Amazing book set in WW2 with a my duel-timeline! Liz Tolsma tells a powerful story of a young Jewish woman who has to make impossible, heartbreaking decisions . Mathilda is such a courageous woman who will do anything to fight the evil that is occuring around her. When she and her husband are forced into a ghetto shortly after finding out that she's pregnant, she comes face to face with impossible decisions.
In present day we meet Tessa who is shocked to find out that she is party Jewish. She travels to Greece to find out her history. How is she connected to Mathilda?
This book was so well written and really tugs on your heartstrings, making you think.
A must read!

I'm yawing today but not because this was a boring book. Quite the opposite. I could not put it down and managed to read it all in one evening. This was a wonderful story because it included so much truth about the horrors of the Holocaust. The characters were fictional, but the setting was real and up close.
Admittedly, some of it was hard to read, but that's to be expected in a book about the Holocaust. The little touches of romance and family angst were real as well, not contrived. Joanna was my favorite character. What a heartwarming and loving person she was and what a great thing she did for her friend. I kept trying to figure it all out before I ever reached the end, but was still surprised when the whole story was finally revealed.
This story will live in my thoughts for a long while to come. I learned so much, was greatly entertained and found a new-to-me author. I will definitely be reading more from Liz Tolsma in the future.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

This book was an absolute gem. I finished it quickly but it took a while to process. I have read many books surrounding WWII and the Holocaust but never one based in Greece. It was interesting to learn about that area during the war. This split time novel brings about so many tough choices, tears, and healing. I haven’t read this author before but get many recommendations from her podcast so it was a joy to be able to read her writing.

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

What I Would Tell You is a well written historical book. The plot and characters are well crafted and believable. I definitely recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

After I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. It struck a lot of chords in my life because I am a genealogist and have found long missing family through DNA and years of research. As well as traveling to those places as did Tessa Payton in this split time period book. I totally related to Mathilda, as my mother experienced many similar WWII experiences in Germany but as a Christian. So I have to say, I was totally captivated from page 1 to the very end. The story totally took me to Greece and I felt and understood exactly the fear, the emotion and the heartache as Mathilda experienced them. It was an amazing book and I love the beautiful friendship between Mathilda and Ioanna.
The split story time is from 2019 and WWII and about secrets never shared. It's a beautifully written book. I can highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. All thoughts are my own.

What I Would Tell You
by Liz Tolsma
Pub Date 01 Jan 2023
Barbour Publishing, Barbour Fiction
Christian | Historical Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers


I am reviewing a copy of What I Would Tell You through Barbour and Netgalley:



A Greek Jewish women is determined to resist the invading Nazi's. But soon her greatest dream has become her worst nightmare, and now she faces an impossible choice whose consequences echo across the generations.



The year is 1941, on the streets of Salonika, Greece, reverberates in Mathilda Nissim’s ears, shaking her large community of Sephardic Jews to its core and altering her life forever. If only her people would rise up and resist their captors. At great risk to herself and those around her, she uses the small newspaper she publishes to call them to action, all to no avail. Her husband encourages her to trust God to watch over them, but God has once again deserted His people. Amid the chaos, Mathilda discovers she’s expecting a longed-for child. Still, nothing stops the occupiers’ noose from tightening around their necks, and she may have to resort to desperate measures to ensure her daughter’s survival.


The year is 2019 when Tessa Payton and her cousin take a popular DNA heritage test only to discover they don’t share any common ancestors. In fact, the test reveals Tessa is a Greek Sephardic Jew. This revelation threatens her tenuous faith. Always the overlooked child in her family, she empties her savings account and jets off on a journey to Greece to discover where she belongs and which God demands her allegiance. The enchanting curator at the Jewish museum guides her as she navigates life in Thessaloniki, helps with her genealogical research, and loans her a fascinating journal written by a Jewish woman during WWII. Tessa’s search, however, may open old wounds and uncover long-hidden secrets that could fracture her family forever and leave her with more questions than when she started.



What I Would Tell You is based on part of true accounts of Jews in Salonika, Greece. This book traces two women’s journeys, delving into what faith looks like and where it leads us as they navigate difficult circumstances and impossible choices that have ripple effects across the years.



I give What I Would Tell You five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

this is a very informative inspirational read. The characters are complex and awe inspiring. This haunting tragic page turner will capture your heart. This author writes with heartfelt feeling and does much research into history to make the story more intense. A must read!

