The Resistance Girl

The first World War II historical fiction book that I fell in love with as a kid was set in Denmark, so it seems fitting that the most recent WWII historical fiction novel that I fall in with is set in Norway. The Scandinavian countries aren't something that pop a lot in WWII fiction and they should as those countries also played a huge part in not only winning the war but helping the Jews escape the Nazi's. Many because Sweden reminded neutral and Demark and Norway fought back any way they could.

A gripping read set in Norway during the second World War. I found it was gripping and tense and could not stop reading.

The Resistance Girl by Mandy Robotham

Norway, 1942. War rages, and, under cover of darkness, Rumi Orlstad and her fellow resistance fighters smuggle British agents, fugitives and supplies across the North Sea into Nazi-occupied territory.

One night, when he braves a storm to complete an ill-fated mission, Rumi’s fiancé is lost to the dangerous waters. Broken-hearted, she withdraws from the clandestine group, vowing never to let her loved ones put themselves in the line of fire again.

But months later, Rumi stumbles across a Nazi secret that lays Hitler’s plans for Norway bare, and she knows she has no choice but to risk her life for her country once .
Yet another brilliant title by Mandy Robotham , I think she is unable to write a bad one !
I really enjoyed the character Rumi and her fight against the Nazi's and learnt that even countries such as Norway were still under threat.

This was such a good book it was well written with good characters and a good setting, I love books set in Scandinavia. It was gripping, emotive and I couldnt put it down. I really enjoyed it.

The book, The Resistance Girl is a gripping story that takes place in Norway during the Second World War. This book highlights the resistance fighters as they work towards freedom in their homeland. The characters of this book are well developed and captivate the reader’s attention. I would highly recommend reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publisher for a free copy of this book for an honest review.

I really loved this book. It was very well written and kept me interested all day. Thank you to publisher and NetGalley for chance to read this book.

This is another great WWII read set in Norway. The tentacles of the Nazis spread far and ingrained themselves into the fabric of so many countries. This story tells of the fierce underground resistance in Norway and of the Quislings.
A less know fact that hit close to home for the Norwegian people was the need for their Aryan looking genes. Homes were set up in a pleasant style prison to house young, unwed mothers who had been either romantically enticed or raped by Nazi soldiers so Germany could have control over their babies.
There is a lot of detail worked into this long manuscript. The characters are well developed.
There is a little bad language scattered throughout the book.

Rumi Orlstad is a strong woman, proud of her convictions, but not immune to suffering. Having lost her fiancé due to a boating accident, Rumi must face losing all she holds dear and her country to the Nazi regime. Not one to take things laying down, she becomes part of the Norwegian Resistance determine to avoid the Nazi’s and their grasp.

I found this book so informative. I knew nothing of the Norwegian Resistance and had never heard of the Shetland Bus. It’s refreshing to read a World War Two themed book set in a different locale and with different themes. This one focuses on love, family, the plight of women forced to stay in Nazi maternity camps, loyalty, perseverance and deep friendship.

The story is very evocative with a diverse cast of characters with some edge of your seat moments. In some ways there is predictability, but yet, there was unpredictability also. The one thing I will say if I was nitpicking and that is that the story might have been a few pages shorter. A minor issue.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers UK for this ARC. Rumi lives in a Norwegian town and as a Resistance fighter during WW2, her and her family help run the Sheltand Bus that helps smuggle people and supplies from German occupied Norway to Scotland, until her fiancé is killed at sea and she pulls back from everything. Just a couple of months later she finds out about a home for unwed mothers that Germany is funding. Because the Norwegians are hearty people with superior genes, the German soldiers are raping women so they will become pregnant and have no choice to seek solace in a home that will care for them. When Rumi finds out the true fate of these babies and girls, she has no choice but to help any way she can. When I received this copy, I thought with this title, it would be just the same story as many resistance fighters but I was wrong. I had no idea of yet another travesty Hitler created and funded. #TheResistanceGirl #MandyRobotham #mar2022 #harpercollinspublishersUK

I absolutely loved this book; couldn't put it down! There is currently an overabundance of WW II books out there, but The Resistance Girl, set in Norway, gives a whole new perspective of life during the war.

