Based on the real Lebensborn programme – a Nazi initiative to increase the number of children born who met the Nazi standards of “racially pure” and “healthy” Aryans – A Child for the Reich is an emotional tale that delivers on so many levels. The main protagonist, Anna Dankova, is struggling to make ends meet and is more than a little annoyed at her husband, Josef, who left to join the resistance forces some time ago. Having lived in beautiful Prague, it is something of a shock to move to the country where Josef – before leaving them along with Dasa’s husband – insists they will be safer. Now, with her daughter, Ema, her mother (Matka) and sister, Dasa and her children, they live without the use of their car (taken by the Germans), many of their livestock (also taken) and are left to support themselves on the little income they can earn at the market selling the vegetables they’ve grown.

And, as if life were not hard enough, rumours of the Brown Sisters being in their area leave them all fearful of their children being taken next. Given that their neighbours are not the kindliest of people, willing to sell gossip to the Germans in return for better treatment for themselves, who can they trust?

The greatest fear is for Dasa’s young baby, a child she will not name until the men come home, but who meets the requirements of the Lebensborn programme perfectly. Consequently, they try to keep him hidden.

None of them expected Ema, Anna’s daughter to be the target of the Brown Sisters’ next trip to the market. Devastated, Anna concocts a plan to get her daughter back, and using her acting skills (from her days in Prague) and her ability to speak German, she meets with the resistance group to a) locate her daughter, and b) to acquire papers for her to assume a new identity and infiltrate the orphanage where Ema is being kept prior to adoption with a “good German family.”

At this stage, I was reeling in shock at the extent to which the Lebensborn programme was being carried out, but at the orphanage itself, my shock levels intensified as the details of the programme became clearer. Anna is risking everything to get Ema back, and as the reality of her situation unfolds, the tension ratchets up, emotions are incredibly high, and the danger of being caught infers life-threatening consequences.

I found A Child for the Reich to be truly absorbing, a compelling read that had me racing through the chapters to the conclusion. The story does, however, tell of more than Anna’s courage and determination, it highlights the strength of family and friends (Matka is incredibly supportive and inspiring, witty and thoughtful), and the ability to conquer even the most monumental of challenges when the future of family is at stake. If you enjoy reading about strong female characters, particularly during one of the most difficult eras of modern times, then this is the book for you.

My thanks go to the author, and publisher, (Harper Collins One more Chapter) for my copy of this book which I have reviewed freely.

Although a work of fiction the plot is based on truth. Following Anna as her child is captured by the Nazis to become a German and secretly get adopted. So Anna decides to infiltrate the place she is being held and capture her daughter back. A great story written with easy to read chapters. I say great story which it is but it’s also horrific to think that this actually happened. Thanks to Andi Newton and her publisher. Also thanks to NetGalley.

"A Child For The Reich" is a fictional story based on true facts about WWII and the stealing of children by the Nazis for the Lebensborn program. How far would a mother go to try to get her stolen child back. Who can you trust and who will turn you in.
I really enjoyed this book and learned lots about what happened when the Germans stole Aryan looking children from other countries to be adopted into good German families. I never knew this was happening during the war before reading this book.
I loved Anna and her determination to go after her daughter at all costs regardless of the dangers and risks. She fought back when lots didn’t.
I would highly recommend this book. It kept you wondering if Anna would succeed or get caught. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for providing me with a ARC copy of this book to read.

A Child for the Reich kept me turning the pages with a compelling, passionate story. I’ve read all of Andie’s books so far, and once again, did not disappoint!

Anna has done everything she can to keep her daughter and her sister’s children out of the hands of the Brown Sisters, who take Czech children who “look German” from their families and place them with German parents. Sadly, her daughter is taken while they are at the market. Anna goes on a journey to rescue her daughter.

Anna shows throughout the book the true love she has for her daughter and her sister’s children. She will clearly go to the end of the earth and back for them. And while there are some heart-shattering moments, there is a strong feeling of hope and determination throughout.