Such a heartbreakingly beautiful book about a Jewish family in Greece during WWII and a young adult trying to uncover her past. When Tessa's family DNA comes back remarkably different than her cousin's, she begins to wonder about her Jewish heritage and travels to Greece to see what she can uncover about her ancestors. I loved the dual timeline and that the reader discovers Mathilda's past right alongside Tessa. I read this book in only a few sittings as I couldn't put it down and kept wanting to learn more about the characters and their journeys. I really appreciated the author's notes highlighting what was true versus fiction. Highly recommend for lovers of historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

My first thought when I learned about this book and its plot is exactly my first thought as I closed the cover.

It's about time.

It's about time that the world learned more of Greek history. It didn't end in the BC era with Sophocles and Demosthenes and other Stoics. It didn't end after Jesus' death or the rise of Christianity through the known world. In many ways, Greek history mirrors Jewish history in how they had their times of strength and prosperity and their times of being conquered and overrun by those who saw the Greeks as beneath them. When Paul said "neither Jew nor Greek," I feel like there's a parallel there that "What I Would Tell You" illustrates perfectly.

This split-time novel focuses not just on history and uncovering one's past to understand the present. It also focuses on perception, a mother's love, standing up for what is right, and against what is wrong. In the end, however, it focuses on our identity being in Christ--that any other isn't worthy of what He sacrificed for us.

Tolsma walks us through the streets of Thessaloniki--Salonica--and I felt as if I were there. That isn't usually a compliment from me, but when an author does it as well as she did, it's just right. In this book her description is more like bathing in a warm sea as opposed to drowning in it. Well done.

There were a few places that, in typical Tolsma style, the effusiveness of love and affection became a bit much for me, but that's probably my problem rather than hers. :)

If you love to be immersed into a story full of rich culture, a frank and yet sensitive look into history's darker hours, and relationships you want to root for, what I would tell you is to grab a copy of this book... now.

What I Would Tell You
A heart-warming, thrilling and eyes opening story! Liz Tolsma is a great writer of historical fiction. She knows how to pull her readers into the story from the very beginning. The characters become a part of your family and the story will bring out several emotions. This is one amazing book!

I recommend that "What I Would Tell You" is a wonderful read!

Rating this book a 5 out of 5. If I could rate it a 10 I would.

I discovered Liz Tolsma’s books a few years ago, and I have been instantly drawn in to all the ones I have read. I came to the conclusion that I should not read her murder mysteries, because I end up losing sleep over them, but the historical fiction ones are just the kind I love. What I Would Tell You is the second split-time novel I have read by her, and it is great.
One part of this story is set in World War II Greece. Did you know that the Sephardic Jews who live in Greece are descended from the Jews expelled from Spain in 1492? I didn’t! Mathilda and her husband Asher, who lived in Salonika (Thessalonica), were Sephardic Jews. As the Nazis overran their beautiful city, Mathilda continued to publish a small Jewish newspaper, hoping to rouse her people to action so they would not be destroyed. However, it appeared that God had again deserted His people. When she discovered that she was finally with child, she couldn’t imagine why God would bring an innocent child into this chaos. She had to resort to desperate measures to try to save her daughter’s life.
The other part of the story is set in 2019. Tessa struggled with her relationship with her mother, and resented the way her stepfather and stepsister excluded her. Then, when she and her cousin took a DNA test and discovered that they had no common ancestors, she took off to Greece to try to find answers. How was it possible that she was a Sephardic Jew—and what did that mean, anyway? As she discovered what happened to the Jewish community in Salonika during the Nazi regime, she tried to work through all the new thoughts and information, and figure out if she was a Christian or a Jew, or could she be both? There was also the curator of the Jewish museum, who gave her a tour of the city and spent a lot of time with her—how would he fit into her life?
This is one of those very good split-time stories. I wasn’t very far through the book when I figured out how the two stories fitted together, but Liz Tolsma kept my attention all the way through as I kept turning pages to see how that ending came about. Parts of this story are very emotional. I can’t even imagine—even if I wanted to—how Mathilda could endure making the decision she had to make. Her friend Ioanna was extremely brave and selfless. If you enjoy historical fiction, be sure to read What I Would Tell You. It is a great story.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: Chapters 2 and 25 describe men being beaten to death by the Gestapo, and in Chapter 30 a German describes in detail how they killed one of them. Chapter 23 describes a woman giving birth.

