The Resistance Girl by Mandy Robotham is a powerful historical novel set in occupied Norway during World War II.
The reader hears about the extraordinary acts of bravery of ordinary men and women against the occupying Nazis. Brave souls worked along fully trained operatives to sabotage the plans of the Nazis.
Secrecy was the order of the day as was the ability to run at the drop of a hat.
War robs people of so much as we follow a young woman grieving the death of her fiancé. “For a short time [she] was pulled from her swamp of grief by those in a far worse position than herself.” Helping others lifts us above our circumstances as we focus on them.
We see that many help in whatever ways they can – be it knitting, hiding or healing. People do what they can when they can.
We also hear about the lebensraum program to repopulate Germany. Here the women were often not willing participants but taken advantage of. Their bodies were merely used as incubators.
The story is written in the alternating points of view of the two lead characters and a housekeeper of the lebensraum program. We see the brave men and women fighting for their homeland.
Mandy Robotham has produced a marvellous story about a little known, to me, slice of history. It is a compulsive tale that I can highly recommend.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Author Mandy Robotham explores the German occupation of Norway and highlights how the Norwegians fought back through resistance. It’s a refreshing and unique look at wartime fiction as Norway is rarely featured in wartime novels.

Robotham’s narrative highlights a smuggling network of fishing boats, code-named Shetland Bus, used as an escape route to transport spies, supplies and personnel safely across the North Sea to the Shetland Islands. When disaster strikes during one of the transfers, it emboldens ordinary Norwegians to do what they can to loosen the Nazi stronghold on their country despite the challenges the weather brings. The determination and sense of community made the Norwegians a formidable force against the Wermacht and SS.

It’s a gripping read, part mystery/thriller, and involves Special Operations Executive involvement, a stranded parachuter, a secret Aryan Maternity Home, everyday Norwegians doing what they can, resistance fighters, bold fishermen, safe houses, and tons of secrets! I love learning as I read and Robotham indulged me multiple times with her meticulous research. Yes, there were some predictable parts. Yes, she spoon-fed readers what they expected (traditional Norwegian knitting, skiing, and hot drinks). But she also uses her career-specific knowledge to enlighten us about lebensborn and the fate of young girls in Nazi-occupied areas. Readers are left with an understanding of a fiercely committed community that banded together to defy an occupying force.

I enjoyed The Girl Behind The Wall as well as this one and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this author. Her covers are eye-catching and her writing consistent and informative.

I was gifted this advance copy by Mandy Robotham, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I really like stories about WWII that are about the resistance fighters and this story made the bill quite well. Mandy Robotham did a great job of explaining how Jens and Rumi had fallen in love over a time and how Rumi's actions saved her man. If I hadn't broken my arm in two pieces I would have finished this story weeks ago. But for some reason I couldn't read. Well the book ended with a double wedding being proposed. It had to be hard for Jens and Rumi to be available to get the women away from the Germans. The story is how the people of Norway survived during the German occupation. I gave Mandy 5 out of 5 stars . The book is worth your reading it.

Nazi occupation in Norway was not a battlefront but a minefield for producing the coveted blonde-haired, blue-eyed progeny. They set up maternity homes for the young women who had, mostly, been coerced and impregnated by so called, "patriotic" Germans, willing to do the job for their Fuhrer. So saying there are a couple of delivery scenes where the author used her mid-wifery knowledge and experience to describe them rather authentically.

Norwegians did not stand idly by, by this take takeover of their country. No, they fought back with organized resistance being flies in the ointment, so to speak, in the Germans' operations by creating a variaty of hindrances and ways. As this work of historical fiction unfolds, some of those ways become apparent.

Rumi Orlstad was the Resistance Girl to be reckoned with. Her anger at her fiance Magnus' death fueled her part in the efforts. Her father, Peder, who owned and operated fishing trawlers, along with Rubio, Rumi's foster brother, and with other fistherman of Bergen and surrounding areas, did their collective bit for the Shetland Bus network; a relay of boats doing heroic resistance work.

Jensen Parkes aka Jens was a key man for the resistance operatives and became friends with Rumi and family. Margit was everyone's comfort person, knowledgeable and hospitable, and like a mother to Rumi.

I don't want to say too much more here for fear of spoiling this story but I am excited about it and want to say I really, really enjoyed this story, learning about the struggles of those courageous Norwegians. We often hear of, see or read about the actual battles of WWII, and conditions of the solders in the trenches and all they endured, and of the horrendous Holocaust but not much about the other facets of the war, and Hitler's big plan for a Master race. This book gives an excellent portrayal of the fallout of his policies and the emissaries who carried out his evil plans.

It is not all tense and serious as there were times of fun and of learning some Norwegian culture. Of course there is the touch of romance to top it all off. I believe no reader will be disapppointed with this story. I certainly wasn't.

