The Secrets We Left Behind
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- Create Date：2021-05-08 12:31:40
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Soraya M. Lane
- ISBN：1713572885
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Reviews
Harleigh
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Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review I'm so happy I read this。 I typically don't pick up Historical Fiction very often， but this book hooked me from the very first page。 It was so easy to become invested in the lives of these characters as they were trying to survive the horrors of the war that it just leaves you hoping with them at every turn。 Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review I'm so happy I read this。 I typically don't pick up Historical Fiction very often， but this book hooked me from the very first page。 It was so easy to become invested in the lives of these characters as they were trying to survive the horrors of the war that it just leaves you hoping with them at every turn。 。。。more
Penny Cook
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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read a complimentary copy of this book。 Opinions are completely my own。 This is a wonderful story about what women， doctors， nurses， orderlies and homeowners did during the war。 It was kind of like behind the scenes during the war。 It is about two sisters helping total strangers during this horrible scary time。 I like the characters and the story line。
Lorrie
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I've read several books from this author and could not wait for this release。 So much so that when an opportunity arose to get an ARC， I jumped on it。 I love historical romance and never tire of the WWII stories and this author never disappoints。 If you haven't read her other work， I would highly recommend: "The Last Correspondent" and "Hearts of Resistance"。 Two stories that I'll carry in my memory for a long time to come just as this story will。From the very beginning， each page-turn takes you I've read several books from this author and could not wait for this release。 So much so that when an opportunity arose to get an ARC， I jumped on it。 I love historical romance and never tire of the WWII stories and this author never disappoints。 If you haven't read her other work， I would highly recommend: "The Last Correspondent" and "Hearts of Resistance"。 Two stories that I'll carry in my memory for a long time to come just as this story will。From the very beginning， each page-turn takes you back to 1940 when the Germans were occupying France。 The British got involved and were driven back by the Germans leaving nurses and doctors drawing straws to see who would stay behind to care for the non-walking patients while everyone else evacuated。 That in itself， I found heart-wrenching but the story was only getting started。I never give spoilers so I won't go into any details， just know that each character will win a place in your heart and maybe one。。。。not so much。 Anytime I was reading about Wolfgang， I pictured the blonde in "Sound of Music" that met the 16 year old in the gazebo。 This author gives you an up-close and personal view of what a war-torn French town was like during its occupation。 I can't count how many times my heart was thumping against my chest。 The horror of having so little food， so little hope， and trying to survive one day at a time。 I think my daughter described it best when she was lucky enough to read this book first。 Just as she finished it， she came out in the living room and flopped down on the loveseat。 Her eyes were glassed over from hours of reading and she says， "You know it's a really good book when you look up and have to blink yourself back to reality。" I think that describes it better than I could。 Buy the book， you won't be disappointed。 。。。more
Wytzia Raspe
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New novel set against the backdrop of Dunkirk and the massacre at Le Paradis: The secrets we left behind by Soraya M。 LaneA British nurse gets stranded at the evacuation from Dunkirk and two French girls witness the Massacre at Le Paradis。 Will they be able to survive？ Will their male friends？It is pleasantly written novel。 The trouble is I was aware of the real historical facts around Le Paradis and that threw me off the storyline。 That also brings me to the only flaw I saw in this story: The G New novel set against the backdrop of Dunkirk and the massacre at Le Paradis: The secrets we left behind by Soraya M。 LaneA British nurse gets stranded at the evacuation from Dunkirk and two French girls witness the Massacre at Le Paradis。 Will they be able to survive？ Will their male friends？It is pleasantly written novel。 The trouble is I was aware of the real historical facts around Le Paradis and that threw me off the storyline。 That also brings me to the only flaw I saw in this story: The Germans are pictured as all beast。 While the massacre was seen even by fellow SS officers and regular army （remember it is at the beginning of the war so souls are not iced over yet） as a terrible crime and the perpetrator is challenged to duels and threatened to a court marshal。 To stick to the historical facts would have made the story more layered。This title will be released on May 20， 2021。http://www。dutchysbookreviewsandfreeb。。。 PS I do not get the title。4 stars out of 5 。。。more
