The Girls in the Attic

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Pub Date 1 Jun 2021 | Archive Date 15 Jun 2021
Amazon Publishing UK | Lake Union Publishing

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Description

The bestselling author of The Designer presents a sweeping story of blind faith, family allegiance and how love makes one man question everything he thought he knew.

Max Wolff is a committed soldier of the Reich. So when he is sent home wounded, only to discover that his mother is sheltering two young Jewish women in their home, he is outraged.

His mother’s act of mercy is a gross betrayal of everything Max stands for. He has dedicated his life to Nazism, fighting to atone for the shame of his anti-Hitler father’s imprisonment. It’s his duty to turn the sisters over to the Gestapo. But he hesitates, and the longer Max fails to do his duty, the harder it becomes.

When Allied bombers fill the skies of Germany, Max is forced to abandon all dogma and face the brutality of war in order to defend precious lives. But what will it cost him?

The bestselling author of The Designer presents a sweeping story of blind faith, family allegiance and how love makes one man question everything he thought he knew.

Max Wolff is a committed soldier...


A Note From the Publisher

Marius Gabriel was accused by Cosmopolitan magazine of ‘keeping you reading while your dinner burns’. He served his author apprenticeship as a student at Newcastle University, Britain, where, to finance his postgraduate research, he wrote thirty-three steamy romances under a pseudonym. Gabriel is the author of twelve historical novels, including the bestsellers The Designer, The Ocean Liner and The Parisians. Born in South Africa, he has travelled and worked in many countries, and now lives in Lincolnshire. He has three grown-up children.

Marius Gabriel was accused by Cosmopolitan magazine of ‘keeping you reading while your dinner burns’. He served his author apprenticeship as a student at Newcastle University, Britain, where, to...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781542028059
PRICE US$14.95 (USD)
PAGES 352

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Featured Reviews

Told from a different perspective to the norm, this story will break your heart with its brutality, fear and realistic view of war torn Germany in World War II. Unlike stories that paint Germany as the enemy, this explores how the people of Germany suffered too, at the hands of Britain and America, and their own Nazi party and SS - devastatingly, particularly the women and children left behind, and from the perspective of two young Jewish sisters at the mercy of people who might help or give them away to the Nazis.

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Talk about a stunning book! The hideousness of WWII in Germany is not glossed over here but instead readers are thrown into the deep end of grief, sorrow and loss with brief reprieves of love and hope. Beautifully written and charged with emotion, this raw story is about overcoming insurmountable odds and finding and clinging to freedom. But it comes at a drastic cost.

Hardened Max Wolff, a panzer leader, is discharged from the German army due to a severe head injury. When he unexpectedly returns home he is disgusted to find profound changes. His compassionate mother is harbouring a huge secret. Max clashes with people throughout the book and discovers who his friends really are...and are not. He begins to see life through others' eyes rather than making them pay and correcting the "wrongs" of his father.

Largely told from a German soldier's perspective we see that no one is unscathed. Entire towns are decimated. Women and children are left to die. There are many levels of evil and the Gestapo are at the top of the list as they attack with impunity.

"But I can't really remember what being happy feels like." Lola has good reason to believe this. Her life has been absolutely shattered. The sun no longer shines for Lola and her sister, Heidi in a time when ration-book theft is punishable by death. The Nuremberg Laws are in place. Jews are treated with abhorrence and everyone is forced to do things they otherwise wouldn't. Dreadful torture is inflicted upon those who were deemed illegal simply by existing. Their loss is unfathomable. Additionally, Germany's "liberation" by Russia involves wholescale rape. It was fascinating to view these times from Germans. The prologue and epilogue are brilliant.

My sincere thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this crushing but hauntingly beautiful book. It ought to be required reading.

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The main reasons you’ll want to read this fantastic historical fiction book are (1) that it has an engaging plot, (2) amazing character development and (3) it’s full of thought-provoking insights into human nature.

