The Baker's Secret by Lelita Baldock is a poignant and emotionally charged historical novel set during World War II, blending themes of love, loss, and resilience against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied France. The story follows Emma, a young baker in a small coastal town, whose life is turned upside down when her beloved town is overtaken by German forces. As she struggles to maintain some semblance of normalcy, Emma’s baking becomes a quiet form of resistance, and the novel explores her relationships with family, friends, and the local resistance fighters who rely on her courage and ingenuity.

Baldock’s writing is rich in detail, vividly capturing the tension of life under occupation while also showcasing the small acts of defiance that offer hope amidst the horrors of war. Emma is a deeply relatable character, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she faces impossible choices in order to protect those she loves. The plot weaves together personal sacrifice, courage, and the complexities of human connection in times of hardship.

While the story may follow familiar World War II tropes, Baldock brings a unique, heartfelt perspective to the genre, focusing on the quieter yet no less powerful acts of resistance that often go unnoticed in history. The themes of community and survival are handled with grace and sensitivity, making The Baker’s Secret an engaging and reflective read.

Overall, The Baker’s Secret is a compelling and moving historical novel that will resonate with fans of World War II fiction, particularly those who appreciate stories of quiet heroism and the resilience of the human spirit.

This was a did not finish for me. I got about 20% in and it was just too much history and too much sadness and I wasn’t invested in the characters in the relationships yet. I should’ve been by now.

The Baker’s Secret by Lelita Baldock is a moving and heartbreaking piece of World War II historical fiction.

Baldock's writing is captivating, immersive, and deeply impactful. The characters are expertly developed. As a reader, I was drawn into their lives, experiences, love, and loss.

The Baker's Secret is a must-read for any fan of historical fiction.

Kind thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for an advanced reading copy of The Baker's Secret. All opinions expressed are my own,

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot.

I was drawn to this title by the fact that it is a dual timeline novel, which I always enjoy. Set in Latvia in WW2, and Australia in more recent times, it follows the heartbreaking story of two sisters, separated by tragic events and secrets.

Although this is a work of historical fiction, the events portrayed in Latvia were a reflection of what happened in real life, with the country riven by multiple invasions and what followed. I did not know anything about Latvia before reading this novel, but have since read more about what happened in those dark days. Hard to believe that those brutal events are not mainstream knowledge.

So, despite the sadness of the story at times, I enjoyed this novel. The descriptions of the settings, the events, and the characters, all feel very authentic. The strength of many of the characters in adversity is an inspiration.

I will definitely read more by this author.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

The Baker's Secret
by Lelita Baldock

Historical fiction ~ Latvia ~ World War II ~ Nazi occupation ~ Soviet occupation ~ Family ~ Love ~ Terrible atrocities ~ Mistaken identities ~ Sisters ~ Australia ~ Death ~ Secrets ~ Bakeries ~ Heartbreaking ~ Strong women ~ Sacrifice ~ Well-written ~ Dual-timeline ~ Highly recommended

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC; all opinions are my own.

The title and cover really drew me in but then fact it is an historical fiction really drew me in. I love the context of the book, the sisters and the bakery. Better still I love the strength and courage of these sisters and how they did what they thought was best.

This is a very heartfelt and emotional book and so realistic. I love the characters and the love and heartbreak you feel throughout the story.. It is a well written and very interesting read and I have to give it 5 stars as it is a wonderful read and I highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I received a copy of The Baker’s Secret by Lelita Baldock from NetGalley. This historical fiction novel is set in two timelines. One timeline follows the story set in Latvia during World War II, and the second timeline is in 2018. I haven’t read much about the stories from the Baltic region during World War II, and it was one of the major things that made me curious about the book.
The novel focuses mainly on Zenta. A ten-year-old girl living a normal and happy life in Riga, Latvia with her parents, siblings, and her friends before World War II breaks out. Soviet forces enter the region, and the occupation lasts years before the Nazis come. Then, the people have to live under the Nazi regime, which they had hoped would liberate them. The sharp contrast between life before and after makes you realize the gravity of the situation. Zenta doesn’t completely understand what's happening around her, and she is sacred when people she knows go missing. Her sister Estere's boyfriend believes in a free Latvia, and she aids him in his rebellion.
There isn’t a lot of the story that I can write about because it would be too many spoilers. The novel is well-paced and well-written. It keeps you on edge to know what happens to these characters.
The Baker’s Secret by Lelita Baldock is a beautiful historical fiction book. It does get heavy, especially knowing it was the reality less than 100 years ago. It got too emotional, and I had to keep it away for a day. It is written beautifully with the sensitivity this type of a story needs. I read that Lelita Baldock has written this book loosely based on the story of her grandfather leaving Latvia during World War II. I loved this book.

This is a heart-breaking, beautiful story based on the authors family. The secrets, hard decisions, resilience, and love come through the pages strongly. It initially took a bit to get into the story, a slow start, but halfway through I couldn’t put it down. The characters are real and developed well, the dialogue realistic, and I loved learned about another part of WWII that I was unfamiliar with. Latvia’s history and culture come through in this well-written story.

I’d recommend this book.

I loved the era of the war , the unexpected twist in the story and the relationship between the two sisters.
Despite the strange ending but made a lot of sense and felt like real story.

A heartbreaking yet riveting tale that brings you across several generations. It is easy to see how such situations could truly have happened during the war and how it effects the generations to come. I would highly recommend this book.