Dona Bee
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I enjoy nothing more than a historical fiction book based on real facts that makes you feel as though you are a character in the room where the action is taking place and this novel does just that。 Soraya M。 Lane takes it even further and has you feeling the pain， both emotional and physical， that Cate， Adelaide， Elise， Peter and Harry are experiencing。 I didn"t want it to end！！Thanks to NG for allowing me to review this ARC！ I enjoy nothing more than a historical fiction book based on real facts that makes you feel as though you are a character in the room where the action is taking place and this novel does just that。 Soraya M。 Lane takes it even further and has you feeling the pain， both emotional and physical， that Cate， Adelaide， Elise， Peter and Harry are experiencing。 I didn"t want it to end！！Thanks to NG for allowing me to review this ARC！ 。。。more
Madeline Martin
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The Secrets We Left Behind is a gripping story that brings to life the horrors endured in France during WWII while also highlighting the sacrifice and love of strong women。 Soraya M。 Lane’s exquisitely told tale of perseverance will hold your heart in this beautifully written and highly captivating read。
Alison
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A heartbreakingly beautiful tale of bravery and friendship。 Of facing the trauma of war and choosing to do the right thing， even when it could cost you everything。 The cast of strong women quickly makes their way into your heart， and as their story unfolds， it will have you holding your breath。 Soraya M。 Lane has crafted a luminous work that will stay in readers’ minds and hearts long after the last page。
Lori
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This is a breathtaking and heartbreaking story set during the second world war。 The British troops in France are being evacuated because the Germans are overwhelming。 Two French sisters are living alone after tragic losses。 Three injured British soldiers and a British nurse show up at their house looking for a safe place to hide。 The German military is all around them and the sisters have to decide if they are willing to help the soldiers and nurse。 If they help， they risk their own lives。 If th This is a breathtaking and heartbreaking story set during the second world war。 The British troops in France are being evacuated because the Germans are overwhelming。 Two French sisters are living alone after tragic losses。 Three injured British soldiers and a British nurse show up at their house looking for a safe place to hide。 The German military is all around them and the sisters have to decide if they are willing to help the soldiers and nurse。 If they help， they risk their own lives。 If they turn them away， they could be sending the visitors to their deaths。 This is a powerful story of desperation， love， loss， hope， family and the sacrifices they were willing to make。 This is a mesmerizing story that is based on some historical facts。 The characters will capture your heart and break it a few times along the way。 I highly recommend this book。 。。。more
Peggy Lampman
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Imagine having your future determined by a lucky––or unlucky––draw of a straw。 Cate， a British nurse， finds herself in the unlucky camp and makes a daring decision trading one desperate situation for another––a patient， in tow。 So begins THE SECRETS WE LEFT BEHIND， which kept me turning the pages until the satisfying conclusion。 The era of WW11 is rife with fodder for talented storytellers， and it’s refreshing to read such a gripping tale told from three courageous women’s perspective。 A story o Imagine having your future determined by a lucky––or unlucky––draw of a straw。 Cate， a British nurse， finds herself in the unlucky camp and makes a daring decision trading one desperate situation for another––a patient， in tow。 So begins THE SECRETS WE LEFT BEHIND， which kept me turning the pages until the satisfying conclusion。 The era of WW11 is rife with fodder for talented storytellers， and it’s refreshing to read such a gripping tale told from three courageous women’s perspective。 A story of trust， friendship and love tested under the most frightening of circumstances––a page-turner， start to finish！ 。。。more
booklover BEV
