I lost my reading mojo at the start of lockdown and this is the first book that had me gripped for ages and I couldn't put it down. I read it with a tense knot in my stomach most of the time, wanting to read on but scared to find out what will happen to Hetty and Walter who have fallen in love.

Hetty is the daughter of a high ranking Nazi and Walter a Jew and their relationship is forbidden.

Aa a daughter of a holocaust survivor, so much of this moving and powerful book resonated with me. It was devastating to see the decline of German society/culture. From when the Jewish people were once their friends and colleagues to becoming the scapegoat

It was beautifully heartbreaking story based on true events. These stories are so important and need to be shared. We need to learn from yesterday for a better tomorrow.

"Whatever our religion, race, where we are from; whatever our hair or eye colour, our nose shape or the size of our feet, we're all just people. People who feel pain, joy, love, anguish. Who have hopes and dreams, families , friends and loved ones"

This is a powerful and moving love story, set against the back drop of the rise of the Third Reich. Hetty’s the daughter of a high ranking German officer and wants to do her duty as a good German citizen. However, this comes into huge conflict with her innermost feelings, when it comes to her friend Walter. Walter is Jewish and they’ve been childhood friends, but Hetty’s feelings start to change just as the rise of anti-semitism starts to take hold. She’s scared by her own desires, doesn’t know who to trust or talk to. Despite the huge risk, and even knowing that someone has been following her, they start a secret love affair.

I loved the way that Hetty has a double awakening as the novel begins. Up until now she has heard the propaganda put forward by the regime and she sees the benefits of belonging to the party as the family get a new home and food. They are promised they are part of a new race, the perfection of what Darwin envisaged ‘the fittest, bravest, cleverest and most robust’. Walter begins to tell her how different it is from his side of the divide, being shunned, cornered into smaller areas and cut off from food sources. As Hetty begins to fall in love for the first time, she also begins to see that there is another side to this ideal world her father is working for in the party. It must feel so confusing for her, as everything she thought she knew becomes overturned and she starts to have feelings she’s never felt before. It is such a vivid portrayal of what can happen if we don’t question or look behind the message we hear.

I found it very sinister how a whole country can be whipped up into believing an outright lie. It’s interesting how this comes from the German perspective and frightening to see what ordinary people thought was normal and necessary. Hetty is so brave because she doesn’t want the future her father sees for her, as the brood mare for the birth of the Aryan race. She doesn’t just want Walter either, she wants to carry on learning and dreams of becoming a doctor. I found myself rooting for this couple as they fight to stay together against the evil of Hitler. I kept willing them to find the strength to keep going. So brilliantly adapted from family experiences and an incredibly intelligent piece of historical fiction.

To be totally honest, I’m not quite sure why I wanted to read this book. I think I was lured in by all the wonderful reviews that it has received to date. And those reviews are probably justified if you’re a fan of historical fiction and romance novels, as this is a decent story with a solid plot. But for me personally, and while reading this book, I couldn’t help but feel that it’s a story that’s been told a thousand times before. And at the risk of upsetting people, the truth is that I was bored and I actually DNF’d this one at 70%. The whole story just didn’t resonate with me, and I found it to be fairly one dimensional and flat.

This is a story about Nazi Germany, about the threat of war, about Hitler, about the people who had their minds and hearts twisted by him, about the persecution of the Jews and ultimately about a forbidden love. Is this an important story to tell? Absolutely. Was it the perfect story for me? No, reason being that I’ve read so many books just like this one that I think I’m pretty much over the concept of forbidden relationships between Nazi’s and Jews that seem to be the subject matter of numerous books set in and around this time period. I’ve genuinely been over-exposed to the topic.

But, if you’re someone who loves reading historical fiction, and WWII era Nazi Germany stories then I think this one will be for you, especially if you like the concept of forbidden relationships. I thought that the quality of the writing was good, but unfortunately this story plodded along and didn’t really come alive for me. It was perhaps a little bit longer than it needed to be, and not quite as gripping as I hoped for, but I think that was a “me” problem and not a book problem. Many others have loved this story and so, if you haven’t yet drowned yourself in stories such as this one, you’ll more than likely enjoy this story. As for me, it was too much of the same.

