Kitty Larsson and her husband Edgar Ragatz are both spies, both used to dangerous missions and more time spent apart than together. Their current missions have upped the danger level and Kitty finds herself on the run. Who can she trust? Are there any moles among her teammates? Is Edgar alive and is he safe? So many questions.

I could say so much more but don’t want to risk giving away any spoilers. This is such a powerful story. So much loss and devastation, heartache, and sacrifice. At the end I had tears in my eyes.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sometimes you can walk into a book in the middle of a series and make sense of that book. That is not the case for this book. I didn’t have time to read the first two books before starting this book. Unfortunately, I could not make it through the book as the story was too jumbled. There was no recap of what has happened previously or who majority of the characters were. Goodreads raves about the series, so it’s one I will have to try again when I have time to read them in order.

A well written end to the series. The intrigue will have you on the edge of your seat guessing what will happen next. A little sad at the ending. But a great read.
I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley and am leaving a review by my own accord.

The American Wife’s Secret by Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger is the third book in The Diplomat’s Wife series. This series contains novels written about the struggles of an American woman and a Jewish businessman who met, fell in love, and married before the Third Reich came into being.

Edgar Ragatz is a successful businessman in Berlin and meets Kitty Larsson, a senator’s daughter. Although he is older than she, they fall in love and marry. She is Chritian and Edgar is Jewish. Although Hitler is well on his way to becoming the Führer, Edgar thinks that his position in the Business world will save him from the Jewish pogroms.

To save Kitty, they divorce, and Edgar finds himself in peril. He goes underground and works with the resistance. Kitty finds herself working for the British and The American spy networks. Edgar goes missing, but Kitty is tasked with increasing the resistance movement in Austria ahead of the inevitable Soviet presence. Her main desire is to find Edgar in the midst of all this chaos.

In the meantime, her resistance organization is compromised and she is taken into custody by the Gestapo. She is tortured for many long months but does not break. She is finally freed because of the Soviet presence and continues her quest to find Edgar.

I dare not continue to tell the reader of this review what transpires because it would spoil the novel for them. However, I must say that this novel was so intriguing and mesmerizing that I could not put it down. I have read all three novels in this series and each one was a treasure for a
Historical fiction buff like me.

I was granted a Kindle copy of this novel by Bookouture through NetGalley and was not required to give a review.

Such a strong story. I've read some of her books and Chrystyna is able to reach right into your heart and move you.

Another triumph from this brilliant author. Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger's writing is sublime and Kitty Larsson is one of my favourite literary characters ever. This book is the third in the trilogy, but I really hope that it's not the last we will see of Kitty.

As the war rages, Kitty is physically and mentally exhausted. She has proved herself over and over to be a competent and loyal spy and in this book, Kitty leaves Istanbul and eventually finds herself back in Vienna, where her spy mission started, years before. As the rest of the story comes full circle, Kitty remembers her old life; newly married to Edgar, with wonderful friends - Judith, Artur, Big Charlie and the rest of their tight group, most of them killed, some missing and some helping Kitty in the fight against the Nazis. Edgar is participating in a highly dangerous mission and Kitty knows she may never see him again.

When she is betrayed, Kitty endures horror after horror and this was so hard to read, however it was a harsh reality of this sickening war and Chrystyna has clearly carried out extensive research in order to portray the events in such detail, reminding us that we must never forget.

As the Nazis are defeated and the war in Europe ends, Kitty is broken, physically and mentally. She begins to try to rebuild her life, post-war, but of course, war never leaves a happy ending.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger and Bookouture for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Such a thrilling conclusion to Kitty's time during the war. I really hope that Kitty's story continues. There is still so much more of her story to tell. How does one move on and heal after everything she has lived through? When I was approached about this ARC, I had no idea that it was part of a series until I actually saw it on NetGalley. I immediately grabbed the first two books off of Kindle Unlimited. I am so glad that I did! The story comes to life instantly. You can see it playing out in movie form perfectly. So many layers to this story. I can't say too much because I do not want to spoil a single moment. This series is a must-read!
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The 3rd book in the Diplomat's wife series and her work undercover for the OSS has really taken its toll on Kitty. Separated from her husband Edgar due to his work Kitty is feeling at her most vulnerable and tired of the war. But at this end stage, the work she has to do is still as intensive and tense as at the beginning. The book is written so well that you really feel all her frustrations and fears. It's a story of underlying love and courage with strong characterisation. I've loved the entire series.
I received this advanced copy from Netgalley and Bookouture but am under no obligation to leave my review

Again, a good thrilling and compelling novel by the author! The third and final book in the series was as intense as the first two whether as to the characters, the intricate plot or the historical background. I found it interesting to read a WWII novel not set in France, it gave me another political and social insight as to the historical events.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

The American Wife’s Secret
Chrystyna Lucik-Berger

Another exciting novel from Chrystyna Lucik-Berger, the master of intrigue, spies and action-packed plots.
This novel is the third in the The Diplomat’s Wife series, and be prepared, the ending is not at all what the reader expects. Hopefully, this latest work opens the door to a fourth novel.
Although it is more satisfying to read the series from the beginning, Chrystyna Lucik-Berger gives enough clues at the start of The American Wife’s Secret to allow it to be read as a stand-alone novel.
The characters are well-defined, but Kitty dominates. I love her character. She is a strong woman yet vulnerable with several weaknesses. She loves and cries. She has doubts and fears, but when a job has to be done, she has no hesitation in doing it.
Chrystyna paints the background settings with an artist’s brush. A few strokes are it takes to make the reader feel the warmth of the sun or the glacial cold, or hear the birds sing.
A veritable page-turner.

