I received a complimentary ARC of The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri in exchange for my honest review.
This is a masterfully written novel with prose that puts you right with the characters you are reading about. The characters are well developed and the descriptive text draws you in. I could picture everything clearly, and I easily got lost in this novel for hours.
I laughed, cried, felt fear, anger and compassion wash over me. I can not say enough good things about this amazing work.
This book tells the story of a Jewish woman, Allina, who is forced to work in the Hochland House, a Nazi baby factory, during the German Invasion.
Alliana must work to try and save herself, those she cares about, and the children who are being used in Heinrich Himmler's horrific eugenics program..
The woman of pure blood are called upon to perpetuate the blood line of Aryan children by sleeping with SS officers and bearing their children, who are then adopted out to select families.
During her time at the Hochland House, Allina meets and falls in love with a high ranking SS officer, Karl Von Strassburg, who is different from the others.
Karl is harboring secrets too, secrets that could get them both killed
This book will leave you wanting more!
#NetGalley
#Goodreads

This is a book that will stay with me for a long time. It is a novel that tells the story of Hochland House, the first of the houses which was part of Heinrich Himmler's Lebensborn Program. I have read other books about this program, but none have been as detailed or well researched as this one. It is a heartbreaking story (in more ways than one) and for those who lived through being a part of this program, there were no doubt long term consequences.

The story is told in dual timeline. in 2006, Katrine's mother has been ill and in the emergency department. When Katrine takes her home and goes to her bedroom, she discovers that her mother has been searching for something and finds a hidden box under the floorboards of her cupboard.

In 1938 Badensberg, Germany, the story begins with Allina, her fiance and two friends spending time together before the war has begun. It was a time when minds were already being geared towards hatred and blaming of the Jews. Allina's friend is marrying a man who has fallen prey to these beliefs, and though they all have a mutual friend who is Jewish, he now believes they should cut her off from their lives. Allina has a tendency to be outspoken and has to be careful where and to whom she speaks and what she dares to say. Unbeknownst to her, her family hides a terrifying secret—her birth mother was Jewish, making her a Mischling - a target for hatred and persecution should anyone find out. Once she learns the truth, it is imperative that she not let anyone know.

When her community is attacked and her parents are killed, Allina is captured and brutally sexually assaulted by a German officer who then places her into the Lebensborn Program at the Sunflower House. Deeply traumatized by her experiences, her arrival is not an easy one and she dreads the possibility that this officer will come to use her again to make her pregnant. Fortunately, another German Officer, Karl, who is higher in the chain of command, takes Allina under his wing. Their story is a gripping and heartbreaking one and should be read to experience it in its fullness.

One of the issues discussed in the book was the regimentation of care for the women who lived in these houses, and the children who were born in them. Very few women were able to keep their child and woe betide the child who was less than perfect. These babies were not given much in the way of love and affection, and there were some who simply failed to thrive putting them at risk of being sent to a eugenics hospital where they would be killed. In the novel, Allina, Karl and some friends of theirs work to give these children a second chance. It is a bright moment in a very dark place.

One might wonder about the title of the Sunflower house. It refers to Karl's home which is a bright cheery place, filled with sunflowers. Readers will learn more about this home.

This is a debut novel for Adriana Allegri and is impressive indeed. I highly recommend it if you enjoy historical fiction that features WW2 era.

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review. All view are my own unbiased ones.

This novel opens in New Jersey in 2006 with Katrine finding a hidden box beneath the floorboards of her mother’s house and then hops back to 1938 Badensburg, Germany to give us background on Allina Strauss.

Allina has been hiding a secret for most of her life. Keeping it hidden when everything is taken from her becomes a necessity. Allina is forced into nursing at Hochland home where she uncovers the horrors of Heinrich Himmler’s eugenics program and the atrocities committed in perpetuating the ‘master race’. Unable to restrain herself any longer, she risks it all to ally with an SS officer, Karl von Strassberg, who she discovers, has secrets of his own.

This debut novel is more than 20 years in the making and highlights the Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany. Although I’ve read a few books centered around this program, I appreciated Adriana Allegri’s dedication to research. Her teacher’s heart came through as she uncovered the atrocities the children lived in daily and the bleak outlook many in the home faced. Allina’s courageous decision adds to the tension and I found myself rooting for her as she walked with her heart behind every step.

