This dual-timeline novel is historical fiction at its finest, with the fictional Audrey James a compilation of several real figures from WWII. Audrey lived with her best friend Ilse's family while attending the conservatory in Berlin, studying piano. But Ilse's family was Jewish, and her father was murdered by the SS, and her mother and brother were taken to concentration camps. Their home was taken over by the SS, and while Audrey became their housekeeper, she hid Ilse in the attic. Audrey then decided to work for the Resistance, and when she was arrested, she received a sentence of life in prison. By then, Ilse was married and safe.
Many years later, Kate is newly divorced, and looking for a place to start over when she answers an ad for an administrative assistant at an old Scottish inn. She encounters Audrey as the elderly owner, and they quickly discover that they’re both keeping secrets that they need to share in order to find peace.

Heather Marshall has written another book that got my attention right from the start. She writes this dual timeline featuring the turmoil of 1938 and 2010. Her women are flawed but strong as she reveals their history through their stories. As with her first book, she writes about women’s strength through difficult times. Highly recommend to historical fiction lovers dealing with WWII.
All opinions expressed are truly my own. Thank you for an early eGalley of this book.
#TheSecretHistoryOfAudreyJames #HeatherMarshall #NetGalley

THE SECRET HISTORY OF AUDREY JAMES
BY: HEATHER MARSHALL

In Heather Marshall's blockbuster #1 Bestselling novel called, "LOOKING FOR JANE," I discovered early on how wonderful a novelist she is at depicting stories about women who make a difference in the people, and subjects she chooses to write historical fiction. I took a chance when I read her Sophomore novel called, "THE SECRET LIFE OF AUDREY JAMES," since I feel the market has become over saturated with World War II novels as most historical fiction lovers seem to agree on that consensus at some point. Not that there's anything wrong with them since it's a pivotal part of history. It's just that I know in my case personally, I would like to read an equal representation of World War I novels, for a variety of reasons. I should have realized based on how much I loved Heather Marshall's, "Looking for Jane," that I would be in excellent hands with her because as it turned out I was. In her newest novel called, "THE SECRET LIFE OF AUDREY JAMES," Heather Marshall has written about a dual timeline historical novel that for the most part takes place in 1938, and 2010.

Both of my Grandfathers fought in World War II, and it's a time in history that I've read about quite extensively, already. Especially, for me personally, if I had read the synopsis to this, I most likely would have chosen to skip this. I decided to read it based solely on the strength of how talented Heather Marshall was with her first book. I love historical fiction, and even though WWII, is a subject that I honor, I feel unless it's very unique, I really have read all that I care to want to read about it. Perhaps, I'm going to miss out, but as important a topic it is, I was initially disappointed that I was reading again about Hitler. This one was about the German resistance cells, and because I hadn't read about them before I'm so happy that I read it.

It's mainly about German Resistance Cells that for a good portion of the novel takes place in 1938, before England and France declared war against Germany. It begins with Audrey James whose German mother died giving birth to her. Whose father she perceives is aloof towards her because of her mother dying while giving birth to her. Her father who is originally from England made a promise to his dying wife that he would remain in Germany long enough to take care of her mother, which he does until Audrey's Grandmother dies. The Kaplan family who are Jewish, live in the house across the street with a son, and a daughter named Ilse. The Kaplan's are a kind, and loving family, whom Audrey, and Ilse Kaplan have been best friends since they were both young girls. They are more like sisters.

Audrey's father allows her to stay in Germany when she is fifteen years old to live with the Kaplan family so she can finish her musical education as a pianist at the Conservatory. Now Audrey is twenty and about to finish her studies, and the Kaplan's take Audrey out to buy a new dress for her graduation recital. The Kaplan's are aware of the growing of an anti-Jewish sentiment which they have been avoiding going out in public, and Audrey feels terrible that she is allowed freedom that the Kaplan's aren't. I felt extremely bad for them since they are kind, and law abiding people, and Mr. Kaplan decided that since his son needed new pants that they could all go out shopping together. At this point there are only two stores that are still in business that are open for Jewish families to shop in, and they decide to make a family outing. While one store didn't have a suitable dress for Audrey, they went looking for a more conservative dress in the shop across the street. Mr. Kaplan is waiting outside, and he gets murdered for no other reason than his ethnicity outside. Ilse's mother and younger brother are swept up and sent off in the back of a van at the same time. This understandably upsets both Audrey and Ilse, who return home to the Kaplan's residence. Ilse doesn't want to go to England with Audrey since she wants to be there waiting when her mother and brother return.

