An unusually deep historical novel. Deep because of the though character development and the author’s plotting on pre, during, and post war Berlin Germany. Being a fan of WWII historical novels I never read one from the point of view of an English woman married to a wealthy and connected a German who moved as a young bride to pre war Germany. We are also treated to her sister’s point of view as a young fledgling journalist in Paris during the same time period. Close and loving, their lives are changed by circumstances and choices forever. The story opens when a modern time young photo-journalist finds the beginning of a novel in a vintage typewriter and is compelled to follow and reveal how their story unfolds. War is heart breaking, but the choices one must make to survive living as an alien amongst a foreign government gone terribly wrong is heartbreaking. Yet the human spirit does not fail. I received this ARC by agreeing to give an honest review. I thank Net Galley. And Ballantine/Random House for the opportunity to enjoy this fabulous story.

This is a beautifully written, tragic yet edifying tale of two English sisters who become estranged during the Second World War.

When an unfinished manuscript is discovered in a vintage Underwood typewriter in present day New York, by a photographer named Juno Lambert she becomes intrigued by what she has discovered and decides to investigate the reasons for the rift between sisters Cordelia and Irene.

As she investigates further Juno uncovers the lives of two indomitable women, one the wife of a German industrialist who maneuvers through the treacherous Nazi society while being groomed by her husband as the perfect Nazi wife and the other who pursues her dream and becomes an esteemed writer and journalist.
Jane Thyne;s THE WORDS I NEVER WROTE gives us a tale of tragedies, love, and endurance as Juno pursues the ghosts of the past while exposing the horrors of war and the bravery exhibited by ordinary people when the situations.

Not only has the author crafted an enthralling story, she has done an excellent job of portraying the mood of Nazi Germany both before, during and after WWII while creating characters who are well- developed, wonderfully flawed and definitely unforgettable.

Writing good historical fiction can be a challenge for any author, but Ms. Thyne accepted that challenge and has provided her audience with a narrative in which the mood, setting and characterizations are nothing short of perfect thereby demonstrating her mastery of both historical detail and narrative.

This was truly a remarkable book on WW2 in so many ways. The writing, characters and storyline was on point and was one of the best books I have read in this genre. Beautiful yet heartbreaking. Every book I read on this time period is never the same for me. Definitely would recommend! I took 1 star off because some pages dragged a little and could have been a little shorter. It does not take away from the story!

I really liked this book. It's yet another historical fiction novel set during WWII, but the twist of the plot and the excellent writing helped it stand out.
The majority of the story takes place in Paris and Berlin just prior to the war and revolves around two sisters, Cordelia and Irene, who are living two totally different existences in these two cities.
The novel introduces us to them through an unfinished novel found in Cordelia's 1931 Underwood typewriter. The machine is purchased by Juno in modern day NYC from a typewriter store, and it's her detective work that pulls us through their story.

Interesting and enjoyable novel.

I really enjoyed this book. It's about two British sisters and set prior to and during World War II. One sister becomes a journalist in Paris; the other marries a wealthy German man who becomes a Nazi. The sections of the book about the sister living in Berlin were particularly good. Although many, many novels have told stories of women living during WWII, this one brings a fresh story of someone living among the elite in Nazi Germany. Well written, great storytelling.

So, I was really anticipating this book. I have DNFd it for now, but I think that is because this is a book I need to read physically. I think this book could be one of my favorite WWII books, but I need to hold it and read it. I love the premise and the writing is beautiful. I am just not in the mindset or the mood to read it on my Kindle.

The Words I Never Wrote is a beautiful, captivating, insightful historical fiction of two sisters torn apart by war. This tale was partially discovered in a vintage typewriter case by a woman in current times, and she followed its lead to uncover the truth. Flowing and interesting, I really enjoyed this book! Thank you NetGalley for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

A wonderful novel that includes a mystery involving a lost manuscript and a family drama that revolves around two sisters. This was the first book I have read by Jane Thynne, but I now plan on reading all of her previous novels.

At once heartbreaking and uplifting, The Words I Never Wrote is a powerful story about sisterhood. I like that the story is told from both Irene's and Cordelia's perspectives, and how they were both strong women in their own rights. I didn't fly through this book, but I found myself wanting to read on to uncover more of the Capel sisters' story. Historical fiction fans will be excited to see this novel.

This novel about two sisters on opposite sides of the "fence/conflict" during WWII. Told in dual timelines beginning with the purchase of a vintage typewriter and within the case an unfinished novel about two sisters, Cordelia and Irene, during and after WWII. An unforgettable story and one that is a bit different from the usual WWII story. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After losing her information to a computer virus, photo-journalist Juno Lambert enters a typewriter store and discovers a 1931 Underwood. Purchased from the estate of journalist Cordelia Capel, its’ case contains an unfinished manuscript for a novel based on the relationship between Cordelia and her sister Irene beginning in the mid 1930s.

Cordelia and her sister were best friends, but when Irene marries a German industrialist she makes her home in Berlin. Cordelia follows her dream of becoming a journalist and is transferred to Paris. At first Irene’s letters to Cordelia are filled with the social occasions she attends with her husband. As the Nazi party grows in power she writes her observations of life in Berlin until she is warned that her letters are being intercepted and monitored and she is being watched. Her letters stopped with the advent of war and Cordelia’s manuscript ended shortly after, leaving Juno curious about Irene’s fate. An assignment brings her to Berlin, where she looks for answers.