For your further information, if you enjoy this book, the author has other works of similar looking caliber of historical fiction under her belt, which you may wish to take a look at. I plan on it.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

February 2022

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

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14th November 1941. Rumi Orlstad lives in a small Southwestern Norwegian town of Bergen. Her father Peder is a fisherman who gets involved in operation Shetland Bus. At night Rumi, her father and other locals smuggle British agents, Spies and supplies across the North Sea to safety to Scotland away from the Nazis.
But one of the trips Rumi’s husband Magnus dies by drowning in the North Sea. So, because of this Rumi helps in any way she can to fight with the Norwegian resistance to help stop the Nazis get a grip on the country she holds dear.
When she meets Jens who is struck up a tree when his parachute fails to disconnect. Jens is half Norwegian and is sent by the Special operations executive to monitor what is going on and to rescue individuals that are at risk with the Nazis. When he gets to know him, she realises that they have similar goals, and both work together with the resistance.
Thank you, Avon, for a copy of The Resistance girl By Mandy Robotham. This is another great read from the author based on facts and well researched by the author. I have read quite a few WW2 historical novels, but this author seems to be different from the rest. We here about subjects that have not be written so much about before. Or I haven’t heard anyway. I never new what went on in Norway during war time until I read this book and the lengths the Nazi’s went to get a perfect race. 5 stars from me.

Another great historical fiction book by Mandy Robotham! Loved how this was set in Norway. Definitely gave more more perspective on what others went thru during that awful time. Read as a thriller in some parts, very exciting! You fall in love with the characters, what wonderful writing. This is my fave by this author for sure! Amazing story of bravery, loss, hope, and friendship. Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the arc.

I normally can't put down Mandy Robotham's books, but The Resistance Girl wasn't in that category. While I did get through it easily, I found there to be a lack of action for most of the book. I did like that the setting was in Norway, which is another viewpoint of WW2. I liked Rumi and Jens, I just thought they weren't really involved in much worth writing about. I liked the story line of the maternity home, but it wasn't prominent enough. Maybe my expectations were too high for this one? Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the invitation to read this book.

I enjoy historical fiction set during war periods and this book really hit the mark with me. It is a lovely and refreshing change to read a war book set in a Scandinavian country. I really liked the start of the book and was immediately drawn into the story. I thought Jens and Rumi are both strong, likeable, believable and brave characters who are portrayed very realistically. I think the book was very well written and engaging with a good plot line and flowed really well. I loved that the story was told mainly through Jens and Rumi and really liked the secondary characters - Rumi’s family, her friend and Marjit who all added something to the story. The authors writing is very descriptive and I could picture scenes in my mind. This was a tense and thrilling read at times about loss, bravery, hope and friendships. I found I was willing the characters on throughout, and thought the ending was very fitting for the story. Overall a great book which was a joy to read, and I’d recommend this if you enjoy historical fiction set during war time.

As a lover of historical fiction, I’m always thrilled when I come across an aspect of it that’s unfamiliar, and that is what this story provided for me. I have never read any novels that dealt with Norway’s occupation by the Nazi’s and the suffering that was dealt the Norwegian people.
This story focuses on the story of Rumi Orlstadt, who’s the daughter of a local fisherman in a small village that has come under occupation by the German’s.
She happens on an injured British airman and hides him in their home. As Rumi and her elderly neighbor get involved with the resistance, her father volunteers to ferry escaping airmen to safer areas, while trying to avoid suspicion by the occupying enemy.
This is a story of the unsung hero’s of WWII, that risked their lives to disrupt enemy movement of troops and weapons, while struggling with little food, supplies and weapons to protect their family and neighbors.
Author Mandy Robotham has written several historical novels, and this is a standout effort. She uses her excellent research to create the small villages that are taken over by enemy troops, while developing strong likable characters to carry out her story.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and Harper Collins Publishers for the ARC. All opinions are my own, as well as my sincererecommendation!

Beautifully written, this story captures the love, pain and fear from the Norwegians when they were relentlessly controlled by the Nazi Party during WWII.

The country was quickly taken over by the cold-blooded German Army in 1940 and suddenly trust was extremely important. In 1941, the Norwegians had to give up their radios and those that did not follow orders were sent to the concentration camp, Grini. However, there was an undercover group that worked to challenge the German's hostile takeover. It was a time when life depended upon "luck, fate and probabilities...A deadly gamble."

There was a close connection with the characters. It wasn't easy for Rumi to fall in love again after her finance failed to return from the sea trying to save others in the war. However, when Jens showed up in her life, there was an instant attraction and it was easy for the reader to figure out what would happen. He lived in London although he was half Norwegian and his beloved aunt Marjit lived next door. But Jens wasn't there to visit. He had a dangerous assignment working for the resistance.

Rumi's childhood friend, Bjorne, shocked her when he joined the Germans. He was now the enemy. Her blond, blue-eyed friend, Anya, lived in a city not too far away and was a hotel receptionist. When she got pregnant -- or rather raped -- by a German officer, she was sent to a special hostel. She was desperate to escape and asked Rumi for her help in this closely guarded area.

