Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley.
4.5 Stars
This book skillfully intertwines two timelines—Paris in 1943 andNote: I received an advanced copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley.
4.5 Stars
This book skillfully intertwines two timelines—Paris in 1943 and San Francisco in 1984—creating a captivating narrative of family, secrets, and survival. The story begins in Nazi-occupied Paris, where Coralie, a brave baker, hides not only her precious recipes but also the coded locations of people she’s secretly been helping escape German capture. Her leather-bound recipe book is her lifeline, and she swears to protect its contents at all costs.
Decades later, in 1984, Raven is reluctantly sent to spend the summer with her estranged French grandmother in San Francisco. Unfamiliar with the woman who has kept her past under lock and key, Raven stumbles upon an old, tattered recipe book filled with handwritten notes and a faded photograph. As she begins to piece together the mystery behind the book, Raven uncovers a connection to her grandmother’s secretive past during World War II.
The alternating timelines are masterfully handled, with each one bringing to life strong, complex women who persevere through their challenges. Coralie’s harrowing experiences during the war and Raven’s journey to reconnect with her grandmother blend seamlessly. The discovery of wartime secrets in the recipe book doesn’t just provide insight into history, but also becomes a means for healing, bridging the gap between generations.
This novel excels not only in its engaging plot but also in its evocative descriptions. The vivid portrayals of Parisian patisseries, with their mouth-watering pastries, transported me into the heart of France, making it almost impossible not to crave a trip to Paris (again). Moreover, I loved the 80s references!...more
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley.
Emilie has been told she’s there to nurse evil men. But the first patientNote: I received an advanced copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley.
Emilie has been told she’s there to nurse evil men. But the first patient she sees is hauntingly familiar—her childhood sweetheart, Danner, in a tattered prisoner’s uniform. Her husband, Otto, assured her this was a camp for criminals. He should know, he’s the doctor. But Danner would never have broken the law.
As Emilie looks into Danner’s eyes, she's transported back to their happy childhood in Munich. The friendship they shared. The way her heart once felt like it beat only for him, before the Jewish laws were enforced and Danner pushed Emilie away to protect her, breaking her heart.
Desperate for answers, Emilie rushes to find Otto. She discovers him waiting with confidentiality papers for her to sign and realizes her husband has been lying. This isn’t a place to treat sick criminals but to murder the innocent. And Otto tells her if she doesn’t help, they'll both die.
This book offers a compelling premise but falls short in execution. The narrative is choppy, jumping back and forth in time, which disrupts the flow and makes it difficult to become fully absorbed in the story.
While both Danner and Emilie are well-developed characters, and their circumstances are heartbreaking, the non-linear timeline does not enhance the story and may have been more effective with a straightforward presentation. Despite the flaws, the emotional depth of the characters and the harrowing setting provides a poignant backdrop for a tale of love and survival....more
Note: I received a copy of this book from Dreamscape Select via NetGalley.
Mia embarks on a poignant journey to uncover the secrets ofA Write to Review
Note: I received a copy of this book from Dreamscape Select via NetGalley.
Mia embarks on a poignant journey to uncover the secrets of her grandmother, Ilse, when she rushes to her side as she is hospitalized. When Ilse asks for a man named Szymon in her delirium, Mia is left puzzled and determined to unravel the mystery behind this request.
Upon searching her grandmother's apartment, Mia stumbles upon a bundle of faded postcards tied together, all signed by Szymon. These postcards reveal a story of childhood friendship, a profound young love, and a daring plan to rescue a man imprisoned by the Nazis on the brink of World War II. As Mia delves deeper into this hidden history, she begins to fathom the incredible bravery of her grandmother and the risks she took to save Szymon's life.
With each postcard and revelation, Mia peels back the layers of her grandmother's past, discovering the untold story of her experiences during the war. This journey of discovery not only reveals the truth about her grandmother's past but also alters Mia's perspective on her own life in ways she never expected.
