An interesting historical fiction mainly taking place in Europe during WWII. The development of the characters was intriguing, knowing what these characters had to endure as children made it easier to understand how they react to situations in their adult lives.
The plot kept my interest throughout, although it seemed to drag a bit in the middle I enjoyed the descriptions of the many tensions they had to go through during the war.
Fenna is a strong character. What she had to endure in her life was heartbreaking and yet she became stronger with every hard experience.
I am grateful to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the opportunity to read a digital copy of this captivating book in exchange for an honest review.

The Ways We Hide

by Kristina McMorris

Admittedly it is hard to write a “happy” book about World War II. The Ways We Hide is definitely not a cheerful book. While she avoids graphic descriptions of the violence of the war, author Kristina McMorris excels at conveying the overwhelming sadness of the personal tragedies, even those that occurred pre-war, early in the orphaned protagonist Fenna’s life. When she escapes from an orphanage in the U.S., she is taken in by her best friend Arie’s family despite their religious differences. The parents in both families are Dutch immigrants. As young adults they discover their romantic love for each other, but Fenna suddenly leaves her adoptive family without explanation.

Taking her love of magic to the stage, Fenna becomes a self-made illusionist in the style of Houdini. She is recruited by the British in World War II to devise gadgets and conceal them in support of Allied troops in Europe. The British ask her to go to Holland on a dangerous rescue mission to find Arie, but more more is involved than her handlers are telling her.

The story is well played out with unexpected twists around every corner. This work of historical fiction is well written and extremely well researched. I can’t say that it is a page turner for me because it is so sad. The characters have little hope for positive outcomes, but pursue their noble goals against all odds. The work is undercover, classified, and occurs in Nazi controlled areas. Therefore, it is hard to know who can be trusted.

The author explains at the end of the book her framework for inserting the fictional Fenna into the mostly historically accurate backdrop with some slippage of time. She has researched her subjects well which include not only the war efforts but also an anti-labor strike event that changed Fenna’s life forever.

The ending is not a happily ever after with the protagonists riding off into the sunset, but how could it be when so many people have died? Despite the reality of the situation, the author does manage to conjure up a “lemons into lemonade” scenario for Fenna that is satisfying and actually sweet. I am glad I read this book which reveals a lot about undercover work, dangers, and relationships in World War II.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction

Notes: 1. There are author notes at the end which explain in detail how McMorris got her inspiration for the various parts of the book. It is followed by suggestions for further reading for those who would like to learn more about the topics in the book.
2. Online there is posted a Book Club Guide on the author’s website (kristinamcmorris.com). While I do recommend this book for book clubs, individual readers will also find this guide helpful in visualizing the setting and the culture. It includes Dutch inspired recipes plus a recipe for invisible ink (not the lemon juice type). There are questions designated as a Reading Group Guide. Perhaps most importantly to me, there are fifteen photographs that will transport the reader back in time. There are also QR codes for videos and other additional resources online. In addition, there are suggestions for group activities to enhance book club meetings.

Publication: September 6, 2022—Sourcebooks Landmark

Memorable Lines:

Traveling in clusters pallbearers carried pure-white caskets low at their sides. The dimensions of each befitted a child, the weight minuscule compared to the burden.

In this instant I consider a potential reason my life has been repeatedly spared. Could it be to attain justice for the victims of a cruel and callous enemy?

He offers his hand with a caring look. “May our paths cross again,” he says, “in a better world.” It’s impossible to envision any future beyond the immediate challenges ahead. Still, I accept his handshake, grateful for the notion.

I had to DNF this at 45% and it made me sad. I love this authors previous work and I love historical fiction but this just was not it for me. I actually had a super hard time following the plot and even understanding what was happening past 20%. The beginning was promising and just fell so flat after that point - super confusing and all over. I also just didn't vibe with any characters and felt like I didn't want to pick this up.

An unexpected scenario for a novel set during the WWII era. The reader is treated to an interesting view of the war, but more so, an interesting view into the daring and resourcefulness of the main character, an illusionist. The writing is fluid and compelling; this is an easy read filled with history, intrigue, and the excitement of the magic show.

This is the first book I’ve read by Kristina McMorris but I’m positive it won’t be the last one of her books that I will read. This is written so well that it’s hard to tell the difference between fictional and fact. The characters are so real. Thank you for writing such a great story!

Didn't finish - don't remember signing up for this either. I'm sure it is a wonderful book book historical books just aren't as fascinating to me as other books. However, I did try reading this one. Even though I still don't think I signed up for it.

There are so many titles that are similar to this story. An American woman feels like she can help the cause in Europe during WWII.She’s an escape artist and is employed by British Intelligence to help gather information about the Nazi’s. This book is based on a true story. Fenna isn’t sure her past will let her lead this team to success.

From the hardships of a mining town in Michigan to Europe during WWII, Fenna Vos utilizes her experience growing up in a career working with British intelligence to help the war effort. When a friend fails to report in following an assignment in Holland, she is drawn into a mission to try and find him and discover why he failed to report, leading to experiences she never expected.

