German-Jew ballerina Lilli faces choices many of us would never want to face: what to do after heartbreak, when to leave her family behind, how to save her homeland from terror, whether or not to deny her nationality/religion, and other great moral dilemmas. Reviewers have compared “Beneath a Starless Sky” to works such as “The Nightingale” and while I see the connection, I’m never a fan of such comparisons. Each book stands on its own with very different styles of storytelling - personally “Beneath a Starless Sky” comes in below some other WWII fiction I have read. But it is certainly a gripping tale of a strong woman enduring war, growing up, heartbreak, and inevitable loss.

A book, chosen randomly...seemingly ordinary, but somehow it attracted me at that moment and I took it...I never thought for a single moment that that very book would leave me without sleep and plunge me into an unprecedented whirlwind of emotions. ..

An incredible novel about the love, loss, and courage of one young woman during wartime... An interesting tale about forbidden love, about a tender soul full of hope and broken by pain, about a young girl and a longing for a better future...

Beneath a Starless Sky by Tessa Harris takes us on an emotional journey before, during, and after World War II, following the life of Lilli Sternberg, a talented ballerina who takes us on her journey from Munich to Hollywood in search of success and fame.

We meet her, this gentle Jewish girl, and her family, living in a city where things are slowly becoming tense and dangerous. We feel the joy of her first love, the flutter of her heart as soon as she meets Marco, the young Italian soldier. A Jewish Girl and a Nazzi solder- a combination that is condemned even before it manages to be explored. We also feel her pain when Marco puts an end to that sincere love. We are enveloped by her fears and her desires. We pack together all her hopes and dreams and follow her on her way to Hollywood. But will this young lady succeed in making her dreams come true or do fate have other plans for her?

I cannot find adequate words to describe how much this admirable story of will and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of historical coincidences and tragedy affected me. The author has succeeded in crafting such a complex plot that pulls the reader in from the very beginning. Love, prejudices, action, history, suspense, and spanning narrative are all so skillfully balanced, that no matter how much you don't want to, you stop from time to time to be able to think about what you read. Through a sumptuous style intertwined with vivid descriptions, the author opens up complex questions and exposes essential dilemmas that even modern man faces. The way this author balances historical facts and elements is also commendable, as there are enough elements to justify the genre but not overshadow the story. And the way in which the terrible persecution of the Jewish people is painted is something that particularly impressed me.

This timeless, multi-generational story is a heartbreaking tale about one woman's struggle to survive and help her loved ones. Definitely, it is a novel that would delight all readers.

I loved Lilli and Marco in this book, no matter how hard it became for them with the events of Munich and the war surrounding them. This is a book that you don’t put down. That you get comfy because you will have sat there and read the whole thing with bated breath and only upon completion realized you never moved.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

4.5 stars

You had me at forbidden romance with this one. I am an absolute sucker for forbidden romances and this book sounded like it had the ultimate forbidden romance—German soldier and a Jewish woman during WWII. I mean come on how could I pass on that? I was super excited to dive into this one. Author Tessa Harris has written two other historical mysteries series (which I now need to read) but this is her first stand alone historical fiction novel.

While her other novels are set in the Victorian era, this one is set during WWII and I thought she did a wonderful job with her historical research and presentation not to mention the romance which is the reason why I am so excited to read her other books! I am a sucker for a well researched historical fiction novel and this one did not disappoint.

It came in at around 350 pages which might seem short by historical fiction standards—sometimes historical fiction novels run long because the authors like to add a lot of historical detail. This one did not skimp on historical details but kept the focus on the characters and romance while keeping the historic details pointed and clear rather than for filler (if that makes sense). If you are a fan of historical fiction you should know what I mean by this. If you need a last minute gift for the historical fiction fan on your shopping list, take a look at this lovely story!

Summary

An epic tale of love, hope, glamour and courage set against the staggering true-life events leading up to World War 2.

