<b>Note</b> I received an advanced copy of this book from Harlequin Trade Publishing via NetGalley.

Berlin, 1930—When a wave of change sweeps a radical political party to power, Sofie von Meyer Rhodes’s academic husband benefits from the ambitions of its newly elected chancellor. Although Sofie and Jürgen do not share the social views growing popular in Hitler’s Germany, Jürgen’s position with its burgeoning rocket program changes their diminishing fortunes for the better. But as Sofie watches helplessly, her beloved Berlin begins to transform, forcing her to consider what they must sacrifice morally for their young family’s security, and what the price for their neutrality will be.

Twenty years later, Jürgen is one of the many German scientists offered pardons for their part in the war, and taken to America to work for its fledgling space program. For Sofie, this is the chance to exorcise the ghosts that have followed her across the ocean, and make a fresh start in her adopted country. But her neighbors aren’t as welcoming or as understanding as she had hoped. When scandalous rumors about the Rhodes family’s affiliation with Hitler’s regime spreads, idle gossip turns to bitter rage, and the act of violence that results will tear apart Sofie’s community and her family before the truth is finally revealed.

This was an interesting concepts into the lives of two separate worlds and the misunderstandings and prejudices that people take with them depending on their experiences. The characters trying to overcome the strife of the time and injustices that were done.

How far would you go to protect the ones you love?

Kelly Rimmer continues to wow me with her ability to weave a story so intricately that it leaves me breathless. I am utterly amazed by the journey this story took me on.

We follow the lives of two women, one an American dealing with the aftermath of the dust bowl, great depression, and WWII and the other a German woman getting to protect her husband and children from the bigotry of the Nazi party. But at what cost? How far will these incredible strong women be willing to go? Their stories collide in 1950s America after the US brings many German scientists to the country. Prejudices are still strong and both women are still fighting for their families.

The story took an unexpected turn when I realized it was going to deal with mental health issues which is something close to my heart. But I thought it was beautifully written, and carefully and thoughtfully handled. I was crying ugly tears by the end. It was amazing.

I bow down to the queen of historical fiction. This story is a masterpiece. I would recommend it without hesitation.

Content: some violence, some minor language, war time trauma, mental health issues.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

I love historical fiction, especially WWII fiction and this one does not disappoint.

Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and WWII, and featuring two main families, this novel will engross you from the start. Lizzie and Henry try in vain to help their parents save the family farm until one terrible night proves too much for them.

Meanwhile in Germany, a young couple Jurgent and Sophie and their growing family must struggle to navigate the rising tide of facism and hatred that is springing up around them everywhere. Jurgen, a mild mannered academic is pulled into the V2 rocket program when he is made an offer he cannot refuse.

Eventually, the two families collide, with disastrous results.

This book kept me up late into the night, turning the pages, wanting to know what happens next. All the characters were well developed and the storyline was well thought out. As much as I didn't think I ever would sympathize with Sophie and Jurgen for their plight, I did find myself doing that, wondering what I would do in in their situation.

This riveting WWII novel based on true events will make you question, " how far would I go to protect my family"?

Berlin -1930

Sofie von Meyer Rhodes lives a comfortable life with her husband Jürgen and their children. Jürgen's aunt who raised him lives next door and Sofie's best friend, Mayim, lives with them and helps Sofie take care of the children while Jürgen works as a scientist in an academic setting. All of this is being threatened as the Nazis begin to take power. Jürgen has been "invited" to join the Nazi party and work on their new rocket science program. Sofie and Jürgen despise everything the Nazis stand for and Jürgen refuses their offer. Soon he is fired from his job, the mortgage on their house has been called in and Mayim is under scrutiny because she is Jewish. Except for Mayim, everything will be resolved if Jürgen joins the rocket program.

Dallam County Texas, 1930

Teens Lizzie and Henry work on their parent's farm that the family is about to lose. With a severe drought, no rain in sight and a dusty haze from the dust storms settling over everything, their lives continue to be threatened. When tragedy strikes, Lizzie and Henry decide to leave and try to find a life and work somewhere else in Texas.

