No surprise here, that The Resistance Bakery is another well-crafted, powerful page turner WW2 novel by Siobhan Curham! With each release of hers that lands in my hands, I say it is the best and my favourite of her books. And then she releases another that tops the one before. I loved the historical thread of the two chef’s: one a mains course specialist and the other a dessert queen. They meet during a difficult period in Paris’s history when the Nazis have taken over the beautiful city of fashion, love, fine food and art. But these two come from very different backgrounds.

This dual timeline feast is about the devastating effects of family secrets in the present but also the seeds of betrayal, mistrust, vengeance and misinformation that had been sown in the past. It is also about friendship, sacrifice and forbidden love blossoming in the most unexpected places and between two people who are on opposite sides of the fence.

Coralie in 1943 has been gifted a patisserie bought by a very dear friend, Madame Manteux— the sweet seventy year old Jewish lady, who becomes threatened by the new order set out by Hitler. On Sunday’s, Coralie also works at Hotel Lutetia— beside Reinhardt, a German chef, brought in to prepare food for the elite officials. She has accepted the position so she can spy on the Nazis with hopes of carrying important information back to the Resistance. As for Reinhardt, she is unsure if she can trust his words. But as she gets to know him, she feels at ease in his presence. They become quite close which goes against their country’s positions. He seems to sincerely care about her. But is he just playing along to gain her confidence and then turn her in? Coralie, of course, does not reveal her true purpose—even in their closest moments. Though she will receive some information later in the story that will rock her world and devastate her heart. Information that will haunt her for the next forty years…

In the 1984 timeline we meet rebel grand-daughter Raven/Cindy, who is shipped off to spend time with her Grandmother Coralie. Initially it is a form of punishment. But possibly it also is meant to give her parents time to sort out their troubles. Once arriving at her grandmother’s, Raven encounters a very different world and person than she expected. And when she discovers through a bit of snooping that Coralie was a resistance fighter in WW2, this sets her imagination on fire with excitement. She wants to know more but at first her grandmother is not keen to share her past. Yet Raven’s persistence slowly draws Coralie out of the memory shadows where she must face her demons and painful experiences that have been buried for years. As she slowly unravels the story of her past, healing and growth start to happen. Not only for Coralie but for Raven as well.

The secrets Coralie has carried throughout her life have been a great burden. And it isn’t until she is challenged by her granddaughter Raven to share her story of the past that she will be free. Free to forgive, to heal and even have a second chance at love.

I loved the way Siobhan created the two timelines and how seamless one flowed into the other in telling the story of the past and present. Beware, though, there’s plenty of heartbreak with the loss of lives and images of suffering Jews. But this story is also about the unbroken spirit of many who fought back and their resilience to overcome the greatest tragedies ever.

I could not finish this review without mentioning the food that is described in scrumptious detail. I am reminded of my time many years ago in Canada’s French Quebec City (labelled little Paris) where I dined on unbelievable French cuisine: including French pastries, mouth watering cakes and numerous other treats that made my taste buds burst with heavenly excitement. I really appreciated the cooking and recipes discussed between these chefs and the reaction on the customers faces and comments (even though many mentioned were the responses from Nazis secret service members) once tasting the foods. There are some very lovely moments in the kitchen and also some horrific ones.

There is plenty of danger on these pages and it comes across very real and had me on the edge of my seat more than once. Plus wiping tears from my eyes at the loss of beloved characters. I also cheered for those who survived, healed and reunited. This is one magnificent story that captured my heart— hook, line and sinker. The characters are exquisitely portrayed and I truly got to know them and their desires, fears and dreams. I will not forget them—ever. I highly recommend The Restistance Bakery. It is without question a must-read for lovers of divine French food and exceptional WW2 fiction stories. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC.

Imagine your whole life changing in a moment. That's what happens to Coralie the moment that the Nazis invade and take over Paris. Her entire life is upended; her job as a Patisserie Chef at a hotel that housed artists and resistance from the Germans has been taken over, and her best friend and adopted mother figure lives in constant fear of being sent away since she is Jewish. So, she decides to fight back, return to the hotel, spy on the Germans, and pass resistance messages through her bakery. But, when she begins to realize not all Nazis are evil and even starts to fall for one, can she continue resisting? Or, is the man who claims to love her not who he seems to be?

Flash forward forty-some years, and Coralie's granddaughter has come for a visit. She knows next to nothing about her estranged grandmother, and when she sees a photo album with a swastika on it, she begins to fear her grandmother was a Nazi supporter. Through baking, the two begin to share pieces of their lives, and it isn't long before Coralie shares the secrets of her time in Nazi-occupied WWII Paris with her granddaughter. Secretes she hasn't spoken of since the war. Sometimes giving voice to our pasts and the painful secrets can set us free.

