02.25.2021 The Girl from Berlin by Kate Hewitt @Bookouture Books On Tour

 

Book Description:

 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.

 

MY REVIEW:

This is the reason why I love historical fiction reads... they are based on true stories, many well documented, that are immersive, gripping and completely heart-wrenching, that tells the story of courageous men and women that overcome harrowing evil, hardships and struggle for family, friendship, love and humanity. This story and the writing by Kate Hewitt did just that, and oh how much did I love this one.

There are many stories set during the second world war. This one is quite unique in that this dual time line story tells first of how a young woman whose father is a chemist and is connected with the Nazi Party experiences the war and how Jewish people are being treated, and what she does about it and the choices she makes. The second time line is set a year after the war ends between an American Captain Sam and his translator Anna and how he is drawn to her secrets and story during the war.

I enjoyed reading the point of view as seen trough the eyes of a very well to do and sheltered young lady whose father is very well connected and involved in the Nazi government. Liesel Scholz grows up very quickly as she witnesses the brutality and harrowing treatment against the Jews and decides to help, house and protect their Jewish housekeeper and her daughter Rosa until they can escape the relocation camps. 

The characters were very well developed and the sweeping tale of courage from these women I am drawn to for inspiration. This was quite the thought provoking read and I really enjoyed this one a lot.

Thank you @bookouture for the ecopy. All opinions are my own.

Author Bio: 

Kate Hewitt is the author of many romance and women’s fiction novels. A former New Yorker and now an American ex-pat, she lives in a small town on the Welsh border with her husband, five children, and their overly affectionate Golden Retriever. Whatever the genre, she enjoys telling stories that tackle real issues and touch people’s lives.

https://www.kate-hewitt.com/

https://www.facebook.com/KateHewittAuthor/

https://twitter.com/author_kate

 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3s880jM

Apple: https://apple.co/34yRQqH

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3oUc1XG

Google: https://bit.ly/38h7p7r