World War II, what a horrible time in our history. Sophia and her family live in Berlin, Germany and watch as the war unfolds. Hitler, concentration camps, euthanasia of Jews and other unthinkable things are happening.. Sophia is a young nurse living in a convent as a novice and working with her father in his private hospital. She starts going to dissident meetings and helping to hide Jewish children who have lost their families. Sophia and her family survive horrible situations from bombing to concentration camps but Sophia with unbelievable self preservation continues to help anyone who needs it. Thank you to NetGalley, Danielle Steel and the publisher for the chance to read an ARC of a wonderful historical book in exchange for an honest review.

Why are all my favorite authors writing about WW2?

This was a harder read for me just because historical fiction is not my jam, once I got past that as always Danielle did not disappoint.
The depth of her research and the details are hard to read but such an important part of history.

Thank you for a book I would not of read under a different author

3.5 Stars
This is not a romance, not in the truest sense. Danielle Steel is generally known for her romances, but don't expect any in-depth romance with this novel. It is all about surviving the war. That is not to say that there is not a happy ending though.

I am of two differing minds about this book. It was a wonderful historical fiction book. I haven't read anything about WWII as intense and in-depth as this book in a long time. Some parts of this book made my stomach churn and really played on my emotions. It shows what a great writer Danielle Steel can be.

On the other hand, this book was very repetitious, sometimes even on the same page. Parts were overly dragged out, which is surprising for a book of this length.

It is worth the read if you can overlook the few flaws.

*ARC Supplied by the publisher Delacorte Press/Penguin Random House, the author, and NetGalley.

An excellent story with dramatic history included. Young Sophia is a quiet, very pretty girl at 17 when her mother gets stricken with tb and is hospitalized. She dies when Sophia is 18. War is coming to Berlin and Hitler is rounding Jews and undesirables up. Sophia has decided to become a nurse and eventually works with her father who is a surgeon with his own hospital. Her sister is a couple years younger and just wants to get married and have kids, which she does. Her sister does not believe anything bad about Hitler until it finally affects her and her husband. Her father gets on hitlers bad side when he refuses to euthanize people just because they say to. Sophia by this time has joined the convent but is secretly helping people escape.
The story is very well told and is rich in history, it was very hard to put down

"Only the Brave" is a moving historical novel set in the WWII . It is unique that the focus is on the experiences of an Aryan family in Germany, offering a fresh and compelling perspective.
Sophia Alexander, daughter of a respected surgeon, the narrative delves into the complexities of moral choices and personal courage. As Sophia grapples with her family's privilege and the horrors unfolding around her, she decides to join the convent which mirrors the defiance of her hero, Edith Stein.
This is a novel that will bring you to tears but also one that you do not want to put down. Many thanks to Netgalley and #RandomHousePublishing for an opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

One woman's trials and tribulations as she navigates Germany during WWII. She sees her family suffer and attempts to do all she can to fight for what she believes in. A nurse with a strong religious belief system, she works both in & out of that system to right what she believes is wrong. She faces losing family members (in various manners) and she herself is imprisoned. Such a strong woman. Seeing her evolve and adapt her beliefs to the world around her makes this a terrific read.

I enjoyed this historical story so very much! It was an emotional read, as we heard again about the anguish and horrendous experiences that the Jews in Germany were faced with leading up to and during World War II. I can't even imagine anyone(s) being so hateful and prejudiced! Sophia Alexander is the main character, and you will be enchanted with her goodness as she strives to aid humanity in any way she can.

The research Ms Steel had to have done was so impressive, and as many times as I have read accounts of this war (I was born minutes after it started), I learned so much more. I highly recommend it and wish I could get my grandchildren to read it.

Thank you Random House and Net Galley for the much appreciated opportunity to read it early.

I have posted my review in GoodReads and will do the same at Amazon when the book is released.

