Audrey James is a stalwart, no nonsense, determined woman. Throughout this very compelling novel, the reader learns about Audrey but never quite knows her. Instead, Audrey provides snippets of her life and those who contribute to it, giving just a small measure of her story. Multiple characters offer glimpses of Audrey in varied time periods, including wartime Germany. The beauty of this novel is the love Audrey has for the generations she has protected, nurtured and supported through 3 generations. Seldom have I experienced a character who roused such emotion. A must read!

This book is another dark, but gripping tale of the atrocities of World War II. Well written and engaging. The twists and turns of the tale were wonderful. Surprises keep arising in the writing. Well worth reading.

The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall is a historical fiction with a duel timeline that takes place in the late 1930’s and 2010. Audrey James is a British pianist that is studying in Berlin in 1938. She is living with her longtime friend Isle’s family. She is weeks away from graduating when Hitler increases his takeover of Europe. Audrey does not want to leave her friend so she does not return to London as her father requests. Since Isle’s family is Jewish, they are targeted as are all the other Jewish people, rounded up, and forced to leave their home and sent to camps. Isle is not with the rest of the family when they are rounded up so she avoids capture and is hidden in the house by Audrey when it is taken over by the SS. Hence the story begins.

Kate Mercer’s life has fallen apart as a result of a car accident that killed her parents and hurt her. She is also going through a divorce. She wants a change from London so she takes a job in the countryside as an assistant to Audrey. She found a picture in her parents possession of this same place and they were advertising for the position. She believes her parents honeymooned there and is hoping to find closure.

Kate believes Audrey harbors many secrets and is interested in finding out more about her. They become friends and she convinces Audrey to tell her story. Kate records it so she can comprise a book. As Audrey’s story unfolds, much is revealed about Audrey’s time during the war and the things she did to help those in danger. It also reveals some of the things Kate is withholding about the accident and brings connection to the two.

I love the twists that take place in the story. I was also amazed to learn about some of the things that were done by the resistance to try and stop Hitler. I feel the writing about what was taking place, along with the switching of timelines was extremely well done. I would like to thank Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this pre-release. I would highly recommend it.

Great book! The chapters flip back and forth from World War 2 to the present day (2010). It's an intriguing story and very well told.

After a tragic accident and the ending of her marriage, Karen Mercer takes a job working at a guesthouse near
the Scottish boder. She discovers that it is where her parents stayed and hopes find out more.
The proprietor, Audrey James, has a mysterious past and does not like to talk about it. Kate convinces her to
share her story which involves Audrey living in Berlin in 1938 when Hitler is in power. The story alternates between
the present and the past, as Audrey reveals what she endured living in Berlin at the time.
Sacrifices made for friendship and love and the power of human connection.
#TheSecretHistoryofAudreyJames #RandomHouse #Ballantine #NetGalley

I was excited to read this book as I loved the author’s previous book, Looking for Jane. This is an entirely different topic but I loved this as well. I’ve read many books about the holocaust and WWII but this perspective was very unique. The women involved in the resistance were so incredibly strong and Audrey James is no different. The dual timelines worked so well and the connections between the two main characters is slowly woven through but not overtly obvious. The storytelling and writing is excellent. One of my favorite books this year!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Yet another perspective of the Holocaust, but this time, through the eyes of members of the Red Orchestra, which consisted of Germans trying to fight Hitler from within. The dual story of modern day Audrey and Audrey during the war is well- crafted, along with the cast of modern characters who get to learn Audrey’s story. I enjoyed the writing very much, but really appreciated the research the author conducted to provide this interesting perspective on the War.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

This isn't what I was expecting after LOOKING FOR JANE, and I was initially quite surprised to be reading a novel set before the onset of WWII. But the surprise turned out to be a good one. Using dual time lines (before and during the war) and 2010, Marshall tells a compelling and heart-felt story about loyalty, friendship, and what it means to love--and to experience great loss.

This is an interesting story . Some of the coincidences in the plot were too convenient, but the book is still a good read. with sympathetic characters. It gets off to a slow start but the more detailed character development helps make the novel stronger.

The story moves between 2010 and 1938. Kate has left to escape her soon to be ex-husband and accepted a job working for a woman who runs a b&b. Upon arrival, Kate learns that Audrey (the owner) had no idea she was coming, her caretaker had hired her. The two form a bond, with the story moving from learning Audrey's story of surviving in Berlin during Hitler's rein, and Kate's own tragedies. At the end, there is a full circle moment between the two.
I liked the story & thanks to NetGalley, Ms Marshall and Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I received a copy of the book "The secret History of Audrey James. from NetGalley. this book takes place in two time eras. The first from 1938-1945. The second in 2010. In 2010 Kate comes to work at a bed and breakfast type hotel. She is there to work for Audrey James an eldelry woman in her 9os. While working with the elderly Audrey she slowly gets to know about Audrey's life.
Audrey is friends with Ilse a young Jewish girl. this is 1938 and Hitler is starting to go through Europe and taking Jewish people from their homes. Isle sees her own father shot and her mother and brother taken away. Audrey keeps her from being taken and goes back to Isle's home. When German soldiers take over the house Audrey's friend is forced to hide in the Attic. over the year Audrey tries and protects her beloved friend. when Audrey learns one of German soldier has a secret he gets her to try and aid the resistance by taking on a fake name. while at a house that had been raided Audrey finds a baby she brings home.
the next year Audrey and other members who are trying to kill Hitler make a tragic mistake involves unintended deaths
Kate has her own tragedy. Her parents die in a car accident and she was the only survivor. Her marriage is ending and she ends up working for the mysterious old woman because she has nowhere to go. this is a well written book. Audrey has secrets through out the book that get revealed. I found this to be a well written novel. being a historical fiction. it is based on real life events.

