Kelly Rimmer takes us to the past in The German Wife. More specifically, she takes us to WWII Germany, the Great Depression era, and 1950s Huntsville, Alabama and the space program. The level of research Rimmer did for this book shows in every word, and I feel like she tackled the hard stuff without shying away from any of it. Parts of this book really got to me while other parts were amusing or sweet. This is a story about rebuilding and doing what you have to for your family. It's also about prejudice and misconceptions, and making your way in a time when some either couldn't or didn't want to understand another's circumstances and that things are very often not what we first believe. This book is very well done, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes WWII era historical fiction.

Well researched historical fiction about Operation Paperclip, a program that brought German scientists to Huntsville after the war to work on rockets for the race to get into space. This was not popular with the Americans who were suspicious and resentful of the Germans.

Sophie von Meyer Rhodes and her husband, Jurgen, are German citizens in 1930 when Hitler comes to power. Their intention is to avoid supporting the part at all costs. However, Jurgen's knowledge about rockets means he is offered a high ranking position among the Nazis. His attempts to deny the position only lead to threats and suffering that can be solved by his agreeing. What Jurgen learns and sees is beyond anything most people know about and his silence means his family is untouched.

In 1950s Alabama, a group of German scientists have been relocated courtesy of the United States government. Their backgrounds have been cleaned up and not many know they truth. As happens though, the truth does find its way out and Sophie and Jurgen in particular face discrimination for what others think they know.

As the story progresses and we learn more about Sophie and Jurgen's story, we learn that decisions aren't always what they appear to be. There are often many factors behind difficult decisions, especially when the decision is a forced one.

Kelly Rimmer writes an amazing researched story that not only sheds light on an aspect of WWII history, but also the history of what happened to many of the people who didn't face charges and trial. The background building of each of the characters sheds light on their decisions as the story progresses and is so very well done.

I enjoyed learning more about an aspect of this time in history I didn't know much about, particularly the moving of so many to the United States so that America could benefit from their knowledge.

I voluntarily received a copy of this book from Harlequin and NetGalley. All views are simply my honest opinion.

Rimmer (The Things We Cannot Say) draws on actual historical experiences of Operation Paperclip where the U.S. government brought over a thousand German scientists to the U.S. to work on the burgeoning space program .

Sofie von Meyer Rhodes and her husband Jurgen were living with their children in Berlin when Jurgen was forced to work for the Nazi government in the 1930s after losing his position at a university. As a civilian working at a German army facility, Jurgen worked on rocketry and helping the government develop a space program.

Fast-forward to the 1950s where the U.S. government recruits German scientists, bringing them to the U.S. in Huntsville, Alabama, to work with American scientists in the space program. Jurgen left Sophie behind in Germany for five years before being reunited with her and their children Felix and Gisela.

World War II and the immense casualties is ever present in the lives of Americans as the Rhodes family quickly becomes the target of wrath by those who resent them for their ties to the Nazi regime. But few are more disturbed by their presence than Henry Davis, an American war hero who channels much of his anger at Jurgen.

But when the threats to the Rhodes family becomes more than hateful graffiti, they must figure out how to move forward in a country that is largely unwelcoming and come to terms with the tragedies of their past in Germany. Though Rimmer has painted the Rhodes in a somewhat sympathetic light, her introspective novel will leave readers grappling with the moral question of whether those who stood by without overtly supporting the Nazi regime were complicit in its consequences by their mere inaction. This unforgettable novel will resonate with fans of World War II fiction.

The Review

This was such an emotional and captivating read. The amount of research and creativity that went into this narrative was so evident from the story’s first chapter. The vivid imagery and atmosphere the author crafted really brought these settings to life, both in terms of physical location and the social atmosphere during and after the war.

What stood out to me was the heartbreaking character development that went into this narrative. The haunting reality of war and in particular WWII as the life or death stakes of Hitler’s regime made people forced into jobs and careers within the Nazi party that they hadn’t really wanted. The way the author explored natural prejudices and the building tensions of a community in the wake of that war too was so important to understanding our own modern divides and how social tensions can contribute to conflict.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, poignant, and engaging, author Kelly Rimmer’s “The German Wife” is a must-read historical fiction read. The emotional storyline and shocking series of twists and turns the narrative takes were so captivating, and the brilliant way the author wrote really brought this history and the characters to life in a powerful and grounded way.

Another beautiful and moving book from Kelly Rimmer on the spirit of humanity and the lengths people are willing and able to go to protect the people they love. A must read for any WW2 historical fiction fans out there.

