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.

I enjoyed this one it was good and a different take on a war novel starting I. 1930’s Berlin . Overall it was a good read

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

This uses the World War 2 element that I was looking for from the description. The characters felt like they belonged in this period and was everything that I hoped for. It had that historical element that I wanted and enjoyed that it didn’t shy away from the darker elements of this. Heather Marshall has a great writing style and can’t wait for more.

The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall is a WWII novel but from a different perspective. The storyline hops between late 1930’s Berlin and 2010 in England. Audrey James in present day 2010 is telling her story of her time in Berlin during WWII to Kate.

Audrey is English and living with a Jewish family during Hitler’s rise in Germany. When the unspeakable happens to the family, Audrey vows to not leave her best friend Ilse’s alone in Germany. This was a hard book to put down and heart wrenching at times.

Highly recommend.

this book was okay, it was a bit too focused on the war so for those who enjoy that, this would be more enjoyable for them! I think the themes of love, courage, and growth were covered well, but the war was a bit overbearing, which I guess is understood.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!