I wanted to love this book because its setting is in the Blue Ridge Mountains which I absolutely love. Most books I feel the same about whether I read or listen to them. I think I would have enjoyed this one more if I had read instead of listened . The German accent was very off-putting. At times it sounded as if she was spitting and I could barley make out what she said. Her voice was pleasant and enjoyable when speaking American. The plot itself was a good solid 3 , if I had read it might have been a 4 star. As always, thanks Netgalley for the advance copy!

These Blue Mountains is a moving historical fiction audiobook that gracefully weaves together themes of longing, hope, and endurance amidst the backdrop of WWII-era Germany and the evocative landscapes of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sarah Loudin Thomas’ writing stands out for its vivid, immersive descriptions and compelling character arcs that keep listeners engaged from start to finish.

The audiobook excels at placing the listener in two starkly contrasting worlds—the serene beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the turmoil of wartime Germany—making for a rich and layered listening experience.

Primary characters are exquisitely fleshed out, especially the protagonist, whose journey of hope and healing is both believable and affecting. The emotional lows and highs are skillfully balanced, keeping the story heartfelt without being melodramatic.

There are sections where the narrative's tempo slows, particularly during flashbacks or internal monologues, which may momentarily stall momentum for some listeners.

The novel occasionally shifts focus between time periods, which could be disorienting for those who prefer a more straightforward timeline.

While the narration brings warmth and authenticity to key characters, some listeners might wish for more variety in vocal representation for secondary roles. However, the performance overall supports the emotional tone and pacing of the final thought.

Fans of historical fiction, especially those drawn to stories of personal triumph amid adversity, will find These Blue Mountains a rewarding listen. While not without its slow points, the audiobook's strengths in atmosphere, emotional depth, and writing quality easily outweigh its minor shortcomings. Highly recommended for those seeking a blend of beauty, drama, and hope in their audiobooks.

Review These Blue Mountains
I have read and appreciated Sarah Loudin Thomas for several years. With thanks to #Netgalley I just finished and enjoyed an audio version of this story. The audio version did a good job of giving flavor to the story because of the Germen accents and the NC drawl.
I enjoyed learning that as early as WW1 there were internment camps for alien Germans in the USA.
I liked that the story was less of a romance and had threads of mystery running thru this well written historical tale.
The story is 1932 and a young German girl, Hedda, who has been waiting for 15 years to know what happened to the young German fellow who left her wearing an engagement ring while he went away to seek his fortune.
This is a story filled with forgiveness, loss and changed outlooks as time passes.
I liked the inclusion of the college in the Blue Ridge Mountains having an impact on the story.
So many things made this a dramatic historical story, and I was well satisfied.
Write on Sarah Thomas!

I love historical fiction books and especially if they take place during WWII. That is the case for These Blue Mountains. But it is a different focus than those I typically read in this genre. I loved that the story takes place in Black Mountain, NC. And when the town of Bethania was mentioned, my ears perked up. Yes! Bethania that is next to Winston Salem, NC. That is where I live and I actually live at the edge of Historic Bethania. Just a big plus for me as I got lost in the story. The characters are well developed and you will begin to feel a deep sense of compassion for them and care about their lives and how the aspects of what was happening in Germany at that time affected them. How can you not fall in love with Hedda and Garland? Such a sweet relationship that begins to flourish and you will find yourself cheering them on and praying that Garland’s affection for Hedda will convince her that she is cherished. This is definitely one to put at the top of your to-be-read list. The author, Sarah Loudin Thomas, has become one of my favorite authors.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Christian Fiction
Christian Historical Fiction
Historical Fiction

💙 About This Book:

Historical Fiction
-Stand Alone Novel
-Multiple POV
-North Caroline, 1932
-Love Triangle
-Christian Themes
-Published 2025
-Parents Guide: kisses only, no harsh language, mild depictions of war and violence

🎹 My Thoughts:
I was lucky enough to get my hands on this audiobook! I always enjoy audiobooks when characters have different accents, so this one was fun to listen to. With that being said I thoroughly enjoyed this story! It felt a little slow at the start but quickly picked up the pace. I struggled with Fritz’s character almost the entire story until the twist was revealed at the end! This was a good classic historical romance filled mystery and character growth! Enjoy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really wanted to like this. Good, well-written Christian fiction is so hard to find, so I was hesitantly hopeful going in with the audiobook. But, I really did not like the narrator, and I think that may have tainted my experience of the story itself. Her tone of voice frequently sounded either condescending or stiff. I will say, though, that she did a fantastic German accent.

