This has been a truly magnificent story, which has evoked so many different feelings within me, some of joy, some of anguish (at how some people were treated back in the day) and a fair bit emotional too.

The author Debbie has woven such a powerful story which captivates the past and how things must have been back in WW2.

As a teenager I was never one for history in school, found it dull and never held my attention, but having read this book, of which a fair amount of the story is devoted to past history, I have learnt a lot and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It's been quite an eye opener, this tale has been.

Upon finishing this story, I literally hugged the book with happiness because of how much I enjoyed it and sadness because it meant it was over, the story was finished.

I picked up this book because the synopsis says this book is for the readers of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Book Thief, two of my favourite WWII books. However, I was not entirely pleased reading it. Set during WWII, the novel skillfully weaves historical highlights into the plot, following the perspectives of Imogen, a British girl turned Wren, and Magda, a German girl involved in resistance. While the plot was enjoyable, I could not felt the emotional connection.

I am not a huge historical fiction person, but every once in a while, a story comes along that really makes me fall in love with that genre. I feel like this book was one of those contenders. I really liked the side-by-side storylines. I always think that those are so interesting when they’re done well. The main characters were written really well in my opinion. The side characters were actually written really well too. They weren’t just throw away people. I absolutely love that the story was based on real people and real journals and events. This was clearly a labor of love for the author, and it showed in the writing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed are my own. This book held my attention and I really was interested in the outcome.

I love reading books that take place during WWII. However, this book just did not grab and keep my attention. It seemed to go on and on and on. It was almost painful to stick with it to the end. I am definitely in the minority in my opinion. I felt like it was more of a young adult novel. The dialogue was not done well and the romance was disappointing. Because so many readers gave better ratings, I would encourage you to read the book and make your own judgment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutre for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Another absolutely amazing read by this author. I just loved this story and couldn’t put it down. It had me glued to the book from the very start. Loved it.

This is a historical fiction based on the wartime experiences of the author’s parents. The story takes place during WWII and is about two girls: one English, Imogen, and the other German, Magda. It is a story of bravery and hope.
Beautiful and moving story.

This is a heart wrenching novel about how one little girl has the potential to change history. This is told through the lens of two little girls on opposite sides of the war, hoping for the same outcome. The fact that this is based on a true story (the author's parents) is astonishing and adds so much more meaning to all the small details.

A truly amazing, heartfelt story about love and war that really tugs at the heartstrings.The story follows a young English girl and a young German girl living through the horrific ww2 , their lives unbeknown to them become connected which reveals itself in many many years to come.

I loved how some of the story was set in my home town of Newcastle as I could almost visualise how landmarks such as the central station was back in those times.

This is the first book I have read by this lady and I have already looked up her others which I will definitely be reading. A beautiful, captivating 5 star read.

The following review was posted on Goodreads:

I am grateful to the publishers for allowing me access to this book through NetGalley. I loved it so much, I read it in less than 24 hours! I’m a sucker for a good WWII novel, especially when it includes unique stories that I haven’t heard of before. I loved that this novel was based on true events experienced by the author’s family members. I loved that it included action, romance, family, friendship, love, sacrifice, redemption, and a few amazing strong female characters. I’d highly recommend this book to my fellow WWII readers!

3.5 stars

The setting of this story is from the start of WW2 until it’s end. It does a wonderful job of detailing some of the historical highlights that happened during the war. It doesn’t get too immersed in the details of these events, but rather refers to them during the plot line. The plot itself alternates between two perspectives- Imogen is a British girl/woman who signs up as a Wren after finishing her high school. Magda is a German girl/woman whose plans to go to university upon high school graduation are thwarted as she becomes involved in German resistance.

The book is nicely written (aside from a fair number of grammatical errors which were hopefully corrected before publishing), and the characters were well developed. If I had to name a couple of suggestions for improvement, it would be better editing as there were some tangents that led nowhere (e.g. Imogen’s relationship with Dougie) and really didn’t need to be in the story. And there was quite a large focus on Imogen and her various romantic interests, which made the story feel more like a historical romance than historical fiction. If that was the intent of the plot, then it should be marketed as such and the romance parts better carved out to create more conflict, controversy or tension.

