I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. The story was well told and flowed beautifully from past to present throughout the entire book. It was story not often told about WWII and I loved how it didn't focus on the concentration camps but rather on the lost treasures of so many families. It was a moving story about sacrifice, love, hope, and survival.

This is my favorite genre of historical fiction to read. I have read many books that take place during the Holocaust and this is one I will definitely recommend.

Thank you #netgalley and #tyndale for the eARC.

There are many books about WWII and to make another book on the subject stand out it has to bring something unexplored. What this book brings is an “ownerless treasure” and encrypted messages to record what belongs to whom. Encrypted messages were also used by partisans, they had to be creative in finding new ways of communication, be it through stamps or words inserted in poems. (Explored in the book The Lost Letter by Jillian Cantor).

“After the annexation of Austria in 1938, the Nazis began expropriating Austrian Jewish property to use for their war preparations. Many Nazi officials kept a portion of these assets for their own pockets.”

The story is presented through three characters.

Present day, Mount Vernon, Ohio. Callie Randall runs a bookstore with her sister and a blog for the store. She comes across a German edition of Bambi with owner’s name of Anika Knopf dated 1932, and with unique list inscribed on the pages. She makes a post on her blog in hopes of identifying the original owner or her family.

Schloss Schwansee castle on the banks of Lake Hallstatt, Austria, 1938. Annika’s father is the caretaker of the castle belonging to Darnbach family. One day, Anika stumbles upon photographs in a shoe box and a star necklace. A necklace her father confiscates. And he is a greedy man. Annika’s schooling falls short as after the death of her mother, her father needed her to take over the mother’s duties and according to him schooling was a waste of time. What gives her comfort is a book of Bambi gifted by her mom. She reads about the author, Felix Salten, in the papers. A Jewish writer who lived in Vienna. And she wonders if he left Vienna like many others.

Vienna, 1938. Max Dornbach of aristocratic bloodline sees growing antisemitism, and his eyes are on a talented violinist Luzi Weiss of Jewish bloodline. Her father is a doctor, who helps his Jewish patients hide their valuables with the help of Max.

As the story starts with introduction of three people, the pieces of the puzzle are spread. And as the story progresses, the pieces start coming together beautifully. And when you think you already see the whole puzzle together, it gets reshuffled again.

As I mentioned at the beginning, there are so many books on the subject of WWII that when I see a new book I’m skeptical if I want to read another book about WWII. But the cover grabbed my attention and the story turned out to be very engrossing with interesting well-developed characters.

What happened to Felix Salten and many other Jewish authors including German authors Margret and Hans Rey of the Curious George?

“Necessity demanded that Salten disappeared from Austria, but he left behind a treasure trove of stories for children and their parents to remember what might be lost today if we don’t stand against the evil in our midst.”

Felix Salten immigrated to Switzerland. Some were able to immigrate to the US, including Margret and Hans Rey.

Time-slip novels are becoming a popular way to combine a historical romance story with a contemporary timeline. Authors like Kristy Cambron, Rachel Hauck, Heidi Chiavaroli , and Melanie Dobson have used them in their writing. I do enjoy Dobson's stories because they take place during World War II and the present. As a fan of the horrors of World War II, I have come to adore these stories Dobson crafts. Her newest book, Hidden Among the Stars, is no exception.

I love the plot. A treasure hunt in a castle by a lake. How interesting. The past timeline captures my attention and doesn't let go. I love learning about Annika, Luzi, and Max as the story unfolds, showing their troubles and their dilemma. I loved each of the characters and enjoyed spending time with them as they moved through the issues arising during the Nazi's reign of terror. As for the contemporary timeline, I really love how Dobson introduces Callie and Brie with the bookstore. It reached out to my book-loving heart and made me want to visit a bookstore with a castle in the back. What would be better than to slide down a slide in a bookstore? I want to visit this bookstore in Ohio. The present story didn't disappoint either. It flowed nicely, and I loved following Callie as she hunts for answers from her copy of Bambi.

The romance in the past is a love triangle. Max loves someone. Annika loves someone. But does Luzi love someone? Have to read to find out. The romance wasn't overdone. It moved at a natural pace, even though there were plenty of roadblocks in the way. The present day romance is not too forceful either. I do think the ending was a little rushed for Callie and a certain someone, but I bought it because the story was leaning toward that way anyway.

Overall, Hidden Among the Stars by Melanie Dobson is a nicely woven together plot featuring a treasure hunt from World War II that affects the modern day timeline. The end result is a truly unforgettable story populated with heroic characters, a love of literature, and the God who holds the key to true beauty.

