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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A thought provoking read. Very touching and you see the bare human spirit
I cried.
Good insight into what it was like for those in small towns and villages in Germany during World War II. What were they thinking? What did they know? How was their life altered? Opposed to that is the modern day story line that includes policing the border between the US and Mexico, and what to do about immigrant families who cross illegally.
A great read the connects WWII to the modern times. Both characters, Elsie and Reba, are well developed and have you rooting for them throughout the story. A well researching, inspiring story.
Two stories, parallel lives. One, a baker’s daughter in 1945 engaged to a Nazi officer. The other, a present day journalist engaged to an I.C.E. agent. Their stories converge when the journalist interviews the now elderly baker’s daughter. The author entwines both women’s stories with the moral vs. legal turmoil of both time periods with ease, but …
I love a good historical drama, this book was so well written and full of information that I never learned in a history class. The characters are all standouts in their own way, but Elsie clearly takes the lead. A wonderful heroine, I could have read more and more of her story.
A realistic story. Shines a light on history.
Excellent book that I really enjoyed!
I have read two of Sarah’s books after winning one in a Goodreads contest. This one was the best. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the marvelously accurate history. Having lived in Germany for six years, I can say the characters were most definitely German in nature. I can’t wait for her next book.
I couldn’t put it down. I felt myself vested in each of the characters and I was fascinated with the juxtaposition between the events in the past and those happening more recently. An excellent read!
Realistic for the times the story was set in. Good read
Interesting look at the Holocaust.
Protagonists both strong, likable and courageous.
Great descriptions of characters and the tense drama unfolding.
Would rush to the movie theater to see this.
Bring Born in Berlin Döring the nazi period,i Fan relaxte to this book
The book’s two plots have only marginal connections. I found the historical portion of the book much more interesting than the present day portion. It would have been better if there were more of a crossover between the stories. Nothing new in the historical side for those who read WWII novels. Just an okay read.
A good view of how things were.
Lovely book with great chsracters
This is a great book.
Very well written, and so informative of the time and place. Loved the story line. One of my favorites in the genre of The Nightingale.
A very sweet read…