Danielle Steel writes many books each year and there is generally a happy ending that you can guess. This time she had me guessing right up until the very end and I wouldn't have been disappointed either way. This story starts with a family that has its own set of sad circumstances and the two sisters, Sophia and Theresa evolve into two very different people. Theresa chooses the glamorous life that includes marriage and children and Sophia chooses to become a nurse. Along the way they both face challenges living in Nazi Germany during the Second World War and while Theresa and her family flee the country Sophia chooses to become a nun and be a part of the anti-Nazi movement. This book illuminates how your choices can dramatically change your circumstances and life. This book was masterfully written and was quite terrifying due to the subject matter. There were some poignantly sad instances as this is wartime, but our main heroine chose the life she wanted to lead and had a happy ending. It is on the shorter side, so it could be read in one sitting if one was inspired to do so.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this Advanced Reader Copy.

This is my first Danielle Steel book, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I found it extremely repetitive, especially the first couple of chapters, which honestly was what turned me off.. The story did get progressively better but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

I love Danielle Steel. Starting from the very first book I read of hers which was Palomino. Probably around 30 years ago.

This book did not seem like it was written by Danielle Steel. The story was heartbreaking, as all Nazi era books are. But it was extremely repetitive. Especially in the beginning. There are only so many times that we can be told that Sophia learned a lot by working closely with her very talented surgeon father. There was also a mixup in the naming of Theresa’s children. It just did not seem like something Danielle Steel would mess up on.

I will still continue to read her books, but I hope this isn’t a sign of what’s in store.

Historical fiction is sometimes a hit or a miss with me—I tend to either love them or be so bored I can’t finish them. This latest from Danielle Steel is a CANNOT PUT DOWN book that might be one of my favorite historical fiction books ever. It’s both fascinating and heartbreaking at times but is a fantastic read.

Danielle Steel's newest war novel centers around Sophia Alexander. She lives the perfect life. Her mother runs the household. her father is a successful surgeon, and her younger sister the belle of the ball. Everything changes when her mother gets sick and Sophia is now the head of the household. As the war begins and Hitler comes into power, Sophia's family has choices to make. Her father; faced with his conscience and medical pledge, versus what the Nazi's are asking of him. Her sister, finding the right man and trying to stay or escape to freedom after some unsettling family news. Sophia herself, balancing her fears with her faith, and trying to make the right decision for her.

Likable characters, a gut wrenching story, Steel once again knocked it out of the park!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy. I oftentimes fine DS books repeat themselves so much and don’t provoke much thought. This book was a rare exception. This was a wonderful story following Sophia through her WW2 journey, and while it was hard to read at times, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Set in WWII the main character of the story tries to decide what she will do with her life. She is influenced by her family and the people she meets along the way in her life. Just as she thinks she knows for sure what she will do with her life something may change her mind. This was a really good book that had lots of descriptions and appears to be well researched.

Only the Brave is Steel's best book in a long time. I always enjoy her historical books, and this is no exception. The novel tells the story of Sophia, a young German woman during World War II. Sophia feels a calling to join a convent from an early age, even though her brilliant father (a respected physician) is a hard-core atheist. Her sister, Theresa, is Sophia's opposite in many ways. Entitled and spoiled, Theresa marries a wealthy German who supports the Nazi party. But the tide turns when the Nazi party learns that Theresa's husband has Jewish blood in his background. Sophia helps Theresa and her husband escape the country before they can be thrown into a concentration camp, and even though she's putting her own life at risk, Sophia continues to assist other Jews escape Germany before the Nazis can destroy them. But her luck eventually runs out, and she finds herself facing the same horrors that she helped others to escape.

I enjoyed reading about how Sophia survived the holocaust. She manages to forge friendships with a group of other women in the concentration camp, and soon they devise a plan to escape.

My only quibble with the book was Sophia's decision in the final pages of the book. I won't give away the details, but I wish she had gone the more unconventional route, rather than choosing the predictable path. But overall, this was a very enjoyable novel. Because of the subject matter, it was not as light and frothy as most of Steel's books, but I'm glad she didn't avoid the gruesome details of the war.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my views.

Only the Brave by Danielle Steele has a publication date of April 30, 2024. Net Galley gifted me an ARC in return for a review.

As everyone knows, Danielle Steele publishes multiple books per year. This is yet another Steele book which has hit the mark. Although the beginning of the book is a bit redundant at times I would encourage the reader to continue reading as a story begins to develop that is a twist on the typical WWII plot. Only the Brave is based in Germany, during WWIl, with the main character, a nurse, battling the effects of war, while still being compassionate. After nursing under her father’s surgical expertise, Sophia is called to become a nun while still nursing others. Her father’s refusal to murder innocents under Hitler’s reign places a target on both of them. Sophia stays strong by thinking of her sister and her family who were able to escape to Switzerland with Sophia’s help. As the war continues, Sophia’s life takes some twists and turns that put her to the test time after time. Sophia proves that she is stronger than she ever thought and in the end deserves happiness.

