Really enjoyed this book! How people came together and found love in the war is amazing! I love the setting of the Shetland islands they clearly had a lot going on in the war.

Sadly, this title didn’t live up to expectations. I was quite interested to read about an aspect of WWII that hasn’t been captured in much fiction. But the book started so slowly and the writing failed to engage me. Sadly this was DNF for me. 2 stars for writing about this topic.

The Girl From Norway
Stand Alone Novel
Emma Pass
Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flames 0
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: August 3, 2023

I am conflicted in writing this review. I think what threw me was I feel this book should be advertised first and foremost as a historical fiction book, not a historical romance. While there is a definite romantic element, I think the backdrop of the war is the true star of this book.

The individual journeys of Hedda and her son Eirik and Bill were stunning. Hedda and Eirik’s journey from Norway to the Shetland Islands was breathtaking; I was on the edge of my seat! Hedda battled years of verbal and emotional abuse yet found her inner strength under extreme duress. Hedda blossomed during her journey and stay in the Shetland Islands.

Bill’s journey was vivid and emotional, and I felt fully connected to him until he left his post where Hedda and Eirik were. It felt as if the book almost forgot Bill, and it became Hedda’s story. I wanted more of what Bill went through during the last of the war.

Being a romance reviewer, I must state that Bill and Hedda’s relationship seemed secondary throughout most of the book, and there wasn’t much chemistry as a feeling of connection through the trauma they had both gone through.

Overall, this was a good book, and I loved learning more about an area of World War II I was unfamiliar with. Emma Pass does a great job putting the reader in the middle of the war. I wanted more depth from the plot and more connection between the couple, but overall, this was an entertaining book for those who love to study this time in history.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow! A new perspective on WWII historical fiction. Quick paced and action packed there’s something here for every historical fiction fan, including romance. While the plot is exciting it’s the characters that make the story. The author has a way of making them come alive and it’s as if you know them. You’re sucked in immediately from beginning to end. A definite must read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

A gorgeous cover! I enjoyed this historical ficiton story which takes place in Norway and is a nice change. It's well written with interesting characters and is well paced.
It's a fascinating read, giving a heart-breaking insight into the difficult choices Norwegians had to make whilst struggling under Nazi rule.
This story is ideal for fans of WWII and who also enjoy historical romance.

Norway 1942 and Hedda knows that she must leave her abusive husband for the sake of her son, but how can she do in the midst of a war.

Hedda does not agree with the occupation of her country, and it is through her resistance contacts that a unique but dangerous opportunity is presented to her.

Hedda must make the decision to leave her husband and her home country behind.

After a traumatic journey, Hedda and her son arrive on the Shetland Islands. Even though they know no one there Hedda immediately feels safer.

It's here that Hedda meets Bill. A Canadian soldier who has ended up at a remote military location after a personal tragedy and a demotion.

Bill is engaged to Rose, a singer with ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) whom he meets whilst in a dark place. She brings him hope for the future, and is everything he wants.

Until he meets Hedda.

At first an unlikely pairing, the two are very different, but have much in common, including having left their homelands behind admits the tragedy of war.

This is a very different novel from others I've read recently in this genre, and the first I've read by this author. I really enjoyed it, and wouldn't hesitate to read another!

Saving My Son

Norway is in Nazi occupation during WWII. Hedda is carrying messages for the resistance. When she is caught she must flee with her son Eirich from both the Nazi's and her abusive husband. She flees on a ship which is wrecked off the Shetland Islands when hit by fire from Nazi planes.

Hedda and her son are saved by Bill a Canadian with the RAF stationed on the Island, recovering from an injury. When they meet they are instantly attracted to each other but Bill is engaged to a girl named Rose that is a singer with the USO and Hedda is still married to her abusive husband
.
When messages are sent to the Germans and the island is in danger of being invaded Hedda is accused of being a traitor because she is an outsider from an occupied country. Now Hedda must find the traitor to prove to the community and to Bill that she is not the traitor.

It is a wonderful WWII romance with great characters and some mystery and suspense. I enjoyed reading about how Norway was during the war under the occupation, those that resisted and also a bit about the Shetland Islands. Very interesting historical fiction. Great Characters and good reading.

Thanks to Emma Pass for writing a great story, to Aria and Aries for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a promotional copy to read and review.

