Welcome to Litsy!

A beautiful Parisian bookshop hides a heartbreaking secret that will tear one family apart forever … 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 Lily Graham’s writing: ‘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, 5 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, 5 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, 5 Stars ‘This book was a real treat! I read it in two days.’ The Princess and the Pen, 5 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, 5 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. I did lose myself in this book because I was transported to the island and the sun, the sea, the heat what more could you ask for in a summer read?’ The Book Jotter ‘Beautiful and moving! This is a stunning tapestry of a book, the various strands beautifully and expertly woven into a tantalising, absolutely perfect, masterpiece of a story. I loved it from start to finish.’ Renita D’Silva, 5 Stars