This isn't my first Mandy Robotham book, and if this is anything to go by, it absolutely won't be my last.

Robotham just has this gift when it comes to Historical fiction; everything comes off as well-researched, without being info-dump like, the characters are vibrant, the past comes to life on the page. This one was less of a hard hitting read than the other book of hers I enjoyed (A Woman of War), but I enjoyed it anyway. The theme of sisterhood in this story was strong and beautifully done.

My one complaint would be that the chapters are quite short, which made the jumping between Jutta and Karin feel a bit like whiplash at points because I'd just be getting into what was going on with one of them, only for the focus to flip to the other after a couple of pages.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Girl Behind the Wall by Mandy Robotham is an excellent historical fiction novel that focusses on the era of the Berlin Wall.

I have been a fan of Ms. Robotham for a while now, so I was excited to see she had a new book coming out, and this did not disappoint.

This book is unique as it is currently one of only a few that revolves around the post-WWII era and the life of the Berlin Wall.

I have always found this aspect of history fascinating, how this wall was even permitted, constructed, and how it survived for so long in a modern era.

The author does a fabulous job describing all of these concepts in addition to weaving a fabulous plot that tells the story of a family, sisters specifically, separated and torn apart by circumstances, politics, and the Wall. It was gripping, eventful, exhilarating, and absorbing to read the heartfelt storry of Jutta and Karin and how they ended up on opposite sides of the Wall. What choices they make, what sacrifices they must endure, what fear they experienced...it kept me on the edge of my seat.

I really loved this book, the twists and turns, the narrative, the wonderful cast of complex characters, the history, and the ending.

Another job well-done for one of my favorite authors.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Avon Books UK for this awesome arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

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

The Berlin Wall has been erected, and Karin Voigt is trapped on the wrong side, away from her twin sister Jutta. In the years that follow, they lead parallel lives, finding love, loss and acceptance in their new existences without each other. However, when push comes to shove, how much are they willing to sacrifice to be reunited? Content warnings include war crimes, death, abuse and scenes in a prison camp.
This is a story filled with impossible decisions. Your lover or your family? Freedom or security? It is truly a “what if” story that makes you understand why people make decisions that seem wrong on the surface. You empathise with Jutta, yet you root for Karin over the other side. You see both sides of the story equally, and it is proof of how quickly your priorities can change in different circumstances. I was fully absorbed in the story, and would wholeheartedly recommend it to people who love historical fiction, romance, and stories with resilient characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon books for a free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me access to The Girl Behind the Wall.

Twin sisters, Jutta and Karin are as close as twins can be. Life in Berlin is still coming back from WWII and in 1961, communism still has a strong hold on East Germany. One day, Karin sets out to East Berlin with the hope of making her dream of becoming a fashion designer come true. A sudden medical emergency keeps her there when in the middle of the night, the Berlin Wall rises to separate the city. Karin is trapped in the East while her family is safe in the west. Unable to get passes to visit her sister or even bring her home, Jutta is afraid their bond as twins will be broken because of the separation. Then one day, she finds a hidden hole in the wall allowing the sisters to visit but Jutta puts herself at risk for making the trip across the wall. Desperate to bring her sister home, she quickly realizes that there’s more than just politics keeping her sister in the East.

I knew very little about the rise of the Berlin Wall prior to reading this so it on occasion sent me to google to learn more. That’s something I always love with historical fiction. Having said that, I felt this story was a bit predictable and at times, just going in circles. I’m glad to have read it but it was just okay for me

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Girl Behind the Wall was a slow build, but the payoff was great. I have been trying to read more historical fiction about events in the world I don't know much about. The Girl Behind the Wall is just what I was looking for. I learned SO much about the Cold War and East Berlin vs. West Berlin. I can't even say how many times I stopped reading to do a Google search for a historical photograph of what was being discussed.

The story itself was also compelling. I have always been interested in the connection that is shared between twin siblings. Jutta and Karin share this bond, even with the Berlin Wall between them. The string that connects them is looser at times, but they never stop thinking about each other.

I also loved the characters of Otto and Danny.

I highly recommend this book, and I will be checking out more by Mandy Robotham.

A powerful story of the impact of the Berlin Wall, told through the eyes of twin sisters who find themselves on opposite sides of the wall. The author does an amazing job of putting the reader into the story, feeling the tone and undercurrents on each side of the 'protection barrier.' Historic tidbits are interwoven into the story, turning it into something of a history lesson. And by looking at its impact on twins, too, we are able to see just how much which side of the wall you lived on truly dictated your outlook and personality...

This was my first time reading a novel by this author, and I LOVED it. I love how she took us back to that time. It really taught me more about the Berlin Wall because I honestly didn’t know much about it. She wrapped the story up wonderfully! I was so happy that both girls found love, and then finally got back together at the end.

With grateful thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion
Have read a few of this authors other books I was delighted to read this one, this lady never let's you down. I did find in this book about twin sister dividend by the Berlin Wall a bit to fast paced but it was still an excellent read and I can highly recommend.

I’m so upset that I didn’t like this one! Books by Robotham seem to be hit or miss for me and unfortunately this one was the latter. The short chapters and constant acceleration of the timings made it hard for me to connect with the characters, although it’s clear they were on their way to becoming well developed. I just couldn’t keep up with the super short chapters, it completely removed me from being immersed in the story. I did enjoy Robotham’s writing style however. Like I said, I’m so sad I didn’t love this one!

