I really enjoyed reading this historical fiction book which was set in Switzerland during World War 2. This is a very well written story with great characters and I felt at times I was there i with them so good was the descriptions of the people and places. This was at times a tense read and I really wasn’t sure who to trust. I was delighted to read this is the first book in a new series by this author and I cannot wait to read book 2.

Dianne Haley is a new-to-me author, and I found book very interesting. Little is written about World War 2 and its role in Switzerland which made this book quite different. Switzerland was neutral in World War 2; and due to its mountainous nature. Consequently, it was of considerable interest to belligerent states as the scene for diplomacy, espionage, and commerce, as well as being a safe haven for refugees. The Swiss did have a resistance force that mainly focused on assisting refugees that were fleeing from nearby France.

Valerie is the daughter of a watchmaker and is involved in the resistance. Her boyfriend, Phillipe, is in the Swiss Army and stationed in the mountains where the Germans might try to break through. Each of them plays a role in this suspense filled novel as they attempt to discover who the traitor is that is leaking military information to the Nazis while playing innocent with people they believe are Nazi spies. Haley leaves us hanging at the end of Book 1 with both Valerie and Phillipe vowing they will continue to do their parts to keep their country and the refugees safe. Glad to know that Book 2 has already been released.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Wow, excitement! I could feel myself sit bolt upright as the excitement built.
Valerie is in love with Philippe but event make them question wether they can actually trust each other..
Philippe is away with the army where it is discovered there is a traitor in the fort, feeding information to the Germans. This makes the men distrust each other which could prove dangerous while they are on assignment.
Valerie’s helps her father in his watchmaking business by doing the deliveries for him which works well for her going about the town under the watchful eye of the German troops when she decides to work for the resistance getting young refugees to safety. The biggest problem being that her father has to keep in with the Germans as they buy a lot of his watches and thus help him to get supplies that may otherwise be difficult to get. One of the Germans takes a keen interest in Valerie that may prove dangerous and she too start to distrust those around her when she unexpectedly has to keep an important list of names to be given to the allies. Will she trust the right person, time will tell!
Loved it, read it in row nights.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

If you love reading about WW2 books, you’d love this book. An unputdownable read, kept me hooked, wanting to know how it would end.

I loved Valerie and philippe, reading about what they did during the war, standing up for what they believed, gave me a glimpse of what life was like if you was in love during the war.

I absolutely loved that throughout the book, is the way a different viewpoint was shown to the war. How the French resistance and those Swiss people did whatever they could to look out for and help the Jewish community, so far as keeping them hidden, without thinking of the consequences.

Highly recommend this book.

My mind is blown. I can't believe that this is the author's first book. I have a new favorite author. I will be counting down to the release of her next book.

I started reading Valerie's story and I was soon hooked. I found reasons to sit down and read. The laundry could wait. Take away instead of cooking was the choice of the day. I may have had to put The Watchmaker's Daughter down a time or two, but I didn't stop thinking about the story.

Valerie is a very likable character. She is brave. She has values. She knows right from wrong in a city that is supposed to be neutral, but seems to be swarming with Germans. During the day she delivers orders for her father, a watchmaker. At night she risks her life to save children being smuggled in from France while she waits for her boyfriend, Phillippe, to come home from war.

Phillippe and other soldiers are preparing for war in the Swiss mountains. They patrol on skis.
They move around in tunnels. They rig explosives on the mountain and bridges. If that wasn't enough, Phillipe has another job. He works as a cartographer's assistant, recording everything done on the mountains.

Working with the resistance is dangerous. Valerie and her friends risk their lives making for an exciting read. Suspense had me devouring pages, yet fearing what I would find. My heart beat loudly as they faced danger.

Phillippe soon finds himself in extreme danger. He knew there was a spy on the mountain. I was shocked to discover who the person was. The author gave me so many choices. Tensions were high.

There was a lot of action within the story. The Germans are determined to destroy the resistance and anyone else assisting the French. (So much for a neutral Geneva.) Characters will be dodging bullets, hiding in the shadows, spying on the enemy. The reader will be learning what it was like to survive WW2 Geneva.

What a great book! Full of action, twists and turns, this novel has kept me on tension all through my reading! In I learned quite a few details about Switzerland during WWII (which sometimes greatly surprised me!), and also about what a watchmaker's job involve/might involve....
In a country supposedly neutral, this book very clearly shows that loyalty has more than one meaning, and that to help save Jewish people from across the border is definitely no easy task!
The conclusion is not fully a conclusion, only because there is a sequel... I can't wait for it!
I received a digital ARC of this thrilling novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much!

1942: Valerie is a young woman in love living in wartime Geneva, Switzerland. When she is not making deliveries for her father, Albert, a prominent Swiss watchmaker, she is helping the French Resistance. Phillipe is the man she loves, a soldier preparing for occupation should the Nazis decide to invade their country. Both surrounded by people they can’t trust. Valerie happens on a secret message that could alter the war and put Philippe in danger — what lengths will she go to save him?