This book provided a unique reading experience that can be both a blessing and a challenge, depending on your taste. It's not a fast-paced, action-packed story; rather, it takes its time in the first half to meticulously set the scene, creating a foundation for what unfolds later. This gradual build-up, while essential, can make it a bit tough to fully engage with the narrative initially.
The novel's narrative style leans heavily on character development, delving deep into their emotions and unspoken feelings, often requiring readers to read between the lines to grasp the underlying sentiments. It's a heavy, character-driven story that demands a certain level of patience and attentiveness. At times, the narrative shifts between different character perspectives, which can lead to moments of confusion, making it challenging to discern whose viewpoint we're experiencing at any given moment.
Mia, the central character, might be a bit hard to connect with for some readers, as her complexity and the intricacies of her emotions can be elusive. The mixed feelings that arise from the story can largely be attributed to the multifaceted personality of Ilse, which might prove vexing for some. Her actions and choices could be perceived as frustrating, making it difficult to empathize with her character.
In the end, this wartime narrative, despite its challenges, offers a poignant and heartbreaking tale filled with depth and rich emotions....more
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from BQB Publishing via NetGalley.
In January 1943, young Basha Anush, just fourteen yeA Write to Review
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from BQB Publishing via NetGalley.
In January 1943, young Basha Anush, just fourteen years old, and her family endured the harrowing experience of being forcibly taken from their Pruzhany, Poland home by Nazi soldiers, then transported to the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp. Tragically, within a matter of days, five members of her family succumbed to the horrors of the camp, leaving Basha to face two-and-a-half years of unimaginable abuse, a grueling death march into Germany, and months of wandering alongside other displaced girls as the Third Reich crumbled. Remarkably, throughout this ordeal, she held fast to a last-minute promise she made to herself: to survive and share her story with the world.
This memoir is an unflinching account of one young girl's indomitable spirit amid humanity's darkest hours. Basha Anush's storytelling is a testament to the human capacity for hope and strength in the direst of circumstances. This book is a profoundly moving and thought-provoking narrative that reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of a promise kept....more
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Pen & Sword, Pen & Sword History via NetGalley.
Lore Schindler's harrowing journey began at the age of ten when her father, a dentist named Harry, was arrested by the Gestapo in Berlin and sent to Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Her mother, Grete, secured his release by forfeiting all their possessions to the Nazi regime, leaving the family with a mere 10 Marks each. Crossing the border, they endured degrading strip searches.
Lore's ordeal unfolded in French concentration camps, where her mother and father tragically succumbed to the harsh conditions. Orphaned and ailing in the vast Gurs camp, she was saved by prisoner-nurse Schwester Käte. However, had it not been for the compassion of two sisters, Elsie and Marthe Liefmann, who "adopted" her, found sustenance, and ensured she ate, Lore might have perished from starvation. Elsbeth Kasser, a Swiss-German social worker, also played a vital role by offering her milk and Swiss cheese to help nurse "the thinnest girl in the camp" back to health. Elisabeth Hirsch, another social worker, used a forged identity card to facilitate Lore's escape from the camp, ultimately taking her to La Maison de Moissac, a sanctuary for refugee children in southwestern France, overseen by her sister Shatta Simon.
In Moissac, Lore was among several hundred children hidden from Nazi occupiers and French fascists who sought to send them to Polish death camps. When danger loomed in Moissac, Lore found refuge with pianist Hélène Gribenski in a remote village. As circumstances grew perilous once again, they relocated to a primitive forest-dwelling, awaiting the Allied victory.
The remarkable tale of Lore's survival owes its debt to these courageous women who risked their lives to safeguard hers. After the war, she found love in an Israeli kibbutz and eventually settled in New York with her American husband, where she worked as a librarian at the Brooklyn Public Library. Her borrowers never suspected the terrifying ordeals she had endured during her adolescence and the challenges of her formative years in a foreign land whose language she could not even speak.
