The author has written many novels, but I believe this one might be her best yet! This book is a excellently researched, and it is clear, Lecia Cornwall is a scrupulous historian alongside her authorship. Wonderful, captivating writing and original plot gives this novel the depth and ability to pull in any reader. The romance was sweet (as in her other books) and the setting of pre-war Berlin was fascinating. I highly recommend this author and all of her other books I have read have been nothing less than fantastic. She is definitely an auto-buy author for me, and I can't wait to own this novel in print.

THAT SUMMER IN BERLIN is historical fiction that was often difficult to read given the subject matter of Nazi Germany in 1936. But the story is well written and very descriptive. The book is broken into four parts and takes place in England and Germany and begins in the fall of 1935.

This is Viviane Alden’s story. She’s a photographer who has a phenomenal eye for taking pictures to expose the truth of what’s going on around her. Many of her pictures are published in the newspaper anonymously, and she seems to be making a name for herself with those in the know. Journalist Tom Graham is a bastard whose father is of the aristocracy, though they don’t have a relationship. He’s taken with Viviane when they initially meet under strange circumstances. They also meet unexpectedly in the streets of England when she is photographing demonstrations that he’s covering for his newspaper.

When she goes to Germany with her stepsister, Julia, to stay at Julia’s godfather’s home, it’s as much to get away from another suitor. She takes pictures to show what’s really going on in Germany at Tom’s suggestion, since he’s been given an assignment there, though his is to write positive stories no matter what he feels and believes.

There’s a lot of darkness to THAT SUMMER IN BERLIN. Viviane sees it through the camera lens, and it’s difficult to know who is aware of what she’s doing. She’s not just taking pictures of places of interest as a tourist. Also, Julia is there to try and find a husband since her godfather has three sons—two of which are of marriageable age. There is definitely some romance depicted.

The Summer Olympics set in Berlin in 1936 play a prominent role. There are carefree times—or what seem to be—as well as terrifying and scary moments. Not everyone Viviane meets are as they seem, and some have hidden agendas that could get them all killed. She’s a quick thinker and manages to get herself out of a few difficult positions. She also gets support from some surprising people. There are a multitude of supporting characters woven throughout that add layers to the story.

The ending is somewhat magical, taking place back in England in 1940 and gives nice closure. The cover is wonderfully depicted. The Acknowledgements and Notes in the back of the book are fairly lengthy and give some insight into the story. The Readers Guide Discussion Questions are thought-provoking.

If you like historical fiction set around WWII with a bit of romance and based in part on real events, this is a book you’d want to read.

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.

I always enjoy historical fiction, so of course I enjoyed this one. I have read many books about WWII but this one stood out as different as it takes place in between the wars as the Germans are prepping for war.
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On the surface Viviane is on Holiday during the Berlin Olympics but in reality proof is needed that the Germans are once again getting ready for war. Who would suspect a young pretty girl as a spy? Vivane is playing a very dangerous games as she watched the world take each other on during the Olympic Games.
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Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

That Summer in Berlin by Lecia Cornwall is set during the 1936 Berlin Olympics just before World War II. Full of adventure, family, romance and intrigue, this book was not a normal read for me but I walked away loving it. I couldn't put it down. For a book, especially a period piece to grab my attention like it did says a lot about this book. I loved it and will probably read more from this author.

There are many books about WW2, and some are very similar, but That Summer in Berlin by Lecia Cornwell offers a new kind of story that I haven't read before. The story takes place in 1936 Berlin, during the Olympic Games. Hitler and his government want to convince the world that Germany is tolerant and benign, so they roll out the red carpet for international athletes and tourists, removing all antisemitic signs and other sinister sights from view. The locals are presenting an idyllic picture for their guests, but for visitors who dare to look closely behind the gleaming facade, there are clues that the country is preparing for war.

A young English aristocratic woman Viviane Alden, an avid photographer, is one of the tourists traveling with her sister to Germany for the Olympic Games. But she has an undercover mission to look for and photograph any proof of Germany's war preparations. Viviane is pared with a dashing Scottish journalist, Tom Graham, who is on his own dangerous mission in Berlin.

