Member Reviews
As a fan of the historical fiction genre - this one is a must-read regarding a little-known German atrocity carried out in the name of perfecting their bloodlines. Written as a story telling of a young woman who finds a hidden wooden box in her aging mother's closet and finding out the secrets of her mother's life before leaving Germany for America. A 16-year old Allina Strauss witnesses firsthand a slaughter of innocent lives in her village and is whisked away by a German officer (who assaults her in the car) to Hochland Home where he intends to install her and use her as the Home is intended. As an SS Lebensborn home, young women were there to have babies from German officers who frequented the Home. As Allina becomes involved in the care of the babies she also catches the eye of another German officer who becomes her protector. Allina and Karl find themselves becoming closer through their joint revulsion of what Germany and Hitler are doing both in the Home and throughout Germany to the Jewish population. The story is both a love story and a telling of the horrors that were acceptable practices by the German leadership. How Allina finally makes the journey from Germany to Switzerland to America brings us to Allina recounting her story to her daughter Katrine. A heart-tugging story that shows the humanity and fearless strength of those that worked against all that was wrong- but was still present during this horrific time in history and thanks to the author for the investigative work done to bring the facts into the story. My rating would be a 4.5 but that's not available!! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #TheSunflowerHouse
As I was reading this novel, it dawned on me that while I don't often read historical fiction, a lot of the books in this genre that I do read tend to focus on World War II. These books usually focus on people trying to help save Jewish people, but this book takes a different approach, highlighting an often-overlooked aspect of World War II history. While I found the book to be well-researched and, at times, heartwrenching, I also felt it was a little clunky as far as execution goes.
The story follows Allina Strauss, a young woman whose life is turned upside down when Nazi soldiers raid and then destroy her village as they try to wipe out those who don't support Hitler. Allina is brutally attacked and then kidnapped and forced to work at a Nazi-run baby factory known as Hochland Home. This factory in the book is based on Heinrich Himmler's Lebensborn program. In this book, young Aryan women are sent to live at Hochland Home to give birth to "genetically superior" babies who Nazi couples will then adopt.
Allina and the other nurses are not to touch the babies any more than absolutely necessary - they can basically feed them and change their diapers, and that is it. And that is only if the babies meet the "standards" of the program. If a child doesn't measure up to specific standards, horrible things await them. Along with Karl, a troubled soldier who isn't as brutish as the other soldiers, Allina risks everything to help the children at the home.
Allegri's meticulous research is evident throughout the novel, as she vividly depicts the chilling realities of the Lebensborn Program and its impact on those involved. Allegri effortlessly brings to life the atrocities committed during this dark period in history, showcasing the resilience and bravery of those who resisted the oppressive regime.
Allina is strong-willed and determined. Before her village was wiped out, she learned that she is actually part Jewish, so she also has that secret to harbor, while fighting to help the children. I also really liked Karl, the troubled soldier who works alongside Allina. Their budding romance really upped the stakes and fit the story nicely. Sometimes romances feel forced in these types of books or seem to take center stage, and that wasn't the case here, which I appreciated.
The book is really heavy and deals with some pretty awful subject matter, but I appreciated the author's approach. I think my biggest problem was that I felt the writing was a bit clunky. Maybe it's because I read this book directly after finishing a book that flowed exceptionally well and was almost poetic. Perhaps I was just used to a different style, and jumping into another book so quickly was too jarring. I can't really pinpoint my issue other than it just didn't seem to flow well, and at times, the dialogue felt inauthentic.
Overall, I found this to be a captivating read that explores an often-overlooked piece of World War II history. The story is disturbing, yet hopeful, and I really liked the characters; I just wish the writing had been a little stronger. Still, historical fiction fans will likely eat this one up.
The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri
Allina explains her past to daughter Katrine. During WWII as a young girl, she was sent to Hochland Home to be the paramour of a Nazi Gruppenführer. These homes were breeding grounds for babies to be born “for the Führer.”
