In Theresa Howes' gripping novel, The French Affair, the intricate tapestry of World War II unfolds through the compelling story of Iris Foley, a British Intelligence operative, navigating the treacherous landscapes of occupied France. The novel transcends traditional war narratives, spotlighting the underestimated yet pivotal roles of women who clandestinely fought against German forces. As Iris seeks refuge in her aunt Eva's cottage in Dijon, the once-sacred haven transforms into a perilous environment of suspicion and danger. Howes masterfully captures the psychological toll of war, portraying Iris's internal struggles against personal betrayal and moral dilemmas. Against the vivid backdrop of occupied Dijon, the narrative skillfully unveils the resilience and resourcefulness of women in wartime, providing readers with a poignant and enlightening exploration of love, betrayal, and the indomitable spirit of those who resisted against overwhelming odds. The French Affair stands as a must-read for World War II historical fiction enthusiasts, offering a nuanced and immersive perspective on the often-overlooked contributions of women during this tumultuous period.

New-to-me author Theresa Howes explores what women were willing to risk in wartime.

French journalist Iris Foley wonders if the now failed honey-trap mission to trap a German spy for British Intelligence has been worth risking her marriage. When she takes refuge at her aunt’s cottage in Dijon, she meets the very last person she expects to see, the person who unnerves her the most… and he wants to re-kindle the relationship. Not only that, he seems to have pulled the wool over the Dijonnais.

As Iris digs deeper into her aunt’s life, she discovers a dangerous secret that has the potential to upend EVERYTHING.

The tension is palpable, the pull of the despicable characters is strong, and the level of suspicion in occupied neighbourhoods is high. This is a wonderful book that highlights our tendency to pigeonhole people, our tendency to think ‘it won’t happen to me,’ and leaves us with a greater understanding of how underestimated women were and their roles played in WW2.

It always amazes me how courageous these women spies were - many had no formal training and relied on instinct. They are not given enough credit for what they contributed to the war effort.

You'll love the vivid descriptions of French village life during occupation, of the botanicals and bees and of the food. Howes easily transported me to the setting of her story and quickly engaged me.

I was gifted this copy by HQ Digital and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

The French Affair is a thrilling, suspenseful World War Two historical fiction. It is a testament to the people that risked all to help the allies win the war. Many gave their lives, but Iris risked her marriage in order to trap a spy in London.

Britain's solution, to avoid embarrassment, was to kick Guy Mason out of England. He thought he was now free but Iris's mission isn't over. After loosing her husband, thanks to the mission, she has nothing left to lose. She goes home to Dijon, France where her worlds collide.

Guy Mason wants only two things now that he wears the German uniform. He wants Iris as his mistress and to find out who betrayed him. All she wants is jack but feels him lost forever. What she was expecting was jack on her doorstep.

I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into the village life. Neighbor have turned against neighbor. Every minute of their days are riddled with fear. German soldiers only care about power. How does one know who to trust. Talk about nerve wracking!!!

The reader will learn a lot about the horrors of war while reading this story. People are struggling, physically and mentally. The Marquis are doing what they can but the Germans are always searching for them. The Germans treat everything as if it is theirs without concern for the people of France. Trickery and treachery riddle the pages making for a wonderful page-turner.

If you like WW2 historical fiction I highly recommend The French Affair. It was a thrilling read. There were shocking moments that left me stunned. There were moments where I became disgusted with a character, giving me a small glimpse into what the people must have experienced on a daily basis.