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The moment I picked up this book I was hooked。 1939 Dunkirk France。 Cate and Lilly what lies ahead for these two nurses， best friends and nearly sister's in law's Cate misses Charlie her fiancé but both girls are kept so busy tending the soldiers， as the Germans fly overhead and WW2 is declared they only are meant to spend a few months in Dunkirk then be shipped back home to England。 Elise and Adelaide French sister's witness so much heartache as they fight to survive。 You really must read on， o The moment I picked up this book I was hooked。 1939 Dunkirk France。 Cate and Lilly what lies ahead for these two nurses， best friends and nearly sister's in law's Cate misses Charlie her fiancé but both girls are kept so busy tending the soldiers， as the Germans fly overhead and WW2 is declared they only are meant to spend a few months in Dunkirk then be shipped back home to England。 Elise and Adelaide French sister's witness so much heartache as they fight to survive。 You really must read on， oh gosh harrowing accounts all the way through this book， a unique story that secrets were definitely left behind。 I loved it 。。。more
Tina
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A powerful， and very emotional story of survival during World War IIThis is my first book by this author and I was blown away by her writing！ She wrote this novel during Covid19 lockdown in New Zealand。 Wow， something wonderful that has come out of lockdown！This is basically the story of three very strong women。 One is a British nurse who together with a wounded soldier are left behind in Dunkirk and must find their way to freedom。 The other is a French woman who lives with her younger sister in A powerful， and very emotional story of survival during World War IIThis is my first book by this author and I was blown away by her writing！ She wrote this novel during Covid19 lockdown in New Zealand。 Wow， something wonderful that has come out of lockdown！This is basically the story of three very strong women。 One is a British nurse who together with a wounded soldier are left behind in Dunkirk and must find their way to freedom。 The other is a French woman who lives with her younger sister in a small village in France。 They witness a massacre of British soldiers right in front of their house。 They risk their lives helping two surviving soldiers。 The stories of these three women come together。I could not stop turning the pages fast enough。 I was that captivated with the story。 This is hands down my favourite （so far） Historical Fiction book that I've read this year。 A moving and compelling story that made me cry。I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK， and Lake Union Publishing for kindly granting me access to this Advance Reader Copy。 。。。more
Shanna
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Oh my heart， I LOVED this historical fiction novel so much！ The characters are so deeply developed and will make you fall in love with every single one of them。 My first book by Soraya M。 Lane， but will definitely not be my last。 LOVED and highly recommend！Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review。
Leslie M。
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I love this genre。 And this is a compelling， beautifully written novel。 it's both inspiring and heartbreaking， as is common with books in this genre。 I like that the story is told from multiple points of view。 The characters were easy to connect to。 There was a lot of action， as well as suspense， to keep me engaged。 This is based on factual events in Dunkirk in World War II。 The women are strong and compassionate， and the story quickly pulls the reader in。 It's an emotional read overall。 If you' I love this genre。 And this is a compelling， beautifully written novel。 it's both inspiring and heartbreaking， as is common with books in this genre。 I like that the story is told from multiple points of view。 The characters were easy to connect to。 There was a lot of action， as well as suspense， to keep me engaged。 This is based on factual events in Dunkirk in World War II。 The women are strong and compassionate， and the story quickly pulls the reader in。 It's an emotional read overall。 If you're a fan of historical fiction， this is one to check out。 Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy， but I wasn't required to leave a positive review。 。。。more
Lee Husemann
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This is a fast-paced read that had me hooked from the very first pages。 It is 1940 France and Lilly and Cate are nurses taking care of wounded soldiers。 With the German troops coming， Dunkirk is being evacuated and straws are drawn to see who goes and who stays。 Lilly gets to go and Cate has to stay。 At the last minute， Cate decides to make a run for it and takes Jack， one of her wounded patients， with her。 After traveling at night and hiding during the day， Cate comes to a home occupied by sist This is a fast-paced read that had me hooked from the very first pages。 It is 1940 France and Lilly and Cate are nurses taking care of wounded soldiers。 With the German troops coming， Dunkirk is being evacuated and straws are drawn to see who goes and who stays。 Lilly gets to go and Cate has to stay。 At the last minute， Cate decides to make a run for it and takes Jack， one of her wounded patients， with her。 After traveling at night and hiding during the day， Cate comes to a home occupied by sisters Elise and Adelaide DuPont who agree to let her and Jack stay there。 Two other wounded soldiers have already crawled to the sisters' home as well。 This story is told from the viewpoints of the three women， Cate， Elise and Adelaide。 This is a very well written and historically accurate story and is full of a lot of emotions including fear， love， friendship and trust。 I love WWII Historical Fiction and this book did not disappoint。 Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union publishing for the ACR of this fantastic book that I highly recommend to anyone who loves Historical Fiction。 。。。more
