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Gabriella’s Year In Books

Gabriella’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at Gabriella’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

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Gabriella Saab’s Followers (426)

Gabriella’s Bookshelves

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Hannah

3,907 books | 308 friends

Eliza Knight

163 books | 1,020 friends

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1,180 books | 441 friends

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4,743 books | 296 friends

Morgan Jackson

503 books | 13 friends

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Gabriella Saab

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

Website

https://gabriellasaab.com/

Twitter

GabriellaSaab_

Genre

Historical Fiction, Fiction

Member Since

February 2021

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Gabriella Saab is an acclaimed author of historical fiction. Her first two novels, The Last Checkmate and Daughters of Victory, have been published in multiple languages and various countries. She graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor of business administration in marketing and lives in her hometown in Alabama. Connect with her online at gabriellasaab.com; Instagram: @gabriellasaab_; Facebook: @GabriellaSaabAuthor; X: @GabriellaSaab_

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Popular Answered Questions

Being a Lebanese/Russian woman, I couldn't skip your new book Daughters of Victory - it took my attention immediately. It would be nice to know more about your story with this book: what inspired you to write about Russian culture in those difficult times and why did you chose this country and culture exactly? Thank you in advance

Gabriella Saab Thank you so much! The inspiration for Daughters of Victory came about when I was researching my debut, The Last Checkmate, and I stumbled across a yo…moreThank you so much! The inspiration for Daughters of Victory came about when I was researching my debut, The Last Checkmate, and I stumbled across a young Soviet partisan named Zina Portnova, who joined the resistance during World War II. You can learn more about her in my historical note in Daughters of Victory (after you read the book - no spoilers!). She fascinated me and made me realize how little I knew about Russian history in general, aside from the usual topics discussed back in my days at school. I wanted to write a novel inspired by Portnova's life, and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to educate myself further on Russian history during World War II and also on another fascinating time that I knew only the basics about: the Russian Revolution. I learned so much and came away with a much deeper appreciation for Russian history and culture, and I was so fortunate to have culturally authentic insights from friends and fellow authors who educated me further and were so willing to answer my questions and correct my mistakes (though if any remain, I apologize and those are totally on me ;) By developing this story, I hoped to bring more attention to these lesser-known aspects of history and to some of the real women who lived during these times and inspired my characters. And, as with all my books, I hope to encourage my readers to learn more for themselves.(less)

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What are the content warnings for THE LAST CHECKMATE?

Gabriella Saab THE LAST CHECKMATE is a work of adult fiction set during WWII, a dark and horrific time in history, and thus will not be suitable for all audiences an…moreTHE LAST CHECKMATE is a work of adult fiction set during WWII, a dark and horrific time in history, and thus will not be suitable for all audiences and will be disturbing. I attempted to portray this time as realistically and delicately as possible while being sensitive to readers. The following are mild but non-specific spoilers. Some contain more specific references but should not impact your reading experience. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

-strong language (in multiple languages)
-strong violence/gore
-on-the-page physical and psychological abuse/torture (one scene includes a strip search down to undergarments against a female minor)
-ableism, ageism, and sexism
-antisemitism and anti-Polonism (including racial/ethnic slurs)
-pro-Nazi rhetoric
-mild burns (cigarette burns inflicted for the purpose of torture)
-beatings, including floggings and severe scarring
-concentration/extermination camps
-forced nudity
-mention of rape/sexual assault/prostitution (not witnessed by the reader)
-one scene of sexual assault/attempted rape witnessed by the reader (rape of a female minor is intended but not carried out, and the scene is handled as delicately as possible)
-discussion of conception through rape (assault not witnessed by the reader)
-dehumanization
-tattooing for the purpose of incarceration/dehumanization
-murder (including children, though children's murders are not witnessed by the reader)
-gas chambers and crematoria (mentioned)
-corpses and mass murder
-starvation/emaciation
-smoking
-arson (mentioned but not witnessed by the reader)
-severe illness (typhus and mention of dysentery)
-hypothermia/freezing to death
-drinking/intoxication
-depression
-suicidal thoughts and actions
-severe PTSD(less)

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Gabriella Saab’s books

Average rating: 4.11 · 6,570 ratings · 1,066 reviews · 4 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Last Checkmate 4.17 avg rating — 5,482 ratings — published 2021 — 27 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Daughters of Victory 3.77 avg rating — 920 ratings — published 2023 — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Star Society 4.09 avg rating — 168 ratings — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Survivors Guild: A Novel 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

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Gabriella Saab's Blog

Newsletter and a Sneak Peek!

Hi friends! We're less than 4 months away from my next book, THE STAR SOCIETY, hitting shelves - which is so crazy! To celebrate, my publisher has generously released a sample of first THREE chapters, so I wanted to share them with you! Check those out here: https://substack.com/@gabriellasaab/p...

And, as you'll notice from that link, I've joined Substack, so if you'd like to follow along, I'd lov Read more of this blog post »

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Published on September 19, 2025 10:21

Need another excuse to treat yourself to a new book this week? We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day. To create our...

