Lily Graham

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About Lily Graham
Lily Graham is the author of the bestselling, The Child of Auschwitz, The Paris Secret and The Island Villa, among others. Her books have been translated into numerous languages, including French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Turkish.
She grew up in South Africa, and was a journalist for a decade before giving it up to write fiction full time. Her first three novels were lighter, women's fiction, but when she wrote The Island Villa, a story about a secret Jewish community living on the tiny island of Formentera during the Spanish Inquisition, she switched to historical fiction and hasn't quite looked back since.
She lives now in the Suffolk coast with her husband and English bulldog, Fudge. Her latest book, The Flight of Swallows, set in Denmark and Sweden, will be out in January 2021.
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Books By Lily Graham
When Charlotte’s husband James tragically dies, he leaves her an unexpected gift – her grandmother’s beautiful villa, Marisal, on the Spanish island of Formentera.
As she begins to explore her new home, and heal her broken heart in the warm golden sunshine, Charlotte discovers that her grandmother Alba has been keeping secrets about her life on the island. Intrigued by her family’s hidden history, Charlotte uncovers a devastating love affair that put many lives at risk and two sisters torn apart by loss.
Can the heart-breaking truth of the island’s dark history finally be laid to rest? Or will the secrets of the past shake the new life and love that Charlotte is close to finding?
What readers are saying about The Island Villa:
‘I was hooked… a beautiful story… absolutely amazing!… truly beautiful… even though I did spend most of the time blubbering into my tissues!’ Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars
‘Gorgeous; reminding me of a Kate Morton novel… I had a difficult time wanting to put down this book most nights; staying up into the wee hours of the morning… this stunning book was a perfect summer read, and I relished every page.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 Stars
‘I simply adored The Island Villa … This book is beautifully written and I devoured it in a couple of days. A fantastic plot line with strong characters, I can highly recommend it.’ Goodreads Reviewer, Five Stars.
‘I wasn't sure what to expect with this book but after the first page, I was hooked! … I loved the chapters going from past to present. This has family relationships, love and just beautiful imagery in it, you will enjoy every single second! I highly recommend this book, great book to take to the beach this summer!’ Goodreads reviewer, Five Stars.
‘Once you start reading this book, you'll want to keep reading it! you'll instantly be transported to the Spanish island … it's a book you won't be able to put down until you finish it! Be sure to add this one to your Summer reading list!’ Bless Their Hearts Mom, Five Stars.
‘This book was a real treat! I read it in two days’. The Princess and the Pen, Five Stars.
‘This book is up there with my favourites… the descriptions of the rambling paths, streets, coves and markets are wanderlust igniting… It was gripping, dramatic and uplifting, perfect for a holiday/beach read… It’s a sign of a great book when you are left wanting more.’ Beereader Books, Five Stars.
‘… I rarely say a book should be longer but bizarrely it would have worked for this particular storyline, I simply wanted to know more. Think of the dual narrative works of Kate Morton or Lucinda Riley, books you can lose yourself in.
The last time Valerie was in Paris, she was three years old, running from the Nazis, away from the only home she had ever known.
Now as a young woman all alone in the world, Valerie must return to Paris, to the bookshop and her sole surviving relative, her grandfather Vincent, the only person who knows the truth about what happened to her parents. As she gets to know grumpy, taciturn Vincent again, she hears a tragic story of Nazi-occupied Paris, a doomed love affair and a mother willing to sacrifice everything for her beloved daughter.
Can Valerie and Vincent help each other to mend the wounds of the past? Valerie isn’t after a fairytale ending, she only wants the truth. But what is the one devastating secret that Vincent is determined to keep from his granddaughter?
An unputdownable and unforgettable story of love, fear and courage in a time of war. Immerse yourself in a Paris where soldiers’ boots echo on cobbled streets and the air is full of whispers. Fans of Before We Were Yours, Kathryn Hughes and The Paris Wife will be absolutely hooked by this beautiful, tragic tale.
