An enjoyable story which was well written and carefully research. Another book by this author I have read and liked.

A historical fiction novel of the after effects of the ordinary non-Nazi German resident, their expulsion from their homeland, and how they struggled to get back to Berlin under such horrible conditions that existed at the end of the war. A different type of WWII story that depicts how German citizens felt after the war. This one is unusual because it is about the women and children who fled Berlin during the Allied bombings. A novel that is rarely told about how the Germans felt when WWII ended.

The dual timeline in this historical fiction was well done. A daughter learning of the tragic past of her parents through her mother’s diary is so well-written in a neiarful way. While heartbreaking, #TheLostDiary is an exceptional read and based on a true story.

Thank you, Rose Alexander, Bookouture, & netgalley for my copy! All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. This dual time line story about Katja and Lou during World War II, and their adult daughter, Jo during the 1990’s is an interesting read about the terrors of the war and an adult daughter’s discovery of her parents difficult and painful past. This book was historical fiction, part mystery, and part of a family rediscovery and closure. I enjoyed this book , however it had some disturbing and unsettling passages to read, but that is the horror of war and it is necessary to the plot of this story. I would highly recommend this book, it was well written and researched.

I always love an historical fiction bade on a true story and this one didn't disappoint. Thus was sett over two timelines and followed the stories of Katja during the war in 1945 and Jo who is living in London in present times. When Jo finds her mother's (Katja) diary her world is turned upside down and as she reads on secrets are revealed.

This is an emotional read, it is heart-breaking but at times beautiful. It is certainly a gripping read and one I couldn't put down. The tension built as the story progressed. The characters are so real and you really felt for them and felt you knew them.

This really is Jo's story and the discovery of her families past, the war and the secrets she never knew. So well researched making it easy to read, flowed perfectly through the times and was very well written, you can immersed yourself in this story and feel as if you are there. A wonderful read and one I won't forget in a hurry. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGallley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This gripping WWII historical is absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking and kept me hooked to the pages. This is a great book. I will be keeping this on my keeper shelf!
I just reviewed The Lost Diary by Rose Alexander. #TheLostDiary #NetGalley
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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 lost Diary, what a wonderful yet heartbreaking book, all the more remarkable because it’s based on a true story, the story is based on Katja and Lou and their lives through WW2. Katja is a young widow with a young child living in war torn Germany, Lou is a POW trying to survive the war, both their stories are told in a dual time zone through lost diaries and memories. A truly amazing book that at times is heartbreaking reading what Katja and other young women suffered during the war. Definitely worth 5⭐️ and more

This is simply a beautiful and breathtaking book. Alexander weaves together the two timelines to tell a wonderful story full of fear, strength, sorrow, grief, and light. As always with historical fiction, I love learning something new about the historical time period – especially one like WWII when you think that you know most of what happened. I didn’t live through WWII, but I can’t even imagine what it would be like. My grandfather fought in the war but I wasn’t old enough to understand and ask him about his time before he passed. This book shows the importance of asking questions and learning more about history – to make sure we don’t repeat it.

I also like that there was more than one “storyline” here. There was Jo learning about Katja’s experience, Jo learning about her father’s experience through his diary, and also Jo going through her own martial issues. All of these storylines were brought together perfectly.

This is a must read for anyone that enjoys historical fiction.

what a beautiful book. my tears were flowing as I read the pages.
Set in WW2., the characters pulled you in and I couldn't wait to read what happens to them all.
Excellent

London, 1994.

Jo is a woman in her late forties. Her life is at a crossroads: her children are grown up with partners of their own, while she’s undergoing a divorce with her ex, Ed, who’s got a new girlfriend and demands cash for their family home.

Jo’s mother, Katja, has had an operation and is currently recuperating in the hospital. Katja is German, she came to Britain in 1949 with her British husband, Lou, and young Jo. She’s always been tight lipped about the past and wouldn’t speak of the war days.

While Katja is in the hospital, her flat is being renovated. One day, when Jo is there to inspect the progress, she finds an old journal, which belonged to her late father.

