The Girl from the Channel Islands
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- $19.99
Publisher Description
The New York Times and Globe and Mail bestseller—for fans of All the Light We Cannot See and The Tattooist of Auschwitz!
“Unforgettable” —Kelly Rimmer, New York Times bestselling author
Inspired by true events, the riveting story of a young Jewish woman trapped on the occupied island of Jersey during World War II.
Summer 1940: Hedy Bercu fled Vienna two years ago. Now she watches the skies over Jersey for German planes, convinced that an invasion is imminent. When it finally comes, there is no counterattack from Allied forces—the Channel Islands are simply not worth defending. Most islanders and occupying forces settle into an uneasy coexistence, but for Hedy, the situation is perilously different. For Hedy is Jewish—a fact that could mean deportation, or worse.
With no means of escape, Hedy hides in plain sight, working as a translator for the Germans while silently working against them. She forges a tentative friendship with a sympathetic German officer who is likewise trapped by circumstance. But as the war intensifies, Hedy knows she is in greater danger each day. Soon, her survival will depend not just on her own courage but on the community she has come to cherish and a man who should be her enemy.
Vividly recreating little-known events, this is an unforgettable tale of resilience and bravery, and of the extraordinary power found in quiet acts of heroism and love.
“Riveting” —Karen Robards, New York Times bestselling author
“Harrowing” —Noelle Salazar, bestselling author
“Cinematic” —Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife
“Captivating” —Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan
Don't miss New York Times bestselling author Jenny Lecoat's next spellbinding novel, BEYOND SUMMERLAND, where a small community's idyllic holiday paradise is irrevocably changed following the war and two young women find themselves at the center of a volatile mystery...
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
In her riveting debut, author Jenny Lecoat combines history, romance, and her own family’s experience in this deeply moving novel. In 1940, Hedy Bercu is a Jewish woman from Austria who has fled the Nazi occupation and ended up on the British island of Jersey. Hedy struggles to survive when the island becomes the only British land to be invaded by German forces. We were completely on edge as the secret of Hedy’s Jewish identity threatens her life. And when Hedy starts a relationship with a German officer, we feared for her even more. Based on a true story, Lecoat’s novel is brimming with her own knowledge of Jersey and its people. Narrator Deryn Edwards’ impressive skill with accents and character voices creates a dense and (despite the hardship) deeply entertaining listening experience. Full of strong friendships, compassion, and courage, this gripping tale of forbidden love and survival sends a timely message of hope.