Right from the start, you could feel the connection between Eve and Justine. They were sisters through and through, no matter what anyone might say. They picked at each other, played with each other, cared for one another, and as they grew up, despite their interests veering in different directions, they still made time for one another, and could always count on the other to have their back. One such time this came into play was the start of a nightmare for both girls...and although it could have surely ended then and there, their desire to live, their desire to protect each other and their family was so great that the unspeakable became the endurable, for the sake of family.

My heart was ripped open from that very moment things progressed so darkly, so violently. If I could have hugged these two girls through the pages, I would have...and if I could have put an end to their suffering, you bet I wouldn't have hesitated there either. I'm not a violent person, but surely keeping evil from spreading like the poison it is allows a little bit of leeway? But I digress...Eve had Justine, and while she took on the heavy role inadvertently handed to her that would get heavier as the years passed, it didn't mean that Eve's journey was any less difficult. Different hardships, different choices, but in their heart of hearts they still felt the same....family mattered. They weren't disposable, but the greater good mattered. Whether it be keeping family safe, protecting a new life, shielding an old one providing aid, or turning a loved one against you to keep them away from harm, it all boiled down it family bonds, and the love shared between them...something the enemy truly knew nothing about.

A great pick for adult readers of Historical Fiction who don't mind becoming emotionally attached to a story and/or its characters...I know I sure don't! While this book doesn't tie things up nice and neat by story's end, it does give satisfaction throughout, and promises more still to come.

Will two sisters trying to survive during WWII come together or be torn apart? Justine is violently assaulted and taken by a Nazi major while Eve joins the resistance after her sister is taken. Sexual assaults throughout this book makes it hard to read. The ending suggests another book. Loved Arsene!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
This book is about two sisters and their survival through World War 2. I felt so sorry for Justine and it is totally believable that this actually happened during war times. I found myself skimming through parts of the story as parts of it was hard to read and I didn't want to connect too much with the story.
I dnf this book at 38 percent. It is a dark and emotional read.

This is the first novel I've read by Jina Bacarr.

When Paris is invaded by the Nazis, the Beaufort sisters just keep on as normal until, that is, the day the SS came into their home, looting. Surely things couldn't get any worse? But when they take one sister with them, two hearts are broken and Justine and Eve find themselves on opposite side of the war.

When I read at the very beginning of this one that characters from previous books would appear, I wondered if I had happened upon a series. It's a good story, heartbreaking in parts and touching on the nitty-gritty of life during wartime in Paris. Much as I enjoyed the read, I was disappointed by the ending and, again, wondered if this is part of a series as there was so much left hanging. For me, four stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

This review is being posted as part of the Sisters At War blog tour hosted by Rachel’s Random Resources.

