Another solid 3 star book from Jeffries. Thanks for the review copy. I like the way she writes historical fiction.

This book is the 2nd in the Daughters of War series by Dinah Jefferies.

I'm don't want to summarize it too much because it will give away the story of book one, but I recommend this book. The story of this book was really good. The first book took place during WW2. This book takes place towards the end of WW2 and after the war, in both England and Malta, with flashbacks to a story before WW2.

I would recommend reading this story after reading Daughters of War.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and recommend it.

I really enjoyed this novel and the dual storylines between Rosalie and Florence. The novel was very atmospheric and I could just feel like I was on the island of Malta and everywhere else throughout this book with how it was written. I really did not realize all of this history about Malta and how dark it was. It was very interesting to read about, though hard at times as any novel that takes place during war times. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper 360 for the ARC.

Jefferies’s atmospheric sequel to Daughters of War takes Florence Baudin to Malta at her estranged mother’s behest. Since she left her family in the 1920s, Claudette has only a single letter from her sister, Rosalie. The dual-time line narrative follows Rosalie, as she attempts to build a new life in the 1920s, and Florence, who hasn’t found a moment’s peace since fleeing Nazi-occupied France. Both arrive in Malta finding it is not what they expected. Florence attempts to unravel her family’s secrets amid the destruction on the island, all while balancing guilt for leaving her sisters and memories of a past that refuses to let her go. Jefferies (The Tea Planter’s Wife) infuses her characters with carefully considered personalities and unique traits against a vivid backdrop of the Mediterranean and the English countryside. This second installment in the “Daughters of War” trilogy encompasses the rich sense of place and strong female characters that fans have come to expect from Jefferies. On its own, the novel paints a vibrant picture of family, survival, and courage in war-torn Europe.

The Hidden Palace is a historical novel set in 1944 with flashbacks to 1925 as well. It is the story of Florence Baudin, who has left France for Malta. Her mother asks her to look for her younger sister, Rosalie, in Malta, where she worked as a dancer years ago.

I wanted to read this novel because I enjoyed the first book in the Daughters of War series. The Malta setting was intriguing, as this is a new setting for me. Malta's unique position during WWII was fascinating to learn about!

As with the earlier book in this series, the characterizations are strong and the descriptions are evocative. I recommend The Hidden Palace (and the earlier book, Daughters of War) to anyone interested in historical fiction, and most especially a 1940's setting.

4.5/5

I thought I had read all the different versions of historical fiction books set in WWI and WWII but I was presently surprised by The Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies. She puts an interesting new spin on the war not focusing really on the conflict but about Malta and a family separated.

I was fascinated to learn how Malta was affected by the war and the occupants of it. I loved reading about the relationships of the sisters and yes even the relationship with there very overbearing/mean mother.

I unfortunately found out too late that this was the second book in the series. Luckily it was still readable I was just missing some background information and relationships about the characters.

I did enjoy how this was a single perspective book, but I did find the time jumps to be confusing at times. It was very interesting to learn about multiple periods of time in the sisters lives.

Thank you NetGalley for gifting me a copy of The Hidden Palace in return for my honest opinion

I found this story rather slow to get involved. It was a slow burn until the chapters in Rosalie. I found her chapters the most interesting and compelling.
I did like the cottage setting. I could see it in my mind’s eye. I also liked the setting of Malts because it has an air of mystique and intrigue.

"It seemed important that in the midst of death you had to own the fact that you were alive."

Book number 2 in Dinah Jefferies' Daughters of War series, The Hidden Palace is a dual-timeline, multi-generational family saga set between 1944 England and 1925 Malta. This second installation begins on the precipice of Florence's - the youngest Baudin sister - escape from war-torn France. As she and her companion, Jack, settle into life in the countryside of Devon, England, the two must learn to navigate the trauma that accompanies living in a World War, and the impact that it has on the relationships we hold most dear.

The concept of the dual-timeline and multi-layered story was what initially piqued my interest in THP. Though the more the story progressed, the less engaged I felt with Florence's 1944 timeline. The backdrop of Rosalie/Riva's character arc in 1925 Malta was enthralling and larger than life, just like her personality. Unfortunately, this aspect resulted in Florence's journey being overshadowed, which was a pity; it could have been a lovely arc of healing and redemption.

THP is marketed as a stand-alone read within a series, but as someone who didn't read the first book I don't feel that this is the case. There were so many references to the characters' backstories and relationships that it felt paramount to know these nuances to better understand where/how the plot was progressing. It resulted in a lack of depth and connection. Additionally, there were multiple instances throughout THP where plot points either disappeared entirely, or were conveniently resolved. Both Belinda and Charlotte's storylines, for example. The two were introduced as seemingly integral secondary characters meant to challenge Florence and Riva, respectively. They both make grand entrances that span across multiple chapters to then be reduced to mere sentences.

