This story follows two sisters living in France during the German occupation in WWII and afterwards. The two sisters do not get along at first and do not seem to understand each other, but over the course of the story they gain insight on the other's personality. Louise is the older sister who cares for everyone and wants to do the "right" thing all the time. She joins the French resistance against her younger sister's wishes because she wants to help those like her father and brother who could be in enemy territory and need help. Marie is the younger sister who is the "strong" one, but she only cares for their immediate family. Over the course of the story, Marie learns how much strength it takes to care and love someone because you could get hurt or heartbroken. Louise cares for everyone to a fault, and she realizes that some times she has to prioritize herself and those she cares about. I felt this was a very realistic representation of a fictional war time hero. There comes a time where she is too broken to stand up for every person, especially when she thinks she needs to prioritize herself family. There are some sweet moments of romance, friendship, and family, but these moments are also tempered by extreme grief and hardship. There are definitely some very difficult scenes related to the labor and concentration camps, so there should be a trigger warning for that. I overall enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in WW 2 historical fiction.

Wow! I have been through the emotional wringer with the beautiful words that flow through this story! It's absolutely heartbreaking and tear jerking. I was thoroughly absorbed from the start right up to the end and even then it continues to play on my mind! The characters are resilient and strong! The plot is powerful!

Heart-shattering, suspenseful, compelling and deeply powerful— are just a few of the words I'd use to describe this unforgettable and gripping story that left me in tears. I have read and reviewed many excellent WW2 novels but in the past few months I decided to take a break from those and focus on other historical fiction topics. But when I was sent an invitation by the publisher to read and review The Girl Who Saved Them, I could not resist. After sampling S. E. Rutledge’s previous novels, I was immediately impressed with the quality of her writing and how she is able to connect readers to her characters in such a personal way. It is easy to feel deep emotion for them as we join them on their harrowing journeys.

I am very glad I read The Girl Who Saved Them even though this story broke my heart (which is why I took a pause from these sorts of stories in the first place!). I get so emotionally involved while reading WW2 novels, that I fall to pieces! I can easily imagine what it was like for the people who actually lived through such awful times. Ms Rutledge vividly writes about these experiences in her novel. She presents trauma extremely well. It was easy to sympathise with the victims and get angry at the villains.

This story is about two very different sisters who are given a chance to present their experiences through their own viewpoints. The Prologue begins in Paris with Louise in 1939… ‘A rifle from the Great War stands by the door, freshly cleaned but somehow stained with the living nightmares it’s been through…’ What an opening line and symbolic visual! Louise’s father must take up arms again after twenty years and his son, her brother, Fernand must follow him to the battlefield. In doing so, she and her sister Marie are left to care for their nephew. But waiting patiently for their father and brother’s return is not possible for these two women. They need to get involved in helping fight the enemy and end up in the Resistance which leads to a whole series of hair-raising events.

The descriptions in this novel are astoundingly impactful. And so visual. Many scenes are heartbreaking. It is easy to picture each setting and the multitude of incidents these characters endure. The detailed sketches are filled with various tints, shades and tones that create a variety of moods. There are some happy moments but sorrow corrupts the joyful heart. Changes are inevitable—thanks to the horrors of war. We can see this in all the characters. By the time we reach the end of the story, many aspects of their personalities have gone through a transformation. The two sisters particularly are prime example. Their separation and trials cause them to mature. The war puts everything into perspective.

There are some kind, compassionate and understanding male supporting characters—particularly the loves of Marie and Louise (a Russian and an American). These men are changed by the courage of these women who are in turn strengthened by their support.

There is a lot of suspense in The Girl Who Saved Them that kept me on the edge of my seat. The resistance team, the men saved by these two women, plus their brother and nephew add plenty of weight to the plot. But Marie and Louise are incredibly strong women who represent all the amazing women who endured or survived the Hitler era.

There are some very sad moments of loss. Good people die and this left my heart bursting with grief. I was reminded of the real participants and victims of the Second World War. Books like this serve to remind us to never forget the sacrifice of those who fought back and the savagery of the enemies.

There are some lovely surprises at the end of the novel and I felt the storylines were well concluded. I highly recommend this well-written gem that requires large boxes of tissues while reading! For you cannot help but feel great emotion as you watch the The Girl Who Saved Them unfold. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.

