That Summer in Berlin by Alecia Cornwall is well written with tight tension of the growing Nazi threat along with several budding romances. The strained relationship of the debutant sisters vacationing during the Berlin Olympics helps to build the feeling of threat. This is a unique look at a difficult time. A good read.

I like historical fiction, but sometimes I feel like certain points of history are overdone and can burn me out (WWII). However, this one offered a fresh perspective and setting. I loved the backdrop of the Olympics and the debutante drama in this book. I found the story pace very intriguing.

I have read many books about WWII, Germany, Hitler, the Nazi rise to power etc. But this book is unique in the sense of its setting. Set mostly in Berlin, German at the 1936 Summer Olympics. A woman spy taking her job very seriously poses as a Brith tourist photographer, catching what others aren't seeing right in plain sight. Once again, we see the blind obedience Germans had to Hitler and his teachings even seeing the obedience German female youths had a girl's wing of the Nazi party youth movement called League of German Girls.
Well-paced story with realistic characters. Fascinating historical fiction.

Pub Date: 11 Oct 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

In That Summer in Berlin by Lecia Cornwall, we are taken back to the summer of 1936 where a young photographer names Viviane struggles to expose the lies behind the Berlin Olympics. I am not huge into historical fiction but this book was quite enthralling and I was fully invested in the story.

I struggled with Cornwall's The Summer in Berlin. It was packed with things I thought I would enjoy: WWII fiction, the 1936 Olympics, a strong female protagonist. For whatever reason, it just refused to coalesce into a book that I authentically enjoyed. It's not a bad book--it's quite a readable book--but at the end of the day there's a paint-by-numbers quality I couldn't escape.

DNF at 13%. I really tried to get into this one but it just wasn’t capturing my attention. I read little bits over the course of the week but never felt the pull to come back to it and by the end of the week I just felt like I was forcing it. There’s nothing wrong with the writing from what I could tell, I just didn’t feel drawn in by the story.

Hilter is in power and the European elite are trying to establish alliances through marriage, as they have been doing for centuries. Germany is hosting the Olympics and the world is watching. Julia is invited by her Godfather to visit Berlin for the Games and her half-sister Viviane is sent as a chaperone. Viviane's mother is hoping that Viviane will find a husband as she ended her engagement without giving a reason. Viviane doesn't want to go as she has already seen how dangerous Fascism can be. But when called upon to use her photography skills to capture images of important targets (factories, soldiers, etc). Now that is something she is more than happy to do.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

While I read a lot of WWII fiction, not many books focus on the years leading up to the war. I knew that Germany had hosted the Olympics in 1936 (thanks to the legend Jesse Owens) but I didn't really think about what the world was (wasn't seeing) in Germany at the time.

While Hitler did some whitewashing before the world arrived (the No Jews Allowed signs were removed, some of the fervor of his followers was tamped down, etc.), not everything was hidden if only people were looking. In That Summer in Berlin, Viviane and her reporter contact do see what is hidden.

Julia is a good foil to Viviane. She is your typical young female socialite - she wants to marry well and sees her opportunity in Berlin with one of her Godfather's sons. She gets caught up in the fervor of the Fuhrer.

There is no author note or historical notes so I don't know if the story is based in fact or purely the author's imagination. It is conceivable that the actions in the book took place as Britain did use female spies during the war.

While there is danger and suspense, there is also romance and I feel that this book falls somewhere between deeply-rooted biographical WWII fiction and romantic WWII fiction.

The writing is good and the story really held my attention.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Monday, February 13 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2023/02/that-summer-in-berlin-by-lecia-cornwall.html

Couldn't get into the story like I thought I would. I love all historical fiction and am happy that these stories are told. This one just wasn't for me.

What sets this book apart from the many books written about WWII, Germany and spies, is the setting of it. This book takes place, mostly in Germany, and mostly in Berlin, during the 1936 Summer Olympics, with the beginning of the systematic campaign against the Jewish people and all the undesirables according to the Germans. During the Summer Olympics the Nazis hid from the visitors all signs and hints of their antisemitism, but as it is clearly explained in the book, not because it is hidden doesn't exist,
We have a strong female character in Vivianne, a amazing photographer that has to send her photos anonymously because of her social and gender status, but who only wants to earn her living as such. She is recruited to take pictures of what's hidden in plain sight in Germany using her disguise as a British tourist in Germany accompanying her sister.
We learn, reading the book about the British aristocracy sending their eligible young ladies to find husbands within Germany noble class, even during the years previous to the onset of WWII, and maybe especially because of that, to try to ward off another war by tying the relationships between the two countries.
This is a very well researched book that has it all, adventure, romance, espionage, WWII.

