This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I was not disappointed. I didn't realize it was a series when I requested it, but it was an excellent stand alone novel. It just makes me want to get the others because the author did so well on this one. I loved the dual timeline, the characters, and the plot line. I admit it was a roller coaster of emotion from heartbreak to hope, but I enjoyed every minute of it. I highly recommend this novel to those history/historical fiction lovers out there. I will be looking for more from this author in the future.

Thank you Net Galley ARC and Barbour Publishing

“No matter what, God.”

If you have read other reviews of What I Left for You by Liz Tolsma, you probably have already seen this quote, most likely headlining the review. I wanted to pick another quote, and there are several that I will mention later, but in order to face the darkness that is presented in this book, you need hope to hang on to. The darkness isn’t graphic, but we are dealing with persecuted Jews and other unwanted minorities, work camps, and unspeakable evil that we can only pray to learn from to avoid a repeat.

Tolsma starts her puzzle (for indeed, that is what a dual timeline is) with a young Polish Lemko woman, Helena, who is a guardian of a small child in Nazi-occupied Poland. The other woman is a recently unattached, present-day social worker, McKenna. A Pennsylvania native, McKenna has also been responsible for a young child’s safety.

I love how an author (Tolsma is so good at this) starts at the end of a combined story, but takes us back to the beginning of each separate thread and very slowly weaves the strands together. Each chapter starts with a line from the tragic “Song of Lemkoveyna.”

A glossary, pronunciation guide, and explanation of who the Lemkos are, is in the front of the book and most helpful. I still wished for a map, due to my own unfamiliarity with Eastern Europe.

Tolsma draws the reader into her novel with her first ominous paragraph, expertly setting the tone of dark expectation and dread. Indeed, as we read, and even the characters question God’s presence, slowly, the seeds of faith are being tended in hearts. Slowly, some look upwards in this harrowing tale, realizing that ultimately, “evil will never win. God’s good always triumphs.”
Also, a word of advice given is “ Remember the good.” That is exactly what first Jerzy, then later Helena do in order to survive the deplorable conditions they find themselves in. Even
McKenna, as she searches her ancestral homeland for clues to a long-lost relative, begins to view her difficult life differently. We can’t change what happens, but we can certainly change our perception of those events.

This is such a compelling book! You won’t be able to put it down. Grab some tissues, your fave comfort animal and drink, and settle in to learn about a minority persecuted in WWII that you probably had never heard of before. Discover the strength of the mother-child bond, and the immense love for one’s homeland. As we consider the lengths that Jerzy, Helena, and others go for love, ask yourself, how far would I go for another? Would I try to make it on my own power, or would I needs look upwards?

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher via NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Happiness flies away on butterfly wings. Contentment is enduring. Lasting.”

“Everything about me was icy. My fingers. My cheeks. My toes. My heart. My soul.”- Helena

“You don’t have a crystal ball or a direct line to God.” “Ah.” Taylor sat back, broke the chocolate bar in half, and took a bite. “That’s where you’re wrong. I do have a direct line to God. It’s called prayer.” “But you can’t see into the future.” “I do know who controls what’s going to happen.”

“Every life is precious, created by God for a special purpose, so we aren’t going to leave you.”

“for tonight, and only for tonight, I would trust the Lord to watch over us. Tomorrow I would have to make the choice whether or not to put my faith in Him once again.”- Helena

“In times of war, we put our own needs aside and give our best to the greatest good.”

“From here the Lord will lead us in the way we should go. If we can’t trust Him, there is no one to trust.”- Jerzy

What I Left for You is such a memorable book! It is told with a dual timeline: one is set in Poland during WWII, the other in Pittsburg in 2023. These stories intertwine to present a heartbreaking tale of persecution and death while showcasing the astounding strength and perseverance of a group known as the Lemkos. I was familiar with the atrocities suffered by the Jewish people in Germany during World War II and I'm now aware of the victimization of the Polish Lemkos!

