A heart wrenching story about courage and bravery and the will to live, The Girl with the Secret is one of a series of books written by Kate Hewitt that will take your breath away. Based on real life events of the SS St. Louis and its attempt to dock in Cuba during WWII 1939, Rosa and her shipmates are awaiting uncertain futures while avoiding Nazi regime. Heart wrenching yet full of hope, this is a must read from Hewitt.

Great series telling the story of four women on the SS St Louis which was bound for Cuba and not allowed to dock. This is Rosa's story and definitely compelling reading with great characters and historical content. Looking forward to the next installment and highly recommended to anyone who likes this genre of book

I enjoyed this book and thought that the story was intriguing. It did take me a while to get into it but it might have helped if I started with book 1. The ended left me eager to read the next installment though to see how the story continues.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Somehow I loved this more than the first! I didn't want Rosa's story to stop, especially with where she's headed at the end! There's a lot of detail in these stories and it felt like I was traveling along with her. I can't wait for the next one!

In the second installment of Kate Hewitt’s The Emerald Sisters series, we follow Rosa as she boards the St Louis bound for Cuba to her brief internment on the Isle of Man off the shores of Britain to a top secret job as a translator for the war department. She also harbors a secret that has the potential to be both an advantage and a disadvantage as she flees for safety from the regime that is trying to annihilate her people.

This series is awesome and I can’t wait for the next installment! It follows four very different women all fleeing Germany for the same reason. Their fates are undetermined but the bonds of friendship during such a difficult helps them to keep putting one foot in front of the other until they can reunite after the war.

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Bookouture and Kate Hewitt for this great series and allowing me to read it a little early!

I really liked this book. The characters were relatable and the story very well written. A great WWII book for all who love the stories.

The second story in the Emerald Sisters series was another page-turner. This starts on St Louis, a boat of Jewish refugees headed to Cuba for a new life. When the boat is returned to Europe, she and her parents are sent to England and other friends to different countries in Europe. Rosa has a complicated relationship with her parents and they soon settle into their new life. Her father is pompous and her mother is drugged up for 'nerves. They have a hard time adjusting to their new reality. Her father was an important doctor in Germany and can now not practice unless he retakes his exams in English. So he heads out to a local gathering spot where a lot of refugees gather and holds court there talking about the olden days. In one of the English classes, Rosa meets a fellow refugee Peter and they become friends.

My thoughts:
This was another page-turner of a read. I've read the first two stories and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I really liked Rosa and learning more about her life. Her parents were really frustrating, but I felt that the author did a really great job of making them more sympathetic and interesting. She really kept the family together when they arrived in England. She carried a secret, about the choices she made when she was in Germany. I felt the reveal was well done.

This one finished on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm anxious to discover what happens with Peter and Rosa, as well as the rest of her family. The reveal of Rosa's secret was interesting

Thanks to @bookouture, @netgalley, and the author of this ARC

“The Girl With A Secret” is the second novel in the Emerald Sisters series, inspired by stories of people who had travelled on board the doomed SS St Louis, which carried 937 Jewish refugees fleeing Germany.

Having previously read Kate Hewitt’s The Edelweiss Sisters, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I was pleased that I landed on her just-published novel. Hewitt brews a compelling and convincing plot focussing on the trials and adventure of Rosa, one of the Emerald Sisters. Her moving narrative of what life on board a crowded ship is like for her and her friends and their families, not knowing with certainty where they are heading to, evokes feelings of fear, despair and even doom that are almost palpable but, at times slivers of hope slip in to raise one’s expectations that there’s always light at the other end of the tunnel.

Strong character development shines in Hewitt’s novels, a trait that I have observed in those I’ve read so far. Thus, in Rosa we would find a compassionate soul, always thinking well about her ‘sisters’ and hoping against hope that she would hear from them soon. And she’s also determined and tenacious, not allowing adversity to spoil her hopes for a better future in her adopted country. She proves this as readers follow her adventures. Rosa’s mom is one such character that some readers would love to hate. Certainly, for me I don’t have much sympathy for her. Rosa’s dad is stubborn and thinks highly of himself. However, beneath the veneer of toughness, he can be quite thoughtful and considerate towards Rosa and her mom.

Woven into the story are universal themes of hope and love, second chances, triumph over adversity and redemption that endears her to her fan base. I’d like to think that I’m in it and look forward to her next novel in the series.

I got this free ARC from Netgalley and thanks to Kate Hewitt. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

In the second book of the Emerald Sisters series, readers follow Rosa Herzelfeld and her parents as they travel on the St. Louis to the United States only to be turned away to Cuba. Sent instead to the United Kingdom, Rosa must leave her upper-class privileges behind, learn English, and find a job to support her stubborn parents. When war breaks out, however, Rosa’s father’s past dealings with the Nazis place them on enemy alien lists, and the series of events after their classification as enemy aliens will change the course of Rosa’s life forever. An excellent continuation of the series, Rosa’s challenges and character development are new, unique, and different, and the way she handles the obstacles placed in her way is incredibly admirable and enjoyable to read. Rosa is strong and stubborn, and her strength of character in such trying times and situations is absolutely fascinating to follow and read. Hewitt’s characters and plot are incredibly well developed, and she has chosen a fantastic historical situation for her characters to live through (and it works very well for a series with multiple protagonists). A great sequel to the first book in the series, historical fiction readers are sure to enjoy the latest Emerald Sisters book and Rosa’s life in World War II England.

