I remember the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and was curious to read The Berlin Apartment by Bryn Turnbull. It’s the story of one young couple separated by the wall and the events that follow. A heartbreaking tale shares their desperate attempts to be together and the sacrifices along the way. You’ll want to grab a latte and curl up with this fall must read.

I love historical fiction steeped in history, and Turnbull shared the story of a young couple separated overnight by the wall and the lengths they went to hoping to be reunited.

Turnbull did an outstanding job of bringing the reader along on this journey. We could feel the emotions on both sides of the wall. Using the perspectives of this couple allowed the author to show not only their turmoil and attempts to build a life despite their separation, but also the impact their own families had on them.

Desperate choices were made. Some heroic, some for the sake of another as the tension grew. Lise Bauer travels from the East to the West for her education, which is how she meets and falls in love with Uli Neumann, who keeps an apartment in West Berlin. The two become engaged and plan to tell their family soon, but on August 13, 1961, the East German Antifascist Protection Border is erected and Lis finds herself trapped on the East side. The author does a fantastic job of describing those first few days and the desperate attempts by East Berliners to escape West.

The couple faced impossible decisions, including betrayal, and I felt for both of them. Despite how I felt; their stories & actions felt genuine. This well paced, well-researched story held me captive until the last page. The ending was uplifting, and I closed the book with hope.

I love Turnbull’s writing and was excited to read her latest about a couple torn apart by the building of the Berlin Wall. Overnight, Uli and Lise are sentenced to a lifetime without each other, separated by just a few impenetrable city blocks.

Their story was heartbreaking, and with desperation setting in as the wall went up, Turnbull’s writing brought to life the harsh conditions and the palpable fear that was present in the lives of every East German. I learned so many amazing historical details in the novel and especially loved the glimpses of family life during this time. Being a mother myself, Lise’s choices are understandable - you will do anything to protect your child.

I highly recommend this book! It’s an emotional and gripping tale of true love and devotion spanning the decades and a (cold) war. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

This novel is like reading an eyewitness account of the people living in East and West Berlin when the dividing wall was built and the repercussions in their lives. It is a well-crafted and mesmerizing story of two young people caught on their respective sides when all they want to do is be together. Uli loves Lise desperately and his decision to create a way to get her to the west without getting her arrested or killed was interesting, believable and gut-wrenching. The division of the novel into parts added to my understanding the story better, as the time line changed with the parts and the story was set further in the future, with more changes in the daily lives of the main characters. Uli, Lise and their friends Jurgen, Wolf and Inge became like real people to me, suffering from the will of the government and with no recourse but to find a way to rebel clandestinely. Reading the story of how they were forced to live separately, trying to find happiness in a different life than they had planned spoke to their resilience, which seemed to be a major theme of the story. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and was fully invested in their finding their happy ending, whatever that would be. The fact that the happy ending did not immediately appear kept me engaged and invested in what was a twisted and compelling story. I think my favorite part of the story was Lise’s honest assessment of her life with her brother Paul, a man who sold out to the state and then devoted himself to discovering a way to make her happy in the east, even though she had to live without Uli. The emotion of that scene jumped off the page and made my heart pound as I read quickly to see how Paul would react. What a breathtakingly complex story that was written in a powerful way, getting way under my skin and right into my heart. This is historical fiction at its best, with plenty of action and a deep, immersive plot that captivated me from beginning to end.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

“The Berlin Apartment” by Bryn Turnbull is an emotional and historically rich story set against the backdrop of the Berlin Wall's construction in 1961. The premise is gripping: young lovers, Lise Bauer and Uli Neumann, find themselves cruelly separated by the sudden division of their city, forcing them to navigate life on opposite sides of the Iron Curtain.

Turnbull does a good job of immersing readers in the tense atmosphere of Cold War Berlin. The historical details are well-researched, and the depiction of life in both East and West Berlin is engaging. Uli and his friends' struggle to reunite with Lise through dangerous and covert means had me turning the pages, eager to see if their love could survive the monumental challenges ahead.

However, while the plot had plenty of action and conflict, I found the characters lacking in depth. Lise, in particular, felt somewhat underdeveloped, and I often wanted to know more about her thoughts and emotions during such a tumultuous time. Her best friend, Inge, was a standout character, and I wished she had more of a presence throughout the story. Similarly, Uli’s character seemed to fade into the background after the first part of the book, only to reappear with confusing motivations in the final sections.

