Wow...this book had me in all the emotions! I was sad, angry, happy, hopeful, furious, etc.. I was looking for my next 5 star read and this was it!! It was very well written! Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for letting me read this. I have already started recommending the book and the author to my family. I cannot wait to read more of her books. This story just gripped me and never let go!!

Loved the heartbreaking story of true love through the woes of war and hate. The narration and storytelling was amazing. Thanks to NetGalley for the early audible arc. 5 star read!

Book was just not appealing to me at the time, which sucks as I do really enjoy historical fiction. Will need to come back to it at a later date.

This book was amazing. I feel that it will stick with me forever. It was captivating and gut-wrenching. Following Ella and Luka's story as it unfolds throughout the darkest days of the Holocaust, I felt myself struggle to hold on to the same hope that Ella clings to. I was hooked from the first chapter. I felt broken in parts and filled with hope by others. It was truly a roller coaster of emotions, and I was strapped in just waiting to see what was around the next turn. It is one of the best books I have ever read, and I would recommend it to anyone. The narrator did a phenomenal job. I only wish that Luka could have had a male narrator to better distinguish between points of view.

This book offers an incredibly poignant romance between Polish citizens, reluctantly cast on opposite sides of the holocaust, and possessing such will and determination to be together that my heart broke for them and their plight over an over.

WARSAW - Ella is not Jewish. She doesn't agree with the changes she sees coming. Luka is Jewish. He doesn't understand why the changes are coming. Neither can fathom how dire the situation will get. The pair strike up a friendship after Ella hears Luka singing, and they eventually fall in love. Knowing that things are not good for the Jewish people in her community, Ella does what she can for Luka and his family until they are discovered, and things take a turn for the worst.

I've read a lot of WWII fiction and memoirs, and this one offers something new and hopeful without downplaying the serious notes of genocide and the horrors of Auschwitz. Auschwitz-Birkenau had at least six prisoner orchestras, some of which were required to perform at various times, including during roll calls and work assignments. This book is a fast-paced and powerfully emotional read that I could not put down. I listened to it in one day.

I had the audio for this one, and it was OK, but could have been better with a dual narration, or had the narrator, Emma Powell's voice, been altered between the character POV's.

As Shari J. Ryan's Goodreads author profile states, "She writes emotionally evocative WWII fiction inspired by true stories." This is a good description of Singer Behind the Wire. The author's writing is very descriptive. Sometimes, I thought she threw in too many adjectives, but at least I had a good picture in my head. I listened to the audiobook. In this case, the narrator wasn't great at switching voices between the two main characters' POVs, and her intonation mostly fit the woman, so I had to remind myself when I was listening to things from Luca's perspective. It's a decent story. This is the first I have read from this author, and I might see if I can read some of her other works--the historical fiction, not the spicy romance I found from her earlier years. :)

Omg i do not have the Words to describe this book, i am still crying. What a tearjerker, and the love story be still my heart. A must read
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

I love Shari’s historical fictions. This is a fantastic book. Ella and Luka’s love story is gut wrenching. It really makes me think about how many people were torn from the loves of their lives because of the war. They had obstacles against them simply because of their different religions.

Ella wanted to help Luka and his family, and it ended up being detrimental to her. Even in concentration camps, they hold out for each other. Through everything they dreamed of returning to each other.

Emma does a great job portraying both characters. I loved listening to the audio and was able to devour this one while I did a lot of hated tasks around the house. I’m surprised I didn’t end up in tears multiple times.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copies of this book.

A lovely work of historical fiction set in WW2. Luka is Jewish and Ella is a gentile; they meet and fall in love, then both end up in Auschwitz. Very moving and beautifully written. Great narration too.
With grateful thanks to NetGalley and Shari J Ryan for my advance copy of the audiobook version of this book.

Wow! I love historical fiction and this is one of the best books I’ve read.

This was such a powerful piece of work, taking me on a rollercoaster of emotions while listening to this fictional account of what happened in the past during 1940’s to Ella, who has fallen in love with Luca, who is Jewish, their families, and people who tried to help them, and how they both ended up in Auschwitz. The characters and their situation felt so real and while the reader/listener in 2025 knows of the horror awaiting them, as the story unfolded their innocence about what was happening to them made me cry. The narrator did a great job of bringing the story to life. I love discovering a ‘new to me’ author with a huge back catalogue of books to catch up on.

I am not familiar with this author, but I am excited to delve into more of her works. I have a strong passion for reading historical fiction, especially those centered around World War II, with a particular interest in stories penned by survivors of that era. Although literature about WWII can often be challenging to process, I find that I am drawn to narratives that are rooted in genuine experiences.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I absolutely could not put this (audio)book down. I started it with the intention of listening over a few days, but stayed up late to finish it the same day I started.

The first chapter absolutely gripped me and was a great move by the author to get the reader’s full attention from the start. From there the charm of the characters, the love blooming between them, and the pain they endured and persevered through had me enthralled and unable to stop listening. I had to know how Ella and Luca got where they were, how they would handle the obvious trials to come, and how their story would end. Both main characters were so easy to love and the sub characters touching as well. Throughout the book my heart went from full to bursting to broken and back again, all in the best way possible.

I found the narrator’s voice very pleasant and thought it was perfect for Ella. My only complaint is that the characters’ voices were all very similar from this narrator. Obviously we were told which perspective it was at the start of each chapter, but besides that there wasn’t much of a difference in the sound of Ella and Luca’s chapters and the various characters throughout the story. I think it would have really added to the emotion of the story if there had been a male narrator for Luca’s chapters to make him even more real. Regardless, this book is a definite 5 star from me as her voice was pleasant and if I had been reading a physical or digital copy I would have had zero complaints!

