Loved this book of strong women! Story of war but the human side of it. Lots of secrets and lies to follow, what would you do to survive? We never know until push comes to shove. Sometimes you just keep moving!

I received a free ARC ebook of <i>The Secret History of Audrey James</i> from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Berlin in the late 30s is a dangerous place to be. Audrey, half German, half English, is training to be a concert pianist, a performer. She grew up in Germany and currently lives with her Jewish neighbors, including her best friend, Ilse Kaplan. The rising and overt hatred of Jews under Hitler's leadership soon puts Audrey and the Kaplan family at risk. When the true horrors begin, Audrey's decisions have impacts for many that reverberate for decades.

The novel has a simultaneous plot set in England around 2010. Kate is at a crossroads; she recently lost both parents in a car accident, and her marriage has fallen apart. In a quest to feel closer to her parents, she takes a job as an administrator at an inn where her parents had honeymooned. There, she meets the now elderly Audrey, and gradually, the two grow close.

There are tons of similarities here with other novels focused on World War II. A few similarities include epigraphs from Dante's <i>Inferno</i>, dual timelines with an unexpected and improbable connection between the characters, a troubled individual in the more recent plot line finding purpose, a tangible talisman proving the connection, and a return to Berlin in the more contemporary time-frame to bring the plot full circle.

Nothing in this plot is unique, but Marshall's writing makes readers care about Audrey and the others. Writers who employ the horrors of World War II as a setting must create ordinary people capable of extraordinary bravery when most individuals try to fade into the background. The extraordinary becomes the only choice Audrey can possibly make.

A World War II story, dual storyline, partly in Germany, partly in U.K, with brave female characters, and an exciting plot with true historical references. Well researched and well written, it was hard to put down. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“The Secret History of Audrey James” is a WWII historical fiction book by Heather Marshall. I both really liked and was meh about this book. I really enjoyed (after finishing the book) Ms Marshall’s Author’s Note - where she explains the inspiration, the truth, her family history, and where she took liberties. I found the overall idea for this book to be a really great one - I just was meh about the last 20 or so percent when I realized where things were heading and - yep, meh. I much preferred Audrey’s 1939-1945 storyline to the 2010s storyline. I felt that Kate was a meh character and, believe me, I understand being depressed and trying to motivate yourself to do anything, but what Audrey and her cohorts did during the war really reminded me that sometimes you have to go on just because. So, a very high 3.75 rating from me, but rounded up to 4 stars because I do think the idea was fantastic and Ms. Marshall wove the stories (and history) in a great way. I can see many a book club discussion about this book - tons of great questions to ask (though I didn’t see a list in my eARC version).

Audrey is studying piano in Berlin in 1938 when, of course, the war interrupts her life and others. She is living with her best friend, Ilse, and Ilse's family. The war's atrocities hit close to home, and Audrey is no longer able to complete her studies. She is swept into protecting and caring for Ilse and the other characters that come into her life. Told in a dual timeline, we also hear from Kate in 2010. After her parents' car accident and deaths, Kate is searching for answers and the road leads her to an inn in Vermont where she meets Audrey! After Audrey slowly tells Kate her story, they realize that their lives are connected. This is a story of courage in the face of evil and is based on a true story which makes it even more interesting. Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced reader copy. I loved this book and was drawn into the lives of these unique characters right away!

In “The Secret History of Audrey James,” the book alternates between 1938-1945 with the title character, Audrey James, and 2010, with Kate Mercer who meets Audrey in Alnwick, England. Audrey James is half-German and half-English. Her German mother died giving birth to her. Her English father remained in Germany until Audrey was a teenager, when he returned to England. Audrey remained behind with her best friend Ilse Kaplan’s family while Audrey pursued a music education in Berlin. After Ilse’s father is killed by the Nazis in 1938 and her mother and brother are taken away, Audrey remains in the house, hiding her best friend, Ilse, in the attic while the house itself is occupied by Nazi officers. It is during this time that Audrey begins her work on behalf of the German resistance movement.

In a parallel storyline set in 2010, Kate Mercer, reeling from the death of her parents in a car accident and the subsequent failure of her marriage and loss of her job, decides to leave London for a job as an assistant at Oakwood Inn in Alnwick, England near the Scottish border after finding a photo of her parents vacationing there in 1968. Here she meets Audrey, an elderly woman who owns the inn, and was unaware that her assistant, Sue, had hired Kate to help her. Kate and Audrey have a rocky start to their relationship; however, they soon form a close bond. Audrey opens up to Kate, relating her life story, which Kate begins to transcribe into a memoir at the suggestion of Ian, a bookstore owner who helps with tasks at the house, and has been close to Audrey since he was a child.

Based on extensive research, the novel sheds light on a little known aspect of World War II history, that of the German resistance movement and the types of people who worked for it. In addition, it focuses on strong women who made unheralded contributions to the war effort. Themes of emotional and physical scarring and how these are overcome form a common thread throughout the book.

