I am a fan of historical fiction and this one did not disappoint. Fen is an illusionist who is recruited to help the British during WWII. I enjoyed her back story, learning about the gadgets developed for use during the war., and the development of her relationship with a boy she first meets in childhood.

This was fascinating to read and I found myself sunk deep into the story. I would gladly have stayed for a few thousand more pages. I am finding myself a bigger fan of historical fiction, something I would have never thought possible. How these people survived the times in which they lived and the strength they needed just to get through the day is remarkable. Obviously, I'm coming at it from a the mindset of someone who grew up in what I like to call the "microwave generation" where we can't even be patient enough to let our popcorn finish popping in the microwave, but I always find myself in awe and can't imagine how they got through those days of war and poverty and uncertainty with the grace that they did. I loved the way magic is woven into this story and how that talent was able to let our main character, Fen, be of service to her country and herself. Riveting stuff in these pages, so dive right in!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to RB Media,Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the early listen/read. Wonderful story. Nice having both the audio and ebook so I could read at night.
Enjoyed the history surrounding the story from when Fenna was a little girl growing up in Michigan to her service overseas during the war.
Highly recommend
Narrator did a great job with each character and telling the story

Protagonist Fenna is rescued during a childhood trauma by Arie who becomes her best friend. To help Fenna cope, Arie gives her a book about Houdini which ultimately leads to an unlikely escape into the world of illusion. As an adult Fenna’s on stage performance captures the attention of British intelligence and she is recruited to use her ingenuity to create secret gadgets and escape aids to defeat the Nazis. This story, inspired by true events, takes you on a dangerous ride not only into the war zone under Nazis control but also into the battles within ourselves keeping you on the edge of your seat as Fenna finds unexpected courage.

I am always a fan of historical fiction with a strong female character. This story was well written and I was eager to see what each page had to offer.

What a well-researched and well-written historical fiction novel by a new-to-me author. I'll be sure to check out more of her books!

This one was a major investment of time. It’s a great story…just not super full of action. I had to take a break about halfway through, read something else and come back. All that to say, I really did enjoy the story. It was a completely different take on a wartime story with a little romance thrown in.

Fen is fascinated by Houdini. She wants to learn all the magic. Childhood tragedies take her on adventures she never wanted to take, but the paths lead her to her childhood friend, turned love, and away from him again. Magic leads her to lend a hand in the war efforts and back to her love once again. Will she be able to get her happily ever after?

3,5 Stars : If you are a fan of historical fiction that follows a specific character in detail, you will really enjoy "The Ways We Hide" by Kristina McMorris. There was a lot to this story, and it does give you a lot of backstory. I enjoyed the story overall, but it did drag at parts. If you don't mind a book that might take a minute to get into, you'll love it. I also loved hearing why the author chose to write this book and the history behind it! If you LOVED "All The Light We Cannot See", this is very similar.

Thank you to the NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A historical fiction and not your typical WWl book! It begins with Fenna Vos assisting a master magician, Charles at their show in Brooklyn, yet Fen, is actually the expert who has crafted this show and taught Charles all he knows. After the British Intelligence see her shows and recognize her skills, they present her with an offer to assist the war effort in England designing devices to help allied soldiers evade capture and/or escape prison. This is a. historical novel that covers aspects of history that I was not aware of and oh so very different!
I recommend this book to all my reading friends!
Thank you NetGalley for the early copy, in return for my review!
4 1/2 Stars

Cristina McMorris wrote Sold On A Monday, which was excellent and has sold over a million copies.
The Ways We Hide is very good as well. It is a unique take on a World War II historical novel that is sure to evoke your emotions. Fenna Vos is an illusionist. For these skills she is recruited by British intelligence. This journey becomes perilous, filled with tension, intrigue, romance, peril and darkness.

Fenna was raised in Michigan's Copper Country, and lived a life filled with hardships. Fenna had to learn to focus on her own survival early on. These early experiences sustain her as World War II rages in faraway countries. She performs onstage as the assistant to an unconventional escape artist. He is the star but she is the mastermind of their act.

As life goes on, Fenna is surprised to be called upon by British military intelligence. Her mission is designing escape aids to baffle and disrupt the Germans. Fenna is reluctant yet she joins the unorthodox team as an inventor. But when a test of her loyalty draws her deep into dangerous territory, she discovers no mission is more challenging than escaping your own past.

McMorris’ novel is based on true accounts, giving the reader a gripping story of love and loss, and the wars we fight, both on the battlefields and in ourselves.

The writing is elegant and definitely a page turner.

The use of illusionist skills not for fame or applause, but for survival during war-time definitely makes for an interesting concept. This story of Fenna Vos is historical fiction done right in every aspect. When true happiness is the cruelest illusionist of them all, how far does a person go for love and duty?

"Vos meaning fox, my surname said I was fated to be inquisitive and friendly yet sly and elusive, a solitary creature not meant for a pack."

