"Men tell stories. Women get on with it. For us it was a shadow war. There were no parades for us when it was over, no medals or mentions in history books. We did what we had to during the war, and when it was over, we picked up the pieces and started our lives over." 
 Wow. This book is equal parts beautiful and heartbreaking. This story of two sisters explores the women's war in Nazi occupied France, and details how they each respond to the war that has landed on their very doorsteps. We see how individuals are shaped and hardened by the war, the sacrifices that they have to make in order to survive, and how the ravages of war can last a lifetime but the human spirit still manages to go on. 
 Initially, I thought I would be paging through this book. The only reason I picked this up (besides rave reviews) was that I did extensive study on an influential intelligence agent during WWII and thought a look at the women's war would be fascinating. This book dragged me in and held me captive - I could barely put it down. 
 Isabelle's storyline was inspiring and a very important example of what some women did during the war. In turn, Vianne's storyline was one that I think many also connected to. She's a woman who just wants to survive and protect her child, all while living under the same roof as a Nazi soldier and her rebellious young sister. Despite that fear, she realizes that she needs to do something - anything, and she plays just as important a role in the war as her sister. 
 These sisters are so very different from one another, and that dynamic truly propelled the story forward. My heart broke so many times for the two sisters, and I truly could not hold back tears multiple times as the story neared its end. MY HEART. Even the horrors in this book had my mouth open wide in shock, and my mother caught me saying "that did not just happen". (view spoiler)[ Two prime examples of the above emotions are when Isabelle dies in Gaetan's arms after the war ends and when they take Ari to America to be with his relatives. (hide spoiler)]. 
 Please, I implore you - read this book. The characters, plot, and writing were of a most beautiful depth that has this book taking a prized place on my bookshelf. 
 Overall rating of 4.5.