Overview
From the author of The School for German Brides, this captivating historical novel set in nineteenth-century and post–World War II Paris follows two fierce women of the same family, generations apart, who find that their futures lie in the four walls of a simple bakery in a tiny corner of Montmartre.
1870: The Prussians are at the city gates, intent to starve Paris into submission. Lisette Vigneau—headstrong, willful, and often ignored by her wealthy parents—awaits the outcome of the war from her parents’ grand home in the Place Royale in the very heart of the city. When an excursion throws her into the path of a revolutionary National Guardsman, Theódore Fournier, her destiny is forever changed. She gives up her life of luxury to join in the fight for a Paris of the People. She opens a small bakery with the hopes of being a vital boon to the impoverished neighborhood in its hour of need. When the city falls into famine, and then rebellion, her resolve to give up the comforts of her past life is sorely tested.
1946: Nineteen-year-old Micheline Chartier is coping with the loss of her father and the disappearance of her mother during the war. In their absence, she is charged with the raising of her two younger sisters. At the hand of a well-meaning neighbor, Micheline finds herself enrolled in a prestigious baking academy with her entire life mapped out for her. Feeling trapped and desperately unequal to the task of raising two young girls, she becomes obsessed with finding her mother. Her classmate at the academy, Laurent Tanet, may be the only one capable of helping Micheline move on from the past and begin creating a future for herself.
Both women must grapple with loss, learn to accept love, and face impossible choices armed with little more than their courage and a belief that a bit of flour, yeast, sugar, and love can bring about a revolution of their own.
Review
Micheline is only 19 years old but she is now in charge of her two younger sisters. Her dad was killed during the war and her mother disappeared. She is struggling to feed and do all that needs to be done. Luckily, she ends up with a benefactor, her grandmother’s good friend. This opens her eyes to new possibilities.
Then there is Lissette. She is also struggling to survive the blockade the Prussians have placed on the French. She leaves home to follow her true love, Theódore. She opens a small bakery but it is still a effort not to return to her wealthy parents.
These two characters collide in a unique way. Each with their own issues to survive…but the idea of a bakery ends up being their saving grace and their connection!
This book is very well researched. I love when an author teaches me something. And this author definitely did…about Prussia. I had totally forgotten about what the Prussians put the French through in the 1800s. Add in the WWII section and you have a pretty dang good read.
I adored another book by this author, The School For German Brides . And this book is not far behind it!
Need a fabulous dual timeline historical fiction…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the author for a honest review.
Purchase Here
reecaspieces 