Loved this book! Set in Berlin in 1938, Audrey James finds herself caught up in the rising tide of Nazism. Audrey is English, and weeks away from completing a music program in Berlin. She lives with her best friend Ilse, who is Jewish. Ilsa's family doesn't acknowledge what is happening to the Jews and Ilse refuses to go with Audrey when she returns home to England. when a tragedy occurs and Ilse's family disappears, Audrey and Ilse must survive as things get ever more bleak, until Nazi's Ilse's house. Now Audrey must hide and protect Ilse, while keeping herself safe living in a house with Nazi's.

Years later, in England, another young woman, Kate, is fleeing tragedy when she takes work in old guesthouse to recover from the tragedy and learn more about her past. The owner of the guest house is an elderly woman with secrets of her own. As the elderly woman confides her history to Kate, they discover interesting parallels and connections that brings both of them closer to closure. A really terrific, well written read for anyone interested in WW II from a different perspective.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7281701270

Perfectly written. The story of Audrey James just pulled at my heart strings. This is just one story of what so many lived during World War II. It is heartbreaking to think what they went through but I love that their stories live on through the different novels. Heather Marshall did such a great job pulling in the stories real people and real events. Thank you for this beautiful story.

Audrey James is staying in Berlin with her best friend’s, Ilse, family but it’s 1938 and her friend’s family js Jewish. When they are targeted and their home confiscated, she does everyone she can to keep Ilse safe.

If you want a World War Two based saga, this is a great one. It is quite long but you may appreciate that, as the story slowly unwinds as you learn more in both timelines. I loved all the characters, especially Fredrich. While I’ve read a lot of ww2 fiction, this is unique as it takes place outside of the camps and includes some of the resistance as well.

“A person’s name matters now. It has, in fact, come to mean everything. A man’s name can determine whether he lives or dies.”

The Secret Life of Audrey James comes out 2/25.

This was an excellent book. I very much enjoyed it. There are two distinct story lines with two heroines, Audrey and Kate. The stories intersect when the two characters meet at a large estate house that has been turned into a boutique hotel.

Audrey was an English young woman who was living in Berlin in the 1930s. Her mother had been German and her father was English. Her mother passed away when Audrey was young and she spent a lot of time with the neighbor girl where she lived. When her father returned to England, Audrey stayed in Berlin with the Jewish family across the street. The daughter of the house was her best friend. Audrey was a gifted pianist studying her craft and stayed to keep at her studies.

Kate is a young woman in the early part of the 21st century. Her marriage and job ended and she had nowhere to go as the lease was up on the place she and her husband rented while married. Her parents had passed away in a car accident and she was going to be all on her own. She was lucky enough to land a job at the boutique hotel that came with a place for her to live.

The two ladies meet and, after some initial animosity, they form a friendship over a period of time. Slowly, both of their stories come to light.
Audrey was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Nazi party took over Berlin and the Jewish family she lived with had some harrowing times. Audrey refused to abandon them and her own life thereby became fraught with danger.

Kate was also in the wrong place at the wrong time and had her own life changing moments.

Without giving away any spoilers, I have to say the bravery and heroism of Audrey was amazing to read as her story unfolded. The time period she lived in held many dark days and she withstood a lot.

Kate’s story was not as full of life or death circumstances, but she had a rough go at life as well.

How both of these ladies persevered and overcame makes for a great read. This one is high on my list of favorites. I read a lot of stories set in Audrey’s early life time frame and this one ranks high on intrigue and a compelling story line. 5 stars.

The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall is a dual timeline historical fiction novel about two courageous women with secrets and tragedy in their past.Audrey James has lived through World War II in Berlin and Kate Mercer comes to her inn in2010 for healing and to learn more about the lives of her parents.The book has an easy to follow flow between these two characters and details how important love and connection are in our lives.Thank you Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this novel!

This is Heather Marshall's second novel. After LOVING Looking For Jane last year, I knew I had to get my hands on this WWII historical fiction, and just as predicted, I loved it. Like many of my favorite historical fiction novels this is based on a real woman in history.

This dual-timeline between Kate in England in 2010 and Audrey James in Berlin in late '30s/early '40s was an easy read with easter eggs that made me wonder how the book was going to end. Kate is dealing with the loss of her parents in a car accident she was also involved in and the end of her marriage and trying to get her new boarder/boss to open up, and 72 years earlier Audrey is doing everything in her young female power to keep her best friend Ilse safe from the Third Reich's machinations.

I always find that dual timelines and dual POVs read so fast for me and this held true for The Secret History of Audrey James. Like all other WWII novels I also loved the strength, determination and bravery of Audrey, Ilse and the other members of the resistance.

TL:DR: This is a book I'd recommend to anyone who loves WWII historical fiction, and stories that are big ol' mixing bowls of tragedy, grief, loss, love, family, fear & terrors in wartime, friendship, girl power, and bravery.

Northern England, 2010. After a tragic accident upends her life, Kate Mercer leaves London to work at an old guest house near the Scottish border, where she hopes to find a fresh start and heal from her loss. When she arrives, she begins to unravel the truth about her past, but discovers that the mysterious elderly proprietor is harboring secrets of her own.

