This was a very powerful WWII novel told from the perspective of 3 different women. It is always fascinating to me to read a WWII novel that highlighted the women who risked their lives during the war to try and sabotage things and help people. Hannah, Lily and Micheline all came from very different backgrounds and provided interesting perspectives. I do feel the novel ended a bit abruptly and would have preferred a bit more on that end. Thank you to Netgalley and for the ARC.

I love WWII books with heroines based on real events! This was a captivating novel with a female heroine who aided in getting downed Allied airmen to safety. It is set in Belgium which was a refreshing setting, and Micheline's brother teaming with his sister made me appreciate the book even more. The two cousin main characters' selfishness bothered me and I didn't love the characters, but in reality no one is 'all good' or 'all bad' and are motivated by all sorts of reasons, so while this novel wasn't all sunshine and roses, it took a more realistic approach which I ended up enjoying.

Betrayal, trauma, and trust are some of the themes that are explored in Jennoff’s latest WW2 novel that was released earlier in February.

We meet two women - Hannah and Lily. Hannah escapes Nazi Germany and bears witness to her husband’s death and secretly drawing anti-Nazi political cartoons. Forced to pick up the shattered pieces of her life, she is unsuccessful in finding means to escape Europe and ends up reconnecting with Lily, her son, and her husband, Nick in Belgium.

Hannah meets Matteo (who works for underground resistance and Lily’s former lover), and his sister, Micheline. Lily and her family eventually receive orders to be interned into a transitory camp before being put on a train to Auschwitz. It is here where we learn of the heroic attempts of resistance workers who played a role in trying to stop the trains from reaching their final destination.

Being on the outside and having access to the resistance networks, Hannah faces an unimaginable situation, and is confronted with having to make “choiceless choice.” She makes the courageous decision to stop and rescue her sister and her family. While the actual event is barely successful, the siblings are sent to the camps as a form of punishment after their network is compromised.

I did not see the ending coming, and it left me questioning the type of decisions people faced at this time. It’s something that I believe Jenoff wants to underscore that socio-political and cultural conditions created morally gray situations leading people to make difficult decisions. I don’t know what I have done in Hannah’s shoes, and I think this is the power of Jenoff’snovels - they make you think!

Thank you @pamjenoff, @parkrowbooks, and @netgalley for the gifted novel.

#PamJennoff #CodeNamedSapphire #ParkRowBooks

Given the sensitive themes the novel explores, I wanted to slowly savor it which meant that I couldn’t get to finish it before February, when it was released as I wanted to write a review that was authentic and gave the novel its due justice.

I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Pam Jenoff about her latest work of historical fiction "Code Name Sapphire" for the Storytime in Paris podcast on Paris Underground Radio. This is what I said:

Ep 55. Pam Jenoff, “Code Name Sapphire”

Welcome to the Season Finale of Season Five of Storytime in Paris! This week, I had the pleassure of sitting down with lawyer, law professor, and NYTimes bestelling author Pam Jenoff to talk about her book “Code Name Sapphire.” “Code Name Sapphire” is a riveting, fast-paced story about courage, sacrifice, family, love, and impossible choices set against the background of WWII Europe.

In our conversation, Pam chats about the slow process of fast-paced writing, where she finds inspiration, how her characters and their relationships evolve, and so much more. Then, she treats us to a reading from her book.


You can find the full interview at parisundergroundradio.com/storytimeinparis, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

I am a huge fan of Pam Jenoff and have read more of her previously published books - however, this one fell short for me. I didn't feel connected to the characters and the storyline didn't pull me in like her other books have.

A big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early review copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

I am such a huge Pam Jenoff fan, and this book did not disappoint. WW2 historical fiction can sometimes be a bit overdone, but I trust Pam Jenoff and her writing, and this book was amazing. 5 stars!

Pam Jenoff is one of my favorite historical fiction writers. Her books come to life because she has spent the time walking the ground her characters fought to protect. I love how well written the plot is of "Code Name Sapphire" and how alive these characters are. For me, I rooted for each and every one of them as they fought to stay "underground" and fight for freedom.

As popular as World War II stories are, this one will probably find an audience, but I did not find it to be one of the best. First of all, throughout the whole book I felt I was "watching" rather than participating in the story. Hannah I could understand, but Lily evoked no sympathy because as far into the war years as she was living she was extremely naive about what was happening.. And I was not there, but Micheline,, from a 21st century perspective, did not do a very careful vetting of the members of her team. I received this as an arc from NetGalley, and am under no pressure for a positive review.

Ramona Thompson

t’s 1942 and Hannah Martel has escaped the immediate Nazi threat by leaving Germany and heading across the ocean only to have her ship turned away and headed back to Europe. Hannah is desperate and asks her cousin Lily for help. Lily had left Germany long ago and has her own family in Belgium. She loves her cousin and wants to help.

The Sapphire Line is a network of resistance fighters who try to help downed pilots return to England so they can continue to fight. Hannah meets the head of the line, Micheline, and her brother Matteo. They may be her only hope to get out of Belgium before the Germans realize who she is. Not only is she in danger, but so are all the Jews, including her cousin’s family.

Jenoff wove her story around an actual event – the attempt to rescue prisoners from a train headed to Auschwitz. The daring rescue is one of the strongest events in the book but instead of being a focal point, it’s almost a sideline. The Sapphire network of the novel is also based on a real group that helped set up escape lines. Jenoff does give the network sufficient attention and it is a key driving force in the action.

