Whilst I thought this 2s going to be a predictable read, it kept me guessing and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Set mainly in Normandy during WW2 and in the 1980s/1990s, it was beautifully written. I’m prone to a good resistance story and this book was definitely one for me.

Enjoyed reading. A reminder about how life changed for the French and the British during WW2 and how the sacrifices made enabled future generations to move forward.

Look forward to reading more by Rachel in the future.

Esther has loved everything French since she started learning the language during her teenage years in school. She lives in Dorset and often gets to travel to Normandy for work. It is her favourite place in France. She loves the food, the countryside, the culture, and she loves the Joubert family.

Giselle Joubert was her high school pen friend, and when Esther's school did an exchange program, Esther stayed at the Joubert's rustic farm near the small town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise. There she met and had a schoolgirl love affair with Jules, Giselle's older brother. They stayed in contact for a while, but then the letters stopped coming. Even though Esther has visited the Jouberts many times since, she has rarely crossed paths with Jules and they barely made eye contact. Now Esther is going to be godmother to Giselle's second child, and Jules is going to be godfather, even if only by proxy if he can't be there in person.

On one of her previous visits, Esther had found a recipe book and between it's pages there was a sheet of paper which had a recipe for preserving wild garlic on one side and on the other a poem written in both French and English. Captivated, Esther kept the piece of paper but now she wonders if that was a mistake and so she is determined to ask elderly Grand-mere Joubert about the book and the poem.

The opening of the book focuses on a young woman living in Paris in late 1940. Marie-Claire is married to Benjamin, a Jew, and mother of a young child named Antoine. With the coming of the Nazis, the little family knows that they have to escape and so plans are made to catch the train to the south of France where she has family. However, things go terribly wrong, and Marie-Claire ends up travelling north to Caen, separated from her baby. There, she meets a man who, seeing her distress, takes her to a chateau where a small group are gathering to form a resistance group. With her hatred of the force that destroyed her family, Marie-Claire joins the group.

Given her cooking skills, the perfect cover for Marie-Claire is to run a cafe in the small town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise. Here, she can listen into conversations and gain information to share with the Resistance, but she does become actively involved in some of the more dangerous activities of the group. One of her key roles though is to share messages through the community in the form of recipes which contained secret codes! Being busy doing something to undermine the Nazis gives her purpose and helps her begin to heal from her terrible losses.

While we are learning about Marie-Claire's life and role in the war, in the modern story line, Jules and Esther finally have time to work through their dormant feelings for each other and decide if there is any chance of a future together. However, it is never going to be all plain sailing given that Jules has a very successful career in Paris and Esther lives in England.

Throughout the story we hear about the role that Dorset played in the planning for the D-Day landings, about the paratrooper who got stuck on the spire of the church in the town and had to play dead for a few hours before he could be rescued and so much more.

We visited Normandy when we went to Europe and really loved it. We liked the WWII history, the food, and the cider was so good, as in really, really good. However, we couldn't visit every little town. It's a shame not to have visited Sainte-Mere-Eglise as there is an Airborne museum there, and they commemorate the paratrooper getting stuck which is based on a true story. When I was looking at some information about the town I found it really interesting that the coat of arms for the town now even includes two parachutes.

I hadn't read Rachel Sweasey before and I am happy that I have now. I am really keen to read her back list each of which feature the region around Poole (which is where her family is from), and WWII France. I was interested to see that Rachel now lives in Brisbane.

As part of the promotional information for the blog tour, we were sent a recipe for Marie-Claire's Poulet Vallee d'Auge which sounds delicious! Because this is a Weekend Cooking post, I had to share the recipe with you all!













I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge which I host, and with Foodies Read hosted at Based on a True Story. This also counts for my read on a theme book club where the current theme is War. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 4/5

A very enjoyable dual timeline novel. Meet Marie-Claire, who in trying to escape war torn Paris in 1940, tragically loses her husband and son. Heading north to Normandy to evade the German soldiers, she reaches a chateau where she finds resistance fighters and agrees to work with them to gain revenge for the death of her husband and son. In 1998 Esther is planning a trip to Normandy where she will spend some time with her old friend, Giselle, whom she met whilst on a school trip to France and where she fell in love with Giselle’s brother. The two timelines are deftly interwoven and, as the two stories continue, long held secrets are revealed.