I recommend this book for historical fiction lovers who enjoy WWII-era perspectives and books that are high-stakes yet hopeful.

Thank you to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. The review expresses my own personal opinion.

There are no bounds to a mothers love. Anna and her sister and mother are afraid of the Germans. The Germans will take their children. This is Anna’s story of her love for her daughter and how far she is willing to go to protect her and other children. This is a story of two half’s. The first half is Anna and her family and what they do to protect themselves. The second half of about Anna and her determination to get her daughter back. I loved this story. It kept surprising me. Anna is a very strong character who wants to help everyone. She is very smart. I really enjoyed this book and read it in one day because I could not put it down!

This was an intriguing and disturbing piece of historical fiction which followed the lives of several members of a Czech family called Dankova.

Iwas drawn to the book because it covered an aspect of World War Two about which I knew very little.

The main strength of this novel is the superbly crafted characters. This is the first time that I have read a book by Andrew Newton, and I must say that I was very impressed.

I won't go into detail about the storyline for fear of spoiling the plot. Suffice to say that the novel is fast paced and provides a glimpse into the distressing world of child abduction during a time of war.

The story is well crafted. Given the distasteful subject matter, I find it hard to say that I enjoyed reading it. However if you like historical fiction which relates to events which really happened, then you will probably enjoy reading this book.

On the strength of this novel I will certainly look out for further books by Andie Newton. give my thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins (One More Chapter) for a copy in exchange for this review.

A Child for the Reich is an incredibly emotional, heart wrenching, compelling story. It’s bittersweet; any bits of joy tinged with sadness and uncertainty. The story is based on the all-too-true and horrifying history of Czech children being stolen by the Reich to raise as their own, as good little Germans. There is a sense of danger throughout, suspense builds until the end, and while you hope for just a shred of happiness you cannot be sure if that will happen.

The story, however, just doesn’t really feel authentic and you can never get truly immersed in it. For all the emotion and frightening events, there is not enough detail on the how of Anna and Ema’s story; Anna just somehow goes place to place, meeting person after person, and somehow ends up where she needs to be. We know from history and other historical fiction the horrors, danger, suffering endured by brave people resisting, but this book only touches on it, seems to glide over it and instead spends a lot of time in Anna’s head, which results in you not getting to know any of the characters well.

I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review; all opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Publication: Out now!

I was blown away by this book. I had seen a few posts about it and my curiosity was piqued. This book read like a thriller but had all the backdrop surrounding World War 2. I loved the shorter chapters and found myself flying through the book.

The only thing I found a little disappointing was that we would read one event then two lines later, we learn that months have passed. It was a little disorienting as a reader but I wasn't too hung up on that detail. I was still sucked in and amazed that this story captures what many had gone through with the Reich.

Perfect for fans: historical fiction, thriller vibes, Kate Quinn, Kristen Hannah

A tough read in spots, Anna's little daughter Ema is beautiful- and she's the embodiment of the Aryan ideal. When she's taken to be given to a Nazi family, Anna is at first distraught and then determined, While you're certain that Anna will find and retrieve Ema, things just aren't that simple. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A very good read for fans of historical fiction,

A Child for the Reich by Andie Newton is a WWII historical fiction based on the Lebensborn Program in which children were stolen from their families and adopted as German children.

This novel follows one mother's desperate attempt to get her daughter back at all costs.

A heartbreaking and heroic story.

A work of fiction based on fact this book brings reality to the horrors faced in The Second World War. The Brown Sisters kidnap the children of Czech people to take them to help create the desired Aryan race. Anna has her child stolen and embarks on a bold adventure using her acting skills to pretend she is a loyal nazi to reclaim her daughter.

