This book is written from the point of view of Hetty, a young teenager in pre World War II Germany. She is in a pro nazi family, and, like most young people, accepts the popular propaganda of the day. Until she falls in love with Walter, a Jew. I enjoyed this book, enjoyed the different characters, both bad and good, and appreciated the insight into human nature. This is a good book for those that enjoy historical fiction, and is pertinent to today as well.

Thanks to netgalley for allowing me to review this book. I have posted this review to goodreads

I absolutely adored this book. The characters were so real that it sucked you in and made you feel a part of the story. You didn't want it to end!

Hetty is a teenager who’s father is an SS Officer. She is in the Hitler youth organisation and believes everything she is taught by her teachers.
Hetty is also in love with Walter who saved her from drowning when she was a child but they are forbidden to be together because Walter is a Jew.
This is a sad story set in the 1930’s in Germany told by a young girl with conflicted loyalties.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

YA book, a bit simplistic in that level but gets the point across

People Like Us by Louise Fein is an excellent historical fiction that takes place mostly during the years 1937-1939 Germany.

This novel is unique in that it focuses more on the early years of WWII and from the thought process and inner workings of how indoctrination occurred in German communities. It was fascinating and terrifying to see all of the pieces fall into place to create the atmosphere of terror, blind following, fear, conspiracies, superstition, and anger. Seeing the nuts and bolts of the rising of the Third Reich from Hetty Heinrich’s point of view, a teen that has a father moving up the ranks of the newly formed SS, and a family steep into the blind faith that the newly formed government is their long-desired savior, is so unique that it drew me in from the very beginning. To see how things fell into place, how one fear layered onto another, how propaganda and news outlets were angled and limited, and how schools and families focused on indoctrination, was stunning. We always wonder how the German citizens could have “let it all happen”. While nothing can ever excuse what horror was done to so many people, I can see how brainwashing from a young age, fear of causing trouble if one doesn’t do what is instructed, and full immersion can do to warp young minds, and a culture in general. Having family that perished and were affected by concentration camps, I obviously have a hard time sympathizing, however in Hetty’s case, I think I can.

Yes, Hetty was spoiled, self-centered, and slightly bratty at the beginning of the novel, but she was a teenager and as the novel continues and she finds all of the dark undercurrents, lies, truths, who she can truly trust, and who truly loves her, she is able to mature, grow, and change for the better. It is heartbreaking to see what happens to Hetty, Walter, Erna and her family throughout the book. It is so upsetting to see what happens to the German Jewish citizens through no fault of their own, especially knowing what is to come. Hetty, Walter, and Erna grew so much and were all so brave and selfless in the end.
Without giving anything away, the Epilogue was stunning, and I found myself crying as I finished. Some of the tears were happy tears, but most were for all that was lost and all that were hurt. For my family, and for millions of others’ lives that were permanently changed.

I also enjoyed the author’s note and her family story as well. It gave me another connection to the haunting and beautiful story.

We must learn from the past, not doom ourselves to repeating events, and we must never, ever forget.

An unbelievably stunning novel. I am sure this will be one of my favorites this year.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Head of Zeus for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

The GR link is added below

I was invited to read this by Net Galley and it not the type of book I would normally read so I thought I would try it. Hetty Heinrich is a German, her father is an SS officer, her brother in the Luftwaffe, herself a member of the BDM. She believes resolutely in her country, and the man who runs it. The story develops with her relationship with Walter who is a Jew. they fall deeply in love and meet in secret despite anti-semitism where her family and friends turn on each other in a bit to remain true to their beliefs.

The story is well written and you feel for Hetty and Walter and their conflicting backgrounds - it is brought to a conclusion nicely and quite sad in parts.

I enjoyed reading this book

I had really been looking forward to reading this book. I just love anything Nazi . But I could not get into this. It almost felt like it was a book for children because it was told from a child’s perspective. A lot of how it was written and the speech was very child like and it sadly took all the enjoyment out of it for me