For. The. Love.

This book. It is so achingly beautiful that I had to wait a few days to write this review. Well, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the book long enough to commit my thoughts to electronic paper, either.

As I think about why it hit me so freaking hard, I am reminded that I didn’t even know if I was gonna like it when I began the book. It’s very different from Bray’s other works, in that it is almost entirely historical fiction and also quite serious topics. But the gorgeous spirit of her prose, the richly detailed characters, the settings (especially the forest), the intertwined stories? All of that is perfect. Pure Libba Bray. This book is what I want from a book, as it will stay with me for a very long time. Miles and Chloe. Hannah and Sophie and Karl and even Oskar. Lena and Dallas. I want to not have read it already so that I can go back and experience it for the first time. It’s breathtaking. 💜💜💜💜💜📚

Under the Same Stars is an unforgettable masterpiece that intertwines history, mystery, and the enduring power of love and rebellion. The author's ability to transport readers across time and space is unmatched, seamlessly weaving together three captivating storylines set in 1940s Nazi Germany, 1980s West Germany, and 2020s New York City.
The Bridegroom’s Oak, a real-life tree said to grant love to those who write letters to it, serves as a magical yet haunting symbol at the heart of this novel. In 1940s Germany, Sophie and her best friend Hanna are writing letters to the tree, but with very different purposes—Sophie seeks love, while Hanna seeks rebellion against the Nazis. Their stories are gripping, filled with tension as the war unfolds and their actions have life-altering consequences.
Fast-forward to 1980s West Germany, where American teen Jenny grapples with rebellion of her own, falling for Lena, a fierce punk rocker determined to fight the East-West divide. Their relationship is a powerful exploration of love, freedom, and identity in the shadow of a divided country.
Finally, in 2020, as COVID-19 lockdowns keep the world indoors, best friends Miles and Chloe stumble upon an old package that leads them on a gripping investigation into a cold case from the 1940s. The author skillfully ties the fates of these teens across the generations, as they unravel the mysteries surrounding the Bridegroom’s Oak and the missing teenagers from Sophie’s time.
What makes Under the Same Stars truly exceptional is the author's ability to handle complex, weighty themes—love, war, rebellion, and sacrifice—without ever losing the emotional depth and connection to her characters. The novel's message of resisting oppression and the fight for a better world resonates deeply, made all the more poignant by its historical and modern-day contexts.
This is historical fiction at its finest, blending romance, rebellion, and mystery into a narrative that will linger long after the last page. The author's evocative prose, unforgettable characters, and masterful storytelling make Under the Same Stars a must-read for anyone seeking a deeply moving, thought-provoking novel.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was recommended to me by a friend - WWII historical fiction, triple time-lines, everything right up my alley.

All in all - the STORIES are great, and I really loved the 1940 and 1980 timelines. The 2020 pandemic story is maybe too close, but I really appreciate Miles growth from wanting to be active to being active in his beliefs.

My issue with this book is some of the wording and overall preachiness - Libba Bray is a fantastic writer, but many parts of this read as an adult writing it, not the POV or words from teens. I also don't like current phrases/ideals pushed on a past where those terms would not have been in use. A few examples:

1. I'm pretty sure no one ever said during WII "Make Germany Great Again"

2. Mrs. Diaz's letter to Miles. It's forced and terribly written to get teen readers to fact check their sources. "Trace the authors/topics to their sources and for verification, run it through fact-checking websites like snopes.com and Politifact. Sources with .gov and .edu in the header are best". It comes across the page as condescending and not authentic.

3. Bray excelled at tongue-in-cheek humor to get her point across in books like Beauty Queens (perfection), but here it is so direct and in your face that it made me feel like she thinks teens are dumb and couldn't get inferences as well.

4. Her explanation of mycorrhizal relationships in the forest is twisted a bit for her purposes to get a point across to use for the book (which is only annoying because of her fact checking spiel, I get creative license but she left out important parts to make a point).

With all those complaints, I did enjoy reading this and I was anxious to see how the relationships all fell together over the years. I liked that it wasn't all revealed at the end but there were plenty of instances where we knew who was who and how they linked together.

Recommended, but still a little disappointed.

Under the Same Stars" was an exciting historical mystery for teens and young adults. During the worldwide pandemic, two teenage friends try to solve a family mystery involving one of their grandmothers. The story spans two historically significant time periods for Germany, WWII and the cold war and it's affects on their lives.

Libba Bray is one of my favorite authors. Why? Her prose is one of the best I have ever come across - yes, she writes both contemporary and historical fiction, but she does so in a way that when I read it, I feel as if I am reading poetry. All of her books rank among my favorites and I always recommend them, and her latest is no different. Again, she astounds me with the way that she tells a story - her innate ability to transport the reader into her character's lives and circumstances, and the way she strings words together is incredible. I loved "Under the Same Stars" and consider it one of the best books I have read in 2024! I urge anyone who is looking for their next unputdownable read to grab this one! Ten stars!!!!