Marie and Louise have been doing their best to survive the war but now Marie, who thought she was joining a work organization is in a forced labor camp and Louise has been captured trying to get airmen of the country. This is poignant and if a bit familiar to regular readers of the genre it's a good read that leans into the sisters and their relationship. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

The Girl Who Saved Them by S. E. Rutledge tells how sisters Louise and Marie decide to do their part for the war by helping out the Resistance. Recruited by a longtime friend, Louise uses their Paris home as a refuge for downed Allied pilots. Strong willed and keeping her sister at arm’s length, Marie isn’t completely on board with Louise’s plan. They are already struggling to feed themselves and their nephew, Andre. When three Americans are needing a place to hide, what should be days turns into months. Marie makes a decision of her own with the premise of sending money to Louise to help her provide for their family, but things aren’t always what they seem.

Positives: Strong female protagonists drive this book. Even with their differing personalities, Louise and Marie grow so much over the course of the war and the experiences that enter their lives.

Struggles: Obviously, the things the sisters go through all in the name of surviving another day are indicative of life in occupied territories during the war. The amount of dishonesty that they uncover as they try to pick the right choices is disheartening, but an unfortunate reality of life in Nazi occupied lands.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on February 5, 2025. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #bookouture #TheGirlWhoSavedThem #SERutledge

In this story we follow sisters Louise and Marie in Paris during World War Two.

After the death of their mother, the sisters become further apart. When their dad and brother, Fernand go off to fight, the girls look after Fernand’s son, Andre.

As times become harder, and food becomes scarce, Marie decides to leave, to get a job in Germany, helping the Germans with much needed labour.

Louise carries on helping the resistance, and things become difficult when she has some American soldiers in her cellar for a long period of time.

We follow both sisters as times change for both of them. We see how they both change as people, and hope to see their loved ones again.

I found this to be a very moving and emotional story.

To read how life was for people during World War Two is not easy. I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it is for a writer who has to research this awful time period and then make it into a story.

Although a heartbreaking story, I also found it to be heartwarming. A tale of bravery, strength and love.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the privilege of reading this book and enlightening me to a program in France during WWII.

One of the main characters in this novel, Marie, signs up for the STO program in France with the idea that she will send home precious money during the war.

STO" during World War II stands for "Service du travail obligatoire," which translates to "Compulsory Work Service" in French; it refers to the forced labor program implemented by the Vichy French government under German occupation, where large numbers of French men were conscripted to work in factories in Nazi Germany as part of the war effort.

Unfortunately she was actually sent to a labor camp and almost lost her life due to the harsh conditions there.

Her sister, Louise, joined the French Resistance and saved the lives of Allied soldiers.

This was a remarkable book which will stay with me for a long time.

Oh this is definitely one of my favourites on this subject. When Louise Beaufort decides to join the resistance on “The Comet Line” she could never have imagined the changes that would take place within her and her family’s lives.
Louise and her sister Marie have been entrusted with the safety of their nephew Andre when their brother Fernandez goes off to war. This makes Louise take action to keep him safe while placing herself in danger. Edge of the seat reading!
Following the story of airmen kept safe by the resistance makes you more aware of the risks everyday citizens took, to do their part for the war effort.
The saddest part of the story is of the death camps, horrifying. The fact that there’s a lot of love throughout the book, especially Louise/Marie, your typical siblings, I felt they morphed into one. Its one heartbreaking read.

I read this book in record time, I can honestly say that I think I cried all the way through the last two chapters and Epilogue, you’d have to be heartless not to.. I had to smile at the link to Isla..
My least favourite character was Dorithea Benz. I have to give shared favourite to Louise & Marie

THE GIRL WHO SAVED THEM by S E RUTLEDGE is a WW11 novel that you will not be able to put down. In it we see that, although what Louise and Marie Beaufoy and their loved ones go through at the hands of the Nazis is horrfic, there is hope for a second chance for some of them. The sisters are both stubborn but otherwise very different and do not get on well. It is interesting to see how they are changed by what they go through…..…
They both join the Comet Line, a resistance group that gets downed allied pilots to safety, and hide them in their cellar. Marie is angry with her sister for putting the family in danger in this way…….
I particularly like to see The Book of Good Deeds, with drawings showing kindness that contrasts with the evil around the women in the camp…..
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
This is a worthwhile read which gives one a great deal of food for thought as we see man’s inhumanity towards his fellow man
I was given an ARC of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Grab the tissues and go back in time to when we lost our humanity. Louise and Maria have been working on the Comet Line helping the Allies escape the Nazi occupation. With each passing day it gets harder and harder. Food is scarce. The SS is searching for traitors. Spies have infiltrated the Comet Line.