Huntsville, Alabama, 1950

Lizzie is married and living in Huntsville. Her brother, Henry, has returned from the war and is living with them. Lizzie's husband is working on the US space program and German scientists, rumored to be former Nazis are brought to Huntsville to work on the rocket program. As the rumors continue to swirl about these new Germans being Nazis and what they might have done during the war, the community begins to ostracize them and violence erupts with devastating results.

Although I have read many novels set in WWII, I was not aware of this secret government project called Operation Paperclip that brought German scientists to Huntsville in 1950 to work on the rocket program. The author does a brilliant job of showing a different perspective of WWII and good people who do bad things (both German and American) out of fear and desperation. It was sometimes difficult to read but The German Wife is historical fiction at its finest and not to be missed.

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an advance reading copy of this book.

Absolutely love The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer. Had an amazing plot line with unforgettable characters. I will be recommending this to friends and followers who love historical fiction.

I am thrilled to be part of the Harper-Collins blog tour for Kelly Rimmer’s latest novel: The German Wife. This was a truly captivating read, focusing on two women: a German mother and wife who has had to make huge sacrifices to protect her family, and a young woman who will do anything to protect her brother after her parents die. Based in historical fact, the story focuses on how the US brought German nuclear scientists over to work for our government after WWII. Sofie is the wife of one of the most respected rocket scientists, and she is trying to settle her young family into their new home and country, while Lizzie has left the family farm with her brother Henry, and is trying to make a new life in the city.

I have to be honest. I’ve never really had a lot of sympathy for those who supported Nazi Germany. (I do have sympathy for the women and young girls left on their own in Berlin when the Russians arrived and systematically terrorized everyone). But I have pondered how anyone could support the atrocities that happened during WWII, especially in the camps. This novel does such an incredible job in letting you take that point of view – a person who has no choices left if they are to survive or if they are to protect their family and thus must do things they don’t want to do.

Henry’s story in this novel is particularly touching as well, as he suffers significant mental duress and PTSD from his time as a soldier. It’s heart-breaking.

This book is well-written and I couldn’t put it down. Once again Kelly Rimmer has written a novel that I will not forget.

Thank you for my copy and for having me as part of the tour.

The German Wife was a totally new idea for me- more about the repercussions of historical events than the actual events. Before reading this book I never thought about the people living through a dust storm or figuring out to raise a child under Nazi rules. I think I thought all the people working on making bombs were fine with the destruction the bombs would cause and were ok with using prisoners as slave labor. I did not know about the German engineers being brought to America to help us build rockets nor did I think about how Americans would feel about these Germans being in their town. In short, this book really made me think. And I loved it!

The German Wife is a dual timeline story about the lives of Jurgen and Sofie von Meyer Rhodes. In 1934, Jurgen is a University professor who dabbles in rocketry. As Hitler comes to power, their best friends join the Nazi party and become anti-Semitic, even though one of the women's best friends is Jewish. When Jurgen is offered a position working for the government on rockets, he declines, but when he loses his job and his family is threatened, he agrees even though he doesn't believe in what Hitler and his government are doing. As time goes on, he becomes more complicit in the Nazi plans. When the war ends, Jurgen is taken to the US under arrest, but when they realize his knowledge would benefit them in the space race, he moves to Huntsville Alabama to work for the CIA’s fledgling space program. He is allowed to bring his family, Sofie and their two youngest children, to the US where they live with the other German families also working in the program. Rumors about Jurgen and his affiliation with the SS and Nazi party keep the other women from befriending Sofie. When Sofie shares information and her feelings with her neighbour, she tells others and they become pariahs. Things happen that cause many lives to be changed forever, all due to hatred of all things German.

Although the story is called The German Wife, it is the story of two women: Sofie von Meyer Rhodes, the German Wife and Lizzie Miller, an American women who grew up in Texas during the depression and married a wealthy man who is Jurgen's boss. It was interesting to see these two women, both strong minded, stubborn and not happy about the Germans working for the US government. They butt heads on more than one occasion. Seeing how their pasts influenced their lives, gave me insight into both of them and their emotions. I enjoy historical fiction and this was a time with events that I really did not have a lot of knowledge about. I can't imagine what it must have been like for these German families to come and live with people who thought of them as the enemy. Racism, hate and violence occurred and the police didn't do much about it as they also didn't want them there. Kelly Rimmer’s research on this book was thorough and I enjoy how accurate her stories are. This story is told in alternating points of view from Sofie and Lizzie in both the past, 1930s and the 1950s. It also has three different setting, Nazi Germany, Oakden Oklahoma, and Huntsville Alabama. The different timelines meld together well and I was hooked from the start to the end. This was a heartbreaking story and I felt for all the characters involved in the tragedy that takes place. It is a story of family, survival, grief, love and trying to be accepted. It deals with racism, evil, PTSD, good vs evil, and more. I definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction, especially stories dealing with WWII or the time immediately surrounding the war.