Rumi, a young Norwegian woman, has recently lost her fiancee during a terrible storm; he had been crewing the Shetland Bus, a boat that took refugees and resistance fighters to safety. Previously active in the Resistance, Rumi can't bear to love anyone else she loves and hunkers down to sit out the war. Subsequent events cause her to rethink that decision, albeit willingly, As the occupation in her town becomes more and more oppressive, and Rumi learns of the Nazi's plans for Norway and Norwegians, she once again becomes involved in fighting back in the only way she knows how.

Well researched and historically accurate, The Resistance Girl is an enlightening and engaging read. Rumi and those around her are so well developed that you feel like you've met them. The book is suspenseful and well written, and I highly recommend it.

Set during the WW2, Rumi is a 25 year old Norweigian girl . She lives with her father a fisherman. The resistance is strong in Norway following the German invasion although many become Nasi sympathisers. The UK send two agents in by parachute, one being Jens who has a Norwegian mother. He lands in a tree upside down and Rumi is sent out in the snow to find him.
A story of intrigue with a little love thrown.
I enjoyed this book tremendously. A great change from the Resistance of France.

I read the first 10% but if continues as is, an easy 4 stars. I loved the facts sprinkled throughout. The actual writing seemed to skew more YA, but the subject matter seems more adult, so it walks the line. Will definitely include in our libraries.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book by Mandy Robotham. It was very well done and I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

Excellent book great to see ww2 books set in Norway gives quite a different perspective great strong characters and premise can highly recommend

There are so many historical fiction books out there for WW2. I can honestly say this is the first where I have read anything in depth about Norwegian resistance and the Shetland Bus. Usually all the WW2 novels I pick up are set within Britain, so it’s a nice change of pace to have the story in a different country, different resistance. Overall, this book is a compelling story, well paced and I loved the main character Rumi. This is the first book I have read by this author and definitely want to read her other works.

Robotham writes terrific historical fiction. I love the plot and setting of The Resistance Girl. Norway gets short shift, usually, in WWII history and fiction. The author combines the setting with the Lebensborn program, which creates a fascinating narrative. This is such an exciting read, I raced through the pages, devouring the words.
Read this book and educate yourself on how strong people in the north tackled the Germans and the war.

Thank you to Net Galley and Mandy Robotham for giving me this opportunity to read her upcoming book.
The story takes place in 1942 Norway and the Nazis have invaded Norway.
Rumi has lost her fiance to a storm in the North Sea while transporting goods to the Shetland Islands.
Rumi gets an urgent request from a friend who is in a Lebensborn (a camp for pregnant women).
Rumi knows that she has to help her friend, but can she face her fear of the open sea and get her friend Anya to safety?
I have read all 5 of Mandy's books and I think this is the best one yet.

This is a fantastic piece of historical fiction that examines how WWII affected individuals and shaped the course of their lives. Allied forces crumble as the Nazis roll through Europe in 1940. The main characters are Rumi Orlstad (who smuggles people across the North Sea to safety in Scotland) and Jens Parkes (an operative tasked with coordinating resistance actions). I didn't know as much about the Norwegian resistance activities and found this book incredibly informative and captivating. I thought the writing flowed well and I felt as if I was in the midst of the action.

Another fantastic novel by Mandy Robotham. This is based around Runi and Jen who are in Bergen and dwork as part of the resistance movement in there own ways.
I was absolutely absorbed in this story and the author writes I'm such a way the characters come to ljfe and leap off the page.
Absolutely loved it. Dont ever stop writing.
Thanks to#NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review