I can’t rate this book highly enough! 5*+
The story is based around the Lebensborn programme during WWII. The notorious Brown Sisters, dedicated to the Nazi cause would abduct blonde haired blue eyed children to be adopted by ‘good’ German families and raised as their own. Anna Dankova, her sister Dasa and their Mother live in Tabor a small village in occupied Czechoslovakia along with their young children. When Anna’s daughter Ema is snatched from her arms by a Brown sister in the local market place distraught Anna is determined to fight back and find her daughter. With the help of the resistance she obtains a new identity reinventing her as a German citizen. So Anna becomes Anna Hager. Fortunately she is fluent in the language. She discovers Ema is in an orphanage called Edelhaus in Dresden. She travels to Dresden and manages to secure a cleaning job at Edelhaus later being promoted to nurse. She’s found Ema but escaping with her won’t be easy. What she has to do to get them home to Tabor is beyond belief.
This read is heart stopping and often tense but such a compelling and absorbing story based on real events. My first read of Andie Newton but definitely not my last. Highly recommend. My thanks to Netgalley and Sara Roberts of One More Chapter for the opportunity to read and review

Inspired by a true story, this book is absolutely gripping and full of tension, heartbreak and the story of one woman's quest to find and rescue her daughter from the Nazi's Lebensborn programme.

Anna Dankova and her family live in Nazi-occupied Prague. Her husband and brother-in-law have joined the Czech Resistance leaving them to try and raise their children with the ever present danger of the Nazi soldiers, the Gestapo and the much feared Brown Sisters; female nurses who were dedicated to the Nazi cause. They worked for the Nazi Welfare Organization and searched through villages and towns for Aryan-looking children.

Anna and her sister's children are blonde-haired and blue-eyed and their fears are only too real but they are powerless against the might of the Nazi regime and one day, Anna's daughter, Ema is literally ripped from her arms in broad daylight leaving Anna, understandably, distraught and determined to get her back whatever the risks before she is lost forever.

Anna uses all her skills, courage and guile to find her daughter, infiltrate the children's home where she has been placed to be indoctrinated into the German way and to figure out a way to get her out of there whilst under the ever present threat of exposure and certain death.

This is a story full of tension and heartbreak and one mother's determination to find her daughter no matter what and it was absolutely gripping and I have no hesitation recommending it to those of you who 'enjoy' reading historical fiction based on true stories and events.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of A Child for the Reich.

Harrowing and emotional. One of the worst things someone could do to a mother is to rip her child away from her. The Third Reich did this to thousands of mothers of blond children in occupied countries, giving them to Nazi families in order to bring them up with their own twisted beliefs. Hard to read, but the lengths .Imogene went to to try to reclaim her stolen daughter, Ema, were amazing.

An amazing and heartfelt story. A Mothers love is so strong and what she will go through for her child is never ending.
Based on true history of WW2 and The Brown Sisters.. This is a must read for history buffs and historical fiction.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Child For The Reich by Andie Newton is a heartbreaking historical tale that consumed me from the start.
The story is fiction but based on fact. The Nazis stole upwards of 200,000 children from Nazi occupied territories and assimilated them into Germany as they had them adopted into Nazi families. It is truly heartbreaking.
This is a story of courage, determination and desperation. It is a mother’s search for her daughter. We witness a love that never gives up. It is a love that will do whatever is necessary with no thought to personal safety.
Andie Newton has perfectly captured the fear and desperation of the Czech mothers and grandmothers as the brown sisters descend on a town.
It was a time of pure evil – but not all Germans were Nazis. There were pockets of goodness, kindness and courage.
There is the theme of trust. Sometimes you have to take a risk and reach out to trust someone and hope you have chosen wisely.
In times of war, we all have choices to make. “We’re measured by our choices. It’s what makes us who we are.” We always have the opportunity to choose to do the right thing.
All the characters are well drawn and realistic.
In times of war, the moral codes and lines are blurred. People act in ways they never would in peacetime.
I was thoroughly engrossed in A Child For The Reich. It was a powerful tale about a time of pure evil. It is a story that needs telling.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Anna’s daughter is stolen from her one day. With her daughter’s blonde hair and blue eyes she’s exactly what the Brown Sisters are looking for. Anna devises a plan to get her daughter back from the German nurses before they can adopt her out.
It’s a heartbreaking story. It’s a part of the war I wasn’t aware of.
Thanks to the publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for the early copy

This is a fictional story based on actual events which occurred during WWII in Germany. It is a story about the Nazi Party’s Lebensborn programme whereby they stole thousands of Aryan looking children from occupied countries and then used them to repopulate their idea of the master race. The story revolves around Anna, Dasa and Matka, a mother and two daughters living in a town in the occupied territory of Czechoslovakia. Brilliantly researched and written this was an addictive and well paced read.

