A lovely novel. A moving story of love and friendship with a wonderful sense of place

An exciting, evocative and beautifully written romance that views the war from an unusual angle

Carol skilfully draws us in to the beautiful Alpes Maritimes region of France to tell the story of Sara, a Polish refugee who want to live her life her way. The writing is evocative and Sara's story is both moving and inspiring

A terrific story [...] skilfully written & heart-rending, we are pulled into the beauty and destruction of the French countryside in WW2, as a young Jewish girl discovers what matters in life & fights for her love & for freedom

A novel where the quality of the writing matches the intrigue of the story. An Act of Love is a beautiful book and the themes of displacement resonate with contemporary events

An outstanding and beautifully written story and one not to be missed. This compelling and meticulously researched WWII novel tells a part of history that should never be forgotten. Thoroughly recommend

Beautifully written, each sentence provides atmosphere and shimmers in thought-provoking prose

An exciting, evocative and beautifully written romance that views the war from an unusual angle

I loved An Act of Love: it's a virtual hug of a tale; warm, and engaging, and tender. Just what I needed

Romantic, evocative and pulse-racingly dramatic, this novel views the war from an unusual and fascinating angle

An emotional and moving read. The beauty of the French landscape contrasts starkly with the fear and oppression of the war years in this story of love, loss and courage

Dramatic and enthralling (...) will encourage emotions to dip and soar as it gives hope even in the darkness

Her detailed research and vivid characters bring an emotional depth to a novel that depicts poignantly a remarkable period of history. An Act of Love is an emotional and compelling novel about the power of first love and friendship . . . could be Drinkwater's best novel yet

I enjoyed it very much. Her portrayal of damaged and fearful teenager is so good and believable ... I longed to be in France. It's her best

I loved reading An Act of Love. It kept me engaged, fascinated and eager to turn the pages ... It's a wonderful, enjoyable novel with courage and survival at its heart

A moving story of love, friendship and bravery that simply races along

An evocative tale of courage and loss, of secrets and risk, in some of France's darkest days

Accomplished ... the narrative is beautifully paced and clever

Included in 'The Hot List'

Praise for Carol Drinkwater

Secrets, tragedy, hidden pasts and family secrets - I loved this

Plenty of page-turning drama but also mouthwatering descriptions of Paris and Provence

Carol Drinkwater's writing is like taking an amazing holiday in book form

I was hooked from a start threaded with mystery and menace . . . The story kept me gripped as the past tragedy unfolded

Carol Drinkwater's writing is always guaranteed to sweep me off my feet

Emotional and tenderly written

Beautifully written, each sentence provides atmosphere and shimmers in thought-provoking prose

Carol Drinkwater writes with captivating eloquence . . . Full of secrets, tense moments and gorgeous descriptions

A great and compassionate writer

An emotionally charged, wartime story set in the French Alps . . . an evocative tale of courage and loss, of secrets and risk

An Irish novel moves from a family's joy to tragedy and back in this poignant yet hopeful novel spanning the late 1970s to 2015

Cullen's lyrical prose drives the immersive and heart-wrenching narrative. This complex study of depression and its impact on family dynamics will lure readers

Love is here in spades... clear a weekend for this gorgeous read

Praise for Helen Cullen

If you liked Harold Fry and Me Before You, you will love Cullen's nostalgic debut. This life-affirming book will draw you in and keep you there

Delightful

Deeply moving

I found myself totally transported into William's poignant and beguiling world of lost opportunities and love

This will touch your soul

Cullen's writing is precise, haunting and, above all, beautiful . . . has the twin ability to inspire you to take delight in the world, yet also cry with the pain that unfolds in its pages

Deals delicately and humanely with the subjects of mental health and the ravaging effects of grief . . . ultimately a hopeful read that lives long in the memory

Cullen's quietly devastating novel is both a family saga and a careful exploration of the realities of living with mental health issues

A thoroughly moving and frequently funny story of love and compassion

A tender and unflinching exploration of mental illness and how it can eat into the heart of a family. Full of empathy and genuinely moving, a novel that will stay with me for a long time