In this New York Times bestseller, two women in different eras face similar life-altering decisions, the politics of exclusion, the terrible choices we face in wartime, and the redemptive power of love.In 1945, Elsie Schmidt is a naive teenager, as eager for her first sip of champagne as she is for her first kiss. She and her family have been protected from the worst of the terror and desperation … worst of the terror and desperation overtaking her country by a high-ranking Nazi who wishes to marry her. So when an escaped Jewish boy arrives on Elsie’s doorstep on Christmas Eve, Elsie understands that opening the door would put all she loves in danger.
Sixty years later, in El Paso, Texas, Reba Adams is trying to file a feel-good Christmas piece for the local magazine, and she sits down with the owner of Elsie’s German Bakery for what she expects will be an easy interview. But Reba finds herself returning to the bakery again and again, anxious to find the heart of the story—a story that resonates with her own turbulent past. For Elsie, Reba’s questions are a stinging reminder of that last bleak year of World War II.
As the two women’s lives become intertwined, both are forced to confront the uncomfortable truths of the past and seek out the courage to forgive.
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Not only was the book beautifully written-it had recipes
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It took us to various parts of the world, involving people of various cultures, and over several decades. Quite readable.
I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would (and going in I thought I’d merely enjoy it and move on). I found it hard to put down, the parallel between the culture within Nazi Germany and that along the modern US/Mexico border being an interesting one I’d never really considered. The German-set chapters read a little more realistically; I …
Simply could not put it down.
Enjoyed reading the story of both characters. The tragedy of surviving nazi Germany as a German citizen interesting
Thought provocing and so important for this time in our country.
I loved this book. I am a big fan of the World War II period and this did not disappoint. I have already recommended it to several of my friends.
Well-written. It got me invested in the story fairly quickly.
It was a great book and I would highly recommend.
Relationships affected by post WW II & Nazi Germany. Historical fiction woven into modern day stories. Worth the read.
It was good..I read it because the reviews were good..not
Loved the characters and setting. We are reminded that kindness and dreams can continue even in the worst of situations.
Great historical fiction. Informative and definitely a page turner, at least for me.
I could not get into this book, not sure why, cause it’s been awhile.
This was such an amazing book. Although sad in some parts it was still uplifting and definitely mad it so that I did not want to put it down.
This was a great read. I loved the back and forth between characters from the past and present. A fun twist on aa historical fiction book.