I love Jina's writing style and the detail and care she puts into her stories, This book is a page turner and you'll need tissues in parts. A recommended read.

This novel was told from the point of view of two sisters (Justine and Eve) who loved each other dearly but due to the circumstances of war, were pulled apart and lost communication with each other. It does include sexual attacks that may be triggering to some. The story alternated between the voices of the two sisters and gave a realistic picture of what the situation was in France at that time. It made me sad that Eve, the younger sister, could so easily question the ethics of her sister Justine and didn't take into account her personal knowledge of her character. It was an intriguing book and I suspect from the ending that there will be a sequel. I received a copy of this as and advance read from Netflix, but also purchased a copy for myself.

set in Paris in 1940: Two sisters separated by the Nazi’s.One of the sisters catches a glimpse of a woman who looks just her sister. she was alive. But this blonde was happily chatting with a nazi officer.
heartbreaking and emotional read by Jina Bacarr

Such a fantastic read and so beautifully written.

Parisian sisters Justine and Eve are ripped apart by Nazis and Justine is kept by a Nazi officer as his girl. To try and stay alive and hopefully, facilitate her escape, Justine believes she has no choice but to work as a double agent, however when her sister spots her from afar and believes her to be a nazi supporter, she is devastated.

Having read several books set in WWII, it is sad to say that this story is devastatingly relatable. My heart broke for the two girls and the way they were treated reminded me again of just how horrific this war was and how important it is that we never forget what happened and prevent it ever happening again.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Jina Bacarr and Boldwood for an ARC in return for an honest review.

First time I have read this author, it is also a favourite era for me. I did not enjoy it like I thought I would. If a follow up I will not read it

“Sisters at War” by Jina Bacarr is an amazing book.

It tells the story of two sisters each trying to survive during World War 2 after being separated by a Nazi attack.

“Sisters at War” paints the picture of some of the atrocities that occur during war and can be hard to read at times.

While it is historical fiction, there is no doubt many of these very things did happen in real life. As a history professor, I appreciate the care Jina Bacarr used when bringing this story to life.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me access to this advanced copy.

This was different from the usual WW2 stories I have read in the sense that this was written in the POV of two French sisters who were raised in a rich Jewish household where their mother is employed as a seamstress. Eve is a vexation to her mother, interested in chemistry instead of dresses and make-up, worlds apart from her older sister Justine who loves designing has and turbans. Their world is thrown into turmoil when the house is raided and a Nazi tried to take a painting of the sisters. Eve tries to stop him but he threatens to assault her, when Justine offers herself instead. Taking Justine and the painting, the major leaves a devastated Eve who throws herself into working with the resistance. In the meanwhile, Justine is threatened with the safety of Eve and her mother, and is forced to stay with the major, appearing to be a collaborator. In their own ways, Justine and Eve do what they can to get the Bouche out of France.

Heart-breaking and emotional, you are exposed further to how the Nazi's believed that they were the superior race to all others, allowed to take what they wanted without consequence. We see the shame experienced by victims of assault, how they feel that they are now damaged and deficient, the intense psychological pain that remains.

A story that would appeal to lovers to historical fiction, this does end on a cliff-hanger and promises more heartbreak but more importantly hope of happiness to come.

World War 2 Paris and two talented siblings are separated when the Nazis invade. Unbeknown to each other, they work for the Resistance.A dark, emotional read and well researched. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

This is the story of two sisters, Justin and Eve during the Nazi occupation of France. I'm afraid I haven't finished this book and have been reading it for ages but it just upsets me too much.
This is nothing to do with the writing or the author but all to do with how I feel about the subject matter.
Hearing all the stories at the moment on TV about wars happening now I just can't read about it in my leisure moments.
I have no doubt reading other reviews that this is a good book. Just not for me at the moment.

Wow, this is a book I will need recovering from. In a good way! I am new to this author, but she is clearly a skilled researcher and has done a wonderful job of recreating a war-torn Paris that springs up around you as you read, so that you are completely immersed in the events you’re witnessing. I am endlessly fascinated by novels set during World War II, but we must not forget that war is not something to be taken lightly. So, while this is fiction, it is historical fiction. Violence pervades the pages, and it can be a tough read so please go in with your eyes open. Having said this, the dual narrative is excellent, and the characters of Eve and Justine have been meticulously developed. A heart-breaking story that gave me a lot to think about.