A very easy to read, enjoyable story. Hard hitting at times, especially when detailing life in the resistance, but overall, a very satisfying story. This the first book I have read by this author but based on this book, I will look for more of her books to read.

A beautiful dual timeline historical fiction set in the small town of Sainte- Mere- Eglise in Normandy. The historical timeline is the story of Marie- Claire, she and her family are trying to escape Paris after its have been occupied by the Germans, a run in at the train station sees her lose both her husband and son. She ends up working in a restaurant in Normandy and helping resistance workers. Her recipes contains secret code. The modern timeline sees Esther who lives in Poole, in 1998, come to the village over time to meet her French penpal. She finds a note and the cookbook.

A fast past novel that moves effortlessly between the two timelines. Whilst bits of it were predictable in a nice way I taken by surprise by the ending. I enjoyed Esther’s second chance romance with Jules and the way the recipes and cookbook tied the two timelines together. The historical timeline was well researched and I enjoyed the resistance work and strength of the women. A short but powerful story.

Another great read from Sweasey, again set in Poole and also Normandy. A dual-timeline, I felt invested in both characters as we experience the Second World War Resistance in Normandy, as well as a lost love that is rekindled.

In fact, although I am starting to think the Dorset setting is becoming part of Sweasey’s signature, the majority of the action takes place across the Channel. In present day, Esther is returning to a Normandy village to visit a friend and their family. Within this family, it soon becomes clear that there was a potential relationship between Esther and Jules, except nothing really came from it. Years later, they unexpectedly cross paths again and the couple find themselves drawn to one another, as if time had not passed.

In contrast, Marie-Claire is forced to flee Paris after the Nazi occupation means her family’s life is at risk. However, rather than making it to the Southern coast, she ends up in a small village in Normandy – minus her husband and young son. Very quickly, Marie-Claire becomes a part of the Resistance, except in a way that I had not anticipated. She runs a café and, from listening in to Nazi conversation, passes on any intelligence. Yet, her most significant role was through her recipes and writing, where Marie-Claire would use these to pass on codes that other members of the Resistance would interpret. It was fascinating to read about and made this Second World War book different to others that have focussed on the Resistance.

I enjoyed this book because it felt like it was an exploration of relationships during the war and how everything felt so temporary. This was reflected in present day, where Esther’s new-found relationship with Jules seems just as fragile – obviously for very different reasons. I thought Sweasey’s opening chapters were incredibly heart-wrenching and I admired Marie-Claire’s strength and resilience – something you needed bucket loads of during the war.

Not only this, I don’t think it was very heavy on the historical element. It made for a very enjoyable read and I appreciated the romances woven in the timeframes. Indeed, as the writer provided further clues about Marie-Claire, I was desperate to see how this would be discovered in the present day, especially as she is so tight-lipped about her role during the war.

I was absorbed into this story of love and courage. Despite the time difference, both Esther and Marie-Claire demonstrate these qualities and I loved how the past became embedded in the present. An engaging read that shows strength in the darkest times of humanity.

With thanks to Boldwood books, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rachel Sweasey has a lovely style and I enjoyed this story, however her research was a bit lacking. As one reviewer pointed out, the resistance fighters drank coffee all through the war in the book. The war part of the book did feel too easy. The suffering and deprivation of the French people is not really clear, although it was probably not nearly as great in some parts of the country as it was in Paris

The dual timelines involve Marie-Claire, who becomes involved in the resistance after her Jewish husband is shot for carrying Jewish books when they are trying to escape to the South at the beginning of the war, and Esther, who has fallen in love with Marie-Claire’s grandson Jules in the present day. Marie-Claire works for the resistance by hiding messages in recipes and helping to hide injured airmen and Jewish families. Torn between Louis and George, an injured airman, Marie-Claire has to decide whether she can face having another family after losing her husband and son.