This one had me gripped from the start; a story of love and bravery in the face of ever present danger when you don’t know whom you can trust. Told from the perspective of both Valerie and Phillipe, you get a clear view of their love for one another, the separate yet equal danger that they are both in to protect their country, and how the decisions they make intertwine them.

Being a World War II novel, this one gave me a lot of emotions especially with events surrounding the Holocaust. Yet, this was beautifully written although not filled with many happy moments — there is danger, intrigue, and a fierce and stubborn female lead (this seems to be my thing right now!!)

This is the first part of a series although I couldn’t find how many books there might be—I’ll definitely be waiting to read the next to see where the story unfolds and hopefully fill in some plot holes that were not horribly apparent but would give me a piece of mind.

Look for this one coming out soon on April 25th!!!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan and interested in WW2 historical fiction. This book for me was a real page turner with a high level of suspense that on a few occasions I nearly skipped to the ending so I know what was going to happen!
Valerie and philippe are so adorable and following the different journeys during the war and the different roles that they had when fighting for what they believed in allowed a whole new insight to what it could have been like to be in love during the war.
One of the things that made this book really stand out for me during this book was how is showed a whole new perspective to the war. The way that the French resistance and the Swiss people did all they could to help and protect many of the Jewish community but hiding them away no matter the danger that it put them in.
One of the true hero's in this book would have to be Simone!
What an ending and such a cliff hanger I am so excited and can't wait for the next book in the series

Valerie Hallez knows there are things she must do. She must help smuggle children escaping from the Nazis across Switerzland. She must live a double life: One in front of her father's German customers, and one for the lives she is trying to save. When she discovers something that could endanger her childhood sweetheart, the man she loves, she knows she must do even more to protect him. She also knows the dire consequences of it all.. Will she stay true to what is right? Or will the pressure and secrets be too much to carry?

Set during WW2, this story follows Swiss citizen Valerie as she tries to help the Resistance smuggle people escaping from the Nazis. With the threat of discovery in their dangerous activities at all turns, author Dianne Haley writes a suspenseful and thrilling historical fiction. You are introduced to a wide variety of characters, each hiding their own secrets. Just like in those times, you are not sure who you can trust while reading this book. The courage and strength of those who stood up for what was right by doing things that could get them killed is truly amazing. I was invested in the journey Valerie and her companions took in this novel. This novel will have your emotions on a wild roller coaster! One thing I did not like was the quick ending. I felt it could have been drawn out and detailed a bit more. Even so, it ends on a cliffhanger and I am still excited for the next installment. I gave it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

First time reading this author and was totally delighted this is my favourite period in time to be reading about and can highly recommend.

I enjoyed this story set in ww2 Switzerland. I thought Valerie was a wonderful heroine and am looking forward to reading more about her in the next book. The start of the book was slow but it gave us time to learn who the characters were and what they were about. Would love to know more about Bernard - is he a good guy or a bad guy, wasn't sure. Don't want to give away spoilers but loved how protective Valerie was of her father. Loss of children is always horrific but the fact was the Swiss authorities didn't offer sanctuary - some officials turned a blind eye or even helped those on the run and for that their bravery should be applauded. But as with many countries, there were many Swiss nationals only too happy to help the Nazis.

Review posted Via GoodReads.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4619587796
Travel back in time to World War II. Valerie is a young woman in Switerzland who helps her father by delivering the watches he makes. Her father works as a watchmaker, he is selling to the Natzis and wants his daughter to marry the man of his choosing. Valerie disagrees with her father's decision to ignore the Natzis and how they treat others. So she began to secretly help smuggle refugees to somewhere safe. Quickly Valerie finds herself in over her head. With the Natzis closing in, one wrong move could bring everything crumbling down on Valerie and the people she is helping to save. Get sucked into the brave story of a young woman making dangerous moves for what she believes in.

Personally, this is usually not the type of Historical Fiction I read. I struggle to read books that take place in war, but this book tells the story of the people who fought to save the Jews no matter the cost.
I enjoyed this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it.

“The Watchmaker’s Daughter” by Dianne Haley is the first in a series, per the Author’s Note. This book tells the story of resistance fighters working in Switzerland. I know very little about Switzerland’s part in WWII, other than officially being neutral. While I liked the the two main characters - Valerie (working for the resistance) and Philippe (a soldier) - it took me a good portion of the book to find the complete story interesting. There was tension, there was suspense, and there was uncertainty. I found Valerie’s section more interesting, though over time Philippe’s story, once it merged more cohesively with Valerie’s, became more interesting. The author made the situation believable, but - at least for me - it took a while for things to get rolling beyond the fact that the two characters were sweethearts. Since others have enjoyed this book, if it sounds like something you’d enjoy, give it a read.

