I loved this historical fiction story set in WWII in Switzerland. I learned so much about what it would have been like to live in a neutral country like Switzerland during the war. Characters and storyline are well developed, if not a bit slowly in parts. I recommend this book as another good WWII story to read.

I learnt a lot from reading the book although at times I found it to be a bit far fetched and slow in some parts (mainly the storyline during the war). I enjoy dual aspect books and found the modern day storyline stronger than the past. I would have liked to have known more about what happened after the family was reunited in Switzerland and more from Elizabeth's point of view. It would have also been good to know more about Elizabeth - did she have a family of her own and who had adopted her?

A topic I knew little about. Like many I took it for granted that when Switzerland said they were neutral that they were. After reading this book I'm not quite so sure. The title inspired me to find out more and I have since read more into the history and role of the country in WW2 and why they may have seemed to have sided with the Germans. The stories of the internments and camps where prisoners were taken are truly shocking.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Thank you to the publishers, NetGalley and author for allowing me to read and review an Arc copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for this engaging, intriguing and drama filled piece of historical fiction that is told alternately in two time periods-1944/45 and 2018/19.. In 1944 Hedy is a university student working to help smuggle Allied pilots out of Switzerland when she meets the love of her life an American pilot named Samuel who has been injured.As she nurses him back to help in her father’s remote hut, she realizes there is much danger in trying to keep Samuel hidden and the threat of a lecherous neighbor and Nazi sympathizer named Franck.When Samuel leaves her care she realizes she is pregnant.What happens next is heartbreaking for Hedy.The 2018 story focuses around Gina, Hedy’s American grand-daughter and her search for Hedy’s missing daughter so she can gift her her grandfather’s watch.While in Switzerland Gina meets Kai who helps fix the watch and sets Gina on a path she couldn’t have imagined..This is a story of hope and resilience that is very well written and researched.

Gina has just lost her mother. She still has her grandmother but that is about to change as Mamie returns to Switzerland. Will she accompany her as she looks back?
The story moves between 1944 and 2018,,those who don't care, and those who can think, feel and care independently, and contrasts life in Switzerland during W W 2 with life in modern America.
Without giving any spoilers, this reader must say that there is a great contrast between evil people, people who help others, those who don't care , and those who can think, feel and care independently.
Set in the midst of war,, this story is moving and beautiful, and a wonderful read. It makes one believe that in the midst of hatred and cruelty, the goodness and faith of good people outweighs risk, injury, and concern for one's very survival...or harm.
I loved this book. It shows what we can do when we think for ourselves, separate right from wrong, and make a difference in our world.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC copy of the book All opinions are my own.

This is another book in the very long line of World War II era historical fiction books with a female lead. There are hundreds of them. This one was also enjoyable and educational, as the Switzerland angle was new to me.

It flowed at a decent pace, and the dual storylines did work, however I always comment in my reviews that I sometimes do not feel that dual storylines are necessary in these books. Why can they not start in 1939 and end in 1950, without tying the story to modern times?

The watchmaking was also an interesting angle, however I felt it almost overshadowed the rest of the story. I also had a very difficult time believing that a 19-year old was allowed to fix a very expensive and historically important watch, just because she paid attention and had 'good hands' for watchmaking? That, plus the romance portion of this book didn't work for me.

And once again in my review, I must add that the title is incredibly misleading, since Hedy and Samuel were not married until AFTER the war, therefore during it she was not The Pilot's Wife. The book should have been titled The Violin-Maker's Daughter, or The Pilot's Watch, but I guess Publishing Houses feel the need to title every WWII book with three words to grab the reader's attention.

Title aside, I enjoyed this book for its unique take on historical WWII novels.

The story starts in 2018 in Colorado Springs and Gina is cooking, it's six months since her mothers death and she misses her terribly, her grandmother Mamie has told her that she wants to return to Switzerland and she wants Gina to go with her. Mamie was born in Switzerland and she met her husband who was an American army pilot and they both returned to the United States. When Mamie tells her she wants to go back to Switzerland to find her daughter, Gina is confused, she thought her mother was an only child but it appears not, they don't know if the daughter called Elizabeth is still alive but Mamie wants to see her to give her a watch that belonged to her father. But Mamie is really frail, will she manage the long flight? Back in the war years Mamie had the name of Hedy Reardon, what was her life back then?
Going back in time to May 1944 we learn of her life which involved helping pilots to escape and the massive risk she took in doing so. One particular pilot made such a big impact on her life and when she realises that her parents have been smuggling Jewish children to safety she realises that she is not alone in her mission to save lives.

