This is an account of families in northern Spain during the Spanish Civil War and WW2. Life is good until the government is overthrown. The alternating chapters follow different characters as they work to survive the trials of war.
The ending is particularly heart-warming and surprising. This is a great read for fans of historical fiction. I've spent a lot of time in Spain so was particularly interested in this novel and the account of Spaniards during these critical times in history.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Although I’ve read quite a lot of historical fiction, I have never read about the Spanish and French Basque regions and, shamefully, have never read about the Spanish Civil War. This book was cleverly and beautifully written but heartbreaking, the two main female characters a credit to women. The writing transported me there and I could picture the landscape and feel the cold. Displacement must be the most difficult situation to find yourself in and it saddens me that it still continues today, but to be displaced from the Civil War to then find yourself involved in WW2 must have taken all the strength you had. One sentence has stuck with me - ‘So much was taken, all for the greed and power-driven desires of men’. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for letting me read and review this book. 4.5 ⭐️

San Sebastian in Spain, 1936, and Abene, a fisherman's daughter, fled her home across the Pyrenees to the border of France, escaping Franco's cruelty, for the peaceful countryside of France. But when the Nazis invaded, circumstances changed and it wasn't long before Abene joined the resistance, ferrying injured young men, a lot of them pilots, through the countryside from one safe house to the next, where two others took over, escorting them across the Pyrenees. The danger was intense, and constant, but those of the resistance were determined. When Abene took an injured Canadian pilot across the mountains, it was the dead of winter, and a torturous journey...

Miren lived in San Sebastian with her parents after she'd returned home from the job she'd taken on. When she was forced to marry a cruel, arrogant man whom Miren feared, she spent the time she was away from him planning her escape. Miren was as different as chalk and cheese to Abene, but they had known each other years before and had formed a tentative friendship. What would happen to the two young women caught up in the horrors of war?

The Girl Who Crossed Mountains is an exceptional, emotional and heartbreaking read by Aussie author Lelita Baldock which I thoroughly enjoyed. The two main characters - Abene and Miren - were perfectly written, and told their stories well. Support characters - Eduardo, Camille, Juan, Pierre, Udane and Lourdes - and more, made up the wonderful cast. And the twist at the end shocked me (in a good way). I previously read and loved The Baker's Secret - I'll be reading all I can by this author! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

I read a lot of WW2 historical fiction. I thought I had an idea of what the story was about. Boy, was I wrong. I found myself riveted to a story that began with another war, a war I knew nothing about. I am ashamed to admit I had know ideal what the Basque people went through, what they endured. Grab the tissues you are going to need them.

When all felt hopeless, when all seemed lost Juan, Abene and their mothers escaped to France over the Pyrenees Mountains. They crawled over rocks. They slid in the soil. They traveled in darkness. When the rested they only had each other to keep warm. Their journey has just begun.

Get lost within the pages of The Girl Who Crossed Mountains. Experience the suffering, the hopes of those landing in France as they fled Spain. Learn of those that helped, those that couldn't just ignore what was happening. Experience friendships made of necessity.

Just when you think things are looking a little bit better, the Nazis invade. They fled Spain only to find themselves living in an occupied France. With every page I respected Abene more and more. She helped where she could. Her bravery jumps off the pages.

There are many stories within The Girl Who Crossed Mountains. You will be taken on many missions. You will experience the horrible treatment mitigated by Nazis. You will gain a new understanding of desperate times call for desperate measures. I lost count of the times I didn't see something coming. The story is filled with shocking twists. The biggest twist comes at the end. Holy Moly, I was left speechless.

I love historical fiction but this book wasn’t for me. I’m not sure whether it just wasn’t a day for reading. Will try again another time. Thanks

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

My Thoughts /

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Lelita Baldock, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for July 10, 2024.

Wow, Lelita Baldock, you got me good. I did not see that ending coming!

