I really liked this book. The wars really interest me in what really went down in them, not what we are told to cover the real events and the damage it caused. There is damage in every way, mentally, physically and emotional of the family and friends. This story touches on the spy part of the war in the United States and what some of them had to go through just to stay safe.

he fact that this novel is based on a true story and is centered in Hollywood california allows the reader to see WWll from a new and domestic view point. Liesl Weiss is a thrilling lead character who is true to her family, neighbors and country even when she is in a position to loose all of them. Her code of ethics is what guides her even in the face of danger and adversity. As a big fan of Pam Jenoff, Stephanie Landsem stands is equal to the comparisson and a welcome addition to the genre of femail WWll novels!

“If not me, then who? If not now, when?”

This is my first book by Stephanie Landsem and certainly won’t be my last. I was first drawn to Code Name Edelweiss by the gorgeous cover. When I found out it was based on a true story of Nazis in Hollywood, I jumped at the chance to listen. One determined Jewish lawyer, a courageous German American woman, and a handsome FBI agent race against time to thwart Hitler’s plans for Hollywood in this suspenseful, intriguing story.

It’s 1933 and the height of the Great Depression. As rumors abound regarding what’s going on in Germany, residents of Los Angeles’ German Town face growing unease. As the sole support of her family, Liesl Weiss is devastated when she’s let go from her secretarial job at MGM. When a job interview unexpectedly turns out to be a recruitment for her to become a spy, she must decide if she’s willing to risk her life to thwart Hitler’s plans for America.

Loved this slow burn romantic suspense! The romance develops gradually as Liesl and Agent 13 work together. I loved Liesl. She’s an amazingly strong woman who really grows as the story progresses. At first, she agrees to spy solely to support her family, but as she witnesses the growing antisemitism towards the Jews, she becomes even more dedicated to her job. She also faces difficulties at home with a mother and two small children to support after her husband disappeared, and a brother whose allegiances put her in danger. As the new secretary for the Friends of New Germany, an organization linked to Nazi Germany, she walks a tightrope trying to glean information while keeping her cover intact.

In addition to Liesl, we get Agent 13’s POV. He’s also working undercover, but his identity is not revealed until later in the story. He struggles with past losses and doesn’t think himself capable of being a family man. When he meets Liesl, his views begin to change especially as he becomes closer to her and her family.

The audiobook narration was fantastic. I enjoyed both narrators and the way they brought these characters to life. There’s just the right amount of emotion. I loved the male narrator’s deep, gravely voice.

Loved the historical aspects deftly woven into the story and found myself googling to find out fact from fiction. The suspenseful situations Liesl and Agent 13 find themselves in were nailbitters. Also enjoyed the way faith played a role for both Jews and Christians and the realistic struggles the main characters grapple with. The story ends in such a way that I hope means we’ll see more of these characters. I’m dying to know what happens next. Definitely recommend to historical & Christian fiction fans. I received an advanced complimentary audiobook from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

This was everything I hoped it would be and more. Emotional, heartwarming, and infuriating at times, I was completely immersed in this story about the early days of Hitler's reign. Instead of being on European soil, it's set in America.

In the midst of The Great Depression, Liesl Weiss finds herself fired from MGM and without a job. Needing to provide for her two young children, her mother, and her brother, she takes the first job she can find — becoming a spy to gather information on the German American community. Also on her team is Agent Thirteen, although who exactly this agent is is something she has to discover for herself.

The character growth in this book is phenomenal. We get an uncomfortable look at the moral struggles Liesl faces such as her indifference to Hitler's rise in Germany and denial of the anti-semitism in her own community (and later her response to it). There's also a large focus on family, particularly between Liesl and her brother Fritz. Lastly, there is a hint of romance, however, I use the word loosely as it's such a minor element of the story.

The narrators of the book do a nice job, although I had trouble understanding Agent Thirteen at the usual speeds I listen to. Not a huge issue, but I did have to keep going back and forth to adjust it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing a free audio ARC of the book to read and review!

