Oh wow. Such a beautiful beautiful story. The writing is poignant and rich, transporting and wonderful. Jewels on the page. Loved this one so much.

This is a complex dual-timeline novel that will break your heart, while at the same time giving you hope. We are transported to the devastation of World War II, and all its horror and secrets, and then to England 2015, as a granddaughter is dealing with the heartbreak of her grandfather’s dementia, and then even more pain upon learning certain truths. We are shown a compelling story of love, sacrifice, secrets, and betrayal, and left in awe at how love can overcome hate. I felt a connection to the dementia aspects of this story, as I personally watched dementia slowly take my Dad’s memory, and the heartbreak of that is portrayed in a real way in this novel. The fact that this is based on a true story makes it even more compelling. Carly Schabowski has woven together a complex, beautiful, and painful tale that will keep you attuned to each turning page until the last secret is revealed.

I received a free copy of this book via Bookouture. My opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars

Carly Schabowski’s The Rainbow is an emotional, intense and captivating tale of love, loss and hope that will break your heart.

Growing up, Isla had loved listening to her beloved grandfather’s stories about his life as a child in pre-war Poland. His childhood idyll had come to an end with the advent of the Second World War where her grandfather had fought so valiantly and courageously to defeat the Germans and protect his people. Isla’s grandfather had always been her hero – until she begins to look into his past to collect photos for his upcoming 95th birthday celebration and makes a shocking discovery: her grandfather was a Nazi. Is everything she has always believed to be true about her grandfather a lie? Unable to ask him any questions due to his advanced dementia, Isla finds herself with no other option but to start digging and to try and uncover the dark secrets rattling in her family’s closet.

Taking comfort from his rainbow-coloured scarf, Isla starts to look into her grandfather’s past and discovers a story that is even more shocking than the one she had previously imagined. Isla slowly brings to light the long-buried story of two childhood sweethearts whose forbidden love had been obstructed at every turn. Torn apart by duty towards his family, a brave young man had risked his heart, his life and the respect of the people closest to him in order to secretly fight for justice behind enemy lines.

As Isla pieces together the pieces of this puzzle, will she find the answers she so desperately seeks? Or will her discoveries end up destroying everything she always thought she knew?

Carly Schabowski’s The Rainbow is a book that will stay with you long after the last page is turned. A haunting, mesmerizing and powerful rollercoaster ride that beautifully illustrates the hardships, anguish and sorrows of wartime, whilst also celebrating enduring qualities we can all relate to such as the lengths people go those for the people they love, the hope that sees us through the darkest of days and the ability to heal and forgive, Carly Schabowski’s The Rainbow is compulsively readable fiction at its most spellbinding.

First, let me start by giving you a trigger warning! This book deals with Alzheimers. If that is something that triggers strong emotions in you, you may want to use caution when picking up this book. With that being said, this book tore me up emotionally! What made it even worse was knowing that this book is based on true events! Many times, I had to stop and digest what I had just read. That is how emotional I got. I cannot even begin to imagine what Ilsa's grandfather had to go through, how tormented he must have been all these years knowing what he had done, or rather, what he was forced to do to help fight for justice from deep within enemy ranks. While I can't be 100% certain if I could have done what he did, I'm pretty sure I couldn't have done any of those things, not even to fight the enemy secretly. It's one thing to openly fight someone who's done horrible things to others but it is a totally different story when you have to be actively involved in those atrocities to fight that enemy. It takes a special type of person to be involved in horrible events and not lose your humanity and sanity. Ilsa's grandfather often feels that he is a coward but I totally disagree! It takes a lot of courage to do what he did. He paid a high price for his involvement with the enemy. Back then, PTSD was not a widely known mental illness even though it existed. Nowadays, that is exactly what I think he suffered from after everything he experienced!
I like that Carly Schabowski chose two timelines: 2014 and then the WWII years. You get to read about the mental state of the grandfather both in modern times and in WWII.

This was a beautifully written novel about Isla and her Grandfather.