THE WATCHMAKER’S DAUGHTER by DIANNE HALEY is a well written WW11 novel that takes place in the French side of Switzerland, mostly in Geneva, with Lac Leman and the Alps between neutral Switzerland and the German occupied Vichy France. It is interesting to see how ordinary citizens, such as Velerir Hallez, her watchmaker father Albert, her soldier boyfriend Philippe Cherix and her friends Geraldine, Marianne, Amelie and Emil, cope with the situation. No one knows who to trust with secret information being leaked to the Nazis. There is betrayal and false information on every side and life becomes very dangerous. All of this, added to the hunger and poverty they are experiencing and the horrific stories of Hitler’s treatment of the Jews, makes for a gruelling existence.
Valerie, who is helping the resistance to hide Jewish children, becomes even more involved when she hides a French fugitive, Simone, who has a list of Swiss collaborators that she needs to give to the Allies.
When she hears that Philippe is in trouble, Valerie manages to evade Dieter Runde and his cohorts and travels to Saint-Maurice to see if she can help him.
This is a really exciting and even inspirational read as we see the courage and fortitude of those who risk everything to try and save the innocents who are caught up in this terrible war.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

A completely gripping and heart-wrenching novel about love and bravery in a time of terrible danger. The author’s writing style lends itself perfectly to the genre. She knows exactly when to end a scene and mount suspense. The characters are well-drawn and believable. The plot is perfectly paced, holds your interest, and keeps you guessing. It’s a page turner, for sure!

Valerie lives with her watchmaker father in Switzerland during the war. A neutral country and one who is torn between the two sides but seeing what the Germans are doing and hearing the BBC news leaves many of them forming a resistance group to help where they can to pass on information and sometimes people. Valerie is in love with Phillipe who is in the army. She is helping with the resistance movement and there is news of a traitor- someone who is passing information to the Germans and if found out would be shot. Who in the town would do this and why?
I quickly got into this and like Valerie and her loyalty to doing justice. There's a nice tension of anticipation when the resistance are in action- to me showing the skill of a good author. It's an emotive read and one with some wonderful scenic descriptions that put the reader at the heart of the book. I'm sure there is more to come from Valerie and Phillipe and I look forward to the next one. A very interesting, enjoyable read.

#blogtour

A heart pounding emotional type read that will have you feeling all of the emotions, from happy to sad ,to fear with each turn of the page, this author has done her job when it comes to telling a WW 2 historical fiction story in every way , from making you feel stuff, to seeing the characters come to life.To making the danger very real and feeling like your going too jump when everyou heard a sound or thoughtyou saw a shadow move , and she also made it so it was for me to trust most of the characters themselves, because I was always afraid our main Character would get caught.

I love books that are set in this period of history and this book didn't disappoint. It was well written with a compelling story and well developed characters that i was rooting for. It was such an emotive read and it was truly heartbreaking and yet also inspiring with the courage that people showed during a dark and dreadful time. A really enjoyable read.

“We cannot survive on our principles and the sooner you learn that the better.”
“Valerie sighed. It seemed like everyone was sacrificing their principles to keep their businesses afloat.”

When thousands of Jews sought refuge in Switzerland during WW2 many Swiss residents helped them cross the border to safety. At the time, offering help was a crime and Valérie Hallez was one of those in Geneva who helped even though it was at great risk to herself. What began as an act of defiance towards her father, soon became her heartfelt mission. Albert Hallez, a watchmaker, relies on the German trade to survive and often entertained Nazi customers at home. Little did he know that his daughter was smuggling messages for the French Resistance in his watch deliveries and hiding refugees in his workshop!

When she discovers a hidden document that puts her sweetheart, a soldier based in a secret military fortress, at risk, she’s forced to choose between the man she loves and the organization she’s been supporting.

My heart was pounding and I’d resorted to nail-biting before chapter one was finished! The author immediately put me right in the midst of the action and I became part of the Resistance for the duration of the novel. I was anticipating danger, wary of everyone’s behaviour and protective of the protagonist’s life. The author is certainly gifted at placing her readers in the setting! When I see the humanity in the world at the moment, strangers taking children across borders to safety and many offering Ukrainian refugees help and a place to stay, I can understand a little of what Valerie and Emile supported. I can’t imagine, however, what was involved in aiding at risk of prison or death. They truly were heroes.

I enjoyed Valerie and Philippe’s incredible tale of love and bravery and look forward to another book by this author.

I was gifted this advance copy by Dianne Haley, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

The story is set in 1942 Switzerland where the Nazis have not yet taken over but the Swiss fear they could be next. The main characters are working with the Resistance, doing what they can to sabotage the Nazis. The story is compelling with the characters facing danger at every turn, never knowing who to trust. It appears there is going to be a sequel, I would love to see what happens to the characters in the next book. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.