Berlin, 1938. Audrey James is weeks away from graduating from a prestigious music school in Berlin, where she’s been living with her best friend, Ilse Kaplan. As war looms, Ilse’s family disappears and high-ranking Nazi officers confiscate the house. In desperation, Audrey becomes their housekeeper while Ilse is forced into hiding in the attic. When a shocking turn of events embroils Audrey in the anti-Hitler movement, she must decide what matters most: protecting those she loves, or sacrificing everything for the greater good.

A brilliant study of guilt, grief and healing. Beautifully written. Gorgeous prose. Heart-wrenching plot and characters that you will feel for. Get out the kleenex! This is sure to become one of the biggest historical fiction books of 2025! 5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Northern England, 2010. After a tragic accident upends her life, Kate Mercer leaves London to work at an old guest house near the Scottish border, where she hopes to find a fresh start and heal from her loss. When she arrives, she begins to unravel the truth about her past, but discovers that the mysterious elderly proprietor is harboring secrets of her own.

Berlin, 1938. Audrey James is weeks away from graduating from a prestigious music school in Berlin, where she’s been living with her best friend, Ilse Kaplan. As war looms, Ilse’s family disappears and high-ranking Nazi officers confiscate the house. In desperation, Audrey becomes their housekeeper while Ilse is forced into hiding in the attic. When a shocking turn of events embroils Audrey in the anti-Hitler movement, she must decide what matters most: protecting those she loves, or sacrificing everything for the greater good.

Inspired by true stories of courageous women and the German resistance during World War II, The Secret History of Audrey James is a captivating novel about the unbreakable bonds of friendship, the sacrifices we make for those we love, and the healing that comes from human connection.

The Secret History of Audrey James tells the story between two time periods, one starting in 1938 and going through WWII and the other in 2010. This is the story of Audrey James, who she was, what she went through during WWII and then up to her living in England in 2010. It’s the story of resilience and what one must do to survive. Kate shows up to work for Audrey and it’s through their connection that the story revolves. Both Kate and Audrey are strong women and each has gone through pain in their lives which they share a bond. It’s easy to picture each of them and their life story. The book is well written and easy to follow.
A definite read for everyone.

I really enjoyed this WWII story and I loved the character of Audrey. This novels brings home sharply the challenges of the choices faced during wartime and how there are no easy answers. Told in two time period (WWII and modern day), I enjoyed following both plot lines. Would love to read more by this author - thank you for my copy!

This book was so good !! It’s told in dual timelines which I always enjoy. Both stories were interesting and also a bit heartbreaking. I couldn’t put it down! It’s another perfect book for historical fiction fans.

I love historical fiction and especially ones set during WWII. I have read so many and am always surprised how a new one can offer an original and compelling story. The Secret History of Audrey James did that. Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

The story is told in dual timelines by two wonderfully strong female characters, Audrey in 1938 and Kate in 2010. They both have secrets in their past. which they eventually share with each other. I love the friendship that develops between them and how they help each other in different ways as they share their stories. Another thing that makes this story unique is the story of the resistance group that is attempting to overthrow Hitler. I don't recall reading about this in other books. There are some tense chapters that were hard to read, but very well-written.

I love the connection that is so artfully entwined between the two characters, which I totally didn't predict. With a bit of a love story woven in, this book was at once heartbreaking and heartwarming. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of historical fiction with strong female characters.

I don't even know where to start with this review. Every part of this book was well done. It is amazing that it was based on true stories. I loved the POV of two different characters, during two different times, Kate in 2010 and Audrey during WWII. Kate turns up at Audrey's guesthouse, where her parents previously honeymooned, after tragedy and divorce hits her life. While there, she discovers that Audrey has her own secrets and slowly gets her to open up about her time in Germany during WWII. We get to learn about Audrey's experience - from loss and sacrifice to working for the anit-hitler movement. Both stories and women were incredible. Their stories weaved together seamlessly and I loved learning about their life experiences. Their growth and strength were incredible. I truly loved every aspect of these books and strongly encourage you to add to your TBR!
Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

📱 The Secret History of Audrey James 📱⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Genre- Historical Fiction. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Length- 432 pages. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣I adored Heather Marshall’s first novel- Looking for Jane and am over the top excited to tell y’all that her second- The Secret History of Audrey James was also amazing! ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Set in Berlin, this book tells the story of Audrey James- a young woman studying piano who lives with Ilse- a childhood friend. When the Nazi’s come to power, Audrey’s father begs her to flee, but Audrey cannot leave Ilse— who is Jewish. She is eventually swept up in a resistance group and will sacrifice everything to keep her friend safe! ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣The Secret History of Audrey James is a gripping and emotional novel that explores what it means to be a survivor. It’s based on two real women and is a must read! ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Five stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of The Secret History of Audrey James. It comes out on February 25, 2025.

I loved the way this story was written. The author tells The Secret History of Audrey James in such away that I was excited for each and every conversation that Audrey had with Kate Mercer. Their meeting wasn't planned. Audrey didn't know that Kate was coming.

