Woooweeeee!!!!!This one. It's sad, it made me cry, it
Made me angry I felt a lot of emotions reading it. It was such bravery and just goes to show even in the worst times hope can still live.

Wow, what an emotional rollercoaster!
The Bergman family ( Leo, Dalia & children Max, Jordanna & Lili) is about to grow when their friends the Feinsteins receive notification to leave their home , it is decided to leave son Alfie with the Bergman’s. This is the start of the nazis destroying the family. When Leo & Dalia are dragged away without their children it is the start of an incredible journey which is quite a powerful read. The siblings( yes Alfie too) bond was quite something, especially when describing the code they had learnt and were now using.
Dalia’s journey is the most dramatic, the description of a mother’s pain, had me in tears. You’ve got to wonder at how friendships are built in such surroundings . Leo’s journey was heartbreaking.
Of the books I have read on this subject matter the epilogue in this one was without a doubt the most meaningful.

I marvelled at Alfie’s acceptance of the situation when his parents left. For one so young Lilli had some profound statements.
Dalia’s letter was quite emotional. My favourite character was Lilli, least favourite was (didn’t have one) I liked all the characters for different reasons.

Germany 1943 - such a sad story about a family ripped apart in Auschwitz. The author writes such wonderful characters and the story is heartbreaking. Shari J. Ryan is a wonderful author.

The Family Behind the Walls
by Shari J. Ryan

This author has a new follower. This book was one of the best I have read in a very long time. This family’s struggles at the hand of the Nazi’s is extremely difficult to read, as many stories from that time period are. How people can be so heartless to other humans is described beyond words through every chapter of this book. If you want a tearjerker this is the one. I will admit that there were parts of this story where I had to walk away and come back just to have to walk away and come back yet again as my emotions were out of control. Told both from the Mother’s and Daughter’s side how their stories collide and mesh are totally a roller coaster ride. There was some confusion keeping the storylines and characters straight for the first few chapters but I think that was due to my own shortcoming nothing the author did. When it all clicked together for me then I was totally engrossed and could not put it down. As a mother I could relate to all the terrible things running through Dalia’s mind and soul and following a preventable death that filled her with mourning I don’t know how she survived. I probably would have thrown myself into the electric fence and been done with the nightmare she was living. How a person hangs on to faith and carries on after all she had been forced to do, well, I just don’t know that I would have had the strength.

The children on the other hand, especially Jordanna, has learned from her mother about life and manages quite well with the children. The hope she hangs onto watching her young sister wither away right in front of her own eyes, makes her a real superstar. With all she has to endure she keeps her chin up and tries her hardest to shield her young sister of the hardship she is having to endure. As the eldest daughter it us up to her to keep them together and safe and so she hides most of the horror from her younger sister who sees and understands so much for a child of her young age.

The remarkable journey they all endure separately and together leads to an incredible and heartbreaking reunion in the end and certain heartbreak for the reader and again asks the age-old question, what now? For the survivors living with the guilt that they endured. The bafflement that they survived while others did not. The reconstruction of their lives that lay shattered in more ways than one. With no food, no home, no earthly possessions except what was on their backs, how do you re-build a life in a country you know hates you for who you are? And how do you ever forgive the injustice of it all?

This book is a story of resistance from the perspectives of mother and daughter separated during WW2. Struggling to reunite their family and survive the torment of Nazi Germany.

Although this was a heartfelt story with themes of family, resilience, and underground resistance, it lacked the realism that comes with typical Holocaust historical fiction. Certain events were too convenient.

There was balance between the dual perspectives, never feeling like one was less eventful than the other, but it did feel as if the plot dragged at times causing me to scan or read ahead. The reunions were heartfelt and the ending pulled it through story together well.

I enjoyed the book overall but it felt too cookie cutter.

A MUST READ FOR HISTORICAL FICTION FANS!!! I read The Family behind the Walls. And then I read it again. I couldn't stop thinking. I couldn't stop crying. The story just wouldn't let go.

I can't remember being given so many details before about the conditions in the concentration camps or the challenges of those trying to out run the soldiers. The story might be historical fiction but it gives the reader so much information that research is a must. It will make you cry even more.

The author wrote an absolutely brilliant story using a Jewish family's separation by the Germans. They had thought the were safe. They had though they were exempt until they weren't. During a bombing in Hamburg; the mom and dad were taken from a shelter to assist in the rescue. The four children were taken from the shelter by a solder and put on a truck to places unknown.

I have never been able to fully comprehend the many ways that the those in the concentration camps were treated. I have never completely understood how terribly the children, whose only sin was being born Jewish, were treated. History books have failed us by not giving details. This book does not fail where the history classes did.

I am in awe of all of the survivors of the Holocaust. They did not walk away leaving and the past behind. The characters would carry the memories all of there life. The characters would always suffer the affects of imprisonment.

I can't remember ever being as gutted as when children, hidden by nuns, were confronting German soldiers that has sought safety with the nuns. The children's stories were so horrendous, so heart-breaking that the nuns refused the soldiers safety for the night.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

This was truly such a heartbreaking, soul touching read! The story is told through the POV of the mother and oldest daughter as they navigate their tortuous time as prisoners at Auschwitz. The writing is so well done and the characters are so relatable, it is hard not to feel the heartache and loss as if they were your own family. The evils faced and the underlying theme of hope are excellent reminders of how GRATEFUL we all should be for the lives we live, despite whatever problems we may have. This one was quite a tearjerker, but I highly recommend!

This was a strong World War 2 element and enjoyed the way the historical elements worked in the tale. I enjoyed getting to go on this journey with the characters and really felt for the characters in this. It was everything that I was looking for and was glad everything worked together. Shari J. Ryan has a strong writing style and am excited to read more from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Shari J. Ryan seamlessly blends harrowing details and poignant love in this new historical fiction, The Family Behind the Walls.

