Wow.. I took a break from historical novels, set during WWII, but when Netgalley sent me a copy of When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin, I dove right in.. I am so glad I did, this is a beautifully written story about a differed kind of war hero.. Evelyn Brand, is an American foreign correspondent in Germany, during the war. Her job is to report the news the way she sees it, but if she doesn’t sensor it, she will get the wrong kind of attention from the Nazi’s. As she walks this fine line, she must keep up with the male reporters and she must keep with stories that keep the readers interested.. when she meets a graduate student working on his PHD in Germany .. a friendship forms and they have to navigate this new normal and keep safe all at the same time. This story was action packed and I couldn’t put it down. It showed that even during the most horrible time, their are kind people. That it takes a strong people to make changes, yet small changes can lead to big things. This was a four star read for me.. I really enjoyed it and I have recommended it to friends and family. I have also shared my review on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did..

This book had me on pins and needles throughout the read. Then tension always seemed to be high for Evelyn and then you throw Peter in the mix and wow, suspense! But I would be remiss to not mention the romantic feel of witnessing two people on the verge of love. There is something about love in the hardest times that makes it more real.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

My Review:
I read quite a bit of Christian historical fiction and Sarah Sundin is an author whose books I consider a must-read. This book is not part of a series, but it is an amazing story that stands on its own. The author does diligent research and incorporates details all throughout the story that methodically, but deliberately, awakens the reader to the evil that was beginning to happen in Germany in years preceding World War 2.

We are viewing this story through the eyes of two Americans living and working in Germany. Evelyn Brand’s view of Hitler’s way of governing and propaganda has changed as she’s seeing a pattern of oppression and destruction arise. She’s extremely frustrated that her newspaper reports back to America are being edited to show a positive view of Hitler. Peter’s first impression of Germany is positive, as he’s seeing only the image of order that Germany wants to portray to the world. But he soon comes to realize the truth, and he partners with Evelyn to help her open the eyes of her readers to the evil that’s building up and will soon spill over.

I liked reading this story from Peter’s viewpoint as it helped me understand more about how the world outside of Germany was at first lulled into not taking Hitler’s rhetoric seriously. This story builds slowly, but then it explodes into action that kept me turning pages. Peter and Evelyn’s escape from Germany is suspenseful reading. Readers who love fiction set in this time period will love this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

When Twilight Breaks is an engrossing novel written in a unique and fascinating setting. With so much focus on war stories, it was so interesting to read a story set in Germany during the years leading up to the war and seeing the political and social turmoil through the eyes of those living through it. The amount of research Sarah Sundin has done practically screams from the pages, leaving you feeling knowledgable without overwhelming you with facts. The amount of German in the text was obviously necessary for the story but I confess I found myself getting a bit confused at times with all the different names, titles, places etc. Peter and Evelyn were such polar opposites but I loved them both immensely! I really appreciated Peter's strong, steady and patient character and how he really sought to understand Evelyn's mind and quirks. I really identified with Evelyn's independence and strong personality. I have a real love/hate relationship with slow-burn romances. They can be so slow and frustrating at times but they always have the sweetest endings. This romances is definitely one of the slowest I've read with that somewhat annoying inner dialogue of 'do they like me or not, what if, what if, what if....' argh... But they got there in the end and definitely did their best to make up for lost time, cue swoony kisses!

Sundin takes WWII fiction to new heights in this stunning pre-war tale of intrigue, betrayal, loyalty, and courage. I was literally breathless by the final pages. A definite keeper!

I absolutely loved this book. It took me too many days to get through it as it was a very deep and sad book, plus I kept seeing parallels between the early years of the Nazis and the current day’s Marxist thugs. At least back in Evelyn and Peter’s time, there was still a Western Hemisphere to run to. It was heartbreaking to see the early days of Jewish persecution and realize how few of these people would ultimately make it through the war years.

