Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I was hooked from the start of this dual timeline story.

It’s set in at the time of WWII in France as well as France in the 1980’s. Nazi took over Paris in 1942.

Clarisse is a photographer and when she witnesses a girl separated from her mother, she takes a photo of the incident. But, after that moment, she wants to make a change.

Then she meets Louis, who is a resistance fighter, and he takes her to meet those at Cafe Capoulade who too are fighting so that the Nazi’s leave Paris.

Soon after Clarisse starts working as a photographer for the resistance, taking photo’s of the bad things happening every day.

I highly recommend this book.

Clarisse Alarie was a fashion photographer in Paris as war struck and her beautiful city became overrun by Germans. It wasn't long before she could see the way the wind was blowing, and it wasn't good. Jewish families wearing the yellow star on their clothing were rounded up and thrown into trucks, taken to unimaginable horrors. But when Clarisse saw a young girl dragged from her mother, while the mother was beaten, she was unable to help her. The photograph she captured dug deeply into her soul and she was determined to find her - Lillie, a neighbour told Clarisse.

Clarisse met with the man she called the peacock - because of his bright and cheerful clothing - and soon she was entrenched in the Resistance, going from place to place taking photos of the atrocities the Paris people were faced with daily. Clarisse developed her own photos back in the dark room of her apartment, and she knew the messages they portrayed would do good. But as the months passed, things became much worse. Clarisse tried to help more Jewish children, orphaned by unspeakable tragedy, but she also knew it was only a drop in a bucket. Would Clarisse ever find Lillie? Was she still alive?

The Secret Photograph is a powerful and heartbreaking novel which is set around historical events during WWII in Paris, and I absolutely loved it. Author Siobhan Curham has captured the despair and horrors of war, while showing the deep courage of people fighting for Paris. Clarisse was an awe-inspiring character and her strength and determination breathtaking. I was introduced to a new group of resistance people in The Secret Photograph - Zazou - whom I hadn't heard of before. I googled the name to learn they were a subculture in France during WWII, with their own form of resistance. I have read one other of this author's work, and after reading this one, I'll be looking at her back catalogue. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret Photograph by Siobhan Curham is the most powerful historical novel that consumed my every waking moment.
The novel is mainly set in Paris during World War II. There are also chapters set in 1985. Paris’ lights dim under Nazi occupation. It was a time of great cruelty with round-ups happening daily.
Against this backdrop we meet a brave, young female photographer who one day captures an image that spoke to her heart. It inspired her to become part of the resistance. The Secret Photograph tells her story.
We witness the abominable cruelty. Life was not sacred but cruelly snuffed out in an instant by the Nazis. Children were not treasured but slaughtered. The resistance grew as people held on to the hope that one day the Nazis would be defeated and the lights of Paris would shine once more.
There were still those characters who were larger than life, incredibly brave and retained an air of joie de vivre as they flamboyantly protested against the Nazis, offering a solidarity with the Jews. The vitality of Peacock has been perfectly captured by the author. He springs to life from the pages of the book.
Lives were snuffed out in an instant – lives not only blighted today, but future hopes and dreams gone. “They are stealing people’s lives and dreams.”
When the Nazis rolled out of Paris, mob rule took over against the collaborators as hatred ruled – but the people needed hope not hatred to recover.
Siobhan Curham has created a marvellous, epic tale around a very dark time in history. The city of light was overtaken by darkness where fear and cruelty lived. It took bravery and determination to hold onto hope and build a brighter future.
I received a free copy via the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

A interesting story about a young American woman living in Paris during the war. Her upbringing in America has a her prepared to handle most of what is thrown at her. She is fluent in the French language which helps her blend in with others in the city. This especially is helpful when she joins the resistance.
The Secret Photograph is a heartbreaking story in so many ways and yet, it is a heartwarming story too. A story of survival, courage, love and pushing forward through all adversities that arise.
Perfect reading for fans of WW2 historical fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

“A picture paints a thousand words.”

This was the easiest 5-stars I’ve ever awarded a historical fiction book!

Curham continues to write to inspire readers to (1) seek out the true, everyday heroes of WW2 and (2) make sure we keep the past from being erased or repeated.

This time, Curham is definitely at the top of her game and her ability to sweep readers into German-occupied Europe is absolutely stellar.

I’ve read many books centered around the resistance movement during WW2, but this book stands heads above the majority - and there’s plenty out there!

Inspired by Lee Miller, an American photojournalist and fashion photographer, and by Julia Pirotte, a young Polish photojournalist, Curham brings readers behind the camera lens to experience what it was like documenting the horrors of war and shows us how her main character, Clarisse Alarie, uses her talents to help the Resistance.