This novel follows Sofie, a German woman, and Lizzie, an American woman, during the times before, during, and after World War II. I would say that this is not your typical World War II story, as much of it takes place in America. So if you are like me and love historical fiction, but have had enough of World War II stories- do not pass this one up. An excellent tale of what happens when people make assumptions about you without knowing the real story. Lizzie sees Sofie as a German Nazi whose family doesn't deserve to be in America, and Sofie sees Lizzie as a bigoted American socialite. Neither one of these assumptions could not be further from the truth.

I am a recent newcomer to Kelly Rimmer's work. This is a very well researched book, with extremely realistic characters, has made me determined to read the rest of her books. Set during WW2 and the vile German killing machine, it is a realistic portrait of the horrors that occurred and a vivid reminder to us to not allow something similar to happen again. No matter what the cost. Great plot, exceptional writing skill, realistic characters; all set in the background of a true global travesty. Exceptional!

Kelly Rimmer has done it again with THE GERMAN WIFE. One of the only books I listened to during the pandemic was The Things We Cannot Say. I absolutely loved it so when the publisher reached out to me asking if I'd like to join the blog tour for this one, it was a no-brainer.

I read a lot of WWII fiction and I found this book to be different than most. It's much more nuanced and complicated and very character-driven. This is a dual timeline novel alternating between the 1930's-1950 in both the U.S. and Germany. While this book was not entirely without depictions of violence and suffering, I found that it contained less than some other WWII novels as dictated by its focusing on the periods of time before and after the war.

What this book is very heavy on is moral and ethical dilemmas and conflicting interests and priorities. This is a book that makes you think and that's the kind of book I love! I don't have to love every character. I can disagree with their choices. Hate them even. But if I find myself examining things from a different perspective or having a two-sided debate in my head, that's a win. Kelly Rimmer did an exceptional job of introducing these moral predicaments not only as they related to the war but also into the interpersonal and romantic relationships of the characters.

I had never heard of Operation Paperclip before reading this book. I would strongly encourage you to read Kelly's note at the end. While it's quite obvious throughout THE GERMAN WIFE that painstaking research had been done, I loved hearing her thoughts on both the research and the fate of her characters.

I do have two gripes about this book. Both are something I've never felt the need to mention in a review but I just can't help myself. I don't think the title or the cover has done this book justice. Both imply a story with a singular focus or plot and this book is just not that!!

This would be an excellent book club selection and it includes a thought-provoking reader's guide. I am already looking forward to Kelly Rimmer's next book! She is now on my auto-buy list.

Many thanks to Graydon House for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a heartbreaking yet beautifully told story spanning multiple generations of women on two continents. It is wrought with powerful feelings and will draw readers into the devastating consequences of the holocaust and all its profound ramifications. Kelly Rimmer exquisitely captures and portrays the wide array of emotions that surround survivors and those who perceive them.

Jürgen Rhodes was forced to work along with Hitler’s plans in 1930s Berlin. A brilliant scientist, they were hoping to use Jürgen in their developing rocket program. A top-secret program. His choices when it came to joining the SS were taken away from him.P. At what point does Jürgen say no? In fact, can he decline? Sadly, Jürgen powers on, despite this being a part of something he hates. However, we are provided with how all of this affects Sofie. She wonders if being married to Jürgen makes her as complicit as her husband when it comes to Hitler’s crimes.

It is 1950s Alabama and now Sofie and her two children have joined Jürgen, as he was one of well over 1000 German scientists, engineers, and other top specialties, who were pardoned and brought to the US for the space program, and it was called Operation Paperclip. Lizzie Miller’s husband Calvin was the manager at the space program and Jürgen was one of his employees. As one of the American wives who now has to live among German wives, we start to see things from her point of view.