The reader was pulled right into the life of villagers with Rumi working for her father in the fishing industry. She was also raised on skis and when her father asked her to rescue someone captured in a tree with his parachute, she said yes. That's when she met Jens, barely alive. The story gives the reader a glimpse of the harsh life with the war. When I closed the book, I felt like I learned another part of WWII that I didn't know too much about -- as my second generation Norwegian father was dodging bullets in Germany and France. Books like this help us to remember the past so that we can hope that this will never happen again.

My thanks to Mandy Robotham for another great book, HarperCollins Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of March 31, 2022.

My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

Rumi Orlstad lost her finances when he drowned on a resistance mission never wanting to assist in any more missions till she meets Jens Parke and his group. Rumi starts to help.again to help Norway while facing the possibility of finding love again in a dreadful time

Very well written and intelligent read. My only reason for 4 stars is it was a very heavy read, but still highly recommend.

I'm sorry to the author but I can't relate to the story or characters
I gave it my best at 50% read but it was hard for me to get that far
Please don't go by my review for there are plenty of 4 and 5 star reviews for this book

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a digital ARC copy of this book. All words are my own and again I'm sorry to the author and publisher. I won't review on a retail site for it to hurt the authors ratings

Norway 1941
The Wermacht and SS have made their presence felt in Bergen. Rumi and her family are strong Norwegian fisherfolk who are determined to save their beloved country from Hitler's cruelty. When Rumi rescues Jens from a parachute-drop-gone-wrong, she finds him to be a kindred spirit in the resistance effort. Jens, who is half-Norwegian, has been sent from London by Special Operations Executive (SOE). Together, they work to monitor Nazi activities and rescue individuals at risk.
I love historical fiction about WWII. This is the first one I've read that examines the experiences of an occupied Scandinavian country. What a great story. It takes a close look at the dangers and personal sacrifices that the Norwegians encountered in their fight to free Norway from the Nazi scourge.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy of this book. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I absolutely enjoyed The Resistance Girl by Mandy Robotham. I am always interested in reading books that are set in WWII and the Resistance Girl herald, Rumi, was just such a brave, strong, and authentic character. I absolutely loved her dedication to helping others and her determination to never give up during so many times in the story where it would’ve been the easy way out for her. I especially loved Marjit’s character as well. What a special mother-like figure for Rumi to have and a role model as well.

I can’t forget to mention Jens! I just loved his doggedness and resilience throughout the story and how he let Rumi be herself; he gave her time to heal and to love. He was a great character as well!
5 stars!

I thought The Resistance Girl by Mandy Robotham to be a pretty good read. It was a great way to spend a cold, rainy day by the fireplace. Four and a half stars.

The Resistance Girl by Mandy Robotham is the largely untold story of the Nazi occupation of Norway and the Resistance there. Robotham focuses on the story of one family who is part if the "Shetland Bus" (boats that transport resistance fighters and their British counterparts), from Norway to the safety of the Shetland Islands. It is a story of loss and love and family, of strength and persistence to overcome the horrors of Nazi domination. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

This was a very interesting book, set in Norway in world war 2. There were many facts which I assume were true as the author did a lot of research. It really didn’t grab my attention until the last 25% when I couldn’t put it down though I struggled to read through my tears.

I had no idea I was so clueless about World War 2. Before I started reading detailed historical fiction I could name battles, important locations and the big names. What I could not do was discuss the importance of the citizens that stood up against the Nazis.

My respect for those that risked everything grew with every chapter read. My anger over what happened to so many grew more intense. My fear that it will be repeated keeps me up at night. My embarrassment over my lack of knowledge is one thing I can change. I will continue to read historical fiction because they are not the dry textbooks of my school years. I will continue to read historical fiction using my ability to fact-check

I can't thank the author enough for opening my eyes. I hope when you read this book that you take time to check out some of the details. Satisfy your curiosity that the atrocities that occurred were not minor. They were horrendous. Gain respect for those of the resistance that united to gain their freedom.

The author told her story through Rumi and her family. The citizens were not given a chance when the leader ship cowered to the Nazis. They were expected to stay quiet as their homes were taken over. They were supposed to remain blind to the breeding hotels. The author was able to illustrate what occurred in Norway through Rumi's actions and those of Jens, a member of the SOE.

Members of the resistance risked their lives for the freedoms that are now enjoyed by those in Norway and other countries. It is thanks to authors like Mandy Robotham that the reader is able to grasp some of their sacrifices.

There are so many historical fiction books out there for WW2. I can honestly say this is the first where I have read anything in depth about Norwegian resistance and the Shetland Bus. Usually all the WW2 novels I pick up are set within Britain, so it’s a nice change of pace to have the story in a different country, different resistance. Overall, this book is a compelling story, well paced and I loved the main character Rumi. This is the first book I have read by this author and definitely want to read her other works.

Robotham writes terrific historical fiction. I love the plot and setting of The Resistance Girl. Norway gets short shift, usually, in WWII history and fiction. The author combines the setting with the Lebensborn program, which creates a fascinating narrative. This is such an exciting read, I raced through the pages, devouring the words.
Read this book and educate yourself on how strong people in the north tackled the Germans and the war.