Readers are falling in love with The Paris Secret:
‘WOW that was one brilliant read, definitely up there with my top books for 2018! Superbly written and a beautiful if heart-wrenching at times storyline... It’s a beauty and the granddad and Clotilde are just wonderful characters. Highly recommend, worthy of more than 5 stars!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 Stars.
‘How to put my feelings into words about this book... absolutely one of the best books I have read in 2018… Lily Graham has written one of the best books of the year in my honest opinion! If I could have given this a higher rating that 5 stars I would have done so… truly an unforgettable story!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars.
‘Warning! This book will make you cry and crave the attention of a mangy old cat. It will make you want to head straight to Paris to find this magical bookstore!... The most moving story I’ve read in a long while… Magical… Mon Dieu, I have not wept so much in a while. Such rich characters and vivid scenes. Gorgeously evoked! I fell in love with one of them myself. I bawled at one of the later scenes. But by the end I was smiling and crying. I was an emotional mess all round really. Think I need that mangy old bookshop cat to come alive so I have something to cuddle right now.’ The Book Trail
‘What a delightful yet sad and heart-breaking story! I loved the back and forth storytelling… The author has quite a talent for painting a picture as it was so easy for me to imagine everything!’ Goodreads Reviewer
‘You really get a sense of Paris as well as sadly the war… Really makes you fall in love with the place... I was gripped… Valerie's story will have readers totally engrossed and taken on an emotional roller coaster of a ride… A heart-breaking and emotional read that will have you reaching for the tissues more than a few times. Sometimes in happiness and others in sadness. A captivating and beautifully written story that ingrains itself in readers’ hearts and minds.
Germany, 1938. Fifteen-year-old Asta and her twin brother Jurgen are stopped as they run home from school through strangely silent streets:
‘Your parents were taken. And if you go home, the Nazis will take you too…’
Heartbroken, Asta knows they must make the perilous journey across a hostile country that no longer feels like home to reach Denmark and their aunt Trine, a woman they barely know.
Crossing the border is punishable by death. In the middle of the snowy forest, barking dogs and armed soldiers capture Jurgen and Asta escapes.
Asta must hold on to hope no matter what. One day she will find her twin, the other half of herself. Even if it means leaving the safety of Denmark, and risking her life in a labour camp to track down the man who took her brother. Whatever the price she has to pay, her brother’s life is worth it.
A gripping and poignant read that will break your heart and give you hope. Fans of The Nightingale, The Dressmaker’s Gift and All the Light We Cannot See will be gripped by the story of a brave brother and sister seeking safety during one of the darkest times in our history.
What everyone’s saying about The German Girl:
‘Keep the tissues handy… By far the absolute best book I’ve read this year!... I devoured it in one sitting… a historical fiction masterpiece… Please keep writing, Lily Graham, the world needs more of your books! ‘ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Oh wow. What a powerful, gripping story… Lily Graham really brought the characters to life, during all the different settings and drew me in as though I was an extra in the story. Very moving.’ Karen Loves Reading, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Read to the last Page! Unputdownable!... The author has taken us to a time period we all would like to forget, but shouldn’t because it.could happen again. Her writing is provocative and explosive! The characters are strong and believable! You want to cheer them on so you keep turning the pages. I couldn’t stop so I ended up reading this in one sitting!’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘What an emotional read full of bravery, perseverance and courage.’ Shortbookthyme, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I simply couldn't put this book down, and I felt I was drawn back to that time.
Overall, this book is an emotional and gripping book, that is unputdownable. Worth five stars!’ Tropicalgirlreadsbooks, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What everyone’s saying about Lily Graham:
‘Absolutely one of the best books I have read… Lily Graham has written one of the best books of the year in my honest opinion! If I could have given
It is 1942 and Eva Adami has boarded a train to Auschwitz. Barely able to breathe due to the press of bodies and exhausted from standing up for two days, she can think only of her longed-for reunion with her husband Michal, who was sent there six months earlier.
