If you’ve been around here for any length of time, you know I really enjoy reading WWII novels. And when I come across a book that offers a different perspective, then I am really happy! Enter The Secret Locket by Catherine Hokin. It offered something different, as you’ll see if you keep reading. Needless to say, I was happy 🙂
** Affiliate links used **
About the Book
The Secret Locket Author Catherine Hokin
on July 7, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Historical / 20th Century / World War II
Pages: 365
AmazonGermany, 1941. Noemi’s hazel eyes shine with tears as she takes Pascal’s hand. ‘Please don’t go,’ she begs him. ‘If you leave me now, we might never find each other again…’
When Pascal kisses Noemi and presses his mother’s silver locket into her hands, it is a moment she has been longing for her whole life. Growing up they were fearless, exploring the wild mountains in the Bavarian countryside together. But when war is declared, overnight their love becomes forbidden – Noemi is Jewish, while Pascal is being pressured to become a Hitler Youth officer by his father.
When Noemi’s parents are captured and taken to Dachau, she knows her hometown is no longer safe. With time running out, Pascal smuggles her onto a train, praying she will survive until the war is over. Devastated, he watches the train leave, promising himself that one day he will find the girl who took his heart and locket.
Noemi’s life on the run plunges her into new dangers, but she never loses hope that one day she will make her way home to her family again. She tells herself that family can never now include Pascal, but still she remembers the pendant he gave her, and hope flickers in her chest like a flame, that one day somehow they might reunite…
But as the world burns around her, will she have the strength to find and forgive him? And if she does, will their love last – or will the war’s shadows tear them both apart forever?
A heartrendingly emotional page-turner about hope in the darkest of days, and how love must always prevail. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and The Book of Lost Names.
My Perspective
Catherine Hokin is a new-to-me author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect in the pages of this book. If I’m honest I picked it up based solely on the book blurb. It sounded so interesting, and because of my fascination with WWII novels, I knew I needed to read it.
Hokin grabbed my attention right from the start and didn’t let go. I loved that we met Pascal and Noemi in their youth and then follow them through the years. Even more, I love that they were from opposite sides of the war. It allowed for a wonderful dynamic, and a fresh look at how the war affected families. I especially enjoyed seeing Pascal’s POV – he was so naively following Hitler and his father, and yet had a friend who others called “poison”. Hokin did a wonderful job of showing how he saw the way Hitler and his followers were treating others, and how Pascal struggled with right and wrong. It was really eye opening if I’m honest. I think we as society just assume that Hitler’s followers agreed with him in every way, and had a good understanding of his goals. But Pascal’s character reminds us that perhaps there was a little disconnect, misunderstanding, or communication. Perhaps there were those who assumed the regime meant one thing even though it meant another.
Noemi’s journey was equally as captivating. She went through so much, things I never would even imagine. And yet she stayed strong. She really is someone we can learn from and look up to. I actually thought perhaps there would have been a love ending that was a little different then what we see (sorry no spoilers!), but I was happy with how the story ended. It provided so many lessons for us to learn.
The Secret Locket is for historical fiction fans looking for a different kind of WWII book. It is hard to read at times (just because of the way people were treated), but so informative, inspiring, and a book to remember. Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About the Author
I seem to have followed a rather meandering career, including marketing and teaching and politics (don’t try and join the dots), to get where I have always wanted to be, which is writing historical fiction. I am a story lover as well as a story writer and nothing fascinates me more than a strong female protagonist and a quest. Hopefully those are what you will encounter when you pick up my books.
I am from the North of England but now live very happily in Glasgow with my American husband. Both my children have left home (one to London and one to Berlin) which may explain why I am finally writing. If I’m not at my desk you’ll most probably find me in the cinema, or just follow the sound of very loud music.
I’d love to hear from you and there are lots of ways you can find me, so jump in via my website https://www. catherinehokin.com/ or on my Cat Hokin FB page or on twitter @catherineh66267.
Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Catherine Hokin here: https://www.bookouture. com/catherine-hokin
What interests you about this story?
Great review, Jessica. I also enjoyed this one for all the reasons you mentioned in your review.
It was such a great read!
Thank you for taking part in the tour x