I love historical fiction that is set during World War II so I was immediately drawn to The Light After the War when I read the synopsis. The story did not disappoint either. My favorite part of the book was its focus on the friendship between Vera and Edith, two Hungarian refugees who managed to escape from a train bound for the Auschwitz concentration camp. In addition to being a moving story about the life long bond between Vera and Edith, it's also a powerful story of survival as it shows the aftermath of WWII and how it forced so many to to have to start their lives over and rebuild. There's also a romantic element, so The Light After the War really has a little something for everyone.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

This is a fictional story based upon the authors mothers experiences during and after World War II. While I enjoyed the relationship between Vera and Edith, I felt the book over all did not have much of a storyline. I was expecting more about Vera and Edith themselves, the book turned out to be more of a sappy love story with a World War II background; it was more a story about Vera then it was Vera and Edith. I have read other books in the genre that I enjoyed much more, but overall this was not a bad book.

This book is a very good WWII historical fiction story. The main characters, Edith and Vera, were saved from Auschwitz when the mothers of the girls pushed them off the train. They spent the war in hiding at a farmhouse and finally moved on to Naples after it had ended. Edith wants to be a clothing designer and Vera becomes a secretary to an American at the Embassy.

The story of how these girls survived and prospered is worth reading in my opinion.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Light After the War turned out to be much more of a romance novel than I had expected. I did love the idea that it was based on the real lives of Abriel's mother and her friends and family. And I thought the character development was mostly well done, and the settings were interesting and nicely portrayed. But it lacked the emotional punch I would look for in a novel centered around WWII and its aftermath, especially one concerned with Holocaust survivors. However, it was an easy, enjoyable read and I'll definitely be recommending it to readers looking for good historical fiction. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy!

While I love that this novel was inspired by the authors mother, it ended up being kind of a dud for me. There was nothing that set it apart from every other WWII historical fiction novel, and I felt the writing was mediocre at best. The chapters were rushed and towards the end, it was a mad dash to an ending everyone saw coming. There was nothing unique about it and honestly it will get lost in the unending pile of historical fiction novels. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC for review.

This was a very enjoyable read, especially with the plot told alternately between the girls current situation and their past leading up to After the War. This book thoroughly captivated me and is highly recommended for any readers of WW2 history. I was quite surprised by the ending as well! A well developed story!

I enjoyed The Light After the War but it didn’t quite satisfy me as much as other histfic books have.

Vera and Edith have experienced the horror of being on their way to a concentration camp and being pushed off a train by their mothers. Through their own instincts and tenacity, and with the help of a kind woman, they survive the war. Survivor’s guilt kicks in.

While the book is about Vera and Edith finding their way and searching for the truth about their loved ones, I didn’t feel that’s really where the book was headed. It was much more of a love story. Vera’s love for Anton while working at the US Embassy is one we can all only hope we find. But when he disappears, Vera never really moves on. And Edith has never really moved on from the death of her first love. In the end, love is what every relationship and their own survival comes down to.

Overall, this is three stars – an enjoyable read on the shorter side.

While I don’t typically provide trigger warnings, I feel compelled to alert you there is some domestic violence that may be disturbing to some readers.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for providing the opportunity to read this book. I have voluntarily provided this review and the opinions expressed are my own.

A very enjoyable novel set in World War II.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book did not live up to my expectations. I read so many wonderful reviews! While it was a good book, it just did not blow my mind like other WWII novels I have read recently. I enjoyed it, but will not remember it for years to come.

I looked forward with great enthusiasm to reading The Light After the War, by Anta Abriel. The story, based on the author’s family history, is about two young Jewish women who survived the Holocaust, after losing everything. Most novels about WWII end when the war ends. This story begins in Naples where the women have landed after emerging from their hiding spot to avoid being sent to the camps. The destruction of Naples is profound and vividly described. As the story progresses, the two best friends develop relationships, begin work, and construct new lives. About a third in, I felt as if the story had devolved into one of the many novels focusing more on friendship and romance and less on the historical context that led them to be where they were. I wonder a lot about how survivors deal with the loss of their histories, communities, families, and friends. I can only imagine the strength that fortifies the human spirit to move forward despite immense trauma. That trauma and the devastation of Europe seemed to get only minimal attention.

