What an amazing book. The format of the book is a nice touch, including the Postcards from Berlin, which gives the true news instead of the doctored news that the papers actually printed. I have read a large amount of WWII books this year and this one found a way to be unique, telling the story of a female news reporter in Berlin. The characters were wonderful and I could easily picture them in the clothes from the 30,s, everyone smoking like a chimney and tossing back drinks like water. It was an era that came to a halt quickly with the start of the war. The author gave us what felt like an inside story, one that many ignored as it was reporters that tried to alert the governments to the atrocities taking place under Hitlers rule. I felt so much anger and anguish as I read this book and that is the sign of a great writer, telling a story that so many have heard about and keeping it fresh and real. The end of the book seemed to be a bit quick but I understand the author needed to find a spot to stop without it feeling like we had been deserted. I have read all of Mandy Robotham’s books and each has been wonderful. If you have never given her books a try, please do.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins, Avon Publishers and Ellie Pitcher for allowing me to read this amazing book.

**I received a complimentary copy of <i>The Berlin Girl</i> by Mandy Robotham. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

I requested a copy of this novel because I had read The Secret Messenger by Mandy Robotham and really enjoyed it. This book did not disappoint. It gave a different perspective of WW2 than other books I've read and I've read a lot! I found it really interesting to see that the Foreign Press was trying to get out stories that were more truthful in the way things were in Germany at this time, but none of the papers they were affiliated with would actually publish them. This has always been something I wondered about so I enjoyed seeing how this played out. I also liked how this book focused mainly on the years prior to the war actually starting. I don't think we always think of this time as being one of conflict. As well, I liked that it talked about less common Nazi concentration camps than ones normally written about in WW2 novels.

This book was similar to The Secret Messenger with its camaraderie between the reporters and how they were trying to help others during the war, often risking their life to do so. I like that all the ends were tied up neatly with the news stories at the end of the novel. I hate books that leave you wondering.

I absolutely LOVED this book!

Georgie was such a fierce, I compromising and passionate main character. I love how her and Max’s relationship began as such a strong friendship and developed into something much stronger.

Georgie’s connection to Rubin and the Amsel family was so beautiful and human. I enjoyed their relationship and how their story came to a beautiful end.

Mandy Robotham beautifully writes the story of Georgie’s life as a foreign correspondent in Berlin during the war.

5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

The atrocities that happened during WWII has been brought into the light of day. In The Berlin Girl, Mandy Robotham wanted to focus on the time leading up to the beginning of WWII. The journalist stationed in Berlin in the 1930s saw what was happened and repeatedly warned newspapers. This is their story. Robotham focuses on two, Max and Georgie, how they moved among some of the Natzis to learn the truth. The story builds and gets better as it progresses.

The Berlin Girl also tells the story of a Ruben, a Jewish man who was a driver and messenger for Georgie. In telling his story, the reader can feel the impact Hitler's hatred of the Jews had on this family. This is a work of fiction. All the characters are imaginary, but they seemed very real and human in the telling.

I was able to read this book on NetGalley. It is scheduled to be released October 29, 2020.

New war correspondent, Georgina Young, arrives in Berlin prior to the start of the war and chronicles for us the incidents leading up to the war. Under the name of George Young, we follow Georgie and her fellow press corps members as events unfold and she and fellow journalist Max Spender ultimately get involved in trying to uncover secrets.

I found the story compelling as a moving picture of life in Berlin and the horrors of the Nazi regime getting closer to war. While listed as historic fiction, there was also a layer of suspense and intrigue which I really enjoyed. The characters were well developed and the plot had twists and turns that held my interest. The ending was a bit too predictable for me and the epilogue was an interesting way to put closure to a lot of characters.

Thanks to netgalley for letting me read and review the Berlin Girl.

Georgie Young is a British woman being sent to be a foreign correspondent in Berlin in 1938. Not only does her new posting involve breaking in to the good old boys club of male journalists it involves learning how to survive in pre WW2 Berlin. Constantly looking over her shoulder, trying to convince the English people of the horrors that she is seeing in Germany when they are vocal about not really wanting to know, and worrying about her Jewish friend and his family create an experience that is very high stress. Add to that the fact that Georgie attempts to date a Nazi officer to get information. This book is a beautifully done glimpse in to a changing Berlin, and is one of the best historic fictions set in this era that I've had the pleasure to read.