What I Left for You had realistic characters that exemplified the best and worst of mankind. Helena and Jerzy were forced to endure torture, imprisonment, and separation from family because of the evil and hatred of small-minded people. Did they give up? No, they still hung on, and "No matter what, God" became their mantra! Wouldn't this be a great mantra for all of us today? I also enjoyed the current-day story that took McKenna Muir to Poland as she searched for her family history. There she learned Helena's story and a shared connection, and finally understood the meaning of the words, "No matter what, God"!

In her author's notes Liz Tolsma shares that much of this story is based on her own family history. Her pride in her Lemko/Rusyn heritage is evident as she deftly weaves fact and fiction into a mesmerizing tale of love and faith triumphing over evil and hatred. More importantly, What I Left for You is a powerful reminder that we should never hide mistakes from the past. They need to remain so that they won't be repeated! I highly recommend this book and the entire Echoes from the Past series to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, Barbour Publishing, & NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

Another piece of WWII history that I had no idea about. Told through a dual time line, we follow Helena and find out her story during the war being a Lemko Rusyn from Lemkovyna. In 2023, we follow the story of McKenna as she dives into her family history as a distraction from a bad breakup. The more McKenna uncovers, the more questions they seem to have. As she dives deeper and deeper into their family past, her grandmother asks her to search for a missing person. But how does this person fit in with their family? This could open a secret no one knew about. Although many terrible things happened during WWII and it's not out of the possibility that someone was forever lost in the chaos of separation. As the story unfolds we find out what really happened to Helena and all she endured during the war. McKenna with help and her DNA test is picking up the small pieces that were sprinkled though out history and is finding out the shocking truth of Helena and her family's past during WWII. I really enjoyed this story and it is another piece of history I had not known about. Thank you to the author and Barbour books for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

a beautifully written captivating dual time history of Lemkovyna and the Lemko Rusyn people.linking the past and present. Filled with life challenges, heartache and hope this is a story of faith that all would work out, that no matter what is endured with God it is all beautiful. So much research was done to make this an interesting read. A real page turner and a must read!

This is my first time reading from this author and I was really surprised on how great it was written. This book has two time periods and it really worked. I highly recommend this book.

What I Left for You is the third installment from Liz Tolsma's Echoes of the Past series. I have loved the previous two books in the series, but this one is by far my favorite. I loved getting to know the McKenna and Helena's story so much. I was hooked right from the start and I could not put down until I was finished hours later.

Five stars is what What I Left for You deserved. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean historical fiction, particularly those that are set during World War II, as well as, with dual time lines. As always, I am eagerly awaiting the next release from Liz Tolsma.

I received a paperback copy of Liz Tolsma's What I Left for You from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Liz Tolsma delivers another moving, gripping tale centered around WW II. In this third installment of the series, the location and people are the Lemkos in Poland. This is another people group greatly affected by the war that I have heard and learned little about. The research and detail Liz Tolsma puts into this book is mesmerizing and moving. I have loved the learning I have been able to do through this incredible story. I knew going into this book there would be hard parts, tears, and disbelief at the horrible things people have done to other people. But the overpowering faith that is shown throughout the book is so wonderful. Even though the topic was hard, God in everything always ended up lifting my soul and spirit.
The story follows two timelines, linking the past with present relatives searching for their history. I loved how the 2 storied bounced off each other, waiting until the end to reveal everything. And how the characters leave a legacy for their descendants, while those descendants learn to build on and grow with that legacy.
The details and vivid descriptions bring the story to life. You can feel the sun shining on your face, the weight of the work camp, and the love that carries through no matter what darkness tries to kill it. The Polish landscape leaps to life in both timelines and sets the stage for this wonderful story to unfold upon. If you like WW II books you do not want to miss this one. It opens the door to a less talked about part of the war and informs the reader while also taking you along for an emotional trip. If you haven't read much about the war, start with book (or series). I greatly look forward to the next book Liz Tolsma book, it is sure to be a don't put it down until it is finished masterpiece again! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book 3 of 3 - Liz Tolsma is one of my favorite WWII authors. She never lets me down. Her stories are well researched and her characters are so real. You must read this story to finish the series.

