The Girl From the Fjords offers a unique and emotional perspective on historical fiction, set against the backdrop of WW2.
This was a compelling read with a relatable and likable protagonist who faced some incredible challenges.
The story sheds light on a lesser known aspect of the war, making it all the more impactful. With engaging storytelling and an easy to follow narrative, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a powerful and thought provoking read that I would definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this Advanced Release Copy.

Set in the Norwegian fjords during ww2 this book follows the life of Asta and her father during the war who have to house a German. I liked the style of writing but I was a bit disappointed in the story as it seemed unrealistic and too happy an ending for a historical fiction book. I would call this more if a historical romance than historical fiction, there was barely anything about the Norwegian resistance. What this story need was a bad guy, such as an evil ss officer, the only German in the story was a good one who didn’t share hitler’s extreme views, therefore I felt that this story portrayed thst not all Germans were bad.
Overall this was an ok read but could have been so much better
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book, all opinions expressed are my own.

This was an excellent read shedding light on wartime Norway. It tells the story of a girl who is passionately patriotic and entirely opposed to the Nazi invasion, but her world is turned upside down when she falls in love with. a German engineer billeted in her home. Knowing that it would lead her to being ostracised from her community she marries the invader and has to live with the consequence. The book focuses on the relationships in this small community and has only passing reference to events in the war but explores well the choices people make that make them either a hero or a traitor. While I thought the ending to this book was full of co-incidence such phenomena are not unknown and made a neat ending to a story that gripped your imagination.

The Girl from the Fjords is a moving historical fiction novel that offers a fresh and emotionally rich perspective on World War II. I found it particularly engaging, as I haven’t read any WWII novels set in Norway—a setting that feels both unique and poignant.

The story follows Asta Nilsen, a young woman studying in Oslo who relocates with her family to a remote Norwegian fjord—a peaceful holiday destination—in hopes that the fresh air will help her terminally ill mother. As the German invasion of Norway unfolds, Asta’s brother leaves to fight with the British in Scotland, while Asta and her father remain behind in the fjord.

Asta’s life takes a complicated turn when a German engineer, Max Brandt, is billeted with the family. A brief romance leads to pregnancy, and Asta is soon confronted with the harsh judgment and social stigma faced by women who had relationships with occupying soldiers. As the war ends, Asta must navigate a series of heartbreaking decisions in a society that is quick to condemn and slow to understand.

The first half of the book explores the German occupation, while the second half focuses on the difficult post war realities for women like Asta. It’s an emotionally charged story of love, loss, and resilience.

Have the tissues handy—this one lingers with you long after the final page.

THE GIRL FROM THE FJORDS - I found this book full of emotions and trials. During the occupation, the story was more about the romance and her family, not much about the struggles of being in WWII. The meat of the story was later in the book when the war was over. The characters are good, the story lines immersing, and the writing is well done. Not much depth or detail but enough to understand what the times and people were like during that time frame. Source: Netgalley. 4*

What an utterly mesmerising and gripping read. I found myself looking forward to picking it up each day—the story had me completely hooked. Asta is such a deeply compelling character, and the author captured the emotional weight and complexity of the choices people faced during the war with real sensitivity and nuance. I only wish it had been longer—I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. A truly beautiful and moving story.

The Girl from the Fjords is an emotional tale of loneliness, heartbreak and survival. Asta who lives with her father in Nazi occupied Norway goes through a tumultuous time once during and after the occupation. Though her relationship with Max causes her a lot of grief, their shared love for each other and their daughter is a heart rending journey.

The simplicity of love written here makes it very believable. Asta's predicament between her love for her country and her German husband is well scripted through the book.

The author did a good job focusing on aspects of the war where innocent people were collateral. The adoption of war children is gut wrenching showcasing the emotional toll it took on millions of people.
Though the ending felt a bit dramatic, the rest of the story was wonderfully written.

I give this book 4 stars.

I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the E-Arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Set in Norway in the 1940s, the story is about motherhood, survival, and the scary choices Asta had to make at that time.

Asta was so strong and brave. 💪 At that time, she had to nurse her poorly father in a remote cabin in the fjords. 🏔️

As bad as this was for her, she then becomes pregnant in a forbidden affair… and the story quickly unravels as she faces many challenges. 😢

After being shamed, attacked, and then forced to leave the fjord to keep her baby, the journey becomes even more heartbreaking. 👶💔

The story jumps from Norway, Germany, and Stockholm, with Asta desperately trying to find her little girl. 🌍 I was on the edge of my seat to know the outcome! 😲

As a mother, I could feel how she felt, and it made my heart ache for her. 💔👩‍👧

I was gifted this advanced copy of The Girl from the Fjords by @stormbooks_co and @netgalley to review and while I have read a large number of books set during WW2 this story is uniquely different.
The story is set in Norway, a country whose wartime history I naively knew nothing about, from @elizagraham1 ‘s emotive storytelling I learnt that although Norway was initially neutral it was ultimately invaded and occupied by Germany. Through the eyes of the main character Asta you get an insight into the insecurities and struggles the Norwegian people experienced living through this occupation period. Asta is outraged to find Max, a German Civil Engineer billeted to the home she shares with her father. However, with some trepidation a love affair resulting in a child unfolds between the pair. Asta is vilified by her community for this indiscretion and as the end of war approaches the family all become separated.
The impact of war on children, the demobilisation of military personnel, economic shifts and the complex changes in society are all touched on as this story concludes. I was particularly moved by this part of the book and shed a number of tears as each chapter unfolded. I was certainly moved by the love story but it’s the deeper understanding of this time in history that would encourage me to recommend this book to others that enjoy historical fiction. •Release date: 24th July 2025 #chattingbookswithchris #historicalfiction #thegirlfromthefjords #bookreviews #aussiereader #the2025readingchallengeforme #wartimefiction #thecoverartmatters #netgalley

This book was fantastic. I loved every minute of it. I am so thankful I had the pleasure of reading it. I will be recommending to everyone!