Sisters At War is the latest gripping historical fiction novel from author Jina Bacarr. It is an incredibly powerful story which focuses on sexual violence during the Second World War. The severity of the subject matter has meant that the story is incredibly hard-hitting and emotional but, as stated in the author introduction to the book, wartime sexual violence is a topic which has largely been ignored by history and rarely covered within historical fiction so books such as Sisters At War are of such importance. This portrayal of the horrific experiences of women in Nazi-occupied countries was raw and powerful and at times it actually brought tears to my eyes.
I do want to preface this review by signposting you to the trigger warning list at the top of this review on www.yourschloe.co.uk. If sexual violence as a subject matter is potentially triggering for you as a reader, I would recommend consulting this list prior to reading to ensure that you can make an informed decision about if this book is appropriate reading for you. But, if you are able to access this story, I would highly recommend it so more people are educated on this incredibly dark time in European history.
The story is told through a dual POV narrative, alternating between Justine and Eve’s perspectives and sharing their separate wartime experiences. Throughout the story the sisters, whilst physically separated, were united by their hatred for the Nazis and their love for each other, their family and their country. The plot was perfectly paced and gripping from the very beginning. The history was clearly meticulously researched and the setting of war-torn Paris just came alive on the page.
Sisters At War is the latest instalment of the ‘Paris Resistance’ collection. Each of the books from the series can be read as a standalone story but Sisters At War does contain either appearances from or references to some of the characters from the other books in the series.
Both Justine and Eve were fantastically written protagonists which such depth to their characters. Justine’s strength and courage was incredible and I particularly really enjoyed the character development we saw in Eve as she matures from a naïve and stubborn teenager into a courageous resistance fighter who is more sure of herself. We did see aspects of her naivety remaining through her very black and white thinking regarding whether or not her sister was a traitor but this did help her voice to feel authentic to her age and if we’re fortunate enough to get a sequel I’m excited to see further character development for Eve. Arsene was my favourite character and I really hope we get to come back to him in some way in a future novel as his mysterious character and the work he was doing was truly fascinating. Jina Bacarr also writes her antagonists exceptionally well and both the characters of Major Saxe-Müllenheim and Herr Avicus Geller made my skin crawl.
Whilst being mindful of avoiding ending spoilers, I can’t put into words how desperate I am for a sequel so I really do hope one is on the cards so we can return to Justine and Eve’s stories.
Overall, Sisters At War is a really powerful and gut-wrenching piece of historical fiction which tells a story I will truly never forget.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I have posted an extended review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk and the post is linked.

Sisters At War by Jina Bacarr is a powerful historical novel that totally consumed me.
The action is set during the early years of World War II in Nazi-occupied Paris. It is a city that is ever diminishing as the Nazis take over. They loot priceless art, take over dwellings and bodies of the French people. “The Nazis can take our bodies but not our souls.” The people of France fight bravely on as bit by bit the lights of Paris are dimmed.
The Nazis take what they want including the bodies of young girls as they force them to work in brothels or take them as personal trophies. We witness the sacrificial love of a sister who does what she must in order to protect those she loves.
As the years go on, we follow two sisters at war. Their individual wars look different but both are motivated by a love for family, a hatred of the Nazis and a love for France.
We see the emotional blackmail used by the Nazis to make people toe the line.
The beauty of Paris is overshadowed by the ugliness of Nazi occupation.
The story is written from two alternating points of view as we witness the different wars that were waged.
All the characters are well drawn, realistic and likable. Jina Bacarr has painted a very vivid and powerful of Parisians at war. It was a very difficult read at times but a very necessary one as we need to know what happened to the ordinary citizens of Paris. It was a period of the war, the actions of which I knew nothing. I was both educated and horrified.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Two sisters torn apart by a tragic assault. Set in Paris during WWII, Sisters at War showcases Eva and Justine. One is assaulted and gets sucked into the underbelly of Nazi life while the other fights the very scum who has stolen her sister.
The scumbag Nazis in the book made me sick to my stomach. Both Justine and Eva had to make difficult decisions no matter what they thought of each other.
Arsene is my favorite character. He melts in and out as a shadow who Lurks in the dark but is always around when needed.
I hope there is a follow up book because I was left hanging at the end.
Thanks to Boldwood Books NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for the early read.

What an emotional read!
Two sisters Justine and Eve and their maman live in the grand house ‘Maison Bleue’ owned by Monsieur and Madame de Giocomte, descendants of a wealthy Jewish banking family. Maman works as a seamstress for the Madame but they are like family to the de Giocomte’s.
It is WWII and the Nazis have invaded Paris and are taking anything of worth from the houses of Jewish families. They not only take art and collectables but also take young Justine, who is raped by a Nazi Major while he was raiding the ‘Maison Bleue’ of their artworks. He takes Justine and forces her to live with him under threat that her family will die if she makes contact with them. Eve believes Justine is dead and Justine cannot make contact for fear that the Nazi Major will kill her family and the de Giocomte’s.
Two sisters at war with their thoughts, dreams and their love for France.
A heartbreaking confronting read about how sisters deal with their loss and their survival in Nazi occupied France.