To be perfectly honest, it took me a while to get into this book. The premise is interesting. The multi-perspective and multi-timeline narration is compelling. However, the writing itself didn’t engage me in the way I was expecting. I had a little trouble connecting with characters and finding the heart of the story. With that being said, the pace picked up around the halfway point. Overall, a fine read. 3 Stars.

This was such a great WWII story told from different perspectives and different timelines. I love how everything tied together with Sofie and Lizzie's stories. I did not know anything about Operation Paperclip prior to reading this book, so that was very interesting to learn about as well. Thank you to Netgalley and Graydon House for the ARC.

Kelly Rimmer is wrestling with a really challenging piece of history with The German Wife, looking at what happened before, during, and most critically to the story, after World War II. I'd never even heard of Operation Paperclip- quoting the synopsis "a controversial secret US intelligence program that employed former Nazis after WWII", and this takes a hard look at that program and what brought Sofie and her family to that point in Alabama. I think this story will evoke complicated feelings in people, as it's not truly, fully sympathetic to the Rhodes family, but I also wonder whether it's critical enough of their choices. Readers will have to think about what sacrifices they might have been willing to make that the Rhodes did not- but is it really possible to know what you would have done in those circumstances? Likely a good book for discussions.

THE GERMAN WIFE by Kelly Rimmer is a thought-provoking and emotional historical fiction story featuring two women, one American and one German, and the choices they made leading up to and during World War II. While the focus is on the German wife and her family, the American woman’s story is entwined throughout the two timelines twenty years apart.

The story begins in Berlin in the 1930’s as the Nazis rise to power following Sofie von Myer Rhodes, her husband Jurgen and their children. Jurgen is offered a position in the fledgling rocket program of the new regime. Although both oppose the radical views of the Reich, he must accept or lose his income and even the lives of his family. As each new atrocity occurs, they must pretend and bend or die as their two attempts at escape have been exposed.

At the same time in a small Texas town, Lizzie, her brother, and parents are losing their farm to the dust bowl years during the Depression. When their parents die, Lizzie and henry move to El Paso to scrape by until Lizzie meets a widower who is a scientist and marries her. Lizzie assumes the role of housewife and Henry goes off to war.

Then in the 1950’s timeline the United States government wants the German rocket technology and moves many scientists and chemists to the United States. The people of Huntsville, Alabama are wary and even hostile to the influx of German speaking families who they still consider to be Nazis. Sophie and Lizzie’s families are on a collision course of violence with the community wondering if it was an act of vengeance or justice.

I read this book all in one sitting even as some portions were emotionally difficult to read. It is an extremely well researched look into these families lives and circumstances. I have read many history books, factual and fictional on this time-period and this story, I felt was as unbiased as it could be for the subject matter. I knew about the government bringing over German scientists, but I never really considered the ramifications of their mixing into American communities where veterans and surviving families may live. When you are younger, you believe you would never do anything against your moral code, but as you get older you have family, friendships and ties that make you hope you will never be put in that type of situation to choose. This is an emotionally complex tale that shows how hate can grow, spread and destroy whether by choice, obligation or force.

I highly recommend this historical fiction book!

Jurgen and Sophie have barely survived the war intact. Jurgen was captured by the Americans and sent to America with a pardon to help with the space program. Sophie is finally able to join him after two years. But, her arrival is not as easy as she had hoped. She clashes with one of Jurgen’s bosses wives and it taints her whole homecoming.

This is told by two different narrators, Lizzie and Sofie. Lizzie was raised during the dust bowl and the depression in the USA. She is currently married to a scientist at the Huntsville Space program. She and Sofie do not hit it off at all! Lizzie does not want the Germans anywhere near her or her family.

Sofie is a sweet German woman who struggled to survive the war. Because her husband, Jurgen, was a German rocket scientist, they struggled against everything they believed in. The threat by the Nazis to their lives and their family’s lives were constant. They had to conform to the Nazi beliefs to stay alive.

There is a lot of conflict between these two characters and to be honest…they both just want to protect their families and live their lives in peace. But, Lizzie’s brother changes all of that. And you must read this to find out the struggles these two women face and why!

On a side note…I learned something in this book. I had no idea the United States brought over some of the scientists which were German POWs. AND…they used them to help build the rocket program, especially in Huntsville, AL. I have spent lots of time at the space center there. Heck, one of my children went to space camp there. I had no idea about this history. I love a book which teaches me something.

Ok! Y’all run…don’t walk…RUN and get this book!

Need a fantastic historical fiction…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Another standout historical fiction book from one of my favorite authors! Her newest book follows the lives of two women as they intersect in shocking and heartbreaking ways.