If Elizabeth Bennet had come of age in 1930s London rather than in the English countryside a hundred plus years earlier, she might have met Mr. Darcy while working as a spy for the crown. Viviane Alden, the heroine of Lecia Cornwall’s latest historical fiction novel That Summer in Berlin, has much of Elizabeth’s daring, intelligence, and humor. Fans of Pride and Prejudice and readers of World War II fiction alike will be engrossed in this novel. ,,, for the complete review, click on the link below.

THAT SUMMER IN BERLIN
By Lecia Cornwall

I am always intrigued and fascinated by Historical Fiction reads set during the WWII era. However, finding a unique and captivating story is what I am always in search for and found it in THAT SUMMER IN BERLIN by Lecia Cornwall. The story incorporated the Olympics, espionage, adventure, and romance, in a thrilling read.

The story line was intriguing and exciting to me, set in berlin in 1936 during the Olympic games just in the cusp of war. Hitler fronts to the world a façade – hiding his evil and sinister plans. Viviane Alden, a young British aristocrat travels to berlin for the Olympic Games and a mission of her own, along with the dashing Tom Graham, a Scottish journalist.

If you enjoy historical fiction novels and Kate Quinn, you will be happy to pick this one up.

I don't read a ton of historical fiction, but when I do I hope they captivate me and this one sure did! This has great character development AND a great plot. I know some WWII books can be overdone with the same old story, but I really did enjoy reading this one.

Viviane is on holiday in Berlin during the Olympic Games. She is officially there as a tourist, but is secretly a British spy. She is paired with Tom Graham who is a journalist and spy. She is tasked to photograph pictures to see the harsh reality of Germany. As the Olympics eventually draw to a close, Vivian’s and Tom are in danger of being discovered. Could the two manage to successfully pull off their mission or would they suffer at the hands of Germany?

I really like Viviane. She was a very fun character. She was bold, courageous, and clever. She also took her role as a spy very seriously. I love how she cares for those she loves and often puts them first before herself. Therefore, Viviane is a very compassionate and caring person which is what I like most about her. Thus, I rooted for Viviane, and she was my favorite character in the novel.

I did not really care for her romance with Tom Graham. Tom is the stereotypical male lead. He is handsome, dashing, and charming. He at first dislikes Viviane for a silly reason, but eventually falls in love with her. Thus, I would have liked it if there was no romance at all because it seemed very lackluster. I did not find Tom to be an engaging hero.

Overall, this novel is about truth, justice, and discrimination. Besides Viviane and the villian, I found all the other characters to be bland with no real-depth. I wish that there were more references to the Olympics. It was merely a backdrop with a few references. I would like to explore the events of the Olympics and the tension of how the competing athletes may have felt participating in Berlin’s Olympics. I also wish that Viviane did more spying and was given more than one mission. Still, the novel had enough glitz and glamor to keep me engrossed in the story. I also like the King Arthur references in the novel. The story is very well-written and is full of vivid imagery. I found the setting of the Berlin Olympics to be very unique and kept me engaged. I recommend That Summer in Berlin for fans of A Game of Lies, Fast Girls, and Code Name Helene!

I enjoyed this book, it’s well written and researched. Set just before WWII, the aristocracy in England were sending their unmarried daughters to visit wealthy German families in hopes of finding a suitable husband.

It’s almost time for the Berlin Olympics, and Viviane and her half-sister go to stay with a prominent German family. One son is a rising star in the SS, one a chemist, and the youngest is a member of the Nazi youth.

Viviane sees the world through the lens of her Leica camera, and she revels in photographing events (like riots) that a young debutante should shun. She anonymously sells her pictures to a newspaper in London. Before she left for Germany, her editor and a reporter she knows socially ask her to take pictures of factories etc. if possible.

Berlin has been staged for tourists coming to the Olympics but there are Nazis everywhere and Viviane and Tom can feel danger around them.

I’ve read many WWII historical fiction books but this is the first set before the war during the Olympics. If you enjoy historical fiction you’ll love this book. 5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

An interesting story of an English lady's view of Germany in 1936 through the lens of a camera. Vivianne believes what the lens 'sees' is the truth. Cameras don't lie.
Tom Graham is a young journalist; always truthful or trying to be until he is sent to pose as a journalist that believes the Nazi's word. Working with the British secret service, Tom encourages Vivianne to come to Berlin when she has a chance as chaprone to her 18 year old stepsister, to take photos discretely of factories. All is not what it seems.
Read, try to discern if the character is who he seems to be.

