I've read a lot of historical fiction novels, and this was a very unique perspective. I appreciated this read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This was my first read from Soraya and I will be going back and reading some more of her books, as this one was very well-written and I love historical fiction books.

Whew. This was an absolute heart wrenching story but it was also SO beautiful. I read a lot of books about WWII and the Holocaust so this one was right up my alley.

While this was a work of fiction, you can definitely pick out the parallels and the parts that are based on absolute truth from this time period. Hannah and Ava (as well as their family) are brave and beautiful people who are caught in one of the worst conflicts in history and they must evaluate what is the most important: family loyalty or political loyalty.

The only part that I would personally have omitted, is the “romance” with Noah. I did not love that aspect and did not feel that it added to the story (if anything, it took away from the tragedy of this period).

The Berlin Sisters is an unusual addition to the genre of WWII historical fiction in that it focuses on the war’s impact on a German family. The Müller’s are a well off and socially and politically prominent with an apartment in Berlin and a country estate outside the city. The father, Oberst-Gruppenführer Karl Müller is in the SS working closely with Joseph Goebbels and his daughter Ava is one of Goebbels’ private secretaries. Not the kind of family you would expect to secretly resist Nazi doctrine nor be hiding Jews in their attic or assisting in transporting Jewish children out of Germany under false identities.
Although all the main characters are fictional, various well known characters, events and places provide the totally credible background. According to the author’s note she did research Germans who were involved in the resistance.
It’s an intensely emotional read in many sections and made me ask the question how was it possible to play both sides of the fence and survive. Not a simple answer. The book gives insight into how that could have been carried out, along with the inherent dangers and devastating consequences. It certainly expanded my perspective as it leans heavily on the adage that things are not always what they seem on many levels.
I had wanted to read one of Soraya M. Lane’s historical novels for a long time. This did not disappoint.
Thank you to the author, the publisher Lake Union and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.

Historical fiction readers will love this emotional read. Set in Berlin during WWII, Ava is a typist for Joesph Goebbels and a loyal follower of Hitler while her older sister, Hannah, a nurse rescues Jewish children. Ava's eyes are opened to the brutal truth about the 'final solution' when she discovers her parents involvement in hiding a Jewish family. Both sisters while risking everything are set to make a difference. Based on true events, this novel is hard to put down. Highly recommended!

This book is written from the point of view of a German family during WW!!; something that is hardly ever written about. Given that, it was an interesting novel. A short novel and probably there could have been more to be said. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

The Berlin Sisters is a complex story of blind faith, eye opening revelations and what these mean as a family secretly changes their political and moral views. What a thought-provoking story that Soraya M. Lane has given to the readers. Not all Germans were completely behind the Nazis despite how much it seemed they were. This brave family takes a stand that if discovered will cost them everything including their lives.

A book that will grab you, bring tears to your eyes, also making you want to want to stand and shout for these brave, resilient, determined heroes who survived and especially for those who gave their lives so others would live. A different WWII perspective that is an encouraging as well as sober look at tyranny and war.

Having read other titles by Soraya Lane, I was excited to read her latest book. Especially as it was a book set during World War II. I must admit that I was very surprised by the main character, Ava. Unlike any other heroine that I've read in World War II fiction, Ava was actually working for the Nazi regime. As such, Ava brought a different perspective to the novel as she battled with her feelings of guilt for not seeing the truth sooner. She failed to see the truth not only in the Nazi regime but also in her own family. It is only once she realizes how much her family is doing to protect former neighbors, that Ava is able to see past the propaganda and aid in the Resistance. It's a perspective that I didn't expect but one that is very important if only to realize how the propaganda influenced a nation. It's impossible to read this novel and not be pulled into the lives of all of these characters who while fictional represent such a dark period of our history.

As a historical fiction avid reader, this one was ok for me. I really enjoyed the storyline, the characters and the setting. It was from the point of view of a German family, so that was a nice one. But I felt like it went by too quickly, and the character development was a bit rushed. Overall I enjoyed it!

Emotional well written tale of two sisters- Ava and Hannah- in WWII Berlin. Ava finds herself in a quandary when she realizes that her sister. a nurse, and others in the family have been hiding the Goldmans, a Jewish family. This is in total conflict with her beliefs and her obligations to her monster of a boss but then.....Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A different take on the WWII genre.

Firstly thank you accepting my request to read this e-arc.
This book is remarkable! It’s a welcome change to have a fictional piece of work that has been throughly researched before it was written, about the side of some of the families from Nazi Germany, those that didn’t always support those higher up in the government. I am so pleased I’ve had the chance to read it.
I really want to talk about the story but I do not want to give anything away.
What I will say is that I went through pretty much every emotion known to man while reading this, the sheer sadness towards the end oh gosh I didn’t think I would be able to read past it, but it was so worth it.
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, the whole story flowed so well, telling the story from both Hanna and Ava’s perspective.
I’ve already recommended this book to both my mum and mother in law. I will continue to recommend this book to others.

Soraya M. Lane is a master at making history come alive.

The Berlin Sisters is another proof of her amazing story telling and research skills. As with all her novels this one is inspired by real-life events. I especially like how she shows that not all Germans were blinded by the Hitler campaign.

Ava is doing her duty and working for Joseph Goebbels alongside her father, a high-ranking official. Her sister Hanna is working as a nurse risker her own life to save others.

It comes as a chock to Ava to find out that her family is betraying the country by hiding jews in their own home and smuggling others to safety.

She has early on been told that they are not supposed to question the Führer, and that they must follow the rules. Learning about her family's actions she's confused, as she feels she's done something wrong, when all she's ever done is try to be the perfect German girl, just as she was told to be!

Thought provoking, heartfelt and hopeful, this story sheds light on the work done from within Germany to try to bring down the Nazis whilst at the same time trying to save their own families by publicly following the rules.