This was a slow-burn romance focused mostly on the danger Evelyn, as a journalist reporting on Nazi actions, and Peter, as a linguistic professor, faced as Americans in Germany in the late 1930s. This is compounded when Evelyn discovers she is mostly Jewish and becomes a sudden target by Nazi sympathizers in her own circle! Things go from bad to worse in a matter of weeks until she is on the run for her life.

The plot is well-balanced and the characters run away with your sympathies easily. Highly recommended to all readers.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin is a rich, layered novel driven by robust characters. Ms Sundin excels at both detailed research and developing full, vivid characters. This novel is no exception. Here, Ms Sundin has spun a marvelous story full of suspense and romance, with a duo that seemed unlikely at first. Written as a standalone novel, I adored that this novel is not your typical World War II novel. Rather, it begins by exploring the time period just before the war broke out and some of the prevalent ideas people had about the Nazis then. It is a fascinating, important work. Readers of historical fiction will not be disappointed. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin,she has everything in her historical romance to keep you on the edge of not only your seat but on the edge of the world! Two Americans in post war Germany but they have different opinions and different roles they play. Evelyn is fighting her own kind of war,a woman reporter fighting to show the world and fellow reporters that she's just as good or even better than they are but she has to work 3x's harder just for the mere fact she is a woman in a man's dominating world of writing and telling the story of what Hitler and the Nazis are doing to not only Germany but all the other countries he's bound to invade and keep
and rule.. You have American Peter,living and teaching in Germany and is he believing in whats going on to Germany or what happens when the two met! Will she be useful to him or will he be useful to her? You decide..The characters come so real to you as the story continues as they met, fall in love As time goes on,Evelyn tried to educate and show America and all that read,they are in Daniel on what really really is going on. Will she get help from her new friend, Peter? What side or what real belief does Peter have and will it change? Will this continue or end their romance? Follow this fantastic historical romance and see what becomes of Peter and Evelyn, will this war,their jobs or just the war bring them together or will the war destroy them just like the peace in the world is being destroyed and never to be the same again! Received from Net Gallery and I will be reading more of Miss Sara's stories!!

My first book by Sundin and it didn't disappoint. Great war time historical fiction, with romance, strong female characters, a great plot and a good pace. I would definitely recommend for any historical fiction fans,

Sarah Sundin has been one of those authors that I had always wanted to read, but never really got around to. So many books and not enough time! I picked up When Twilight Breaks and am so happy that I did. I could NOT put this book down. This story takes place before WWII, when Hitler was taking over surrounding countries, one at a time and when Jewish people were losing their rights, one ruling at a time. I loved Evelyn, aka Miss Firebrand according to her fellow reporters. She was feisty, independent, and had a job that was dominated by men. I also really liked Peter. He was an American professor teaching in Germany. This book had me on the edge of my seat. This story was full of action and sweet romance. This author’s books will no longer languish on my tbr shelf. She has immediately moved to a must read author. Thank you to Netgalley and Revell for the copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley and Revell Publishing for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Just when I say that I will not read another WWII era historical, here I go again. Technically this book takes place before the outbreak of war and is set in Munich Germany in 1938.

The novel's two characters are Americans working in the country. For journalist Evelyn Brand, she sees the growing policies of the Nazi government as individual freedom being swept away. American student, Peter Lang, has nothing but admiration for the order and rules that have proven to be successful especially in terms of the Communists.

This novel has plenty of intrigues and I think it's safe to describe the romance as fairly light. As the author shares in her notes, the viewpoints of both characters at the beginning of the novel were quite prevalent among American and British visitors to Germany in that timeframe. It made for an interesting story.

#erinrossreads2021 #readersofinstagram #goodreads #teachersandbooks #netgalley #revellpublishing @sarahsundinauthor


Goodreads review published 08/05/21
Publication Date 02/02/21

I enjoy reading WW2 novels, and I very much enjoyed this one. I’m a huge fan of the Thoenes (authors who write Christian historical fiction about WW2), and I felt this book was a nice complement to their books. Great action, sacrificial living, mounting tensions, compassionate intervention – I loved it all.

