’m obsessed with historic fiction from the World War II era: and no one does it quite like Jenoff. Here we have a fictional story of two unlikely friends set against the backdrop of the German invasion and occupation of Krakow. While the story of the two young women and unlikely friends is the centerpoint, Jenoff managed (again) to place bits of historic fact that are lesser known and become a central character in the story.

Sadie is eighteen and a Jew living in the Krakow ghetto when the Germans come to ‘clear’ her home. Ella is also living in Krakow, under much different circumstances. Raised in an affluent home, she lives now with her stepmother who is constantly entertaining and receiving special favors from her collaboration with the Germans. Under normal circumstances, one would never expect the two to meet, or even to notice one another in all but the most superficial of ways. But Sadie’s hiding place with her pregnant mother and others is part of a plan – they hide in the sewers and are ‘fortunate’ to have Pawel, a Polish man who worked in sanitation, to provide for them.

When Ella spots Sadie through a grate in the street – the usual tensions (for both) are prominent, but Ella’s increasing hatred for the Germans, her stepmother and the changes to her life will not allow her to remain on the sidelines.

From the usual expected struggles (hunger, filth, the need for silence, the darkness) we see that Sadie’s questions of why and Ella’s are near the same – yet both gain great comfort and self-confidence in defying the ‘norms’ as they survive hardships, dangers, threats and even risk discovery. Jenoff has created the world under the streets and made it a community, with the trials and hardships fixing the hideaway into a character that encompasses the ‘meta’ description of the German occupation – it's all s*** for a few all of the time, and for all they are merely one step from being deep in it. While using the unlikely friendship and vastly different circumstances of the two girls to highlight the story, Jenoff has brought yet another unforgettable story with unlikely (and horrifying) imagery to light, bringing the unimaginable to light and allowing readers yet another way to understand the true horrors of war, hatred and the villainization of the ‘other’.


I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aTI /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Pam Jenoff does it again! This story will stay with me for long after, just like The Lost Girls of Paris. This is a true page turner, especially for historical fiction fans. An incrediable story - a must read!

I LOVED "The Lost Girls of Paris" and was excited to read this book. Unfortunately, I had a hard time connecting with the characters. I really wanted to love this book, since historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. I found the story interesting. I couldn't imagine living in a sewer for a day, not to mention months. I can't believe Sadie and the others weren't found sooner. Sadie made so many reckless mistakes. She left the sewer in the middle of the day and walked around, like she wouldn't be noticed. Sadie was extremely immature for age. It was hard to believe she was eighteen. Wouldn't Ella draw attention to herself by standing in the road talking to a sewer grate? That twist at the end just left me shaking my head. Was I surprised by what was revealed? Yes. Was it believable? No.

Definitely give the book a try. It just wasn't the book for me. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada) Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I received this an ARC through NetGalley. I have a lot of WWII fiction, and this story drew me in from the beginning. Sadie, her family and another family plan escape the ghetto in Krakow Poland, through the sewers. However, things don't go as they should and end up living in the sewers for a period of time, losing loved ones along the way. Even though this is a work of fiction, there were actual Jews who lived in the sewers of Poland during the Nazi occupation. The struggles and hardships those poor people had to endure is unimageable. Pam Jenoff does a fabulous job of expressing the range of emotions of the characters she has created.

Pam Jenoff writes some of the best historical fiction novels ever and this was a prime example. I loved this WWII novel that takes place in Krakow, Poland.

The story is split between Ella, a well off, but unhappy Polish woman and Sadie, a Jewish woman escaping the Nazis with her family. A man helps them hide in the sewer system for many months and one day Ella sees Sadie in the sewer grate. She begins to being Sadie and her family food when she can despite the danger. The young women quickly become friends as much as two people can in those circumstances.

This is a story of friendship, the kindness of strangers, and the incredible perseverance of people during this time. Pam based this story on the true life events of people who hid from the Nazis in the sewers. I absolutely loved it.

