Ohhh my heart. This book was absolutely beautiful, complicated, bittersweet, and heavy.

Obviously, any book set during the Holocaust is going to be heavy. This was definitely the case here, but I also think it’s important to say that Allina and Karl’s story provided some levity in moments where it would otherwise be hard to find. These two characters were so complicated, but their choices in the face of such difficulties made me love them. The depth of these characters and the decisions they made were multifaceted and incredibly well-written.

As for the historical aspect of this book, I had no idea about this specific history of WWII. I learned so much while reading, but it didn’t at all feel like I was reading a textbook or history book; the fictional story of Allina and Karl was woven so well with the historical facts that it felt seamless. I think aside from being a fantastic book, people learning this facet of history they may not know will be an added bonus of reading this story.

The fact that this is also a debut is astounding. Everyone should go read this.

The Sunflower House tells the story of a mother, relating her secret past as a unwilling nurse at one of the Nazi’s Lebensborn Programs hospitals leading up to World War II, to her daughter nearly 70 years later.

It was a quick read, and was obvious there was a lot of research put into the book. The main character, Allina, was written well and her trauma and fear were well written. For the most part she was a likeable person.
There were aspects of this book I did struggle with. Namely Karl. Did his good deeds out weight his bad? Did what happened to him in the end absolve what he did while undercover?
Read trigger warnings before picking this one up. And I recommend reading some nonfiction afterwards, so learn more about what happened, and what didn’t. The author includes quite a few nonfiction books to further your reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a free e-arc.

When Katrina discovered a Nazi Swastika in her elderly mother’s hidden belongings, she was shocked and quite upset. Allina has always been vague and secretive about her early life in Germany and about Katrina’s father. All is not what it seems and as the story unfolds, Allina finally reveals her secret past to her daughter.
This story was both emotional and suspenseful. The book focuses on the German people who lived in fear of Hitler in the pre WWII era and during his reign during the war. It is also about the Hebensborn Program that encouraged unmarried German Aryan women to produce children for the good of Germany and to promote Hitler’s idea of a “pure race”.
Although this is historical fiction the events depicted did occur. It was disturbing to read at times but it important that we never forget.

I loved this moving, beautiful and tragic read. Allegri put an incredible amount of research into this story and it shows. This is the type of book which will stay with the reader long after they turn the final page.

A strong debut from Adriana Allegri about the Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany leading up to WWII. I had no prior knowledge of this program before reading this book so I liked learning about something new. This book started off really strong but I felt like the strength started to wane halfway through and then the end wrapped up quickly and was anti-climatic for me. I gave this a 4.25 rating.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. The Sunflower House publishes on November 12, 2024.

As someone who really struggles with historical fiction, this one was a bit too much for me to read right now. I plan on coming back to it later, but I've heard its beautiful and a touching story.

Historical Fiction set in 1938 Germany. As Hitler takes over Germany and establishes his vision of a glorious regime and restoration to Germany's powerful past. Allina, 17, finds herself a victim of a German officer and sent to Heinrich Himmler's eugenics program home in Steinhoring Germany as a worker in the nursery. The horror of this "Home for Unwed Mothers included special care of those women willing to father children by SS Officers to be the purebred future of Germany. That they were also Himmler's experimental subjects was a well kept secret.

Karl von Strasberg is an SS officer by choice. His goal is to work within the system to save Jewish children. He meets Allina and together they set out to rescue some of the damaged children as well as the Jewish children they can help.

The story of Allina and Karl was very compelling emotionally as they face danger together and apart.

I knew of the horrors of the pure race breeding program and the Himmler experiments on humans subjects. The depth of the depravity are well handled by the author.

Definitely a novel worth reading..

2.5 stars

This started off so strong! Part one had me on the edge of my seat and anxious to see where the things would go. Sadly, the rest of the book was a miss for me.

There was just too much going on and I wish the author had focused on one plot and seen it through.

Allina’s uncle and fiancée were involved in the resistance but we don’t learn anything about it. She uncovers a dark secret in the Lebensborn, devises a program to save the “slow” children, but doesn’t see it through. Karl is sneaking children out of the country but it’s not something we get much detail on.

Upon completing the story I feel underwhelmed and disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc to read and review.

A Nazi-run baby factory?! I have read many WW2 novels and couldn't recall reading one that focused on a baby factory, a real-life Handmaid’s tale (as the description suggests)? It felt new to me, and I couldn't wait to read it! I wasn't familiar with the Lebensborn program prior, and I was looking forward to learning more about it...