Terri
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Thank you NetGalley for the ARC。 The story is set in occupied France with varied point of views。 It started with alternating views of a nurse in a hospital with the wounded soldiers and 2 sisters living in a farmhouse who witness an horrific incident。 The story is fast paced and the stories do intertwine。 Loved the story it told and will definitely recommend！！！
Jeff
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Visceral。 When you start off at one of WWII's most infamous defeats （of the Allies） at Dunkirk and go right into one of its lesser known war crimes （the slaughter of nearly 100 British soldiers at Le Paradis）， you know this is going to be one *intense* book。 And it is。 Here， Lane uses a British nurse and two French sisters to tell a tale of survival during the war's early years， when Germany seemingly could not be defeated。 The way she tells it reads as some of the most gripping suspense （arguab Visceral。 When you start off at one of WWII's most infamous defeats （of the Allies） at Dunkirk and go right into one of its lesser known war crimes （the slaughter of nearly 100 British soldiers at Le Paradis）， you know this is going to be one *intense* book。 And it is。 Here， Lane uses a British nurse and two French sisters to tell a tale of survival during the war's early years， when Germany seemingly could not be defeated。 The way she tells it reads as some of the most gripping suspense （arguably even horror， without the supernatural elements often part of that genre） I've yet come across in tales of this era - and indeed， even in most other tales， period。 From the opening chapters where the Germans attack through the closing chapters （other than the extended epilogue）， Lane never really gives these characters - and thus， the reader - any real sense of calm or safety。 The Germans are always *right there*， in mind if not in body， and the threat of capture and execution - or worse - is never far from anyones' thoughts。 Releasing just one week before the 81st anniversary of the events it fictionalizes， this is easily one of the best books of Summer 2021， particularly for those looking for dark/ suspense tales。 Very much recommended。 。。。more
Karyn
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A riveting story of WWII: the evacuation of Dunkirk， the massacre at Le Paradis and the strength and courage of those fighting against the German occupation of France。 French sisters （Elise and Adelaide） are hiding a British nurse （Cate） and two injured British soldiers （Harry and Jack） in their house in the small Village of Le Paradis。 The story is an emotional read about family， friendship， trust and love。 It is hard not to become invested in the lives of all living together under incredibly A riveting story of WWII: the evacuation of Dunkirk， the massacre at Le Paradis and the strength and courage of those fighting against the German occupation of France。 French sisters （Elise and Adelaide） are hiding a British nurse （Cate） and two injured British soldiers （Harry and Jack） in their house in the small Village of Le Paradis。 The story is an emotional read about family， friendship， trust and love。 It is hard not to become invested in the lives of all living together under incredibly difficult circumstances。 The story is told through the three women and their strength and commitment to each other and to the men they are treating leaps from the pages。I could not put down this book until I knew what happened to each of the characters。 。。。more
Annie Heredia-brown
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Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of The Secrets We Left Behind in exchange for my honest opinion。 My first Soraya M。 Lane book。 Definitely not my last。 This book took me on an emotional journey。 I could not put it down。 Following the lives of 5 people brought together by tragedy， during one of the worst times in the history of the world。 Germany has invaded France。 2 sisters living alone in a house just trying to get by happen to open the doors to strangers in need of help。
Bee
