In this story we follow Allina, a young woman in the late 1930s in Germany through her experiences during part of World War II. Her life changes rapidly when she learns that she is part Jewish and those she loved were killed by the Germans. She is taken to be enrolled in the Lebensborn program to work as a nurse to care for the babies that are born to be 'children of the Reich.'

She meets an SS Officer, Karl, who seems a bit set apart from the rest of the Germans. With time, Allina learns to trust Karl and he learns to trust her. Together, they try to save as many children as possible while danger and the risk of discovery lurk around every corner.

This book seems to be historically accurate and the characters are well developed. I would have like to have had more background on Karl's portion of the story, but his point of view is sprinkled in now and then.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

Well, most of this story is made up, you can tell the research that this author took to make this masterpiece feel like it was a true story. I loved that it was heartbreaking, beautiful and honestly helped me to remember all the lost souls that left us due to WWII. This story will show you the heroic side of Allina and Karl, and what they did to save children and mothers in Germany, it's also a story about love, friendship, resilience, healing and hope above all else. This is a story about Katrina and her mother, but then you find out it's really about Allina (Katrine mother) and her story in Germany.

This well written book had my heart breaking for the characters, the situations that they were put into and for all souls that lost their lives due to Nazi Germany. This author took a long time writing this book, but you can see the research, you can see the passion that she had for writing it well, making sure that everything was just right and having the characters likable/easy to connect with. I found this debut to be one that I would have never thought I would like but I am so happy that I took a chance with it because I will not be the same, and in a good way. You will learn about the horrible things that did happen in Germany, the horrible acts that the Nazis would take and how they would treat children that were not “perfect” for good German families to raise. However, through this book you will find hope, resilience and love in the most unexpected places. I loved the characters so much and the way the author writes them, I found it so easy to connect with them, I felt as though I had known these people my whole life. To see what actions they would take even knowing that it would be their death if they got caught, or people who they love. I loved getting to see Allina and Karls’ story unfold and seeing the love that they both have for each other throughout the whole book. You will see twists and turns in the plot and some of them are completely heartbreaking and other ones will have you smiling with joy and happiness that was brought to them during those years. I don’t want to say anything other than, go get this book and read it.

At the end of the book, you will find the author’s notes and I loved that she shared interesting notes and great information that I never knew about. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know!

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the opportunity to review this book.

The Sunflower House is another story concerning the atrocities of WWII but one in a different from so many other books. By Adriana Allegri, this story is a close look at the Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany which may be notorious to Many but was unknown to me until I read this book.

Well-researched and well-written this fictional story is heartbreaking and inspiring. This state-run baby factory called Hochland Home has one nurse who is willing to sacrifice and do what she can to protect the babies born there. Is there another who will join her as he too is appalled by the events happening there. A unique look at the depth of evil that the Nazis performed as well as the unsung heroes who stood in the gap.

The Sunflower House pulls readers into WWII Germany, where Allina Strauss hides her Jewish heritage, surviving in a world that brands her a “Mischling.” Forced to work at Hochland Home, a Nazi “baby factory,” Allina faces horrifying realities, risking her life to protect children trapped in the Lebensborn Program.

Adriana Allegri’s debut is meticulously researched, capturing both the historical horrors and the resilience of the human spirit. Allina’s bond with Karl, a conflicted SS officer, brings a powerful message of love and courage. This heart-wrenching story will linger long after the last page.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for my #gifted copy of The Sunflower House! #stmartinspress #TheSunflowerHouse #pubday #fivestarreview #AdrianaAllegri

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐀𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

𝟱★

Historical fiction lovers, this book is a MUST read! The Sunflower House is a debut novel by author Adriana Allegri, and you would never know it by reading this book. This book was flawless. It was written in such a way that kept me up reading late into the night. This book was full of suspense, heartbreak, love, determination, friendship, and more. I loved everything about this book from start to finish. I know the author spent a lot of time writing this book, but I truly hope she continues to write more, because she is truly so talented.

Allina lives with her aunt and uncle in Germany, but her family has been hiding a secret, that she finds out right before her uncle dies - her birth mother was Jewish. One night, after Allina’s village is turned upside down, and everything Allina loves is taken from her, she is taken to Hochland Home, which is a baby factory run by the state where she serve as a nurse. At Hochland Home, she witnesses the horror of Heinrich Himmler’s eugenics program. At Hochland Home, Allina meets Karl, a SS Officer with his own secret, and the two join forces to save as many children as they can.

