I found this 'WWII but from the 'German' side' novel quite a page turner. It tells the story of Ava and Hanna, daughters of an SS officer, and their Jewish friend, Eliana. Ava is a loyal secretary to Goebbels, and her story as she faces her own terrible prejudices and actions is based on the story of a real hero, as are many of the events. Indeed, the Nazi Germany history that Soraya Lane weaves through this fictional story is well-researched and chilling, and for me raises it above many novels in this genre. Thank you to the publisher and the author (even better she comes from Aotearoa NZ!) and to NetGalley for a digital ARC.

Soraya Lane is quickly becoming one of my favourite historical fiction authors. The writing is just fantastic, and the plots are always gripping and heartbreaking in equal measures. The Berlin Sisters is no different - I absolutely fell in love with Ava, and the many twists and turns of her story only made her more lifelike and her story more devestating. A truly fantastic read

Wow, what an amazing book! The story has so many components to it. There's intrigue, espionage, and the loss of life. There's also hope and a chance at a better future.

The sisters, Ava and Hanna- they're both exceptional women! They are brave and heroic. Eliana deserves every happiness in the world.

This can be a difficult book to read. The time period is one full of heartache. But, there were people who sacrificed and did what they could to help others. I enjoyed the author's note and the insights given.

I was provided a copy of the book from Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A wonderful story that, while it is just fiction, tells a tale that was probably a common story during the 2nd world war. I love the twists and turns that we are presented with through especially in regards to all the revelations that one of the sisters makes in the earlier half of the book

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Lake union publishing and the terrific author soraya m Lane for an early copy of her book to read.


This is my first read from this author, this was a brilliant read. Two sisters Ava and Hanna there father is a high ranked German,Ava works as a secretary for goebbels she spotted her father picking up paperwork but why? Her sister a nurse was helping Jews children...Ava didnt know this until she discovered they are in the resistance she has a choice to make help her family or put them in danger..a very emotional read and a shocker of an ending.this book had me hooked and would like to read more of her books.

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon uk.

I have been ITCHING to read a WW2 book about German women involved in the resistance, so when I found this ARC on NetGalley, I was pumpedddd. It was a short book, which was a nice change of pace as most WW2 books are doorstoppers. That being said, some of it felt rushed, and I would have liked more of a build up throughout the book. I’m not sure it scratched the itch, but I definitely enjoyed it.

This is a really good book!
Not all Germans agreed with eradicating the Jews. Some used their positions in the party to gain vital information for the resistance or make information disappear. They did this at the risk of their lives if they were caught. Many were hated by those who assumed they bought into the Nazi agenda.
This storyline expands on the many little ways a family pushes back against Nazism.
The author really make you think and see WWII in a different light.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

<b>One Line Review:</b> Ava is proud to support the work that those who surround her have devoted their lives to. But when she discovers that secrets are being kept, and that not everything appears to be as simple as it does on the surface, how far will she go to support her family?

<b>Synopsis:</b> Ava Müller is the secretary to Joseph Goebbels, a high-ranking official in the Nazi regime and wholeheartedly believes in the work of the German efforts in WWII. Hanna Müller is a nurse, working closely with victims of bombing raids trying to save as many lives as she can. Their father has risen the ranks, and works alongside Hitler himself, a firsthand witness to the horrors being committed daily.
Ava discovers that her mother, father, and sister have all made efforts to help a neighboring Jewish family by hiding them in their country estate attic, causing her to question her blind faith to the Reich. She begins working to provide information being passed along, until one fateful day an irreversible choice is made by those she is assisting to try and take the Hitler’s life. The attempt fails and what escalates afterward changes the trajectory of the family’s lives forever.

<b>My Thoughts:</b> I knew this book was bound to break my heart, and by the last few chapters I can say I cried more than once. This takes you through a harrowing journey of two sisters and the redemptive choices their family makes to “right” the travesties and HORRIFIC acts that the Nazi party committed. I will admit that it is difficult to read from the perspective of those who are guilty of unspeakable things, even as simply as by association. I will say however, that historically, I can appreciate the families that did participate in these underground efforts.

This was a 4.5 star read for me, and I will absolutely reach for other novels written by Soraya Lane in the future.

