In What I Left for You, Liz Tolsma weaves an evocative narrative that pulls readers into the intense journey of the Lemko people during World War II. This story unfolds through dual timelines—one set against the backdrop of a war-torn 1939 Poland and the other anchored in present-day America—each thread intricately crafted to reflect the heartbeat of faith in the face of adversity. Tolsma's characters resonate deeply, their struggles a testament to the enduring power of hope and love that persists even in the darkest hours.

Helena Kostyszak emerges as a beacon of strength amid chaos and heartbreak, her life upended by war as she fights against the Nazi regime to protect an infant entrusted to her care. Tolsma paints a vivid portrait of Helena’s faith, showcasing how her commitment to family and love becomes a lifeline in a world filled with despair. As the narrative opens with Helena’s desperate flight, I was instantly captivated by her world—a realm where every life is cherished, echoing the profound truth that “...every life is precious, bestowed on us by our Creator.”

Fast forward to 2023, and we meet McKenna Muir, a social worker grappling with the weight of loss following a tragedy. In search of solace and understanding, she embarks on a journey to uncover her family’s past, ultimately revealing startling truths about her heritage. The parallel stories of Helena and McKenna intertwine beautifully, illustrating that the ties of family and faith transcend time and circumstance. Tolsma's exploration of the phrase “No matter what, God” reverberates throughout the narrative, reminding us that in every trial we face, our faith can guide us until our very last breath.

The incorporation of the “Song of Lemkovyna” stanzas throughout the book adds a haunting emotional depth that lingers long after reading. These lyrical pieces not only enrich the narrative but also invite reflection on the cultural legacy of the Lemko people—a history often overshadowed. As Tolsma unveils their suffering and resilience, I was reminded of 1 Peter 4:8, which calls us to "keep loving one another earnestly." It serves as a beautiful reminder that even in our darkest moments, love illuminates the path forward.

One particularly poignant moment occurs when Helena prays fervently, "Heavenly God, I pray to you, give us strength to survive our sorrow and a hope for a better plight." This prayer encapsulates the heart of the story—faith enduring amidst trials. It evokes the spirit of Psalm 130, where we find comfort in waiting for the Lord's unfailing love, echoing the characters’ unwavering commitment to God through every storm.

Tolsma navigates the complexities of faith and suffering with grace, inviting readers to wrestle with life's toughest questions. She beautifully illustrates that while answers may elude us in this life, “in eternity, God will give us the answers we don’t have now.” This perspective encourages us to trust in His divine plan, no matter how tumultuous the journey becomes.

The delightful banter between McKenna and her friend Taylor injects moments of levity amidst the weighty themes, illustrating the importance of friendship and support as we navigate our own challenges. As McKenna’s journey unfolds, we witness how love and faith weave together to form a tapestry of hope, resonating with Hebrews 12:2, urging us to fix our eyes on Jesus.

In conclusion, What I Left for You transcends the boundaries of a mere novel; it is a heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and the indomitable spirit of faith. Tolsma shines a light on a lesser-known aspect of history while reminding us that “God has a way of bringing beauty out of ashes.” I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking a powerful narrative of faithfulness that inspires us to hold steadfast to God through all of life’s trials—until our final breath. May we fully embrace this story, allowing its profound truths to resonate deeply within our hearts.

I received a digital ARC of What I Left for You from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

How do I even start? I don't know what to say. Any words I have seem stark and in no way able to express how this book made me feel. I wanted to write a review as soon as I finished it, so I didn't miss a thing, and yet, I feel as if I must wait to process it all--to try to be able to do this book some small measure of justice. What I Left for You is heartbreaking. It is tragic. It is full of loss and sorrow and tears. It is full of unjust cruelties and reveals the brutality mankind is capable of. And yet, the underlying stream is full of hope and peace, carrying along steadily the refrain, "No matter what, God." This book is also hauntingly beautiful, and healing, and amazingly written. It isn't a romanticized World War Two novel. It tells the true story in all of its ugliness and horror, and yet, I believe, is all the better for it. Because it tells the truth. And it tells of the God that is there through it all, despite mankind's evil choices. Thus, I so highly recommend you read this book. Read it, and dwell on it. Don't forget the atrocities committed, but also, don't forget the Lord over all, and the beauty he can bring from the ashes. The lesson taught throughout the dual timeline is a lesson for us all surely.