Why?
✔️ readers will feel the choices occupied people faced EVERY day; the choice to fight back (and how much) or the choice to collaborate (go along with the majority) - many books focus on one single choice that drives a character to act.
✔️ readers will see how easy a choice and how easy a transition it was for ordinary people to engage in active resistance - this is achieved because the author places us in the setting and we feel the pressure and feel the need to do something, anything
✔️ readers are emotionally involved as a result of a shocking event early in the book and feel compelled to discover if reunification is achieved
✔️ palpitating tension, fear, desperation, bravery, disgust…vivid descriptions placing readers in the action
✔️ learning about the Jeunesse Populaire Francaise and Zazou movement
✔️ Curham’s contrast of light and darkness in The City of Light
✔️ readers face ethical dilemmas as they read - photographing fellow citizens in moments of acute pain in an effort to let the rest of the world know what’s actually occurring
✔️ readers are continually faced with choices and hard-hitting questions, pulling them into the action and forcing them to ask: Would I be as courageous? Would I sense the danger? Could I resist the evil? Am I willing to risk it all?

With each of her spectacular historical fiction novels, Curham continues to take me on a journey to a time and place I haven’t been and allows me to explore real human emotions, consider real human reactions and choices, and offer deeper insight into this period in history - insight that’s much easier to do in hindsight.

See for yourself why Curham is a historical fiction author you won’t want to miss!

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

"What hope is there for the world if so many people find it so easy to hate?"

Once again I have been wowed by yet another Siobhan Curham WW2 historical fiction.
After reading The Storyteller of Auschwitz I went into this with high expectations and I was not at all disappointed.
The author's ability to capture the real devastation, atrocities, hardships, inhumanity and evil that surrounded this time in history is enthralling to say the least.
The emotions this read evoked from me were nothing short of spectacular as I went on this journey with Clarisse and Lillie. A journey of bravery, self-discovery, courage, grief, strength, love, rage, anger and joy. I was captivated, intrigued and felt every single one of these emotions these characters felt.
I loved the romance element to this one as well. It was perfect and so touching I couldn't help but be happy for our characters even though as a reader I knew it wasn't going to be the happiest of endings.
This was an incredible read for me, hauntingly beautiful is the best way for me to describe it.
The ending was so beautiful I got goosebumps and I'm still thinking about it as I this review.
My heart will ache for a long time for the characters we lost because although they were fictional here, this happened in real life and the thought of that devastates me everytime I read a WW2 historical fiction.
This book gets a high recommendation from me and I think it will be perfect for fans of this genre who also enjoy romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookourture for my Advanced eReaders Copy of this book. All opinions are entirely my own.

What a fantastic book. Clarisse a French American lives in Paris and during the war gets involved with the Resistance. Although married to a man she hates she falls in love with a fellow Resistance worker. Follow her though WW2 and out the other side. Although a work of fiction it is Based on true events. Thanks to Siobhan and her publisher.Thanks also to NetGalley.

This is the first book that I've read by Siobhan Curham and it absolutely won't be the last! It is absolutely captivating, heartbreaking, enchanting, devastating and engrossing. I couldn't put it down at all!

Wow what an unforgettable story, hooked from the first page I was drawn into a truly inspiring story. Based around true historical events, The Secret Photographer is filled with quirks, twists and surprises. A heartbreaking and heartwarming novel about love, bravery, loss, survival and courage during a time of unimageable horror. A highly recommended WW2 historical fiction novel.

I would like to thank Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What a perfect ending to this heart-wrenching story. It’s told in two different timelines, with the one from world war 2 being the main part of the story. I assumed that the later timeline, during the 1980’s, was a particular character as that seemed logical, but near the end is a little twist that I did not see coming at all. The main character, Clarisse, is very relatable, and the descriptions of war time Paris made me feel like I was there living it all with Clarisse. I love reading stories about the war and how people stood up to the bad guys and fought back, especially when those fighting back were the women who played such an important role during the war. This was a hard book to put down, so make sure you have plenty of time to read it and also make sure you have tissues!

This book drew me in from the start. It's a dual timeline story set during WWII France and France in the 80's. In 1942, in Nazi-Occupied Paris, Clarisse sees a terrified girl being torn away from her mother. A fashion photographer by trade she takes a picture of that terrifying moment. After seeing that happen, Clarisse is desperate to make a difference. Soon she meets Louis, a handsome resistance fighter who introduces her to the brave men and women of Cafe Capoulade fighting to end the occupation. Louis was also a Zazou, part of a subculture that loved swing and jazz music and used the dancing and music as a way to protest the Vichy government supported the Nazi's and encouraged French citizens to report on each other. Soon Clarisse becomes a photographer for the resistance, documenting the horrors that were happening on a daily basis for the French.

I'm constantly amazed at the bravery and strength of those who lived during WWII and those terrifying times. I just loved this story and could not put it down.

Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture, and Siobhan Curham for the opportunity to read this book!

