Usually, when a novel has dual timelines, I find the historical one more interesting. However, in "Chateau of Secrets", Melanie Dobson created two compelling storylines - Chloe's in the present and Gisela's during WWII. Both stories stood on their own but also complemented each other, and the two protagonists were courageous, determined and resilient. The novel moved smoothly between the past and the present and I loved the lush descriptions of Normandy, France.

Full of mystery, secrets and history, "Chateau of Secrets" was a very satisfying read. ( )

quite good although the audiobook narrator has a very thick French accent for the French characters

4 stars ( )

I am SO glad I didn't return this book to the library early. I had a lot going on and didn't think I'd have time to get into it. I started it slowly, so I wasn't falling into the story line right away. BUT I decided to settle in, and Wow! Chateau of Secrets has quickly moved to the top of my Best Reads of 2016 list so far.

Ms. Dobson weaves two stories together, the WWII story of a young woman in occupied France, living under the thumb (in her own home) of Nazi invasion, and the story of her grand-daughter, fleeing personal and public heartache and returning to France to search out the mysteries of what happened back then during the war. In the process, she opens up a vault of family secrets hidden for decades, all while finding healing for her heart along the way.

If you love a great WWII story, intrigue, romance, and a story line that keeps your heart pulsing and your mind guessing all the way through, you'll love this book. ( )

This story is exceptional!! Melanie Dobson is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I also have to say that a lot of times when there are dual timelines in a book I find myself more into one story than the other but this book kept me equally engrossed in both story lines. Absolutely loved it! highly recommend! ( )

I’m a bit ambivalent on the dual storyline in this one. On the one hand, I can say this is one of the rare works where I enjoyed both threads equally. I was as drawn into Gisele’s struggle against her country’s invaders as I was with Chloe’s search for family roots. Both women are very well characterized and their stories well realized in equal measure.

Yet, I think this novel was damaged in the format in which it was written. Chapters were extremely short, average about 4-5 pages. The POV between the two women also switched with each chapter. So once you’re getting engaged in one storyline, you’re yanked from that one to the other. As a result, I didn’t feel as enthralled with both storylines as I might have been. Longer chapter length or same POV for even a few consecutive chapters might have helped this flaw.

I do commend the author on her research and her choice of storyline. It’s based off the exploits of a true individual, Genevieve Marie Josephe de Saint Pern Menke, which makes it more real for me, personally. The small details of living in Nazi-occupied Normandy and the interactions between conquerors and conquered felt very real and rang with vivid truth. I also liked how the author showed that not everyone who wore the uniform of the Wehrmacht were evil. There were individuals, be they half-Jews tricked into serving or regular Germans, who stood up for what was right and paid the price for their actions.

Despite some issues with formatting and switching POV too often, this novel is an enjoyable read. Both story threads are equally engaging and both women are as well realized in their characterizations. That’s a big plus in novels with this story format as it’s not always the case. Research makes this novel very vibrant in its world building and overall storytelling. Check this book out if you’re looking for an enjoyable dual experience. ( )