Avignon, France 1941: Mathilde's cousin is killed during the destruction of a railway line. Mathilde is captured by the Gestapo but, with help from the Resistance, she manages to escape. She makes her way to a vineyard which contains secrets and she must do whatever she can to keep the vineyard and her new family safe.

Present Day: Juliette has settled into her life in the bookshop in Paris and with her partner Nico. When she sees the opportunity to investigate Mathilde's war years, she jumps at the chance and so makes her way to Provence and into a past history she hadn't expected.

This story is Mathilde's point of view from the previous book by Daisy Wood, The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris.

I loved this story as I did the previous one. Thank you Daisy Wood and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story prior to release.

As mentioned in the authors notes this novel continues the story of Jacques and Mathilde Duval, who the author first wrote about in The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris.
This new title can be read as a stand alone title; however, I would recommend you reading the first book as it is a great read.
This new title is a dual time line: WWII and present day. In present day Juliette lives in Paris after her marriage breakup and she owns the bookshop that Jacques and Matilde Duval ran in WWII. She is interested in her family history particularly her grandmothers time during the war period. In the WWII time line we learn of Mathilde’s life when she is forced to leave Paris, her bookshop and her husband Jacques. She goes to live with her cousin in Provence and becomes involved with the Resistance. How the two time lines come together will have you reading well into the night,
It is an emotional read - family secrets, betrayals, loyalty and love.
It is one of those books that you can’t put down and highly recommend it to historical fiction readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for this opportunity.

Another delightful read by Daisy Woods, one of family intrigue, lost love, wartime and resistance. This is a follow up from The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris, however, this book can stand alone for those not familiar with the first one…..but to recap; 1940 Jacques and Mathilde, married just one year, are celebrating at a restaurant when two Nazi officers walk in. Much to the dismay of Jacques he realises he knows one of them, who in turn recognises Mathilde from the museum where she works, Herr Schmidt.

Jacques has a bookshop and during its renovation he had designed a secret hidden hold, a tiny room. Herr Schmidt is a regular customer, a man with a keen interest in collectable books for which Jacques is able to supply. This is very dangerous for Jacques who hides banned books in his basement and refugees/fugitives in the tiny locked room.

The couple witness atrocities to their fellow Parisians, Mathilde is determined to become involved with any sort of resistance. However, after she is taken in by the Police and brought home by Herr Schmidt, he makes it perfectly clear that she is to leave Paris and for which he has arranged a pass. As things turn out the couple are hiding an English woman in the secret room and it's decided for Mathilde to take her on the train south with her. Jacques has to stay in Paris to look after his ailing mother as well as running his bookshop.

The train trip to the unoccupied zone is fraught with danger for Mathilde and Madame SJ, the English woman for although she is overly dressed with numerous scarves to hide her features based on health reasons when a German official demands to see her face and the interaction that follows is only saved by Mathilde’s quick thinking in diverting the man’s attention.

Arriving into the unoccupied zone, Mathilde is amazed at the difference, not a Nazis flag in sight. Here she is met by her cousin's wife Renée for it's with this family that Mathilde will stay.

Present day, Juliette has remained in Paris, is now divorced from her husband and living in a small apartment above the bookshop which she manages. Her children are grown up and she has a new love in her life, Nico. Zizi, Nico's grandmother, aged and in care has not lost any of her feistiness seems to barely tolerate Juliette but for Juliette the relationship is important for Zizi knew her grandmother Mathilde Duval who went under several names including Marie Ganier. It’s difficult for Juliette to gain much information from Zizi who is at times recalcitrant towards her. Juliette’s quandary about her grandmother is why after starting a whole new life with her American husband in the United States why she had never revealed anything about her past life during the war.

However, at this time Juliette's mind is occupied on a totally different event after having been informed by her son that he intends to marry his French girlfriend, plans are beginning to take shape which see Juliette and Sophie in Provence visiting Sophie's parents.

Avignon 1941 Mathilde finds employment with the local winemaker who trains her into all aspects of the industry. However, it's not long before the Nazis begin their heavy handed tactics in demanding all the wine that has been produced by this small vineyard, conditions agreed upon by the Vichy government. Mathilde has already discovered a small resistance group's stash of goods and in putting two and two together realises her cousin is involved. She keeps her eyes peeled for activities but realises too late that a collaborator has reported the group, which sees her cousin killed; Renée and Mathilde are imprisoned. Renée is able to escape with help from Mathilde who remains in prison. It's here that she learns of her husband's death in Paris. During a prison transfer an ambush takes place where Mathilde is able to escape and begins a new chapter in her life and finally part of the Maquis resistance.

