This was another emotional story of a family living during the war. Kagan creates her characters so realistically that as a reader you feel like you are right there with them. They become a part of your family as you see what they go through each day. Having a husband who just wanted you as a trophy and would still run around while you were home with children made me so mad. But in the end he lost everything. This is a story of love, loss, and finding love again. The cliff-hanger at the end --- WHAT??? I can't wait until the next one in this series!

I read a previous series by this author that was quite impressive. This new book doesn’t disappoint and I can’t wait to read the next one. Set during the WWI era, this is the story of two brothers, Alex and Leo. Alex has always been the favorite, most likely due to his charm and good looks. Leo is the responsible one who takes care of his family. Leo has a crush on Adelaide, who works is the local bakery. Before he can get up his nerve to ask her out, Alex asks her out first. Adelaide is dazzled by Alex but considers Leo one of her best friends. When Alex and Adelaide marry, Leo puts his feelings aside and helps to support the couple. When Alex and Leo are sent off to war, Adelaide is left to fend for herself and the children. There are many personal repercussions after the war. While a lot of things are settled in this book, there is a whole story that needs to be told. I can’t wait for the release of the second book.

Roberta Kagan has written a story that captures the reader’s hearts. The truth of the horrific time frame is wrapped within the context of two brothers and the woman in their lives. Leo, Alex, and Addy walked off the pages and into my heart. It was written so well I felt as if I was in the bakery watching Alex capture Addy’s heart, in the trenches watching Leo save Alex, and in Alex’s bedroom watching him deal with the realization that he would never be the same. Even though the emotions are so very present due to Kagan’s skills, I also felt the terror of the men at war, the determination of the women on the switchboard, as well as their handling of the expectations of the males in charge of their jobs. Was so very thought provoking.
Many many thanks to Roberta Kagan, Roberta Kagan Publishing, and NetGalley for affording me the pleasure of reading an arc of this incredible story. So looking forward to her next book!

I wasn't a fan of the writing style and didn't find any of the story new or very engaging. I know many people would find the story new or maybe troubling because the subject was eye-opening, but Hitler's rise to power is the subject of many historical fiction novels. Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this novel.

This was a good book! Historical Fiction is not my usual genre, but I throughly enjoyed this book! I would definitely recommend this book!

Thanks to the Book Whisperer and Netgalley for the EARC of this book.
I have read several of Kagan's books and appreciate her historical perspective. As a Jewish woman, I read her books with trepidation because I always know what is coming.
Written with a German point of view, the book starts pre WWI with the story of the Shroder brothers, responsible Leo and his handsome, feckless brother Alex.
When Alex marries Adelaide, a woman Leo is in love with, Leo continues to help the family. When Leo rescues a newborn baby who is the daughter of Alex and a Jewish prostitute, he brings her to Adelaide and says she is his. The baby is almost the same age as Adelaide's twins, so she raises her. This is an important plot point.
Alex meets Adolf Hitler when they are both trying to get into art school, and he will meet him again when Alex follows Leo into the army when WWI erupts.
The most interesting part of the book for me is how the women coped at home when all the men went to war, and how they coped again when they came home.
The book continues up until 1933, when Hitler is coming into power and the laws against Jews begin. The book ends on a cliffhanger, so we will all have to watch for the next book.
I gave the book 3 stars, because although the stories themselves are good, I am not enamored of Kagan's writing style, though the many 5 star reviews seem to reveal I am mostly alone in my opinion. However, I believe it is very important for people to read historical fiction of this time period to understand the history, and not fall for some of the propaganda happening today.
Thanks again to Book whisperer and Netgalley for giving me this book for an honest review.