Most enjoyable, even though it's not my favorite typical historical time period.
I love a story that gets me thinking - this one is based on true events and the fictional what-ifs pushed me to go learn more about the real story.
Struggling single mom Liesl, finding herself out of work at MGM Studios and desperate for work, steals a referral for a secretary position from an employment agency and lands herself in the middle of a web of lies and deceit. Little does she know "secretary" is only a hint of the job description. Jewish spymaster and attorney, Leon Lewis, is building a web of his own, placing everyday people into the Friends of New Germany organization as spies.
Liesl finds herself torn between pride for her own German heritage, the seemingly "good" people she finds at the Friends of New Germany, and the terrible truth of the real purpose behind the organization and a plot to carry out a horrible coup.
The characters are realistic in their struggles - Liesl's family seems at odds with their own loyalties, and she finds herself unable to unburden herself to anyone of her true feelings about the new German propaganda . Keeping her cover in tact may mean losing everything she holds dear. She finds herself struggling back to a faith she thought long-lost and relying on God to see her through the storm.
I would love to see another installment about Liesl's work.

It's 1933 and Adolf Hitler is rumoured to be the new anti-Semitic chancellor of Germany but not officially on the scene yet. Lisel Weiss is a German American living and working in Los Angeles at MGM studios as a secretary. With the recent disappearance of her husband and the Great Depression making life difficult she is the sole breadwinner for her children, her mother and her troubled brother. It is not in any of their interests when Lisel is fired from her job. While she searches for a new job she meets Leon Lewis, a Jewish lawyer who is watching Hitler's rise with alarm. Lewis believes the plan is to seize control over Hollywood for what could be the largest propaganda campaign of its time. Why does he need Lisel? He needs a spy...he needs a German spy to spy on the Germans! WIth Lisel out of a job she has no choice but to join forces with Lewis and another man Agent Thirteen to spy on her friends and neighbours alike. What I did not realize about this novel is that it is based on a true story of a jewish lawyer and his spies went about discovering Hitler's plans.

This book held my attention at every turn! Stephanie Landsem makes her characters intriguing and despicable having you turn the pages faster to find out what happens next. This was my first experience with Landsem's writing and I can't wait to read more. I do not like to compare novels or authors for that matter but Code Name Edelweiss read very much like the Rose Code or anything by Kate Quinn. I will not be surprised if this makes it way to the big screen.

In the summer of 1933, German American secretary Leisl Weiss has other things on her mind than Adolf Hitler or the treatment of Jews in her own neighborhood in Hollywood. When Leisl loses her job at MGM she has no idea how she will support her children, opinionated mother and troubled brother who all rely on her. Leisl is on the brink of ruin when she meets Leon Lewis, a Jewish lawyer who is determined to stop the Nazi party from finding a foothold in the United States. Leisl has no choice but to work with Leon and the mysterious Agent Thirteen to spy on her friends and neighbors. Leisl thinks her efforts will lead to nothing but what she finds is more dangerous than she could have imagined.

I loved Code Name Edelweiss! This novel focuses on a lesser known aspect of WWII and is great for fans of historical fiction. This novel has spies, intrigue, glamorous Hollywood vibes, and a strong female lead. Stephanie Landsem does an amazing job of bringing her characters to life. Both main and supporting characters are lovable and endearing. I loved Leisl and Agent Thirteen and would love to see their story continue. The time period is well researched and includes historical details that I was surprised to find out about. For example, US business owners refusing service to Jewish Americans similar to segregation. This novel deals with themes such as racism, antisemitism, and oppression. It also poses an important question: at what point is it our duty to help others at the expense of personal safety?

I enjoyed the narration in this novel. The story is told from the point of view of Leisl and Agent thirteen, both being voiced by different narrators. Cady Zuckerman and Neil Hellegers both do an amazing job!

Codename Edelweiss is a highly engaging and thought provoking novel perfect for fans of WWII fiction!

2023 Book 4 - Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I do love a good historical fiction, and this one was no exception. Set against the rise of Hitler in the 30s, it was refreshing to have this story take place in America rather than Europe.

