Overview

An unforgettable story about an unlikely friendship and about healing the wounds of a broken past, from the million-copy bestselling author of Fresh Water for Flowers.

Justine is 21 years old, and has lived with her grandparents and her cousin Jules since the death of her parents. As a nursing assistant at a retirement home, she spends much of her days listening to her residents’ stories.

After bonding with Hélène, an almost 100-year-old resident, the two women slowly reveal their stories to one another. Whilst Justine helps Hélène to relive her memories of love and war, Hélène encourages Justine to confront the secrets of her own past and the loss she keeps buried deep within.

One day, a mysterious phone call detailing a shocking revelation shakes the retirement home to its core. At once humorous and melancholic, Valérie Perrin’s novel depicts the consequences of undeclared love and, in her inimitable way, portrays once again how the past is never really past.

Review

Justine works as a nursing assistant at a retirement home. She becomes very good friends with Hélène and Justine loves to hear her stories about the past. These two encourage each other to confront their tragic memories.

I very seldom say this. But, this book probably should be physically read and not via audiobook. It took me quite a while to figure out what time period I was in. The author did not let you know at the beginning of a chapter so you had to go pretty far into the chapter to figure it out. Also, the main character, Justine, would flash back to her past. This story was a bit confusing in places.

The narrator, Elisabeth Lagelée, did a very good job, especially with the French.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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