This started off so strong for me! I was invested and engaged in Allina's history.... how it came to be that she grew up with her aunt and uncle, her family secrets and the tragic loss that lead her to the Hochland Home. The grit and rawness of Allina's situation surprised me, Allegri did not hold back in her description of disturbing circumstances (read with caution, check for TW).... I was hooked!

About halfway through it felt as though it was shifting gears and lost focus, the love story was too convenient for me and took the spotlight away from the Hochland Home. I wanted to learn more about what happened in those homes, what happened to those children….but what I got was a beautiful and convenient love story...which was good, just not what I was expecting....I just feel that this could have been so much more! A beautiful story - but it's focus wasn't where I thought it was going to be.

I am happy that Adriana Allegri included suggestions for further reading, I want to learn more about the Lebensborn program!

I have always enjoyed historical novels, especially those around the time frame of WWII. There are many untold stories just waiting to be told. The Sunflower House is one of those. The story starts in 2006 when Katrine discovers family secrets when she finds a box filled with old papers of her mother's. From there, we go to 1938 Germany when Katrine's mother Allina was forced to work in one of Nazi Germany's Lebensborn homes as a nurse. Although they are mentioned in other novels, this is the first novel I have read that centers on how these facilities operate. I enjoyed this book but it wasn't as suspenseful as I thought it would be. Thanks to the author Adriana Allegri, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Gripping, heartbreaking, moving, thought provoking and hard to put down! The Sunflower House is a tale of survival, courage, love, and strength. This was a wonderfully written and researched debut historical fiction book that shows the evil of Heinrich Himmler’s notorious Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany. These infamous 'baby factories' were meant to increase Germany's population with “racially valuable” children.

In the present day, Katrine, finds a box in her mother's belongings......


1939 - Allina Strauss has learned that her birth mother was Jewish and, after losing everyone she holds dear, finds herself working as a nurse in a 'baby factory' called Hochland Home. There what she witnesses is horrific and distressing. She has a lot to deal with including her Jewish identity and trying to do her best for the infants and toddlers in her care. There she will meet Karl, a high-ranking SS officer who has his own secrets. They are drawn to each other and are committed to saving all the children they can.

Whew! I had no idea when I started this book how much I would enjoy it. I found this book to be moving, thought provoking, heartbreaking, and brimming with history. It is so sad to think that these homes for children really existed. The horrors and evil which occurred during the holocaust are beyond devastating and horrific. I thought that Adriana Allegri did a fabulous job of not only showing the horrors but also showing the good in people, their desire to help even knowing what the consequences await if they are caught.

I also enjoyed the friendships in this book, the love in many forms, the drive, determination and courage that the characters showed. I often wonder while reading books like The Sunflower House, what would I have done? Would I have made the same choices? Could I be so brave?

This was an incredibly impressive debut book. I'm so happy that I took a chance on it and look forward to reading more of what Adriana Allegri writes in the future.

Unputdownable historical fiction!
Upon sorting through her mother’s belongings during a hospital stay, a woman finds a mysterious box that is marked with a swastika. When the mother is questioned, she opens up and reveals a story about Himmler’s Lebensborn Plan of WW2, and her involvement in it…

*I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

4.5 stars total

This is an historical fiction standalone set in Germany in 1930s. We follow multiple POVs throughout this story, but we are following the story of Alliana. She gets everything taken from her one night as her town is raided by Nazis. An officer ends up taking her to Hochland House to work. Hochland House is one of the houses in the Lebensborn program, which was a place for unmarried mothers to give their children to Nazi Families. Sadly this was not the only reason for these places as they were trying to create a master race, so women and officers were encouraged to make as many children as possible. A lot of this story is heartbreaking with the conditions the children are in, ending up slow and not taken care of. Alliana while working here ends up helping the children and her story is filled with heartbreak, but also hope. I really couldn’t put this story down and it’s rather interesting that it mostly factual with the events happening but with some fictional characters. I think this is a really eye opening read. I would look up triggers/ warnings before reading.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri. The Sunflower House is the authors debut book but, you wouldn't know while reading this book. since there was a lot of research. I love the cover it feels springy. The Sunflower House is historical fiction and fiction it focuses on a piece of historical fiction that I knew little about, homes for pregnant woman was a new topic. I cant wait to read her next book.

What an unforgettable and deeply moving novel. Allina's story is both heart wrenching and inspiring as she navigates the horrors of the Nazi Lebensborn program, struggling with her hidden identity and the impossible choices she faces daily.