Thank you to Soraya, Lake Union Publishing, and Net Galley for this Advance Reader Copy.

I cannot say enough good things about this book! It was literally a heart pounding thrill ride to the very end. I appreciated that it showed the horrors of war without going into graphic detail or using strong language. It didn't shy away from showing the pain and suffering, especially of families during the war. I finished this book and immediately went to Amazon to see if the author had written anymore, and to my delight she has! I am now reading two other books by her and have added her to my must read list of authors!

Wow. I can't find the words to describe the emotions I felt through this book. It is the story of Ava, Hanna and Eliana in wartime occupied Berlin.

Ava and Hanna are siblings, and daughter of a powerful SS leader, Ava works as a PA for Goebbels himself and has been indoctrinated into the party. She's engaged to be married to a young ruthless officer involved in the final solution. Hanna is involved with the resistance and without Ava's knowledge they have been hiding a Jewish family (Eliana's family).

The book follows Ava's redemption arc and her involvement with her family, how she has to unlearn everything she was taught from a young age and the balance between right and wrong... When what's right will undoubtedly get you killed.

It's an emotional book, with a happy(ish) ending and it made me feel everything. Definitely a book similar to The Nightingale, the emotion and tug of war with your heart. I fell in love with the characters and their stories as the story continued. My degree was in history and politics, so this reminded me a lot of my studies - it was well researched too, which makes it even more of a powerful book.

I really loved the contrast a parallels between Noah, Heinrich and David. It doesn't take over the story, but the romance element is there.

It was powerful and definitely a book I will be thinking about for weeks to come. What a great book!

This is a story that will captivate you from the first chapter and will bring tears to your eyes.

Ava and Hanna.. where do I start?
Ava is a secretary to Joseph Goebbels and a proud supporter of the Nazi regime. Her sister, however, risks her life as a nurse by saving countless lives for the resistance.

Ava is met at a crossroads when she discovers that her family has been working for the resistance and housing a Jewish family in their country home attic.

Should she denounce the very thing that's been ingrained in her and her loyalty to her country, or should she denounce her family, thereby marking them as traitors to the regime.

She later finds out Eliana's story and is drawn into the tumultuous world of secrets and lies to keep herself and everyone she holds dear, safe.

This book was captivating, thought-provoking, and hopeful. The characters were beautifully developed, and I grew to love all of them. David, Ethan, Ava, Hanna, and even Noah. They were strong and added so much depth to the story. I also loved that there were factual events woven into this story, and that made it all the more real.
The ending will make you wish for more and definitely leave you heartbroken. This is a story about hope and resilience, even in the most bleak time.

Rating: 4.5 heartbreaking stars

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Soraya M. Lane's "The Berlin Sisters" takes readers on a poignant journey through the heart of war-torn Berlin, unraveling a narrative of courage, sacrifice, and resilience against the backdrop of World War II. From the bestselling author of "The Secret Midwife," Lane introduces us to the Müller sisters, whose lives are forever altered when they find themselves caught in the crosscurrents of loyalty, morality, and the brutal reality of Nazi Germany.

The story unfolds in 1943, with Ava Müller proudly supporting the German war effort alongside her father, a high-ranking official in the Reich. Lane skillfully paints the portrait of a model Nazi family, with Ava's sister Hanna working as a nurse, risking her life amid bombing raids to save others. However, the façade crumbles when Ava stumbles upon a shocking secret—her parents and Hanna are secretly working for the resistance.

The author skillfully navigates the moral dilemma Ava faces upon discovering her family's secret. Lane paints a vivid picture of the internal conflict as Ava grapples with the choice between loyalty to her country and the shocking truth revealed by her childhood friend Eliana Goldman, hidden in the attic. The narrative gains depth as Ava is forced to confront the horrifying reality that has been hidden beneath the surface of her seemingly perfect Nazi life.

Lane expertly weaves together a tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit as Ava and Hanna join the resistance network to undermine the Reich from within its own headquarters. The bond between the sisters becomes the driving force behind their dangerous mission, providing a gripping emotional anchor for readers.

"The Berlin Sisters" stands out as a powerful work of fiction inspired by the real stories of those who chose to resist the Nazis from within Germany. Lane's storytelling prowess captures the nuances of wartime Berlin, offering a heartbreaking yet hopeful exploration of the choices individuals faced during one of the darkest periods in history.