Thanks again NetGalley for the ARC.

Danielle Steele is usually my go to person for romance stories with intrigue and great storytelling. This one is so different. It is historical fiction set during World War II. Sophia is a nurse and nun working to help get children to safety. Her father is arrested because he will not participate in their murder plots. Sophia is a woman with fire and she continues to fight for children. The story is about women who work to do what is right. I loved the characters and the story. Great read. Thank you #NetGally for the ARC.

It was a good book overall. Not my typical read as I’m not into anything dealing with history. But as always Danielle Steele writes a good novel

Although I have read many Danielle Steele books, this is one of my favorites. It is not like her typical books. I would rate this book a solid 4.5.

This is the story of Sophie, a brave and honorable woman during the rise of the Nazi regime. Sophie is the daughter of a surgeon (who has high morals) and a terminally ill mother, as well as the older sister to Theresa. The story follows Sophie through all the hardships during World War II. Although I really enjoyed this book, I did feel that the ending was a bit rushed and cut short.

This story is both inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC. I highly recommend this book to others.

Danielle Steel is a popular author that can obviously write a great book that people enjoy. Unfortunately, I don't think I am one of those people. I found the writing style to be choppy, repetitive and lacking in elegance. Sentences would end abruptly or were duplicative which made this a pretty rough read. For example, a paragraph will read something like this: They started run after slipping on the flat soled shoes that she stole for them. Sentence. Sentence. They ran across the street in the flat soled shoes that she stole from them. Sentence. Sentence. They would not have made it to the other side of the street without the flat soled shoes that she stole from them....We get it. She stole flat soled shoes.

Another item that I feel the book lacked was the detail that made any symbolism make sense. An example: The red bird. Why a bird? Why red? Why would this symbol cause her to give up everything she has worked towards her whole life and dig her heels in on?

To me the novel read as a solid outline for what has the potential to be a fantastic read. I would have loved this to be better bulked out with details that would cause for me to really care about the characters and their story. Instead, it was all abrupt, lacking in detail and the extra narrative that would make me better care and understand.

If I am being completely honest, if it weren't for wanting to honor that this was an ARC and a review was owed I would have DNF'd.

A chilling, and captivating story of bravery and heroism in the midst of one of the most horrifying times in world history. Hitler's rule caused destruction in the lives of so many. In the middle of it all were some of the bravest men and woman risking everything to save who they could. This story centers around Sophia, and the loss she endured, the challenges she faced, and all the good she did in a time of hardship. This was powerfully written, while not being too graphic, and reminds us that even small acts of kindness and decency can make a difference. As always, Danielle Steel has written a book that will stay with me long after I've finished.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book, as Danielle Steel's recent works have been quite inconsistent.
Many readers, including myself, approach Danielle Steel's books in the hope of finding a hidden gem among her periodic releases. "Only the Brave" was one such gem.

While "Only the Brave" may not have been exceptionally well-written, the story itself was compelling and engaging.

WOW...all I can say...well, almost. While knowing this book is fiction, I could not help but think back to my days in middle school when we learned about Hitler, the Nazi's, and World War II. Boy...did I not learn anything! We are taught the facts, but we were so far removed from it, years later, could we even really relate? Nope...not at all. Once again, I know it is fiction, but I am sure there were instances much like what happened in this book. This book was full of struggles, many of them. It was all pulled together with a beautiful story of bravery, perseverance, and love. Only the Brave was a good one!

I have very mixed feelings about this novel. I really enjoyed the historic aspect, but it was very repetitive, an issue that seems to happen more and more recently with this author. I usually find DS books to be hit or miss, this falls in between for me.

Once again, a novel about the hardships caused by racial hatred and ethic cleansing. Timely "Lest we Forget" the reasons for WWII and the division in families and nations created by prejudice against Jews and others who are "different" in any population. This book is especially powerful in the conflicts arising from Israel's reclamation of its homeland after 4000 years of Abrahamic history in the Middle East.

A story of courage and consequences by a master storyteller with cautions and lessons for us today.

As always, Ms Steel does not disappoint with this coming of age story set during WWII. Sophie, forced to grow up quickly after the onset of war and death of her mother, quickly becomes imeshed deep within the resistance. Witnessing her strength, perseverance and growth as she fights for freedom was a pleasure to experience.. I know I will be recommending this book to all..
Thank you Danielle Steel, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Only the Brave by Danielle Steel is a poignant and gripping historical novel set against the backdrop of World War II Germany. The story revolves around Sophia Alexander, a courageous young woman who matures amidst the rise of Hitler. As the daughter of a renowned surgeon, Sophia's responsibilities extend beyond her years, and the novel unfolds her transformation from a responsible caregiver to a fearless resistor against the oppressive regime. Steel navigates the heavy subject matter with sensitivity, crafting a narrative that captures the devastating effects of war and the indomitable human spirit. The novel stands out as a testament to the bravery of those who risked their lives to make a difference during a tumultuous period in history, offering a compelling blend of historical accuracy and emotional depth.