The overall story of this book was good, but it was very long and the backstory dragged on. The story didn't really pick up until about half way through, and even then the story continued to drag on at several points.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kristina McMorris, and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I found this to be a unique historical fiction and very much appreciated a look into how an illusionists work helped in the war effort.

The most fascinating parts were the creative process of trying to hide objects like money or food among the officers belonging. Especially the things hidden in plain sight that wouldn’t be found by the Nazi’s. Truly incredible!

There is a bit of a coming-of-age story as well as a romantic one that both added to the humanity of the story. I liked it a lot and only wished the story was based on a real woman rather than that of a man.

Thank you Netgalley and SourceBooks Landmark for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was so invested in this story, offering elements of escape artists and spies in World War II. I'll admit that the ending disappointed me, but I also was thinking about these characters even when I wasn't reading. This was a story that stuck with me. I was fascinated to learn some of the history behind this book in the notes at the end. One of my favorite things about historical fiction!

3.5 rounded up. Unusual angle gave this historical fiction an interesting twist. A little drawn out, but necessary to make the dramatic (and romantic) tie together nicely.

This book was interesting. It was well written on a subject I had not ever heard of in a historical fiction novel. It included magic, gadgets, love and romance. Some of the details were hard to follow at times. For the most part I enjoyed reading about the subject matter. Fenna, the main character, helps the soldiers to stay one step ahead of the Germans. She does this by cleverly creating gadgets and tools which will help the soldiers and spies to outsmart the Germans. There is intrigue and action all along the way. A must read for those that enjoy War War Ii historical fiction.

Here is another great work of historical fiction, which had my attention the whole way through. I loved the characters, setting, and overall story.

A book set during WW2 starting in Michigan. I could not put this one down! a fresh and unique approach to yet another hidden and fascinating front of WWII.

Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris is a mesmerizing story about how a female illusionist gets an important role in World War II. There is espionage and intrigue and so much danger. Readers of historical fiction and readers of thrillers will all be delighted with this book. I found the author's concept intriguing and I really felt a connection to the main character from the start. I loved how the author made you feel strong emotions for the main character in the very first pages and made the a reader feel invested in the character's fate. Overall, this is an amazing book. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I absolutely can never forget the power of Kristina McMorris’ gripping historical fiction in The Ways We Hide. Fenna is no stranger to tragedy as an immigrant child in her Michigan mining town, I found her life to be gripping and heartbreaking as she suffers numerous challenges. Fenna proves adept with staging and magic, as with her entrepreneurial skills, and finds herself amidst the nazi powers during the war. Will she learn to trust others, can she overcome her past losses? I highly recommend this book, all opinions are my own.

Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris is an enticing and believable story based on actual accounts of a woman fascinated by Houdini and magic tricks during a time when women were the side show and not the curator of magic. Her talents are put to use in the war effort during World War II. Kristina McMorris is a wonderful story teller whose writing is delightful to follow while transporting us back to a time that challenged the very fiber of the human experience. Thank you to Kristina, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark Publishing for the opportunity to review this very worthwhile book.

The Ways We Hide is the story of Fenna who was raised by her father in the US, Michigan to be precise, he was raising Fenna alone as her mother passed away before she even had the chance to meet her, leaving Fenna without an easy childhood, growing alone in a world full of burdens.

Fennas was working for an illusionist, a work that was helping her in many ways without even realizing it, years later she had a job offer that will change her life forever, and will finally use all the tricks and things she learned during her past job.

Working for the British intelligence wasn't something Fenna ever dreamt of but her skills had earned her such a distinguishing offer and now she was more eager and happy to continue with her life, not before doubting any motives or change in her best friend Arie. Arie Jansen grew up with Fenna they were practically best friends, but life had a funny way of changing things and many Fenna with her new job will discover secrets and lies that will put her friendship with Arie to the test.

Fenna aka the gadget girl for her colleagues had many tricks and gadgets that helped them achieve many hard situations that were not easy to deliver during the war. Fenna embarks on a very hard mission that not even she is aware of the dangers this war is causing but never the less this was a very important thing to do. to save a girl from the evilness of the war.

This was a great read I really did enjoy so much the characters specially Fenna, she was a great heroine, I really felt like her character grew more with each chapter making her a bolder character and even more enjoyable.

What really kept me on the edge was when Fenna started to doubt Arie's motives or whereabouts, he was a spy helping the wrong side? or maybe she was just making excuses and doubting her best friend

Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, for the advanced copy of The Ways We Hide in exchange for my honest review.

Rich in historical detail, I loved this character driven book. I learned quite a bit about the British Intelligence and appreciate the research that was done.
Many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion

Kristina McMorris has done it again....made me feel so many feelings. Story spans a few decades, mostly during WWII. Strong women overcoming adversity is one of my favorite themes to read.