Esther’s mother was abandoned by her father so she wonders whether she can trust the handsome Jules, who she has loved all of her life. This part of the story is very sweet and they are both lovely characters. I liked the descriptions of the farm in Normandy and Poole, an unusual setting for a story.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This story is told with dual timelines. I thought the story set in the past was more interesting. It had some heart breaking moments too. It was a good historical fiction book.

The Girl from Normandy is a powerful story of love, friendship, bravery and survival.
The two timelines and the family connections are beautifully woven together.
The historical aspects of the story are informative, well-researched and bring so much relevant depth to the story. And the book cover is truly stunning!

Marie-Claire is my favourite character - despite such heartbreaking loss, she displayed enormous strength; care towards others and achieved so much, through both her French Resistance efforts and her family legacy. I like the way this story really demonstrates the power of teamwork between the French Resistance and the Allies - together they were able to do amazing things. Marie-Claire’s story is proof of why they fought for freedom; for peace, and for the future happiness of later generations.
“Be grateful for the blessings you have today.”

Thank you to Boldwood Books for an advance digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Set in France during ww2 and also in the present day with a dual PoV this could have been a good historical fiction read. I did find the historical part interesting, set in a town in Normandy. However, the story felt flat and focused too much on the romance side rather than the resistance. I just felt too light and fluffy for a war book, it didn’t go into detail on the horrors people endured during the war. I also found the dual PoV very annoying, switching between the two every other chapter. I did find the ending good and satisfactory.
Probably wouldn’t recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this bok, all opinions expressed are my own.

The Girl From Normandy is a dual time-line story set during WWII in Normandy and the late 1990s in Dorset and France.

In the 1940s we meet Marie-Claire who has become separated from her family as they try to leave Paris for the South of France. To avoid the occupying forces, Marie-Claire heads north and ends up taken in by a group of resistance fighters. She agrees to help this resistance cell and is sent to Sainte-Mère-Église where she works in a café gathering information and helping with "Petite Résistance" to hinder and undermine the occupying forces.

In the 1990s we meet Esther, an Englishwoman, who as a school-girl visited Sainte-Mère-Église on a school exchange. Esther has kept in touch with the family she stayed with and has returned for her penfriend Giselle's baby's christening. Originally, Esther was not able to converse with Giselle's grand-mère, Marie-Claire, but now that she is proficient in French, she is better able to understand the older woman's dialect. A scribbled note unlocks secrets from Marie-Claire's past.

I loved this story. The war years in particular had me gripped. Marie-Claire was exceedingly brave and selfless in her undercover activities. In common with many of her time, Marie-Claire has not divulged the part she played during these dark times to her family, but the note that Esther found in a cookbook encourages Marie-Claire to talk a little about her early life.

I thought the WWII years of The Girl From Normandy were well researched and delivered, and that the plot felt very plausible. This part of the story really tugged on my heartstrings. I felt great sadness at each loss Marie-Claire experienced and hoped against hope that she would find her own happiness.

The Girl From Normandy is a story for lovers of historical fiction, in particular the WWII years, with a strong female lead in Marie-Claire, which takes the reader on an emotional journey, and one that I would whole-heartedly recommend.

A dual time line read set between World War Two and the late 1990’s. The years are seamlessly wound together to create a story of courage, loss, love and resilience. I got totally engrossed in the story, the characters and their lives that I read it in a sitting. A lovely read that pulled on all my emotions. A definite recommendation.

This is the very moving story of Marie -Claire who is having to leave her home in Paris in 1940 with her husband and 2 year old son as the Germans start to occupy it.Soon she finds herself in the countryside of Normandy and helping the resistance. In 1998 Esther is returning to a Normandy village for a christening that she last visited as a teenager. Secrets start to come to light that intertwine Marie-Claire with the place where Esther is stopping.Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books.

