Fantastic historical fiction about life under the Nazis and how one couple attempted to resist it and yet still participated in the regime. The book focuses on the homes in which women gave birth to babies “for the regime,” both unwed mothers and women who coupled with military officers in order to get pregnant. Parts were fairly predictable (Karl’s plans had very little likelihood of success…) but it didn’t matter. Highly recommend the whole thing.

I got to read an advance reader copy courtesy of NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. And it is honest! I really liked this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and how their relationships developed during the progression of the story. There was also an important history lesson that I believe most are not aware. It was quite sad to read about the way the children were deprived of human contact and lived regimented lives even in their infant stage. And the thought of what probably happened to the children that were "unadoptable" was unthinkable. I would love to read more books by this author.

I don't know where to begin. This is a book that I will always remember. "The Sunflower House" showed a side of the Holocaust that I didn't know much about. I felt so many emotions reading this book. Many were the same emotions I feel when reading or learning anything about the Holocaust; anger, disgust, sadness, but this book elicited intrigue as well. I had never thought about the women or children on the side of the Nazis. Allegri's writing was vivid. I felt like I was with Allina when she was at the park or sitting with the family at breakfast. I felt the fear and the cold during those talks in the garden. Were there really high rank officers like Karl? How common was Allina's story? What became of the women in these houses? I love when a book leads me to learn more about a topic and that's exactly what this book has done. "The Sunflower House" was a great read. I want to read more works from Allegri.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I love historical fiction from the World War II time period, and this book did not disappoint.
The research poured into this book is evident. The characters are well developed and understood. Their emotions, fears, and the shame of doing things for the sake of survival, are felt deeply.
There were parts of the story that remain untold, which is understandable but might be my only complaint. As we follow the love story of Karl and Allina, we hear less and less of Rilla, Allina’s only friend in the home, and her little baby, Tobias. Something must have come of him during Allina’s time trying to help these kids avoid experimentation, but we aren’t told. We know of her engagement, but no mentioning of how Tobias fits into that. Had he been adopted out? Did he become very slow and underdeveloped like the rest? I felt that Allina would have done everything in her power to protect Rilla’s son from these experiments, but it’s never mentioned.
All in all a very good read.

if you’re a fan of historical fiction books and the handmaid’s tale, this is definitely a book you should read! I loved every page from start to finish. so many times I wanted to burst out in tears from the obstacles being presented and the love that was still very present during a time of so much difficulty. it was so eye opening, because while it is fictional, the historical aspects where very realistic and inspiration taken from the truth of our history.

This book will be seared in my brain forever. It is a historical fiction about the Lebensborn program (Nazi baby factories) and the eugenics program from neglected children. It is a very engaging read and handled these tough topics very well. Even though you know Allina gets out of Germany because she and her daughter are in the US in present time, I still felt the anxiety in the whole book of will she escape? Will she be caught?
I learned so much and my heart breaks for all those children.

Content warnings for a rape at the beginning and child neglect all throughout.

Wow. I truly feel honored to have been able to read this book. I've read other holocostbooks, but never from this point of view. It saddens me to know what people; children went through. It's also good to learn the history.

The Sunflower House by @adrianaallegri
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

🌻Well, this debut author just gently extracted my heart page by page in this historical fiction novel. The characters were easy to love and hate - Adriana did an amazing job creating vivid scenes. Even the setting, which takes place at the Hochland Home, seemed like a character as well. This book is told in Dual Timeline, but I'd say 90% was during WWII, and the present day was timed perfectly-exactly when you needed a break from the atrocities of the Nazi Regime.

🌻How sad is this book?
You know how Kristin Hannah just rips your heart right out, and you're left to recover? You have to read like 10 brainless books as palette cleansers to fix all the sobbing you just did?

This is very similar to Hannah but done much more gently. You're fully emersed in the story, and there is enough foreshadowing to know what is probably going to happen as Adriana slowly pulls back curtain on the horrors of WWII. I much prefer this method.