Why historical fiction readers will want to read this one:
✔️it shows that something beautiful can grow in the absence of light
✔️it shows the importance of nurturing our sunflower souls so that no matter how dark it gets, we will always chase the light.

I was a little shocked at the language.

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for an honest review. This is an outstanding historical fiction novel covering Germany from 1939 to 2009.. The chapters alternate between Alina in the 1940’s and her daughter, Katrina as an adult . The story follows Alina Straus (Gottlieb, Von Strasberg) living a good life until Hitler came to power when she was in her twenties . Alina and her SS husband , Karl, discover that they are both “michlings”, having Jewish grandparents. They must hide this information if they want to survive in Nazi Germany. Alina is forced to work in Hochland Home where Heinrich Himmler’s Eugenics. Program is in full swing . The book also delves into the SS Lebensborn program where young single girls try to have babies with pure Aryan soldiers to populate Germany for Hitler . The book was very interesting and I learned a lot about these Nazi programs. Most of the story is based on real situations and events, but, many of the characters are made up.

This is a wonderfully written novel by a new author. With so many books set during the WWII era, it’s nice to see one that covers a different topic, the Lebensborn program. Pregnant women sent to Lebensborn homes to have their “Aryan” babies so they could be adopted to.good Nazi families. Many of the women/girls were expected to have multiple children to further the Fuhrer’s program.
After Allina’s family is killed, she is taken to Hochman House by a Nazi soldier who sponsors her and expects her to bear his child. Alina has a secret that no one can find out if she is stay alive. She begins to take care with the children at the Home and discovers a sinister secret of the Lebensborn program. After meeting a sympathetic Nazi officer, Karl, Alina and Karl begin a dangerous quest to save unwanted children from their horrible fate. Along the way, we learn that Karl has a secret too, one that if it is uncovered could mean death for him and Allina.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

OMG what a read! Thoroughly enjoyed every moment, even the heart breaking one's. While it is fiction, it makes you pause and realize the history of that time.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Sunflower House. My heart is still pounding and my eyes are still filled with tears. This novel grabbed me from beginning to end and wouldn’t let go. Adriana Allegri discovered yet another atrocity practiced in Nazi Germany that is little known. A program was developed in order to insure the continuation of the Aryan race. German women and men were rewarded for producing ideal genetic children. The characters in this novel were so well developed. Allegri gives depth to the conflicts they face, the secrets they must maintain and the decisions they are forced to make. I felt tension throughout my reading experience. As much as I wanted to get to the end, I savored my time learning about everyone’s motivation. I learned so much about another piece of history with which I was unfamiliar. I look forward to public a day when this story becomes available to others.

4.25. A very engaging WWII novel in so many ways. The story focuses on Allina Strauss, a teenage orphan living with her aunt and uncle in a small town in Germany. Her town is annihilated by the Germans, and is taken to work at Hochland, a Lebensborn facility with the goal to increase the racially pure and healthy Aryan population based on Heinrich Himmlers Nazi eugenics theory. A tale of secrets, cruelty, survival, and love. An interesting look at the Lebensborn program. The story also focuses on Mischlings and to what extent people went to hide their identities but also to save those subject to the cruelty of the Nazi regime. The story also touches on those serving in the Nazi regime, some in high positions, but do not agree with what is happening, and their attempts to try to make things better. Well done and great read Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an advance copy in exchange for a candid and unbiased review.

Having read a few books that discussed the Lebensborn program, I had an idea of what I was in for. This novel was beautifully heartbreaking as it told the love story between Karl and Alina. Told in multiple POVS. this story was as much informative as it was enjoyable.

As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of DDay, the Battle of the Bulge and move toward the end of World War II, there are a plethora of WW2 releases, both fact and fiction. While a work of historical fiction, “The Sunflower House” is an interesting tale of a side of WW2 not often remembered. It is well worth the read.

Allina is a young German woman who is looking forward to marrying and raising a family of her own. Under Hitler’s reign, her life is upended when Nazis raid the village seeking a traitor. A nightmare ensues when she is taken “under the protection” of a Nazi official. She eventually ends up in a Lebensborn Program home, where “pure” Aryan women are expected to bear as many children as humanly possibly in order to further the Aryan bloodline and Hitler’s dream of worldwide dominance. (The Lebensborn Program was established by Himmler under the SS. Lebensborn translates to “fount of life.”)

