Rating: 5/5 Stars

"The Silence Before Dawn" by Amanda Lees is an emotionally gripping and profoundly moving addition to the World War II historical fiction genre. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the war, this novel intricately weaves together a tale of courage, sacrifice, and resilience.

The story follows Jack, a young resistance fighter whose journey through the harrowing landscapes of war-torn Europe becomes a testament to the human spirit. The author masterfully captures the essence of the era, vividly portraying the horrors of war while highlighting the unwavering bravery of individuals determined to fight against oppression.

One of the most striking aspects of this novel is its profound emotional depth. The characters are skillfully developed, each with their own struggles, fears, and aspirations, making them incredibly relatable and endearing. The reader becomes deeply invested in their lives, experiencing their triumphs and tragedies alongside them.

The narrative is beautifully crafted, balancing heart-wrenching moments with glimpses of hope and resilience. The pacing is expertly maintained, keeping the reader engrossed from the opening pages to the poignant climax. The author's descriptive prose paints a vivid picture of the wartime landscape, transporting readers to a time fraught with danger and uncertainty.

Moreover, "The Silence Before Dawn" offers a compelling insight into the complexities of human nature during times of adversity. Themes of love, friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice are intricately woven into the storyline, adding layers of depth and authenticity to the overall narrative.

Throughout the book, the author demonstrates meticulous research, presenting a historically accurate portrayal of the era. The attention to detail regarding the historical events and settings further enhances the authenticity of the story, making it both informative and engaging.

In conclusion, "The Silence Before Dawn" is a poignant and captivating novel that leaves a lasting impact. It's a powerful tribute to the resilience of the human spirit amid the darkest of times. Fans of World War II historical fiction will undoubtedly find this book to be an enriching and unforgettable read, filled with raw emotions and compelling storytelling.

Thanks to netgalley for and advance copy for my honest review
https://smithareading.blogspot.com/

The first book of a series and I could not put it down. It's a heartbreaking story of war and love. A great historical fiction that you don't want to miss.

This book was powerful and I could not put it down. It is an exceptional story.
Many thanks to Bookotoure and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love this genre of books, but for some reason I just couldn’t get into this story; I know of others who thoroughly enjoyed it. I couldn’t initially work out what was happening, although this became clearer as I read further into the story, and it took a while for me to work out where it was set. There were a couple of twists, but not enough to hold my attention. The author has obviously researched for this book, with real happenings being woven into the storyline. Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me.

This was so good. It kept my attention the entire way through. Another amazing historical fiction that I will highly recommend.

Focusing on female SOE agents, we see occupied France and WW2 from a different viewpoint. Deceit and distrust are everywhere as Marianne attempts to run her resistance network, even more so when they're betrayed.

I have to admit that I don't read much romance but this is so much more than a historical romance story. A strong thriller streak runs through the heart of this novel bringing tension in its wake. I loved how Amanda Lees tied the story into real people which added authenticity.

This is the first book in a new series and I look forward to reading more!

This book was great! It held my attention throughout with its wartime heroes and villains and exciting plot. I also appreciated that chapters were not too long, making it easy for me to pick up and put down.
I’d wholeheartedly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys adventure, espionage, historical and romantic fiction.
My thanks to Bookoutre and NetGalley for kindly providing a digital copy for me to read and review.

The Silence Before Dawn by Amanda Lees Narrated by: Sofia Zervudachi was set in WW2 and is the first book in the new Resistance Series and what a brilliant start to this promising series. I loved it I was gripped from the beginning till the end. It was a lovely read/audiobook and all the characters were brilliant. I am looking forward to the second book within this series.

The narrator was excellent.

Big Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture publisher for providing me with an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Heart-breaking. Romantic. Mystery. Alluring men. What more could a girl ask for?!

I was intrigued when I started reading the Prologue where Jack, Guy and a couple of other men were escaping from a prison. At first I thought this would be a story based on love within the camps during the war, however, when I started reading the next chapter I realised that the book was primarily from Marianne’s view point. The resistance network had arranged to meet up but was ambushed by the Germans, some were caught and hanged, others killed by bombs and guns – Marianne however, was able to lead her men to safety. Once at the safe house, her younger brother, Marcus reveals that her older brother, Edward had been arrested (for his part in the resistance) and executed. Marcus also reveals that Jack (a guy Marianne is very fond of) had been captured by the Germans (he also works in the resistance).

