleverly captured the reality of war and the fear, trust and love that bound the characters together.

An easy read, with twists of fate and suspense; a most enjoyable novel.

With thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion
I would like thank publishers and soraya lane for a beautifully poignant read as always excellent characters who play there parts so well, I can highly recommend this book.

It’s May 1940 and you are working as a nurse for the Royal Army Medical Corps. The army has set up a clearance hospital in a chateau in Dunkirk. You are aware that the Germans are closing in. but rest in the fact that there’s a huge red silk cross on the front lawn. It’s not until the Captain pulls the staff together to relay the frightful news that you finally realize the situation really is dire. You are being asked to draw straws, yes you read that properly, because somebody has to stay behind to look after the huge influx of soldier patients who can’t be evacuated. You watch your colleagues pull straws and gasp as you know that the two who draw short straws will most likely be taken prisoners of war by the Nazis and destined to live behind wire until they are liberated. It’s your turn…you pull….it’s a short straw. You are being left behind. Deserted. With men who can’t walk. Can’t help. True story.

Author Soraya Lane instantly pulls you into “The Secrets We Left Behind” and you feel like you are part of the action. My heart was pumping and I had no idea which direction the story was going to go. What I love about her writing is that she appeals to all the senses; it enables readers to place themselves in the plot. Quite often with multiple viewpoint stories, there’s one that stands out above the rest. Not so with this one! Cate, Elise, and Adelaide have equally compelling stories. Each girl is hiding a secret and they are relying on each other to keep a shared secret. War has forced them into a different life than they’d imagined. There’s sadness, grief, death, blood and hunger at every corner, yet they each find themselves helping others even when it means risking their life for another. The events in this book are all based on true events. In fact, even Oscar is real! Check out the author’s Facebook page and you will see that her dog has made it into the pages of her latest historical fiction. The pace is even and quick, the characters are believable, and the plot and twists will keep you on the edge of your seat. I’m off to source out Lane’s backlist as she has an impressive list of historical fiction!

Soraya Lane, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley gifted me this advance digital copy and I was under no obligation to provide a review.

Publishes May 20,2021

Loved this book and it had me drawn in from the start, heart was in my mouth quite a few times throughout, wonderful story of how a British nurse and one of her patients got left behind in the evacuation to Dunkirk beach and how they survive the journey into occupied France to.seek refuge which comes in the form of 2 French sisters and another British soldier who has miraculously survived the massacre of his troops
A story of friendships, horror, love, and survival
A brilliant read