Emotional, inspiring, superb, Shari J Ryan delivers yet another masterpiece. Set in Poland during WW2 the story follows the developing relationship between Luka, a young Jewish man and a young non-Jewish women Ella. The Singer Behind the Wire masterfully balances the weight of horror, starvation, torture and grief with the human spirit of love, bravery, resilience and strength. A heartbreaking, heartwarming novel that will have readers reaching for tissues. A highly recommended read. 5 stars
I would like to thank the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for my free copy of this novel, in exchange for my honest review.
#TheSingerBehindtheWire #NetGalley

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review.

I have to say that no one that I have read writes a story in this time period like Shari J Ryan does. She has this magical way of making you fall in love with these characters and be so invested in their lives that it feels like it is happening to you in the moment. I can't even imagine really though now that I have said that what these actual people lived though in that time period. It breaks my heart into little tiny pieces. This is the story of Luka and Ella. She is a young Polish girl whose family owns a market. Luka is Jewish and has been dreams of one day being a singer. It does not take long for Ella to fall in love with his voice and eventually him. However, big changes are happening where they live and the Germans have occupied Poland, the Warsaw Ghetto and Auschwitz. They are both taken to the prison though. She has a political prisoner and he because he is Jewish. I don't want to tell you about the story other than what I have said. I think that you need to discover that as you read this story. I can promise you that you will not forget this story ever. You can feel the emotions and trauma and the will to survive bleeding off the pages of this book. My heart broke so many times that I had to have a Kleenex near when I was reading this book. This is a breathtakingly beautiful love story. When you finish this book I would love for you to know that Shari Ryan has written several books during this time period. You need to go and search those out because they are equally amazing. The Girl With The Diary is one of those books I have never forgotten. You need this book in your life right along with this one.

I had already listened to the audio version, but wanted to read the story and am so glad I did.
Still heartbreaking, and full of emotion, love, and hope.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Amazing!
When I read the description of this book, I knew this would be a story I would love—historical, romance, and danger. Set in the early days of the Second World War in Poland, Ella meets Luka singing on a street corner in Warsaw. They fall in love, but being a Jew, he and his family are sent to the Jewish ghetto- a walled section (or prison) in the city of Warsaw. There is no way out, but Ella finds a way to see Luka and brings much-needed provisions. When she is mistaken for a member of the resistance, she is sent to Auschwitz, knowing she will never see Luka again. So much love and tragedy spring from the pages of this book, but with the evil they both witness, they try to remain strong.
The story is exceptional, and the author portrays the brutality of war and how love can persevere through the worst of times—highly recommended!

The Singer Behind the Wire is yet another beautifully written story from the talented Shari J. Ryan. She presents this heartbreaking journey of two young people in love, set against the backdrop of wartorn Poland with grace and respect once again. The delicate balance between reminding her audience about the horrors of the Holocaust and the possibility of true love in the middle of all that madness is a gift I have come to truly adore about her. And honestly, after reading this book and all those that proceeded it has only proven just how in tune she continues to be wrt these stories of hope despite all the despair that her characters are forced to endure.

The bittersweet romance between Ella and Luka, however, is what ultimately drives this book. Two very selfless people who only want to be together yet are torn apart by the evil that overtook their world all too quickly. I admired Ella's determination to make sure Luka's family had enough to eat and how she sacrificed herself as she continued meeting him even after he was sent to the Warsaw ghetto. My heart was once again in my throat as I knew she'd had to eventually be caught as part of the resistance of those not Jewish but willing to help those who were to stay safe and protected.

But it's the grueling day-to-day that Ryan describes that had me putting this book down several times at all the suffering once both Luka and Ella are taken to Auschwitz as the war ravages on and evil continues to win. It was very hard to read what each endured, Ella as a different kind of prisoner of war, first working at compiling lists of those Jews taken into custody. And then as one who had to go through treasured belongings to separate what might be valuable to the Nazis and what was simply tossed away. I could feel her withering strength to carry on yet all she could think about was finding and saving her Luka. To think about all the sacrifices she experienced is beyond humbling and I was rooting for not only her survival but for her hope that would one day be reunited with her love.

I wasn't sure just how the story might play out as I've noticed Ryan getting bolder with her storytelling and showing us the painful ravages of war with an increased amount of personal tragedy that touches our main characters. But I plowed on knowing my heartache was miniscule in comparison to what Ella and Luka might ultimately survive. With the war continuing on and cruelty as strong as ever as Luka becomes part of the entertainment night after night, I could only hope Ella might hear him sing from her own dreadful barracks and find the strength to keep hoping.