The Berlin Girl reveals the life of Georgina “Georgie” Young as she navigates her life as a journalist amidst the Nazi occupation in Berlin during World War II.

Georgie Young and fellow Londoner, Max Spendor are two journalists that are posted in Berlin in the middle of World War II, surrounded by the highest of Nazi’s and spies and betrayals. Through the adventures of Georgie and Max getting material for the news of Berlin, we slowly uncover the truths behind Nazi’s and Hitler’s reign.

I rated The Berlin Girl five stars, absolutely loving the way this book made me feel intrigued and pulled me in continuously. I felt as if I were in the story as well, alongside Georgie and Max as they discovered what was really happening to the Jewish people that resided in Germany and their discovery of the people that they thought they knew well.

I loved the way that even though Georgie and Max both came from London and would most likely have to work with each other in Berlin, they didn’t immediately become friends, it had taken them time to discover the truths about each other before they finally opened up to each other more about themselves personally and about work. They both care deeply about spreading the word about what is happening in Germany and that hopefully, through the articles that they write, people can realize the brutal occurrences that were happening in Berlin where they were.

They way they helped multiple people throughout the book and witnessed so many savage beatings toward the Jewish residents of Berlin made the story more intense because while you read it, you are expecting all these actions yet when you reach it, you feel completely shocked by the events.

I thoroughly enjoyed the development of Georgie as she became more determined to prove that she can be a good journalist while also being a woman. The difficulties she had to endure while being a female journalist in Berlin in order to get information for the articles she had to write were something that females around the world had to go through but the way Georgie fought through it and was set on getting her information and leads to write the best article showed the way she powered through the stereotypes of a female worker.

Georgie was a powerful main character and I loved the way Max, while in the beginning was not so understanding of Georgie being a female journalist, came to terms with her power and future influence of the way she worked. Both of them worked well together and slowly became comfortable with each other and I loved their developments as characters and towards each other. Their relationship shined throughout this book and I loved that while they cared for each other deeply, they were understanding toward each other.

I wholly enjoyed reading The Berlin Girl, all the detail behind the history and behind each character was so well developed and created. The thoughtful descriptions and aspects throughout this book made it more intense and I enjoyed learning more about World War II and the Nazi occupation and the toll it took on history.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A big thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved The Berlin Girl. Like with The German Midwife and The Secret Messenger, Mandy Robotham did not disappoint. I personally feel that this is her strongest work yet.

The book follows up and coming journalist Georgie (Georgina) Young, who goes by the pen name of George Young, in her first foreign affairs posting in pre-WW2 Berlin. Along the way, she meets a cast of characters that will deeply impact her life and the world that she’s familiar with.

I am thoroughly content that this book was given an authentic perspective; a foreign female press correspondent situated within the Nazi regime. In addition, I appreciate all the detail that went in to describing not only the physical attributes of Germany at the time, but also the mood, culture, and environment. In doing so, I was able to feel the shift towards the impending war along with all of the characters.

What I adored most about the book was the personalities and spirit that all of the characters were given. They were all very distinct and pulled me into the story even more. I was especially pleased that Georgie was portrayed as such a relatable heroine. She was a strong, brave, and loyal friend and colleague who had to navigate though moral dilemmas of right and wrong, amid the possibilities of fierce consequences.

While the story is predominantly historical fiction, there are also elements of mystery, suspense, and romance. I thought all aspects were perfectly balanced and kept me turning the pages, wanting to know more. While I’m sad the book ended, I’m very happy with how it concluded. The epilogue was brilliant and gave the upmost closure to Georgie’s experiences. I highly recommend this book to all readers and will be buying a physical copy to enjoy again upon its publication.

📖BOOK REVIEW📖⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#theberlingirl by @robothammandy @netgalley

OVERALL- time is needed for this book to reveal its secrets.

