I really enjoyed Sold on a Monday so I was super excited to read this one. Ways We Hide did not disappoint. Characters are well developed, the plot draws you in. Kristina McMorris is now on my automatically read list!

I was intrigued by the premise of this book and looked forward to seeing how an illusionist could help in the war effort during WWII. But, the long flashback to Fenna’s childhood caused me to lose interest. While understanding her background and her relationship with Arie was important to the end of the story, I felt that it took away from the initial momentum. I paused about halfway through the book and didn’t pick it up again for a few weeks. In the end I’m glad that I went back and finished it and I did enjoy the descriptions of gadgets, tricks, and illusions that were employed. But I may have read too many WWII novels recently to be able to fully enjoy this one. I do appreciate that I was able to read this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

2.5-3 ⭐️ This book was very frustrating to read, it was slow and took so much to build up to getting the story rolling. And then glimmers of a relationship to have an ending like that??? Why? Historical fiction, sure, but there was room for such a better ending. The history was not lacking and I enjoyed that aspect, but there was so much more that could have been done with this book. Big disappointment. Would not recommend wasting your time.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris.
The Ways We Hide is a historical fiction that covers many less known historical events. The book follows the life of Fenna, from her childhood in Michigan to her career creating spy gadgets for World War 2. Mixing in magic and the intrigue of Houdini, McMorris creates a story that keeps the reader engaged. I already purchased a copy of this book for a friend!

An excellent WW2 historical novel with really strong characters, romance, spies, magic tricks and illusions, and Harry Houdini. This writer did her research and the story just flows.

I enjoyed this story, I read a lot of historical fiction books but this one is the first with the Italian Hall disaster. Fenna went through a lot as a child, first she lost her mom during childbirth, her father passed away when she was still young, she ended up in an orphanage where she was bullied and escaped to find her old neighbors which included her best friend Arie. She goes through a lot with and without him. The ending seemed to drag and I lost interest. With that said I still do recommend that you read the book.

Fenna Vos learned the art of escapism from necessity as a child. Now she incorporates her talent into an equitable illusionist act with her brooding partner. And though she wishes for more from life, she could never have dreamed she would be called upon by British intelligence to help with the war effort by teaching her trade to soldiers caught behind enemy lines.

Fenna’s designs are put to the test when she becomes an operative in the Netherlands. Spying is dangerous, but if it means protecting those she loves, Fenna will take the risk.

Her bravery throughout the book is inspiring. Learning about the amazing tools used to defeat the enemy was interesting. I love books showcasing strong women changing the world and this is a great example. Excellent storyline!

The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris is the story of Fenna Voss and her search for belonging. Fenna has always loved to perform magic and make things disappear. This trait becomes her lifeline. The ability to hide things weaves in and out of her experiences, as she grows up poor in 1920’s Michigan, creates a family with best friend Arie and his family and leaves to perform on the stage.
Fenna’s knowledge of illusion and escape is noticed, and she begins her war work with MI9 in London. There, she uses her skills to help the war effort, creating gadgets for soldiers to escape the Germans. But after reconnecting with Arie, she is faced with the greatest challenge of her life: does she dare to go undercover to find Arie, draw him out of hiding and bring him home?
Kristina McMorris carefully crafts his novel, using many true life events and past headlines to build this novel of family, war, sacrifice and coming home.
#netgalley

I want to start off by saying that I received a complimentary ebook copy. In return for my honest thought and review. Thanks you to the author and netgalley. I also want to apologize for a late review. I really glad that I got the chance to read this book. I honestly went into this book only knowing that its a historical fiction and WW2. I love reading historical fiction and to add magic into it. I really took my time with this book. Not because I didn’t like it. I loved reading this book. I will be definitely adding more books from this author. I really can’t believe I haven’t picked up this author’s books before.
I love how strong Fenna is character after all the things that she had gone through losing her mother. Fenna losing her father. Having to deal with living into a group home and not feeling wanted and being bullied. Going out on her own.
I highly recommend this book. Thank you the author and netgalley for allowing me to read such amazing book. Again apologize for late review. My review will be posted on amazon and goodreads and bookbub.

It is 1942 and Fenna is an illusionist’s assistant...or so it seems. She is actually the designer of all the illusions in the show. When it become clears that her partner thinks he would be alright without her, she is considering leaving and striking out on her own. As luck, or perhaps design, would have it she is approached by a man from the British Home Offices to recruit her into the war effort.

Have you ever had a book that defies all your efforts to explain how you feel about it? The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris is that book for me. I finished it a while ago but every time I tried to write a review, it just seemed to get away from me.

Part of the problem, I guess, was that it doesn’t follow a linear narrative.and it covers a whole lot of ground from Fenna’s days as an illusionist’s assistance, to her childhood in Michigan and a Christmas party for children of striking miners that turns deadly, to her time with MI9 designing gadgets to help in the war effort, to the Netherlands in search of her childhood sweetheart who has disappeared, back to England, and finally, her return to the United States and a career as as an illusionist in her own right. There were also many subplots, some of which just seemed unnecessary.and served only to distract from the main story.