Someone betrayed him. Possibly the same someone who betrayed you all here tonight.

Soon suspicion falls to Jack for being the mole within the Network;

We know it’s someone who goes by the codename of Claude to his German masters. Possibly one of Jack’s network. A double agent.

Marianne, unwilling to believe it, set her Network on gaining as much information as possible so that they rescue Jack and his men. Shortly after arriving at the town where Jack and his men were, they were ambushed by another resistance group as one of Jack’s men was part of their group. Marianne and her Network were taken back to HQ to wait on information, Juliette was the leader of this resistance group.

There are fleeting chapters where we find out that Jack and Marianne had meet before the war and was head over heels in love. This idea came crashing down when Marianne received a letter stating that Jack was Claude (the traitor). If this was true, does that mean that Jack was trying to spy on the resistance and Network from the beginning in order to gain as much information as possible?

There was no mistaking the poem code he’d used to send messages from Lyon. The same one he’d whispered in my ear.

Whilst we hear about Marianne and her life before the war with Jack, there are also chapters were we witness the heart-breaking torture that Jack is going through in the German’s jail. However, we also get reintroduced to a character, Guy (from the Prologue) who is in the same cell as Jack, and is one of his men. What is interesting is that Guy doesn’t get beaten hardly as much as Jack, does that make Guy the traitor?

Throughout this book, I never once figured out correctly who the traitor was!!! It was infuriating!

Upon deciding to rescue Jack and his men, Marianne and Juliette went to Lyon to join the Network there. There were two women deep undercover that they were to touch base with. One of the them, Christine, was currently trying to gain information from Klaus Barbie by seducing him. Together the three of them, along with resistance groups and resistance supporters have to go through hell and back in order to safety get Jack and his men out of the HQ (where Klaus was torturing them), all the while, the mole was tracking their every move, leading the Germans to be on the tail.

There is so much more to the end of the book which I am dying to share!! But I truly believe I would ruin the plot if I ruin it for you all now. The twists and turns that occur kept me on my toes!

*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

I've really been in a historical fiction phase lately, particularly for books about WWII. I've read some really great books and some that I just didn't care for. This one fell somewhere in between. It had an intriguing story, and I really enjoyed reading about the work of female agents during the war. However, sometimes it felt a little heavy handed in "female power" to the point that the men's abilities and effectiveness were often called into question simply because they were men. It mostly came from the female characters, and many of their comments and beliefs were, luckily, contradicted by the actions and personalities of the male characters in the book. Still, I don't like it when books feel like men need to be brought down in order for women to be lifted up. Another thing that I noticed was the overall lack of faith among the characters. Any time religious belief was brought up, it was to say that characters had previously believed in God but had stopped. Yes, I understand war is atrocious and can cause serious doubt; however, that's not the only response, and I find it difficult to believe that everyone in a group like this would lose their faith.

One thing I usually enjoy when I read historical fiction is the author's note at the end. I love to find out what was real and learn about the research that went into the book. This one didn't have much, unfortunately. The author said she did research, enjoyed learning about the female agents during the war, and some of the people were real without listing who they were. And that was pretty much it. Kind of a disappointing section.

One thing is certain: Klaus Barbie was abominable. I doubt I could have refrained from killing him, regardless of orders.

How it ends: (view spoiler)

Note: Some swearing. Torture. Several short mild to moderate sex scenes, including one that is really uncomfortable because it involves a female agent seducing a sadistic monster.

I wanted to like this one. I really did. But I was bored and had to force myself to read it so I could move onto something else. The premise of this book was solid, and it came recommended to people who loved The Nightingale and Things We Cannot Say, both of which I absolutely love. While accurately categorized as historical fiction, this was heavy on the history and light on the fiction. I wanted to fall into more of the story line, which had merit and potential, but I found myself reading tedious details that, to me, were boring.