Words from Soraya M. Lane: "As always, my primary objective is to show respect to those who lived through these difficult times in history, and to shine light on what happened in the past, so that it is never forgotten. If you want to know more about what was happening in Germany at this time, particularly in regards to resistance, I encourage you to watch A German Life, and to look up both Sophie Scholl/The White Rose and the Wolf’s Lair assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler."

True historic facts are crucial, but I think that it's with stories like this one and others inspired by the true events, that we are more likely to remember the past!

This is another wonderful book about the bravery of some German families during the horrifying events of WWII. Hanna and Ava are sisters who are very different, but find themselves on the same side of the war. They will both stop at nothing to end the regime. Soraya Lane has a wonderful style of writing and actually seems to bring the reader into the story. I loved this story of dedication and courage!

I read this novel in one sitting. I was drawn in by the plot of the book and the strength of the family. It was ultimately heart wrenching, but a good read.

Based on true characters, of brave and courage’s Germans, who opposed Hitler's regime whether small or large, they still did something, even if it could cost them their life. A beautiful heart-breaking, heart-warming story of resistance, love, hope and loss. I do wish both characters at the end had, had a happy ending. Highly recommended read. Soraya, you've done it again, with this unputdownable, page-turning novel.

I would like to thank Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheBerlinSisters #NetGalley.

The Berlin Sisters
By: Soraya M. Lane
Review Score: 4 Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints
•Love the multiple POVs between Ava, Hanna, and Eliana.

•There is so much suspense in this book!

•Lane does such a good job of weaving historical truth with fiction.

•I struggled with how the story ended, and felt there were some loose ends.

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The Berlin Sisters was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this wonderful book!

Release Date: 5/16/24

Lane does such a good job with this book. You can feel all of the conflicting emotions. The desire to do well, to fight against what is happening in a country you love, but also the need to protect those you care about.

You can feel all of those conflicting emotions as Ava, Hanna, and their parents work to show they support the Regime while also trying to undermine it.

There was so much intensity in this book. I was constantly shocked by things the characters did or said. It was really so immersive.

What I did struggle with, however, is the ending. I am not going to give spoilers away, but there are some things that happen that felt more like plot movement than what would actually happen. I kept asking myself, “why?”. So that was a conundrum for me.

Regardless, I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and engaging, and I think anyone who likes Historical Fiction would like this book.

#bookstagram #books #readingnow #boogiereadsbooks #fivekeyfeels #audiobooks #audiobook #historicalfiction #arcreview #netgalley #boogiesbulletpoints #theberlinsisters #sorayamlane #lakeunionpublishing

In her upcoming novel, The Berlin Sisters…Soraya M Lane takes us deep into WWII Berlin and introduces us to two sisters with very different mindsets despite their father’s place within the Nazi party. As the older sister, Hannah is a nurse who is mourning the loss of her young family. Her eyes are wide open to what is happening in her country and she risks not only job but her life to save the innocent. Her younger sister Ava, is the personal secretary of Joseph Goebbels. She is a model young German woman, engaged to a young officer who is quickly rising in the ranks. She believes everything that she has been told and taught. Until one day, she witnesses her father, a high ranking Nazi himself, secretly steal a document from Goebbels office. She’s stunned that her father who was well respected and even hosted parties for party officials would do something like that. When she returns home to talk to her father, she discovers that her family has been keeping secrets and are hiding the Jewish family of her childhood friend in their attic. Ava quickly reminds her family of the consequences of such actions. Her family is not phased and as the story progresses, her eyes become open to what is really happening within the regime and just how evil her fiancé is. It’s a hard lesson to learn but even harder for her to continue to play the dutiful role of secretary and fiancée and be a part of the resistance. But she finds an inner strength and does what is needed, what is right.

This story is a nail biting, page turner and I loved it! There are so many perspectives in this time of history that we don’t hear about and it’s amazing authors like Soraya that highlight them. I am so grateful to Soraya for asking me to read this prior to its release. I devoured it in a weekend and it left me with lots to think about which is one the best things to come out of historical fiction!

This gripping story of resistance and survival set in Nazi Germany hooked me from the opening chapter. The characters were well-drawn and I was eager to know what would become of them all as they encountered dangers and faced perilous choices that made them consider what was really important to them. It was thought-provoking and the narrative bowled along, keeping me turning the pages. Recommended reading for anyone who enjoys quality historical fiction.

The Berlin Sisters is a heart wrenching story about a family of Germans who were part of their own resistance against Hitler and Nazi Germany. It was interesting to hear from this point of view, especially since this family was powerful and seemingly loyal to Nazi Germany. In fact, Ava is working for Joseph Goebbels as a secretary when she shockingly discovers what her own family is doing—and which goes against everything’s she’s been taught to believe. Many parts of the story are very hard to read, but this is a story of the utmost bravery and sacrifice.

I found this 'WWII but from the 'German' side' novel quite a page turner. It tells the story of Ava and Hanna, daughters of an SS officer, and their Jewish friend, Eliana. Ava is a loyal secretary to Goebbels, and her story as she faces her own terrible prejudices and actions is based on the story of a real hero, as are many of the events. Indeed, the Nazi Germany history that Soraya Lane weaves through this fictional story is well-researched and chilling, and for me raises it above many novels in this genre. Thank you to the publisher and the author (even better she comes from Aotearoa NZ!) and to NetGalley for a digital ARC.

Soraya Lane is quickly becoming one of my favourite historical fiction authors. The writing is just fantastic, and the plots are always gripping and heartbreaking in equal measures. The Berlin Sisters is no different - I absolutely fell in love with Ava, and the many twists and turns of her story only made her more lifelike and her story more devestating. A truly fantastic read