The very best of books have an iron-clad grip on you demanding a wide-eyed-all-night read just so you know that the characters somehow managed to make it to the end of the book. This sure is one of those. With a brief introduction of an adult Fenna, the story takes us back to her origin and then back again to her helping with war efforts. The not very quick detour to her childhood sets such a necessary foundation that helps us appreciate the fears she bravely faces despite past traumas.

"Fear is giving power to the Devil."

The approval for this one came through quite some time ago and I cannot be more glad that past me read the blurb one day and hoped to read it. Thank you @netgalley for my advance copy.

"Breathe, Fen. Just…breathe."

"Ways We Hide" by Kristina McMorris, is an excellent historical fiction of a brave young woman, during WWII, using her talents as an illusionist, to make a difference. Gripping, as the main character faces grave danger, and displays enormous ingenuity and grit to complete her mission. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the copy for review. All opinions are my own.

When I first looked at the synopsis of this book I thought it sounded like a good story. I have to tell you this author took me on a wild ride of emotions. I fell in love with Fenna and Arie together and their stories from childhood until the end of the book.

I finished this last night and it left me weeping for the injustices of war. This was a new take on a WWII spy novel.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved the first book and it kept me interested and wanting to not put it down. This book was great and this one I also wanted to keep reading! Would read more of her books for sure.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; the story was compelling, the characters well developed and the narrator very good.
Fenna Voss, a dutch american girl finds herself back in Europe during WWII, helping the war effort, but also searching for her chosen family and the love of her life in the middle of a war torn continent.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this story.

Fenna Vos is an expert in escaping. After being orphaned as a child, she clings to the two things she loves most—her best friend, Arie, and magic tricks. With Houdini as her inspiration, Fenna pursues her aspirations to become a successful magician, and after a falling out with Arie, she runs away to the city to chase her dreams. When an opportunity arises to use her skills to help British military intelligence during WWII, she learns that no matter how skilled she is at magic tricks, she can’t always escape her past. Inspired by true historical events, this is a story of love, loyalty, loss, and courage.

I was fascinated by the historical inspirations of this book, and Fenna is a wonderful character to bring these details to life. McMorris does an excellent job of weaving together separate (and in reality, unrelated) historical events in a way that feels cohesive and helps develop the characters. The chapters during Fenna’s childhood were particularly strong, as was the development of Fenna and Arie’s relationship. A far weaker section of the novel for me was in the middle when she begins working for the military and we read about the details of her actual job. The pace changed and began to feel rushed, and we only slowed down again when she leaves England for her special mission.

I enjoyed the story and these characters, and I thought the premise was unique and exciting. I would recommend this to anyone interested in WWII, war romances, historical fiction, or, of course, magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC eBook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and all of the above listed for this #giftedebook in exchange for my unbiased review.

This novel takes you on a wild ride, from America, to England, and then to The Netherlands. I personally enjoy fitting vague pieces of WWII history from differing countries into my greater understanding of the entire conflict. This is the first book I have read that takes place in The Netherlands. Experiencing moments of EXTREME tension and anxiety, romance, action, and devastation, I must confess, I was taken on an emotional trip! The author has a way of making you feel like you are part of the story...everything is so real! (She did that in her book, Sold on a Monday, as well.) I appreciate her ability to tell an authentic story. Loved it!

As she has done before, Kristina McMorris takes us back into historical fiction with her new book, The Ways We Hide. Her first chapter begins in Brooklyn, New York in 1942 as Fenna Vos becomes disenchanted with her partner in her magic act. She is the mastermind of the act, but the male performer gets the applause and attention. Coincidentally, Fenna is enlisted to use that magic in a different setting as she is recruited as a World War II spy.

An early childhood fascination with Houdini is an escape for her as a young girl. Orphaned by her mother, Fenna grows up in a copper mining town with a father who depends on alcohol to ease his grief and his grievances with the mining company. Coping with her hard life and her absorption in learning to perform magic tricks make her into a strong independent woman who can take on the challenge of being a spy for the allies as she uses many of her ruses to deceive the enemy.

In the war, her work takes precedence over her personal relationships which must be weighed against their security in her war effort. This is war, and her losses are not glossed over. Still, I found the ending satisfying.

The book has fascinating ways of getting information past enemy lines, hiding them in Snakes and Ladders or Monopoly boards. The author’s note at the end explains how she based these stories on true happenings and gives some of her research. This book will appeal to those who love historical fiction, especially that from World War II, and will make for interesting discussions if it becomes a book club choice.

Captivating! I'm pretty spent on historical fiction, and WWII historical fiction specifically, but I devoured this novel. I really enjoyed the magic/illusion aspect as it related to war tactics.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and #NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

This was a very interesting historical fiction book. It had a lot of interesting historical topics woven into the main story. I thought the characters were well developed. As is often the case with historical fiction, there were aspects of the story that were unbelievable or timelines altered to meet the needs of the story. If you are a fan of historical fiction, it will be an enjoyable read.