Rating 4.5
1938: Audrey James is living with her best friend’s family in Berlin while she finishes music school. The Kaplan’s are Jewish. When the Nazi’s start rounding up the Jewish people, a tragedy happens and Audrey will do anything to protect Ilse. When the Nazi’s take over the Kaplan’s house as their own, Audrey hides Ilse in the attic.

2010: Kate Mercer decides she needs a fresh start after the death of her parents and the end of her marriage. She takes a job as an assistant to a guest lodge in Alnwick. While the elderly woman running it isn’t keen on Kate helping, they eventually bond over Audrey telling Kate about her life during the war.

The story is told in dual timelines. Heather Marshall does a wonderful job of showcasing the efforts of the women in the war. I really enjoyed reading about Audrey as a resistance fighter. It is a fast paced book even though the atrocities of the war are heartbreaking.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the early copy of this book.

Kate, fleeing from an accident that killed her parents, finds herself interviewing for a job in Scotland at a bed and breakfast. The owner, a 91 year old named Audrey, although recalcitrant at first slowly thaws to Kate. As they spend the winter together, Audrey opens up about her time in Berlin during WWII. The dual timelines keep the reader wanting more.

Goodness this was a great book. The characters are complex and the story is set in the very disturbing time of Hitler’s rise to power and subsequently in the year 2010. All of the heartache, loss and sorrow are being told to a young lady who has suffered her own loss and heartache from a car crash in England in 2010. The stories intertwine in the most unbelievable way. I was surprised at the conclusion and as the saying goes, “I didn’t see that coming”.
I have not read anything by Heather Marshall before but ‘Looking for Jane’ is on my next to read list. Thank you Ms. Marshall, this book is awesome and I only wish I could play the piano to hear ‘Ilse’s Theme”!

The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall is a dual timeline WWII and present-day historical fiction novel. WWII historical fiction is one of my favorite genres especially with strong female protagonists along with the opportunity to learn about rarely told true events. The Secret History of Audrey James doesn't disappoint.
Artfully crafted and meticulously researched, The Secret History of Audrey James integrates the history of the German resistance fighters prior to and during WWII into a touching story about duty, love, trauma, and ultimately forgiveness. As with most novels of this genre, the dark tragedies and costs of war are interlaced with the human condition of self-discovery. Be prepared for deep dives into trauma.
Moving between timelines Audrey (beginning in 1938) and Kate/Audrey in modern day. Audrey James is a young pianist studying at a conservatory in Berlin and whose father lives in England. Audrey makes the choice to stay in Berlin with her friend Ilse even though her father has booked passage to England for her due to the rumblings of war. Audrey's love for her friend Ilse and her decision to stay is the catalyst for her experiences during WWII.
In the modern timeline, Kate is recovering from a broken marriage and trauma from a car wreck. Seeking to find a new beginning and following in the footsteps of her parents, Kate takes a new job at an Inn in the English countryside. Serendipity takes place and Kate meets Audrey. The story follows their connection and Audrey's past.
The novel tackles many different tropes, and various forms of trauma yet is sprinkled with hope and love.
Trigger warnings for racism, abuse, rape, chronic illness, cancer, and various forms of guilt.

Just WOW! First thanks to NetGalley for making it possible for me to get an ARC of this phenomenal book. And yes it truly is phenomenal. The story is told in two different timelines. Kate, after recently losing her parents in an auto accident, is looking for a fresh start. After looking through some old photo albums she finds a place called The Oakwood Inn. This is where she thinks her parents spent their honeymoon. Through research she finds a help wanted ad for an administrator at the Inn. Kate applies and gets the job. Once there she meets the owner Audrey James. An unlikely friendship forms. Kate shows an interest in Audrey’s life story and Audrey begins to tell her a long sad story. Audrey lived in Berlin during the regime of Adolf Hitler. What follows if an emotional story about a young girl. One with courage and a since of right. Audrey becomes a part of the resistance all the while hiding her best friend Ilse from the Germans. A stunning conclusion will leave the reader breathless. This book grabs you from the start and demands you finish. I would give it 10 stars if I could. As I said before JUST WOW!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

I was waiting and wanting to read this book and it did not disappoint.

I think everyone should give it a try. You will enjoy it as well.

It is not a five star book, but I give it 4.4.

Recomnend.

Very good emotional read. This book spans the time between WWII and 2010. Intrigue, danger, heartbreak, friendship, love, sacrifice all included in this very well written book. Strong characters and storyline. Have your hanky ready. I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley. I read a lot of historical WWII fiction, but this one was especially well-written and wove a story with an unexpected ending that kept my interest through the entire book. The POV changes between Audrey during WWII and Kate in the 2000s who has been going through a rough patch of her own lately. The relationship between them as they meet and come together has the feeling of coming home just when you thought you'd never feel that way again.

The Secret History of Audrey James
By: Heather Marshall
Pub Date: Feb 25, 2025
Publisher: Random House Publish-Ballantine Books

I loved this authors debut Looking for Jane, so I was thrilled to get her next novel.

A moving duel time line. This novel explores Berlin in 1938. Our protagonist Audrey James life is about to change forever. She lives with her best friend, Ilse Kaplan. Audrey is a student at music school. As war in Europe is looming and Isle is being targeted.

The Nazis take over Isle’s family home. Little do they know Isle is hiding in the attic. Wanting to help Ilse, Audrey becomes a housekeeper to the Nazi’s occupying her best friends’ home. You can feel the tension as she tries to keep her friend safe while keeping the Nazi’s happy and in the dark about the occupant in the attic.

This novel is compelling, and inspired by the many courageous women during the resistance. Friendship, sacrifice, and endurance as these women fight to stay alive.

Thank you, Random House, for the e-ARC. This is a MUST for historical fiction lovers.