I've read plenty of WWII novels focused on the resistance, but The Resistance Girl offers a fresh perspective by highlighting the Norwegian resistance, which I knew little about.

It was eye-opening to learn about the Nazis' horrific eugenics plan and their attempt to create more Aryan babies using Norwegian women. That aspect added a deeper level of horror to the story.

The Shetland Bus, which smuggled people and supplies from Norway to Scotland, was also fascinating, and Robotham did a great job portraying the bravery of these resistance fighters.

I loved Rumi, Jens, and Marjit as the main characters - not only for their courage but for their vulnerabilities too. Rumi's grief at the loss of her fiancé at the start of the novel was particularly well-handled, capturing her anger and devastation.

Part of me wasn't sure the romance was entirely necessary but it did add a sense of hope to an otherwise rather grim tale. I did also appreciate how the romance itself was handled. It wasn't overly dramatic or rushed, but felt more grounded and realistic, considering everything the characters were going through. It added a layer of tenderness amidst the tension and loss.

Despite COVID travel restrictions impacting Robotham's research, the book still felt vividly researched, with detailed descriptions of Norway that really brought the setting to life.

Rumi met Jen when he as stuck in a tree hanging from his parachute. The courage people like Rumi and Jen showed was second to none. Norway 1942, and war was in full swing, with the Germans having taken over the town of Bergen, much to the horror of Norwegians. Rumi Orlstad worked with her father Peder and Rubio, her almost-brother, with Peder’s fishing trawler, which, while fishing daily, also covered a darker secret. Helping the resistance was the reason for their existence in this shocking war, and already Rumi had lost her fiancé to the North Sea and her anger was always just below the surface. Her next-door neighbour, Marjit, was the closest Rumi had to a mother, since hers had passed, and her strength and steadfastness carried them all through. My favourite part of the storyline was Anya, and the Lebensborn camps. The strength shown is inspiring. Many thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher.

Another well-written novel from Robotham, I really enjoyed the unexpected setting as readers are taken to Norway during the Second World War. Whilst there were moments where I found the narrative to be a bit dry and hard-going, I appreciated learning about another element to this global conflict.

Not only does this book detail the Norwegian resistance movement, which, in my opinion, worked very similarly to the rest of the underground operations in Europe, Robotham also explores the Nazi ideology of pure breeding. Therefore, Rumi’s meeting with Jens, an operative sent from England to help with the resistance, sparks a change in behaviour for Rumi which culminates in her helping an old friend escape a maternity camp. The maternity camp was most intriguing in this story and I think I would have preferred it to feature more.

I liked how the narrative switched to a housekeeper at Lebensborn, who sees her place of work undergo a significant transformation, all for the Nazi cause. I enjoyed learning about this element to the war as I had little knowledge of how Hitler would ensure his pure race. Therefore, discovering these maternity camps were in existence was equally chilling and terrifying: I could not begin to imagine the distress these expectant mothers went through and it left me wondering how different they were to the labour camps? Whilst the mothers had more comforts, they still had the stress of the situation and the uncertainty of what would happen to them, and their baby, after the birth.

Although the story was a bit slow at times, I found the conclusion was gripping and tense. I enjoyed seeing how Rumi’s character softens over the novel: from a hardened widow who appears to have very little warmth and humour, to a woman who allows her feelings to show and this makes her more involved with others. Indeed, her relationship with Anya is the catalyst to Rumi’s ultimate evolution and I admired her strength and bravery when it came to ensuring Anya’s safety above her own.

This was an enjoyable read and I feel even more informed about this time in history. I enjoyed the snowy setting of Norway and it is evident that the writer has carefully researched another element of the Second World War. A great way to learn something whilst reading a fictional book.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this ARC. I've never read or heard anything about Norway in WWII. It's a very good story and I really hope other readers enjoy the book like I did.

I enjoyed this book granted to me by NetGalley and Avon Books for review. Though I devour World War 2 stories of courage, espionage and suffering, I hadn’t read any based in Norway so the setting of the book was exciting to me. I would recommend this novel by this author, it will hold your interest if you enjoy stories on the themes I mentioned above.

I am a huge fan of Mandy Robotham's books, and The Resistance Girl is no exception. I was quickly pulled into the story and couldn't put this book down. As an avid reader of historical fiction, I get tired of similar stories being told repeatedly. To me, this was a fresh story in a setting that I knew little about. I very much look forward to reading more of Mandy Robotham's books.

I am a swiftly becoming a huge fan of Mandy Robotham and this book has not disappointed once again! The story of bravery & grit of good people, when faced with the worst humanity can imagine is outstanding. The historical accuracy of the books is wonderful, and it was excellent to read about the Norwegian occupations that is not often covered. I was rooting for Rumi, Jens and Marjit throughout the entire book and I liked the twists and turns that come to the different characters. Their personalities and morals are challenge, but their resolve is undeniable.

This was a historical fiction nivele from a perspective I have never read before. I enjoyed the characters and ths depth of the story very much!

The Resistance Girl begins with Rumi. Struggling with the loss of her fiancé, who was lost at sea during a resistance mission, Rumi has such a mix of feelings swirling inside her. But anger towards Hitler and his forces are at the very heart of it all. We are then introduces to SOE agent Jensen who finds himself in a very dangerous position. His parachute has landed him in a tree, ready for any enemy soldier to discover him. This leads to the first of Rumi’s missions that we experience, and it’s a rescue mission. We witness many missions throughout the book, but when Rumi discovers her friend, Anya’s, situation, saving her becomes the number one priority. Every step of the journey is intense, and has you on the edge of the seat. There are obstacles to overcome, many different dangers to face, all of which could get them killed.

