Libba Bray does it again with a complex yet compelling book full of intrigue and love. Bouncing across 4 POVs if you include the fairytale being told throughout, across 3 time periods, she manages to keep you fully engaged and intrigued by the mystery of what happened to two young women who disappeared during WW2 Germany, and how a young woman who finds friends in a group of punk squatter musicians in Berlin in 1980, and a high school boy and his best friend in Brooklyn in 2020 are connected to those 2 young women. Equally heartfelt and inspiring.

Libba Bray creates the most interesting characters, and January LaVoy's performance of those characters is breathtaking. I was nervous about this story having a storyline in WWII, as there are already so many WWII narratives. With the inclusion of the 1980's Berlin and 2020's NYC storylines, we were drawn really moving parallels between the past and the present, and each story kept moving at a really fast pace that made you want to get back to that narrative to see what would happen next.

There were some assumptions the reader can make based on the way the storylines interact, but Bray had me on the edge of my seat toward the end of the 1980's narrative chanting 'it's a teen novel, they're going to be fine' while I was driving my car and listening to the audiobook.

I'm always happy to read a new story from Libba Bray (or revisit an old one, for that matter), so thanks to NetGalley for an advanced audio copy. All opinions are my own.

I don't often enjoy novels that take place over various timelines, but this one did not disappoint. I've been a fan of the author for a while and really enjoyed this historical fiction. I did find that it took me a while to get into the story, but once I was hooked, I was hooked. I think this is an important novel to have in libraries, especially considering the world we currently are living in.

Under the Same Stars is an emotional and timely book for today's young readers. The characters in Libba Bray's book are all grappling with how to resist various injustices in their lives. Hopefully this will give readers hope and encouragement that to fight for the future is always right.

Honestly, when I read the description, I didn't think the three-part storyline was going to work. But I am pleasantly surprised that it totally did! I'm usually not a fan of any kind of historical fiction, but Libba Bray really centered the threads of humanity that run throughout generations and across time, space, and circumstance.

Beautiful!

I loved this book. I enjoyed the weaving of timelines and stories through different decades of history. It's too mature for the school I work at, but I'm adding it to my grown up suggestions. Historical fiction is my favorite and I liked the multiple layers of history contained in this book.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray.

This was such a well crafted historical piece of fiction, cut into three timelines, all holding still so much relevancy today.

You really have no idea when you start this story about two girls who buy into the folklore of Bridegroom's Oak, that you are about to experience so many rich worlds, full of heartbreak, romance, and discovery. This is so well written and well researched. The author moves effortlessly between stories, helping each build on each other without ever letting the reader feel burdened with too many details.

If you love historical fiction, especially revolving around WWII, I highly recommend this read.

I know the cover says Libba Bray wrote this, but it doesn't feel like she did. Don't get me wrong, it's very well written and a lesser skilled author couldn't pull off three timelines as well as Bray does, but it's missing all the hallmarks you expect from a Libba Bray book. Fans of her previous work will notice the lack of her wacky humor (Going Bovine, Beauty Queens) or smartly magical characters (The Diviners series) but the social commentary is front and center.

This book is a call to arms when I needed a place to retreat from the world. She's showing us just how important it is and has been to stand up to Fascism at a time when my country seems to be heading that very direction. This would have been a five star book in my heart had I been in a different mental space when I read it.

YA book suitable for YA to adults.

This was such a perfect blend of historical fiction, mystery, and contemporary fiction and just some of the best writing I've ever been lucky enough to read. The writing, the prose. The way she was able to successfully do the pacing, even with three timelines? I will be reading more Libba Bray ASAP

This book was so good! I just can't stop talking about it to friends and family. The story was haunting, engaging, and romantic. I really loved all three POVs, with the World War II part being my favorite, even though it was so difficult to read. I would highly recommend this story!

This was pretty much destined to be heartbreaking.

