This book offers everything - heartbreak, suspense, all the emotions, a strong, intelligent female character. A remarkable story, based on true events, about a girl who had to learn about survival at a young age. We are taken through her life journey, from a magician to a young child and finally to service member. In order to keep trauma from the forefront of her mind, Fenna learns to control her surroundings until she joins the British Military Intelligence in WWII. There she discovers just how difficult it is to escape the past. I found some parts of the story a little slow and not necessary, but overall a truly wonderful story. Well written, well researched, touching on all types of human emotion and interaction.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

A new author to me, and I’m so happy to have found her. Way We Hide is just a mesmerizing story of wartime and how people with different talents we’re able to help the cause. I love historical fiction, and this had all of the components to grab my interest. But the use of illusion in the war effort was new and the different methods used to aide our troops and confuse the enemy was so clever.
This novel has it all, romance, intrigue, danger and humor. Kristina McMorris is a gifted storyteller and her research into the use of alternative methods to confuse the enemy and keep our soldiers safe was obviously very detailed. The various locations portrayed, as Fenna Vos moves through her journey are well described and as she had to fit in inconspicuously to the different locations and cultures was very interesting,
I really enjoyed the journey through illusion and the dedication of all that laid their lives on the line. My thanks to the author, Net Galley and Sourcebooks, for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Another amazing historical fiction book by McMorris. She weaves an intriguing story involving Feena Voss and her unique abilities which help in the war. We are introduced to Feena and her family as a child. As an adult she works as an assistant to an escape artist and life can be challenging, but she hones her skills.
One day British military intelligence calls upon Feena to design escape aids to help the British and trick the Germans. The tools she comes up with are absolutely fascinating. If you have a chance to follow the author she shares many “disguised items” used in intelligence. M19 used so many gadget, hidden compartments and maps included in board games. Genius!!

The author creates a clever and mesmerizing story based on a few actual events and weaves her fictional tale expertly. The characters of Fenna and Arie are gritty survivors and they form a close bond in a childhood disaster that links them together throughout their lives. This book is different than anything I’ve read and it has a little of everything in it.

Beautiful and sad WWII novel. This is a story that will stay with you. If you liked Sold On A Monday, then you’ll enjoy this one.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is a compulsive read wherein the stakes are high, the intrigue is captivating, the character development is strong, and the research sheds light on and stitches together two very different and unknown true accounts -- a devastating and deadly stampede at a Christmas Eve party for striking miners in Michigan, and how board games like Monopoly helped Allied POWs in World War II escape and evade the enemy. The plot and research are woven tight, no seams showing. Main character Fenna Vos escaped tragedy as a child, and has spent her life nurturing a set of skills that are now indispensable for the war effort. But she's got to muster more than skill. She's got to muster a courage that threatens to evade her in order to complete her crucial mission. This is a book for readers who like to discover lesser known historical tidbits while reading a gripping story of love and loss and World War II.

[Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advanced reader copy and share my opinion of this book.]

Ways We Hide is a tragic tale set during WW II.

The book is about a girl Fenna, who joins the British Army intelligence. It is Fast paced, suspenseful and a great read with romance, magic and a bitter sweet ending.

I rated it 4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is why I love historical fiction - the chance to learn new things about a subject that is generally well known, in this case, the creation of hidden tools and aids in ordinary items supplied to the Allies during WWII. I also learned about the Italian Hall Disaster and the Bethnal Green Tube Disasters, and while they were separate, McMorris wove them ably into her story so as to be seamless and not in the least unbelievable for Fenna's experiences. The whole story was wonderfully done, and pulled me in so deeply that at times I had to stop reading because the tension was too much. Well done indeed.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review

The star of this novel is Fenna, a young woman who has had her share of troubles. Raised by her immigrant Dutch father, she is tragically left an orphan as an adolescent. Her friendship with best friend Arie, leads her to find a home with his family until she is ready to embark on life on her own.

As an adult, she is known as the mastermind behind magic shows, where she one day is recruited by the British intelligence agency for her skill with gadgets and codes. While on a dangerous mission, Fenna is confronted by the past she tried to forget as she struggles to survive and save the friend who once saved her.

This novel was nothing that I expected but I absolutely loved it! Although set during WWII, the war wasn’t the primary focus of the story. Fenna is a complex character with the grit to survive as she experiences, love, heartbreak, courage and resilience.

Thank you to NetGalley and Source Books for this early review copy. This review can also be found on IG @maria.needs.to.read and on Goodreads

5 stars for The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris

A beautiful, moving epic based on true events from WWII.

