Cover Image: The Lost Girl of Berlin (Daughters of New York)

The Lost Girl of Berlin (Daughters of New York)

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Ella Carey first introduced us to Lily Rose in A New York Secret based on events during America’s WWII in NYC and told in a frame where Lilly has two lives. Her second book introduces us to Kate, a reporter from NYC reporting on the aftermath of the devastating war in.

I have read a lot of stories set during the WWII, but this is the first that focuses on the world in post war. This was refreshing and enlightening, but heartbreaking to read about everything that happened; especially little Mia's story. The author brings in an unexpected twist towards the end that I did not see coming but brings the entire story together in the end.

Ella Carey has done a great job in portraying the lives of women and their expectations in society. Kate was indeed the first woman to present her pieces on radio and later on television. It was difficult to land a steady contract and no-one wanted a woman involved in writing or talking about politics. Taking all this in stride, Kate works hard to fight for her chance, while making tough choices and finding love, family and peace along the way.

This is a wonderful story based on many truths and is definitely an emotional read! I strongly recommend this for all fans of historical fiction!

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Kate Mancini travels around wartorn Europe with several male colleagues, frustrated by on being allowed to file stories about the truth of post-WWII conditions. America is tired of war and wants to return to happier days. Women must leave their war jobs and return to their kitchens and take care of their husbands. They must not have a serious thought in their heads.
Kate must choose between a career and a husband and family. She chooses her journalistic career, even though she’s more than a little fond of reporter Rick Shearer. Together, they’d rescued a little girl from freezing in Berlin and found a safe place for her.
Kate and her family are Italian immigrants. Rick’s father is a wealthy banker. Not only is Kate looked down on as a woman, she’s snubbed for barely getting by. Kate’s sister is snubbed by her snooty in-laws. The spite and condescension make for difficult reading. But the story picks up as Rick’s mother suspects her husband of a dalliance, Kate makes progress in her career, Kate’s and Rick’s efforts on behalf of their little German girl get her away from Soviet influence, and the communist witch hunt snares Rick.
This offers a glimpse of life in postwar America that is both fascinating and repulsive of male dominance over intelligent women. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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The Lost Girl of Berlin is a very well-written novel that is gripping and heart-wrenching. Set in the time post WWII, we are introduced to Kate, a journalist whose interests lie in all things post war and politics. She is dedicated and a great journalist, in a man's world, fighting to make a place for herself. The book leads us to post was Berlin where we are introduced to various other journalists from America as well as a little girl sitting on the steps of a home that is now destroyed.

As Kate sets out to save this girl and find her truth, we are also introduced to Rick, a fellow journalist who steps in to help her out. Little do they know that this small good deed will go a very long way. The author gives us a glimpse into how the war affected the countries, people and their way of life. We also get a glimpse into the mind of the average American and the impacts on their lives. With a focus on the two main characters and glimpses into their families, this story is one of resilience and strength in one o the most difficult times.

I have read a lot of stories set during the WWII, but this is the first one that focuses on the world post war. This was refreshing and enlightening. It is heart breaking to read about everything that happened, but the most is little Mia's story. The author brings in an unexpected twist towards the end that I honestly did not see coming, but one which brings this entire story together in the end.

I think the author has done a great job in portraying the lives of women and the expectations from them in society. Kate was indeed the first woman to present her pieces on radio and later on television. It was difficult to land a steady contract and no-one wanted a woman involved in writing or talking about political things. Taking all this in stride, Kate works hard to fight for her chance, she makes tough choices and along the way finds love, family and peace of some kind.

This is a wonderful story, but one that is based on so many truths and it is definitely an emotional read! I strongly recommend this for all fans of historical fiction and history as such!

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I really enjoyed this book, it can be read as standalone and only mentions a few times characters from the 1 st book, great read

