A very promising start to this new series of books. In this novel beginning in 1937 we meet Kitty who longs to work for the foreign office. She meets her future husband Edgar and moves to Vienna. But war is on the horizon and Edgar works as an Austrian Diplomat for the German office. As the Nazi's enter Austria loyalties and relationships are threatened. Kitty is torm between wanting to help her friends escape the injustices but mindful of her marriage.
As with all of Chrystyna's books she writes with clarity and honesty. Full of endearing characters many of which made their name in the history books. Real life characters fit seamlessly amongst the fictional ones. I look forward to the next installment
With thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this advanced copy for which I'm under no obligation to leave my review

Whilst the research that has gone into the book, the writing, the characterisation, the atmosphere - all good, the subject just wasn't for me. Overall it held my attention, there were tense moments and I found it educational too but at the end of the day, it's another WWII related book and for me personally I feel it's now time for pastures new. On the author's website I read the post on how she came to write this book and how it incorporates real people from that time into the story, I did find that really interesting. I would definitely read more by this author, but from a different time period. .

Achingly beautiful The American Wife is the first in the new The Diplomat's Wife series. I am besotted and thirsty for subsequent installments.

In late 1930s Vienna, American Kitty and her new Austrian diplomat husband are passionately in love but both have secrets and political loyalties. Jews and other "undesirables" are persecuted and war is on the horizon. Judith is a Jewish friend of Kitty and Kitty uses her respected social position, verve, courage and tenacity to work with the Resistance. Edgar wishes neutrality.
Secrets have a way of ripping apart lives and relationships and entire countries are on edge. How far does one go to do the right thing? And who decides?

Chock full of fascinating historical detail, convincing characters, stunning twists and breath-holding situations, this novel encapsulates what I yearn for and dream of in a Historical Fiction. It engrossed me to the point of my ignoring my surroundings.

Author Chrystyna Lucyk Berger has a special way with words, making each count. Nothing is superfluous. She creates grippy atmosphere and tension and writes vividly with balanced detail. I was there!

My sincere thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this stupendous novel which really got under my skin in the best possible way. What a treat!

This book is written in a captivating and exciting way that leaves the reader hoping it will never end! The character development made you really care about Kitty and the entire gang. I only gave 4 stars because the ending seemed a bit rushed and the twist at the end was a bit predictable. Definitely recommend this book to all lovers of historical fiction!

Kitty becomes engaged to Austrian diplomat, Edgar in 1937. She is surprised how quickly Europe is changing and wants to return home to America. She befriends her wedding dress designer, Judith, and Judith shows Kitty that Vienna is beautiful and filled with culture!

Judith is no longer safe when the Nazis enter Vienna, as Judith is Jewish. Kitty knows that as a diplomat's wife, she can steal the paperwork necessary to help Judith.

She begins to notice that Edgar is becoming secretive and quiet. Kitty wonders where his allegiance lies. She begins to notice that Edgar is not the man she knows at all!

Wow! What a story! Kitty is a strong protagonist, experiencing a complicated marriage and a desire to help her friend. The research done for this book is impressive. I was on the edge of my seat for some parts!

Oh, this book...my anxiety level got way too high for someone my age! This is set in Vienna, in the years just prior to World War II which means the reader knows what is coming for the main character, Kitty Larsson. When women aren't considered for positions other than as secretaries, she desperately wants to join the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Service Officer. Of course, this is not to be even though she is more than qualified. Kitty manages to get a job in the secretarial pool of the U.S. Consulate in Vienna. We view the Nazi nightmare through this lens as desperate people are trying to get the few American visas available. The author uses American historical figures as part of the plot that are rarely mentioned when reading about World War II. The story provides insight into the shameful truth of U.S. immigration policies when we knew what was happening to Jews.

In this book, Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger has written a multi-layered story. There is Kitty's complicated marriage to an Austrian government official, her eclectic group of Viennese friends, and her work with the Austrian resistance group O5. As the daughter of a career Foreign Service Officer, I was impressed by how much research must have been done to write this. The author doesn't shy away from uncomfortable politics and she made me care desperately for Kitty's Viennese friends. Although this is the first in a new series, the ending doesn't leave you hanging in mid-air as some books in a series do. I highly recommend this to every reader and I cannot wait for the next book to be published! Many thanks to the author for inviting me to read the ARC and to NetGalley for making it possible.