For readers who enjoy romance with a historical backdrop, this book will likely hit the mark. The romance is heartfelt, and the depiction of love struggling to endure in the face of political and physical barriers is powerful. However, if you’re looking for deep character exploration and a more nuanced portrayal of historical events, you may find “The Berlin Apartment” a bit predictable.

Overall, I enjoyed the book for its fast pace, historical setting, and emotional stakes, but it left me wanting more depth from the characters.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Berlin Apartment

Another fabulous historical fiction story by Bryn Turnbull! I found it very interesting to read about what life was like on the East and West sides of the Berlin Wall. It must have been very difficult for the families that were separated overnight. It was an insightful read, very well researched and kept me absorbed in her story.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for a complimentary e-ARC for my honest review.

There's not a lot of historical fiction about post Wall Berlin and this is the first I read in English (I read something in GErman long time ago). It's an interesting and poignant story, a story about the people who lived in a town which was the center of a possible new war and one of the most fascinating places in the world.
Good story and intriguing plot, good characters
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publishers; the review is my own.*

3.5 stars

I have such mixed feelings about this book that I can't decide how to rate it. On the one hand, it was written very well and obviously researched extensively. The story drew me in, which is clear from how quickly I finished the book (though there's also another reason for that). But it was also so very heartbreaking in a way that I didn't enjoy, and I have difficulty forgiving some of the characters even though they could forgive each other. I spent several hours today in a very somber, morose place because of this book, and I don't particularly enjoy feeling that way. I read almost 50% of the book today because I was just . . . unhappy and wanted to finish it. I'm 90% certain that my next book is going to be something that's completely fluffy candy.

That said, this book has given me a lot of insight into the Berlin Wall. I was six when it came down, but I don't remember it. It's strange to think that the events of this book happened during my lifetime, and yet I really don't know all that much about any of it. My heart hurt while reading what Uli, Lise, and their friends went through. Even though I didn't like those feelings, they were still important to help me better understand what people in East and West Berlin experienced during that time.

Note: Some language, including 2 f words.

The Berlin Apartment is a story of loss, desperation, restoration, and a wall to separate East and West Berlin.

Uli Neumann and Lise Bauer are students when they fall in love. Lise commutes to the west side of Berlin from the east side to attend medical school and to see Uli who lives on the west side. Two days after their engagement, barbed wire is rolled across Berlin and the lovers are separated. As the Berlin Wall is erected, the prospect of escape is nearly impossible and only accomplished at the highest risk. Uli is desperate to get his fiance (and their unborn child) out of East Berlin and, with the help of friends, begins to build a tunnel and plan a daring rescue.

Uli and lise are not the only individuals whose lives have been disrupted and interrupted by government actions. The erection of The Berlin Wall was a shocking turn of events that caught many families and couples off guard and unprepared. Who knew that a trip across town to attend class or a trip home to see your dad could result in a thirty-year separation or change the trajectory of your life? Can you imagine the horror, fear, and desperation of families who were separated?

This is the second book I’ve read about the Berlin Wall this year. You might also enjoy The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay which is another story of a family separated by the Wall. I wonder if this is the beginning of a trend away from WWII histfic?

The Berlin Apartment is NOT a romance in my opinion. It’s a love story. What’s the difference? In a romance, the romance is the central focus. Without the romance, there is no story. Whereas, a love story can include a romance but the story is more than the romance and could stand alone without the romance. Have you thought about the difference between a romance and a love story?

While romance drives some of the plot, there is a lot more to this story than romance. We have political ideologies, rescue, living the life you are given and not the life you desire, loss of control over your life, living your best life in difficult circumstances, desperation, and grief. The important question about romance in this story is if love can survive a prolonged and stressful separation.

In The Berlin Apartment, we see what life was like under two ideologies: socialism and capitalism. Capitalism has its negatives, but government overreach is much more frightening to me.

Content Consideration: government controls, taking risks with dire consequences, interrogation and threats

If you want a non WWII hisfic read, The Berlin Apartment might interest you! I found it well-written and engaging from the first page with likable and determined characters and some suspense. Books clubs might find lots to discuss.

Thanks #NetGalley @HTP_Books @HarlequinBooks @MiraBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #TheBerlinApartment upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing for the copy of this book.
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Read if you like: Cold War History, romance-separated love.
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Uli and Lise are in love and want to get married. When the Berlin Wall is constructed, they are separated, Uli in West Germany and Lise in East Germany. Uli is determined to get Lise out of East Germany, and the book follows his plan to get her out.
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This book had a chokehold on me and I couldn't stop reading. I was rooting for Uli and Lise and was heartbroken when they were separated, as well as all of their experiences. Overall, a gripping story and I really enjoyed it!