I teach English to international people from all over the world. I would LOVE to have Peter Lang’s method of teaching pronunciation. Some of my students struggle with it, and I found myself wishing repeatedly that I’d love to consult with Peter Lang about certain students … only to remind myself he’s fictional. That’s a sign of a good book!

I gratefully received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

I was very excited to get the opportunity to review when Twilights Breaks by Sarah Sundin as the plot seemed very exciting. Unfortunately I struggled to get into the story and did finish the story

My patrons eagerly await each book that Sarah Sundin writes! Her books are always well written and interesting!
When Twilight Breaks
by Sarah Sundin
Publishing Date: February 2, 2021
Book Summary: Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession and to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. To do so, she must walk a thin line. If she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country—or worse. If she does not report truthfully, she'll betray the oppressed and fail to wake up the folks back home.

Great book! I will recommend this to our readers of historical fiction!
Thanks to her publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

5star

Another great historical book by this author. I love how she developed the characters and how she shares their story of life before WWII.
Always a well written story by this author. It was good to see how their christian faith is evident in their lives throughout this story.
I always look for her new books when they come out.
Thanks netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

When Twilight Breaks is set in Germany right before the start of WWII. It follows the story of Evelyn, an American Journalist covering the stories in Germany and Peter, a Harvard student teaching abroad while working on his dissertation. When the situation in Germany grows grim under Nazi controll, Evelyn and Peter work together for survival and to help those they care about.
I enjoyed seeing the personal growth in the main characters and how that played out in the novel. Their relationship also felt genuine. This is the first novel I have read from Sarah Sundin and I look forward to reading more of her works. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel!

This is exactly the kind of Christian fiction I've been hoping to find! Where the faith of the characters is an important part of their personality, it impacts the story line and the decisions that they make, whilst coming across completely naturally and opening up some really interesting conversations.

In this book we follow Evelyn and Peter, both Americans living in 1930's Germany. As the situation in Germany becomes more hostile, Evelyn, a foreign correspondent, must walk the thin line of reporting truthfully on the oppression being experienced, whilst avoiding being expelled from the country or worse.

I loved exploring this time period in history, and particularly the German invasion of the Sudetenland. It was really interesting to look at those people who were originally supportive of Hitler and the economic success he brought to Germany, and then seeing them come to realise the reality of what was going on. The stakes of this book do feel really high, whilst also recognising that the characters' American citizenship made them significantly more safe than German Jews. This book opened up so many discussions, from independence vs. partnership, to freedom vs. order, and leaning on God and other people.

I can't wait to read more from Sarah Sundin!

Well what can I say? I had not come across Sarah Sundin as a writer previously but I will be looking for more of her books in the future. That time in history in the first half of the 20th C is my favourite setting for novels. I’ve read countless versions of stories from that period, many being great and this one joins the top half of the list.
I hadn’t realised when I began the novel that Sarah was a ‘Christian’ novelist so to find a few quotes from the Bible and references to the characters praying, was a surprise. As a believer myself I found this encouraging and heart warming but don’t let this put you off if you don’t have a personal faith as it is not overtly religious and just adds a different element to the storyline.
My one gripe with the story is the amount of violence and bloodshed with which the main characters, Evelyn and Peter are involved. Would they really ‘get away’ with leaving bodies behind and not be further questioned when seen to shoot a fellow citizen? I think not but then this is fiction so perhaps we can overlook a need for a reality check!

Another fantastic WWII era book from Sarah Sundin. Once again she creates strong female characters and brings them to life in the pages of her books. I'm usually not one for 'situational romances' however the one between Evelyn and Peter is beautifully written, and appropriately done for the era. Peter's character was somewhat lacking in that he didn't really grow as a character. He may have changed due to the era and situation, but as a person I don't feel he really developed . If you have read and enjoyed previous books by Sundin, you won't be disappointed in this one,

Hands down 5 star read! Loved this. I appreciate the perspective of what life was like in Germany before WW2. This piece of history is important to know. Sundin wrote an engaging book, and I can't stop sharing this with others! THANK YOU for allowing me the opportunity to read and review it.