Back to modern day, during dinner with Sophie's parents Juliette produces a photo of the Château where her grandmother had lived and to her amazement learns that the Château still exists and that it had recently been sold. With the insistence of the family, Juliette finds herself in front of the new owner, Alison who, in discovering information about the Chateau, takes Juliette to meet the daughter of the housekeeper whose mother would have known Juliette's grandmother and who still lives on the grounds. It's here that the history of her grandmother and a silver pendant add further intrigue to this story and for the realisation that sometimes difficult and heartbreaking decisions, all for the better good have to be made.

I have found that Daisy Wood has a writing style that pulls the reader into the story from the very beginning and this story was no different. As I began to read this dual timeline story, I realized that this story revisits characters from the author's The Forgotten Bookshop of Paris, which I had really enjoyed. This time, Jacques' wife Mathilde is the main character in the 1940s timeline and we learn about her life from when she traveled to Provence from Paris, leaving Jacques after being threatened by a Nazi. And what a life Mathilde led - working her fingers to the bone while also working for the French Resistance to help to free France from the German occupation. In the current day timeline, Mathilde's grandaughter Juliette is still happily living in Paris in the bookshop that her grandmother's first husband Jacques had owned during the war years and she is researching her grandmother's lifem trying to put together all the puzzle pieces since her Meme never talked about the war years. No spoilers - but there was a surprise twist at the end that I had not anticipated. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was a solid historical fiction read. I always like the dual timeline plot, and I like how Daisy Wood connected them through the grandmother. I give this book a 3.5, rounded up to 4, because I am fascinated with historical fiction that tells unknown stories or strong women during WWII. But there are some points that keep this from being a solid 4 in my mind. The first one is that there was nothing in the back of the book that said who was real and who was fake. I wanted to know if Mathilde, who went by the name "Lionne," was. a real person of if she was just based on real women of the time, and the same could be said for Jacques and Yves. They were all such strong characters with such strong convictions - but were they real people or made up?
The second problem I had with this novel were the characters who seemed to really have no important role, yet when you first meet them, you think they are going to. The example for this is the character of Alison. I understand that there had to be a way for Juliette to get into the chateau and that Alison was her way in, but then she is not developed, and yet, you think she is going to play a real role. She is introduced, and immediately, you don't really like her or the way she interacts with Juliette or Esme, but what is her purpose, really? The reader is not really sure, and this is why the book does not rate higher for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

ARC of The Secrets of Provence granted by Avon Books UK.

WHAT A GREAT READ.

To start: this book perfectly blends historical fiction, romance, and the weight of searching for your own roots into a chilling story about love and family during war times.

I read the first book to this story, The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris, and greatly enjoyed the read from Jacques and Juliette’s dual perspectives.

The Secrets of Provence was a great follow up, intermeshing the perspectives of Mathilde (Jacques’s wife) and Juliette to tell a story full of family secrets and the choices certain characters had to make during and after WWII. I found myself open mouth gasping by the end of the book, where it felt like anything could’ve happened to the characters at any moment. The detailed character development was something that held me the closest to this story and I found myself really invested in how this was going to resolve.

If you enjoy dual timelines, historical WWII fiction, and the suspense of discovering hidden family history, this story is for you!

A great read, very difficult to put down!

The book is set in a dual timeline

Mathilde - married to a book seller in Paris - the Nazi's become interested in her, so for her and her husband's safety she leaves Paris to stay with her cousin in Provence and a promise to meet her husband on their wedding anniversary at Sacre Coeur

Juliette is American, her grandmother was French, although she knew nothing of what happened during the war.

Juliette's son Ben is getting married to Sophie, a young girl from Provence. Juliette remembers a holiday with her grandmother, mother and brother when they were quite young. She decides to find out why they went there.

A romantic and lovely story.

I received a free copy of, The Secrets of Provence, by Daisy Wood, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Its the 1940's in France and Mathilde is not having a great time, running from the law. In present day Juliette and her husband travel to France to trace Mathilde. This book has so much going on, it was and interesting and enjoyable read.

A wonderful story from a great author. It’s a dual timeline from Provence in 1940 to present day Paris. Well researched. I highly recommend it.

I really enjoyed this continuation of The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris. It was lovely returning to the story and seeing it expand into the beautiful setting of Provence, which felt vivid and atmospheric throughout.

The dual timelines worked well, especially the historical storyline, which was emotional and quietly tense. I liked how the secrets from the past were revealed gradually, keeping me interested and invested in the characters. The modern timeline added a nice balance and sense of connection.

It did slow down a little in places, but overall it was an engaging and satisfying read. A great pick if you enjoy historical fiction with mystery, heart, and strong settings.

Another Daisy Wood book that does not disappoint! I loved every single one of her books and I am a huge fan of her work, so I was very excited when I received an early copy of her newest book, The Secrets of Provence. I loved reading about characters I already knew a little about, Mathilde’s story was so heartbreaking and full of emotions. You should definitely read it if you enjoy WWII books!

