The Bridge Between Friends : A powerful and unputdownable WWII historical novel from Norma Curtis for 2026

An utterly heartbreaking and beautifully uplifting story of forbidden love, wartime secrets and the healing power of friendship. Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah, Faith Hogan and Fiona Valpy! ?📖 💖’Powerful, unforgettable and deeply moving’ Niloufar LamakanOn a quiet bridge where memories linger, hearts begin to heal… 1992 Elisavet, a Serbian refugee haunted by loss, finds work on Island Farm Avenue.

There, three older women – Cora, Megan, and Gladdie – meet regularly on the old footbridge, a quiet place where stories are shared and wounds are gently laid bare. As they begin to open up about their memories, Elisavet is drawn into their past and the healing power of female friendship. 1944 During the war, a young Cora forms a forbidden bond with Frank, a German prisoner held at Island Farm Camp.

A fleeting smile. A folded paper aeroplane. A love that defies the rules of a broken world.

But as their connection deepens, Cora must choose between her heart and the hostile judgment of a war-weary town. As Elisavet pieces together the intertwined pasts of these three extraordinary women, she uncovers a story of resilience, love, and the kind of friendship that builds bridges across time. Praise for The Bridge Between Friends:’A heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting novel about the healing power of female friendships forged by wartime experiences.

Powerful and emotive.’ Trisha Ashley’The Bridge Between Friends is beautifully written – heartbreaking at times but also funny, warm, and touching – it’s a wonderfully inspiring read. The characters are so real you feel they have become your lifelong friends by the end of the book. The historical detail is perfection.

An original story superbly told that I didn’t want to end.’ Liza Morton’Powerful, unforgettable and deeply moving, I was swept away by this story of forbidden, wartime love, brave women facing impossible choices and friendships that heal across generations.’ Niloufar Lamakan’I loved this emotionally satisfying, engaging story in which women, whose lives have been challenging in many ways, find healing and redemption through friendship.’ Margaret James’Both heartbreaking and heartwarming, a gripping saga that in vividly revisiting the past, captures the enduring power of love, friendship and hope.’ Liz Harris’A heart-warming, dual timeline story, celebrating new and enduring friendships, and love against the odds.’ Kirsty Ferry’Norma Curtis transports us to an exciting wartime world where women are working for the first time – even if it is in a munitions factory that makes their skin yellow and their hair green! It’s also a world of forbidden temptations and divided loyalties – but at least the one thing they can rely on is female friendship. Norma Curtis is a wonderful storyteller who creates a world you will be genuinely sorry to leave.’ Maeve Haran’I loved The Bridge Between Friends. It was full of humanity, so that I felt I was there, living each moment with the characters from both sides of the conflict in WW2 as they attempted to negotiate the tragedies and triumphs of ordinary life during a time of war.

Most of all, I** loved the portrayal of the friendship between the women at the heart of the book, with its ability to bring understanding and healing against all odds. **Highly recommended as an emotional and uplifting read, perfect for the dark winter months, or as a holiday read.’ Juliet Greenwood