A story of life on the Channel Islands during World War 2. The relationships built during a tough time in history.

I enjoyed reading this book. The characters were well developed and the book was easy to read and follow. I had not previously read anything about the Channel Islands during WWII. This story shows what lengths one will go to in order to survive under difficult circumstances. I was somewhat bothered by the relationship that developed between the main character and the German officer, although I'm sure it did happen during wartime.

The Girl from the Channel Islands
A WWII Novel
by Jenny Lecoat
HARLEQUIN – Trade Publishing (U.S. & Canada)
Graydon House
Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction
Pub Date 02 Feb 2021 | Archive Date 03 Mar 2021

New author for me. I read a lot of historical fiction and I like this time period. That being said, it was not the book for me. I found the writing bland and I cannot recommend it. Thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC.

3 star

This is the kind of book I can really get into. There is the setting of the Channel Islands during the German occupation and the author builds the world so perfectly. There is an illicit affair, lies covered up, and the constant fear of being found out. And there is love and friendship.

Hedy is an immigrant from Austria, living on Jersey during the start of WWII. She is also Jewish.

When the Germans invade, she is forced to register. But as the occupation goes on and there is no hope for work, she takes a translating job with the Germans. It is there that she meets Kurt, a German officer, and they begin a clandestine relationship.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, all the characters so fleshed out, and the setting of both place and time.

My thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Based on the true story of a young Jewish woman Hedy Bercu, who escaped Vienna,and fled to the Channel Island of Jersey. She had a job, food on the table, and felt relatively safe. In 1940, with the German invasion upon them, Hedy and many of the other residents of the island discovered they couldn’t leave. They didn’t have enough boats or time to evacuate the whole population of Jersey, and many people were left behind. Hedy's employers did get away and Hedy stayed behind. The Germans took over the island with no resistance. Jersey was cut off from England for five years. Life on Jersey was difficult. The Germans had so many rules and everything was a punishable offense. The locals did everything they could to survive. Food, clothes, shoes, petrol, cars, fire wood and medical supplies all became scarce. No one seemed to care about the residents of this island.

Hedy found work as a translator working for the Germans. As conditions worsened, she devised ways to steal from them. Hedy had a friend in Dory, whose husband was conscripted to serve in the German military, and her other friend was Kurt, a German soldier, who did not believe in the German cause. She and the other residents of Jersey perpetually lived on the edge.

This story reminded me of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society and the German occupation of Guernsey Island.

The Girl from the Channel Islands, written by Jenny Lecoat ,was a readable novel. Thanks Net Galley for allowing me the chance to read this historical fiction novel. The characters were well developed, but I found the situations sometimes hard to believe. The fact that a Nazi officer would risk his life and reputation to save a Jew was unbelievable in this particular situation. The novel takes place during WWII, when The Channel Islands surrounding Great Britain were invaded by the Nazis. The usual situations of depravations of food, clothing, heat, etc and of course registration of all citizens by nationality and religion occurred. Yes, there were moving and extremely tense and historically accurate representations within the novel, but I found many situations just not that believable. I’m not sorry I read the book, and if you have no knowledge of the invasion of the islands during the war, then you should read this book. If you have a broad experience of reading this genre though, you might choose another novel.

Channel Islands, 1940. Hedy is a Jew who escaped Austrian Anschluss to the island of Jersey.

This story gives a good sense of place. We get to know the island. It also brings historical facts of events during WWII pertaining to the island, which was occupied by German forces and forgotten by the rest of the world. Thus, the citizens of the island were left to fend for themselves. The risk people took to save another human being.

It’s interesting, but I found the style of writing descriptive, slowing the pace.

It seems as the story is strictly focused on relating linear events, giving very short snippets (not too many) of who Hedy was or others. It doesn’t feel like you’re getting to know the characters. I also missed expression of feelings. Thus, missing a depth in this story.

I like straight forward stories. A lot of times, they turn out to be much more interesting than complex plots. But you need depth, which is brought by character development.

What I enjoyed for example was the tiny acts of sabotage by Hedy and a Nazi officer Kurt. Those are moments that give some depth. But those are very brief moments.

Another World War II book, but unlike the other one I read this month, this one had a hopeful vibe throughout. Hedy Bercu is living on the island of Jersey and she thought she had escaped the wrath of the Nazi regime, only to find them taking over everything. The interesting part is she ends up taking a translating job inside the German offices and she can see the beast from inside and maybe even do a little damage.

What the synopsis doesn't tell you and what I loved most about the book was the relationships that Hedy relies on to keep going through this difficult time, both a friendship and a romantic relationship are what keep Hedy going and keep each of them fighting for another day. These were the glittering stars that kept me reading with all the horribleness that they were surrounded by.