Decent dual-timeline WW2 fiction. Fairly predictable, but still enjoyable.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

A wonderful book by Rachel Sweasey. Set between WW2 and 1999-2000 the storyline follows the life of resistance fighters Marie Claire and Louis-and their families and Esther and Jules in 1999. Whilst there is a lot of jumping time zones it is very easy to follow and some amazing people. Whilst at some points you think you know the direction the author will take you in you are surprised. Thanks to Rachel and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

The girl from Normandy is a heartwrenching and powerful novel that I read in one sitting!

Parts of it did feel rushed and I would have loved more detail - particularly about the work Marie-Claire did for the resistance. However, I loved the dual timelines - the ending had me in tears!!

Overall a great read, and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

4 stars out of 5 ⭐️

Paris, 1940: Marie-Claire is married and has a young son and life has become unbearable in the capital since the Germans invaded and they make plans to leave. This unravels at the train station and Marie-Claire is forced to travel to Normandy alone, and stumbles upon a chateau near Caen and joins growing resistance movement.

Marie-Claire is a wonderful cook and later she begins working in a cafe in the small village of Sainte-Mère-Église, here she’s to pay attention to what the Germans movements and what they are talking about and pass it on and as the war drags on Marie-Claire becomes more involved and is prepared to fight.

The story has a dual timeline, it’s told from both Marie-Claire and Esther’s points of view and almost six decades apart and is easy to follow and ties together perfectly.

1998: Esther had a wonderful time staying with the Joubert family as a teen at their farm near Sainte-Mère-Église, drinking hot chocolate and she had a massive crush on Giselle’s older brother Jules. Esther is returning to have a much needed break from work and be her long-time friend Giselle’s second child’s godmother and while visiting she discovers an old cookbook and inside an odd note in the family kitchen. Someone at the farm and possibly members of the family must have been involved in the French resistance during the war, intrigued she looks for more clues and wants to solve the mystery.

I received a copy of The Girl from Normandy from NetGalley and Boldwood Books in exchange for an honest review. The inter-generational narrative covers topics such as the Second World War in France, treatment of Jewish people and how families were torn apart, and many kept what happened to them a secret or was too painful to share?

I liked reading about Esther’s and grand-mères growing relationship, and the unexpected links to Dorset Coast and Poole and the D-Day landing.

Rachel Sweasey's writing quality has improved, and the structure and the flow of her plots, since she wrote her first book The Last Boat Home and five stars from me and I highly recommend The Girl from Normandy.

This is a dual time novel and a sweet story. As far as WWII is concerned, don’t get your hopes up. There is an ugly event at the very beginning of the book. The main character has to flee and runs into all the right people at the right time, who soon feel like family. The subversive activities go very well, all the time. They’re sharing classified information as if they’ve read it in the newspaper. There is little talk about lack of food. They keep drinking coffee throughout the war. Except for the beginning, there seems to be no hardship, which contributes to a lack of authenticity. Character development is minimal. Marie Claire loves to cook. That’s about the only one who feels strongly about anything. The others exist, fall in love, get married, have kids, but there’s not much excitement. The story strolls along. WWII is used to illustrate the story, but it has nothing of the fear and suspense that you'd normally find in a book of this genre. If you’re looking for an easy and sweet beach read, you’ve found it.

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own. I was not required to leave a positive review.

My thanks to Net Galley, Boldwood Books, and the personal invitation I received to review this book!

Wow! What a read! I loved this! Two timelines.
1940s. Marie Claire is about to travel with her family and suffers a devastating loss. 1998. Esther returns to visit old friends in Normandy and discovers a connection to Marie Claire thru a cook book. Great read, well constructed story with characters that have depth. Highly recommend.

The Girl From Normandy, by Rachel Sweasey, is a dual timeline story of courage, family, and love during WWII and the generations that follow. Secrets kept from the younger ones are revealed and serve to draw the family closer. From Sainte-Mere-Egilse to London to Paris this story of French resistance works and their families will touch your heart. I was able to read an ARC in #NetGalley.