Its written in dual timelines which is always nice to see in a novel. We get Isla wanting to find out more about her grandfather in the present and in the past we get to find out more about how her grandfather lived.

It's emotional, heartbreaking and based on true accounts. It shows the atrocities that happened during that time.

I was hooked from the very first word to the last word of the book.

Highly recommend

What a read that was ... so good!

I am not normally a fan of historical fiction but the cover and then the blurb had me interested and I am so pleased I didn't let this pass me by. Although this is a work of fiction, it is inspired by a true story but it feels like a "real" story and I was totally and utterly absorbed and invested in the lives of all the characters.

The story starts off in the present when Isla finds a photograph of her grandad in a German uniform, this raised questions and caused confusion as the story always told was how her grandad fought against the German's in World War II. Unable to find answers from her grandad, who has dementia, she begins a quest to uncover the truth and so begins this brilliantly written story of war, adversity, strength, courage, love, loss and friendship.

I am unable to give this book the review it deserves, I can't find the right words to put across how much I enjoyed it for which I apologise but a massive thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.

A photograph and a colourful scarf are two items found in an attic that send Isla into the past. She thinks the scarf is beautiful and shouldn't be left to moulder in the attic and wears it. The photograph elicits the totally opposite reaction. Shocked at what she sees, her grandfather in a Nazi uniform, Isla looks for answers. Her grandmother fobs her off with a vague explanation and her grandfather cannot be approached because of his advanced dementia. Isla is unwilling to let the matter drop. She needs to know that the beloved grandfather, who told her heartwarming stories of his childhood and the country of his birth, who fought with the Allies during the war, is not the person in the photograph. And so begins an emotional story that will transport the reader from pre-World War II Poland to the present.

I'd already guessed how Tomasz came to be in a German uniform as the enforced conscription of Polish youths into the German army was known to me. This fate befell some of my relatives. Like Tomasz, they eventually made it to Scotland and joined the Allied fight against the Nazis. So, I was eager to read The Rainbow but totally unprepared for how emotionally invested I became in Tomasz's story. The lovely dedication brought tears to my eyes even before I'd plunged into the story proper.

This is a beautifully written story that will tug at your heartstrings from the beginning, especially as one of the characters has dementia. As Isla delves into the past she will uncover a tale of love, sacrifice, survival, courage and loss. There is also a touch of magic as the significance of the rainbow coloured scarf is revealed.

The Rainbow is one of the finest World War II novels I've read this year. It is an engrossing and moving experience drawn from the author's family history and one I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored how unique this story was. Following those Polish men who were assigned to the Wehrmacht is something that more authors should strive to do. I’m glad to say, I learnt a lot about it from this book. It is clear that the passion, research and family history of the author played a huge role in this book.

What I had an issue with was how quickly the beginning was. To me, the chapters weren’t developed enough at the start. When Isla travels to Poland there’s no build up to it previously and the chapter isn’t developed. The next chapter she is back again without any development. If the beginning had have been developed more and build up, then there would be no doubt that this book would have got a five star review.

I find historical fiction to be one of the most plentiful genres of books. Not only are there multitudes of time periods and eras to choose from, but each one of those also has unlimited stories that can be researched and told. A case in point is this book. The level of detail about what happened to the Polish people after the Germans invaded in WWII was fascinating. The storytelling is unique because it is a mixture of styles – it was never confusing and actually made for a well-rounded story. I liked how the author used the colors of the rainbow to “color” certain memories. I also was struck by the thought that our memories can be demons that make us afraid to remember – but when faced with them later, they can actually show strength and resilience. It’s all a matter of perspective. I highly recommend this book. For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a digital ARC of the book.

This is the third book I’ve read by Author, Carly Schabowski. All of her books are WWII fiction, which is becoming a favorite genre of mine. What sets this author apart from the rest, is the amount research she does while writing her books. This book in particular is based on true life events of her family. Digging deeper and deeper she uncovered a truth that can be scary and somewhat frightening to learn. However, she turned to writing about her findings which resulted in a fantastic read.

