Description

Be swept away with this breathtaking and beautifully written wartime romance set deep in the French Alps, from the bestselling author behind Channel 5’s Carol Drinkwater’s Secret Provence

‘A moving story of love and friendship’ KATE MOSSE
‘Each sentence shimmers’ MY WEEKLY
‘A virtual hug of a tale’ JOANNE HARRIS
‘Exciting, evocative’ DAILY MAIL
‘Emotional and moving’ FIONA VALPY
‘A beautiful book’ WOMAN & HOME, Historical Novels of the Year
________

France, 1943.

Forced to flee war ravaged Poland, Sara and her parents are offered refuge in a beautiful but dilapidated house in the French Alps. It seems the perfect hideaway, despite haunting traces of the previous occupants who left in haste.

But shadows soon fall over Sara’s blissful summer, and her blossoming romance with local villager Alain. As the Nazis close in, the family is forced to make a harrowing choice that could drive them apart forever, while Sara’s own bid for freedom risks several lives . . .

Will her family make it through the summer together?
And can she hold onto the love she has found with Alain?

By turns poignant and atmospheric, this is the compelling new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Carol Drinkwater about the power of first love and courage in our darkest hours.
________

‘Romantic, evocative, and pulse racingly dramatic’ WENDY HOLDEN

‘A moving story of love, friendship and bravery that simply races along’ WOMAN’S WEEKLY

‘A terrific story . . . skilfully written and heart-rending’ MIRIAM MARGOLYES

‘I love Carol Drinkwater’s writing . . . So evocative of the south of France – you can almost smell the maquis . . . Engrossing’ Reader Review

‘Carol skilfully draws us in to the beautiful Alpes Maritimes region of France to tell the story of Sara . . . the writing is evocative and Sara’s story is both moving and inspiring’ Sheila O’Flanagan, bestselling author of The Women Who Ran Away

‘Great storyline, great characters. A thoroughly enjoyable read’ Reader Review

‘I enjoyed it very much . . . it’s her best’ Elizabeth Buchan, author of The Museum of Broken Promises

‘A wonderful, enjoyable novel with courage and survival at its heart’ Elizabeth Chadwick, author of The Wild Hunt series

‘One not to be missed … tells a part of history that should never be forgotten’ Shirley Dickson, author of The Lost Children

Praise for Carol Drinkwater:

‘I was hooked from the start’ Dinah Jefferies

‘Carol Drinkwater’s writing is like taking an amazing holiday in book form’ Jenny Colgan

‘Beautifully woven and compelling’ Rowan Coleman

‘Secrets, tragedy, hidden pasts and family secrets – I loved this’ Santa Montefiore

Publisher Review

A lovely novel. A moving story of love and friendship with a wonderful sense of place -- Kate Mosse An exciting, evocative and beautifully written romance that views the war from an unusual angle * Daily Mail * Carol skilfully draws us in to the beautiful Alpes Maritimes region of France to tell the story of Sara, a Polish refugee who want to live her life her way. The writing is evocative and Sara's story is both moving and inspiring -- Sheila O'Flanagan, bestselling author of The Women Who Ran Away A terrific story [...] skilfully written & heart-rending, we are pulled into the beauty and destruction of the French countryside in WW2, as a young Jewish girl discovers what matters in life & fights for her love & for freedom -- Miriam Margolyes An outstanding and beautifully written story and one not to be missed. This compelling and meticulously researched WWII novel tells a part of history that should never be forgotten. Thoroughly recommend -- Shirley Dickson, author of The Lost Children Beautifully written, each sentence provides atmosphere and shimmers in thought-provoking prose * My Weekly * An exciting, evocative and beautifully written romance that views the war from an unusual angle * Daily Mail * I loved An Act of Love: it's a virtual hug of a tale; warm, and engaging, and tender. Just what I needed -- Joanne Harris, Sunday Times bestselling author Romantic, evocative and pulse-racingly dramatic, this novel views the war from an unusual and fascinating angle -- Wendy Holden, Sunday Times bestselling author An emotional and moving read. The beauty of the French landscape contrasts starkly with the fear and oppression of the war years in this story of love, loss and courage -- Fiona Valpy, bestselling author of The Beekeeper's Promise Dramatic and enthralling (...) will encourage emotions to dip and soar as it gives hope even in the darkness * LoveReading * Her detailed research and vivid characters bring an emotional depth to a novel that depicts poignantly a remarkable period of history. An Act of Love is an emotional and compelling novel about the power of first love and friendship . . . could be Drinkwater's best novel yet * Historical Novel Society * I enjoyed it very much. Her portrayal of damaged and fearful teenager is so good and believable ... I longed to be in France. It's her best -- Elizabeth Buchan, author of The Museum of Broken Promises I loved reading An Act of Love. It kept me engaged, fascinated and eager to turn the pages ... It's a wonderful, enjoyable novel with courage and survival at its heart -- Elizabeth Chadwick, author of The Wild Hunt series A moving story of love, friendship and bravery that simply races along * Woman's Weekly * An evocative tale of courage and loss, of secrets and risk, in some of France's darkest days * France Magazine * Accomplished ... the narrative is beautifully paced and clever -- Anne Lucey, The Irish Examiner Included in 'The Hot List' * Inside Soap * Praise for Carol Drinkwater * - * Secrets, tragedy, hidden pasts and family secrets - I loved this Plenty of page-turning drama but also mouthwatering descriptions of Paris and Provence * Daily Mail * Carol Drinkwater's writing is like taking an amazing holiday in book form I was hooked from a start threaded with mystery and menace . . . The story kept me gripped as the past tragedy unfolded Carol Drinkwater's writing is always guaranteed to sweep me off my feet Emotional and tenderly written Beautifully written, each sentence provides atmosphere and shimmers in thought-provoking prose * My Weekly * Carol Drinkwater writes with captivating eloquence . . . Full of secrets, tense moments and gorgeous descriptions * LoveReading * A great and compassionate writer An emotionally charged, wartime story set in the French Alps . . . an evocative tale of courage and loss, of secrets and risk * France Magazine *