I thoroughly enjoyed this novel that wove together the stories of Magda a young girl living on a farm in Germany and Imogen who was sent by her parents to live in the countryside of England during the war.
The story starts with a letter in present day and then takes you back to the years of the war to tell the story of how their two worlds collide.

Magda lives on a farm with her parents. Very early on Magda realizes that her view on things is quite different from what the “Young Maidens” are taught about racial purity and the like. Receiving a letter from her brother makes her question everything that is happening in Germany too. She embarks on a path to find out what is really happening in the war and is determined to make a difference.

Imogen spends her days going to school in the countryside away from her family and the devastation the war is causing in the city. After studying for a year at university to become an architect Imogen’s life changes forever as she joins the forces to do her bit.

Would definitely recommend this read!

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy.

I couldn’t put this book down once I had started. Flipping back and forth between 2 young girls lives - one in Germany and the other in the UK.
I have never read any of this authors books but will certainly look out for them

The Secret Letter is a story that alternates between Magda and Imogen mainly over the course of the second world war.

By finding out more about Magda and Imogen, we get to see what things were like for people in Germany and England. From the time leading up to the war starting, as well as during, and to the final days of it ending. It was really interesting to see what life was like for both of them and their families.

I read this book on holiday and was so gripped by the authors story telling that apart from taking a quick two minute dip in the pool to cool down every hour or so, I was straight back on to my sun lounger with Kindle in hand.

Magda and Imogen both have quite different lifestyles and both do quite a lot in the war movement. I loved the strength of both characters as they are strong minded and know what they want from life. Whilst there is romance in the story this story is so much more than that. It reminds us of a time that we all should never forget and learn from.

The Secret Letter is a beautifully written story that captivated my mind and heart. In parts it was emotional at what people had to live through as well as an horrific reminder of what some people did to fellow humans. The ending was particularly emotional as I felt a whole array of emotions of happiness and sadness. A perfect historical fiction novel that fans of this genre are going to love.

Terrific and emotional coming of age story set during WWII. Fans know there are a lot of books out there right now in this genre but Ria has hit a sweet spot with the stories of Magda and Imogen (Ginny). Moving between Germany and the UK, this tells the tale of how both young women pulled themselves up to fight the Nazis, Magda locally and Ginny as, ultimately, a WREN. Rix has folded in snippets of real materials, such as speeches, which is an excellent device. Neither young woman is perfect- they both have their foibles- which make them so realistic. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Rix is an excellent storyteller and this was an excellent read.

Dual perspective WWII novels are super popular right now, but this one is a standout. I loved that they were not only existing in the same timeline but how their stories were interwoven throughout the book. It was expertly and thoughtfully written. Even better is that the author based her characters on real people - her parents - and their actual experiences. I loved being able to witness such vastly different experiences and perspectives of the war. And there was so much depth of character and strength of the women (and men) portrayed. I love that there was more to the girls than finding a husband to settle down with. I also learned something new in reading this, as I had no idea how the Nazis "replaced" Christmas traditions and how they deified Hitler to the point of prayer. Fascinating and terrifying how someone can have such a hold on people.

I'm a MASSIVE fan of historical fiction, especially WWII stories. This is a great addition to the genre!

This is another WWII Historical Fiction book that I would love to give more than 5 stars to. I really enjoyed this book that I read in 2 days' time. It is a story that goes back and forth between the lives of Imogene, a teen in England, and Magda, a teen farm girl in Germany. The story follows them through the war with their growing up and learning to cope with the horrors of war, meeting people and not knowing who to trust, and the men in their lives. It is heartbreaking at times and is such an overall great read. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this fantastic book that I devoured in record time, because it was such a page turner, in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to net galley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

I was a little bit disappointed with this one. I did prefer the second half to the first but I found it a little bit slow in places and it didn’t hold my interest. Not sure I’d be interested in reading any other books by this author unfortunately, sorry.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.

If it hadn't been for the beautiful reviews I had read here on Goodreads, this WWII story would have slipped right through my fingers. Alternating between Germany and England, I quickly became engrossed in Magda and Imogen's storylines. The Secret Letter is a coming of age story during a time when these two countries were torn apart by war. Debbie Rix weaves into the tale the Hitler Youth, The White Rose, the evacuation of British children to the countryside, and other war related activities. It results in a captivating story that makes it a nominee for best WWII book of 2019

As much as I enjoyed the two protagonists, I wasn't a huge fan of Magda's mother. It seemed as the story and the war progressed, she became even more incredibly naive and well, just plain stupid. Other than, I have only praise for this book!