Gabriella is Currently Reading

Gabriella Saab is currently reading

The Briar Club

by Kate Quinn (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jul 11, 2024 09:08PM

Gabriella Saab is currently reading

In My Dreams I Hold a Knife

by Ashley Winstead (Goodreads Author)

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May 30, 2024 08:29AM

Gabriella Saab is currently reading

Then She Was Gone

by Lisa Jewell (Goodreads Author)

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Apr 30, 2024 09:58PM

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Gabriella’s Recent Updates

Gabriella Saab liked that Lane McLendon entered a giveaway The Star Society by Gabriella Saab (Goodreads Author) 25 copies available, ends on January 13, 2026 Enter to win »
2 hours, 9 min ago · see giveaway
Gabriella Saab liked The History Mom's review of The Star Society: "Heart-pounding and gripping, this historical thriller takes the reader from the horrors of WWII-era Netherlands to the Red Scare in late 1940s Hollywood. I love stories about sisters, and this one shows the special bond that can’t be broken even by d" Read more of this review »
22 hours, 20 min ago · see review
Gabriella Saab liked Amanda \| Techabooks's review of The Star Society: "Historical fiction with a “Who did this to you?”…. Yes, please!! I KNOW it’s early in the year BUT I am going to go ahead and say that if you only read one historical fiction book this year, make it The Star Society. It’s got Audrey Hepburn level old H" Read more of this review »
22 hours, 20 min ago · see review
Gabriella Saab liked Morgan's review of The Star Society: "4.75 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley & Harper Muse for the ALC! I was obsessed with this book start to finish. Beautifully written. I loved story, timelines, characters, and the inspiration taken from Audrey Hepburn’s life. I’d definitely recommend this to an" Read more of this review »
22 hours, 20 min ago · see review
Gabriella Saab rated a book it was amazing Unsinkable: A Novel by Jenni L. Walsh (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 31, 2025 06:47PM · 7 likes · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Unsinkable by Jenni L. Walsh. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Unsinkable by Jenni L. Walsh <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gabriella Saab has read A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice by Rebecca Connolly (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 31, 2025 06:46PM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice by Rebecca Connolly. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice by Rebecca Connolly <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Gabriella Saab rated a book it was amazing Book of Forbidden Words: A Novel by Louise Fein (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This thrilling story brings together three fascinating women - Milly, Charlotte, and Lysette - in a tale centering around a mysterious manuscript that comes into Milly's possession in the 1950s and traces all the way back to the 1500s. The research t ...more
Dec 31, 2025 06:42PM · 4 likes · like · see review
Gabriella Saab rated a book it was amazing Smoke Signal by Marie Benedict (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 31, 2025 06:40PM · 1 like · like
Gabriella Saab has read Mistletoe Murders 4 (Mistletoe Murders, #4) by Ken Cuperus	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Dec 31, 2025 06:39PM · like
Gabriella Saab rated a book it was amazing The Shark House by Sara Ackerman (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Atmospheric and heartfelt, Sara Ackerman's THE SHARK HOUSE is a dazzling portrait of the beautiful, important, complex relationships between humans and nature, humans and science, and humans and one another. The author’s passion and respect for Hawai ...more
Dec 31, 2025 06:38PM · 5 likes · like · see review

More of Gabriella's books…

Quotes by Gabriella Saab (?)

“History is the grand master, and only by studying his game can the pupil learn and improve.

[Maria Florkowska]”
― Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

tags: history

4 likes

“When she [Hania] produced a sedative and offered it to me, I shook my head in refusal. I wanted to allow myself to cry, to live fully in this moment, because as painful as it was, it meant my walls had come down in a way I hadn't permitted in a long time. The ache of love and loss pierced me to the core of my soul. And it reminded me that I was still human.

[Maria Florkowska]”
― Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

tags: pain, present-moment-living, walls-down

2 likes

“Before the war, I thanked God for things like my family, friends, and sunshine, but if something affected those blessings, I lamented my misfortune. I had the audacity to ask God why He let rain chase away my sunshine, as if a thunderstorm were the worst thing that could happen to a girl. But far worse things could happen to a girl: getting her entire family arrested, being interrogated by the Gestapo, having no power to present whatever lay ahead. All I had was rain, and I didn't know if the sunshine would ever return. So I'd find blessings amid the thunder and lightning.

[Maria Florkowska]”
― Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

tags: blessings, determination, perspectives-on-life

2 likes

See all Gabriella Saab's quotes »

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Gabriella’s Quotes

“History is the grand master, and only by studying his game can the pupil learn and improve.

[Maria Florkowska]”
― Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

tags: history

4 likes

“What is life after war? Returning to the lives we left is impossible, yet creating a life anew feels nearly as insurmountable. We live, fight, and survive while the memories--and the past--endure.

[Maria Florkowska]”
― Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

tags: life-after-war

2 likes

“Maybe we aren't meant to leave the past behind. Maybe we're meant to bring it with us so we can join others weighed down by the same burdens, and we can carry them together. Maybe that's how we find peace.

[Maria Florkowska]”
― Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

tags: community, shared-sufferings, the-past

2 likes

“True freedom comes from bravery, strength, and goodness. The only one who can take those from you is you.

[Aleksander Florkowski]”
― Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

tags: true-freedom

2 likes