This book was stunning to read! I absolutely loved the themes of the story and resonated with the characters immensely. I found it to be a beautiful book that honestly all historical fiction fans should love and adore.

Beneath a Starless Sky is one of those books that will captivate you and hook you to the stories from the first chapters of the book. I really didn't expect this book to be such an amazing roller coaster of emotions but I did cry a lot and suffer so much with the life of Lilli Sternberg.

Lilli Sternberg life wasn't easy especially since her career as a dancer was just starting when the terrible events of WW2 exploded, she was Jewish and people at the time was starting to discriminate against Jews and even making them aside, she was fighting for a place on the dancing industry maybe a movie in Hollywood but her life had many surprises for her and her family surprises that not necessary where good.

Lili what an amazing character and heroine, she was very stubborn and she did make a few mistakes that had me screaming while reading what she was about to do but overall she was amazing, she didn't take no for an answer and she would fight whatever was in front of her if she had to help her mother and family to survive.

I don't have anything to complain about Lilli just that she made a few mistakes that would have to save her from so many burdens but in times where everything was so uncertain you couldn't expect her to be that perfect.

Lili's and Marcos paths crossed at the very beginning of Lili's story but people around her didn't find it right for them to even be together, as a Jewish she was expected to be left behind or to move back to make a path for the German girls, that was the case for Helene she did expect this, bein a "close" friend for Lili. but what can we expect from someone who had everything in life, she didn't need to suffer at all when her life was already fixed...

I really despised Helene she was a terrible human, she was "kind" when she needed something but as soon as she saw the potential, the strength, and the talents of Lili, she became jealous and evil towards her, and when Marco didn't pay any attention to her was the worst. her evilness was not frequently shown over the story but in the end, she proves to be the worst marrying a terribly evil man like Von Schellenberg just like her.

Lili's family was beautiful it was one of those families who was always kind and supporting everybody no matter if they were not Jews, Golda and Leo were always helpful. I really hated how people turned their backs on them the only ones who really were great until the end where Mutti and Axel two characters that will steal your heart.

Beneath a Starless Sky was a beautiful story that really will grave you by the gut and will take you all around Lili's life, it is a book that will make you feel, hopeful, faithful, and sometimes angry that humans can be so cruel and ignorant.

Overall was an amazing story with great characters and a very deep love that will transcend the pages of the book, I wish there was the author gave a better ending to Lili she really deserved so much more, she was the soul of the book and the one who went through all the hardships to help everybody so I think she really deserved better.

‘Beneath A Starless Sky’ is the latest book by Tessa Harris.

Lilli Sternberg longs to be a ballet dancer. But outside the sanctuary of the theatre, her beloved city is in chaos and Munich is no longer a place for dreams. The Nazi party are gaining power and the threats to those who deviate from the party line are increasing. Jewish families are being targeted and their businesses raided, even her father’s shop was torched because of their faith. When Lilli meets Captain Marco Zeiller during a chance encounter, her heart soars. He is the perfect gentleman and her love for him feels like a bright hope under a bleak sky. But battle lines are being drawn, and Marco has been spotted by the Reich as an officer with great potential. A relationship with Lilli would compromise them both. Will Lilli be able to escape the threats facing her family, and how much is she willing to risk for the man she loves?

Over the last while, I’ve come to have read a few historical novels and what was originally a romantic tale transformed into a spy story.

The story is primarily seen through the perspective of Lillian Sternberg, a Jewish dancer. She’s got a bright future ahead of her and is fortunate to have fallen in love with an Italian officer called Captain Marco Zeiller. But one day he has to go ahead and though they promise to stay in touch, Lillian’s heart is broken when he sends her a telegram breaking off their relationship. Heartbroken, she sets her sights for America where she establishes her career as a dancer and even stars in films with Fred Astaire. It’s whilst she’s in America that Hitler comes into power and the mistreatment of Jews begins and Lillian begins to fear for her family back home in Germany but they refuse to leave their homes. When Lillian’s career suddenly ends, she finds herself falling in love with James, a kind English man who can offer her a good life in England but wants her to become a spy when she befriends Wallis Simpson, the mistress of the Prince of Wales.

Through this undercover work, Lillian unravels a whole load of secrets and lies and finds herself face to face with her beloved Marco, who is now a Nazi.

The story is a romantic novel but reads like a biography, with the inclusion of real people such as the famous Wallis Simpson and the whispered comments about her relationship with the Prince of Wales as well as being a Nazi sympathiser.

The story is fascinating in its content, not only the love story aspect but the work of an undercover spy as well as the historical parts such as the rise of Nazism and sad decline with the treatment of the Jews and how simple pleasures like a radio where forbidden. It’s small inclusions like this in the story that make for genuinely upsetting reading as it’s factual events and not something the author has conjured up.