With her cunning, however, Allina manages to find a way to be true to herself and take care of the neglected children at the home.The Sunflower House is her secret getaway place to bond with a kind Gruppenfürhrer who is also working to help all little ones at risk.
Somewhat predictable, and yet touching, this story will pull you in. Four stars from me, and a recommendation for historical fiction readers of WWII literature. My thanks to St Martin’s Press for this ARC.
I loved this book! It was not on my radar until the publisher sent me an email telling me I was preapproved to read. It was a difficult read given the subject matter, but handled beautifully by debut author Adriana Allegri who says in the author notes it took 20 years to write.
Allina Strauss is a 16 year old woman who loses her family to German soldiers and is taken to a German baby factory called Hochland Home and forced to work as a nurse. In this home the babies are not to be touched any more than absolutely necessary to bathe, change diapers, and feed them. Those are the lucky babies, the babies deemed suitable to carry on the Aryan race. Allina meets an unlikely ally in Karl, an SS officer with a secret of his own. Together they will attempt to save as many children as they can.
Highly recommended for all public libraries
The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri is so well-researched and beautifully written it's difficult to grasp that this is her debut. The author easily and quickly put this reader into the midst of the story.
The book opens in 2006 when Katrine, 66, finds a box of her mother's (Allina, 86) containing contents so unexpected that it opens a dialogue between the two women. During their conversations, the truth of Allina's life in Germany emerges, and what a story it is!
Allina lives with her aunt and uncle and works in her uncle's bookstore. They and their neighbors live happily, until the German Chancellor Adolf Hitler begins implementing new and harsh laws and penalties.
Taken from the publisher's description because I can't begin to say it better: "One fateful night after losing everyone she loves, Allina is forced into service as a nurse at a state-run baby factory called Hochland Home. There, she becomes both witness and participant to the horrors of Heinrich Himmler’s ruthless eugenics program.
The Sunflower House is a meticulously-researched debut historical novel that uncovers the notorious Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany. Women of “pure” blood stayed in Lebensborn homes for the sole purpose of perpetuating the Aryan population, giving birth to thousands of babies who were adopted out to “good” Nazi families. Allina must keep her Jewish identity a secret in order to survive, but when she discovers the neglect occurring within the home, she’s determined not only to save herself, but also the children in her care."
The descriptions and details of the Hochland home are heartbreaking, and I appreciate the well-written, realistic characters. Reading this book greatly increased my knowledge and understanding of how extreme and far-reaching the Nazi plan was in their pursuit of a pure race. This is a story that must be told, should be read, and won't easily be forgotten. My thanks to the author for the decades she took to bring us this memorable story.
My thanks to St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read a DRC of this book via NetGalley. Publication is 11/12/24. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.
Bravo!! This is one of the best books I have read this year. It is a story with lots of tragedy but it is also a love story. One felt the bond growing between Alina and Karl. It is hard to fathom having the courage to carry on given the situations and conditions but the characters were well developed. One felt they got to know them.
There is a second POV involving Alina's daughter in modern times. The author did not spend too much time on that part of the story which I think was an excellent choice. That part of the story gave the book an outlet for Alina telling her story. There are so many things I wish Alina could have done later in life but that is not the way the world works. I am happy she got to share her story.
I enjoyed learning this part of history I knew very little about. It is an eye opening topic and I blazed through the afterword which was thorough. It provided a lot of information about baby factories and some of these practices. I feel the book was well researched and a story that needed to be told. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book!
There have been so many books about World War II in the last several years, that it seems like there would be more repetition. This is definitely not the case with The Sunflower House. This debut novel was well researched and about a subject rarely written about - the Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany. Women of “pure” blood stayed in Lebensborn homes for the sole purpose of perpetuating the Aryan population, giving birth to thousands of babies who were adopted out to “good” Nazi families.
