I could not stop reading this story. It flows so easily as the American narrator tells his story to a writer about his time in the Netherlands. He wants to revisit old memories and write them down for his grandchildren. This is a gripping story about Hitler's takeover of Europe and how it affected the Jewish population of the Netherlands. And how the Dutch worked together to save families. Truly inspiring and incredible.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Sept. 17, 2024
Award-winning author Ronald Balson introduces a new World War Two novel, “A Place to Hide”. Told by a survivor of World War Two, who tells his story to a journalist, the similarities between “Hide” and “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” are obvious. “Hide” takes place in the Netherlands, which provides a different backdrop then the plethora of World War Two fiction already out in the world, and it is clear that Balson does his research. I was not a fan of the writing style of this story, but more on that later.
Teddy Hartigan is an American, working at the consulate in the Netherlands, when he meets a young Jewish teacher named Sara. The two fall in love and become the guardians of an abandoned Jewish girl by the name of Katy, and soon, Teddy has two females in his life that he would do anything to protect. When word comes that Germany is invading the Netherlands, Teddy is given the option to return to America, but only Teddy. Not willing to leave his family, Teddy remains behind, even when the United States joins the war and the U.S. consulate is shuttered. Although everyone he loves is at risk, Teddy finds himself embroiled in a secret mission that works to house and protect Jewish people, especially children.
“Hide” is the first novel I’ve read by Balson, but I’ve read plenty of World War two novels (“Tattooist” being one of my favourites). It is obvious that Balson has done his research, and he is telling a story based on true events. I enjoyed reading about the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, as this is not often an area that is covered in other World War two novels I’ve read. It was also exciting to read about Teddy’s love story with Sara, and the risk they both faced just to have a life together.
As mentioned above, “Hide” is the story of Teddy Hartigan’s experiences in the Netherlands during World War Two, as told to journalist Karyn, who, in turn, is using Teddy’s knowledge and connections to reconnect with her sister, who Karyn was separated from during the war. Karyn and Teddy meet right at the beginning of the novel, and I felt this relationship was sudden and forced. There is limited character development and, in fact, even the basic facts of the protagonists’ appearance, or the details of their geographical settings, are left out. The story is a monologue by Teddy who, albeit has an exciting experience to tell that is worthy of respect, the small details that make me connect to a story were missing.
With the highest level of respect for Teddy’s heroism during the occupation (and his compatriots), I enjoyed “Hide” enough to finish it, but I was missing the connection that a few extra details would’ve provided. There are enough World War two novels on the market that a novel needs to stand out in order to catch my attention, and this one did not succeed.

What a heartbreaking and heartwarming story! As a long time fan of WW2 HF, this one approaches the storytelling from a little different perspective. Karyn is a grandmother with two little granddaughters living in Tel Aviv who meets Burt in 2002. They chat after he hears her speak Hebrew with a Dutch accent and Karyn shares she doesn't know where her sister ended up after the war. Burt puts her in contact with Theodore "Teddy" Hartigan in Washington, D.C. who may have the contacts to find her. The story takes off from there. Karyn travels to a retirement home outside of D.C. to talk to Teddy for help in exchange for listening and writing Teddy's life story for his grandchildren. They spend many days together and you hear Teddy's story of being sent to the Amsterdam consulate in 1938. The heartbreaking part of the story is how Teddy has to process all the applications for visas for the Jewish families trying to escape Hitler's terror, but the waitlist is so long they may never get out. It is very frustrating for him. The heartwarming part of the story happens in the second half of the book when Teddy works with the resistance to help hide Jewish men, women, and children with the Dutch people. Many were saved because of their persistence and dedication.
I really enjoyed reading the story from the Teddy's viewpoint of a 92-year-old wanting to share his life story with his family. Karyn was a good listener and she got some closer to her life story as well. The author's notes were informative to let us know which characters were fictional and which characters actually did some of the amazing and awful things during this time. I am always in awe of the people that risked everything to help others during the War.
If you are looking for a WW2 HF that is unique and different and is from a male point of view, I highly recommend this book.
#APlaceToHide #NetGalley
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book's premise had so much potential and the setting in the Netherlands during WW II was unique, but the writing and execution left a lot to be desired.

