Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial for a complimentary copy of this novel!

This novel was a mesmerizing, unputdownable WW2 Historical Fiction novel! One I will definitely not be forgetting about anytime soon. It is about a Polish Jew, Bina Blonski, who later made it to America and became a famous Hollywood star known as Lena Browning. Bina’s family and husband are killed in front of her. She does what she must to survive in the Warsaw Ghetto. The thing about Bina is, she does not look Jewish at all. Her blond hair and light eyes give her the advantage she needs to get into places others cannot. She becomes a smuggler, a murderer, a Nazi assassin, an actress, and a director throughout her life. This is a captivating novel that shows one woman’s resiliency and strength in the face of great loss and suffering. This is a story of one woman’s fight for revenge her entire life, no matter the cost. This is also a story of friendship and the cost of forbidden love. I cannot say enough about this novel!!! I highly recommend it and would give 10 stars if I could, but the rating only goes up to 5 stars so that will have to do!!! Available for purchase May 28, 2024

I requested an ARC of The Goddess of Warsaw after seeing rave reviews across NetGalley, including one from one of my favorite authors, Sara Goodman Confino.

What an incredible book. My heart is in pieces, and I cried quite a bit. Evelyn Hugo meets The Huntress, is the best way I can describe the vibe of this book. Bina Blonsky is a Jewish woman trying her best to survive in the Warsaw ghetto, amidst Nazi terrorism. Hers is a story of resilience, pure ingenuity, and eventually, revenge. She later tells her story on her own terms, with the help of a young protégé. The way the stories are recorded and told is a big theme in this book.

The love I felt between Bina and her friends was what stood out to me most throughout the book. In war, we trust no one, but have to trust in our closest confidantes, and for Bina, the love of friends is what ultimately saved her.

I will be recommending this book to everyone I know, historical fiction fan or not!

How far will one person go to survive and get revenge? The Goddess of Warsaw is not your typical dual timeline WWII story. Lena Browning is a Hollywood star at the end of her career. Sienna Hayes is the new young star who wants to be more than an actress. She gets close to Lena in order to write, direct, and star in the story of Lena’s life. She’s in for a big surprise. No one knows Lena’s real story.

The story of Lena’s past is a wild ride that is not entirely predictable. Her character is deep. I will be suggesting this as a dual timeline predominantly historical fiction thriller that ends in 2005. It is not to be missed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not a historical fiction fan, but Lisa Barr will always get me to pick up the genre! This was a heavy story, which I knew going in to it. It was the kind of story I had to put down at some points, just because of where my headspace has been since October 7th.

I highly recommend this book. Lisa is an incredible storyteller and despite my tears while reading, I’ll always recommend her books!

I love historical fiction and strong female characters. This book has both. It reflects events in the Warsaw Ghetto and the emotional costs of loss and survival. The main character is beautiful and resilient, driven by the past. A dramatic and enthralling book!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the ARC.

This story was absolutely incredible. I felt a palpable sense of loss alongside the characters and even though a deep sadness surrounded the novel there was a redemption story woven in that really balanced the plot line wonderfully.

There are some factual events told in this story that will break your heart but it’s necessary to know exactly what occurred. To feel it deep in your bones and try to understand just a little of what the Warsaw Ghetto was like. I’ve only read one other book, Mila 18, that showed life in the ghetto in such a raw and honest way. This was powerful, utterly heart-rending, and poignant. A phenomenal historical fiction and I can guarantee if you loved Woman on Fire you’ll love this!

🎞️ Think Evelyn Hugo… with a much deadlier secret. This mix of historical fiction and revenge plot was 5⭐️ perfection. Thank you to @harperbooks and @lisabarr18 for sending me an advanced copy. This is out May 28th!

🎞️ This is all told through the perspective of a badass female MC, over the course of several decades. I don’t want to give away too much, because the way this all plays out is so great, but our character starts the book in the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw, Poland during WWII.

🎞️ Lisa Barr has such a distinct style of mixing historical fiction and suspense that keeps you turning the pages! I highly recommend this one— especially if you enjoyed her last book ‘Woman On Fire.’ This one is even better!

🎞️ This is out May 28th. Is it on your TBR?

The Goddess of Warsaw is an intensely written and researched portrayal of life during WWII and the aftermath when wronged people and war criminals integrate into post-war society. Richly imagined and dramatic, the story is difficult to read at times with extreme actions to survive and later, to avenge the wrongs.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Lisa Barr writes historical fiction in a way that I find very engaging. There are going to be scary events, mistreatment of people and different opinions of WWII novels. I don't like to read foul language, sexual activities and mistreatment, but isn't that exactly what really happens?
The Goddess of Warsaw introduces us to a very strong and determined young lady. She can not forget and forgive the Nazis. I really enjoyed this book, as I have all of Lisa Barr's books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper for an e-ARC of this book, opinions are my own.

There is a lot going on in this story that prevented me from liking the main characters. It is a dark historical fiction with strong sex and revenge themes. Also found the profanity used to be unnecessary to tell the story. Interesting read, but a tough one to get through.

Thank you to @netgalley and @HarperPerennialBooks for this ARC. Lena Browning is an highly acclaimed actress but now in her 80's. When, Sienna, the latest "it" actress, wants to interview her and produce a film on her life, she doesn't realize the story Lena would tell. It all starts with "Bina" in the Warsaw Jewish Ghetto who fought for the resistance. Lisa Barr is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This is such a great book! #TheGoddessofWarsaw #LisaBarr #May2024 #HaperPerennial

This book has a lot going on so much that it made it difficult to become attached to the characters or storyline. I found the beginning scenes very jarring and it through off the reading of such a dramatic book.