The novel should appeal to those who enjoy historical fiction with strong female lead characters. For myself, although the book had all the right elements to make it interesting, I struggled to stay invested in the story, which felt long and drawn out, despite its depiction of interesting struggles and the ever present fear of discovery. I chalk this up to my weariness of World War II books. I’m sure that other readers who haven’t burned out on the subject will find this book engaging.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC of the novel in exchange for my honest review.

For some reason the topic of WW2 has always fascinated me, from the how or why to the effects it had on my own family who went to war for the Allies.
As history books just gloss over the ideals of Hitler and the Nazi party it’s our own curiosity that makes us delve deeper in the stories that help us understand what really happened.
This story ripped my heart apart in so many ways because Audrey’s life while she felt she needed to pay a penance for her history should have been honored for her bravery and loyalty.
While again history teaches us that many great things of importance to the downfall of regimes would never have happened had it not been for the women behind the scenes who risked it all for the undying love of another.

The Secret History of Audrey James is a dual timeline historical fiction novel about two women.
In the current timeline, Kate Mercer is a survivor of a recent tragedy that left her without parents and her marriage in shambles. Looking to make a change, and seeking to feel connected with her parents, she finds a job as an administrator for a guest house near the Scottish border in Northern England. The owner of the house is elderly and curmudgeonly Audrey James. In 1938 Berlin, Audrey is a young woman living with her Jewish best friend's family, as she finishes her studies to become a concert pianist. As the book moves forward, we are able to piece together both Kate and Audrey's pasts as Audrey opens up to Kate, and vice versa. Both women are severely affected by their past traumas, and I enjoyed the development of their relationship as they found solace with each other, and through that, they also found healing.
This is the first book I've read by Heather Marshall, and I found it to be clearly well researched and well written as well. The character development in both women was also well portrayed, and the healing they found in each other also made for a satisfying ending.
Overall, this was an interesting and enjoyable read for me, and I found the WWII timeline to be unique and different from other books that I have read in the past.
Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

Nothing new here. Had hopes that the music would stay with the story but alas, it’s the same story just a different take. Time shifting didn’t help.

This was my 1st book by Heather Marshall and I'll be reading her 1st soon!
This historical novel is has a dual timeline of 1935-45 with Audrey, and 2010 with Kate, who has suffered the loss of both parents and now a divorce. Kate is reluctantly employed by Audrey, who then begins to tell her about her past prior to WWiI and during. Kate's story is slowly divulged through her conversations with Audrey and others.
I was definitely more engaged with Audrey's courageous tale-her friendship and commitment to her Jewish friend Ilse, the rising terror from the Nazi's, joining the Resistance and the various events of suspense with a beautiful friendship throughout. Kate's while sad, was the backstory for me. There are some scenes of violence appropriate for the story, unrequited same sex love, forgiveness of self and others, the outcome of trauma to families and heroism.
For me, the ending seemed a bit too quick and coincidental as well as puzzling given Audrey's previous character of devotion, hence a 3.75 rating.
I do highly recommend reading this book for anyone interested in a thought provoking perspective of the German resistance and the courage they had in resisting the cruelty, greed and persecution of the Jewish, foreigners and anyone not "Aryan" enough.
A big thank you to Heather Marshall and Simon & Schuster, it was a privilege to read the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This wonderful Historical Fiction, dual timeline, was inspired by historical events, the author’s family history and an actual Canadian woman in a resistance cell against Hitler. From 1938 Berlin, leading up to WWII and beyond into England in the 2010s. The story presents from two main characters’ experiences: Audrey James (past and present) along with Kate Mercer (present time). Each woman has experienced tragic loss, trauma and survivors guilt. The book beautifully explores generation trauma, how it effects the choices and decisions we make, eventually leading to the process of healing and forgiveness.
The book is divided into four parts, each starting with a quote from Dante’s Devine Comedy-Inferno Volume. As a reader this set me up for the dark settings that were to follow. The author does a good job compelling the reader to care for all the characters. The two timelines are not confusing and invite the readers to experience an emotional rollercoaster between the past while leading you to the present.
Audrey, a young and aspiring pianist, stays in Berlin with her best friend’s Jewish family to continue her 3 year program at the conservatory. Her father seeing problems with the upcoming Hitler calls her to his home in England. This decision to stay will have dire consequences and change the course of her life. She will do anything to assure the safety of her best friend Ilse. Audrey’s story is intense, daring and courageous.
Kate having experienced personal trauma and loss, decides to leave the busy bustle of London, a failed marriage, and head out to a small town in England where (from an old photo) her parents honeymooned at the Oakwood Inn. After answering an ad at that same Inn, she becomes the housekeeper and aid to the elderly, grouchy owner with the assistance from a couple of locals. Eventually, mutual understanding from their aching love & loss, bond these two wounded women and their life stories unfold, pulling the reader into the stress and strain of chaotic times.
A wonderful book presented from a different perspective than most WWII novels. Highly recommended.

This book was inspired by the true story of women during World War 2 and the German resistance. good historical read.

“Crimes that infinitely outdistance every human measure . . .”