A German officer with two Iron Crosses and a panzer division under his control is on leave after surgery and comes home to discover that his mother is hiding two Jewesses in the attic. You will love Max Wolff’s evolution from a true Nazi hero to a disillusioned German now sympathetic to fellow Germans of Jewish heritage. It made me happy to discover an author who chose to show us his complex and interesting characters, rather than tell us about them. It’s rare for an author to allow his readers to weave character’s actions and attitudes together with historical facts presented and come to their own conclusions. For this very fact, I’m inspired to read more by this author. His vivid descriptions allow readers to become part of the story. I love learning about history by feeling I’m part of the story rather than reading huge info dumps in conversation between characters.

I have read many WW2 books and never learned about Veronal. If you aren’t familiar with it, you’ll learn about this window of escape for many Jews.

It’s not often books are written from the perspective of a German soldier. You’ll read about how many of the Germans were “deluded by a strident call to patriotism” and, in retrospect, felt they’d “become the weapon of an evil government with fearsome ambitions.”

“Don’t you think your beloved Fatherland is a very strange place if helping other human beings has become a crime?”

“How can a Christian pray for a Jew?”

“That’s my deepest fear. That the war will end, and we will still be prisoners of what they did to us. until the day we also die.”

This unique read is worth your time and will be one I’ll reach for again and again. It’s heart wrenching and emotional, yet tension filled and unpredictable. I’m in awe of the resourcefulness and resilience of those caught up in a country at war.

I was gifted this copy by Marius Gabriel, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

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Wow! I do not normally read this type of novel, however the story caught my interest, so I decided to give it a shot. What a great read! The story and characters were well developed. I found myself totally engaged in the book and could not put it down till I finished it! A truly must read book for all!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

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Wow! I've read a lot of novels about WW2 & Nazi occupation but this one just seemed unique, to me. The author takes us from the beginning of the Nazis' rise all the way to their eventual downfall and everything in between. It almost felt like Lola was sharing pictures of her life and family, as Hitler was rising, to before her & her sister ended up at Max's mom's house. With Max the focus is more on his inner dialog as he goes through all that's happened in the last several years. I didn't love the end. I felt like it could have been wrapped up a bit tighter but I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger either. Over all it was an interesting read and impossible to put down. .

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This was so powerful, raw and so real.
The book was engaging from the very beginning, i was hooked immediately, and felt so close to the characters that i felt actual pain as they suffered throughout the book.
The author is a real mastermind, he succeeded in describing the scenes of destruction and pain so vividly that you would almost feel squeamish of how much you felt what was written.
The character development was immaculate, even during their hardships and despair, Lola and Max went through a lot to grow up as human beings and they showed me how love is more powerful than politics and race.
I really enjoyed it.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review via netgalley and the publisher*

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I tried to like this book. I wanted to like it, but alas it was not for me. I wasn't a fan of the writing style, it was too simplistic. I also don't love when authors are writing about people in America but they use British spelling. It throws me off and is very distracting! Stick to a theme!!

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Two young women, Jewish sisters, hiding in an attic. If not for the kindness of strangers they would have been at the mercy of Nazi soldiers. But then, one of those soldiers arrives at the house. Not to search it, but because he lives there. When he discovers that his mother has been providing refuge to these “enemies”, he becomes enraged and is determined to turn them in. He can’t bring himself to do it, however. And soon his mother’s mission becomes his as well. A very good story from one of my favorite genres!

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A. wwll written WWII story filled with love,mstrength, courage and tragedy. Through specific descriptions this is not a lght read. It is a page turner story that makes the horrors of war very evident.

The book was engaging from the very beginning, i was hooked immediately, and felt so close to the characters that i felt as they suffered throughout the book. Even through all of this i still recommend.

My review are strictly written by me . Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers

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I was captivated by the characters in this novel about World War II. Some were monsters, some flawed, brave, weak, strong, angry and redeemed. It was very well written and you could really feel the atmosphere of this time and place in history.

