Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

Sometimes I struggle with historical fiction, but the dual timeline and romance of this one really made it enjoyable to read. While heavy at times, because, WWII.... Still a good one I'd recommend.

3 ⭐️ — no happy ending!!! i know this is a wwii story but it was bleak from start to finish. i found it difficult to connect with the characters, they could have been fleshed out more, and the ending was completely devastating and unsatisfying. it felt rushed at the end, and I think the pacing throughout could have been better to give a better flow

Important things you need to know about the book:

Pace: The pace of The Porcelain Maker was medium throughout most of the book. It did speed up towards the end (when Bettina tried to flee Germany with Max).

Trigger/Content Warning: The Porcelain Maker contains content and trigger warnings. If any of these triggers you, I suggest not reading the book. They are:

Antisemitism (graphic)
War and War themes (graphic)
Violence (graphic)
Classism (moderate)
Dementia (moderate)
Depression (moderate)
PTSD (moderate)
Alcohol Consumption (moderate)
Dead Bodies (moderate)
Suicide (minor)
Starvation (moderate)
Grief (graphic)
Confinement (graphic)
Gun violence (moderate)
Murder (graphic)
Concentration Camp (moderate)
Genocide (moderate)
Mass Murder (moderate)
Abusive Relationship (minor)
Mental Health Hospitalization (minor)
Sexual Content: There is sexual content in The Porcelain Maker. It was not graphic.

Language: There is moderate swearing in The Porcelain Maker. But there is offensive language used (slurs against Jewish people).

Setting: The Porcelain Maker is set in several locations. In Bettina and Max’s section of the book, the locations were various parts of Germany. In Clara’s book sections, the settings were Cincinnati, London, and Germany.

Tropes: War, Combining Real and Fiction Events, Including Historical Figures as Characters, Dual Timeline, What Life was Like, Survivor’s Guilt, Death Used as Catalyst, Bittersweet Ending, Alternation POV, Trauma

Age Range: I recommend The Porcelain Maker to anyone over 21.

Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):

Max and Bettina fall in love in the golden years between World War I and World War II. But, with the rise of Nazism, Max is soon captured and thrown into Dachau. What saves him from manual labor is an unexpected friend he had made at Allach’s famous porcelain factory and his talent for creating porcelain figures. Desperate to save Max, Bettina will do anything to save him. That includes planning a daring escape from Allach with Max. Will that escape happen?

Desperate to find out her father’s identity, Clara starts on a journey tracing her roots with the sparse clues her mother left her. But, what Clara discovers will shake her to her core and make her question everything she knew about her mother. Will Clara find out who her father is? And why didn’t her mother tell her?

Main Characters

Max Erlich: I liked Max. He truly loved Bettina and was willing to step back to let her shine. I was enraged with how he was captured (I was yelling at my Kindle). Then, I knew his plotline would go two ways: a happy ending way or the way that would shatter me (and Bettina). So, I wasn’t surprised by how it ended.

Bettina Vogel: This woman was strong. She knew her mind from the beginning and wasn’t about letting anyone tell her what to do. She had a plan to get out of Germany before Max was captured. But, when he was arrested, her plan had to be adjusted a bit. I disagreed with her marrying the SS guy, but I understood why she did it. What I didn’t understand was her after World War II. What was done to her messed her head up, but willingly not telling her child something that important made me scratch my head. Still, regardless of her choices, I liked her a lot.

Clara Vogel: I felt terrible for Clara. At times, she was chasing shadows and rumors about her father. I liked that her doggedness got her answers. That scene at Dachau, talking to a Holocaust survivor and looking at records, gave me chills.

My review:

When I started to read The Porcelain Maker, I was expecting it to be like other World War II/Nazi Germany books. The main character is captured by the Nazis, forced into concentration camps, and either done to them or seen horrendous things. But not in this case. In this case, while the horror of Dachau was there, it was muted and kept in the background. Which is what made the violence and racist remarks that Max endured at the porcelain factory even more shocking.

This book was an emotional read for me. I grew up in a predominantly Jewish community in Massachusetts. Several of my neighbors, friends, grandparents, and teachers survived concentration camps during World War II. Nothing was talked about, and seeing those inked, blue numbers wasn’t out of the ordinary for us. It wasn’t until a local woman started talking to the middle and high school about the Holocaust and what she endured that I truly got a sense of what happened.