The Singer Behind the Wire is a powerful story of resilience and survival. A reminder of the past that is not to be forgotten especially in these troubled times. Wildly hard to fathom yet important nonetheless to admire how the human spirit can be brutally damaged but still withstand what is necessary to keep love in one's heart. With an ending that although poignant still felt a bit open, I have to be honest and say I might've wanted just a glimpse into the future to perhaps see that dreams, no matter how damaged and ravaged by war, can still come true. But I suppose for now I can wish that to be so in my own imagination.

Another winner for this amazing writer, when looking for something that will show you a side of history that will give you pause, I encourage you to read this book. It will sear your soul while filling it with the knowledge that yeah, perhaps love can conquer even when the world has seemingly gone mad around you. And ultimately make you glad that there continues to be someone to tell these remarkable stories in a thoughtful and stunning way.

5 big stars!!

She fell in love with his voice but after meeting him it became so much more. She would do everything to help him and his family, but during wartime it can be dangerously. Will they ever be together when the worst thing happened?
What a heartbreaking story but it shows also the power of hope and love.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this story.

A truly heartbreaking story about the perseverance of everlasting love. A really beautiful story and very touching characters set in such a devastating time.

The Singer Behind the Wire by Shari J. Ryan. If you want to read about and feel what real love is, then look no further. The Singer Behind the Wire will grab your heart and take you on a long journey of hardship and suffering. Two people who refuse to let true love die. Two people who would sacrifice everything for the love they share. Ella and Luka, a Polish woman and a Jewish man, what brought them together, and what tore them apart in war torn Europe?

The Singer Behind The Wire by Shari J Ryan is a powerful historical novel that will simultaneously horrify and also break your heart as you witness man’s inhumanity to man.
The action is set in Warsaw during World War II before moving to Auschwitz. We see that there were those who could not stand by and do nothing. When they witnessed the persecution of others, they felt compelled to act, regardless of personal safety.
Life was hard for all, but especially for the Jewish population. We witness the erosion of their liberties until they were squashed behind the ghetto walls – 400,000 in the Warsaw ghetto.
We see that love can still happen – even ‘banned’ love. A young couple meet where they can – even eventually forced to meet in a sewer. “They can force us to behave in a certain way, but they can’t control the way we think.” When minds are free, there is still hope.
Hope is what kept people going. A hope for a better tomorrow – but also aware that today was all they had. “Anything can happen tomorrow, so today is important.”
Friends and neighbours ‘disappeared.’ Some were concerned. Others looked out for themselves. Betrayal was all around. A character laments: “how many people need to disappear until someone takes notice?” It reminded me of the poem First They Came by Martin Niemöller a German Lutheran pastor born in 1892.
It is truly horrifying to witness the utter cruelty and depravity of the Nazi regime. It was horrific in the ghetto. It was even worse in Auschwitz.
Within Auschwitz you needed luck to survive, and also hope. Alone, there is despair. You needed to find a friend to keep you going. They survived for each other.
People were forced to do horrendous things in order to survive but “what happens here doesn’t define us.”
There were things that people were forced to witness that they could never ‘unsee.’ “I will never be able to close my eyes again and see anything else.”
Love keeps people going. When it is torn away, there is despair. “Grief is a consequence of love.”
Shari J Ryan has written a powerful novel. It is difficult to read at times and will make the reader feel uncomfortable. There are some hard to read scenes but they are very necessary. Evil walked the earth, and we need to know about it in memory of the six million innocents who perished and of those who survived.
Thank you Shari J Ryan for reminding us that even in the darkest pit, love can still bloom.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Shari J. Ryan is a phenomenal writer and I automatically read anything she writes without even having to read the synopsis. The Singer Behind the Wire is set during World War II in Poland from the formation of the Warsaw Ghetto to imprison the Jews to the horrors of Auschwitz to the liberation to the period immediately following the liberation.

Ella heard the breathtaking voice of a young man one day, beauty among the ugly. Ella was not a Jew but was part of the Resistance and smuggled food to those who were desperate for it. She and Luka met each other in an unusual way and instantly connected. Not only did Luka sing but he also composed...and was a Jew. This came with terrible risks for them and those around them. They were involved with sewer tunnels escapes which came at a huge cost. Ella was forced to Auschwitz where she was humiliated, demoralized, starved, and tortured. Death was a constant part of life and details are not glossed over which I appreciate. Later, Luka was taken there as well and forced to sing for the Germans while suffering horrendous treatment. The juxtaposition of his gorgeous voice with the terrifying executions is haunting and surreal. Luka's relationship with his mother grabbed me with an deep intensity. What Holocaust prisoners endured is inconceivable.