Second, although the war ended, antisemitism did not. It continued on in Europe and in many parts of South America where the friends moved. Many former Nazis found sanctuary in South America. But, this aspect of post-war life is not addressed. My final issue was with the ending; too neat, too quick, too unrealistic. But, if it was truly what happened, I am so glad!

The two friends are very different, each engaging in their own way. I enjoyed getting to know them and their stories. Nonetheless, I feel like the author missed a huge opportunity to place these two individuals in a larger historical picture. Thanks to NetGalley and at Atria Books for the opportunity to read an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Inspired by a family story, author Anita Abriel tells the story of two Jewish-Hungarian women ( Vera Frankel and Edith Ban)that were saved from the horrors of Auschwitz by their mothers and are now grappling to rebuild their lives after the war. As the women journey from Naples to Ellis Island to Caracas, they will face trials in life and in love, but above all will solidify a friendship based on being there for each other.


Overall, I liked it but, I didn't fall in love with The Light After the War. I felt the transitions between the present and the past weren't always clear. It's another "historical lite" in that it leans heavily on the romances that Vera and Edith find themselves constantly juggling. That being said, I don't want to diminish the struggles these women faced and the personal connections of the author. Although I wasn't a lover, there is no doubt that other readers will appreciate and enjoy it.

Publication Date 04/02/20
Goodreads review published 15/02/20

Once again, I find myself disappointed in a book that I felt lacked enough historical significance. There was too much romance which I felt detracted from the story line. There were some interesting parts and of course what these women survived was amazing even though it was fiction.

I only wish there had been more historical and less fiction.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Net Galley for a copy of this story.

The Light at the End of the War is a tale of love, loss, unbearable grief, displacement, hope, courage, romance, and friendship. Inspired by her mother’s harrowing story, debut author Anita Abriel spins the tale Vera Frankel and Edith Ban, Hungarian refugees who survive the Holocaust and rebuild their lives.

While Edith and Vera and their mothers are on a train headed for Auschwitz, Vera’s mother takes swift action to save the girls. Abruptly separated from their mothers in an unknown land with nothing but the knowledge that they are being hunted by Nazi’s, Edith and Vera must figure out how to survive. After hiding and waiting out the end of the war on an Austrian farm, the two head to Venice, where Edith gets a job working as a personal assistant to Captain Anton Wright at the United States Embassy.

The girls’ journey takes them from Venice on a first-class voyage to America, then on to Caracas. They chase elusive pre-war dreams while falling in and out of love and pursuing their respective careers.

I enjoyed the author’s description of the various settings, the girls’ lifestyles, career moves, and fashion trends. Vera and Edith took risks, both in love and with their careers. While I often found myself shuddering at their naivete, I was relieved that their decisions didn’t lead to worse consequences.

An unrealistic expectation likely caused my only disappointment with the book. The title says it all – it’s a story about moving on after the war. But as a historical fiction buff, I wanted to learn more about how they survived, where they found the will to survive, and what they endured. Flashbacks to wartime experiences occurred less frequently as the story unfolded. Even when characters were reunited, only surface-level details were provided on encampment experiences.

The Light at the End of the War was a light, fun read with some great plot twists. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes period, non-erotic, romantic fiction. And, if a movie were produced, I would be an opening day viewer to see the lush landscapes and Edith Ban designs!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of The Light After the War in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a little different than what I usually read. The characters are good and the story is compelling,. It seemed sometimes, however, to be somewhat superficial. Some parts too good to be true and a bit schmaltzy, The writing is good except for the constant switching of times without explaining. That's a minor irritation but it detracted from my enjoyment of the story.

Despite being a bit too 'romance novelish' for my liking, I have to admit I did enjoy the book.