This is told through two different pov's of sisters. A good read but was surprised by the cliffhanger ending as I didnt realise there would be a sequel.

This book is about two sisters each trying to survive during the war. This book was hard to read and parts of it really made me mad. I have no doubt that all this actually happened during the war.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This was a great story that was told through two different points of view, one of each of the sisters. One sister, Eve, ended up working with the resistance and the other, Justine, without giving anything away had more to do with the Nazi’s. I felt that the storyline didn’t really match the blurb and although what the blurb says happens in the story, to me the blurb sounds like a different book. The ending was also left up in the air as well. It would be a good cliff-hanger if there is going to be a sequel, but I don’t know if there will be. The story was just cut short and I don’t know what to think. That’s why I only gave it 4 stars, because of the ending. Knowing that there was a sequel would have given it the extra star.

Justine and Eve are sisters who along with their Mother love with their Jewish employer. One night one of the sisters is raped by an officer in the SS. The other sister steps in to protect her and the 2 go their separate ways. As the war goes on one sister joins the resistance whilst the sister that was raped has a daughter by that officer. I’ve deliberately not said which sister was raped as I think that’s for the reader to find out.
A very different aspect to WW2 fiction but a true reality but that means it might not be the book for some. Well written and easy to follow as each chapter is voiced by a different sister.
Thanks to Jina and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley.

Wow that introduction! But that paragraph and added sentence alone meant that I had to read this book straight away. Forget the ‘read in publishing order’ rule!
An epic story of two French sisters in 1940 trying to live in a increasingly unstable Paris. The steadily increasing oppression by the Nazi’s and there overtaking of the city affects both women, their family and friends. Indeed a fateful day will destroy the life they knew for good.
Hard hitting and heart breaking this is truly an excellent novel.

Sisters at War is without doubt the hardest WWII book I have ever read, just as it was the hardest book for the author to write (as noted in her acknowledgements). My heart was torn to shreds as I followed the characters, especially Justine, through her painful experiences. My throat was constantly tight with anxiety as I read of the initial and continued violations this poor girl experienced at the hands of the Nazis.

Jina Bacarr paints a very clear and troubling picture of what it was like for many women who were taken over by the enemy. The rape of innocent girls, of the land, of the culture and a race. All that the Nazis pillaged and controlled through their arrogance bred great fear in the victims under their reign. It gave many free rein to release their most base and vile natures. Hot tears repeatedly flowed from my eyes as my soul ached for the victims. These people lost their freedom, the privilege of making choices and they had to learn to tolerate the awfulness of it all. This caused changes in many hearts. First anger, then fear and then came vengeance. How to retaliate. Hence the resistance was born. Fighting back, sometimes in acts of violence. Bombings were quite common. Peace was always the longing and aim but how to get it back was not easy or without scars.

This is a story about the atrocities of war but also violence towards women from men in power. It is obvious from Sisters At War that women lost all that was precious and sacred to them. Bringing this to the forefront as Jina does, through her characters, we enter their world and witness repeated violations. It is a hard pill to swallow for when we put ourselves in their shoes and feel the horrible acts, it makes us aware of the severe suffering they faced. Jina has a special gift of bringing it home so succinctly and powerfully. Maybe it’s because she has had her own horrible encounters (which she shares in the Acknowledgement notes). So, the emotions exhibited in her characters are real and straight from her heart. This kind of raw writing born of experience makes us feel, grieve and gasp. She knows what she’s talking about.

Due to constant stressful events, there is so much tension in this novel that it’s like a tightly wound bow string ready to snap. And it does. There are little breaks here and there that make us grasp at filaments of hope between ledges of despair. We wish for something good to happen on the horizon. But it is a tumultuous ride from start to finish with hurdle after hurdle.