If you are a big WWII buff, you would probably enjoy this. I don’t read a ton of historical fiction, but when I do, I want to be swept away with the story of it all. I do believe the author did an insane amount of research. Everything felt believable and realistic, which I will say was well done.

The majority of the other reviews for this book were 4 and 5 stars, and I can see where there’s an audience that would give such good ratings. But for me to give 3+ stars, I had to enjoy it, and I did not. While there were two moments I wasn’t expecting, it wasn’t enough to bump the book from 2 to 3 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced(ish) copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. If you’re a big lover of all things WWII, you may want to check this one out.

High praise for this novel, although I was a little confused at first.

I felt the writer has nailed this novel down well, its well written, it keeps a grip on your heart you feel eager to read more - and glad to hear this is to be a series, I will certainly be looking out for the rest of the series in the future.

Thanks to netgalley for letting me have read of this highly recommended novel.

A book based on the true stories of the women secret agents of the second World War. I have a love of historical fiction anyway and when you base it on true stories from that time I'm hooked. The first in a series about the Resistance from that time, I couldn't wait to see how the series would start.

Set in France, Nazi-occupied 1944 France. A darker place than ever before. We see a resistance movement that Marianne has been heading up, attacked by the Germans. With them broken up, Marianne finds herself having to attempt to find a way to rescue her fiancé, Jack from the man known as the Butcher Of Lyon.

Full of suspense and danger, this was made all the more captivating knowing Marianne was created with the brave women who acted as secret agents at this time. It isn't often we hear of this side of the war and this was so interesting to me.


Amanda Lees has definitely written an impressive story that does make you invest in Marianne, I felt everything she felt throughout the book. This is testament to Amanda Lees's amazing characterisation. All detailed and so vivid in my mind, I could see them as the story unfolded.

It was a read that shows us how dangerous the work of the Resistance was and the losses they had to bear. The personal tragedies and the heartbreak too. We see how far they would go to attempt to rescue one of their own. Then there are the traitors. I thought I knew but then, the shock upon finding out showed this a cleverly written book.

Fast paced, with plenty of suspense and action that kept me reading far past my bedtime. I personally am so glad there will be another, based on one of the characters in this book. Again, a book that entertained and educated me. If you love a great historical fiction story that is inspired by real women, I highly recommend this book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture.

The Silence Before Dawn is the first in the Wartime Resistance series by Amanda Lees. Set in France during World War Two it follows a group of resistance fighters led by a strong woman named Marianne who has such guts and ingenuity about her that you can’t fail but feel an ever increasing amount of admiration for her the further the book develops. It was brilliant to read of several women who put their lives on the line time and time again in order to try and secure freedom for France and to rid the world of the tyrant that was Hitler.

It was a refreshing to read of a different aspect to the war with women getting such a focus. Right from the get go this was an action packed, thriller of a read with a rapid pace full of twists and turns and many curveballs. It really was edge of your seat stuff with the reader never knowing who to believe as to who the mole within the groups could be. The author suggested it could be one person but to me this seemed way too obvious and for Marianne she has to wrestle with her emotions as things get very personal for her in more ways than one. Will her heart rule over her head and prevent her from seeing the bigger picture and long term goal or will sense prevail?

Set during 1944 as the war was reaching its climax this story takes the reader deep within the French countryside where Marianne is in charge of a network of resistance fighters whose sole goal is to cause as much hassle for the Germans as possible. Blowing up railway lines, interrupting conveys, learning top secret information, saving people from capture they literally do it all. As I mentioned within the first chapter we were straight into the action and although I would normally appreciate this no frills or fuss approach I found it slightly disconcerting at first because it felt like I was meant to know who the characters were, what their connections to each other were and what had previously happened up to the point where we were introduced to them.

It took me a little time to establish who was who, what side they were on and what the main strand of the plot was but once I did this I found myself deeply invested in the exploits of Marianne and her network. They were brave, daring and courageous and had no qualms about getting stuck into the messiest of situations. It really struck me that I was reading about one network of many of the time and the creative brilliance, flair and genius of everyone involved was just incredible. They literally thought of every little detail and knew no matter how small or insignificant something may seem it would all help with Operation Dragoon which the British had set up to drive the Germans from the south of France.