Startled by the discovery, she asks Katja about it. This unleashes something in her mother, as she starts to relay to Jo what happened during the war.

I absolutely loved this book. It’s probably one of the best historical novels set during the WWII that I’ve read so far (and I’ve read loads). It gives an insight into what life was like for the Germans during the war. Not the Nazis or the German elite who had everything, but the everyday German people.

The author vividly describes the devastation caused by the war, the bombings. There are horrific depictions of various diseases raging all over Germany and the lack of medicine or the medical care. Oh, and the hunger!! I could feel Katja’s hunger as she was scouring for food around Berlin.

I liked how Katja and Jo grew closer together during the story. Katja felt a deep sense of shame over what happened – she really shouldn’t, as she did what ever mother would have done. Jo was searching for herself and I’m glad she found some peace in the end.

Overall, it’s a beautiful, but harrowing story. Very well researched. Perfect for all fans of historical fiction.

Thank you to Bookouture for the NetGalley widget.

The Lost Diary is a beautifully written and emotionally charged novel that kept me hooked from start to finish.

A definite recommend

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and aren't influenced by anyone else

I love historical fiction books that are also dual timeline, ever since I read The Lost Apothecary. So when I saw the blurb of The Lost Diary, I couldn't resist signing up to the blog tour.
This was so good- I read it for my evening and bedtime book, and Book and Bed is my favourite time of the day- even more so when I have a brilliant book like this to look forward to!
I was invested in both storylines, which is rare for me with dual timelines- usually one story outweighs the other.
I loved it- the gripping plot and emotional characters made this one stand out in a WWII genre that is saturated.

"The Lost Diary" by Rose Alexander is an emotional journey through time, weaving together the lives of two women, Katja in 1945 German-occupied territory and Jo in present-day London. This book took me on a rollercoaster of emotions, and I couldn't put it down.

Katja's story is set against the backdrop of World War II, where she finds herself in a dangerous situation, delivering letters in secret. The tension and fear in her life are palpable as she navigates the risks of her actions, all while worrying about the safety of her beloved Karl and their unborn child. Rose Alexander does a fantastic job of immersing the reader in the wartime atmosphere, making you feel like you're right there with Katja.

In the present day, we meet Jo, who stumbles upon Katja's diary while clearing out her mother's home. This discovery sets off a chain of events that unravel family secrets and mysteries, leading Jo on a quest for answers. Jo is a relatable and well-developed character, and I found myself rooting for her as she delves into her mother's past.

What I loved most about "The Lost Diary" is how it seamlessly blends historical fiction with a contemporary mystery. The transitions between past and present are smooth, and both timelines are equally compelling. As Jo reads Katja's diary, the reader gets to experience the raw emotions and heartache of the past, which adds depth and poignancy to the story.

The writing style is engaging, with vivid descriptions that transport you to the settings. The characters are well-rounded and undergo significant growth throughout the novel. The themes of love, sacrifice, and family resonate strongly, and the book explores the profound impact of secrets on generations.

Overall, "The Lost Diary" is a beautifully crafted and emotionally charged novel that kept me hooked from start to finish. Rose Alexander's storytelling is masterful, and she brings the characters and their struggles to life in a way that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. If you enjoy historical fiction with a dash of mystery and romance, I highly recommend picking up this book. It's a captivating and heartwarming tale that will leave you reflecting on the enduring power of love and the importance of uncovering the truth, no matter how painful it may be.

I have no words to describe how wonderful this book was and the development of the characters.
Alexander did a marvelous job weaving past with present.
I enjoyed Johanna's story bc it was from her point of view and that's my favorite thing in a book.
Katja's story was so emotionally hard to read. You could feel her pain and sadness along with everyone else's during wartime. But her story along with the other survivors needed their story told.
I liked Lou's story too. It wasn’t his fault that he got stuck where he did. I thought it was a wonderful idea to write everything down that happened to you.
I keep a diary myself. It helps to relieve things off my mind.
I loved everything about this book. Katja and Johanna refused to let me put their story down until it was finished. I love when a book does that for me.
I happily give this story 5 stars! I highly recommend this book too.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

An intricately written story. I wasn’t expecting two stories. Readers get Katja’s story but also Lou’s and I was surprised whose diary it actually was. Jo’s story is also interspersed within the other two.
The WWII part is gritty and grim but a story that should be told over and over. There were several surprises in the plot, but I anticipated one.
I’ve fantasized about finding a lost diary but it hasn’t happened yet so I console myself by reading books about characters that do.
I also like that the book was based on actual facts.

