I loved this historical story it was emotional and thought provoking. The courage during wartime was astonishing.. such a beautiful story. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Lebene risks her life in this ww2 story crossing the mountains to bring people to safety. A story of true resilience and bravery of all involved.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I found this story totally gripping. Abene a brave girl from San Sebastian escapes Basque Spain, during the Civil war., crossing the Pyranees to France. I knew only that Franco took over Spain prior to the 2nd World War, but not how how the French helped those escaping Spain. Such an interesting story, well researched and beautifully written. Lovely characters telling the story so well. Highly recommended book.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this incredible work about the spirit of bravery during war torn times.

The girl who crossed mountains


Love historical fiction especially women’s historical fiction. The Girl Who Crossed Mountains was a really interesting read as it covered not only WWII but the Spanish Civil War, which I had not read much about.
The strength and bravery of Abene as she leaves her hometown of San Sebastián . She escapes across the Pyrenees to France with her family only to be confronted with the Nazis entering France. She joins the resistance and with her knowledge of the mountains she guides and plans escape paths for refugees and allied soldiers. One Canadian pilot is too sick to travel alone so Abene must do the trip with him.
Years later the Canadian pilot who Abene helped returns to find her.
A emotionally charged story of survival, family ties, bravery and love.

When the Spanish Civil War threatens her family, Abene crosses the Pyrenees into France. Well-to-do Miren leaves the comfort of her father’s hotel in San Sebastian to follow her lover. When he abandons her, she is interrogated by General Hernandez before fleeing back to her hometown. In France, Abene adopts a young orphan named Eduardo, a boy who has stolen her heart.

There is much more to this story, however I do not want to give away the plot points. The book description talks about a downed allied pilot, but that is just scratching the surface. I thought both Abene and Miren were well developed and sympathetic characters. The secondary characters seemed a bit stereotypical. The plot moved at a nice pace, keeping me interested throughout the story. Overall, 4 out of 5 stars.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Lelita Babcock for the advanced reader copy of the book. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

I've been reading a lot of historical fiction as of late, so I thought I was immune from the tugging-at-the-heartstrings emotion that some of them evoke. Reading The Girl Who Crossed Mountains proved that to be wrong. For the last few chapters of the book, I was bawling my eyes out.

Beginning in 1936, the story is set in San Sebastian, Spain. The Spanish Civil War is playing out around the residents of the town. Abene is a fisherman's daughter who lives in the poorer outskirts of the town with her family and close friends. Miren is the daughter of a wealthy hotelier. They meet at one point and then are apart for the majority of the story. When the Civil War comes to town, Abene flees with her mother and a close friend over the mountains to the Basque region of France. Miren helps people escape the Nationalists through her job in the local government. Her boss and lover, Anders, flits in and out of her life, making a lot of promises he never follows through on.

With Hitler making noise in Germany, France was not a safe haven either, but the refugees did not know what was coming. Abene makes close friends in France. As the funding dries up for the refugee centers and the refugees themselves, she takes sanctuary with one of them, Camille, at the small farm Camille's father owns. Feeling she must do something to help out in the war, Abene is soon part of a network that helps get Allied soldiers and others across the Pyrenees Mountains to freedom.

I've read other books where this network helped soldiers behind enemy lines, but I never realized there was still so much danger once they were out of Nazi-controlled territory. There are many details here about life under Franco's rule in Spain that I hadn't realized before. Franco was playing both sides in the war, and, if discovered, the Spanish authorities often turned these Allied soldiers and others over to the Nazis.

This story didn't grab me initially, but once I was a way into the book, I couldn't put it down. The characters are well-written and rich with detail. I felt like I was reading a story about people I knew. One of the soldiers Abene saves has come back to Spain in the 1980s, and it flashes back and forth between that time and that of the War. Details are revealed a little at a time, so there is no knowing what the ending will be. When I arrived at that part of the story, the tears were falling. I could root for what I wanted to happen, and what the earlier part of the book seemed to indicate, but the author had other ideas. It's handled very well and makes the story all the more gripping.

Overall, the tone of the book is about home, though, and how we define it. I can get behind the author's message that home is not a place but a people. It is also not necessarily defined by blood. It's a good message to people in this day and age where we seem so closed up with people as we sit in our homes and stare at screens, thinking that social media represents the real world. The Girl Who Crossed Mountains harkens back to a time when people helped each other out, rather than shut down and decided it was none of their business. Sure, that still happened, but there seemed to be much more light to contrast the darkness in the world.