Only the Brave by Danielle Steel is a powerful, historical novel about a courageous woman in World War II Germany. The story follows, Sophia Alexander, our heroine and eldest daughter, who at a young age, was faced with her mother’s illness, watching over her younger sister, and a war looming. Sophia learns to become a surgical nurse, helping her father, who runs a hospital, where he is the lead surgeon. Though they are not Jewish, both of them secretly try to help runaways. When her mother dies, Sophia steps in and helps her pregnant sister, Theresa and her husband escape to Switzerland.

Sophia works as a nurse with the convent nuns, the Sisters of Mercy, and becomes increasingly involved in the resistance, attending meetings of dissidents and finding ways to help others escape. Her father was asked twice by Hitler’s people to euthanize Jews in camps, and after his last denial, they arrested him and was taken to Dachau, a concentration camp for criminals. At the convent, Sophia finds an American officer disabled, and treats him back to health; with both of them beginning to have feelings for each other. She is still determined to do her final vows and remain a nun; the officer leaves after he is recovered. Sophia will receive a contact from him, notifying her that her father died.

Due to her family’s guilty association with the father and her missing sister, the Nazi’s arrest her, and she is taken to Ravensbrück. While in the concentration camp, she helps perform surgical procedures, and befriends a Nazi officer, who shares food with her, as well as the camp friends. Sophia, and her 4 friends, plan a successful escape from the concentration camp, fleeing to a convent.

Only the Brave is an emotional story filled with heartache, courage, bravery, hope and tragedy. I also really like some of the secondary supporting characters. As the war comes close to an end, Sophia will have to choose to be a nun or choose love. The story captures the devastating effect of war, and Sophia rising to the challenge of risking everything, to save others. Once again, Only the Brave is very well written by Danielle Steel; in a fantastic historical novel.

I love historical fiction and that is one thing Danielle Steel does amazingly well.
Sophia has always wanted to help people in need, her father is a highly respected doctor who works alot, she has a sister who only wants to marry a rich man and go to glamorous parties. Sophia's mother is sick and after visiting her in the hospital each day she will stop on her way home and visit the nuns that live close to her home.

With the war raging she decides to become a nurse but also a nun. She secretly does her part to help in the war against Hitler, her father does also but she does not know that. Eventually she gets sent to a concentration camp and has nothing but her faith to keep her going, she makes some really great friends but also goes on a incredible journey of faith and self discovery.

This story was so detailed and the descriptions so vivid. Loved her relationship with the nuns, her group in the camp and everything else that happened on her journey, she finally took that leap of faith that took her on a new path. This book was great story in so many aspects and had a wonderful ending with a sweet surprise.

This story takes place in Berlin, Germany during WWII. This was a disastrous time for so many families, Jews, non Jews, partial Jews and many others who may have practices that the Germans soldiers did not agree with. These people lost everything, homes, possession and many even their lives. Groups were being formed at this time as well protesting this war. Some people were willing to risk their own lives to save others, especially the children who became orphans and get them to safety.

Sophia is the older sister to Theresa and the daughter of fine parents. As her mother’s illness takes toll she is finishing her studies and decides to become a nurse to help people like her mother. Her father is a prominent doctor in the community his patients, all sorts of patrons from lawyers, doctors and soldiers. Sophia has begun assisting him at his private hospital.
When the war has progressed, Sophia also finds herself helping a group move children to safety. When she also gets news about her sister who needs her help as well. While her father refuses to follow requests of the government soldiers, the consequences that follow him.
Sophia, decides her best way to help other people is becoming a nun. While that is a good decision for her she finds her self out and about and unfortunately at the wrong time of day and is questioned by the soldiers. They believe she is a traitor and take her to work in a hard labor camp. Her will to survive. Escape and rebuild a life is a story not to be missed. I highly recommend enjoying this book.

Only the Brave is another triumph from Danielle Steel. I have not read many of her books, but the ones that I have, have been lovely and beautifully written. She has a way of writing female characters who are strong as heck, yet easily relatable. I liked the WWII backdrop and the way that Sophia and Ted's relationship blossomed.

