A love story broken by war, stitched back together by time, memory, and hope.
I don’t usually reach for historical fiction, so when a book set during WWII completely pulls me in, I pay attention. The Keeper of Happy Endings did exactly that, quietly, gently, and with just enough magic to make it unforgettable.
The story opens in Paris during World War II, where Soline Roussel is young, talented, and secretly working for the French Resistance. She falls in love with Anson, another Resistance member, and for a brief moment, hope feels possible. But war doesn’t allow for easy love stories. When Soline is suddenly forced to flee France for her own safety, everything she knows and everyone she loves falls apart.
What follows is a devastating turn of events: Soline discovers she is pregnant and ends up in the care of Anson’s father, a cruel and controlling man. She is told that Anson and their newborn child are dead. From there, the novel becomes less about war itself and more about survival, how grief reshapes a person, how love can be buried but not erased, and how some promises refuse to stay broken.
Running alongside Soline’s story is the present-day narrative of Aurora (called Rory) who leases Soline’s long-shuttered bridal shop. Rory arrives carrying her own grief and uncertainty, unsure of what comes next in her life. As she begins restoring the shop and turning it into an art gallery, she unknowingly brings life back into more than just a physical space. Light fills rooms that have been closed off for decades. Joy slowly re-enters a place that has been frozen in time.
Watching the shop come back to life is quietly powerful, especially because Rory isn’t trying to fix anything. She just allows something beautiful to grow, and in doing so, she becomes the bridge between past and present. She reminds us that places hold memories. Sometimes all they need is the right person to help them wake up again.
If you’re worried this is a heavy WWII novel filled with battlefield scenes and dense historical detail, don’t be. The war matters, but the heart of the story is deeply personal. This is about love that endures, grief that lingers, and the courage it takes to keep going when happy endings feel impossible.
Readers who love emotional, character-driven stories will enjoy this book along with anyone who believes in second chances. And yes, even those of us who usually scoff at historical fiction will enjoy this story.
Sometimes a book reminds you that happy endings aren’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes they’re quiet. And sometimes, they just take a very long time to arrive. In keeping with my personal rating system, I gave this a 4 out of 5 stars. I didn't lose sleep or cancel plans, but it was a good solid read that kept me turning pages.
