this book was such a thought provoker. there must have been so many people both young and old who knew each other in the time of war and suddenly found themselves ripped away and or ripped to differing sides. in this story we have 3 people all bought together by art and their love for it. but they do not know what is coming next. but there are already simmering. there difference already being set.
over the telling of the next spanning in time we learn more about the three and their stories. Judith is a Jew in England. Matthias is going out as a soldier. and sadly not surprisingly is Hinrich's path within the SS. following these three and people around them gives us a harrowing and another deeply understanding and raw nature of war and what it did to people. we get to really shiver through the horribleness of the Nazis', those chills i felt on my arms were very real. i had such sorrow for lovers and people with loves who were torn apart either by fighting or death.
this felt like it could be an probably was the story of so many people. you cant help but shudder at that.
there is some great balance to how the characters were all written. and at the base of it all was a beautiful and sweeping story. that only hits harder because of such links to actual life lived.
this is one of my favourite types of historical fiction. and im so glad to have gotten the chance to read it. its a gem this one and a must read. WW fiction is my absolute fave. this one once again reminds me of why.
this book is harsh and real and raw. but its also so full of courage. what people went through not only themselves them but with all those around who they loved or cared for was felt and told so beautifully in this book.
i loved it.

Having time off in December I was excited to read this having been asked by NetGalley to review

I have a great interest in World War 2 and this book has been well researched.

A story following different people during World War 2 and post war-there is a german soldier, an Natzi SS Officer and an English Jew- they are all connected as they attended an art school in Germany. Quite a dark book but Nazi Germany was during the horrors of World War 2.

This author writes well and tells a good story.

Recommended and I belive was published at the end of November 2025.

Families at War is a powerful and deeply moving book that explores the cruelty of war, the shocking behaviour of the nazis and the SS, and the fear that shaped the daily lives of so many. At its core this is a story about the love of art and the way it can bridge divides even in the darkest moments. It is also a story filled with heartbreak that echoes the experiences of countless people during this time.

Told through multiple points of view, the book introduces a wide cast of characters. Some you cannot help but cheer for as you hope they find peace. Others stir anger and a wish for justice. A few are so complex that they leave you torn between sympathy and condemnation. This emotional variety adds real depth to the reading experience.

Set mainly during the Second World War, the book does not shy away from difficult themes. The realities faced by those who lived through it are handled with care, sensitivity and honesty. It never feels sensational. Instead it stands as a thoughtful and layered reflection on loyalty, guilt, loss and the lingering effects of trauma. Fans of historical fiction will find much to appreciate here.

Families at War brings together love, loyalty and humanity set against the brutality of conflict. With characters whose lives remain with you long after the final page, this is a book that rewards reflection and lingers in the mind.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I’m not quite sure how I feel about this book. I did enjoy it, despite the difficult subject matter but feel the beginning felt slightly disjointed and other elements towards the end felt rushed. This may be because I have read so many books about ww2 and know that some context and important timelines were not explicitly explored.

Matthias, Judith and Hinrich all grew up in a German town, Friedrichshafen, but teenage dramas spill over into the volatility of war and makes it personal. It felt slightly stereotypical with a jewess, an extreme Nazi and a German soldier opposed to war. As we follow their individual stories we see them all return home town to face their past. Does love conquer all or does hate win?