What a captivating and inspiring work of fiction this book is!! I loved the way the author shows, so well, the spirit and courage of her heroine during the darkest times of recent history: WW II. Helena is one of only 2 women who are well educated and hold jobs teaching at the university in Krakow and were best friends before the unspeakable tragedy that was WW II, was thrust upon them, and Helena’s mama. She and a friend rescue her fellow woman professor’s infant daughter, Teena, from where the Germans had taken her, barely escaping with their lives. I will leave it to you to find out what happens between Helena, Jerzy, Teena, Helena’s mama, and other key characters in the book from the days of war and the present day, as we see Helena’s granddaughter, McKenna dig into the mystery of what happened to her grandmother’s sister (Teena), and how she goes about uncovering the truth of her family’s history in Poland. My heart and soul were so torn moved by what the Lemmon people endured. This is an amazing piece of literature, that I will never forget! My review cannot do this book justice. Much of it was based off of true stories that the author incorporated into her book, which made it even better. You will not regret purchasing this book, but you will never know what a great book it is if you don’t read it! I received an advance copy and this opinion is my own.
🙏♥️

What I Left for You #3 Echoes of the Past by Liz Tolsma

This is a duel-time novel:

1939 in Poland during WWII.
Helena Kostyszak and Jerzy Bielski face many difficult and heartrending challenges and circumstances as the war escalates within their community and homeland. The devastating horrors of war and death, work camps and forced relocation, and families torn apart--some never to be seen again. In the midst of war; there is an amazing reminder that God is in control and will not leave them. One reminder that Helena and Jerzy cling to is: "No matter what, God." What a great reminder for the characters - and for us as well.

The descriptions of Poland and the ghetto where Jews were relocated gives the reader a glimpse- only a glimpse- of what they suffered. I can’t begin to imagine the deplorable, horrific conditions they lived in or the fear and grief they faced. I was often in tears as I read their story. But, there are times when joy and happier days are intermixed within the heartache, and love and faith.

2023 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Social worker, McKenna Muir is devastated when tragedy occurs with a family member of one of here cases. In addition to that tragedy, unexpected changes in her personal life causes more heartbreak. Her friend, Taylor, suggests a Sabbatical to Poland to work on her family’s genealogy; something McKenna has wanted to do for a long time. What McKenna uncovers is nothing like she imagined and shocking. It appears there is a heroine in her family tree, which sparks even more interest in finding her family’s background and her long-lost family member- Teena. I have done a bit of genealogy into my own family and found the steps McKenna took to learn of her family’s background very interesting. I was in tears reading what McKenna learns regarding her family during WWII; and happy tears when long-lost family members are finally reunited.

Liz Tolsma has written about a difficult time in history with sensitivity and compassion; weaving historical events within the fictional storyline and characters’ lives. The author’s notes at the end of the book include information explaining which part of this fictional story are true historical events. She also includes a note about the Lemkos people; which are part of her own family’s history. There is a glossary of Lemko Rusyn words found in the story. I learned a lot about Poland and how WWII impacted the people and the community there. Before reading this story; I had not realized (or forgotten) Poland was invaded during WWII.

~I purchased a copy of the book and I received an PDF ARC copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley (no monetary gain was exchanged), this is my honest review~

This is a WW2 book---but it's from a Polish point of view and where the university professors were taken just like the Jews. Even when not Jewish. It is based on some true aspects of this Polish region in the Carpathian mountains and I loved diving into the culture.

There are TWO points of view--one of Helena living the WW2 horrors and trying to protect her baby daughter Teena at all costs. And Mckenna--a social worker in 2023 who has hit the point of burnout and encouraged by a friend, explores her genealogy to learn more about her grandmother's family and their Polish connection. Encouraged by her grandmother Baba--who makes an unusual request for her to find her sister. A person no one has ever even heard of.

Everything peels back like an onion as the layers of their lives begin to intertwine. And the age old question "How can God allow such horrors and evil to happen to the innocent children" gets explored.

There are some great faith busters explored and you get to think on them yourself.

*I was given a complimentary copy of the ARC by the publishers and NetGalley for review. All opinions are 100% my own.

What an intriguing story full of heartbreak and hope, I could not put it down. Fascinating! Thread by thread Author Liz Tolsma weaves a hard but beautiful tale. I highly recommend it!

"Tolsma uses split-time storytelling and DNA testing to uncover a family's courageous story that was lost to the horrors of WWII." "A Family’s Ties Were Broken in Poland of 1939."

What I Left for You takes the reader on an unforgettable journey of love and loss, amidst extremely difficult situations during WWII in Poland, and the story of a descendant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the present.

In 1939 Poland, Helena Kostyszak is an educated woman from a minority ethnic group in Southern Poland (a rarity for her people) who became a lecturer at the famous Jagiellonian University in Krakow (where the Germans deceitfully, and forcefully took away 183 professors and imprisoned them). The only other woman lecturer is a dear Jewish friend. Helena and her good friend Jerzy Bielski, sneak into the ghetto to find her dying friend Risa Birkha. Helena vows to do everything she can to find her friend's baby Teena and ensure that she survives this madness. Here begins the harrowing journey of heartbreak and hope.