Marie is the first to leave, believing in the STO. She was to she would be paid. She was told she was volunteering to work in order to save others. She soon found herself alongside prisoners at a camp without any of the promises and all of the horrors.

Louise fears she has been recognized. She needs to get out of Paris with her nephew and the three soldiers hiding in her basement. With every step they take they risk everything. Their goal is Spain, and Louise almost makes it. Surviving the cruel practices of Nazi interrogation she is sent to a concentration camp.

Following Marie and Louise as they try to survive the concentration camps was heartbreaking. The picture the author presents is horrifying. Not knowing what would happen to them was frustrating.

I sit here trying to understand what the prisoners endured. We all need to read and remember what they endured in order to make sure it never, ever happens again. Thank you S.E. Rutledge for telling this story. It might be historical fiction but there is enough truth to make a person think and learn.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A heartbreaking WWII story by one. You will read this story in one sitting while you cry real tears. I loved it.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The Girl Who Saved Them" follows two sisters, Louise and Marie, whose differing opinions on how to protect their family during the German occupation of France create both conflict and emotional depth. Louise, the caring older sister, wants to help Allied soldiers in need by using their home as a safe house. Marie, the strong-willed younger sister, vehemently objects but eventually agrees—if only to protect Louise from her own good intentions.

This novel masterfully explores the complexities of loyalty, love, and resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. At its heart, it’s a story of two sisters whose bond is tested by the brutal realities of war. Both women are depicted with remarkable depth, each grappling with personal struggles while displaying unwavering courage. Their determination shines through as they make heartbreaking choices and face profound loss. The author skillfully captures their emotional journeys, highlighting the strength they find within themselves and each other, even in the darkest times.

While the story delves into a lot of historical detail, it does slow the pacing at times, which made it challenging to stay fully engaged with the narrative.

Overall, while it wasn’t my favourite historical fiction, it was still an enjoyable read. I would recommend it to fans of The Nightingale.

Can I give this book 6 stars?

There are books that teach you new things everyday, ramming home the point like never before. I'd read before of the resilience of the human spirit, but this book drove the point home.

Indomitablest - that would be my description of this World War Two novel - if there was such a word. I've not read about the French Resistance or the Comet Line with its motto of "Pugna Quin Percutias", " Fight Without Arms", and this novel ably filled in those blanks in my reading life.

I'm filled with admiration and deep respect for all who went through World War Two or even had a whiff of the Nazi camps - be they labour camps, concentration or extermination camps....

The story details the lives of two sisters -Marie and Louise - who are part of the Comet Line and therefore part of the Resistance movement.

Each of them face truly horrendous situations. I can't determine whose indomitable spirit I admire more - Louise or Marie -- for having made it out their respective hell holes alive.

Each find love in the most unexpected situations and with the most unexpected men. Read the book to know more.

If her other books are like this, S.E. Rutledge will become another auto buy author.

I received an ARC for my reading pleasure from Bookouture, but the opinions expressed here are mine alone.

In this book we follow 2 sisters during ww2. Marie and Louise. We follow their decisions and journey through bleak days, but also through happy days. We get to see the human race, from all sides, kindness, darkness, brutality. It never stops to amaze me how far people are willing to go.
I sobbed when I read this book, I wanted to scream out loud because of all the cruelness and unfairness. This book is straight to the point, and do not sugarcoat anything. A must read.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

This was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed about a historical fiction novel. The concept was strongly written and cared about what was happening to the characters. S.E. Rutledge was able to weave a strong writing style and had that feel that I was looking for.

