Book Review: The Things We Did for Love by Natasha Farrant.

Product details:
Publisher: Faber & Faber.
Release date: March 1st 2012.
Hardcover, 225 pages.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Ages: 12+
Source: Received from publisher for review.

France: February, 1944.
As war rages in Europe, teenagers Luc and Arianne fall passionately in love. But German forces are closing in and Luc, desperate to atone for his family's past, is drawn into the dangerous world of the Resistance. Arianne will do almost anything to keep him safe, but someone else is secretly in love with her - someone who will stop at nothing to get rid of his rival...

Inspired by harrowing real life events, The Things We Did for Love by Natasha Farrant is a heart-wrenching tale of love and loyalty, betrayal and loss set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied France during World War II.

Revolving around the relationship of Luc and Arianne, two teenagers in love, The Things We Did for Love initially lulls us into a sense of false security as we witness the connection between Arianne and Luc, a boy from her childhood who has returned to her village after five years away.  Luc is initially secretive and distant, but soon warms to Arianne who falls head over heels in love with him.  A passionate affair soon follows, and their relationship develops quickly leaving in its wake a trail of jealousy and bitter destruction that will impact on the lives of everyone they know.

The Things We Did for Love has all the potential to be a tale of relentless Nazi brutality, but instead it saves it hard-hitting punches for its final chilling chapters which serve to show us, that even during times of brutal war and terrible betrayal, we should never underestimate the unwavering power of loyalty and the redemptive qualities of love.

The Things We Did for Love is a novel of friends, family, love and loss, set against a historical period that I love to read about, so while I was initially interested in reading this novel, and while I loved its final twist, I did feel that it was a little lacking in its characterization and plot development. I never fully connected with Luc and Arianne or became invested in their relationship. The writing style throughout the novel is taut and restrained, and is perfectly suited to a novel which has a raw and powerful conclusion, making it a worthwhile read for me.