Thank you, Ms Baldock, for this was an interesting one. The main thread of our story takes place between 1936 and 1939, during the time of the Spanish Civil War; and out of all of the historical fiction books I've read, I don't think I've come across one which has this as the main background.

The Spanish Civil War was the bloodiest conflict western Europe had experienced since the end of World War I in 1918. It was the breeding ground for mass atrocities. The number of persons killed in the Spanish Civil War can be only roughly estimated. Nationalist forces put the figure at 1,000,000, including not only those killed in battle but also the victims of bombardment, execution, and assassination. More recent estimates have been closer to 500,000 or less. This does not include all those who died from malnutrition, starvation, and war-engendered disease. The fighting displaced millions of Spaniards. Some 500,000 refugees fled in 1939 to France, where many of them would be interned in camps. Approximately 15,000 Spanish Republicans ended up in Nazi concentration camps after 1940.

One of the most powerful influencers of this war was the General and Dictator, Francisco Franco, who ruled over Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975. Franco rose to power during the bloody Spanish Civil War when, with the help of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, his Nationalist forces overthrew the democratically elected Second Republic. Franco presided over a government that was basically a military dictatorship. Adopting the title of “El Caudillo” (The Leader), Franco persecuted political opponents, repressed the culture and language of Spain’s Basque and Catalan regions, censured the media and otherwise exerted absolute control over the country. Although Franco had visions of restoring Spanish grandeur after the Civil War, in reality: he was the leader of an exhausted country still divided internally and impoverished by a long and costly war.

Our story focuses on the lives of two incredibly different women, Abene Ortiz and Miren Perez. Their lives, although vastly different, had one commanding thing in common - to make a stand against injustice and tyranny in a war which was not of their making. Both women defied Franco's Nationalist forces and Hitler's Nazi troops and assisted fellow Basque and Jewish refugees, and allied soldiers to escape across the border into France. Make no mistake - if they were caught, they would be executed.

The author has structured her story in four main parts, and each part (time-period) is then broken down into smaller chapter bites, with each focussing on either Abene or Miren. Parts 1 and 2 of the book deal mainly with the Civil War and it's here where the author sets out the ground roots of her story. It's slow going and there's a lot of information. It's at this point where I was thinking 'what have I got myself into here!' and while I was not thinking of throwing in the towel, I was slightly regretting my NetGalley choices!!

BUT. Then came Parts 3 and 4 and I have to say...WOW. Neither hunger nor hurricanes could pull me away from this book now. My eyes devouring every word. I was spellbound. It's here the author's narrative shines. The author did a remarkable job with her descriptive prose, which so eloquently portrayed the remarkable courage and heartfelt compassion these heroines had in the face of overwhelming adversity. Abene's journey is particularly noteworthy, for she endured both physical and mental hardship in her resistance efforts. To help those wishing to flee, Abene and her charges had to undertake an arduous and dangerous journey across the Pyrenees and into France. I have so much respect for Abene, "The Girl Who Crossed Mountains".

The fatigue, the pain and the gut-wrenching fear Abene and Miren experienced oozed off the pages and made my heart cry. These were ordinary women, living ordinary lives; but were exercising extraordinary feats of bravery in a cruel war that was threatening their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

A deeply moving and inspirational story that is both historically accurate and emotionally profound, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates well-crafted historical fiction.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Storm Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

#TheGirlWhoCrossedMountains #NetGalley

Lelita Baldock's "The Girl Who Crossed Mountains" is a poignant and compelling tale set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Spanish Civil War and World War II. This historical women's fiction novel follows the courageous journey of Abene García, a fisherman's daughter from San Sebastian, who faces unimaginable challenges and makes heart-wrenching decisions in her quest for survival and justice.

The story begins in a serene yet evocative manner, with an elderly Abene accompanying her granddaughter, Laia, to the train station. They are there to meet Gilles, a former Canadian pilot whose life Abene saved during the war. This reunion stirs up a flood of memories for Abene, taking her—and the readers—back to the perilous times of her youth. This reflective opening not only sets the emotional tone of the novel but also hooks readers with its promise of a richly layered narrative.