A large box of tissues is defiantly required as you melt into The Girl Who Saved Them. An emotional, heartwarming, heartbreaking, unputdownable novel that sweeps you into Marie and Louise's world of courage, friendship, love, loss, and so much more. A beautiful, well written historical novel that will have you reaching for tissue after tissue, and just when you think you can stop crying, there is more. This is the author's second book, and I will definitely be looking out for more. I so wish I could give it more than 5 stars.
I would like to thank the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for my free copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fabulous book. It was a gritty look at the WW2 era in France during the time of the resistance. this explored the same time period and events but from the view of two sisters: Marie and Louise. Each with their own thoughts about what is happening and about each other. Louise is the older sister who has had to step in as Mom for years since their mother died. Marie is 5 years younger and annoyed at her sister's oppressive behavior. The book starts when their brother decides to join their father in fighting--he leaves his son behind for the sisters to care for.

We start seeing a deviation in opinions by the sisters once Louise decides to join the resistance and use their home as a stopping point for the allied men shot down and needing to be moved. Louise and Marie are very different in their thoughts about what should be done--but Marie agrees--to save Louise from herself. As the story expands we see them both grow apart at first. Louise believes they need to keep doing the job helping as many as possible no matter what--and Marie believes they need to take care of themselves and their nephew no matter what.

As the book continues we then get to experience labor and POW camps in all their evilness. The officers' behaviors are so vile and disturbing. It's not for the weak to read those sections. But necessary to have a small taste of what the survivors lived through and how it shaped their future lives.

The book has a LOVELY arc of growth for both characters...but it wasn't really until the very very end that tears flowed.

4.5 stars for me. But I will give it 5 stars for netGalley

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this novel. All opinions are 100% my own.

This is a heartbreaking story of two sisters in France during WWII. They join the Resistance after their father and brother are off to war, fighting against the Germans. They become part of the underground, taking in American soldiers and working to get them to safety. One sister (Marie) volunteers to go to Germany to work, thinking that she'll earn money to send home to her sister Louise who is taking care of their nephew Andre, and also caring for the soldiers currently hiding in their home.
Marie is taken to a labor camp where she is a prisoner.
The story alternates between Marie and Louise and the struggles, danger, and horror they face as they try to survive to find one another again.
This has all the feels, at times tense and horrific, and other times tender and full of love and care. Admittedly I felt like it was a bit slow for the first 30%, but afterwards, it really picked up and I couldn't read it fast enough!
Excellent writing and story telling.
Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher, for access to this eARC.

Oh my goodness what can I say about this book it had everything romance, heartbreak and a bit of intrigue.

Louise & Marie are sisters who are looking after their nephew Andre as his Father and Grandfather have gone off to the War. Louise & Marie decide to help in the War effort by taking in pilots who have evaded capture until they can be moved on. As more and more difficulties happen the sisters decide on different things. Will they survive the War or not only time will tell.

The story was wonderful I don’t have any bits in the book where I thought we’re not right. It had a bit if intrigue and also hardship which was interesting and sad at the same time.

The book was well written and certainly kept my interest in it that I kept wanting to find out what happened to them all.

Would recommend the book.

The Girl Who Saved Them by S.E. Rutledge is a compelling and emotionally charged tale of courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between sisters during one of history’s darkest periods. Set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied France during World War II, this novel brings to life the harrowing experiences of two sisters as they risk everything to shelter and aid downed Allied pilots.

The story is a masterful blend of historical detail and deeply human emotions. Through the eyes of the two sisters, readers are transported into the heart of the French Resistance, where every action is fraught with danger, and every decision carries life-or-death consequences. Rutledge’s vivid descriptions of occupied Paris and the complexities of life under the oppressive regime paint an authentic and immersive picture of wartime France.

Highlights:
Powerful Themes: The novel beautifully explores themes of loyalty, love, and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
Well-Drawn Characters: The two sisters are portrayed with depth and nuance, their courage and determination shining through even as they grapple with heartbreak and loss.
Historical Authenticity: Rutledge’s meticulous attention to historical detail enhances the realism of the story, providing a vivid glimpse into the lives of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances.
Emotional Impact: The story is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, striking a delicate balance between despair and hope.
Minor Drawbacks:
While the novel is gripping, some readers may feel that certain secondary characters or subplots could have been explored further to add more layers to the narrative. Additionally, while the historical detail is impressive, it occasionally slows the pacing of the story.

Overall, The Girl Who Saved Them is an unforgettable and inspiring novel that sheds light on the courage and humanity of those who stood against tyranny. Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or simply enjoy stories of resilience and hope, this book is a must-read. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.