BOOK REVIEW: CROSS MY HEART, AND HOPE TO LIVE – CARMEN REID

Book Review: Cross My Heart, And Hope To Live – Carmen Reid

It’s 1940. Europe has erupted into war and Nicole’s city has been invaded by the Nazis.

Her father is missing. Every day, teenagers are being rounded up and taken to work camps. Nicole is only fifteen, but she is burning to do something.

Desperate but determined, she and Anton, the boy she’s fallen in love with, join a secret group of people fighting for freedom.
Soon she learns that she is not too young to carry out dangerous missions, fire a gun, plant a bomb, risk being caught, tortured and heartbroken.

She’s prepared to put her life on the line. But does she know how much she could lose?

Inspired by real people, real places and real events.

I was delighted to receive Cross My Heart from Carmen Reid! Historical fiction isn’t a genre I read often, so I was very excited to try something new!

Cross My Heart is set in 1940 when World War II just started. Nicole, 15 years old and the main character lives in Belgium where the Nazis have begun their invasion. Niccole is put in a tight situation where there are food shortages and inadequate living standards. To fight back, she decides to join a Renaissance group under a code name, Coco, wanting to make a moral difference. This book is filled with mystery and suspense and is not a typical historical book, it is full of espionage, suspense, and action, it’s gripping and kept me hooked from the beginning.

This novel was filled with secret codes, accounts of children and families being evacuated, and espionage. It’s an action-packed book that I enjoyed reading. The characters in this book are very thoughtfully written, especially Nicole who has amazing character development. She is a strong, mature, intelligent, and brave female lead. Her story about joining the Rennisance band along with other teenagers was very though-provoking and greatly inspiring. The story not only captivates with its intense action and suspense but also leaves a lasting impression through its deep emotional and psychological insights.

The relationship among the teenagers in the band is very authentic and well-written, capturing the nuances of their camaraderie and struggles. I also liked the small love story between Nicole and her young boyfriend Angelo. I loved how Carmen Reid did not overdo the romance so it did not overtake the main plot. The settings were also very vivid, depicting exactly what was going on on each page. At times, I felt as if I were right there with Nicole and the others, fighting alongside them in the Renaissance band.

The only thing I disliked was some of the decisions Nicole made, sometimes they didn’t really make sense to me.

Cross My Heart is a true testament to all of the heroic people, teenagers and adults alike who fought for justice, and followed their moral values no matter how dangerous it was. It was amazingly well-written depicting every single thing that happened during this terrible time. Reid does not shy away from the grim realities, instead highlighting the remarkable bravery and strength of Nicole and the other teenagers involved. This adrenaline-packed story is a gripping tale of courage, valor, determination, and unwavering principles. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in World War II and historical fiction. I highly recommend it! b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b. b b b b b. b b b b b. b b b b b. b b b b. b b b. b b b b b. b b b b. b b b b b. b b b b b. b b b. b b b. b b b  b