Set in both the 1930s and 1950s, this dual timeline and dual perspective story follows American Lizzie and German Sophie as they deal with respective hardships in the 30s and later find themselves living in the same Alabama town as their husbands work together on "Operation Paperclip," an undercover part of the NASA space program that pardoned German scientists and former Nazies in exchange for their intelligence.

I really enjoyed both women's stories. Lizzie grows up in Texas during the Great Depression and Dustbowl years. She also knows from a young age that marriage and children are not something she dreams of for her future. When her parents die tragically, Lizzie is left alone with only her brother Henry for family. The two are very close and I was heartbroken reading about Henry's struggles with PTSD after serving in WWII.

In contrast, Sofie marries well and enjoys wealth and luxury as her scientist husband rises in the ranks during Nazi era Germany. But as antisemitism and hate crimes take over the country, Sofie and her husband start to fear for their lives and cannot stand to watch their friends and neighbors being killed and sent to concentration camps. They jump at the opportunity to move to America when the chance presents itself but find life there isn't without racism and danger too, especially when Lizzie discovers their ties to the Nazi party.

This story will make you feel all the feels as these women navigate incredible hardships and make difficult choices while still staying strong and fighting for the people they love. Highly recommended for fans of Kristin Hannah's The four winds or Atomic city girls by Janet Beard. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!

Thanks #NetGalley @HTPBooks @ClubBookish #GraydonHouse for a complimentary eARC of #TheGermanWife upon my request. All opinions are my own.

The United States operated a secret intelligence program called Operation Paperclip that arrested and employed former Nazi scientists after WW11. The German Wife tells the story of how Jürgen and his wife Sofie Rhodes became participants in the program, came to live in the United States and were eventually pardoned. Jürgen was granted a position in America’s space program. Tensions rise as Lizzie Miller and her friends/neighbors begin to hear rumors that Jürgen and Sophie were former Nazis.

Wow! The German Wife is one of my best historical fiction reads of the year so far for the following reasons:

* Dual timelines
* Dual perspectives
* New (to me) information (Operation Paperclip)
* A fresh angle to a WW11 story
* Engaging from the first page
* Compelling and page-turning content
* Complicated and interesting characters
* Thoughtful themes
* A good balance of character-driven and plot-driven
* Well-written and researched
* Compulsively readable

Yes, this checks all my boxes for a five star read!

This unputdownable story alternates between two perspectives (Sophie and Lizzie) and two timelines (1930 and 1950). I admire an author who can blend two timelines and two backstories and perspectives into one cohesive story. Often in historical fiction, I prefer one timeline over the other…usually the past. In The German Wife, I was engaged with each timeline equally, and I appreciated that the author didn’t linger in one time line for too long. This served to move the story along at a brisk pace. The author provides a satisfactory conclusion that connects Sophie and Lizzie in profound ways.

Even though Sophie is the German wife, this is also a story of Lizzie. Sophie’s back story takes place before, during, and after WW11. Lizzie’s back story involves surviving the Dust Bowl. I love complex and complicated characters! By filling us in on each character’s backstory, Rimmer creates well-drawn characters and helps us understand their motivations, fears, and vulnerabilities. The unlikable quickly becomes understandable given the full context. I love dynamic and imperfect characters who grow and develop over time.

Thought-provoking themes include fear of people because of their nationality, starting over, survival, grief, acceptance, PTSD, atrocities and effects of war, life-changing choices, turning a blind eye, hardship, friendship, and prejudice.

Content Considerations: grief, PTSD, antisemitism, death of parents, suicide, WW11 conditions

The German Wife is highly discussable and would be a fabulous book club selection. I appreciate that the author created discussion questions for readers at the story’s end.

I enthusiastically recommend The German Wife for fans of substantial and compelling historical fiction, for readers who enjoy discussable themes, for those who love WW11 histfic, and for book clubs.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Inspired by a true story, Kelly Rimmer’s The German Wife is a thought-provoking and brilliantly written historical novel that is impossible not to immerse yourself in.

Berlin, 1930 and the Nazis have risen to power. While Sofie von Meyer Rhodes and her husband Jurgen do not agree with Hitler’s radical views, the military ambitions of the German chancellor have certainly helped the couple with Jurgen having been offered a high-level position working for Germany’s burgeoning rocket program. Sophie and Jurgen vow to keep their heads down and not attract undue attention to themselves. Joining the ranks of the Nazi party is absolutely unthinkable, yet the couple soon realize that showing opposition to the chancellor will result in them losing everything they hold dear to their hearts – including their children and their lives…

Twenty years later, Jurgen and Sofie are settled in Alabama after Jurgen had been granted a position in America’s space program. Sofie hopes that moving to America will enable them to draw a line under the past and vanquish old ghosts once and for all. However, the couple soon learn that regardless of how far one runs, the truth will always find you. When their neighbors learn about their affiliation with the Nazi party, the local grapevine soon turns vicious culminating in a terrifying act of violence that leaves the community wondering whether it was an act of justice or cold-hearted vengeance.