Ryan described the emotional and physical toll the death camps took on its inmates in a harrowing and realistic way. Her imagery and details are dreadful to read but very, very important to know. My heart melted and ached during this all-sensory reading experience. Especially poignant and profound was the liberation and the aftermath of impossible conditions. It is difficult to put my feelings into words but oh, what a powerful novel! It knocked me off my feet completely. Do not miss this one.

THE SINGER BEHIND THE WIRE by KARI J RYAN is one of the best WW11 novels I have read. The author does not hold anything back as she describes the atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis in the Warsaw ghetto and the Auschwitz death camp. We see how the Jews, and those who are caught helping them are literally dehumanized in captivity, starved and beaten mercilessly. It is a very emotional but also inspirational read as we see the courage and selfless love shown by Ella
Boska, as she never stops trying to help her Jewish boyfriend with the beautiful voice, Luka Dulsk ……..
We see compassion and unconditional love against a background of unspeakable horror and hatresd.
Icannot recommend this wonderful novel highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the bookby NetGalley from Bookouture.
The opinions in this review are completely my own.

The Singer Behind the Wire by Shari J Ryan is an unforgettable, heart wrenching journey between two young people in love during a horrific time in history. Ella is a Polish young girl whose family owns a market who becomes entranced by a lovely singer’s voice.
Luka is a Jewish young man with dreams of being a singer.
The two fall in love in a sweet way until the two are forced to deal head on with the changes in Poland during the German occupation, the Warsaw Ghetto and Auschwitz.
The way the author portrays the love and sacrifice of these young adults will leave you grabbing for tissues and feeling heartbreak with every word throughout the story.
The love that Ella and Luka felt and the way they fought to survive gives a glimmer of positivity through an unthinkable time.
This story and the way the author told it will leave you heartbroken through much of the story. The events experienced and the way it was portrayed on the page makes you feel you are living it with the characters, feeling their emotions with them.
I cannot recommend Shari J Ryan’s stories enough. Another unremarkable, heartbreaking story of love, loss and a glimmer of hope in an unthinkable time!

One of the best WWII fiction books I’ve read!

Luka is Jewish. Ella is not. The Germans are taking over Warsaw. It was unlikely that they’d ever meet and even more unlikely they’d fall in love. Can their love defy the odds and carry them through the rest of the war?

I read a lot of WWII books, and the stories can be redundant. I was so pleasantly surprised with this one! It’s different than the others I’ve read, and I particularly liked showing that political prisoners were also in the camps. The plot takes you from right before the creation of the ghetto through the liberation of the camps. I appreciate the length of time covered as you really get to know the characters. They are all wonderful. You feel their joy and sadness right along with them. Their loses are devastating. Their moments together are happy and hopeful. I was rooting for Luka and Ella from the beginning, and I held onto hope the entire book they would have a happy ending.

This is an absolutely fantastic book, and I’m excited to go read the other books written by this author!

Do you know who needs to read this book?? Everyone needs to read this book. It should be required reading in high school and college. The author has written a story that crushed my heart. It should crush everyone's heart. It should have everyone in tears. We need to remember the horrors of the Holocaust. We need to take numerous moments every day and remember those that were treated with such cruelty. Remember. Never forget. Nerver repeat.

What makes this story so important is it illustrates the struggles experienced by numerous persons. Luka sings in a Warsaw town square to make money to feed his parents and grandparents. As a Jew he had lost his job. As a Jew he could not find another. As a Jew he was not to be with anyone that was not of Jewish descent.

The reader gets to experience how difficult it was to be with Ella, what they were willing to risk to be together. They could both be arrested or worse. When he and his family found themselves within the walls of the ghetto she didn't stop. The reader soon learns of the terrible conditions within the ghetto. I sat in silence wondering how anyone could survive the cruelties of the Nazis. I didn't think it could get worse.