Overall I liked the book but i wasn’t emotionally connected to it, hence the downgrade in my rating. I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Drawing on the letters and diaries of her parents, Debbie Rix’s new novel, The Secret Letter, follows English Imogen and German Magda as they deal with the heartache and terror of living in countries impacted by the Second World War.

Early in the war, Imogen is evacuated to the Lake District away from her family and the threat of the Blitz. Later, she joins up to serve as a Wren. Magda’s experience in southern Germany is much more terrifying. As National Socialism becomes entrenched in her country, her friend is taken away by the Nazis for nothing other than being Jewish. Everyone around her seems to be enthralled by Hitler, while she despises everything about him. Through a friend, at the University of Munich, she is introduced to the White Rose movement, a non-violent resistance group made up largely of students, and ends up helping an English pilot stranded behind enemy lines at great risk to herself and her loved ones. Although on different sides of enemy lines, Imogen and Magda’s lives are intertwined.

This is a page turner, Rix skilfully evoking the reality of war and the toll that an insidious regime takes on both its citizens and those under threat from it. At the heart of it though is the question of how we choose to behave in dire times: do we step up and be counted or quietly watch from the sidelines as evil is done? And yet, surely ‘our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter’? The dilemma of our current times.

Recommended.

I loved this book. It covered WWII. It had a good plot. It had breathtaking storyline. The main heroine of the book was brave, and courageous. These were hard times. Survival was difficult. This book reflects that.
This book will remain in my head and heart for a long time to come.

An interesting and absorbing read that shows some of the normal day-to-day activity of people in wartime. I particularly enjoyed the stories of Imogen and Magda - the dual heroines were similar yet so different. The Lake District scenes were evocative and amusing whilst heartfelt- the scenes rang true and made you empathise with the suffering of the characters.

An interesting read, showing a different insight into WWII

3.75/4*

This was a wonderful WWII historical fiction read! Told from the point of view of two young girls who become women during the war. Interesting characters with moments of suspense. I truly enjoyed this book.

Thank you, Bookouture and NetGalley for a digital ARC!

This story is based on real stories and people during the beginning of World War II. As seen through the eyes of two young girls, Imogen from England and Magda from Germany. Beautifully written. Characters are thoughtful and well developed. I really enjoyed reading this story. The girls will stay with me for a very long time.

Historical Fiction that is based on real stories and real people will always hit harder and be more poignant to me than other historical fiction books, and The Secret Letter did not disappoint in that regard. I definitely thought this story was good, but I did have trouble connecting with the characters at certain points which made it hard to fall completely into the book.

I would definitely recommend this book to historical fiction readers, but in my opinion it might not affect people that have read a lot of WWII Historical Fiction as profoundly as other titles in the genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the gifted book and opportunity to read and review it prior to its publication date! This in no way affected my review, all opinions are my own.

This was a wonderful story. I've read quite a bit of ww2 historical fiction but this one didn't feel like a story I'd already been told. I enjoyed the 2 story lines and the strength and hope shown by both young ladies.

I received an ARC from NetGalley.

Magda and Imogen are two fifteen year old girls st the start of WW2, Magda living in rural Germany and Imogen in England and alternate chapters follow the stories of their war. Magda is a bit of a rebel and anti Hitler but that is an opinion she would be in fear of her life for if she expressed it, but she secretly joins the White Rose resistance movement. Imogen after her school being relocated to the Lake District starts to train as an architect before joining the Wrens.

A great story showing the two young girls turning into incredibly strong women both wanting to do their bit fighting Hitler. I particularly enjoyed Magda's story as it's unusual to have a story about an ordinary German girl's war, and the fear that she lived in day by day. I will definitely be looking for more books by this writer

I was given a copy of the secret letter by Debbie Rix in exchange for an honest review. The book is set during world war two and tells the story of Magda and Imogen growing up while the war is on. Magda lives in Germany, she finds she doesn't agree with the Hitler regime but must keep her feelings hidden. Imogen helps during the war as a Wren typing up war records. Their lives cross through relatives. This was a well written book which I really enjoyed.