This book grabbed me from the start. I could hardly put it down during Audrey’s chapters, and I was equally curious to know how Kate and Audrey got on in Kate’s chapters.

Although the book is loosely based on life experiences of real characters, it was mostly fiction and I found some things very unbelievable. But it was still a good read.

Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

I did not finish this book. I read about 20 pages and was bored. There are far too many WWII books for this to start off as slowly as it did.

4.25. A very interesting and captivating historical fiction novel told in parallel during World War II and in 2010. We first focus on Audrey, a promising pianist raised in Berlin but with a widower English father who wants Audrey to return back to England when things start deteriorating in Germany in 1938. Audrey did not want to leave due to her strong bonds and friendship with a neighbor, Ilse who was Jewish. In 2010, we meet Kate Mercer who is trying to recover from a recent, unexpected and tragic loss of her parents from an automobile accident in which she also suffered physically and emotionally. Kate, recently separated decides to start a new chapter in her life from picking up her roots and moving from London to become an administrator at a bed and breakfast in Scotland. There she meets Audrey and their two lives become entwined. An endearing tale but one of strength, survival, perseverance, love, tragedy and redemption. Excellent character development. And well researched tale. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

Berlin, Audrey James is living at her friends Ilse's house while she’s studying music and piano. Her father desperately wants her to return to England, he thinks it’s too dangerous to stay in Germany and he’s worried another war is about to break out and she will be stranded.
Audrey doesn’t want to desert her friend, everyone in the Kaplan household is anxious by the anti-Jewish sentiment sweeping Berlin and rising the power of Adolf Hitler. The Kaplan’s disappear, a group of German officer’s move into their house and employ Audrey to be their housekeeper. The soldiers have no idea that Ilse wasn’t with her family that day, she’s hiding in the attic and Audrey is helping her.

The story has a dual timeline its set in 1938 and in 2010 and told mainly from the two main characters points of view and it’s very easy to follow.

Alnwick, Kate Mercer is trying to get her life back on track, she’s in the middle of a messy divorce and she's recently lost her parents. Kate needs a change, a place to live and gets a new job as an assistant administrator near the Scottish border and at Oakwood Inn. Her boss isn’t what she's expecting, an aloof and elderly lady, she changes her attitude and she wants to share her life story with Kate.

Kate learns about her living in Germany before and during the Second World War, how everything was taken away from Jewish people, not all Germans agreed with Hitler’s ideas and wasn't how it seemed.

I received a copy of The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall from Ballantine Books and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Wow, this narrative is very different to the author’s previous book, Looking for Jane and it's just as powerful and compelling.

Using the life of a real courageous woman as a bases in her new novel, Ms. Marshall explores the bonds of friendship, love, family, secrets, tragedy, war, risks, the German resistance and who was involved and the Holocaust. Five stars from me, a plot that emphasises love comes in many forms, levels and depths, the nature of luck, fate and chance and it’s never too late to admit you’re human and made mistakes.

This amazing historical novel was actually inspired by true stories of courageous women and the German resistance during World War II, The Secret History of Audrey James is an amazing book about strong friendship and the the sacrifices we are willing to undertake.

I would give this ten stars if I could. The range of feelings that this book will give you is phenomenal.

Set just before WWII, we learn Audrey’s story of bravery and love. A second timeline is in 2010 when Kate is just trying to find herself after her own tragedies.

Read this book. Don’t hesitate, just do it!

Thank you to Heather Marshall, NetGalley, and Ballantine Books for this ARC.

This was the most interesting historical fiction book I have ever read. I really enjoyed this book, it was written from a different perspective than I am used to when it comes to historical fiction.

This story goes between two different time frames, between the late 1930’s in Berlin and 2010 in England. Audrey is the main character and she is from the ‘present day’, 2010 and is telling her story of her time in Berlin during WWII.

This book was very hard to put down, but also broke my heart at the same time. I will gladly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, and will be suggesting this book in my book club once it’s published!

When I first read the plot of Marshall's book, The Secret History of Audrey James, I imagined I would be reading about Nazi atrocities in great detail and was preparing myself for a depressing read. (That it took place near Scotland was the hook for me.) But that was not the case.
Yes, the brutalities and hardships due to Hitler's actions are discussed but the details are not as graphic as some historical novels I have read. Marshall states what has happened but the details are minimal.
The two main characters, Audrey and Kate have storylines that are decades apart, but both women come together when they must depend upon each other for physical care and employment. The women are carrying their own share of physical and emotional scars.
Kate's parents were killed in a car accident and she suffered serious scarring. Audrey lost her one true love and then was imprisoned for her anti Hitler activities.
What makes this book so interesting and more intense as it progresses is how the author reveals a little more about the two characters with each new chapter. Marshall does a great job tying her loose ends together. So well in fact that readers may not realize that in addition to a great story of friendship, love and history, a bit of mystery awaits them at the end.
Be sure and read her acknowledgements at the end where she shares where her ideas came from and who they are based on.
Thanks to Netgalley for a chance to read this novel.