The Rainbow is the story of Isla, who finds an old photograph of her grandad. A photograph of him in a SS uniform holding a Medal of Honor. Questions immediately surface….was her grandad in the SS? Knowing she cannot ask him about it due to his dementia, she seeks answers from distant family. Soon, the puzzle pieces start to come together and it is a history that Isla is not able to take lightly.

I loved The Rainbow. The story is told in past and present times (from Isla in the present to her grandad in the past). I loved that the author used this writing style, as it made it easy to transport back to the WWII times. This story is so unique in that it focuses on Poland in WWII. Most stories about that era leave out the happenings in Poland. I loved that she brought Poland to the forefront, in particular because it gave a different perspective of the war.

This book is very well written and is filled with emotion, though not forced. With the memories being told by alternating characters, they provided different perspectives normally not given. I applaud the author for digging deep, discovering facts that may have been overwhelming and difficult, and then having the courage to tell the much needed story. Highly recommend.

As soon as I read the synopsis I knew it was a book I would enjoy reading. I enjoy historical fiction, especially when the characters are so well written as the case is with ‘The Rainbow’.

Isla’s grandad is suffering from dementia and it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to relate his stories of pre war life in Poland that she loved so much. He would often tell her how as a young soldier, he helped fight the Germans to protect his people. So when she is collecting photos for his 95th birthday celebration she is shocked and heartbroken to find a picture of her dear grandfather wearing a Nazi uniform. Is everything she thought she knew about him a lie?

Due to his advancing dementia Isla is unable to question him and wraps herself in her rainbow-coloured scarf, a memento of his from the war, and begins to hunt for the truth behind the photograph. This is the start of her search for the truth that will prove shocking and emotional, a tale of childhood sweethearts torn apart by family duty, and how one young man risked his life, his love and the respect of his own people, to secretly fight for justice from inside the heart of the enemy itself.

This is an absorbing, emotional read that gripped me from the very start. Carly Schabowski is an author I have never come across before but shortly after I started it I was already ordering one of her earlier books. Great characters, beautifully written and an emotional ride. The book effortlessly goes from past to present in the narrative that is based on a true story.

I would like to thank both Net Galley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Isla grew up hearing pre-war stories about her grandfather and how he fought the Germans to protect his people as a young soldier. But while staying at her grandparents house, she is in the attic rummaging through old photos to collect for his 95th birthday celebration. Isla finds a photo of her grandfather wearing a Nazi uniform. Because her grandfather has dementia, he is unable to answer Isla’s questions about the photo. So, Isla sets out tho find the truth behind the photograph. I found this book to be so intriguing, the plot twists and turns of this story make it a rapid page turner. I absolutely could not wait to discover the truth in the story. This book is filled with love, betrayal and family, but when I found out that this was based on a true story, it surpassed extraordinary. Phenomenal doesn’t describe it enough, it is truly a must read. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end, it is an amazing, unputdownable must read. I wish I could give it more than five stars.

Thank you Carly Schabowski for such a wonderfully well written story. This heartbreaking historical fiction is both engaging and entertaining. It hits all the emotions and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were relatable and I highly recommend this book. I look forward to reading more books from this author.

I’ve often said whilst ending my review of a debut novel that ‘this is only the tip of what the author can do and I think there will be much more to come from this author in the future’. Well, this is definitely the case with Carly Schabowski. I enjoyed her debut The Ringmasters Daughter and her subsequent book, The Watchmaker of Dachau, but now having read her third book The Rainbow I really feel she has come a long way and is really getting into her stride. I definitely think this is the best book she has written and as it is based on a true story and it is a story she has always wanted to write that this element added even more to the book. Yes, there is a small element of ‘magic/suspend your disbelief that something could happen’ here as was present in her previous books but it didn’t play a dominant role in the overall plot and I felt it worked well here. It aided one character in connecting with another and said character used this experience in the toughest of times.