This series is based on the true story of The SS St Louis that set sail from Hamburg in 1939 with one thousand Jews onboard bound for Havana, can they finally get away from the Nazis? Onboard four young woman make friends, bound by a talisman, part of an emerald these four make a pact to meet again after the war, will they make it?

When the ship is refused entry into Cuba they sail away not knowing where they will end up, finally some countries agree to take them, Rosa Herzelfeld and her family are bound for England, here they try to start their lives again, Rosa is soon working and attending classes, here she meets another Jewish refugee Peter and after all Rosa went through in Berlin never expecting to even become close to a man she finds her heart is opening up.

The family are sent to an internment camp and soon Rosa is asked to come back to London to help more with the war effort, she is keen to help and soon she is helping even more, her work is top secret and is starting to get more dangerous, she is happy to be doing something that may bring an end to Hitler and his regime.

This is a heart-wrenching story it shows strength and courage, will the girls meet at their designated meeting place after the war, will the emerald pieces bring them together and whose story will be next? I loved this story and am loving this series and I highly recommend it to any lover of historical fiction.

My thanks to Netgalley for my digital copy to read and review.

The Girl With A Secret by Kate Hewitt is the second in the Emerald Sisters series about a group of young women who met on the St Louis leaving Germany but were returned to Europe to be sent to a variety of places. This book features Rosa Herzelfeld, the daughter of a doctor and his drugged-up wife. He prescribed the drugs for her “nerves.” She and her parents were assigned to alight in England, the luckiest of the group, possibly. The Jewish aid society found them an apartment and paid the first month’s rent. Then they discovered they would have to share it with another family. Rosa realized she was the only one who could get a job, so she did just that, as a dishwasher. Her father was a doctor but would have to retake the exam to practice here and would have to learn English to do that. Slowly her life began to evolve. She took an English class at the community center and met a young man: Peter. Refugees were classified into three groups, the most dangerous to least a threat. After a while, letters arrived instructing them to go to the police station. It seemed her father’s past had caught up with them. He had treated Nazis and so they were now under suspicion.

This is a fast-paced story although it actually took place over a period of years. Rosa was a sympathetic character who cared for people, including her parents, who had never been parents to her, really. She was cheerful in the face of adversity and always prepared to helpful. She was a well-written character who lived her life with courage and fortitude, doing the best she could. She made every effort to keep in touch with her “sisters,” although it was not always easy. The over-arcing plot is one we know well, although this may be the first refugee to England book I’ve read. I found it compelling as well as interesting. The plot is fairly simple, as far as war goes, and thorough. War is difficult at best and this war was everyone’s worst nightmare. These are lovely young women and this is a terrific series. Thanks, Kate Hewitt, for the Emerald sisters!

I was invited to read The Girl With a Secret by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #KateHewitt #TheGirlWithASecret

The Girl with a Secret (The Emerald Sisters Book 2) by Kate Hewitt

You can still read this as a standalone, but somehow it's continuing with book 1. When I started to read the book, I just realised how much I missed the ladies in the book! Imagine the lady was refused to enter Cuba during the WW2 time. What Rosa wanted to do was to survive and be safe. After being refused to Cuba, she then accepted in a new country to her, England. The unknown future did not stop her from having hope. The story then started a new romantic line after she met Peter!

I enjoyed the book 2 a lot. It's always emotional to read it. The characters were likeable and smartly created. This was not a long historical fiction. Fast-paced and I just kept flipping the pages!

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for my copy.

Pub date: April 12, 2024

This is book two in the Emerald Sisters Series and I would recommend reading book one first. Book two starts up exactly where book two ends except from a different girls POV.

The Girl with a Secret is Rosa’s story. After getting denied entry to Cuba she finds herself in England with her privileged parents. While Rosa grew up with money, I like that she realized that her past privileges do not matter in England and if she wants to keep her family safe she must earn some money. She is able to see that her past life is not her future. She must make a new life and accept that her past could affect her future.

Rosa’s relationship with Peter was unique. They met at an English class and their friendship grew. I felt like it lagged a little and could have moved a little quicker. But there is the threat of war in England, so being cautious is understandable also. I like that their relationship moved slowly and carefully with the knowledge that their future is very unknown.

The Girl with a Secret is a great second book in this series. I am excited to see what happens next and if all 4 girls will ever be back together.

With the SS St Louis meandering across the ocean as it, and its inhabitants, were refused entry in Cuba, the United States, and many other ports, Rosa Herzelfeld and her friends Hannah and Rachel wondered if the ship would be forced back to Germany. Sophie had managed to be accepted into the US, before the ship left Cuba - now the other three friends had no idea on their futures. But soon, the approximately one thousand Jewish people on board were told four countries had agreed to take them, and before long Rosa and her parents were on another ship, heading for England.

