The Netherlands declared their neutrality in WWI and were largely spared by Germany. They believed that their neutral stand would once again save them when Germany again rose to power. It was a costly mistake. Years after the war Karyn, a journalist living in Israel, still believes that her sister survived and has never given up hope of finding her. A chance encounter with an American businessman raises that hope. His cousin, Teddy Hartigan, was stationed at the American consulate in Amsterdam as the war approached. He still has contacts in Europe and will help her in exchange for her help in telling his story. He is now in his nineties and would like his family to know his role in the war. Teddy was sent to process immigrant visas. When he arrived the lines of people fleeing the Nazis was never ending. While he interviewed people and processed their applications he knew that the quotas were already filled and they would only be placed on the waiting list. While in Amsterdam he met Sara, a Jewish teacher, and her family. Her father Saul is a college professor who has been following Hitler’s progress and warns Teddy of what is to come. After marrying Sara, Pearl Harbor is attacked and America enters the war. The consulate is evacuated, but Teddy stays behind and is recruited to spy. Working with Saul and a group of his students, he gathers information for the Allies and helps to rescue as many Jews as possible. Through Sara’s family connection to a nursery school, they smuggle children to Christian families with new identities, saving hundreds.

Teddy’s story is heartbreaking. From his father, who was an isolationist, to the frustration of dealing with the applicants who actually had no hope of receiving help, Teddy is constantly under pressure. Even as the wife of an American consul, Sara’s application is rejected. with false papers to hide their identities, they eventually come under suspicion and are forced to flee. As Teddy recounts his story it awakens memories for Karyn and she realizes that she and her sister were among the rescued children. While Teddy’s cousin warned her that he was not easy to deal with and he proves himself to be difficult at first, there is a softening of his character when he talks about Sara. He develops a true connection with Karyn by the time his story is finished. Ronald Balson’s story is well researched and beautifully told. It is a story of love and sacrifice that will stay with you long after the last page. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing for providing this book.

Teddy Hartigan is firmly ensconced in Washington DC. He’s works for the U.S. State Department and is about to get engaged. All that changes drastically when he’s given the choice to go to Amsterdam or forever be stuck in a basement somewhere. It’s 1938 and Hitler’s rise is taking place. Teddy is put in charge of visa applications to help those that are trying to flee the country. The only issue is that there are very few visas available. When Teddy finally realizes that he can help people, he joins the underground all why still working at the US Consolate. A story of bravery, sacrifice and hope, once again Balson brings us a story of WWII that sheds light in a whole new direction. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

The story was beautiful! I just had an issue with the writing style - the interview storytelling throughout was a bit difficult to stay engaged to. I found the dialogue to be a bit clunky!

I've been reading a fair amount of historical fiction this year and this book did NOT disappoint! It has a well crafted storyline with well developed characters. A lovely way to learn more about a horrible part of history. Ronald Balson obviously knows what he's doing! A solid read. Thank you for the opportunity to review.

A Place to Hide is powerful historical fiction and at the same time a moving story about a compelling relationship during WWII in Holland. Even after Hitler's armies have invaded a number of countries in northern and central Europe, most of the Dutch feel fairly certain that declaring neutrality as they had during WWI will save them from also being invaded. Teddy Hartigan, from a well-connected family in Washington DC, works at the US consulate in Amsterdam, and there he meets Sara, a Dutch-Jewish woman. Eventually, they marry and adopt Katy, a traumatized little girl who they are quite sure comes from a Jewish family. She was left at a nursery school to save her from the vagaries of anti-Jewish Nazis.

The organization of the book which is set in 2002, is an ongoing interview of Teddy, who is now in his 90s and in a retirement home, by a journalist named Karyn Sachnoff, who is looking for her sister, Annie. The sisters were adopted separately by Dutch patriots to save them from being sent to the camps and murdered. Their family members were lost and presumably killed in the concentration camps. The historical aspects of the book describe how many hundreds of Jewish children were adopted by Dutch families to save them from certain death. Karyn is hoping to locate her sister, but at the same time, she is fascinated by Teddy's detailed story of being an American citizen married to a Dutch Jew, and what they had to face trying to save their family.