My other problem with the story was that Hedda, a German woman who’s come to the US in 1932 to bring home the body of her missing fiancé, a WWI German prisoner who’d been housed in a camp in North Carolina, somehow knows random English idioms but frequently can’t remember simpler vocabulary words. It just felt inconsistent at times. Additionally, the story wasn’t very exciting and the Christian message seemed forced rather than winsome. I value Christian fiction with a strong theme of redemption and restoration, but I prefer to be gently led there by the author along with her characters rather than “told” the lesson abruptly, as is the case in These Blue Mountains.

I don’t think I was the author’s target audience. I’m sure this will be a great and enjoyable read for a less picky reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and to RBmedia and to Recorded Books for the advanced access to this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

These Blue Mountains is the perfect blend of history, mystery and romance.
Set in a tense period where many were still recovering from World War One, yet they found themselves on the brink of World War Two.

The storytelling is vivid and the historical setting is richly detailed. This story enlightens readers about German Enemy Alien camps in the US; illegal immigration and the distressing situations faced by the Jewish population.

The audio narration truly brings the characters to life, complete with all the accents ranging from Hedda’s German-accented English to Garland’s Southern US drawl. The masterful narration is so perfect that there were many moments where I was smiling and chuckling throughout the dialogue.

A beautiful story reminding readers that despite broken promises and the fear and uncertainty cast upon the world by war; love, hope and goodness still remain.

Thank you to RBmedia for an audio copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful historical romance story that takes place in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. Really nice job by the narrator and I would recommend to anyone that loves historical stories. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

These Blue Mountains follows Hedda Schlagel fifteen years after her fiance, Fritz, left to America. She travels from Berlin, Germany to North Carolina to bring his remains home after learning of his death. However, when his coffin is uncovered, they discover the body inside is not his.

Detective Garland Jones has no idea how someone else wound up in Fritz’ grave, but he is dedicated to finding the truth and helping Hedda find peace. As he works to uncover the case and spends more time with Hedda, he finds himself enjoying her company more and more.

Most of the story follows Hedda’s journey in America, trying to find a way to stay in the country, and navigating the political changes happening in Germany. Whilst this historical fiction does touch on some light romantic themes, what really draws you in is the characters’ deep adoration for Hedda, the sense of community, and the emotional connection you develop with them all. In the beginning, I was having trouble growing an emotional bond due to the timeline - it’s hard to care about a relationship that took place 15 years earlier. But the author finds other ways to invest you in their story by building on character growth and developing strong relationships throughout.

Having listened to the audiobook, I really enjoyed the narration. Pilar Witherspoon really captured the calming nature of the story, shared a variety of emotions in her tone, and portrayed characters with different accents and languages seamlessly. I found myself wondering if she grew up in a German family, simply because of how German phrases seemed to be said with such ease and comfort. She definitely set the tone for the story.

I struggled a bit with the plot at certain points. Between each major plot device, there were often times I was left thinking there wasn’t any plot left. I felt the highs of this book were very high, and incredibly intriguing, but somewhat short-lived. And the lows seemed to last a little longer. Despite that, the world and people living in it are described in incredible detail, and you really get to feel like you know them, like you’re a part of their community, and there was always something to pull me back in when I felt like I was losing momentum.

I would say as a whole, the book was a positive experience, and a good palette cleanser. The serious topics - such as the rise of Nazi Germany and the fear of deportation - were handled tactfully and didn’t bring down the mood of the story at all. It was a comfortable read, just maybe not overly exciting like I’d hoped from the description. The romance is very slow paced, and the primary mystery that hooks you is solved early-on, as do most of the major conflicts. The book had some more religious speech in the later half, but it was more from a historical accuracy perspective, rather than a religious storytelling one. As a non-religious person, I found it didn’t take away from the story at all.

The most fast-paced, thrilling part of the book was in the last 10% - and it had a very satisfying conclusion. The end of the book definitely had me on the edge of my seat until the very last moment. If you enjoy twists and turns without too much suspense, this would be a great read. If you like happy endings, wholesome small-town romance, and a historical setting, this is definitely the book for you. The greatest impact this book had on me was the sense of community and found family - it really touched me. Reading this book felt like home.

Thank you to RBMedia and NetGalley for this ALC copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is a historical fiction book with a mystery and some romance. A quick and interesting read. Pilar Witherspoon was an excellent narrator. She did a marvelous job with each and every character. Beautifully written.

Thank you to Netgalley for the audiobook in return for an honest review

We love a historical fiction. We love any book set in my beloved North Carolina mountains. This one had everything for me. No notes.

