Let me first say that this is a book that will stay with you for some time. This debut author knew how to bring her characters to life, and the story was original. I couldn’t put it down.

There are duel timelines, but not to the point of distracting from the main story. When Katrine discovers a hidden box in her elderly mother’s closet, she needs answers. Why? They are living in the USA. The box has a swastika on the lid.

Her 86-year-old mother, who was resting after falling off the step stool in her closet has no excuses. Time is getting short and she has a story that her daughter needs to hear.

Since I’m not a fan of reading a synopsis, they have a way of sharing too much, I’m just going to say that this story will keep the pages turning. This unique story was woven around history that was new to me. However, I never felt like the story was secondary to the history. Allegri let the characters do the telling and the history fell into place.

Allina, the 86-year-old lady relating this story to her daughter will quickly win you over. She is frail at the appropriate times yet has plenty of spunk. And the characters that surround her are a mix that feels believable. I could feel their emotions pounding in my chest: their dilemmas and choices. 

It would make a wonderful movie since it covers people and circumstances that are so touching.

My Concern

While we all know this part of history was horrendous, the author has injected a good side of humanity. I had no concerns.

Final Thoughts

I recently discovered how much I like historical fiction. But . . . the last few books have fallen short and I’ve started to pass on the genre. However, I liked the title and cover of The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri, so I thought I give the genre one more try.

It provided the boost that I needed. Bravo to a new author who I will certainly be watching. And while I try not to push a book to the point it can’t meet expectations, don’t overlook this gem.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Publishing for a digital copy.

I have been left speechless. I am so impressed with the author. I can't believe this is her first book. Fingers crossed that she will be writing more Historical Fiction stories.

The author takes the reader to a time some would rather forget through the eyes and heart of Allina. She lives in a small village with her aunt and uncle, not knowing much about her parents. She is struggling with the increased Nazi attitude even in her small village. She struggles to keep quiet.

When the most horrible of horrible things occurs, Allina is left the only known survivor. Everyone in her village was under suspicion of treason after the SS officer learns the leader died recently. When she is discovered alive; she is allowed to live but at what cost.

Allina brought to a Lebensborn Home. Grab those tissues if you haven't already. I know I needed them. The details on the conditions, the children, the policies, the baby making machines to crest more perfect Aryans. I totally get Allina's struggles.

When she finds her purpose the danger becomes real. The story is overflowing with drama and suspense. I can't thank the author enough to allow Allina a little happiness. Her bravery jumps off the pages. Her sacrifice will remain with me for a long time.

Thank you NetGalley as well as the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and give an honest review of this book.

Prior to reading this book, I had never heard of the Lebensborn Homes where children were born with the intent of increasing the population of aryan children for the Third Reich. Himmler’s involvement gave it the sinisterness related to experimentation and eugenics going on in Germany before and during World War 2.

This is a love story, and one of survival. It demonstrates that even in vile and evil times, goodness can survive.

There is a frightening element to this story as one reads about Hitler’s Germany. One can read and watch today’s media and see the similarities of this horrible time in the politics of the U.S. currently.

Don’t be put off by this. It is a beautiful story with goodness at its heart.

Allina has a wonderful life until one night, everything changes.  She watched her town be destroyed by Nazis and captured herself and taken to Hochland Home. This is a place where women of "pure" Aryan blood are used to birth babies who are then given to Nazi families.  The people there are indoctrinated to go along with the status quo, and all Allina can think of is escaping. With help, she tries to save as many children as possible.

Thoughts 💭
Well, a new nightmare was unlocked for me after reading this.  I had no idea anything like this existed (although I shouldn't be surprised). The fact that women were kept in this home to have child after child horrifies me.  While intense, this topic was well researched and extremely interesting to read about.  The author explains that most information about this program was destroyed, so some things were left up to her imagination. This story was equal parts beautiful, heart-wrenching, and horrifying. The central story of Allina and Karl was so well done!  I was rooting for them through the entire story.  If you're a fan of WWII historical fiction, then don't pass this one up.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It is well written and engaging, but the subject matter is very difficult. Essentially, Hitler's baby factories during WWII to try and create/preserve the "perfect" race. Heartbreaking all around.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Wow.