I was so wrong. Different situations find Luka and Ella at Auschwitz. Pictures of the atrocities isn't enough. Feeling as if you were there because of the written word isn't enough. The inprisoned had names. We all need to learn the names, learn their stories, learn of the suffering. With knowledge we can hopefully make sure it never happens again.

i cannot and dont think i ever will get over this book. and nor will my emotions. i want to wrap it in plastic or something softer(it deserves some comforting) and keep it on a special shelf. for special books.
what makes it better or harder is just how real we know this story is. or ones like it. real in the bravery, in the love, in the strength and bravery. but also real in the darkness and the behaviours. and i doubt even this book could touch the tip of the iceberg of that darkness.
this story was wonderful and horrific. but the book itself was beyond words fantastic. can you give medals for books, for authors because their work is just so incredible. well, Shari needs one. each new book she does her skill shocks me in all the best ways.
you are taken into the darkness with Ella and Luka. you are hearing the noise but also the silence. you can hear you own heart beating and the feeling of what theres must have been doing.
we are right into ww2 here. in the camps. and there are two loves separated but joined by song. until one day the silence comes.
fear and death is never far away. but so is courage and bravery.
our two love were separate in Warsaw but they never gave up. then when they were both in the same camp. Ella knows this by hearing that voice she knows so well again. but she knows why he is forced to sing.
this story will stay with me. knowing how close to many people homes it must be. and hardly touching the surface of their stories and pain. but also of their hope and fight. the grit of these people is simply amazing. or maybe there was no strength at all in them. and for that i am just grateful for whatever kept them alive.

Set during the tragic World War II years The Singer Behind the Wire tells the story of two brave souls who struggle to find a way back to each other when they are taken Auschwitz and eventually separated when the camp is liberated. This is a very serious novel dealing with the cruelties of concentration camps and the treatment of the jews and those trying help aid them.
We are introduced to Luka and Ella who both live in Warsaw. Luka is a jew who lives with his mother and grandmother after his father and grandfather are taken to a work camp. Before the nazi segregated Warsaw Luke and Ella were meeting up everyday and developing a relationship. However after the segregation they continued seeing each other by traveling through underground sewer tunnel. However, one horrible day Ella ends up getting caught.
Eventually Ella is sent to Auschwitz and lands a job working in the office. She works hard everyday and wonders If she will ever see her family or Luka again. Eventually Luka ends up there as well and he ends up using his musical talent to entertain the guards and prisoners. However, with all the cruelties going both wonder if they will survive the ordeal.
I recieved an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

This. Broke. Me
It’s taken me a few days to process and write this review.
Singer Behind the Wire isn’t just a love story; it’s a story about bravery, strength, and resilience.

This unforgettable story took me deep into Auschwitz. Ella was brave; her thoughts were constantly about her first love, Luka.

The writing was so descriptive, taking me into the barracks and the silence of a horrific world.

Ella’s adamantness was a huge part of the story, as she never gave up despite starvation, grief, and the constant threat of death.

She constantly hoped—and hearing Luka’s singing voice across the camp kept her going.

This story was moving and powerful, and it will definitely be hard to forget. You’ll need tissues. I sobbed in parts.

Another heart warming story from this author. I did find myself getting a bit annoyed with some of the Ella's decisions as they were always going to end in disaster. It is set during the war and how Ella's and Luka's lives are forever changed. Ella loves Luka but he is a Jew and this is frowned upon by the Germans but this doesn't stop her.
It tells the hardships they had to go through along with their families in a very difficult time.

I’ve read a lot of Shari Ryan’s books, and this one hit just as hard as the others — maybe even more. It’s not an easy read, but it’s the kind that sticks with you. The story doesn’t shy away from how brutal life in the camps was, and there were moments that absolutely gutted me. But even in all that darkness, there’s this small thread of hope that somehow keeps going. That’s what I love most about Ryan’s writing — she doesn’t sugarcoat anything, but she always leaves space for love, for strength, and for something better. The love story here isn’t fluffy or perfect — it’s raw, real, and honestly, kind of miraculous. I found myself holding my breath through the last few chapters. Just a really powerful read.

Ella's family runs a store in Warsaw during World War II. On one of her deliveries, she hears a beautiful song and meets the singer, Luka, a Jew. Life in Warsaw during the war is not kind. The realities of the war separate them; yet, through separate paths they both end up at Auschwitz - not knowing the other one is there. Yet once again, the beautiful sound of Luka's voice alerts Ella to the possibility that Luka is still alive. Ms. Ryan's narrative is true to the reality of concentration camps. The plot pulls the reader along with gripping details, so much so that you will have a hard time putting this one down.