That Summer in Berlin is a dazzling combination of fascinating history, adventure, intrigue, and romance. I was engrossed in the story from the first page. I haven't enjoyed many WW2 books lately, but I loved this one. It's one of the best historical fiction novels I've read this year. I highly recommend it!

I like historical fiction, but I have to admit sometimes I feel like certain points of history are overdone and can burn me out. I will admit that the rise of Nazis and World War II is one of those time periods, and while that is the setting for this book I found this story to be fresh and kept my interest very well. I loved the characters and seeing the locations and time period through their eyes. Viviane is English and of marriageable age, but she isn’t engaged and would rather work by being photographer than marry much to her mother’s disappointment. While she takes portraits she likes to take more important photos around current events even more. Tom is a journalist who has been assigned to go to Berlin for the Olympics. He’s instructed to gain German trust and to find out what they don’t want their foreign guests to know. Altogether a great adventure full of strong characters and just a dash of romance..

Another WWII book that I devoured and can not stop thinking about. In this book, we meet Viviane. She comes from a privileged family but sees the world, not through rose-colored glasses. Through the lens of her camera, she sees things that others would rather she not. When the opportunity comes for her to go to Germany during the 1936 Olympics, she takes it.

I very quickly became in awe of Viviane. She does not give in to her family’s requests of her. She pushes herself to become a better person, a person reliant on herself. Viviane knows that getting married and having babies is not what will make her happy and decides to work towards her dreams. In the era of this book, a working woman was not someone high society accepted. Yet it does not deter her from keeping doing what she loves.

The relationships that Viviane makes while visiting Germany are special. I enjoyed watching her with the German family that she and her sister stay with. She was kind and respectful but was not willing to accept their word as truth. She kept her values intact while also understanding that not all Germans are Nazi’s. I worried about her trust in a few characters but had faith that all would work out in the end for her.

That Summer in Berlin is an enthralling story of pre-WWII Germany. I highly recommend it to any historical fiction reader.

I adored author Lecia Cornwall's WWI histfic masterpiece, The Woman at the Front, and wondered if she could wow me again. Indeed, she has! THAT SUMMER IN BERLIN is equally elegant and gripping, with a story about British spy/photog, Viviane Alden, who travels to the 1936 Berlin Olympics to capture on film the truth of German rearmament. What happens next will thrill you to the last page. Lecia is an absolute go-to author for me now, as she should be for anyone who loves historical fiction. Highly recommended!

I was recently in the mood for historical fiction and The Last Summer in Berlin hit the spot. It is set in during the 1936 Berlin Olympics. World War Two has not yet begun, but there’s an uncertainty in the air that Germany, under Hitler’s regime, may be moving in that direction. Debutantes Vivienne Alden and her step-sister Julia are visiting Germany from England, and while Julia is smitten with the handsome Germans and all the Olympic fanfare, Vivienne can see through it. No one knows that Vivenne is acting as a spy, using her photography skills to reveal the truth of the what is going on behind the scenes- the future plans of the Nazis.

I always like it when historical fiction takes on a unique angle and I loved that this one felt like a fresh take. It was a bit of a slow burn with a big build up that had a ton of drama and suspense at the end. Vivienne was a great lead- talented, smart, and courageous. This book was both enjoyable, but also informative. If you’re in the mood for a historical fiction read, this might be just what you’re looking for!

This was such a great look at pre-WWII Berlin during the 1936 Olympic games as one American woman is tasked with taking photos and reporting on the state of the country as the Nazis are rising in influence. If you enjoy historical fiction this book is well researching and utterly compelling! Great on audio narrated by Hannah Curtis and perfect for fans of Fast girls by Elise Hooper. Much thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC and Berkley for a physical #finished copy. Highly, highly recommended!

That Summer In Berlin is a wonderful historical fiction set mostly in Berlin in 1936.