When the shopkeeper lets both Audrey, and Ilse out the back door, and they make their way back to the Kaplan residence the two of them heartbroken they begin to wonder how the two of them will survive without money for coal to keep the house warm and buy food. Ilse gathers all of her mothers jewelry. The shopkeeper had said something like it's beginning already, by which she meant Hitler's plans to free Berlin of the Jewish population. That night after the jewels are gathered the girls are upstairs and they hear the Kaplan's front door wood splintering, and voices. The girls climb up into the attic and hide while looters ransack Ilse's home and steal the jewelry that Ilse had left on a bureau for them to sell. Audrey looks out the window and notices that the break in was planned and the Kaplan's were targeted. They gather all of the bed linens and decide to sleep up in the attic, until Audrey can go the the bank incognito posing as Ilse's father's accountant secretary pretending that she's has a note to withdraw the funds with a note forged by Ilse. Only when Audrey arrives she notices that the synagogues were burned down and the bank's windows are smashed. Upon returning back to the Kaplan's residence two high ranking SS officers meet her as she is going inside. She keeps up the same ruse with them pretending that the key is sticking in the lock to give Ilse enough of a warning to hide back up in the attic.


The two high ranking SS German officers arrived announcing that they are there to take over the Kaplan's home as their new living arrangement since the home is nicer than most. Audrey and Ilse had hidden in the attic that night before to sleep, and Audrey tries to convince Ilse to flee with her to England since it's not safe anymore for Ilse to stay. Ilse doesn't want to leave her home since she fears her mother, and brother won't know where she is when they return. Meanwhile, Audrey has returned from the bank without any of Mr. Kaplan's funds since they have been stolen by the Nazi's, and she tells the two Nazi's that she worked for Mr. Kaplan, She wants to protect Ilse whom she loves, and offers to cook and clean for the two men since she finds herself needing new employment, and they agree. This way she can bring Ilse food while she waits for a reply from her father asking for him to send money for their escape to England.

Since this is a dual timeline novel in which the present timeline takes place in 2010, with Kate Mercer going through a divorce in London. She wants to retrace her parents footsteps before she was born, since they died in a car accident, and as she's packing she finds a photo album with a picture of her parents at the Oakwood Inn. She sees an advertisement for the Oakwood Inn that is looking for an Administrative Assistant on the Northern border of England, near Scotland and decides to apply for the job. Her husband Adam has been staying at his brother's for the past few weeks so as she was packing she found a 4 x 6 photo album with a picture of her Mom and Dad staying there. Kate applies for the job, and gets hired right away, even though she doesn't have any experience working in the Hospitality field. Her parents had stayed there prior to Kate being born and she meets an older owner who she gets off to a bad start with in her nineties named Audrey. At the beginning Kate is described as having scars on parts of her face and body. There is usually a connection of some kind to the Characters in dual timeline novels and to learn what this one is you'll have to read the book.

As time goes on one of the Nazi officers tries forcing himself on Audrey after she takes a bath. Ilse in her attempt to save Audrey, hits him in the head with a lamp, and kills him by accident. As they are trying to drag him outside, the other officer comes home and catches them. When Audrey and Ilse try to describe what happened, to their amazement, his fellow officer tells them that he doesn't care about what happened to him, and he explains that he is part of a German Resistance cell called the Red Orchestra. He tells them that he belongs to a group that is trying to assassinate Hitler. Audrey becomes involved in the German Resistance cell since their housemate is one of many Germans who for several reasons besides another war think Hitler needs to be eliminated.

This was an excellent written second novel by Heather Marshall, who has written a fantastic Author's Note, which I for one as a lover of historical fiction always think it adds further dimension to the story to learn where she drew her inspiration from. She is not to be missed, and I'm grateful to her that she included further reading material, and I very much highly recommend reading this as it won't disappoint. This second novel's scope is fascinating, and it's not the usual trope that has been done many times before, and has included more factual data on which Audrey's life was inspired by including her own Grandfather's anecdote that makes her an author who I'm the first to admit that I was wrong to jump to conclusions about my initial disappointment about this being another World War II novel. It's very intriguing, and I would have missed out on a very interesting historical part of what led up to the War, before. It certainly made this novel a stand out pure pleasure to read that I was sad to have finished it. Somehow, I knew that this author's novel wouldn't disappoint based on her first novel and the more I read the more I loved it. There is also a section with questions included and a hint about what she's writing about next, which it's refreshing to see that her next subject is about women, but that she chooses a different subject each time, and I'm adding Heather Marshall as a new favorite Author!

