Gerd, a German national, is visiting France, where he meets Lili. Their friendship is quick to develop and might even have deepened into a lasting relationship. But then the war interrupts, and they find themselves on opposing sides. Gerd is now a German officer, and Lili is part of the Resistance in France. Gerd is tracking an injured British pilot whose plane was shot down. Though badly injured, James manages to find his way into an apartment through a terrace. It just happens to be Lili’s abode, and she, along with a couple of trusted friends, cares for him until he can be rescued and returned to England. During his recovery, he and Lili find an attraction to each other that cannot be denied. But she has also seen Gerd, and she has been tasked by the Resistance to “sleep with the enemy.” Literally. She is conflicted because she still has feelings for Gerd, despite her growing affection for James, and does not want to hurt him. She is torn between two lovers, and yet she must show allegiance to the Allies. This is quite a love story. The author does a superb job of illustrating the conflict the protagonists are dealing with, both in the horrors of the war and their human emotions of love and devotion to duty. The prose flows smoothly in describing the relationships between the main characters as well as the awful nature of the war. The tension gradually builds until it finally peaks at the very end. It’s a well-written and gripping tale of love that grows out of circumstances that the war provided.

I received a free copy of this title through Book Sirens, and my review is my own opinion freely given. ( )