I definitely recommend this one.
Romance, Historical Fiction based on lots of research, best friends, the kindness of strangers... it's all here. Available November 12th.

Thank you for this gifted book♡

It's 1939 and Hitler is in power. Allina is seemingly living an idealic life in the German countryside. One fateful night Alina will lose everything she holds dear. Forced to work as a nurse in one of the notorious state run baby factories of the Lebensborn Program. Her Allina meets Karl, a high ranking Nazi SS officer. Each with secrets of their own, they must decide how much they can risk to save as many of these children.
With all the WW2 books out there is was a change to read a story from the German point of view. It's a fascinating look into something not that well known, Himmler's Lebenseborn Program. Adriana Allegri provides us a look into these hospital where women were encouraged to do their duty for the Fatherland by providing the perfect aryan babies.
Beautifully written, this story takes you on a journey to WW2 Germany. The author blends a love story with the heartbreaking situation many German women and children endured, all in the name of Hitler and his Fatherland.
The Sunflower House is a must read.

I’m completely shattered. This story was so incredible in so many ways. It was multi-faceted and not what I expected. I loved the way Adriana made this story a story that was being told from a mother who seemed to be tired of holding in all these secrets and a daughter who felt lost all her life, living a half-life from never knowing the events that led to her life and how she lived it. The sacrifices and risks that Allina and Karl gave and took helped and saved so many lives. They put their own lives as secondary. The side characters were as equally important and impactful in this sad story. I felt for Rilla and the small moments of happiness she was able to have. I cried when Ziegler and Allina shared a sweet unexpected moment. She was cold and stricter but she had so much love and heartbreak. The last few pages truly broke me. Karl’s chapters did me in, especially the end. Adriana wrote such an awful sad moment in an extremely beautiful lyrically sensitive way.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Sunflower House
by Adriana Allegri
Katrine, a daughter caring for her elderly mother, discovers a hidden wooden box in the floor of her mother’s bedroom. The box contains papers, letters, and photos. Strangely the top of the box has an engraving of a Swastika! Confronting her mother Allina Strauss, about her discovery, an intriguing story unfolds. It is a story of great loss and triumph during World War II and how her mother became involved in protecting and saving young children in the baby factory called Hochland Home. Being part Jewish, she had to hide her identity to survive. Along her tenuous journey, she finds love and acceptance. It changes her life forever. It is a beautiful gripping tale that will break your heart as you read the struggles and danger that surrounds those working undercover to protect the lives of children and families The story is based on many historically correct events.

The topic of this book isn't widely discussed. The method here was well done. I found myself liking the characters and couldn't wait to see what would happen next. Sometimes when an author uses two different time frames, it can get confusing. I found that this did not.

The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri is an incredible piece of literature following a young half-Jewish woman during the beginnings of the Holocaust. Allina was raised by her aunt and uncle after the passing of her parents, and upon a tragic event is forced to become part of Nazi Germany’s new Lebensborn program. This program is designed to produce German children with good genetics. Allina notices some terrible things happening in the facility and with the help of a sympathetic SS officer, she works to help the children.

The plot of this story is very compelling and emotional. I found myself not being able to put the book down, but also at time, feeling as if I had to just to process what happened. I am not one to overexaggerate my enjoyment of a book and typically rate lower rather than higher, but this story was so well done. There was an obviously large amount of research that went into this plot, and everything felt thought out. I learned things from this historical story, while also enjoying some of the characters.

The protagonist, Allina, is a very strong and determined female character who goes through a lot of tribulation and trauma and uses it as fuel. She is emotional, yet strong at the same time, which I love. I also appreciate how the romance in this story does not subtract or distract from the seriousness of the topics. It really only enhances the plot and made me feel more for the characters.

Overall, I would give this story 4.75/5 stars. The writing was very well done, the plot pulled me in, the characters were written well, and I learned a lot from this story. There was a lot of emotion in this story and I found myself holding back tears at some points. This is an incredible historical novel.

