A new author to me and what a find, such an engaging story with the right elements of sadness and willingness to push through. A definite must read.

Gaby and her sisters are just trying to survive in France in WW2. Germans are the enemy, but while they are trying to send valuable information to the Allies via pigeon, the locals think they are collaborators, and treat them accordingly. People they think are their enemies may not be who they seem, and the people they are trying to help may be the ones they really should not trust. Meanwhile in the UK, Guy is trying to help them and falls in love with Gaby via her music, however their is a spy within that is trying to ruin it all. Written in a way that you can feel what it was like not to trust anyone, and live with nerves on a knife edge.

Rich in history, this novel tells the tale of three sisters who fight against the odds, with secrets flying to an unknown contact in London. Sometimes there are blurred lines between allies and enemies. A WWII novel that also describes the power of music. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s notes.
Many thanks to Harpercollins UK and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I had read one of the author's previous works, A Child for the Reich, and was deeply moved my the tale told. This time was no different as the author worked her magic yet again on a time that was harsh, a time that was cruel, a time that we look back on as a lesson learned and never to be repeated, and yet behold within this same time a modicum of hope and resilience worth fighting for.

This is the story about that fight. This is a story about family and what you'd do to protect them. This is a story about the evilness of mankind, yet also their ability to carry on in the darkest of nights. This is a story about putting it all on the line in the hopes of a better tomorrow, no matter how distant that new day may seem. Watching the sisters take their chances, waging their own little war against the danger that surrounds was captivating for all the right reasons, and inspiring for anyone hesitant to take a step towards what they fear in an effort to silence it.

A great pick for Historical Fiction fans, and a must read for your reading lists this year!

What a great rollercoaster of a read. I won't try to re-write the plot here as you can read that in the description. The Collard sisters lead a mundane sort of life until two big events; the occupation of France by German enemy forces and the arrival of a pigeon! I have always loved the stories about the messenger pigeons used during the wars. I have even been to Bletchley Park to see the museum room dedicated to them, so this book was a treat to read. Needless to say, the arrival of the pigeon message sends the sisters down a new adventure in life; one of danger and intrigue. They have to put their lives on the line, but in doing so, play a part in winning the war.

This is a very long but very interesting historical fiction. Another take on a war story and I must say a very interesting story it is. I enjoyed reading the story of the three Collard sisters and found them interesting, courageous and loyal. The things they did and the courage they had not knowing what would happen was amazing.

This is a book that will immerse you in a world you may never know and what an intriguing and interesting world it was. There is exciting, fear, history, courage and bravery all wrapped up in the pages of the is book. A story of survival and courage and how strong women are in times of struggle and fear. A wonderful read and I highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A good read .The story is set in occupied France and the three Cotillard sisters who run their late aunts shop are also trying to help the cause,and they put themselves in danger especially Gabriella who is summoned to give piano lessons to a young girl by a German officer. As the sisters try to keep their activities secret especially from their neighbour who they believe is watching them they find themselves getting more involved but eventually after lots of difficulties they get help from the British intelligence France is finally safe once again

A book that encompasses spies, the resistance, sisterly loyalty, beautiful music and so much more.
Centres mainly on the Cotillard sisters Gaby, Martine and Simone who run a sewing shop left by their aunt Blanche. The sisters all have their own personalities which come across beautifully in the story. I especially enjoyed Gaby’s story.
Meanwhile in London Guy Burton works in the war office, trying to persuade his boss Rex Smith that the Columba project is worthwhile, this involves the use of carrier pigeons. This was fascinating historical information show how useful animals could be in the war.
I loved the twist at the end .
This is my first read by this author, shall definitely try some more.

In this enthralling, immersive piece of historical fiction, Andie Newton brings the German occupation of France to life. Following three sisters Gabriella, Martine, and Simone as the Germans move into their town, readers discover that each sister has their own secrets, their own haunting pasts, and their own, often reluctant, ties to the French resistance. As the world changes around them, Gabriella is forced to work for a German officer, and the sisters have a German officer move in next door, all of which makes their efforts to resist the occupation much more challenging. Across the Channel, a secret British operative attempts to use the sisters’ messages to help the British war effort, but not everyone can be trusted, even in the British government and military agencies. Newton’s characters are the star of this novel, and the complex histories and relationships of the three sisters are particularly engaging and detailed. Gaby, as the main protagonist, has a particularly nuanced backstory, but Newton ensures that her sisters and the rest of the cast of characters have a comparable level of detail and complexity in their backstories. The charming town of Boulogne-sur-Mer is particularly detailed and complex, and Newton’s setting functions as a character itself, full of realistic, dynamic background characters.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love Historical Fiction, especially about WWII, and this one was perfect.