Another wonderful read by Mandy Robotham. I have been lucky enough to read all of these Historic novels written by this wonderful author and I have enjoyed and loved them all. This one being set is Norway during the German occupation again bringing to life the horrific time in history for many many people all over the world. I loved following along with Rumi and her family and friends, at times I found myself holding my breath, and even a tear or two escaping and I travelled along with their journey of courage and bravery. A wonderful read!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Resistance Girl by Mandy Robotham. The setting is perfect, well depicted, and the story is a unique spin on the WW2 period. The heroine, Rumi Orlstad is a great character from the get go, and it was interesting reading about the resistance in Norway as opposed to France. It's a gripping read, a fascinating insight into the war in Norway and well recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley & to HarperCollins Publishers for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The story is set in Norway during WWII. It revolves around the lives of resistance fighters lives and their efforts to thwart the Nazis. The characters are compelling as is the story. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

A unique story detailing Norway’s occupation by the Germans during WWII. This brings home the day to day struggles of Norwegians living under the cruel domination of the Nazis. Then to be a Resistance member putting one’s life at risk daily for 5 years takes incredible courage and fortitude. We are taken into the lives of Rumi, her fisherman father, a brother like helper and her dear surrogate mother Marjit who live in the small coastal town of Bergan Norway. They are resistors running supplies and rescuing solders illegally entering Norway. Rumi rescues a special ops British/Norwegian solder who has parachuted into the countryside. She had just lost her fiancé when a ship used to shuttle people and supplies to freedom in Sweden and she is very angry. Much occurs in the daily life of a resistor and most of it is scary and exhausting. There is a simultaneous story explaining Hitlers plan to “Breed” the perfect Arian by having German soldiers impregnate Norwegian women. This is the story of Lebensnorn. Pregnant Norwegian women come to a German sponsored maternity home for care, not having a clue that many will not be allowed to parent their babies. Rumi’s friend Anya ends in such a place. I was on edge reading about their harrowing experiences. Thankfully, Life goes on after war because God has A unique story detailing Norway’s occupation by the Germans during WWII. This brings home the day to day struggles of Norwegians living under the cruel and domination of the Nazis. Then to be a Resistance member putting one’s life at risk daily for 5 years takes incredible courage and fortitude. We are taken into the lives of Remi, her fisherman father, a brother like helper and her dear surrogate mother Marjit who live in a small coastal town of Bergman, Norway. They are resistors running supplies and rescuing solders illegally entering Norway. Rumi revues a special ops British/Norwegian solder who has parachuted into the countryside. She had just lost her fiancé when a ship used to scuttle people and supplies to freedom in Sweden and she is very angry. Much occurs in the daily life of a resistor and most of it is scary and exhausting. There is a simultaneous story explaining Hitlers plan to “Breed” the perfect Arian by having German soldiers impregnate Norwegian women. This is the story of Lebensnorn. Pregnant Norwegian women come to a German sponsored maternity home for care, not having a clue that many will not be able to parent their babies. Rumi’s friend Anya ends in such a place. I was on edge reading about their harrowing experiences. Thankfully, Life goes on after war because God has made us to be resilient! This is the second book I read by this author and I loved both of them. Thanks to Netgallery and Harper-Collins/Avon for an advance copy for an honest review. This is the second book I read by this author and I loved both of them.

This is another compelling book by Mandy Robotham. My thanks to Netgalley and Publishers HarperCollins for the opportunity to read, comment and review this ARC of The Resistance Girl.

In 1940 with German armies sweeping through France and Allied forces crumbling the decision was made to evacuate troops from Norway, thus leaving it exposed to full German invasion.

It's 1942, Rumi Oristad who has had little to do with the resistance since her fiancé was killed now finds that as events unfold she once again is dragged back into assisting and becomes heavily involved. British, Jens Parkes and partner Karl SOE operatives have been parachuted in to set up transmitters to assist and coordinate resistance communication and activities. Jens parachutes into a tree and unable to free himself, realises that he'll probably freeze to death. However there is a ground party and Rumi finds him giving him an attitude as frosty as the environment. Karl is found later but has been wounded. The three struggle to Marjit Sabo's house where with a bit of cloak and dagger, Jens relationship to Marjit, his aunt is kept secret for now.

