The Girl You Left Behind – Jojo Moyes

Description

The Girl You Left Behind is a moving and multi-layered historical novel that bridges two women’s lives across a century. Set in occupied France during World War I, the story follows Sophie Lefèvre, a resilient young woman determined to survive while her husband is away at the front. When German forces take over her village and commandeer her hotel, Sophie is compelled to serve them nightly—catching the eye of the new Kommandant, who becomes obsessed with her portrait, painted by her artist husband. The painting soon becomes both her curse and her hope.

Fast forward to modern-day London, where the same portrait now hangs in the home of Liv Halston, a widow still mourning the loss of her husband. When a chance encounter uncovers the artwork’s dark and disputed past, Liv finds herself caught in a legal and emotional battle that questions ownership, memory, and the value of love. As both women’s stories unfold, the novel explores the enduring impact of art, war, and the sacrifices made for love.

The Girl You Left Behind is ideal for readers who enjoy emotional historical fiction with strong female characters and dual timelines that resonate long after the final page.