I loved reading the Author’s Note at the end of the book and finding out about all the research that went into writing this book. I knew nothing about the Lebensborn Program and this book was truly so eye opening. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Posted on Goodreads on November 11, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around November 12, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on November 12, 2024
**-will post on designated date

This is an extremely well-researched and well-written debut novel. It tells a story that is both moving and heartbreaking, yet hopeful. A story that is filled with secrets, bravery, and resilience. What is unique about this story is that it gives a fresh perspective on some of the situations facing the German people who did not support Hitler and his programs, even someone who was a member of the SS.

Heinrich Himmler and Hitler's Lebensborn program is so well highlighted in this novel. The mere thought of the actual existence of this program is frightening, and its administration terrifying. However, the love story between Allina and Karl demonstrates that even in a hellish time and place, attraction and romance can bloom. The way that scenarios are written in this story made them seem so very real. I felt danger, fear, panic, anger, and grief.

I will highly recommend this novel to friends and to fans of historical fiction or WWII fiction. A book that also balances war and romance. I can't wait to read what Ms. Allegri writes next.

My sincere thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the giving me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. I have reviewed this book on Goodreads and will send my review to Amazon and Barnes and Noble within a few days of publication.

The Sunflower House is a meticulously researched, well-written WWII historical fiction novel based on actual events. It depicts the brutality and horrors of the war, it focuses on Lebensborn homes. This was the first time that I was truly learning about this, and I have read a lot about WWll.
Allegri did a fabulous job executing this story in a fast-paced entertaining manner
The narrative was emotional and magnificently written. It took her twenty years to write this, it so worth this read!
I see this as a book club pick!
Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Sunflower House by Adrianna Allegri is a story of little talked about history and family secrets at its center. In a sleepy German village in 1938, Allina Strauss had an idyllic life. She works at her uncle’s bookshop, she makes strudel with her aunt and she spends her free time with her friends and fiancé. But with Adolf Hitler as Chancellor, her family is hiding a dangerous secret. Allina learns that her mother was Jewish, making Allina a Mischling. Everything and everyone she knows and loves will be gone in quick succession and she will find herself at the Hochland House, a state run baby factory as part of the Lebensborn Program with the purpose of creating the Aryan population. Allina knows she must keep her Jewish heritage; however, when she discovers a group of neglected, less than desirable children, she is determined to save them from the horrors of the eugenics program.
The Sunflower House is one woman’s story of determination to survive and resist against the powers of evil. I love World War II stories which bring to light the stories that are often forgotten or passed over. I had never heard of the Lebensborn program which the book’s blurb described as a “real life Handmaid’s Tale.” Where the Lebensborn program differs from the Handmaid’s Tale is that many of the women in the program willingly and proudly produced these babies for their country. This story had me hooked and I could not put it down as Allina risks her life for the innocent children in her care. There is a love story as Allina joins forces with Karl, a high ranking SS officer who is using his rank to subvert the evil plans. I highly recommend The Sunflower House. It is a story of love, loss, friends and the secrets we think are dead and buried.


The Sunflower House will be available on November 12, 2024
in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

"The Sunflower House" by Adriana Allegri is a haunting tapestry of memory and reconciliation, weaving together the fractured relationship between a mother and daughter against the backdrop of World War II's darkest chapters. Allegri's masterful storytelling employs alternating timelines, creating a palpable tension that propels readers through a labyrinth of past and present.

At the heart of this poignant narrative lies a journey of rediscovery, as mother and daughter traverse the landscapes of their shared history. The author's delicate prose illuminates the shadows of estrangement, gradually revealing the profound impact of wartime experiences on familial bonds.

Allegri's unflinching exploration of the Third Reich's Lebensborn program sets this novel apart in the realm of historical fiction. With remarkable sensitivity, she unveils the heartbreaking fate of women and children caught in the relentless pursuit of a "supreme race." Most strikingly, the author dares to venture into rarely charted territory, shedding light on the complex motivations of women who willingly embraced their role as unwed mothers in this chilling eugenic experiment.

The novel's alternating structure serves as a brilliant narrative device, each timeline shift leaving readers breathless with anticipation. This technique not only heightens suspense but also mirrors the fragmentary nature of memory and the gradual process of understanding between generations.

"The Sunflower House" stands as a testament to the power of confronting the past, offering a nuanced perspective on a dark chapter of history while exploring the resilience of the human spirit. Allegri's work is a must-read for those who seek historical fiction that challenges, enlightens, and ultimately, touches the soul.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, for my free copy for review.

The Sunflower House is Adriana Allegri's debut novel. Years in the making this book is a beautifully written story about Allina Strauss and her life in Nazi Germany. The book opens with Katrine, Allina's daughter, finding a wooden box with a Swastika under the floor boards of her mothers closet. What happens next is Allina telling her daughter about her life before moving to America, something she had kept secret from her her entire life.

