Georgie Young, a young journalist, is posted to Berlin in September 1938. This is her first break as a journalist and she is determined to make the most of it. Author Mandy Robotham created a story that shows what it would have been like to be in Berlin during the year before WW II. Through Georgie’s eyes as she navigates the world of journalists we see the terror build for her driver, a Jewish man, Rubin, and his wife, Sara. Georgie and a connection she has in the British embassy work to send Rubin’s and Sara’s children in one of the first children’s transports to England. I especially liked this story line. I felt the author did a great job showing the danger for the correspondent’s. The book made me nervous at times for some of the characters. It made me laugh and it made me cry. I also felt fear for them at times. This is what a good book does. I also appreciated the Epilogue as the reader is gratified to find out what happened to the many characters during and after the war. My thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for this ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.

Berlin, in the summer of 1938, is on the brink of war. London reporters Georgie Young an d Max Spender are there, reporting on the things that are happening all around them. However, the more they see, the more disillusioned they become by the Nazi party and they make it their personal mission to help as many people as they can while they are still allowed to be in the country.
This book was both fascinating and sad, the way the Jews, elderly and people with disabilities were treated. It gave lot of insight into the nightlife of Berlin which I didn't know before now, and found really interesting. This is a captivating read that anyone who has an interest in historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy.

The Berlin Girl is a historical fiction which takes place in prewar Germany. The follows the journey of English journalist Georgie Young who is sent on assignment to Berlin a year before the start of WWII. I found the book to beautifully written and I found all of the characters to be interesting (even Kasper Vortsch). My favourite character is Georgie because she was a strong kick ass female working in a world that was dominated by men. She put her own life in danger in order to help her Jewish friends escape from Berlin. I found Kasper to be very intriguing and I was very fond of him although like Georgie said the only downfall was the fact that he was a SS officer.


The second half of the book was the best part and I really enjoyed how it ended.
I also loved the twists, turns and mystery that was featured in the second half. This is the first book that I have read by Mandy Robotham and I would definitely be interested in reading more of her books.

I recieved an advanced copy for free, and this is my honest opinion.

A nice steady paced story with little spurts of interest along the way. I couldn't help myself to read faster when the adrenaline kicked in due to the action on a couple of occasions. I particularly enjoyed the epilogue newspaper reports. A very clever way on giving you a run down of events of the characters lives after the war. Genius!

Out of the 3 Mandy Robotham books that I've read, my favourite is still Woman of War (German Midwife). I still think of that book today

Keep up the good work Mandy!!

Georgie "George" Young arrives in Berlin at the same time as Max Spender. Georgie is familiar with Germany, but now, things have certainly changed. This story follows her living in a Germany under Hitler's thumb and leading up to the start of World War II. There's murder, spying, decadence, and heartbreak. Georgie's story is intertwined with that of Max who finds himself in SS sights, the Amsel's: a Jewish family trying to survive and stay together while the German plan is to separate them... and worse. I enjoyed this read, but I felt like by the end, things were a little rushed and wrapped up too quickly after all the suspense. But, this definitely satiated my historical fiction craving!

Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for this ARC! I'm definitely going to read more of Mandy's work in the future!

The Berlin Girl was engaging from page 1. Beautifully written and impeccably researched, I was captivated as we followed Georgie’s journey to Berlin, as she blossomed from a young reporter in a glamourous city, to a hardened and daring journalist in a developing war zone. She engaged with the locals and colleagues at her newspaper bureau, learning first hand of the plight of the Jewish community and developing life-long friendships as she endeavoured to use her position and contacts to assist the Jewish family she grew so fond of. More than once I found myself holding my breath, dreading that something would befall her as time and again she took risks, mingling with German officers and hoping to glean information to assist her downtrodden Jewish friends. Her daring as she tries to help her Jewish friends gain release from Sachsenhausen, one of many concentration camps, brought to life the plight suffered by so many at this awful time. I loved this book, cannot recommend it highly enough.

This was a book that I struggled to get in to. It was one of those reads where I was constantly interrupted and this definitely did not help me with my concentration. However, once I was settled into the narrative, I found it really interesting and enjoyable.

Despite having read several books set in the Second World War, this is the first book I have read that is set in Berlin, in the eighteen months before war begins. This was an usual twist for me because it is so unique from my other readings. It certainly made it more interesting and reinforced my interest in the period.

The horrors that take place as a result of Nazi Germany are well-documented. This setting added a fresher perspective and a new slant to stories I have read. Meeting Georgie, a female journalist who has constantly been put down as a result of her gender, I felt admiration towards her struggle and also pride because she was sent out to Berlin as a foreign correspondent.