After a few false starts with Rumi's gnarled personality Jens manages to get her to accompany him to a social event that involves German High Command as well as the local business people who are intent on procuring financial gain from the changed political situation. Jens is able to mingle undetected due to his Norwegian looks inherited from his mother. With what Rumi has learned after dancing with a high up German officer, Jens realises that the SOE operations have all of a sudden become even more perilous with Lothar Selig from German Military Intelligence coming to town. Jens is fully aware of his reputation and German sophisticated tracking.

At a beautiful mansion once lived in by the Lauritzens family for over a hundred years, housekeeper and trusted family companion, Fru Nesse now in her fifties wonders what is going to become of her once the Germans move in. All too soon she becomes aware of German intentions, her extended family is threatened with dire consequences if she reveals anything of what is now happening in the house. Warning her family to move away she packs a small bag in preparation of leaving quickly herself when the time comes.

Anya, a friend of Rumi's, who has moved away writes several letters to her and for which they are able to meet up in Stavanger while Rumi, unknown to Anya, is on a mission with Jens. However in one later letter she makes a strong request for Rumi to visit her where she is now living in a large house. After visiting her and outlining her plight, Rumi and Jens become further involved in another Nazi plan that has dire consequences for their safety and many young women.

Fru Nesse, (meant possibly as a secondary character) but for many who understand the need to be invisible as a servant or employed in minor positions finds her brave heart and is able to help Anya, suffers the consequences but at the end of the war is reunited with those who love her.

Set during the WW2 in Norway Rumi Orlstad, a young Norweigian resistance fighter gives us an insight into life during the war for Norwegians . Rumi has suffered heartache early on in the war when her fiancé Magnus is lost at sea while part of a crew on the Shetland Bus, a regular mission that took refugees and resistance fighters to safety.
Rumi steps back from her resistance work due to a broken heart until two English agents both with Norwegian roots arrive in Bergen. Rumi becomes close to one of the agents, Jens and assists him with his resistance work.
Rumi learns of the Nazis plan for Norway and she becomes even more invested in working for the freedom of her country.
There is intrigue, a bit of romance but above all a great well researched story of the brave and committed people from all walks of life that fought against the Nazi regime and their plans for a so called ‘superior Aryan race’.

4+ stars

This very good historical fiction looks at the impact of war on individuals, the central character is being Jens Parkes and Rumi Orlstad. Both have sadness and tragedy they carry with them permanently. Through these characters and others the author demonstrates the courage and bravery of the resistance to the Nazi invasion of Norway. Rumi has a very particular reason for her involvement and she is determined to make Germany pay, not least for the theft of her country. Rumi and Jens meet in the most dramatic and potentially dangerous of ways and Jens will go onto thwart the Abwehr (German military intelligence) and in particular Lothar Selig in any way he can.

The novel is very well written and you become very absorbed in the characters and their stories and you feel as if you are there alongside them in solidarity. I really like all the central characters and you become personally involved and invested in their survival. As well as the courage of the resistance which comes across loud and clear there is another strand to the storytelling which looks at Lebensborn, the unpalatable baby trafficking of infants deemed pure Aryan. All of this storytelling makes you feel something but this is in a different league altogether.

The author captures the dangers all around and makes you sense it too. The suspicions, who to dare to trust, the fear, fury, the duplicity and every day survival are well depicted. I enjoy the focus on knitting too especially the cultural importance of various items which also give some welcome relief from the dangers outside as two characters in particular meet to knit. All of this is set in some very atmospheric locations especially Bergen which is well described so you can see it in your minds eye.

The novel builds well, it shocks in places which is inevitable given the nature of this war and it builds to a dramatic and tense finale with a well deserved peace in 1945.

I look forward to reading more by this author.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon Books U.K. for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

The Resistance Girl by Mandy Robotham is the largely untold story of the Nazi occupation of Norway and the Resistance there. Robotham focuses on the story of one family who is part if the "Shetland Bus" (boats that transport resistance fighters and their British counterparts), from Norway to the safety of the Shetland Islands. It is a story of loss and love and family, of strength and persistence to overcome the horrors of Nazi domination. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

I had no idea I was so clueless about World War 2. Before I started reading detailed historical fiction I could name battles, important locations and the big names. What I could not do was discuss the importance of the citizens that stood up against the Nazis.