Some parts of the past cannot be hidden. This book is intense at times and yet it reveals a realistic historical account. Two timelines -- WWII and the present -- show how a woman’s life can abruptly pivot from unexpected circumstances.

In 1940, Mathilde Duvall, a museum curator, was feisty with an attitude towards a German Nazi officer. Big mistake; he detested her. She was forced to immediately leave the area. Her husband had no idea where she went. The story followed her involvement with the French Resistance during the heart-wrenching days of WWII. She struggled to survive and changed her identity several times.

In 2025, Juliette’s life also shifted. She was on a trip celebrating 25 years together with her husband in Paris when she discovered that he was having an affair. She decided to leave her husband and America and follow her French grandmother’s path who once lived in Paris. She was curious and wanted to find out about the untold story during WWII. The author balanced the harshness of the war with this timeline which included a delightful wedding.

It's beautifully written with both stories that merged together perfectly revealing deep connections from past events. Secrets were unveiled one by one which explored several cases involving fear, trust and love. It was packed with the painful images of the war.

This story gives you anxiety with the feeling of uneasiness. It wasn’t that long ago when there was blood, death and destruction in Paris and many parts of the world. Can this happen again? This is a must read.

My thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of March 26, 2026.

This beautiful read is a captivating historical novel that skillfully weaves together two different timelines to tell a story of courage and hidden history. In the 1940s portion of the book, we follow Mathilde as she flees Nazi-occupied Paris for the countryside, where she eventually finds herself drawn into the dangerous world of the French Resistance. Her story is one of high stakes and personal sacrifice, centered around a profound secret she must keep to protect those she loves.

In the modern-day narrative, a woman named Juliette lives in Paris but feels a sense of restlessness in her seemingly perfect life. This leads her on a journey to Provence to uncover why her grandmother spent the war years there. As she explores a crumbling chateau and discovers old photographs, the two eras collide, revealing how the choices made during the war still echo through her family today.

I adored every page

"The Secrets of Provence" by Daisy Wood is such a wonderful Historical Fiction read! There is so much in this well paced duo time line story! It is the story. of Mathilde, who is desperately missing her husband, and trying to survive on the run with her friends and cousin in Avignon France in 1941 . She is being hunted by the Gestapo, and is managing to stay a couple of steps aways from them until a fateful day which changes her direction completely.
The second timeline is the story of Juliette, who along with her husband is visiting France. Juliette is trying to figure out what happened to her distant relative, Mathilde. These two stories are woven together seamlessly, through many twists and turns.
There is heartbreak, hope, and lots of action in this book. I highly recommend it!! 5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Publishing for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I love anything set in France and also, in the second world war which is why I enjoyed this book so much. It flips between the war years and the present day and picks up where Juliette is living in Paris with her bookshop. Her and Nico are now an established couple and this follows her researching the history of her French grandmother's life. It quite easily flips between the two time periods in a clear way and links the past with the present as Juliette's son Ben is marrying his French girlfriend Sophie in her home region of Provence. It did make me long for the Provencal scenery, the history of the second world war and its impact on the French was both heart breaking and interesting. In a few places I do think some events/descriptions were glossed over without much detail but overall, it was a very interesting and enjoyable read. I did read the first book The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris but you could easily read this one on its own. Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read and review this book.

Thank you so much to Avon Publishing/Harper Collins for inviting me to read this book ahead of its publication. This is the third novel I’ve read by Daisy Wood, and they just keep getting better and better.

I picked up this novel not knowing it is a spinoff from a previous novel by Wood - The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris. I have not read that novel, and can share that readers can definitely enjoy this book without having read the previous book. I am very excited to go back and read The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris for the other side of this amazing story!

The Secrets of Provence is the story of Mathilde in the 1940s, and Juliette in the 2020s. Mathilde is the wife of bookstore owner Jacques from the previous novel. When Mathilde decides to leave Paris to join the Resistance against the Gestapo, she finds herself on the run. When she arrives at Chateau Albertine, her life changes in ways she never saw coming, and the secrets she must hold will change her world forever. Juliette is Mathilde’s granddaughter. A photograph of Juliette, alongside her mother and grandmother at a chateau in France leads her on a discovery tour of her family history - with answers that will also alter her life forever.

This novel had me hooked from the first page. Both the present-day and historical tales were interesting and gripping, and while the reader quickly knows how Mathilde and Juliette are connected, it took me until almost the end of the novel to put all the pieces together - and I did so through tears. Wood’s ability to make her readers connect with her characters, while also creating imagery of their world through her words is excellent. I loved getting lost in this story.

My only critique is that there were many names of which to keep track. I felt grateful that I was reading this electronically so I could search up names I hadn’t seen in a while to remind myself of the character.

Overall, this was a beautiful, heartbreaking, and nostalgic family tale, and my favorite Daisy Wood novel (that I have read!) to date.

Thank you again for the opportunity to read this story!