"Little by little, the Nazi's sucked the life out of everyone around us." "Freedom was fleeting, something to be cherished for however long it lasted. Because freedom could be taken away without notice." "I am so frightened. I told the others to be strong and to rely on their faith, but mine is as small as a mustard seed." "Everything I held dear, the Germans ripped from me." "From the looks of it, Poland had traded one tyrannical regime for another."

Favorite saying: : "No matter what, God!" A quote that was passed down from Great Grandma Helena, a reminder that "no matter what happens in our lives, whether good or bad, God is there."

In the present day, social worker McKenna Muir recently became unengaged and suffers a devastating loss in her job. She takes time off from work and agrees to start a genealogy project she's always wanted to do. She and her best friend Taylor head to Poland for answers. She hires Filip Jankowski, a Polish genealogical researcher to help with her quest.

I was recently in Poland for the first time so it was fun to me to recognize many of the places mentioned in the story; Jagiellonian University (famous students Copernicus and Pope John Paul II), Old Town, Vistula River, Krakow Ghetto, Krakow orphanage site in the Krakow ghetto, the Wawel Castle, Plaszow, the Barbican, St. Florian's arch, train station in Krakow, the Wielicska Salt Mine in Krakow with it's beautiful chapel, St Mary's Basilica Krakow and Warsaw.

It was so interesting to learn about the Lemko Rusyn people, a "Slavic ethnic group whose historic home is in southern Poland". I never knew about this hard working, salt of the earth, group of people and what happened to them.


Thank you to Barbour Publishing and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a heart wrenching book that was also full of hope. It amazes me that the human spirit is so resilient and able to persevere during such terrible events in their lives. . Both time lines were very well done. I highly recommend this one!

What I Left for You, by Liz Tolsma, is a moving and deeply heartfelt story of a little know population of people and their story during World War II. This story was heartbreaking but hopeful. It told of loss and sadness but also of great joy and fulfillment. It spoke of the goodness of God in the midst of the darkest hours of human history and the lives that were touched then and now. I recommend this book to World War II fans as well as to anyone looking for a truly inspiring story of love, faith and hope even in the darkness.

I had read the second book in the Echoes of the Past series, but had a hard time getting into it. In contrast, this third book sucked me right in and I had a hard time putting it down! I learned a lot about the Lemko Rusyn people, a Slavic ethnic group whose historic home is in southern Poland close to Slovakia and Ukraine in the Carpathian mountains, most of whom were forcibly deported after World War II, resulting in a diaspora around the world.

There is a lot of heartache in the story, but also a lot of hope, resilience and faith. It turns out that Tolsma has Lemko ancestors herself, and parts of this story are based on her own experiences in trying to learn more about her people.

There plot has dual timelines, which are very well done. The characters are great. Have your tissues handy, but remember “No matter what, God!”

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." #WhatILeftForYou #NetGalley

Liz's books are always so well-researched, bringing a little-known aspect and/or culture to life for the reader. In this story, we travel to Poland and learn about the Lemkovyna population, a group nearly completed erased by the war. A Jewish mother, a Roman Orthodox mother, the partisan rebels, and the dangers of educated women are all addressed in this WW2 story of persecution, loss, grief, and the neverending search for those missing parts of one's heart. There are many parallels to the modern-day storyline, and both are told simultaneously. It's a story of heartbreak, but with a beautiful, make-you-cry ending! Honestly, I had never heard of the Lemko people until I read this book, and it makes me wonder how many other cultures were lost throughout history to various wars,,,

Story of a women in WWII who rescues a friend's baby from a Ghetto, and sets out to raise her as her own, along with her old friend, who she marries. In the present day, the woman's great-grand daughter travels to Poland to find out more about her ancestor and the desperate choice she had to make. Interesting and engaging story.

Author Liz Tolsma takes her readers through a whole gamut of emotions and a wealth of history in this well-researched novel. The reader will follow Helena’s WWII tale of persecution, terror, devastation, and perseverance through the horrible Nazi occupation and the Polish purge of the Lemko people. Helena is a fictional example of what real people lived through, and her faith in God through all of those tests is a challenge to everyone. McKenna’s modern day tale of life as a social worker shows the sometimes darker side of our current world, and how God truly does carry us through those times. Someday, like Helena and McKenna, we too will see that what men meant for evil, God means for good. This book is well-written, with good character development and such a good side-by-side plot. Readers experience all of the emotions felt by the characters, and I hope it serves to bring a light to the horrible atrocities that were committed against countless innocent people. May we never forget. I had never heard of the Lemko people until I read this book. How many other cultures and people groups have been lost to the ravages of war? We will never know, but this book does serve to share the Lemko people with the world, and I am glad to know of them now. I highly recommend this book. It will have the reader turning pages and staying up late to find out what happens next.