This is the third book in this series and I have enjoyed everyone. The characters of Kitty and Edgar are so real that whenever either one gets in a precarious position, which happens to Kitty a lot more often than Edgar, I find myself almost holding my breath, waiting for the situation to play itself out. Sometimes Kitty gets too emotional and creates more problems. In real life, she would never have made it that far in the espionage business, if the opportunity even came up.

I also enjoy learning more about the real life people involved in all the various organizations, such as the OSS. In some ways, these books open up a whole new avenue to explore. There are so many hard parts to read about. Especially the way the Jewish people were treated. We really need to learn from the past to avoid history repeating itself.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. My review is voluntary and honest. I wholeheartedly recommend not only this book but the entire series. Just be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster ride. I hope that there will be a fourth book.

This book is part of a series and I haven’t read the previous books. So when this one started it felt like I was partway through a story, not at the beginning. I felt like I’d been dropped into the middle of a storyline that I presume began in the previous book, character names and things that were happening and had happened were mentioned, but not introduced like would usually happen. Because of this I struggled a bit at the beginning, but once I got past that and worked out who was who, I was able to relax and enjoy the story much more. It was fast paced and very exciting with lots of things going on. I really liked the main character, Kitty who did an amazing job fighting against the Nazi’s. The ending was sad, but I think I was expecting something like that. I would now like to go back and read the series from the beginning and wonder if there is still more to come.

The American Wife’s Secret is the conclusion to Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger’s fabulous series The Diplomat’s Wife. Kitty’s reunion with Edgar isn’t the happiest because of misgivings about motives, agents, orders, but she’s convinced to soldier on. Her operatives in the OSS have plans for her even if she sometimes questions if she’s being given the wrong information. This story will keep you on the edge of your seat and break your heart more than once. This reader has loved that the Resistance efforts in places other than Paris and Berlin are shown throughout the series. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

I cannot say that this book is 'entertaining' because of the horrors of war extenuating from Hitler's mind and described within. Instead, I'll call it 'fixating'. Edgar, Kitty, the OSS and others attempt to thwart it at great peril to themselves. The reading thereof will palpate the heart and probe ones' ethics, in my opinion. This as it reveals the injustice and brutality on the one hand but thankfullly the kindness of those others willing to put their lives on the line to protect the helpless and foil and frustrate the enemy.

If a reader likes spy and undercover stories, and traitors and betrayers, this is definitely going to keep him or her riveted and turning the pages. The content could be very disturbing for those faint of heart, I believe. I'm thankful to realize that despite this being fiction there are still those who would put "love your neighbor" into such harrowing yet perserving action for you see some of this story has been based on true-to-life happenings.

In my opinion, the author deserves a 5-Star rating.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to a this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
This is the this book in the series, and it is essential to read the other 2 books first. There are a lot of characters as Kitty goes through the war years, and every contact is meaningful an has a bearing on the outcome.
I was on the edge of my seat, it was so thrilling, exciting and nerve-wracking. The emotion is piled on, from her time with and absences from Edgar, the worries about 'her people' i.e those in her group, right up to the final few sections as the war draws to a close. Chrystyna describes the horrors of war very well, what people do under pressure and torture, without making it so gory it became the focus of the story. I believe she has truly shown the courage some people demonstrate standing up for their beliefs, and for the rights of all.
Do not miss this entire series!

A transporting and immersive story that will enthral historical fiction readers. Poignant and moving, its unforgettable characters will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.

This talented and gifted author has written this historical novel that is difficult to put down. Kitty must do what she can to save her husband. Will she be able to? Secrets and red herrings keep the reader guessing. I like reading historical fiction, and this author does not disappoint. The characters are realistic, for the time period. The story moves quickly. The history is intriguing. Thanks to Netgalley.

This final book in The Diplomat's Wife series slammed me like a freight train. It is that powerful and is an exceptional ending for the series. The story picks up in September 1943 and the war is taking a toll on Kitty. She is exhausted, disillusioned, and more fragile than we've ever seen her. I admire the author for presenting this realistic version of Kitty, not as untouchable by war but as a woman who has been battered by her experiences and personal losses. Still determined but changed and running on empty.

Pay attention from the very first page because the spy game has entered its most complicated and dangerous phase. Trust no one, no one but Kitty. By page 20, the tension level was already dangerously high for my blood pressure and it never dropped until the end. The author's extensive research of this period of the war is impressive as is her ability to seamlessly incorporate historical events and people into Kitty's story. I enjoy reading a series but there is always the fear that the next book will be a disappointment, right? Each book in this one was better than the previous one and this last book is phenomenal. Completely unpredictable and heartbreakingly realistic as it ends with Germany's surrender and the first rays of hope. Five stars simply aren't enough for this book.