I loved The Girl Who Crossed Mountains and recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction or just a good tear-jerker. It will tug at your emotions but in a good way.

Abene makes the decision to escape Franco's Spain and travel the mountains into France. Her safety depends on her making this dangerous trip. Joining the French resistance, she shepherds Allied soldiers to safety through the Pyrenees. Well written historical fiction.

A heart-wrenching WW2 tale about a brave Basque woman, the lives she impacted, and the true meaning of family and home. Set alternately in San Sebastián, Spain and a French farm, this story follows Abene as she escapes Spain in the midst of civil war into France and documents her life there. After becoming involved in resistance work, her life is forever changed. The story is told from 2 alternating early-timeline narrators, as well as a third unnamed current-day (the 80s) narrator. To whom this voice belongs is not revealed until the very end.

It is worth mentioning that the story takes place over a number of years, and in order to fit everything into the timeline, great chunks of details are not given (example—there are 2 journeys through the Pyrenees mountains that start and end but offer no details of the treks). I find this quite odd and abrupt in some places, but understand the need to cover the time.

Thanks for the ARC NetGalley!

The book deals with the Spanish Civil War and World War II. It is especially focused on the role of women in Spain and France during the Spanish Civil War and on their activities in France during World War II. The story develops by describing the life of a Spanish family and, afterward, with the description of French and Spanish people's activities during World War II. It is a story of overcoming, love and survival.

This book is a dual timeline it is based at the start on the Spanish War and then when the outbreak of World War 2.

This book is about two strong woman Abene and Miren who are both Spanish. Abene ends up leaving Spain to go to France to escape the Spanish War she ends up on a farm with her Mother and also her best friend’s Mother helping the farmer. Miren stays in Spain but she has to do what her parents say. Abene helps the resistance with taking soldiers or Jews to escape to Spain.

The book has everything romance, heartache and also has a twist in it.

It was well written and the research that went into it was amazing.

Such a beautiful story set in 1930s/WWII Spain. The two female characters were really developed and I cared about them to keep turning the pages and find out what happened to them. I liked how they were both Spanish as often these books have a British female protagonist who has found themselves along way from home. It felt far more poignant having the two women having to evacuate their beloved homes.

The Girl Who Crossed Mountains is a dual timeline story, set in the time after the Spanish War, when many people were fleeing to France when WWII started. This book focuses on a young woman named Abene, who decides to join the resistance and all the things she faced once her safe house was found. She not only struggled to help herself stay safe, but also made it her mission to help other people.

This is the first book that I have read that revolved around the Spanish War, I mostly read historical fictions based around the Holocaust, but I am so glad that I read this book. This is one of those books that you won't be able to stop thinking about or forget about for a long time. I hate to admit this, but when I started reading this book I had no clue about the Spanish war and what the people had to endure. Since reading this book, I have researched more on this war and was left speechless after finding out how humans can treat other humans and still be able to sleep at night.

Get lost in the pages of this book, but make sure you bring a box of tissues with you, you will for sure need them! Also, make sure you have everything you need to be brought on multiple stories. This book will bring you on an adventure you didn't know you needed. This story is filled with a bunch of twists and turns that you won't see coming, but be ready because the biggest shock is at the end of the book.

I will recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction, even those who are not. I think this is a book that everyone will enjoy. I see this being a #1 seller for the author!

The Girl Who Crossed Mountains was my introduction to author Lelita Baldock. This wasn't just a novel of World War II, but also encompassed the Spanish Civil War. The story ran a little too long for me, but I'm glad I was determined to finish it. It was worth it when I got close to the end and I was sobbing...and shocked! Yes, I will.definitely be reading more books by Ms. Baldock.

In San Sebastián, Basque region of Spain in 1936, Abene García, a fisherman's daughter, must make a difficult decision. The Spanish Civil War is raging; will she risk dying in her seaside homeland, or should she leave her home and make the dangerous journey across the Pyrenees to the border of France? She chooses France, but that safety doesn't last long, as Nazis soon enter the country. She can't stay on the sidelines when innocent Jews and others desperately need help, especially when she knows a way to escape. She knows the mountains, so she joins the Resistance network and helps set up an escape route across them. When the safe house is discovered and Abene discovers a severely injured Canadian pilot who is too hurt to journey on his own, she knows what she must do: Help him cross the mountains and return to the home she left years before, where many dangers still abound.