Bray effortlessly weaves together three stories from three time periods that were fraught with tension and violence. They each relate to each other and show how history is doomed to repeat itself. But ultimately it shows that hope is important and precious and that we must resist.

It was hard to read in 2025. But necessary.

This review makes me so incredibly sad to write. Unfortunately, I do not think that YA historical fiction is something I enjoy anymore. This felt a bit overwritten to me, and make it hard for me to want to pick it up. I think this is definitely a me problem and not a problem with the book. I would still reckoned this to readers who like emotional ya historical fiction.

Legend has it that letters to the Bridegroom’s Oak bring true love—but the tree holds deeper secrets.

In 1940s Germany, Sophie eagerly awaits a reply from a mysterious suitor, while her best friend Hanna’s letters serve a different purpose: resisting the Nazis in their town of Kleinwald.

In 1980s West Germany, American teen Jenny finds freedom in rebellious Lena and an elderly woman with hidden ties to history.

In 2020 New York, lockdown-bound best friends Miles and Chloe uncover a decades-old mystery—two missing teens linked to the Bridegroom’s Oak.

This book took some time to get into. I really enjoyed the three different POV, especially the 2020s, where the author depicts exactly what was happening during COVID time. The 1930's POV made me super uncomfortable, which means that the author nailed the tone perfectly. The 80s one was spot on with the punk scene. While this was what I would consider a historical fiction-mystery, it was also about the power of love and friendship and the lengths that people go to, to sacrifice for the greater good.

Must Read YA Novel!

This should be a purchase for any library that serves a young adult population.

I loved this novel - it is the perfect antidote to our current news cycle. Important lessons about morality, tolerance, media literacy, resistance, and civil disobedience in any era.

I think this is one of those young adult novels that has wider appeal for an older audience as well because of its vivid history and humanities lessons.

Covering World War II Germany, a divided Berlin of the 80s and Covid Spring, this novel seamlessly wove the stories of the teenage protagonists in each era, showed how we are all connected, must strive to find the truth and do the right thing. Love is resistance.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ all the stars I can give

QOTD: What is one important lesson you have learned from world history?

I’ve learned that critical thinking and media literacy are very important when we are considering media and government messages.

Thank you @libbabray, @fsgbooks @netgalley @fiercereads for the opportunity to read this amazing novel that is also the @gmabookclub YA selection for February. I will be putting this in every reader’s hands at my library.

#underthesamestars #bestbooksof2025 #youngadultbooks #historicalfictionbooks #newbooks #currentlyreading #bookstagram #bestbooks

In New York City, during the pandemic, Miles and Chloe stay connected through late-night phone calls and Zoom calls. During one call Chloe shares a package she received from her grandmother that has them searching for answers.

In 1980 Jenny arrives with her family to live in West Berlin. When she meets punker Lena, her world changes. She also encounters an old lady who shares fairy tales that hide secrets.

It all starts back in 1939 Kleinwald, Germany, and two close friends Sophie and Hanna who are the 'good' girls and part of the Nazi youth movement. Sophie is a dreamer and storyteller who loves the romance of the Bridegroom's Oak. People write letters and hide them in the tree, hoping to find romance. But WWII is close at hand and the dreams of a happily ever after are shattered with Hitler's advance. The forest that once was a sanctuary from the horrors of war is no longer safe.

What worked: Once again Bray has delivered a winning tale! She has a real talent for drawing you into her story with multi-developed characters and rich worlds. I devoured this novel that had two best friends in 2020 searching for unanswered questions that lead back to WWII Germany and a tree that promises if you write and leave a letter there, your true love will answer back.

I love how effectively the stories are all connected. Sophie and Hanna are more like sisters. Hanna is the perfect Aryan model with her athleticism, fair skin, blonde hair, and commitment to the Hitler Youth movement. Sophie though is more quiet and a romantic at heart. She loves stories and her father owns a bookstore in their little town. Their relationship becomes more complex when Hanna returns from volunteer work in Poland. She has her own secrets. The brutality of Hitler's regime is shown by the 'hunter' who comes to their small village.