Publication Date: February 25, 2025

Thank you to Net Galley, the Talented Heather Marshall, and Random House House Publishing Group--Ballantine Ballantine Books for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheSecretHistoryofAudreyJames #HeatherMarshall #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantineBallantineBooks #NetGalley

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc

This book was ok, but it is my personal opinion that the first book by this author Looking For Jane was better. Unfortunately I thought this book was. a little slow and depressing. Idk, perhaps I was just in a bad mood when I read it. I don't think it is a bad book but I am not sure if it is a favorite of mine either. It was just ok.

The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall

Thank You NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for a complimentary copy of this novel! This is a historical fiction novel that alternates between two timelines – England, 2010 and Berlin, 1938. It is a novel that explores how much one is willing to sacrifice for a true and deep friendship. It also shows how closing oneself off from the world after suffering tragedy is not the answer, but finding someone to share the burden with can help provide healing.
In 1938, Audrey James is close to finishing music school. She resides in Berlin with her best friend Ilse and her family, the Kaplans. However, war is on their doorstep and before they know it, Ilse’s family is taken and only Ilse and Audrey escape. Soon German soldiers arrive to take over the Kaplan’s house. Audrey manages to hide Ilse in the attic and Audrey becomes their housekeeper.
But the Germans aren’t all what they appear to be. Fast forward to 2010. Kate Mercer has lost both parents in a car accident. Her marriage is about to end. So, she packs up and head to North England, close to the Scottish border. There, she is hired to help the elderly owner of an Inn, where her parents honeymooned. Will Kate find herself again and be able to heal and start anew? That’s what she hopes. And the elderly owner has secrets of her own. This is a novel that was heart-wrenching at times, but also full of hope and second chances. Look for this novel by Heather Marshall on February 25, 2025!

This fascinating story begins in Berlin, Germany 1938 when Audrey James meets her new neighbor, Ilse Kaplan, who is about the same age and the girls grow up as best friends. While Audrey is studying piano at the conservatory, her father moves back to England and Audrey moves in with the Kaplans as she is nearing graduation. The Kaplans are Jewish and Hilter is beginning to persecute the Jews. The story then switches to Ainwich, England in 2010 when Kate Mercer arrives at a Bed and Breakfast for a new job as an assistant to the owner, Audrey James. The story switches very smoothly between time periods in Germany and England with numerous very interesting storylines. This book held my interest from start to finish and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine publishers for the ARC of this outstanding read.

Loved this book! Set in Berlin in 1938, Audrey James finds herself caught up in the rising tide of Nazism. Audrey is English, and weeks away from completing a music program in Berlin. She lives with her best friend Ilse, who is Jewish. Ilsa's family doesn't acknowledge what is happening to the Jews and Ilse refuses to go with Audrey when she returns home to England. when a tragedy occurs and Ilse's family disappears, Audrey and Ilse must survive as things get ever more bleak, until Nazi's Ilse's house. Now Audrey must hide and protect Ilse, while keeping herself safe living in a house with Nazi's.

Years later, in England, another young woman, Kate, is fleeing tragedy when she takes work in old guesthouse to recover from the tragedy and learn more about her past. The owner of the guest house is an elderly woman with secrets of her own. As the elderly woman confides her history to Kate, they discover interesting parallels and connections that brings both of them closer to closure. A really terrific, well written read for anyone interested in WW II from a different perspective.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7281701270

Perfectly written. The story of Audrey James just pulled at my heart strings. This is just one story of what so many lived during World War II. It is heartbreaking to think what they went through but I love that their stories live on through the different novels. Heather Marshall did such a great job pulling in the stories real people and real events. Thank you for this beautiful story.

Audrey James is staying in Berlin with her best friend’s, Ilse, family but it’s 1938 and her friend’s family js Jewish. When they are targeted and their home confiscated, she does everyone she can to keep Ilse safe.

