The Enemy’s Wife: Don’t miss this emotional, heart-wrenching brand-new historical fiction in 2026, set in Shanghai during World War II (Survivors of War)

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Hero archetypes

Heroine archetypes

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Synopsis

'A fast-paced, beautifully written, and moving story . Refreshing to read a book set in a different theatre of war. Wartime Shanghai jumped off the page' CLARE FLYNN ' Wow what a stunning read this was … All the moments in this book held me' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ' Unputdownable read' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1941. When Zofia’s beloved husband Haru is conscripted into the Imperial Japanese Army, she is left to navigate Japanese-occupied Shanghai alone. Far from home and surrounded by a country at war, Zofia finds unexpected comfort in a bond with Hilly, a spirited young refugee escaping Nazi-occupied Austria. As violence tightens its grip on the city, they seek shelter with Theo, Zofia’s American employer. But with every passing day, the horrors of war and Haru’s absence begin to reshape Zofia’s world – and her heart. Can she still love someone who has become the enemy? A poignant story of the impossible choices we make in the shadow of war, for fans of Daisy Wood and Marius Gabriel. Readers love The Enemy's Wife : 'A gorgeous novel that will truly pull at your heartstrings ' CARLY SCHABOWSKI 'One of this year’s most powerful and affecting reads' SHEFFIELD STAR 'I loved The Enemy’s Wife – a gripping, fast-paced and evocative story about the Japanese occupation of Shanghai during WW2 – and really rooted for the brave and selfless central character, Zofia. Highly recommended' ANN BENNETT 'Such an emotional and moving read, grounded in immaculate research that never overshadows the heart of the story' SUZANNE FORTIN 'A side of WW2 that isn't often written about. Great characters, high stakes and a satisfying love story ' KATHLEEN MCGURL 'A unique insight into the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love' CANDIS 'Deborah Swift delivers another beautifully written World War II novel that is impossible to put down . The Enemy's Wife is a poignant and powerful story ' LANA KORTCHIK ' The Enemy’s Wife is an absorbing, compassionate novel with emotional depth and ethical complexity . Highly recommended' TONY RICHES ' I seldom give books of this type five stars, but this one fully deserves it for bringing something new and refreshing to the genre' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ' What a fantastic read this was' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ' Another stunning achievement in historical fiction from Deborah Swift' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Grips you from the beginning and does not let go until the end ' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Is The Enemy’s Wife: Don’t miss this emotional, heart-wrenching brand-new historical fiction in 2026, set in Shanghai during World War II (Survivors of War) appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 16 and up.

This WWII historical romance set in occupied Shanghai contains wartime violence, emotional distress from separation and conflict, and explores the moral complexity of loving someone who becomes the enemy. Minimal sexual content.