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‘The Secrets We Left Behind’ tells of five young people whose lives suddenly collide in a French farmhouse at the height of WWII。 The house belongs to sisters Elise and Adelaide， the only members left of their family。 As the Germans advance towards their area， they unwittingly witness the Le Paradis massacre， a historical event I was unaware of until reading this novel。 They make the dangerous choice to shelter the only two British soldiers to survive this horror。 Simultaneously， British nurse C ‘The Secrets We Left Behind’ tells of five young people whose lives suddenly collide in a French farmhouse at the height of WWII。 The house belongs to sisters Elise and Adelaide， the only members left of their family。 As the Germans advance towards their area， they unwittingly witness the Le Paradis massacre， a historical event I was unaware of until reading this novel。 They make the dangerous choice to shelter the only two British soldiers to survive this horror。 Simultaneously， British nurse Cate is caught up in the fracas surrounding Dunkirk’s evacuation， but she and a wounded patient， Jack， uncertain what’s happening on the beaches of Dunkirk， make the decision to flee further into France instead。 They too find their way to the home of the sisters， where the remaining five play a dangerous game of subterfuge and hiding as the Germans overrun the village。 To complicate matters even further， Adelaide has caught the attention of a high-ranking Nazi officer， putting everyone in danger and causing conflict between the sisters as Adelaide struggles to reconcile her attraction for Wolfgang with the reports of his cruelty。 Because clearly they can’t hide for an indeterminate amount of time in this farmhouse， the five come up with a plan （thanks to the burgeoning French resistance） to help the British stowaways be smuggled back to England。 I really wanted to love this book， but while it was an enjoyable， fast read， I didn’t love it。 Without giving too much away， at times it felt like a rather cliche romance within a romance within a romance， and each of the romantic entanglements lacked the depth or plausibility I needed to connect with their characters — not to mention my frustration at foolish reactions or choices。 The ending section felt oddly rushed， which unfortunately contributed to me feeling as if I didn’t really know any of the characters very well。 So sadly， for me this was good but not great。 However， I very much appreciate the publishers and NetGalley giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for my unbiased review。 。。。more
Susan Peterson
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The Secrets We Left Behind is a highly compelling story， one that I could simply not put down once I started reading！ I was instantly invested in the characters of this story， brave women and men living in a constant state of fear and uncertainty as the Nazis take control of France in the spring of 1940。 Cate is a British nurse who is left behind at an evacuation hospital as the British are being rescued from Dunkirk， escaping the Nazis with a critically wounded soldier。 Elise and Adelaide are F The Secrets We Left Behind is a highly compelling story， one that I could simply not put down once I started reading！ I was instantly invested in the characters of this story， brave women and men living in a constant state of fear and uncertainty as the Nazis take control of France in the spring of 1940。 Cate is a British nurse who is left behind at an evacuation hospital as the British are being rescued from Dunkirk， escaping the Nazis with a critically wounded soldier。 Elise and Adelaide are French sisters who suddenly find themselves providing refuge to wounded British soldiers of their own， even as the Nazis are taking over their town， placing themselves in grave danger。 It was fascinating to read the story of Dunkirk， not from the point of view of those who were rescued， but by those who were left behind， at the mercy of the Nazis。 The author sometimes paints a very graphic picture of the horrors that are encountered at this time， but that is alleviated by the humanity shown by the sisters， by the courage of Cate， and the determination of them all to survive。 。。。more
Bri
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I enjoyed this book as I didn't know anything about the people left behind at Dunkirk。 It was sad， but good to read and I enjoyed the epilogue。 I enjoyed this book as I didn't know anything about the people left behind at Dunkirk。 It was sad， but good to read and I enjoyed the epilogue。 。。。more
Joanna
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I have a great love for hidden gems and Soraya M Lane and her novels are true treasures。 However， after reading The Secrets We Left Behind I know that soon she and her novels will be anything， but a secret。 With The Secrets We Left Behind， there is an evident shift in the author's writing。 She has moved from being in her head， to allowing the story to flow through her。 I absolutely loved The Last Correspondent， but this novel is on a whole new level。 Also Ms。 Lane has somehow made her ch I have a great love for hidden gems and Soraya M Lane and her novels are true treasures。 However， after reading The Secrets We Left Behind I know that soon she and her novels will be anything， but a secret。 With The Secrets We Left Behind， there is an evident shift in the author's writing。 She has moved from being in her head， to allowing the story to flow through her。 I absolutely loved The Last Correspondent， but this novel is on a whole new level。 Also Ms。 Lane has somehow made her characters and plot， even more engaging and believable than her previous work。 