The characters were strong creations but some of the fictional parts of the plot failed to work. Betrayals are major complications that contribute to the danger from the Nazi invaders. Micheline and her resistance group are examples of the courageous work so many undertook to fight the oppressors. The network’s activities are intriguing and memorable; real demonstrations of courage and commitment. Hannah and her cousin are caught up in the Nazis threat to all Jews. It’s their actions that aren’t totally believable.

I love Pam Jenoff, but I'm not sure that Code Name Sapphire was the best use of her talents. Based on true events--but in a more "ripped from the headlines" way than a biographical way--the book concerns the possible fates of Jews in World War II Europe. Here, a pair of cousins, Lilly and Hannah, struggles to navigate the horrors of the era when one cousin--an artist and refugee--ends up embroiled in the Resistance and the other is sent to the camps along with her family. The problem was that I couldn't connect to the characters at all. Jenoff's characterization has never been the strongest, but this was a particularly weak example. The plot is good, though. The book is, taken as a whole, quite good. That makes the issue more glaring and I hope (very much) that Jenoff's next book is a little better.

It fell a bit short of what I expected. I thought it would focus more on the women and their parts against the war, but instead it seemed to focus a lot on these three women and the one man in their life.
And only one seemed genuinely concerned about helping other people; the other two were only thinking of themselves and only cared when things began affecting them so that kind of took away from the terrible things that were happening.

Read if you like: WW2 stories, female resistance fighters.
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This book follows three perspectives. Micheline is the leader of the Sapphire line which is responsible for rescuing airmen. Hannah escaped from Nazi Germany only to be stuck in occupied Belgium. Then there is Lily, Hannah's cousin, who welcomes Hannah into her home and is just trying to survive the occupation.
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I haven't read many war stories taking place in Belgium so this was a nice change. I really enjoyed the story and loved all three perspectives. If you like WW2 fiction this one is great.

Fascinating and poignant story of a resistance network run by a woman in Belgium. The backstory of the cousins took a long time to build and was a bit long to read. I enjoyed the WWII history and the story of how women contributed to the fight against the Nazis. I liked the strong women and the Jewish history details. I think it would be best if they edited down the subplots and focusing on the rescue. Good mystery and suspense.

Thank you for allowing me to read this book as an ARC.
Just as expected, Pam Jenoff did not disappoint. With this one, she again did an amazing job writing a story based on true events that makes you feel like you are there and a part of it, you are living the story. I have never read a Pam Jenoff book that didn't make me feel like that and this one is no exception. The characters are well-built out and relatable.
While this is a topic ai can only read so often (WW2), I prefer to read this author's books because they are so beautifully written and described. You can also tell that the author has spent a lot of time on research to "get the story right."
Great job again and thank you!

The "Sapphire line " is a secret network that assisted soldiers to reach safety. Two young women become involved in this underground resistance program. It is based on real events. An excellent read.

This is an incredible story based on true events that happened during World War II.Another masterpiece written by Pam Jenoff.

It’s 1942 Hannah Martel had narrowly escaped Occupied Nazi Germany, after her beloved fiancé is killed in a pogrom. When Hannah realizes she has nowhere to go, but her cousin Lily who lives with her family in Brussels contacts her cousin Lily. Hannah who desperately needs to leave occupied Europe .But with no safe way to leave she must return to the dangerous underground work she thought she left behind.. Seeking help Hannah joins “The Sapphire Line”. a secret underground residence network led by a mysterious woman named Micheline and her brother Mateo.
When a grave mistake is made causes Lily’s family to be arrested, and slatted to be deported to Auschwitz’. Hannah is found torn between loyalties. It’s a heartbreaking story of love, sacrifice, bravery strong family bonds and resilient women. There were many twists and turns secrets revealed throughout the story that held my interest up until the very end.. I recommend you give this Historical Fiction a Read

I would like to firstly thank the publisher , HarlequinTrade Publishing, Park Row and NetGalley . for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

World War II is consuming Europe. Two cousins, Hannah and Lilly, have felt the effects of the war in their lives. Lilly, a wife, and mother, helps her husband in his medical practice. Hannah, an artist, sends war-related messages secretly through her paintings. As the war rages on, Hannah works as part of the resistance with the Sapphire line. An organization that fights the battle by rescuing people sending and delivering messages and supplies., Michelin is in charge of the Sapphire line. The tensions increase as Lilly and her family are a prisoner at a camp. When Hannah discovers Lilly and her family are scheduled to be transported. At Auschwitz, she knows she must do something. A plan is developed to rescue Lilly and her family. The Sapphire line prepares to help Lilly and her family the danger ratchets up. This is a well researched historical novel about the horrors and bravery during WWII. Told from alternating points of view, the story moves quickly with many twists and turns. Historical fiction fans will find this story will keep them on the edge of their seats as the tension increases.

Pam Jenoff never disappoints me. I love her stories and the history behind them. This was a great story.

Very thought provoking story set in Berlin and Bussels, two cousins who had not seen each other in yrs are thrown together. One family gets deported to the concentration the other worked with the resistance. Can she save her cousin and family. Well written. Thank you Net Galley,Publishers and Author,Pam Jenoff for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I am such a big fan of WW2 novels, and this one hit me right in the feels. I continue to be amazed at the stories left to tell from this turbulent time in our world's history. This one was no different. I can tell that Pam Jenoff is an amazing storyteller and I look forward to reading more of her backlist.