I think the big difference between this book and the other one was that in this book the reader isn't taken into a concentration camp and I am aware that they existed and were horrifying, seeing the war from this different perspective was nice and allowed me to see the hope that some people could keep while dealing with extreme circumstances.

After finishing the book and doing research, it was interesting to see the author is not only an actress but was born in Jersey where the book was set and her parents were raised during the German occupation, so this book really came from her heart and I felt it.

Interesting story about a young Jewish woman during the German occupation of the Channel Islands in WWII. The courage Hedy had to blend in and help the resistance while working as a translator for the Germans was admirable. This story is an example of things people were forced to do to survive during this time. Also shows the cruelty of the Nazis and their dogmatic crusade. Recommended

Title: The Girl from the Channel Islands
Author: Jenny Lecoat
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating: 4 out of 5

The year is 1940, and the world is torn apart by war. In June of that year, Hitler’s army captures the Channel Islands—the only part of Great Britain occupied by German forces. Abandoned by Mr. Churchill, forgotten by the Allies and cut off from all help, the Islands’ situation is increasingly desperate.

Hedy Bercu is a young Jewish girl who fled Vienna for the island of Jersey two years earlier during the Anschluss, only to find herself trapped by the Nazis once more—this time with no escape. Her only hope is to make herself invaluable to the Germans by working as a translator, hiding in plain sight with the help of her friends and community—and a sympathetic German officer. But as the war intensifies, rations dwindle and neighbors are increasingly suspicious of one another. Hedy’s life is in greater danger every day. It will take a definitive, daring act to save her from certain deportation to the concentration camps.

I don’t think I’ve read anything about World War II in the Channel Islands, so this was something new for me, as was the German officer who wasn’t a Nazi (most of the historical fiction set during this time that I’ve read just portrays all German soldiers as monsters).

This time period is so hard to read about. The atrocities Hedy went through and witnessed are terrible, but she comes through with her hope and her spirits intact. I found this to be an excellent read.

Jenny Lecoat was born in the Channel Islands. The Girl from the Channel Islands is her new novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Graydon House in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 1/26.)

I enjoyed learning a part of WW II history I wasn’t aware of. The book told of a love story that evolved during the challenging times and traumatic circumstances of the German occupation in Jersey. The protagonist, Hedy, has particular difficulty because she is Jewish and has no idea what became of her family since she moved to Jersey from Austria at the start of the war. The book is engaging although drags a bit in descriptions. I found myself skipping over these portions. Still, it is a beautiful story of survival.

Hedy left Vienna for the Channel Islands to escape German Occupation during WWII, but her safety is in jeopardy since the Germans are now occupying this British territory.

While settling in, Hedy has kept her identity hidden, but when they were questioning residents, the Germans found out she was Jewish.

Since Hedy speaks both English and German, she keeps herself safe or safe for the most part by working as a translator in the German offices. Only the hiring officer knows she is Jewish.

She is always in danger of being discovered and deported to the concentration camps since she works with the German officers, and someone is always ready to reveal information.

While working there, Hedy falls in love with a German officer causing danger for both of them. Will their love survive?

THE GIRL FROM THE CHANNEL ISLANDS is based on true events and has tension throughout especially because you are amazed at how Hedy kept herself under the radar.

I didn't know of this occupation, deportation of the citizens of Jersey by the Germans, or Churchill's ignoring of this territory.

Ms. Lecoat did a marvelous job of describing events, feelings, and the hope and desperation the residents of the Channel Islands lived with.

A beautifully written, well-researched read.

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Many, many books have been written about WWII and all of the many places where the war was fought. This one focuses on the Channel Islands, under British rule, and further focuses on Hedy, a Jewish woman, Kurt, a Nazi officer who, despite all odds, fall in love. Both Hedy and Kurt acknowledge the danger of their relationship, especially as both are further involved in minor acts of sabotage against the Germans. As a backdrop for the story, the author does a great job detailing the many deprivations and indignities perpetrated against the Islanders during the occupation. When rations were cut to almost nothing, her description made me feel hungry, too. Recommended reading for those interested in historical fiction of this period.

The Girl from the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat was an interesting novel. I was unaware that German troops had taken over some of the islands in the English Channel and had set up a command post there. It this novel we follow Hedy Bercu, who fled from Vienna to escape being taken as a Jew. She is living a quiet life until the Germans invade.
She hides her Judaism and, because she speaks German and English, she is hired as an translator and is silently working against them. She becomes friends with a German soldier who is trapped in his situation with the German army. They try to help each other. Hedy has to rely on the community of the Channel Islands who loathe the German occupation and who are very disappointed that Britain overlooks their plight. The affection between the German and the Jew is a dangerous route that they take.
I enjoyed this novel because there was always a chance that either or both of these supposedly enemies of each other would be found out. The consequences of that would be deadly. The author kept me reading long into the night as I read this riveting and well-constructed novel.