English debutante Viviane wants to take photographs and doesn't quite want the life that he mother and step-father have planned for her. After already breaking off one engagement they decide to send her to Germany for the summer to accompany her step-sister Julia. While they are there, they plan to see the 1936 Berlin Olympics but Viviane is also there on a clandestine mission to take photographs of of as much as she can to share information about what Hitler is doing. But she quickly realizes there is more going on and that she wants to do more to get the truth out...

I liked that this book shares a few interesting things I'd this time period such as British debutantes going over to Germany in the 1930s to try to strengthen political bonds, a little about the 1930s in Germany and the Berlin Olympics. I wanted a little more on the Olympics and maybe less romance, but I liked the character of Viviane a lot. It was interesting to see her compared to her Julia also the Otto & Felix brother angle too.

I enjoy reading WWII Historical Fiction and like more unique books such as this one that are about different aspects of the war. I also really enjoyed the author's note here too. You know I need them in my historical fiction!

It is Berlin 1936, and the Summer Olympics will soon be underway. Meanwhile, war is on the horizon and the Nazis have a lot of plans. Viviane Alden is on holiday with her sister during the planned Summer Olympic games but she actually has a bigger reason for being there. Viviane is gifted with her Leica camera, and the pictures she is taking are actually suiting her purposes of being a spy, a spy no one suspects. Viviane is often paired with a journalist, Tom Graham, and the two take risk after risk.

Viviane and her camera skills were in high demand, which gave her an edge with regard to what her real purpose was, even with all the danger that followed her everywhere. This incredibly intense book had a high level of intrigue while a romance was slowly brewing. However, both Viviane and Tom had to be on their toes at all times, because betrayal was in their midst as well.

No matter how many historical fiction books I read, I always seem to find something different. Lecia Cornwall did that with this book, That Summer in Berlin. It was quite interesting to see how the war efforts and the nefarious activities of the Germans was pushing forward all while pretending things were fine while the ceremonies and games of the Olympics was going on. Quite the contrast, and the author did a fabulous job at presenting both sides, but especially the activities of Viviane and Tom and all of the dangers they faced.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Please enjoy my YouTube video review as well - https://youtu.be/f3R1J03bg9w

THAT SUMMER IN BERLIN by Lecia Cornwall is a well-written and gripping tale filled with intrigue, adventure and romance set against the backdrop of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. While rumors abound in England that Germany is readying for another World War, many want to appease Hitler and avoid a new conflict. Some among the English aristocracy send their debutante daughters to Germany where they might find a strategic marriage partner. Viviane Alden accompanies her step-sister on holiday to Germany in the summer of 1936 to attend the Olympic games, but she really has another motive for the trip and that is to secretly obtain evidence that Germany is re-arming for another war. However, what the sisters actually see on the surface is a well-orchestrated spectacle of warm German hospitality and the beauty of the setting. With extraordinary courage, Viviane uses her trusty camera to document more than just holiday memories. Along with Tom Graham, a daring journalist, Viviane attempts to reveal the truth of what the Germans are really up to. But their mission soon turns very dangerous. Can Viviane and Tom survive to expose the true horror of Hitler’s regime? This historical novel is well-researched and presented. It is fast-paced and full of suspense. I enjoyed this compelling story and highly recommend it. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

Well-written historical fiction that explores a fascinating time - 1936 - just before WWII - in Berlin, Germany. The backdrop is the Berlin Olympic Games which Hitler used to showcase German prowess and convince the world that Germany wanted peace. In reality, he was covertly preparing the country for war, building up munitions, developing its army, etc. During the Olympics while the world was watching, the Nazis directed the German people to hide any signs of superiority, anti-Semitism and hatred against the Jewish community. In private, the rise of fascim and Nazism were well underway.

There have been so many WWII fiction novels that it is refreshing to find one that shines a light on a little covered period/event. The main character is very likeable, the plot is very engaging and the pacing is good. Themes of good versus evil, turning a blind eye when it is convenient and living by own’s values were woven through this story. I found this to be a very enjoyable and informative read - a winning combination for me!