Briefly, with both of their husbands away fighting with the Czech Resistance the families are living on the poverty line. One day the German Brown Sisters kidnap Anna’s 5 year old daughter Ema and Dasa’s new baby boy Adam but Anna is determined to trace both children; the story follows her desperate search through to a nursery in Dresden.

This is a strongly emotional tale where on the one hand you witness the brutality of the German forces and collaborators whilst realising that not all Germans were Nazi sympathisers. The depiction of the nursery/orphanage is heartbreaking. How could adults can treat babies and young children like this. A very disturbing story of our time but excellently told. A very good historical novel highlighting one of the many atrocities carried out by the Nazi’s during the war.

Rumours of the Reich's dreaded Brown Sisters coming for the Czech children swept through the villages like a breeze through the trees, but the story was always the same. The Reich wanted our Aryan looking children to raise as their own. Since her husband, Josef, joined the Czech resistance three years ago, Anna Dankova has done everything possible to keep her daughter, Ena, safe. But when blonde-haired, blue-eyed Ena is ripped from her mother's arms in the local marketplace by a Brown Sister, Anna is forced to go to new extremes to take back what the Nazis had stolen from her.

This story shows an unfamiliar terror of WWII. I hadn't heard of the Brown Sisters before. They were female nurses who were dedicated to the Nazi cause and kidnapped hundreds of Polish children and raise them to raise them as sons and daughters of the Third Reich. It's actually quite horrifying to think of your child being stolen from your arms, for then to be adopted by a German. The pace is on the slow side in the first part of the book. This is a beautifully written story that's tense. emotional. harrowing and engrossing, I do like a story that evolves around true events. I loved Anna, she was a strong character who will do anything to get her daughter Ena back. This is one of those books that will remain in your thoughts long after you've finished reading it. Fans of historical fiction, WWII or books based on true events will like this book.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #AndieNewton for my ARC of #AChildForTheReich in exchange for an honest review.

🎁📚𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 📚🎁
4/5 🌟

Newton’s well-researched story examines the system of the Nazis stealing non-German children to be adopted into German families during the Holocaust and is a great companion read to “Cradles of the Reich,” which I read last month.

This is the fictionalized story of Anna, a living Czechoslovakian mother whose own child is kidnapped by the Nazis and placed in a nursery to await adoption by a “good German family.”

While an easy read, the story took some time to get going, but at about 60% though, I was completely hooked and sped through the remainder of the book without putting it down. There was nice character development, and Newton paints a vivid picture of the contrast between how Germans lived and non-Germans lived during the war. I loved main character Anna and her endless supply of chutzpah, and there were a few surprises throughout.

As with “Cradles,” I learned about the Lebensborn program (German women voluntarily getting pregnant with Nazi officers’ children only to have them adopted out to other families) and the kidnapping and adoption of non-German but Aryan looking children from occupied countries, and those children’s experiences. It’s heartbreaking to know that approximately 200,000 were stolen from their families to be converted to Germans in the Reich’s attempt to expand the population of “perfect German citizens.”

If you’re looking for another angle on WWII and the Holocaust, this is a compelling and poignant story.

My thanks to @netgalley and @harpercollinsUK for the opportunity to read this in advance of its release on December 8, 2022.

#biblliophile #stephsalwaysreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #achildforthereich#andienewton#netgalley#ARC #whatshouldireadnext #tbrlist #harpercollinsUK