As the story develops we learn more about Marianne and the fact she is a secret agent. This blew my mind because given her name and that she was in the thick of the action in the first chapter I just automatically presumed she was a French woman very much stepping out of her comfort zone. She has many sides to her personality and flashback chapters give us a deeper insight into those. When she learns her fiancée Jack has been captured along with several other men, Marianne is distraught and so begins the main point/aim of the story. Jack and these men need to be rescued before the infamous brut Klaus Barbie gets his hands on them and the worst fate could occur. But someone has been leaking key strategic information to the Germans and Marianne is shocked to learn that her beloved Jack is the culprit. How could someone so close to her have caused so much damage and done the impossible putting so many lives at risk? Does he deserve to be rescued or should he be left to rot in prison and suffer the torture Barbie is renowned for meting out?

Deep down I think Marianne put her country, her mission and the resistance network first and foremost. She was always aware of what the long term goals were and never deviated from them but at the same time Jack was the love of her life and despite what she had heard she couldn’t just give up on him. Marianne was someone who could put her femininity aside easily and assume a strong place amongst men. She was a cool headed leader who was brave and respected and I loved how she numerous times she pushed herself beyond endurance. The need for revenge and retribution burnt bright within her and made her a fantastic leader.

Maggie is the networks courier and my god she did some amount of work going from here there and everywhere. I would have loved to have read even more of her story. Juliette, a fellow resistance group leader, was a brave woman to send her family to safety in order to help with the network and subsequently she joined forces with Marianne to set a plan in place where Jack and his fellow prisoners could be rescued. Madame Suzanne and Countess Christina were brilliant additions to the story and as the women joined forces as one and a plan was hatched with the networks members all working together my heart was in my mouth as to what the eventual outcome would be? Would there be disaster, death and destruction or would the plan prove successful? Will the truth out or is the truth already out there and Marianne is making unnecessary sacrifices?

The Silence Before Dawn is a welcome addition to the World War Two historical fiction genre. It’s a bit different from the norm as it runs more on the thriller side but I loved that because you never knew what was coming with each turn of the page. The tension just increased with each chapter and just as you thought oh you could trust what one character was saying bang then they did something which threw everything into doubt. Marianne, Juliette, Maggie and Suzanne were all remarkable, resourceful and shrewd characters that did so much for women. They stepped outside of their comfort zones and were thrown in at the deep end into a volatile, unstable and dangerous world and they did it all without complaint.

Amanda Lees has certainly done justice to her subject matter and shown how ordinary women and let’s not forget their fellow men in the Resistance never wavered in their courage, steadfastness and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds. Their actions were extraordinary and made for a very good read. Book two in the series, Paris at First Light, will focus on Juliette and having read the blurb it sound equally as exciting if not more so than book one and thankfully it’s not long until I can read the next instalment.

In this thrilling historical fiction by Amanda Lees, Marianne is part of a group of resistance fighters during World War II. It is Nazi occupied France and Marianne is the leader of a network that is working hard to bring the Nazi's down. Despite their hard work, however, there appears to be a traitor among them.

It doesn't matter how many historical novels that I read that I am always learning about another aspect, or area where the war affected so many lives in devastating ways. The fight is on, however, even with a traitor in their midst. Also, with Marianne's boyfriend Jack having been captured, Marianne wonders if indeed he is the traitor.

The resistance is currently focused on Klaus Barbie, who is known as the "Butcher of Lyon", a man feared by many. One of Marianne's team goes undercover to try and thwart Klaus Barbie's efforts. Also, they do hope to not only rescue Jack, but also hope that he is innocent and not the traitor.

What an amazing book and an excellent start to a new series. There were so many countries affected by World War II and the author focuses this story on France, all while telling various stories, that of Marianne, Jack, and their past, as well as the efforts to stop Klaus Barbie and how far one of her team members is willing to go to accomplish their objectives.