For fans of A Woman of War and The Nightingale comes a heart-wrenching tale that takes the reader on an emotional roller-coaster ride from Munich to Hollywood, London, Paris and Lisbon.

A forbidden romance…
Munich 1930 Jewish ballet dancer Lilli Sternberg longs to escape the rising Nazi menace. But a whirl-wind romance with a promising young army officer, Captain Marco Zeiller, puts her Hollywood dreams on hold – until her heart is broken.

A dream shattered….
Making it to Hollywood, Lilli dances with the legendary Fred Astaire, who introduces her to high society and the heir to the British throne, Prince Edward. But when injury ends her film career, Edward and his American mistress, Wallis Simpson, both Nazi sympathisers, have other plans for Lilli.

A final chance to save her loved-ones and change the course of history…
As war looms and Marco Zeiller, now working for Goebbels, re-enters her life, Lilli’s loyalties are tested as one by one her family falls prey to Nazi terror. Against all odds, can Lilli save her family and foil Hitler’s plot to kidnap Edward? (summary from Goodreads)

Review

In recent years, I am been loving all the female spy war time historical fiction. I love seeing these women and their stories brought to the light even if it’s a historical fiction novel, often they are based on true stories. And made up or not I love a character with grit, tenacity, and courage. Ultimately that’s what this novel is about, a brave woman who risks her life to save her family. I adored Lilli and found her easy to read and admire. I think other readers will agree that she is a fantastic character that you won’t want to stop reading!

Normally I don’t care for real life historical figures popping up randomly in fictional books. For example, Coco Chanel randomly showing up because a character visits her shop while in Paris once and meets her and then we never hear about Coco again. It’s one thing if said historical figure continues to be part of the story but as a one off, it comes across as simple name dropping and I typically don’t care for it. In this book we meet Fred Astaire as well as a few other well known historical figures like the Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson, in this book these characters have impact on the larger story so it didn’t bother me at all and I was so happy about this!

As I said earlier, Harris balances historical details with great characters and romance. I loved the history but wasn’t overwhelmed by it in this novel. There is enough to make historical fiction fans happy without being a dry history book. But where Harris shines is with the romance. I loved the romance in this one and that’s what made me absolutely fall in love with this one. I couldn’t get enough of Marco and then he broke Lilli’s heart and my heart hurt for her too. This is a story about history, romance, and family—-family plays a big part in this book and readers will delight in this one. I loved it and I cannot wait to read more from this author!

Book Info and Rating

Kindle Edition, 358 pages

Publisher December 9th 2021 by HQ Digital

ASIN B08LQ6ZYQ8

Free review copy provided by publisher, HQ Digital, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Genre: historical fiction

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a WWII historical fiction that told the tale of a Jewish dancer/actress, lilli Stern, and her path out and back into Germany. This was well researched and had a lot of focus on Wallis Simpson, etc. Some of the elements didn't resolve in this novel but overall a good read.

In the newest World War II-set novel by Tessa Harris, it's 1930, and Jewish ballet dancer Lilli Sternberg is anxious to leave the troubled city of Munich.

She becomes heartbroken when a whirlwind romance with a young German army officer, Marco Zeiller, is complicated by wartime events and ends in heartbreak. Leaving feels even more essential now.

Harris winds her tale through Lilli's journey to the United States and her glamorous years dancing in Hollywood--where she rubs elbows with famous figures ranging from Fred Astaire to Prince Edward.

But Lilli must cope with the punishing physical demands of constant, grueling dancing and a potential permanent disability from performing with unhealed injuries. Meanwhile, she has bigger concerns than her career--her family is in grave danger, a man from her past may be terrorizing them, and her homeland is roiling with cruelties, turmoil, and destruction.

Then Lilli's path leads back to Marco, who has in recent years risen through the ranks to work for Goebbels. She and Marco have the chance to help the effort to bring down the Nazis, but at enormous potential cost to themselves.

Harris's book is fast-paced, without a lot of page time spent setting a background or lingering on self-reflection. It's action-driven World War II intrigue, and it's a quick, compelling read.