The Rainbow moves back and forth between the past and the present with the past sections being more prevalent and I enjoyed them much more. That’s not to say the parts featuring Isla and her search for answers in the present day were not good they definitely were but I found them to be mere tools to link the major plots of the story together. I found myself deeply invested in the story of unlocking the secrets of the past and it’s certainly a story that gives plenty of food for thought. Can you still love the man you always loved even if he was not who he said he was? What happens when the man you know as your grandfather turns out to have a past that will shock and anger you? Can you reconcile the man you know so well with what a photo seemingly says about him?

Isla goes to see her grandparents in the country. Her grandfather Tomasz who is Polish is now 95 and suffering from dementia has not spoken to his brother Andrzej in years. Whilst Isla is looking for something in the attic she stumbles across a rainbow scarf and a newspaper article with a photo of two German soldiers. The article details how a man earned the golden German cross for acts of bravery killing partisans in the Ukraine. She recognises one of the men as being her grandfather but didn’t he fight for the British during the war? The photo says different and Isla wants to know the truth. Her grandmother is evasive when questioned and also doesn’t want any extra upset placed on Tomasz considering his state of mind. Isla determines she must discover the answers for herself. Just who was Tomasz and why was he a German soldier in the war?

When Isla makes contact with Andrzej in Poland she knows if she wants answers she must go there to talk to him but Andrzej is grumpy, dark and moody. Tomasz made a mistake and it cost lives and he can never be forgiven for that. Isla is presented with Tomasz's diaries and through reading them she hopes to find out the truth. The scenes set in the present day were enough to get the story going and when we reverted back to them throughout the novel they strongly tied together questions that arose as we read about the past.

We are introduced to Tomasz in 1930 who resides in the Polish countryside on a farm with his family. An old caravan in a field leads to him meeting Kapaldi, who is like a magician of sorts. To me he was like an advisor to Tomasz and he goes on to play such a crucial role that was wonderfully but very subtly developed and I appreciated what a character he was. The years pass by and Tomasz falls in love with Zofia. They plan to spend their lives together but Hitler has other plans and if you do not have papers to prove you have German blood rather than Polish than the worst will befall you. German blood was believed to be superior, homes were taken from Poles for being Jewish or resisting German occupation and boys were rounded up to fight in the army. The peace and tranquillity of Tomasz's life was shattered.

Through one thing and another Tomasz is given a choice - his family will be moved to Germany to god knows what fate or else he must join the army and fight on the German side. This is where we see the beginnings of the turmoil that Tomasz faces throughout the remainder of the book. Of course, family must come first and he makes what he feels is the right decision but how can you live with yourself fighting on a side which promotes such hatred, abuse and brutality? Tomasz wrestles with his conscience time and time again and becomes increasingly angry at the madness surrounding him that he has no control over. The situation Tomasz finds himself in really makes you stop and think. If you saw a photo like Isla did and everything you knew about someone was a lie would your opinion of them instantly change or would you with hold judgement until if you have time to dig that little bit deeper?

Our views and opinions on the what the Germans did during the war are very strong and rightly so but this book makes you look beyond the bare details. That perhaps all is not as it seems at first glance in every case and regarding Tomasz, Isla is best to keep ploughing on until the real truth emerges. What could have Tomasz done during that time that made him so ashamed and his brother refused to speak to him ever again? You wonder had he no other choice? Do what your superiors asked of you or face being killed yourself not to mention the reprisals your family back home would receive if not. Yes, it brought shame on the family fighting on the German side and Tomasz was viewed as a traitor and it was like he had sold out his family but his love for Zofia always shone through and he had her at the forefront of his mind in everything he did.

The story dragged ever so slightly in the middle when Tomasz details where he is based and what he is doing but then the pace picked up again and I was completely riveted with all the various twists and turns. The author deftly highlighted the plight of Polish men forced to fight on a side inflicting so much horror and showed what pressure Tomasz was under. It was like he was a pawn in a game with someone turning the screw of control ever tighter. He really was faced with no choice but to keep going hoping he would emerge out the other side to his love and his family. You feel every bit of his fear and confusion as he grapples with knowing what the right thing is to do but then the hand that controls him wishes him to do the opposite. Another strand of the story begins to emerge towards the end which only served to increase the tension and unease which pervaded throughout the book and at one point you are left open mouthed in shock at what is unfolding before your eyes.

