My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I am happy to give my thoughts on this very impactful book. I liked that the story was set in the years leading up to WWII, as what I find to be the most interesting, is the many factors that contribute to Germany being taken over by Hitler and the Nazi’s. Reading about the seeds of hatred and mistrust being sown early, combined with the perfect environment of economic distress, unemployment, anger from the previous war, and overall discontent with their current leadership, was eye-opening and, unfortunately, too relevant today.

Freya was an interesting character, caught between the roles and expectations for women at that time and her developing values and beliefs. I felt for her, and I enjoyed her growth arc. I related to her struggle to want to feel like she is making a difference even though it feels like any action she takes won’t impact her country’s path. This was a challenging read on some levels because it feels as if many parallels are occurring in the US. I see the seeds of hate being sown for immigrants and LGBTQIA+ people (especially trans folks); I see claims of our problems being solved by removing other populations. I see books being banned and library funding being cut, I see the threats to education and diverse perspectives. Freya put it best, saying, “‘Why do I need protecting from ideas? How can they hurt me?’”.

I enjoy a well-done dual timeline story, and the author slowly tied them together quite well. I was invested in finding out how exactly Freya immigrated to California, being resistant to the idea. I liked the mystery of familiar history slowly being unraveled in the modern timeline. The 2024 storyline did seem like it had a few too many focuses that weren’t always related to the overall messaging in the book, but I still enjoyed reading about Maddie and her family. I thought the characters were well flushed out, and I loved Gramps.

The Banned Books of Berlin is a captivating dual-timeline novel that masterfully intertwines past and present. In 1930s Berlin, Freya struggles to survive amidst the rise of Hitler and the growing threat of censorship. Fast forward to 2024, where Maddie, Freya’s great-granddaughter, returns to Los Angeles after a traumatic incident at work. While helping her grandfather sort through old belongings, Maddie uncovers her grandmother’s diary, which sets her on a journey to uncover their shared family history.
The novel beautifully blends historical fiction with contemporary issues, focusing on the power of books and the dangers of censorship, a theme that remains relevant today. The connection between Freya’s and Maddie’s timelines is seamless, with both stories equally gripping. The rich historical detail brings Berlin in the 1930s to life, while Maddie’s emotional journey in the present-day adds depth.
The characters are wonderfully developed, and I quickly became invested in their lives. The pacing flows effortlessly, with each shift between timelines adding new layers to the narrative. Themes of love, friendship, and family are at the heart of the story, making it both poignant and thought-provoking. Daisy Wood’s writing is engaging and evocative, creating a novel that is fictional yet entirely believable. This book serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving history and the stories that shape us.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed this book.

It’s a dual timeline story. In 1930, in Berlin, Freya is noticing how the Nazi’s are now taking charge of the country.

Then, in 2024, Maddie who is Freya’s granddaughter finds a diary and reads about her family and the secrets from the past.

I liked the period in history when Berlin was slowly under the Nazi regime. They then made it law to stop any books other publications that didn’t agree with how they operated.

I highly recommend this book.

It was early 1930s in Berlin, and Freya was devastated when her mother, Ingrid, died. Life at home changed, with Hitler on the horizon, her father and brother, supporters, and their tenant a full-blown Nazi. Freya knew she needed to leave the house, and staying in the theatre where she'd been working since her mother died proved to be her salvation. But gradually the situation worsened and when the huge bonfires with the banned books were lit, and something happened to Freya that shattered her fragile confidence, she and her friends knew they needed to leave Berlin.

2024 in New York, and Maddie was helping her grandfather sort through his belongings when they came across items which had belonged to his mother, Freya. Gramps didn't know a lot about his mother, only that he'd loved her dearly, so Maddie set out to research the past. What would they discover?

The Banned Books of Berlin is another exceptional historical novel by Daisy Wood. I've read all the author's historicals and enjoy her meticulous research as she turns her writing into a well written novel. Freya was a courageous, determined young woman, easy to like and cheer on, which I did! Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins UK for my digital ARC to read and review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

📚✨Daisy Wood's The Banned Books of Berlin is a thrilling, intelligent historical novel that I feel is more relevant and needed today than ever.