I really loved this book. I felt like I learned so much about a time period that I realized that I really didn't know much about. I knew that after the Second World War Berlin and Germany were split by the Americans and Russians but I didn't realize that the wall that divided West and East Germany went up seemingly overnight, I love historical fiction that teaches the reader a bit more about a time in history that they are not familiar with. The Berlin Apartment has me wanting to read more and learn more. I also appreciated that while it was historical fiction it was also a bit of a romance as well as a thriller. I was at the edge of my seat, unable to put this book down as I wondered if Lise would indeed get out of East Berlin and be reunited with Uli. I can't wait to see what Bryn Turnbull comes up with next.

The Berlin Apartment by Bryn Turnbull
Historical romantic fiction. Multi-timeline and POV.
Berlin 1961: Lise Bauer lives with her father and brother in East Berlin and is studying to be a doctor in West Berlin where she meets Uli Neumann. Uli and Lisa fall in love and get engaged. She won’t wear the engagement ring until they can have dinner with her father. Two days later, East Germany puts up a barbed wire fence, separating East from West, splitting the city into two hostile halves. Lise is on the East side when the wall goes up. They try to convince the guards they are engaged. They try to find a place to go over or around the wire but get caught. Lise is stuck behind the iron curtain when the wire is replaced with a more permanent wall of cement. Socialist East Germany will not let their citizens leave. Mail is censored. People are watched. Then Lise realizes she’s pregnant. Her life is now under a microscope.

On the West side of the Wall, Uli is devastated he can’t be together with Lise. He convinces his friends they need to build a tunnel to get Lise and other family out of East Germany. It’s a dangerous plan, more than likely to fail, but Uli was in school to be an engineer. He and his friends are sure they can figure out structure, support and placement. Digging and building will have to be in secret. This is not something that will happen in a week, but rather months. Uli and Lise will have to live on their own side and follow strict rules while waiting for the tunnel to be completed.

Devastating separation for so many families. The wall went up without warning and there was no way across for German citizens. The compelling storytelling broke my heart. I was too young at the time to remember it going up, but I do remember all the news of when the wall came down. Uli is so strong and committed to helping. Lise will do her part but living in the east comes with strict rules and so many eyes and difficult decisions.
A lot of tears.
When the wall comes down, and we know it did, there is a lot of healing to be done. Almost thirty years of loss, life, and missing family.
This romance is difficult and long awaited. This story of Uli and Lise is a romance. So many others, weren’t so lucky.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

A heartbreakingly beautiful story that brought me to tears more than once. I felt Uli and Lise’s joy and heartbreak as well as that of all the other characters. One of my favorite books this year. Highly, highly recommend.

Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

A fascinating novel that keeps you invested until the very end. Your heart breaks for Uli and Lise and the investment you put into their relationship emotionally takes a day or two to recover.

Not a book you want to read with interruptions around you

"No matter where you are in the world-In Berlin, or Germany, or anywhere else-life is only ever going to be what you make of it." This is put to the test when in 1961 East Germany puts up the Berlin Wall cutting off east from west. And that is how Lisa finds herself cutoff from her new fiancé Uli. Can their love survive the separation? Will they find their way back to each other? This captivating book introduced me to a part of history that I really didn't know much about.

Happy publication day, @BrynTurnbull

One of Canada’s most endeared #historialfiction writer’s fourth novel, #TheBerlinApartment, hits bookstores today. I was fortunate to receive an #ARC, and I highly recommend this ‘must read’ for your end-of-summer reading list or #TBR pile for fall.

As a devoted fan of Ms. Turnbull’s, I am once again struck by her remarkable ability to interweave meticulous research into a deeply emotional narrative. Her storytelling is so immersive that it feels like you are experiencing the events in real time with the characters, uncertain of how history will unfold.

The love story of Uli and Lise captivated me from page one. It begins with their secret engagement in an apartment Uli purchased for their new life together. Yet, only two short days later, their university education and plans for the future are derailed by the construction of the #BerlinWall. Lise remains trapped within the confines of East German society where she was raised and where her father and brother fail to appreciate her heartache. Uli is stuck in West Berlin, concerned for the woman he loves, as the days slip into weeks, and months pass. Their urgency to reunite heightens when Uli learns she is pregnant. Uli and his friends in West Berlin devise a plan to bring Lise and her unborn child out of East Germany.

