The Last Hours in Paris: A powerful, moving and redemptive story of wartime love and sacrifice for fans of historical fiction

(Paperback)

Available Formats

---

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

War brings them together.

Will liberation tear them apart

'A wonderful book. A heartbreaking story of the power of love and forgiveness' JILL MANSELL

'A tender, thrilling story of love and family secrets in time of war, beautifully told' RACHEL HORE

'I was so engrossed. A wonderful, moving, ultimately uplifting book' LESLEY PEARSE

WITNESS THE LAST HOURS IN PARIS IN THE UNFORGETTABLE NEW NOVEL FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF WHILE PARIS SLEPT.

Paris 1944. Elise Chevalier knows what it is to love...and to hate. Her fiance, a young French soldier, was killed by the German army at the Maginot Line. Living amongst the enemy Elise must keep her rage buried deep within.

Sebastian Kleinhaus no longer recognises himself. After four years spent fighting a war he doesn't believe in, wearing a uniform he despises, he longs for a way out. For something, someone, to be his salvation.

Brittany 1963. Reaching for the suitcase under her mother's bed, eighteen-year-old Josephine Chevalier uncovers a secret that shakes her to the core. Determined to find the truth, she travels to Paris where she discovers the story of a dangerous love that grew as a city fought for its freedom. Of the last stolen hours before the first light of liberation. And of a betrayal so deep that it would irrevocably change the course of two young lives for ever.

'Love, loss, bravery... Ruth is an exceptional storyteller, bringing the past back to life and shining a light in the darkness' ERICKA WALLER

'This kept me captivated on every page' PRIMA MAGAZINE

'From the moment I started reading this book I could not put it down ' REAL READER REVIEW

'An excellent read for fans of WW2 fiction ' REAL READER REVIEW

'A gripping story, well-written and about little-known events ' REAL READER REVIEW

'Outstandingly beautiful and brilliantly poignant ' REAL READER REVIEW

'I devoured the characters, marvelled at the storyline and really didn't want it to end ' REAL READER REVIEW

Acclaim for the unforgettable international bestseller WHILE PARIS SLEPT:

'A gripping tale of love and sacrifice' WOMAN & HOME

'You'll have your heart in your mouth and tears on your cheeks as it reaches its rich, life-affi

Reviews

Praise for Ruth Druart: 'What a book . . . Emotional and heartrending . . . absolutely phenomenal. I was on tenterhooks throughout. A wonderful achievement -- Jill Mansell
Historical fiction fans, rejoice! A new voice has entered the arena and she's one to watch. A heartrending story told from the perspectives of two families living very different lives, it is also one of hope amid tragedy. Perfectly paced and plotted, and evocatively written * Woman & Home *
You'll have your heart in your mouth and tears on your cheeks as it reaches its rich, life-affirming conclusion. Both epic and intimate, this unexpected story had me completely and utterly enraptured -- Louise Candlish
Brace yourself for a brilliant read. This will tug at your heartstrings * Best *
While Paris Slept made me think and cry and rage and smile at mankind's capacity for both beautiful, selfless love and terrible, heartbreaking cruelty. Prepare to be thoroughly engrossed in this compelling book -- Natasha Lester
What a book, I absolutely loved it. An ingenious plot, wonderful believable characters and it moved me to tears. A fabulous read -- Lesley Pearse
A heartbreaking debut. The novel delves into eternal questions: How far will we go to protect our child Is love holding tightly or letting go -- Janet Skeslien Charles, author of The Paris Library
A powerful and poignant debut from a brilliant and bold new novelist -- Imogen Kealey, author of Liberation

Author Bio

Ruth Druart grew up on the Isle of Wight, moving away at the age of eighteen to study psychology at Leicester University. She has lived in Paris since 1993, where she has followed a career in teaching. She has recently taken a sabbatical, so that she can follow her dream of writing full-time.