Set in Nazi Germany, it explores the power of words, the bravery of their protectors, and the devastating harm that censorship and tyranny can do. Again, truly relevant to current times.

Wood's tale is dense, engaging the reader in a world in which books are seen as threats and knowledge is an arm. The double timelines add richness, weaving past and present into a blend that makes the pages turn. The characters—particularly the brave book lovers who risk their lives to preserve history—are human and fully realized, making their struggles and sacrifices even more impactful.

The novel is a powerful reminder of the dangers of wiping out history, manipulating information, and muzzling voices. While some moments seemed a bit predictable, the emotional impact and significance of the story far outweighed any minor drawbacks.

A must-read for historical fiction enthusiasts and readers who believe in the enduring power of books. A solid 4-star read that will stay with me for some time to come. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

A dual time line novel that moves between Freya in pre-WWII Berlin and her gradndaughter Maddie in 2024 Los Angeles. Know that banned and burned books are only small part of Freya's story, which is focused on all the horrors the Nazis brought as they rose to power. Her story is more interesting than Maddie's (as is so often the case with this conceit). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good storytelling and an interesting character in Freya made this a good read.

Banned books! Words to make any obsessive reader cringe! Unfortunately this happened and still happens far too often. Daisy Wood's latest book is set in early 1930s Berlin and present day USA and what a heartrending and totally fascinating book it is. I usually stay clear of WW2 books for some reason I don't fully understand myself but recently have read two both based in Berlin. Needless to say I have learnt a lot!
As always Daisy Wood has researched her topic impeccably. You get a real feeling of the constant state of terror the ordinary people of Berlin must have felt for years before the war started. The characters in the book are well rounded - both the likable and the not so nice - and it is easy to imagine them living their lives in this horrible time. The storyline has family members in the US researching a complicated family connection that allows the narrative to look back on the Berlin period to discover the truth. A brilliant story. Beautifully written. A must for any lover of historical fiction or just if you like a really good story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

in Berlin in 1933 Hitler decrees all the books are to be burnt. The Nazis are gaining power and Freya doesn't feel safe there anymore.
Should she stay or run whilst there is time?

Present Day and Maddie is having a turbulent personal life so goes home to decide on her next move. Helping her grandfather to declutter she finds a pre war German diary and starts looking into it and finding out about Freya.

1930s, Germany- Freya watches in shock as Berlin begins to descend into chaos with the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party. She is forced to make a choice - turn a blind eye to the destruction around her or fight back against evil.

Present day, Los Angeles- Maddie’s life is in turmoil so she retreats to her family home to lick her wounds. While there she helps her grandfather clear out his home and discovers his mother’s wartime journal. As the journal is translated by new friends, questions emerge about the past.



Title: The Banned Books of Berlin
Author: Daisy Wood
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: July 15, 2025
Rating: 4⭐️

Dual POVs and timelines can be a tricky balance - both have to be equally as engaging. What kept this from being a 5 ⭐️ read was the second timeline - Maddie’s POV.
I could not put down Freya’s chapters - I kept saying “one more chapter” and reading another after that. Watching the world fall apart and the tension as Freya tries to figure out who to trust was breathtaking. Seeing this timeframe from the perspective of a German artist, who could easily have gone along with the status quo but chose to fight back, was incredibly captivating.

Maddie’s timeline took a little longer to resonate though it did by the end. The work problems that sent her home felt a little forced so it took me longer to care about her struggle. It was ultimately her grandfather and brother’s struggles that brought me into her story and made me care.

A worthwhile read that brings to light that you never really the truth about those to whom you’re close - either for better or worse.

Thank you @netgalley and @avonbooks for the ARC.

I found this book slow at the start, especially the first 100 pages. Also throughout the book I found it slow going and not that exciting at times. This book is set in the 1930’s in Berlin, it was interesting to read about Hitler’s rise to power however I think this book would have been more interesting it been set chiding ww2. I’m not a big fan of dual timelines as I find them annoying.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

The Banned Books of Berlin by Daisy Wood is a heartwarming story. In Berlin, 1933, the night skies are burning bright with huge bonfires of banned books. The Nazi party is swelling in number and Berlin is no longer a safe place for young Freya. She can only watch on as her beloved city falls to fascism - and the usually law-abiding Freya is forced to make a choice: continue being a bystander, or sacrifice herself to save the lives of others.

