Lana becomes a spy during the final days of WWII. The author perfectly captures her naivety and bravery as well as the inability to trust in the people around you, the normality of days punctuated with inexplicable violence and deaths. Even the return to normal after the war is anything but routine once a double life of double dealing concludes — or doesn’t. An excellent book even with the current glut of wartime novels. The mundane life is anything but mundane while you are scrutinized through the suspicions of those in power.

This book was just okay for me. It reads like a lot of the WWII books I’ve read in the past. It was good but I felt like I knew what was going to happen.

This novel was outside of my usual genre of what I read but wow, I am so happy that I did go outside my comfort zone. It was fantastic, the words were amazing and the main character really blew me away. Another must read book!

In 1943, Lana’s entire life falls apart when she is witness to the murder of her husband by the Gestapo. Grieving, Lana agrees to join the resistance and goes to the French Riviera where she is thought to be the mistress of a wealthy Swiss industrialist named Guy Pascal. With her new connections, she can openly spy on German officers and help the resistance save the lives of many Jewish people in the area. But her new life of espionage puts not only her life in danger, but she also risks losing her heart to the handsome Guy.

Lana’s War is an intriguing story of one woman’s loss and how she finds a way to get her revenge while learning to love again. I’ve read dozens of WWII stories lately, and this was one of my favorites. Intrigue, suspense, and romance – what more could you want? Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed the story behind this book but I don't think the writing style wasn't for me. I just lost interest because I found the the plot wasn't written in a way that would keep my attention. I appreciated learning the important things early but I wish the book was more straightforward.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I'll be posting my review on Goodreads and Amazon

I am a huge fan of historical fiction especially when the story is set during WW11 and involves the French Resistance. This light, fast-paced and engaging story opens in Paris 1943 then moves to the French Riviera.

After Lana’s husband was executed by the Gestapo she joined the Resistance, her cover story makes her the mistress of a wealthy industrialist on Cap Ferrat. Her mission as a spy was to infiltrate the aristocrat community who socialize with the German officers and gather information on upcoming raid on the Jewish community in order to help them escape.

Escape to freedom to the French Riviera with all its beauty a place in which the rich appeared to be little impacted by the war. They were attending parties, galas, dinners, visiting casinos and brushing shoulders with high level Nazis. Lana was amongst them. “Lana’s War” follows her odyssey and along with her we experience a full range of emotions.

The story is quite smooth with a bit of suspense and intrigue but what excel is the description of the beautiful landscape and how vibrant the characters played out their part in the drama. Although the main focus was on Lana we see what the resistance had to do at the risk of their lives in order to save as many people as they could. Yes, the story leads to some teasing and a tad of romance between Lana and Guy and of course I wished it would have gone further but it was not meant to be....

The story is nicely done and leaves us in awe in the last chapters. I was surprised and definitely never expected the dramatic turn of events the story left us with, what an about turn. Could the author be plotting something? Who knows, maybe a sequel?...

Lana is the daughter of a Russian countess. After witnessing the murder of her husband by a Nazi and her subsequent miscarriage, she is recruited to work for the French resistance. The characters that she meets along the way and their stories as well as the dangers they experience together keep your attention and provide a good insight into life in the resistance. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

3.5 stars. Lana is the daughter of a Russian Countess living in exile in Paris during WWII. After Lana witnesses the murder of her husband by the Gestapo, she finds herself in the resistance in Nice.

I always enjoy stories about the French Resistance, and this one is a bit different because it does not take place in Paris. I personally would have liked more resistance, more on the exiled Russian nobility’s role in the war and a little less romance.

Thank you Atria Books for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was enjoying the book and it’s change of scenery compared to most World War II books. French Riviera? Yes please. Lana’s story had a heartbreaking motivation but seemed like she wanted to make a difference. She was still way too trusting even after Guy told her to chill with befriending everyone making her somewhat troublesome. My main grumble was with the ending though! It seemed like such a letdown after the rest of the story. And it seemed so much an afterthought with everything else in the story.

This book ended up falling short for me in a couple respects.

The premise itself was meaty enough: what with a Paris/French Riviera setting, an undercover resistance plot, and a heroine who not only witnesses her husband's murder by the Gestapo but miscarries their child before throwing herself straight into danger months later with a man named Guy, a Swiss industrialist and resistance fighter, with a mysterious past of his own. Together, the two work to foil the Nazi's raids. Helping as many Jews as possible avoid the camps and escape to freedom.

As characters, though, Lana and Guy were basic. One-dimensional. Even though they both suffered losses throughout the war, fettering a string of similarity between them, I had trouble investing in their tragedies. I couldn't feel the breadth of them. The same can be said for their romance. Not only did it progress quickly, without much depth or development, but it was weak. Predictable. Lacking the emotional turmoil or turbulence that you'd anticipate between two people who are thrust in the middle of a duplicitous, perilous, war-torn reality.

I didn't love it, didn't hate it. It was more of a middle of the road read for me.