A resounding 5 stars. This is a follow on book from The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris but does stand alone. Whereas the first book covers more from the present day with Juliette, this book focuses mainly on the Second World War and Juliette's grandmother. Full of twists and turns, the book certainly keeps the reader's attention and capturies the atmosphere of the era. I, personally, felt the first book had more to give about the past and The Secrets of Provence certainly delivers. .

What a beautiful story this is. "The Secrets of Provence" is a kind of sequel to the book "The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris." That story begins with Jacques and Mathilde, who own a small bookshop in France. But Mathilde is suspected by the Nazis of participating in the resistance and flees to Provence. Jacques stays behind, and his story continues, while Mathilde's remains open. Now her story is told.

In "The Secrets of Provence," her time in Provence and her work for the Resistance are explored. It's a compelling story about a strong woman facing difficult dilemmas and enduring hard times. A second storyline, set eighty years later, centers on Juliette, who travels to France for her son's wedding. She uses the opportunity to unravel the past of her grandmother Marie—yes, that's Mathilde. The two stories complement each other, creating a puzzle with all the pieces in place, and a story unfolds about life during WWII in France. The characters are well-developed, the quest and the past are captivating, the setting is beautifully described, and the dialogue and scenes are well-written. It's a truly beautiful story to read and lingers long after you've finished.

Having read The Forgotten Bookshop ,I was delighted to be given the opportunity to read The Secrets of Provence following Mathilde's story. However it is a good stand alone, told in two timelines 1940 and 2025 this is a wonderful story of bravery, love lost and new beginnings atmospheric emotional Family secrets and betrayal. This is a story that won't be forgotten. Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC.

I was honored to have received this ARC through Avon/Harpercollins publishing. After reading The Burned Books of Berlin, I felt a special connection to the author’s writing (Daisy Wood). So to be able to read and review yet another captivating story of hers brought me much joy.

I was unaware, at the time, that The Secrets of Provence was a continuation of The Lost Bookshop in Paris so I quickly went on to read that first. However, readers can certainly read them out of order.
The Secrets of Provence tells a story through the eyes of a heroine name Mathilde. Having left her husband behind in war torn Paris to hide and later join the resistance against the Nazi regime. We are able to see how her life is shaped and changed forever, the secrets she had kept, and the new life she made after the war had ended. That is until her Granddaughter, Juliette, finds a picture that shows her, along with her mother and grandmother in front of a chateau. This leads her on a journey to discovering her family history and finding answers that are sure to change everything she has ever known.

These stories have left me wishing to found out more about my family history in Germany, so getting to read these dual timeline stories really make me feel apart of these characters lives. Daisy Wood has an amazing way of pulling the reader into the lives once lived while also connecting to those living in present day.

What a beautiful read! I was completely immersed in Provence and the resistance movement in France. This is the sequel to ‘The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris’ but I haven’t read it (yet!) and I didn’t feel I missed anything by not doing so. I loved both of the timelines and the stories are woven together beautifully. Overall, just a wonderful read!

Thanks to @netgally for the arc

What an exciting read!
Mathilde is one formidable woman, who joins the resistance. when German Schmidt threatens her, unless she leaves town
Mathilde goes to her cousin Pierre in Provence where she soon finds work with Monsignor Piquemal. When the Germans come looking for resistance fighters Mathilde is taken away to Sainte-Anne where she first comes into contact with the Patron. What follows can only be described as exciting, Mathilde has no fear, she fights on, making the ultimate sacrifice.
The present day part is equally as exciting, where Juliette now has La Page Cachee, the bookshop Mathilde and Jacques had when they first married. Juliette has emotional ties to the shop and determines to uncover Mathilde’s story.
Recommended read.

I loved it. It was great to finally get Mathilde’s story, she was definitely my favourite character. Least favourite was Schmidt, who was ruthless. Look forward to more by this author.

Wow,.what a story, how brave they were. I love this book from Daisy Wood, so many twists and turns, telling the story of how life was in France during WW2.
It was un-put-down-able for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC. This is book 2 of the Forgotten Bookshop in Paris, however, I didn't read book 1. I do know this is a continuation of Mathilde and Jacques story. 1941: Mathilde is strong armed by a German to move to the south of France and leave Jacques and Paris behind until the war is over. Once in Provence, she continues working for the resistance where her life takes a series of twists and turns. Present Day: Juliette is living in Paris working at the bookshop of her grandparents. She knows there is more to her grandmother's story and she hope she can find out the details on her next trip to Provence. Really good read! #TheSecretsofProvence #DaisyWood #AvonBooksUK #March2026 . Preorder of this book is $2.99!

The Secrets of Provence is a captivating and compelling read that will have you not wanting to put the book down.

Its simply said historical fiction at its best.

The book is written it two timelines.

