*Blog Tour: While Paris Slept by Ruth Druart

Today I'm on the blog tour for the fantastic While Paris Slept by Ruth Druart*. I very kindly received an e-copy from the publisher via Netgalley. Happy Publication Day Ruth!

Paris 1944

A young woman's future is torn away in a heartbeat. Herded on to a train bound for Auschwitz, in an act of desperation she entrusts her most precious possession to a stranger. All she has left now is hope.

Santa Cruz 1953

Jean-Luc thought he had left it all behind. The scar on his face a small price to pay for surviving the horrors of Nazi Occupation. Now, he has a new life in California, a family. He never expected the past to come knocking on his door.

On a darkened platform, two destinies become entangled. Their choice will change the future in ways neither could have imagined.

Beginning on an ordinary day and ending on an extraordinary one, WHILE PARIS SLEPT is an unforgettable read.

About the Author:

Ruth Druart grew up on the Isle of Wight, moving away at the age of eighteen to study psychology at Leicester University. She has lived in Paris since 1993, where she has followed a career in teaching. She has recently taken a sabbatical, so she can follow her dream of writing full time.

My thoughts?

I don't know where to begin, this book and it's characters stole my heart and made me cry. A richly drawn novel which is one of my favourite reads this year.

Paris 1944, A woman hands a stranger the most precious thing in her world as she's herded onto a train bound for Auschwitz with all the horrors she and her husband are going to face. The only thing that keeps them going is the hope of seeing their child and each other again.

Jean-Luc, his wife, Charlotte and their son Sam are living the American Dream in Santa Cruz. It's 1952 and they've left Paris and the war years behind. But the past always catches up...  Samuel's Jewish parents have been looking for him since the war ended and what follows is heartbreaking for both couples who both want the best for their son.

Sarah believes Sam should be happy and lets him go a second time despite their deep heartache. She and David go onto have more children but they never forget their first precious one. And thankfully everything comes the full circle and they experience surprise and ultimately joy. WOW what a book, I loved it!