BOOK BY: Roseanna M. White
Roseanna White’s first WW2 story is worth savouring.
It’s so refreshing to pick up a WW2 story about a German Nazi officer who wants to be wearing anything else than the uniform he’s been given. Christian Bauer is a university professor from Berlin. He’s passionate about the written word and he’s keeping his backstory secret.
Corinne Bastien is paving the way for women professors at the Sorbonne in France. Her translation skills are unmatched by even native German speakers. Both professors have much to hide, too much at risk to expose, but find common ground in the written word.
This is a story about the German occupation of Paris in 1940. And a library dedicated to the “verboten” books of Germany. The meeting place of German writers and poets to continue their work and where they kept their forbidden books.
Christian is a quiet man, intelligent, and heartsick over the war that’s endangering other intellects – and his friends. Forced to wear a Nazi uniform, Christian accepts a position in Paris overseeing the dismantling of the city libraries. Doing his best to preserve thoughts and ideas for generations to come. He has a slew of secrets that keeps him ever alert – adding great conflict to the page.
Corinne is strong-willed, strong-headed and not about to let the Germans destroy everything France means to her. She isn’t afraid to face conflict head-on. There’s much to admire as she faces adversity and tries to please her uncle as she works to resist Nazi occupation.
Theirs is a slow-burn romance, a forbidden one. I love the chemistry between these two and admire how hard they work at keeping up a façade.
There are some fantastic twists that make it impossible for either character to survive to the end of the novel. And just as many delightful surprises that will keep the pages turning. The cast of characters give plenty of reasons to love or dislike them.
And, I love the character connection to Roseanna’s previous WW1 series. I totally didn’t see that one coming.
There is a strong faith element that follows both characters as they are practicing Catholics. It was interesting to learn of some of the rituals and beliefs.
It was a fantastic read!
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.