My Review: I have no words as to how moving, disturbing in places and incredible this book is. Based on real life diaries from the timeline in the book WWII and changed names to preserve the privacy of those involved. Jo is supporting her closed off elderly mother and renovating her flat when she comes across information that makes her realise fully, the value of older generations memories, a truth I only started hearing recently when my own father passed away. The will to survive, the losses, the whole terror and fear, cities on fire, differences between Russian and British Soldiers, it's all tied into this book with great care. I could see this as a movie or tv series. Emotional and Fully Recommended.

Why do we always want to read books that are heartbreaking and question humanity? This book is one of those!
It took me a few chapters to get into to this book, and it’s definitely got some down sides to it. But considering it’s a debut and based on her own family, Rose has done an amazing job and I look forward to reading more things of hers.
The rawness of this book connected with the family bound and hardship they have and had faced make this story one that people can feel strongly towards and sympathise with each character on some level.
I really recommend this book of you are a historical fiction, especially based around the world wars!

Germany 1945, Katja is a spy, risking her life for those around her. She delivers letters in the dead of night as that is the safest time to travel. This particular night she is on edge after almost being captured earlier that day. She wonders if she were to get caught, what would happen to her baby? London, present day, Jo is clearing out her mother Katja's home when she discovers a diary hidden in the back of a kitchen cupboard. She begins to read through the pages of the old diary, and soon realizes that it belonged to her father. He was a Prisoner of War during World War II and he kept a diary, writing down everything he could about the war, the people around him and the people he left behind. As Jo flips through the pages, she has so many questions and finally some answers. This story is a gripping tale of wartime bravery, the horrible way people were treated, and the choices that were made that affected so many families for years to come.

The Lost Diary written by author Rose Alexander, is a wonderful time slip story. It takes the reader from war torn Berlin in 1945 to London 1994. This story is one that will stay with you for a while after you finish the book. It is based on a true story which makes it even more heartbreaking. The tears flowed over and over again so keep the Kleenex Box close by. This was a wonderfully written story that reminds you that the truth will always prevail. I loved this story and I highly recommend it.

I haven’t read a book by Rose Alexander since reading Under an Amber Sky published way back in 2017 but I always remember how much I adored that story so when I saw she had a new book, The Lost Diary, I was keen to give it a try. This story based on true events is told through the dual timeline format which I always enjoy in books and the author expertly weaves the past and present together to create a tale full of survival, life and death all told from different perspectives which demonstrates the horrors of war and how one woman’s trauma and secrets have stayed with her for a very long time. I did find this book to have a very slow start where I was waiting and waiting for something to happen. I felt setting the scene and the general tone of the book took too long to emerge but once I reached the halfway point things completely changed. I became deeply invested in Katja’s story and coming towards the end there were so many startling revelations that I found myself thinking yes this is a great read and it reminds me of the historical fiction of old where you are led down the garden path for the majority of the story and then bang everything gets turned on its head. What you thought was true was not and in fact the author has very cleverly pulled the wool over the readers eyes. Yes, the first half was unnecessarily long in my mind but the second half more than made up for that.

A brief prologue sets the scene in Berlin in 1945, the city has been divided into Russian and British zones and the residents are suffering hunger and hardship.They are just trying to exist and survive and make it through each day. A young woman is now working as a bus conductress and one day a man catches her eye and a sliver of recognition occurs.He asks a question which instantly arouses the readers interest. To be honest when I reached the final pages of the book I had genuinely forgotten about the prologue so I felt I was jolted back to this when the jigsaw pieces finally started to slot together and it brought a smile to my face upon realising how clever Rose Alexander had been with the overall plotting of the book. The book then properly begins in London in 1994 where Jo is caring for her mother Katja following an operation. Whilst Katja recovers her flat is undergoing a complete renovation and its during this time that secrets from the past come to light.