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

The Girl From Norway is the latest historical fiction novel from author Emma Pass. It is the perfect combination of mystery, drama and romance, all set against the Second World War landscape of the RAF base in Shetland and Nazi-occupied Norway.
The dual-perspective narrative begins as two separate stories – one about Hedda’s escape from Nazi-occupied Norway with her son and one about Bill’s experiences in the RAF – but they quickly converge when they both find themselves on the Shetland Islands. The story is fast-paced and packed full of action from the very first chapters. I was worried it wouldn’t be able to maintain this momentum once Hedda reaches the safety of the Shetland Islands but, after a number of slower-paced chapters setting the new scene and covering Hedda’s adjustment to life outside of Nazi-occupied Norway, the action quickly returned as the RAF and islanders try to determine the identity of an island spy traitor leaking information to the Germans.
The story was clearly impeccably researched and historical details were seamlessly woven into the narrative. I also appreciated both the inclusion of Shetland dialect throughout the story and the nods to the Norwegian language and this really supported the authenticity of the story.
As the book blurb suggests, there is a blossoming romance between Hedda and Bill throughout the story and this makes the book perfect for fans of a good historical romance. Theirs is a slow burn love and definitely not without its bumps in the road but I really enjoyed this aspect to the story overall as they were a perfect match for each other.
Both of our dual protagonists – Hedda and Bill – were fantastically written with such depth to their character. Hedda was an incredible female protagonist and her strength and courage amazed me throughout the story. Her relationship with her young son Eirich was beautiful and he was a lovely little character himself. I loved seeing his developing relationship with “Mr Bill” as he called him as it blossomed into the father/son relationship the young lad deserved. Bill was another fantastic character and I thought the book really authentically portrayed the mental and physical impact of both his experiences serving on the front-line and of the accident which injured him and resulted in his redeployment to the Shetland Islands.
Hedda’s emotional abuse at the hands of her husband Anders was also very well portrayed. Although he appears in person very little throughout the story, his voice was a constant presence in the narrative, constantly playing in Hedda’s head in it’s cruel and demeaning tone. Anders was a truly vile character, which is just credit to how well written he was. Whilst being mindful of avoiding spoilers surrounding the island spy plotline, the other primary antagonist of the book was also very well written and I did pat myself on the back for my immediate suspicions of them being well-placed.
The primary setting of the story, a fictional island part of the Shetland Islands, was fantastic and I loved meeting all of the different island inhabitants and seeing them come together as a community. I find the history of the Shetland Bus to be a truly fascinating part of Second World War history which isn’t talked about enough within historical fiction so it was exciting to see it play such an important role in Hedda’s story.
Overall, The Girl From Norway is a fantastic piece of World War Two fiction and perfect for fans of the genre and anyone who likes a good spy mystery. Hedda and Bill’s story is endearing and truly moving and I was hooked from cover to cover.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I have posted an extended review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk and the post is linked.

What a wonderful story. This would make a great film. I could feel this women's pain and was hoping she'd make it through. Worth 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

It was an interesting setting being in Norway (briefly) and Shetland Islands during WW2. It was an interesting story and the writing was engaging even tho predictable.

While I liked the change in scenery from the typical France, Britain or other European country or city, I did not care for Bill’s character. He felt whiney and self-focused. I liked Hedda but towards the end she felt inconsistent and out of character at times rather than progressively growing.

Also, the mail thing bothered me at the end. Most soldiers couldn’t share the location once deployed which is why they had military postal boxes like APOs and GPOs. So it didn’t make sense why she couldn’t have written simply because she didn’t know where he was. It most likely wouldn’t have been mailed directly to him anyways.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

The Girl From Norway is a very interesting historical fictional. At first I didn’t know how the Norwegian mother and the Canadian RAF flier were connected.
I believe this is the first WWII historical fiction I’ve read taking place in Norway.

A lovely, in depth story WW2 and Norway have been taken by the Nazi. A mother and her child escape and get a new life far away from the troubles at home. Very well researched and produced this is a book that I recommend along with 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

Helda Dahlström and her six-year-old son flee the horrors of Nazi-occupied Norway in 1942. They make a desperate journey to safety in the isolated Shetland Islands. There, she meets Canadian soldier Bill Gautier, who is haunted by a tragedy that ruined his career. These two unlikely, broken people find unexpected hope in this remote place.

The Girl from Norway was a refreshing new take on a genre that is full of stories that feel so similar. I didn't know anything about Norway during the war before I read this. The characters drew me in and the story kept me turning pages. Fantastic read if you're looking for a fresh take on WW2 fiction!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This was so gripping that I could hardly put it down! Emma Pass has written a poignant love story set in the war, that is also action-packed and dramatic. It also makes you realise how much the Norwegians suffered in the war.

