The Nightingale by by Kristin Hannah

Title: The Nightingale
Author: Kristin Hannah 

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Release Date:  February 3, 2015  

Despite their differences, sisters Vianne and Isabelle have always been close. Younger, bolder Isabelle lives in Paris while Vianne is content with life in the French countryside with her husband Antoine and their daughter. But when the Second World War strikes, Antoine is sent off to fight and Vianne finds herself isolated so Isabelle is sent by their father to help her. 

As the war progresses, the sisters' relationship and strength are tested. With life changing in unbelievably horrific ways, Vianne and Isabelle will find themselves facing frightening situations and responding in ways they never thought possible as bravery and resistance take different forms in each of their actions.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“Some stories don’t have happy endings. Even love stories. Maybe especially love stories.” 

The Nightingale is a realistic fiction novel depicting a time when France was occupied by Nazi Germany during WWII.  It tells the story of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle who lost their mom when they were too young. You could also say, that in a way, they have lost their father too who was a broken man after the Great War. When the war begins, Vianne is working as a teacher. She's married to Antoine and they have a daughter, Sophie. Isabelle, the younger sibling, is only eighteen. She's impetuous and adventurous. 

Before long, Antoine is sent to fight in the war, leaving Vianne and Sophie behind. Isabelle soon joins her sister, after her father sends her away from Paris.  Vianne and Isabelle have never been close. Their differences have always been noticeable. Vianne thinks of herself as weak and worries about their survival, while Isabelle speaks her mind and wants to join the fight. She wants to be part of the resistance. Their lives become more complicated when a German captain is sent to live with them. Vianne tries to keep her head down and be inconspicuous.  Isabelle, on the other hand, knows she can't stay with Vianne without putting her and Sophie at risk. When the chance to join the resistance comes, Isabelle makes up an excuse to go back to Paris. Here is where the story becomes impossible to put down. The sisters' tribulations, losses, heartbreak and the always present danger captivates the reader.

“A broken heart hurts as badly in wartime as in peace.”

I believe The Nightingale is a story that should be read by everyone. Kristin Hannah does a great job in detailing the horrors of the war and their consequences. At times, I felt like my insides were being ripped apart. I knew it couldn't end well for them. Or at least not for both. The end was bittersweet. I would recommend having some tissues around. I was not a sobbing mess like I was with her other novel, Firefly Lane, but it was close enough. 

I hope the movie does this book justice. I hope to add it to prior masterpieces like Shindler's List and Life is Beautiful. 

“Men tell stories,” I say. It is the truest, simplest answer to his question. “Women get on with it. For us it was a shadow war. There were no parades for us when it was over, no medals or mentions in history books. We did what we had to during the war, and when it was over, we picked up the pieces and started our lives over.”

Cliffhanger: No

4.5/5 Fangs

Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens

Title: Never Let You

Author: Chevy Stevens

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Release Date: March 14, 2017 

Eleven years ago, Lindsey Nash escaped into the night with her young daughter and left an abusive relationship. Her ex-husband was sent to jail and she started over with a new life. Now, Lindsey is older and wiser, with a teenage daughter who needs her more than ever. When her ex-husband is finally released, Lindsey believes she’s cut all ties. But she gets the sense that someone is watching her. Her new boyfriend is threatened. Her home is invaded, and her daughter is shadowed. Lindsey is convinced it’s her ex-husband, even though he claims he’s a different person. But can he really change? Is the one who wants her dead closer to home than she thought? 

Chevy Stevens targets her readership with a novel that hits all the notes they come to expect from her—and ratchets up the stakes even more in a novel that explores the darkest heart of love and obsession.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Never Let You Go is a well-written suspense novel with memorable characters and a fast-paced storyline. 

The novel opens with Lindsey Nash, a young woman married to an abuser, Andrew. They have a small daughter and they are in Mexico on vacation. This chapter is a perfect way for Chevy Stevens to showcase an example of Andrew's manipulation and abuse of Lindsey.  

From then on, we get Lindsey and Sophie's POV with the narrative jumping between past and future. 

In the past, Lindsey meets Andrew and falls in love and details how the marriage changed from a happy one to an abusive one. 

In the future, Lindsey is living in a small town with her seventeen-year-old daughter Sophie who's about to finish high school. Lindsey is dating Greg after many years of being alone while Sophie is dating one of her classmates. Things are looking up for both women until Andrew is back in the picture and Lindsey starts feeling like someone is stalking her... And just when I thought I knew where the story was going, a TWIST happens. 

Wow, what a TWIST it was!! It made this story so much more. From that moment on, I couldn't put the book down. I NEEDED to know how it was going to end. In the end, I was very satisfied with its resolution although, I couldn't avoid feeling sad about a certain event and wishing for a different outcome but that just might be me. 

I won't hesitate to read another book by this author. Never Let You Go is a winner.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.