These two sisters are kept apart from the moment the Nazi walks into their home, takes the paintings and begins to violate the younger sister Eve. Big sister Justine, the designer, steps in and offers herself in Eve’s place. She is trying to protect her little sister, the scientist. Justine’s blondness and beauty are often noticed and this time she uses her attractiveness to lure the enemy away from her sister and mother. But the treatment she receives is far worse than she can imagine. It is in those initial moments she must learn to hold her tongue and bear the nasty treatment she receives to survive. And to keep her family safe. Although she must appear strong and accepting, she often speaks fiery words that could cause her great harm. Living with such bottled up emotions, though, means she must let off just enough steam to keep from cracking under the pressure but not enough to give away her most sacred thoughts. Justine is a prisoner but able to move about outside her four walls as long as she does what is asked of her. To onlookers she may appear to be aligned with the enemy. But she is always watched and under the Nazis tight control. Despite this, her spirit remains brave, selfless and resourceful.

Not to ignore Eve in this analysis but she is at the mercy of her anger at what the Nazis have taken from her. She fears Justine is dead when she does not hear from here. This fuels her desire for vengeance. And reason for joining the resistance. She uses her scientist abilities to help with the bombs and makes headway. But she is in danger, more than she knows and what she later learns puts her in a bad position with her sister. But is everything as it appears? For in the end, she will face an even greater task than she could ever have imagined.

Sisters at War is such an apt title for so many reasons I cannot say (or risk giving too much away). There are other wonderful key figures (males) that help the girls from their difficult positions plus a few women who sympathise and help, too. This is one powerful, gut-wrenching, soul shattering novel that would make any woman (including those who are mothers) cry and cringe. My own heart felt pierced to the core as it made me think long and hard about the horrors many women faced under the Nazis. (And even with women abused today.) The strong descriptions of emotional pain are intense in this novel for good reason. It is a novel to shake everyone from complacency and lead us to appreciate any freedom we have today.

I don’t quite know how to end my review as this novel is like nothing else I have read in its unfettered cry against human cruelty. Sisters of War is a testament to courage of the highest order. Jina has resounded loud and clear with her message to speak out. Well done for her own bravery in writing this difficult novel and in allowing her personal experiences to help others. A must read for anyone. 5 Stars seems a pale rating for such a magnificent delivery of justice. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for my review copy.

Wow what a book! From the very first page I was totally hooked. This story takes you on a rollercoaster of a ride of heartbreak and bravery. It starts in Paris in 1940. Sisters Justine and Eve Beaufort lives change forever when the Nazis turn up on their doorstep. The Nazis not only take precious paintings but they also take one of the sisters. They have no idea what has happened to the other one and if they will see each other again. Each has to do what she needs to survive, even if that looks like they are working for rather than against the Nazis. This covers what it was like to have your freedom taken away, as well as to go against the regime and do everything in your power to stop them. An absolutely gripping, powerful story that I won’t forget anytime soon. Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

What would you do if the unthinkable happened to YOUR sister?

The day the Nazis broke into the Beaufort girls’ home was the first of many days that would change everything. Soon, they were no strangers to violence and uncertainty and the seeds were planted for revenge. Somewhere along the line, seeds of misconception and misunderstanding were sown and the sisters’ didn’t know who to trust…they became strangers to each other.

This book examines what happens when we are put in a situation where ‘choice’ has been taken from us. It also follows the growing resentment that happens when we vow revenge. The author brings us full circle and, for those who have been in this situation, she encourages speaking up and bolstering the courage to tell the story.

Set in Paris 1940, Bacarr examines what it was like to be a woman at war and the lengths we’ll go to ensure family safety.

A terrifying personal experience (or three) inspired the author to write on a little talked about topic in historical fiction and share how it affects everyday life … for years afterward. If reading about unwanted sexual advances from men in power is triggering for you, this might be a read you’ll want to reconsider.

I loved the cover and the title - sisters at war - with the Nazis and with each other.

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