Review of Odette Rising by Julianne Edwards

This story moved me more than I could have imagined. Set just outside the beating heart of France, we explore the limited world of Odette Hure as she navigates grief and her whole world being upended. Piece by piece, the world she knows is broken down and she is forced to start again and build herself back up.

We live alongside her as the self-beliefs that she clung to are challenged and her limited understanding of the world is put into harsh focus. She is forced to make choices that define her, to examine her moral compass and how far she will go for her friends and chosen family.

This book took me by surprise in the best way. I feel in love with each character and the themes were beautifully woven together. The contrast between the switching narratives worked to perfection and I cannot imagine the story without hearing the characters’ different stories and the tapestry of their lives. A beautiful book. It truly is a testament to the Julianne Edwards’ clients in the most tender, introspective and heartfelt way.

Published on 13.08.2026 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Reviewed by Rebecca