The sheer resilience and unyielding spirit with which Lore navigates the unfathomable hardships and atrocities that beset her are nothing short of inspirational. Beyond Lore's remarkable journey, the book also illuminates the unsung heroes who emerged from the shadows, risking everything to save countless lives. Their acts of valor and compassion, detailed within these pages, serve as a poignant reminder of the incredible capacity for humanity's nobility, even amidst the darkest of times.
It's essential to clarify that the book isn't connected to the Schindler of 'Schindler's List.' Nonetheless, this book offers a powerful and emotionally resonant journey through a lesser-known but equally important chapter in history....more
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Harper 360 via NetGalley.
In the midst of the chaos and horror of Auschwitz, 16-year-old Jewish girNote: I received an advanced copy of this book from Harper 360 via NetGalley.
In the midst of the chaos and horror of Auschwitz, 16-year-old Jewish girl Sara Leibovits and her family face a devastating fate. Separated from her loved ones, Sara experiences unimaginable pain and hardships during her time in the Death Camp. Despite the atrocities, she holds onto her family's values of courage, faith, and kindness. This poignant true story also intertwines with the narrative of Sara's daughter, Eti, seventy years later, who gives voice to the second generation and completes the narrative of Holocaust survivors. The story highlights the enduring strength and resilience of those affected by one of history's darkest chapters.
Leibovits skillfully captures the profound sadness of this historical period, and I was deeply moved by Sara's incredible strength and resilience as depicted in the book. Despite the immense challenges she faced, Sara's determination and courage shone through, inspiring admiration and awe....more
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley.
In the horrifying setting of Auschwitz in 1942, Etty Weil, a Jewish authoNote: I received an advanced copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley.
In the horrifying setting of Auschwitz in 1942, Etty Weil, a Jewish author, endures the atrocities of the Nazis. Determined to survive and share the truth of the Holocaust, Etty forms a bond with a young girl named Danielle, whom she treats like a sister. Each evening, Etty tells stories to Danielle and the other women in their hut, offering them a temporary escape from their harsh reality. As Etty strives to keep her promise of preserving their stories, Danielle's rebellious nature puts both of their lives at risk. The tale explores themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring power of storytelling amidst unimaginable circumstances.
Curham skillfully portrays Etty's character, immersing the reader in her journey of resilience and suffering. Despite the overwhelming adversity she faces, Etty remains an inspirational heroine who confronts the harsh realities of life with unwavering strength. Through Curham's storytelling, the reader is able to empathize with Etty and gain a glimpse into the depths of her pain and endurance.
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from William Morrow Paperbacks via NetGalley.
Sometimes greatness had to be born of the ashes
Set in two Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from William Morrow Paperbacks via NetGalley.
Sometimes greatness had to be born of the ashes
Set in two different time periods, the book follows the stories of two resilient women as they navigate challenges, loss, and the pursuit of love in the ever-changing city of Paris.
In 1870, Lisette Vigneau, a headstrong young woman from a wealthy family, finds her life upended by the Prussian invasion of Paris. Drawn to the cause of the people, she abandons her privileged existence to join the fight for a better Paris. Through her determination, she opens a bakery to provide much-needed support to the impoverished community. As famine and rebellion grip the city, Lisette's resolve is tested, and she must confront the sacrifices she's made.
In 1946, nineteen-year-old Micheline Chartier grapples with the loss of her father and the absence of her mother. Left to care for her younger sisters, Micheline feels trapped and ill-equipped for the responsibility. When she enrolls in a prestigious baking academy, her life takes an unexpected turn. Alongside her classmate Laurent Tanet, Micheline searches for her missing mother while discovering her own path forward.
Both women encounter profound sorrow, but they find solace in the transformative power of love and make courageous decisions. They believe that through the act of baking, which combines simple ingredients like flour, yeast, and sugar with a touch of love, they can ignite personal revolutions. The strength and resilience displayed by both women are truly remarkable and go beyond what can be easily understood.
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from HQ Digital (HarperCollins) via Edelweiss+.