The story is written from the points-of-view of Hedda and Bill. After the Germans invade Norway, Hedda is caught providing messages, and forced to escape with her young son. She desperately walks for miles, and even kills a German. Eventually, she manages to escape to the Shetland Islands where she meets Bill.

Bill ends up at a radar station in the Shetlands after being punished and demoted. He regards it as a dull wilderness, and has to leave behind his wealthy fiancée, Rose. Soon, however, Hedda and Bill come to love the island, with its cliffs and crofts, but many problems and adventures await these two damaged people. Can they find happiness in the midst of war…?

This book also made me want to find out more about the history of the war in Norway and in the Shetland Islands.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781801105576
PRICE £9.99 (GBP)
PAGES 400

Set in both Norway and Shetland during World War II, The Girl from Norway by Emma Pass is a story told in two perspectives. Not only is the war raging and felt all over but internal domestic wars of a different kind are wreaking havoc as well. Hedda and her eight-year-old son Eirik leave Hedda's cruel husband's clutches in Norway and head for Sweden. However, events take them to Shetland instead where they meet Bill, an RAF soldier. Loyalties and trust are tested and traitors lurk. But there are also bright spots in the form of new love.

Seldom does one see WWII stories set in Norway which is what initially drew me in. Hedda unflinchingly protects her son at all costs. Their harrowing experiences are compelling reading and I am always encouraged to see beautiful mother/son relationships. The writing is lovely and emotive as well.

My sincere thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this fascinating novel.

A WWII historical fiction is one of my favorite genre. I have read tons of them. but this one is nothing like I read before.
The story beginning with two POV. Helda fleet from norway and her abusive husband to isle call shetland located north of Scotland. Bill was a soldier from Canada, working for RAF on the island, They meet at the island, their story start from quarter of the book.
Helda's story is very interesting, I love her courage and kindness. author gave a full story of her background. I also learned the town Kirlenes in Norway, specially druing WWII. Bill's story is a little bit lack, it seems like the author short of idea to how to describe Bill. I feel his fiancé is not necessary, I enjoyed their love story. but I don't really fell the chemical between these two.
This is the first time i read about RAF base, I appreciate of that part.
Over all this book has so many surprise in the good way. i gave it 4 star.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The World War II setting seems to be very "in" or "on trend" at the moment, which is great for me as I absolutely love this setting! What sets this book apart, is that the settings also include Norway and the Shetland Islands. Apart from the fact that Germany had invaded Norway, I had little idea what this may have meant for many Norwegians. And I also had not given the importance of the Shetland Islands as an outpost of Britain, and its importance in monitoring the skies.
If you have watched and enjoyed the TV series World on Fire, I would recommend this book to you particularly, as there is something about it that has a similar feel.
I look forward to reading more from Emma Pass in the future.

This was a different take on a WWII era historical fiction for me and I really enjoyed it. It started off really strong and grabbed my attention right away. Although it did almost feel like I was reading 2 different books for the first third or so until Hedda and Bill's storylines finally converged.

It fell a bit short for me in the middle. I loved the Shetland setting and the community that Emma Pass created. But it started to feel just a bit repetitive and dry for a little while. It picked back up towards the end, but I think the overall pacing just felt a bit off for my liking.

I really liked Hedda and Bill as main characters. It was evident that they both lived very harrowing lives, so it was nice to follow their stories as they adapted and settled into a better life as the story went on.

Thank you to Netgalley and Aria for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

It’s 1942 when Helda Dahlström flees her abusive husband and the horrors of Nazi-occupied Norway with her six-year-old son, she doesn't know if they'll make it out alive. In her desperate journey to safety, she finally finds refuge in the rugged and isolated Shetland islands. Meanwhile in Shetland Canadian RAF soldier Bill Gautier is haunted by a personal tragedy that derailed his career. Adrift and disgraced, he is counting down the days until he can return home. When their worlds collide, a spark ignites. The island of Fiskersay, once considered their last stop, becomes a place of unexpected hope and possibility. But the world is at war
The first book I’ve read by the author & it won’t be the last, a very well written descriptive book that really tug at my heart strings. It took me on a gamut of emotions, it had me on the edge of my seat, it was action packed & it was a lovely love story. I loved both Bill & Helda & was drawn into their world. It wasn’t a comfortable read but I rarely find a war story to be comfortable but it was a compelling read, which I enjoyed very much
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read