The ending perhaps was a little rushed but on reflection it was perfect as it made things come full circle and everything was fully explained to the reader. The Rainbow is an excellent read, packed full of emotions and you can tell the author has put so much time and effort into her research and thought carefully how she wished to convey her families story. It’s a story of courage, bravery and the sacrifices people will go to for love.I would definitely recommend The Rainbow and can’t wait to see what Carly Schabowksi brings us next.

The Rainbow is a heartbreaking story that follows Isla after she discovers a picture of her grandfather in a Nazi uniform. Unable to find answers at home Isla travels to Poland in search of the truth. What she finds is a story of betrayal, sacrifice, love and friendship. The Rainbow paints a vivid image of the horrors that happened during the war and the length that people had to go to in order to survive. This is definitely a book that I won’t be forgetting any time soon.

I’m really into reading novels based around World War II at the moment and The Rainbow does not disappoint. It doesn’t have the horrors of World War II like The Watchmaker of Dachau, but it has grit and strong family relationships.

The Rainbow is also told in a dual timeline format. Isla is in the present day and her grandad is back in the 1930s and the 1940s. Although he is suffering from advanced dementia in the present and unable to share his side of the story, Isla reads through a diary and asks elderly relatives about what happened. Her journey takes her to Poland – the childhood home of her grandfather.

As I was reading through it kept giving me more and more questions and very few answers until the very end. It’s brilliant!

A very involving story that crosses many decades of family and friends relationships. Cleverly written, well-developed characters, and sensitive in parts. I won’t spoil why the book is called The Rainbow but it’s truly magical. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!

A dual timeline story based in England and Poland during World War II and 2015. Isla is in search of her grandfather's story after she sees a picture of him dressed in German army uniform and a bravery medal. In the process of this search she meets relatives and friends of her granddad who help her to fill in the blanks.
The Rainbow is a very emotionally poignant story where truth is worth knowing about but at the same time bittersweet. This novel is not only story of Thomasz but all those soldiers who were forced to fight for something they didn't believe in. This novel is about what extent you will sacrifice yourself for your family and love. Unforgettable and emotional read!

The Rainbow by Carly Schabowski is Dual Time Historical Fiction World War II and in the present a granddaughter researching family secrets. Interesting storyline of soldiers conscripted by the Nazis and the effects of socialism on the people. The love of family, friends and enduring first love with heart wrenching details. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 4 Stars

Enjoyed reading this historical fiction novel, which was heartbreaking in places . Full review to follow on the book tour on 1st August. Interesting to see it was based on a family member who was Polish and called up into the German Army

The Rainbow is a moving and heartbreaking story of Isla learning the truth about her grandfather during the war.
I was very excited for this book, but was disappointed. I do not know why. But it just did not break my heart and it was not very exciting for me. It might be because I’ve read several other ww2 books this month. But the writing was very good and it is obvious that the author knows what she is doing.

The Rainbow is a wonderfully laid out novel which will take the reader on a journey of love, pain, heartbreak and sadness. The novel is about a granddaughter who truly loves her grandfather and finds a scarf and photo of her grandfather that makes her wonder if he is the person she thought he was. The grandfather suffering from severe dementia so she can't just ask for fear of upsetting him. So she goes on a quest to find the truth about her grandfather's youth and what she finds moves her to make more of her life. She rediscovers family she never knew she had and an uncle that she did not knew existed. This book evokes so many emotions. Based loosely on memories the Authors grandfather has growing up in Poland and being forcibly conscripted into the German Army. Many Polish boys were conscripted in this way, this is the first novel i have read about this.
Isla is preparing for her beloved Grandfathers birthday when she finds an old photograph of him in a German War uniform and a very colorful scarf. Unable to question her grandfather due to his dementia She travels to Poland to try to discover the truth. The book is moving and educational. This book is something that people need to read and remember how you did not have a choice in life and when things are dictated freedom is taken away. The characters in the book will have the reader entranced in their journey flipping pages as they make a difference. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for a review..