Oh my goodness, if you have ever asked yourself how the man in the street, the shopkeeper, the businessman, the housewife and the school child all 'fell for' the grandiosity and pomp of Herr Hitler, read this book. It's a stunning reveal of the power of propaganda and mass suggestion. Hitler rode a wave of his own making, igniting a nation's anger and fear and bringing the entire world to a state of war.
Seen through the eyes of a young girl, the changes that take place in Germany during the 1930's all seem perfectly acceptable - everything she is told and she sees make perfect sense. Doubts begin to creep in, however, and the scales fall from her eyes when what she's told to believe and what she knows to be true clash in dramatic fashion.
There are very few villains in this tale, with that badge of dishonour awarded only to those who personally profit from the misery and destruction of others. Even then, these people aren't ignoring any personal moral code, but only acting in accordance with a set of beliefs instilled over generations and given permission to rise to the fore by the rise of the Nazi party and Hitler himself. The majority of people simply follow the new rules - aware of what might happen if they don't, or blindly in agreement with what they're told.
The tension starts early, and rises, and rises, and rises until you are almost screaming at the book - run, hide, don't do that! Knowing what we know about the fate of the Jews of Nazi Germany, we beg our heroes to leave, to not act on their impulses, to be sensible, for goodness' sake! Of course, as teenagers they can't do any of these things - but they can be brave, strong and heroic, and we can love them for it.
Buy it, read it, love it, pass it on. And learn - are things so different now in the years of Trump, when the right wing is gaining traction again, when old hatreds are given voice and bitter feuds re-ignite?

At first I found this book difficult to rrad as Herta's family were Nazi's, but it soon became apparent that Herta was totally against everything her father believed, so from that point, I was hooked on the story. It was so sad, as most books based on that era were, but you had to admire Herta for standing up for herself. Her life didn't turn out as she hoped, but thankfully, was still a good life, and I liked the way the story ended

This is beautifully written, meticulously researched and incredibly topical and timely for our modern era, even as a historical novel. Louise Fein is a debut novelist, but People Like Us reads with the skill and confidence of a writer of great experience. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed this story as it transported me back in time and made me think about how society has (and hasn't) moved on. It tells of a German girl who falls in love with a Jewish boy and all the tensions and controversy around it. What will happen? Can they possibly be happy?

I enjoyed finding out what would happen and I genuinely cared about the characters and wanted them to be happy. i always enjoy it when I read historical fiction and it transports me back to that time and has me think about things and that book definitely did that.

My only criticism is that the story itself is a little 'done'. We've read many stories set in WWII where a german falls in love with a jew... it would have been nice to have something a little different. Having said that though, I still enjoyed this story and think that many will too.

"See that people are people, regardless of anything else...we all have immense capacity for both good and evil, that we must stand up and speak out against those who preach hate." - Main character, Herta Heinrich

Definitely a fitting read for what's going on right now. This book ensnared me the moment I read the synopsis. That was because this story is about the forbidden happening. A German girl falling in love with a Jew during anti-semitism Germany. Author, Louise Fein accomplished her two goals in this staggering novel. Through the characters, I experienced a glimpse of the turbulent pre-war through the eyes of a German girl who was naively raise to believe the ideology of Hitlers dictatorship. Also, to be grateful and appreciative for the freedoms and rights I may take for granted in our times.

Overall, so many great themes and inspiring messages to take from this novel. I recommend this for readers who are looking for a diverse setting and perspective in historical fiction. A war can tear families apart, turn people to monsters but no matter what love bears all things. The past must not be forgotten.

Some books touch our souls and transport us to another time. People Like Us is one of these books. In 1929, Hetty Heinrich is saved from drowning by her friend Walter, and she will never forget this heroic act. Cut to 1933 and life seems idyllic to this naive young girl. Her family have moved into a huge new house with a garden, she is happy at her new school, and family life seems to be a happy one. She believes Hitler to be her hero, and vows to devote her life to his plans for a New Order. But when she reconnects with Walter, he makes her begin to question the propaganda and brain washing tactics that are used in schools and in the newspaper that her father owns. As she spends more and more time with Walter, a Jew, she is tormented by guilt, and yet finds it impossible to stay away from him. As the years pass, they fall deeply in love with one another. But with the rise of the Nazi Party, theirs is a love that is forbidden, and one that would lead to devastating consequences if it were discovered.

With Jews targeted for violence, homes burned and thousands transported to concentration camps, she is desperate to find a way to keep Walter alive. With a secret that she has discovered about her father (a member of the SS), she is able to ensure Walter's safe passage to England. This selfless act breaks her heart, and when she finds herself pregnant with Walter's child, she is forced to send her baby boy to England to be raised by him and the woman he had to marry to gain a visa.

The writing is sublime, absolutely heart-breaking but oh so beautiful, and a testament to the human spirit that can find love in the darkest of circumstances. Hetty was a product of the times, but she found the strength and courage to do the right thing, even though it meant ending her own dream of a happy life with her true love.

Historical fiction at its finest, the book spans the 1930s in a small german town so yes, you're in for a rough ride. You can tell from the offset that the book is so well researched and reading the authors acknowledgments we learn just how important the story is to the author too. The story itself is about a German girl who loves a Jewish boy but dont expect all of the usual romantic novel cliches.

