This World War II story brings the lives of three women together in unexpected ways. It was beautifully written with surprising moments and wonderful characters, and I loved it!
Taking place in the early days of WWII, we are introduced to three women, but hear the story through the perspectives of two of them. These three women’s struggles are lived separately but come crashing together as the war intensifies.
Hanna’s perspective tells the story of her gained and lost friendship to Klara over an SS Officer. While Hanna doesn’t want to marry, her family is forcing the engagement on her. Then we meet Tilde, a Jewish woman who can pass as non-Jewish. Klara is a regular visitor to Tilde’s shop, and the two become friendly. When Tilde’s mother escapes Germany, Tilde refuses to leave without her new husband. She pretends to not be Jewish, hiding her husband as long as possible…until she needs to ask for help from Klara.
There is so much that happens in this book, and it was a beautifully told story! I really enjoyed seeing the opulent world that Hanna is introduced to. I liked that alternating views of situations that happened throughout the early days of the war. Hanna and Tilde experience the same things, but through different eyes, and I liked the way they were portrayed.
I would highly recommend this one for readers that enjoy WWII fiction!
Where to Find This Book:
In this intriguing historical novel, a young woman who is sent to a horrific “bride school” to be molded into the perfect Nazi wife finds her life forever intertwined with a young Jewish woman about to give birth.
Germany, 1939
As the war begins, Hanna Rombauer, a young German woman, is sent to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother’s death. Thrown into a life of luxury she never expected, Hanna soon finds herself unwillingly matched with an SS officer. The independence that her mother lovingly fostered in her is considered highly inappropriate as the future wife of an up-and-coming officer and she is sent to a “bride school.” There, in a posh villa on the outskirts of town, Hanna is taught how to be a “proper” German wife. The lessons of hatred, prejudice, and misogyny disturb her and she finds herself desperate to escape.
For Mathilde Altman, a German Jewish woman, the war has brought more devastation than she ever thought possible. Torn from her work, her family, and her new husband, she fights to keep her unborn baby safe. But when the unthinkable happens, Tilde realizes she must hide. The risk of discovery grows greater with each passing day, but she has no other options.
When Hanna discovers that Tilde hiding near the school, she knows she must help her however she can. For Tilde, fear wars with desperation. The women must take extraordinary risks to save the lives of mother and baby.
Will they both be able to escape with their lives and if they do, what kind of future can they possibly hope for?
Just the Facts:
The School for German Brides by Aimie K. Runyan
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Pub Date: April 26, 2022
I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
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