“The Wife Who Risked Everything” is a pre-WWII historical fiction book by Ellie Midwood. In this book, the reader learns about the German wives who remained married to their Jewish husbands in Berlin, Germany. Only a few months ago did I learn about the “mixed marriage” law that the Nazi regime enacted. In this book, Ms. Midwood describes them in a lot more detail - in fact in ways I hadn’t fully thought about. I found the character of Margot to be a good one to represent women finding themselves in that position. I could feel the helplessness of the situation while reading this book too. While reading this book, I did consult the internet for more information (such as for Lisa Baarova), but I’d also recommend reading Ms. Midwood’s note at the end of the book. This is the third book I’ve read written by Ms. Midwood and, once again, this was another book I’ve enjoyed the writing style and topic she covered.

The story is based on true events, the Rosenstrasse protest that took place in Berlin in 1943. This book put me through every emotion possible. From rage to frustration and disbelieve. Yes, I cried my eyes out. I can't even imagine going through that kind of hell. This story highlights the absolute worst in people, and how easily they can get mass manipulated, or fall frighten into submission. But it also gives you hope in humanity. In brave people that stood up against injustice. People that loved each other and stood by each other's side through thick and thin. In people like Anastasia, the bold and mad Russian princess. Or like the Aryan families that protested along with the spouses of the Jewish prisoners. They protested days in a row in subzero temperature. I absolutely recommend reading this book!

Ellie Midwood writes an amazing and emotional story that brings to live what it was like to be a Greman married to a Jew, doing and after the Nuremberg laws was passed. Her story captures the very essence of the emotional range experienced from start to finish , as well as show you that no matter what you have the strength to firght for what you believe in whiter its your belives or for your loves ones

Have you ever gone into a clothing store and tried on an outfit that you’d absolutely never consider wearing just to see how it feels to dress like that or be seen wearing it?

Author Ellie Midwood takes us by the hand into 1935 Berlin and figuratively hands us the outfit to try on so that we know how it feels to be an Aryan married to a Jew after the Nuremberg laws had been passed.

Midwood continually takes the responsibility to train us seriously and from the first page of her books, she shows us how her wartime Berlin world works differently from the one we live in today. Her longstanding commitment to showing us the everydayness of real historical life is inspiring.

You’ll read about Hans-Joachim and Margot Rosenberg, a couple very much in love, who’ve had to give up an aspiring acting and modelling career as well as a competitive swimming dream and a set decorating career because Joachim “had the misfortune to be a Jew in a country infested with Brownshirts.” What amazed me was the pressure that was placed on Margot to divorce her Jewish husband so that she could continue with a life unimpeded by stigma. Her love was truly put to the test! Midwood captures the very essence of the emotional range experienced when ordinary, innocent people are forced into a horrifying environment such as Nazi Germany.

Every time I read an Ellie Midwood novel, I’m reminded of Ernest Hemingway’s thoughts on characterization: “When writing a novel, a writer should create living people; people, not characters.” Midwood’s characters are crafted as living people. I loved seeing Margot explore the different shades of gray in her character as she was forced to conform to the inhumanity enveloping her. With each rung of the ladder that she had to descend, her determination to not let ‘them’ bring her down increased. Her father’s half-Russian, half-German mistress, Anastasia Kasdorf, was a light in the darkness for Margot. Instead of crafting a mistress as evil, Midwood has given her an extra helping of humanity. I loved her insight when she voiced that “people who carry light inside them are incapable of hatred. People who carry darkness hope to spill it on everyone else just so they’ll suffer the same way they suffer.”

In highlighting the only successful protest in Nazi Germany, Midwood shows us the hypocrisy of Nazi leadership and the bravery of the ordinary German citizens who fiercely protected their persecuted spouses. You can’t miss this poignant and captivating story - put it on the top of your reading list now! Understanding and empathy are developed when we have a chance to walk in another’s shoes. Midwood offers us that growth experience and it would behoove us to take advantage of it. History is waiting for us.