I genuinely couldn't pick between the three female protagonists。 Each character possesses something truly special and beautiful， yet are flawed and very human。 Cate is absolutely lovely。 I loved how she remains true to herself and never wavers from her nursing instincts。 Similarly， I simply loved the sisters， Elise and Adelaide。 One sister is initially fearful and hesitant， while the other has a willingness to believe in the good in others。 Both sisters are written brilliantly。 Elise shows so much grace and fortitude in the face of suddenly becoming head of the family and caregiver to her younger sister。 Adelaide is a very trusting soul with a good heart， but unwise。 Elise's response to her sister's choices says a lot about her and this is where the author shows how skillful she is with showing， instead of telling us who the characters are。 Similarly， the author has created an incredible plot with a sense of urgency and there were so many moments when my heart was in my throat， all of which made the novel engaging and gave it great pacing。 I didn't want to put it down， because I was so engrossed and I needed to know what was going to happen next as the author has created a high pressure environment where at any minute anything could happen。 My mind was blown imagining being surrounded by Nazis and living in a house with British allies knowing that any moment the enemy could come in the door。 All of the various dangers and conflicts creates wonderful pacing and an irresistible need to turn the pages。 I didn't want the book to end， but every page turned is rewarded with perfection and is worth the wait。Thank you to Soraya M Lane and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review The Secrets We Left Behind。 This was an unpaid review， so my thoughts and opinions are my own。 。。。more
Katrina
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Special thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest reviewI don't know if I can find the words to say how much I truly loved this， but I'm going to try。 This had a bit of an ensemble cast， but each character was vital to the way the story ended。 While I found Addy to be way too naive and Elise to be too wishy washy in the way she dealt with Addy's naive feelings and actions， I loved them just as much as I loved Cate， Jack， and Harry。I found myself really surprised Special thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest reviewI don't know if I can find the words to say how much I truly loved this， but I'm going to try。 This had a bit of an ensemble cast， but each character was vital to the way the story ended。 While I found Addy to be way too naive and Elise to be too wishy washy in the way she dealt with Addy's naive feelings and actions， I loved them just as much as I loved Cate， Jack， and Harry。I found myself really surprised by Harry's （and Peter， though he only makes a small appearance） introduction to the story。 I had never heard of the Le Paradis massacre before， so I though it was just a really believable piece of fiction for how awful the Nazis truly were。 And then I thought Lily's story with her encounter with an SS officer was too grand to be true， but that was also a false assumption。 The author's note was really informative， and I really appreciate the research that went into this story。 I love historical fiction， but I love it even more when it caters to actual true events （not just WWII in general， but specific events such as the massacre and Lily's story）。 I love a historical fiction novel that can teach me something new about the history I love and give me new things to research and further learn about。 。。。more
Sarah
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I read this in two days， that's how good it was。 I have read many of Soraya Lane's previous works and this may be one of her best。Set in 1940's France， we follow the fate of a british nurse and her wounded soldier who following a failed evacuation attempt at Dunkirk， end up seeking safety at the home of two sisters。 These same two sisters incidentally have already taken in another british soldier。 The women must protect and find a way to safely evacuate their respective soldiers without drawing I read this in two days， that's how good it was。 I have read many of Soraya Lane's previous works and this may be one of her best。Set in 1940's France， we follow the fate of a british nurse and her wounded soldier who following a failed evacuation attempt at Dunkirk， end up seeking safety at the home of two sisters。 These same two sisters incidentally have already taken in another british soldier。 The women must protect and find a way to safely evacuate their respective soldiers without drawing the attention of the local Nazi commander stationed in their village。 This proves all the more difficult when said commander takes a liking to youngest sister Adelaide。 Lane cleverly sets these women up as the main characters and saviors。 She is able to show the power women could have exercised during this time while also sprinkling in a little romance without it turning into a romantic novel。 I really enjoy her work and thank NetGalley for providing an ARC for review！ 。。。more