There is not a lot of times that I’m rendered speechless. However this is how I found myself after reading “What I Would Tell You” that is written by Liz Tolsma. I’ve read so many books the past year that were based off of true events surrounding World War II, however this one broke my heart. (In a good way). World War II was an absolute devastating event - what Hitler and the Nazi’s did is inexcusable.

This story is the Sephardic Jews story. A community that was almost entirely wiped out. @authorliztolsma has written a story that will take you on an emotional story. The author weaves together both 1941 events and present day to bring a horrific part of history to life.

This is the story of Mathilda. She wasn’t afraid to push back when she saw her beloved homeland being destroyed. She continues to publish her newspaper and urges others in her Salonika community to do the same. She’s had a lot of pain in her life and now she’s watching those who have helped raise her have their lives snuffed away.

Tessa finds out through a popular DNA testing site that she has Jewish ancestry. She’s very puzzled by this and her mother won’t explain. So she hops on a plane and seeks out answers. What she doesn’t count on is meeting museum guide, Giannis. Tessa soon finds out that what she’s known to be her history is not the complete truth.

The author writes in real historical events. She notes at the end of the book what is fact and what is fiction. I love reading books where I’m able to learn from them. I didn’t know this part of history existed. The author has done careful research to bring this area of history to life.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Heartbreaking and inspiring—two words I would use to describe this wonderful dual-timeline saga. I have read several fictional stories chronicling the treatment of the Jewish people during the Holocaust, but none set in Greece. The events that prompted the story are horrendous, and Ms. Tolsma portrays them honestly but with thoughtful insight into the feelings of the victims. The dual-timeline featuring action in World War II Greece and modern day Pittsburg is executed with perfection weaving fact and fiction together harmoniously from beginning to end. The beautifully sketched historical setting provides an amazing backdrop to this compelling story and shows evidence of extensive research. The fascinating characters are well-crafted and credible. The faith thread is encouraging and thought- provoking. This book was one of my best reads ever, and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Doors to the Past series always produces books that tell great dual storyline books and What I Would Tell You is no different. It's a great book that tells a WW 2 story and cotemporary tale.
Mathilda is a Jewish journalist fighting for her people in Greece as the Germans are taking over. While others give in to the Germans, she stands for truth. Years later, Tessa finds out she is Jewish and heads to Greece to find out the truth of her heritage. As a result, her and Mathilda's stories combine.
I recommend this book to all, but I think it is a great lesson on what the Jews endured in WW 2 and teen girls would enjoy these stories as a way to learn more about them. I will be buying the book for my own teen.
I received a complimentary copy or What I Would Tell You through NetGalley and thanks to Barbour, but all opinions are my own.

Of the Liz Tolsma novels I have read, What I Would Tell You is my favorite. I was unfamiliar with what took place in Greece leading up to and during World War II, so I found the story of Mathilda Nissim fascinating although tragic. Pairing it with the story of Tessa Payton in 2019, and sharing pages from both ladies' journals was an excellent way to engage readers even more deeply in Mathilda's story. I was grateful for the manner in which Tolsma cleared up Tessa's confusion, helping the character to realize that the God of the Jews and the God of the Christians is One.

I highly recommend What I Would Tell You, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Impossible choices, heartache, joy, sacrifice, hope, and love are just some of the many themes winding their way through Liz Tolsma’s latest novel, “What I Would Tell You.” It is 1941 in Greece, and Hitler has just invaded this nation. The tiny city of Salonika, home to the largest population of Jewish citizens in Greece, is now under the control of the Nazis. Mathilda Nissim and her husband Asher, both Sephardic Jews, fear the worst will happen to them and their fellow Jews. Now, armed with her typewriter and the last remaining pieces of blank paper, she tries to rally those in her community to resist, to not let the Nazis take everything. However, her resistance will come with a cost. After the unthinkable happens, Mathilda is determined to continue with her work. But the Nazis have taken everything from her. Where is God? Why has He allowed this to happen to His people? As Mathilda wrestles with these questions, she decides that she will do whatever it takes to survive, even against horrendous odds and insurmountable obstacles. But will determination alone be enough to stay alive? Will she be able to make the most impossible of choices to make sure that her family survives?
In 2019, Tessa Payton, along with her cousin, take a DNA test. The results of the tests were not what Tessa was expecting. How can she be Greek and a Sephardic Jew? No one in her family is Jewish. Determined to find out the truth about her family lineage, she quits school and impulsively travels to Greece. Giannis, a museum worker helps Tessa explore her family history. He gives her Mathilda’s dairy to read so that she can learn more about the Jewish people living in Salonika during the Occupation. Questioning and searching for answers, Tessa falls in love with Greece and learns what it meant to be Jewish in 1941 and what it means to be Jewish in today’s modern world. After receiving some devastating information, Tessa becomes even more determined to find out the truth. Will Tessa be able to reconcile the past with the present? Will what she learns tear her family apart forever? I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Ms. Tolsma has been able to intertwine two timelines seamlessly into a hauntingly beautiful, novel. The history surrounding this city was impeccably researched. It made me aware of a previously unknown (to me) period in history that I will continue to read about. The characters had such depth that I felt as though I were walking right beside Mathilda and Tessa. The ending came with a twist that I was not expecting. The journeys of Mathilda and Tessa will stay with the reader long after the last page has been read. Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the ARC of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