Before war broke out, Teddy worked for the US State Department at the consulate in Amsterdam. His decision to remain after Hitler invades the Netherlands is dangerous for him and the woman he loves. Although he is Protestant, his girlfriend is Jewish, placing both in grave danger.

The majority of the story is Teddy sharing his story with journalist Karyn from Tel Aviv. She has agreed to write up the story for his children and grandchildren in exchange for his help locating her sister from whom she was separated during Nazi rule. As Jewish children from the Netherlands, they were sent into adoptive families to protect them from being sent to a concentration camp and certain death.

The writing, however, was uneven and as Teddy tells his story, I often felt like I was just listening to a lecture - and a very dry, information dump of a lecture at that. Nothing really happens until about 60% through the story when Teddy and other resistance fighters begin planning to save as many Jewish children as possible. In reality, the efforts of the Dutch people saved the lives of thousands of Jewish children, and I once again learned a new aspect of the war that I hadn't read before.

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to save the book, and I ended up disappointed

A Place To Hide but Ronald Balson is a very thought provoking novel about WWII in Holland. I learned so much about the events that happened during this time period in that region. The book is well researched and had a ton of information and facts about the war. The author’s note at the end of the book was interesting and said that most of the events were true. Ronald Balson knows how to tell a story that is fascinating and holds the reader’s attention. I felt at times that too much detail was given, making the beginning of the book a bit slow.

The story is about an American, Teddy Hartigan, who is a diplomat in the Netherlands when war breaks out. He falls in love with a Jewish girl, and their journey begins. Together they attempt to rescue Jewish families and especially children from being sent to their deaths at the concentration camps. The book runs a duel timeline between present and wartime. 92 year old Teddy is telling his story to a Jewish writer, who was rescued and adopted during the war.

I would recommend this book especially to lovers of history. Thank you NetGalley and St Martin Press for sending an advanced copy of this novel.

Teddy Hartigan was assigned to the US Consulate in Amsterdam to process visa applications. Hundreds of refugees from the Nazis were desperate to secure safe passage to America, but immigration quotas denied most of them. He falls in love with a Jewish girl, but can’t even acquire a visa for his wife.
Present day, Karyn Sachnoff longs to find her sister, separated from her in Amsterdam during the war. She asks for Teddy’s help. He agrees, as long as she writes his story.
His wartime experiences are fascinating, but it’s all presented as him telling his memories to Karyn. He includes dialogue, but that adds to the confusion when Karyn intrudes to ask questions.
I found one glaring error. The Queen Mary did not go into drydock for the war. She spent the war speeding across the oceans as a troopship.

I have read each of Ronald H. Balson's novels and was so excited to pick this one up! A Place to Hide is another novel set during the World War II era. A Place to Hide shares the story of Teddy Hartigan and his role working for the US government in the Netherlands in the lead-up to the Nazi invasion. Teddy's story is fascinating, and we learn about it in bits and pieces as he narrates his life story to Karyn Sachnoff, a retired newspaper reporter searching for the sister she lost during the war. Teddy and his colleagues demonstrated such bravery and determination in their efforts to rescue Jewish children, hide families, and subvert the Nazis not for their own gain but because it was the right thing to do. I especially appreciated the author's note at the end of this book that sorted out the real life figures from the fictionalized characters.

My only complaint about this book was that parts of it were very dry. Teddy was narrating his life story, but I found it hard to believe that he could have recited that many facts and figures about the war, including dates, historical actions, and names. At times it read like a history textbook. It seems that there could have been ways to liven up the narration and take the readers to the place rather than this style of writing for so much of the book. I really did enjoy the portions with dialogue and action. Additionally, the ending was superb and a bit of a surprise!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