In 2018 Gina realises it is not going to be easy travelling such a long distance with a half blind ninety three year old woman, but she undertakes the journey and while in Switzerland Maimie tells her personal
journey and explains what it was like all those years ago. Most of which is horrific in today's world, but Maimie is determined to find her lost daughter, but will her daughter want to make contact with her after all these years. The files of what happened during those years when Mamie was held in administrative detention was not pleasant reading and I never knew such things happened in those days, but it's good that now people know about it.
This is a time slip novel so it does move backwards and forwards in time but it's easy to follow and understand what is happening. It's also a very interesting storyline, I love WW2 stories and this one is really good and touches the heart. It follows a true story of what happened to so many people in those dark days of WW2. A massive five-star read from me, the people in this book will stay with me for a long time.

#Netgalley
#CynthiaAnderson
#ThePilotsWife
#Emblabooks
#BonnierbooksUk

wow wow wow. this is next level historical fiction. i am an avid lover of this genre an this is one of the best ive read in any recent times.it told the story of something i havent read much of in historical fiction. we are told of the situation Switzerland were put in, the war camps that were there and the people silently trying to do their bit even in a supposed neutral land.
the resistance in Switzerland was carried out by people like you and me and that astounds me every single time. the bravery that took i cant fathom it. the risk to both themselves and family if caught. and then powering on, keeping going, never stopping. and to what end, its not as if any of them were performing these great acts knowing it would bring an end to something. so they simply had to keep getting up,being brave,keeping hope. that i think its the definition of wow.
this story is Herdys. she new she had to do something more and she went and did just that with helping to smuggle Allied soldiers to safety.
then one day she comes across someone she cannot leave, an injured soldier. this soldier is someone she hides, gets to know and then gets to love. and its a beautiful story we are being told amongst all the fears of the time for both of them.
we are also then taken to present day with Herdys grand daughter who uncovers said secrets of her families past. and the journey they go on together to learning,listening and perhaps healing together.
this book needs everyone to read it. these books i think have the ability to both help us learn so much but also fall in love with the true beauty of books. and the characters within this book are described to perfection. i can almost picture the scenes whether that be in with their family or performing secret dangerous tasks.
and the bravery and or sacrifices some of these poor people had to make just breaks your heart every single time you read about them.
thankyou Cynthia for sharing your talents with us.

3 1/2 stars
Set in Switzerland during ww2 this is an amazing and fascinating book which tells the lives of a British pilot and young Swiss girl who risks her life getting refugees into Switzerland from France.
I did find the start a bit slow and boring hence why I only gave the book 3 1/2 stars.
I did however love the authors style of writing. I also found the book fascinating and I felt I learnt a lot about Switzerland during ww2, I had no idea that British and American pilots who’s olanes crashed into Switzerland where put in pow camps. A very interesting read and one that I would definitely recommend. This is a story of bravery, determination, love and loss.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

A lovely and interesting story set during 1944. This dual timeline told about how the Swiss were affected in these times. A lot of stuff I didn't know which made it all the more enjoyable. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I didn’t think I would like this book but I soon found I couldn’t put it down. It starts in 2018 in Colorado Springs with Gina and her grandmother Mamie .Gina has just lost her mother 6 months ago to cancer,who she has been taking care of to the end.Mamie suddenly says she wants to go back to Switzerland where she was born to find her daughter Elizabeth and give her a Rolex watch that her father gave Mamie back in WW2.. Mamie has never told anybody in the family about Elizabeth so it is a shock to Gina.Gina takes Mamie back to Switzerland and then the adventure begins.We then go back to 1944 Switzerland and Mamie starts to tell Gina the story of how she meets Samuel the American pilot and what happens up until war ends in 1945. Switzerland was a neutral country in the war and things weren’t easy for Mamie and her parents during this time.What happens to Mamie and her family ,how does Mamie meet Samuel and will Mamie find Elizabeth ?This is a must read book .Thank you to Netgalley and Embla Books.

Switzerland was supposed to be neutral in World War II, but it wasn’t really. Allied airmen were treated badly, even killed, by the Swiss. American pilot Samuel is wounded in an escape attempt and cared for by Hedy. The results of that time are kept secret for eighty years. In the present time, Gaby accompanies her ailing grandma Hedy to Switzerland, a trip that will change her in ways she never imagined.

WWII in Switzerland and a time slip into today America. It is a sad heartbreaking story. It is written well. This is a new author to me and I will read more from her. This ARC was given to me in exchange for an honest review. This review is mine.

This story follows Hedy as she navigates getting allied soldiers to safety., her life is further angered when she assists a wounded American, airman Samuel. When Hedy hides Samuel away she still needs to get food and water to him regularly, this is made more difficult by her nosy neighbour Madame Jadot who is in cahoots with the local priest and the authorities. Not only is she putting herself at risk but her family also.
The present day story follows Gina Carlyle who is grieving the loss of her mother, and trying to appease her father who is determined that she get herself some qualifications, but Gina doesn’t want to go back to university, could there be a buried secret there? When Gina gets the opportunity to help her aging grandmother visit her home country to help unravel some of her past it’s too good a chance to miss. As her grandmother slowly reveals her past, none of which Gina was aware of, it uncovers some disturbing facts, none more so that “administrative detention “
It’s a laying down of the past for them, with new beginnings along the way.