Landing in Berlin with another correspondent, Max, the two journalists soon establish themselves with other global reporters. Over the course of the story, the tension subtly increases as Hitler’s plans become more evident. I loved how Robotham gradually shifted the pressure in the book and the symbolism of the red flags became more dominant as the start of the war draws closer.

It was difficult not to read this without a sense of dread. Hindsight and knowing more than Georgie played a significant role in this. Her relationship with a German officer was particularly uncomfortable for me, particularly as the danger towards Georgie increased. The risks that she undertakes for a story and also to protect her friends really demonstrated her strength and represented the challenges that women and journalists of that time had faced.

The writer not only details Georgie’s challenges, but also from the Jewish perspective, enlightening readers of their restrictions and fears. I found this added another depth to the narrative and increased the tension that runs through the pages. On the other hand, I would liked to have seen more detail on Georgie’s French flatmates, especially as so much is implied about their identities. It was refreshing that the story was not dominated by romance and a love interest, because it forced me to focus on the significant political changes that were occurring in Berlin.

This was a really interesting book and very different to stories I have read recently. I think this is a novel I am going to have to re-visit to get a true appreciation of Robotham’s narrative. However, because this is based on fact makes the story more poignant and the danger more palpable.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am in the minority on this one. The Berlin Girl by Mandy Robotham was just not for me. I did finish it by skimming through, but now that I am done I wish I would have given up. For me it did not get better and there are too many books I am looking forward to reading on my to be read list.

The Berlin Girl takes place pre WWll in Berlin. The story is more about the relationship and camaraderie between war correspondents from different countries and different newspapers than it is about anything else. There was nothing in the story that I hadn’t read about in other WWll books. There really wasn’t any real plot that kept me wanting to forge ahead.

The two main characters, Georgie,The Berlin Girl and Max, try and save a Jewish family from being taken by the Nazis. I don’t feel like the Jewish family was developed enough. All the sudden their children were being sent to London on The Kindersport and I didn’t even know they had children. The end was a little Bonnie and Clyde like and too far fetched for me.

There was so much missing in this book for me. Being that I am in the minority if the description sounds good to you give it a try. If your thirty percent in and you aren’t enjoying it, STOP and move on to the next book on your list.

Thank you NetGalkey and Avon Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The story starts in Berlin in 1938, Germany isn’t at war yet but it’s not far off. Georgie Young a reporter is sent to Berlin from London along with Max Spender. Upon arrival they noticed right away that horrible things were already happening. The deeper Georgie digs the worse things get.

I loved her book The German Midwife and I had high hopes for this one. I’m sorry to say I was a bit disappointed. The first half was quite slow paced and took awhile to get threw. The second half of the book was much better and I enjoyed that part a lot. It was a unique story and I was impressed by the point of view which she choose to tell the story. Over all it is worth the read and I would recommend it to any one who enjoys historical fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Available: December 1 2020

Earlier this summer I discovered The German Midwife by Many Robotham at our library, and was very pleasantly surprised by her prose, research and ability to draw the reader into the lives of the characters (both good and evil) and not wanting to leave their tales behind even after the book has ended. Therefore, I was beyond thrilled to receive and advanced copy of Robotham’s latest book, The Berlin Girl. I have no idea where to start with this book, what a powerful, beautiful, emotional and moving story that was so hard to put down, yet I read slowly and savored every word, as I journeyed through the rise of Hitler during pre-WWII.

Berlin, 1938: It’s the height of summer, and Germany is on the brink of war. When fledgling 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 realizes she and Max have to act – even if it means putting their lives on the line.

But when she digs deeper, Georgie begins to uncover the unspeakable truth about Hitler’s Germany – and the pair are pulled into a world darker than she could ever have imagined…

The Berlin Girl takes the reader on a journey through a period of time not often captured and detailed in historical fiction, and this is what drew me into the story.

As I read I found myself becoming more and more attached to each of the characters in Georgie’s life along with Georgie herself. Robotham gives the reader many characters who are appealing and easy to care about, to shed tears for, but also some truly selfish and loathsome characters who are cold and calculating and behave shockingly. I still cannot believe the ambivalence felt towards the actions of Hitler and his men by those in charge of the press and in turn shutting down articles about the real horrors already occurring in Berlin and throughout Germany, because the truth would not be palatable for their readers. Thankfully, this did not deter Georgie as she found a way to use her sarcasm and “read-between-the-lines” writting style to let the world know the truth. This is just one of the Georgie’s character will stay with me, plus she was the light in the story…strong, intelligent and ahead of her time, and I found myself truly admiring her strong spirit.

For those who love action in their stories, this book has quite a few moments where I found myself holding my breath and gripping my IPad so tight that my knuckles turned white as I hoped and prayed everything would end well for each character I had grown so fond of.