The Secret They Hid by Robert Kagan is the riveting narration of the lives of two people who grew up together in Germany. Eventually Adelaide married Alex who was a ne’r-do-well who continued his lifestyle of drinking and womanizing, never noticing Leo who had loved her for years, all the while working several jobs to support him, their aging parents, and her. Soon Adelaide was pregnant and birthed twins and Alex was even less interested in her than he had been. Leo convinced Adelaide to quit her job and stay home with her babies. One night a young woman knocked on the door and screamed for help. Her sister was dying giving birth to a baby. The sister was Jewish and also a whore. The child was Alex’s. She died and Leo brought the baby home and told Adelaide that it was his, giving her a third daughter to raise. Life progressed and eventually Leo got drafted, as a single man. Worried that Leo would get all the glory, Alex enlisted, and off they went to war. Alex’s work ethic and morals didn’t rise to the occasion, sadly. He got burned badly by gas, but lived because Leo saved him, and they eventually made it home. Plenty happened in this novel, that turned it into a truly heart-wrenchingtale. It ended just as Hitler was at the beginning of his power.

Writing excellent characters, Kagan turned this simple story into the beginnings of a saga. Leo and Alex were as different as boys could be. Any story written about Nazi Germany is bound to be a heart breaker. This one was no different. The sequel will be even worse. Times were hard and all people hd were their families. Some people didn’t cherish theirs. Warfare is never pretty and WWI left plenty of scars but even more in Germany, as they lost. It provided a ripe hunting ground for Adolf Hitler, who had been naught but a wastrel most of his life, blaming others for his failures. Alex kind of followed his lead. Leo just worked and loved his family, despite the fact that his girls had been fathered by Alex. It was a complicated, but worthwhile story of love, sacrifice, and loss. Kagan is a master.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Secret They Hid by Book Whisperer, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BookWhisperer #RobertaKagan #TheSecretTheyHid

This book was just ok for me. I thought the beginning was repetitive. I also didn’t like to read about abuse.

I’m giving The Secret They Hid 4 stars based on the strong visceral response it evoked. I loath and detest narcissists, and the ‘good’ but weak people who are their enablers I have no patience for. So I had a hard time with this book by Roberta Kagan in part one. However, it’s an interesting story with an easy writing style and I do very much like her strong character approach to storytelling.
The dynamic between the brothers, Alex (the bad) and Leo (the good) is infuriating, but sad at its core. The WWI years and its aftermath up to 1933 are told from a German family perspective. It’s an important thing to focus on the realities of being on the side of the aggressor, as no story is complete without seeing both sides. The Schroder family is working class and struggling under the best of circumstances. This is the story of how they are swept into the maelstrom of history and how their survival also saves a part Jewish child, Margot.
It ends on a cliffhanger which will be continued in book 2. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next installment in Margot’s story.
Thank you to the author, the Book Whisperer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.

The Secret They Hid is one of many Roberta Kagan novels that I have read and this one isn't one of my favorites. The descriptions and emotions in this novel felt a bit flat to me and I found the whole plot to be fairly predictable.

I try not to put my attitudes into what I read but it was very difficult while reading The Secret They Hid. The distaste I felt for some of the characters was not pretty. Then I had an aha moment. I gained understanding about how easily people could be influenced. Finding blame became an understandable philosophy. My realization has given me a new perspective. I still fear that it could all be repeated if hate festers but what I hear louder is "give love a chance."

The story is not a simple read. It centers around two brothers, Alex, a user and Leo, the responsible one. Alex is all out for number one and has no issues with leaving his responsibilities to his brother. Alex plays games with emotions and comes out on top.

The story takes the reader through the years prior to World War One. Alex is trying to get into Art School and didn't care how he got in. When his actions fail he finds a supporter in a fellow artist, Adolf Hitler, who was already fueling the flames of hate and blame.

Back home, Alex continually expects Leo to pick up the pieces, no mater what he does. He does some horrible things. He never takes responsibility. His jealousy over his brother hits a new low when he enlists after his brother is ordered to fight. He would not allow his brother to outshine him and be a war hero.