The novel opens in 1981 in San Sebastián, where the horrible acts of the Spanish Civil War were causing death and destruction in 1936. Our narrator is meeting with Gilles, the Canadian pilot who escaped France over the mountains. The 1981 interludes appear throughout the story. The main story of our characters' lives begins as the the Spanish Civil War, led by Franco, is tearing the country apart. I must admit I don't remember much of that war from my school history classes, and I'm embarrassed about that. Most of my knowledge comes from reading about Pablo Picasso's painting "Guernica" which depicts the bombing of that town in the Basque Country in northern Spain by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy at the request of the Spanish Nationalists. Abene, her family and Miren Perez, a young woman to whom Abene once did a kindness, accompanied children on boats to the safety of France. Some, like Miren, returned to Spain, but Abene, family and friends decided to stay. The book has chapters about Abene's life in the Basque region of France, her fights for the innocent, her struggle to help soldiers and airmen escape France and her love of family and friends. She was an incredibly kind young woman with a huge heart. Abene fell in love with little Eduardo, one of the children she helped ferry to safety and became his mother. She also fell for injured pilot Gilles, and their parting broke my heart. I was quite surprised that many chapters were told about Miren's experiences, as there was no mention of her in the synopsis. She was the daughter of a well-to-do hotelier and his wife. In Spain she worked for a politician - Anders - who was trying to save Spain. He was married, yet they were engaged. When she returned to Spain from France, she was still helping him; when the situation became dangerous for him, Anders went into hiding to continue his work, leaving Miren behind. That put her in the sights of Hernandez, one of Franco's men, a hard, brutal and abusive man. Her father forced her to marry him; when she could take no more, she spotted Abene and approached her for help. I didn't care for the relationship between Mirel and Anders. She thought of theirs as a true romance. However, though he was helping his people, I saw him as a man using a young woman for his work. There was much excitement in this story, but at times it seemed to run on too long. When I was getting close to the end, two secrets totally threw me! I really didn't see either coming. Now one of them may not have been a secret to other readers - the narrator - but it was to me. I spent a lot of time sobbing. I will definitely read more work by Lelita Baldock.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The Girl Who Crossed Mountains is another stunning literary masterpiece by Lelita Baldock, steeped in historical substance, that took my heart by storm! The emotions I felt while reading this story kept me on the edge of my seat as the tension mounted! I was choked on many occasions as I kept turning the pages with one hand and holding the tissues with my other. I felt so much love and appreciation for these characters who suffered deep anguish in losing their freedom and loved ones. War is gut wrenching for soldiers at any time but the innocent civilians caught in its net, trapped by its rules and restrictions, becomes soul destroying for many. Not to mention the immense heartbreak that follows such dire events. The author brings home with vivid detail the struggles these people faced, along with the heroism they exhibited. Those who fought back and tried to push on to survive in mind blowing conditions include both the members of the resistance and average residents who helped wherever they could. I felt I was there in the midst of the storms and trials, feeling the freezing temperatures and holding trembling and injured bodies. I believe The Girl Who Crossed Mountains gives us a true glimpse of the suffering these people in the past really experienced. The author handles it all with great respect and sensitivity through characters like Miren, Abene and others.

The drumbeat of war beats loud. And Abene, a fisherman’s daughter in Spain, must flee from her home and cross the treacherous Pyrenees to get to France for safety. She joins the resistance and participates in life-threatening activities. Reading about these dangerous missions often made my heart thump very loud! But she is not afraid and performs great acts of bravery: one of which is taking an injured Canadian soldier across the mountains in the dead of winter. It is a brutal journey but she is determined to get him to safety. I admired her resilience and dedication but also felt sadness for the little boy (Eduardo) left in her care. She makes great sacrifices in leaving him behind but kind friends agree to care for him if she does not return. It was a heartbreaking scene when they parted. For she is his world and Abene loves him with her whole heart, too. But her desire to help those who need assistance by working with those in the resistance, cannot be denied.

Miren who lives in San Sabastian, Spain, is forced to marry a rough, cruel and arrogant man Hernandez that her parents think will keep her safe during war. But this is far from the truth. And her heart belongs to another. A man named Anders. We are given some very touching scenes between this couple, so it is painful watching them being torn apart by circumstances and his missions. Anders is involved in the war on the resistance side. So, he is away often while she tries to juggle her life with her husband. Until she can bear it no more. When she gets an opportunity to plan an escape from her husband, she does. When Miren’s path crosses with childhood friend Abene, her life takes on an interesting direction with lots of on-the edge-of-your-seat moments!

