What I enjoy about historical fiction is that the author can base the storyline around one or more important historical action(s) or person /people, which then gives the reader the best of two worlds.....learning more about history but at the same time imagining the "what if" of the story being brought into our imagination. This story brings together several actual events and people of history that brought the magical acts of illusion into helping the soldiers of WWII outwit their enemies. The story of the hardships of the orphan Fenna Vos, coming from the copper mining town of Calumet Michigan, falling in love with her childhood friend Arie, and yet always running away from the fears that plagued her since the tragedies of her youth, was heartbreaking. Magic was her escape as a child, and it leads her to become a part of British Intelligence in designing ways to help trick the enemy. But this skill also takes her dangerously close to the war when she attempts to help her friend Arie in a mission that makes him a suspect of spying. This was a very interesting read....and always be sure to read the Epilogue to get more facts about the story. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #WaysWeHide #NetGalley.

Fenna Vos was raised amid the hardships of Michigan's Copper Country, and she learned to survive. That ability sustains her as the Second World War rages in faraway countries. Though she performs onstage as the assistant to an unruly escape artist, she's the mastermind of their act. Yet for all her planning, Fenna doesn't foresee being called upon by British military intelligence. and asked to design escape aids to stop the Germans, MI9 seeks those with specialized skills, and Fenna reluctantly joins the unconventional team as an inventor. But when a test of her loyalty draws her deep into the fray, she discovers no mission is more treacherous than escaping one's past.

Inspired by true accounts, The Ways We Hide is a gripping story of love and loss, the wars we fight—on the battlefields and within ourselves—and the courage found in unexpected places. This is the first book I have read by this author and was impressed by the amount of research she did to tell this story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

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I couldn’t put this book down! I wish I hadn’t waited so long to read it, because it was fascinating and heartbreaking in equal measure. I am such a sucker for childhood friendships that turn into love, and their relationship in every form kept me heavily invested. So, so good.

Heart wrenching and beautifully told, this will appeal to fans of Martha Hall Kelly and Kristin Hannah. Fans of WWII fiction will appreciate the unique but harrowing take on a tale of survival in which a little girl’s life is at stake. I enjoyed the fact that the main character was a magician and felt that it added flavor to the story. This will be a good choice for book clubs.

I really enjoyed this book, as I have all of this author's previous work. I love how she explained afterwards how she had created this story and I was able to see how she had taken disconnected stories and combined them all together for this piece of work. It's definitely one I will be recommending for fans of historical fiction!

Right from the start this book had me hooked.. I love Historical Fiction and have read so many interesting books on WWII. The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris had such a different story line than most WWII novels. The fact that Fenna was a magician and able to use her skills to help the Allie’s was brilliant. I loved the backstory of her family life and struggles. This was a four star read for me. The story and the characters were excellent. My only issue was how long the story was. I might be one of the few but I almost lost my way when she went on her mission. I felt it could have been shorter without missing much of the plot. But I did finish and overall it was a original story. I want to thank Netgalley & the author for my copy for an honest review. It is always a pleasure to read a new to me author. As for the length, give it a whirl.. I did finish it and the ending was very good.

The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris is a can’t put down, read until 2:00 in the morning book! Masterful, poignant, riveting, heartbreaking and thrilling, this is a must read WWII historical novel. How illusions and magic were instrumental in saving many lives is truly fascinating. A troubled childhood, painful memories, unfathomable disasters and the strength that comes from love. Fenna is a woman you have to admire. This is a must read for lovers of WWII Historical Fiction!
I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review. This is a book I want to add to my collection!

Fenna Vos, the brains behind the illusions. A coordinator, a very bright and determined woman who seems to be able to turn and pivot as each situation changes and morphs from the normal to the absurd and obscene. A tragedy in her youth serves as a tether throughout much of the book and pops up at the most unlikely times. She can create and enact the most extraordinary distractions, but is often paralyzed by situations of her own making. She can invent and talk her way around a room full of men but allows herself to be used and manipulated by them. She is convinced into doing her bit for the war effort never guessing that she may labeled expendable.

This is another interesting story about World War II and the people who accepted the task to fight Hitler and his atrocities. There was just a little too much going on and too many “could this really be true and happening” moments. The constant intrigue of who could be believed and who was playing whom was trying and tiring but hey it supposedly happened so maybe it was me not being in the mood to be exhausted.

Appreciating the attention to detail, expression of love and loss I am rounding up. Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy.

Wonderful book about WWII! If you like historical fiction…this is a great book. The main character is a magician/illusionist who works for British intelligence. Thought provoking novel. Thank you to net galley and the publisher for an ARC

Fenna is an associate of a stage magician. World War II finds her working in a clandestine group called MI9. Their objective is to provide ways to help allied prisoners escape Nazi prisoner of war camps. The trick is to make games transparent which are then allowed into prison camps.