This was such a wonderful story, so sad it broke my heart. I couldn't put this one down as it was so good. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This was a heartbreaking story. I can't imagine Having my home invaded and being separated from my sister at the same time. The lives they had to endure to survive WWII is so hard to wrap my head around.

Wow! What a heartbreaking story.
A story of two sisters, Eve and Justine. What they both had to go through is appalling to read about.
What courage they had to have.
A difficult story to read in many ways. But, a story we need to read and think about.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This novel is uncompromising and forthright in telling the story of the Beaufort sisters - Justine Beaufort and Eve. It begins with events like unsparing sexual assault and coercion for women to surrender under the cruel hands of SS officers who are Germans and the Gestapo when Nazis are the government in a war-driven Paris at the time 1940. Justine is sexually assaulted when a perverted SS officer - Major Saxe Mullenheim abducts and without a doubt, rapes her. After this incident, Eve becomes broken-hearted and lonely thinking Justine's disappearance could have resulted in her death. Justine has to come to terms with the reality that she is helpless and cant deny that she cannot fight the SS and the Gestapo and win. She accepts the fate that she has no choice but to do what the major wishes for her.

Their mother - Maman works for Madame De Giocomote as a seamstress at Maison Bleue. Maman would never leave Madme De Giocomte who treated the sisters as her own granddaughters. Her mother's loyalty to the woman who saved her daughters from poverty and the depravity of those who preyed upon them is above reproach. Their father Beaufort was a gambler and was killed in a knife fight. The landlord tossed them on the streets and they were penniless in the slums in a shack in northern Paris. After that, Madame de Giocomte brought them to Maison Bleue in 1930 maman as her seamstress.

As the Nazis start requisitioning villas for their officers, then grabbing the best thoroughbreds from the stables to send to Germany and harassing the population with curfews and laws. Madame Giocomte feared for their safety only to return to Paris to find her home looted of its impressionist works - fearing the Nazis will return. The Nazis were stealing art by the prospect of a good investment they can resell on the black market or ship back to Germany. The Nazis confiscated Giocomte's husband's collection of impressionists and the arant-garde painting of Justine and Eve.

The Nazis - Boches call Paris a city of Love and Fashion but they treated people as dolls and puppets they can place in a fancy cardboard house then discard at whim.

Eve on the other end of the war is searching for her sister Justine as they get separated by the abduction and abuse of the German Gestapo. As far as Eve is concerned Justine is erased, gone. Eve is saddened terribly. Will Eve let go of her quest for Justice? or face the mental cruelty of the Gestapo or God help her, or give her physical torture at their hands because she defied them. At the time of Eve's university in Paris - Sorbonne she was obliged to do her best for Maman, Madame de Giocomote, and Justine. Haunting, emotions running hot and furious sending Eve into a bout of cold sweats - the vivid memory of Justine's assault by the SS officer stopped her several times to cry. Eve wanted to avenge Justine and was among those who aren't afraid to defy the Nazis, who speak the truth. Justine got assaulted to save her sister Eve. Eve joins the fight to find her sister and what happened to her. On the other hand, Justine seeks her revenge for what the major did to her and her poor maid messenger who was thrown into prison for carrying the message to Eve and Maman about them leaving Paris.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this excellent novel with the author's note highlighting sexual assault as the main theme of the novel, the realities of World War 2, and the gripping research which can be tearfully heartbreaking and emotional.

Thanks to Rachel Random Resources, Netgalley and Boldwood Books Publishers for an advance digital
review copy of my honest review.

Find Book Tour and Review at Novel Nerd Blog: https://smithareading.blogspot.com/

A brutal assault in occupied war-torn Paris in 1940 separates sisters Eve and Justine. A dual-viewpoint story, it is well-researched with believable characters. It's a story of incredible courage and horrific depravity. Eve and Justine, both young women, are assaulted and terrorised, and this changes their lives forever and leads to their separation. It's disturbing to read, but the women's courage and the bond between them are impactful. It delivers a powerful message.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Warning: the themes of rape and gambling are discussed. If you or someone you know has been in a similar situation please seek professional help and support, A.S.A.P.