Saying I enjoyed it seems wrong somehow, I sobbed throughout the entire thing. The book is so beautifully written and so detailed that I just, felt it with my entire being.

The author states that she "hopes the readers will mull over the precariousness of freedoms and rights that we take so much for granted in our times" and she says, "above all, I want to show that the lessons of the past must never be forgotten". This feels more potent than ever.

I won't forget Hetty and Walter, and Erna and Anna and I definitely won't forget this book in a hurry. 5/5.

Excellent historical fiction! It's such a beautifully written story. All the details, descriptions, historical events...It's clear that the author did a lot of research to write this book.
I really appreciated it and definitely loved it.
Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

What an amazing and beautiful read...
I absolutely love reading historical fiction and this one came along just when I needed something engrossing..
Sometimes people find love in places they never expect to find it...
We meet Hetty and Walter in this story..
Childhood friends, a pure innocent love for each other...
Loving your friend no matter who they are or where they come from...
I found this to be an incredibly different read in that Hetty comes from a German family so we get such an insight into life in Germany and a family's love for Hitler and all he stood for.
So when she needs to stand up for her friend who is different in his beliefs, she goes against all she knows and all she feels she stands for.
A read which will certainly bring tears...
We see how Hetty grows up loving Hitler and all he stands for.
She believes he is talking directly to her at times.
How sad for her when all she believes in comes crashing down although she comes out stronger for it.
While reading this one, I felt the author put so much time and effort into her research of such a historical time...
Well worth taking the time for this one 💕

A story of forbidden love. I don't want to say too much to spoil the book but this is a 5 star read. Beautifully written and a fantastic read.

People Like Us transports the reader to pre-WW2 Germany and life as seen through the eyes of Hetty. Month by month through the years between 1933 and 1938, we witness Hetty’s transformation from malleable young girl, to conflicted teenager and, finally, to young woman forced by circumstances to make the most difficult decision of her life. All this against the background of the rise of Nazism and the prospect of war. In her Author’s Note, Louise Fein explains the novel was inspired by her own family history and her desire to tell the story of a young person fed, in her words, “a twisted ideology”.

The indoctrination of young people like Hetty through the education system was especially unsettling to read about: classes in the ‘science’ of eugenics and racial purity, study of the life of the Fuhrer, and a “daily chant of gratitude” to Hitler. In a chilling subversion of the book’s title, Hetty and her classmates are taught that other races are not “people like us” but different and inferior to the German people.

Whilst reading the book I was reminded of the quotation “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it”. This seemed particularly relevant in a scene where Hetty’s father, an SS officer who also runs Leipzig’s main newspaper explains to her and Karl, her brother, it’s importance. “This…is the most important tool we have. With these inked words, we can shape our nation. There is no such thing as news per se. News is power, wrapped in a message, presented, told and retold.” The book is a reminder, as if one were needed, of how easy it is to manipulate public opinion by playing on people’s fears and sense of injustice. And how those feelings can be transformed into hatred of an “other”, whether that be people of a different religion or race.

However, there are messages of hope within the book. The author is careful to give us characters who demonstrate not every German was a Nazi, that there were those who resisted, necessarily in secret. As one character observes, “Even if we only do something small, help just one person…Well, that’s defiance, isn’t it?” And I loved the notion that even daring to think differently, to challenge what you have been taught is an achievement. So we see the contrast between Hetty’s witnessing of the violence of Kristallnacht – “ordinary men and women, carried along by something huge and ugly, overwhelming hatred and fear that makes them do unthinkable, unspeakable things” – and the courage and generosity of others such as those who organised the Kindertransport taking children to safety in England.

The experiences of Hetty and Walter, two young people who love each other but find events and political dogma have placed obstacles in their way, I’m sure replicate many real life stories from the time. It makes People Like Us an emotion-filled and compelling story of forbidden love, betrayal and sacrifice.

I'm not sure I can manage to put into words how I feel about this book - but I'll do my best.

Hetty Heinrich is the epitome of the perfect German child in the 1930's. With her father an officer in the SS, a brother desperate to join the forces and a mother who does everything expected of her as a dutiful wife, Hetty believes in everything the Fuhrer expects of the people. Until she falls in love with Walter .. beautiful, blonde-haired blue eyed Jewish Walter . . .

This is a good solid read, not to be rushed. A novel to wallow in, to savour - and probably one of the most thought-provoking I've ever come across. Each time I've put the book aside - to eat, to sleep - I've had so much to digest. I thought I knew about the second World War and the time leading up to it (studied for my O-level History), but I realise now that there was a whole chunk of information missing. It's quite clear that there has been meticulous research by the author who has then went on to write a compelling story, incorporating lots of historical fact alongside what is a heart-wrenching tale. This is not a book I will forget anytime soon, and I urge everyone to continue reading beyond the epilogue in order to find out the importance of writing this to the author. All-consuming and beautifully written, this is one novel which deserves the highest of accolades and I feel five glowing, sparkling stars are barely enough. An amazing read!