New York, present day. Maddie commutes home to her family to reset. Struggling to fully turn off from her work, she is surprised to come across a pre-war German diary amongst her Grandpa's things. And when she starts to dig into the diary, Maddie's shocked by what she finds. And so begins a journey that will take Maddie beyond America as she searches for the truth about Freya, and how she changed people's lives across the globe.

Wood does a wonderful job creating an inspirational story of courage and resilience. The Banned Books of Berlin had me turning the pages to the very end. This book is an easy 4 stars. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction and thrillers.

I received a free advanced copy and all opinions are my own. I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to Avon Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

this book perfectly takes it to two different times. its does it so well. this author has had a few books out and i have to say is perfecting her craft and her genre of book writing choice. i cant quite believe how lucky we are that authors like Daisy are as good as they are. because it blows me away. and when you come across books as fab is this, im truly in awe.
when historical fiction is done well its hits me deep. and is one of my must read genres every time. especially the ones surrounding war. i love them. and this one is right up there with my best.
we span two ladies timelines. first is Freya. who is living within berlins walls at the time of the burning of the books. and a time where she is no longer feeling safe in her city. the Nazis are gradually gaining power and showing it in any way they can. but Freya cant see this happening to her city anymore. she cant stand this feeling of fear anymore. and so she decides to do something both brave and dangerous. can she come out of this? and how when such decisions dont always end well in this war torn era.
then we have Maddie. her story is more our time. shes not doing well in her own world either. she needs a break from some stuff that is happening at work so decides to go home. there she helps her grandfather sort out his belonging so he can move house for a simpler life. on doing so they come across a diary belong to her great grandmother. they read on and in doing so unopen secrets and life they new nothing of. some shocking tales unfold from the pages and Maddie has to work through them both fugitively and emotional.
can you just imagine coming across a diary of someone in the war who went through even more than we imagined?

The story in a few words:

Berlin 1933

Horrified, Freya sees her beloved city fall to fascism. Berlin is no longer a safe place; she is now forced to make choices as the night skies are burning bright with huge bonfires of banned books. Will she stay on the sideline or sacrifice herself to help others…..

New York present day:

In New York, Maddie comes across a pre-war diary amongst her grandfather’s things. Shocked by what was written Maddie digs deeper thus begins a journey across time…..

My thoughts:

This story is atmospheric and the words immerse the reader in the mystery smoothly. It is easy to let ourself go with the flow and picture the coming and going as the story progresses. Eventually it all comes together seamlessly as we reach the last words. I like Freya and Maggie’s characters they are warm and intriguing and as each take turns describing what they are seeing and feeling it is easy to imagine being with them.

Ms. Wood style is engaging and the story is well-said and well-done. But for those who are historical fiction buff as I am this story is far from being original. It has been said many times. On a positive note, I agree revising horrors of war should always be remember and what better way then to express what happened in words.

This book takes place in two time periods: 1930s Berlin narrated by Freya and 2024 Los Angeles narrated by Maddie. The book opens in Berlin with the death of Freya's beloved mother who tells her to leave home and make her way in the world. Freya ends up as a seamstress in a cabaret club where she meets Violet, a popular British dancer. This time period moves forward with the advent of the Nazi takeover and all things Freya holds dear threatened, including all of the literature she's grown to love.

In 2024, Maddie returns home to L.A. from Portland after she's been attacked online over a story she's written about a zoo. In L.A. she learns that her grandfather is planning for his death, by cleaning out his apartment and participating in a "death cafe."

The two timelines continue as we learn that Freya is Maddie's great grandmother, whose diary, written in German, Maddie discovers.