Allina lived in a small German village with her aunt and uncle who raised her. Her life was carefree - she worked with her uncle at his bookstore and spent time with her friends and her fiancé. She isn't worried about the future and feels that the changes being brought about by the Nazi party won't affect her small village. Until one morning when most of the people in town are murdered by the Nazis. She is still alive and given the protection of the leader of the group. Hoping that his rape of her has made her pregnant, he takes her to a state run baby factory called Hochland Home. When she finds that she isn't pregnant, she is forced to become a nurse for the babies in the house. There she becomes a witness to the workings of the baby factory that was being praised by the German hierarchy. It was a way to provide sex for the soldiers as well as rewarding the women for having babies that had pure Aryan blood. While there, she fell in love with a German leader who was not what he appeared to be. Will their love and respect for each other allow them to make changes to the poor treatment of the babies at the Lebensborn houses in Germany or is their love doomed to fail?
Years later, Allina's daughter finds a box with a swastika on it in her mother's closet. She and her mother had never been very close and when she asks her mother about the box, Allina shares her past with her daughter which helps to bring them closer to each other in the last years of her mother's life.
This is a beautifully written story about loss and love, friendship and betrayal, and the secrets we bury in order to save ourselves. It's also about the love between a mother and daughter and how important it is to reveal the secrets of the past. This is a debut novel for this author and based on this wonderfully written story, I look forward to her future books.
The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri is a gorgeously-written dual timeline Historical Fiction about the secret Lebensborn Program the Nazi SS implemented to produce "perfect" Aryan children for families. Except many were neglected. Many of the children became lethargic and listless without adequate care and had to be taught how to move properly. Racially pure German women were strongly encouraged to produce as many children as they could for the cause at Lebensborn homes where they were paradoxically pampered and used/abused.
To survive, Jewess Allina Strauss worked as a nurse in such a home called Hochland House. She changed her last name, of course, and was surrounded by seething antisemitism. She and an SS officer began a friendship and romance and risked themselves to create better lives for the neglected children.
What struck me most was the appalling treatment of the children and the willingness of some women to be used in such awful ways for their Führer, including the naming ceremony. The writing is raw yet breathtaking. I felt a rollercoaster of emotions.
My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this captivating novel.
The pre-WWII Nazi German Lebensborn homes supported the birth of “racially pure” children by housing unmarried pregnant women and placing these babies of proper bloodlines in Aryan families. They also provided care for pregnant wives of deployed German soldiers. Many women stayed on to birth more children of Nazi leaders for the purposes of increasing the Aryan population.
In 1938, Allina’s German home town is the scene of a massacre, her only family is slaughtered, and she is raped by a Nazi officer. In the hopes that Allina is now pregnant, the officer drops her off at Hockland Home, a Lebensborn home, near Munich. Allina is relieved to discover she is not pregnant, so for now, she is put to work in the nurseries until available to attempt another pregnancy. She is dismayed by the extremely strict schedules of feeding, bathing, and sleeping, with all affection and interaction by caregivers forbidden. Shocking are the children confined to bed in complete silence. Without play, love, and affection, these children fail to develop physically or mentally. They become unadoptable and eventually disappear. When Allina meets the compassionate Gruppenführer Karl von Strassberg, they team up to discover the fate of these children and make plans to save them. A romantic relationship builds from there.
The novel is bookended by a present-day narrative as Allina tells her daughter, Katrine, her and Karl’s story, the father she never knew. Unnecessary present-day interjections interrupt the much more engaging Lebensborn storyline. This overused structure only serves to foreshadow the death or disappearance of Katrine’s father and allows us to learn of Allina’s end of life. Yet another little-known piece of Nazi history is revealed and the cruelty reigned over its own “valuable” Germans in this riveting novel. Read this for the shocking Lebensborn story.