In fact, Aubrey didn't even want Kate around when she came to work as an administrator. Audrey agreed to a trial basis until December. The trial never ended. Kate had arrived at Oakwood Inn trying to connect to her parents that had visited many years earlier. All she had was a photo, but things seemed to fall in to place. kate knew she was where she belonged.

Sometimes people are just meant to meet. Sometimes there is a connection beyond explanation. Audrey James had never talked about her time during World War 2. Audrey's secrets had stayed buried until she started telling her story to Kate. Through Audrey telling her story I gained so much.

Eavesdrop on their conversations and travel back the horrors resulting from the Nazis taking control of Berlin. Visualize how the Jewish people were treated. Grab glimpses of the complicated planning attempting to prevent the continueing of Hitler's dreams. Learn how an innocent girl, studying music, finds herself hiding her bestfriend, Isla in her own house after witnessing first hand what the Nazis could do to those they thought were less than them.

The story took me longer to read than usual. I found myself needing moments of silence. I needed to reflect on all the lives lost. I needed to remember the dedication of those in the resistance that made a difference. I needed to calm down because I am not able to read through tears.

I may have received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. But I will be buying it on release day. I will be sharing it with others.

The Secret History of Audrey James is a gripping novel about Audrey, a pianist in Berlin on the cusp of WWII and a choice she makes that echoes across generations. Heather Marshall masterfully weaves the dual-timeline novel that follows Kate Mercer, seeking refuge at a remote English guest house in 2010, and Audrey James. Based upon the life of a courageous woman during WWII, it shows the impact and immediate dangers of life in Nazi Germany. While the wartime narrative showcases dramatic moments of resistance and sacrifice, it's the intimate portrayal of friendship between Audrey and Ilse that forms the emotional core of the story. This book is a moving exploration of how ordinary people find extraordinary courage in the darkest times, and how the past continues to shape our present.

As someone who has read a lot of books around WWII, I loved how real life events were perfectly intertwined with the personal drama. I was instantly sucked in and experienced different emotions while reading. This book was hard to put down. My heart broke for Audrey throughout the book. This is my first time reading a book by Heather Marshall, and after reading The Secret History of Audrey James I can't wait to check out her other books. If you love books about WWII or about strong women, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Ballantine Books/Random House and NetGalley for this ARC.

The Secret History of Audrey James
By Heather Marshall

Audrey James is a young English-German girl studying piano preparatory to giving her concert and hopefully going on to be a concert pianist. She is living with her friend Ilse Kaplan and her Jewish family in Berlin in 1938, when Hitler and the Nazis are coming to power.

Audrey's English father wants her to return home before things get worse, but Audrey cannot bring herself to leave Ilse and her family behind. Unfortunately, the Kaplans and Audrey all too soon get caught up in the horror that is Nazi Germany.

But there is another story here. It is the story of Kate - in London in 2010 – whose life is falling apart. Her parents have been killed in a car crash; Kate has lost her baby due to the accident; and her marriage to Adam is on its way to a divorce.

The two stories, separated by many years and long distances gradually meld together – and in the blending, the book imparts many lessons about love in all its manifestations; doing the right thing against terrible odds; taking responsibility for one's actions; and, in the end, forgiving oneself for the mistakes we all make.

This is a hard book to read, mainly because it sticks closely to how things really happened and also because it is not a story about happy endings. Instead, it is a story about understanding and remembrance. I'm sure it was also difficult to write. Thank you, Ms. Marshall, for sharing this story, which obviously meant so much to you.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley! 4.5⭐️ Told in 2 timelines. Audrey James, a young woman, is staying with her dear friend, Ilse, and her family in Germany to complete her studies as a pianist. WWII horrors becomes a reality when Ilse’s family members are targeted because they are Jewish. Audrey and Ilse escape but Nazis have taken over the house. Both their lives are drastically changed. In the more recent timeline, Kate Mercer takes a job in the north at Oakwood Lodge after a failed marriage and finds a grumpy 90 year old owner who didn’t really want her there. Audrey, now old and frail befriends Kate as she realizes they may have some things in common. Survivors guilt. After decades hiding her past, Audrey finally decides to share her story with Kate. Well told with a few twists and turns. An emotional roller coaster on how to live after the consequences of life. Recommend!

The author's writing style was wonderful, and she did her research for the events covered in this novel. I just didn't relate or develop any connection to the characters.

Two women with different life experiences that is what The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall is all about. We meet Audrey, who runs the Oakwood Inn. In the Nazi regime of the 1930’s, Audrey has memories of terror, fear, bravery and heroism. We also meet Kate whose life is turned upside and who is looking for a new beginning. When Kate applies for a position at the Oakwood Inn, she has no idea that her life will change drastically. Kate will solve the many issues in her life by helping Audrey recount and come to terms with her past experiences. Together these two women prove that everyone can learn from the past, but need not be ruled by it. By reliving their pasts together, both Audrey and Kate learn to live in the present. A heartwarming novel.