What results is a gripping page-turner and a compelling portrait of the profound divide and everyday struggles that existed on each side of the Berlin Wall —not just from a cement barrier but within the hearts and minds of those on the same physical side of the conflict. So much has been written about the human impact during WWI and II that it was refreshing to learn more about this period of history. Ms. Turnbull’s story serves as a poignant reminder for our world today, highlighting the potential dangers and life-altering circumstances that can arise when differing viewpoints and sense of injustice exist within our own neighbourhoods and families.

Will love triumph? The answer lies within the pages of this captivating read!

Thank you to the author, #netgalley, and #PenguinRandomHouseCanada for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Heartbreakingly beautiful, I loved this historical fiction on a topic that I haven't read much about. Loved.

What an experience! After reading so many WWII books in recent years I've been anxious to find a new historical fiction topic, and this is my second read this year about events surrounding the Berlin Wall. (I also recommend The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay). Turnbull brought a new perspective with this well-researched story of two lovers tragically separated on that fateful day in 1961. The different points of view between East and West were explored here, and not only did I really learn a lot but was able to enjoy a captivating story in the process. There were some edge-of-my-seat moments and some unexpected twists.
Thanks to NetGalley and MIRA Publishers for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

Lise and Uli are in love. He has even asked her to marry him. They both attend college in western Berlin. But one day, shortly after they became engaged, they are ripped apart by the barbed wire placed in the middle of the city of Berlin. Lise on one side and Uli on the other.

So many emotions go through you as you read this book…And desperation is one of the top ones! This young couple did everything in their power to get back to each other after the wall was put into place. Uli even starts a tunnel. He is determined to get back to Lise. But not only that, Lise lost her all of her dreams. Not only did she lose Uli, Lise could not even continue her studies to be a physician.

Then there is the ending of this story. Y’all! It just about broke me in places. And I am not going to tell you because I do not want to give anything away. Just know there are sacrifices and drama you will not soon forget.

Need an emotional and fantastic historical fiction tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

The Berlin Apartment by Bryn Turnbull
Historical Fiction

The timeline is all over the place in this book. It feels a bit choppy at times. But despite that the book was emotional and an incredible story. Uli and Liese are engaged. When the Berlin Wall went up without warning Liese was on the East side and Uli was on the West side. It was heartbreaking and an emotional read spanning from the day the wall went up to when the wall went down.

#netgalley #netgalleyreads #netgalleyarc #netgalleyarcs #historicalfictionbook #historicalfictionbookstagram #historicalfictionbooklovers

Two young lovers, spend the weekend apart planning to announce their engagement to her family after the weekend. Except, on the day they planned to share the news, Lise and her father return to the city to find the Berlin Wall has gone up over night. In those moments, affianced and separated, Lise and Uli’s lives are forever altered: she living in East Berlin, and he in West Berlin in an apartment meant for the the two of them within site of her family’s home.

“The Berlin Apartment” will stay with me long after I’ve turned the last page. The heartache and havoc that was incurred by so many during this time is authentically and emotionally recounted with all the feels - love, hope, anger, confusion, frustration, betrayal, loss, hopeless with an undercurrent of resilience and a wish for the future. This historical fiction novel focuses on family connections and how a country intent on conforming its citizens can tear lives apart, how even family members can stand on opposite sides, with a message about the enduring power of love and perseverance at its core. Spanning the 28 years from the days before the wall was erected until 1989 when the wall finally came down, Turnbull expertly weaves together Lise and Uli’s lives from each side of the wall.

It’s hard to believe that the Berlin Wall is recent history. I remember watching the news as the wall was being brought down; those images forever ingrained in my mind. Lives were irrevocably changed that day in 1961 when the barbed wire first went up with the wall quickly following. Lives that continued to be torn apart for the 28 years that it stood, fully guarded. Compelling, moving, richly detailed with characters on both sides of the wall that you will feel for, ache with, and love. You’ll be in awe of their resilience and the bond between friends and family as Uli, Lise, Inge, Jergen, and Wolf work to build an escape for family and friends fraught with danger for everyone involved.

As I was beginning to sink into #theberlinapartment when I came across this #trabant. I immediately thought of #berlin though I had no idea how significant a Trabant would become in this story.

#brynnturnbull #1960sberlin
#booksbooksbooks #historicalfiction
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#bookgeek #booknerd
#bookrecommendations #bookreview
#femaleauthor #femalewriter #reader
#youshouldreadthis #highlyrecommend