Two Loves of Sophie Strom

The characters are wonderful, truly moving and fully human . . . a magnificent achievement. -- Leïla Slimani

Wow. As impressive as it is ambitious, The Two Loves of Sophie Strom gripped my heart and imagination. An incredible achievement. -- Jo Browning Wroe

An intriguing premise, and one that allows for a lively depiction of hypocrisy, falseness and self-preservation . . . All it takes is the perception of power. These side-by-side contrasts are sharp and often moving. [...] there is also significant charm and energy. ― Guardian

Compulsive . . . What I admired was Taylor's astonishingly capacious world-building. Minor characters are sensitively drawn, and Sophie is an unpredictable, captivating figure . . . There are electrifying bursts of imagination at work in the love stories. ― The Spectator

Taylor takes us through the second half of the 1930s and the war years, in a novel charged with superb atmosphere, pacing, and page-turning tension . . .This is a skillfully written novel with a brilliantly executed conclusion, shedding light on the nature of fate. ― Historical Novel Society

[An] intriguing novel of what-ifs and maybes. ― Daily Mail

Engaging . . . Moving us backwards and forwards in time, following his characters as they grapple with the horrors of war, the author carries us into situations full of interest and intrigue. ― TLS

Intricately weaves together the complexities of love, identity, and acceptance in the face of indoctrination and tragedy. Sophie, torn between two worlds and two loves, navigates a path fraught with emotional turmoil and self-discovery. Taylor's prose is both lyrical and profound, delving into the depths of human connection and the struggles of belonging. Through Sophie's journey, the novel explores themes of cultural clash, societal expectations, and the universal quest for understanding and fulfilment. You will cry. ― Glamour

Among the book's strengths are intriguing references to Freud, Jung, fairy tales and religious fables. There are also some lovely descriptions: a violin melody like 'a smooth stream over a pebble bed'; a birch tree's 'golden-green dazzle' in spring. But perhaps the novel's most successful element is the dual love affair that develops between Sophie and Max/Hans. Their mutual tenderness, their shared delight in books and music, and the bravery that Sophie inspires in both men remind us not only of the joys of mutual love, but also of its redemptive power. ― NB Magazine

This is Sliding Doors for war-torn Europe. An inventive tale of survival with heart-stopping tension. ― The Mainstreet Trading Company