The Girl from Berlin: An utterly heart-wrenching and gripping World War Two historical novel

· Bookouture
4.3
6 reviews
Ebook
350
Pages

About this ebook

1936, Nazi-ruled Berlin. A heartbreaking and stunningly powerful novel of friendship, courage and betrayal, about two girls whose lives collide in war-torn Berlin, and whose friendship is the only thing that might get them out alive.


They sat together on the roof, watching Berlin burn, as traces of smoke and cloud floated through the air. “I just want to be free,” Rosa said quietly, “Even if only for a few minutes. It might be the last chance I have.”

 

From her beautiful new home in Berlin, a young woman named Liesel Scholz barely notices the changes to the city around her. Her life is one of privilege and safety thanks to her father’s job working for the new government.

 

But a chance encounter with Rosa, the daughter of their Jewish housekeeper, confirms Liesel’s fears that something isn’t right. That the Nazi government’s brutal rules are cruel and dangerous, and that others aren’t as safe as she is. When Rosa begs Liesel to help—pressing her grandfather’s gold pocket watch into Liesel’s hand—Liesel recklessly agrees.

 

She will help hide Rosa and her loved ones—in the dusty, unused rooms at the top of their house—even if it means putting everyone she loves in danger. Even if it means risking her own life.

 

Frankfurt, 1946: An idealistic American captain, Sam Houghton, arrives in Germany to interrogate prominent Nazis on trial and to help rebuild a battered country. When he hires an enigmatic, damaged interpreter named Anna, he doesn’t expect sparks to fly between them. Perhaps there is a chance of love for both of them. But then the question of what happened to Anna in the war raises its head.

 

Because Anna has secrets—ones that link her to Berlin, the Nazi party, and the story of one gold pocket watch and two young women who became friends, even when they were told it was impossible…

 

A compelling and haunting story about courage, love and betrayal set in war-torn Berlin. Fans of The Alice Network, All the Light We Cannot See and The Nightingale will be not be able to put this down.


Readers are loving The Girl from Berlin:

Beautiful, strong and absorbing… I confess to shedding tears… This is a powerhouse of emotions, activity and full of heart… An absorbing read, intelligently written, pacey and a real page turner. It gripped me from the very beginning.” Reviewing Recommended Reads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

“I was utterly engrossed from the start… so haunting and raw, it hits you deep into your very core… A heartbreaking and yet powerful novel… utterly amazing I devoured it and felt so upset when I finished it… I cannot praise it enough… [A] raw and heart wrenching novel that pulls at your heart strings but it’s hard not to adore it for its power.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

“A compelling, enthralling and heart wrenching WWII story that I couldn’t put down… an emotional roller coaster.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

“I found myself not being able to turn the pages fast enough… I loved this.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

“Such a gripping and heartbreaking historical fiction read… I promise, this one will break and reshape your heart! 5 of 5 Stars.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


“A powerful, emotional tale… This will stick in my mind for a long time… A great page turner.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Praise for Kate Hewitt:

“An emotionally charged story right from the first chapter… I knew once I started I would not be able to put this book down… I was up till 4AM reading fighting for my eyes to stay openGripping and captivating!Sinfully Wicked Book Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ratings and reviews

4.3
6 reviews
Teresa Gunn
February 25, 2021
Have you ever wondered what you might have "done" if you grew up in Germany in the 1930's: would you have supported Hitler and the Nazi's with enthusiasm or in fear? Or would you --could you-- have done anything to resist or fight back? Liesel Scholz is 14 years old when she goes to the 1936 Berlin Olympics with her father, a chemist who's development of synthetic rubber has put him in favor with the Nazi's. Although Liesel's father initially seems to quietly laugh at Hitler, he is ambitious, and his success has led to invitations to socialize with the Nazi elite, provides his family with a beautiful home and access to things like coffee when others are going without. But it is a slippery slope, and as WWII starts and progresses, Liesel looks for ways to resist or fight back without putting herself or her family in danger, while her father is drawn deeper into collusion. The story was a bit slow at times, but I found the "ethical" questions compelling (would you put your own life -or that of your family- on the line to stop unconscionable evil?). Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.
1 person found this review helpful
Karen Brown
March 1, 2021
I enjoyed this story. I liked how it had a dual timeline of before and after the war. Toward the end I did struggle a little bit when the book was in the after war timeline and I’m not really sure why. I do think people who like stories from this period will love it. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thank you to #NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. #TheGirlFromBerlin
Jacqueline Bloom
February 25, 2021
As a grandchild of Holocaust survivors I have read many books on this topic. This book was a little slow to start but as soon as i got to 50-60% I couldn't put it down! It was very interesting to me to read about how German citizens viewed the war. I loved watching Liesel’s character grow as the book flashed between two time periods. This would be a great discussion-able book club book! I would recommend this book to others both as historical fiction and a great lesson on decision making. Thank you to Kate Hewitt, Bookouture, and NetGalley for a copy of this intriguing story due to be published February 25, 2021.
2 people found this review helpful

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