Firstly, I'd like to say that the description for this book (on NetGalley at least), is quite misleading to the actual content of the book, and is actually wrong about the plot. I hope this is changed before publication.
I went into this with high expectations, as I've loved similar books in the past, and this seemed like a very interesting story to explore. Ultimately though, I found I was disappointed. The writing style felt jumpy and slightly all over the place (though I think the dual perspectives worked well, the jumping in the timeline within each one created completely unnecessary confusion), and unfortunately I could not bring myself to love either of the protagonists. They both seemed to make many questionable decisions, and I felt many aspects of their lives were either over or under explored.
I did enjoy the references to the Dutch resistance though, and I found myself invested in both protagonists' journeys, which can be a difficult thing to accomplish in these types of books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this eARC.

The Boy in the Attic takes place in two eras. 1944-1945 and in 2005. Having it set in two different times can be tricky to master, but the author did a fantastic job with blending the two times together in a way that melted together to tell the story in the perfect order.

The main character in past times, Ilse, is faced with famine, war, starvation and desperation as her country is being starved by the Nazis during their occupation. When she’s given an opportunity to possibly better living conditions, she takes it but has no idea the path of resistance, determination, love, heartbreak and bravery it will lead her on. Isle’s story touches you deep in your soul and you can’t help but feeling her feelings as she goes through her journey.

In present times, the main character is Anna who is dealing with the loss of a parent and has a sudden urge to go on a mission to answer to fill in the missing puzzle pieces of her deceased fathers childhood - all while battling her own demons and issues in her personal life.

I love both of these characters stories and I love how well-written this book is. The author makes you visualize each chapter vividly with her descriptions and candid paragraphs expressing the characters thoughts and feelings as their story unfolds.

This book also does a good job at showcasing the lifetime affects that the Nazi’s caused many survivors and future generations to endure mentally and emotionally and although some may find it sad, it is so important that the author is talented enough to do this, subtly yet very obviously.

Definitely worth reading!

I absolutely adored this book from start to finish and it has been one of my favourite reads of the year. I can’t wait to read from the author in the future!

First time I've ever read anything by this author and after reading this I can say that I want to read more by her .The way she writes and tells her stories ,you can feel her passion for sharing the forgotten stories from wartime Holland and and the love and pride she has in her family history as well as for her mother . She brings to life not only the struggle for survival in the most difficult of times, but also bravery and kindness of the people who risked everything including their own lives .

This was a really nice dual timeline story. It was definitely sad, but it was also uplifting and positive.

If you haven’t already had the pleasure of reading an Imogen Matthews book you must add one to your list! She has such a passion for sharing the forgotten stories from wartime Holland and draws on her mother’s experience for authenticity. You’ll be swept up by her beautifully written accounts of ordinary people’s struggle for survival in the most difficult of times.

I love all of Mathews’ characters, but Levi and Ilse are my favourite. You won’t be reading a Matthews book for too long before you’’ll notice that she crafts her characters as relatable and memorable. I noticed that I was able to get closer to Ilse because Matthews allowed me to see Ilse’s anxiety and feel her inner turmoil. I could understand how torn she was to be dancing and acting as everything was normal when a short distance away prisoners were incarcerated for the flimsiest of reasons. I could also understand how conflicted she was to be spending time with a man whose citizens were doing so much harm to her city. Finally, I could understand how difficult it must have been to leave Rijswijk and her parents and go to Hilversum when they were starving. Likewise, I could feel Levi’s pain and frustration at being at the mercy of monsters and living without freedom.

What I noticed most was Matthews’ focus on humanity. She highlighted both bookends but explored the actions of the ordinary people like Connie and William, who, at enormous risk to themselves, showed goodness and had an unselfish desire to help others. You’ll no doubt ask yourself the same question as you read: “Would I have done the same in a similar situation?” It was food for thought.

The teacher in me always appreciates the lessons Matthews shares. I learned about the history of Delft, the inspiration for Vermeer’s ‘The Little Street’ painting, liberation babies, and much more.

If I could sum up Matthews’ message in a few words, it would be to exercise empathy and take steps in learning lessons from the past so that history doesn’t continue to repeat itself.

Imogen Matthews writes unputdownable historical fiction. She helps her readers to appreciate the extreme hardship the Dutch experienced under German occupation. Matthews’ wartime Holland series needs to top your historical fiction reading list!

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

Well written with a compelling storyline, dual timeline and well developed characters. It was emotive, suspenseful and unpredictable. A really enjoyable read.

This is a brilliant read. Based in the 1940s in Holland in the middle of the war. It has everything you would want. Love, intrigue , suspense and twist and turns. Based in 2 time zones but it was easy to read and follow.. I am going to look for more books by Imogen Matthews. She could be my new favourite author.

In THE BOY IN THE ATTIC, IMOGEN MATTHEWS tells a beautiful story of courage and love which starts during the second world war in Holland with Ilse and carries on with Anna, who travels to Holland in 2001 after the death of her father to find out the truth about his birth, the two timelines running smoothly together.
It is heartwrenching to see how the Dutch people were treated during the German occupation of Holland, their struggle to survive the freezing cold weather and lack of food, and the difficult decisions they had to make to simply stay alive. There is unconditional love as ordinary people reach out to those in danger, especially the Jews, but there is also betrayal as the worst side of human nature comes to the fore.
When Ilse is invited by her friend Connie’s parents to work as a nurse at the tuberculosis hospital, she feels guilty that she is getting so much food. Her eyes and heart are opened when she finds Levi, a young Jewish jeweller hiding in the Van Dongens’ attic, and also when she learns about Connie’s work in the resistance.
In present time, Anna also has decisions to make as she meets Luuk, a young man she met as a child and who is now helping her research her grandmother’s life. Will she be prepared to go back to her rather self centred British boyfriend after her adventures in Holland?……….
This is a really worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This author can tug on the heart strings when they need to, and is a clever enough storyteller to not overindulge. Any fan of historical fiction, or of a ripping good read will be beguiled by this book. Exquisite writing. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop.

Whoa!!! This book...
It usually takes me a bit longer to read anything of historical fiction because I put some extra focus into it. But this book dragged me in !!! It's such an enjoyable easy read, it's written in a way that you can just read and read and feel through the words. Usually historical fiction about war are heavy books that make you feel pain but this one is mixed and presented in such a way that you can read through it without the heaviness of sadness. You'll feel sad of course, you'll feel mad too, like with any book surrounding the holocaust or any war, but it won't be hard to read. It's a great book for those who would like to read more historical fiction but are scared to read a book that is too explicit or hard to read.

Set in two timelines this tells the story of Ilse in Holland during the second world war and of Anna in present day (2001). Ilse has been trying to forage for food ever more getting scarce since the Germans invaded. They have had to resort to eating tulip bulbs as there is little else around. When Ilse gets an invitation to go and help her friend at the sanatorium it is a double blessing. Ilse wanted to train to be a doctor before the war started and going would mean that meagre rations would last her parents longer. On arrival in Amsterdam she soon discovers her friend is hiding rather more than a secret. Anna is trying to find the family of her father who they have just found out about his origins which takes her to Holland, away from Hugo who she is getting rather tired of.
I loved this. For me the dual timelines were easy to follow and really gave the story an edge. I empathised with both Ilse and Anna both being in difficult situations not necessarily of their choosing and their own empathy and kindness for others. This is part of a series (The Wartime Holland series) and would happily stand alone ( I had only read the second one). Part of this is based on facts from Imogen’s own family history which brings home exactly how things were. A stunningly evocative, moving story. 5* from me.

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