Kelly Rimmer’s The German Wife is a superb historical fiction novel. Shocking, terrifying and compulsively readable, The German Wife is a brilliantly written tale about devastating choices, dangerous secrets, courage, resilience and the lengths we go to for our loved ones that challenges perspectives and breaks your heart as you find yourself asking what you would do in Jurgen and Sofie’s situation.

Kelly Rimmer’s characters are real, layered and complex and you will find yourself completely drawn in by their story and by the dilemma they find themselves in.

Kelly Rimmer’s The German Wife is a first-rate historical novel by a fantastic writer that will haunt you long after you’ve turned the last page.

From my blog: Always With a Book

Kelly Rimmer is an author I’ve been meaning to read more of after reading one of her contemporary books a while back and just loving it. When I saw she had some historical fiction novels out, I added them to my list, but as we all know, putting them on a list doesn’t always translate to getting them read. Luckily, this time it did and I am so glad I did. Despite the heaviness of this book, I will absolutely be recommending it to all my historical fiction loving friends.

One of the reasons why I love reading historical fiction is because I love when I learn something new and that is definitely the case here. I had never heard anything about Operation Paperclip prior to picking up this book and that alone was just so fascinating. As soon as I finished the book, I went down a rabbit hole trying to find out more information on this. It’s not too often I read historical fiction set during the Cold War and so when I do, I just find it so interesting.

The characters really come to life in this book. Rimmer really portrays the distrust and how afraid the Americans were of the German Nazis once they realized who they were. And they passed these biases and prejudices onto their children, so that even these poor innocent kids were affected. I loved, though, the comparisons that were made when the Americans wanted to keep the Germans separate from the Americans – so profound and something I probably never would have considered had it not been pointed out.

This book is not an easy read at times by any means, but it is certainly one that makes you think. And while it is set is the 1930s and 1950s, I cannot help but see comparisons to what is going on in the world today. This is one book that I know I will not be forgetting anytime soon. This is a must read for all historical fiction fans.

I wanted to start off by that I received a complimentary ebook copy. In return for my honest thoughts and review. Now I haven’t read a Kelly Rimmer book yet. This was my first time reading one of her books. I have to say this is amazing book. Definitely adding more of her books to my tbr. This book is already out. Highly recommend this book. I have read a lot of WW2 books. Never read a book about how some Germans were forced into changing the way they thought or turning their back on their Jewish friends. And even the way they taught their children. Sophie husband being forced to join certain groups due to his knowledge of science. Lizzie story from losing everything and changing her life after losing love ones. And helping her brother in his mental state. These two woman meeting each other not knowing what the other is going through. I loved that ending and closures on both characters. I did read the authors note and learn something while reading. This book I didn’t know that there were Germans taken after the war to help build with Americans to put a man on the moon. Again highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me to read such amazing book. My review posted on goodreads, amazon, BookBub

I've seen a few gushing reviews for this and I really struggled to read The German Wife. I started it a week ago and finished it Sunday night, which for me is rare to take that long to read a book.

The premise of this book is fascinating. It's about Operation Paperclip: a controversial secret US intelligence program that employed former Nazis after WWII. I'd read about Operation Paperclip so I was looking forward to a historical fiction especially one from the women's view but for me the story was so slow and the Lizzie chapters made it too disjointed for me to really feel invested.

Also I was really looking forward to an author's note at the end and there wasn't one. I'm hoping that because it was an ebook ARC that it just wasn't there yet and it will be in the finished copy.

Thank you to the publisher, Graydon House, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The German Wife in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Gist
I grew up in Germany and am well informed about the time during the Nazy Regime in Germany as well as WWII.

In the past I have read many books and stories taking place during this time frame and often have been slightly irritated about distorted or even just untrue reflections in said books.

Kelly Rimmer has done her homework, though. I am delighted and impressed by her thorough research. One of her main characters is based on the life of Werner von Braun.

The Details
We have two female protagonists and then said portrait of Werner von Braun, called Juergen in the book.

Both women live through the same time frame and are affected differently by the political events.