A Place to Hide by Ronald Balson

A thought provoking novel about love and common human decency, A Place to Hide astutely teaches us about what it takes to be human in a time of turmoil. As it teaches it makes you feel the love of every day citizens and the lengths they will go through to protect their own community. Ronald Balson has really driven home how the Dutch people dealt with not only the Nazi's but also their Jewish neighbors. It is important to and worth reading and will leave you wondering if the Jewish people will ever be able to live in peace. With the rise of Anti Semitism in today's world this piece of literature will be instrumental in teaching the modern world a little about humanity. How we need it during these times of trouble and how to show it and not fear persecution. How to protect the people persecuted and how to understand that somebody different does not have to be an enemy. This book will become a classic, unputdownable, must read for sure and Mr. Balson has out done himself with this wonderful piece of art.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️From St. Martins Press: Theodore “Teddy” Hartigan is the scion of a wealthy Washington, D.C. family who place him into a comfortable job at the State Department and a placid diplomat’s career. In 1938, as Hitler’s inexorable rise continues, Teddy is re-assigned to the US Consulate in Amsterdam to replace fleeing staff.
Teddy’s job is to process visa applications, and by 1939, refugees from Nazi-conquered Poland, Austria, and other countries are desperate to secure safe passage to America. As Hitler sweeps through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Holland, the screws tighten and law after virulent law is passed to lol threaten the lives, indeed the very existence of the Jewish people. When Teddy and his girlfriend Sara are introduced to an orphaned young girl named Katy, who has been abandoned on the grounds of a nursery school, they agree to adopt her. Teddy comes to realize that he holds the key to saving lives, whether five, fifty, or five hundred—and makes the dangerous and selfless decision to join with underground groups and use his position at the Consulate to rescue those with no other avenue of escape.
*********************
My review: The best part of historical fiction is learning. As Teddy looks back and tells his life story to Karyn in the early 2000's we learn so much about Europe in the 1930's and 40's. While I of course know how WWII progressed and happened, seeing it evolve from Teddy's vantage point in the Netherlands was suspenseful. The reader knows Teddy does brave things and saves lives, but seeing his path and the others who help him was interesting. It did take quite a long time (until the last quarter of the book) to see what truly Teddy was doing to help those outside his family. I expected a bit more and earlier. But he was a hero.
Karyn's story about her lost family and search for her sister was intriguing. I hoped so badly for her to find answers and a live person.
There are so many WWII books, especially Holocaust stories. But this novel took a different path and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance digital copy in exchange for my review.

A Place to Hide was a moving story about an American government worker, Teddy, who finds himself in Amsterdam at the eve of WWII. Teddy finds himself in a heartbreaking position as more and more Jewish families are applying for visas to get out as Hitler closes in. The story is told almost like a memoir, with the main character, Teddy, telling his story to an Israeli journalist (who is originally from Amsterdam) as an old man. I liked this way of approaching the storytelling, as it added a little extra interest. The first two thirds of the book were a little repetitive, and there was a lot of historical information included to the build up of the Nazi take over of Holland. I would have liked for the book to focus more on what happened after, and Teddy's efforts to save Jewish children and their families. This was the most compelling part of the story, but only made up a small fraction of the book. You can tell the author has vast knowledge of the subject and time period, because there were a lot of technical and specific details about laws, but it almost became too much and took away from story a bit. In the end, it's a powerful story and a great reminder of how small acts can be lifesaving.

2.5 stars
A Place To Hide opens in a coffee shop in Israel where a chance encounter leads to a woman named Karyn telling an American stranger that she was separated from her sister and adopted as a young child in the war in the Netherlands. He advises that he might be able to help her reunite with her sister as his cousin, Teddy Hartigan, worked at the American Consulate in Amsterdam during the war. After returning to the US, he calls to let Karyn know that Teddy will do what he can to help her if she agrees to travel to Washington, DC, interview him and write his memoir.

Karyn, a former journalist, travels to Washington and meets daily with the elderly Teddy who shares the story of his experience in Amsterdam. Teddy had been working at the State Department in DC when he received an unexpected reassignment to the American Consulate in 1938 to process visa applications. Teddy fell in love with a Dutch woman so remained in the country following the outbreak of war and witnessed first hand as the Nazis took over, removed freedoms from Jewish citizens and began deporting them to death camps.

