Sisters of the Resistance in Aussie Readers

Jun 06, 2021 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, autographed-book, arc, gift-from-author, own-read, 2021-release, reviewing-by-request, aussie-authors, uncorrected-proof, 5000-2021

Both Yvette and her older sister Gabby Foucher were embroiled in the war in Paris of 1944. Yvette worked for the House of Lelong, ferrying parcels through the streets to fashionable women who could still afford to dress well. Gabby was concierge of 10 rue Royale, working with her mother to keep the tenants as safe as was possible. When both young women were recruited into the Resistance – unbeknown to each other – it was Catherine Dior who set their tasks. Catherine was also a tenant of 10 rue R Both Yvette and her older sister Gabby Foucher were embroiled in the war in Paris of 1944. Yvette worked for the House of Lelong, ferrying parcels through the streets to fashionable women who could still afford to dress well. Gabby was concierge of 10 rue Royale, working with her mother to keep the tenants as safe as was possible. When both young women were recruited into the Resistance – unbeknown to each other – it was Catherine Dior who set their tasks. Catherine was also a tenant of 10 rue Royale, perfectly positioned for what she needed to do.

Yvette and Gabby both hated the Bosch, but their roles in the Resistance saw courage neither were aware they possessed. Yvette put her own life on the line, naively insisting she could handle herself. Gabby continued to face danger on a daily basis, protecting, nursing and feeding the wounded fugitive – until the raid on the night when everything went wrong.

1947 saw Yvette return to Paris, both dreading and anxious to see her sister and mother. But what would she find when she returned to 10 rue Royale? Christian Dior, fashion designer of the rich and famous, and brother to Catherine, was holding his first show the day after Yvette arrived – her desire to be involved, to see the new fashions, saw her head there. But it was Yvette’s role as a witness that was daunting her – did she really want to defend that person?

Sisters of the Resistance by Aussie author Christine Wells (her first since 2018!) was brilliant historical fiction! Set in two time frames only three years apart, it shows what the women who were involved in the war had to do. They put their own lives at risk to achieve what seemed unachievable; their patriotism shone through and while many lost their lives, those who didn’t found their lives changed forever. Yvette and Gabby are excellent characters, strong, courageous, naïve and incredibly daring; Catherine Dior was another such person. Highly recommended.

With thanks to the author for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jun 07, 2021 Helen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: review-copy-from-author

What an amazing, brilliant, fabulous and beautiful story, I loved it from the start, I savoured every word I felt part of the story, my stomach was in my heart in so many places while these woman that we get to know sisters Gabby and Yvette Foucher and Catherine Dior as well as many other courageous and strong woman who stood up to the Germans and did what they could for France and its allies by becoming Resistance workers.

It is France 1944 and the Germans are occupying Paris a young Gabby is c What an amazing, brilliant, fabulous and beautiful story, I loved it from the start, I savoured every word I felt part of the story, my stomach was in my heart in so many places while these woman that we get to know sisters Gabby and Yvette Foucher and Catherine Dior as well as many other courageous and strong woman who stood up to the Germans and did what they could for France and its allies by becoming Resistance workers.

It is France 1944 and the Germans are occupying Paris a young Gabby is concierge of 10 rue Royale, she has no love for the Germans but does not like to be noticed unlike her younger sister Yvette who is happy to make her feelings known. Gabby cares about the tenants in the building doing what she can for them Christian Dior and his sister Catherine live there as well and it is not long before Gabby and Yvette are helping Catherine with work for the Resistance.

Yvette works delivering packages for designer, House of Lelong this makes it good for her to become a messenger and she is always wanting to do more for the resistance and opportunity comes to her and she jumps at it. With Gabby she finds one of her elderly neighbours hiding a wounded British soldier this becomes Gabby’s way to help. Both sisters are doing what they can to help in their own way and so very bravely.

In 1947 Yvette returns to Paris after being spirited away from danger but it is a long time since she has seen her mother and sister and her guilt is causing her to worry so much about other people and testifying in a huge trial. The sister’s reunion is filled with honesty and openness and it is a joy to see them together again, they have both changed so much, but will they be able to put the past behind them and look to the future with what has happened, will they find love and happiness?

This was a compelling and captivating story, the characters are so real their feelings and emotions come to life on the pages, there were so many times I held my breath for them, I cried for them and I cheered them on with the strength and courage they show. MS Wells has bought to life occupied Paris during WW2 and also the beautiful fashions described it was like I could see these dresses. This is a must read story, a story that I found really hard to put down, I loved it and I do highly recommend it.

My thanks to the author and publisher for my copy to read and review
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Sep 28, 2021 Rhoda rated it really liked it

Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a copy of this book!

This book is set across two timelines in Paris - in both 1944 and 1947 - during, and just after the war. Gabby and Yvette are sisters living in an apartment in Paris, where Gabby (and occasionally her mother) is the concierge, whilst Yvette is a delivery girl for the famed fashion house of Lelong, where Christian Dior is a designer.

Coincidentally, the Dior’s have an apartment in the same Paris building as Gabby and Yvette ...more

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