Historical Novels Review, November 2024
Family secrets come to light as a young woman fights to save herself, and others, in a Nazi-run baby factory—a real-life Handmaid's Tale—during World War II. *.:。.✿`°¤"¸.•*´¯)
This debut novel may have been 20 years in the making, but it paid off because it's an extraordinary story that touched all of my emotions.
It's a historical fiction based on true events, and it completely broke my heart. Adriana did a phenomenal job painting vivid scenes with her words as she revealed the WWII horrors of the 𝗟𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺. ( baby factories ). The goal was to create a race of superior pure blooded Arayans.
𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀.
A tale of love, generational secrets, and survival you won't soon forget.
The history of this program was very well researched, and Adriana brought the stories to life through her incredible characterization. I can't wait to see what she writes next.
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗱 ; 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 .
Thank you to netgally , Storm Martin's Press, and the author for this advanced copy. My review was voluntary.
Katrine finds a wooden box with a lid marked with a swastika in her mother's closet. She was only three years old when they came to America, and her mother never talked about Germany or her father.
Allina decides it's time to tell her daughter how she survived the mass murder committed by the Nazis in her village. And how she ended up in the Lebensborn house. Then she tells her daughter about her father, Hochland Home and the rehabilitation program. Allina's story is heartbreaking. The Nazi program was to breed pure Aryan children, and what they did to the children of their own race is devastated. There were no barriers to their operation. Performing experiments on infants it's beyond the cruelty.
I knew about the Lebensborn Program, the aim of which was for German women to give birth to Aryan children of SS officers. However, I did not know about the experiments that were carried out on children born there. It's unthinkable that something like this would have happened in the not-so-distant past.
This is a debut novel, and I am impressed with how well researched this book is. The author incorporated lesser-known historical information while presenting a heartbreaking story of struggle and survival.
This book will generate a lot of discussion for book clubs.
Thank you @StMartinsPress for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this interesting novel.
Historical Fiction Fans - a new one for your radar! The Sunflower House takes us back to Germany while Hitler is the Chancellor sneaking us into a nazi run maternity house where the sole purpose was to create more children. It's a story of love in an unlikely situation and of hope and faith. Our story begins in a more present time, when our main character's daughter discovers a box hidden in her family house filled with secrets about a past she knows nothing about. Allina tells her story to her daughter of the night that changed her life forever, unlocking a world of secrets, faked identities, heroism, and faith. By telling her daughter the story of how she came to be and her own past in Germany, their relationship is forever changed. Like most books depicting this time, there are some hard pages to read including descriptions of rape and murder. It's heartbreaking knowing these events happened repeatedly to innocent people. This story was heavily researched and beautifully written. Once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. I loved Allina and her constant fight to help the children that lived in the Hochland House where she was forced to work as well as her own journey of survival. Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Pub Day is just around the corner on Nov 12th.
I've always found myself morbidly intrigued by all things WWII and the Holocaust. This book scratched that itch and taught me about parts I didn't realize existed. The love of Ellina and Karl was magical, hopeful, and perfect. The characters may have been fiction, but the struggles and fear that experienced was probably a fraction of what really went on.
If I could read this book for the first time again, I would.
Adriana Allegri’s The Sunflower House tells the journey of Allina, a girl in small Badensburg, who finds herself at Hochland Home, a Lebensborn house, working as a nurse under the protection of an SS officer after tragedy ended her time at her home. Allina is struck by the harsh upbringing that Himmler has instituted under the guise of preparing a stronger German future with the children that are born at Hochland Home. Enter Karl, an SS officer who sees more and understands how she feels more than he can let on. When given the opportunity to work with a small group of toddlers whose results will be compared to the experiments that Himmler’s doctors and scientists perform on the other toddler, Allina and Karl jump at the chance to save the children from uncertain futures and possible death.
While the subject matter is difficult to grasp that these things happened during the war, you hold onto the image of these two characters trying to do some small part to save what lives they could. The characters richly jump off the pages and Allegri’s writing about Karl toward the end of the book puts you in his shoes. You feel what he’s feeling. You experience what is happening. You are there. What a marvelous debut novel! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on November 12, 2024.
