Having read and loved Helen Parusel's debut book, A Mother's War, I was excited to read this newest one. Could she write another winning novel? Absolutely! Be prepared to be absorbed into the Nazi regime immediately because this story begins with the Anschluss in 1938 followed by the rapid Aryanization of Austria. Set in Linz, the story is told through two voices, mother and daughter, Marlene and Ella Mayer. Marlene, at 49, is skeptical of Hitler's promises from the start whereas Ella, just 21, initially has youthful optimism for a brighter future with her Nazi-supporting boyfriend. Both are quickly horrified by the changes brought by the SS and the devastation of friends' and neighbors' lives.

The author builds the tension moderately at first, but soon I felt like I was on a runaway rollercoaster. Within the carefully constructed plot, our characters interact with a Hitler Bride School, both Hermann and Albert Goring, and even briefly with Hitler. As you would expect, there is considerable violence in this tale as there would have to be with this subject. One of the most heartbreaking scenes for me was when Ella had to place a friend's little sister on a Kindertransport to England. I can't imagine the pain of making empty promises to a child about being reunited with her family. I found that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough in the last half of this book, even when I was terrified as to what might happen next. This newest book is a must-read for all who enjoy WW II historical fiction. I loved it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.