The first is WWII where Mathilde Duvall has spoken out one too many times against the Nazi's and they ban her from Paris . She travels south to Avignon to her cousin Pierre's where all is not what it seems.

Pierre is part of the French Resitance and Mathilde soons joins him.

Danger lurks around every corner and you will be holding your breath and hoping for the best.

I cried with Mathilde , I laughed with her on occasion but most of all I admire her strength, her seemingly endless lack of fear and her determination to do her part to bring down the Nazi's.

In present time we meet Juliette who has moved from America to Paris and after finding an old picture of her grandmother in the War she was determined to learn Mathilde's story.

Daisy Woods does a marvellous job of merging both timelines as you slowly learn the story behind Mathilde and the Resistance.

I hated the book to end and I can certainly see that many Book Clubs will choose this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK/ Avon for the privileg of reading and reviewing The Secrets of Provence.

This book is told through dual timelines. I thought it was well written. There’s plenty of action set in the past with the war. In the present we learn about the connections to the past. It’s filled with lots of emotion! I couldn’t put it down!

Against the evil and fear of the war, how did so many people manage to be so brave in the fight for good? This book certainly shows us. In fact we follow our characters stories through the decades which separate them, to discover what held them together through war and peace.
It’s ultimately a gentle story. Love and affection flows through it but there is also pain and sadness because, in life, there has to be a balance.
I enjoyed it so much, and I liked how the end is wrapped up and completes the story.

This is a story set over two timelines, it is a story that will get to your heart and you will not want to put this book down. The past, Provence 1940 and Paris in the present day, this story brings two lives, two worlds together bringing secrets to the fore and how will this affect the present day and more importantly, Juliette.

I love the way the two stories are told and how they meld together, the story-telling is spot on and the characters are wonderfully developed. There is a familiarity about this book as we see some of the same characters as in The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris. But each book tells a story through the eyes of a different character (Mathilde and Juliette). It makes for a very interesting and wonderfully heartfelt read.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the opportunity to read adn review this book.

A satisfying historical fiction novel which continues on a previous book, The Forgotten Bookshop of Paris. This book I believe can stand alone but I felt while reading that perhaps if I read the first book, I have enjoyed this one more.

The book alternates between the past (WWII) and present focusing on Mathilde (who appears in the first book) and her work with the resistance, and Juliette who is seeking to learn more about her grandmother. The story lines weave together beautifully and we learn a lot about Mathilde and the secrets of her past.

This is a book for WWII historical fiction lovers and especially those who love to have secrets unraveled.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Avon Books for allowing me the pleasure of reading this ARC.

The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood is a sequel to The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris. It can be read as a standalone although I do recommend reading the prequel.

Written in dual timelines 1940's and 2025 it is a story of love, compassion, heartbreak and hope and it will appeal to lovers of historical fiction, especially France during WWII.

4 stars

In a few words:

Provence 1940

Malthide finds refuge with her cousin in Provence after the Nazis occupation of Paris. Once there she is soon drawn into the Resistance movement. Now force to live a life on the run, where betrayal is a constant threat. Malthide soon discovers that deceit has to be her constant companion.

Paris, present day

Juliette thoughts are turned to tracing her roots. Curious to why her grandmother spent most of the war in Provence. What is Malthide up to? When an old photograph leads Juliette to a crumbling château what she uncovers will change her life.

My thoughts:

This book continues the story of Jacques and Malthide whom we met in “The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris”. No worries if you didn’t read it first “The Secrets of Provence” stands well by its own.

The seamless blend of two timeline: the past and present are said with emotional depth one that has kept my attention from start to finish. The warm narrative is filled with so much heart wrenching moments of the reality of war that will inevitably break your heart, I found it to be quite an emotional read. Of course, I love books highlighting resistance movements and this story does honour to the various organisations that existed. Malthide is just an example of courage and determination needed to survive. In alternate chapters, the voices of our main characters shine and their stories will hold everyone captive till the very last page.

The action of men and women of the resistance was to the point and excellently depicted. At times, the tempo seems to slow down mainly for greater effect and did this pretty well IMO. On a final note, the characters couldn’t have played their roles better.

Well said and well-done

Yet another heart tugging story set during the 2nd world war. It goes back and forth throughout the book from past to the present. It follows the story of a brave young woman during the war and Juliette who is trying to find out her family history. What she finds out astonishes her and makes for a great book to read

I know a great deal about World War II and a fair amount about the German occupation of France and the Vichy government, which was no free government at all. Sally Wood attempts to capture the brutality of the Gestapo and the Nazi occupation of Paris. in her novel The Secrets of Provence. I first read the companion novel, The Forgotten Bookshop by Wood. However, although reading the first novel would be enjoyable, it is not necessary to have done so. The Secrets of Provence. works well as a stand alone novel.