As a young woman in 1936, Abene is confronted with a dire choice: stay in her beloved seaside home and risk the horrors of the escalating Spanish Civil War, or undertake the dangerous journey across the Pyrenees to France. Her decision to flee is just the beginning of her struggles. Safety in France proves to be short-lived with the Nazi invasion, and Abene's sense of justice drives her to join the resistance. Her knowledge of the mountain routes becomes invaluable as she helps establish escape pathways for Jewish refugees and Allied soldiers.

Baldock's narrative shines in its detailed depiction of Abene's harrowing experiences and the resilience she exhibits. The character of Abene is masterfully crafted—she is a symbol of strength, bravery, and unwavering moral fortitude. Her interactions with other resistance members, and the refugees she helps, are portrayed with emotional depth and authenticity, drawing readers deeply into her story.

The novel's historical setting is vividly brought to life through Baldock's meticulous research and descriptive prose. The reader can almost feel the icy winds of the Pyrenees, the tense atmosphere of the resistance meetings, and the oppressive fear of Nazi-occupied France. This attention to detail not only enhances the narrative's realism but also immerses the reader in the era's emotional and physical landscapes.

One of the most compelling aspects of "The Girl Who Crossed Mountains" is its exploration of the human spirit's capacity for courage and compassion in the face of overwhelming adversity. Abene's journey is not just a physical crossing of dangerous terrain but also a profound internal journey of self-discovery and resilience. Her story is interwoven with themes of sacrifice, love, and the enduring fight for justice, making it resonate deeply with fans of historical women's fiction.

In addition to its rich historical context and strong character development, the novel is also a testament to the power of memory and the lasting impact of past actions. The reunion between Abene and Gilles serves as a poignant reminder of the lives touched and saved through acts of bravery, and how those moments continue to echo through time.

"The Girl Who Crossed Mountains" is a deeply moving and inspirational story that will captivate readers from the first page to the last. Lelita Baldock has created a narrative that is both historically significant and emotionally resonant, making it a must-read for anyone who appreciates well-crafted historical fiction with strong, relatable heroines. Abene García's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope and courage in the darkest of times.

The Girl Who Crossed Mountains by Lelita Blalock is a dual timeline novel. Following the Spanish Civil War after many had escaped to neighboring France, WWII broke out. Even though Spain attempted to remain neutral, those who had fled the Franco regime could not return to Spain to escape the Nazi advances. Many groups attempted to aid allies and Jews to escape over the Pyrenees into Spain. The main character Abene is one who aided others. Her story is gut-wrenching, inspirational, tragic, and plot twisting.

Releases July 10th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When reading historical fiction about WWII, I have never read about the Basques Regions (Spain & France). This story is about the Spanish Civil War followed by WWII. This story is beautifully written. The characters suck you into their imaginary bodies and you will experience the emotions these young women feel. Their bravery is amazing and there were a lot of times I was holding my breath. The scene settings were written very well. This book just drags you in and doesn't let you go. A beautiful historical fiction that you must read if you like this genre.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for this ARC.

The story of Abene, a young woman who joins the resistance. Her safe house is discovered. It tells of her fight to help the people. A must read story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Beautiful story of the power love, survival, sacrifice and the invisible strings that pull us all together.

Miren is the daughter of a well to do hotelier while Abene is the daughter if a fisherman. They both live in the town of Donostia (San Sebastián), Spain When the Spanish Civil War comes each woman is faced their impossible choices they need to make in the name of survival. Abene and her family flee over the Pyrenees to France while Miren remains in Spain. Years later, WWII breaks out and Abene and Miren are brought together and their fates are forever changed,

This was an easy read for me. I’ve read about these “Lines” that helped downed airmen escape through Spain before but it was always thought the French/Dutch perspective so this was a nice change. The end felt a bit rushed to me but overall the story was good.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC.