I received a copy of this book for review. The thoughts expressed here are wholly my own.

What I Left For You is a well written dual timeline book. I throughly enjoyed the plot.. The two time periods were woven together seamlessly. I definitely recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.

This books takes you on a long journey through the past and brings you to the present day in a dual time line story that will surely make a lasting impact on the reader. You will experience deep emotions including heartache and loss, ask the same questions that the characters ask, and receive encouragement and wisdom for your own life. The book has strong characters that demonstrate passion and the persistent drive for answers. The author also paints a great picture of the setting that has you wanting to see such views yourself and travel to that part of the world. Overall this book is not a light read, but perfect for those that love historical books, especially WWII. I love how different this WWII book is and how it focuses on a people group I was not aware of, and I was able to learn a little more about this time in history.

I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow. More than 5 stars for this book! It touched my heart in so many ways. I was intrigued to read the book because I have Polish and Ukrainian grandparents. I'm sure that many of my family members endured similar devastating experiences.

The main characters are amazing! Helena reminds me so much of my grandmother. Her courage to face every day is commendable. She suffers so many losses and almost loses herself. Her faith in God is tested many times. McKenna reminds me of me! Her longing to figure out her past and to try and restore relationships is remarkable.

The imagery brings the countryside of Lemkovyna to life. I could see the hills dotted with sheep and hear the joyful laughter of the families living there.

There are so many difficult circumstances in the book. The devastating horrors of war, death, work camps, forced relocation, and families torn apart. There's also the amazing reminder that God is in control. "No matter what, God." Words to live by, words that bring peace.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Barbour Publishing via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Imagine if your homeland was empied of people who were forced to leave and you were trying to find one of your relatives 75 years later?

The Lemkos of the Carpathian Mountains in southern Poland, Northern Slovakia and Western Ukraine had lived in their homeland fo since the 9th century and they had their own language, customs and religion.

The story begins with Helana and Jerzy in Krakow, Poland in 1944, they were rescuing a friends' baby from the ghetto where her mother, Risa was dying.

They smuggled the drugged baby Teena out in a big pocket and took her to Helenas' apartment.

The story jumps to Helenas' great granddaughter McKenna in 2023, as she is trying to locate Teena, who disappeared in 1948.

You will enjoy their harrowing journey through Nazi - occupied Poland as they are part of a brave partisan group during the late 1940's, you feel like you are there!

I really do not want to tell to much about this book, sinne it is number 3 in the series. But I feel that you have to read this books in correct order. I am always amazed how the author is able to connect the past and current time together, to make an amazing book. Have your handerchief ready. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

WHAT I LEFT FOR YOU by LIZ TOLSMA is a really interesting WW11 novel in which we see things, not only from the Polish angle, but we are introduced to the Lemko and their beautiful country of Lemkovyna in southern Poland. We see man’s inhumanity towards his fellow man, as, not only did the the Nazis treat them all as less than human, but after the war the Polish government treated the Lemko very badly, breaking up families and carting them off to Ukraine, destroying their houses and farms.
The characters are unforgettable. We see the strength and courage of Helena and Jerzy, both former lecturers at the Jagiellonium University, as they save Teena, a little Jewish baby from the Jewish ghetto, and take her to Dubne to bring up as their own child, and also as they join the Lemko partisans to get some of their people out of jail. We see Helena’s desperation as she is taken further and further away from her beloved mother and daughter……
It is heartbreaking to see the horrors of the German labour camps which are described in some detail.
In 2023, after a tragedy for which she feels largely to blame, and a broken engagement, McKenna and her best friend Taylor take a sabbatical in order to go to Poland and find the sister McKenna’s grandmother has never known. As they work with Filip and his agency in Krakow, the story unfolds. We are reminded of the fact that God can bring good out of all things…….
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling yor read.
There is a strong Christian message running through the story, from the Greek Orthodox church of the Lemko and the Catholic church, to simple Bible believing faith.
I highly recommend this inspirational and heartwarming novel.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

What I Left for You by Liz Tolsma brings light to a small culture that has been erased by the Nazi's during World War II. She does a wonderful job at creating a story to show the lengths a mother would go to find her child again. Even put her own health at risk. Tolsma shows the horrors of a concentration camp with truth and grit. She does not shy away from the horrors inflicted on the bodies of these innocent people. The plot is not that much different than a lot of the World War II novels that I have read. Yes, Tolsma based it on true stories, and there are tons of them, but it is hard to be different when the plight was felt by so many of these people. The setting was definitely different with the small, uneducated people being forced to move and forget their heritage. Overall, What I left for You by Liz Tolsma was a World War II novel that tugged at the heart, but ends in a happily-ever-after meeting.

I received a complimentary copy of What I Left for You by Liz Tolsma from Barbour Publishing, but the opinions stared are all my own.