Thanks to Berkley and Uplit Reads for this ARC and for having me on their launch campaign.

I went through a period of non stop reading of WWII historical fiction. So much so that I got burned out and haven't picked up a book on the subject matter in quite some time. That Summer In Berlin intrigued me with its setting of 1936 Germany during the Olympic Games. Using an offered holiday to visit Berlin, Germany Viviane joins forces in a plan to expose the Nazi's. There's a lot going on with the plot of the novel, romance, risks, and betrayal but Lecia Cornwall ties the story together brilliantly in a compulsive, hard to put down read. I am so glad I was able to experience this gem of a book. Fans of The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah are sure to love That Summer In Berlin.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review honestly an advanced digital copy.

Interesting historical fiction. It's 1936 and Viviane is the odd one out in her blended family; her mother remarried after her father, a WWI hero drowned. She loves taking photographs and isn't interested in marriage- and she's ended her engagement to a man who is flirting with fascism. She meets Tom, a journalist and the son of an earl who was born out of marriage, at her older sister's wedding and he changes her life. Her photos of protests gain her attention at his paper so when her stepfather agrees to send Viviane and her younger sister Julia to Germany for the Olympics, she goes in part to help Tom document what's happening there. Julia is entranced with Otto, the SS Officer older son who frightens Viviane, but she finds a kindred spirit in Felix, the middle son. Or is he? Viviane discovers she cares for Tom, even if she doesn't acknowledge it. and the two of them walk a narrow ledge as the Nazis cement their power. No spoilers from me. This is a well written novel with good storytelling and a twist or two I didn't see coming. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Excellent read.

Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
That Summer in Berlin by Lecia Cornwall is a historical novel set just before World War II's outbreak and set in Britain and Germany.

Story Recap:
In order to escape a marriage to an unsuitable man, debutante Viviane Alden decides to accompany her sister to Germany to visit their aristocratic cousins. The time is 1936, and the women are promised they will be able to go to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

Vivianne isn’t the typical debutante; she has a talent for photography and isn’t just visiting Germany as a holiday. She has a covert mission to try and photograph Germany’s build-up to the war in order to help convince British leaders that Hitler is a real threat. When Vivienne’s fundamental mission is revealed, she finds herself in a life-threatening situation and she’s not sure she’ll ever be able to return to England.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book very much. I liked that it showed the build-up towards war and not the actual war itself. Vivianne was one of the few in her family that could see the Nazis for what they were. She used her camera to show her country what was really going on behind all the glamour and beauty of the Olympic Games. Her “holiday photos” were actually photos to expose the build-up of arms in Germany. Vivienne is such a courageous and intelligent heroine in this story, she didn’t want to marry for money and live a life of aristocracy in England, instead, she chose to work for her country and spy on the Germans.

I never realized that the British Aristocracy sent young women to Germany to try and heal relations with Germany before the war started. At that time, it wasn’t known how horrible the situation was in Germany, and that’s why Vivienne’s photos were so important.

Sometimes it’s difficult for me to get into a historical novel right away, but that is not the case with That Summer in Berlin. I was immediately swept away and the exciting pace continued throughout the book.

Recommendation:
I highly recommend That Summer in Berlin to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Deeply engrossing, That Summer in Berlin hooked me quickly. Very well written historical fiction is a weakness of mine, and this novel fulfilled every hope I have for my HF reads ❤️

* romance
* betrayal
* intrigue

This was my first book by the author; it absolutely won’t be my last.

Recommended.

What a great read! Perfect for readers who might be a bit tired of standard WWII stories, but still want to read about the time period in general. This was so incredibly tense and some chapters had my heart racing!

My first Historical Fiction for the Fall season and oh my word I picked a good one. A look into pre war11 Germany probably a first for me in this setting of HF novels. Full of adventure, family, romance and intrigue. I stayed up late turning the pages to follow heroine Vivianne on her epic journey to point and shoot the real going’s on beyond the façade of the 1936 Olympics in Berlin! LOVED!