Leisl's story is beautifully told, with just the right combination of emotion and intensit6 to draw you in. Stephanie is a wonderful author who provides enough description so you can picture the characters, but not so much that you have an image thrust upon you... It was a pleasure to listen to (I had it as an audiobook) and tied up the story well at the end.

I really liked Leisl and Thirteen, and although its unlikely there will be a sequel, it's one I would pick up straight away.

I received this book through NetGalley and the Publisher Tyndale, all opinions are my own.

Code Name Edelweiss is a historical fiction story based on historical events. The book takes place during the Great Depression, mainly following Liesl, a German-American woman working in Hollywood. After losing her job at MGM, she is offered a dangerous job by a Jewish lawyer to spy on a Nazi organization and get as much information on them as possible. After a while, she learns of their plans to infiltrate Hollywood, which would give Adolf Hitler access to one of the biggest propaganda tools in the world. What started as a just a job to feed her family, ended up as a plan working to end the Anti-Jewish movement in Hollywood.

This book is told in dual POV. You have Liesl; told in 1st person - our FMC, as well as Agent 13; told in 3rd person - our MMC whose identity is kept a mystery for a majority of this book. The mystery of Agent 13's identity really added intrigue to the story and kept me guessing and reading.

This book was well written, raw, powerful, intense, and full of important lessons that can be applied today. I truly enjoyed this book and learned so much from it. I knew that there were Nazi sympathizers in American during this time, but I had no idea the extent of it. Definitely an eye-opener for me. The pacing throughout this was great, and I plan to read more from this author in the future.

"If not me, who? If not now, when?"

Code Name Edelweiss was a great book that immersed me in the world of the American Nazi Party and the plot by Hitler to take over Hollywood. It follows the story of a stenographer turned spy Liesl and the mysterious “Agent 13” as they navigate the world of the Nazi party in America. Instead of the enemy being someone far away across the sea, the enemy could be anyone- your neighbor, your family, your coworker, your lover. I was attached to so many of the characters Stephanie brought to light. The narration brought the danger, the mystery, the passion and faith to life. Both narrators did a phenomenal job. I truly did not want this book to end.

“If not me, who? If not now, when?”

I would to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this excellent book.

I was so disappointed by the narration of this book. The voices were just terrible. I also quickly found it to be unpleasantly heavy handed in religious dogma. I was interested in this era historically and might have enjoyed it as a historical novel, but had to discontinue when I realized it is much more of a Christian fiction book. This should be more clearly stated so that readers will not be mistakenly engaged to read a book that does not deliver what they expect.

I enjoy WWII historical fiction especially when it tells a story I have not heard before. This is the story of people in the US who are for and against the Germans. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it. The different voices for the different characters made it more interesting.

Actual rating would be 4.5 stars. I have enjoyed several historical fictions sets it WWII. This is the first one I remember that was set in the United States focusing on what the American Jews were going through. I felt the characters were well rounded and easy to relate to. I will definitely recommend to people looking for a historical fiction. Cannot wait to see what this author writes next.

This book was an absolutely great read and knowing that it was based on true events is even more fascinating! Code Name Edelweiss gives readers an insight into the world of Hollywood right before World War II. Through the eyes of the two protagonists you’re able to delve into the underbelly of the west coast’s American Nazi’s and their attempt to bring the Fatherland to the United States through terroristic events. I would definitely recommend this for individuals who enjoy historical fiction or Christian reading.

I was given a copy of this book in the form of an audiobook from #Dreamscape through #NetGalley.

What’s amazing is that there were actual civilian spies against the Nazi’s in the 1940’s in LA. After reading, I did some additional research. I have read a ton of books about WWII but none of them were from this perspective. A woman civilian spy working for the Friends of New Germany in Los Angeles. I really enjoyed reading this book. The second half I could not put down! This was such an interesting read as Liesl struggles with her place in this conflict. Are the Nazi’s all that bad? What is the truth behind what they are after? The writing was compelling, and the tension grew as the story went on.