My other biggest critique of THP - and a personal one at that - is the portrayal of women's responses to heartbreak, loss, and grief. It was apparent that Jefferies was writing empowered female protagonists; she did just that with Florence learning to love again despite a sexual assault, and Rosalie pursuing and achieving her dreams on her own in a foreign country. Though the two were frequently "reduced to tears" throughout their journeys and this trivialized their strength and inner growth.

If you're looking for a historical fiction read that transports you across multiple years and locations, The Hidden Palace will do just that. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Hidden Palace will be published on November 22, 2022!

Dinah Jefferies has written many novels, all of them sensual and lush and take the reader to an exotic location in another time - the best sort of escape read, but one with substance. I believe this one might be her best yet! This book is a excellently researched, and it is clear that Ms. Jefferies is at the top of her game. Wonderful, captivating writing and original plot gives this novel the depth and ability to pull in any reader. I really enjoyed all the relationships portrayed in this novel, how realistic they (and the characters) appeared. This is also a different location than most WWII novels - it takes place on Malta. I hadn't known much about what occurred there during WWII, so I am glad I was given the chance to learn in such an interesting and captivating way! I highly recommend this author and all of her other books I have read have been nothing less than fantastic. She is definitely an auto-buy author for me, and I can't wait to own this novel in print.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read an advanced copy of this book for an honest review! I really enjoyed this book. It was a story of two women, Florence and her aunt Rosalie, told in different time periods: Florence’s journey searching for Rosalie after WW2 and Rosalie’s life story in Malta. I love when books are told from different perspectives/timelines. I enjoyed Rosalie’s parts more as I don’t know anything about Malta during the war. Her story line was also in my opinion more interesting in general.

The only downside of this book for me, was that I didn’t know it was part of series and although the first book didn’t seem like required reading as I was able to follow the story, I would have liked to know more of the backstory between Florence and Jack and Florence and her sisters. I would recommend reading the first book before reading this one, even though you could read this one as a standalone book. I will be going back and reading the first book and waiting for the third book to come out as well.

This novel focused on Florence rather than all three of the sisters, as did Book One, Daughters of War. And in spite of the fact that I LOVED Book One, The Hidden Palace is even better.

When I began reading The Hidden Palace, I was only interested in Florence and Jack because I wanted to know if they would fall in love. Without spoiling it for anyone, the love story plays out exactly as it should, and I was elated at the outcome.

This book picks up where the first one ended. Florence and Jack have arrived back in England after weeks spent together escaping from France. That experience will bring them closer, and we are left to wonder if she and Jack will fall in love, or if Hélène will return to be his love interest. Because I couldn’t bear the suspense, I cheated and read all of Florence’s chapters from beginning to end. I just couldn’t get enough of her and Jack’s story.

Florence’s character has undergone a huge transformation just in this book alone, let alone from the young Florence of Book One. This transformation is one of the best I’ve ever read in any book. It feels like the reader got to see her grow from a naïve and dreamy (very) young woman to a strong, caring and highly capable one.
Jack was my idea of a dream man—loving, protective, and yet appreciative of Florence’s goals and achievements.

The plot is more complex—enjoyably so, with Florence trying to figure out what her new life will be and trying to find her aunt. Daughters of War (which I also loved) has many more characters, drama, mystery, and tension, whereas this book is more character driven.

After they found her missing aunt, I went back and read her story. Although this was not what the author had in mind, it worked for me, and I was very satisfied. Now having just finished Rosalie’s chapters, I was just as thrilled with her story. I had no idea it would be that good. There is more action and an involved plot. The setting is gorgeous and inviting. The recent history of Malta is featured and it is fascinating.

Dinah Jefferies is a gifted writer who allows the reader to suspend disbelief and feel that they are part of the story—at least that is what happened to me.

I LOVED Book One and Book Two and I look forward to reading Book Three. (I just wish I knew whose story this will be.)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#TheHiddenPalace #NetGalley

Amazing novel I could not put it down and I love Malta so much, the location, the people, the atmosphere. This was a story with great character development and I loved every page. What a fantastic read, I had to read it again to absorb more!

In the midst of World War II, Florence Baudin is fleeing from an occupied France when her mother begs her to try to find her sister nearly twenty years after she vanished. Florence has little more to go on than an old letter and she’s in the midst of a global conflict. Rosalie has had years to slip into a new identity, to disappear in the labyrinthian back streets of Paris, and finding her will be next to impossible. Jefferies is the penultimate queen of historical fiction, evoking eras and places in a way few authors can replicate