Instead of romance this leaned more towards historical fiction. I still enjoyed it but prefer her more current romance reads. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this early copy for read and review

I enjoyed the way this story played out - History at its finest - it gave us the feel "of being there". One minute there was happiness, scared, anxious and excitement - spmetimes in one breath! Thank you for the chance to preview this title.

Another great book by Danielle Steel. This is not a typical romance novel like most of Steel’s book but a historical fiction set during WWII Germany. As the Nazi’s gain control over Germany, Sophie a nurse and devout Catholic makes the choice to become a nun modeling her life after her hero Edith Stein. Just before taking her final vows, Sophie is arrested as an enemy of the state and sent to a concentration camp because of the actions of her family. Sophie is able to escape the camp and in a chance meeting Sophie meets an injured American pilot who she nurses back to health. This meeting will change both of their lives forever.
A story of bravery during the uncertain times of war is beautifully written and portrays the heartbreaks associated with the atrocities of the Nazi’s.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing – Ballantine for my ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

An unforgettable, courageous journey through war torn Germany..This novel gripped my heart at the very beginning and will stay with me a long time. It is a story of courage ,resilience, and sacrifice.
Many thanks to Random House and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Couldn’t put this book down. It was moving and heartbreaking of the tale of what happened during WW2. The heroism and survival of this amazing woman.and what she endured. Human compassion in helping others to escape the Nazi occupation.

I read a lot of World War Two Historical fiction. If I don't get hooked pretty quickly I move on. There are just too many books available to read. I almost put Only the Brave away. The first chapter just didn't do it for me. I am so glad that I continued on. I started chapter two and fell, hard. When in doubt, keep reading.

Only the brave soon became an obsession. Sophia's family is very prominent in Berlin. Her father is a physician, owning his own clinic and hospital, seeing the elite of Berlin. Being a true, dedicated doctor, he also sees those that are less fortunate including members of the Jewish community. He is simply wanting to help, to save. It will be his downfall.

Sophia works along side her father as a surgical nurse. She wants nothing to do with high society or the Nazis. She wants to help those in need. Sophia believes life is precious just like her father. Total respect for her and her devotions. Sophia shows how deep her resolve is on numerous occasions. Many situations left me speechless. Her strength overflows the pages.

What I liked most about this story is that it concentrated on those that helped and those that wanted to survive. The reader knows of the horrors. The reader is transported to a prisoner of war camp. But the evils did not take center stage. People like Sophia made this story. I can't remember a time when I wanted a character to survive more than Sophia. I wanted her to have a happily ever after.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC. Not a typical Danielle Steel book. Great historical fiction novel set in Germany during WWII. I found the book a bit slow in the beginning and questioned whether I was going to tough it out and I'm glad I did. I loved the characters and wished it had gone on a bit more with the ending. Definitely worth the read!

All the Danielle Steel series I have read are romances. This is not her typical romance book.. It is all about surviving Hitler and WWII. . It was a little more difficult for me to read, but mainly because I've read a lot of historical fiction lately, and probably need to take a break from it for a little while.

But it is a wonderful historical fiction book and is very intense and in-depth at times. Some parts of this book, as many WWII books have, really played on my emotions and made me very sad for the things that happened during this time. Danielle Steel did a wonderful job of getting this across to the reader.
The main character, Sophia, was the daughter of a wonderful surgeon who was arrested for not doing just what the Nazi's wanted him to do. I enjoyed reading about her joining the convent and the missions she completed to help keep children safe. Her story has several twists and turns, but showed her strength throughout WWII.

Thank you for allowing me to have an advanced copy!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for allowing me to review this book This is one of the best books I have read of Danielle Steel. This book centers around Sophia in pre-WW2 Germany. Sophia was the eldest of two children of a doctor who was very well renown. Sophia worked at the hospital after school. Sophia's younger sister marries and due to a grandparent of her husband's being Jewish, needs to flee from Germany and the Nazis. Sophia ends up having to leave as the Germans are upset with her dad for operating on Jews and for refusing to take part in a program. This book was so good. Please don't resist picking it up.

I wanted to love this. I’m a huge fan of WWII historical fiction, but this was just not it.

I think the 3rd person narrative made it really difficult to follow. We don’t really have an investment in Sophia or anyone else so it’s hard to become engaged in the story.

Fans of The Nightingale will be disappointed in this one.

First and Foremost Thank You NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an early copy of this fantastic book. It’s been awhile since I read a Danielle Steel book but WOW! Also, I normally do not read Historical Fiction. But I’m so glad I read this one. It’s a heart wrenching story about Sophia and her journey through WWII and oh what a journey it is. I couldn’t put it down. So don’t miss this story.