People Like Us is a book with a clear mesasage for it's readers: Learn from the past.

Hetty is the ideal German child. Her father is a member of the Nazi party and she is a zealous young girl who believes absolutely in her country and hero worships Hitler.

Until one day when she realises that Walter, the boy who once saved her from drowning, is a Jew.

Hetty knows that loving him goes against everything she has been taught by her family and her friends but she cannot help herself. Despite a raging inner conflict Hetty soon begins to wonder if maybe she isn't the one who is wrong after all.

"My mind's refusing to accept what I just witnessed. How can it be possible that Walter is a Jew? Wonderful Walter, the boy who saved my life, a dirty stinking Jew?"

Hetty is in turmoil over who to trust and as danger increases for Walter Hetty knows she must do anything she can to try and save him.

Initially I was unsure if I was going to like this book because I had just read a book from a similar perspective and the fact that I originally didn't like Hetty's character made it difficult for me to engage. However, once I got into the story it was an engaging read.

I have been reading lots of WW2 fiction recently and this one really stood out. Hetty Heinrich knows only what she's been brought up to believe, that is to idolise Hitler and hate Jews. However this was all span on tis head when she falls in love with a Jewish boy. Beautifully told and really makes you think. Highly recommend.

What an appropriate time for this book to be released, right on the 7th anniversary of VE day. The Tagline for this book compares it to the Book Theif which I definitely agree with but also, if you have seen the film Jojo Rabbit, some of the more serious parts of the movie the friendship between our lead and his Jewish stowaway, really reminds me of this book.



I loved Hetty as a main character because I felt like I could really relate to her confusion with the world and her quest to do the right thing at the same time as trying to please herself. I feel sure that a lot of readers will relate to her and so with have an instant sympathy and empathy with her as I did. We have all faced hardships in our lives but none as big as the hardship of watching your friends and loved ones be driven out or worse in the horrors that were Nazi Germany.



There are a lot of dark moments in this book but the dark moments are not what the book is purely about. This is very much character driven book and we see the whole mixed up world through Hetty's eyes. I love her passion and her thirst for knowledge as well as her loyalty to her family and friends and that is really the heart of the book. There are definite moments which make you feel uncomfortable as a reader but rather than put me off reading, I was in awe of this writers ability to affect such emotion in me.



Yes there are dark moments in this book and yes there is a lot of historical detail in this book but this is a coming of age novel with the best kind of Romeo and Juliet style of love story at its centre and I really did enjoy the pace and the heart of this book, I am sure you will too.

A heartbreaking story of what life and love was like during this dreadful period. It is placed in life outside of the dreadful camps but gives enough insight that you really do feel the horror. My heart broke for some of the characters. A must read and more of a love story than anything else but one to certainly add to the reading list.

People Like Us is a stunning piece of historical fiction set around the Second World War and its impact around the globe. 8 May, 2020, marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) day when the brutal Nazi war machine ground to a halt as they surrendered to the Allies. There are innumerable ways of remembering and honouring those who took part in the wartime action. The reason I mention this is due to the fact that this book is set in Wartime Germany and gives a fascinating account of what life was like on the for those supportive of the evil regime. It centres around Herta (Hetty) Heinrich and a man named Walter who form a friendship after Walter saved her from drowning many years prior. Hetty and her brother Karl are pure-bred Germans but Walter is, unfortunately, a Jew with this, of course, determining his treatment despite calling Germany home. The siblings' father is a high-ranking Nazi and member of the SS with many secrets to hide. Hetty and Walter fall madly in love with one another and Hetty is forced to question the ideology she has long held dear. But what will come forth from her re-evaluation?

This is a tale of forbidden romance set against the backdrop of persecution, genocide and eugenics. It is one of the most emotional, moving, realistic and believable WWII epics I have ever read which makes it impossible not to fly through the pages hoping for a happy ending. However, the ending is full of sadness and anger. The cast of characters was engaging with every character having a distinctive personality and a defined place in the story. Spanning a ten year period between 1929 and 1939 the plot serves to highlight the Nazi regime and its cruel ways. The fact that it is based on real-life events makes it even more compulsive. The number of children who didn't know any better and who were brainwashed and indoctrinated is considerable and I wonder exactly what happened to each of them. All in all, this is an original, refreshing and heart-rending novel and one that has been researched extensively. A highly recommended atmospheric page-turner. Many thanks to Aria for an ARC.