This WWII historical fiction is set in Sweden, which sets it apart from many other books in this genre. The pace was a bit slow, and it was a bit predictable at times, but there were also some interesting surprises. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!

Matilda's life is turned upside down- and suddenly she's got a mysterious guardian. Matilda must suddenly adjust to country aristocratic life. I adore historical fiction and this was a lovely example of everything I love about the genre. The story isn't primarily focused on World War II but we hear snippets of it through Matilda's narrative. I loved the twists and turns this story took and will be going back to read the first book- and look forward to a third!

Matilda's mom passed away and had become missing. Her mom always thought before she died her dad probably drowned or something because he came up missing.
Matilda didn't know until ste became old enough that after her mom died she would have a countess and/or a governess as a guardian until she became a adult.
Matilda's mom left matilda everything in the will even the house when she became a adult. Matilda found out after her mom died where she is living at until she becomes a adult that her mom was a housekeeper there when she was alive..
Matilda fell in love with one of her friends Paul. This story shows if you really work hard enough your dreams do come true

Having lost both her parents, 17-year-old Matilda is all alone in the world. Then she gets a shocking surprise when a countess, Agneta Lejongård, shows up at her school in Stockholm. Not only is the countess there to see Matilda, but she has been named her guardian. Matilda finds herself whisked away to the Lion Hall estate and a whole new life, although she already had a future planned with her boyfriend, Paul. As Matilda settles in, she begins to learn more about her own mother, who had actually lived at Lion Hall. She also befriends Agneta’s son Ingmar, although his twin brother Magnus wants nothing to do with her. Will Matilda get to realize her dream of going to business school and opening a business with Paul? Or will her new life change everything? This is book two of The Inheritance series, a saga that spans from 1931 to 1945.

The first part of this book reads like a fairy tale. A city girl of humble means finds herself living on the estate of a count and countess, and becomes part of a world where she has a lady’s maid and learns to ride a horse; but family secrets eventually come to light. The way Matilda handles painful truths and her choices afterward make for a compelling read. As World War II begins, we hear news of the war through Matilda. Although Sweden remains neutral, the Nazis still greatly influence politics and business, and this directly affects Matilda and Lion Hall. Resentment, honesty, and forgiveness are major themes in this book, and are handled well. The characters are well-developed and realistic, especially Matilda and Agneta. This is a compelling saga of a young girl, her coming of age, and a family riddled with secrets and mistakes. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via the Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.

Matilda's Secret - by Corina Bomann - BOOK REVIEW

Absolutely a must - read, Historical German fiction novel taking place between the timeline 1931-1945 in Sweden, Stockholm during Second World War. This book can be read as a stand alone long novel with more than 500 pages.

I absolutely loved the suspense, the growing and the advancing relationships between different characters in the plot, especially Matilda Wallin and the Countess of The Lion Hall, Agnetas Lejongard, Matilda and Paul, her dream boyfriend she plans to marry someday. This is a captivating story and I would love to read the entire series.

Mathilda's father and mother insisted that she must focus on getting a good education instead of getting married to a man who can take care of her. Susanna Wallin, Matilda's mother suddenly dies and her father drowned himself in a sea of strong currents who did not come home one day. Devasted by Matilda's mother's death and her fathers disappearance, the school was a sympathetic place of refuge her. One day, out of no where, a new comer comes to her life to take in charge of her as a Guardian, that is from The Lion Hall, Countess Agneta Leojongard, from noble royal family, ancient noble line in sweden over a guardianship envelope written by her mother to countess Agneta. Having summoned by a lawyer and her School principal, Matilda had no choice but leave Stockholm and her dear friends Paul and Daga, half - heartedly, by obeying her Guardian. Matilda was still minor and 17 years old, liked going to school, also too young to have a boyfriend like Paul. Her Plans to go to business college and marry Paul with her dreams of establishing a company was going to end. The countess being very impressed by Matilda's Science and English learning skills promises to send Matilda to Business College in the country side of The Lion Hall, Kristianstad. Matilda decides to leave Stockholm for four years and assured Paul and Daga that she would be in touch. Agneta's relationship with Matilda's mother is a curious turn in the plot.