The narrative moves back and forth between the past and the present day and does so seamlessly as Jo starts to learn more about the mother who has always been so prickly, often lacking empathy and never very maternal. She has longed to know the details of her heritage and to better understand her origins but Katja has remained tight lipped and closed off. As the 50 year anniversary of the wars conclusion nears, a newspaper article is seeking stories of people who lived during that time. Will Katja finally be willing to open up and will Jo be able to accept what she uncovers?

Katja is haunted by shame and Jo wants to find out why? Jo was a great support to Katja despite not having the best relationship with her. It was almost as if she knew Katja was reaching that point where she could reveal more of herself and in doing so it would help explain why she perhaps was not the warmest of mothers. When a piece of paper with a dried flower is found during the renovations Jo’s curiosity is sparked even further and bit by bit as Katja recuperates she tells Jo everything that she has kept in the darkest recess of her heart and mind for so long.

Being completely honest, I was far more involved in Katja’s story than I was Jo’s. The author details how Jo is going through a separation, with her husband seeking the house and a divorce, and she is anxious and upset that this is occurring. It didn’t dominate the storyline but I just wanted to get back to reading about Katja. I thought it was brilliant that Katja was German so we read of her experiences from the ordinary German citizen’s perspective. I think more often than not we tend to forget and it’s not regularly written how the German population suffered too during the war. Katja lives in Berlin and runs a grocery shop with her husband, Horst, who is away fighting in the war. She gives birth to a boy named Hans with the help of a neighbour Gerta. When Horst is declared missing and presumed dead and the conflict in Berlin increases with bombs being dropped nightly on the city Katja knows she needs to get out. With Gerta by her side she makes her way to the Sudetenland escaping the blood, death, hatred and starvation. For several years they live in relative safety and peace and Katja gets a job as a helper in a convalescent home where she meets a pilot and undertakes some daring exploits. Here is where I felt the book needed to move on a bit. There wasn’t much happening and it felt as if there was a real lull. It’s only as I neared the end, I realised how important this time period was in the overall story.

By the time I reached the halfway point it was as if I was reading a completely different story and all the action and emotions along with plenty of surprises that I had desperately wanted much earlier on came to the fore. Jo discovers a diary and it’s not written by Katja which means she can’t keep lying anymore. At first I found the diary extracts rather out of context with Katja’s story but then they began to make sense as the layers were peeled back. The diary is raw, detailed and heartfelt and leads Jo on a voyage of discovery into her parents past revealing a story of trauma, horror, sadness, loss and misery but one also of remarkable strength and dignity. Alongside the diary entries Katja’s details her experiences of fleeing the small town of Meindorf in the Sudetenland as the Russians approach and from that point on my heart was in my mouth. My opinion of Katja completely changed. She showed her true character. Her strength and fortitude and her ability to be a leader and keep things going when the worst was occurring all around her.

The chapters detailing Katja’s walk to Berlin were brilliant. I could visualise everything so clearly in my head even though at times I didn’t want to because no detail was spared and there were things that occurred that were beyond heart-breaking and horrible. As Jo learns the true extent of her mother’s story I think it allowed for fundamental changes to occur in their relationship. Barriers were broken down and they were more relaxed in each others company. The revelations kept coming even as I reached the final chapter or two and that’s what a good book should do keep you rapidly turning the pages until the very last possible moment and leaving you surprised but yet at the same time satisfied with what you are reading. I do think though the subtle hints regards Jo and a certain someone weren’t really necessary to the end parts of the story and it didn’t feel realistic but rather a bit far fetched and forced. So I kind of glossed over this and focused on herself and Katja and the truth emerging into the open.

The Lost Diary is an excellent read despite the slow burner of a starter. Forgiveness and love are two emotions that rise to the surface and it’s the journey as to how the characters get there that is incredible and inspiring. I look forward to reading much more from Rose Alexander and I certainly won’t be leaving it as long in future to read one of her stories.