The story unfolds in true heartbreaking fashion as told in rotating viewpoints from loving mother Dalia and her brave daughter Jordanna as the hope against all odds to reunite their family during the horrors of WWII. The characters felt real enough to root for, the plot barreling full speed towards its climax the entire time. The editing could be a bit more thorough, but truthfully after a while I was so engrossed in the story I barely noticed the few slight errors. Though provoking, tear jerking, and at times downright horrifying, I really think readers who enjoy novels by Kristin Hannah and Susan Meissner won’t want to miss this beautiful story.

This was such a good book. Its a heartbreaking story and hard to read at times, but its a story we should all hear. It really makes you think about how hard these people fought and loved, Its a great story from beginning to end!

I thought this book would be similar to Roberta Kagan's stories as I am such a huge fan of her. I was pleasantly surprised that although the premise is alike the story was different and stands on its own. I connected with all the characters and learned even more about this horrible event in time. This was my first time reading this author but definitely not my last. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another lovely well told emotional story from this author. When you have a few tears at the end it has been a good book. It tells the story of a family who get torn apart after their house was bombed by the Germans. They are split up and sent to different camps not knowing who and if any of them are still alive.
A great author who tells the stories about the Jews during the war with compassion.

A sensitively written historical novel about the Holocaust and a family ripped apart. This is an understandably heartbreaking book, but one also of hope.

Thank you @bookouture & @netgalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This compelling WW2 fiction novel kept me turning the pages as I needed to know what happened to each family member.

When Jordana and her siblings are separated from her parents in 1943 war-torn Poland, Jordana feels responsible for the safety of her siblings. Without their identifying paperwork, Jordana and her siblings pretend not to be Jewish, but that doesn’t save them from being transported to a work camp and enduring horrible conditions.

Meanwhile their mother is over 100 miles away in Auschwitz. Dahlia struggles with guilt over being separated from her children and husband. How can this family survive the atrocities of this devastating war? And will they ever be reunited?

This compelling story unfolds primarily through the perspectives of Jordana and her mother, Dahlia. The author does a tremendous job with character development, detailing not only the physical struggles of each woman, but their mental turmoil as well. Both Jordana and Dahlia were deeply concerned for the well-being of their family members. I felt Dahlia’s pain as she struggled with some serious losses, and I felt Jordana’s fear and embarrassment during her turmoil. I found that I cared deeply for these characters and I was rooting for their ultimate victory over their circumstances.

I highly recommend this for lovers of WW2 historical fiction.

Oh goodness me.. all I can say is don't start this book in the evening as you won't be able to put it down.
This harrowing novel by Shari J Ryan is as excellent as all her other novels..
Full of hope,.sadness ,love and eventually a determination to survive .
Excellent!

Leo and Dalia Bergman live with their children, Max, Jordanna and Lilli in an apartment in Hamburg, Germany, but the year is 1943 and this lovely close knit family are about to discover the worst that the Nazi party can inflict upon them - and all because the Bergman’s are Jews.

I won’t go into the synopsis, as so much happened to the family, but the chapters alternate nicely between Dalia’s story and Jordanna’s.

Where do I even begin to translate my thoughts into words - I don’t believe there are enough words that will do this book justice.
It’s a powerful, emotional and beautifully written book, that allows the reader to become very close to the characters. It left me heartbroken, and I don’t mind admitting that I shed more than a few tears.

It’s now almost 80 years since the end of WWII, and the stories of unimaginable horrors still have the power to shock, but they’re an important read, especially at present with so much fighting, unrest and uncertainty in the world. Did the world learn anything from WWII? Sadly it appears not. A stunning read and highly recommended.

This was beautiful and heartbreaking. Historical Fiction, dual POV: a mothers and daughters experience during WW2 in Auschwitz.

I cried a lot during this book, the writing is so well done. The stories really felt as if you were reading about real people. Several times I took breaks to process the heavier parts of the book.

For those a fan of Kristin Hannah (like me) I think you’ll like Shari J Ryan. I resonated a lot with the mother’s POV and it was so powerful.

Thank you for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this book, with my honest review below.

The Family Behind the Walls shares the perspectives of mother and daughter during the Holocaust, and their experiences with family and friends in a concentration camp.

Dalia and Jordanna’s family lives in Germany in an apartment amongst ongoing destruction which causes them to get caught and sent to prison camps. The family is made up of Leo, husband to Dalia, and children Jordanna, Lilli, and Max. All are captured and all go through the unimaginable trying to reunite and survive. This story was hard at times to read because the characters are so vividly written that they might be people you know and love. Their fight could be any of ours, and I’m grateful I had a chance to feel their bravery and faith.

It’s understood that this is heavier subject matter but the author balances the light and dark to make it bearable for the characters and readers alike. I recommend we all read stories like this and remember that this could be us, our family and friends, and reflect on what we would do to prevent this rather than surviving it, as one is far easier and in our control than the other.

Dalia and her daughter Jordana tell this story of resilience and hope in the darkest places of WWII. The family is separated and sent to different camps but they hold on to the belief that they will be reunited. Both women are incredibly brave and you will root for them. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC. Ryan has once again written a page turner.

I've read many Shari J. Ryan books and each one is heart-wrenching and an important story to help educate us about the past horrors of the Holocaust.
This is the story of a Jewish family separated during a bombing in Hamburg, Germany. Chapters alternate between the mother's story and the daughter's story. All of the family members show bravery during a time when it would have been so easy to lose hope.
The story is also beautiful in that the characters are well-developed, and I was immediately invested. While this tells a tragic tale, it is beautifully written and you will feel the pain and hope of the characters.
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for access to this eARC.