#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #TheSunflowerHouse #AdrianaAllegri #StMartinsPress
This is a well-written, thoroughly researched, entertaining, fast paced, WWII historical fiction novel which is based on actual events. It vividly depicts the brutality and horrors of war and the Lebensborn and eugenics programs in Nazi Germany, and has a likable, strong and intelligent female protagonist, a kind and caring, brave male protagonist, romance, heartbreak, resilience, hope, healing and a satisfying conclusion. The author's notes contain interesting and enlightening information, and are truly appreciated. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and Ms. Allegri, from whom I received an advanced reader copy of this fabulous novel. This is my honest opinion.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was apprehensive about reading yet another Holocaust book, but this one was very different than those I've previously read. I'm very glad that I read it, and I learned a lot, particularly about the Aryan baby factories. There were disturbing events that took place at the beginning of the book, but I appreciated that once the story moved to the Hochland House, the atrocities that were taking place happened "off camera"- only alluded to, and not described in detail. The romantic parts of the book were a break from what was going on under the Nazi regime. This book reminded me of Ursula Hegi's book, Stones from the River, since both books showed that there were German people who didn't believe in the Nazi values, but were forced to participate. The book is very well-written, and I highly recommend it.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of The Sunflower House for review.
The Sunflower House is written in dual timelines, with most of the story focused on late 1930s Germany. Allina, whose life has been comfortable, envisions a future with her first love, whom she hopes to marry one day. Having been raised by her aunt and uncle after losing her parents in an accident, Allina’s life is forever altered by the onset of war. She becomes increasingly disturbed as she witnesses the persecution of the Jewish community around her.
This debut novel by the author was an engaging read, filled with tense and unsettling scenes, especially in its early chapters.
The story also explores the deeply disturbing Lebensborn program, making this the second book I’ve read on the topic. The Sunflower House is an evocative and poignant tale that historical fiction lovers won’t want to miss—one of my most memorable reads of 2024, and I could easily envision it adapted into a film. After reading this, I’ll never look at sunflowers the same way again.
WOW what an incredible debut. Although saddened by many things within this book, I loved that Adriana Allegri wrote this extraordinary story straight from her heart during the twenty years it took to write. Her immaculate research into the lesser known “Lebensborn program” was brought about by the infamous Heinrich Himmler - - a known monster through his eugenics programs. These were in every sense of the word “baby factories” specific to producing aryan children to then be adopted into good German families. It was an assembly line of sorts, where the young Aryan girls housed in these homes were made to entertain German soldiers, in turn, reproducing these “pure” babies.. all for Hitlers new world. I can’t imagine the pain Adriana Allegri felt nor the horrors she uncovered during her research for this novel.
The story begins in New Jersey circa 2006 when Katrine is visiting her mother Allina, now 86. Allina immigrated from Germany keeping her previous life secret. She is now ready to tell her story. It all began during WWll in 1939 occupied Germany and follows 16-year-old Allina Strauss, a Mischling (half Jew - half German). With her family having perished by the Nazi regime, she’s forced into service as a nurse in a state-run baby factory. Not all children in these homes are treated fairly. Unfair treatment or death is most certain for all children not having the desired Aryan look. Allina meets Lt. Karl + although he’s a German soldier he is also against cruelty to these unwanted children. Together they fight for what they believe in until Karl is sent elsewhere. There are big twists revealing facts I don’t want to spoil, but let’s just say it’s heartbreaking, there were immense dangers, and the intensity for survival was incredible. Kudos to Adriana Allegri for providing me with excellent insight into the LP. Highly recommend. 5 stars — Pub. 11/12/24
I received an arc copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Adriana Allegri has created a masterpiece! Her powerful and meticulously researched debut, THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE, is a stunning 'winner out of the gate'.