Why read again a novel about WWII ? First because it is written by Chrystyna (I loved all her books!), and also because this one takes place in Vienna before the Anschluss which I did not know that much about. Excellent storyline mixing real people with fictional characters. I enjoyed reading about Kitty, a young brave and reckless American woman. Her love story with Edgar (Austrian) was not overwhelming but masterfully illustrated the difficulties of marrying a foreigner ( culture, education, religion). Their situation was definitely not smooth particularly because both appeared not to enjoy the same political ideals.... I learned quite a few details about political Vienna and America, some that even surprised me!!! The (thrilling) plot kept me riveted to my sofa, not being able to put the book down! A satisfying conclusion, and now I am waiting (rather impatiently!) for the second novel!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a WWII fiction and I decided to read this book because I have really enjoyed many other WWII fiction books. This is a book about love, friendship, and resilience. It starts with Kitty, "The American Wife". Kitty marries Edgar, an Austrian diplomat, and together they move to Vienne. Immediately, Kitty notices that as threats emerge, Edgar's family is on the opposing side of the resistance, and Kitty is left with the assumption that Edgar's loyalty lies there too. Things aren't always what they seem, not in love, not in war, and not in friendship. This was a great book filled with a lot of details and events, but it was not difficult to follow along. AND I LOVE THE WAY IT ENDED.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This is not the first book I have read by this author, and whilst it is set in th same general period of history I found it unusual in that the main female character is American. This gave a very different slant to events in the run-up to what we consider to be the start of WW2 and helped to maintain my interest. Kitty is determined on a career within the diplomatic service and is fascinated by Edgar, an Austrian. Falling in love after one night, she determines to marry and make a life with him but once in Austria world events impact upon all aspects of her life: her work, friendships and marriage. Chrystyna makes the characters realistic and the threat of invading forces is described so well that as readers we can understand the feelings of horror and helplessness suffered by individuals and groups of people. The bravery of those working with the Resistance is already known and understood, and Chrystyna does it justice in this novel.
Another excellent story with a different viewpoint, I have no hesitation in recommending this book!

The American Wife, first in The Diplomat’s Wife series from Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger, is an excellent introduction to the series. Primarily set in Austria in the late 1930s, it tells the story of the rise in Hilter’s power and how easily the Nazi regimen- and their prejudicial sentiments- expanded beyond Germany. Lucyk-Berger paints a vivid imagery life in Vienna during that perilous time. Whether on purpose or accident, it draws the reader’s attention to how unethical leadership must be stopped and pushes the reader to draw the parallels between then and now. The main character is a tenacious fighter, unafraid for her own well-being, and determined to help who she can. I found myself holding my breath during certain parts, and completely blown away by the unexpected twist at the end. I am very much looking forward to the next installment. This series is a must-read!

Special thanks to Net Galley for providing an advanced reader copy to me, in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

An absolutely heartbreaking, powerful and gripping story about finding love, resilience and friendship in the midst of the darkness of World War 2. Intelligent, thought-provoking and always, always interesting…..
This author writes with warmth and engaging perception about our relationship and understanding…..

I read this book in two days. I think the cover is misleading. This is not an historical romance novel, and to me the woman in red walking away intimates this. BUT it is a riveting story of Vienna in 1937/8, on the cusp of war. Loyalties are explored between old imperial families who veer towards the Nazi party, versus the younger people who want freedom and sympathise with the plight of the Jewish families. These are drawn out through the experiences of an American woman who works in the Consul, and is married to a rich Austrian man. The author takes you by the hand and walks you through the crumbling of decency as Nazis rush to loot Jewish properties and vilify people. Fantastic description. You feel the paranoia of ordinary people caught in the gaze of the Nazis. I learnt about how Hitler was able to walk his troops into Austria and take over with minimal outcry. It seems impossible to believe with hindsight, and at the same time, I felt as if I was reading a parallel to what Russia wants to do to Ukraine. Riveting stuff. I won't spoil what is a great thriller/mystery by saying more about the plot, but I give it a full 5 stars. This author knows her history and it was a treat to read from start to finish.

The American Wife will keep readers in suspense until the very end. American citizen Kitty thinks she has found the perfect husband in Austrian Edgar, and life is good until Germany starts looking at annexing Austria. Her new husband’s activities and his changing attitude towards her bring questions and fears, especially fears for her Jewish friends, as do the changes at the office where Kitty works. This is a story about resilience and resistance in the late 1930s when the Nazis were showing exactly what they were capable of but the world’s response seemed to be predicated on not seeing them as a significant evil. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

American Kitty meets a charming Austrian diplomat, Edgar. It is love at first sight and they end up getting married. Edgar’s assignment is Vienna. As the war progresses Kitty sees a far different world than she is used to. Through her job Kitty tries to help friends that she has made who are in danger from the Nazis, and she begins to doubt what side her husband is on. This book is a compelling read from the first page. You never know how things will turn out for Kitty as she becomes more involved in trying to help people. The love story is fiction, but the events it revolves around are accurate portrayals of true events. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

This is an incredible book - I knew some of the real life characters whose stories inspired the book from the American Wiley and Morris to the British Thomas Kendrick. The author does a wonderful job of mixing fictional characters in with these real life people and the resulting story is fascinating. The 05 resistance group should be better known and thanks to this book, more people will learn about the bravery of some of the Viennese people. Not everyone welcomes the Nazis into Vienna and many of those who resisted paid the ultimate price. There are hints of torture and multiple deaths as you would expect from a novel based in this time period but none of it is gratuitous. The author leaves most details to the readers imagination. Against the background of true events, the fictionalised love story between Kitty and Edgar plays out beautifully. I laughed a little and cried a lot. Highly recommended.