Pam Jenoff, I think is one of the best writers of historical fiction today. And she does not disappoint with "The Woman With the Blue Star". It is everything one would expect from one of her novels.
Both heart-wrenching and uplifting, Jenoff tells the story of two young women in Poland, during WWII. Eighteen year old Sadie is Jewish and her and her family are forced into hiding when the Nazis raid the ghetto where they have been forced to live, transporting their friends and neighbors to an uncertain fate.
Ella, a young woman around Sadie's age is from the other side of town. Though forced by circumstance to reside with her stepmother she doesn't like and who doesn't care for her, appalled by her stepmother entertaining Nazi soldiers night after night, Ella lives a relatively comfortable life.
When a chance encounter occurs between Sadie and Ella, Ella realizes she must help Sadie, regardless of the risks and consequences she would face if caught.
This is a heart-breaking, yet warm touching story about the lengths people were willing to go to to help others survive during the Nazi reign of terror. And about the humanity people still had, the bravery of those who risked their lives to save the less fortunate. It is a touching story of family and friendship and a reminder that family is not just simply the blood by which you are born, family is the love and caring you find in the most unlikely of places and situations.
This book is filled with warm, knowable characters that touch your heart, researched in detail and delivered in writing that flows, it is a great read for any WWII historical fiction fan.
I give % stars, this book goes on sale May 4, 2021, pre-order yours today, I promise you will not be sorry.
Thank you to Harlequin-Trade publishing and Net Galley for the free ARC of the e-book version of this novel. I am leaving my honest review in return.
#NetGalley
#TheWomanWithTheBlueStar

Told in alternating viewpoints, The Woman with the Blue Star tells the story of two women in the wake of WWII. While just 18, Sadie spends her days in hiding. Things get worse when her family must flee during a big roundup. On the other side of town, Ella lives with her stepmother and must cave to her whims. She disagrees with her stepmother’s lavish parties that cater to Nazi officials. But she has nowhere else to go, so she must put up with it. How will these two young women who lead vastly different lives come together?

I get that as an only child, Sadie’s parents are overprotective of her and keep her in hiding. They also probably keep a lot of things from her. But I felt that often, her behavior was unacceptable for that of an 18-year-old and that she was naïve and childish about things. Without the added romance, the story is engaging. Life was hard and would have been more so if Sadie didn’t have Ella. I’m a fan of historical fiction, and overall, this is an enjoyable read. Thank you, Harlequin, Park Row, for sending this along.

This book was a beautiful new view on a WWII story. How can I call a story beautiful when it takes place in a sewer? When an author can transport you to the sewer with the characters, can have you feeling the mushy cold socks, it's something really special.

Jenoff has created characters that draw the reader in. Making friends with them, connecting with them, and loving them. While this was an emotional read, I felt so uplifted throughout as well. It's a beautiful story of friendship, love, and family. It's a story that should not be missed, and if you are a historical fiction fan, I know you will love it!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

I liked THE WOMAN WITH THE BLUE STAR. Fast read. Good description of the hardships of the Jews in Poland and the horrific hiding places they had to call home for months if not longer. But, what I enjoyed the most about reading this story is the friendships and love that formed in the most unusual circumstances and places and how the bonds grew everlasting. I like Pam Jenoff's writing. I have read several of her books and have liked them all. Historical fiction is a wonderful genre.

World War II is a tough period to read about but Pam Jenoff's book draws us in with sympathetic characters and interesting parallel stories. I thought this was well researched and an absorbing read and there were some scenes that moved me to tears. During a period of extreme suffering, this novel highlights the keys to a fulfilling life - love, family, forgiveness, hope - while also portraying the strength and will it takes to survive unbelievable hardship.
I recommend it. Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review. All opinions are my own.

I am a psychological thriller/mystery fan. I am not a big historical/fiction/ WWII fan. But I read and enjoyed author, Pam Jenoff's novel "The Orphan’s Tale" and loved it. I give very few 5 star rating and to me that story deserve it!!! It was a different take on WWII situations ~ I have read very few circus theme stories and all surprised me as to how good they were.
Pam Jenoff is a great storyteller and I was looking forward to her latest story.

