This is more of a 3.5 star review, but I’ve rounded up as I particularly enjoyed the last few chapters.

Set in a Europe where communism and capitalism are at odds with each other, and informers on all sides are an unidentifiable presence, the Museum of Broken Promises is the creation of Laure Carlyle. Laure’s story from England, through Paris, Prague and Berlin is told through snapshots of the various decades – her employ as an au pair to the Kobes family (the father Petr, an executive officer at a pharmaceutical company, but also highly involved with the communist state), and her love affair with the dissident musician Tomas Josip.

Who betrays who? A story of intrigue, betrayal, and the broken promises of the story’s title.

For a debut novel, I initially found the writing style a little clunky with a lot of over-stylisation, but the further I got into the story and wanting to know what happened, the less this bothered me.

I loved this book which kept me awake till after 4am this morning. I couldn't put it down It is beautifully written, intriguing and challenging. The central character reveals herself gradually and as the story unfolds you come to empathise with and understand the choices the character has made.

The descriptions of Paris and Prague bring them fully alive and in particular the portrayal of the everyday experiences of those trying to survive Eastern Europe through the whirlwind events of the late eighties is vivid and engaging.

I enjoyed the storytelling - and the premise of the museum.I'd love to visit it- perhaps make one or two donations too. perhaps Ms Buchan could be encouraged to open it!

I love Elizabeth Buchan and while I felt this was very different from some of her previous novels , it did not disappoint. A really tragic story which gave an insight into a country and period of history I knew nothing about. The premise of the museum of broken promises was really poignant and added to the love story which unfolded. Would make a brilliant book club book.

I loved this book. The concept of a Museum of Broken Promises intrigued me, and the reader is gradually drawn into a love story set in Prague before the Velvet Revolution. The story flits between a number of time periods, and the story of Laure and Tomas is gradually unfolded; a story which resonates in the present day. A beautifully-written and compelling story, set in a (to me) unfamiliar place; I couldn't put it down.

I really enjoyed this.Set partly in the latter days of the Cold War, 1990s Berlin and modern day Paris, it tells the story of Laure who fell in love in Prague and the repercussions of that love affair. It is beautifully written and I particularly liked the Prague and Paris parts. A museum of broken promises, what a lovely idea! I was desperate to find out what happened to Tomas and read the book over a couple of days. If you are interested in the Cold War and Eastern Europe then this is the book for you. I am off now to look up the books the author suggests for further reading!