The book is deftly well-written, historically accurate and well-researched, and difficult to put down. Balson describes the fear of Jews targeted in Holland, the cleverness and determination of resisters, and the strength of an interfaith relationship. The descriptions of Sara's family, friends, and students who are doing their best to undermine the Nazis efforts to eradicate all Dutch Jews are striking. Balson has won well-deserved awards as a writer, and all of his books are riveting.

Thanks to Saint Martin's Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this excellent book.

Another hit for Ronald Balson! I will always look forward to his next book. A Place to Hide is a new and different perspective into World War II from the Netherlands. The Netherlands isn't a place that we often hear about when talking about World War II but Balson does an amazing job at bringing to life the country during that time. There is an array of characters from different back grounds we get to experience grow as they go through the tragedies of war and what it does people and their surroundings. Balson has a way of weaving a story that creates a magnificent movie in your head! His words had me absorbed into the book I felt like I was there along with the characters! I can never recommend a book by Ronald Balson enough!

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy for an honest review.

I love a good historical story and this was no exception. The story in hear was brilliantly heartwarming and got me all in my feels. The detail and research made this book so great. I was transported to the time period and felt the stress and anxiety of the main character. I am for sure going to look for other books by this author.

A Place to Hide, by Ronald H. Balson, focuses on the Holocaust in the Netherlands during WWII. The entire story is told by a fictional American who was assigned to the U.S. Consulate during the period. It sheds light on two aspects of the war that are rarely touched upon. First, rarely has the Dutch Jewish and Gentile experience been center stage. I was struck once again by the inability of both populations to gauge their fate based on recent events throughout Europe. Second, many of the nonfictional characters that play prominent parts in the story demonstrate the existence of heroism and selflessness where we least expect it. So many people survived because of it! Finally, I was again appalled by the extent to which American antisemitism and authoritarianism was responsible for the harsh quotas that led to thousands of deaths. This is a topic which is receiving more attention by historians and popular literature.

Nonetheless, this was my least favorite of Balson’s novels. I missed the legal aspects that permeate many of his books. I am a lawyer and realistic enough to know that most other readers will not miss that feature at all. I also missed Lockhart & Taggert, whose present day take on history as well as their relationship gave fresh perspective to the stories in which they figured. Balson may have retired them as I am not sure they appeared in a previous book. However, my strongest objection was the use of 92-year-old narrator to tell the entire story which seemed to tamp down some of the tension and suspense. Nonetheless, this is a story of righteousness and heroism that is based on meticulous research. I highly recommend the novel and the author’s note.

Comin' atcha on this World Smile Day with gratitude for all of my blessings. Each time I read a novel about WWII, it hits me how privileged we are here in the USA to be so far across the pond and to have avoided so much horror in both World Wars.

This particular story enlightened me on the plight of the Netherlands in WWII. Despite their neutrality that kept them from the atrocities of the First World War, unfortunately, that didn't stop Hitler from incurring his wrath this time around.

This particular story follows Teddy Hartigan as he is assigned as US Consulate in Amsterdam in a quickly declining situation. Teddy, along with help from those closest to him, manages to save the lives of many children.

I found this book informative, and I always appreciate the effort that goes into writing historical fiction. The multiple timelines added an interesting element, albeit using a common method, a journalist as an audience surrogate. I would say this book is written in a very straightforward manner, perhaps lacking the depth I crave in these stories. It would be a good novel for young adults, in my opinion, offering crucial history lessons along the way.

Many thanks to partner, @stmartinspress for this #gifted review copy.

I've read a number of books by Ronald Balson. A place to Hide was a good read taking place during the time when Nazis invaded The Netherlands. Teddys story was told to Karyn, who promised to write his memoir in exchange for Teddy trying to find Karyn's sister who was lost during the war. The story kept my attention, but I feel Ronald Balson's books that included the team of Liam Taggart and Catherine Lockhart were better reads.