The Cotillard Sisters, Gaby, Martine and Simone, have fled to their aunt's house in Boulogne-sur-Mer after fleeing from Nazi soldiers looking for French Resistance in their apartment building. The sisters run a seamstress shop, trying to remain under the German's radar. They don't want any interaction that may have their neighbours thinking thy are collaborators with the German Forces. Sometimes those choices are no longer yours to make, but are forced upon you with dire consequences if not complied to. This is where Gaby found herself after Commandant Streicher shows up at her door ordering her to give piano lessons to his daughter. To refuse would bring danger to her sisters and so she must find a way to accomplish this and keep her sisters safe at the same time.
This becomes a difficult task when her sister Martine, finds a Homing pigeon dropped by the British and wants to use it against the Germans by sending important info back to the British. After some consideration Gaby decides to use her attendance at the Commandant's house to spy on him for any information that could help the British.

I loved everything about this story. I loved the relationships of the sisters and their different personalities. I loved the patriotism of the characters and their refusal to submit to the Nazis will. The idea of not everything being black and white, circumstances can be different than what the appearances suggest them to be. Survival is all that matters but your choices in accomplishing that goal can define you as weak or strong, selfish or altruistic.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for adventure, standing up for your beliefs and love.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The Cotillard sisters, Gaby, Martine and Simone, are trying to stay under the radar of the Nazis and survive the war. Gaby was a pianist and gave up her chance at romance to complete her musical work. Now she is hunted by a German officer to teach his stepdaughter how to play the piano, meanwhile she is also sending messages to England via pigeon...
The Secret Pianist is an historical novel set in France and England during WW2.
Having read several WW2 books recently, I did feel a little fatigued when I started this book. However, this was soon blown out of the water. I was quickly swept up in the village life as the sisters try to resist the Germans while also avoid detection. Neighbours spy on each other, ready to denounce for collaboration as well as resistance. The sisters are caught in the middle!
The book is written in the first person perspective of Gaby and the third person of Guy in London. Gaby doesn't know who to trust except her sisters but their actions have dangerous consequences. Guy is thrilled that his pigeon drop has been successful but is haunted by the sheet music it is written on. I kept my fingers crossed that the two main characters would meet up and have a happy ending together (no spoilers if they do or not!)
I thought the historical elements of the book were really well researched. The French community is divided between 'good' and 'bad', those staying true to their country and those interacting with the enemy. However, this is not at all straightforward and the judgement of others often falls far from the truth. Gaby is compelled to give lessons, accept a German officer as a neighbour, take German business; all of which mark her out as a collaborator but she has no choice and is trying to protect others.
The Secret Pianist is an emotional and engaging historical novel about the triumph of hope in the face of adversity.

During the Second World War, three Cotillard sisters were struggling to survive on their own in a small French village. Meanwhile, England was battling Germany by launching attacks and constantly planning at the War Office. Although The Secret Pianist could have been a typical romantic love story set during wartime, Andie Newton created a much more complex and emotional tale.

Newton's writing beautifully depicted the sisters' daily lives, conveying the fear, sacrifices, and courage they exhibited while still having to focus on basic things like finding food and work. The inclusion of the heroines' music in the story added an extra layer of depth, as it not only changed the course of the war but also had a profound impact on the characters' personal lives. The music was so vividly described that one could almost feel it.

As a fan of war stories, I appreciated the depth and complexity of The Secret Pianist. Unlike other stories that focus on the anger and hostility between people from enemy countries, this one delved deeper into the characters' inner lives and struggles.

Sorry for the late post my posting app didn't work

#booktour #rachelrandomresouces #thesercretpainsit

Excellent storytelling! I liked the urgency, secrecy, and danger found in every chapter because it kept me invested in the story and on the edge of my seat. I liked that it wasn’t gruesome, but still honest about terrible things that happened during World War II in France. I also loved that the characters were ordinary people with a strong will to survive. It made it easier to relate to. I was surprised to learn that this book is based on a true story about the Debaillie Family in Belgium! It was a story that stayed on my mind for several days after reading it. I enjoyed this book better than Child of the Reich which is also an excellent book! If you love reading WWII historical fiction, you will enjoy this book as well!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, and One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is a fast paced historical fiction in WWII
After three sisters Gaby, Simone and Martine leave Paris they find themselves with some important information which they decide hand over to the British.
What these sister went through to help was dangerous and scary. And the Rumors that spread about them and calling them Bad French they decided to fight back
I find these stories interesting and educational you learn what people have gone through and a lot were women during a period when women we not valued much.
Thank you netgalley

This review is part of the Secret Pianist Blog tour hosted by Rachel’s Random Resources.