This is a Historical Fiction that takes place during WWII in Germany. It has been a little bit since I picked up a Historical Fiction because I just have not been in the mood to read them, but I am so glad I picked this book up. There is so much going on in this book, and it touched my heart so much. I really fell in love with all the characters in this book. The only thing I did not love about this book was the ending only because I did not want it to end. I wanted more. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Only The Brave is another wonderful Danielle Steel novel. This historical story follows Sophia and her family’s journey through the war. She faces new adventures and loss in an uncertain time of her life.
The details in the book make you feel part of the hardships and heartache that the characters are involved in. . As always , Danielle Steel does an amazing job.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy for my opinion.

I really enjoyed Sophia's story, especially how she would not sacrifice her ethos under a circumstance, though she was tested several times. This book is all that you have come to love from Danielle Steel. There were several supporting characters that I would have loved to hear more about and how their journey had turned out aside from one or two lines. Otherwise, this was a solid read.

A heart wrenching story of a young girl who despite all the horrors thrown at her, strives to live a life helping others. Beautifully written, I was drawn into Sophia’s story and had to know what happened to her.

Danielle Steel is one of my favorite writers of romance. Usually, her setting is in the current time. This one, set in Germany in the early years of German occupation, through the American and Allied involvement, is in my opinion one of her best. It is the story of a young women, a daughter, sister, and friend to those who are facing more and more oppression as the Nazis gain a foothold in Europe. She sees many atrocities and finds solace in her faith. It is a faith that remains steadfast in all she sees and experiences. As she grows in strength and will, her faith is tested but she continues to help her people and the many around her in need. Romance is the furthest thing on the mind of this young woman who is part of a religious order but has yet to take her final vows. This is the story of love as only Danielle Steel can tell it in one of one of the most atrocious periods in our world's history. Great storytelling. Thanks to #NetGalley#OnlytheBrave#DanielleSteel for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Danielle Steel’s, Only the Brave, is so much more than a romance set against the backdrop of WWII. She deftly depicts the chaos and danger in Germany as the Nazis rose in power as told through the eyes of Sophie, a skilled nurse and devout Catholic who is on the cusp of taking her final vows to become a nun just before she is arrested as an enemy of the state and sent to a concentration camp. Through Sophie, her father, and her sister, we see different experiences of the war and the destruction that the Nazi zealotry waged as they savaged their way through Europe. Through Sophie’s harrowing experience of escape and recovery, she meets an injured American pilot whom she nurses back to health. This chance meeting and the time spent in recuperation change the trajectory of both their lives and portray grace and bravery during a time of madness and murder. The book does end rather abruptly and I would have liked a little more massaging of the circumstances around Sophie’s choice, but overall I thought it was a good, compelling story. Only the Brave provides a snapshot of the horror and atrocities from that time in the world’s history and a prescient reminder not to let history repeat itself.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a great, new historical fiction book! Sophia and Ted were brought together by fate and WW2. "There were no accidents in life. They had been meant for each other. Two heroes of the war were brought together during the war and they would do great things together after the war. I thoroughly enjoyed yet another great Danielle Steel book! Thanks @NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this book.

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. i am not usually a Danielle Steel reader but this one sounded like a book I would enjoy. I loved this story about WWII. There are a lot of amazing characters in this story. The storyline and plot where engaging and engrossing. I admired the bravery of Sophia’s father. His standing up for his beliefs and continuing to uphold the Hippocratic Oath against Hitler and his men. But at the same time, it made me extremely sad. I felt that Sophia following his footsteps showed a glimpse of what the travesties that took place during this war could have looked like. I would highly recommend this book for sure.

Sophia lives with her surgeon. father , her mother and her sister in Berlin. When her mother dies, she helps get her sister and her family to Switzerland. As Hitler r becomes more and more evil, she and her father do all they can to save jewish children from the camps and certain death. Full of courage and bravery as only Danielle Steel can tell it.. A must Read!!