In The Secrets of Provence., our protagonist, Mathilde, must flee her home and husband in Paris and seek safety in Provence, as the Nazis search for her. Mathilde must change her name several times and use counterfeit identity cards to stay one step ahead of the Germans. Wood includes a great deal of history, as well as important details and descriptions. There are some surprises. some love and loss and many puzzles and mysteries. Readers learn about the French resistance and the willingness of ordinary French citizens to risk their lives to free France and drive the Germans out of France. Wood uses a dual timeline in Paris and Provence, with a story situated in the 1940s war years and again in 2025 in the same locations. Characters must make heartbreaking decisions about war and about love and friendship. There are strong women creating second chances at love and survival--Mathilde and Pauline in the 1940s, and Juliette in 2025.

I do recommend this very fine historical novel. The stories are well told and with characters who are complex and interesting. Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for providing me with this ADC. I do recommend The Secrets of Provence.. I genuinely think readers will enjoy it as much as I did.

5 stars

"The Secrets of Provence" is an enjoyable companion to "The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris". This is the story of Mathilde as she is forced to flee Paris to escape the Nazis, leaving behind her beloved husband Jacques. Her survival is dependent on lies and subterfuge, and she even resorts to disguises to protect herself and those she knows and loves. Above all she wants to help fight the Nazis and return to Paris, but events keep conspiring against her.

In the present day her granddaughter Juliette decides to uncover the story of Mathilde's wartime experiences, about which she never spoke. This is done against the backdrop of present day family dramas, including a wedding in Provence. This is a wonderfully informative and readable book, telling of the experiences of ordinary citizens in occupied France. It is full of tragedies and triumphs. Recommended.

Thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this e-book.

France, 1940. Mathilde fled German occupied Paris, leaving behind her husband Jacques to run his bookshop and look after his sick elderly mother. They promise to meet up on the evening of their anniversary and on the 3rd of September and is this even possible? Mathilde travels south to Avignon and she has no clue she's jumping from the frying pan into the fire, her cousin Pierre was once a member of the Communist party, he takes part in acts of defiance and his actions bring her unwanted attention.

Mathilde changes her name to Marie, she finds refuge at Château Albertine, owned by Madame de Courcy and here she meets Yves an English agent. Mathilde works outside in the vineyards and garden, but feelings are heightened and she worried about being betrayed or tricked and it’s hard to know who she can trust and she has to make a heartbreaking decision.

The narrative has a dual timeline, set in the 1940’s and present day and told from the points of view of Mathilde (Marie) and her granddaughter Juliette and is easy to follow.

France, 2025. Juliette decided to stay in Paris when three years ago she discovered her husband of twenty five years was cheating on her, she lives in a one bedroom apartment, runs a bookshop called La Page Cachée and it was once owned by her grandmother’s first husband. Her new partner Nico is a builder, but she misses her children Emily and Ben and American plumbing and air conditioning. Juliette has always wondered why her French grandmother spend most of the war in Provence, what did she do there and she finds an old photo from the 1970’s of a château, and she uncovers a story that will change her life in the most unexpected way.

I received a copy of The Secrets of Provence from NetGalley and Avon Books UK in exchange for an honest review. It follows on from Daisy Wood’s bestselling novel The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris and what happened to Mathilde during the war, it’s a story of how many French men and women fought for their freedom, survival, and sacrifice and kept it a secret.

I really like stories set in France, in the French countryside and with family members like Juliette uncovering the truth and five stars from me.

The Secrets of Provence can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend diving into both and you won’t regret it.

I have read several books by Daisy Wood, so I was delighted to be offered The Secrets of Provence. This book is a dual timeline. Mathilde is living through the Second World War, lives in France and is married to a bookseller who owns a shop in Paris. She becomes noticed by the Gestapo, so leaves Paris for the relative safety of Provence, where she joins the Resistance .
Juliette is American, has a French grandmother, but knows nothing of the family history. Her part of the story is set in 2025 and is centred on the forthcoming marriage of her son Ben to Sophie a French girl. Juliette is interested in discovering her roots. She meets Madame Leclerc and another French lady and gradually she fits together the puzzle of her family members.
I really enjoyed this book in spite of some horrible truths about the Gestapo and their cruelty. To compensate there is also romance and friendship of the locals and family.
I am grateful to NetGalley, Daisy Wood and Avon Books for an arc of The Secrets of Provence.

First I would like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for my free ARC. This book is a stand-alone novel but connects with a previous book by Daisy Wood called:

The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris

Please see my review for this book here.

The author has a distinct ability to braid together past and present in dual timeline stories, and The Secrets of Provence continues that tradition with warmth, intrigue, and a deep sense of place. Set against the sun‑drenched backdrop of southern France, the novel blends mystery, memory, and the enduring resilience of women whose lives are shaped by history’s shadows.