But when Eva arrives at Auschwitz, there is no sign of Michal and the stark reality of the camp comes crashing down upon her. As she lies heartbroken and shivering on a thin mattress, her head shaved by rough hands, she hears a whisper. Her bunkmate, Sofie, is reaching out her hand...
As the days pass, the two women learn each other’s hopes and dreams – Eva’s is that she will find Michal alive in this terrible place, and Sofie’s is that she will be reunited with her son Tomas, over the border in an orphanage in Austria. Sofie sees the chance to engineer one last meeting between Eva and Michal and knows she must take it even if means befriending the enemy…
But when Eva realises she is pregnant she fears she has endangered both their lives. The women promise to protect each other’s children, should the worst occur. For they are determined to hold on to the last flower of hope in the shadows and degradation: their precious children, who they pray will live to tell their story when they no longer can.
A heart-breaking story of survival, where life or death relies on the smallest chance and happiness can be found in the darkest times. Fans of The Choice and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will fall in love with this beautiful novel.
Readers are captivated by The Child of Auschwitz:
‘This hauntingly heart-breaking story is one of pure, instinctual survival. It is a story of fierce friendships, unbreakable spirits, and the most powerful love possible … I was so spellbound by this captivating, riveting read that I could not put it down until I read every last word.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This book grabbed me from the first sentence and didn't let me go for the entire journey. I had goosebumps while reading… It is a beautiful story.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘You will cry, you will be addicted from the start and will find it hard to put down. This book ranks high on my favourite books list a BRILLIANT book and worth far more than 5* in my opinion EXCELLENT.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A book that plays with your emotions, sad and poignant in parts and a book I just couldn’t put down. A compelling, haunting story. Read it in one day.’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This stunning historical fiction in the setting of Auschwitz will haunt me for a long time to come. It’s a story of love, hope and told through a combination of the present and the past flashbacks. It completely captivated me that I read it in a day because I just couldn’t stop’ Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘The Child of Auschwitz by Lily Graham.
In enemy-occupied Paris, as the locals go to bed starving and defeated by the war, music and laughter spills through the door of a little restaurant, crowded with German soldiers. The owner Marianne moves on weary feet between its packed tables, carrying plates of steaming, wholesome food for the enemy officers. Her smile is bright and sparkling, her welcome cordial. Nobody would guess the hatred she hides in her heart.
That night, the restaurant closes its doors for the final time. In the morning, the windows are scratched with the words ‘traitor and murderer’. And Marianne has disappeared without a trace…
Years later, Marianne’s granddaughter Sabine stands under the faded green awning, a heavy brass key in her hand, staring at the restaurant left to her by the grandmother she never met. Sabine has so many questions about herself. Perhaps here she can find answers, but she knows she isn’t welcome. Marianne was hated by the locals and when Sabine discovers they blamed her for the terrible tragedy that haunts the pretty restaurant, she is ready to abandon her dark legacy.
But when she finds a passport in a hidden compartment in the water-stained walls, with a picture of a woman who looks like her grandmother but has a different name, she knows there must be more to Marianne’s story. As she digs into the past, she starts to wonder: was her grandmother a heroine, not a traitor? What happened to her after the tragic night when she fled from her restaurant? And will the answer change her own life forever?
A haunting and compelling story of love, strength, and sacrifice in Nazi-occupied Paris as one brave young woman risks everything to save the lives of those around her. Fans of The Nightingale, The Paris Library and The Alice Network will lose their hearts to The Last Restaurant in Paris.