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While you know from the start that everything turns out okay in the end, the story of Lola Rosenstein has you engaged and curious as to what will happen next. This is a beautiful love story and was hard to put down...I finished it in 24 hours. There are so many WWII books out there (I am a sucker for them) and this one showed me a whole new side of the war experience/drama/trauma.

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This was a truly interesting premise. Max is a soldier, fully committed to the Third Reich, but when he is wounded in action and sent home, he finds his mother has hidden two Jewish girls in their attic. He is furious and all set to do his duty and turn them over to the Gestapo. His life has been put on the line for the Nazi party and he believes in their rhetoric, with every fibre of his being. He has already had to weather the shame of his father’s stance against Hitler. Since his father was imprisoned, he has thrown himself into supporting the party to atone for what he sees as his family’s betrayal. Now here is another stand against Hitler under the family’s roof. So why is he hesitating?

The book was emotionally harrowing and it was interesting to read WW2 from the perspective of a German soldier. I could feel his dilemma - he has already lost his father for his actions against Nazism so what would happen to his mother if he turned the girls in? Also, in living alongside the girls he starts to see them as people rather than ‘other’ and this also mellows his initial resolve, He starts to see their perspective on what’s happening to Jewish people and once empathy is felt, duty starts to come second. As his friendship with Lola grows, he starts to worry that they will be discovered out in the country and suggests a move into town for more anonymity, but this could be a gamble that doesn’t pay off. As enemy troops move closer and bombing raids become frequent will any of them survive? Mostly though, I loved that the author recognised the psychological impact of this conflict - not just for these characters or the victims who survived the Holocaust - but for their families and the wider world. This conflict is known to have created generational trauma that reverberated throughout the 20th Century and that was captured very clearly.

I felt that the book portrayed the period and the horrors of Nazi atrocities brutally and accurately. The escalation of danger was well paced and really created tension in the reader. I felt though, there were parts that where we told about people’s emotions and motivations rather than shown. There were places where I was screaming at Lola, because her head strong nature was making the dangers worse. However, I liked that she wasn’t stereotypical and ‘perfect’ because it elevated her from caricature to a real and flawed person.

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The Girls in the Attic
by Marius Gabriel
Back of the Book: “The bestselling author of The Designer presents a sweeping story of blind faith, family allegiance, and how love makes one man question everything he thought he knew.
Max Wolff is a committed soldier of the Reich. So when he is sent home wounded, only to discover that his mother is sheltering two young Jewish women in their home, he is outraged.
His mother’s act of mercy is a gross betrayal of everything Max stands for. He has dedicated his life to Nazism, fighting to atone for the shame of his anti-Hitler father’s imprisonment. It’s his duty to turn the sisters over to the Gestapo. But he hesitates, and the longer Max fails to do his duty, the harder it becomes.
When Allied bombers fill the skies of Germany, Max is forced to abandon all dogma and face the brutality of war in order to defend precious lives. But what will it cost him?”
Impressions: This was an intense story of love and loss during WW2.
Rated: Language, kissing, sex, murder, discrimination, sexual harassment and attempted assault and physical assault
Liked: I enjoyed this story and perspective. It is hard to imagine what life must have looked like in Germany before and during WW2. It is startling how hateful people can be but here in this book was the perfect example of how when you search for a common ground you will find that we are all just human. For the safety of his mother and himself, Max had to interact with two Jewish girls. Through these interactions he was able to realize that they were not so different; they were not so easy to hate anymore. I also found it interesting the ignorance of the hate as some characters (and I’m sure real German citizens) had never even met a Jewish person but were still passionate about the war effort. When it came down to it no one was good enough to the Nazis and they crucified their own prideful efforts to maintain power.
Disliked: I prefer to read clean romances but this one had some steamy scenes as well as language sprinkled through it. There were also quite graphic injury scenes. These weren’t a huge problem for me but if you aren’t up for some of the more gruesome details this might be off-putting.
Quotes: “…their hatred was like something black being pulled over my head. I couldn’t breathe.”
“That’s my deepest fear. That the war will end, and we will still be prisoners of what they did to us. Until the day we also die.”
I received a copy of this novel via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

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This book really surprised me , it was a slow start and i wasn't sure if i was going to stick with it,,but Max and Lola wow what 2 great characters , i really enjoyed this book couldn't put it down.