This story is based in 1942, starts with Sadie Gault an eighteen year old only child living with her parents and is hiding in a Krakow, German ghetto when the Nazis are herding others into convoys. Sadie and her pregnant mother know they need to leave their hiding place and fine another. (Note: after years of wanting another child, Sadie’s parents are expecting a baby!) They and others are rescued by a man who leads them to safety. They now hide in a Krakow sewer.

Aww I love this author and so wanted to love this but I am so claustrophobic, I had a major hard time with Sadie, her mom and the other families living in those underground tunnels.
I understand that the suffering and atrocities should never be forgotten but certainly are difficult to read.
This is an amazing story of endurance and survival.

The epilogue is in 2016, I enjoyed reading the updates.

I always enjoy reading the ‘Author’s Note’ as well as the ‘Acknowledgements’ as they are always the inside story behind the story. In the ‘Author’s Note’ Ms. Jenoff tells us that this story is based on a true story!

Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing (US & Canada ~ Park Row for this eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for professional review purposes only. Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 4, 2021

Read if you like: WW2 fiction and historical mysteries.
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Sadie is a Jewish person in Poland when WW2 breaks out. When the Ghetto is being liquidated, Sadie and her family go into the sewers in order to survive. Then there is Ella, who is a young Polish woman who wants to help the war effort and the Jewish people, but she doesn't know where to start. When she sees Sadie in the sewer, she sees this as her opportunity.
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This book was very intense with many twists and turns in the plot, enough to keep me engaged. I also liked that we got to read about Polish history, which I don't think we get to do very often!
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CW: war and violence, torture, abuse.

In 1942 in Krakow we meet Sadie Gault she’s eighteen and she sees the world changing around her. She lives with her parents in the ghetto of Krakow. She’s hiding in the apartment during the day while her parents who have work visas are working. One fateful day while the parents are working the Germans come and begin to empty the ghetto and they start loading the children up and they take them. What she and her mother don’t realize is that her father has been planning their escape with a sewer worker named Pawel. When Sadie is woken by her father one night and he tells her the Germans have blocked the roads and they are arresting everyone, scared her father begins to lift the toilet and tells her and her mother to climb into sewer and hide. Shocked she soon realizes they aren’t the only ones hiding there. One day while trying to sneak some sunlight she looks up through the grate and she makes eye contact with another girl.
Ella Stapanek has just lost her father in the war he fought with the polish army. She now lives with her stepmother Ana Lucia. Ana Lucia entertains the German soldiers but Ella can’t stand it. Missing her former boyfriend Krys and her father she looks for any chance to get out of the house, she offers to go to the market one day looking down at the street she notices some movement and she makes eye contacted with a girl in the sewer. Ella is shocked people are living in the sewer and she begins helping Sadie, soon they find themselves fearing for their lives with Germans everywhere will they both survive this war? The story is based around true stories of Jewish people living in sewers. This book was eye opening, filled with fear, friendship, hope, love and survival. I will be recommending this book to everyone five stars.

Somehow Pam Jenoff writes a story that will totally break your heart, yet make you smile at the same time.

Sadie Gault and her family were living in a Jewish Ghetto during World War II, until the Nazis decided to liquidate the ghetto. Sadie and her mother (who is pregnant) find themselves seeking refuge in sewage tunnels under the city. Sadie’s life changes permanently when she see a girl, similar in age, through a grate. Ella, a wealthy girl living with her stepmother who is close to those in Nazi leadership positions, begins to help Sadie and those she lives with underground. As the war worsens, can they stay safe despite the obstacles in their way?

I have read a ton about the holocaust and atrocities that were experienced. This story tells a completely different tale, one that was magnificent at times. The strength of those living in hiding, in a sewer of all places, is incredible. And the kindness of strangers who silently worked against everything that the Nazi’s stood for was just as eye opening. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in a sweet, yet horrifying story about just how amazing people can truly be.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin/Park Row for my advanced reader copy.