This book is so… human. The characters, while not wholly likeable, are relatable in ways rarely encountered in historical fiction. The plot line is simple, but enthralling and is filled with unexpected twists. A truly remarkable read!

If you read enough historical fiction, you'd know that the WWII era is a very represented. I've probably read at least 3 other novels set in that time frame, and it can definitely feel repetitive at times. What I really enjoyed about That Summer in Berlin was that it provides a very different lens (yes, a camera pun) of Germany - as seen through a tourist's (or secret spy journalist) eye.

I loved Viviane's drive and the desire to do the right thing leading her to take photos in Germany while on holiday in order to aid counter intelligence information gathering under the guise of attending the Olympics. Her dynamic with Tom, and her complex relationship with her sister were very well written.

Overall, I found this to be a fresh perspective and story for WWII era historical fiction!

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

That Summer in Berlin by @leciacornwall
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I learned something today. This book is about the Olympic Games right before WWII hosted in Germany, and the Germans pretend they are not as oppressive to put on a show for their guests. I did not even realize that had happened.

But, the story is about a woman photographer who is a debutante that travels to Germany on a “vacation” with her cousin as this was common during this time period. She broke off her engagement, and her mother was furious which is the reason this trip is brought up. Debutantes were sent to Germany with the goal of finding a husband during this time.

Vivian, the main character and photographer, becomes a spy in plain sight.

I enjoyed this book so much because it was unforgettable and taught me a lot of history that I never thought about. We always read WWII stories featuring women helping people escape, but this was fresh and inspired. It was well written and kept me reading. It shows both sides of the Germans and the English. The photography aspect was literally perfection because of the way pictures tell the truth, and Vivian was passionate about it as well as talented.

Highly recommend if you love historical fiction, but are tired of the same tropes. Read if you love photography and journalism. Underlying themes of the King Arthur Legend (which I looove too)

The only downfall was that it was a little slow in the middle, and I feel like it could have been shortened a smidge.

Thank you to @uplitreads for my ARC copy.

#bitchesbebookin #bookstagram #netgalley #bookreview #bookrecommendations #read #reading #thatsummerinberlin #leciacornwall #books #bookstagrammer #booksta #arc #review #bookreviewer #bookworm #readmore #authorleciacornwall

📖German power is rising again, threatening a war that will be even worse than the last one. The English aristocracy turns to an age-old institution to stave off war and strengthen political bonds—marriage. Debutantes flock to Germany, including Viviane Alden. On holiday with her sister during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Viviane’s true purpose is more clandestine. While many in England want to appease Hitler, others seek to prove Germany is rearming. But they need evidence, photographs to tell the tale, and Viviane is a genius with her trusty Leica. And who would suspect a pretty, young tourist taking holiday snaps of being a spy?

Viviane expects to find hatred and injustice, but during the Olympics, with the world watching, Germany is on its best behavior, welcoming tourists to a festival of peace and goodwill. But first impressions can be deceiving, and it’s up to Viviane and the journalist she’s paired with—a daring man with a guarded heart—to reveal the truth.

But suddenly, Viviane finds herself caught in a web of far more deadly games—and closer than she ever imagined to the brink of war.

_______________________

Like many historical fiction fans, I read a lot of WWII stories. Yet I found 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧 to be unique in that it showcases the 1936 Olympics as Germany is positioning itself back into power. A facade of power that promised to help its people; instead, it would eventually propel Europe into WWII.

Viviane is a determined and courageous heroine whom I love. The story offers romance, political intrigue, and adventure, making it a great historical suspense read.

Thank you @uplitreads and @leciacornwall for a spot on tour and a #gifted copy.

🎧Thank you to @prhaudio for the complimentary audiobook.

Viviane’s family has ideas for what they think a young woman should be concerned about-mainly marriage but she has other ideas of her own. When an opportunity presents itself to travel, she sets off to pre-war Berlin for the summer Olympics. While there, she learns of Hitler’s plans to occupy Europe and start another war. Viviane is able to assimilate with the other tourists in town for the games but secretly she’s photographing evidence against Hitler and the German Army. This was a fantastic view into the early days of WW2 and the lengths that concerned citizens would go to in order to protect their freedom.