The novel is told from these two women’s viewpoints. Both from the same city in Spain and how they (and other supporting characters) deal with the effects of the Spanish Civil War and then Hitler. There is so much one could say about this novel but I think it is best to just read it. There are many twists and turns that will grip your heart fiercely. This is an amazing stellar story that shines with courage, love, determination and heroism of the highest order. The Girl Who Crossed Mountains is breathtaking and unforgettable! A Must-Read 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for a review copy.

What another amazing book from Lelita!

I absolutely love this author and this book didn’t disappoint! An emotional read but one that you just can’t put down.

Once again, Lelita Baldock has crafted a wonderful tale of resilience, loss and loyalty based on one of WWII’s less familiar aspects. Heart-rending and beautiful writing with such emotional depth, it’s impossible not to be gripped by Abene and Miren’s story. I raced through, swept along in eagerness to know what would happen next and stunned by the twists and turns of this superbly crafted book. It offered tragedy and hope, complex and fascinating characters, gorgeous descriptions and a real sense of time and place.
The Girl Who Crossed Mountains gets an unhesitating five stars from me, and is my favourite read of 2024 so far. If you enjoy top notch historical fiction, this is a must-read. I’ll be at the head of the queue for Ms Baldock’s next book.

Wow! Historical fiction, especially WWII, is my favorite genre. Having loved Lelilta’s first book, "The Baker’s Secret," I was thrilled to find this read equally engaging.

“The Girl Who Crossed Mountains” is an emotional and gripping story set against the Spanish Civil War and WWII in the Basque regions of Spain and France. It follows Abene, a courageous fisherman's daughter, and Miren, a resilient hotelier's daughter, as they navigate war-torn lands.

The first half of the book beautifully sets up their backgrounds. I made a character chart to keep track of everyone, which was helpful. The chapters, marked by character and timeline, seamlessly built the story’s tension. By parts 3 and 4, I was hooked and couldn't put it down.

One of the highlights was the surprise ending—I never saw it coming!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with strong, dynamic characters. I can't wait to read more from this author!

Publication Date: July 10, 2024

My thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this eARC.

The Girl Who Crossed Mountains by Lelita Baldock

The Girl Who Crossed Mountains by Lelita Baldock is a riveting historical novel that captures the courage and resilience of Abene García, a fisherman's daughter thrust into the heart of the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent Nazi occupation. The story begins in 1936, San Sebastian, where Abene is faced with a harrowing decision: to stay amidst the escalating conflict or to flee across the perilous Pyrenees to France. The journey is fraught with danger, but the safety Abene finds on the other side is short-lived as the Nazi occupation begins.

Baldock masterfully paints a vivid picture of Abene’s struggle, not just to survive but to resist and fight back. Abene's evolution from a young girl seeking refuge to a determined resistance fighter is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Her involvement in the resistance, helping Jewish refugees escape across the mountains, showcases her bravery and unwavering spirit. The narrative is tense and gripping, especially when a safe house is compromised, leading to a harrowing mission to save a lone Canadian pilot.

The novel is beautifully written, with Baldock’s prose capturing the stark, rugged beauty of the Pyrenees and the perilous paths that Abene must navigate. The historical context is richly detailed, immersing readers in the era's fears and uncertainties. The book also delves into the emotional and psychological toll of war, highlighting Abene’s inner strength and the bonds of family and love that drive her.

Fans of Kristin Hannah, Kelly Rimmer, and Fiona Valpy will find The Girl Who Crossed Mountains an extraordinary tale of survival and resilience. It’s a testament to the human spirit's capacity to endure and fight against overwhelming odds. The characters are deeply relatable, and Abene’s journey is both inspiring and profoundly moving. Baldock’s storytelling is compelling, making it difficult to put the book down as Abene’s journey unfolds.

Advance praise for the book is well-deserved, as Baldock has crafted a story that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, capturing the essence of human endurance and the power of love. The Girl Who Crossed Mountains is not just a story of survival but a tribute to the indomitable spirit of those who fought against tyranny and oppression during one of history's darkest times.

Overall, The Girl Who Crossed Mountains is a must-read for historical fiction enthusiasts. It is a poignant, beautifully told story that will stay with readers long after they turn the last page. Baldock has delivered an unforgettable tale of bravery, sacrifice, and hope.

A story of two women struggling to survive both the Spanish civil war and WW 2. Characters are very different one privileged and naive and one working class and brave. While their stories have a few overlaps it is only at the end they come together. Hard to imagine the hardships they faced for years. In the end this is a story of love and the families we create