This book was absolutely fantastic. I did not want to put it down once I started reading. Easily able to give this book five stars.

Thanks netgalley and Margot Unseld for this book that I absolutely loved.
The story revolves around johann and letters between his best friend Lars his family and Marie,
The description about the war that johann was involved in was very descriptive and brutal and very sad.
Johann hannan amazing family but the war nearly destroyed him.
You must read this book it will bring tears to your eyes.

I love a WWII story that is well researched and makes me feel as if I am there. I want the author to write characters that make me feel like I am one of them. This story did all that. Sometimes I feel guilty in loving a war story. But there is so much more to the story than that. They are emotional, struggles, friendship and pulling together. A well researched story can also teach us history. Loved this story!

At 98 years old, widower Johann Eder resides in a housing estate in the Klagenfurt district at the heart of Carinthia, Austria. Since the passing of his beloved wife, Johann has observed the 19th of every month with a meaningful ritual. Inspired by his grandchildren's encouragement during one of their visits, he began recording his life's memories in a green, hardcover notebook—a thoughtful gift from them. There is one part of the story, the hardest part to write, that he has left until the last.

This beautifully crafted novel unfolds in seven parts, each introduced by a resonant epigraph. The narrative moves between two timelines: 1933 to 1946 and the present day, as Johann reflects on his life. The author's subtle craftsmanship and narrative choices are best discovered firsthand, allowing readers to experience each revelation as it emerges.

Over the course of a lifetime, people experience both heartwarming and heart-wrenching moments—especially when that life unfolds during a time of war. Johann's story is one of survival and resilience: the weight of being the eldest brother, the tenderness of first love, friends who become family, and the devastating impact of war across generations. The novel captures not just the hardships endured by those who served, but also the quiet strength and resourcefulness of those who remained at home. Through it all, themes of courage, love, and unbreakable bonds shine through, making Johann's journey both poignant and unforgettable.

The source of the authenticity that illuminates every chapter can be found in the author's "Acknowledgments," which provide deeper insight into the inspiration behind the novel. I encourage readers to savor this novel's "Acknowledgments" before closing the book for the last time. They are an essential element of the book's remarkable depth.

Thank you to Margit Unseld, The Book Whisperer, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel.

I am a huge fan of anything set during WWII, and this book was a good depiction of life back then, so you can tell the author did the research. I love that this is a true story set in a time that was so scary and unpredictable.

Ohh this book. This book finished me in the most beautiful way.
This is the life story of Johann Eder, about how he grew up, what he witnessed during WWII, his love story with Marie, and more.
The letters exchanged between him and his father, as well as him and Marie are so heart wrenching. I kept having to take breaks because of how much I cried.
This has got to be the #1 Historical Fiction book of 2026.

Thank you NetGalley, Book Whisperer & Margit Unseld for this eARC.