Such a heartbreaking, yet important story. The main characters are fictional, yet so beautifully crafted and complex that they feel real. The things that happened in the book are so appalling that I wish they weren't real; but sadly, they were. One thing that blew my mind was how many women *willingly* took part in these Nazi baby factories. Some of the mothers were raped, some were knocked up, some were officers' wives; but there weren't enough husbands to go around in the wake of the population decline following the Great War, and many women actually bought into the idea that this was a good deed in service to the Reich: to give birth to baby after baby, often with different fathers, in order to build the master race.

This is such a thought-provoking book with so many layers to it. No character is one hundred percent as they seem on the surface. Many people, as in real life, are carrying around secrets and hiding pasts that others may never guess.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing me with a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I can't believe this is a debut novel, "The Sunflower House" is a beautifully written historical fiction novel depicting a part of WW2 history I had never heard about before.

The novel follows Allina and her life in Germany in 1939 and how her world is completely thrown off its axis. She finds herself relocated to a nazi run baby factory called Hochland Home and forced to serve as a nurse. Women of "pure" blood stay at Hochland Home for the sole purpose of perpetuating the Aryan population.

This novel was giving "Handmaid's Tale" or "The School for Good Mothers" vibes but is based on the notorious Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany. I was equal parts horrified and sickened by the scenes depicted in this novel. However, I was also inspired and moved to tears by the bravery Allina displayed to not only save herself but also the children in her care.

I read a lot of WWII historical fiction and this novel surprised me with its unique subject matter, how well it was written and how emotionally invested I became in all the characters of this novel. I think this a historical fiction novel everyone should add to their TBR list.

Thank you St. Martins Press for the ARC.

This is a fabulous debut story, 20 years in the making, that crafts a unique spin on the Lebensborn program in Germary just before and during WW2. Allina experienced horrible tragedies in a short span of time and ends up in Hochland Home, one of the many Lebensborn locations, protected by the German officer who abused her. Allina finds an inner strength and pushes forward to work with the babies at the home. Over time, she realizes that the toddlers are not being cared for in an appropriate manner. Once she meets Karl, another German officer, she recognizes a kindred spirit. They become part of the resistance to find better ways to care for the children and work to get other Jewish children out of the country. Allina and Karl both have secrets that must be hidden at all costs to keep themselves and others safe.
The story is told through recollections by Allina to her daughter in 2006 about what happened to her and how she came to live in the US and never before shared stories from that time.
Allina and Karl are well developed characters that are entirely fictional, but I so hoped they had been real people that helped the children. The setting descriptions are vibrant and let the reader into the book. The author notes explain in detail how the book came to be after 20 years and what was real and fictional. A little disappointed when I found out Allina and Karl were fictional, but the main point of the story about the Lebensborn programs was carefully written to immerse the reader into the philosphy of the program. I will be carrying this story in my heart for a while. My rating is a 4.25 stars.
If you are looking for a page turner of a story, I highly recommend this debut!
#TheSunflowerHouse #NetGalley #historicalfiction
Thank you St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was a DNF for me. I got to 30% and decided it was not for me. Hopefully it will be a good fit for someone else!

This is one of the most moving books I've been fortunate enough to read in advance and I thank NetGalley. What a beautiful story about love, survival, empathy, resilience and sacrifice. Allegri's writing is exquisite and transportive that truly reels you in. I never wanted it to end. This was one compelling read

Historical Fiction lovers will really enjoy this one. Set in The 1940's when Hitler's Eugenics program was being run. I actually knew nothing about this until this book. Chilling and at times mind blowing. The pace was a little bit slow for me, hence the 3 stars.