The compelling aspect of this novel is the story about Freya in Berlin. Maddie's story pales in comparison until possibly her final chapters, which could have just been told by Freya. I know the author needed Maddie to bring Freya's work to light, but it just felt like there was a lot of unnecessary work put into the Maddie portion of the book.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

I have read several of these authors previous novels and enjoyed the lost bookshop of Paris and the Royal librarian therefore when the publisher email to say this book was available on NetGalley UK I requested it right away
It’s a very enjoyable read elements of the Sally Bowls Cabaret Story intertwined with a modern day story.
In Berlin in 1933, we meet Freya and her family watching as the Nazi party gain followers and the country moves towards war. She takes on a job working as a costume designer and maker in a small cabaret club. We meet the British socialite who is escaping family responsibilities by singing in the cabaret .
The Title of the novel refers to the burning of books by authors in persecuted group such as Jews. This was carried out in Berlin in mass burning parties.
The story is contrasted by a modern day story when we meet Freya’s great granddaughter living in America and investigating her family
Tree.

The author has a beautifully writing style which is a pleasure to read despite the potentially traumatic subject matter. The book is a relaxing enjoyable read.
The characters in the book are described well and feeling entirely like real people the way that they behave given the stresses in their life also seems natural and real.

I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK in return for an unbiased review. The book is published in the UK on the 10th of April 2025 by Avon books UK .

This review will appear on NetGalley UK, StoryGraph, and my book blog bionicSarahS books.wordpress.com. After publication will also appear on Amazon UK.

From the description of this book you could be forgiven for thinking it’s just another book about the atrocities of the Second World War and to an extent it is but it is also so much more. The story dips between two timelines and countries, pre-war Berlin and modern day America.

Without giving any spoilers, anyone who loves a family saga with secrets galore or loves a historical fiction book with brave heroines and hero’s, or just wants to learn more about pre-war Germany and what it was like for Germans at that time, particularly young adults

I loved the book and it did give me another perspective of the Second World War, one that is not really thought of before

This is my 1st book by Daisy Wood and I was pleasantly impressed and would be interested in reading more of her books.
The Banned Books of Berlin is a dual timeline story that opens in Berlin, 1933 with Freya Amsel, in her early 20's dealing with her mother's illness and the beginning rise of Hitler in Germany. The 2nd story is set in New York in 2024 with Maddie, a writer, struggling with a work issue, who goes home and finds a diary regarding her grandfather past.
The author's descriptive writing engages you with rising tension as acts of fear mongering about "others" taking away jobs, immigrants, and the erosion of freedoms of speech, news, educational material and restrictions like curfews and lockdowns take place in Freya's timeline. She is appalled by her father and brother's embracing the Nazi, subsequently moving out to a theater where she revels in the freedom she finds, until the Nazi's states to inhabit her place of refuge. When she hears about a book burning, it's the spark that lights her active resistance against the controlling regime. Freya and her friends are increasing danger as they look for ways to resist.
In the meantime, Maddie's family struggles include media attacks, aging and death, special needs young adults, and a budding romance as well as investigating family history. The emotional situations are relatable and feel authentic., keeping the reader engaged in the outcomes of the various situations.
There is some violence in Freya's story, with 1 sexual near assault, some foul language and racism that is commiserate to the story and the historical context. The title is a bit misleading as the banned books were a more minor event in the book that happened about 2/3rds into the book.
Overall, I would definitely recommend reading this well researched historical novel that is engaging and suspenseful with strong female character's, that are inspiring in both timelines.
A big thank you to Avon UK and NetGalley for the privilege of the ARC, it was a wonderful opportunity. All opinions expressed are my own.

Great characters good storyline. Hooked from the first chapter. Thanks for letting me review. Would continue the series

Beautiful. A poignant story. I loved the cross over of past and present - I tend to enjoy books that do this, and this one does it particularly well. Beautifully written. Important. Just a joy to read

We meet Freya in 1930 in Berlin as she struggles to survive and as Hitler starts to get his power.

Then we meet Maddie in 2024, the great granddaughter of Freya, when she returns home to Los Angeles after an awful incident at work.

While helping her grandfather throw out things, Maddie finds a diary that her grandmother had written. What an incredible find!!

What does Maddie find?

You will love Freya and Maddie, and the storyline will keep you glued to the pages with both timelines holding your interest.

Freya keeps you biting your nails as she tries to hide books along with other ordeals.

Maddie will have you rooting for her to succeed at what she is wishing for.

THE BANNED BOOKS OF BERLIN is a tribute to how important books are and will have you reading non-stop. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.