Still, despite this, I found The Ways We Hide very interesting, compelling and well-researched. It kept me reading even when the story stuttered and I did like that it made me want to look up the actual history much of the story was based on and that’s always a plus at least for me.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

Fenna is an escape artist. She has been recruited by British intelligence. She is tasked with creating escape tactics and unique tools to help win the war. However, during one of her missions, she ends up trying to rescue her childhood friend and his niece. She is determined to get them back home safely.

Fenna is a very strange character and I enjoyed her very much. I loved her talent and her particular skills. She uses them to her advantage on numerous occasions.

Now, just know I am in the minority on this one. This has a lot of great ratings and reviews. So, just take this however you see fit. This story is just WAY TOO LONG, in my opinion. There were places I was like, “get on with it!” And then there were places which were extremely intense and mesmerizing. But in this case, the bad out weighed the good. Too many dead spots and too many places the author stated the obvious.

Now, I loved Sold on a Monday! So, this review is probably more about my mood than the author. I did love the WWII setting and learning about the magic tricks and how MI9 used these for espionage. Pretty unique!

The narrator, Cassandra Campbell did a very good job. She even did a superb job with the child’s voice. That is a stickler with me. She did pretty dang great!

Need a historical fiction story with a magical edge…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris is an intriguing, fast paced, WWII historical fiction novel which keeps the reader’s attention throughout the book. It’s very suspenseful and combines the heroine’s love of performing illusions with family drama, romance, and tragedy, based on well-researched true events. I found the book captivating and at the same time I learned about about MI9, a British group that created hidden gadgets and game boards to help prisoners of war escape. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys WWII historical novels.

It's clear that an extensive amount of research went in to this book and the author notes at the end of the novel are very informative and interesting. This is the second book I’ve read by Kristina McMorris and I will look forward to reading her next one. NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark kindly provided me with an early copy of this novel, and this is my honest opinion.

I am a fan of historical fiction and this one did not disappoint. Fen is an illusionist who is recruited to help the British during WWII. I enjoyed her back story, learning about the gadgets developed for use during the war., and the development of her relationship with a boy she first meets in childhood.

This was fascinating to read and I found myself sunk deep into the story. I would gladly have stayed for a few thousand more pages. I am finding myself a bigger fan of historical fiction, something I would have never thought possible. How these people survived the times in which they lived and the strength they needed just to get through the day is remarkable. Obviously, I'm coming at it from a the mindset of someone who grew up in what I like to call the "microwave generation" where we can't even be patient enough to let our popcorn finish popping in the microwave, but I always find myself in awe and can't imagine how they got through those days of war and poverty and uncertainty with the grace that they did. I loved the way magic is woven into this story and how that talent was able to let our main character, Fen, be of service to her country and herself. Riveting stuff in these pages, so dive right in!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to RB Media,Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the early listen/read. Wonderful story. Nice having both the audio and ebook so I could read at night.
Enjoyed the history surrounding the story from when Fenna was a little girl growing up in Michigan to her service overseas during the war.
Highly recommend
Narrator did a great job with each character and telling the story

Protagonist Fenna is rescued during a childhood trauma by Arie who becomes her best friend. To help Fenna cope, Arie gives her a book about Houdini which ultimately leads to an unlikely escape into the world of illusion. As an adult Fenna’s on stage performance captures the attention of British intelligence and she is recruited to use her ingenuity to create secret gadgets and escape aids to defeat the Nazis. This story, inspired by true events, takes you on a dangerous ride not only into the war zone under Nazis control but also into the battles within ourselves keeping you on the edge of your seat as Fenna finds unexpected courage.

I am always a fan of historical fiction with a strong female character. This story was well written and I was eager to see what each page had to offer.

What a well-researched and well-written historical fiction novel by a new-to-me author. I'll be sure to check out more of her books!

This one was a major investment of time. It’s a great story…just not super full of action. I had to take a break about halfway through, read something else and come back. All that to say, I really did enjoy the story. It was a completely different take on a wartime story with a little romance thrown in.

Fen is fascinated by Houdini. She wants to learn all the magic. Childhood tragedies take her on adventures she never wanted to take, but the paths lead her to her childhood friend, turned love, and away from him again. Magic leads her to lend a hand in the war efforts and back to her love once again. Will she be able to get her happily ever after?

3,5 Stars : If you are a fan of historical fiction that follows a specific character in detail, you will really enjoy "The Ways We Hide" by Kristina McMorris. There was a lot to this story, and it does give you a lot of backstory. I enjoyed the story overall, but it did drag at parts. If you don't mind a book that might take a minute to get into, you'll love it. I also loved hearing why the author chose to write this book and the history behind it! If you LOVED "All The Light We Cannot See", this is very similar.

Thank you to the NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a copy in exchange for an honest review.