This amazing book is one of the best historical fiction books that I have read, especially with learning France’s role in World War II and the resistance efforts as well as the tragedies and the betrayal that needed to be identified. I love that The Silence Before Dawn is the first book in a new series. I am very much looking forward to book two, Paris at First Light, which is set for release at the end of November.

In fact, one of the principal characters in this first book, Juliette, will be the primary protagonist in the second book. Kudos to Amanda Lees for not only writing a thrilling book set in Lyons, France, but also by making it a series that will most definitely be another compelling read.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review - https://youtu.be/T1qYe1nP1iY

Marianne is a spy and works for the resistance. In fact, she is one of two women running their own groups in this story which was a unique aspect of this genre that I really enjoyed.

Marianne receives a note that points to her fiance as a traitor. There had been evidence of a traitor for sometime and now, everything she thought she new and believed is up in the air as the resistance fights back against the Germans.

There are several very strong female characters in this book which was so much fun to read about. I love how the author incorporated this part of history into her story and I cannot wait to see where the rest of the series goes. I was stunned by the traitor and truly did not see that part of the story coming.

I received a copy of this book from Bookouture voluntarily. All views are my honest opinion.

Wow.... What a fabulous start to a new series of WWII Resistance stories! I was glued to it from the beginning.... Amanda Lees tells us of a group of strong, brave women (and men) working with the resistance in France. If you like historical, war based novels then you'll love The Silence Before Dawn.

I am super excited this is going to be a series, because I was not ready for the writing to be finished. Im excited that it is going to follow brave/strong women during WW2.

Marianne and her team of loyal Resistance followers fled when the Germans found their safe-house, the farm they held their meetings in, deep in the forest. Three were captured and left hanging in front of the farmhouse, as a reminder to everyone that the Nazis were everywhere. As Marianne continued to wonder who had betrayed them, more betrayals followed before they joined with another Resistance group, led by the inimitable Juliette. Their work in Lyon was only just beginning, with more of their members infiltrated in various places of importance. They would make a difference in the hateful, horrible war!

When Jack, Marianne's fiance, was captured by the Gestapo and taken to holding where the Butcher of Lyon, a brutal, heartless man named Barbie, would torture his victims before executing them, Marianne was determined to rescue him before their secrets were revealed. With help from within the organisation, to only just escaping with the Nazis behind them, they edged closer. But what would they find? Would they be able to retrieve their captured friends before it was too late?

The Silence Before Dawn is the 1st in the WW2 Resistance Series by Amanda Lees and I was captivated from the start, flying through the pages until the end. An excellent covering of the Resistance of Lyon, the based-on-true-stories of the strong, resilient and determined young women agents who showed such bravery and courage in the face of true horror - I was entranced and am very much looking forward to book #2. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Nazi-occupied France, 1944: Marianne’s works for a resistance network that operates out of a remote farmhouse in the south of France. She is the leader of the network and their mission is to bring down the Nazi regime. Marianne soon discovers that there is a traitor among them and her position as a secret agent is compromised. Her fiancé Jack, also a spy in the network, has fled during an unexpected attack. But Marianne is the only one that believes Jack is innocent, he couldn’t possibly be the traitor or could he? So Marianne sets out, alone to find Jack before he is killed for being loyal to the resistance network or is tortured until he reveals the names of all the undercover agents in France. She is sure that Jack isn’t the traitor but she risks everything to clear his name for those that do.

I was completely captivated from the first page to the last. This rapidly moving story held my attention and I couldn’t put it down. I found myself holding my breath as the story played out like a movie in my mind’s eye. The description of war torn France made me tear up while the characters demonstrated such courage. This was absolutely an amazing historical fiction that will stay with me for a very long while. I love that the author made it so personal and portrayed the emotional love Marianne had of both her fiancé and her country. With a strong lead character the reader feels emotionally invested in the outcome of the story. I was so happy to know that this is the first installment of what I know is going to be a phenomenal series. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series. This is such a fabulous story and I highly recommend it.

Thank you Amanda Lees for such a wonderful beginning to what I’m sure will be a fantastic series. I really enjoyed it and I absolutely recommend it.