I adore WWII historical fiction, and this dual-timeline story of a lesser known geographical area and ethnic group (that happens to be the author's ancestors) did not disappoint!

Beautiful yet heartbreaking lyrics from a song were at the beginning of each chapter. The extra research information from the author was helpful and fascinating.

I cried a few times during this book at both the historical timeline and the contemporary. There's nothing graphic, but Tolsma did not hold back on the hard facts of life in these characters' lives. Sometimes I question myself on why I'm reading a heartbreaking book, then as to read further, I am reminded of the hope that's found in Jesus.

I am adding this to my list of favorite WWII fiction.

I received this ARC from NetGalley. Opinions are my own.

I discovered Liz Tolsma’s writings a few years ago and quickly decided I liked her historical mysteries. Then, she started writing the Echoes of the Past series, with dual timelines—and I loved those! So, when I had the chance to read What I Left for You, I didn’t even stop to think, but requested it immediately.
Both timelines drew me in and kept my interest. Helena felt very real to me, and I loved her devotion to her closest friend and to her mother. Her journey was absolutely heartbreaking. In McKenna’s story, I was immediately drawn in by the stresses she was enduring. I loved the way her friend supported her. I also loved that this book was not a romance! There wasn’t even a hint of a new love interest till about 70% of the way through; the focus in this book was the journeys to freedom and healing that both Helena and McKenna traveled.
My main quibble with What I Left You was the convenient coincidences that McKenna and her friend encountered during their trip to Poland. Their search flowed much more smoothly than it normally would in real life! I did love the way the story switched from one time line to the other at the perfect times to tell the story. There was one thing that confused me, relating to DNA testing, which actually turned out not to be a problem—but I had to go way back in the story to find the one line I missed on the first go through, which cleared up the mystery for me!
I liked the spiritual journey that Helena traveled. She began the story with no idea of a personal relationship with God—and ended up learning about the possibility of that. Her faith ended up being passed along to her descendents.
I enjoyed learning about the Lemko people of Eastern Europe. I had never heard of them before, but what an interesting group! I loved reading about the Polish countryside, as well. I would not rate What I Left You as highly as What I Promise You, my favorite in this series, but it is not far behind.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: Chapter 1: Someone dies. Chapter 2: Someone is forced to lie. Chapter 4: A baby is beaten to death. Chapter 5: “Dodging bloated bodies.” Chapter 7: Description of the baby’s death. Chapter 9: Woman thinks about the physical side of marriage, mention of the marriage bed. Chapter 13: “Murdering and arresting innocent men, women and children.” Chapter 14: Man eyes the bed he shares with his wife. Chapter 21: Smells of human excrement, blood and decay. Chapter 22: Man hit in the head with rifle, gunshots rang out. Chapter 26: Girl violated by prison guard. Chapter 29: Girl dies. Chapter 32: “Bloated bodies,” gee.

Deeply heartfelt story from WW2 with timeslip to 2023, Great-great Grandmother to Great-great Granddaughter of Lemko/Rusyns heritage.

You can feel through them their strength - and hope - through the tears. The Polish people had been taken over or relocated many times over the years - they seem to have been regarded as a lesser race. Who can understand the need for Ethnic Cleansing? To wipe out a nationality of people? Or the sheer cruelty of starvation, no sanitation, separation of families, taking their means of living and property? Even the little things that mean something to them of love and family. It more than breaks your heart. Today we have the means to stay in touch or research people and areas so much easier. It also shows us the resilience and perseverance that allow a person and a people to survive and leave descendants to carry on a family line. Very interesting and informative, profoundly moving - it should be a classic. You leave a piece of your heart with the characters.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

This story is one of tragedy and heartbreak that occurred during WWII. The heroine, Helena, is a strong, intelligent woman who is determined to rescue her friend’s baby from the Jewish ghettos and raise her as her own. While she successful in doing so, they end up getting separated. I can’t even begin to imagine the horror of not knowing what has happened to your child, but it is also a story of hope and faith in God that all will work out. While I usually enjoy dual timeline stories, this one was more frustrating than most because it often left one time period on a cliffhanger for a chapter or several, not knowing what happened until returning to that time. The second timeline tells of Helena’s great granddaughter who finally finds out what happened to this child. I had never heard of the Lemko people before this book and enjoyed learning about them in spite of all the hardships and atrocities they faced. Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley, I received a complimentary ARC copy with no obligation to post a positive review.