First of all I am a huge Mandy Robotham fan. And in this book she has done it again. She has written a powerful, moving and heartwrenching book. She has written about the powerful bond between Sisters. She tells us the story about the cold war in Gernany, historical accurate. How the wall ripped apart innocent families for years. I would highly recommend this book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

I received the ARC of this book to read from Avon Books via NetGalley. I have read several books by this author and she always gives me a new look into Germany during WWII. This time she has given insight in what Berlin was like after the war and especially during the time when the Wall went up dividing East and West Berlin.

The book has a great storyline which covers the lives of identical twins, Jetta and Karin, that are from West Berlin but have been separated by The Wall. It shows us how each side had to live and how a person is not safe, even in West Berlin. There are always spies and the Stasi are able to sneak into West Berlin and grab anyone they want. At times the book seemed more each girls personal thoughts and I would have enjoyed more dialogue. There is a lot of intrigue and suspense but it comes across a bit more like nonfiction to me. Overall it is a great book, it just needs a bit of pep to make it an exciting book.

THE GIRL BEHIND THE WALL by MANDY ROBOTHAM is a fast paced novel that will really grip you from start to finish.
On the 13th August 1961 twin sisters Karen and Jutta Voigt, who live with their family in West Berlin, as well as many other unsuspecting citizens, find themselves separated by the Wall.
It is a story about incredible courage in the face of danger, fear of capture, love and the reasons for the choices people make.T
he story ends in 1989 when the Berlin Wall is broken down and families and loved ones are reunited.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Avon Books UK. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I was in the perfect mood for this - a great book set behind the Berlin wall. We get a fascinating peek into what those people went through, especially knowing the freedoms enjoyed on the other side. I loved the characters, and Mandy Robotham has a gift for making history come alive.

I have read a few novels by Mandy Robatham a d have lived them all. She has not disappointed In this latest one. This novel is about the history of the Berlin Wall and life on either side . If you like historical fiction then this is a great read.

Twins Karen and Jutta have a good life but find themselves on either side of the wall when it literally appears without warning.
And excellent insight into how life unfolds
Excellent
Many thanks to #NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review

Growing up I remember the news showing the building of the Berlin Wall and stories of people trying to escape from communist East Berlin to the freedom of West Berlin,. The Girl Behind the Wall, by Mandy Robotham, took me back to that time. Karin and Jutta are twin sisters who live in West Berlin. When the wall goes up, Karin is caught on the wrong side. She does find a kind family to help her, and she finds Otto, the man whom she loves. When Jutta finds a hidden passage through the wall they are reunited. But the German police are everywhere and Karin is faced with the decision to escape to the West or stay in the East with Otto. The story of what happens to these sisters and their family is a fascinating look back to the 1960s and the years following the building of the wall.

This book started a bit rocky for me. There was no leading up to the wall, I would have liked a little backstory about the sisters before fhe wall and leading up to Karin ending up in the hospital.

The first few chapters then seemed very repetitive, which historically that time for Berlin people would have been the same.

Once the story got going further I became hooked and had to know what happened.

Overall a great story of love and family and history.

Amazing read about two sisters ,twins who on the building of the wall dividing east and west germany find themselves on opposite sides .I simply could not put it down .

Mandy Robatham has written yet another really interesting and well researched book about the history of the Berlin Wall and life on either side . If you like historical fiction then this is a great read.

Twins Karen and Jutta have a nice life and as twins have a very close relationship growing up and living in West Berlin. Karen however ends up on the wrong side of Berlin when the Wall literally goes up overnight. The twins are torn apart for the first time in their life. The story is told through each twins experience living on either side of the wall. Will they ever get to see each other again and live on the same side? There are decisions, choices and sacrifices that each must make.
This story left me wondering about what I would do in such a situation. Keep the tissues handy.

Cleverly crafted, this book brings a historical period to the surface when the Berlin Wall went up in 1961 almost overnight. There was unrest in Germany, but no one expected a wall to divide the east and west parts of the city so quickly. This is a powerful account of how one family was divided by a barrier yet stayed together in spirit.

Two identical twins, Karin and Jutta, had a wonderful close life together in the western area of Berlin until one day when they were separated by the border wall. Karin was on the wrong side of the city when she was working on a project to develop her career as a fashion designer. Not feeling great, she was suddenly taken to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. Overnight, everything changed in East Berlin. Officials refused to allow her to leave.

She was quick to adjust to her new life with a few good trusted friends and learned how to follow the stringent rules of the socialist state ruled by the Soviets. She had no choice but to accept it as her home...until her twin sister magically showed up giving her options to consider. The story shows how they shared one of the most challenging decisions of their lives through their strong love for each other.

While reading, I found myself on Google wanting to know more about the Berlin Wall. People were targeted as spies and everyone had to watch their step. I recall how the world was watching and cheering when the Wall finally went down and the gate was opened on November 9, 1989.

My thanks to Mandy Robatham, Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

Mandy Robotham weaves her magic once again. This time in Berlin at a time when the wall was being constructed. The book talks about how the Berlin wall rips apart twins. Each one stuck on either side of the wall. She alternates between each twins narrative which helps the reader connect with the anguish that each twin endures and one can see just how different life is on either side of the wall. At the end of the day, each must make their own decisions. The choices however aren't easy and the sacrifices are great.

Definitely a book worth picking up and reading if you love historical fiction!