The novel's thought-provoking narrative delves into the complexities of morality, shedding light on the internal struggles of individuals torn between allegiance to their country and the pursuit of justice. Lane's vivid characters, meticulous historical research, and emotionally charged storytelling make "The Berlin Sisters" a compelling read that lingers in the minds of readers long after the final page is turned. This book is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the indomitable will to make a difference, even in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance copy for my honest review.

The Berlin Sister tells the story of Hanna and her sister Ava, daughters of a high-ranking SS officer in Nazi Germany during WWII and how both sisters became part of the Resistance, trying to help Jews - Hanna as a nurse rescuing Jewish children and Ava, passing secrets from her office work. I was drawn right into the story and because of that, there were sections of this book that were difficult to read; the deprivations and brutality that the Jews in Germany suffered came to life for me and I found myself putting the book down and stepping away for a bit, just to process what I'd read. Soraya Lane is an amazing writer - and I was surprised to learn that the character of Ava was similar to that of Goebbel's private secretary, Brunhilde Pomsel, who is the subject of a documentary called "A German Life,' which I see is available on Amazon Prime.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Soraya M. Lane returns with her next historical fiction novel, The Berlin Sisters, which introduces us to Ava, a secretary working for Joseph Goebbels, and Hanna, a nurse who is working for the Resistance in 1943 Berlin. Ava is engaged to a quick rising star in Hitler’s ranks and is given great responsibility in Goebbels office after her father conspires to get another secretary arrested for treasonous actions. Meanwhile, her sister Hanna is helping young children escape from Germany to be taken to safety and avoid being sent to the concentration camps. When Ava discovers the secret her family is working collectively for the Resistance, her eyes are opened to not only their conspiring to help Jews, but also the harsh lies perpetuated by the high ranking Nazis to keep the support and faith of the German people that they are winning the war.

Ava begins the journey of finding her true self naive, but the truth of her family seems to set her free to graduate to finding her adult self by taking risks and attempting to make amends for things she has done or actions she didn’t do to stand up for her friends when the Nazis starting persecuting them. Of course, as an outsider looking in, we know from history what happened to those who tried to defend friends and neighbors in light of the violence the Jews faced and how Ava’s was between a rock and a hard place in acting with integrity while also keeping herself safe. Hanna shows an inner strength that was crippled at the unexpected death of her husband and young son. The scene in which the reader finds out what happened is heart wrenching and makes your feelings for certain people surge even more into the depths of anger. Overall, another winner by Soraya M. Lane. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on May 15, 2024.

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #LakeUnionPublishing #TheBerlinSisters #SorayaMLane

This book was about forgiveness, friendship, family ties and resilience. It was heartwrenching. And it had strong characters development. I recommend this book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

The Muller family are Germans but become resistance workers during WW2. Ava the youngest daughter is the last to find out but sons joins her parents and sister in hiding a Jewish family and passing on secret documents. Her father is high up SS officer but will that protect them? However things don’t last well forever and the SS hunt them down. A great novel and powerful story. Thanks also to NetGalley

What a wonderful story also knowing what has been described actually must have happened.
Thanks netgalley for this book.
Berlin 1943 Jews were being sent to concentration camps, but hanna was determined to save the children
Her sister Ava did not believe what was happening until an old school friend who was hiding in their parents attic explained what was happening to a shocked Ava, who was also worried about what would happen to their family if they got caught also decided to join the resistance with her sister and parents.
It was a dangerous thing they were doing but they were determined to help the children and save people from going to the concentration camps and pray that they would all live.

Lovely story. Very quick read and I found myself not able to put the book down. Loved the book it had a piece of my heart.

This was an interesting book. Not what I was expecting at all, but still enjoyable. I am lucky enough to not have had any family affected by the Holocaust, even though I had family fight in WWII. Thought provoking and sad. Well written

This captivating historical fiction delves into the lives of two sisters torn apart by World War II. Through their journey, we witness their eventual unity, a tale of sacrifice that tugs at the heartstrings. The narrative is compelling with a unique perspective on the Holocaust, focusing on both Jewish and German experiences, adds a fresh and poignant dimension to the story, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.