1939 Germany, Allina finds herself all alone and being brought to the Hochland House, a boarding house for women. Some of these women are unwed mothers, some are a part of the Lebensborn Program. Reading this book was the first time I had heard of this program. It was quite shocking to read about. During Allina's time at the Hockland House she meets and falls in love with Karl, an officer. However, things are not what they look like at first. Allina and Karl dedicated and risked their lives to save these children.

Definitely read the information after the story ends. It provides information about this time in history and the horrifying fact of how many children were born in this program.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of The Sunflower House for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and author Adriana Allegri for allowing me the chance to read this book in exchange for a fair review.
Present Day. Imagine you are in your mom’s closet and you stumble upon a loose floorboard, you open it up and there is something wrapped in a scarf. After unwrapping the scarf you see a wooden box with a swastika logo inlaid in the top! If you are Katrine, ya flip out, she has sooo many questions for her mother Allina. When she confronts her mother, Allina knows it is time for her to about her early years as a nurse in one of the Reichs Lebensborn houses, as much as she wants to forget that time in her life… she begins to tell her daughter of her upbringing with her aunt and uncle in the late 1930’s was and how she ended up running one of the programs for the Natzi’s.
In this well researched story we learn about another part of WWII that is not well known, the Lebensborn program. It is a program to increase Germany’s population by encouraging single Aryan women to bear the children of SS soldiers to help build the master race. I could not put it down. 5⭐️

This is a pretty heartbreaking read. We love Allina, and her story is a tough one to follow. But... BUT.. this story is more than just darkness. This story is absolutely about love and finding the light in a world where we don't always have control. I loved it!

Allina has the perfect life until everything comes crumbling down around her. Before she knows it, she’s lost everything she loves and somehow finds herself at Hochland Home, a place for German women to give birth to “perfect” babies who are then adopted out to create the next perfect German race. But when she sees what happens to the babies that aren’t perfect, she knows she has to do something. Allina is hiding a secret too: her birth mother was Jewish.

While at Hochland Home, Allina tries to steer clear of the SS officers who come to visit but that all changes when she meets Karl, an officer who is clearly hiding something of his own.

These characters are brave and scared and hopeful all at once. They make some decisions that are honorable and some that are hard to swallow. Because what do you do when you’ve pledged yourself to your country but you don’t agree with what you’re being told to do?

This is a heartbreaking story of secrets, assimilation, and love. Most of this book is hard to read, but according to the author’s note, the true story is even more horrific. And as a Jewish woman, I can’t imagine learning that part of my heritage as a teenager and then having to hide it.

Although I enjoyed this story very much, there was a lot of lead up to a very quick, slightly strange ending. And while I know historical fiction loves a past and present timeline, the 2006 timeline just didn’t feel needed to me.

The Sunflower House is one of a glut of recent books on the Lebensborn program. I'm not entirely sure why this has suddenly re-emerged as such a popular topic--perhaps our recent slide into conservatism. That said, I think Allegri's treatment is adept if not particularly complex or heavy. So much emphasis is placed on the highly improbable romance that the main themes occasionally get lost. I think it's a good read, if not a perfect one. I enjoyed it at the time, but, when writing this review, had to remind myself what it was about.

I was given an advance reading copy of this book by NetGalley.com and the publisher in exchange for a fair review. Lately, World War II stories seem to have saturated the market, but this one stands out. The main character, Allina Gottlieb, lives in a small German town. When the Nazis take over, she is left for dead but escapes only after being brutalized by a German officer. Allina ends up in Hochland Home--a place for young German women who have children with German soldiers/upper class men in order to produce the 'perfect' race. These children are then adopted to well-heeled families while the birth mothers continue to produce babies. Allina becomes a teacher and, despite her fear of German soldiers, she falls in love with a German officer, Karl von Strassberg, who is not exactly what he seems. Author Adriana Allegri has done a good job researching and bringing to life a unique aspect of German history. Her characters are likeable, and their heartbreaks become the reader's heartbreaks. I have not read many five-star books this year, but I can easily say that this is one of my favorites.

I love historical fiction because I always learn some pieces of history that I did not know before and get entertained while doing so. This story took place in Germany during WWII at a Nazi “baby factory” in which they were enthralled in the eugenics program to produce children for German families. We follow Allina who is forced to become a nurse at one of these facilities and sees the horrors first hand. I found the history behind the story to be so interesting and something I never knew the extent of. The author clearly was very passionate about the subject and it came through in her writing. If you are a fan of historical fiction check this one out. Releases November 8! Thanks to NetGalley for early access to this title in exchange for my honest review.

4/5 Stars

I think it is easy to assume what you would do in a particular situation when it’s hypothetical. However, when your survival depends on it, it isn’t always black and white. Throughout the book, I found myself so conflicted because of the ethical/moral dilemmas and if you do good, does it outweigh evil actions?

