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Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Not My War by Valerie Anne Hudson is a historical fiction drama that follows a young woman navigating life in Nazi-occupied Paris. Louise "Lulu" Bellingham has had enough of English boarding schools and eagerly awaits the return to her home in Paris. But soon after her arrival, France surrenders to the Nazis, and the German Army occupies the capital. While Jews are being rounded up all over the city, Lulu begins a relationship with the German officer Captain Hans Hartmann, nephew of the ruthless General Hartmann, much to the chagrin of her friends and family. It is only when she is mistaken for a Jew and has a first-hand experience of German atrocities that Lulu realizes her mistake and takes an active part in the Resistance. But doing so puts her life in grave danger.
Not My War gives readers a rare glimpse into the lives of those men and women who put their lives on the line to help countless innocent people escape the clutches of the Nazis and find sanctuary. Valerie Anne Hudson's gripping historical novel is rich in thrills, suspense, and intrigue, and there isn't a single moment in the entire book where you don't feel invested in the story. Hudson's characters often display depth and complexity beneath their outer personas. Louise's inner conflict between her wants and her duty to her friends and family creates drama that is delicious to consume. The prose is crisp, with hard-hitting dialogue that makes you feel the stakes involved. The most impressive aspect of the book for me was the personal approach to the narrative. I found myself rooting for Louise and her family until the end. Highly recommended.
