This novel has it all: true love, harrowing war scenes, intrepid women, spies, haute couture and beautiful landscapes. It's definitely a page turner where fact and fiction blend beautifully, speaking to the bod yet often untold contributions of women in war efforts. The characters are vibrant with a strong emotional range. I enjoyed reading the adventures, love stories and parallel unfolding of generations.
The last few chapters, however, become needlessly complicated, even melodramatic, for a story which, on its own merit, was compelling enough that it didn't need the extra sap.
I would recommend it - a perfect book to plunge into to capture an era and stories not well-known. Lester is definitely a gifted story-teller.

This copy was bought at my local bookstore.

in the library!