Great story but my only wish was that it was non-fiction. The main character Violet St. Croix is inspired by Susan Travers, the only woman to be in the French Foreign Legion. The love story is good but the story of courage of Violet St. Croix was even better.

Violet came from a privileged background by her father wanted her to be more of an well behaved ornament, her mother who drank too much did not help at all. Violet had to find her own way, to learn who she really was. She decided to learn to drive and her father gave her a fancy car but he was horrified by her wanted to learn about fixing it. He thought was below their station. Making new friends outside of the prescribed social circle, encouraged her to stand up for what she wanted to do and be.

Against her father's wishes, she volunteered for the Red Cross, they had her washing blood of the floors but when the opportunity to drive for miliary leaders, she grabbed it. Her bravery and strength stood out.

I felt compelled to read about the woman who inspired this book. I stand with deep admiration and joy at what she achieved in her lifetime. ( )

Her books are so good! I love how she always finds amazing women from WWII to write about. Violet is a socialite, who has for the most part followed all her parents wanted for her, and is on the brink of getting married when war breaks out. Heading to the Red Cross to sign up with a friend, she is told that she needs to become a nurse, her skills in driving don't matter. Nurses are needed and so that is what she will become. After one disastrous event, Violet proves her driving skills and is quickly moved to a post more suited to her abilities. In the midst of war, Violet is finding out who she is and what she really wants in life and for herself. Even though she proves herself and her skills over and over again, with each move that is made, a male attempts to get her to go back home where she can be safe and become someone's wife. Violet having lived most of her life dictated by a mans decisions, continues to do her part for the war and finds that she has become an inspiration and known among many. Based on a true women, this novel was such a fascinating read! I really loved Violet's character and really had no idea about what was happening in Libya. It was very interesting to read about the bases they set up in those desert lands. Thank you to Forever Pub, the author, and Goodreads for the complementary novel won in a giveaway. ( )

Violet is a socialite on the cusp of WWII. She soon realizes that she knows nothing about the world. She breaks off her engagement, signs up to be a nurse, and gets disowned by her parents all in one swoop!

It does not take Violet long to realize nursing is not for her. Luckily a bomb raid saved her from this situation when she drove an ambulance. No one expected a woman to know how to drive. This changed her roll in the French Foreign Legion.

First off, I do not think I have ever read a book about the FFL during WWII. Where have I been??? This story is well researched and the characters are amazing. When Violet comes out of her shell, she takes no prisoners. Talk about strong and brave!

I read this book in a day and a half. I cannot tell y’all how good this book is. You MUST read it for yourself!

Need a book which will have you gasping for air…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. ( )

Amazing read!

Violet St. Croix is born into a wealthy English family. Her mother and Violet spend their time at the family villa in Nice. Her father, Commodore Robert St. Croix joins them from London as time and his important work permits. Violet is being groomed towards a successful marriage within the circle of a their acquaintances. In fact her fiancée has already been decided on.
Driving becomes her eccentric hobby that will be put away when she marries. Only it isn’t and it doesn’t.
It’s 1939. War is coming and Violet volunteers with the French nursing corps. Her family disown her.
How Violet ends up as a driver for generals and colonels is part of her extraordinary story that begins with Violet being just another idle rich girl who loves driving. That morphs over time into the story of a brave, formidable woman. Violet spends the war as firstly a nurse and then a driver in Finland, then Africa with the French Foreign Legion, going onto Tunisia, Libya then in Italy and beyond. Inspired by the achievements of Susan Travers the only woman to become a serving member of the French Foreign Legion. Bowen’s research and afterwards is formidable.
Violet is given the name of La Fleur by the men in this is a sensational novel, brilliantly depicting one woman’s war.
There’s intrigue, treason, love and betrayal. A startling novel. I totally succumbed!

A Forever (Grand Central Pub.) ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. ( )