What I Left for You is a dual timeline story centered around the history of the Lemko people.
At the time of WWII, Lemkovyna may have been within the border of Poland, but its people had a history, language, and traditions all of their own. In telling the story of Helena Kostyszak, a strong, educated Lemko woman, who rescued her friend's baby from Poland's ghetto intending to raise her as her own, and Helena's descendant's quest to locate this daughter decades later, Tolsma is able to tenderly tell the story of the Lemko people. Learning about a culture of which I was totally unfamiliar both within the story and the author's notes was very engaging. Within the historical and contemporary storylines, Tolsma leads two of her main characters into an understanding of what it means to have a personal relationship with God, that while not preventing one from experiencing hard times, allows Him to walk through those times with you, supporting you as you surrender to His will and timing.

While the storylines are intertwined, and both are well-written, the characters in the WWII era story are by far my favorite. While reading, I wondered if they might also be the author's favorites. It would be most difficult to not both sympathize and empathize with Helena and her immediate family, where as her great granddaughter, McKenna, sounds self-absorbed one minute and compassionate the next. Fortunately, her best friend, Taylor, goes with the flow and pulls McKenna from the brink on a regular basis. The contemporary story lacks a bit of realism as it is doubtful that Taylor's job as a social worker would pay for a month in Poland and hiring someone to assist in the search for her grandmother's sister, but as harrowing as it was, the historical storyline felt very real.

I recommend What I Left for You and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

"No matter what, God"
This was a difficult book to read. It had me almost weeping in places, sometimes in sorrow at how evil people can be, and yet, by chapters 44-45, I was smiling through tears,
This is a dual-time story, set during WW2 and 2003 Poland.
In 1942 Helena Kostyszak is an educated female ethnic minority called Lemkos. Lemkos were largely poor and lacking advanced education. Helena was an exception having gone on to college and worked as a college lecturer. When her Jewish best friend, Risa, is sent to the ghetto, Helena is able to get her infant daughter Teena out safely, after which she flees to her Lemkos village. It will take all of her strength and God’s intervention for both of them to survive the war and the ethnic cleansing to come.
In 2003 social worker McKenna Muir has suffered a devastating loss of a client's child. She takes a break from her job and travels to Poland to learn more about her grandmother's family. But what McKenna discovers about her family shocks everyone, including one long-lost family member.

This is the third in the Echoes of the Past series; the first set in Greece, and the second in France. I have found all three books to be very enlightening and terrifying about the atrocities that were happening to ordinary citizens during that time in history. Unfortunately, even in these times they are still happening.
"No matter what, God"
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley with no obligation to post a positive review.

Once again Tolsma weaves a world of characters that immerses the reader into a different time and place. You will quickly find yourself rooting for Helena as well as McKenna as they face hurdles and struggles that (fortunately) most people will never know. You will quickly develop a view of the Polish ghettoes and concentration camps that is unique and chilling. On the flip side you are given a glimpse of the perils and challenges of a social worker that few see or consider. The ending leaves you missing the characters and yet oddly satisfied.

Christian fiction readers will love this dual timeline story set in Poland. With every WWII story, something new is uncovered about the atrocities during that time period. Having never heard of the Lemkos, this story was especially interesting. The heartbreaking decisions that Helena had to make were so difficult but she was so strong in body and faith. KcKenna looking for her great-grandmother through the DNA and research was amazing. Loved the author’s note. Highly recommended!