Shirley McAllister
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Sacrifice for freedomA breathtaking story of people brought together in the midst of the enemy during WWII。 The characters were so true to life and the story kept you in suspense。 LIlly and Cate the British nurse's stationed at Dunkirk。 Lilly evacuated and Cate stayed behind with the patients。 Jack Cate's patient at the hospital who fled with her after the evacuation。 Harry and Peter the British soldiers that cheated death at the hands of the Nazi commander the only two to survive the "Le Paradi Sacrifice for freedomA breathtaking story of people brought together in the midst of the enemy during WWII。 The characters were so true to life and the story kept you in suspense。 LIlly and Cate the British nurse's stationed at Dunkirk。 Lilly evacuated and Cate stayed behind with the patients。 Jack Cate's patient at the hospital who fled with her after the evacuation。 Harry and Peter the British soldiers that cheated death at the hands of the Nazi commander the only two to survive the "Le Paradis Massacre"。 Adelaide and Elise the farm girls that took in the fleeing British soldiers Peter and Harry as well as Jack and Cate。The story is of these characters in a farmhouse in the middle of Nazi troops。 The different opinions， the romances， the disagreements and the plans to escape which went horribly wrong。 The ones that escaped， the ones that stayed behind and one that did not survive。Their story of the life in the farmhouse and the escape will keep you in suspense and keep you reading。 The courage these young people showed in the face of the enemy is awesome。 It is a story that proves the quest for life and freedom is strong enough to sustain and that love and memories live on。 So many lost so much in the war and some were true heroes。 This was a very good story and based on events at the time。 The ending was perfect。 I was sad for those lost but very happy for those that survived。 I would recommend this book。Thanks to Soraya M。 Lane， Amazon Publishing U。K。 and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this book。 。。。more
Lori Sinsel Harris
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WWII historical fiction has become my specialty。 I did not intend for it to be， but after reading my first novel about the most horrifying period in our history I was hooked and have read and reviewed every possible book I could get my hands on。 I love all the different perspectives this war is written from。 It seems to me there is always a story to be told and always a different point of view to be shared。 To me reading about the heroes of WWII is never dull， boring or repetitive， and this stor WWII historical fiction has become my specialty。 I did not intend for it to be， but after reading my first novel about the most horrifying period in our history I was hooked and have read and reviewed every possible book I could get my hands on。 I love all the different perspectives this war is written from。 It seems to me there is always a story to be told and always a different point of view to be shared。 To me reading about the heroes of WWII is never dull， boring or repetitive， and this story is no exception。 Cate is a British nurse， left behind at a clearance hospital in France， when the British soldiers begin evacuating from Dunkirk， France， with the Germans closing in on them。 Cate， seeing that if they remain in the hospital capture is inevitable， she rouses Jack a patient whom she has grown fond of， but who is not ready to leave the hospital telling him they must go。 With Jack leading the way they venture in the opposite direction than that of the soldiers， hoping the Germans have already been through and left。 This is not the case。 When Cate leaves a stricken Jack to go find help she encounters German soldiers and faking living in a nearby house lucks out when the young woman who answers the door goes along with her story， claiming Cate as her cousin。 In Le Paradis France， Elise and her sister Adelaide witness the massacre of nearly 100 hundred British soldiers from behind the living room curtains。 So when there is a knock on the door Elise is reluctant to answer and even more reluctant to offer help， wanting to protect the only family she has left， her younger sister。 Realizing she must help she allows them in， along with two British soldiers that survived the massacre。 This book brings the characters to life as we read of Elise's reluctance， and then her and Addy's heroic sacrifices to help others。 We read of the lengths people go to to survive， and the bonds that are formed in the facing the common enemy together。 The ties that are formed when one person risks everything to help another simply because it is the right thing to do。 This story is partly based on truth， the evacuation of British troops at Dunkirk did occur， and the Le Paradis Massacre is a true event， making this story all the more real and heart-wrenching。 This is a must read for all historical fiction fans， along the lines of Pam Jenoff， Karen Robards， and Ellen Marie Wiseman。 I give 5 stars， and say thank you to the publishers at Amazon publishing and Net Galley for the free ARC copy of the e-book version of this novel， I am leaving my honest review in return。 #NetGalley#TheSecretsWeLeftBehind 。。。more
