A door slammed and the unmistakable sound of boots came crashing up the hall. Liese held her little daughter's hand so tightly, the tiny fingers had turned purple. The SS officer's hand was at Liese's throat before she saw him move. 'I can kill you easily, then I can kill your daughter.' He relaxed his grip a little. 'Or perhaps I could kill her first?'

England, forty years later. When Karen Cartwright is unexpectedly called home to nurse her ailing father, she goes with a heavy heart. The house she grew up in feels haunted by the memory of her father's closely guarded secrets about her beautiful mother Elizabeth's tragic death years before.

As she packs up the house, Karen discovers an old photograph and a stranger's tattered love letter to her mother postmarked from Germany after the war.

During her life, Karen struggled to understand her shy, fearful mother, but now she is realising there was so much more to Elizabeth than she knew. For one thing, her name wasn't even Elizabeth, and her harrowing story begins long before Karen was born.

It's 1941 in Berlin, and a young woman called Liese is being forced to wear a yellow star...

A beautiful and gripping wartime story about family secrets and impossible choices in the face of terrible hardship. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, We Were the Lucky Ones and The Alice Network.


What readers are saying about Catherine Hokin:


'What an amazing read, well written emotional and very compelling... I was totally absorbed in the story and I would love to give it 10 stars. One of my best reads this year. I can't begin to say how much I loved this book, I couldn't put it down, absolutely brilliant.' Goodreads reviewer

'Heartbreaking... I cried many, many times... This story showed just how important hope can be... The historical detail Hokin poured into this book through her research was simply phenomenal. The Fortunate Ones is a must-read.' Goodreads reviewer

'This was a wonderful story about romance, life, and survival. I could not put it down... heartbreaking.' Crossroad Reviews

'This story just swept me away... I was left speechless... just wow!!... I do recommend a box of tissues... This book will have you turning the pages.' Red Headed Book Lady