What everyone is saying about Lily Graham:
‘Warning! This book will make you cry... The most moving story I’ve read in a long while… I have not wept so much in a while… I fell in love… by the end I was smiling and crying. I was an emotional mess all round.’ The Book Trail, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Absolutely one of the best books I have read… If I could have given this a higher rating than 5 stars I would have done so… truly an unforgettable story!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wow… Heart-rending and emotional… I lost all track of time whilst reading this book… Draws you into the story from the first word on the first page and takes you on one hell of an emotional rollercoaster ride… Guaranteed to tug on even the toughest of heartstrings.’ Ginger Book Geek, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘You will cry, you will be addicted from the start and will find it hard to put down. This book ranks high on my favourite books list. A BRILLIANT book and worth far more than 5* in my opinion. EXCELLENT.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I was hooked… a beautiful story… absolutely amazing!… truly beautiful… even though I did spend most of the time blubbering into my tissues!’ Stardust Book Reviews
Amongst the beautiful olive groves and sea-front tavernas, summer has arrived on the sun-drenched island of Crete.
After losing the love of her life, Ria’s life has been on hold. So when her boss becomes completely unbearable she makes the snap decision to run away to the Greek island of Crete, armed only with her passport.
When Ria finds herself working for eccentric novelist Caroline, she meets handsome vineyard owner Tom. He’s charming, mysterious and Ria starts to wonder if it’s not just the beautiful Greek island that she’s falling for.
But as Ria gets to know Tom better, she uncovers a tangled web of secrets. What is he hiding? Ria has some secrets of her own. Can she open up to Tom and learn to live again?
This summer, escape to the sun with this charming and emotional story about starting over and grabbing happiness with both hands.
Read what everyone's saying about The Summer Escape:
'Everyone must buy a copy of this wonderful sunny read as every page gives you an all over glow.'The Reading Shed
'Beautiful scenery and sympathetic characters made this an outstanding read’ For the love of Books
'Heart-warming, uplifting, sweet, touching and just wonderful!'Sky's Book Club
“Where do I begin - a heartwarming summer read. I was pulled into the story from the heartbreaking beginning to the happily ever after ending.” One Book at a Time
‘The Summer Escape’ is a book about love, dreams, second chances, but more importantly; truth. It is such an unpredictable read which will have you captivated by the end of the first chapter.' The Writing Garnet
'Five out of five stars. A really enjoyable read, this book had it all for me ... loveable, warm believable characters, a great plot and the Greek ambience was perfect for my rainy Sunday escape!' Shellyback Books
'An all round beautiful summer read - and if you can read it on a Greek beach, so much the better!'Annie's Book Corner.
'I totally lost myself in this book and was sad to come to the end.' Bookworms and Shutterbugs
'A fantastic summer read!' All things Bookie
''The attention to detail had me almost feeling the sun ...I would highly recommend this uplifting book' Donna's Book Blog
'A brilliant read which I would highly recommend to anyone who wants a good story to read during those long, hopefully sunny, summer days coming soon.'Fiona's Book Reviews
'A real summer escape!'The Book Trail
'What a charming book, with its excellent storyline, characters and above all sunny location of Crete ... I loved every second of it!' Rachel's Random Reads
'Lily Graham's writing really brings Crete to life on the pages of this book. You can almost smell the souvlaki and feel the sand between your toes and the sun on the back of your neck.
Get swept away along the beautiful Cornish coast, where a love story in a long forgotten diary has the power to change one woman’s life forever.
Victoria Langley’s world crumbles when her husband leaves, but she knows exactly where to go to mend her broken heart. The rugged shores of Cornwall will be her perfect sanctuary.
In the quaint, little village of Tregollan, nestled in the sea cliffs, Victoria is drawn to Seafall Cottage, covered in vines and gracefully falling apart. Inside she finds a diary full of secrets, from 1905.
Victoria is determined to unravel the diary’s mystery, but the residents of Tregollan are tight-lipped about Tilly Asprey, the cottage’s last owner. Just as she reaches a dead end, Victoria meets Adam Waters, the lawyer handling the cottage’s sale. He’s handsome, charming, and has a missing piece of the puzzle.