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This is the second book in the Daughters of New York series. While they are a series, you don't have to have read the previous book as the storyline does not continue. The previous characters do appear very briefly, but the continuity has more to do with location and the themes that are covered. Like book one, The Lost Girl of Berlin deals with women finding their place and challenging their roles in the male drive world of post-war America. This story deals with Katia, a successful journalist, who finds that now men are back from war and getting all of the jobs, she's lucky if she gets to cover fashion, cooking, and other 'women's' issues rather than the politics that she knows so much about.
There is an element of romance in this story, it isn't the main theme here but rather plays out alongside everything else that is happening and in many ways is used as a way to show how women were viewed and treated. If they wanted to have a career and be successful, then there was no chance of marriage.
The Lost Girl of Berlin also plays a large part in the story. The book begins with her being found by Katia and Rick, alone by her abandoned home in Berlin. Although she doesn't appear in person very much, thoughts of her are what drives Katia a lot of the time.
This was a gripping read and I was desperate to know what would happen to the various characters. It touched on many topics, but they were all woven together expertly to produce a complete storyline that didn't feel artificial or forced. Instead, I found myself carried along and dying to know what was going to happen to Katia, Rick, Biannca, Mia, and Frances. It isn't the kind of book that I would necessarily reach for immediately, but in this case, I'm glad that I did and I'd recommend that you do the same.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Historical fiction lovers, this is a MUST READ!

“There were girls who wanted to write their own futures, not have it written for them by men.”

“Being married, having kids and a family. Surely that’s better than trying to be a man.”

This wonderfully unique book, set between Spring 1946 and Summer 1951 in both Berlin and New York, features a strong female protagonist trying to make her mark in the male-dominated field of political journalism AND the rescue of a German war orphan from the clutches of the Soviets.

Inspired by Pauline Frederick, a pioneering American female broadcast journalist who was the first woman to become a network news correspondent, author Ella Carey writes to highlight women’s lives in post-war Germany and America.

War correspondent Kate Mancini, one of the only females reporting, is sent to Berlin to report on the wartime aftermath for readers back home in New York. While in Berlin, fellow journalist, Rick Shearer, and Kate rescue an orphan, Mia, and attempt to locate her family and find her a safe spot to live. When Kate returns to New York, she is unable to find a job because no one wants to hire a woman and because all the jobs have gone to men.

Mia’s heartbreaking story will move you to tears, the pretentious behaviour brought on by social class divisions will make your blood pressure rise, the manner in which women were treated and the expectations placed on them will have you cringing, and the subplots of redemption and bravery will make your heart happy.

This multi-generational, multi-subplot story is exceptional and will no doubt be in my top reads of 2021. I loved learning about a Sicilian family in the East Village and a Connecticut wealthy banking family from old money who despite struggles of their own, supported their strong children who were determined to make their own mark on society. You’ll read about the battle female correspondents waged to gain recognition, the rise of radio and television, McCarthyism and war orphans. Themes of courage, love and sustaining friendships tie together this great read.

Having read book 1 of the trilogy and given it a 5-star rating, I wasn’t sure if book 2 could measure up. I was wrong. This is every bit as enjoyable a read.

Publishes July 12, 2021.

I was gifted this advance copy by Ella Carey, Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

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Set in the aftermath of World War II, this boom follows the story of Kate, a young woman aspiring to be a journalist in the male-dominant industry.

While working as a correspondent in Berlin, Kate writes stories that touch the hearts of the people back at home in America. When she along with her friend/colleague Rick find an orphaned girl named Mia, they try and find her a safe place to stay. Mia has a horrifying backstory that moved me to tears.

When Kate and Rick move back to America, Rick lands his dream job immediately but Kat is unable to do so because she is a woman. The book perfectly portrays the male dominant society that feels a woman is better off settling with a husband and kids at home, rather than working and achieving her dreams. This part of the book was frustratingly accurate.

When Rick is falsely accused of being a communist sympathizer, Kate must enlist the help of Mia to prove him not guilty.

Kudos to the author for doing such extensive research for this book. I never felt any details misleading while reading this book. This is my first book by Ella Carey and I am already a fan! Can't wait to read her other books.

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The Lost Girl of Berlin is a gripping tale of 2 parts. First of the survival and rescue of a little German Girl from Soviet ruled Berlin after WW11, and how she later returns the favour, but also Kate's fight to be accepted as a legitimate female political journalist in an American post war, male oriented profession.

The characters were well rounded and believable, making it possible to truly imagine life in both Berlin and America during the early post war years. And the story, though fast, was well paced throughout.

If you like well-researched historical fiction which takes a well known era by a different angle, this is certainly the book for you.