“We can’t be frightened to live our lives. If we are, that’s not really living.”

Liz Tolsma delivered a beautiful, heart moving WW2 story. From the first sentence which was a part of a journal entry: This is the day I dreaded, the day I feared might come, the day I prayed never would., my attention and heart was pulled it and didn't let go.

Mathilda's story was so good. I loved each second I was pulled into her heartbreaking journey through WW2 and if you are a reader needed tissues with emotional stories, you need a box next to you. The way the author started each chapter with a journal entry POV played a huge part in my connection with Mathilda's story.

We have to decide if we will take what we have been taught and make it our own, if the faith of our fathers will be our faith also.

Though the modern day story about Tessa and her search of where she came from was just as interesting, I did not find it as strong as Mathilda's. Though a lot of the truths I will take away from this story I discovered in the modern day story.

Giannis told me that we find our identity not in the blood that flows through our veins but in Christ.

If you enjoy WW2 stories, do not pass on this one.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

This is a touching novel that is engaging on two levels. The current story explores the meaning of newly discovered genetic heritage and the struggles of being in a blended family. The historical story reveals that genetic history and gives a different example of family love. It was interesting to see how Tolsma paralleled mother daughter love in each of the stories.

This novel revealed a new aspect of WW II and the persecution of the Jews. I did not know about those in Greece. Tolsma's note identifies all the historical events and people upon which she framed her novel. The historical story is tragic so have some tissues handy.

Tolsma explores relationship issues in the current story with Tessa growing in her understanding of and relationship with her stepfather. There is also an exploration of anti-Semitic feelings in the current story. That theme is another parallel between the current and historical stories. Another topic explored is the relationship of being Jewish and being a Christian.

I appreciate Tolsma's detail in the setting of Thessaloniki. She says she fell in love with the city when she visited and it shows in her placing the reader firmly in the setting.

This is another good novel shedding light on a tragic era during WW II.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

This is a dual timeline story that mixes fact with fiction and is full of emotions. This is a book that hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. This is not a light read, it deals with a heavy subject matter and some parts are hard to read, so have a box of tissue handy. I loved it and highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

As a Spanish Jewess living in Greece during World War II, Mathilda Nissim sees a growing threat to her community. The Nazis are controlling more and more of their lives and beating people in the streets, yet the Jews won't resist and the gentiles don't seem to care. She struggles to arouse her community into action with her secret publications, certain that they will only stand a chance if they stand up for themselves. But the enemy is closing in, and she realizes she will have to make a gut-wrenching choice.
In 2019, Tessa has just discovered through a DNA test that instead of English and Greek, she is Spanish and Jewish. On a whim, she travels to Greece to unravel her family secrets and discover what happened to her ancestors.
I just read this book in under 24 hours and I'm crying. I loved Mathilda, though got frustrated with her saying she had no one except her husband. She kept referring to him as her whole life and her soul and saying she had no one else when she actually had multiple close friends, plus family living abroad. Love is great and all, but there is a point where it becomes unhealthy idolatry. Aside from that, I love her courage, her empathy for others, and how she encouraged those around her to fight back. I relate to that. I loved her journal.
With Tessa, I loved seeing her discover answers. I actually put all the connections together pretty early on, which clued me into the fate of certain characters. WWII books are hard for me because of the nature of what was happening. To get to know characters like this is a stark reminder that each of the 6 million Jews and several million gentiles who died was a person created by God with their own story just like this. It's overwhelming. It reminds me, too, of the fear and uncertainty and desperation I hear in the Afghans who are seeking help. So much evil has happened and continues to happen. It's just unbelievable.
As for technicalities, there is some unexplained italicization on page 25, a typo on page 59, and some Ladino without italicization throughout.