Sisters at War is a detailed medium paced plot that has been slowly revealed. The story looks at the years of 1940-1942.

Bacarr has researched the occupation of Paris by the German forces. There is mention of the restrictions, rules, curfew, POW and concentration camps, as well as the medicinal properties of plants. The sensitive themes are discussed in an informative way. The writing style is titled chapters for easy navigation yet I found that there were some points that were repetitive.

Ève is a strong and smart person. Ève spends her days studying chemistry and plants, in the hope of curing diseases. She struggles with feelings of guilt and loneliness, as she believes that she has failed her sister Justine when she is taken by the SS. After weeks of searching for answers only to have the case eventually closed by french police Ève tries to avenge Justine by joining the fight, with a network organized by the French resistance...

Justine is the older Beaufort sister. She becomes a victim of rape by SS officer, Major Saxe-Müllenheim, order to protect mother and sister, Ève. Afterwards Justine is taken to a brothel, where she is like a prisoner, given no choice other than to accept her fate...

Overall I feel that Sisters at War gives insight into the hardships and treatment faced by the French and Jews. I sympathized with Justine on more than one occasion...yet I was disappointed with the abrupt ending and found that some sections were very drawn out...

I would suggest reading Sisters at War to people who enjoy reading historical fiction and sagas based around WW2, as it is a powerful character driven story about family, sacrifice and love. The reader witnesses the characters as they come to different points in their lives that are filled with danger....

This is definitely not a easy book to read but one that I think needs to be read. I highly commend the author on writing it as I know it would not have been easy. It tells of the atrocities committed against women in the war by men of power and it's a hard pill to swallow. I can't believe or even begin to imagine what they went through as I think unless you have experienced it for yourself you can't truly understand everything. Saying that my heart broke and I feel like they are a inspiration and there endless courage has given me strength, I'm just sorry that they went through all that. The story is told honestly and openly and honestly think we need more books like this.

Right from the start, you could feel the connection between Eve and Justine. They were sisters through and through, no matter what anyone might say. They picked at each other, played with each other, cared for one another, and as they grew up, despite their interests veering in different directions, they still made time for one another, and could always count on the other to have their back. One such time this came into play was the start of a nightmare for both girls...and although it could have surely ended then and there, their desire to live, their desire to protect each other and their family was so great that the unspeakable became the endurable, for the sake of family.

My heart was ripped open from that very moment things progressed so darkly, so violently. If I could have hugged these two girls through the pages, I would have...and if I could have put an end to their suffering, you bet I wouldn't have hesitated there either. I'm not a violent person, but surely keeping evil from spreading like the poison it is allows a little bit of leeway? But I digress...Eve had Justine, and while she took on the heavy role inadvertently handed to her that would get heavier as the years passed, it didn't mean that Eve's journey was any less difficult. Different hardships, different choices, but in their heart of hearts they still felt the same....family mattered. They weren't disposable, but the greater good mattered. Whether it be keeping family safe, protecting a new life, shielding an old one providing aid, or turning a loved one against you to keep them away from harm, it all boiled down it family bonds, and the love shared between them...something the enemy truly knew nothing about.

A great pick for adult readers of Historical Fiction who don't mind becoming emotionally attached to a story and/or its characters...I know I sure don't! While this book doesn't tie things up nice and neat by story's end, it does give satisfaction throughout, and promises more still to come.

Will two sisters trying to survive during WWII come together or be torn apart? Justine is violently assaulted and taken by a Nazi major while Eve joins the resistance after her sister is taken. Sexual assaults throughout this book makes it hard to read. The ending suggests another book. Loved Arsene!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
This book is about two sisters and their survival through World War 2. I felt so sorry for Justine and it is totally believable that this actually happened during war times. I found myself skimming through parts of the story as parts of it was hard to read and I didn't want to connect too much with the story.
I dnf this book at 38 percent. It is a dark and emotional read.