The subject matter of this novel is quite interesting as it relates to what happened in the Netherlands in the period just before and during World War II. The novel is well-researched and educational particularly with respect to Nazi actions in the Netherlands, the laws that were passed to hurt the Dutch Jews and how difficult it was for Jews to emigrate as there were very limited visas available. The main character is entirely fictional, however, several real life people who have been credited with saving the lives of hundreds of Jewish children in Amsterdam are featured as secondary characters in the novel including Dutch educator Johan van Hulst, Henriëtte Pimentel who owned a daycare/creche and Walter Süskind who worked at the Jewish Theatre that was converted into the city's deportation centre.

The Author's Note was quite interesting and led me to do more reading about the nursery school/creche and teaching college in Amsterdam's Jewish Quarter that were converted into a National Holocaust Museum which opened in 2024 and the Jewish Theatre across the street which is now a memorial. While three quarters of the Dutch Jewish population was killed by Nazis during World War II, these brave resistance workers were able to smuggle hundreds of children to safety.

While the subject matter of this novel was interesting, the writing style just didn't work for me at all. It is written as an interview between 92 year-old Teddy in 2002 and a woman who was adopted as a child in Amsterdam. As a result, the novel consists almost entirely of dialogue between the two which didn't feel natural or believable as well as being a bit simplistic and not particularly engaging. I also think I would have appreciated this book more if it had been told as a story of the Dutch Resistance without filtering it through the lens of a fictional American.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending a digital ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I would like to thank ST Martin's Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. Th is is a historical fiction novel set in Amsterdam at the out set of World War 2. The framing of the story is that woman journalist, Karyn, meets a man named Burt and hey strike up a friendship. She is Jewish and she was adopted by a family when Holland was invaded by the Nazi's. She was safe, but she had a sister who she never saw again. Burt has a friend who may be able to help. Teddy is in his 90's and lives in a nursing home in Silver Spring MD. He had worked for the US Consulate in Amsterdam prior to and at the beginning of WW2. He tells Karyn he has some contacts and will gtry to help her if she will write his memories of that time. He wants his family to know what happened and what he did, and in return he will try to help Karyn. The book is then told in flashback of Teddy's memories , with some present time chapters of Karyn's life. It was hard to follow, but interesting. It was slow going for the first half, and it spent a lot of time setting the stage for the final chapters. It was interesting, but , because of the odd framing device, just ok for mabruptly ande. It also ended abruptly and felt like there were a lot of loose ends.

I have read so many of Mr. Balson’s books and you can always expect a 5 star review, this one is no exception. He knows how to tell a story and in this case, about 65% in, he upped the notch. Sometimes a book drags and loses momentum somewhere in the middle, not this one. The storyline kept me engaged and I learned so much.
Of all the WWII books I’ve read, this was my first in-depth story of how the war progressed in Holland. The only con to this story is I doubted Teddy at 92 years old could have remembered so many details, but it didn’t matter, his story was remarkable and he and Sara are heroes. Thank you Mr. Balson, from one of your fans.
I thank St. Martin’s Press along with NetGalley for providing this Galley edition for no requirement other than my offer to provide an unbiased review.

Theodore “Teddy” Hartigan, a privileged diplomat from a wealthy Washington, D.C. family, is reassigned to the US Consulate in Amsterdam in 1938 amid Hitler’s rise. Tasked with processing visa applications, Teddy faces a flood of refugees from Nazi-occupied countries desperately seeking escape. As Nazi oppression intensifies across Europe, Teddy and his girlfriend Sara adopt an orphaned girl named Katy, awakening Teddy to his pivotal role in saving lives. He decides to risk everything by collaborating with underground groups, using his position to help those who have no other way out.

While the synopsis of this book presents an intriguing historical backdrop and a noble protagonist, the book was slow moving compared to other Ronald Balson books.

**Thank you NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Ronald H. Balson for an eARC of A Place to Hide.

A must read, a tragedy, and deep hatred for people of the Jewish faith. It is almost unbelievable that so many people died, and this book gives us a glimpse of the insanity that was going on.
We put faces to the people in this mist of the invasion, and occupation, but before the invasion, and people not being granted visas to get out of Europe.
This story also focuses on survivors, and keep reading, we do find out what happens to some, not all.
This is a fictional read, and be sure to read the author's notes, there are some real people here, and some that a fictional character was based on. I loved knowing what happened to one of the very evil ones!
While this historical book is not easy to read, I think we need to not forget!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher St. Martin's Press, and was not required to give a positive reviw.