Wonderful to be able to pick up another Theresa Howes book. The French Affair, like her first book,The Secrets We Keep, is also set during the Vichy era and makes great use of the resistance movement in a rural French town. What’s is best about Howe’s writing is that she creates the most beautiful and totally relatable settings in France. Yes, The French Affair starts with a racy London spy setting but it quickly moves to the reality of living under occupied France. Iris is our lead character, married to Jack and her life will not be easy and she is not trusted even as she inherits her aunt’s house. The garden, the kitchen are all so real, the food, the herbs and the simple French way of living are one of the most appealing aspects of The French Affair. The story is a page turner, the characters are sustained throughout the story and it’s so satisfying to read a well constructed book. Thanks to @Harpercollins.com.au and to @netgalley for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

A good story! However, I found too much telling rather than showing in the writing which did not really work for me. The characters are not special and answer more to cliché descriptions than deep psychological development making this novel an easy read which is not bad, of course, depending on what one wants to read. I did want to know how the story would end! A good, quick, easy and entertaining read.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this novel from HQ Stories, and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

Iris Foley is working for British Intelligence, she’s given the job to trap a German spy in England, things don’t go as planned and her husband Jack finds out, and he thinks she’s been unfaithful.

Iris leaves for France, her aunt Eva lives in Dijon, when she arrives Iris discovers she’s passed away and she's devastated. Her aunt’s house used to be a place where Iris felt safe and loved, she made herbal tinctures and remedies, Eva's garden is full of plants, bee hives and she published cooking books.

Iris discovers just how much the war has impacted people, her childhood friend is acting possessive and odd, some people think her aunt was a traitor because she had a German officer billeted with her and Iris knows her aunt was loyal to France. Everyone in Dijon is wary, they don’t trust anyone and if a German soldier is harmed and they start shooting French civilians as relation.

Iris can’t believe it when Guy Mason follows her, the man who ruined her marriage, he’s a British civil servant and he’s now strutting around Dijon in a Germany army uniform. Guy is an absolute creep, he makes Iris’s skin crawl, and her task is to kill him, easier said than done. The atmosphere in Dijon is tense, everyone is suspicious, any woman seen with a German soldier is considered a collaborator, and they assume Iris is one because of Guy Mason. It shows how things may not be how they appear, many women were helping the resistance and often they were the last person you would pick.

I received a copy of The French Affair by Theresa Howes from HQ Digital and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. A narrative about the Second World War in France, the Germans took what they wanted, food, wine, art, houses, and what brave and strong women did to help win the war and stop the plundering.

Ms Howes wanted to write a story that highlighted the important roles women played in the Second World War, they fitted in with the population, not as obvious and were certainly underestimated by men and the Germans. Four stars from me and the author achieved her aim in her latest novel.

Iris has been working in London as part of the fledgling British Intelligence Service during WWII. When the job she is working on doesn’t pan out how it was expected to, she is tasked with going back to her native France, to try to complete her mission. Fraught with danger, she goes to the place she thinks of as home, Dijon, where her Aunt Eva lives, where she feels comfortable, and where she can try to complete her mission. But when she arrives, she learns that Eva is dead and the town is well and truly in the enemies hands.

Iris is a complex character, drawn into the intelligence world, doing things she never dreamed she would have to do, but it’s war, people have to do what they can, and she is determined to finish what she started. This book drew me in quickly, I especially liked Eva’s story, her ‘tisanes’ and herbal remedies that she made for the locals, the recipes everyone loved, the bees that had to be told when people die or leave, and the way Iris adapted this to her own needs. We get the tension of suspicion in the town, with Iris being pulled all ways, seen as a collaborator and distrusted by the locals. However, she comes across as a strong woman, with a sense of right and wrong, determined to do what’ needs doing, even when her own life is in danger. A really good plot, well crafted and researched and a satisfying ending. Recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The French Affair by Theresa Howes is an exceptional tale, expertly crafted with endearing characters and an enthralling plot that will captivate readers, leaving them yearning for more, eager to uncover the unfolding events.

A lovely gem of a book that you will not want to put down. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this Arc n exchange for an honest review.

What a great story - really well written with likeable characters and a plot line that will keep you reading more and more just to find out what happens. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Iris and could sympathise with her position of trying to help and following orders that looked to other people like she was consorting with the enemy. The story about Iris’ Aunt Eva and her love of cooking and Aunt Eva’s German houseguest made me keep turning pages. Then there was the great romance (?broken romance) between Iris and Jack. There was a very satisfying ending and I loved the references to the bees and how Iris talked to them. Make sure you’ve got time to read when you start this book as you won’t want to put it down!