The resistance work that Rumi, her family, her friends, and many others are undertaking is nothing short of heroic. Putting their lives on the line for their country and it’s people. Until I read this book, I was unaware of how bad things were in Norway during WWII, as it’s not an aspect of the war that we ever really learn about during school in the UK, so I was fascinated to read about it within this story, and about the ways that the people of Norway fought back. Mandy Robotham is very good at showing sides of war that we’re not all necessarily aware of, and that’s one of the reasons why I loved her books so much.

There were so many interesting characters in this story, and they are all so well written that you almost feel as though you know them personally. The description of Selig is spine chilling, and you can imagine just how terrifying it would be to come face to face with this monster of a man. Rumi however does not cower in his presence, but stands tall, defiant. Her story is heartbreaking, and I immediately felt sorry for her, but she’s so incredibly strong. Her fierceness, and determination, and the lengths she will go to for the people she cares about, and even complete strangers is unbelievable. What an fantastic character!

There were so many close calls throughout the book, and I could feel my heart rate increasing with every near miss. There was excitement from start to finish, and it made it impossible to put this book down. I became so invested in this story, and attached to it’s characters, that I was desperate for them to succeed in every mission they undertook.

I loved absolutely everything about this book, which seems to be a common occurrence when it comes to Mandy Robotham’s books. I intend to read everything that she writes, and I can not wait to pick up another one of her books.

I give The Resistance Girl a 5 star rating!

This story is a riveting, unique tale of Norway during WWII and the strong, determined Rumi, fighting with the resistance against the Nazi plot to "strengthen" their Aryan bloodline by creating baby farms out of Norwegian women.

Rumi, amid her grief of losing the love of her life, risks everything to protect her dear friend, who gets caught up in this baby trafficking scheme- including the lives of those she loves the most.

This is a well-researched, eye-opening, page-turner of deplorable horrors the Nazis concocted and the redeeming side of humanity that brings life back to a part of this history that is rarely talked about. This does not disappoint! It opened a whole new perspective for me and made me want to learn more.

A well done novel of WWII Norway. Rumi, who is faced with a difficult choice, is a heroine to root for. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read for fans of the genre.

I enjoy reading historical fiction books that take place during WWII. The bravery the two main characters demonstrated as they resist the Nazi invasion of Norway. The characters are well developed and you will be pulled into their story. There is an edge of danger and fear. This is the second book I’ve read that dealt with Operation Shetland Bus. The author has done an amazing job of building your emotions up to a tense point but bringing you to a satisfactory conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Unfortunately not for at the moment. Will try and come back to it at a later date and give it another go

Something a bit different in the telling of WWII. This time we're taken to Norway where the Germans having taken over the town of Bergen, the year 1942. We are with the Norwegian resistance as they set their explosives, destroying munitions. However, the German are set to steal the DNA from the Norwegians, setting up maternity hospitals around the country as they try to steal the "true Aryan race" of the blond hair and blue-eyed children. A story that was very different and one I had no knowledge of before. An excellent novel.

I think this is my first WWII book that showed the Norwegian resistance. I liked getting this different viewpoint. Mandy Robotham does a great job with her research and attention to detail. The story itself felt slow in some parts but it still kept my attention.

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

The Berlin Girl was the first novel I read from Mandy Robotham and I love her writing. When I had the chance to read The Resistance Girl I did not even read what it was about. I was happy to see that this story was set in Norway as my grandparents came to America from Norway so I thought this will be a good story to learn some facts about Norway and WWII. I was not disappointed. I was caught up in the story and the characters. There was romance, spying, and trying to thwart the Nazi's every chance they could. This is a new story for me involving WWII and it was a great read. Thank you Mandy Robotham and Netgalley for allowing me to enjoy this novel.

I have loved every Mandy Robotham book so far but this one fell a little flat for me.
Robotham’s books are well researched and full of detail. The story line of the Norwegian resistance was another take on the war that I had not yet heard as well as the German’s using the Norwegian’s to continue the Arayan line but I felt it very slow going at times and hard to get through. I was waiting for something else to happen and it never came.
Just an ok read for me.

I’ve never read a historical fiction with this perspective! Norway 1942, it offers another side that was so enthralling and you fall in love with the characters. Mandy is such a talented writer!
I enjoyed this one quite a bit! Thank you NetGalley!

Mandy Robotham is the queen of historical fiction books and I cannot get enough of them. This is slightly different than previous books though as it set in Norway instead of Germany but it still gripped me every step of the way.

Rumi is very suspicious of the Nazis and wants revenge after the death of her fiancé but with the arrival of resistance member Jens it looks like Rumi's desire to avenge Magnus' death will finally come to fruition. Despite her desires Rumi is naturally cautious but when it transpires that her best friend, Anya, has been placed in a Lebensborn institute Rumi knows that she must rescue Anya and her unborn baby at all costs. But will it have an impact on her blossoming relationship with Jens and his loyal aunt Marjit?

Above all else we see the savage nature of the Nazis and the lengths that ordinary people would go to to help those in the most danger and it gives a true sense of what living in such dangerous times would have been like.

I cannot wait for the next book as I know it will be just as enthralling.

I love historical fiction particularly WW2. This is the first book I have read set in Norway. It was really educating to learn about the resistance movement in Norway. This was a beautifully written book. A story of love, loyalty, bravery and fighting evil.