Family secrets are unraveled as a young woman fights to save herself and others while in a Nazi-run baby factory, uncovering the horrors of the Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany during WWII.
Something rare and beautiful can grow in the darkest shadows.
About...
Allina Strauss resides in a German village and works at her uncle's bookshop. However, darkness follows as Adolf Hitler controls. Her family hides a secret (her mother was Jewish, making her a Mischling).
After losing it all, she is forced into working as a nurse at a state-run baby factory, Hochland Home, giving her a front-row seat to the horrors of the Lebensborn Program.
Will Allina and Karl be forced to make a choice? Will they be able to keep their secrets, join forces and save the children?
1939: Alina's story (mother)
2006: Katrine (daughter)
It all starts when Katrina finds a box with a swastika among her mother's belongings, and Allina begins to tell her story to her daughter and the secrets of her life.
My Thoughts...
Wow! What a debut. THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE is Extraordinary!
Allegri pulls out all the stops in this compelling, meticulously researched, and brilliantly written tale of love, sacrifice, survival, redemption, generational secrets, and identity. Alina was a beloved wife and mother who lived an extraordinary life. A woman of strength, compassion, and grace.
It makes you want to discover more about your parents and grandparents.
Even though we have two timelines, Katrine (daughter in New Jersey) and Alina (mother's past in Germany), the author concentrates on Allina's story.
Despite the secrets that kept them apart for years, the truth eventually brought them back together. This is a story of a mother's love and sacrifice, of resilience in the face of adversity. A love story. Allina, a Hochland Home nurse, served under the ruthless eugenics program, despising it yet managed to save dozens of children from medical experiments and extermination.
The author beautifully balances the harsh realities of the Nazi regime with the warmth of love and hope in this essential work of historical fiction. Sunflower metaphors add a poignant touch to the narrative, making it an emotional journey of healing and love that readers will deeply connect with.
Prepare to be emotionally invested in Allina's journey. Her story is a moving and poignant exploration of love and loss. The memorable characters are so vividly portrayed that they will stay with you long after you finish the book.
THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE is a compelling read and an excellent choice for book clubs. The story's rich themes and complex characters provide ample material for stimulating discussions. The author even includes additional resources to enhance your reading experience.
Exquisitely written, THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE is remarkable and inspiring. My pick for debut of the year and is included on my Top Books of 2024. If this is a debut, I cannot wait to see what comes next. Adriana Allegri is an author to watch!
Recs...
THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE is for fans of Kristin Hannah, Hazel Gaynor, Lynda Cohen Loigman, Patti Callahan Henry, Pam Jeoff, Heather Morris, and Meagan Church.
Interview...
Stay tuned for my upcoming #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A with Adriana and behind the scenes of THE SUNFLOWER HOUSE and this new voice in fiction. (pub day Nov 12).
Thank you...
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for a digital advanced review copy via NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC (upcoming #MacAudio2024). I cannot wait to listen, narrated by the talented cast of stars and favorites— Barrie Kreinik, Dallin Bradford, and Saskia Maarleveld. I also pre-ordered the hardcover copy for my home library.
Get this gem on your TBR list, and thank me later.
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
Pub Date: Nov 12, 2024
Nov Newsletter
Nov 2024 Must-Read Books
Nov Featured #AuthorElevatorSeries QA
This ARC was sent to me as a galley. I liked the cover and since I have never read anything by this author before, I decided to accept it.
I was pleasantly surprised. I don't like knowing much about the book before I start reading and I never would have thought it was historical fiction and such a heavy subject.
The Sunflower House is so much more than a love story between two people in the wrong time. It covers compassion, a sense of what is right even when everything else is wrong, how secrets can also be kept for love and protection, friendship, loyalty...and more. I truly enjoyed it and will definitely be recommending it.
thanks for this ARC! it was my pleasure to read it.