Wow! My eyes were opened due to this book. Such a good and historically detailed book, that you forget that it is considered historical fiction. It’s based on the SS Lebensborn program. Hitler had opened homes were pure German’s were impregnated by his offices to keep the race pure Aryan. The story begins with Katherine’s mother falling off of a step ladder and getting injured. Her mother Allina, decided that she needed to tell Katherine the truth of her past. Allina lived with her uncle and aunt. The decision was made to raise her Christian and not Jewish. Allina’s birth certificate was forged. She was taken by a German officer with the hopes of impregnating her and she was left at one of the homes were the pure Germans gave birth. Allina got involved with caring for the newborns. After awhile, she discovered older children that were considered “slow” still living in the home. While there, she feel in love with another German commander named Karl. She shared her concerns with Karl and discovered that he was working underground to help children escape from Germany. It was also disclosed that Karl was part Jewish. Their love story grew and they had a daughter “Katherine”. The sunflower house is Karl’s house that had huge sunflowers growing around it. Karl was sent into Poland and it was not safe for Allina and their daughter to stay in the home. They were sent to his aunt’s in Switzerland. Allina discovered that there were Jewish children in hiding in the house. Karl was devastated with what he was having to do in Poland and it was discovered that he was aiding the kid’s escape. He was killed by a firing squad of his own soldiers. Allina and her daughter then had to escape to America to be safe. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced e-copy of the book. I look forward to reading more from the author.

Allina Strauss lives with her aunt and uncle in a small German town in the 1930s. At first things seem to be going fine, but then people start disappearing, friends can no longer be friends, two family secrets are revealed and the ideals of Hitler starts spreading through the country. One night the world around Allina comes crashing down and she is now placed into a situation that she never imagined existed…The Lebensborn Program. How well can she hide not only her secrets but the secrets of the man who has come into her life and has the same idea as her, save the children. Not only the ones who are Jewish, but also the ones that are hidden away because they did not meet the requirements of the program of perfection.

This book is written in two timelines, one back in the 1930s/40s in Germany and in present day in the US but they are merged in a perfect way. It touches on a subject that happened and what many women had to go through whether they wanted to or not. It does make you think a lot of what many had to go through in order to survive, sometimes giving up their own lives. Adrianna Allegri has written a book that captures your attention and holds onto it even though you know may not work out the way you think it should. It is a book that you can’t just put on your TBR list, you actually need to read it!!!

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s. Press for an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the early copy. This is my honest review.
I cannot say enough about this heart wrenching book. Although fiction, much of it was also true. It is the story of Hochland House a baby factory where women were eager to bear thousands of perfect children for the Fuhrer to continue the Aryan race. And if the children were not perfect, they were systematically eliminated. This is also the story of the great peril that was taken by a network of individuals to save thousands more children.
By the Authors own words, this book was twenty years in the making. Meticulous investigation went into her book and it shows. An excellent book, well worth the time spent reading.

Allina's courage and determination are unmatched. She is such a relatable character and makes you feel everything.

The Sunflower House is a historical fiction set in the Second World War Germany. It sheds light on the Nazi operation of producing children that met the Nazi standards. At these specialized birthing hospitals, pregnant women, married and unmarried, were encouraged to stay and give birth. I had never heard of this side of German history and was fascinated and terrified by the events portrayed in this book.

The story begins with a phone call and eventual discovery of a family secret. Allina moved to America, never revealing her past to her daughter, who was around eleven at that time. When an accident at home leads Katerina to a box containing Nazi artifacts, she questions her mother who finally reveals how she spent the time during the war and her escape from Germany.

Allina grew up in a German village with her aunt and uncle. A few days before the attack that destroys the village, Allina learns her parents’ truths and how they influence her identity. Shaken by these revelations and also deeply loved by her caregivers, at the young age of eighteen, Allina has a lot to work through. But life does not give her a break and she becomes victim of rape and kidnapping during the attack. The General who ‘rescues’ her sees potential in her and delivers her at the Hochland Home, ordering the head nurse there to employ her should she not get pregnant. His recommendation lets her slip in without a security check.

At Hochland Home, a new world is revealed to Allina. She finds herself at a facility full of pregnant women. Some are married. Many are not. The Nazi regime encouraged Germans to have as many children as possible, even creating opportunities for soldiers to come and stay at these facilities and get unmarried women pregnant.

Allina meets women with many attitudes towards pregnancy and surrogacy - those who care deeply about the child they are having, those who have no emotional connection to them and are just going through the motions of nursing, others who enjoy having children and returning to the facility when they are pregnant again. But what was most astonishing for Allina (and me) was the children themselves. In her new role as a nurse, one of the first observations Allina makes is that the nursery is quiet. The children do not cry out. They are not engaged with each other. She is horrified to learn that everything at Hochland Home is on a schedule and nurses and mothers are not allowed to give love and soothe the children.

