This book grabbed me from the very start. We went back and forth between two different years. Until the first year caught up with the second and then we continued with where we were. The characters in the two years had different names, but eventually you realized how they were related to each other. And that they were the same. The story had a lot of things about the end of World War II that aren’t necessarily well known and I always am interested in learning more about not only the people who survived, but people who did things to help them.

The setting jumped between Germany and the US, specifically New York City. And I really enjoyed the look at NYC in the 1940s. It was easy to see why Eva was so conflicted about the deal she had made. But even more why she was so terrified of the people that seemed to following her and wanting things from her. Through all of what was actually going on with her mission, her mind was also slowly opening up and showing her memories that she had hidden, or been forced to block out.

All of the characters in this book were full of depth and had so much to contribute to the story. Eva and her friend Annemarie, both had been through things that were similar, although Annemarie had things worse at the moment we kind of begin with the two. Both reacted differently and dealt with things differently. And that was such a realistic and honest way the author played this story. It is even something the author mentions in her note at the end of the book. Talking about how young women who had been involved in the Nazi cause and been a part of it often were left not knowing how to react to what had been their way of life. And the Soviet soldiers who then were not the great rescuers in these situations.

While there was a bit of a romance between the handsome Jake and Eva, the obstacles in their path were numerous and quite large. And I feel the author handled that aspect respectfully and perfectly for this type of a story. And in the end wrapped it up in such a way that really was just right.

A great book, with some great history that isn’t as widely known as other subjects from this time period. It is one I will definitely be purchasing to put in my school library for my students to read.

Review first published on Lisa Loves Literature.