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I read only true stories on the Holocaust. As I couldn't find any on Netgalley, I thought I would give this one a try. I honestly didn't expect a lot. However, if it hadn't been for work and grandkids, I would have completed this book in one sitting. In the about the author sections is say Marius Gabriel was accused by Cosmopolitan of 'keeping you reading while your dinner burns'. It kept me reading way past my normal bedtime several nights and away from household chores today.

Lola is an amazingly strong character that sees many different sides to the war from beginning to end of the book. From being hidden in the attic by the mother of a Nazi soldier who returns home due to war time injuries to finding her way to America, there is never a dull moment.

This will be a book that I will read again in the future as it's now a favorite.

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Thank you NetGalley, Marius Gabriel and Amazon Publishing UK for the digital copy of The Girls in the Attic. This is my personal review.
This is a wonderful book . It tells the story of how two people can find love when they least expect it.
Max is a soldier during WWII while Lola is a Jewish girl being hidden in the attic along with her sister. The attic is in the home that belongs to Max’s family. When Max returns home after being injured he is shocked to find his mother hiding these girls.
After seeing how things are through the eyes of Lola, Max begins to realize that the war is not what it seems to be.
I enjoyed reading this book and found it very hard to put down.

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Wonderful heartbreaking story of the second world war and the horrible conditions faced by both sides .I was engrossed all the way through this wonderful book .

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A very engaging book. Seen from a different perspective to the run of the mill WWII novels, this one lets you experience the war from the German point of view. Max and Lola are engaging characters and their story keeps you captivated from beginning to end. The story proves that no one wins in war. Resilience, love, hate, fear and loyalty are all explored. A great book.

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“ Max Wolff is a committed soldier of the Reich. So when he is sent home wounded, only to discover that his mother is sheltering two young Jewish women in their home, he is outraged. “

This beginning of the synopsis was enough to kindle my interest and request the book from NetGalley.

It starts off terrific with Wolff feeling betrayed by his mother and all that he has stood for, fighting to atone for the shame of his anti - Hitler father’s imprisonment.

The description of how the two sisters spend their time hidden in the Attic, how they try to educate themselves and the emotions Max goes through, torn between his duty to report them to the Gestapo but finding something stopping him, are very well written. Lola, the firebrand , Heidi the circumspect, Max the righteous and Magda, the caring mother, hold your attention. The war and its horrors are chilling.

Somewhere down the line, once Lola and Max seem to begin to understand each other but have to flee their home is when the read starts becoming repetitive and a little unrealistic.

This should’ve remained a war story in which case some new nuggets of information could’ve been added; or it could’ve been a sweet romance read and reduced the sensorial overload of bombings, brutality, terror, poverty, hunger and violence.

Crisper editing and a shorter length would’ve made this book a brilliant read. It had great potential and I am going to read more of this author’s works.

Thank you Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for approving the digital e-arc. All views expressed are my own.

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Sorry! Didn't get enough time to finish the whole book I'm in the middle and its got archived and my NetGalley not showing the title anymore so I guess I'll review later when I'll able to find ebook online.

Anyways, thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange of honest review.

PS- I'll soon gonna edit this with the review one as soon I find one and read the rest.

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Max Wolff is a committed soldier of the Reich. So when he is sent home wounded, only to discover that his mother is sheltering two young Jewish women in their home, he is outraged.

His mother’s act of mercy is a gross betrayal of everything Max stands for. He has dedicated his life to Nazism, fighting to atone for the shame of his anti-Hitler father’s imprisonment. It’s his duty to turn the sisters over to the Gestapo. But he hesitates, and the longer Max fails to do his duty, the harder it becomes.