I have read many books about WWII and each one shows a different side of the suffering that so many endured. Sadie and her family flee Nazi capture by living in the sewer under the Jewish Getto in Poland. It's not an easy life. This book also shows humanity in characters such as Ella, who are willing to risk their lives to help others. I loved the relationship between Sadie and Ella. I believe the woman would have been friends outside of their circumstances .This book is really about friendship and surviving. Everyone in the story is focused on making it to the next day but they are not willing to hurt anyone to save themselves. I loved that part of humanity remains in the story.

Pam Jenoff gives us a story that although fictional is based on actual happening, during the period of terror in Europe, know as WWII.
In this page turner read the Gault family is running for their lives, and their crime? Being Jewish! What a horrible time, a blight on history, and through the eyes of this young eighteen year old we are experiencing what life was like back then.
Can you imagine living in a sewer? The smell, and then not being able to bathe and get this slime off of you, and to do this for months and months. Then finding food? Thank goodness for some good samaritans, but, the evil catches up with them too, how do they survive?
This is an eye opener, and a story that needs to be told, and not forgotten.
Love the epilogue!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin, and was not required to give a positive review.

I liked this book and I have always enjoyed the writing style of Ms Jenoff. Why only 3 stars, you ask?

I was not overly impressed with the character development. For some reason the characters seemed one dimensional and rushed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Parkrow Publishing for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in May 2021.

This was a rather intense story revolving around two girls, Ella and Sadie. Ella meets Sadie one day peering out from a grate in the street. Sadie’s family and one other family have fled to the sewers to escape the Germans. A friendship begins between the two girls.
This was a bit of a heartbreaking story. Anytime I read a book set during WW2 and the hardships people endured. It makes you wonder if you could endure what they went through.
I enjoyed the story and think other historical fiction fans will also.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Likes:
*I thought the focus on Sadie Gault who hid in the sewers while Germans occupied Poland was a fascinating story. I find most WWII to be the same at times, mostly with them concentrating on the war front. I found this different and I learned something new. The harrowing events that take place from their escape to the sewer and life there is tightly woven. This was a quick read from the start.

*The dual perspectives of Sadie and Ella, a Polish girl living relatively free in Krakow shows how much the Jewish people were subjected to many evils under the Nazis. Ella is trying to survive in her own way since food rations are low, she’s living with her stepmother, and her love life is in shambles. Her relationship problems are light compared to Sadie who is living in a sewer and hoping one day she will have a future. But their unlikely friendship grows steadily through a sewer grate for the most part, and they become a lifeline for one another.

*Sadie’s life in the sewers is horrible and yet compared to being in a death camp, this was the safest and best place for them to be. They live in filth, barely have food and her mother is pregnant! Life and death is happening in Sadie’s life in the sewers and my heart ached for her situation many times over.

*I was afraid for Sadie and Ella being caught by Nazis or Polish Police officers. Every time they had a chance to interact I prayed they would not be caught because I can only imagine worse horrors for Sadie and Ella if they were.

*Really great twist in the end but I thought I had misread something and had to pause for a moment to realize what the author was doing.

Random Notes:
*Triggers: Death, claustrophobia

*Abrupt ending but it is explained in the epilogue, for a moment I was confused.

Final Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this historical fiction story about two girls, one Jewish and one Polish, who befriend each other in the most unexpected circumstances. I loved the focus on their friendship and their survival journey in Nazis occupied Poland. Sadie has lost her freedom and her family yet living in the sewers is the best thing to do. Ella has lost family too, her love, and yet she still has more freedom to go about life because she is Polish. I was engaged in this story. I learned something and I felt for Sadie. In the end I was grateful for the random strangers that helped her survive a horrible period in time and her strength to hold on to hope to live and keep going.

(Review will be posted to my blog during the blog tour in May)

Jenoff wrote a gripping story. I was glued to it until I finished it. I’m addicted to WWII historical fiction as well as non-fiction. I’ve read of Jews who survived in sewers but have never read a novel based on that angle. I would catch my breath as I turned each page because something was always happening, either from Sadie’s perspective or Ella’s. I did think that some of the scenes were implausible, even for fiction, but they definitely enhanced the story. The ending really threw me, however. The author has a twist to the story thst I didn’t see coming. I was excited when I was approved for book and savored the read.