Phyllis Jones Pisanelli Reviews
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HUMBLED is the word that comes to mind when I finished The Secrets We Left Behind by Soraya M Lane。 I’m humbled when I stop to think of all the people in the world who gave up their lives and all the families that lost loved ones to fight in WWII。 We had a lot of folks who gave all and not just in the United States。 This is the second book I’ve read written by Soraya M Lane。 I read her book The Last Correspondent and loved that one as well。 She puts so much research into her stories。 It is unbel HUMBLED is the word that comes to mind when I finished The Secrets We Left Behind by Soraya M Lane。 I’m humbled when I stop to think of all the people in the world who gave up their lives and all the families that lost loved ones to fight in WWII。 We had a lot of folks who gave all and not just in the United States。 This is the second book I’ve read written by Soraya M Lane。 I read her book The Last Correspondent and loved that one as well。 She puts so much research into her stories。 It is unbelievable。 I feel like I’m right there in the midst of the war and what the women are fighting for。 These two books are from a woman’s perspective。 It doesn’t make war any easier to read about but， it does give you a look at how long we have had to fight for our rights and how strong we are as women。I loved this book。 I loved the love stories。 I loved the fight for survival。 I loved the characters。 Did it all bring me to tears。 YES！If you haven’t read anything like this， I strongly urge you to try a book by Soraya M Lane。 She is awesome。 The Secrets We Left Behind releases May 20th。 Pre-order yours now。 I promise you， you will be glad you did！I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher and #Netgalley for a fair and honest review。 Thank you！ 。。。more
Jennifer Moore
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World War II France: Cate is a British nurse working in France when the Germans bear down and start taking over the country mile by mile。 She is engaged but her eyes keep drifting to Jack， an injured British soldier who she is helping take care of。 When word comes that most of the staff will be evacuated， Cate is left behind。 In a flash of gunfire， she tells Jack that they need to escape regardless of his injuries。 After trapping across the countryside， slowed by the depth of Jack’s wounds， Cate World War II France: Cate is a British nurse working in France when the Germans bear down and start taking over the country mile by mile。 She is engaged but her eyes keep drifting to Jack， an injured British soldier who she is helping take care of。 When word comes that most of the staff will be evacuated， Cate is left behind。 In a flash of gunfire， she tells Jack that they need to escape regardless of his injuries。 After trapping across the countryside， slowed by the depth of Jack’s wounds， Cate comes across sisters Addy and Elise。Adelaide and Elise have lost their family。 Their parents have died and their brother was killed soon after he left to fight the war。 One day， they witness what will be known as Le Paradis massacre and find two survivors on their doorstep。 With Nazis encamped nearby， they take a chance to hide them in their house。 When Cate arrives in their doorstep， they take her in as their “cousin。” With France about to fall into Hitler’s hands， how will the refugees ever get out and back to England？This book is an escape back to a time that history will never forget。 I actually completed this book in a day。 It was easy to read and you fall in love with the characters。 I highly recommend it if you are a fan of historical fiction。 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️#netgalley #thesecretsweleftbehind 。。。more
Krista
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#TheSecretsWeLeftBehind opens with the evacuation of Dunkirk and is told by three different women that were left behind to survive。 Cate is a British nurse， Elise and Addy are French sisters。 Each woman has her own story as they survive the German occupation。 I found myself shocked at how fast I devoured this book。 It just seemed that I was there with them， part of their story and the pace just continued until I had no more to read。 Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me to give my voluntary and h #TheSecretsWeLeftBehind opens with the evacuation of Dunkirk and is told by three different women that were left behind to survive。 Cate is a British nurse， Elise and Addy are French sisters。 Each woman has her own story as they survive the German occupation。 I found myself shocked at how fast I devoured this book。 It just seemed that I was there with them， part of their story and the pace just continued until I had no more to read。 Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me to give my voluntary and honest opinion。 。。。more
Karren Sandercock
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