High ranking SS officers exercise their own power at Hochland Home. Allina learns that the General has a claim over her. This offers protection from other officers and stops their advances. Traumatized by the events at the village and terrified to have to face the General who left her here, Allina tries her best to settle into a new life. Eventually, she meets Karl, another SS officer whose influence is similar, if not the same as the General, and he takes her under his wing. I loved Karl and his backstory. Why he joined SS and how he and his friends were doing their best to carefully oppose Hitler. In the Nazi regime, the penalty of being found out would be death and Karl and Allina look out for each other. They play pretend where needed. Hitler’s speeches and propaganda are expertly woven into the narrative and good German values have to be shown at all times.

When the children at Hochland Home come of a certain age, those without parents are adopted by Nazi families. However, if children are ever returned and deemed not good enough by the adopted parents, they are returned to the facility. Allina finds herself an unwilling participant in Heinrich Himmler’s ruthless eugenics program. When she shares this with Karl who has been trying to save children in recent years and had suspected a malicious underground operation at the Hochland Home, he decides to support her in a new educational format to help the disadvantaged children. The Sunflower House is his ancestral home where they come up with their plans.

The Sunflower House is a heartbreaking story. I loved how it tugged at my heartstrings. I cried with Allina when she had to part from the children she had grown so close to while carrying. I felt her love and fear for Karl. He built a team of men who watched his back and looked after Allina when he could not help her. Telling this story from the perspective of a nurse was a great choice and I felt it allowed the numerous aspects of the Nazi program to produce racially pure healthy Aryans.

The Sunflower House reminded me of Handmaid's Tale, the dystopian novel by Margetret Atwood where women were used primarily for reproduction. Another book I thought of was The Farm by Joanne Ramos, a thought-provoking novel set in a luxury surrogacy facility where economically disadvantaged women were paid to carry babies for the wealthy. If you enjoyed either of these books, The Sunflower House would be a good one to read. It teaches about lesser known history through compassionate and kind characters for whom it is impossible not to root for. It is also a story about how immigration allows people to start a new life and choose to put a painful past behind for the sake of the children.

Many thanks to the publisher for a review copy for my honest thoughts and connecting me with the author. This review will be posted to my blog (armedwithabook.com) on Nov 11th followed by an interview with the author on Nov 12th.

Just when I think I’ve read everything that can be read about this war…another insane story is handed to me 🤯 It was well written and I was completely caught up in the story. Thank you to @stmartins and @netgalley for my copy!

4.5⭐️/ Allina has a lot to remember and explain to her daughter after a box of old memories is found. It goes into her horrific journey to becoming a nurse at a birth house in the Lebensborn program, which is handled by Himmler himself. We see how tragic the lives of so many women and children were handled like experiments rather than individuals.
Allina works hard to help the children suffering from lack of touch and communication. Meanwhile she catches the attention of a top SS officer, Karl who has incredible secrets of his own. Together they try to save Jewish individuals from being exposed and protect the children who are ‘slow’ or vulnerable from neglect from being harmed by Nazi scientists. A sweet but bittersweet love story begins between Allina and Karl, and with the constant suspense I couldn’t put this book down. As with many WW2 historical fiction, there’s always a sense of both sadness and hope.
* this book does have scenes of racism, rape, violence and abuse.

I loved this book so much. It was very well researched and well written. I found myself in tears multiple times at the beautiful and heartbreaking story.

This was a fantastic book! I really enjoyed learning about the Lebensborn homes during WW2. The story is told from the point of view of Allina Strauss as she experiences the war, and all of the horrible atrocities that took place. As she finds herself a resident of one of the homes she is very disturbed by the behavior of the the other women and girls there and the way they behave around Nazi soldiers. She is even more disturbed by the treatment of the children who are not perfect. She soon finds a like minded friend and is able to do her part to help these children.
I could have read this book in one sitting, and really enjoyed the authors style of writing. I’m looking forward to more stories written by Adriana Allegri.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the digital ARC.