The story continues showing the reader the struggles of the German citizens. The story illustrates the change in attitudes and beliefs. The story exhibits how some would use the attitudes toward the Jews to their benefit, no matter the cost.

The Secret They Hid is a wonderful lesson that we should all learn. Read it today and discover understanding. We need to be a stronger people not influenced by fear and blame.

Another day, another family saga.

Secrets, lies, reprobate men, stupid women who believe them; why does this plot still appeal? Because all of us like to see the struggle of life played out in such a deeply misguided way so we can feel smug, is my guess. "I wouldn't do that," we say, without thinking of the innumerable bad decisions we've made on any number of fronts.

I myownself liked the viewpoint of an ordinary, working-class family coping with the endless horrific challenges of economic and social chaos in the wake of devastating wartime losses and privations. Not so great for this reader was the writing style, which I'll characterize as "serviceable." So the focus of my attention is squarely on the way the grim costs of war and then defeat are borne by women. The role Adelaide fulfills, provider, nurturer, support and helpmeet, is frankly superhuman. The stoic resignation of the Heroic Woman was overplayed; the longing, yearning, crying out stuff wore on me.

The second part of the book is clearly the one that the author was more interested in. The three sisters raised by Saint Adelaide the Mother are coming of age just as Hitler is rising to power by promising to Make Germany Great Again. (This line never fails to get the stupids into line behind it, does it?) Of course, we know the future they're groping towards will explode a time-bomb that Alex planted decades ago, and Saint Adelaide the Mother isn't even aware of the awfulness ahead despite knowing only a little of the story.

Kitchen-sink drama and a setting we don't see often, from a viewpoint we see even less of than the setting. The one caution I'll repeat is that the writing isn't more than okay at any point, so if the time and place don't appeal, it's not likely to thrill you.

Roberta Kagan's "The Secret They Hid" plunges readers into a turbulent world where love and war collide, and family secrets are hidden beneath layers of deception. This gripping saga takes us on a mesmerizing journey through the lives of Leo and Alex, two brothers ensnared in a captivating love triangle with the beguiling Adelaide.

Set against the backdrop of the Great War, the story unravels with all the intensity of a wartime romance. Leo, the steadfast protector, and Alex, the seducer, find themselves vying for Adelaide's heart. Their emotional entanglements are further complicated by the presence of a baby girl, carrying a hidden Jewish lineage — a secret that Leo chooses to shoulder alone.

When the call to war beckons, the brothers are torn from their love triangle and thrust into the chaos of battle. Adelaide is left to navigate a treacherous path of survival and betrayal in their absence. As the years pass and Hitler's shadow looms large, family secrets become a ticking time bomb, threatening to unravel the bonds that hold them together.

At the heart of this epic saga is Margot, the baby girl with a lineage concealed in plain sight. Her true heritage, buried beneath layers of deception, becomes the catalyst for a family's reckoning — a revelation that has the power to both heal and divide.

Roberta Kagan weaves a spellbinding narrative that captures the essence of love, the agony of war, and the harsh price of betrayal. Her storytelling is haunting and mesmerizing, immersing readers in a world fraught with tension and uncertainty. With each page, Kagan masterfully peels back the layers of her characters, revealing their deepest desires, fears, and secrets.

"The Secret They Hid" is a reminder of the enduring power of love and the devastating impact of war. It transports readers to a time and place where the line between right and wrong is blurred, and the consequences of choices made in the crucible of conflict echo through generations.

In a world where the past is never truly buried, Kagan's novel serves as a compelling exploration of the resilience of the human spirit and the quest for truth and redemption. It is a heart-stopping journey through history's darkest times, leaving a lasting mark on the reader's soul.

Prepare to be enthralled by a story of love, secrets, and the unrelenting search for the truth, all set against the backdrop of one of history's most turbulent periods.

“Roberta Kagan weaves a spellbinding tale of love, war, and family secrets that will keep you turning the pages well into the night."