When it came to Lizzie and her brother Henry, they grew up in Texas and suffered greatly due to the Dust Bowl and the depression. Now in 1950s Alabama they are neighbors to Jürgen and Sofie. They hear the grumbling that goes on that Jürgen was possibly part of the Nazi regime. But hopefully they’ll lead separate lives and she will do her best to fight any prejudice where she might be naturally inclined. Her worries are for her brother Henry, as he is suffering from his time in the war, to the point that she learns that it might be combat fatigue and this is flavoring a lot of his actions. This in some ways affects how she views anyone that is in America that has come from Germany.

The scale of suffering in this book was beyond comprehension, whether in 1930s Texas, 1930s Berlin, or 1950s Alabama. Not only did this book remind me of the time in history when the Dust Bowl devastated the lives and farms of thousands, but I learned about Operation Paperclip, the program designed to pair German and American scientists in a common goal. I was even shocked when reminded of how Hitler was so proud of his race that German women were encouraged if not pressured to bear as many children as possible. Another great impression I had with this book is that everybody that served under Hitler was not as easily brainwashed as to his ideals. Many were forced into service.

When Jürgen or Sofie cried, I cried. When Lizzie became exasperated with Henry, I felt her pain. This book also allows the reader to see both sides of the war, from the effect it had Sofie and also Lizzie, from the Jewish or German point of view. Also, it was rather sad that the United States was in such a race for space that they easily brushed the crimes of a lot of Germans right under the rug. Perhaps Jürgen was innocent of the ways many other Nazi soldiers felt, no doubt many of the Germans that were allowed to emigrate to the US for the sake of the space program did believe in what they fought for. This displayed injustice on a grand scale, reiterating the pain that I felt for the millions of those lives lost, and for so many more that suffered or were affected by the war in other ways.

This impressive read by Kelly Rimmer proves her exceptional talent, her incredible research, and how she managed to deliver a powerfully emotional story. Any historical fiction that brings a different perspective during that horrid time is certain to make any reader think. I was riveted to this book from the start to finish, and this story will be with me for a long time to come. This would be a perfect book club book and I beg the reader to please read the author’s note at the end of the book and to consider the discussion questions. This will allow for the serious thought as to this contemplative read.

Many thanks to Graydon House and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy the following video review - https://youtu.be/Of1jEA5RJh0

I love all books that take place in the WWII era. While this is my first Kelly Rimmer book (and definitely not the last), I had heard great things and was very excited to read this book.

and it did NOT disappoint - I loved this book, such a quick read that I couldn't put it down! The words used to tell this story are powerful! It will grab you from page one and take you on a journey until you close the back cover. Set in Nazi Germany, in the dusty farm fields during the depression, we learn what it means to have your right to choose stripped of you. This story is about sacrifice and overcoming. The characters seem so lifelike and you can't help but connect with them on a deep level! Highly recommend this book!

Special thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House and Netgalley for early access

The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer is yet another notch in this author’s literary belt. I’ve read all her books and she still continues to come up with new and powerful storylines. I often hear from readers that they are taxed from reading so many Holocaust and/or WWII historical fiction books, especially when many seem so similar. Honestly, I can completely understand your feelings, however as a Jewish person, I feel like I owe it to those who perished to read every single one of them. Oy…the guilt I put on myself.

That’s why I like Rimmer’s books so much. Each has made me look at the war from a new perspective. In this book, the reader is exposed to what the Germans felt like in the US after Operation Paperclip was enforced. Rimmer also shines light onto the many Germans that had absolutely no choice than to become a member of the Reich, no matter how much he or she were against it.

This book is written in two timelines that meet up in the 1950s. Prejudice became widespread when many Germans moved to Huntsville for the space program. I knew little about Operation Paperclip and was glad a story was drawn around it so I could understand it better. Usually I like both storylines equally, but in this one I happened to like Sofie’s timeline and story more than Lizzie’s. I’m sure book clubs will have plenty to discuss after reading this book.

The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer

What would you be willing to do to protect your loved ones?