The Porcelain Maker has three separate storylines. Those storylines follow Max, Bettina, and Clara. Max and Bettina’s storylines merge at the beginning of the book, but they separate once they move to Allach. Each storyline was well-written, and each had its twist that surprised me.

The storyline with Max affected me the most. I genuinely liked him and wanted everything to turn out well. But, after he moved to Allach with Bettina, I felt that everything that happened to him (and to her) was predestined. I wanted to change how the author wrapped up his storyline. I wasn’t surprised, but it wasn’t something that I wanted to happen.

The storyline with Bettina also affected me. As I said in her character section, I thought she was strong. Once the Nazis put Max into Dachau, everything she did was to protect her baby and, ultimately, to work towards seeing Max again. Did I agree or like everything she did? No, but I did understand. I also understood why she was so broken in Clara’s recollections. Living through something like that and with what was done to her would scar anyone.

The storyline with Clara intrigued me. I liked seeing her journey to finding out who her father was. What I liked even more was that the author set the storyline in 1993. There were few computers or internet access back then (I remember using dial-up in 1994 or 1995 for the first time). Clara had actually to do the research. I liked how she got one tiny breadcrumb after another, eventually leading to someone who knew her father. I won’t lie; I did get emotional while reading her storyline. I got all the emotions and then some.

The end of The Porcelain Maker was perfect. I won’t say anything about what was written except that I liked it. And the epilogue was just as good. Talk about a tribute!!!!

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Sarah Freethy for allowing me to read and review this ARC of The Porcelain Maker. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

I'm not going to replay the publisher's description of the book but get right to my reaction to it. The Porcelain Maker is everything historical fiction should be! Sarah Freethy does an excellent job of engaging her readers' interest and placing them in each scene with her vivid descriptions and complex, compelling characters.

A love story which crosses generations, combined with the raw horror and intense brutality of Naziism, its view on art and culture (that deemed worthy to be embraced and that thought so offensive it must be eradicated), and a mystery as well, kept me flipping pages throughout. This was a book that I could nestle up with and which I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

My thanks to St. Martin's Books for permitting me to read a DRC of the book via NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

Simply heartbreaking. As the Nazis began to assert greater control and deliver greater fear, Max and Bettina fight for their love and their life together. Known as the Porcelain Maker, Max’s work is applauded but his identity is hidden for good reason. With the tragedies of the war in the forefront, this book will tug at your heartstrings until the very end.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Wonderful story of a daughter (1993) unraveling the mystery of her parents. Max and Bettina are her parents (1929) and the story of the horrors of WWII and Dachau. Unbelievable strength and bravery to protect those you love.

Heart-wrenching story.. Very Deep and Moving!

I found so many parts that broke my heart. The story was captivating and the characters were memorable. There was so much packed into this book that you need a minute to process before picking up the next book.

Audiobook: read by Kristin Atherton
Kristin read with a thick accent that at times had me going back to make sure I heard correctly. Especially if I was distracted. This kept me on my toes.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

#NetGalley,#ThePorcelainMaker

Despite the subject being widely known about and used in historical fiction stories, and despite my having read quite a few of them, it's incredible that another story can present an entirely new perspective and a world I knew nothing about. Freethy, in her debut novel (which was never obvious in the quality of the writing) has introduced us to Allach Porcelain, a factory using prisoner labor from the Dachau concentration camp to produce collectibles for the SS. I was completely drawn in and highly recommend this to anyone interested in the WWII period, even if you think you won't learn anything new. Well done indeed.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed The Porcelain Maker by Sarah Freethy. A great debut novel about WW2. I do enjoy books with a dual timeline. In the current times, Clara Vogel buys porcelain pieces of art at auction hoping to find out more about the artist and maybe her mother's past. Clara is hopeful that the porcelain pieces will help her find her father. In the 1920's-1930's, we learn about Mox Erlich and Bettina Vogel. Max is a Jewish architect and Bettina is a German artist.

The book does talk about the atrocities that took place in Dachau, Germany concentration camp. The book is about strength and survival as well as hope, love, and friendships. It is well written and kept me reading well into the night.

I would recommend reading The Porcelain Maker. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy for an honest review.

#NetGalley #SarahFreethy #ThePorcelainMaker

Honestly, it has been a while since I read a historical fiction novel that I just couldn’t really follow the storyline. I tried both digitally and the audiobook and neither really solidified what was happening. I think that’s also because I struggled to really connect with the characters.

It covers the horrors of war, the artistry of porcelain, and jumps from the WWII era to the modern era. A modern daughter searches for the truth that goes all the way back to the war, and the lengths people will go to in order to protect those they love.