The Ways We Hide shares the story of the fictional Fenna Vos, a daughter of Dutch immigrants with a fascination for magic. Her extensive talent eventually takes her from stage shows in America to the Allied war effort in Britain, where she helps design secretive escape and evasion tools used to rescue airmen and soldiers from Nazi capture and imprisonment. When her childhood friend Arie Jansen disappears during an intelligence mission in Holland, Fenna must use all of her skills and knowledge to determine his whereabouts and devise a way to complete his mission and return them home.

In The Ways We Hide, Kristina McMorris blends morsels of history smoothly throughout Fenna’s story. From a Michigan community tragedy to the magic of Houdini and war time efforts in Britain and Holland, each piece of the past is woven carefully into the story to shape Fenna’s motivations and fears.

The novel flows effortlessly, beginning with Fenna’s clever stage shows as a young adult and continuing through her wartime service, with flashbacks from childhood revealing the strong connection between Fenna and Arie that moves her to risk her life to save his. It’s a beautiful story of friendship, and of finding the courage to face down fear and create a brighter tomorrow.

With wonderful character development and descriptive settings, The Ways We Hide invites readers into the past with skillful storytelling and a fresh perspective of the Second World War. I highly recommend this exceptional novel to all lovers of historical fiction and women’s fiction, especially fans of espionage who will enjoy the glimpse of Britain’s secretive MI9 and it’s fascinating gadgets.

Thank you to NetGalley, publisher Sourcebooks Landmark and the author for the advance reader’s copy of this novel. All opinions expressed above are my own. The expected publication date of The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris is September 6, 2022.

A beautiful historical fiction book. I loved Sold on a Monday by this author so was excited to read this. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early read!

Magic tricks, WW2, gadgets, British Military and romance equal an absorbing and gripping tale by the author old Sold on a Monday.

There is so much packed into this book and yet it not only worked - but it also floored me. Fenna Vos learned how to survive at a young age. Her mother died in childbirth, and she was raised by her father. She was in the Italian Hall tragedy in 1913. I had not heard of this and after reading about it, I turned to Wikipedia to learn more. She and her best friend, Arie Jansen, communicate by a series of knocks.

Fenna has always been fascinated by magic and grows up to work as an assistant to Charlie, an escape artist. One evening after work she is approached by a man who wants to recruit her to work with his secret M19 team designing escape aids.

Doesn't sound too exciting, does it? Yet, after the first couple of chapters, I could not put this book down. Fenna is tasked with designing tools and gadgets which will help the soldiers and spies to escape and stay one step ahead of the Germans during the war.

WOWZA! This was such a well written and extensively researched book. Fenna was a great character. I rooted for her the entire book. This book is full of courage, intrigue, and romance as well. I love reading about people being placed in difficult situations and watching as they shine. Fenna is very clever and talented. She also feels very real as she is strong yet flawed.

This one will stay with me for quite some time.

Highly Recommend.

#TheWaysWeHide #NetGalley

This book is a story of love and loss. Of survival, trust, courage, and the art of illusion. Fenna Vos is trying to escape her past, while using escape as her defense against the world. She is an illusionist that goes from entertaining on stages to inventing for British Intelligence.

My favorite part of historical fiction is being based on true accounts, and this book is no exception. Escape aids during WWII was a very real element to fighting the war. I don’t know that I was fully drawn into the world of illusion, and because of that I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I would have liked. However, I was very invested in the friendship between Fenna and Arie Jansen. And I loved diving into Fenna’s past to better understand her fears and how they influenced her choices.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, I definitely recommend this book. It is based on a side of WWII that I haven’t read about before. Like codebreaking in The Rose Code, this is about the inventing of escape aids… another side of fighting the war with intelligence, long hours, and creativity.

This book is fast paced and well written, inspiring and tragic, and somehow heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this advanced e-book of The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Fenna Vos learned to take care of herself and survive. She is a the assistant to an escape artist, but behind the scenes she is the mastermind. During the War, she is called on my British Intelligence. Can she use her skills to help the military personnel escape and survive?

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

PUBLICATION DAY: Sept 6, 2022

Fenna and Arie have known each other from childhood - both passionate about magic and illusions, and grateful for the parents who took Fenna in when she had nowhere else to go. Fast forward to their adult years, and World War II has changed everything. Will the skills Fenna has learned as a performer, illusionist and survivor be enough to make a difference in this terrible war? And will she be able to save those she loves?