It is a beautiful and heartwarming story about resistance and love during war. It is a novel about the importance of finding family and standing up for what you know to be correct, even if it is an unpopular opinion. This novel had me crying from joy at the end and from frustration while reading it. I couldn't wait to hear the next section of Coralie's story. It made me regret never talking to my grandfather about his experiences during the war.

This was my first book by this author and now I want to read more of her books! This book had a bit of everything - humour, romance, mystery, sadness and grief. It goes from present day to the past as Coralie talks to her granddaughter about her time in Paris during the occupation. It felt very real like you were right there - experiencing life as it was for the people in Paris at the time. I found all the main characters likeable and I thought the jump between past and present was done well. There were twists along the way which kept you reading. I could not put this book down! Readers of historical fiction will enjoy this book. Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Siobhan Curham for the ARC of this book.

Heartbreaking and .non stop tension though out the book with each turn of the pages , but what also made this an enjoyable reading experience was the vivid descriptions of food, as well as the forbidden romance and the spying that happened.

What a great place to hide anything to do with the French Resistance.

No one, including the Germans, can resist a bakery and especially Coralie's scrumptious pastries.

We follow Coralie from 1943 Paris where she owns a patisserie, but also does resistance work to present day in San Francisco where we meet her granddaughter, Raven, she never knew.

Raven is determined to find out about her grandmother's life during the war and especially when she finds a worn cookbook with notes and a photograph inside that makes her think her grandmother fell in love with a Nazi.

Raven is afraid to ask too much because she is enjoying staying with her grandmother.

THE RESISTANCE BAKERY is a heartbreaking, but also uplifting read with such delicious food your mouth will be watering.

If you have read Ms. Curham's books, you know you will be in for a marvelous read. If you haven't read her books, this will be a perfect one to start with.

So “treat” yourself to a lovely read you won't be able to put down or forget and one that has a great main character.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

“In a world ruled by hatred and fear, happiness is an act of rebellion.”

Author Siobhan Curham takes readers on a culinary journey through time and into the wartime kitchen, showing us what cooking and baking were like during a crisis.

She brings the German occupation of Paris and the resistance movement to life with a story about a courageous patisserie owner who takes her future into her own hands.

Mademoiselle Coralie Donnadieu is one character I’d love to meet! She has every reason to accept defeat but chooses to be a happiness rebel instead. When the Abwehr (German Intelligence Service) takes over her workplace and makes it their headquarters, Coralie makes a concerted effort to save her future by befriending the enemy.

“Other people can only make you feel small if you let them.”

I loved that she stirred an intention into the mixture and loved the history behind Raven’s mom’s name. I learned about ‘eintopfsonntag’ and ‘vollkornbrot’ and many ways that both countries made adjustments to recipes to survive.

We always have a choice. Thanks for the reminder to pivot and adjust our attitude.

The well-executed dual timeline added to the mystery and propelled the story. The vivid descriptions of food were fantastic and the forbidden romance and spying added to the tension.

Curham writes fantastic wartime fiction. It’d be a shame to miss out on this 5-star story.

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

The Resistance Bakery
By: Siobhan Curham
Pub date: September 24, 2024
Publisher: Bookouture

Paris, 1943

A beautiful dual timeline.
I loved the idea of a bakery helping with the resistance. Coralie bakes in the early hours and works tirelessly with the resistance.
Current day
Raven is sent to her grandmothers across the country. Raven does not know her well, and is not thrilled with the idea. Her grandmothers is French and what Raven will discover about her grandmothers past will bring them closer than she ever thought.
This novel is such a wonderful treat which ties the past with the present and gives you hope. I find it fascinating to discover more about our families past and the ties that bind you.

Wow. This book is one I will remember for some time. It is a gripping story of friendships, secrets, betrayal, love, resilience and hope told thru thrilling scenes of spying and the German occupation of Paris in the 1940s and present day (1984) San Francisco,

Without giving spoilers, It is a beautifully told story with memorable characters. I loved Coralie’s relationship with Madam Monteaux. I could sense the fear of the occupation, but loved the bright and happy moments with her.

I also loved the scenes with Coralie and Reinhardt. Every knock on the patisserie’s door I wanted to be his. I wanted to try every cake and pastry created. I wanted to believe Reinhardt was who he appeared to be.

As expected with any WWII stories, there are sad moments. I admit, I choked up in one section. I will say, that it is not overbearing and this is beautiful, even happy story. I loved every moment.

This is the first time reading anything by this author and I am hooked. I will go back and read her earlier works. She is a favorite of mine now.