Katja Heinz secures a job as a typist at Doctor Viktor's clinic, a seemingly ordinary position. However, she soon discovers that she's tasked with copying top-secret medical records from a hidden notebook. These records date back to the end of World War I when Doctor Viktor treated soldiers for psychological disorders. Shockingly, one of his patients was none other than Adolf Hitler.
The notes within the notebook declare Hitler unfit for office, a revelation that could shatter the Führer's reputation and potentially alter the course of the war if exposed. Katja and Doctor Viktor embark on a dangerous journey to Paris, with the notebook hidden in her hatbox. Their goal is to find a publisher courageous enough to print this explosive information.
Yet, the shadow of danger looms. Nazi spies in Paris have caught wind of Katja's plan, and they will stop at nothing to destroy the notebook and silence anyone who possesses knowledge of the explosive secret it contains.
I found Katja's narrative in this story to be incredibly engaging and well-crafted. Her character was portrayed as intelligent and strong, which made her journey all the more captivating. The first 80% of the book held my attention brilliantly, with the intrigue and tension keeping me eagerly turning the pages. However, I must admit that my enthusiasm waned a bit in the latter part of the story. Nonetheless, Katja's character and her part of the narrative remained a highlight, making this an overall intriguing read....more
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Harper Collins via Edelweiss+.
Three women are on a crash course that is going to change their liveNote: I received an advanced copy of this book from Harper Collins via Edelweiss+.
Three women are on a crash course that is going to change their lives forever. American writer Althea James, in Berlin right before the start of the war, Hannah Brecht fleeing refuge to Paris and New York-based Vivian Childs fighting against the censorship plaguing the Armed Services. As the world is changing, these three women are fighting for change of a different kind, to help fight for freedoms and the advancement of everyone.
This was a fascinating book with strong female leadership going against the odds and fighting for what they believed in. The back-and-forth timelines and different viewpoints were hard to keep straight. I liked how this book was based on real-life experiences during the time. It is really inspirational the changes that everyday people can make in the world. Especially, when faced with so much adversity going on in the world....more
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Pen & Sword via NetGalley.
Based on interviews, eye-witness accounts and using newly revealed materNote: I received an advanced copy of this book from Pen & Sword via NetGalley.
Based on interviews, eye-witness accounts and using newly revealed material from the sons and daughters of former SS officers who were part of Adolf Hitler and Reinhard Heydrich’s personal staff, we learn about the sexual conduct, affairs, scandals and fetishes of some of Hitler’s most trusted advocates, who used their positions of trust to execute their warped fantasies.
It reveals how many leading Nazi’s were actively involved in occult rituals and sexual practices, and how the abuse suffered by many young men and women was only permissible through the filtering down from the highest echelons of the regime, which was prepared to turn a blind eye. Learn about the exotic sex and drug-fuelled private cocktail parties of the Nazi political elite that spread far and wide into the society over which it presided.
This was a well-researched and enlightening non-fiction work that was organized and flowed really well. For some reason, I thought the author of this was a woman while I was reading it. A dark chapter of world history made even darker in this little-known accounting of what took place. This is a sad and hard read but one that I think people should be made aware about....more
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Gallery Books via NetGalley.
Paris, 1939: Young mothers Elise and Juliette become fast friends the Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Gallery Books via NetGalley.
Paris, 1939: Young mothers Elise and Juliette become fast friends the day they meet in the beautiful Bois de Boulogne. Though there is a shadow of war creeping across Europe, neither woman suspects that their lives are about to irrevocably change.
When Elise becomes a target of the German occupation, she entrusts Juliette with the most precious thing in her life—her young daughter, playmate to Juliette’s own little girl. But nowhere is safe in war, not even a quiet little bookshop like Juliette’s Librairie des Rêves, and, when a bomb falls on their neighborhood, Juliette’s world is destroyed along with it.
More than a year later, with the war finally ending, Elise returns to reunite with her daughter, only to find her friend’s bookstore reduced to rubble—and Juliette nowhere to be found. What happened to her daughter in those last, terrible moments? Juliette has seemingly vanished without a trace, taking all the answers with her. Elise’s desperate search leads her to New York—and to Juliette—one final, fateful time.