This was an engaging story about a tumultuous time in which a strong woman was willing to stand up, record the facts and stay present to the horrors beginning to engulf Berlin and in turn ended up changing the world forever. If you are a fan of historical fiction, this book is definitely one to pick up!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Georgie Young is a budding reporter, sent to Berlin in 1938 to report on the rise of Hitler. Meeting Max Spender, her initial reaction is to find him rude and of course, skeptical of a woman writer, rare at the time. As the plight of Jews and political enemies worsened, Georgie becomes involved with the Amstel family, Georgie’s personality makes the book what it is, her strength and ability to grow and empathize. The story line about Sausenhausen, a concentration camp not usually mentioned, added to the depth of the story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, and I will be looking to read more from this author. Recommended for the story, characters and plot lines.

The Berlin Girl by Mandy Robotham is a thrilling historical novel that will have your heart racing as you read. A blend of fact and fiction, the reader will be equally entertained and horrified.
The novel is set in Berlin during 1938 - September 1939 as we follow the fortunes of a group of newspaper reporters from Britain and America. We see the gutsy Georgie, a young woman who does not let her female sex hold her back. She is brave and daring as she sets about uncovering horrors that the Nazis want hidden. She is also kind, compassionate and loyal, doing what she has to in order to help her friends.
Within Berlin in 1938 there is an air of dislike and mistrust as the Nazi regime ramps up its evil. “Maybe your average German doesn’t believe it, but they wouldn’t dare express it.” Fear rules lives meaning many stay silent when they should speak up. It reminds me of the famous quote, “For evil to flourish it just needs good men to do nothing.”
As readers we witness what begins as one off acts of horror become ordinary everyday events – and still the people say nothing.
Jewish persecution rapidly becomes a way of life as we witness the horrors leading up to 9th November, Kristallnacht. As a historian, I knew what was coming in the autumn of 1938 but the horror still hit me like an express train. Man’s inhumanity to man is truly shocking.
The newspaper folk were brave and loyal. They did not fall for Joseph Goebbels spin on news, recognising it for the lies it was. They worked together to help which meant that they too, could become targets for Nazi atrocities.
I found The Berlin Girl a fascinating and horrifying read. Mandy Robotham has perfectly captured the pre-war atmosphere of Berlin as we witnessed the birth of pure evil. May we never forget the 6 million innocents who perished.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Berlin, 1938: Germany is on the brink of war. When fledglingreporter Georgie Young is posted to Berlin alsonside fellow Londoner Max Spender, she knows they are entering the eye of the storm. Arriving in a city swathed in red flags and crawling with Nazi, Georgie feels helpless when witnessing innocent people being dragged from their homes. But when Georgie and Max dig deeper, they soon discover the unspeakable truth about Hitler's Germany.

The story is set in the lead up to World War II in Berlin as part of the Foregin War Corp. She is accompanied by fellow journalists Max Spender. The story gets dark and intense the more the story progresses. Georgie is a strong and likabke character. She also has a strong bond with Max. This is a beautifully written story that pulled me in quickly and I didnt want to put it down. This is a heartwrencing read.

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I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AvonBooksUK and the author #MandyRobtham for my ARC in exchange for an honest review l

Did I devour 90% of this book in one sitting? Yes, yes I did. Would I do it again? Absolutely.

Our girl Georgie is a journalist, but a fairly new one. She gets sent to pre-war Berlin with an annoying male journalist Max to report the truth, or as much of it as possible. Having previously been to Berlin during the 1936 Olympics, Georgie immediately notices how changed the city has become. Once a seemingly welcoming capital, Berlin is now a pure Nazi propaganda machine.

Georgie witnesses frequent attacks on the Jew population and her heart aches for them, as she's in no position to help them all. But she's determined to get at least one family safely out of Germany and, although not very thrilled about it, uses whatever means she has at her disposal to accomplish it, including an SS officer, Kasper who climbs the ranks quickly and loses a bit of his humanity with each promotion.

This is the first book I read by Mandy Robotham and I was amazed by the vivid details and storytelling. It's easy to believe you're really there.

Kasper was the most interesting character and in a way it's a shame we saw so little of him. I wish it could've turned out differently...if only he was one of the good ones.

Max was annoying throughout and it was pretty clear in which direction his romantic life was heading from the get go, but at least he got tolerable near the end.

Georgie was likable and brave, even though she acted more like a spy and less like a journalist, but that was fun. I'm sad she didn't get to uncover a huge operation but it turned out well either way.

The Ansels were all very sweet and they got their well deserved happy ending. If they hadn't I'd be very upset right now.

The book just kept moving and there wasn't a single dull moment. I don't think I would've minded if it was even longer. The epilogue did mellow out the fast-paced ending though, that was nice.

