Review of 'The Girl Who Saved Them' by S.E. Rutledge

Review of 'The Girl Who Saved Them' by S.E. Rutledge

Release Date: Feb 5th, 2025

Publisher: Bookouture

REVIEW

Heart-shattering, suspenseful, compelling and deeply powerful— are just a few of the words I'd use to describe this unforgettable and gripping story that left me in tears. I have read and reviewed many excellent WW2 novels but in the past few months I decided to take a break from those and focus on other historical fiction topics. But when I was sent an invitation by the publisher to read and review The Girl Who Saved Them, I could not resist. After sampling S. E. Rutledge’s previous novels, I was immediately impressed with the quality of her writing and how she is able to connect readers to her characters in such a personal way. It is easy to feel deep emotion for them as we join them on their harrowing journeys.

I am very glad I read The Girl Who Saved Them even though this story broke my heart (which is why I took a pause from these sorts of stories in the first place!). I get so emotionally involved while reading WW2 novels, that I fall to pieces! I can easily imagine what it was like for the people who actually lived through such awful times. Ms Rutledge vividly writes about these experiences in her novel. She presents trauma extremely well. It was easy to sympathise with the victims and get angry at the villains.

This story is about two very different sisters who are given a chance to present their experiences through their own viewpoints. The Prologue begins in Paris with Louise in 1939… ‘A rifle from the Great War stands by the door, freshly cleaned but somehow stained with the living nightmares it’s been through…’ What an opening line and symbolic visual! Louise’s father must take up arms again after twenty years and his son, her brother, Fernand must follow him to the battlefield. In doing so, she and her sister Marie are left to care for their nephew. But waiting patiently for their father and brother’s return is not possible for these two women. They need to get involved in helping fight the enemy and end up in the Resistance which leads to a whole series of hair-raising events.

The descriptions in this novel are astoundingly impactful. And so visual. Many scenes are heartbreaking. It is easy to picture each setting and the multitude of incidents these characters endure. The detailed sketches are filled with various tints, shades and tones that create a variety of moods. There are some happy moments but sorrow corrupts the joyful heart. Changes are inevitable—thanks to the horrors of war. We can see this in all the characters. By the time we reach the end of the story, many aspects of their personalities have gone through a transformation. The two sisters particularly are prime example. Their separation and trials cause them to mature. The war puts everything into perspective.

There are some kind, compassionate and understanding male supporting characters—particularly the loves of Marie and Louise (a Russian and an American). These men are changed by the courage of these women who are in turn strengthened by their support.

There is a lot of suspense in The Girl Who Saved Them that kept me on the edge of my seat. The resistance team, the men saved by these two women, plus their brother and nephew add plenty of weight to the plot. But Marie and Louise are incredibly strong women who represent all the amazing women who endured or survived the Hitler era.

There are some very sad moments of loss. Good people die and this left my heart bursting with grief. I was reminded of the real participants and victims of the Second World War. Books like this serve to remind us to never forget the sacrifice of those who fought back and the savagery of the enemies.

There are some lovely surprises at the end of the novel and I felt the storylines were well concluded. I highly recommend this well-written gem that requires large boxes of tissues while reading! For you cannot help but feel great emotion as you watch the The Girl Who Saved Them unfold. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.