I love nothing better than a historical fiction novel that’s even inspired by true events. I saw this tour and just had to join it. Let’s look at the synopsis first.

Inspired by true events, this is a heart-stopping, unforgettable story of ordinary people fighting for survival in the darkest of times. Fans of Orphan Train, The Tattooist of Auschwitz and My Name is Eva will be utterly gripped by this beautiful, tragic World War Two novel.
Germany, 1939: Annaliese is trapped in a loveless marriage. Her husband Hans has become cold and secretive since starting a new job as a doctor at Dachau. Every morning she watches from her kitchen window as he leaves in his car. The sight of him in the dark uniform of the SS sends shivers of fear down her spine and she longs to escape…
When a tall, handsome Russian prisoner named Alexander is sent from Dachau to work in their garden, lonely Annaliese finds herself drawn to him as they tend to the plants together. In snatched moments and broken whispers, Alexander tells her the shocking truth about the camp. Horrified, Annaliese vows to do everything she can to save him.
But as they grow closer, their feelings for each other put their lives at risk. And Annaliese finds herself in grave danger when she dares to fight for love and freedom…
America, 1989: Turning the pages of the newspaper, Annaliese gasps when she recognizes the face of a man she thought she’d never see again. It makes her heart skip a beat as a rush of wartime memories come flooding back to her. As she reads on, she realizes the past is catching up with her. And she must confront a decades-old secret – or risk losing her only son…
An inspiring story of one woman and her fight for survival during such a traumatic period in history that we shall never forget. Annaliese is that woman. Married to Hans, who becomes a doctor in Dachau, who changes as he works within the camp. He becomes cold, and just his SS uniform alone makes her wish herself anywhere but there. We see a Russian prisoner, Alexander, sent to help with Annaliese’s garden. They become closer and closer until Annaliese herself recognises the danger for the both. Years later, she sees an article in the newspaper that could very possibly threaten a secret she has kept for decades. What’s next for Annaliese?
Debbie Rix has done an excellent job of blending the fact with fiction to create a story that not only entertained but also educated me too. I do know an awful lot about World War Two, but I never tire of learning more and from different points of view.
Annaliese is a character that I warmed to; she has so much to deal with, and her determination gets her through these terrible times. My heart went out to her on several occasions. I really could not imagine getting through the situation she finds herself in. The authors’ characters are very well developed and really helped to immerse myself into this heartbreaking period.
An intriguing and compelling novel that really made me think long after I had put the book down. Characters that were interesting enough to make me feel I cared what happened. A book I would highly recommend if you enjoy a historical fiction novel.

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for the gifted copy of the book.
Buy Link
Amazon
Audio Links:
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Author Bio:
Debbie Rix has had a long career in journalism, including working as a presenter for the BBC. Her first novel, The Girl with Emerald Eyes was set around the building of the tower of Pisa and she has since released Daughters of the Silk Road and The Silk Weaver’s Wife. Debbie writes heartbreaking historical novels about love, tragedy and secrets.
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