Thank you Netgalley and Simon Schuster for an ARC of this.


One of my favorite types of WWII books are the ones with women overcoming the obstacles and coming on top.

We follow Audrey who is a pianist in Berlin. She knows she needs to return to England, but doesn't want to. With WWII on the rise, she wants to stay back and help her friend Ilsa. As she has her hiding she is caught between her, protecting her friend, or going in with the resistance.

I throughly enjoyed this book

This was a solid easy Historical Fiction read that is told is dueling timelines. In the 1930s, we meet Audrey James, a concert pianist who is swept up in the world of spycraft when her best friend's Jewish family is taken away in Berlin, Germany and she is forced to hide her in a home that has been overtaken by several Nazi soliders. Fast forward to 2010 and Kate, newly single travels to a bed and breakfast where her parents stayed during their honeymoon in order to come to terms with her grief after their deaths and works for the enigmatic Audrey who then tells Kate her history.

The strongest parts of this novel are most certainly Audrey's story. The scenes are well fleshed out and the reader gets a true sense of Audrey's grit and determination. The weakest parts of the novel, however are Kate's background and story which to be honest, could have been completely eliminated. The romance that was tossed in seemed incredibly forced and the character of Ian was completely flat and non-existent. Although the ending neatly wraps up the storyline, I had a hard time accepting Audrey's actions once she left Germany and felt that it was out of character for someone who loved their friend so much.

Overall though, this was a quick enjoyable read with zero spice, but vague references to sex and rape. I would not hesitate to let someone aged 7th grade+ read it as an early introduction to adult historical fiction writing. If you are a fan of Tatiana de Rosnay's novels, you will devour this one. 3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine, and Heather Marshall for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am a sucker for dual timeline novels, especially those that have one of the stories set in World War II. Heather Marshall's The Secret History of Audrey James checked all the boxes for me: well-developed characters, atmospheric descriptions of times and places, and an interesting convergence of past and present. I was invested in the stories of both Audrey James and Kate Mercer and appreciated the way that the author revealed their backstories and connections. I highly recommend this work of historical fiction!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC; all opinions are my own.

This is a dual-timeline story about surviving tragedy. One MC is a WWII survivor, the other has survived her own personal tragedies. They have very similar feelings about being the survivor. By sharing their stories, they may find some healing. I recommend for lovers of dual-timeline (loosely based) historical fiction.

I feel like there’s SO many WWII novels out there that it takes a lot to stand out of the crowd and this one does just that.

I liked both Audrey and Kate and how their stories connected! I know duel timelines are also everywhere, but the author handled that well too!

I will definitely be recommending this book to friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book,

The Secret History of Audrey James is a moving dual-timeline story set in 1938 Germany and 2010 England, following two women bound by loss, secrets, and resilience. While it touches on familiar WWII themes like resistance, danger, and the courage to protect others, Heather Marshall brings fresh emotional depth and memorable characters that linger after the final page.

The suspense builds beautifully, especially in the later chapters, and the blend of heartbreak and hope makes this an engaging read for fans of historical fiction. A poignant reminder that often, the quietest people leave the most powerful legacies.

I enjoyed this different perspective on world war 2 historical fiction. Having both the English/German girl and a German Jewish girl’s perspective. Audrey is the English/German girl who’s living with her best friend’s family in Berlin while she finishes her piano studies. Everything changes when her friend’s father is shot while they all go to a department store. I don’t want to spoil the story but the author based parts of the story on a true story. Hope you will pick this up if you enjoy historical fiction. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a compelling dual-timeline historical fiction novel, where we meet Audrey in 1938 Berlin and Kate in 2010 England. Both of their stories are interesting, but Audrey's story had me captivated from the start. This was a beautiful tale of friendship, love, and standing up for what is right. It wasn't always an easy read, as both of the main characters have suffered a great deal of tragedy. I also learned a lot about different resistance movements in WWII from this novel. Audrey's parts had me enthralled, and the way these 2 stories wound together was so g

This was a fantastic historical fiction novel that alternated timelines and voices. Audrey James was an incredible woman who somehow lived through the horrors of World War II. Kate is looking to escape from a recent divorce and decides to go work at an inn in northern England. Their stories weave together in ways they never could have imagined.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret History of Audrey James didn't have an unfamiliar plot line. Cranky old woman runs an inn, young woman checks in and becomes friendly with her, then ends up being the confidante to whom she tells her entire life story which she hasn't told anyone before. Oh, and the young woman has a romance with the inn's slightly grumpy handyman.
Audrey James having been an American boarding in Germany while she was studying and then became an accidental participant in a plot to kill Hitler is the crux of the story and frankly, I found the love story between the young woman and the handyman more realistic.

Audio review:
I loved this audiobook! The narrator was phenomenal and the story was captivating.

LOVED:
- both timelines! Seemless transitions and the twist tying them together was perfect.
- Learning more about German citizens resisting the Nazis
- Audrey & Kate's friendship
- The author's storytelling really made me invested in all of the characters from the start

LIKED:
- The pacing was perfect
- We get a view into pre-war, during the war, and post-war Germany

MEH:
- I was never really convinced that Audrey had romantic feelings for Ilse. It felt more like deep friendship...