"A beautifully crafted narrative that transports readers to a bygone era, where love and betrayal collide in the shadow of history."

"In 'The Secret They Hid,' Roberta Kagan explores the enduring power of family ties and the hidden truths that shape our lives."

"A poignant and emotionally resonant novel that captures the heartache and hope of a generation torn apart by war."

"Kagan's characters are vivid and compelling, and her storytelling is mesmerizing."

"A gripping historical novel that skillfully blends love, secrets, and the harsh realities of a world at war."

"With 'The Secret They Hid,' Roberta Kagan delivers a timeless story of love and sacrifice that will stay with you long after the final chapter."

"This is a novel that takes you on a journey through the depths of human emotion — a captivating and thought-provoking read."

"Intrigue, passion, and the weight of untold secrets converge in 'The Secret They Hid.' Roberta Kagan's storytelling is masterful."

"A compelling exploration of how the past shapes the present, 'The Secret They Hid' is a tale of resilience, redemption, and the enduring bonds of family."

Roberta Kagan certainly knows how to write stories that keep you reading longer than you intended. She is the author of over thirty books, nearly all set around the time of WWII. Her books never contain the severe violence of WWII but illustrate the effect the war had on people. Ms. Kagan's storylines are inventive and compelling.
The Secret They Hid is the second of this author's books I have read. My appraisal remains the same regarding her writing style. The book sometimes feels aimed at a younger audience. The author sometimes elaborates too much or is repetitive in describing her character's emotions. An example: "... his heart ached with yearning." A few lines later, "His lips burned with longing." Following one conversational line, we have "....his heart crying out to her in silence." In addition, two paragraphs later, there are prolonged thoughts of the love the character feels for the woman. There are small but significant continuity issues as well. The author's writing improves some as the novel continues, however. Despite my misgivings about the style, the book kept my interest, and I was eager to return to it. The storyline was highly engaging. The novel ends on a cliffhanger and will be followed by another with these characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Roberta Kagan Publishing for this book's ARC.

The Secret They Hid is an interesting story, following two brothers during the time of the Great War to the 1930s when Hitler starts bringing in new laws for the Jewish. As a advide reader of historical novels i wasn't thrilled by it, I found it to be messy and sometimes confusing. With a cliffhanger ending that to me, just stopped I sadly can't say I would recommend it or that i will continue to read the series. which is such a shame as there were some really interesting parts that I would love to follow.

I would like to thank Book Whisperer, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A page tuner and heart breaking…but I enjoyed the love story. I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read from Roberta Kagan and can’t wait for the next one!

Sorry did not enjoy this n
Book.
Have read lots of Roberta Kagan books all were brilliant but this one was so typecast I felt it had been rewritten under another title.
I could foresee what was going to happen to Adelaide’s daughters it was so obvious the story of course was probably quite true it is what happened but it took a long time ti get to what this book was really about and by then I could have written it myself.
Sorry not for me.

I've always found it hard to understand the Holocaust. How could so many people be so wrong? This story begins to explain it. Each person has some grievance about most anything. Build on that grievance. The story seems sweet until you realize where it is headed

Really enjoyable….my only disappointment is not having the next books in the series available! Roberta’s books are so easy to consume and you feel immersed in the story. I’m both excited and nervous to see how this series plays out because I love and despise some characters. So glad this was an instant read on NetGalley! Definitely looking for the next in the series. Love this author’s work!

Roberta Kagan‘s new novel ,The Secret They Hid, is extremely interesting. It seems that the same situation has befallen both the mother and the daughter. Obviously not a coincidence. The book takes place in Berlin beginning in 1915 and ending with the Nuremberg laws in 1935. The author has given a lot of historical context as to why the situation in Germany and the rise of Hitler was even possible. Characters are very realistic. You feel like you are there every step of the way. It is a very quick and fast paced read. Obviously she has laid the groundwork for a second book in the series..