Paris, 1940: As the German soldiers march down the Champs-Élysées, the Bélanger twins, Adèle & Sophie know there is no escape – their lives are about to change forever. Sophie, a third-year medical student, works long days and nights saving casualties of war at the American hospital, and waits anxiously for news of her fiancé from the front line, whereas recently widowed Adèle, is determined to enjoy her freedom. But rumours are flying through the streets of occupied Paris about their father’s murky business interests, and soon Sophie learns the shocking truth of what’s really happening to their Jewish friends and neighbours. And then tragedy strikes: their beloved brother is arrested for his involvement in the resistance. Devastated and unable to save him, the family is torn apart and the girls’ lives are changed forever. As they too are drawn to the resistance. One false step and the twins could lose everything they’re fighting for – and each other.
Well written & researched book that pulled at my heart strings & I found myself totally engrossed in it & couldn’t put it down & nearly pulled an all nighter to finish it, now I’m impatiently awaiting the sequel even more so as the book does end on a cliffhanger. The twins are strong characters who find the strength to survive & in different ways fight the Germans. I laughed, I cried, I was on the edge of my seat & I SO wanted to turn to the last page to find out what the ending was – I didn’t.
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Darkness Falls by Rachel Wesson

The author has been very clever and inspired by 3 women who were able to truly contribute to the plot of this novel. Jacques Bonsergent , Dr Sumner Jackson and Sister Marie Laurence.
We are introduced to a set of identical twins , Sophie and Adele , same looks but vastly different personality and outlook on life Yin and Yang .
Sophie a trainee Dr is doing her but for the war and helping American and French soldiers at the hospital she works at. Whereas , Adele only had a care for herself.
As the story unfolds they both have a part to play in the war , at polar opposites and in two very different directions.
A really well told story and great characters in both Sophie and Adele. Having a story told through the eyes of twins was a brilliant way of seeing both sides of the war and what people go through and do to survive that time..

My goodness what a beautiful book. So vivid and brought Paris to life. Set during WW2 this book was so well researched and well written that I could imagine how scary it was with the bombs dropping and the Germans on their way to capture France. This one will stay with me for a long time. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

This is a book brings to life the horrors of Paris under Nazi occupation. It took a little while but I really warmed to the characters and their plight. I would love to know how their story ends.

Sophie and Adele are twins but are complete opposites. Sophie is selfless in her dedication as a trainee doctor helping the war wounded whereas Adele is selfish and only out for a good Time.
I liked this book and how the characters grow and develop , it has real depth and it was interesting to read about a different way of life and how the French were affected by the holocaust.
I have pre ordered the sequel Light Rises and can't wait to see where the story characters go

I have a fondness for books with twins, since I was one myself. Add that to an excellent WWII story, and I am head over heels in love. This book was great! Excellently researched, dialogue was well-written with interesting, unique characters, and a storyline that was original. This was no run-of=the mill WWII book that we are starting to see nowadays. This book will definitely hold your interest and have you rooting for the characters. I loved it!

“How could someone be her mirror image in looks and not understand her?”

They may share the same genes, but identical twins, Sophie and Adèle Bélanger, are different in every other way. Author Rachel Wesson highlights how their differences drove these 23-year-olds apart during a tumultuous time in history when they really needed each other.

Sophie is a medical student in training to become a doctor and is working horrific hours tending to wounded French soldiers at an American hospital low on supplies. Wesson was immediately able to place me in the converted casino and make me part of the action. I’ve read many books with similar settings, but Wesson tops them all with her attention to detail and her ability to sweep me into the action and wow me with her careful attention to setting detail which enriched the plot with atmosphere and mood. She’s anxious to receive news about her charming beau, Jules Stein, a medic at one of the casualty stations near the front. When readers learn of his Jewish heritage, it ramps up the tension and leads to unforeseen dissension.

Adèle is the polar opposite. She’s the indignant twin, a widow, who only harbours a morsel of fear and has reluctantly moved back to her family home. Where Sophie has her eyes focused on the future, Adele is all about living in the moment. Unfortunately, her frustration at her circumstances leads her to make some questionable choices, affecting not only herself but others. The interplay between the twins is fascinating.

Inspired by the real-life contributions of Dr. Sumner Jackson, Rene Senechal, Jacques Bonsergent and Sister Marie-Laurence, Wells has highlighted female heroines, honouring their memory and ensuring that their contributions aren’t forgotten. Her well-paced story with fantastic characterization and vivid setting detail showcases how differences drive people apart, how reality is often very different from expectations and how the decisions and actions of a single person can affect so many. I was in awe of how my understanding of people, places and events changed as ‘darkness falls.’ Amazing story and great cover! Congratulations.

I’m really looking forward to reading more about the twins’ story in the Resistance Sisters sequel, Light Rises.

I was gifted this copy by Storm Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Interesting story, covering so much history.
You get a real idea of what it must have been like to live under occupation.
And how people left it too late to flee, because they could not imagine what might happen.
The ending was very unsatisfactory though.- clearly just designed to make you buy the next book. Otherwise I would have given 4 stars.