Lillian is a wonderful character with tremendous spirit, she’s brave and fascinating as she puts her life in jeopardy for the sake of her family and has to hide to her heritage from the world to do so.

With a stunning cover and a heartbreaking plot, ‘Beneath A Starless Sky’ is a cleverly crafted story, encompassing fact and fiction with historical figures and a brave protagonist that makes for compelling reading.

You can buy ‘Beneath A Starless Sky’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

I read this for a blog tour.

This is a beautiful and moving love story, full of danger and intrigue, as Lilli risks everything to become a star and then to save her family.

Lilli is a Jew in a Germany that is rapidly changing as a new political power takes shape, but her ballet talent whisks her all the way to Hollywood and into high society, including the circle of the Prince of Wales and a certain Wallis Simpson.

But her family are still in Munich and as Hitler's grip tightens and war looms, Lilli must risk everything to save them and herself.

This was at times very sad, as indeed anything set during WWII often is, terrible things were done and the horrors contrast starkly with the glamorous whirl of London society and parties that Lilli becomes a part of.

The ending was fairly uplifting and redemptive, thankfully, as before that there was a shocking moment that I thought might turn out very differently.

The romance between Lilli and Marco was touching and tragic but again ultimately redemptive.

This is the first time that I have read a book by Tessa Harris. On the strength of
this novel, it certainly won't be the last.

What I liked most about this story is the way a very human saga is cleverly interwoven into a series of extremely disturbing historical events. This follows a prologue which gives a chilling insight of what is to follow.

It is the story of Lilli Sternberg. It is a love story. However it is so much more. I won't go into detail about the plot out of fear of spoiling the narrative. Suffice to say that the way the novel explores the rise of fascism in 1930s Europe is a real strong point of writing of Tessa Harris in this book.

I like the way the characters are developed as the timeline moves from the 1930s into the Second World War.

There is a poignancy to the epilogue which is both extremely sad, but at the same time provides a fitting end to the novel.

I give my thanks to Netgalley and HQ Digital for a copy of this book in exchange for this review.

My honest review is that I really enjoyed this book. It isn't my usual kind of book - I was honestly drawn in by the cover and then when I read about the protagonist being a dancer it cemented my need to read it.
Beneath a Starless Sky was not what I expected at all! It is written like a biography to begin with but quickly escalates into a romance before spiraling into a spy novel. Tessa Harris really turned a number on me even though I had read the synopsis (which I think gives a little too much away)!

I loved the character of Lilli and the journey she takes through the narrative. Harris obviously puts herself in her character's shoes - she writes as if she knows exactly how Lilli would feel and react - it all seemed very natural and none of it forced. Lilli's Jewish heritage plays a huge part in the story and, as you can imagine in Nazi Germany, it is a driving force for her actions throughout the story. My heart broke for her with her romances and I urged her on when she decided to take action - choices which gave her a very three dimensional feel.

I would have liked more detail from her relationships - focus was given to events rather than this which is why my rating dropped slightly. Every conversation seemed to happen for a reason - I craved a bit of gossip to give me more insight into Lilli's thoughts and feelings. In terms of historical setting however, Harris has cleverly used events to spring her readers forward, keeping Lilli involved in recognisable events and with famous names was ingenious in my opinion - without that I don't think the story would have worked as well as it did.

So overall an enjoyable read which I know I can recommend to a few people. It surprised me with its depth and the encompassing of several genres which only appeared the more I read. It gave me film noir vibes all the way through which I loved! Lilli has so many layers that I want to encourage people to read!

4.5 stars
An amazing story about bravery, courage, resilience and family.