Only the Brave by Danielle Steel is an emotional historical novel. Sophia Alexander is a strong main character. I found Sophia to be inspiring and kindhearted. Her determination to help others despite the circumstances was inspiring. Sophia’s life takes unexpected twists and turns throughout the story. She will be tested many times throughout the war. Sophia will need strength if she is to survive. I can tell that the author did her research. In the story, we get a glimpse at some of the atrocities that occurred in Germany during this time period. It is heartbreaking and unsettling that one man wreaked so much havoc on the world (baffling as to why people believed in him). It is a reminder to not let history repeat itself. As with all Danielle Steel books, there is repetition of details (does the author believe we will forget from one chapter to the next or, in some cases, one page to the next). There are some sections that are unhurried (could be a tad peppier). The story has an abrupt ending. There needed to be a better explanation for Sophia’s decision. Only the Brave is an emotive and compelling tale that will linger with you longer after you finish it.

A wonderful story and a bit of a departure from Danielle Steel's norm. This historical fiction is one that I may even re-read, it was such a great one. Well done as always!

World War II, what a horrible time in our history. Sophia and her family live in Berlin, Germany and watch as the war unfolds. Hitler, concentration camps, euthanasia of Jews and other unthinkable things are happening.. Sophia is a young nurse living in a convent as a novice and working with her father in his private hospital. She starts going to dissident meetings and helping to hide Jewish children who have lost their families. Sophia and her family survive horrible situations from bombing to concentration camps but Sophia with unbelievable self preservation continues to help anyone who needs it. Thank you to NetGalley, Danielle Steel and the publisher for the chance to read an ARC of a wonderful historical book in exchange for an honest review.

Why are all my favorite authors writing about WW2?

This was a harder read for me just because historical fiction is not my jam, once I got past that as always Danielle did not disappoint.
The depth of her research and the details are hard to read but such an important part of history.

Thank you for a book I would not of read under a different author

3.5 Stars
This is not a romance, not in the truest sense. Danielle Steel is generally known for her romances, but don't expect any in-depth romance with this novel. It is all about surviving the war. That is not to say that there is not a happy ending though.

I am of two differing minds about this book. It was a wonderful historical fiction book. I haven't read anything about WWII as intense and in-depth as this book in a long time. Some parts of this book made my stomach churn and really played on my emotions. It shows what a great writer Danielle Steel can be.

On the other hand, this book was very repetitious, sometimes even on the same page. Parts were overly dragged out, which is surprising for a book of this length.

It is worth the read if you can overlook the few flaws.

*ARC Supplied by the publisher Delacorte Press/Penguin Random House, the author, and NetGalley.

An excellent story with dramatic history included. Young Sophia is a quiet, very pretty girl at 17 when her mother gets stricken with tb and is hospitalized. She dies when Sophia is 18. War is coming to Berlin and Hitler is rounding Jews and undesirables up. Sophia has decided to become a nurse and eventually works with her father who is a surgeon with his own hospital. Her sister is a couple years younger and just wants to get married and have kids, which she does. Her sister does not believe anything bad about Hitler until it finally affects her and her husband. Her father gets on hitlers bad side when he refuses to euthanize people just because they say to. Sophia by this time has joined the convent but is secretly helping people escape.
The story is very well told and is rich in history, it was very hard to put down

"Only the Brave" is a moving historical novel set in the WWII . It is unique that the focus is on the experiences of an Aryan family in Germany, offering a fresh and compelling perspective.
Sophia Alexander, daughter of a respected surgeon, the narrative delves into the complexities of moral choices and personal courage. As Sophia grapples with her family's privilege and the horrors unfolding around her, she decides to join the convent which mirrors the defiance of her hero, Edith Stein.
This is a novel that will bring you to tears but also one that you do not want to put down. Many thanks to Netgalley and #RandomHousePublishing for an opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

One woman's trials and tribulations as she navigates Germany during WWII. She sees her family suffer and attempts to do all she can to fight for what she believes in. A nurse with a strong religious belief system, she works both in & out of that system to right what she believes is wrong. She faces losing family members (in various manners) and she herself is imprisoned. Such a strong woman. Seeing her evolve and adapt her beliefs to the world around her makes this a terrific read.

I enjoyed this historical story so very much! It was an emotional read, as we heard again about the anguish and horrendous experiences that the Jews in Germany were faced with leading up to and during World War II. I can't even imagine anyone(s) being so hateful and prejudiced! Sophia Alexander is the main character, and you will be enchanted with her goodness as she strives to aid humanity in any way she can.

The research Ms Steel had to have done was so impressive, and as many times as I have read accounts of this war (I was born minutes after it started), I learned so much more. I highly recommend it and wish I could get my grandchildren to read it.

Thank you Random House and Net Galley for the much appreciated opportunity to read it early.

I have posted my review in GoodReads and will do the same at Amazon when the book is released.