What a great place to hide anything to do with the French Resistance.

No one, including the Germans, can resist a bakery and especially Coralie's scrumptious pastries.

We follow Coralie from 1943 Paris where she owns a patisserie, but also does resistance work to present day in San Francisco where we meet her granddaughter, Raven, she never knew.

Raven is determined to find out about her grandmother's life during the war and especially when she finds a worn cookbook with notes and a photograph inside that makes her think her grandmother fell in love with a Nazi.

Raven is afraid to ask too much because she is enjoying staying with her grandmother.

THE RESISTANCE BAKERY is a heartbreaking, but also uplifting read with such delicious food your mouth will be watering.

If you have read Ms. Curham's books, you know you will be in for a marvelous read. If you haven't read her books, this will be a perfect one to start with.

So “treat” yourself to a lovely read you won't be able to put down or forget and one that has a great main character.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

“In a world ruled by hatred and fear, happiness is an act of rebellion.”

Author Siobhan Curham takes readers on a culinary journey through time and into the wartime kitchen, showing us what cooking and baking were like during a crisis.

She brings the German occupation of Paris and the resistance movement to life with a story about a courageous patisserie owner who takes her future into her own hands.

Mademoiselle Coralie Donnadieu is one character I’d love to meet! She has every reason to accept defeat but chooses to be a happiness rebel instead. When the Abwehr (German Intelligence Service) takes over her workplace and makes it their headquarters, Coralie makes a concerted effort to save her future by befriending the enemy.

“Other people can only make you feel small if you let them.”

I loved that she stirred an intention into the mixture and loved the history behind Raven’s mom’s name. I learned about ‘eintopfsonntag’ and ‘vollkornbrot’ and many ways that both countries made adjustments to recipes to survive.

We always have a choice. Thanks for the reminder to pivot and adjust our attitude.

The well-executed dual timeline added to the mystery and propelled the story. The vivid descriptions of food were fantastic and the forbidden romance and spying added to the tension.

Curham writes fantastic wartime fiction. It’d be a shame to miss out on this 5-star story.

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

The Resistance Bakery
By: Siobhan Curham
Pub date: September 24, 2024
Publisher: Bookouture

Paris, 1943

A beautiful dual timeline.
I loved the idea of a bakery helping with the resistance. Coralie bakes in the early hours and works tirelessly with the resistance.
Current day
Raven is sent to her grandmothers across the country. Raven does not know her well, and is not thrilled with the idea. Her grandmothers is French and what Raven will discover about her grandmothers past will bring them closer than she ever thought.
This novel is such a wonderful treat which ties the past with the present and gives you hope. I find it fascinating to discover more about our families past and the ties that bind you.

Wow. This book is one I will remember for some time. It is a gripping story of friendships, secrets, betrayal, love, resilience and hope told thru thrilling scenes of spying and the German occupation of Paris in the 1940s and present day (1984) San Francisco,

Without giving spoilers, It is a beautifully told story with memorable characters. I loved Coralie’s relationship with Madam Monteaux. I could sense the fear of the occupation, but loved the bright and happy moments with her.

I also loved the scenes with Coralie and Reinhardt. Every knock on the patisserie’s door I wanted to be his. I wanted to try every cake and pastry created. I wanted to believe Reinhardt was who he appeared to be.

As expected with any WWII stories, there are sad moments. I admit, I choked up in one section. I will say, that it is not overbearing and this is beautiful, even happy story. I loved every moment.

This is the first time reading anything by this author and I am hooked. I will go back and read her earlier works. She is a favorite of mine now.