My respect for those that risked everything grew with every chapter read. My anger over what happened to so many grew more intense. My fear that it will be repeated keeps me up at night. My embarrassment over my lack of knowledge is one thing I can change. I will continue to read historical fiction because they are not the dry textbooks of my school years. I will continue to read historical fiction using my ability to fact-check

I can't thank the author enough for opening my eyes. I hope when you read this book that you take time to check out some of the details. Satisfy your curiosity that the atrocities that occurred were not minor. They were horrendous. Gain respect for those of the resistance that united to gain their freedom.

The author told her story through Rumi and her family. The citizens were not given a chance when the leader ship cowered to the Nazis. They were expected to stay quiet as their homes were taken over. They were supposed to remain blind to the breeding hotels. The author was able to illustrate what occurred in Norway through Rumi's actions and those of Jens, a member of the SOE.

Members of the resistance risked their lives for the freedoms that are now enjoyed by those in Norway and other countries. It is thanks to authors like Mandy Robotham that the reader is able to grasp some of their sacrifices.

This book was sent to me electronically for review by Netgalley. Historical fiction at its best…likable characters…this is a quick read…cozy up. Y a warm fire and get lost in the past…enjoy

That was just such a good story. The war from a different perspective. The Lebensborn program is not one that’s the basis of a war story very often, if at all but it was written so well that the author, having been a midwife described some of the obvious events in detail and with such accuracy that the story was totally believable.
I loved the major characters and the narrative endeared them even more to me. Their fear, beliefs, determination and courage were palpable.
Although mostly a book of fiction, there was nothing in the story that was out of the realms of possibility for the atrocities which happened in that theatre of war.
The ending was beautifully pulled together, tinged with the realities of that time. Would totally recommend this book.

The Norwegian Resistance

Exciting , suspenseful, tragic and romantic as describes this book. Set during WWII in Norway it is a story of the Norwegian resistance. It is a story of courage and patriotism. The local resistance are working with the British SOE agents to operate a series of boats called The Shetland Bus which helps get compromised agents and other valuable people to safety out of Norway.

It is a story of Rumi and an SOE agent Jens who she rescues when his parachute hangs up in a tree. She helps Jens in the resistance. When he childhood friend Anya is held captive in a lebensborn home Jen helps Rumi rescue her.

I also loved the characters of Peder(Rumi's fisherman father), Marjit (Jen's aunt and Rumi's neighbor) and even the evil character of the Nazi Officer Selig as there has to be a villain.

I love the courage all shown in the face of danger. All the narrow escapes where I held my breath and the tragedy when there was no escape for some. I liked the brave strong woman figures of Marjit and Rumi.

It was a very good story, I couldn't stop reading, I think it was around three in the morning when I finished it. I just had to find out what happened next.

I enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it.

Thanks to Mandy Robotham for writing a great story, to Avon Books UK for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.

This was a fantastic historical fiction! Rumi and Jens are the two main characters, and I enjoyed both of their stories. I thought the author did a great job building the world around the two, making everything feel real. I found myself completely invested in what was happening! I would definitely recommend this for readers that enjoy historical fiction!

This is my 3rd book but this author and I think it’s her best to date!!

I absolutely love this era of historical fiction and what Ms Robotham does is always deliver it ina different setting and perspective.

I had no idea about the Nazi occupation of Norway or of Hitlers sinister plans on how to keep the Aryan going.

It took me a while to warm to Rubi but I loved Jens and his aunt right from the start. This was a fantastic story and one where I couldn’t guess what would happen.

I personally would have loved to have known more bout what happened to Marjit, Jens, Rubi and mother’s to be in Labensborn between the the years of 1943 and the end of the war in 1945. It ended a bit too suddenly for me in that respect.

A big thank you the the Author and NetGalley for this early copy to review.

The Resistance Girl is simply put historical fiction at its best.

The book is an intense and compelling read as you follow the story of a small Norwegian town of Bergen.

Jens who Rami rescues is part of the resistance and eventually Rami joins.