Tessa Harris is also the author of the Dr. Thomas Silkstone series and the Constance Piper Mystery series as well as The Light We Left Behind.

I received a prepublication digital copy of this book courtesy of Harper 360 and NetGalley.

This was a fantastic read and such a rollercoaster of emotions. Lilli’s story was one that I’ve read before but I connected immediately with hers. This was such a great book and Tessa is a masterful storyteller! Highly recommend!

Good writing style, but the beginning was super abrupt and a bit triggering. Maybe I should've expected it given the war focus, but I wish Netgalley had some trigger warnings attached to books. :/

Beneath a Starless Sky was exquisite storytelling. Tessa Harris evoked so many different emotions with her writing. You could see the pure souls that fought against the truly evil things being done during WWII. As a lover of historical fiction, this will be high on my recommendation list.

I really liked this book! I like reading historical fiction about WWII and I kind of figured this would be a typical Romeo and Juliet love story. I was wrong and I'm so glad I was! I really liked how there was only one timeline. It made it much easier to follow. I thought that the plot was very interesting and really drew me in. I couldn't stop reading! I would definitely read more by this author. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This is such a fantastic book!! I loved this book. It's impossible to put it down once you start reading. I learned a lot about Germany during WW11, Mrs Simpson and David the King who abdicated and their treatchery. The story itself is intriguiging, beguiling and engaging. I recommend it as a truly wonderful read. I look forward to reading more by Tessa Harris.

Beneath A Starless Sky is a heartfelt, gripping story about the horrors that Jewish people lived through in Hitler's Germany. This is a story of love and loss that you don't want to miss.

Beneath a Starless Sky is the story of Lilli Steinburg, who lives in Munich with her Jewish family. She spends her days training as a ballet dancer and sacrificing to accomplish her dream of becoming a professional dancer. Then WWII hits and her life takes a different path. One day, on her way home, she meets German soldier Marco and quickly finds herself falling in forbidden love with him. After getting her heart shattered, she eventually finds her way to Hollywood and begins to rub shoulders with her icons and idols. Fred Astaire, Prince Edward and others! But Lilli is drawn into the dark underworld to help save her family during the war that are still in Munich as their situation becomes worse.

This was a beautiful story that captured me from the start. I love Historical Fiction and this one was no different. This was a delightful story about a woman with strength and determination. The story was beautifully written and while this is my first time reading anything by the author, Tessa Harris, I hope to enjoy more of her writing in the future!
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my reviews and honest opinion.

This was such a great book! I enjoyed it from beginning to end and I could not put it down. I love reading about historical fiction books and this was no exception. The characters were easy to love and the writing was well done.

Beginning in the 1930s as Hitler is coming into power and the lives of the German Jews are being changed for the worse, this story is about Lilli Sternberg a German-Jewish ballet dancer with dreams of becoming a star and escaping Germany.
Performing the lead role in Giselle, Lillie enchants the audience and more specifically draws the attention of one army captain Marco Zeiller who later meets Lilli at a ball thus beginning a forbidden relationship between the two. Lilli's parents after meeting Marco forbid the relationship and upon receiving a devastating telegram from Marco the romance dies. Lillie is offered a part from an American scout and she travels to America where her career takes off when she is paired to dance with Fred Astaire. Throwing herself into her career Lillie brushes off her brothers pleas of help and of tales of how bad things have become for jewish people in Munich. Thinking he is exaggerating, Lillie continues on to Hollywood landing a role as Astaire's partner in his next film, insuring her stardom. But after a catastrophic injury ends her career, Lillie moves to England where she marries a titled man, but her marriage is not what she expects. Lillie begins working with the British as a spy, spying on Wallis Simpson and the Prince of Wates, until she is trapped into spying for the Germans also. Torn and not knowing what to do, Lillie is reunited with Marco, their relationship picking up where it stopped.
This book takes you from war torn Europe to the glitz of Hollywood, filled with spies, double-agents and the horrors of Mazi reign over Europe it is an interesting ride. Not as exciting as I had hoped, and the characters were a bit one dimensional, it is still a good story-line. It is filled with many famous people and incidents, and takes a look at The Duke and Duchess of Windsor and the roles they played during WWII, their sympathies siding with Hitler and what a scandal this made. This was of interest to me because I knew a little about it, but had not read all that much, it filled in some missing details for me.
All in all not a bad little quick read for WWII historical fiction fans.
Thank you to Harper 360 and Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