PROS and CONS:
Compelling historical drama with a magician/illusionist angle which I thought was unique. I felt that a few characters I was curious about were introduced but then never really mentioned again, but the ones that were included were quite well developed. I was invested in her mission/job once she was recruited by the British, but felt the tension that could have developed was never really there. Very nice writing style and a great story!

READ IT?
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, then I’m sure this one will be a home run for you!

4 Stars

The Ways We Hide is another wonderful, beautifully written book by Kristin McNorris. I loved this story which was inspired by true events, and the characters were complicated but likable with a strong and resilient female protagonist. I learned quite a bit of new things that I did not know took place during WWII. It was intriguing, suspenseful, and absolutely captivating. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the review copy.

4 stars / This review will be posted on goodreads.com today.


While I greatly enjoy historical fiction, I find that I can’t race through it as quickly as I do other genres. Perhaps it’s the methodical pace of the novels. This novel was beautiful and shared so much history regarding World War II.

It starts with Fenna Vos as a young girl. Through a horrible tragedy in their town, Fenna befriends a young boy named Arie. Throughout the years Arie and Fenna support one another and put on magic shows in the neighborhood. But then one day Arie’s family moves away, leaving Fenna.

After her father’s death, she is placed in a girls’ home. There she learns how to befriend others using her magic skills. She performs sleights of hand and card tricks deep in the night when the adults are sleeping, but for one girl who makes it her mission to make Fenna miserable. One night Fenna devises an escape to run away, but she only knows one place to escape to - Amesboro where Arie’s family has gone.

Through the kindness of Arie’s family, Fenna finds a home. She continues to be fascinated by magic and Houdini, and Arie is very supportive of her interest, though he is going to study to be an engineer. This predates WWII. When the war begins, Arie becomes a member of the engineering corps.

Fenna, who by now has moved away and is performing magic in theaters, is approached to assist in the war effort by helping to devise hidden tools and maps for Allied soldiers. She is employed in England by MI9 and a rather eccentric gentleman. During her time in MI9, she finds that something has happened in Holland with Arie, and she volunteers to go into Holland to try to find the truth and bring Arie back. Due to her knowledge of Dutch, and her diversionary abilities, Army Intelligence agrees. But Fenna has no idea what awaits her in Holland.

There was definitely an air of mystery to this novel. It was quite the tale, weaving in true elements of history during this time. Fascinating to learn more about the war effort and how MI9 devised these instruments to be smuggled into the soldiers. I loved learning about all this. The novel is a slower read, but worth every minute and page. Fenna is a force to be reckoned with, and it’s lovely to see strong women portrayed during the war effort. More than just a history lesson, this is a lesson about a woman who in the face of danger refuses to give up.

Fenna Vos is an American illusionist tapped by the British military intelligence to create escape aids for prisoners of war. But when the one she loves is targeted as a traitor, she finds herself drawn into her own personal rescue mission.

Set against the backdrop of World War II and inspired by true stories, Ways We Hide is a both a heart-wrenching and fascinating look at not only the battles of war but also the battles of the heart. Rich with historical details, I highly recommend!

*Thank you to @netgalley and @bookmarked for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was immediately pulled into Fenna’s story & didn’t want to put it down. I found this to be a well-written epic about a young woman that’s braver than she’ll ever give herself credit for being. By opening the story with her drama-filled magic act, it made me very curious about her childhood, & what led her to being on stage @ her young age. The jump back in time to the recollections of her childhood is richly detailed. I could almost feel her joys, hopes, losses, heartbreaks, & her ever present anxiety. Looking back, it seems every single experience she had in her young life helped prepare her for what she faces later. Really enjoyed the war intrigue & her timeless friendship with Arie. Fen basically has to reinvent herself again & again, but her uncanny ability to hide herself both mentally & physically is indeed a constant throughout.
I was able to read an advance copy via NetGalley & am happy to leave this voluntary review.

As a fan of the great Houdini, Fenna Vos has spent her lifetime mastering tricks and illusions.  Tired of being the mastermind behind the scenes,  she's ready for something new. When a British officer approaches her after a show to recruit her for the war effort,  she travels to London and uses her art of illusion to create gadgets to help pilots escape if caught by the enemy. But when she finds out that Arie, her closest friend is in grave danger,  she volunteers to help bring him home. Getting them both out safely may be her greatest trick yet...
This is one emotional,  nerve-wracking,  nail-biting rollercoaster of a story.  McMorris just has a way of writing that puts you right into the story. Based on true events, this book is well researched and very well written. I'm going to remember this book for a very long time. I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.