When Allied bombers fill the skies of Germany, Max is forced to abandon all dogma and face the brutality of war in order to defend precious lives. But what will it cost him? I loved this book and by the middle couldn’t put it down until I saw how it ended! Great read!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Max Wolff is a dedicated soldier to the Reich. He needs to be, since his father was imprisoned for his anti-Nazi beliefs. He is injured at war and sent home to heal.

Max is angered when he discovers that his mother is hiding two Jewesses in her home.! He feels it is a slap in the face to himself and his sacrifices.

Max must do his due diligence and turn the girls over to the Gestapo. It is the right thing to do. However, the decision becomes harder as he gets to know the sisters.

Predictable, but it it to be expected as a romance. I did find the use of the word "darling" a bit much.

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An interesting book to read about the Second World War. When l started it l kept on reading. There was everything sadness ,horror, hope and love. Thank you for allowing me to read it.

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Another fabulous book from Marius and worth more than 5 stars. Following the fictional lives of different people during WW2 the book brings together both Germans and Jewish women. Max is a German solider and finds his mother is hiding 2 young Jewish women and struggles to accept her decision. The storyline explores the outcome and what happens in the years up until liberation by the Americans. Thanks to Marius, Lake Union publisher and NetGalley. .

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This is a new to me author, but I will check out more of his books since I enjoyed reading this one.

I loved how layered the characters were, not just good or bad, but with their own strengths and weaknesses. The way Max changed during the book because of what he sees and experiences. There is growth in the character when he opens himself up to other ideas.

The book gave me goosebumps while reading, which is always a good sign, because that means I was pulled into the story and the actions happening.

I recommend this book.

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Max Wolff returns home from the front to discover his mother is hiding 2 Jewish girls in the attic. He is angry and also terrified for his mother. Discovery of the girls will for sure mean death for his mother. But the longer he doesn't turn the girls in, the harder it becomes.

I wanted to love this and did for the first quarter of the book. But then it turned slow and predictable and just didn't work for me. I think the story could have been so much more and the themes of redemption and change were set up, but just not as follow through with as I would have liked.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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I've read a great number of historical fiction books on the Holocaust, so I expected this book to have a predictable storyline, but I was quite surprised. The story weaves the pain, torture and inhumanity of Nazi guards as well as neighbors, but add that much needed love story. Lovely book, but heart breaking at the same time.

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What a strange experience to read about the 2nd world war from another perspective. It’s the first time I have read a book from the German side of the war. It definitely makes you think. Hate, love and death. A German lady protects two Jewish girls in her attic. Then her Son comes back home after being injured. He is not happy, but his feelings change. Well written. Thank you for my arc, it is very educational to see the other side.

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This novel firmly anchors you in Germany during WWII, with a (mostly) engaging story of courage, sorrow, love, and loss. The perspective is not one we often find in WWII novels, that of a young Nazi soldier who, at the beginning of the story, firmly believes in all that Hitler is doing. Max comes home to recover after being injured and discovers his mother has a secret. That secret is the impetus for Max’s change of heart. Max is perhaps the character that grows the most, although Lola’s progression is seen too. I have to admit that there were times I disliked Lola’s character intensely. Her childishness in endangering those around her for example. I found the first part of the book engaging but it bogged down a little for me in the middle. I think a lot could have been cut from the middle and perhaps then the story would have flowed more evenly. The characters felt a little flat to me, and some of the storylines felt very contrived. I think others might enjoy this book, but for me, it was just ok.

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My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for this excellent but heart wrenching read.

What happens when a discharged Nazi soldier returns to his family home, and finds his mother Magda is hiding two Jewish sisters in her attic? That is what Max Wolff has to face. Does he do his duties to the Reich and endanger his mother? What happens when Max falls for one of the sisters, and has to go on the run when his world is destroyed? All answers revealed if you read this book.

I loved this and do not have a bad word to say. You care about these people and want the best for them. You feel for them. HIGHLY recommend.

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It's not a good day for me when I dislike a book this much, but this one was a very bad book for me.

