Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release date: 13 August 2026
Back cover blurb: On the border between Nazi-occupied France and Switzerland sits a small hotel. Inside, the staircase marks the divide between the two countries. For some, this staircase will become the difference between life and death... France, 1940: Eloise arrived at the Hotel Cordier several years earlier, in the eastern town of Sainte-Béline, straddling the frontier between Switzerland and France, looking for an escape. But when the Nazis invade, everything changes. Trapped under occupation, Eloise finds herself drawn to the local resistance - and to André, its charismatic leader. André is determined to use the hotel's unique position to save as many refugees fleeing persecution as he can. It doesn't take long before the Germans start closing in. Facing the threat of discovery and the shadows of her past, Eloise must decide how much she is willing to risk to save innocent lives. Even at the cost of her own...
Eloise is battered and bruised, both literally and emotionally when she arrives in Sainte-Beline. But she has managed to settle into a relatively quiet and calm existence.
Until the Nazi's arrive.
Eloise works at the local school with Julien, whose Sister, Marie is the propierier of local hotel, the Hotel Cordier.
The hotel has a special intrigue for the occupying forces as half of it is in the now occupied France, and the other in neutral Switzerland.
When the local Doctor is attacked, simply for being Jewish, Eloise knows that she should do something to help. She just doesn't know what.
Until Marie's brother, Andre returns, having escaped from a camp, and tells his Sister he is now part of the resistance.
Marie is shocked, but not surprised, for her younger brother has always been a keen risk taker. She doesn't want him to involve her, Julien or Eloise at first. But the others are keen to understand how the hotel might be able to help.
Finally, they are all agreed. It is a dangerous plan that they have made, but they believe it is the right one. They can't just sit back and do nothing.
And so begins an extraordinary story of bravery, risk and the brutality of War.
Based on the true story of the incredible hotel Arbez, the French Resistance hotel is one of those books that I didn't want to end, and it's characters will stay with me for a long time.
The French Resistance Hotel is available now via Amazon online and all good bookshops.
Thank You to the publishers who approved my request via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.