When I read this, I had just returned from Norway where I spent a few days of my time in Bergen. On one of those days I went west to visit the Nordsjofartmuseet in Taelavag. The museum tells of the terrible reprisals on the town after passengers of the Shetland Bus were discovered by the German authorities. It also focuses on the Shetland Bus itself. (It was a fascinating visit on an atmospherically appropriate day where a haar looked set in for ever!) Reading The Girl from the Fjords by Eliza Graham brought back to me what I had learned there.

The book was vivid in its descriptions and I liked the strongly defined characters. The action mostly took place somewhere near Taelavag I assume and that was the setting I pictured. Most of the action took place during the Second World War and some just after it. Asta, the titular character, was a vivid personality and she and others were shown making difficult decisions fairly believably. The plot was perhaps predictable but it was handled well and with a good pace.

As far as I can tell, it's historically accurate and there was nothing that jarred for me. I was happy that the author talked about the Resistance fighters travelling to and from Scotland - although that's not historically accurate as Great Britain was generally referred to as England at the time. The Shetland Bus was referred to as taking the English journey, something I struggle to get my head around. Whatever the Shetlanders might be, they're not English! But different times and all that.

I'd recommend the book although its ending lets it down. It's too contrived and unlikely. But it is full of hope.

A heartbreaking WWII story in Norway. A love affair gone wrong. A sick father. A girl trying to take care of things. I had a lot of tears in my eyes during this story.

Overall I enjoyed this story. Some parts were a bit unbelievable, and writing was a bit off at times. But I appreciated reading a WW2 historical fiction novel set in locations that are less frequently used in this genre.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

Very well written book about the realities of occupation during WWII. Set in Norway, Asta and her father must accept Max, a German, as their "guest". Not all Germans are evil, not all Norwegian woman who fall in love with them are sluts, yet judgement abounds. The second half of the book addresses what happens after the war. The Norwegians are cruel and unaccepting of a child born of a German father, Asta is forced to leave Norway and their child is put up for adoption. This book is gut wrenching, the power of love abounds, forgiveness happens. Beautiful and important.

I am not sure how is feel about this book. Was it a good story? Yes, but i felt it had been told before. Was it believable? Yes and no. Some choices in this book, and some things that happened in this book, did not feel believeable. But at the same time it was realistic . I am not sure.
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

A 3,5* review rounded up to 4*. I enjoyed this novel quite a lot. To be in love with a German in Norway during the occupation and follow one's heart is definitely not a fairy tale!! What would happen if you get a child and the war is over? How are Norwegian women who had German lovers/husband then treated? What about the child???? Thought provoking reactions I will not judge... The end was in a way satisfying, on the other hand not really realistic... Very interesting and emotionally engaging.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

Author knows how to tell a tale!😍

What a great piece of historical fiction with an embattled romance woven through it! I knew next to nothing about the German occupation of Norway in WWII other than a vaguely remembered reading of John Steinbeck's The Moon is Down when in school over half a century ago. I did not remember anything about the Germany's use of slave labor in the territories, like Norway, that they occupied, or that the Norwegian wartime Prime Minister was so close to Hitler's government. Nor did I really think about what demobilized German troops faced when they were chased out of other European countries and returned to a country carved up by the Allies, especially the sectors ransacked by the Soviets. Max Brandt, the German engineer assigned to reside with Asta and her father, was easy to sympathize with because he is not caught up in the violence and abuses meted out by the Nazi troops.

I loved the way author Eliza Graham educated me through an eminently readable, emotional fictionalized story of one Norwegian family's wartime experience and the chaos and distrust after the Germans had been defeated. Excellent storytelling that educated and moved me. The climax was urgent and exciting and the novel on the whole was one that will stay with me for a while.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 7/10/25 on Goodreads and Bookbub, and with Barnes & Noble.

I loved this book, I’ve never read a WW2 novel based in Norway and it was so interesting. It was sad, devastating, uplifting and full of hope for the future. The beautiful fjord town has been taken over by the Nazis, and the locals have to learn to live with the disruption and changes. Love between a Nazi and a Norwegian is frowned upon so when romance blooms the town turns their back. This story was very thought provoking and emotional, I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book it was excellent.

The Girl from the,Fjords by Eliza Graham

This was a great book, set in Norway in 1940, Asta is very upset to hear a German German has been billeted to their home.
But once there he intergrates into the life of Asta and she is surprised to fall in love with him and they have a daughter .
He leaves as the war is ensuing , and the locals go against Asta for criticising with the Germans .
Enjoyed the book as it was set in Norway which is different from the usual England , Germany or France and it was an education to find out how they were in the war .

A powerful premise, but the writing fell short.

I was genuinely excited for The Girl from the Fjord — the setting, blurb, and cover promised a gripping, emotionally charged story set against the stark beauty of wartime Norway. It’s a compelling concept, and the themes of motherhood, sacrifice, and survival held great potential.

Unfortunately, the execution lacked the clarity and depth needed to carry such an ambitious narrative. The prose felt unpolished, with uneven sentence structure and a heavy reliance on dialogue over description. This left little space for atmospheric world-building or emotional nuance, which are especially important in historical fiction. Moments that should have been moving or intense instead felt rushed or flat.

With tighter editing, stronger prose, and more immersive detail, this could become a powerful novel. I hope future editions can bring out the emotional weight and historical richness that the premise clearly contains.

★☆☆☆☆ — A promising idea that would benefit from significant editorial refinement.