This was a really interesting story. I did not know a lot about how children were separated from siblings, and how that impacted their futures during world war 2.

Add in that Teddy had such first hand experience with the war in Europe, and that really gives nuance to the story.

While not my favorite book, I did like this, and I think others will as well. You really get a sense for what normal people try and do during a terrible war, and how big of an impact those small actions can have.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction. Especially works centered around WWII. While the content of this book is original, the way the author presented if fell flat. I think perhaps If the events in the past had been told as flashbacks versus dialog between Teddy and Karyn it would have been more intriguing and easier to follow.
As it was, the characters fell flat. It honestly felt more of a review of dates and happenings vs a story of survival and heroism.
I received a ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

Karyn meets a gentleman in Tel Aviv who recognizes her Dutch accent. She tells him a story of how she was separated from her sister during the war and Burt relays that he has an elderly cousin in DC who might be able to help. Teddy agrees to look for her sister in exchange for her writing his story to pass on to his grandchildren.

Let me say this was a great story. This was a part of World War history that I didn't know much about but I felt that the story lacked depth. While the writing was good it was mostly dialog with Teddy telling his story to Karyn. The Teddy in the past is portrayed as a kind, intelligent and caring person so what turned him into a crotchety old guy? The characters weren't really fleshed out because it was just Teddy talking to Karyn so while Sara was the love of his life I didn't "feel" it. He alludes often to the fact that his grandkids don't really care about his story but why? Then the end was just the end. Things weren't really wrapped up and I had so many questions. The author tells a really good story and I will continue to read them.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy.

This was my first Ronald Balson book and I really enjoyed his writing. I've read so many historical fictions books about WWII and I learn something new every time. This book takes place in the Netherlands in the late 1930's as Hitler is starting his reign of terror in Europe. Theodore (Teddy) Hartigan is working in a low-level job for the State Department in Washington DC when he is re-assigned to a more prestigious job at the US Consulate in Amsterdam processing visa applications. Teddy finds himself frustrated and agonized over the very low U.S. immigration quotas preventing most of the refugees of Hitler-invaded countries flooding the consulate from getting visas. "The Johnson-Reed Act set the total number of visas for each country at two percent of the total number of people of each nationality in the United States as of the year 1890, as shown in the national census." I was not familiar with this 1924 law that amended the formulas for issuing visas and was still in place in 1938. It's hard to understand why the U.S. would set such tight limits on visas at a time when so many Europeans were trying to escape Hitler's atrocities. Based on the formula, Teddy had only 3,153 visas to issue for the Netherlands. Poland only had 6,524 and Germany only 27,370. Similar to some political views today, there was an America First isolationist view of immigration. Teddy realized that he had to find other ways to help people who were starting to be rounded up and sent off to concentration camps. The story is told through Teddy at 92 years old recounting his life story to writer Karyn Sachnoff who had come to Teddy hoping to be able to find her long-lost sister. I felt like the ending was a bit abrupt, but I definitely recommend this one - the story and characters are beautifully developed. Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story! To me, it read more like something from a history book, but it still kept me engaged. The authors note in the back lets us know that several of the characters he portrayed in this fiction are actually based on real people and their very real words and actions. Like this:

"Why not thirteen?”

Although my only qualm with this story is that it was very much a reimagining of real events. If you are well versed in Netherlands World War II history, then skip this book, because there is little story to add to the history bits that you already know. I felt there was jusssssst enough fictitious story to keep you intrigued and with the mindset of “what will happen next” that it could be worth the read if you a) really really like historical fiction and/or b) are not familiar with the inner workings of the Netherlands during World War I and II. But every single person on this planet knows how World War II ended, so the devil is in the details with these types of books.


That being said, I knew very little about the Netherlands struggles and fights during the 2 world wars, so the story and history was new and very interesting to me. All in all, I would recommend this!!
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ʏᴏᴜʟʟ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
•historical fiction
•women in history
•world war II

Once again, Ronald H. Balson hits the nail on the head with his latest book, A Place to Hide. This book will tear at your heartstrings while keeping the story fast-paced. His writing just get keeps getting better and better.
Teddy is an amazing character. Must read for historical fiction fans.