The Secret Pianist by Andie Newton was a fast-paced historical fiction set in WWII France. Sisters Gaby, Martine, and Simone are living in Boulogne Sur de Mar, France as seamstresses, after fleeing Paris under mysterious circumstances. Soon a British messenger pigeon falls into their hands and they decide to keep it and use it to send intelligence to the Brits. The three sisters are close Gaby is a talented pianist who created music that made people sit up and take notice. She was studying in Paris before fleeing. Soon, Gaby, one of the sisters is forced to teach piano to the stepdaughter of one of the German Commandants and they are treated like the ‘bad French’ ones who collaborated with the Germans for their own benefit. The story is loosely based on real people, definitely read the author's notes about the inspiration of the story. It was an interesting character story in the way people behave and interact during trying times like this during the occupation of France. I learned new things about the time during WWII such as using carrier pigeons to pass along information, as well as the role of music, especially sheet music for sending coding messages. Also, the use of Radio Londres to send messages to agents out in the field. I can see how appealing that would be to give hope to those out in the field.

I recommend reading this story and I look forward to reading more by this author.


Thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter

The second world war is taking place and the three Cotillard sisters are trying to survive on their own in a little French village. At the other side of the Channel England is trying to defeat Germany by not only attacking the enemy, but by day and night planning at the War Office.
The secret pianist could have been a romantic love story set during the war, but Andie Newton created a story that was so much more.
The writing of the daily life of the sisters has been done so lively that you could feel the daily fear, sacrifices and courage surrounding them while they still had to go on with basic things like food, work....
And the idea of putting the music of The heroines in the story, to change the direction of not only the war but also the personal life of the characters, was so beautiful. Like you could feel the music.
I like in general stories set during one of the world wars, but this one was deeper and not only about the feeling of anger between people from enemy countries.

WWII is my favorite historical fiction genre. This story was inspired by a family who bravely did their part to fight the Germans even though they had no training or support. I enjoyed reading about this story. My favorite character was Lauren. She is the child Gaby teaches. Her mother has taken up with a German officer in order to survive. I loved Lauren because she reminds me that children were caught in this war and had ways to cause trouble and also be helpful. They were trying to survive like everyone else but didn’t understand what was happening. This is a great story to read if you enjoy reading about the resistance in France.

Anther great wartime story by Andi Newton. His characters take on a life of their own and are so easy to relate to. This story seemed so real and showed the courage of the ordinary French people when under the heel of the invading Germans. A lovely conclusion.

The three Cotillard sisters were forced back from Paris to Boulogne-sur-Mer, where they did their best not to be noticed as they ran their seamstress shop in a town under strict German control. The desperation and fatigue that Gaby felt at their situation under the Occupied forces came across clear and strong from the opening chapters. There was an air of sadness about her, having left her musical life behind in Paris, but as the sisters made plans to resist, she found a new strength and purpose to life, despite everything she had lost.

The role the pigeons played as messengers, drawing information not from trained agents, but ordinary residents, was an unusual and different take on other historical novels I’ve read set during this period. The risks were high, but the sister’s determination and courage to fight, while at every turn the Germans seemed to be closing in on them, made for compelling reading.

Gaby’s piano music was the catalyst and driving force in this book and the connections and communication she made through her music were powerful, even those that caused distress and trouble for the sisters. Shunned by their friends when they had little choice but to obey the demands the Germans made on them, brought to life the pressures and conflicts that tore communities apart during the Occupation.

As the sisters were dragged into more and more dangerous situations, the twists and turns and ‘oh no’ moments came thick and fast. There were many occasions when it seemed their time was up, only for someone or something to step in unexpectedly, and suddenly who they thought they could trust, changed track once again.

This book has a different take on the risks and challenges ordinary people took to survive, and is one for those of you who enjoy historical fiction set during the Occupation.

I loved Newton’s The Girl I Left Behind so was excited to pick up another book from her, but sadly the execution for this one fell flat. There’s all telling no showing which is a writing/narration style I hate. I’m just not intrigued enough to see if it gets better so DNFing after 55 pages. I’m sure many others will enjoy this book more than me