They were free - at least of the Nazis and Germany - but the conditions they lived in were hard. Rosa was able to get work washing dishes, pots and pans, in a nearby cafe, spending ten hours a day on her feet. But when the three of them were to be interned on the Isle of Man, Rosa couldn't understand it. And just as they were beginning to feel settled once again, Rosa was moved back to London where she would be doing "highly classified war work". Her head was spinning, but she was so happy to finally be doing something positive...

The Girl with a Secret is the 2nd in the Emerald Sisters series by Kate Hewitt and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Book #1 was Sophie's story, this one is Rosa's - I wonder who will feature in book #3? The small piece of the emerald jewel that they all received after Sophie cut it into four, meant so much to these women. And Rosa kept her piece - and her hopes - with her always. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

I finished this book in two sittings, what a story, I mean book one is so so good and book two is written a slightly softer tone, but still a page turner.
This time we follow Rosa, her father Fritz and mother. Their relationship with each other is strained for so many reasons. Her father who is a doctor working with/for the Nazis and entertaining them being a huge weight on their shoulders. Where his reasons strong enough? We see Rosa’s perspective from her time on the ship, anxiously waiting to hear if she’d be back in Nazi Germany or would another country take her and her family in.
Finally, taken in as a refugee in London things are dire but she does what she can to improve their lives, since her parents’ wont. Her strength comes from the green emerald shard and her longing to see Sophie, Hannah and Rachel again.
Sharing space with orthodox jews comes with its own insight since her family aren’t orthodox, learning a new language to improve her employment chances is all she can do. Ending up at Port Erin, seeing her parents through new eyes, the journey is just beginning. Wonderful, well written. A recommended read.

Book two in a wonderful series, this is the story of Rosa Herzelfeld and her escape to England. She has no money and is alone but eventually meets Peter who is also a refugee. They become very close and she struggles with the secrets she keeps. This book is a book that will have you on the edge of your seat.

A story that grips you, a story that will break your heart but a book that you won't be able to put down. It is also a book about survival, growth, friendship and family. It will show you that the strength of these women is courageous yet they still feared what would happen next. I love the characters and the way the author has developed them into people you might know.

Another wonderful read and a book that leads you into the next, which I can't wait to read. Another 5 star read for sure.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Girl with a Secret is a wonderful addition to The Emerald Sisters series and I loved it! Rosa Herzelfeld boards the SS St Louis, hoping to escape the Nazis. Finding herself alone in England Rosa holds onto her precious Emerald and thinks of her three friends praying that they are all safe. In this book I was thinking the answers to my questions would be answered but unfortunately I don't think they will until the last book of the series. This of course makes me eager for the rest of the series. I love that the characters are are four headstrong girls and Rosa I suspect is the strongest I liked her determination and dedication to fight for what she believes is right. The plot is about war, the Nazis and how the Jewish were unfairly treated. It also features friendship, love and family drama. It is nothing like The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley but for some reason it reminds me of that series so if you enjoyed reading The Seven Sisters then I would highly recommend The Girl with a Secret.

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Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour for “The Girl With a Secret” (The Emerald Sisters#2) by Kate Hewitt. I highly recommend reading the books in order.
I loved the first book and this one picked up where the first book ended. After a slow start, the book got really exciting! This story focused on Rosa and her parents. They were sent to London after the debacle of The SS St. Louis. Rosa truly grows throughout the story- she understands why her parents act the way they do. She also grows as a person, especially with her relationships.
This book makes you really question humanity. So many people blindly followed Hitler and the Nazis. Were all of them monsters? Or were they misguided? This book really will make you think. Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
#TheGirlWithASecret #KateHewitt #NetGalley #Bookouture #BookLove #BooksSetDuringWWII #Bookstagram #NewBook #ILoveBooks #BooksOnTour #BooksSetInEngland

This is the second in a series and as much as I loved the first I think this one blew me away even more! I’ve read plenty of WWII historical fiction, there is so much to know and so many different perspectives on things and this book taught me more that I didn’t know.

Rosa and her family board the SS St Louis, leaving Germany for Cuba, as Jews who want to escape Hitler’s rule. Unfortunately they are turned away from Cuba and become refugees in the UK. As Britain goes to war with Germany, Rosa and her family and friends are interviewed by the authorities as they start to class how much of a danger, German Jewish refugees are to the country.

Rosa’s story is a complicated one, and I felt Kate Hewitt did an amazing job of battling with her conflicting emotions about herself, her family and those involved in war. We see Rosa start over numerous times and it reminded me of the amazing resilience people in her position had.

This is another different take on what happened during war times and I loved it. I also loved the focus on friendship, forgiveness and self development. I can’t recommend this series enough for historical fiction lovers and I’m hoping there’s another one to come as I love the characters!

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The second book in The Emerald sisters series was just as good as the first. Gripping story and I can’t wait for the next one. Well written and interesting characters and stories. Would highly recommend this book