I this this is one of the best fictionalized stores I’ve read about the British women age to France during WWII. While there are many of the series written that I’ve enjoyed previously, I felt this tale truly captured the horrors, the deprivations and the bravery that these I was also struck by the challenges that families felt among themselves during these horrifying times. The band between families was and especially twins was well pictures. It also captured the misogyny that existed during these times and its impact on the women who served and the story’s that were told about them upon the war’s end.

A heartbreaking historical novel set during WWII . Twins ,Tessa and Theo, both become involved in the war effort, he as an Ace Pilot, she as an underground agent. Only Theo returns. Years later, Edie, A Ph.D student , working on Special Agents during the war reopens secrets from that time period. With the help of Theo, they trace Tess's involvements and what had happened to her. The end of the story left me with some unanswered questions, the reason for the 4 star rating, I look forward to reading more from this author in the future! Good book club selection.

Tessa and Theo are so connected as twins, as children they would show off at school by reading one another's thoughts. They have a bond that no one can break. Being a mother of boy-girl twins, I instantly related with this unique bond between Tessa and Theo. This wonderfully written book is told in four parts. The first two parts of the book you meet Tessa and Theo. When WWII hits, Theo decides to join the Royal Air Force. Tessa wants to do anything but secretarial work, so she joins in the fight as a Special Operations Executive. She will be a courier, carrying messages that will move between the parts of a network of agents and French Resistance groups. She leads her family to believe she is serving in another entity and even predates letters to home. One night after much preparation, Tessa is parachuted into France and things go terribly wrong. At this point she is on her own and does what she must to survive. Part two of the book gives Theo's story. He has heartbreaking struggles that cause him pain during and after the war. Part three comes decades later where you meet a PhD student, Edie. She is wants to uncover what really happened to Tessa and the reason she never returned home. She teams up with Theo and I loved their relationship. Edie has so much doubt about herself, but it is Theo who gives her self confidence. Part four is told from Tessa's perspective. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This is going to be one of top reads and I will tell everyone to go ahead and reserve a copy for themselves on March 17, 2026. I would love to see a sequel, one can only hope. If you love Kristin Hannah or historical fiction, this debut novel is for you. I will read anything Lori Inglis Hall writes!

It's hard to believe that this serious, emotional novel is Lor Inglis Hall's first effort. It is gripping and suspenseful as it travels back to 1938 England. For probably the first time, Britain is recruiting and sending women into France as couriers and spies to support the French Resistance.

Tessa Armstrong, twin of Theo. who is in the RAF is particularly fitted for the role as she is a graduate of the Sorbonne and a native French mother. With flashbacks to their early years, you learn how close the twins are. The first portion of the book is both exciting and terrifying. The next portion of the story follows Theo, first as he is shot down over Normandy, and then as a lawyer at the Nurenberg trials.

This reads like a well=researched historical novel, yet with keen insights into the inner lives of its characters. It reveals how history can get it wrong and the efforts to find the truth of what happens in wartime and after. I deliberately did not want to reveal too much but rather to encourage the special writing of this page-turner.

Thank you, Pamela Dorman Books, a division of Penguin Random House and Net Galley for the chance to read this early copy. These are my honest opinions.