☀︎Themes

Interwoven timelines: The author structures the novel around two interwoven timelines, one in the present day, one during the Second World War which allows the reader to experience Provence both as a modern idyll and as a landscape marked by occupation, resistance, and sacrifice. This duality is one of the book’s greatest strengths. The past storyline carries a quiet tension, while the contemporary narrative offers discovery, healing, and the slow unearthing of truths long buried. The transitions between timelines are smooth and meaningful.

The protagonists across both eras are vividly shaped, with motivations that feel grounded and realistic. Juliette’s journey is one of personal reinvention, and her emotional arc is handled with sensitivity. Meanwhile, the wartime characters of Mathilde and Yves amongst others, embody courage in its many forms: quiet defiance, moral conviction, and the willingness to risk everything for others.

Provence is not merely described, it’s experienced. The lavender fields, the cicada‑filled afternoons, the stone villages and hidden corners all contribute to a sense of immersion. It is part of the author’s attention to detail that brings the narrative to life.

Memory, Identity, and the Cost of Secrets

At its heart, The Secrets of Provence is about the stories families carry and the truths they hide. In this narrative the author explores the legacy of war and how trauma echoes across generations, the power of found family and unexpected connection, the tension between remembering and moving on, and the courage required to confront the past.

☀︎Final Thoughts

The Secrets of Provence is a beautifully crafted novel that balances atmosphere, character, and historical intrigue. Daisy Wood delivers a story that feels both intimate and expansive, inviting readers to lose themselves in the landscapes of Provence while contemplating the hidden histories that shape us.

It’s a book that stays with you and does more the answer the question within The Forgotten Bookshop of what happened to Jacque’s wife. It honours the bravery of ordinary people in extraordinary times.

I highly recommend The Secrets of Provence by Daisy Wood

Daisy Wood’s The Secrets of Provence is a moving, immersive historical fiction that effortlessly blends suspense, family secrets, and wartime resilience. Alternating between 1940s Provence and present-day Paris, the novel explores how courage, love, and hidden truths echo across generations.

Mathilde’s story is gripping and heart-wrenching. Forced from Nazi-occupied Paris, she must navigate danger, betrayal, and the French Resistance with intelligence and bravery. Wood brings the era to life: the vineyards, villages, and quiet tension of occupied France feel vivid and immediate, making every decision Mathilde makes pulse with weight and consequence.

In parallel, Juliette’s modern-day journey of uncovering her grandmother’s secrets is quietly compelling. Her exploration of family history—through photographs, châteaux, and whispered stories—adds emotional depth and poignancy, showing how the past shapes the present. The dual timelines converge beautifully, balancing suspense, nostalgia, and heartfelt revelation.

What sets this book apart is Wood’s ability to make historical events intimate and personal. Mathilde and Juliette are fully realized, complex characters whose decisions feel real and consequential. Themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and resilience resonate long after the final page, making this a story that stays with you.

Fans of WWII historical fiction, dual-timeline family sagas, and stories about strong, courageous women will be enthralled. The Secrets of Provence is a meticulously researched, emotionally rich novel that combines suspense, history, and heart in a way few stories manage—an unforgettable read.

Daisy Wood is simply brilliant. Her stories come to life, transporting the reader to a place where magic happens.

The Secrets of Provence is another shining example of Wood’s masterful storytelling. Told in a dual timeline, this is a story is set in France during WWII and in present day. It is a story of strength, resistance, survival, found family and so much more.

This book took me through a flurry of emotions. It was intense, packed with adventure, while at the same time heartbreaking and heartwarming. There were moments where I wanted to cheer or shout at someone while at other times, I had tears streaming down my face.

What I loved about The Secrets of Provence is that it included parts of WWII that are not talked about as much and there was a bit of a mystery in there to be solved as well.

With Daisy Wood’s attention to detail and masterful character development, she was able to paint the perfect backdrop with characters you cannot help but connect with. As a reader, I was whisked away to the city of Paris and the French countryside and could see the pages come alive in front of my eyes.

As soon as I saw this book, I knew I had to read it, and the author did not disappoint! Thank you to so much to Avon Books and Net Galley for the ARC of this book. I cannot wait to get my hands on the finished copy and add it to my growing collection!

A well plotted and emotional dual time line novel of WWII. Juliette, who is about to be married, finds herself probing her grandmother's history and it's this earlier time line that is the most compelling. Mathilde spoke out one too many times in Paris and found herself banned from the city by the Nazis. Didn't know that happened but it did. She leaves her husband behind as he must care for his mother and goes to her cousin's home in Provence where she joins the resistance. Provence becomes another character in this story thanks to the atmospherics (oh the lavender and the food!). Wood has created memorable characters and she's a good storyteller. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. An immersive read.