I don't think I can say any more without giving things away so go read The Berlin Girl now, you won't regret it.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

I was provided with a copy of The Berlin Girl via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this book. I love reading about World War II from different perspectives, and The Berlin Girl delivered for me. The story is centered around Georgie, a female correspondent stationed in Berlin in the year before the war. We meet some really interesting members of the press from across the world, most notably Max, with whom Georgie initially has a contentious relationship. We also meet the Ansels, a Jewish family, who have a tragic, but ultimately happy journey. I think the most interesting character is Kasper, a German SS officer who eventually plays a pivotal role in everyone’s lives. The author did a great job of showing Kasper’s growth as an evil, sadistic officer who delighted in destroying people.

Mandy Robothem really brought pre-war Berlin to life. She so vividly described the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells that it was easy to place oneself in the city. She also conveyed the mood - of the characters and the city - perfectly. The Berlin Girl has a perfect mix of drama and anxiety.

Finally, I was really intrigued by and interested in reading about the Nazi propaganda machine. Seeing how obviously false the information from press conferences was, and the reporters knew it, is totally mind-boggling. I think the propaganda machine is one of the most unbelievable things about the war.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend The Berlin Girl. It is very well-written and interesting to the end.

A naïve Georgie Young, newly arrived in Berlin from London in 1938, reporter for the Chronicle, joined her colleagues from papers around the world as they reported news from Germany that many wouldn’t believe. Hitler’s wrath was escalating, the Nazis and SS were in full view as well as the Stormtroopers keeping watch on the streets. To Georgie’s horror, Jews were in the line of fire, with her friend and driver Rubin Amsel and his family in dreadful danger. Along with colleague Max Spender, also from London and the rest of the press pack, they always had each other’s backs, staying together, keeping each other safe. But when one of their good friends, a reporter from the US, was kicked out of Germany because of his honest words, Georgie knew war was getting closer, their time was running short – and something needed to be done.

As she and Max put their lives on the line, the tensions escalated, and the race was on. Would these two people, whose only job was reporting the world news, escape the danger of a Germany that was now at war? The Nazis were a smug and determined race and wouldn’t take being bettered by mere reporters…

The Berlin Girl is my first by Mandy Robotham and it won’t be my last! What an excellent historical rendition from a completely different perspective than I’ve read before. On the spot reporters – well written characters – telling of the lead up to the declaration of war, where both charm and rage showed on the changing faces of the fanatics, with the fate of the Jews and other “undesirables” always in the nonchalant hands of Hitler and his Reich. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.

I am, admittedly, a historical fiction junkie, especially with books surrounding World War 2, so when I saw this on NetGalley, I knew I had to request it. Georgina, aka George, finds herself in Berlin in 1938, right before the onset of war, as a newspaper reporter. This book was the historical fiction book I didn't know I needed. I have read a lot of WW2 books, but never one focused on the lead-up to the war. Georgie and her reporter friends, find themselves in situations that they never anticipated, and you can tell the topic was thoroughly researched by the author. I appreciated the insight into Germany before the war, and found myself enthralled from the beginning, especially by the great cast of characters surrounding Georgie in Berlin.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book!

This beautifully written novel by Mandy Robotham, really peaked my love of historical fiction. Set in 1938 Berlin, as Hitler was establishing a strong presence for war, this story chronicles the heroism of foreign journalists that endangered their lives to bring the news home.
This follows the lives of Georgie and Max, two young British journalists, who along with their counterparts from the US, travel the streets of Berlin in search of the truth of impending war to their home countries. Their association with a Jewish family and their desire to help them, put their lives in jeopardy, many a time.
Mandy Robotham is a very skilled writer and great character development. I appreciate #Avon and #HarperCollinsPublications and #NetGalley for the ARC.
All comments are my own.

I always enjoy a book with a strong female lead and Berlin Girl by Mandy Robotham is definitely that. From a masculine sounding name and being in a predominantly male profession, Georgie Young takes pre-World War II Berlin by storm. As a journalist, she has a front row seat on the political and social scene and tries to use this to help her readers back home understand the devastation about to take place. As she becomes personally involved with families in Berlin, Georgie takes actions that put her life and those of others at risk. While some aspects of Berlin Girl are typical of World War II fiction, Robotham definitely includes some twists and turns which keep the reader guessing until the very end. I definitely enjoyed the epilogues that portray the character continuing to pursue her career throughout her life. Robotham continues to create characters that have depth, interesting plot lines, and historical accuracy. An excellent addition to World War II fiction.

I received a complementary copy via NetGalley. I am not obligated to provide a positive review.

Wow! I could not put this book down! This was a first by this author and loved it.. heartbreaking at times! Filled with hope! Loved it!