The School for German Brides opens Hanna, a young German woman whose mother as just died and is being sent to live with her aunt and uncle. She is befriended by Klara. As she begins to learn the role of a good German woman, she is placed in the path of Tilde, a Mischling dressmaker who has been teaching Klara to sew. As the war progresses, their lives are upheaved and each woman must make their choices.
Runyan depicts the lives of 3 females with different perspectives of the world. Hanna is thrown into a world of wealthy, influential members of the SS. She realizes soon that her beliefs do not match that of the others around her. Klara has grown up in wealth and is following the path to become a good German bride. Tilde has been hurt by her gentile father who has left her and her Jewish mother to survive on their own. Most historical fiction novels written about World War II depicted life in concentration camps and has left me wondering how a whole nation ignore the genocide going on around them. “The School for German Brides” gives life to different views and actions necessary to survive. Runyan include historical information about such as foreign newspapers and magazines being illegal. The fear and uncertainty can be felt from start to finish and the knowledge that even family members will turn in each other. “The School for German Brides” will be a book I do not forget.
Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow and Custom House and Aimee K Runyan for ARC.

This book follows young women who are all impacted by the Nazis and the war in different ways. Hanna moves to live with her aunt and uncle and finds herself living a more lavish life than she has ever known - but she quickly finds out that her family is eager to match her to an SS officer and marry her off. She eventually gets sent to a School for German Brides so that she can learn to be proper. This book weaves together the story of these young women - one Jewish, and two destined to marry SS officers, and provides interesting perspectives and challenges.

The School for German Brides is the story of three women - Hanna, Tilde, and Klara- who live in Germany during the late 1930's, during the rise of the Nazis and Adolph Hitler. I found each of the women and their families to be self-absorbed and just not nice to each other - and I almost did not finish reading this book. I felt sorry for each of the women main characters but I didn't like any of them. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

when the war begins Hannah is sent to live with her aunt and uncle, she is matched with an ss officer, and he sends her to bride school. she hates it and is desperate to escape. very interesting story.

In The School For German Brides, Runyan has crafted a uniquely compelling WWII story written with heart, conviction, and compassion.

I was completely enthralled by this well-researched tale of three courageous young women from very different worlds, tied together through their mutual friendship and shared anguish as they mourn the fall of the country they once loved.

In 1939, with the Nazi regime closing in, Hanna, Tilde, and Klara are forced to make grievous sacrifices for those they love as they simultaneously fight for their individual, unsure futures. Inspiring and heart-wrenching in equal measure, this is a story about true friendship, survival, and the steadfast courage of women.

Thanks to the author, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read early and review.

Such a great story of Hanna and Tilde and also Klara. The book took varying perspectives of the women during the start of WW2 in Berlin. I loved seeing Tilde as a passing gentile and of Hanna and Klara caught up in the role of being expected to be docile and submissive German Wives against their will.

Very well written, great characters, and I was fully invested in each of their stories. Really enjoyed it.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

SO many books have been written on WWII that you can’t help but read the same story over and over. This book, however, takes a completely fresh perspective from the perspective of women, both Jewish and Gentile. From the earliest days of HItler’s rise to the fall of Germany and beyond.

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book. The perspective was absolutely touching and you find yourself pleading for the safety of the main characters, their family and friends. While not everyone survived WWII, we know that some did and not all Germans were supportive of the Fuhrer’s efforts. Take the time to read this one and you’ll see see a different perspective than so many others have written. I highly recommend this book for Historical Fiction lovers.

Entertaining and heartbreaking at the same time! Definitely a must read! It was hard to put this book down.

Given the plethora of WWII fiction that is being published nowadays, its wonderful to find a story that is different than the rest. This one stands out for its unique story and the wonderful writing that draws you in. I have read books by this author before, and have always been impressed, but I think this is the best one yet!

Wow! The School for German Brides by Aimie K. Runyan was an emotionally compelling novel I could not put down! She paints an outwardly perfect picture that serves as a mask for the toxicity and evil at the core of the Nazi party. A true gem I highly recommend to historical fiction fans!

This is a story about three women living in Germany during WWII. Hanna, who is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Berlin after her mom passes away. She is being paraded around the SS Party members as her aunt and uncle hope for an engagement. All she wants is a quiet life on the countryside. She befriends another girl who willingly wants to marry into the SS Party, though after a little eavesdropping may change her tune.

This book I could not put down. It was so well written and captivating. Told from three strictly female point of views - each managing the war in their own ways.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early review of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a captivating story about women in Germany during WWII. What does one do when you are betrothed to one of the highest ranking members of the SS…especially when you have dreams and a mind of your own. This is the challenge that is set before Hanna when she is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Berlin. As they climb the Nazi party ladder, it’s imperative that they marry off their niece to a man of great prestige no matter how cruel and controlling he might be. Hanna struggles to keep her head above water and at times fears for her life. Tilde is in a similar situation of trying to survive though her challenges are different as she is a Mischling and her very existence is threatened. They are linked by one moment in time that changes both of their lives forever.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It really made me think about what I would do if I were in each of these ladies situations. Being a woman in Germany during WWII, I just can’t even fathom. I’m grateful for this book because even though it is a work of fiction, it portrayed real possibilities and from different points of views.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow and Custom House and Aimee K Runyan for early access to this page turner

I absolutely adored this story. I love Amy’s books and she always writes about strong women’s and the hardships of wartime! I could t put it down ! Highly highly recommend!

Equal parts fascinating and horrifying, Runyan offers a riveting tale of love, loss, and survival not only of life but of the human spirit. Readers are dipped into a genteel world of young ladies, wooing suitors, satin dresses, and proper etiquette, but this world is a thin veneer for hatred and intolerance for anything less than perfect. Compelling from start to finish, this is Runyan's finest work yet.

The School for German Brides by Aimie K. Runyan is a great WWII-sra historical fiction that kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

I have been a fan of Ms. Runyan for a while now, so I was excited to read her newest book.

This one alternates between Hanna and Tilde giving the reader several angles and viewpoints in which to experience the plot. This mostly takes place in the late 1930s in Berlin. We see how society is changing from the “German upper class” standpoint and from the standpoint of Tilde, a German Jew. It is fascinating to see the same events and time period from the eyes of two women that give it a stark contrast between one another. It is also fascinating to contemplate what characteristics that are present within someone that either allows them to follow the masses obediently, as Hanna was initially expected to do, or to challenge the system and choose right from wrong…risking everything in that choice.

The strong female characters, the relationships, the suspense, the surprises, and the final ending all were satisfying and entertaining despite some of the heavier material presented.

A great historical fiction book that could even appeal to book clubs as well.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you NG and William Morrow for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

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