REVIEW-Berlin, 1938, and Germany is on the brink of war. When reporter Georgie Young is posted to Berlin, alongside fellow Londoner Max Spender, she knows they are entering the eye of the storm.
Arriving to a city swathed in red flags and crawling with Nazis, Georgie feels helpless, witnessing innocent people being torn from their homes. As tensions rise, she realises she and Max have to act – even if it means putting their lives on the line and in doing so the pair are pulled into a world darker than she could ever have imagined...
This book is a slow burn but that’s not a bad thing here. A lot of background and information is needed to make this story work and the book takes its time setting the scenes, allowing you to get to know the characters, their situation, locations and to understand the unrest in Hitlers Germany.
The lead character Georgie is excellent. She’s exciting, funny and really great to follow on her journey in Berlin. The story flourished under her narration as she describes the world she finds herself in. I also enjoyed the additional characters they all had great characteristics and were enjoyable.
The historical knowledge that has gone into this novel is on point and the time and effort put into the research is clearly depicted. I found it really interesting to visit, through Georgie, some of Hitlers rallies and dinner parties and seeing first hand the destruction that was reeked on Berlin during that time.
For me (and I could just be me because I’m finding this with all my books lately) it did drag a little. The main action is in the last 30% of the book and your more than ready for it to get there. In saying that it really picked up for the last 20% of the book and led to a satisfactory and enjoyable conclusion.
A thank you again for #mandyrobotham and #netgalley for allowing me to read this one early! Out 29th October 2020😊
-Emily

This was an amazing book describing WW2 events that kept me fascinated throughout the entire journey. The characters were engaging and believable. Can’t recommend it enough!

Mandy Robotham's The Berlin Girl is a story about a 1930s female newspaper reporter who accepts an assignment covering Germany during the rise of the Nazis, only to uncover the country's darker realities. While I've read several of Robotham's earlier books, I find The Berlin Girl to be markedly different despite similarities of theme. The Berlin Girl is fascinating--a true page-turner with compelling characters and engaging suspense. While I do feel that a couple of loose ends were not resolved to my satisfaction, that is the most minor complaint. I deeply enjoyed enjoyed The Berlin Girl and feel it would be a stellar addition to any library's collection of World War II-era fiction.

The Berlin Girl by Mandy Robotham is an excellent historical fiction novel that falls under the time period of WWII. The backdrop: Berlin late 1930s. This book takes the reader through the years just as the political upheavals and instabilities are coming to a head in Germany. The two main characters: Georgie Young and Max Spencer are both reporters that have been posted to Germany to help find out what is afoot at ground level for the media. What is uncovered, is far more treacherous, diabolical, and stunning then what was thought possible.

The author does a great job creating a gripping, suspenseful, and engaging plot, and added the angle of the story from the eyes of a reporter sent into the lion's den to help create a unique twist in events that we are now all too familiar with. I enjoyed the Georgie and Max and felt that they were like able, realistic, and interesting. I enjoyed the plot, pacing, and I felt that the ending was appropriate and satisfying. It definitely kept me interested from beginning to end.

4/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK 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 (links added below) and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

The ARC of this book was kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #TheBerlinGirl #NetGalley.

I enjoyed this book much more than I anticipated I would. Earlier in the year I read A Woman of War by Robotham and while I liked it, I wasn’t enthralled by it. This novel however, swept me off my feet. Within the first chapter I was already desperate to know what was next for our main character, Georgie. Who, might I add, was likeable and a resilient figure to spearhead this novel. Her reasoning and actions made sense to me and I found myself growing attached to more and more as the story progressed.

The pacing of this book was fast, almost a little too fast at times. Several subplots were unfolding in the background, all of them coming to a dramatic head towards the climax of the novel. Robotham does a good job of reminding both us as readers and the characters of our humanity, just when we fell swept up in the politics of Nazi Germany, we’re grounded by a scene in which we realise that there are real people caught up in these actions. The final few chapters were an absolute whirlwind, my heart was jumping as I read the pages in desperate hopes of finding out what was going to happen. The adrenaline of reading this book was perhaps my favourite aspect, it’s been a while since a historical fiction has gotten my heart beating quite like this book did.

The only reason I’ve marked this as a four star read and not a five is the ending. Whilst I was eager to find out how it would end, it all seemed to fall into place too perfectly. There was no real conflict after the final plot point, no final twist to leave me thinking. Although, I am aware that this is a personal preference and to some this might be the perfect ending. Regardless of my thoughts on the ending, I tore through this book and I eagerly await Robotham’s next work.

I adored The Berlin Girl. I read the whole book in one sitting because I couldn't quite bear to put it down, it had my heart in my mouth from the first chapter. Georgie is a wonderfully human character, who I think will remain in my head for a long time to come.

I could not put this book down. It was a mix of drama, love, and all the feelings. I flew through this book, I just wanted to keep reading!