When We Were Brave

A Completely Gripping and Emotional WW2 Historical Novel

De: Suzanne Kelman

Narrado por: Alison Campbell

The face of the woman in the photograph was tilted upwards, as if enjoying the sunshine just for a moment, even as the wreckage of the bombed-out street lay behind her...

Cornwall, 1944: Blinded by love, Vivienne Hamilton eloped to Paris with a Nazi prisoner-of-war, never to be seen again. A disgrace to her family, her name would not be mentioned by any of her relatives for over 75 years.

Present day, London: When Sophie discovers a photograph of her great aunt Vivi from World War II, it throws her into a world of confusion. Because, as she learns about this secret relative, she quickly realizes that the photograph doesn’t fit with her family’s story. It shows Vivi leaving an address associated with a spy network in London - a place she had no reason to be - and it is dated right before she disappeared.

Meanwhile Sophie’s own life feels as blasted and bombed as the blitzed city in the photograph she’s looking at. Her beautiful daughter - as full of joy and wild energy as Vivi had apparently once been - is gone; and Sophie’s heart has been left broken into pieces.

Retreating to the family home in rural Cornwall to seek solace from her pain and the feelings of guilt that she could have done more to protect her daughter, Sophie finds herself becoming obsessed with Vivi’s life.

But nothing can prepare Sophie for what she is about to uncover - the story of a woman who risked everything for the person she loved the most; and a secret family history that could be the key to Sophie’s own future.

A powerful, haunting and unforgettable audiobook about love, heartbreak and betrayal set in World War II Britain and France. Perfect for fans of The Nightingale, Under a Scarlet Sky, and My Name is Eva.

Listeners love Suzanne Kelman:

"A heart-wrenching story of ordinary people elevated to the realm of heroes through love and sacrifice...It is an emotional journey of heartache and love that will leave you in tears. One of the finest books I have ever read." (NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars)

"Oh my goodness! Evocatively unsettling yet hauntingly beautiful...the story is incredibly powerful...I read this book with bated breath. I cried, I grieved and I hoped...I was left both heartbroken and satisfied. Suzanne Kelman...has floored me with this book." (Robin Loves Reading, 5 stars)

"A captivating story of love, friendships and hope for the future. It’s written with such depth that the characters and settings come alive before your eyes." (Chells and Books, 5 stars)

"Heartbreaking...Make sure to have your box of tissues at the ready while you read this beautifully told story!" (Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars)

©2020 Suzanne Kelman (P)2020 Bookouture

Excellent story of love and espionage; Joe

This book is very well written and captivating. The back and forth in time was not a distraction and there was enough mystery to it about who the principal characters really were.
A very good read and listen to.

Everything about this is excellent

What a well done, we’ll researched novel. Many bravos for the author and narrator; cannot praise this one enough. I will look for more from this author and narrator.

Couldn’t stop reading!

Great story and well written! I enjoyed the mixture of present day and historical- Love World War II stories- they truly were the greatest generation!

Kleenex needed Ch 25

Nice story. Two worlds collide. Listened on my drive from TX to NM. I had to skip part of ch 25 otherwise I would had to pull over the side of the road.

A sleeper

Not sure how I found this but very happy I did. For several hours I felt like I just wanted to find out what happened. Not exactly sure why. The narrator is very good but sometimes seems to over accent points, and I found a bit of the sex stuff kinda “lame”? “Over dramatized”? In the end I loved it because of the story and the mystery. I loved the ending and retelling of the song of the sparrows. Maybe most the authors description of her historical research and how it led to the book. Brilliant! Give us more! Cut no corners!

Spies, Love, Grief, Heartbreak and Mystery

What I enjoyed was the very descriptive writing (but not overly) that allowed the listener to "see" Cornwall, London and Paris and be able to "see" the characters as if looking at a photograph. Beautifully done without dragging down the flow of the book.
I really enjoy novels that give different perspectives and this novel did this through the eyes of today and the eyes of WWII from the two main characters.
Some chapters were brutal in the sadness that erupted from within, but thankfully there was more mystery and love than sadness throughout.
I thought it was a fairly good mystery although somewhat dragged out, that led to a rather interesting story - I try to remember it's the journey not the destination. I am sure most will, like I did, figure out the ending long before - but enjoy the journey that can lead to self discovery, forgiveness, and love.
Well spent credit, really enjoyed the narration and the story. Well done.

This is a wonderful and moving story

I love this story, it should be made into a movie! I love to read about the greatest generation!

WWII historical fiction - Excellent

Intriguing. Captures interest immediately. Is exciting throughout. Great research brings new understanding of war spys.

the SOE lives

There are so many stories written about WWII. Sometimes you think how can a new one, with a new twist be written? But the war is like a Rubik's Cube, you twist it around a bit and you get a different view.

This story is mainly about a young British gal who gets caught up in the spy network of the war and it has great ramifications on her life. I wouldn't call this book a thriller but it's a good human interest story.

You'll enjoy it.

Makes you feel so deeply, like your there

The novel brings you in and moves your emotions front and center like you are the main character and living this experience first hand. Such a gripping you, by the heart strings, novel! Definitely a must read. it's more then worth the cost. loved it so much, I hope there is another novel showcasing Sophie and Alex after this experience.
Breathtaking.