I was gifted this advance copy by Ellie Midwood, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

THE WIFE WHO RISKED EVERYTHING by ELLIE MIDWOOD is a WW11 novel that will really touch your heart. Based on true stories of what happened in Berlin between 1935 and 1946, you will both be horrified by the Nazi cruelty and inhumanity and amazed at the courage of German women who stand by their Jewish husbands, even going as far as taking on the heavily armed SS bullies!
Margot Rosenberg has been disowned by her mother, sister and Nazi brother in law, and lost her job and her apartment, all for breaking the law and staying married to her beloved husband Jochen. We see the strength of her love and commitment to him…..
I highly recommend The Wife Who Risked Everything to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Having read a previous book that had me gripped from the start this book was no different and delves into the life of a German woman married to a Jew during the war time, the trials they both face and how she never gives up on her husband no matter what, making friends who are just as determined as she is, totally gripping storyline and some lovely characters especially her step mother and her landlord
Wonderful writing and descriptive

This novel was sent to me by Netgalley for review…this author is talented at writing historical fiction…love and marriage…faithfulness…war…remembering…intrigue…this is a cannot put down story…

I enjoyed this story based on real events very much: I had no idea about how much this particular event (no spoiler!) reuniting all these resilient and ever so brave German women actually brought! A story that does good!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily a review.

A wonderful, triumphant story of love over hate. Not heartbreaking, but heartwarming! A story about the “Aryan” women who fought for their husbands and children.

Based on a true story of several women who took a stand to protect their loved ones.

"When the power of love is stronger than any threat"
Margot was an aspiring actress happily married to Jochen until Hitler took over Germany. Jochen is Jewish and has had his German status removed and lost his job as it is illegal to employ jews. Soon Margot suffers, all because she is married to him. She loses her job and becomes a seamstress but is rebuffed daily all because of her married name. Things go form bad to worse but Margot is determined that the nazis won;t get the better of them.

Oh wow! This is a war story with a difference. Of one womans tenacity and determination in the face of terror and adversity, determined to do the best for herself, her husband and anyone being treated so very badly by the regime. I couldn't help but admire Margot and her integrity to do right both by humans and animals (loved Goose!). A truly stunning inspiring read to treasure.

"Never forget. Never again"


#blogtour

This was my first time reading a book by Ellie Midwood and I really enjoyed her writing. This was a lovely story and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future!

Describing the events of a German woman married to a Jewish man in World War 2 Germany, this novel shows the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust, based on a true story.

This book was laden with detail, providing additional political and historical context to this era. On the one hand, it highlights the very worst of people, as Jews and spouses of Jews are persecuted, brutalized and killed; however it also shows stories of the courage of those who helped stand up against injustice, often at great personal cost.

The book held my attention so that this was a quick read, despite the heavy reading material of the subject. Recommended for fans of historical fiction.

The Wife Who Risked Everything by Ellie Midwood

Margot and her adoring husband Jochen are madly in love. But in Nazi Germany, being in love is the most dangerous act of all. A marriage between Margot, a German woman, and Jochen, a Jewish man, is forbidden under Hitler’s tyrannical rule.
Life is hard for Margot since the outbreak of the war , now ostracized by her friends simply for being married to the wrong man . Her family are not willing to help her to protect him from the Nazis.
He is eventually captured and Margot will do anything to get him back to her safely , even risking herself in the process.
Ellie Midwood has wrote a few books set during ww2 and they all feature strong women with a good story to tell , this one doesn't disappoint .

A very moving story of a couple, Margot, an Arayan and her husband Joachan, a Jew, struggling to survive and evade capture in Nazi Germany. Not a true story but based on a story of a couple who fought through the tines. Margot is determined to keep her husband from being arrested and sent to the death camps and at every turn faces scorn & loss of all rights as a German citizen, because her husband is a Jew. Another horrible expose of the cruel and inhumane treatment inflicted on millions by the Nazi regime during their march across Europe, seeking power.
Very engrossing but, at times, also, a very difficult story to read.
Great story telling by Midwood.

Based on a true story, this incredible page-turner shows that, in the face of evil, love is power, courage is infectious—and the voices of many will not be silenced…..Everything about this book is captivating. This novel is impossible to put down. I downloaded the arc this morning, and by this afternoon, I had finished.