1944, Germany. Louise struggles down from the cattle car, stumbling on the platform as guards shout harsh threats to keep moving. Blinking at the rows of terrified women, hope drains from her heart as her sister’s warnings ring in her ears…

Seven months earlier, Paris. Louise Beaufoy ushers the American airforcemen down to her basement, heart racing and ears pricked. Will this group finally be the one that gets her caught? Smuggling allied soldiers out of occupied Paris is the only way she can find to repay the men who’ve done so much for her country—no matter how furious her sister Marie is at the risk she’s taken with their lives…

Paris is filled with vengeful German spies and Marie pleads for her to stop. But then Louise’s gaze meets the beautiful blue eyes of handsome William… As the time she must hide the men increases, Louise can’t resist getting to know him, sharing stories of their lives over candlelight, fingers brushing and her heart unfurling. The thought of letting him go becomes more heart-breaking with every passing day, even as she knows her deepening feelings are dangerous…

But when Louise is presented with a terrible decision that will plunge both her and William’s lives into jeopardy, will she be ruled by her heart or her head? And will her choice keep the love of her life safe, even as it leads her to the darkest place she’s ever faced—or will they both suffer for the sake of one last mission…?

A heart-wrenching, emotional and inspiring World War Two page-turner about sacrifice in the name of love, and the power of hope in the darkest of places. Fans of The Nightingale, The Midwife of Auschwitz and The Choice won’t be able to put this down.

What readers are saying about S.E. Rutledge:

“PHENOMENAL… WARNING: Tissues required!… Brilliant!… Broke me over and over again. I cried, no l sobbed, reading every page… Powerful, emotional, heartbreaking.” coffeeandpages2021, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Deserves far beyond 5 stars… The true definition of unputdownable… Kept me up into the late hours… Flawless, and utterly captivating… Will pull at your heartstrings, use up an enormous amount of tissues… Beautiful.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Phenomenal… Wasn’t a page that didn’t leave a tear falling down my cheek. Broke my heart then put it back together again… Unputdownable… Wonderful… Keep your Kleenex box close… One of the best books I have ever read… A ten-star rating wouldn’t be enough.” Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I have no words to describe everything that this book made me feel… Tore my heart apart… Incredible… Truly compelling and unputdownable… Emotional… Unforgettable. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.” rose.reads_, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I have been through an emotional wringer… A tearjerker!… Completely absorbed from the first page… My heart was in my throat.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Oh my heart!… Amazing… Heartbreaking… Brilliant… I couldn’t stop turning the pages… Perfect… Beautiful… Will have you in so many tears!” The Strawberry Post, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I loved this book!!! I couldn’t stop reading… So engaging! My heart broke.” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Wow… I absolutely loved it… Heartbreaking… I couldn’t put this book down… An emotional rollercoaster… Powerful… Just brilliant.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