Fenna has a second asset to offer. In addition to her escape artist’s abilities; she can speak Dutch, as this was her mother’s native tongue. She is inserted into Nazi controlled Holland to assist the underground. She finds the family of a very good friend. The friend has a child but the mother is killed in a Gestapo raid and her child is adopted by a childless German family. This situation is untenable to Fenna and the group in Holland. They work to help extract the young girl and spirit her to England.

This book is based upon some facts recently made public. Ms. McMorris has pulled together information regarding female operatives during World War II in a most engaging novel. The success of this lady in a male-dominated world is nothing short of spectacular. The resultant book is a great tribute to the millions of women who worked unheralded and unrecognized during the second world war. 5 stars – CE Williams

This book was very interesting in the fact that the main character Fenna Vos was a magician and an escape artist. She had a hard life from the time she was little and lost her mother. There was a traumatic epsiode when she was 7 at a Christmas eve event and that is where she met Arie, the love of her life, who protected her and got her to safety. They became fast friends and lived in the same apartment building. After the death of her father she was sent to an orphanage. She did not do well there and was always bullied by the girls who were jealous of her magic abilities. When she escaped from there she remembered where Arie's family moved to and by her cleverness ended up on their doorstep seeking help. They allowed her to live with them and they became her new family. Because of her traumatic childhood she felt she would never be a good mother and decided to leave the love of her life. She ended up doing magic/escape artist shows with Charles at various venues. She was then approached by the government to help figure ways to hide things to pass to shoulders. And the story continues during WWII. Fenna was such a beloved character who overcame her childhood trauma. She helped the shoulders and also a very special little person.
I found the book a little long in the middle but I stuck with it and am so glad I did because it was a beautiful story.
Remember to read the author's note about how she got the ideas for this book and the historical part of the story. It brought it all together.
Thanks to #netgalley, #sourcebooklandmark and @kristina.mcmorris for an ARC of this book

This is such a "big" story. So much is involved that I couldn't put it down. Childhood tragedy, childhood best friends, family drama, illusionists, magic acts, suspense, war. No idea that an illusionist could be involved in war, but it makes sense. Like I said so much going on and so much to learn from this very special historical fiction story.

I read a lot of WWII fiction and am always amazed when I read a book that looks at the war from a different perspective and is full of new things for me to learn. The author did considerable research and it shows on every page. This is a dual time line book that looks at Fenna's life at 10 years old in Upper Michigan copper country and the other time line is about her life throughout WWII.

1942 - When the novel begins, Fenna is presenting her magic act in front of a crowd. From a young age, she was intrigued with Houdini and his magic act where he was able to defy reality and escape from restraints. Fenna has a knack for creating new magic tricks and she and her helper, Charles, have intrigued the audience. After the show, she is approached by a gentleman who asks her if she'd be interested in going to London to work with British intelligence to create items to help prisoners of war in Germany. Together they create things like a razor that is really a compass and a board game with a map hidden in it. She becomes known as the 'gadget girl' while she's working for M19 outside of London. When a test of her loyalty draws her into occupied Europe, she has to decide what is really important in her life and if she can overcome her past.

1928 - Fenna's mother died several years earlier so her family is just her and her father. He is a cooper miner who is on strike for better working conditions. While they are at a Christmas gathering with several hundred people, someone yells FIRE and she becomes trapped in the stairwell with a mob trying to get out of the building. This part of the story is based on the Italian Hall Disaster of 1913 where 73 people - mostly children - were killed trying to escape a building. Fenna is almost suffocated but manages to escape with the help of a young boy, Arie who lives in her apartment building. The fire and the young boy both become important parts of the rest of her life. Because of the fire, she has panic attacks if she is in a confined area and feels as if she's suffocating. Arie tries to help her and takes her to a Houdini film to watch the escape artist perform magic tricks. After that film, she becomes enamored with magic tricks and develops some of her own.

This story about two traumatized children who grow up to be troubled adults and the ways that they hide their hurt and their love from each other and from the world around them. It's a story of family, love, bravery and forgiveness as these two people - Fenna and Arie - grow up and become part of the war effort and have to decide what is really important in their lives.

Be sure to read the Author's Notes at the end of the book. She shares a lot of information on what was true in her novel as well as the real people she based some of her characters on.

If you enjoy World War II fiction, you don't want to miss this book. It's always interesting to get a different look at the war and the ways that British intelligence worked to help their troops. Plus I always enjoy a book with a strong female character who commits acts of bravery to help others.

What a fast-paced, engrossing historical fiction thriller! It has everything a reader could want: factual events, some characters based on real people, magic, WWII gadgets, and a romance that will tug at your heart strings.

This is a heroine who survives the loss of first her mother then father at a young age, an unruly orphanage, a horrible accident where dozens died, then the bombing of London in WWII, a parachuting incident, encounters with the German SS, and a daring sea escape. Truly enjoyed the entire story!

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC to read and review.