Full review and link coming soon.

I have read other books by this author, but I think this is his best by far. I liked the structure of this book. We meet a woman journalist in Tel Aviv, Karen, who was saved in Holland as a baby, and hopes to find the sister she was separated from. She meets a man, Burt, who says his cousin was an American consulate officer in Holland during the war who might help her.
Teddy Hartigan is 92 and wants to tell his story so his grandchildren can understand. Karyn interviews him and will write a book about his life. We then go back and forth in time as Teddy tells his story. Many of us know The Diary of Ann Frank. Balson writes how the history of the Nazi's managed to deport and kill almost all the Jews of Holland. Through his character of Teddy we learn how many Dutch people hid Jews, as well as adopting many Jewish babies and children. It is quite a harrowing tale, and quite suspenseful as the Nazi's come closer and closer to discovering what Teddy, his family and the resistance were up to.
We also see how the Americans were keeping refugees out of the country and how American Firster's were isolationists.
There are so many similarities to what is happening today. We must not let history repeat.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the EARC. The opinions are my own. We can learn from historical fiction, which is why it is my favorite genre.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and author Ronald H. Balson for the arc!

I read A LOT of historical fiction … and this one is absolutely riveting! To read about the plight of the peaceful people of the Netherlands, both Jew & non-Jew, during the atrocities of World War 2 is fascinating & very educational. I learned so many things that I did not know! Such a fresh perspective for this era!

You can tell that the author really did his research! However, the book isn’t presented as just a spreadsheet of facts & happenings like some historical fictions with tons of information sometimes do, losing you in the process … instead the fictional characters are masterfully woven together with real life historical figures & each page draws you in & captures your undivided attention, making you feel like you are living out these impossible experiences right along with them. It will break your heart along the way, but also leave you filled with love & hope!

This book has everything that a thought provoking historical fiction needs to give you an unforgettable reading experience! Well done!

In 1939, Theodore "Teddy" Hartigan is reassigned from his comfortable job at the State Department in Washington DC to the US Consulate in Amsterdam. His job is to process visa applications and, as Hitler sweeps through Europe, refugees become even more desperate to secure safe passage to America. As the situation in Europe becomes more dire, Teddy realizes that he holds the key to saving lives. Risking his own security, he makes the dangerous decision to join the resistance and help those with no other avenue of escape.

In 2002 Karyn Sachnoff encounters Burt Franklin, a cousin to Teddy Hartigan, in Tel Aviv and eventually agrees to meet with Teddy and record his memories of his time in the Netherlands. In return Teddy will make enquiries about Karyn's sister Annie from whom she was separated when they were very young.

Teddy's story is told to Karyn and, as interesting as it was, it was like a non-fiction memoir which I suppose is the point since it's based on real facts. As someone else mentioned there's not much description of location or even of what the characters looked like. Nevertheless it was a look at how the German occupation affected people in a different country than those we usually associate with WWII. I'm not sure I was even aware that residents in the Netherlands suffered from the German invasion as much as they did. There were some new-to-me names of Nazi officials and they were all despicable. I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat by the end. I'm rating this 4.5 stars rounded down but I think a different format, more showing than telling, would've increased it to a 5.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press Marketing, via Netgalley, for inviting me to read an advance copy of the e-book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: September 17, 2024

I am a huge Ronald Balson fan, so take this with a grain of salt... but this was my lease favorite of his books. I did not find myself engaged from page one or overly invested in the characters or what happened to them. I found many parts of this book to be slow - it felt like not enough was happening despite a lot happening. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if it were from Sara's perspective. All that being said, I am yet again blown away by the research that went into this story. I have not read a ton about what happened in Amsterdam during the second World War. It was interesting to learn about an American working in Amsterdam who was in a relationship with a Jewish woman and parenting an orphaned Jewish girl. Although I did not love the characters and their day to day life, I LOVED the historical part of the story - anyone who likes history, definitely try this.
Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copies.