A wonderful story set in WW2 giving an insight into the roles of very brave women in the French Resistance. It is evocatively descriptive of a beautiful area in France tainted by the Nazi occupation. Above all though it is a story about love and people.

A really compelling story, set in Occupied France. Iris returns to her aunt's house to find everything changed and faces danger on all sides. Iris is a strong and likeable character. The story has a lot of suspense and is very readable.

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I do love WW2 and resistance stories, though the more of them you read the more that some tend to blur together, as the majority of these types of stories are very familiar, this one stands out, it's compelling reading full of bravery and intrigue.
I loved the writing and how easy the story was to follow, I'm not a fast reader but this one gripped me and had me flying through the pages, I loved the story and the characters are realistic and well crafted, you instantly feel a pull to follow their story.
There are twists and eye-opening scenarios, the brutality and ruthlessness of the Nazis are shown to full force and the absolute courage and bravery of those fighting evil make the heart burst with pride and admiration for those who gave their all for good.
I really enjoyed this and I think those who love this genre will too, definitely recommend and will certainly be looking for more from this author.

When Iris a journalist exposes a British man who is sending information to the Nazi regime, she is urged by her boss in the Intelligent Service that she must go to France and then seek to execute him on his release from prison. But when the plot is exposed in the papers a photo of her wrapped only in a sheet is on the fronts of papers. her husband who is somewhere in France reporting from ther front liner believes the worse and seeks a divorce. But Iris flees to her favourite Aunt's home in Dijon in occupied France where there are dangers in every quarter, plus she must kill this traitor when he ecventually connects with her there. She arrives to discover her famous cookery doyen Aunt has been shot possibly by the Nazis. She also wants to convince Jack her husband that she did not sleep with this traitor. The story twists and turns and the feeling of the misrule and occupied France is clearly expressed on the pages of the novel. A fascinating study of living on the edge with very few people she can trust as well as learning about her Aunt Eva and her amazing cookery.

Felt like a mix of a lot of WWII books (Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Code Name Verity) I’ve already read but no original/unique sell to it. Those influences were hard to overlook and I ultimately DNF’d at 25%

I found this to be gloomy and I didn't really enjoy it. The plot was drawn out. I thought this would have some romance in it, but no. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A female spy's mission in WWII France. Having recently completed a successful undercover role in England, agent Iris, who is half French, is sent to occupied France to meet a contact and save lives. Her contact, when eventually found, is the last person she would have thought of. The believable characters and sense of urgency make this book a compelling read.

I really enjoyed this historical read. Set during the Second World War, we follow Secret Agent Iris who has returned to France after her aunt’s death. However, back in Dijon, Iris has a mission from British Intelligence: to murder a British traitor who was found handing over war secrets to the enemy.

Iris knows she must act fast and secretive. Yet, with the German presence in Dijon, little goes unnoticed. Not to mention that her British traitor is actually highly connected to the Fuhrer and Iris’s actions make the locals think she is a collaborator. It’s a case of kill or be killed as Iris loses friends who believe her cosying up to this German soldier is her way of staying safe. Little do they know what goes on behind closed doors…

Although I had an idea of what Iris should do to succeed in her mission, I was not prepared for the obstacles she would encounter. Mason is a tough (and horrid) man and the tension that Howes creates is palpable. I feared for Iris’s safety and was concerned by how few allies she had around her, especially when the top German soldiers start to suspect her actions. Knowing that time is not on her side, I could not foresee how Iris would succeed – and this is just the beginning of her concerns. Because, should she rid the world of one horrid soldier, Iris would then need to survive the inevitable questions that would follow.

Not only does this book explore the role of women in the war, but also the desperation when faced with having to live with the enemy. No one is safe, no one can be fully trusted and loyalties are tested to the limit. Iris’s actions in London have a significant impact on her marriage and I liked how this element of the plot was continued when the story moved to France.

As the novel progressed, I thought the atmosphere became even tenser. There were plot developments that had me gasping in disbelief and I found my hands were sweating in the final chapter, so involved was I in the story. I thought the writer vividly portrays the fear that came with the French occupation and I could not foresee how the novel would conclude. This made the book even more enjoyable.

I think I learnt a bit more about this horrific period in history, such as the role of German women sent to France. The Occupation of France brought devastation all around and I liked the different angle that this book provides. It was a really enjoyable read that simmered with tension and distrust all the way throughout.

With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In a narrative woven with war, secrets, and the tenacity to survive, Iris embarks on a journey triggered by an unsuccessful mission that leads her to France. Upon her arrival, she discovers her Aunt missing, plunging her into a series of unforeseen challenges. The crux of the tale revolves around Iris's endeavours, including the gripping narrative of trapping German spies, with one in particular drawing focus. The narrative is steeped in suspense and thrills, creating a captivating story that holds the reader's attention from start to finish.