The biggest question that was constantly asked: “If not me, who? If not now, when?” If you don’t stand up for what is right, who will?

Wow, this book was fascinating. I am a huge historical fiction reader, studied American history in college and this was a topic barely touched on. The role women (and men) had in America (Los Angeles) during WWII to spy and foil the Nazi's from gaining power in the USA. The story starts out slow, although still fascinating, how a civilian woman spy works for the Friends of New Germany - and how she struggles to figure out who is good and who is bad. The book picks up pace as you read and it becomes one that you just can't put down. The amount of research put into this book was unreal. The characters and their experiences and struggles are so realistic. Very well written and a must read for anyone interested in Historical Fiction.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"If not me, who? If not now, when?"
This is a not a book about endings. Its talk leaves the continuation of what is to be one of the darkest times humanity has ever experienced and the fight people had to lead so they could keep life in order and safe. Even if in the next years they painfully fail to do so, they still try. It's not a fiction novel about the end of this terror, but about the beginning and the injustice of it that waits to come.

Our MC, a badass single mother of two puts everything at risk to the cause. First, for the money and later for the people she cares about. Through her, we learn how dangerous silence is, how shady the human nature is and how even though it might not be YOUR cause, you're part of something: a community, friendship, family that might need your hand. "I would fight this war. I would not be silent."

And while one person can't change the world, they can surely contribute to making it a better place from those who wish it harm.
Because if not me or you, who?

Even if the story seems like it doesn't go anywhere, it is by no means static. It just shows a glimpse of hope the people had on changing something that could go from bad to worse. It shows how, in a moment in time, somewhere in the 1930s, people tried to move the course of a nightmare, from stopping it before it struck an entire nation. This book is a glimpse in time, when people were just being people. Whether bad or good, the human nature was depicted in the small lenses of the Interwar Period.

Now, I'm not a very historical fiction gal. Especially when it comes to books set in the Nazi period; maybe because it makes me uncomfortable, maybe because I, myself, live in a country that in my parents's childhood was covered in communism, maybe because I'm a history major in high school and I already struggle with these topics, but believe me when I say I do not regret reading this book.

It is on a slower pace, I admit, but the spy-thriller aspect kept me intrigued. I don't know how much of this is fiction and how much really happened, but the author made me actually believe through her writing that every scene and all characters are real. For my historical people out there who want to search for more about this period, this is for you:)

Really enjoyed this book, it was told from 3 characters' viewpoints, one of which was named Agent 13, it was a fun layer trying to figure out who he was while the other characters were talking

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, especially stories set during WWI and WWII, so listening to Code Name Edelweiss which was set in 1930's Great Depression era was really interesting to learn about and the influence Hitler had in America and Hollywood during that time.

3 stars

Unfortunately for me, this book fell a little flat. I wanted more from the characters and I wasn't really surprised by anything that occurred during the book. All the big "OMG" moments fell flat or were easily to predict.

I received an advanced listening copy of Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and, here it is.
•
☆☆☆☆ ½ - rounded down to 4 stars
•
I was so excited to read this story because it's set in Hollywood just before WWII and I haven't read any stories in that setting before. It did not disappoint!
•
Liesl, a German, is a working mother of two and also supports her mother and brother. She's been working at MGM studios for many years and suddenly gets fired. Liesls gets hired on by a Jewish lawyer who has a hidden agenda; to spy on neighbours and friends, and infiltrate a Nazi organization to keep them at bay.
•
I loved how the intensity grew stronger and stronger as the story went on, it was exactly what I was looking for in a story like this! I really liked the different perspectives, all of the unique characters, and the pace of the storytelling.
•
I absolutely loved the family and friend complexities, the intrigue, the spying, the suspense, the secret identities, and the individual trauma and struggles that were depicted.
•
Thanks to Dreamscape Media, NetGalley, and author Stephanie Landsem for this ALC to honestly review. Code Name Edelweiss will be available on March 6th!