This was such a heartbreaking read that I just couldn't put down, I was so invested in the story and the characters. I read a lot of historical fiction especially based around the horrific events of the holocaust, and, this is one of the best I have read this year.

If you love historical fiction then Shari J. Ryan needs to be an auto buy author for you. Her books transport you to a truly horrific time but somehow she finds a way to show the beauty of humanity in her stories. The Singer Behind the Wire is heartbreaking and breathtaking at the same time. It will have you reaching for the tissues but also show you how powerful hope and love can be.

A haunting and heart-wrenching WWII love story that spotlights courage, survival, and the power of music in humanity’s darkest hours.

Every time I read one of Shari J. Ryan’s WWII novels, I brace myself to be both devastated and uplifted — The Singer Behind the Wire was no exception. From the first chapter, I was completely absorbed by this story of impossible love, brutal loss, and the flickers of hope that can survive even in the depths of Auschwitz.

Ella and Luka’s story begins with a stolen romance in the Warsaw ghetto and unfolds into something far more harrowing and powerful. When they’re separated and later find themselves both imprisoned in Auschwitz, their connection becomes more than just a memory — it’s a lifeline. The sound of Luka’s singing, used cruelly by their captors yet still a symbol of survival, is both emotionally wrenching and profoundly moving. When Ella hears Luka’s voice rise through the silence of Auschwitz, it’s proof that love and life endure, even in the heart of darkness.

But this is not just a love story — it’s a testament to the human spirit, set against the unimaginable horrors of Auschwitz. Ryan doesn’t shy away from the brutality of the Holocaust, and there are scenes that are deeply unsettling. But woven through the horror is an unbreakable thread of human resilience. The author captures the tragedy of war and the small, fiercely held moments of love, courage, and defiance that keep these characters — and readers — going.

What makes The Singer Behind the Wire especially impactful is its exploration of music as both a tool of dehumanization and a fragile means of spiritual survival. The novel sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of Holocaust history: how prisoners were sometimes forced to perform music — a chilling juxtaposition of art and atrocity. By spotlighting this haunting detail, Ryan adds emotional and historical depth that elevates the novel beyond a typical wartime love story. Shari J. Ryan is brilliant – truly, a must-read author.

This is a heart-wrenching story of enduring love and survival against all odds. I highly recommend The Singer Behind the Wire to fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale, and The Secret Midwife — readers who seek historical fiction that’s both devastating and hopeful in equal measure.

An unforgettable novel — moving, meaningful, and masterfully told.

Every time I read one of Shari J. Ryan's incredible WWII fiction books, I am emotionally wrung out and yet filled with hope for humanity.

When Ella and her Jewish love, Luka, are separated in Warsaw, they vow to never give up fighting for each other but are tested to the absolute limit when they discover each other incarcerated in Auschwitz a few years later. Luka's singing was what initially drew Ella to him and serves as a way for her to know he is still alive, listening for his voice as he is forced to sing while he watches his fellow Jews being led to their death.

I find it abhorrent that humans could, and still can be, as barbaric and cruel to others as happened within the Auschwitz camps. Shari captures the hope and love amongst the cruelty and her wonderful and inspirational characters are superbly well written with raw emotion oozing from every page. Ella and Luka's journey is something that will stay with me for a long time.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Shari J. Ryan and Bookouture, for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Ella is a young Polish girl living in war torn Warsaw. When she hears Jewish Luka singing in the city, she falls in love. The young couple battle against the rule of the Nazi Party, but when both are sent to Auschwitz, can they survive and be together?

A very emotional book, but full of hope. Shari J Ryan is a must read author for me, she writes beautifully, with her stories being full of heartbreak, amazing descriptions and wonderful characters. This book is no exception, I loved both main characters and their strength.

Thank you for the publisher bookouture and NetGalley for sending me the ARC of this novel. Surprisingly, I have not read any books by this author. I love WW2 fiction! I enjoyed this book, but I can't say that I loved it. It was a little slow. Perhaps I need to take a break from this genre for a while. I will definitely look for more books by this author...just not right away.

Where do I start …. This story was brutal and horrifying but I saw brief periods of love, hope and dreams. I loved this book I was totally captivated. This is exactly how I imagine a concentration camp in WW2 to be. Life was impossibly hard yet these strong and resilient people refused to give up whilst living in bloody awful conditions with barely enough food to sustain life. This book was so well written, I went through so many emotions whilst reading this story it was like I was on a rollercoaster. I felt wrung out by the end. Highly recommend, if I could give this more than 5 stars I would!

“You might not assume so, but there are several opportunities for Nazi chosen musicians here. However, you won’t find any to be gratifying, I’m afraid.”

The author masterfully weaves personal love, historical tragedy, and the unspeakable horrors of war into prose that feels both intimate and universal. This book wrecked me. Tension from the first page, heartbreak by the middle. A story of love, war, and unbearable loss that feels painfully real. I wasn’t ready for this one. The tension. The heartbreak. The history. Absolutely stunning. #FiveStarRead #TheSingerBehindtheWire #NetGalley