If you want a World War Two based saga, this is a great one. It is quite long but you may appreciate that, as the story slowly unwinds as you learn more in both timelines. I loved all the characters, especially Fredrich. While I’ve read a lot of ww2 fiction, this is unique as it takes place outside of the camps and includes some of the resistance as well.

“A person’s name matters now. It has, in fact, come to mean everything. A man’s name can determine whether he lives or dies.”

The Secret Life of Audrey James comes out 2/25.

This was an excellent book. I very much enjoyed it. There are two distinct story lines with two heroines, Audrey and Kate. The stories intersect when the two characters meet at a large estate house that has been turned into a boutique hotel.

Audrey was an English young woman who was living in Berlin in the 1930s. Her mother had been German and her father was English. Her mother passed away when Audrey was young and she spent a lot of time with the neighbor girl where she lived. When her father returned to England, Audrey stayed in Berlin with the Jewish family across the street. The daughter of the house was her best friend. Audrey was a gifted pianist studying her craft and stayed to keep at her studies.

Kate is a young woman in the early part of the 21st century. Her marriage and job ended and she had nowhere to go as the lease was up on the place she and her husband rented while married. Her parents had passed away in a car accident and she was going to be all on her own. She was lucky enough to land a job at the boutique hotel that came with a place for her to live.

The two ladies meet and, after some initial animosity, they form a friendship over a period of time. Slowly, both of their stories come to light.
Audrey was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Nazi party took over Berlin and the Jewish family she lived with had some harrowing times. Audrey refused to abandon them and her own life thereby became fraught with danger.

Kate was also in the wrong place at the wrong time and had her own life changing moments.

Without giving away any spoilers, I have to say the bravery and heroism of Audrey was amazing to read as her story unfolded. The time period she lived in held many dark days and she withstood a lot.

Kate’s story was not as full of life or death circumstances, but she had a rough go at life as well.

How both of these ladies persevered and overcame makes for a great read. This one is high on my list of favorites. I read a lot of stories set in Audrey’s early life time frame and this one ranks high on intrigue and a compelling story line. 5 stars.

The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall is a dual timeline historical fiction novel about two courageous women with secrets and tragedy in their past.Audrey James has lived through World War II in Berlin and Kate Mercer comes to her inn in2010 for healing and to learn more about the lives of her parents.The book has an easy to follow flow between these two characters and details how important love and connection are in our lives.Thank you Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel!

This is Heather Marshall's second novel. After LOVING Looking For Jane last year, I knew I had to get my hands on this WWII historical fiction, and just as predicted, I loved it. Like many of my favorite historical fiction novels this is based on a real woman in history.

This dual-timeline between Kate in England in 2010 and Audrey James in Berlin in late '30s/early '40s was an easy read with easter eggs that made me wonder how the book was going to end. Kate is dealing with the loss of her parents in a car accident she was also involved in and the end of her marriage and trying to get her new boarder/boss to open up, and 72 years earlier Audrey is doing everything in her young female power to keep her best friend Ilse safe from the Third Reich's machinations.

I always find that dual timelines and dual POVs read so fast for me and this held true for The Secret History of Audrey James. Like all other WWII novels I also loved the strength, determination and bravery of Audrey, Ilse and the other members of the resistance.

TL:DR: This is a book I'd recommend to anyone who loves WWII historical fiction, and stories that are big ol' mixing bowls of tragedy, grief, loss, love, family, fear & terrors in wartime, friendship, girl power, and bravery.

Northern England, 2010. After a tragic accident upends her life, Kate Mercer leaves London to work at an old guest house near the Scottish border, where she hopes to find a fresh start and heal from her loss. When she arrives, she begins to unravel the truth about her past, but discovers that the mysterious elderly proprietor is harboring secrets of her own.

Berlin, 1938. Audrey James is weeks away from graduating from a prestigious music school in Berlin, where she’s been living with her best friend, Ilse Kaplan. As war looms, Ilse’s family disappears and high-ranking Nazi officers confiscate the house. In desperation, Audrey becomes their housekeeper while Ilse is forced into hiding in the attic. When a shocking turn of events embroils Audrey in the anti-Hitler movement, she must decide what matters most: protecting those she loves, or sacrificing everything for the greater good.