I am stingy when it comes to 5 star reviews but this book is absolutely incredible. The holocaust has always been an interesting subject for me so I was excited to get access to this book. The story telling was amazing to say the least. You can tell the author did research when writing this book. It is a nod to historical fiction with bits of love, heartache and suspense all in one. Although Allina and Karl’s story is fiction, I like to think there was a real-life version at some point. I will be thinking about this book for years to come.

A quality read. I very much enjoyed the characters and their struggles. Through all the sadness in the book, the author still gave the reader hope.

I loved the Sunflower House. It was an incredible read and very fascinating I did not want to put it down. It was a good story about learning to trust, and learning to always listen to the story's no matter how hard it is to hear. I really like that at the end of the book the author put a section in explaining the true parts of the story and giving links to where you can learn more about the truth. Incredible read 10/10

Where secrets bloom & destinies intertwine, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 meticulously sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of WWII, offering a riveting & unforgettable journey through a world of betrayal, uncertainty & fear. This is a gripping & compelling story that captured my heart & at times I caught myself holding my breath.

𝑫𝑬𝑺𝑪𝑹𝑰𝑷𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵
The year is 1939. As Adolf Hitler tightens his grip on power, Allina’s world is shattered by dark family secrets—her birth mother was Jewish, casting a dangerous shadow over her very existence.

The Sunflower House delves into the dark secrets of Nazi Germany’s Lebensborn Program to counteract falling birth rates in Germany & to promote Nazi eugenics (“the master race”) by birthing “pure bloodlines”. Allina is brutally forced into servitude where she grapples with her hidden identity & navigates the harrowing realities of life in the Home where she forms an unbreakable bond with the children.

The plot thickens when Allina crosses paths with Karl, a high-ranking SS officer, & a love story emerges leading them to navigate a delicate dance of trust & sacrifice. As their lives intertwine, they embark on a heart-wrenching journey filled with unexpected choices & revelations to protect & save as many children as they can.

𝑺𝑼𝑴𝑴𝑨𝑹𝒀
Through a weave of emotion & turmoil, this gripping narrative explores the tapestry of human connection, loss & love, & sacrifices we make for those we hold dear. Although I knew of the Lebensborn program, I wasn’t aware of the many intricacies brought forward which was very enlightening. This story will stay with me for a very long time.

𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑻 ⚠️
🛁 Needs scrubbing. Adult theme. Hard language. Intense scenes. Attempted rape, and rape. Fade to black. War-time violence.

FEEDBACK
My feedback to the publisher and author is I’d like to see the profanity removed. The novel can be just as impactful without the language. I’d also tone down the rape scene. I think you’ll get a larger audience of readers if you take those who like clean reads into consideration.

This was a beautifully written story about an event in history that I knew nothing about. As a social worker, I remember learning about experiments around a child's failure to thrive If just given the basic necessities without the love and care that goes with it. But I've never heard about it in the context of the Nazi regime. I appreciate that the author used the present day perspective to tell a story of the past affording the opportunity to add hope and light to tell a story that does not have either of those components and might otherwise have ended darkly. I'll remember this one for a while.

I’m a fan of dual timeline stories, especially ones that delve into historical fiction. The Sunflower House is a powerful, heartbreaking book that will keep you thinking long after the last page is turned. I felt like certain parts dragged a bit, but overall, I liked the glimpse into a less-explored version of WWII history.

These Nazi/Jewish themes pull me in and this one did not let me down. This story takes you into what is basically a Nazi baby making facility. This is not something I had ever read or known before and the fact that it is a fictional story is seriously eye-opening. Altogether, it was a nice, albeit emotional, read.

An inspired and tragic look at a time and circumstances that are beyond comprehension. I have grown to absolutely love historical fiction. It forces me to learn about things we would all rather turn away from. This is a beautiful story of bravery and sacrifice and I am so glad to have had the honor of reading it.