As my latest book into my World War II kick and am grateful for Gallery Books and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this one. Harmel does it again with this one. This book while heartbreaking has a sense of strength and resiliency. This book really went beyond most World War II books too. It shows the aftermath of what happened to the characters in the pain. It was still lingering, even after everything they went through during the war....more
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
Kate Henderson is an energetic and spirited young woman. As a trained paramedic and ambulNote: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
Kate Henderson is an energetic and spirited young woman. As a trained paramedic and ambulance driver she does her work courageously and with determination, even though underneath she is still wrestling with grief after witnessing the shooting death of her diplomat father seven years earlier. Her father's murder was never properly investigated and it remains unsolved.
Kate's life is drastically interrupted once more when she wakes up one night to the sound of the air raid alarm and the terror whistles of a bomb's stabilizers screaming toward the roof of her house. In the explosion, her mother and her aunt die; Kate survives, but she is injured.
Her house is gone as well, and after her time in the hospital, Claire Giroux, a kind doctor and family friend, invites Kate to live with her as she recuperates. This arrangement works well for them until a few months later when Claire's husband comes home from the war. Within days the lives of both women are drastically changed, and events are set in motion, both in England and in Canada, that challenge Kate and Claire to their limits.
I thought the first part of the book really had the intrigue and momentum that I was looking for in a good World War II story, however, when Claire's husband comes into the mix the story falls flat. The pull of the writing no longer holds in my opinion as a reader. Both Kate and Claire become shells of the people that they could have been....more
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book via Edelweiss+
Paris, 1940: War is closing in on the city of love. With his wife forced into hiding, JacNote: I received an advanced copy of this book via Edelweiss+
Paris, 1940: War is closing in on the city of love. With his wife forced into hiding, Jacques must stand by and watch as the Nazis take away everything he holds dear. Everything except his last beacon of hope: his beloved bookshop, La Page Cachée.
But when a young woman and her child knock on his door one night and beg for refuge, he knows his only option is to risk it all once more to save a life…
Modern day: Juliette and her husband have finally made it to France on the romantic getaway of her dreams—but as the days pass, all she discovers is quite how far they’ve grown apart. She’s craving a new adventure, so when she happens across a tiny, abandoned shop with a for-sale sign in the window, it feels fated.
Just like with most of these duel time World War II books, I was vastly more interested in the actual World War II story time than I was with the modern day narrative. The hope in a hopeless situation really got me with this particular book....more
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
Set in Heim Hochland, a Nazi breeding home in Bavaria, this novel explores the intertwineNote: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
Set in Heim Hochland, a Nazi breeding home in Bavaria, this novel explores the intertwined fates of three women during World War II. Gundi, a pregnant university student and secret member of the resistance; Hilde, an enthusiastic supporter of the Nazi cause, thrilled to bear an official's child; and Irma, a nurse seeking to rebuild her life after a personal tragedy. As members of the Lebensborn Society, these women face tremendous risks and sacrifices. Inspired by real historical events, the story delves into the clandestine operations of these maternity homes, where babies deemed "racially fit" were taken from their mothers to be raised in the new Germany. Amidst the darkness, the novel highlights the power of connections and the resilience of women, showcasing their capacity for heroism in the most challenging of times.
This is a must read for fans of Kate Quinn and little-known World War II stories. The different perspectives of the women at the Lebensborn Society was fascinating to read about. The stark contrast between Gundi and Hilde was a great balance. While the ending, in my opinion, left a bit to be desired, the majority of the book was well-written and engaging.
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley.
Rome, 1943. With the fall of Italy’s Fascist government and the Nazi rNote: I received an advanced copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley.