Goodreads Review 09/07/19
Expected Publication 22/07/19

I don’t normally read historical fiction but boy am I glad I read this. Read in one setting this is a brilliant captivating read. Set from 1939 to 2019, two girls, one English one German and one World War. Their childhood’s, adulthood’s, their loves, their lives, their wars. Beautifully written. All the way through I kept thinking what a great film it would make. A book that will linger long after the last page.

5 stars for The Secret Letter! I’ll admit that I’m a huge fan of World War II novels; when I found out that The Secret Letter was inspired by true events, I simply had to read it. The writing is spectacular, and I think it would be an excellent book club selection. This novel is about heroism under the most difficult of circumstances and the heroes are many.

Imogene is evacuated to the English countryside with several fellow students in hopes of protecting them from the war. Imogene postpones her plans of becoming an architect joining the war effort as a WREN, moving up the ranks to assist in the Allied invasion of Germany.

Magda is growing up in a small village in Germany, as she learns to navigate in the very changed world around her as her Jewish friends disappear. She endeavors to maintain a constant façade of supporting the Nazi party that she abhors while participating in the resistance movement.

The novel depicts how the war impacted each of these women and their families but also the impact that they made on the war effort. There is romance, intrigue and a weaving of these two lives into one riveting ending.

I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

The Secret Letter is a historical fiction set in the WWII - era. This book was absolutely beautiful. I'm not normally a fan of historical books, but I learned so much from this book. I will be reading more by Debbie Rix.

Thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review
First time reading this Author and thoroughly enjoyed this book
Set in war time 2 very strong women characters seeing the story from 2 very different perspectives intriguing read that held my attention can highly recommend.

I enjoy WWII-era stories, so I was looking forward to this book, and it didn’t disappoint. Characters and storylines are well-developed and realistic. The two lead heroines (Imogen and Magda) are strong and determined, and they want to make a difference during the war. The prose is beautiful, but heartbreaking at times. The story allows the reader to see things from two perspectives: the British (Imogen) and the Germans (Magda). The plot unfolds over a period of years (1939-1950s), and the author holds the reader’s attention throughout. This historical novel is based on actual events. It’s apparent that Rix did a lot of research for this story.

A fascinating and interesting read. This book is beautifully written and had me in tears in places. Magda and Imogen’s stories are thought provoking and moving. I learnt more about World War 2 and different peoples attitudes. This book will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I received an advanced e-copy of The Secret Letter by Debbie Rix from NetGalley. This story was beautifully written and hooked me immediately. The story features two girls - one in England and another in Germany during World War II. Their two stories are interwoven even though they have never met each other. They each experience hardships and unjust treatment of others during the war. I was enthralled with the story all the way to the end and stayed up too late reading, but it was worth it!

The Secret Letter poses these questions- Are morals innately defined by organic character or predominately influenced by the setting of anthropology? Does everyone retain some secrecy behind their own veil of security? Do familial ties remain constitutional if bartering with infringement?
The experiences and journey of Magda and Imogen are refreshing and genuine, rather than romanticized. The story is not always ideal for the character, and likewise the character is not always faultless. This story range focuses on identifying the connection between the two main characters, Magda and Imogen, following the modern historical fiction trend. Yet, the association between the two girls is intriguing from the beginning and stays constantly alluring throughout the entirety of the novel; and, once discovered, their particular connection is one that is different from other novels. Although this story does alternate chapters between two characters like most historical fiction, the pattern and exploration for determining the girls relationship was admirably unconventional and enjoyable.
I found the dialogue between the girls and their mothers especially palpable. The mother-daughter relationships were carefully crafted and conscientiously instrumental throughout the story.
The inclusion of the radio broadcasts, leaflet prints, speeches, and newspapers clippings added to the authenticity of the story. Some works of historical fiction do not include the excerpt from these texts, but this novel actually incorporated the dictation from primary sources. Furthermore, it was exceptional how the story depended on these authentic texts to establish the chapters.
I appreciated how the prose of Imogen during her time as a Wren did not transform into an entire address on women's suffrage. The reader did experience the injustice of equality during the time period through Imogen, but it was uplifting that she was not paralyzed by this notion in order to foster her success.
This story incorporates the resistance of The White Rose group. I have read about The White Rose in other works of fiction regarding the same topics, so I wasn't as enthusiastic for this portion of the novel. I found the age of the surviving characters questionable at the end. However, this was not prevalent enough to take off a star.
Permitted these being available, I thought it would have been neat to include a photo of her mother in her Wren uniform and a photo of her father in his RAF uniform. And even more interesting, possibly, a photocopy of one or two of the notes/diary her father kept in boots.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Debbie Rix, and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.

An absolutely beautiful historical fiction on WW2.