A brilliant study of guilt, grief and healing. Beautifully written. Gorgeous prose. Heart-wrenching plot and characters that you will feel for. Get out the kleenex! This is sure to become one of the biggest historical fiction books of 2025! 5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Northern England, 2010. After a tragic accident upends her life, Kate Mercer leaves London to work at an old guest house near the Scottish border, where she hopes to find a fresh start and heal from her loss. When she arrives, she begins to unravel the truth about her past, but discovers that the mysterious elderly proprietor is harboring secrets of her own.

Berlin, 1938. Audrey James is weeks away from graduating from a prestigious music school in Berlin, where she’s been living with her best friend, Ilse Kaplan. As war looms, Ilse’s family disappears and high-ranking Nazi officers confiscate the house. In desperation, Audrey becomes their housekeeper while Ilse is forced into hiding in the attic. When a shocking turn of events embroils Audrey in the anti-Hitler movement, she must decide what matters most: protecting those she loves, or sacrificing everything for the greater good.

Inspired by true stories of courageous women and the German resistance during World War II, The Secret History of Audrey James is a captivating novel about the unbreakable bonds of friendship, the sacrifices we make for those we love, and the healing that comes from human connection.

The Secret History of Audrey James tells the story between two time periods, one starting in 1938 and going through WWII and the other in 2010. This is the story of Audrey James, who she was, what she went through during WWII and then up to her living in England in 2010. It’s the story of resilience and what one must do to survive. Kate shows up to work for Audrey and it’s through their connection that the story revolves. Both Kate and Audrey are strong women and each has gone through pain in their lives which they share a bond. It’s easy to picture each of them and their life story. The book is well written and easy to follow.
A definite read for everyone.

I really enjoyed this WWII story and I loved the character of Audrey. This novels brings home sharply the challenges of the choices faced during wartime and how there are no easy answers. Told in two time period (WWII and modern day), I enjoyed following both plot lines. Would love to read more by this author - thank you for my copy!

This book was so good !! It’s told in dual timelines which I always enjoy. Both stories were interesting and also a bit heartbreaking. I couldn’t put it down! It’s another perfect book for historical fiction fans.

I love historical fiction and especially ones set during WWII. I have read so many and am always surprised how a new one can offer an original and compelling story. The Secret History of Audrey James did that. Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

The story is told in dual timelines by two wonderfully strong female characters, Audrey in 1938 and Kate in 2010. They both have secrets in their past. which they eventually share with each other. I love the friendship that develops between them and how they help each other in different ways as they share their stories. Another thing that makes this story unique is the story of the resistance group that is attempting to overthrow Hitler. I don't recall reading about this in other books. There are some tense chapters that were hard to read, but very well-written.

I love the connection that is so artfully entwined between the two characters, which I totally didn't predict. With a bit of a love story woven in, this book was at once heartbreaking and heartwarming. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of historical fiction with strong female characters.

I don't even know where to start with this review. Every part of this book was well done. It is amazing that it was based on true stories. I loved the POV of two different characters, during two different times, Kate in 2010 and Audrey during WWII. Kate turns up at Audrey's guesthouse, where her parents previously honeymooned, after tragedy and divorce hits her life. While there, she discovers that Audrey has her own secrets and slowly gets her to open up about her time in Germany during WWII. We get to learn about Audrey's experience - from loss and sacrifice to working for the anit-hitler movement. Both stories and women were incredible. Their stories weaved together seamlessly and I loved learning about their life experiences. Their growth and strength were incredible. I truly loved every aspect of these books and strongly encourage you to add to your TBR!
Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

📱 The Secret History of Audrey James 📱⁣
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⁣Genre- Historical Fiction. ⁣
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⁣Length- 432 pages. ⁣
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⁣I adored Heather Marshall’s first novel- Looking for Jane and am over the top excited to tell y’all that her second- The Secret History of Audrey James was also amazing! ⁣
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⁣Set in Berlin, this book tells the story of Audrey James- a young woman studying piano who lives with Ilse- a childhood friend. When the Nazi’s come to power, Audrey’s father begs her to flee, but Audrey cannot leave Ilse— who is Jewish. She is eventually swept up in a resistance group and will sacrifice everything to keep her friend safe! ⁣
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⁣The Secret History of Audrey James is a gripping and emotional novel that explores what it means to be a survivor. It’s based on two real women and is a must read! ⁣
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⁣Five stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
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⁣Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of The Secret History of Audrey James. It comes out on February 25, 2025.