The courage, strength, tenacity of the towns people and the resistance is amazing.

I cheered for Jens and Rami, I laughed with them during their good times and I cried with them but most of all I admired them.

I am a fan of Mandy Robotham's ; she is a born storyteller.

Her books are captivating , I learn from them and I always hate them to end. The Resistance Girl is no exception.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books Uk, Avon for a book I could not put down.

Rumi and Jens meet on a freezing day when he is stuck in a tree by his parachute. She manages to cut him free and help him escape bring picked up by the Germans. They then begin to work together, trying to help the resistance in Norway, free it’s country from the hands of the nazi’s. This is a whole new area to read about WWII, never having read or learned anything about Norway in the war. It’s is a beautifully told story giving us a true glimpse at their lives and loves. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this ARC.

Having recently discovered this author and having read a few of her other books I was pleased to see this new one. It’s a great book. Well researched and full of believable characters that you want to survive and succeed. I knew nothing of the war effect in Norway prior to this. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommended.

Mandy Robotham's books are based on historical fiction, usually set during the Nazi period, except one book. This latest book, The Resistance Girl is set in Nordic region this time, in Norway about a brave and courageous girl named Rumi who fought against the Nazis and saving her friend, Anya and British fugitives and allies from the Nazis. Rumi lost her husband but she would do anything to oppose the Nazi regime.

Like all Mandy Robotham's books, her books are always centered on the female protagonists who are brave, courageous and would do anything to risk their own lives. Rumi is such person and would do anything to her country, as loyal as she is and could be labeled as one of the true heroines of WWII. The story is set in 1942 when Norway fell under the Nazi regime. For all this time, I was reading books about Nazi regime based in Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Germany and Italy so this book based in Norway during WWII is completely new to me. The author must have done tremendous research on the lifestyle in the seas near Norway. I was immediately drawn into the story as the author has done a good job of making Rumi stand out in the story.

Overall, this book will make you hook into the story and is an unputdownable emotional historical fiction that will keep you up all night--worth five stars!

A tense and gripping story centered around the little-used setting of Norway in WWII and the chilling horrors of the Lebensborn program!

I loved Rumi and Jens and the way they faced danger even when the possibility of personal loss was devastating to even think about. If there was one thing that kept me from giving this book 5 stars it is the present tense-third person point of view which I found jarring and kept pulling me out of the story. It felt less intimate to me, but overall this was a cracking read that is just a little bit different from the other WWII books I've been reading lately.

Set during WWII in Norway, The Resistance Girl is an evocative fiction novel based on true events during that hideous time in world history. Though Norway saw comparatively little fighting, German Nazis did indeed occupy and infiltrate, creating fear and sorrow. The Resistance smuggled people and supplies at great risk to themselves and their families. The crucial Shetland Bus is highlighted. Many people were lost at sea. Radios were banned. Food was in short supply. Neighbour turned against neighbour. It was better not to talk at all.

Rumi Orlstad and her father are part of the Resistance in occupied Norway under the watchful eye of the Norwegian Nazi Party and leader Quisling. They risk everything to smuggle people as well as supplies. Rumi has lost her fiance to the sea and is enveloped in deep grief so she allows very few people into her sphere. Jens avoids capture and sides with Norway. Neighbour Marjit plays a substantive role in the war effort. But the story is more than that...it is about freedom, love, loss and hope in many forms. Robotham superbly describes the importance of Aryan genes and how far Nazis go to obtain them, causing unbearable heartache. She draws on her midwifery experience. Her writing is vivid and lovely with plenty of oomph. She thankfully does not gloss over the realities of war.

My favourite aspects of the book are the historical details with gorgeous lively descriptions of people and places. I love the unique perspective of lesser-known parts of WWII history in Norway. I also appreciate the mix of likeable and unlikeable characters which contributes to making the story very real.

If you are a Historical Fiction fan, this is an excellent book to add to your list. It is quite powerful and captivating. If you have not yet tried Historical Fiction, this is an excellent book to start with, as are other books by this author.

My sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this unmissable book!