In this excellent new dual-timeline World War II historical fiction novel, readers follow Kate Mercer in northern England in 2010 after a tragic accident upends her life and takes her to work at an old guest house where Audrey James lives and hides her own secrets. In 1938, Audrey lived in Berlin with her best friend Ilse Kaplan and was finishing music school when Nazi officers confiscated the house; Audrey became the housekeeper and hid Ilse in the attic while also hiding her work in the anti-Hitler movement. Forced to choose between complicit safety and risky defiance, Audrey must make difficult decisions that will shape her fate and affect Ilse’s life. Inspired by true stories of the German resistance in World War II, readers, like Kate, will be totally engrossed in Audrey’s story and love the moral complications and depth of detail that Heather Marshall has brought to life in this fascinating new book. The relationship between Audrey and Kate is particularly fascinating in its evolution over the course of the book, and the historical details really shine throughout. Excellently written and totally immersive, readers will love the incredible world-building and attention to detail in this brilliant new historical fiction novel.

I reallly enjoyed this book. I love reading history type books and this one was wonderful. I would definitely read another by this authorp

I am so grateful to the publisher, Random House, and the author, Heather Marshall, for the privilege to read this advanced copy through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. I highly recommend this historical fiction novel that is well researched and enjoyable to read. "The Secret History of Audrey James" is a gem! I haven't read Ms. Marshall's first novel, "Looking for Jane," but it's now on my "Want to Read" list!

At the start, Audrey is an outstanding pianist who will graduate with her final recital. She resides with a Jewish family, the Kaplans, and her father is in the UK. Audrey and Ilse Kaplan are almost like sisters. The novel's plot is prior to WWII, during WWII, and during "current" time. Much of Audrey's experiences are divulged to Kate during the current times. Kate is running from her life that "had caved in ... like a large sinkhole," and the author ties up all loose ends nicely. There are new aspects of WWII in this book that some may not be aware of, such as White Rose and Red Orchestra resistance groups and stumbling stones. The author chose to make Audrey a pianist, and she weaves the thread of the piano throughout the story. There's a strong symbol with the piano.

This book deals with survival, grief, love, friendship, hope, and courage. Some useful tips are sprinkled through the book, for example, when dealing with grief, "in the end, the only way out is through."

Based on the "Author's Notes," many characters and organizations in this novel are based on actual people, events, and organizations. Ms. Marshall states she has "not stopped asking what the women were doing." This book is a job well done!

I would recommend this story. This is a duel timeline story. The historical part of the dual timeline takes place in Berlin in the late 1930s leading up to WW2, the increasingly horrible conditions Jews faced, and the Nazi resistance.

As the description of the book states it: An astonishing historical novel of one woman’s dangerous journey through World War II Germany and her life-changing friendship with a young woman decades later

This story is very powerful. From the horrors that Jews and others had to face leading up to WW2, where families were unable to earn a living or even leave their houses, it sheds light on what was going on as Hitler came to power and the years leading up to WW2.

I hadn't read much about pre-WW2 and I'm very glad I was able to read this. Although fictional, the author did pull from some real life people to base the story. It really makes you thin about the different reasons people had for resistance.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley and glad I was able to read it.

The Secret History of Audrey James is the evocative type of historical fiction that immerses you in a different era of your world and does not let go long after the final page has been turned. Heather Marshall has magnificently blended two timelines: one set in 1938 Berlin as storm clouds gather in the form of the Second World War, and the other in 2010 England where a women struggles with loss, identity, and secrets she has tried all her life to not confront.

The stakes are both vast and intimate which makes for an incredibly personal reading experience. Audrey’s willpower and acceptance in the face of betrayal due to rising fascism was simply captivating. The contemporary half adds deeper emotional (and more relatable) undertones as well as mystery without becoming tangential.

This novel captures the essence of defiance, music, kinship, and the silent but valiant legacy of women who heroically combat oppression in covert ways (especially relevant today). I cried (which I rarely ever do), I contemplated, and began shamelessly suggesting it to others right away (You're welcome, dear family)

A heartfelt thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this novel. It feels like I’ve found a new treasure.

I am a huge fan of the genre and was a big fan of this Authors book Looking for Jane. This book did not disappoint, the writing is beautiful and I liked the structure of the book told between the two main characters alternating between past and present. The story was different than any I'd previously read ao I appreciated learning new aspects of the time during WWII. If you enjoy a historical fiction set during the war, you will enjoy this book!

This dual-timeline historical fiction novel, set during World War II, is one that I couldn't put down! It explores the themes of tragedy, courage, friendship, and the healing power of music with two relatable female main characters.

The story alternates between two main characters: Audrey, a pianist in Berlin in 1938, and Kate, in Northern England in 2010. In the novel, we learn about how Audrey navigated life during World War II as she shares her stories with Kate in the present. As their stories unfold, we see how the lives of these two women are intertwined in unexpected ways.

For me, this novel delivered a powerful punch that left me thinking of the many courageous women who risked so much during that period. Lovers of historical fiction should be sure to add this one to their TBR pile!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

This historical fiction novel follows Audrey James, discovered by Canadian soldiers in 1945, and traces her earlier life as a music student in Berlin in 1938, revealing her complex identity as the daughter of an Englishman and a German woman. In 2010, Kate, recovering from a failed marriage, takes a job at a B&B in northern England owned by the now-elderly Audrey, and the two women slowly form a bond. Audrey eventually shares her harrowing experiences during WWII, inspired by the real-life story of Mona Parsons, who helped Allied soldiers escape and was arrested by the Germans. The narrative alternates between past and present, blending fact and fiction with emotional depth. A surprise ending adds to the impact of this engaging and readable story.

I picked this book up because I really enjoyed Heather Marshall's other book Looking For Jane. She is an excellent story teller weaving wonderfully developed characters in dual timelines. By the end you really felt for the characters and all that was lost. It was a great historical fiction read.