"My Dearest Dietrich " takes place during World War 11. Dietrich is a pastor and loves God very deeply. He lives in a difficult time when Hitler ruled Germany. He preached the Christian values of loving God above all else. He did not like the way Jews were being treated at that time. He was part of a group that took a stand against the treatment of the Jews. The group was the Military Intelligence. The group helped to get 12 Jews out of Germany safely. The people in the group took a stance against what was wrong even though it was a risk to their own lives. Dietrich also wrote Christian books. He wrestled with difficult issues. Dietrich and his group did not like the stance of the Nazi Regime in their world. The Military Intelligence plotted to kill Hitler. It was a difficult stance to take with such a strong military group to back Hitler. As a pastor He encountered Maria von Wedemeyer and her family. They had lost her father and brother during the War. He reached out as a pastor to the family. During that time He fell in love with Maria. A relationship with Maria is very risky for Dietrich because of his Military Intelligence involvement. Her mother tried to limit her involvement with Dietrich since He was so at risk for being arrested. Maria and Dietrich still found a way to spend time together. When Dietrich is arrested what will become of his relationship with Maria? This book is well researched. The reader will feel like they are part of the time period of World War 11. The sacrifice Dietrich took for his Christian faith is very inspiring. Would you be willing to sacrifice your faith , life for what is right as a Christian? This book is outstanding and so hard to put down. You wonder what is around the corner next. for Dietrich and his family. The book was given to me by the publisher to read and review . I was under no obligation to give a positive review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read and review this outstanding book."

My Dearest Dietrich is a beautiful tale of the true love story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his fiance, Maria. Normally I'm a bit skeptical of "true" fiction books but I am so inspired by Dietrich's faith and heroism in Germany during World War II that I decided to read it. And I am so glad that I did!! I could immediately tell that the author, Amanda Barratt, put so much research, time, and effort into respectfully telling Dietrich and Maria's story. It was lovely and tragic all at once... and I adored it. I loved the author's decision to include bits of the letters and poems the two shared, and I also appreciated her clear indication of which parts are fiction at the end of the book. I would highly recommend this book to all. Even though the subject matter is a bit heavy at times, it still would make a good summer read because of the enduring hope throughout the novel.

The author did a brilliant job of capturing the time period in this novel. The characters and plot were also well written. This was a great piece of historical fiction!

“The world knew Dietrich Bonhoeffer. But they did not know him as she had. No one else did. Together, they had shared the most earthly and the most ethereal of emotions. Love. During a time history would remember as horrific, they’d experienced moments of beauty and joy.”

How can a book with a known ending cause me to cry so much? I haven’t read another historical fiction like this book - one that feels like a biography with its meticulously researched details yet also like an old nostalgic black and white romance movie to be savored with the incredible swells of emotion. Each sentence is so beautifully and lovingly crafted, each page precious in its sorrow and hope. Amanda Barratt will take you into the heart and soul of Dietrich and Maria in the war-torn Germany to experience first-hand what they were seeing and feeling.

Their friendship that slowly morphs into love is challenged on every side, first by Maria’s mother then by Dietrich’s arrest and imprisonment. Dietrich is drawn to Maria’s fresh innocence and youthful delight. Maria is drawn to Dietrich’s brilliant mind, unshakable faith, and deep sense of loyalty and honor and justice. Their love is so achingly tender, pummeled by loss and sorrow, yet grounded in the hope that is eternal and everlasting. This book will stay with me for a long time to come. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s stance on what a true follower of Christ looks like is branded on my heart.

I received a copy of the book from Kregel Publication and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

This one is very well written historical fiction. I love the style of Amanda Barratt, its so clear and has such depth that I often looked at myself if I´m in presence time or just fallen through the timeline. Its heart melting because the story is sad. During World War II Dietrich and Maria met, felt in love and have to let go. And that not for their own sake but for the will of the Nazis.
There are several action strands each with great emotions and power. Their story came to life on these pages, based on facts and letters Maria wrote. For me in personal ( as a native german ) it was a little strange to read this book in english but every word is well to understand and catches your brain and your heart. For me as a non religious person it was interesting to read about Dietrich Bonhöffer and his trust in God. He is definitely a great part of our past .

Dieses Buch ist eine genial geschriebene historische Fiktion basierend auf echten Fakten aus dem Leben von Dietrich Bonhöfer und Maria von Wedemeyer. Ich liebe den Schreibstil von Amanda Barratt er ist so kristallklar, dass ich zwischendurch an mir heruntergeschaut habe um zu sehen ob ich noch in der Gegenwart bin oder durch ein Zeitloch gefallen bin. So mittendrin ist man in der Geschichte. Diese Geschichte bricht einem beinahe das Herz, handelt sie doch von einer Liebe im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Es gibt verschiedene Zeit-und Handlungsstränge und diese bieten einen fantastischen, wenngleich auch sehr traurigen Einblick in das Leben dieser Zeit. Für mich als Deutsche war es ein wenig befremdlich dieses Buch in Englisch zu lesen, aber man kann jedes Wort verstehen und es berührt sowohl den Geist als auch das Herz.
Fazit: Tragisch, aber unbedingt lesenswert !!!!

From the time I first read that this book was going to be published, I wanted to read it. Yet when I got my copy, I did not immediately begin reading it. I knew there was not going to be a traditional happy ending to Dietrich and Maria’s story. Even after I started reading it, I’d read for a little while, and then find that I had to put it aside and read something a little lighter before I could go continue reading again. I’m not quite sure how Amanda Barratt wrote such an extraordinary novel, but I am so glad that she did. Her research for this book was extensive and Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s story is well known. This author made these people step out of history for me and feel that these events were happening just outside my door.

This book is so many things and all of them can only be described through emotion: It’s sorrowful, yet joyful. There’s despair, and yet there’s hope. There’s self-sacrificing love for others, and a total disregard for the sanctity of human life. Those were the things that Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Maria Von Wedemeyer experienced in their short time together. Their love for each other and their faith in God in horrendous times is an example to all of us. This is one of the most compelling historical novels that I’ve ever read about World War II and this one will linger in my mind for a long time. I think this is an award-winning book, and I’d be happy to nominate it for one if given an opportunity.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

…he could not ignore the fact that, by order of the Führer, millions of them were being systemically murdered, crammed into railcars like cattle shipped to the slaughterhouse. Women. Children. Souls. (Chapter One Excerpt)

It literally only took seconds of reading the prologue to pull me in completely. Beautiful, profound writing with a commanding and tender opening.

I’ve always been drawn to war stories, both fiction and non-fiction. WWII carries atrocities, hardship, defeat, heartbreak, and darkness. Yet within its folds I find traces of triumph, strength, endurance, love, and illumination. The combination, for me, marks such a matchless time in history that can, and should, leave us forever changed. Which is what My Dearest Dietrich has done.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a pastor who is involved in a dark plot. Maria Von Wedemeyer is a young woman who falls in love with him. Their unique relationship is revealed through his Nazi-era letters, and is bold, tragic, beautiful, and transforming.

Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive review.

I have not the words to describe this amazing book. It is moving, tragic, heartrending, and yet, somehow beautiful at the same time.
It is a fictionalized story based on fact and actual letters. Dietrich and Maria's love story is like none other.
It is one that must be read and felt by the reader. The writing is so good. Amanda Barratt breathes life back into these long-gone people. It was easy for me to tell that this was a project of the author's heart.
I highly recommend it.