Ever since reading Liz Tolsma’s previous two books in the Echoes of the Past Series, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the next installment! Let me tell you, when I finally was able to read it, the book was worth it’s wait to me! What I Left For You: Echoes of the Past Book 3 is a beautifully written novel set in eras of World War II and present day. Alternating between the two time periods, readers meet Helena, a woman starting out a career in 1930s Poland as a university professor, and McKenna, a woman in modern day working as a social worker. As World War II unfolds in Poland, Helena makes a promise to her best friend to take care of infant daughter, Teena. who is Jewish. Helena risks her life to take care of Teena–marrying dear friend, Jerzy and moving back home to Dubne. Helena, Jerzy, and Teena quickly become a happy family in Dubne, helping rescue people from Nazi occupation. On one such rescuing mission, Helena is separated from all that she holds dear and Helena makes it her life’s mission to get back to Teena because a true mother’s heart knows no bounds, including an adoptive mother’s heart. In 2023, McKenna’s life is coming apart at the seams when she calls off her engagement after her fiancé cheated on her and a child she’s been helping gets murdered. Deciding to take a sabbatical, McKenna heads to Poland to research her Family’s history firsthand–especially when McKenna’s Baba (Grandmother) tells McKenna she has a sister she has never met in Poland. In Poland, God miraculously puts pieces together in both Helena’s and McKenna’s lives, showing them, “No matter what, God.”

Liz Tolsma is a masterful storyteller that puts all her all into a story, and this is true of What I Left For You. Ms. Tolsma has a gift of telling a story introducing readers to parts of history and Peoples that many may not know about, without shying away from the harsh realities of history. I love how Ms. Tolsma painted the story of What I Left For You and meeting it’s characters. I was amazed at the places where Ms. Tolsma took the plot and was thankful that the story went where it did–both good and bad. I love how Ms. Tolsma was able to craft two different storylines and have them intertwine into one beautiful story. Helena’s character shows that a true Mother does not have to be blood related and can still show a selfless love. I admire Helena and those of her time–their resilience and boldness to stand up for what is right no matter the cost. I love learning about the Lemko people! My heart continues to break over injustices that human beings do to fellow human beings, especially since we all have the same Creator. I sympathized with McKenna and what she went through with, especially McKenna’s job. I understood on some level how Helena and McKenna felt, struggling to look on the bright side and barely being able to hold onto Hope, because I have had my own version of that myself. I love the Christian Message and theme of the book that was woven through out the story. (Especially the Message of “No matter what, God.” Trust me, read this book.) I love how people in both time periods pointed Helena and McKenna to Christ and encouraged them to keep going. If you are looking for an uplifting escape, that reminds you that God is seeing you through, then I highly recommend What I Left For You by Liz Tolsma!

Have you read What I Left For You? What did you think of the book?

Thank you to Liz Tolsma for giving me a copy of What I Left For You (as well as NetGalley and The Publisher) to review and for letting me be on the Launch Team. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My review is also on Goodreads, Amazon, and my blog Leslie's Library Escape.

Book 3 of the Echoes of the Past series.
Split time, Historical Fiction, WWII

I want to thank Liz Tolsma for allowing me to be on the Launch team.
I have learned so much history I didn't know about through your books (echoes of the past series)
A great storyteller. I have never heard of the Lemkos. Hardworking, Courageous, and Religious people are proud of where they come from and how they were persecuted for who they were. The author's notes at the end are a must-read!!
Another best seller!! You will not be disappointed!!

Have you heard of the Lemko people? You won't want to miss this dual time book as modern day McKenna goes to Poland to learn more about her ancestors. Before the leaves on the trip, her grandmother tells her to "find my sister". What sister? No one knew she had a sister! McKenna learns much more than she ever expected.
1939: Helena Kostyszak is lecturing at a university in Krakow, Poland and sneaks to the country of Lemko with a dying Jewish friend's baby when Jews are forced into the ghetto. Helena is certainly a brave woman as she faces so many dangers but she never gives up on protecting the child.
I was born at the end of World War II but have learned so much about what Europeans faced through reading the Echoes of the Past series. It makes me have a new appreciation of living in the United States. I encourage everyone to read What I Left for You and the entire series. I received a complimentary e-book through Barbour and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.