This novel explores a love story between a Jewish woman, Allina and a high-ranking SS officer, Karl. Allina, who has hidden her Jewish heritage, watches her entire family and town destroyed by the Nazi’s during WWII. Allinia barely survives but is forced to join the Hochland House, a Nazi run baby factory where women of “pure” blood are expected to perpetuate the Aryan race. Although I knew of the existence of such things during WWII, the conditions these women and babies/children are subjected to is deplorable and heartbreaking.

Despite being an SS officer, Karl has his own secrets and although it takes time for Allina to trust him, he utilizes his rank to protect Allina as much as possible from the horrors of Hochland House. The two join forces to protect and save the children while significantly risking their own lives. Despite these efforts, Karl is still a part of the Nazi regime and to maintain his position, he will be required to act in a manner that creates significant moral/ethical dilemmas for him.

This is a fantastic historical story that will capture your heart, expose you to the horrors of baby making factories associated with WWII and force you to examine your own morals/ethics.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

#NetGalley, #TheSunflowerHouse, #AdrianaAllegri

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the ARC of "The Sunflower House" in exchange for an honest review.
This may be the first book I've read this year what I wish I could rate higher than 5 stars.
With this amount of heartbreaking drama, heart-aching romance and constant suspense and dread, , I couldn't race through the pages fast enough. This fact-and-fiction mash-up places its characters in the most harrowing, dangerous time and place in world history - 1939 Germany, where Hitler and Nazi-ism are spreading like a fast moving cancer..
Caught in the maelstrom - orphaned teenager Alina Strauss, whose aunt and uncle have struggled keep the secret she's half-Jewish (or a "Mischling"). An SS raid leaves her remaining family slaughtered and Alina brutalized in every way possible. She finds herself consigned to work in one of the Third Reich's notorious 'baby factories' , hellish facilities designed to nurse and breed more Aryan babies to increase the 'Master Race' population.
Traumatized, Alina still survives as a nurse=caregiver to babies and toddlers bred to worship Adolf Hitler. Then she's stunned to be befriended by a young SS officer, who's hiding some life-threatening secrets of his own. And from this point on, their lives become enveloped in mounting peril, and such powerful emotional moments, they're guaranteed to bring readers close to tears and/or on the edge of their seats.
I'll give no more details other than to say 'The Sunflower House' kept me in a non-stop iron grip until I reached the final page. The lead characters may be fictitious but the all too true horrifying history surrounding them makes this one of most compelling reads I've come across this year.. Highest recommendation.

Set in Germany during WWII, this debut historical fiction novel centres around the Nazi's Lebensborn program, quite literally a Nazi-run institution whose main goal was to get young German women to birth as many Aryan babies as possible.

The story follows Allina Strauss, a young woman who is secretly of Jewish descent, who is forced to work at Hochland Home, assisting mothers and their babies while keeping her heritage a secret from those around her. Through Allina's perspective, readers witness atrocities in this 'baby-making factory' and how she helps these neglected babies and toddlers who were the mercy of the Nazi regime.

I already knew of the Lebensborn program before going into this book, but the idea of this program and the effects on the children were still horrific to me. That said, I was surprised at this story's lack of tension and my struggle to be engaged in the plot and connect with Allina. There are some shocking scenes but overall, this is a lighter historical fiction read, particularly when the second half leans heavily on a romance. I wanted more tension in the story and more depth and strength in Allina. Instead, Allina, who has much at stake, finds a powerful man, tells him all her secrets and trusts him completely.

This was an emotional part of history and I applaud the author's detailed research (readers who are interested to learn more should read the author's notes at the end of the book). This debut story about resistance and perseverance had good bones and will give readers much to discuss, but its detour into romance, its simple plot and uneven pacing were not well received by this reader.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to St Martin's Press for giving me a complimentary digital advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri is a heartbreaking novel about baby factories in Germany during the Second World War. Allina, a young woman, soon to be married living with her aunt and uncle lives the most traumatic night of her life. Following the tragic events that occur, she is wisked away to a house in the german countryside. What she discovers there will not only test her emotions but also her faith in humanity. When she meets Karl, she is swept up in the idea of making a difference in this world in which she has been thrown. What she doesn't know is that she will have to leave her feelings at the door and harden her heart to the sights which she will witness over a period of several years. Saving her daughter and protecting her from the horrors which she is forced to witness is the only way she can manage to survive and pay homage to the love of her life. Will the truth come out eventually and will Allina be able to forgive herself for everything she was made to endure? This was truly a well written novel about yet another atrocity that took place under the disguise of a way to make a pure race. I still find it mindblowing how people could have been so blind and could have allowed this to occur. Overall a worthwhile read that I would recommend to others.