I believe fans of Dobson's other works, Sarah Sundin, Kristy Cambron, and Susan Anne Mason would love spending time lost in this story. I know I sure did.

I received a complimentary copy of Hidden Among the Stars by Melanie Dobson from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

I will cheerfully admit I love World War II fiction, but this book is one of the best WWII books I've ever read. It is what is called a "time slip" story, that is connected through characters in 1939 Austria, and current day Ohio, and a book by Felix Salten. It is when Callie finds writing between the lines of the book that sends her on a hunt for the treasures in the book.

Callie and her sister Brie work in a bookstore that was owned by their very good friend, Charlotte. Charlotte has a book with a name written inside the front cover: Luzia Weiss. Callie is given the book, Bambi, from her sister, with Annika's name written inside. Every Saturday, Cassie promotes a story time for the children of the customers. This is where she meets Ella and her father, Josh. Because Josh needs to make tenure at his college teaching, he goes to Europe to find the treasures hidden by the Jews before Hitler rounded them up. The more research into this project, the more Annika's and Luzia's names come up, connected with Max Dornbacher and another local farmer.

Melanie Dobson is one of my favorite authors and she has risen a number of points with this book. Melanie has described the movement of Hitler against the Jews in Europe, how the Jews managed to hide their treasures and hide from the Gestapo as long as possible, and how some people helped the Jews right under the Germans' noses.

Melanie has also described some beautiful countryside. Her settings have the power to let the reader escape the mundanity of real life go to castles, lakes, and forests.

This is a five star read, two thumbs up, and a diamond star of David necklace.

Tyndale House provided the galley I read through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion of the book.

A beautifully romantic world (in all senses of the word) is crafted with Dobson's pragmatically lovely style. 1930s Austria--from opulent Vienna to the wooded sea-side Halstatt, spired with castles and surrounded by alps--- are a portrait in immaculate grace tested by the onslaught of war.

The treasures hidden in the pages are of grand historical interest and I couldn't wait to seep deeper into the world Maximillian will fight (with his allies) to uphold. For as long as there is art and history, nothing, not even Hitler and the encroaching Anschluss, can sully the spirit of a nation.


Unfortunately, the modern frame of this piece did not resonate with me as deeply and I found myself eager to get back to the expertly woven historical.

While Dobson holds a competent pen in both history and contemporary narratives, the reader easily realizes that her passion is infused in the historical portion.


Nonetheless, a great, romantic read with a lush and lasting history.

With thanks to Tyndale for the review copy.

Hidden Among The Stars by Melanie Dobson is both a fascinating and a horrifying Christian contemporary and historical novel. It has dual timelines of 1938 Austria and present day America. It covers the most evil and brutal periods in history as the Nazis march into Austria. Characters and the reader get caught up in the depravity. There are no levels to which man will not sink to do evil. The reader is reminded of the famous words of Edmund Burke "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." In 1938 it felt like the world had gone mad. Evil lurked around every corner but there were good and brave men and women who were prepared to take a stand. "There's always a cost for standing up against evil."
At first people were ignorant of the evil. "Hitler would hardly concern himself with the Jewish Austrians who lived in these Alps." Far too soon the innocents were caught up in the madness. " 'I've done nothing wrong'... 'Innocence is secondary in this Reich.' "
The novel shows the search for justice. To right the wrongs as present day collides with the past.
There is a mystery to be solved - an ancient children's novel, Bambi holds a secret but what is the key to unlocking it?
We all want to know our roots. There is a search for ancestry as identity is important.
How far would you go to keep a secret? How far would you travel to unravel the past? What would you do in the name of love?
The novel has some difficult to read scenes as it concerns anti Semitism and the Holocaust. "How could anyone hate another person because of their ancestry?" With a time frame of 1938, the reader witnesses Kristallnacht.
In present day we meet a young woman passionate about children's books. Several are referenced which is a joy for the modern reader.
Family is important. Families were fractured by the Nazis as people were forced to choose the Party above all things.
Melanie Dobson has written a fabulous novel that educates, entertains and horrifies. As a historian with a passion for keeping the memory alive of the six million innocents, I found Hidden Among The Stars a marvelous read that highlights the sacrifices of the few and the suffering of the many. May we never repeat the evils of the past. May we always remember the six million men, women and children who perished. And may we salute the brave people who stood up for what is right in the face of pure evil.
Thank you Melanie Dobson for your marvelous story.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" John 15: 13.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.