Tilly’s diary tells a devastating love story that mirrors Victoria’s own. Can Victoria learn from Tilly’s mistakes, and give herself a second chance at love? Or is history doomed to repeat itself?
An unputdownable and gorgeously romantic read about lost love and new beginnings set in the green hills and rocky cliffs of the breath-taking Cornish coast. Perfect for fans of Phillipa Ashley, Emma Burstall and Liz Fenwick.
Previously published as The Cornish Escape
What everyone’s saying about The Cornish Escape:
‘There are not enough words in the world to describe how much I love this book!! I sat down after the kids went to bed and told myself that I would read for an hour, and three hours later I was in the same position, completely engrossed in Victoria and Tilly's world, and I knew I wouldn't sleep until I reached the end … one of the best romances I have read this year. I laughed, I cried, and I loved alongside Victoria and Tilly, and with the stunning backdrop of Cornwall, this story cannot disappoint – an absolute triumph. What are you waiting for???? Go and buy it now!!!’ Books of all Kinds 5*
‘My anguished howl of “nooooo” as I finished ... was so loud I had to go and check I hadn’t woken my three-year-old … I wanted the book to carry on and on and on … I was caught from the very first, beautifully written, paragraph.’ After the Rain
‘I read it in one sitting and so will you.’ Goodreads Reviewer 5*
‘A brilliant story that is just perfect for a summer read.’ Ali the Dragon Slayer
‘Oh this was such an enjoyable book! … To sum up, The Cornish Escape is one enjoyable, feel-good book I totally recommend. You’ll simply be flying through it, devouring it in one sitting.’ This Chick Reads
‘Utterly fantastic, I just could not put it down. It had me gripped from the very start. 5 Stars!’ Goodreads Reviewer 5*
‘I loved every second of it!' Rachel's Random Reads
At last Ivy is looking forward to Christmas. She and her husband Stuart have moved to their perfect little cottage by the sea - a haven alongside the rugged cliffs that look out to the Atlantic Ocean. She’s pregnant with their much-longed for first baby and for the first time, since the death of her beloved mother, Ivy feels like things are going to be alright.
But there is trouble ahead. It soon emerges that Stuart has been keeping secrets from Ivy, and suddenly she misses her mum more than ever.
When Ivy stumbles across a letter from her mother hidden in an old writing desk, secrets from the past come hurtling into the present. But could her mother’s words help Ivy in her time of need? Ivy is about to discover that the future is full of unexpected surprises and Christmas at Sea Cottage promises to be one to remember.
This Christmas warm your heart and escape to the Cornish coast for an uplifting story of love, secrets and new beginnings that you will remember for many Christmases to come.
Read what everyone is saying about A Cornish Christmas:
‘A lovely, curl up in front of a roaring fire, drinking hot chocolate, kind of book. 5 stars' The Reading Shed
‘A beautiful book! LOVED it so very much! Could not put it down’ Renita D'Silva
‘Wonderful… utterly gorgeous, poignant and beautifully written. 5 stars' Bloomin' Brilliant Books
'The loveliest of lovely stories...this story has smiles in bucketloads. Do not under any circumstances miss the opportunity to read this story' Turning Pages, Opening Doors
'It pulled me in straight away and didn't leave my hands until I had finished it...the emotions that poured from the book were unbelievable ...the whole thing from start to finish was magnificent' The Writing Garnet
'A fantastic story!' Rachel's Random Reads
'This is a lovely read, it drew me right in and I cared about everyone, even annoying mother-in-laws!' Jo's Book Journey
'A lovely book ...very touching' Confessions of a Bibliophagist
'A charming Christmas story that delivers a message of hope and forgiveness, not only for the holidays, but any day!' Angry Grey Cat Reads
'Emotional and uplifting' I Speak Bookish
Praise for The Summer Escape:
'Beautiful scenery and sympathetic characters made this an outstanding read’ For the love of Books
'Heart-warming, uplifting, sweet, touching and just wonderful!' Sky's Book Club
'I totally lost myself in this book and was sad to come to the end.' Bookworms and Shutterbugs
'Everyone must buy a copy of this wonderful sunny read as every page gives you an all over glow.' The Reading Shed
‘Where do I begin - a heart-warming summer read. I was pulled into the story from the heart-breaking beginning to the happily ever after ending.
