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.

A really good novel!!! I enjoyed reading about these women (and men also) who discovered their courage in face of danger. Whether they were strong or not to start with, they still found strength somewhere in their inner self. The excellent plot did not let down its intensity all through the novel. What I also particularly enjoyed in this WWII story is that it takes place in the Basque country, both in France and Spain. It made the novel even more interesting to read about Spanish history just before Franco's rise to power. A great novel!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.