Therefore, Matilda leaves to Unknown Lion Hall Estate to be welcomed dearly in a tall splendidly shining white Manor -by twin sons of Countess Agnetas. Matilda gets acquainted to Magmus and Ingmar, the twins. Ingmar becomes her close friend and Magmus snaps at her when ever they see each other. Matilda was treated good and like their family member.

Well researched plot. The second part of the novel was heartbreaking, finding love with Paul at Stockholm and events unfolding during WW2. The suspense whether Paul and Matilda will find love with each other, her return back to Stockholm from The Lion Hall, death of Ingmar, her close friend in an air crash left me lingering with the surprise ending of the novel.

I enjoyed how the author describes the glimpses of the second world war that tells about Nazi-occupied Norway, Germany attacked Poland in Sept 1939 and both France and where Britain declared war on Nazi Germany, Sweden declared itself a neutral country. At the time of the winter war between Finland and the Soviet Union, Sweden declared itself to be non belligerent actively sliding with Finland. Since WW2, Jews found refuge place in Sweden escaping from persecution, especially for those from Eastern Europe. And as the war ends in 1940, March, Magnus becomes inclined to assume responsibility for Lions Hall business and welfare. Lennard Ekberg is suffering extremely serious health problems. Ingmar travels to Norway and doesn't appear that he will appear anytime soon. Agneta writes to Matilda that she needs her assistance to manage both Lion Hall and the Ekberg Estate. Lennard's death was anticipated leaving half of the Ekberg estate to Matilda. But Ignmar died so young while doing something that brought him joy was a cruel twist of fate.

I just reviewed Matilda's Secret by Corina Bomann. #MatildasSecret #NetGalley
I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Matilda Wallin’s mother has passed away, and at the request of her mother at her death. Countess Agneta Lejongård summoned Matilda to live at Lion Hall, and will not provide any details about her connection to Matilda. Matilda has to give up a life in Stockholm to follow the Countess to Lion Hall. There she becomes entangled with the Countess’ sons, Ingmar and Magnus. They both treated her as differently as night and day, friends and enemies, warmth and arrogance. And then the secrets are discovered, and choices are at Matilda’s feet to make.
Again, I have entered a trilogy of books at Book Two! I had no idea when I chose this book to read! So … as a novel on its own, it had its own strengths. The one thing that stuck my interest was the impact of the war on Sweden. The scenery and settings in the books were wonderfully captured, from Stockholm, to Lion Hall, and Kristianstad and Leeuwenhof. I think a benefit of not reading the first book was not knowing about Matilda’s connection to the Countess. I had almost thought that this was going to be a historical fantasy cross over, because the atmosphere that was created I those early chapters was almost as if Lion Hall had magical origins. I wonder if that was part of Matilda’s romantic longing for a better future, and looking through rose coloured glasses to possibilities that seemed to be at her fingertips, a great coming of age perspective, especially as young woman trying to find her way in the early 1900s. I also loved the fact that the follies of Matilda and others were highlighted and explored, as this gave some depth to these characters in the middle of such a historically turbulent time.

This was very sweet. Thank you @netrgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Matilda knows something is odd about the interest the Countess has shown in her but she finds there's a secret, a big secret, that can change her life. This emotional novel is notable for the insight into Sweden between the wars. It's a little trope-y but at the same time but also a bit of surprise. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

The book is originally written in Swedish. I read the English translation of the book. Too slow paced.

I really liked this book. The characters were believable and it was an easy read. Part of the twist that comes in the story was almost expected, but other parts of it were shocking. The only thing I did not like about the book was the ending, but it was more along the lines of it not ending the way I wanted it to. There were also some loose ends, that I assume will be tied up in the next book. All in all, a good book.

Thank you for NetGalley for the free copy of this book to review.