The Girl You Left Behind - Jojo Moyes

‘And always, somewhere underneath, the sense that she is missing something; secrets that float just out of sight.’

This is a dual time frame novel and the new book from the author of the hugely successful ‘Me Before You.’

I really enjoyed curling up and getting lost in this very romantic and engaging story. Most of all I loved the historical storyline, learning about Sophie’s life with Edouard prior to World War I, and her daily life during the war, struggling to keep herself, her sister and her sister’s children safe and well during the German occupation of their town in France, whilst her beloved Edouard is fighting at the Front.

A talented artist, Edouard painted a portrait of Sophie which catches the eye of the new Kommandant of the occupying forces in their town. Once a successful, thriving hotel in the town, Sophie’s home and place of work is now being used to replenish the strength of the enemy soldiers, under the Kommandant’s instructions. As he spends more time there, Sophie begins to wonder if his interest in her may offer her a way to see Edouard again, but she takes an enormous risk.

Liv is a bereaved widow still enduring the heartbreak of losing her talented archictect husband at a young age and after only a few years of marriage. Prior to his death, her husband had given the beautiful portrait of Sophie to Liv as a gift almost a hundred years after the events affecting Sophie occurred. Liv is struggling to make things work and despite a chance encounter that hints at potential new love at last, events involving the portrait may scupper this almost as soon as it has begun.

Both storylines held my attention, but I felt very drawn into the historical element, and would love to see the author return to this sort of period again. The ending was very satisfying and heartwarming. I understand the wide appeal of this author and appreciated her very readable style, and I liked this novel even more than Me Before You. I found this a captivating story, complete with much intrigue, secrets, tension and romance.

Published by Penguin

Reviewed by Lindsay Healy

Reviewed for lovereading.com, netgalley and goodreads first reads.