Woven throughout is a fairy tale of the hare and the deer. There's symbolism tied to the mystery that Miles and Chloe try to solve. I love this extra layer because it shows readers the magic that Sophie loves with fairy tales. Only in this case, the story is her own.

Jenny feels suffocated by her overbearing parents. A chance encounter with Lena opens her eyes to the Punk lifestyle and the danger that comes with it. Jenny peels back the girl her parents expect and embraces who she really is. Jenny and Lena's relationship is tumultuous. One moment it's exciting and another scary. Bray does a great job showing the divided Germany before the Berlin Wall came down and the danger it held.

Great pacing and engaging characters set in different time periods. All face difficult and at times dangerous challenges but each has their own sprinkle of hope.

This book was beautifully done. It was both hopeful and devastating, a story that lingers long after the final page. Libba Bray masterfully weaves together three timelines, showing how history repeats itself in cycles that seem impossible to break—yet young people continue to stand up, speak out, and fight for change despite the risks.

I was completely captivated, unable to put the book down until I unraveled how the three stories connected. From WWII resistance efforts to the Berlin Wall protests of the 1980s to a modern-day mystery, each thread felt urgent and deeply emotional. The novel forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the past and present while never losing sight of hope.

This is absolutely a book club pick for me. There’s so much to discuss—acts of resistance, historical echoes, love in all its forms, and what it truly means to make a difference. If you love historical fiction that makes you think and feel, this is one you won’t want to miss.

If I'm being completely honest, I think I knew a bit too much about World War II/Nazi Germany to absolutely love this book. While it is beyond important to learn about world history (because history repeats itself...) I feel like this isn't the way to learn about it. I've been skeptical of WWII books in recent years and this book really reminded me of why. While I loved seeing German girls living under the Nazi regime take part in a resistance, I was a bit disappointed that we weren't actually following the infamous Sophie Scholl. The character we follow in this POV is named Sophie and without going to far into spoilers, follows Scholl's life in a way, but I wish the character had a different name. Specifically because in the POV from 1980's West Berlin, the main character is in a band named Sophie Scholl. This book does have a lot of important commentary but sometimes the way it was done left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm not sure if I would even really recommend this to it's target audience because of the way the commentary was placed in some parts. I usually love everything Libba Bray writes so it was definitely a surprise to me that this didn't work for me. I was enjoying this book and it was a solid 3.5-4 star until about the 60% mark when the plot really starts moving. I'm hoping that this was just a fluke experience on my end because I do still think this book covers very important topics.

This story spans three different time frames and it takes quite some time to understand how all the stories fit together. As it always happens in books like this, I tend to favor one timeline's story over the others and this wasn't an exception. Bray is a great writer and each unique setting was interesting, but I really wanted to be in Kleinwald for this whole story. I did not care for Jenny's story in Berlin in 1980, and felt that we are still too close to COVID for that to be a main era to focus on - I understand why she picked all three, but I just wanted more Sophie, Hanna, and the rest of the resistance.

Libba Bray is incapable of writing anything not filled with magic, even a story where there are no actual magic elements. I'm absolutely overcome how much I love all three parts to this story, especially Hanna and Sophie's. Bray writes so excellent relationships between characters, it's remained one of my favorite things about her writing. The complexity of the characters in each setting, from the 1940s to 1980s to 2020 and the connections between each, really make this story shine. I really can't do more than gush about generally everything, this is a must read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is beautifully devastating, tragically romantic, and everything I need in a novel. Libba Bray masterfully weaves together stories from across three periods of time in an informative and heartwrenching methodology. These stories focus on the beauty and optimism that can remain even in the darkest hours of humanity when people believe that they can become the light. Through love and loss, death and new life, and faith that positive power can be achieved, this novel beautifully portrays the legacies of individuals rising to the challenge, across almost a century, in hope for a better world.