You go through the war from the perspective of Imogen - a British school girl quickly becoming a young woman, and Magda - a German school girl quickly finding her role in the war as well. Both of these women are brave beyond their years and I loved their dedication to a moral duty. This really stayed true to the emotions of the war. We see Imogen and Magda fall in love and make some heart-wrenching decisions for love. It was a really beautiful tribute to the women of the war and to the men in their lives.

I don't know how else to review this without spoilers other than to say that it was so beautifully written, and it really moved me. I felt so invested in ensuring these 2 women got the best life after all they had been through even though I had no control over it. WW2 is a shocking part of human history but I love WW2 historical fictions - especially those based on true events like this one - that remind us of the stories of the normal, real people caught in the crossfire of such a terrible event. I'm so glad they were so good at recording their life stories and for authors who bring them to life. A marvelous, marvelous read!

Fans of historical fiction, featuring strong female characters will fall madly in love with the intertwining stories of Magda and Imogen. It's rare to think of the struggles and work performed by women during a war, but women were just as much a part of the war as the men were; from holding down the homes, secret operations, and even actual work, like being a part of the Wrens, as Imogen was.

This story was one that allowed us to see the girls through their teen years and beyond. We got to know each girl before and during the war, seeing how their lives were shaped and changed by those things surrounding them and how they both fought, in their own way, for freedom from Hitler's power.

While Imogen was a character that I strongly disliked through a good portion of the book, she did pull me in at times. I found myself enjoying her and then loathing her. She seemed mean spirited at times towards those around her, although I'm sure many will read her words and not see it that way at all. I hated how things would seem to be going to so well for her, boy wise, especially, and then she would just drop them! Ugh. But, I found myself rooting for her once again towards the end.

However, the real gems in this story were that of Magda and Michael. I could have had an entire book written on just those two. I loved Magda's chapters and found myself wanting more of her. She's the character that stuck out the most to me and will be the one I won't possibly be able to forget, even if Imogen's story did teach me things about the time period that I didn't know. Like, for example, that women still needed their parent's permission to do things like go to France for their jobs if they weren't yet 18! Yet, it was the heartfelt love story between Magda and Michael that truly got me, as well as Magda's struggles with Otto. They were so real and relatable, even though they truly aren't relatable. You couldn't help but feel for Magda throughout it all. No matter what life tossed her way, more always seemed to come. Yet, she never gave up hope and made the best of it.

While reading this, it reminded me of The Beantown Girls and their time in the castles while abroad, much like how Imogen had to spend time beside a chateau in France. Both books mentioned burning furniture to stay warm and showed how difficult it was for these ladies to be away from home and so close to the front lines.

Stories like these need to be told so that they're never forgotten. War is a terrible thing, yet people tend to forget about just how harsh it truly can be as time moves on. But, they also need to be told so that all of the heroes within the war can be remembered, not just those who fought in the typical way that comes to mind when we think of war. Every person plays a vital role in the war, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem at the time.

This historical fiction novel portrays a refreshing perspective on the lives of two girls from vastly different backgrounds - and opposing sides of the war - who transform into women during the backdrop of World War II. Imogen grows up in a middle class English family and chooses to "do her part' for the war, leaving her university studies to become a Wren for the Allies. Magda is a farm girl raised in the German countryside where joining the Hitler Youth is expected of the teens in her community. Fierce bravery and independence are qualities shared by Imogen and Magda whose lives intersect throughout the war but who don't ultimately meet and realize their shared ties until decades later. Many historical details are presented that I found especially enlightening and touching, including the White Rose German Resistance as well the bravery showed by the women who served the Allies in groups like the Wrens. I thoroughly enjoyed The Secret Letter and highly recommend it for those who enjoy a blend of women's fiction and WW II historical fiction - this novel has it all!
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Two girls, one thirteen, the other fifteen, in Germany and one in England make up the core of this historical novel about WWII. Magda lives on a farm in Germany, and she has a happy life with her parents and her brother Karl. In 1939, things began to change, and her brother decides to go to continue his studies at Oxford. Magda is expected to join the German Girls League, and she hates every aspect of it starting with the ugly uniforms on up to the nasty leader.

Imogen is from Leeds and also has a loving family, but they insist that she go to the Lakes District for the duration of the war. At first, she boards with a family, along with her two best friends from Leeds, Joy, and Helen. They like the family she and Helen are assigned to live with for the first year. Imogen leaves behind the guy she thinks she loves, Freddie.

As this novel moves forward and each girl faces hardship, loneliness, and fear, the war becomes more ferocious. This well-written novel gave me an insightful look at life for young women who did not fight but took on the dangers, each in her way. We know the ending of the war, but this novel gave me so much more detail. I cannot recommend his more highly. Do find time to read this book!

Thank you, Debbie Rix, Bookouture, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC (July 22).