The Baker's Secret is an interesting look into life during Nazi-occupied Latvia and how it affected the citizens of that time as we are pulled emotionally into the lives of sisters impacted by love and loss. My heartstrings were pulled and I was drawn into the lives of them in an honest way that I think many others will enjoy. Just know this is not a light read as it is historical fiction and pulls from real, heartbreaking events that occurred during this time. I had to take breaks from this book, not because it was bad but because sometimes dealing with the impact of what I was reading took some time. I do recommend this though to anyone with any interest in historical fiction that uses its real-life source material in an honest yet respectful manner.

Totally worth a good cry. This book is beautiful and heartbreaking. A story meant to be read that will not soon be forgotten.

This book was so emotional. I cries I laughed and I loved. I loved it. It immersed you in the story and you couldn't help but get emotionally attached to the characters. This is a must read for fans for WW II books.
I just reviewed The Baker's Secret by Lelita Baldock. #TheBakersSecret #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I am not normally a Historical Fiction book reader. I have to say, this book held my attention and I couldn't put it down! I would definitely recommend this book.

I read The Baker's Secret by Lelita Baldock and finished it early last month. The book was enjoyable and was about a baker's daughter, Zenta, who thrived in her home life and in the bakery business where she worked with her family and how one day, her life suddenly changed with the advent of World War II. The storyline then continued with the hardships that Zenta and her family had to face in Latvia and the sacrifices that she and Estere (her sister) had to make to save the lives of those they loved and those who were persecuted by the Nazis. I found Zenta to be inspiring and courageous in her actions. The book went back and forth from the present day to Zenta's youth giving the reader a profound glimpse of Zenta's relationships with her parents, her brother, her sister, her best friend, and the boy she grew to love in her adult years who was her first love. Although they were separated from each other during the war, they found their way back to each other through circumstances attributed to coincidence (i.e., Zenta's escape from the infernal chaos of war-torn Riga). Her journey towards a better life in Australia was marked by grievous losses, illnesses, abandonments, and abuse at the hands of her new husband, but ultimately, she was able to put down roots in her new homestead. Although Zenta harbored secrets for most of her life which tellingly affected her relationships with Aisa (her daughter) and Estere nevertheless, she braved the consequences of disclosing those secrets toward the end of her life, as a way of coming to peace with her past. It was a well written novel from an author that I have not read before, but one who I will add to my favorite authors' list. It captured the essence of the story - a heroine who triumphs amidst the chaos of the times.

Book Review: The Baker's Secret by Lelita Baldockt

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars

I recently had the pleasure of delving into the poignant world painted by Lelita Baldockt in "The Baker's Secret." Set in Nazi-occupied Latvia, the novel follows the gripping story of two sisters faced with an unthinkable decision that echoes through generations.

The narrative centers around Zenta, a young baker cycling through the war-torn streets of Riga, delivering bread while navigating the harsh realities of occupation. When her sister, Estere, returns exhausted and pregnant, a chain of events is set into motion that will test the sisters' loyalty and resilience in the face of adversity.

Baldockt masterfully weaves a tale of sacrifice, courage, and secrets that spans continents and decades. The author's vivid descriptions transport the reader to a time and place fraught with danger and uncertainty, where every decision carries weighty consequences.

What struck me most about this book was its ability to draw me in despite my usual aversion to war-themed literature. The character of Zenta, a baker thrust into the turmoil of war, provided a unique perspective that kept me engrossed from start to finish.

The pacing of the story was expertly crafted, ensuring that each chapter left me eager to uncover the next twist in the tale. The emotional depth of the plot tugged at my heartstrings, leaving a lasting impact that lingered long after I turned the final page.

"The Baker's Secret" stands out as one of my favorite reads this year, thanks to its exceptional writing, immersive setting, and compelling characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating story of love, sacrifice, and the enduring power of family bonds. Step out of your comfort zone and embark on this unforgettable journey with Zenta as she navigates the complexities of war and uncovers the truth that has been hidden for far too long.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

*4 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

A very interesting read as to what Zenta and her family and friends went through in war times and later in life. Great characters and a good ending.

Lelita Baldock’s latest historical fiction novel takes readers to World War II Latvia and its capital of Riga just before the Germans arrive and before Germany and the Soviet Union go to war. Following Zenta, her parents, her sister Estere, her brother Tomass, and her friend Aleksandr, readers explore the struggles of life between hostile Nazi and hostile Soviet forces and influences. As her family grows tired of the occupation and their allegiances turn towards an independence movement, the occupation grows more dangerous, especially when Zenta’s father, Estere, and Tomass get involved. Readers explore more of Estere’s life and her relationship with a nationalist leader, a relationship which will cause Zenta in particular some serious trouble down the line. Baldock occasionally flashes forward to 2018, three generations later, and follows Zenta’s story after World War II ends. This novel is full of challenging, complicated circumstances for Zenta and her family, and Baldock handles some of the more difficult topics well and uses them for plot reasons, not for gratuitous graphic content. The locations, set across east and central Europe, as well as the United States and Australia, are equally important to the narrative, and Baldock brings these locations alive for her readers.

A lovely well written historical story set during world war two in Riga Latvia. A story of love and resilience from the women of the war

A heartbreaking but brilliant read. I loved the characters especially Zenta the main protagonist. This book literally transported me back through time to a war stricken Latvia and straight into Zentas families story, one filled with love, courage and sacrifice.
I can see this story staying with me for a long time and its definately a book to re-read.