In the beginning I was super intrigued and was super excited to like it, the writing style was enjoyable, and the reading experience very fun.

About 35% in I was done with this book, I started skimming through the paragraphs and sighing so much. I was predicting almost everything that ended up happening, and I was not liking the whole reading process of it.

Unfortunately, if you're a fan of historical fiction, and WWII, this would seem bland, and not fun, so I don't recommend it at all.

Thank you NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book.

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This was one of the best books I have read during this time period. It had betrayal, love, humor, great insight into people under pressure. The love between Max and Lola was so strong despite the constant challenges. After such devastation at the end you felt hope and a feeling all would be okay.

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DNF @ 21%.

I'm genuinely upset that I didn't like this book more, because I really wanted to. I love historical fiction, especially stuff set during WW2, and I'm a sucker for a good love story, but oh no.

The writing in this novel left a lot to be desired.
Too much dialogue - less is often more.
None of the characters were endearing - sure Magda and Heidi were okay, but only because they were there to placate the hot heads apparently.
Our Romeo and Juliet were unrealistic - there's no way that at 15-year-old or what have you a young woman wouldn't know what's going on during WW2, she's young not stupid. I also don't believe that in a matter of a few days this soldier would become enamoured with her given what we know of what took place with the Hitler Youth, what with them not being warm at all towards each other, and considering they have like four brief interactions in the book by this point. Maybe at 50% into the book I would have bought it, but not this early on.

Overall, I wanted to enjoy myself because this seemed like it'd be right up my alley, but it fell short for me.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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The Girls In The Attic by Marius Gabriel is a powerful, heart-wrenching historical novel that will remain with you long after the last page is read. It is a tribute to all those who lived and all those who perished in the Holocaust.
The novel is set in 1944 and 1945 as the Nazis are losing the war. Their cruelty is heightened as they wish to leave no witnesses.
We see life through the eyes of two Jewish sisters, hiding with the mother of a twice-decorated with the Iron Cross Nazi war hero.
The reader witnesses his battle with his conscience – to do what is required or to do what is right? Too many have blindly followed Hitler and joined in with the persecution of the Jewish people.
Not all Germans were Nazis. “A few are monsters, the rest look away” and some help. Many were guilty by omission. The reader is reminded that “for evil to flourish, it just needs good men to do nothing.” “While so many others stood back and watched evil happen, they had taken a stand against it.” Some stood up for what is right with no thought to their own safety.
The sisters clung to each other. The rest of their family were gone. They seemed weak but actually were of strong character to survive.
Love blossoms in the most unlikely of places.
We witness the destruction of Germany – of its people from within and by the Allies via bombing raids.
The fear is tangible – of the Nazis, of the bombs and of the Russians.
The Girls In The Attic was a powerful, compulsive and horrifying read – but there was hope too as we see the will to survive. It was a marvellous read.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

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I wanted to love this. The synopsis pulled me in but the actual book was in incredibly disappointing. The dialog was cringe worthy, especially with the overuse of 'darling'. The story was also very unbelievable. People can change, but not that fast. It felt like a Nazi changed his entire belief system in a matter of days.

I feel like there was just so much lost potential here.

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No doubt one of the best books I read this year! I bought the audio book and the narrator was everything! As many Germans turned Jewish people away two sisters found refuge hiding with the help of a brave German woman. When her son who is a German soldier comes home to find them they are all in danger. As acceptance and human kindness finds them all friends greyhound themselves on the run together. This is a beautiful story with love and finding hope. A beautiful and sad story I loved and highly recommend you read it!

