They thought her husband was a hero. Only she knew the truth…

France 1943: Amelie Garnier loathes the enemy soldiers who occupy their sleepy French village. Forced to work as a secretary for the Nazis, her heart pounds as she speeds through the narrow streets, enemy secrets in her bicycle basket, home to her husband Bruno. Bruno is hailed as a hero for hiding resistance workers in their cellar but only Amelie knows the truth of what goes in their isolated farmhouse. And what danger she is in…

Present day: Longing for a new start away from the tragedy she left in London, Emma arrives at the forlorn honey-coloured farmhouse. Sorting through dusty cupboards, she discovers a sad-eyed wedding photograph of the previous owner, Amelie, and cannot shake the sense that Amelie too has known great grief.

But when she mentions Amelie’s name in the ancient, cobbled square the locals look away and mutter about a devastating betrayal. Emma knows what it feels like to be wrongly judged and is sure she can still feel Amelie’s gentle presence in the rooms of her new home. If Emma brings Amelie’s truth into the light, will she find a path forward from the rawness of her own loss, and hope for a brighter future?

A completely heartbreaking story about bravery and the terrible sacrifice that a heroic woman in war was forced to make. Fans of Kristin Hannah and Fiona Valpy will be swept away by The French Wife.

What everyone is saying about Ann Bennett:

‘So captivating, I was on edge while flipping through the pages as fast as I could… Truly heartwarming… Emotional, heartbreaking … I loved this… A must-read… Amazing.’ Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heart-wrenching... I could not put it down and it will be one of those books that stay with me for a long time.’ Kirsty Whitlock, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What an amazing read!!! I didn’t expect this to be a rollercoaster of emotions, suspense, and mystery but it was everything!!… The characters were amazing; the story will keep you wanting more and more until the end.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Get those tissues ready, and prepare for some restless nights… This is a real page-turner… A real heart-wrencher… Filled with warm and tender moments and memories… Left me smiling.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ALL. THE. STARS… You’ll be emotionally wrung out yet absolutely spellbound… a heartwarming story that’ll have you reaching for your tissues… breathtaking… needs to be on every historical fiction lover’s TBR list.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Oh my word this book was totally brilliant. Right from the first chapter I was drawn in… brilliant… an emotional read so keep the tissues handy.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Captivated me… Gripping and heartbreaking… The ending was superb, the light shines through in such a beautiful way! I loved this book!’ Vegan Book Blogger, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘OMG… Utterly heartbreaking… Will make you gasp, cry and feel a whole range of emotions… I could not put this book down, my eyes were literally glued to the pages… I loved it.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