Stop what you are doing and go immediately and get this book/audiobook. I was a fan of Kristina McMorris work with the release of Sold on a Monday. But with the release of The Ways We Hide, I will now immediately read all that McMorris releases.

When I first read the synopsis of The Ways We Hide, I was not sure that I would really enjoy this book. I am so very glad that I ignored that idea and went ahead and dove in to this book.

Based on true life events, Fenna Vos grew up in Michigan which was known for its copper. Fenna's mother had died in childbirth and it was just Fenna and her dad to survive on their own. Fenna always feeling left out and alone, finally found a friend in Arie Jansen, a boy, with whom Fenna experiences a horrific tragedy that will haunt her the rest of her life. Arie and Fenna's friendship will span many years.

Fenna's journey has many twists and turns that I don't want to discuss for fear that I will ruin the reader's experience. I was doubtful that McMorris could draw the twists and turns and constructs a story that has so many layers and nuances that all work so seamlessly together.

I did not want to stop this story. I devoured this story in four days and it would have been less if life had not gotten in the way. Fenna and Arie will tunnel a path in to your heart and you will not soon forget this story. The Ways We Had is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.

I received an ARC of this book from the NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

This is the second book I have read by this author, and it did not disappoint! I like the fact that they have made me think. Fenna, the main character is traumatized by the memory of an incident in her childhood. After the death of her father, she moves in with the family of her best friend, Arie. She has always been fascinated by Houdini and learns how to do some of his magic tricks. After an incident that forces her to leave their home, she gains a partner and sets up their magic act. As things begin to go downhill with her partner, she is approached by a British military officer who recruits her to London to use her expertise to create gadgets to help soldiers in the field. She then volunteers for a dangerous secret mission in Nazi territory. Because of her Dutch background, she is confident that she will be successful. Things do not work out as expected on her arrival and she is forced to confront her past while fighting to stay alive. This book is difficult to put down as I found the story fascinating. After finishing in, I was interested to check into things that happened in the book in order to see if some things that interested me were inspired by fact. I highly recommend this book!

Also reviewed on B&N under 1IrishEyes430 and Kobo under IrishEyes430

I have to admit when I first started reading Ways We Hide, I wasn’t sure I was going to finish it. The beginning was a bit hard to understand for me and I wasn’t sure about it. But, I’m so glad I finished reading this book! Fenna Vos is the daughter of Dutch immigrants. Finding herself orphaned after a terrible tragedy and illness, Fenna is on her own in the world. Drawing on her obsession of Harry Houdini, Fenna begins to make a name for herself performing “magic” tricks and escapes. This eventually leads her to London to create items for soldiers to carry during World War II to help them escape and find their way back to safety. If you like historical fiction, this is a must read. Fabulously written with rescues, romance, and narrow escapes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

The first few chapters had me questioning if this book would be a good fit for me, but as soon as the backstory started I was hooked. I had my heart broken a bit, but I really did enjoy it and would recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction with a pop of romance. I know a few people who avoid WWII era books due to the heaviness of the Holocaust and while Hitler was frequently mentioned, his atrocities were not mentioned in great detail. The story has heavy inspirational girl power notes and I loved it. I know the book is fiction, but we know that female accomplishments during war were (and are) largely ignored.

I have another book by the author on my Kindle and I will now prioritize reading it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing the advanced readers' copy for my honest review!

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced reader's copy.
This book is such a wonderful walk thru another story of WWII. This time a magician's tale and adventure.
Well written and easy to read. I highly recommend this tale.

The Ways We Hide is a gripping historical fiction that begins with Fenna Vos apparently assisting master magician Charles at their show in Brooklyn. But appearances can be deceiving as Fenna, or Fen, is the expert who has crafted this show and taught Charles all he knows. The future holds so much for them, and the world as it’s now 1942 and the beginning of the United States’ entry into the War. There are changes on the way for this pair.

Before moving forward, the author returns to Fenna’s childhood in copper country, in Michigan, and important events that formed who she would be. These include a terrible Christmas Eve disaster that scarred her for life, a childhood friend that grew to be much more, her early love of magic that helped her deal with tragedy.

And beyond the magic shows, back to 1942, not in her wildest dreams would she have expected to be approached by a representative of British military intelligence. This man has seen her shows, recognized her skills and presents her with an offer to assist the war effort in England designing devices to help allied soldiers evade capture or escape prison.

There are many more layers to this novel, especially interpersonal ones which I prefer to leave to readers to uncover. And there is action aplenty once Fenna reaches England but I am not going to spoil any of that. This is a great novel that keeps you reading to find out what is coming next.

Perhaps my only concern was that at times I felt it seemed a bit much happening, but the afterword reveals the true history behind the details. Still a lot to have happened to one person though such things so occur in some peoples’ lives.

Recommended. This a well written historical novel that covers aspects of history not well known and does it in exciting ways.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.