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Historical Novels Review, November 2021

Max Wolff, a staunch Nazi officer, has arrived home on medical leave from the Russian front to discover that his mother, Magda, is hiding two young Jewish women in the attic. Lola and Heidi fled Berlin after losing their parents and home and, with help from strangers, made their way to Kallenheim, where Magda took them in. It is 1944, and over the past four years, Max has proven his loyalty to Hitler and the Third Reich by displaying heroism in battle and earning two Iron Crosses. He is driven to prove himself the opposite of his father, who was hanged for speaking out against Hitler. His arrival creates a lot of conflict in the house. The girls are fearful of him, yet antagonistic when challenging him on his anti-Semitic views. While his mother begs him not to turn them in, he has every intention of doing so to save his reputation, going to the police station then having second thoughts. Gradually, he comes to know Lola and Heidi, and his viewpoint and sympathies change as he recognizes the evil that he has devoted himself to.

Author Gabriel maintains pace and tension throughout the book with the risk of discovery and the brutal events taking place around them. Tension builds when they do what they must to survive with the incessant Allied bombing, then the advancing Russian army. The reader sees what the characters see of an empty, destroyed Cologne during a snowstorm. “The streets of bombed-out buildings had a special silence: they absorbed every sound without an echo. The empty windows did not reflect, the doorways were empty. The only sound was the wind that moaned through the ruins.” This is one of Marius Gabriel’s best, and a stand-out WWII novel.

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I was a bit sceptical. about reading this booked as it is heavily criticised on Amazon for its poor grammar and overuse of comments, but by using this website I feel privileged to be able to read books for free so I ignored the criticism, and wow what a brilliant book, I just couldn’t put it down.

It was a gripping account of what it must have been like in Hitler's Germany. It was harrowing and upsetting In places portraying I a lot of horrific truths about things that happened to families of those working for the Reich.

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I have read a few books by this author and this one did not disappoint. Told from the unusual perspective of a nazi officer returning home to find his mother hiding Jewish girls. Interesting, though provoking and at times a difficult read due to the subject. Highly recommended

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Honestly didn't enjoy this book at all. Making a Jewish girl and a nazi fall in love is just so unrealistic and so unbelievable that it ruined what could have been a great story. Not for me sorry.

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Truly an amazing story!
Just when you think you've read every story set during the holocaust, you stumble across this gem.
Will ve keeping my eye on this author from now on

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I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me to read this book. I wasn't able to finish it before it was archived. Max, a solider who was injured during World War 2, came home to find that his mom was hiding two Jewish women she rescued from the Gestapo. I would have liked to finish the book but wasn't able to.

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Powerful book about WWII. Max is a soldier for the German Army. He is I hired and returns home to find that his mom is housing two women in the attic. What happens next is a journey of looking into ones self to determine right from wrong. This is not your average WWII book.
I want to thank the author, the publisher and Netgalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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I enjoyed the girls in the attic. I found the premise interesting and unusual. A German indoctrinated young officer falling in love with a Jewish runaway hiding in his mothers attic. The characters were well fleshed out, with a real insight in what the author felt they were thinking.

It was easy to read and I would happily try something else from this author.

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This story of the redemption of German Panzer officer is a little far-fetched and romanticised, but interesting overall. The soldier returns home from fighting the Russians to find his mother is hiding two Jewish sisters in their attic. Of course he cannot inform on his own mother, however outraged he feels. As history always can, even fictionalized and romanticised history, it provides some insights into current events and the use of, in our time, social media, to influence public sentiment. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance digital galley.

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This book is another one is a recent string of arcs that never ended up on my kindle. I don't know what the problem is, but I can't review it. Sorry.

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📖My Thoughts📖

I’ve read a few historical fiction books now that have taken place during the Second World War, but none have hit me as hard as this one. This was such an amazing yet heart wrenching story. The book was beautifully written and I really felt the anxiety, heartache and all the other emotions that the characters felt in this book, although obviously not to the extent someone actually experiencing such a horrific time would have felt. There are (as one may guess given the time period and where it takes place) a lot of triggering points in this book, but I think they helped bring the story to life. I’m curious, given the indifferent premise, how often something similar actually occurred. Overall this was a very powerful piece of work and I’m very thankful to have had the opportunity to read it.
Thank you Netgalley, Marius Gabriel and Amazon Publishing UK for the opportunity to read and review this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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