Interesting storyline and I learned things I hadn’t known before. This always makes a book a good read for me.

“The Secret Photograph” is a WWII historical fiction book by Siobhan Durham. This book has two POVs - one set in Paris during WWII and the other in Paris in 1985. It’s very evident from the chapter voices that we follow two different people. As is pretty typical for me with dual timelines, I preferred the older one. In this book, a lot more happened that I felt involved with between Clarisse’s adventures; the 1985 timeline wasn’t as exciting or interesting. I found the ending a bit predictable. However, Clarisse chapters I found engaging, with the author capturing the craziness of Paris during that time very well. Overall, this was probably a 3.5 star read for me, but it deserves 4 stars for this rating (and how fantastic and engaging is that cover?).

Review posted on GoodReads:

"My first Siobhan Curham book thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture and this beautiful book brought out every emotion.
Clarisse is a very strong female lead with so much love and courage to give during a dark time in history. Living as a fashion photographer in Nazi-occupied Paris, she eventually joins the Resistance with her photography skills. Every detail of this book was laid out beautifully and it came full circle with a handful of strong secondary characters.

Thank you NetGalley, Siobhan Curham, and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this e-book!"

Kylie Thompson

This was such a good book! Set during ww2 in Paris, it's the story of survival, love & not giving up.
There is a little bit of language, so fair warning. But nothing else inappropriate (other than some scenes that were hinted). It was enjoyable, easy to read/get into. I will definitely pick up another by her to read again.

In the secret photograph History comes alive in this brilliant, highly-imaginative, and vivid novel. Immersive and revelatory and a pleasure to read!
Engaging and exciting from the beginning. A very realistic feel for the reader. Finished in less than 24hrs!

Siobhan Curham knows how to pull at your heartstrings. The Secret Photograph is a brilliantly heartbreaking account of Paris in World War II. We are introduced to the characters in 1943 and the rest of the book is told in dual time lines. I really loved that you think you know who the narrator is but, in reality, you have no idea. That was a surprising and intriguing element to the book.

You are introduced to Clarisse Alarie, a fashion photographer living in Paris in the 1940s but you quickly realize there is a lot more to her than meets the eye. The story itself, as the majority of the books that I have read by Siobhan Curham, have elements of the Nazi occupation as well as multi-faceted characters that are more than just simply standing by allowing the atrocities to occur. I do love the element of resistance that you find in the characters, on more than one level. I think that there were a lot of characters that were introduced that played a relevant role in the overall theme of the book. She introduces the characters well and makes you want to know more and more about them. Clarisse is relatable and someone that you would aspire to be if that was happening in your lifetime. I think that there were some aspects of the book that were slightly unbelievable, but overall the story was entertaining and I wanted to see what happened at the end. There was a lot of dialogue that seemed a little forced in some parts of the book, but the flow of the book was natural. I enjoyed when the dual timelines switched just when the story was getting good, it definitely made me want to keep reading. Grab some tissues when you get this one, it's definitely emotional!

Rated up for 3.5 stars for The Secret Photograh by Siobhan Curham.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Siobhan Curham for my eARC of The Secret Phograph in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date for The Secret Photograph is 03 October 2023.

Clarisse Alarie is a fashion photographer in occupied Paris during World War II. Events lead her to become a Resistance photographer in her attempt to make a contribution.
We meet a strong female character who will face horrors but will also find love and hope in the midst of chaos and destruction. Clarisse is accompanied by many secondary characters who also have stories to tell and destinies to face and who add another dimension to the book.
A beautiful and touching story that will make you enjoy from the beginning to its wonderful ending that manages to close the circle of this heartwarming novel.

Another brilliant, heartbreaking book by Siobhan Curham, set in World War II Paris. After reading her last book, I prepared myself with plenty of Kleenex before beginning this one...I still ran out.

This begins in 1943 and continues after the end of the war with the story told in two timelines. The heroine, Clarisse, is a photographer who begins taking clandestine photos on the streets as she sees what is happening to French Jews. This story highlights the dilemmas faced by photographers who document atrocities and trauma during historic events. Although painful to witness, these photos produce a visceral reaction in ways that words can't and that makes them vitally important. Clarisse bonds with each horrific photo she takes and carries the memories of those people with her.

This book perfectly conveys the soul-crushing experience of living under Nazi occupation with endless fear and relentless hunger. I felt the hopelessness of the Resistance members as they desperately tried to fight against the overwhelming strength of the German army. I reveled in the joy of the Zazou Parisiennes as they danced to Cab Calloway in outrageous fashion statements and I sobbed at the terror inflicted on innocent Jewish children. Although there are few happy endings for people in this story, it had the most perfect final chapter. Books like this are more important than ever, with anti-Semitism and fascism once more on display. So find a comfortable reading nook with plenty of tissues and read this newest release by Siobhan Curham. I loved it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.