"The Resistance Girl" by Mandy Robotham
Release Date: 3.31.2022

In 1942, war is still waging on in Norway. Rumi Orlstand and other locals work to smuggle British agents, fugitives, and supplies across the North Sea to Scotland. When Rumi's fiance goes missing during a mission, she vows never to get involved again.

Her best friend, Anya, works at the hotel and is assaulted by a German soldier while on a date. Anya is placed in an unwed mothers home. Rumi discovers Anya has been placed in Lebensborn, one of Hummler's secret Aryan maternity camps. Rumi finds out what will happen to the baby, and Rumi must help her flee.

Wow! I felt the danger, fear, and fury throughout the novel. I then felt horrified about the idea of the baby trafficking of infants. This was well written, and the author obviously spent a lot of time researching Norway in World War II, the Shetland Bus network, and Lebensborn.

Thank you to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #netgalley #netgalleyreads #netgalleybooks #historicalfiction #theresistancegirl #mandyrobotham #historicalfictionbooks #worldwariifiction

Many thanks to #NetGalley and "AvonBooksUK for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review.

There is a real poignancy to reading a book like this at a time when tweets and posts are telling me about the resistance currently taking place in Ukraine. My heart is breaking for them and it made the details in this story come alive all the more for me. The author writes in a style as if the events are happening while the reader watches. At times I tend to find this style distracting, but not this time. The book is based in Bergen Norway and various surrounding towns and places and includes information on the "Shetland Bus" which ran from the Shetland Isles in Scotland to Norway, and on Lebensborn - the German program to have children of good "Aryan" backgrounds born and given to German couples to raise. The authors experience as a midwife really shines through in the parts of the story that detail what giving birth can be like.

The last big trip that my husband and I took before Covid hit took us to Scandinavia and to Bergen, Norway. We took time to visit any museums which would give us information on the "Shetland Bus" which ran from the Shetland Isles in Scotland to Norway, and on Lebensborn - the German program to have children of good "Aryan" backgrounds born and given to German couples to raise. The authors experience as a midwife really shines through in the parts of the story that detail what giving birth can be like.

The last big trip that my husband and I took before Covid hit took us to Scandinavia and to Bergen, Norway. We took time to visit any museums which would give us information on Norway's experiences during WW2. The background details of this novel definitely agree with what we learned in our travels, and considering they were accumulated during a pandemic when she was unable to visit Bergen herself, really speak well to the authors research skills and networking. I found myself putting my Kindle down occasionally so I could go and look up specific events that she referenced and found it fascinating.

The two main characters in the book are Rumi and Jens although there are many other characters who play an important part in the story. As the novel begins, Rumi is grieving the loss of her fiance in a storm that occurs while he is on the Shetland Bus. She is sent out to the hills surrounding Bergen to look for a member of the S.O.E. (Special Operations Executive) who has failed to turn up as expected. She finds him hanging upside down from a tree entangled in his parachute. His name is Jen Parkes and he is half Norwegian and half British though his heart leans towards his Norwegian background. Different chapters help the reader to experience the events of the war through their eyes and to watch their relationship develop over the months and years of the war. I was immediately drawn into the fear, the need to be cautious about who one could speak to and who might betray them at a moment's notice. So many individuals had their own part to play in helping the resistance and the consequences were severe with German reprisals that were in the extreme. One example of this is the Telavåg tragedy where a whole village was destroyed because two members of the resistance were found there.

In a time where freedom is a word glibly spoken, Robotham shows her readers what people are willing to do to prevent real tyranny from winning. I found myself holding my breath through certain passages waiting for something awful to happen. The strength and support of family were integral to her tale. I found it very hard to put the book down until I had finished it. I would highly recommend it especially in these difficult days.

In this book, Mandy Robotham brings us closer to the hardships of Norway during WWII. Even after having read many historical books regarding this subject, I'm still in awe at the atrocities committed during that time. Thanks to the Resistance Girl, I learned about the Lebensborn program and what it entailed.

I definitely recommend reading Mandy's words regarding her research and how the book came to be.

Thanks Mandy Robotham, Avon, and NetGalley for this ARC