I save my five star ratings for the best of the best and this, my friends, is one of the best books I’ve come across in a long time. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read before and just know that nothing I say here could do it justice.

I went into this totally blind but nothing could have prepared me for THE GODDESS OF WARSAW. I had no idea what to expect (a Goodreads synopsis hasn’t even been posted yet), but I assumed it would be something glamorous and artsy and historical- similar to the author’s highly lauded, WOMAN ON FIRE.

In the prologue, we meet Lena Browning, an 83-year-old Hollywood icon, and I instantly fell in love with her. She’s bold and brash and her story will stick with me for a very long time.

WWII is never easy to read about but this was one of the most difficult (and powerful) books I’ve encountered. Lena is so raw and honest and her journey was incredibly painful. I’ve read a lot of HF about strong, brave women and Lena is both of those things, but she’s also so much more.

This is a story about strong women and while Lena steals the show, there are so many side characters (Anna, Zelda, LILAH!) that I won’t soon forget.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s beautifully written and truly a gutting read, but there were also lighter moments thanks to Lena’s sassy personality. When (not if) you pick this up, make sure to carve out plenty of uninterrupted reading time because you will NOT be able to put it down.

Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader!

Special thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a copy of The Goddess of Warsaw to read in advance. This book will publish on May 28, 2024.

Hollywood’s newest star, Sienna Hayes, wants to produce a movie about previous bombshell, Lena Browning. But Lena Browning isn't who she says she is, and Sienna Hayes doesn't know that yet.

Lisa Barr knows how to write an engaging tale. I was utterly gripped by Lena's true background, and learning her story alongside Sienna Hayes made for a page turning tale. Lena -- known as Bina Blonski in Warsaw -- is a formidable and ferocious main character. She started off a theatre star in Warsaw before the war, and as a Jew gets relegated to the Warsaw Ghetto. Finding a new use for her talents, she becomes parts of the resistance network and takes part of the uprising in 1934. And that’s only the beginning. You'll be amazed at Lena’s bravery and courage no matter the cost to her own life.

I would recommend The Goddess of Warsaw if you enjoy World War II novels.

Content Warnings: war, rape, sex, lust, affair, antisemitism

A very BIG WOW to Lisa Barr’s soon to be released The Goddess of Warsaw. With so many moving and emotional WW2 novels, it is incredible how authors continue to find new ways to tell the world of the atrocities of the Holocaust. Yet Ms. Barr has indeed found a way in this compelling historical fiction thriller.

The story begins in 2005 where we are introduced to Lena Browning, an eighty-something year old who is considered to be the best actress of her time. Lena is meeting with Sienna Hayes, the current It Girl, who wants to produce, direct and star as Lena in a biographical movie. But Lena is really Bina Blonski, a Jewish woman who lived an incredible life fighting the Nazis as a young woman in Poland, risking her life to save others but never forgetting those who inflicted the horrors she and those she loved endured.

This captivating story was filled with characters who will leave an indelible mark on your heart. It will stir every human emotion possible page after page and give you yet another perspective of this horrible time in history. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial Paperbacks / Harper Paperbacks for providing me with the opportunity to read this exquisite book. Brava Lisa, Brava!

Thank you for the ARC! Okay - this book is excellent. Again this is a historical fiction unlike any I’ve recently read and I loved reading more about the Polish perspective during WW2, especially when it’s told in this way! Lena’s story is so multilayered and the character development was out of this world. Highly recommend!

The Goddess of Warsaw
by Lisa Barr
Pub Date: May 28, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Goddess of Warsaw is an enthralling tale of a legendary Hollywood screen goddess with a dark secret about her life in the Warsaw Ghetto. When the famous actress is threatened by someone from her past, she must put her skills into play to protect herself, her illustrious career, and those she loves, then and now.
The Goddess of Warsaw is a captivating historical fiction read that follows the untold story of Hollywood star Lena Browning aka Bina Blonski, a Polish Jew who survived the Warsaw Ghetto. The writing was exquisite, the characters were well-developed. I took a break from Holocust fiction but this one is too good to miss.
Read if interested in:
-WWII fiction
-Jewish history
-Suspense
-Hollywood movie making

There was nothing not to love about this upcoming release by this author! Which I think is the same way I feel when I read all her books. The character development, especially Bina, is fantastic. This author makes it so easy to get comfy and just get lost in her words and stories. If you are a historical fiction fan and you have not picked up this author yet, I would encourage you to do so.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Special thanks to the author and publisher for sharing this ARC with me through Net Galley.

If you're looking for WWII historical fiction with a fearless FMC, ready and willing to use her gifts to fight for her people, while also battling with forbidden love, this book is for you. This is definitely an eventful read, jam-packed with so many twists and turns spanning across multiple time periods.

I will say that for me it felt at times like it was a bit too much going on. There were certain parts of the story I would have liked to read about more and others I probably could have done without.

Nonetheless, this book has all the makings of a story I think others will enjoy.

I don’t know if I’ll ever be done processing this. Lisa’s storytelling ability is unmatched in this book and she uses it in such a powerful way. I already know this will be one of the best books this year (right up there with the ever popular The Women recently published) and is one of the best historical fiction books I have ever read. It tells such an important story and I feel like everyone should read it. I don’t even know how to write a review to do this justice.