As the wife of an industrialist, Irene encounters a number of the German hierarchy. She also befriends Martha Dodd, the daughter of the American ambassador. In England Cordelia uses her journalist background for work in the SOE where she encounters Kim Philby. The addition of these encounters bring the story to life. Jane Thynne’s characters grow as they survive a world at war. From the preparations for the Berlin olympics to the destruction of the city as the Russians arrive you experience Irene’s fear as her marriage fails and she opens her eyes to what is happening around her. It is a moving story that will appeal to fans of The Alice Network and The Women in the Castle. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to review this book.

Another deep sister book. Well written and absorbing. I loved how the characters came alive. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!!

This book was a whirlwind. An unfinished novel, sisters divided by politics and war, love, loss, all during World War II. This unique book is divided between Juno Lambert, a freelance photographer in 2016, and Cordelia Capel and Irene Weissmuller (nee Capel) in the 1930s and 1940s. After Cordelia’s, a renowned journalist, death, Juno buys her old typewriter, and with it, an unfinished novel. The novel describes the lives of Cordelia and Irene pre-, during, and post-WWII. Cordelia worked as a fashion reporter, then assisting the British intelligence with their spies. Irene, married to a businessman, spent her days going to parties, meeting Nazi party members, then joined the resistance. As their loves and losses, trials and heartaches, commence, the novel drives Juno to Berlin, where she visits the Villa Weissmuller, meets an acquaintance of Irene’s, and learns the truth of what happened to the sisters when she gets her hands on the finished manuscript.
This book was beautifully written, and although there was a slight date discrepancy in the end, kept me reading. I loved that I was able to see the war from both sides, especially Irene’s. The perspective of a Nazi’s wife is one that isn’t usually taken in novels about this era. The mystery, the hunt to find out how the sisters’ lives unfolded after the war, drove the novel. It was, all-in-all, an amazing read.

Thynne's novel is absorbing. I was lost in the tumultuous and dangerous decade leading to WWII. Two sisters, Irene and Cordelia, are divided by distance and ideologies. Irene married a Nazi and Cordelia works for the British undercover. Their paths do cross after the war and by that point I surmised correctly what would happen next. The novel gives an excellent view of life in Germany before, during, and after the war. A young photographer buys Cordelia's typewriter and begins to fit the puzzle pieces of the sisters lives and their secrets together. The best line in the novel is when Juno is taking the typewriter through airport security and the guard thought it was a decoding machine.

The Words I Never Wrote by Jane Thynne is a fascinating and unforgettable story by Janey Thynne. It follows two sisters, Irene and Cordelia, as they find themselves in dramatically different circumstances before, during, and after WWII. Born and raised in England, Irene and Cordelia vow to remain close as Irene is whisked away to Germany with her new husband, a handsome businessman, and rising Nazi officials. As a parting gift, Irene gives Cordelia a typewriter, which inspires her to pursue a career as a fashion journalist in Paris. Initially, the sisters keep up their chatter by post, as Irene reports on the social scene among high ranking Nazi officials and their increasingly troublesome customs and behaviors. When Irene gets tipped off of monitoring practices, her letters become more vapid and obtuse, baffling and frustrating Cordelia to a breaking point.

Both sisters’ stories are fascinating and present very different insights as to what it might have been like to live through that dreadful era. So immersed in their lives, I forgot about the present-day narrator, Juno, who sets the story in motion when she discovers Cordelia’s partial manuscript in the case of a vintage typewriter. Juno’s search to find out what happens to the sisters leads to more twists, answers some questions while raising others.

I highly recommend this great book. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for an ARC of The Words I Never Wrote, in exchange for a candid review.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

This is a fascinating story about 2 English sisters who are separated by WWII. One spends her time in England and France. The other marries a German and moves to his home in Berlin. At first, the letters they share are filled with details of their lives. As the war progresses, the letters become more impersonal and the bond between the sisters deteriorates.

All of this is uncovered in modern times when a young woman purchases an old typewriter, only to discover an unfinished manuscript inside the case.

The Words I Never Wrote is a fascinating read about two sisters during World War II. There is also a present day storyline, and the search for a lost manuscript. Historical fiction with a 1940's setting at its very best -- highly recommended!

I thought this book was great. The writing was well done and the store was profound. I enjoyed it. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

Great historical fiction. I will watch for more by this author. Very interesting story. I would recommend this book to friends who enjoy historical fiction.

Earlier this year I was on a WW2 historical fiction kick but it dwindled over the last few months. Until I picked up this book. Jane Thynne's 'The Words I Never Wrote" is a spectacular novel. There is so much out there about WW2 but it's such a difficult and complex history to grasp. Thynne spent time explaining events, names, and other important details - which I loved because it meant more time reading and less time Googling topics/people I don't know.

The story is about two sisters on opposite sides of WW2. I have an older sister so I was able to really connect with the sisters. I found the storyline so interesting. Thynne does a wonderful job jumping between the two sisters and a woman in 2016 who is researching the two sisters' story. I loved that Thynne spent time in the years/months leading up to WW2 and finished with the war ending (and it's aftermath).

Of all the WW2 books I've read this year (maybe 15 books) this one is definitely in my top 3.