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THE LOST GIRL OF BERLIN by ELLA CAREY is the poignant story of Mia Stein, the little orphan girl found by American war correspondents, Kate Mancini and Rick Shearer, sitting in front of the bombed out house in post war Berlin. The action moves between New York and Berlin and the author gives us an insight into the years immediately after WW11, with the destruction of Germany and the poverty and hunger of her people, the communist problem and the birth of the Cold War.
Mia's account of what her family went through in the Russian sector is absolutely horrific. No wonder she is mute for quite a while! She is extremely courageous and very grateful to Kate and Rick for saving her life. Both Rick and Kate love Mia and do all they can to see that she is safe and cared for.
Kate is also courageous as she fights for recognition in a predominantly male industry. Women in America, after doing men's jobs during the war years, are being encouraged to strive to find a husband and stay at home. Kate's sister Bianca has fallen into this trap. Each of the sisters, who are at loggerheads after their beloved father's death, get their dream, but things do not turn out as they had hoped.
The author looks into family dynamics and the snobbery and class distinction of the time, which seems so unimportant after the horrors of war and compared with what is going on in Germany,
The sisters come from a loving Italian family and their widowed mother lives in the friendly Italian neighbourhood where they grew up. Rick shearer is most definitely not a snob although he comes from one of the richest families in New York. His family may look good on the outside but there are strong undercurrents, and, whilst Rick and his mother are close, he does not get on with his unkind and overbearing father.
It is interesting to see women slowly coming into their own in the radio industry and the birth of television in America.
There is a lot more to the story but I am going to leave you here!
It is a beautifully written novel, with a lot of depth, and one I can highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

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This is a book about the years after World War II both in Europe and the US. It touches on the devastation that the war caused in Europe and how Americans compensated for the war years by telling women that their place was at home, taking care of their husbands and having babies. The main character after witnessing the war years in Europe vows to get a job as a journalist in the US despite door being closed to her since she was a woman.

Kate is working as a correspondent in Berlin. She is one of the only females reporting from Berlin and she is saddened to see the devastation that the war has caused. When returning to the hotel, she sees a young girl on the steps of a bombed home. Something in the girls eyes calls to her and she rescues the mute girl and tries to get her to safety. Rick, one of the other reporters helps her by taking the girl to a safe place. Kate leaves Europe hoping that she's be able to find a job as a reporter. All of her male collogues go right into fantastic jobs but she is laughed out of editors' offices and told to go home and get married. She preserved and eventually got some free lance work hoping that it would get her foot in the door. She even turns down a relationship with Rick knowing that her future is hers to work for. When Rick is accused of being a communist in the early 50s she knows that she has to help him prove his innocence.

I enjoyed this book especially because of the bravery and tenacity of the main character. Kate was determined to have a career even though there were very few working women at this time. She stood up to people to prove her worth and eventually is rewarded. We also see her caring side in her relationship with the young German girl that she rescued. Will Kate be able to find peace and happiness in her life?

Ella Carey is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors writing about WWII. If you haven't read one of her books, it's time to give it a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

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This is a very good quick enjoyable book! This author can somehow capture your attention from the first page and before you know it your at the end of an awesome book!.
The characters here I couldn't help but love. I seem to be picking some cracking books at the moment and this one did not disappoint at all. Another fabulous novel by Ella Carey!

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I loved A New York Secret by Ella so when I seen The Lost Girl of Berlin I had to try and get it!
So happy dance and much thanks to NetGalley, (my favorite pub Bookouture) and Ella for this beautiful ebook! Daughter's of New York series is absolutely amazing.

This book is set in 1946 Berlin. Kate is a war correspondent in Germany. And she is reporting the aftermath of a devastating war.
All readers are all back home in New York and she tells heart wrenching stories about families rebuilding their life back after the war.
Kate soon finds herself breaking all the rules trying to reduce a orphan named Mia who she thinks could be in danger.
Her and handsome journalist Rick manages to find a safe place for Mia before Mia returns to America.
Rick supports her because no newspaper editor will hire a woman. And Rick finds his dream job.
She takes her chance with a news station. While all of this is going on her and Rick find themselves becoming more then just friends.
Soon tragedy finds Rick and he's falsely accused of being a communist sympathizer.
Then tragedy strikes: Rick is falsely named and arrested for being a communist sympathizer. He is arrested, blacklisted and faces prison.
Kate has to do something to try and free the man she quickly grew to love!
But she has to return to Germany and find the little Orphan Mia in order to do that!

This book.was beautiful and beautifully written! I devoured it and couldn't help but lobe and root for this amazing characters I grew quickly to love! I loved how Kate's will power she is a strong, fierce, lovable lady.
I adored the story its simply Awe-inspiring how much these people went through!

I can't thank y'all enough for giving me a chance to read an advanced copy!

I will post to my Goodreads and Bookstagram account next week!

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