I think it might have just been the time I was reading it, because the storyline is truly one I would enjoy. If you like historical fiction, definitely give this a shot. The audio is well read as well.

I am absolutely thrilled that I was given the opportunity to read this book. There are so many stories having to do with the Holocaust and you think how can someone take this historical event and bring anything new to it. But Freethy has done it with The Porcelain Maker.

This book consists of two stories interwoven seamlessly. We first meet Clara, who is searching art auctions in 1993 for porcelain sculptures in order to find out any information on who her father is. After finding out as much as she can from her dying mother about who he could be, she believes her real father has something to do with porcelain art made at a camp around the time of WWII. The other story begins in Germany in 1925, where Max meets Bettina, both artists, at a party. They both fall for each other instantly and their passionate relationship begins. As time goes by, and war becomes imminent, their lives are upended, and they must do everything in their power to stay alive and stay together.

This is not a simple tale, and not without some intense emotional development. It definitely hits on the depression and hate that amassed during the war, as well as the fear of what Jews and other victims dealt with at that time. Freethy did a lot of research into the art movement of that time and I found myself thoroughly enthralled. This is well written and developed, with Freethy bringing a lot of depth to a fictional story with so much historical accuracy as well. Having the breaks given when we visit Clara and her daughter during their search was actually much needed and I found an even stronger connection to the story with them.

There was a little lull in the middle that could possibly deter someone from finishing, especially during the time when Bettina and Max are in a waiting period. But when it picks back up, we are thrown once more into the action and the ending is both heartbreaking and poignant, showing us the cruelty that we expected from the Nazi regime, along with the passion and strength from those affected by it. This was a beautiful debut from an author who I am sure will bring us many more stunning novels in the future.

The Porcelain Maker is a dual timeline historical fiction novel set in Germany's 1930s art world and America in 1993. Bettina and Max are having to deal with the rise of Nazism in Germany. Later in time, Bettina's daughter Clara is searching for information about her father. I enjoy historical fiction but The Porcelain Maker failed to hold my attention. Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I read a lot of World War II fiction, but I have a tendency to try and avoid anything having to do with the concentration camps. However, in this debut novel, the Allach porcelain factory run under the power of Heinrich Himmler was such a unique angle that I wanted to find out more and gave this book a chance.

There’s a dual timeline for this book. One timeline is set during the late 1920’s in Germany’s art scene, and the other is 1993, where the daughter of one of the artists is searching for the father she never knew. For the most part, the dual timeline works and advances both storylines at a good pace.

As the earlier timeline gets closer to World War II, the tension builds for the need of the Nazi “undesirables” to flee Germany before it is too late. However, as was the case, avenues for leaving the country quickly closed, making it harder and harder to escape. One of the artists is arrested and separated from his love, sent to Dachau. You can just feel the fear jumping off the page for the Jewish artists that were under scrutiny and couldn’t find a way to escape.

The man who was arrested, Max, is put to work in a forced labor camp at a porcelain factory near Dachau. His love, Bettina, goes to the ends of the earth and makes some unfathomable sacrifices to try and help Max escape. While the story doesn’t spend too much time delving into the atrocities of life in a concentration camp, you do get the sense of fear of being separated from loved ones, not knowing where they were or their fate.

The World War II storyline is much stronger because of the raw emotion portrayed, but the more modern timeline is interesting, if not nearly as fraught with emotions. The one thing I wish, as I do with all historical fiction books based on some fact, is an author’s note telling more about the Allach factory. Looks like I’ll have to do my own research on that part and see photos of the porcelain produced in this facility.

For more reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com.

The Porcelain Maker took me a couple of chapters before the rhythm and style hooked me. The chapters ping pong between the raise of the Nazis focusing on Berlin and Dachau and the 1990’s. In the present day chapters, Clara is trying to learn who her father was and more about her mother’s artistry. Her daughter Lotte, an artist herself, helps. The 1930’s and 40’s follows the “deviate” artists who are forced to hide thirst true selves and their art.

The author did a good balance between story and character development. I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you NetGalley for an ATC.

This WW2 historical fiction story showed a side of the concentration camps that I wasn't previously aware of and I love learning new things! I enjoyed the author's writing style but I felt that the plot was very slow. There was a lot of build-up and background and then the last 20% of the story felt very rushed. I didn't feel the emotion tha tI was hoping for when it came to the characters, which was disappointing.