This book contributes to the rich genre of stories portraying women and their roles in wartime, showcasing their extraordinary courage and heroism. The historical backdrop provides a compelling framework for the narrative, and in this particular story, the exploration of trapping German spies adds a layer of intrigue. The praise for the writing underscores the quality of the storytelling, ensuring that readers are in for an engrossing and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

A swift moving novel centred around the work of women amongst the British Intelligence and French Resistance workers at its heart. Iris begins her journey uncovering a spy amongst the British Intelligence Service and acting as a decoy is instructed to assassinate him when flees England and joins her in Dijon. Moving to France for Iris was bittersweet as on her arrival she learns that her aunt Eva had been killed just days before her arrival. To add to her sadness, her intelligence work has shattered her relationship with her husband Jack. Inheriting her aunt Eva’s house and the culinary books, Iris then looks at ways to achieve her task by using poisonous plants but once completed to avoid arrest she has to leave the country.

I really enjoyed reading this novel about the women who worked tirelessly to save their countries during WW2, which has a good storyline and eclectic characters.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins for this advance copy

The French Affair
Teresa Howes
2023
5 Stars



Thank you NetGalley and Publisher HQ Digital for my copy of The French Affair by Teresa Howes. I have not received any rewards or compensation for this review and therefore all views and opinions are of my own, the reviewer.

In summary: Set in the World War Two era when the Germans have invaded France. A female spy story.

This is my first Teresa Howes’ book and I have to say I was greatly impressed! I loved the pacing of the story which progressed nicely. I wasn’t sure if the author could draw out her motivations for murdering the enemy, but Teresa did just that. How many ways can you poison someone? I found myself saying to one of the characters how much is it going to take for this one to die? Genius work here by the author, it did keep me throughout, although it wasn’t a comedy.
I liked the setting of the book, I found that for someone like me who doesn’t like historical stories much, this one was engaging with well developed plot and well developed characters. I felt satisfied with the ending.
I’m only sad the story ended so soon after being quite invested in the plot and the main characters.

A book of war, secrets and survival. An unsuccessful mission leads Iris to France where she finds her Aunt gone and more troubles abound. This is her story and the story of trapping German Spies (or one in particular). This has all the suspense and thrills you want from a good book and is a story that will keep you reading.

I enjoy these books of women and their parts in our wars. They are such courageous and really I would say heroic. I love the history of these stories and this one didn't disappoint. Great writing makes for great reading.

Thank you NetGalley and HQ, HQ Digital for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A woman travels after a botched British mission to stay at her beloved aunt's house during the war in occupied France, and is given a new mission.

WWII is one of my favorite eras. This book starts with an unsuccessful honey trap in Britain. Iris moves to France to be with her beloved Aunt and to set a trap for Mason. Upon her arrival she learns Aunt Eva was recently murdered and has left everything to Iris. Iris does her best to fulfill her mission by making Mason’s death look accidental. The story takes several twists and turns. It definitely brings out the ruthlessness and heartlessness of the Nazi regime. The story was engaging and a nice pace. Looking forward to more by this author.

Highly recommend this one. I loved this fascinating story. Very addictive and interesting. Set in France in WW2 during the German occupation and how Britain sent women over to spy on the Germans. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I love to read novels about World War II and the resistance to Nazi occupation.  This one did not disappoint. 

Iris is a journalist who works with British Intelligence to trap a German spy.  After her honey-trap goes awry, Iris flees to her aunt’s cottage in Dijon, France.  Her husband, Jack, believes she has been unfaithful.  Iris has spent time at the cottage with her aunt and arrives to find danger lurking.  Her aunt, a cookery writer, has a garden filled with herbs for tinctures, cures, and secrets. She is followed by the man she tried to trap.  She also  has a secret mission that will require her ingenuity.  Iris relies on the courage and help of the town’s people and Jack.  

This WWII historical novel shares the lengths that ordinary people go to defeat the enemy.  Outward appearance may not always be as it seems on the surface.  The descriptions of the countryside, the garden, and the French people were eloquent and beautiful. I felt the courage that the people of this small town exhibited against the Nazi’s.  

Theresa Howe's writing is beautiful and had me intrigued from the first chapter.  I would recommend this book for those who love historical fiction. 


Thank you @netgalley and @hqstories for the e-ARC.

The French Affair by Theresa Howes was an engrossing read almost to the end, where I feel that it lost its pacing somewhat. I found the ending a little abrupt too. But I enjoyed reading it and I thought that Iris was a well-drawn character, as were those she interacted with in Dijon. Theresa Howes created an atmosphere of tension, distrust and fear that helped to propel the story.

This kept me glued to its pages a wonderful thought provoking read set primarily in wartime France . Espionage is at the heart of this during the occupation of France . A young English woman is set up to find a German spy in England and then lure him to his demise in France . This brings suspicion on herself and ruination to her marriage. Interesting how the people in the village react and the role of the Maquis . Full of atrocities and clever deviousness to bring a. Well rounded storyline

Nazi occupied Dijon, France. A French woman British spy tasked with eliminating the German spy she outed. Tension radiates from every page as the story progresses. Lives in danger or lost. Love found among the ruins of life in Dijon. Thrilling.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.