“No one gets anywhere in this world by looking back.”

CALLING ALL HISTORICAL FICTION LOVERS: This one is worthy of ALL the stars.

I’d taken a break from historical fiction and, although hesitant to pick up another in this genre, was over the moon about this refreshingly different wartime fiction novel by a new-to-me author!

Cynthia Anderson spotlighted a little-known fact about WW2 and tied it together with a different setting than most in this genre. Thank you for reigniting my love for wartime fiction. I’m giddy with excitement.

I read about a boy from Kansas, a special missions bomber who only has 5 missions left until he gets to head home, and a girl from Le Brassus, Switzerland, who unexpectedly finds him and gets involved in a scheme that changes her life forever.

Samuel Reardon and Hedy Borel’s story is a five-star bingeable read in dual timeline featuring the lost and the found and the drive to find those who complete us. I read about the secret actions of the Red Cross, the mailbox role of Switzerland, the shocking existence of Wauwilermoos, and the important additions to the jump suits worn by brave fighters. I won’t easily forget the boy from Kansas and the girl from Le Brassus who reminded me that I can’t get anywhere in life by looking backwards.

If you love historical fiction, this spectacular and refreshing read needs to top your TBR list.

I was gifted this copy by Embla Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

A moving, powerful story uncovering a forgotten side of WWII history — full of courage, heartbreak, and hope.

As a passionate reader of World War II fiction, I’m always searching for stories that shed light on overlooked parts of history — and The Pilot’s Wife absolutely delivers. Set against the rarely explored backdrop of Switzerland’s neutrality during the Second World War, this novel offers a fascinating and deeply moving perspective. I had no idea that Switzerland housed POW camps during the war — nor about the quiet acts of resistance carried out by ordinary citizens like Hedy, who risked everything to smuggle Allied soldiers to safety. This unique historical setting made the story all the more gripping.

Told across dual timelines, we follow Hedy, a courageous young woman who secretly aids the resistance while falling in love with an injured American airman, Samuel. In the present day, her granddaughter Gina uncovers long-buried family secrets, leading them both on a journey of discovery and healing.

The emotional depth of this story is breathtaking. Cynthia Anderson captures the heartbreak, fear, and impossible choices faced by those living under the constant threat of betrayal. Hedy’s resilience and sacrifice are inspiring, and the love story at its heart is tender, bittersweet, and unforgettable.

Beautifully written and profoundly human, The Pilot’s Wife is a standout WWII novel that not only tugs at the heartstrings but also illuminates a part of history rarely told. It’s a book that will stay with me for a very long time. ✨

An emotional, powerful, and utterly unique WWII story — I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I highly recommend The Pilot’s Wife to fans of Kristin Harmel, Martha Hall Kelly, and Pam Jenoff — anyone who loves powerful, historically rich fiction.

As an avid reader of WW2 books, it was such an interesting perspective to read a book set in Switzerland, a country intended to remain neutral. The story unfolds across dual timelines, with Hedy recounting her experience to her granddaughter, Gina, unveiling a secret that remained untold for over seventy years. The Pilot’s Wife is a touching, inspiring story filled with heartbreak, love, hope and self-forgiveness. This is my first book by this author, Cynthia Anderson, I enjoy finding gripping, page turning novels by talent writers. A highly recommended 5 star read.

I would like to thank the author, Embla Books and NetGalley for my free copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.
#ThePilotsWife #NetGalley

The Pilot’s Wife. In her afterwards author Cynthia Anderson revealed that she wanted to tell a story about a watch, and while an old Rolex is a big “character,” the book basically tells a tale about WWII resistance efforts in neutral Switzerland. This was a new setting for this reader, who often was appalled by what I learned the Swiss government was doing to protect their country. The story unfolds as grandmother Hedy recounts her war experiences to her American granddaughter, Gina in an attempt to right a terrible wrong before she dies. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

I loved this book, it was refreshing to read a WW2 book from the perspective of a neutral nation that wasn’t involved in the war in terms of fighting. There were resistance groups who helped injured soldiers and women and children cross over the border into Switzerland where they would be safe. This story is heartbreaking, sad, tense and full of love and hope. Hedy and her parents lived through some hard times but did what they could for the resistance. War was hard, their lives were hard and Hedy in particular went through some horrific times. This book follows her story and her relationship with Samual. A really great read, totally deserves 5 stars. I highly recommend!