The author does a masterful job of weaving fact into fiction, not skirting from the horrors and war nor the terror of the Nazi regime. However, there is a human side to war that is oft forgotten. Love can still bloom even in wartime, and this is no doubt a love story. It is a traditional love story between a man and a woman, but also between friends. “The Sunflower House” uncovers the best of humanity even in the worst of times. It finds hope when all seems lost. It is about digging deep and making a difference even when it could mean the ultimate sacrifice.
There are heroes in every war, on every side. Adriana Allegri has authored a beautiful story that reminds us of the horrors of history while providing hope and faith in humanity overall.

There are secrets wound throughout the book that I won’t spoil. Take time to read “The Sunflower House.”

A WWII novel set in Germany against the backdrop of the little-known Lebensborn, aka Nazi baby-factory, program.

But really, it's a story of love, resilience, survival, hope, secrecy, and shame. Beautifully written, with well-developed characters, this book makes me eager to read more from the author.

This is a poignant story that stayed with me long after the last page was turned. The story has many well-developed, unforgettable characters – some lovely and good, and some horrid. It begins in the present time as Allina begins to tell her story that takes us to Badensburg, Germany in 1938, when Adolph Hitler is Chancellor. The Reich is methodically ridding the country of the Jewish population.
Upon experiencing the absolute worst horror and brutality imaginable, as well as losing her entire family, Allina ends up in a Lebesborn home, one of the Reich’s most horrendous secrets. It is a baby factory where young women lived and gave birth to many babies that were adopted in order to populate the racial classifications of the Nazi Party. Allina is delegated to help the head nurse, in caring for the babies. She discovers a group of toddler aged children, kept hidden, that are not developing normally because of neglect and lack of proper nutrition. She is determined to save those children, as well as herself.
When a high-ranking SS officer, Karl, visits the Lebesborn, and becomes acquainted with feisty Allina, he makes a promise to her that he’ll protect her. His family home, The Sunflower House, becomes their refuge, when she can get away.
This story is very well written as a result of the author’s extensive research of this time in history. Although this is fiction there are difficult historical truths woven in this captivating, sometimes disheartening story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

I read a very good book last year all about Lebensborn Program of Nazi Germany. I had never heard about the program that was basically established by Hitler in an effort to get as many German babies out to families. Young girls were chosen by their bloodline, features, and beauty to procreate with German soldiers and give birth to superior babies and then adopted by families to raise as their own. Essentially a baby making factory. The whole concept is sad and the stories of women who were used and some who wanted to keep their babies but couldn't will pull at your heartstrings. Author Adriana Allegri wrote a beautiful love story amidst a time of turmoil.I loved the main character Allina and her strength and determination.
Allina lives a happy life with her family and has dreams of her future as a wife to her beloved Albert. Allinas family has been hiding the fact that her mother was Jewish and with Hitler on the lookout no Mischling is safe. Allina is sent away to work as a nurse at the baby hospital and her eyes are opened to what is going on in the world that she couldn't see from her tiny German village. Babies being born and adopted out, women being available for breeding to German soldiers, and older babies/children who are being left to perish all because they aren't perfect. Allina must be very careful who she questions as she must hide her real identity, but she can't help but want to give these babies the love they need to thrive.
As Allina learns more about Heinrich Himmler’s eugenics program she knows she needs to help, but how? Allina meets a soldier who seems to be different then the others and with him her true meaning at the home starts to change. She slowly falls in love and learns her place is helping these babies get the chance they need to find families. It won't be easy but Allina will finally feel alive and truly what it means to be loved.

I want to thank St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me
to read and review an ARC of The Sunflower House by author Adriana Allegri.
“Every mother of good blood is a sacred asset of our existence.”
It’s 1938 and Hitler is encouraging pure aryan women to bear as many children as possible. Hochland Home is one of many facilities in Germany helping to raise these children under strict supervision. The Lebensborn Program gave these children out to approved parents. The children who were not perfect were subject to medical experimentation and extermination.
Some tried to help. If they were caught, torture and even the firing squad awaited them. Allina and Karl did everything they could.
The book is gut wrenching.
The Sunflower House is scheduled to be published November 12th, 2024.