This was a readable, engaging story that focused on Basque culture and how Basque people were treated between 1935 and 1945. I had hoped for more detail about the civil war and to use the novel for an opportunity for learning. There was as much of not more focus on ww2, however there was still much to take from this book, especially the power of love and devotion. This gave ordinary people to do things normally beyond their scope. There was plenty of self sacrifice to go with it making this a worthwhile read.

A slow start but then I was captivated and couldn’t put it down. The Spanish civil war breaks out followed by WW2. The main characters are too many to name but Adele Miren, Camille are the focus across the timeline. These women show such amazing courage and tenacity. A fantastic read and I can’t wait for more from this author. Thanks to Letitia and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley and Storm.

An amazing and heartrending story of two young women who lived through the Spanish Civil War and fought against Hitler’s Nazis for life and freedom.

This is the second book I have read by this author, and what a ripper it was! It starts during the Spanish Civil War and then goes into World War 2. I am constantly amazed by the resilience shown by people in those trying times, and wonder how well we soft 21 st century folk would cope. Beautifully drawn characters, especially Adele, Miren, Juan and Eduardo. And there is the secret that we know exists, but we are not sure who is telling Gilles what, and what actually the secret is until the very end. A wonderful story about bravery, duty, love and family in difficult circumstances and a true pleasure to read. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a chance to read and review this book.

This historic WWII novel tells the story of two courage women and their journey to navigate safety while helping a soldier. Personally I found that this book was a bit slow and overly descriptive in painting a backdrop. The beginning made it hard to want to finish, but the further you got the story became more riveting.

This book is a treasure. To the backdrop of impending war, franco taking charge and countries falling, there are strong men and women standing up and making their tiny corner of the world better. The details of the tale are beautiful, the blister than bursts and the stained nylons, the nightmares as a brother tosses and turns, and the ribs sticking out holding a body together on emaciated legs. These vignettes of life made the courage of those who stood up so much stronger, the snow was truly cold and the mountains pass steep and dangerous. I could almost smell the village life and feel the hot baths when they came. Even the sticky touch of blood on tree trunks and the unwelcome touch of a husband and a rosary need was made vivid. A touching book with two strong women driving their way in war time.

This was a good historical fiction book. I appreciate books that teach me something. I loved it! Publication day is soon and I recommend readers grab it.

This stellar novel from Letita Baldock grips you from the first page to the last. In fact, I was so shocked by the revelations at the end that I went back and reread the first third of the book to see if I had missed something. I hadn't...she's just that good a writer. Having read two of her other books, I thought I was prepared for the emotional turmoil that was sure to ensue but I wasn't...fair warning. The story is set in the Basque region of Spain during the Spanish Civil War and the Basque region of France where many Basque Spanish refugees found safety from Franco's brutality until Hitler invaded. We view both wars through the eyes of two very different young women, Abene and Miren, from San Sebastian as they try to survive with their humanity intact. I easily identified with them, especially Abene.

I love how this author writes so authentically of these women's experiences, allowing the reader to slip into their skin and feel their emotions. Indeed, at times I was so overwhelmed that I had to set the book aside for a while. Their pain, fear, and fatigue oozed off the pages and touched my soul. These women weren't trained resistance fighters, just regular young women living in extraordinary circumstances and trying to protect their families. I easily identified with them, especially Abene.

"So much was taken, all for the greed and power-driven desires of men. Franco in Spain, Hitler in France." Women and children are always the victims but never a consideration of war, considered expendable. Both of these women refused to let their loved ones be nothing more than collateral damage. They endure unspeakable violence to protect the children and provide a home, even as refugees. Abene and Miren are representative of all the women throughout history who are never written about in books, whose determination and bravery are the reason we've survived. This book enlightened me about the Basque people and their struggles for identity. It reminded me that women have never been part of the powers that choose war. Maybe if we were, history would be different, past and present. If you enjoy historical fiction with an intense storyline and unpredictable plot twists driven by unforgettable characters, don't miss this one. It's a treasure.

My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are entirely my own.