Man, what a fantastic debut! I have always enjoyed World War II historical fiction and this one did not disappoint. The characters, the backstory, the art, and the setting was a refreshing take on a heartbreaking story.

Told between multiple characters and timelines, Freethy paints a picture of love trying to bloom in an atrocious situation. Clara is Bettina’s daughter who is trying to answer questions she has had about her parents her whole life. Max and Bettina are madly in love when the unthinkable happens as the war falls on their doorstep in Germany. Jumping between the POVs and settings, Freethy paints a captivating story.

If you enjoy this genre, this is a read you definitely need to have on your radar. The addition of the art and the history of the Porcelain Factory in Dachau adds unique twists. It is also an easy read that I found myself being pulled into from the very beginning.

I have not read much fiction set during the World War II years; this was my first. What a wonderful entry into that genre. This was a very well crafted book, smooth reading and fresh in its imagery.

The book follows two timelines. The contemporary timeline takes place in the 1990’s when Clara hears of a porcelain auction in Cincinnati and flies in to purchase some pieces that might lead to the identity of her father, someone her mother Bettina never spoke about. Interspersed with her search for clues is the real story of Bettina and Max Ehrlich. Bettina came from a typical German family near Munich. Max was Austrian from Vienna. Bettina was a painter in the German Expressionist movement. Max was a rising star as an architect, but as a Jew his future was bleak. Because of that, it was illegal for Max and Bettina to marry or even be in a relationship during the dark years of 1930’s Germany. Especially when Bettina’s brother, Albrecht, was part of the notorious SS.

As the political situation in Berlin where Bettina and Max lived, they ended up moving back toward Munich. Bettina lived with her mother and brother while Max lived and worked in Allach near the Porzellan Manufaktur Allach neatly attached to the prison camp at Dachau.

While Max and Bettina work hard to raise enough money to emigrate the situation become darker. When the Anschluss occurs and Austria is no longer a safe option, the two decide to leave for Switzerland immediately. It was not to be, though.

I found the second half of the book increasingly difficult to read. It was not because the author’s writing changed but the story became darker and grimmer.

While I enjoyed the frame tale with Clara searching for her father, it was the love affair between Bettina and Max who, like Romeo and Juliet, found themselves in untenable circumstances that captured my attention. I highly recommend this book—even though the story tells a brutally dark and loveless tale.

4 Searching for Her Past May Hurt Her Present Stars!!

I’m always excited to read new to me or brand new authors and with this book Sarah Freethy captivated me with this gut wrenching story that straddles the past and the present. In this book we’ve got Bettina and Max who are in love at a time in Germany where Nazism is rising with alarming speed. Max who is Jewish is shipped off to Dachau breaking up the great love affair he is having with Bettina and so begins this portion of the book that at times had me in tears with the telling of what Max has to do to stay alive… his skill of making porcelain figurines is truly his saving grace. What will Bettina do to save the man she loves. How much is she willing to endure to free him from the prison that is hell-bent on destroying him in every way possible.

Clara is Bettina’s daughter and she’s on a mission to learn about who her father is and why her mother has kept this secret all these years. It’s a journey that could wreak havoc in many lives. But Clara has many questions and this journey answers some but also creates more as she tries to understand why her mother mad the choices she did.

I was glued to my device as I read this heart wrenching story. As a Jewish woman, it touched places in me and brought my family history to my forefront as I had relatives in the Camps. This is an astonishingly brilliant debut novel evoking so many emotions that I’m still reeling from how accurate Ms. Freethy was in her depictions of what Nazi Germany was like. I’m so thrilled that I was able to read this book and got introduced to an author I can’t wait to see what she has next for us.

What a delightful deep debut! I love the way that Freethy unraveled this story with heart, strong character and a little bit of mystery. I shared it with my teenage daughter and she enjoyed it as well! Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Wow, I am blown away by this incredible novel! What a debut from Sarah Freethy! The research, the storytelling, the emotional pull and the new (to me) detail about the Nazi involvement in the arts made this an incredible story that was hard to put down.

I have read many WW2 historical fiction novels, and it was easy to think that there could never be a new topic that I hadn’t already read. But the story of the laborers working in the porcelain factories, and the art scene at the time, was fascinating.

The dual timeline did make the book start a bit slowly for me as I got used to the characters and what was happening at the time, but it ultimately created a family story that spanned generations and underscored the impact that the Nazi rule has on families for decades.

I love this book and I’m sorry I didn’t get to it sooner! Thank you for the ARC!