Thank you so much to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Lana Hartmann witnesses the murder of her husband, shot by Alois Brunner, a Nazi officer, while trying to save a Jewish child. Hours later, she miscarries. With little desire to live, she readily accepts the dangerous assignment to join the French Resistance. Sent to Nice, she is asked to use her Russian heritage to mingle with the wealthy who have embraced the Nazis assigned to Nice to their social set. Among the Nazis whose orders are to deport Jews is Brunner. Lana moves in with Guy, a recognized playboy, and finds herself attracted to him. She befriends a Jewish widow and child along with a handful of residents. When this child, Odette, is orphaned, Lana shields her and with Guy they become a family. Guy, however, is a risk-taker and their lives are threatened daily. Anita Abriel’s intense storyline involves characters who are both the pursued and the pursuers. Unsure of whom to trust, we follow their paths and come away with an appreciation of those who choose to put their own lives aside to save others.

When Lana's husband tries to hide a Jewish girl, a Nazi soldier shoots and kills him. Overwhelmed with grief, Lana miscarries. Months later, she is recruited by the resistance. After traveling to the Riviera, Lana is partnered with Guy, a man with his own tragedies.

This book was a bit predictable and boring. The characters were a bit flat and one dimensional. I did love the setting of the book, but otherwise found this one a bit lacking. Overall, 2 out of 5 stars.

Lana’s War by Anita Abriel
Reviewed by Book Chick
⅘ stars


Lana’s War is a historical fiction novel that holds so much detail and depth I actually checked if it was based on a true story. After some research it seems to be completely fiction. Our main character Lana is living through WWII and life doesn’t seem so bad because she has Frederic her husband. However happily ever after doesn’t last long because he is murdered by the Gestapo for hiding Jewish children in the convent where he taught piano. Obviously Lana is crushed and feels that she has no reason to live, until she is approached by someone in the resistance who says she wasn’t able to save Frederic or the children he was hiding but she can help others escape. Lana agrees to go to the Riviera and live with a man named Guy Pascal, she will pose as his mistress and attend parties where she will extract information from the German officers stationed there about when more raids will happen.

As the story continues we see Lana find a new purpose and reason for living, we get a tiny peak at the extraordinary resilience that people seem to find in times of extreme danger. I was so happy to see Lana go from a sad young widow to a strong, stubborn, radiant woman. She refused to give up and accomplished so much during and after the war. So much research must have gone into this book. The writer did an amazing job sprinkling in history, painting the most beautiful descriptions of the scenery ( I can still picture the Mediterrean) and giving each character just a bit of back story to explain why they were part of the resistance or where they disappeared to. And of course it wouldn’t be a book about France if it didn’t include detailed descriptions of meals,coffee, fashion and makeup. I also loved that the writer didn’t write Lana to be a doting housewife even when Frederic was still in the picture she was not that kind of character. Lana was a student studying chemistry so that she could open her own cosmetics company. The writer could have easily made her a timid doting housewife but she chose to make her a smart well read young woman who knew exactly what she wanted instead and I loved that.
If you can’t tell by my gushing I highly recommend this novel, it is historical fiction with a bit of steamy romance and the most beautiful descriptions. It is a must read if you need a pick me, I can almost guarantee this book will make you feel better.

we have not posted this review on socials yet but will on the publication date 1/12

Anita Abriel stole my heart from the very beginning with this beautiful story about a tale of survival and second chances during the darkest days of history. This novel is truly amazing and one I could not put down. I am honored to have read this prior to publication because Lana’s War is heartfelt and memorable and not one to miss.

The description of this book of riveting and heartfelt is exactly how I would put this book! It grabbed me from beginning to end (and you want to read to the end)! Lana is such a strong female lead character. One who during this awful war has been through more than anyone should at that age. But when she loses almost everything she turns that into action.
Grab this book!!!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

This was my first historical fiction novel set in the Riviera during World War 2, I hadn't realized that Jews had lived there historically nor that many had immigrated there to escape the Germans. I enjoy spy novels and thought that Guy was a great character but the romance between Guy and Lana was a bit too quick. Or we were missing some of the story of how they fell in love.

I enjoyed that she was successful in her business after the war but time had sped up so fast we didn't get to see that for ourselves, as I felt that she was owed some happiness but I felt that the ending was a bit too pat. But don't want to spoil, pick this up for something a bit different but an enjoyable read.

I give Lana’s War 3.75 stars.
It was a quick, thrilling read. Lana is a character that goes through many battles. Love, loss, fear and estrangement.
I wanted a little more in the end as it felt a bit rushed.
I love a good historical fiction and this one fed my obsession.
Thank you NetGalley and Anita Adriel.

Lana’s War is a really enjoyable read featuring a strong female character and other brave, unsung heroes of the war. It’s fast-paced and much “lighter” than other WWII Historical Fiction novels I’ve read. I usually prefer longer reads but the plot was great in this one - I appreciate that it has more of a optimistic, light-hearted feel to it. An excellent read if you’re a fan of these types of novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.