The Light After the War by Anita Abriel is a story about the next years after World War II for two Hungarian refugee women that saw them from a train to Auschwitz to Austria to Italy to Venezuela and finally to Australia and California. So many coincidences, which, I guess, were real after the war in Europe when so many people were killed or displaced. May people ran into their relatives and friends by accident. It is still happening today. May people lost their families and the loves of their lives. Such was the case for Vera and Edith. Their mothers were best friends who pushed the two young women off the train taking the four of them to Auschwitz. They wandered for a few hours and then ran into a young man who took them to a nearby farm where the wife chose to hide them. As it turns out they stayed there for over a year, helping on the farm until the war was over, and then some. Eventually Vera met a US Army officer who promised to see if he could find their parents, or Edith's boyfriend, Stefan. Amazingly, some months later he returned with no news. They were not on survivor lists or on death lists, but he did give them passage to Naples, some money to live on, and a letter of recommendation for Vera to find work as a secretary to his friend there. Things were looking up.

These women were so lucky, at the same time they went through so much. Things went well for the, mostly. Vera is an excellent character with Edith not as finely drawn but certainly sympathetic. They ran into people willing to take advantage of them, but some willing to help them. Both married before the story was over, with divergent results. The story is a good one, full of detail, hope, and tragedy. It is a happily-ever-after, which is good after the misery of the time. Good, compassionate people far overreach the not so good ones. People unknowingly set horrible things in motion. Such is life. I enjoyed this book, although I was always nervous to turn the page. I recommend it without reservation

I received a free ARC of The Light After the War from Netgalley. All opinions and inferences contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thelightafterthewar

I really enjoy this wartime story! Loved the relationship of Edith and Vera!! Wonderful characters! Highly recommend

Inspired by her mother’s life, Abriel has written a beautiful story and has a fresh perspective of the human spirit, covering the lives of two refugee women who meet during WWII and their relationship continuing post-war. A compelling story of romance, adventure and courage with plenty of struggles along the way.

World War II fiction is probably my most read genre. No matter how many stories I read, the subject matter never fails to leave an impact. I will generally give any new authors in this genre a try because it feels like a safe choice for a good read. This book fit the bill. The story of Abriel's mother's life with her best friend after the war was uplifting. It is a nice change to have a happy ending for the refugees of Europe after the war. At times I felt that it was unbelievable; knowing this is based on actual events left me with my mouth hanging open. What a wonderful legacy this story is for her family.

I was a little surprised how rushed the beginning was. I felt like the writing wasn't as strong in the beginning. It seemed like a lot of the character development was edited out. Also, I would have liked to get a bit more detail surrounding Ricardo and his jealousy. Instead of a quick mention of his history in a conversation with his mother, I'd rather the author show me. Once I made it halfway, though, I was completely engaged. The second half of this book is the best, even if it felt a little predictable. The ending is abrupt. Was more edited out here, as well? I would have been happy with more showing and less telling. Overall, I felt this was a beautiful story of friendship and endurance, it just wasn't detailed enough.

I truly enjoyed reading this post WWII novel; I got sucked into the story right away. It seems as this type is novel is becoming more popular, and while I absolutely love reading about what happened during the war, I liked that we got to see what life was like after the war, especially for a woman who believed that she had lost everything. I was fascinated by the lives of Vera and Edith as they moved from Italy, the U.S., Cuba, and finally Australia. I loved that both of the women were strong enough to survive not only the war, but the devastation that they suffered afterwards because of the war. They both strove to find their own way in the word and refused to rely on anyone else to help them. The romance throughout the story was very sweet, and while I didn't always love the choices of the main character, it did have the feel good ending that everyone loves in historical fiction set around WWII. I would definitely recommend this book to others, especially those who love WWII historical fiction.

The Light after the War was quite disappointing. If you're looking for a romantic style of writing, with improbable outcomes, this may be just what you're looking for. Comparing this book to The Lilac Girls is wrong in so many ways.