This text is a unique story about the little known Lebensborn program during the Holocaust. Although this is not a 'true' story, the facts and events are; they're just carried out by fictional characters who represent hundreds, if not thousands, of very real people. Karl and Allina's stories are as horrific as they are inspirational. During one of the darkest times in world history, there shines a glimmer of hope for life, love and survival. Told from a handful of viewpoints, and moving through time from now to then and back again, this story is unlike any other. The Reich attempted to assure a robust population after the war by encouraging select Aryan woman to bear as many children as possible via Nazi officers. Unfortunately, many of the children were not up to the Reich's standards and were not welcomed into awaiting German homes, so a solution had to be found. Each character's story unfolds and intertwines in such a way that it's difficult to know who to like and who to loath. Ultimately, in Allina's words, "secrets can't exist in the light of truth," are the words that will forever stick in my memory.

Allegri has thoroughly researched so many aspects of this text and shares many sources for those who wish to learn more.

My rating - 5 stars! What a phenomenal story! I have an inquisitive mind regarding WWII history and have gone down the usual routes! This story is different in that, how a woman managed to survive the destruction of her village to the SS only to be forced into service in a state run baby factory and uncovers, to her horror the notorious Lebensborn home! This story starts off in horror of the destruction of her village … to navigating her way around the SS soldiers who are constantly around the home to meeting and falling in love with Karl and finding out that they have more in common than the SS uniform he wears.

The author has spent almost 20 years researching this novel …. which is part historical, part fiction. I thought I had read it all, with all the different stories that are out about the Holocaust … but the horrors in this novel will stay with me for a very long time! If you are interested in Historical fiction you will thoroughly enjoy this novel!

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel and give an honest and unbiased report.

Another good book about WWIi and the atrocities that happened under Himler’s direction
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

Being a huge fan of historical fiction, I devoured this book. I had never heard of the Hochland Home or the Lebensborn Program. No matter how much I read about the Holocaust time frame, I’m continually horrified at the cruelty and inhumanities done against humans. It is hard to imagine that some women actually agreed to and signed up for this program.

This is not a difficult holocaust book to read as many are. It is an uplifting combination love story blended with truths and historical facts. The authors research is immense. In the acknowledgement the author writes that this book was 20 years in the making.

The mission and belief of the Nazi communist party was that they must reproduce the next generations quickly and keep the genetic lines pure. Women were recruited, there was a comprehensive and intensive interview into bloodlines to qualify for this program. It was an honor to serve the Fuhrer and produce as many babies as possible. Awards and privileges were given to the women who produced many healthy children. They lived in a nice home, were well fed (during this time when food was scarce for many) and children taken care of. They simply had to procreate, reproduce and breastfeed the child. The rest was done for them.

The problems arose when many of these children, due to understaffing and neglect were deemed slow and disabled. No good German family wanted to adopt a child with disabilities. The book doesn’t go into gory detail on this but the children were either disposed of or entered into an experimental testing program to determine why so many were slow.

Allina is the heroine in this story. She meets and falls in love with a Karl a German officer. The story is told in two time lines. It is an uplifting, enlightening story of resilience and of the good in people. If you are a fan of historical fiction as I am, don’t miss this one. Great read.

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author for a ARC of this phenomenal book.

I received a copy of the book "The Sunflower House" from Netgalley. The book takes place during the start of world war 2 and the Holocaust. Allina had a good life growing up. then the Holocaust happened. Allina finds out her birth mother was Jewish making her one quarter Jewish. She is forced to work at a home that has women who are pregnant for Hitler to have "pure German babies' who are placed in German homes. Allina works as a nurse. during her stay she comes up the another floor of "home" to find there are children there toddlers, babies pre-school age who are "reject's they are neglected and treated cruely. Allina decides she needs to rescue these poor babies. when she meets Karl who supports Hitler' but is actually part Jewish himself but hiding this secret. He pretends to be for the maniac Hitler but really wants to help Allina with these neglected rejected children. they start of a place called "The Sunflower House" to rescue these kids. they both face danger if it is found out they are protecting these kids and they are each part Jewish. the book is based on real life events. the characters are fiction but represent the real like horror that went on and the heros who try to help these kids.

Adreana Allergri has created an excellent addition to the many novels describing WWII. In this double timeline "current" time is just a frame to explain the past, but the past characters are very well-rounded and believable.