Theodore “Teddy” Hartigan is the scion of a wealthy Washington, D.C. family who place him into a comfortable job at the State Department and a placid diplomat’s career. In 1938, as Hitler’s inexorable rise continues, Teddy is re-assigned to the US Consulate in Amsterdam to replace fleeing staff.
Teddy’s job is to process visa applications, and by 1939, refugees from Nazi-conquered Poland, Austria, and other countries are desperate to secure safe passage to America. As Hitler sweeps through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Holland, the visa quotas tighten and law after law is passed to threaten the lives of the Jewish people. When Teddy and his girlfriend Sara are introduced to an orphaned young girl named Katy, who has been abandoned on the grounds of a nursery school, they agree to adopt her. Teddy begins to realize that he holds the key to saving lives, and makes the decision to join with underground groups and use his position at the Consulate to rescue those with no other avenue of escape.

This is a powerful retelling of the plight of the Jewish people during WWII and of an ordinary man who resolves to make a difference. Historical fiction set during WWII is one of my favorite genres to read. I have never read this author before, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. His vivid descriptions of the times and the people are spot on. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for introducing me to an excellent author who I hope to read more of his books. I highly recommend!

One of the things I love most about historical fiction is getting to learn about history in a way that holds my attention and makes it come alive to me. I have read a lot of WWII novels, but this one had a unique perspective on the lead up to the war that I haven’t yet encountered. I feel like I learned a lot reading it. I also loved that so many of the characters were based off of real people who really saved so many others during the war, I’m glad I know their names. The novel itself was written almost entirely in dialogue and in the past tense, which made the story feel a little distant in a way, so I didn’t feel myself getting as caught up in the story as I have with other writing styles, but I still really enjoyed it and am so grateful I read it. It’s important to remember these historical moments and the heartbreaking loss of life that occurred during the holocaust, especially given current political and world events. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Ninety-two-year old Teddy realized no one knew about his time in the occupied Netherlands during the war and wanted to make it known.

Karyn, a former journalist, is hired to write his story in return for trying to find her sister who was saved from the Nazis by being sent to live with a family different from the one Karyn went with.

A PLACE TO HIDE does not read as a memoir even though Teddy is telling his story of the sacrifices he made for himself and how he saved many Jewish families.

There is a story in between as he’s telling about his life.

Fans of Mr. Balson will be captivated by his amazing research as he has Teddy recalling everything that happened even though it does get a bit heavy with all that was going on.

World War II enthusiasts will have all the information they could ever want about how things progressed.

The book is very detailed as well as frightening as we find out what went on, but also wonderful to hear what the citizens of the Netherlands did to ease some of the horror. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

A Place to Hide
by Ronald H. Balson
Pub Date: September 17, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
Powerful and dramatic, National Jewish Book Award winner Ronald H. Balson’s A Place to Hide explores the deeply moving actions of an ordinary man who resolves, under perilous circumstances, to make a difference.
This author does things to me soul! I have read all of his books, and this one is one of the best,

I love historical fiction, and this book did not disappoint. I had not read much about the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands before this, so I’m very appreciative of a new and different view than that of which I’ve read many times.

Rather than focusing on the atrocities during Hitler’s reign, this book focuses on how people dealt with the inevitable and trying to stop it. It is written beautifully and, though it’s fiction, it does include real people and real events.
HIghly recommend for historical fiction lovers.

This book is about a US embassy worker that stays in Holland after the closing of the embassy during WW2 to work as a spy. He becomes involved in finding homes for Jewish children that are about to be deported to concentration camps. The book is told through his memories to a current writer documenting the information for a book, herself one of those children saved. It is poignant and at time harrowing as you wonder what will happen. A fascinating read about a little known area of WW2.
#aplacetohide #stmartins #robertbalsam #netgalley