Overall, I thought it was a well done, heartbreakingly beautiful book. Shari J. Ryan has a new fan!

This author is new to me and I plan to start reading her backlist. I read quite a bit of WWII historical fiction. This was one of the best I have ever read. Luka is Jewish and Ella isn’t. They are madly in love. Both are eventually sent to Auschwitz, she as a political prisoner and he because he is Jewish. I learned so much more about this era. I was often on the edge of my seat. A very emotional listen for me. Outstanding narration.

I was blessed with an audio ARC from NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased. If you enjoy this genre and time period, I highly recommend.

The Singer Behind the Wire by Shari J. Ryan. A must read of a horrifying time in history. I’m emotionally spent after reading this. The all consuming love of Ella and Luka that never ends. This story is a wonderful heartbreaking portrayal of being in Auschwitz and surviving against death at a moments notice. The loss and hope flys at you from this book. Thank you to #NetGalley and #Bookouture Audio for this Arc. This is my honest review. Book releases June 5 2025

The Singer Behind the Wire is a moving and emotionally charged story set against the harrowing backdrop of Auschwitz in 1943. Shari J. Ryan masterfully captures the resilience of the human spirit through Ella’s unwavering hope and courage as she searches for her beloved Luka amidst unimaginable brutality. The novel beautifully intertwines themes of love, survival, and the power of music to sustain hope in even the darkest times. Ella’s journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, and the depiction of her bond with Luka is tender and genuine. Ryan’s writing immerses readers in the emotional toll of life in the ghetto, making every moment feel raw and authentic. The Singer Behind the Wire is a testament to the enduring strength of love and hope in the face of unspeakable adversity—a profoundly affecting read that will stay with you long after the last page.

This was a gut wrenching, unique WWII read. For fans of WWII fiction and historical fiction, this is definitely a story you haven't heard before. It was told so well with vivid, heartbreaking detail. This was definitely worth picking up, just have your tissues ready!

Shari Ryan is an incredible author. I always enjoy her books and she does a wonderful job of immersing the reader in WW2 history.
This book focuses on Ella and Luka. They live in Warsaw, he is Jewish, and they fall in love, but are separated and both end up being imprisoned at Auschwitz. Luka's singing keeps Ella going and they are full of hope to be together again.
I intend to read the book as I did not particularly enjoy the narration.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

The Singer Behind the Wire by Shari J. Ryan
Narrated by Emma Powell

When nineteen year old Polish Catholic Ella first saw and heard Jewish Luka sing in their city of Warsaw, she was entranced, as were the others who heard him sing. What a risk he was taking, singing in a city that was controlled by those who were doing what they could to squash Jewish people like bugs. When she sees that Luka is in trouble, Ella doesn't hesitate to help him. Thus begins a friendship and romance that is forbidden and could get both of them imprisoned and/or killed.

Twenty year old Luka has no idea why almost all the men of working age have been taken to "work" camps but he's still allowed to live with his mother and grandmother in Warsaw. He'd be a much more suitable worker than his elderly grandfather but Luka is still left in the city, singing for coins as his only way of working since Jews have so many restrictions on them as to what they can do. But without the few coins Luka can bring in, his mother and grandmother would surely starve.

Things only get worse and eventually Luka, his mother, and his grandmother are living in the Warsaw ghetto in a tiny room full of people. Ella is determined to find Luka. As their dangerous and hanging by a thread lives are destroyed further, Ella and Luka eventually find themselves in another horrible existence. Yes they are still alive, but for how long? At least Ella can "hear" Luka because it's his beautiful voice that allows him to live at this time. But that voice can only last so long with so little to eat and in such terrible conditions.

This is a love story that stands out above the horrible conditions that Ella and Luka find themselves in and they will love each other to the ends of their lives. Each is willing to give all for the other. Emma Powell narrates this heartbreaking story of love and perseverance. While it hurt to hear the things that happen here, it is also a story of how love can encourage one to keep going.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.

Book Title: The Singer Behind the Wire
Author: Shari J. Ryan
Publisher: Bookouture Audio
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narrator: Emma Kim Churchill
Genre: Historical Fiction, WWII
Pub Date: June 5, 2025
My Rating: 4.3 Stars
Pages: 410

Ella is a young Polish girl living in war torn Warsaw. She’ had fallen in love with Luka’s voice the first time she heard him singing on the street corner near her house. When she meets him; his kind smile and joyous laugh brings joy to Ella. They soon fall deeply in love.
However he is Jewish and she is not and therefore forbidden to marry.

They are separated in Warsaw and discover both have been sent to Auschwitz.
Ella doesn’t know if he is alive or not.
Luka's singing brought them together and now his singing as he is forced to sing while he watches his fellow Jews led to their death.

Story follows Ella quest to find him.

This was my fifth story book by Shari J. Ryan. I was first drawn to her psychological thrillers which were all excellent!
I am not a big fan of WWII stories are usually so disturbing as it was a time when the unthinkable happened. However, I read and love " The Family Behind the Walls".

I am not Jewish but I worked as the Director of College Guidance at a Jewish Day School. The founder was a wonderful Holocaust survivor
who we all called Papa. He and his wife often told us stories of their survival; I know it is important that we never forget.

I love Ms. Ryan- she is a wonderful story teller. She is the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Shari brings a deeply personal connection to her work. Her stories are rooted in truth and remembrance, written to ensure history is never forgotten. In this case she took a disturbing/emotional situation and had me glued.

A negative regarding this audiobook is that it did not include author’s notes and/or Acknowledgements which is rather typical of audiobook. However, it always something I enjoy reading. There is no doubt Ms. Ryan did extensive for this story.

I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this uncorrected proof.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 5, 2025.