I listened to the audiobook of These Blue Mountains and enjoyed it immensely! Written by Sarah Loudin Thomas and narrated by Pilar Witherspoon, it is set 15 years after WWI and at the beginning of Hitler’s rise to power. The story begins when Hedda Schlagel reads in a German newspaper that the remains of German soldiers who died as prisoners of war are being moved to another location and family members can come and claim them so they can be buried in Germany. Hedda was engaged to one such soldier, Fritz, and when she sees that he is listed as dead, she is determined to retrieve Fritz’s body and bring him home to his mother. Unfortunately, once Hedda arrives in North Carolina, she discovers that there were multiple soldiers with the same name, and inside the coffin of the man she believes to be "her" Fritz, is instead a murdered woman. The rest of the story is how Hedda, with the help of Deputy Garland Jones, solves the murder and the mystery of what happened to Fritz. The story was interesting, unique, and romantic. I look forward to listening to future audiobooks by this author and narrator.

1932-1933 North Carolina

What a unique tale! Fifteen years after German Hedda Schlagel last heard from her fiancé, she finds a possibility of bringing closure for both herself and her fiancé's mother. Hedda believes Fritz may have been buried in North Carolina in a POW camp and travels to the U.S. to find out.

Once Hedda arrives in the blue mountain state, she is in awe of its beauty while simultaneously staying focused on finding out what happened to Fritz. It's an engaging story that unfolds. One that had me listening longer than planned to find out what would happen next.

Nice job by the narrator.

Despite dealing with relatively heavy subjects, mainly because it tells stories about an alien enemy camp in the United States, where Germans were imprisoned during WWI, and the heartache that remained for those who didn't know what was happening on the other side of the ocean, the book has a light tone and the story is permeated with good feelings and events.
You become attached to all the characters and want to know more about their lives, both past and future. The descriptions of the place were so interesting that I had to look for more information about the region mentioned in the book, and it seems like a great place to spend a few days on vacation.
I listened to the book narrated by Pilar Witherspoon and it was very enjoyable, and the book flowed smoothly.

I enjoyed this story of German immigrant Hedda who comes to America (North Carolina) many years later looking for her fiancé, whom neither she nor his mother have heard from.. She is a talented pianist and soon finds a place at a newly opened collage with new friends and old ones who came to teach at the collage..

Full review will be published on July 15 here:

https://novelpastimes.com/2025/07/15/book-review-these-blue-mountains-by-sarah-loudin-thomas/

These Blue Mountains is a gripping historical romantic mystery set in WWII with the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. The characters are complex and layered and I love that while their German heritage is honored, their new American heritage is embraced. Hedda reminds me of a more modern Ruth, and I love how she loves her fiancé’s mother so well over the years. As the mystery begins to unravel and Hedda realizes nothing is as it seems, her strength in character and faith are strengthened in the process. It helps that she has met some wonderful friends and had settled into her new life. She gets to play music, teach students, reconnect with past family friends, and work alongside Fritz to help solve a mystery. There end up being quite a few twists and turns, but the elements of faith, forgiveness, second chances, doing the right thing, and new opportunities bring hope and inspiration.
The narrator, Pilar Witherspoon is one of my favorites and does such an amazing job representing all the characters, nuances, and emotions.
I received a complimentary audiobook from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

A touching WWII historical fiction novel. Very character driven story a bit slow moving but I did feel connected to several of the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Loudin Thomas, and RBMedia for an advanced audio copy.

This is everything I hope for in a historical fiction!!! I loved the characters (I really admired Hedda), the story is during the time leading up to WW2, there’s mystery, romance, and amazing writing. There’s hope, strength, resilience, and forgiveness in these characters and they were written beautifully. I also very much enjoyed the narrator of this audiobook! It brought the story to life for me.

Highly recommended for any historical fiction fan!!

*Thanks to NetGalley and RBmedia for the early copy of this audiobook!*

I absolutely love a great historical fiction book! These Blue Mountains was amazing! 😍 Essentially a love story. A story about war, distance and love. It had my complete attention through the entire book. It was so captivating in every way. If you love historical fiction books, you must read this book!! It may just become a favorite.

The book had a slow start for me, but it was interesting enough to keep listening. Once she was in America I was hooked for a bit more by the mystery.. when her dead 'fiance' enters the picture, he ignores the heck out of me. Her decision in choosing her husband seemed prolonged to me as well, since it was obvious who really cared about her. It did have a good ending and I rate it a 3.5.
The narrator was great.