Sofie, as the wife of Juergen, experienced the influence of the Nazy Regime directly and even brutally.

Lizzy lives on a farm in far away Texas and has to endure the devastating consequences of the Great Depression.

Both women display immense strength and survival instincts.

But as all characters in this book, they are so well portrayed I often forgot they are just characters in a novel and not women I have met personally.

I loved, admired and, on occasion, hated them.

This story was designed with care and love. The passion of the author and the need to share her thoughts and findings of extremely well researched facts are impressive.

The writing is inviting and once you start you will not be able to stop until the very end.
It will become an obsession to know how life unfolds for Sofie and Lizzy and how the men in their lives will influence and accompany them.

I loved the flow of the novel. Even though the story switches back and forth, it is easy to follow. It completely captured your attention.

The Verdict
Overall, if I have one point of criticism, it would be the reflection of life in Germany, particularly Berlin. It is not represented in the most correct way and, for me, was not deep or clear enough.

But I can overlook it. This is the story of those two women and how they are connected.

One thing will become very clear for the reader: There are no winners in a war, ever.

I recommend this book. For me it is a must-read!

I am really struggling with how to review this book. It is a heartbreaking story - and based off of a true story, which is part of the challenge. Rimmer is an unbelievable writer. She clearly did a lot of research and was able to, in my opinion, clearly portray the inner dialogue and challenges that all of the characters experienced. That being said, I found the actual story line to be very slow. For at least half of the book, very little happens. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t bored nor did I want to put the book down, but it didn’t read like a story to me. The book is written in two different perspectives, pre and post WWII, it takes a long time for the stories to intersect, which at times makes it a very disjointed book.

Based off the true story of Operation Paperclip, a secret US intelligence program that employed former Nazis. Sophie Von Meyer Rhodes’ husband is involved in Germany’s rocket program - he is given the choice between working with Hitler’s top officials or potential harm to him and their family. After WWII Sophie finds herself in America, giving their family a chance to put the war behind them. When gossip turns to rage, will their family survive? And will their American and German neighbors understand the choices that they had to make?

Anyone interested in historical fiction, specifically related to WWII, I think this is a must read. Just know going into it, very little actually happens until the end of the book, but the choices that had to be made are fascinating.

Happy Pub Day!

Thank you Netgaley for my advanced reader copy.

The German Wife is one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it blew me away in true Rimmer style. It made me think way outside my comfort zone, which I am still struggling with. It made me ponder what I would do in a similar situation, and would I have done the same thing? The answer is most likely a yes, I would do anything to save my child. But you never know what you would truly do when you are put into such extreme situations. I loved how the book tells two distinct stories. Each based on incredibly strong, brave women. Who must make incredible decisions for their families. They are the backbone that keeps their family surviving. The grit that will hold everyone together no matter what.

Sofie a young mother who is married to a Jurgen. Who is a genius and ends up working on the esteemed rocket program. He is led to believe he will be building rockets to go to the moon, but the Nazis have other ideas. They also have their ways to have Jurgen and Sofie bend to their will. With threats against their family, and the tightening of their finances. Jurgen and Sofie find themselves digging themselves deeper and deeper into a horrible position. Sofie's best friend since childhood is Jewish and she is living with them during the beginning of the war. How will this friendship continue with Jurgen so closely watched by his employers?

Lizzie is watching her family wither away as the intense heat and draught turns their family farm into a desert during the dustbowl. No matter how hard they try to dig themselves out from under the sand another storm blows in burying them back under incredible debt and no rain or relief in sight. Lizzie must learn to be the one her brother depends on once the farm is lost. Twenty years later Lizzie and Sofie find themselves becoming enemies after Jurgen and Lizzies husbands begin working together on Operation Paperclip. Where America offers to pardon scientists past during the war in order for them to move to the States and continue their studies to get us to the moon. Most people are not welcoming to these German families. Whispers and gossip spread like wildfire in this small town. No one is left untouched.

This is an astonishing read that will make you think and question your way throughout the entire book. Should these German families be allowed to come to the states and have their entire past wiped clean. Just so we have the brightest and sharpest minds to win the space race? Should they be able to live a normal life when they have silently watched millions be murdered? What this book does is make you question what you would do if you were in a similar situation. Would you have made the same choices as Sofie and Jurgen in order to save the ones you love? I believe the book was written in such a way to make you struggle with the content. To question your thoughts and your sympathy. To make you feel uncomfortable when you start to love Sofie and her family. I highly recommend this book and think everyone should read it. Thank you to Kelly Rimmer and Graydon House for sending me this truly astonishing read that pushed me to think outside the box!