I'm a fan of these kinds of stories. The Second World War and everything that happened before, during and after it has always caught my attention, so when I saw this book I applied to review it and I was very happy to be entrusted with it.
I won't say much because when I like something, emotion usually wins over me and I release spoilers and I don't want you to miss out on reading a beautiful story.
It is not a book about romantic love in itself but it is about family, courage, resilience, helping yourself and others. I have always trusted that during this time there were good, self-sacrificing people who took risks for others.
What the Jews suffered is totally inhuman, the story of Lilli, Marco and her family is sad and heartbreaking but definitely one that those of us who love this kind of narrative will enjoy reading. 
I leave a lot to be said but as I mentioned before anything else I say will be a spoiler because I am still very excited after finishing the book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for trusting me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What an incredible journey this is with some surprising historical figures playing major roles in the story. It begins in 1930 and follows the life of Lilli Sternberg. Lilli and her Jewish family lived in Munich, but attitudes are changing towards the family as long time friends turn their backs on them, and her father’s shop was burned down. Lilli, a ballet dancer, longs for her talents to be recognised and a way out of Germany.
The story follows Lilli through the war years, her loves, her career and the situations that she is forced into to survive and keep people she loves safe. There is never a dull moment in this story. I loved the romance and her determination, but for me, the second half of the book was riveting. The tension that the author brought to these pages just made the world around it become blurred. I had been watching a TV series, before and after reading this book, and the mix of them both brought this book even more to life. It was like this was the behind the scenes story, and it made my blood run cold.
It felt quite surreal that Lilli had no idea just how bad things had become for her family back in Germany. It was all too horrific to think that any of it could be true. It is, at times, extremely heart-breaking, and it becomes very personal to Lilli.
I can’t recommend this book enough. I wouldn’t even want to put in into a category because this for me is a book of life. One woman, brave and determined. A Perfect ending too.

I love this book! It’s fantastic! A great read, I had to finish it off in one sitting. Towards the middle the story really starts to speed up and it’s insightful to see how things were for the “other Germans”, the Jewish Germans during World War Two. The main character is really charming, you’ll find it hard not to adore her and her story is really gripping! A rare 5 out of 5 from me!

This is one of those books which requires a slight suspension of belief as one of the main characters meets a number of actual historical figures. Lillian is a poor Jewish girl who gets on in life due to her dancing abilities. The story starts in 1930, and even then the "Final Solution" had started to rear its ugly head. An engaging story with a really evil baddie.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity ro review this book.

I don’t read much historical fiction but I’m trying to push myself outside my usual crime/thriller genres and I’m so glad I did! I thoroughly enjoyed this book - forbidden romance, heartbreak, glamour and a really interesting pre-WW2 setting. I’m a convert!

Beneath A Starless Sky by Tessa Harris is a powerful historical novel set during the 1930’s and World War II years mainly in Munich.
The reader witnesses the terrible persecution of the Jewish people as the horrific gradually becomes the acceptable. There are some brave souls who although they spot what is coming, are powerless to halt it.
Not every German is a Nazi. “There are some good people left in Germany.” Some fight the system from within.
Actual factual events and figures blend with fiction to create this marvellous story. As a historian it was fascinating to read.
Within the tale there are spies – brave men and women who do what they must to help the war effort.
Family is important as is true love.
The reader witnesses both the pure heart and the black, evil heart at work.
Beneath A Starless Sky was a compelling read. I cannot wait for more by Tessa Harris.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

*special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars
I have been really feeling the historical romances lately, haven’t I?
Though I will say, this doesn’t lean as heavily on the romance as I thought it would.
This book contained two of my favorite topics to read about; Hollywood, and WWII (though in this book, it’s mostly the start of WWII).
I loved the forbidden romance trope. I thought it was well done, and made me want to read more books with this trope.
I also really enjoyed the fact that it was about more than “just” a romance. It’s about family and resilience and fighting for yourself and others.
This took place before WWII, which is not something I’ve read as much as books taking place during WWII. Seeing how the events leading up to WWII affected Lilli’s life and her family’s life was eye opening.
It’s heartbreaking but hopeful, which makes it powerful.
I think I could have rated this higher if I hadn’t read so many other historical romances lately. It was a solid read, but not an absolute favorite of mine. But, for all the reasons I stated, this was a book worth reading.

I enjoyed this book, the life of Lilli was cleverly designed and woven with threads of history through it.
At times, I did get a little confused with the names of the historical characters and I feel I would have benefitted from a cast list at the start of the book for reference.
The characters of Lilli and Marco were likeable (on the whole!) and I cared about their story.
The prologue was not resolved until the final chapters and I think parts of this could have been linked together as I had forgotten about some of the scene by that point.

This book was fantastic! Hopeful, glamorous, heartbreaking, and determined, this beautiful written book brings the life and struggles of Lily and her family to the reader in a vivid way. A young Jewish ballerina in Munich in the 1930s, she leaves Germany for a career in America on Broadway and in Hollywood, but a twist finds her back in Munich and eventually working against the Nazis. This was really gripping.

Wow. I loved this story of Lilli Steinburg, a Jewish ballerina who set off to make it big in America just before the start of WW2. In a twist of fates, she ends up working against the Nazis as she tries to get her family out of Munich. It was beauitfully written. So much heartache, love, hope, and bravery in her story. I absolutely love that this story mainly took place during the build up to WW2. There were so many signs that people were unwilling to see, and the author touched on these in such a fantastic way. I loved the ending so much, but won't give away any spoilers. It's a 4.5 star book for me!