When twenty-eight-year-old food writer Emma Halloway gets dumped then knocked off her bike, she’s broken in more ways than one, and returns to her family’s cosy cottage in the Yorkshire Dales. Emma hasn’t been back in some time, running from her crazy relatives and her childhood sweetheart, Jack Allen.
Emma’s grandmother is determined to bake her back to health and happiness, as the Halloways have done for generations. Surrounded by old friends and warm cinnamon buns, Emma starts to believe in her family’s special talents for healing again. But then in walks Jack with his sparkling hazel eyes, stirring up the family feud between them.
As the twinkly lights are strung between the streetlamps, Emma remembers just why she fell for Jack in the first place... and why a Halloway should never date an Allen.
The infuriating new lodger, Sandro, doesn’t believe anyone should have to choose between love and family. With a little bit of Christmas magic, can Emma and Jack find a way to be together, or will Emma find herself heartbroken once more?
An utterly gorgeous Christmas romance about the importance of family, freshly baked biscuits, and learning to trust your heart. Perfect for fans of Phillipa Ashley, Debbie Johnson and Debbie Macomber.
What readers are saying about Christmas at Hope Cottage:
‘I couldn't put this down and read it in one sitting.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘I absolutely adored this book. It has everything - 2 handsome men, interfering family, village feuds and belief in hope ... I read it in one sitting - just couldn't put it down!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘I was completely captivated ... the writing style, the delicious recipes, the quaint comfort of Hope Cottage, and the eclectic mix of characters all combined to pull me in and wouldn’t let go ... uplifting, magical, romantic and full of hope which is exactly what you want in a good Christmas story.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘Oh how I loved the sound of the little village of Whistling. What a charming place it is. With gorgeous cottages and rolling hills. The idyllic place to live ... A lovely romantic Christmas read. Perfect as the nights are becoming darker and Christmas is beckoning. I loved it.’ Goodreads Reviewer
‘Best novel of this Christmas ... I loved this book.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘Totally gorgeous ... Loved this book.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘For me, Lily Graham equals Christmas.’ Chells and Books, 5 stars
‘This is far more than a feel-good book, this is a never-give-up-believing-because-dreams-can-come-true sort of book ... I could close my eyes and smell the cooking and baking and I could wish along for the outcomes I wanted so much for the brilliant characters ... simply wonderful ... I am still glowing inside. It is one of those books that you wish you could touch just a part of it for real because it has that special essence that we hope to experience sometime in our life.
Mas essa história não se completa: qual seria o segredo devastador que Vincent estava disposto a tudo para esconder?
Esta é uma comovente história de amor, medo e coragem em tempos de guerra. O segredo da livraria de Paris vai levar você para essa icônica cidade dos anos 1940 e 1960. Você vai chorar de emoção, vai rir, se admirar e perder o fôlego em diversos momentos dessa leitura impossível de ser interrompida.
Ihr verstorbener Mann James hinterlässt Charlotte ein unerwartetes Geschenk auf Formentera: das wunderschöne alte Haus mit dem klingenden Namen Marisal, das einst ihrer Großmutter gehörte. Als Charlotte dorthin reist, kommt sie der verborgenen Geschichte ihrer Familie, die eng mit dem dunklen Geheimnis der Insel verwoben ist, auf die Spur. Und sie erfährt von einer verhängnisvollen Liebe, die viele Leben in Gefahr brachte und von zwei Schwestern, die ein tragischer Verlust entzweite …