A Jewish girl from Austria is living on a Channel Island off the coast of France during WWII. The Germans have invaded the island and it is just a matter of time before her heritage is discovered, but the Germans are in desperate need of translators and she gets a job working for them. She also catches the eye of a handsome German officer. .
The only problem I had with the story was the description of the turkey dinner for Christmas, I thought turkey was a USA thing and goose or roast beef was more traditional for Great Britain.#Netgalley #TheGirlfromtheChannelIslands

The story of the Nazi occupation of the British Channel Islands is brought to life by the struggles of Hedy. Hedy escaped Vienna only to find herself again at the mercy of the Nazis. The description of the hardships and shortages impacting the residents is an important story to tell. Hedy meets Kurt, a German soldier who is a pen engineer, and not a believer in the Nazi racial policies, but is doing his duty. As their relationship flourishes, the dangers for both Hedy, as a Jew, and Kurt, if he is found fraternizing with a Jewish person, escalate. Hedy’s friendship with Dorothea is the example of a righteous gentile risking herself to protect her friend. I recommend this book for the lessons of history as well as the fact that it is based on a true story that needs to be told. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

2.5 stars

I read a lot of books in this genre, as they're some of my favorite reads. That said, this book wasn't one of my favorites. I found it to be a bit predictable. There wasn't as much depth to the characters or story line as I've come to expect with WWII-era books. The pace was appropriate and the writing was okay, but it did fall a bit flat overall.

This book is set during World War II. It follows the life of a young Jewish woman who speaks German on an English island. When the Germans occupy the island she applies for a job as a translator out of sheer necessity.

This story is really a romance set against the backdrop of war. It wasn't too mushy or sexy, just real. I appreciated the fact that the characters were flawed and the story doesn't end with an unrealistic "they lived happily ever after".

Thank you to NetGalley for eARC.

A historical novel based on true events, this is the story of Hedy who fled to the Channel Islands to escape what was happening to Jews in Vienna. She goes to work for the Germans as a translator and falls in love with a German officer, and steals ration coupons for her few friends. Fraught with danger she persists u til she is forced to hide for her life. Good WW2 fiction.

This debut novel will make a great movie. Cinematically, yes. The scenery is breathtaking. But I doubt the acting will be able to match the authenticity of the people, place, and plot that author Lecoat puts into it.
In 1938, Hedy Bercu fled Vienna to avoid the Nazis; she had no doubts as to what will happen to her if she is ever outed as a Jew. This story begins place two years later on the island of Jersey, one of the archipelago of Channel Islands in the English Channel off the French coast of Normandy.

I fell in love with the opening paragraph…so beautifully written that I read it three times to savor the imagery. It sets the beauty of the island front and center. I love many mentions of the sea, the beaches and the waves throughout the novel.

But back to Hedy’s dilemma. Since her arrival she has been a nanny for the Mitchell family, but they have left the island with no plans to return. They leave behind everything they cannot carry and their cat, Hemingway.
Needing employment, Hedy registers with the Aliens Office. Since Hedy speaks both German and English, she applies for a job as a German translator. The Germans, desperate for her skills, ignore the large J on her registration card and put her to work. She keeps her head down and makes little contact with the other workers on the German base.

I found it a little hard to swallow that Hedy was not recognized. It’s an island; I would think most of the residents know each, by sight if nothing else.

Hedy has a few friends on the island, most notably the island doctor and her BFF, Anton. She meets the German Lieutenant who seems sympathetic to the Islanders’ plight. But all through the story, Hedy doesn’t seem to know any of the other Islanders, which I found odd.

As the Germans and the Islanders settle into a wary co-existence that hovers over each page. Hedy decides to fight back. Her choice of resistance is extremely dangerous, but good for the island. When a large portion of the German Army lands on the island, Hedy is forced into hiding. Author Lecoat does a wonderful job with describing how Hedy manages this….as well as the rationing, the Islanders’ fear and the other sanctions of life on an occupied land.

Lecoat spent years researching and writing this little gem of a novel. The fact that it is based on a true story makes it extra meaningful.

And somehow, through all this, Hedy finds love. I was most impressed with the beauty of the Island. I hope that it is still as beautiful. The Girl from the Channel Islands receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.