In 1930, Sofie lives in Berlin, Germany with her husband Jurgen and their children. Jürgen is a scientist and is forced to work in the Nazi’s rocket program. They’re both against the Nazi party and are willing to risk their own life to help their Jewish friends and family, but when their family is at risk, They may have to do unimaginable things in order to survive.

In the US, Lizzie lives with her brother and their parents. They own a farm but because of the Great Depression, they’re struggling to make ends meet. When tragedy strikes their family, her life changes forever.

In 1950, both Sofie and Lizzie live in Huntsville, Alabama. Sofie’s family is relocated because the US government is interested in Jurgen’s rocket knowledge and they want him to work in the space program, so they pardon them for their involvement in the war. But Lizzie and other American women are not so happy about their German neighbors and Sofie and her family learn soon that war is never going to be really over for them.

The story alternates between two different timelines and between Sofie and Lizzie’s perspectives, this way we are able to learn about their lives, what both women endured and how they got to where they are now.

This book reminded me why I love historical fiction so much! I loved to learn about this period of time and about the involvement of Germans in the space program and at the same time to read about these stories of sacrifice and resilience that are devastating and uplifting at the same time.

This is my second book by Kelly Rimmer and I can definitely say that I’m already waiting for her next one. Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, Graydon House and NetGalley for my advance review copy of this book.

A gripping book and so hard to read in today's political climate, but an important book as well. The feelings are raw and real for both the women. Rimmer sheds light on a time in history that is not overly well publicized in an approachable way. She gets into the heads of both sides in a way that leads the reader to empathize with both sides of the conflict. Not a beach read, but one of the most thought provoking books you will read all year.

Kelly Rimmer has quickly become one of my go to and favorite Historical Fiction authors. Whenever I see one of her books is going to be released I get excited. The German Wife is no exception. The research Kelly Rimmer does for her books is extremely evident and she has a way of making you feel as though you are watching it unfold right before your eyes. This book is a dual timeline story and covers WWII and the 1950’s in Huntsville Alabama when the American’s are bringing the German scientists to America to start working on the space race. Needless to say not many American’s were happy about it because of the lack of trust of the Germans.

Rimmer is a not to be missed Historical Fiction author. If you haven’t read any of her books this is not a bad one to start with but I recommend you read them all.

Thank you to #netgalley and #harlequintradepublishing for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada for the early access copy of this book. I am an Indigo Books and Music employee. This review is my own.

'The German Wife' by Kelly Rimmer stands apart from recently published works of WW1/WW2 historical fiction as it explores the perspectives of a German family forced to play along with the rising tide of Nazi ideology and fanaticism whilst endeavouring to retain their humanity and protect their Jewish friends and their children. With a duel timeline and follow two separate family stories - German and American - this books shines a light on the prejudice held by many people in America against German families for their perceived failure to stand up and quash the rise of Hitler's ideology. It also provides a window to understanding how German families survived during the years before WW2 broke out by pretending to agree with the ideology and the sacrifices they made to keep their families safe.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Graydon House and Goodreads (I was a Goodreads Winner of a physical copy!) for the opportunity to read and review the latest historical fiction novel by Kelly Rimmer - 5 stars!

In 1930, in Berlin, Sofie and her husband, Jürgen, are doing well - Jürgen is an academic, Sofie's childhood friend, Mayim, lives with them and helps with their children, and their beloved aunt lives next door. But when Hitler becomes in power, all changes. Jürgen is offered a job that he can't refuse, working on rocket development. But they soon learn that it comes at a cost.

In 1930 in Texas during the Dust Bowl, Lizzie and her family lose everything. Trying to start over, Lizzy and her brother, Henry, find their way to Huntsville, Alabama. In 1950, Operation Paperclip, a secret US plan to bring over German scientists to help further rocket and space research, ends up with both families living in the same community.

It never ceases to amaze that we continue to learn of so much about WWII - I had never heard of Operation Paperclip and the way that governments are willing to look aside when it behooves them. At first, I had a bit of a hard time with all the time and POV changes, but it ended up being perfect because we truly got to see both sides of this story. It all boils down to doing what is right but many times that isn't easy or without cost. A must read, highly recommended book!