April 1, 2023
Bowen (The Paris Apartment) returns to a familiar subject in this novel. Against the backdrop of a derelict ch�teau in France, Bowen shifts time between the present day and Europe during World War II. In the present, Isabelle, a restoration contractor specializing in historic buildings, returns home to purchase the neighboring ch�teau whose gardens were her childhood fantasyland. Inspired by their great-grandmother's fairy tales, Isabelle and her architect sister always promised to purchase and restore the ch�teau together, were it ever to go on the market. Now Isabelle has the building, but the sisters are estranged. Meanwhile in the historical storyline, Stasia, who spent youthful summers exploring these same gardens, returns to the area as legendary Resistance fighter Briar Rose. Aiding a team of operatives to dismantle Nazi communications headquartered in the ch�teau, Stasia reunites with a lost love. VERDICT Bowen has achieved success as a prolific romance author. While this novel is historical fiction framed around real events and directly inspired by real people, fundamental romance characteristics permeate the dual storylines.--Laura A.B. Cifelli
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