👶👶👶👶: The Garden of Lost Secrets, by Kelly Bowen

Many thanks to partner, Read Forever Publishing for this beautiful early reader's copy.

First off, can we just talk about this GORGEOUS cover?! I'm a sucker for an alluring book cover, and I fell in love with these vibrant colors and the dazzling cover model from the get-go😍!

Now, onto the nitty-gritty...

📣Historical fiction fans, listen up, because you won't want to miss this one! This dual timeline WWII historical fiction novel has it all: history, suspense, mystery, and romance! @kellybowen09 combines historical fact seamlessly with a present-day storyline, and her characters leave an indelible mark on readers' hearts.

I learned quite a bit in this novel. Who knew that "ninety percent of the [French] population collaborated with the Nazis and the Vichy government." I would have never guessed the percentage was so high😲! I also learned a little more about the Nazi occupation in the Netherlands and was so excited to see reference to the Ten Booms again! This is the second HF book I've read recently that mentions that incredible family in the storyline. The inclusion of the Battleship Bretagne was fascinating, as I never knew much about that history.

Kelly Bowen is clearly a master at writing a good love story, and my aversion to romance novels didn't impede my enjoyment of this part of the storyline. It was tastefully done, tugging at my heartstrings from their first encounter.

So pick up this book if you're up to reading an enlightening historical fiction novel with dual timelines, a nod to Briar Rose, and strong female characters. It is remarkable!

Read 5/16/23