Rome, 1943. With the fall of Italy’s Fascist government and the Nazi regime occupying the streets of Rome, British ballerina Julia Bradbury is stranded and forced to take refuge at a hospital on Tiber Island. But when she learns of a deadly sickness that is sweeping through the quarantine wards—a fake disease known only as Syndrome K—she is drawn into one of the greatest cons in history. Alongside hospital staff, friars of the adjoining church, and two Allied medics, Julia risks everything to rescue Italian Jews from the deadly clutches of the Holocaust. But when one little girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina arrives at their door, Julia and the others are determined to reunite the young dancer with her family—if only she would reveal one crucial secret: her name.
Present Day. With the recent loss of her grandfather—a beloved small-town doctor and WWII veteran—Delaney Coleman returns home to help her aging parents, even as she struggles to pick up the pieces of her own life. When a mysterious Italian woman claims she owns one of the family’s precious heirlooms, Delaney is compelled to uncover what’s true of her grandfather’s hidden past. Together with the woman’s skeptical but charming grandson, Delaney learns of a Roman hospital that saved hundreds of Jewish people during the war. Soon, everything Delaney thought she knew about her grandfather comes into question as she wrestles with the possibility that the man she’d revered all her life had unknown ties to Rome and may have taken noble secrets to his grave.
I definitely liked the past story involving Syndrome K than I did reading the present day story. I enjoyed that this book was based on real life events and I got to read about an event in greater detail than I had heard before. ...more
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and Edelweiss+.
It’s not just a thousand miles that separates Hanna Majewski from her younNote: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and Edelweiss+.
It’s not just a thousand miles that separates Hanna Majewski from her younger sister, Stefa. There is another gulf—between the traditional Jewish ways that Hanna chose to leave behind in Warsaw, and her new, independent life in London. But as autumn of 1940 draws near, Germany begins a savage aerial bombing campaign in England, killing and displacing tens of thousands. Hanna, who narrowly escapes death, is recruited as a spy in an undercover operation that sends her back to her war-torn homeland.
In Hanna’s absence, her parents, sister, and brother have been driven from their comfortable apartment into the Warsaw Ghetto. Sealed off from the rest of the city, the Ghetto becomes a prison for nearly half a million Jews, struggling to survive amid starvation, disease, and the constant threat of deportation to Treblinka. Once a pretty and level-headed teenager, Stefa is now committed to the Jewish resistance. Together, she, Hanna, and Janka, a family friend living on the Aryan side of the city, form a trio called The War Girls. Against overwhelming odds and through heartbreak they will fight to rescue their loved ones, finding courage through sisterhood to keep hope alive . . .
The part about the Warsaw Ghetto and the horrific conditions of the Ghetto were interesting to read about. I thought the espionage aspect with Hanna was a little clumsy and overdone. There was not really a good flow for that part of the story, it was more forced....more
Note: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
Nazi-occupied Vienna, 1940: An absolutely heartbreaking story—based on devastating real eNote: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
Nazi-occupied Vienna, 1940: An absolutely heartbreaking story—based on devastating real events—about tragedy, friendship and courage in the face of impossible odds.
Hannah Stern is a twenty-seven-year-old nurse, who takes a position at Vienna’s esteemed psychiatric hospital Am Steinhof, accompanying her estranged half-brother’s son, Willi, with whom she soon forms a close bond. At first the hospital seems like a safe haven—a beautiful, airy, spacious place of healing and recovery.
But the hospital has secrets. And they are darker than Hannah could ever have imagined. Children are disappearing—not to be healed as promised, but taken somewhere else. Somewhere terrible.
And when Willi’s own life comes under threat, Hannah knows she must act, despite her own fears. When she discovers one of the other nurses is also trying to help patients escape, Hannah becomes determined to help in any way she can.
But she is only one person, fighting against a horrific, overwhelming regime. And to save even just one life, she must risk her own…
From the very beginning, this book did not turn out like how I thought it would. I loved getting to know Hannah's personality and her conflict about what was really right and how little she thought she could really do. This book really brings to the forefront regarding how many people suspected something was going on but couldn't bring themselves to fully embrace the idea of the exact horrors....more
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