The French Affair

LoveReading Says

Certain to captivate fans of escapist WWII fiction, Teresa Howes’ The French Affair juxtaposes a charming, fragrant sense of pre-war France with the horrors of Nazi occupation, including the requisitioning of homes and executions.

At its heart is French journalist, Iris, who’s turned her hand to working for British Intelligence during the war while her journalist husband, Jack, reports from the frontline. Iris’ life is sent into a spin when an undercover honey-trap operation to bring down a traitorous civil servant goes awry, and Jack sees compromising photos of her in the press.

In the aftermath, Iris flees to Dijon to see her darling Aunt Eva, an esteemed cookery book writer. Also tasked with luring the traitor to follow her to France so she can finish her operation, on arrival in the occupied war zone, Iris learns Eva has died.

Alongside this devastating loss, Iris is faced with horrifying scenes and dilemmas. Add to this her pain at being considered a collaborator by villagers, and her desire to tell Jack the truth about her relationship with the traitor, and The French Affair amounts to a gripping story of secrets, war atrocities and love. 

Reviewed by Joanne Owen
Joanne Owen’s lifelong love of reading and writing began when she was growing up in Pembrokeshire, and very much wished that witches (and Mrs Pepperpot) were real.
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