I know I'm going to be in the minority here, but for me Lilac Girls just doesn't live up to the hype. In such a crowded genre, I would choose any other title over this one. The story lands flat with it's unlikeable characters and clumsy writing. I really wish I could have liked this more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine Books for a free digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.

I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to read more in the series. Martha Hall Kelly has created a story based on true events of a slice of World War II history that is largely unknown - medical experiments at a women's concentration camp and the role of Nazi doctors and nurses in the endeavor. I cared about the characters and rooted for their success (and, in the case of the perpetrators, their downfall). Highly recommended.

I love historical fiction and this one did not disappoint. I was hooked from the start and all of the storylines were so intriguing.

It is sad that this stuff was happening and people believed it was what had to be done. This is the kind of stuff I wish they would have taught in history classes. I also would have liked to have known Paul's side of the "story" from the letter Caroline never seemed to open/read. Great read- I will be looking to read the prequel!

This one started out a little slow for me, but picked up quickly. I really enjoyed seeing how the three stories came together in the end.

Fantastic female characters, rounded, well thought out and not the usual cookie cutter women’s fiction. I loved it!

This was an absolutely riveting and wonderful debut by Ms. Kelly. There are three different stories going on in this book, but she handles it with extreme deftness. This author definitely did her research, and it shines with authenticity. I really loved this book and will be recommending it to anyone who loves WWII fiction as much as I do.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wonderful read. I love when authors impress upon us the strengths and intelligence of women.
The characters are fleshed out with a full range of emotions and feelings. And leaves little doubt about
what the investment in one's own life means for each of us.

If you love historical fiction, this book is for you! The stories perfectly intertwine and leave you wanting to keep turning the page!

Lilac Girls, the debut novel by Martha Hall Kelly, takes place over the years of the late 1920s to the late 1950s. This moving work of historical fiction takes us deep into the devastation of not only countries, homes, and terrain, but much more intimately of the individuals who suffered through the horrors of German occupation during WWII.

One of the stories follows Kasia, a Polish teenager, as she attempts to survive life in Ravensbruck, the all women's concentration camp, especially after she is forced to undergo agonizing experimental operations and is left permanently damaged. One of 74 women to undergo these horrifying medical experiments that left several dead, and most others scarred or disabled for the rest of their lives, these women came to be known throughout the camp as "The Rabbits", one because many of them could only hop in order to get around, but also because they were the human manifestation of laboratory rabbits.

Meanwhile in America, Caroline is desperately trying to keep displaced French families together, stay in contact with those left in occupied France and care for the thousands of French orphans, even after the French consulate id officially dissolved in New York.

Herta, a woman aching to practice medicine after fighting to get her medical degree is finally offered a position, but what will this new position ask of her, mean for her, and for her native Germany?

This book appealed to me first because of it being from the point of view from three different women, from entirely different walks of life, countries and cultures even, whose lives intersected in ways none of them ever could have imagined.

Based on real life women, Caroline and Herta, as well as a compilation of real women brought to life through fictitious Kasia, we are given much more than a glimpse into the struggles and day to day lives of these women. Their stories are ones that changed history. Not every choice they made was right nor easy. We are reminded that not everyone gets a happily ever after. Sometimes, we just get an after.

But we are also reminded that we have choices. We can fight in our own way against injustices. We can keep trying even when things seem hopeless. We can let our past shape us for the worse or for the better, and we can decide to let it rule us or we it. Above all, we can still love, even in the worst of circumstances.

There were multiple parts that brought tears to my eyes. Multiple parts that made my skin crawl, or stomach turn. The truths of camp life are grotesque, yet those men and women did their best to remain dignified.

Rating: RD (Reader Discretion due to some language, sexual encounters, and historical elements of life in a concentration camp.)

AWBB Points: ! ! ! ! ! 5/5

I recieved a free electronic copy of this book for the purpose of review. All thoughts and expressions contained in this post are entirely my own.

A beautiful covers to go with a beautiful and compelling story around a subject that we should never forget. A would recommend to others.

This impressive debut novel brings to life the stories of three very different women during WWII. Based on the life of New York socialite Caroline Ferriday, it is a historical novel full of both heartbreak and hope. Caroline is working for the French embassy in NY when war breaks out. Her philanthropic efforts extended from French orphans to the women later released from the concentration camps. The character of Kasia, based on actual survivors, is a young Polish girl who gets caught up in the resistance and is sent to the women's camp Ravensbruck along with her mother and sister. There she is subjected to the medical experimentation of Dr. Herta Oberhauser, the only female defendant at the Nuremburg Medical Trial. This is recommended for those who are interested in WWII, especially some lesser known events. Despite the horrors and tragedy, the novel is one of human resilience.

The perspectives of three very different women from World War II to early in the Cold War, is easy to read and shows that the author did a great deal of research.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Definitely one of the best books I've read about life during WWII! We follow the lives of 3 women all from very different backgrounds. I loved the different perspectives of each woman and the struggles they had to endure during the war.
Recommended for fans of Historical Fiction and woman's literature.

This book was definitely not for me. It is written well but it didn't hold my attention
Thanks Netgalley for the Arc

Team W, and Beatriz Williams especially, are writing books like Lilac Girls - fiction for women in historically challenging settings who are perhaps not as fully realized or well-rounded as could be or as counterparts and literary fiction, but this story makes for good reading nevertheless. If beach reads are your thing, you'll really like Lilac Girls, and if you like to think about how you would act had you been thrust into powerful historical moments like World War II, then you might enjoy this book. It's a delightful read over all but not that challenging.

One of the best books I've read in a long time! While parts were difficult to get through, I'm glad I stuck it out and learned more about this time in history.

A lot of books have been written about WWII and most of them are pretty good. This one is exceptional. I especially enjoyed knowing it was based on real people and their heroism. The characters were realistic, and very sympathetic.

Excellent book! I had no idea it would be so descriptive. I got so involved in the story, I could feel the pain the ladies were going through. I do not get emotional over books, but this one really affected me. Would love another from this author.

Good WWII HISTORY and fictional story of a group of Polish women who were used in experiments in concentration camps. The narrative tension was very compelling and kept me reading. The American story was kind of boring but the split perspectives kept the story suspenseful. I like the fact it’s basically based on a true story.