A fabulous second book in this short series. Starting in Paris as war has broken out Marie needs to flee as the Germans take over. Jaques her husband an owner of a Bookstore needs to stay to look after his Mother. Marie joins the resistance and travels around until the war ends. In another timeline Juliette buys the bookshop but goes on her own journey as her son is getting married in Provence which gives Juliette the opportunity to find out about her family tree. Well written and interesting characters. Thanks to Daisy and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley

4.5★s

When Juliette's son Ben told his mother he was proposing to Sophie, Juliette was ecstatic. Sophie's family lived in Provence; Juliette's grandmother, Meme, had lived in Provence during the war years, after being exiled from Paris and her husband by the Germans. Staying first with a cousin, then moving onto a Chateau, she became deeply involved with the Resistance. Juliette was determined to discover her grandmother's secrets of the life she'd lived during the war, and after it was all over.

As Juliette dug deeply into the past, meeting old people who had known her grandmother, Juliette surrounded herself with family, both hers and Sophie's. She knew the two families would blend together well, when the past came fully to light, she'd be happy...

The Secrets of Provence is the 2nd in The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris by Daisy Wood and once again the author has written an exceptional historical novel. With excellent characters - although there are quite a lot of them - beautiful countryside, which of course was destroyed by the Nazis, determination, love and loss from start to finish, I have no hesitation in recommending this one (which can easily be read as a standalone).

With thanks to NetGalley & Jessica Whitehead of Avon Publishing, - HarperCollins UK - for my digital ARC to read and review.

This is the follow up to The Forgotten Bookshop in Paris and I think I may have enjoyed it more than the first. Technically you don't have to read the first to follow the plot but I think you'll miss a lot of reasoning behind characters' behavior if you don't!

On to the review.

This book continues in a dual POV with Juliette now living in Paris and running Jacques' bookstore in the present day. She wants to uncover the truth about her grandmother's life during World War 2. The second POV is during Mathilde's time in Provence during the War.

I found myself slightly more invested in Mathilde's story line but still loved Juliette's hunt for the truth and how the pieces came together. It really made me think about how many stories of bravery were lost after the war.

It was a very emotional book and one that I'll be thinking about for a very long time.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC

historical genre, love, loss, the war era and learning via a dual timelines. well im all the way in. and what a beautiful read this was. and this is exactly why its my favourite. when you get a book like this done right you just feel t with your book readers whole soul.
everything was paced so well. and the two timelines were woven around each other so seamlessly. that connection was there through past and present too and i loved learning of both equally.
in the past we follow yet another braves woman work in the resistance. things she had to already go through living in those times then add her bravery with the resistance and what the had to do, take on, risk was another stunning portrayal that we indeed know went on back in the day.
in our present day we have Juliette. she is living with her own battles. and they never feel like they are lesser because she isn't "fighting" a war and we want to follow and make sure she is ok just as much as when following the past timelines events. how the stories manage to merge and connect was really well done. it didn't feel done for stories sake. it felt done because it was always this way and instead Daisy had just found their stories and was telling them to us.
i found what Mathilde and her husband were doing harrowing and also brilliant. i mean how inspiring are these two. they were literally hiding and saving lives. one such life becomes more at risk than ever when they are taken in by the police. and the man they know appears to be prevalent to this. now they have to act. now they desperately must be separated. Mathilde travels with their precious cargo down through France. she escapes but her husband cannot. hes got his own reasons for staying in their home. his own people to care for that cant be moved.
this new life is cared out. one that she finds with a kind set of people who help her learn a new trade on the vinyards. but it isnt long before this too is taking over by the greed of the Nazis demanding their products. it is also here that Mathilde discovers the resistence group one that once again leads her to needing to escape capture. this time she is less lucky. but then one night, one night there is an ambush and she once again uses all her bravery to get away. and it is then she begins a yet again new turn to her life when she joins the resistance.
but with a fraught journey behind her could there finally be a safe place for her to stay? a place that looks so very different from the one she just left.
in present day after what Juliette found about her husband she is still there in Paris. she is living above the bookshop which she works in. things look like they might be giving her glimmers back to her life. and there is a new love. one that brings more to her life because he has links to someone from Juliette's own past. Mathilde, her grandmother. she is so eager t know more. especially since her grandmother seems overly reluctant to talk of that time.
news from her son might take her closer than she thinks to her own truth. when she travels to Provence in preparations for his upcoming wedding she finds a source who knew her grandmother! and it is here that we work once again in beautiful parallel of what happened to her Grandmother.
oh this books was so beautiful. i was trying not to give too much away. i was also trying not to leave bits out that i wanted to talk about in my review. and i wanted to say so much more. its one of those books that you want to talk it all over once again. you just want to repeat all the brilliance of it to others. if my review feels bitty than its because i was trying to give justice to the read and also not give too much away. as the discoveries in the books is part of its success.
this is a book that needs to be read. if you love this genre and this type of read then you MUST read it.

Gorgeous, lyrical, and insightful dual-POV WW2 historical fiction. I definitely hope to see more books in this same style by this author. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.