What I liked about the book: I read many historical fiction books, especially during WWII. This book was an interesting perspective - a Jewish woman who hid she was Jewish, became famous, and then became valuable to the Nazis. The story was interesting, and kept me reading to find out what happened next. There were many important historical figures in the book that made it unique as well.

What I struggled with: The main character was flat. She had some major life events happen to her, and there was so little emotion. I made it really hard to empathize with her. Also, it made it really hard to understand her motives for her actions. I also felt that some of those famous cameos in the book were more of a distraction than story-building.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I'm just not sure if it stands out amongst other WWII Historical Fiction.

Beneath a Starless Sky by Tessa Harris was quite a surprise. I love WWII historical fiction so expected to at least like this story. I did not expect to get completely wrapped up in a story of love, fame, espionage, and sacrifice.

Lilli Sternberg is a talented ballet dancer who finds fame and fortune in Hollywood. She leaves her family behind to pursue her dream. After an injury sidelines her career, she decides to move to England. It is while here that she learns what she had been mostly ignorant of, how bad things were getting for her family in France because of their being Jewish.

After a chance encounter with someone she loved and thought was gone from her life Lilli learns she can be of help to those opposing Hitler and the Nazi regime. The resulting story is suspenseful and at times heartbreaking.

I had previously vaguely heard of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s fascist sympathies. This book was enlightening regarding that part of history. I learned things I did not previously know, all wrapped up in an amazing story.

I really enjoyed this story and recommend it to anyone who enjoys WWII historical fiction. Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Harris, and Harper 360 for the copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are entirely my own.

If you love the time period of the 1930s this is the book for you. It’s Jammed full of deceit, love, betrayal, and repressive political rule. Two lovers find each other in an impossible time where their feelings are forbidden. Lily traverses the Atlantic and rubs elbows with some of,the most famous people of the time. The story has intrigue and the possibility of what if’s. There is much sorrow in the book so be prepared. It’s an enveloping story.

Beneath a Starless Sky by Tessa Harris is a gripping, exciting, and very emotional story set in Europe before, during, and after World War II. It follows the story of Jewish ballet dancer Lilli Sternberg as she rises to stardom in Hollywood and after an injury, she becomes a spy.

Lilli works hard at the ballet school in dreams of making it out of her home in Germany and becoming a star in Hollywood. On her way, she meets and falls for German soldier Captain Marco Zeiller. After a short romance, her heart is broken, but she finally finds her way to Vaudeville in New York City and eventually to Hollywood and becomes a dancer in the movies.

Her life in America is what she’s always dreamed of and she meets and dances with Fred Astaire and other famous actors, actresses, and dancers. She also meets Prince Edward and his Americal mistress Wallis Simpson.

I was swept away by this historical story that brought real-life history to life for me. The prologue had me flying through the pages of this superbly written saga to learn the fate of Lilli and her loves and family. Lilli is a remarkable woman whose courage, strength, and resiliency are perfectly balanced with her vulnerability and love for her family and country. I loved how the author weaved in the very real historical figures into this work of fiction, making the story believable and very realistic. As if this story really happened.

I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and anyone who loves a good story. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Loved this book. Let me start with that. I am a huge fan of WWII-era books but this one was the first I have come across that included the truth about the Windsors, particulary King Edward VIII and his fascist sympathies (does anyone know he met with Hitler several times?!). Ms. Harris was excellent with her character description and evoking the times and era of this novel.. I will definitely be reading more from her!