The author's research and attention to the historic detail make every scene feel very vivid and hauntingly real, bringing to light a dark side of our history that isn't often told.

What struck me most was Allina's strength and compassion, even in the darkest of moments. Her courage to stand up for the children in her care, despite the constant threat to her own life, was incredibly powerful. And the slow-burn romance with Karl was an added layer of hope and humanity.

I couldn't put this one down and find myself thinking of these characters often. If you're looking for a beautifully written historical fiction novel that will stay with you for a long time, I highly suggest this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful debut historical fiction novel by Adriana Allegri. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

Allina Strauss has a good life in her small German village. She lives with her aunt and uncle, works at a bookshop, and spends time with friends and her fiancé, Albert. But it’s 1939 and Adolf Hitler is Chancellor, when Allina’s family tells her that her birth mother was Jewish. After a night she will never forget when she loses everything she held dear, Allina is forced into service as a nurse at Hochland Home. This is a state-run baby factory and a feeder into Heinrich Himmler’s eugenics program.

This book once again shines light into such a dark part of human history, I had never heard of the Lebensborn program, where women stayed in these homes for the sole purpose of having pure babies to perpetuate the Aryan population, babies that were then adopted to Nazi families. It’s horrific to read and think about these poor babies and women, in addition to the horrors of the Holocaust itself. But this meticulously-researched book is one that you won’t be able to put down; it’s the triumph of good people in the face of evil. It’s also a love story, full of family secrets, but also hope for a better future. It’s so beautifully written and hard to believe it’s a debut novel. I was also fascinated to read the author’s notes that she started working on this book two decades ago. Lucky for all readers that she persevered; this is a must read!

It's always amazing to pick up a novel about WWII and learn yet another aspect of Nazi life that would turn your stomach.

Allina comes from a small village in Germany, she's young, about to finish school and dreaming of a life with her sweetheart when her life collapses. She was raised by her aunt and uncle, and has had a a pretty idyllic life but when her uncle senses that things are changing he realizes he has to tell her the truth of has birth. Within a short time she loses everyone she loves.

Allina ends up working in a Lebensborn home where young women procreate to strengthen the Third Reich. She tries to help the children at the same time as keeping her own secrets. When an SS officer enters her life she is slow to trust, which is totally understandable. There is tragedy and heartbreak but because the story is told in two timelines, it doesn't become overwhelming. The characters are so believable and their anguish over their own actions is relatable.

The second timeline is Allina in 2006 with her daughter, finally telling her about her life. The love for her daughter is what carried her through her darkest days and helped keep the book from being too dark.

Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

When I look for a good historical fiction novel, I want to read about a time or event that I am not familiar with and to become emotionally involved in the characters' stories. The novel, The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri not only met these criteria, I devoured this book in one day! I was a bit nervous about reading another WWII novel, but need not have been worried, this one was fantastic and fresh.

The Lebensborn homes are a topic that I learned of recently, through another historical fiction novel (Cradles of the Reich by Jennifer Coburn), and this horrifying aspect of the Nazi regime provides a dramatic basis for the story. The author puts a somewhat different twist on it with the way Allina finds herself living at Hochland Home and what her role evolves into. I am surprised that this is a debut novel, it is very well researched, and the plot is quite complex.

A book will almost certainly get 5 stars from me if it makes me cry (this did), or if it makes me learn something new (it did). Fans of The Nightingale will find this one has a similar feel, and presents a unique aspect of the time period.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC of The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri. The opinions in this review are my own.

I had taken a break from reading WWII fiction. I didn’t think there were any new stories to share. Boy was I wrong! This book is about the Lebensborn Program - basically a baby factory for making Aryan babies. Beyond disgusting. Women were sent to this home for the sole purpose of having baby after baby. While the topic is horrific, this book is actually a heartfelt story. Told in dual timelines, it brings to the surface the reasons for a difficult relationship between a mother and her daughter. It’s a love story between two people that find themselves in an unlikely situation where they are able to make small contributions at stopping the atrocities around them. But it will still break your heart and bring you to tears. I am so grateful to have received this book and that I took the chance to read it.

This was such an amazing historical fiction book. I usually read about WWII, The Nazis, The Holocaust, etc, in Non-Fiction form, specially Memoirs, but HF is a genre that I would visit every now and then, and The Sunflower House did not disappoint. Such heartbreaking, beautifully-written story, kept me interested from beginning to end.