Her Secret Resistance

The Secret Resistance #1

by Gosia Nealon

Poland, 1944. “Please, officer, I beg you—,” I cry. But my father has already fallen. “Don’t leave me, Tata,” I whisper, rushing to desperately cradle him close. As the kind, loving man who raised me takes his last breath, I weep into my hands and promise to fight to end this terrible war, no matter the cost…

Devasted by the loss of her beloved father, twenty-three-year-old Wanda vows to follow in his footsteps and join the resistance against the German occupiers. Her father lost his life protecting innocent people from Nazi cruelty—she will risk her life too.

Under the cover of shadows, Wanda slips down cobbled streets and past spired buildings to meet an informant who could provide crucial supplies for their fight. But the sight of the man waiting turns Wanda’s blood to ice. She instantly recognises him as the soldier who killed her father.

Who is this Nazi soldier, or double agent? Why did he kill her father — could her Tata be a traitor? If Wanda chooses to trust the man who destroyed her family, will she put the whole resistance network in danger—or is this her chance to save hundreds of innocent lives?

Fans of The Alice Network , The Nightingale and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will adore this utterly heartbreaking page-turner. You will not forget this unputdownable story of love, loss, and the courage it takes to hold on to hope in darkest times.

Previously published as The Last Sketch .

Read what everyone’s saying about Her Secret Resistance :

“ Absolutely spectacular!!! … Addicting … Devastating , yet beautiful … Once I started, I could not stop … You won’t be able to put this one down … Grabbed my heart and it didn’t let go … An absolute MUST READ! ” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

“Read this!… Everything I love… Page-turning … Incredible … When you think everything is going to be okay… BOOM!… You fall in love … Won't be able to stop reading … S tunning .” Goodreads reviewer

“Excellent. I could not put it down … Read it past my bedtime, finishing it in one day … Unputdownable … Heartwarming … Will not be soon forgotten .” Vegan Book Blogger , 5 stars

“Impossible for me not to completely fall in love … You cannot put this down (at least I couldn’t)… Beautiful … It’ll get to your heart .” Goodreads reviewer

“ I found myself reaching for the Kleenex box … Heart-breaking and inspiring… Pulled me into the pages .” Page Turners

“I went through so many emotions reading… it’s heartbreaking and also filled with little pockets of joy!… This book is one of the best I’ve read .” Yorkshire Carly

“ Utterly heartwarming … Had me up until way past midnight .” @stamperlady50 , 5 stars

“I couldn’t put this book down … Had me sobbing .” NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars

“ Spectacular … Brilliant … The heartfelt depiction of life during trying times of love, loss, and war brought me to the edge of my seat … Captivating.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

“ Fantastic … I could picture everything, smell everything and also feel everything. Definitely a new favorite book .” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

“ Spellbound … Excellent… Could not put the book down .” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

“ Amazing … Devastating … Heart-wrenching .” Goodreads reviewer

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Poland, World War II, War, Audiobook

262 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2021

About the author

While Gosia Nealon is a proud New Yorker, she was born and raised in Poland. Her journey to the Big Apple revealed a wealth of cultural differences, but also the values that connect us all. Like the fierce desire to protect family, find love, and ultimately, discover who we are and why we’re here.

Gosia’s award-winning short stories have always delved into life’s biggest questions, but it was the drama, sacrifice, and tragedy of WWII that led her to pen her debut novel, "The Last Sketch."
Growing up in Poland, Gosia heard many firsthand accounts of the war, told from a perspective rarely captured in mainstream literature. She was compelled to breathe life into Wanda and Finn, two young people falling in love in the midst of the most terrifying conflict of our time.

When Gosia isn’t tapping away at her laptop, she’s often walking the streets of New York. With her husband and three young sons in tow, they search for the most succulent pierogi, transporting them back to the cobbled streets of her childhood.

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When I hear him play Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata,’ something good dies in me. I stare at my blood-stained hands and then at the devil who’s playing Tata’s piano. And as the cuckoo clock announces another hour, I vow to myself that one day, I will kill the monster.”

Author Gosia Nealon invites us to get to know the types of people we only read about in history books, the ones represented by grainy black-and-white photos, and see for ourselves that they were regular people like us. They struggled in life with the same things we do and struggled to survive in the darkest hours of history. She wants us to see their strengths and weaknesses and see, that despite them, they moved forward.

Things I loved:
✔️perfect pacing; begins with tenderness amid chaos and jumps right into murder and doesn’t slow down
✔️puts readers in the setting; 1944 Poland during the Warsaw Uprising forward
✔️ability to make my heart feel one thing while my head told me to feel another
✔️ability to add to the plot with German/Polish words; not just plopped in, but integrated with explanations
✔️ ability to create tension because readers know more than the characters
✔️felt the effect of war on people
✔️themes of revenge, disbelief, trust, secrets, and mistaken identity

Things I overcame:
✔️previous dislike of character-driven novels
✔️previous dislike of the enemies-to-lovers trope

Things that hampered my appreciation:
✔️fully connecting to the characters
✔️suspending disbelief
✔️instant romance


Wanda Odwaga was a force to be reckoned with and I loved watching her transform as she was touched by pity, anger, revenge and love. Book 1 of 3 in The Secret Resistance Series showcases the effect of war on ordinary people and the steps they took to move forward.

I was gifted his copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5★s

It was 1944 and Poland was suffering from the German invasion. For twenty three year old Wanda and her parents, their suffering hadn't been as bad as some, and although Wanda's brother was missing, she was sure he was alive and working with the Polish resistance. But it was when she had brought a young boy home from the streets, one who'd saved her from the latest round-up, that trouble started. The Nazi who appeared on their doorstep was cold, inhuman and when he shot Wanda's father to death, she and her mother thought their grief would never end.

Finn was sent from his home in the US to join the resistance in Poland as his twin brother, Stefan, a Nazi, had been captured and the deal was to send him to London for interrogation and prison, and Finn to go undercover as Stefan. The two men were as different as any two could be, and Finn had to take care to be as cold and callous as his brother while doing all he could to support those who opposed Hitler. But could he do it without being caught out? His brother's fiancé, Gerda, might see through the deception, but he'd do all in his power to avoid that scenario.

When Finn - as Stefan - met a young woman who sketched beautifully, he couldn't understand the immediate hate in her eyes. For Wanda, she couldn't believe this man in front of her - she would kill him for what he did to her father...

The Polish Girl (originally called "The Last Sketch") by Gosia Nealon is an intriguing portrait of Warsaw and its people as they struggled through the last years of WWII. The horrendous death toll, the terrible loss of everything the Poles had known in their lives - all was portrayed well by the author. I felt a little disgruntled by certain parts in the book, which I can't comment on for fear of spoilers, but it's lowered my rating slightly. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[elizabeth rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Her Secret Resistance promised an intriguing plot but unfortunately fell short. The book follows Wanda, a young woman determined to join the resistance against the Nazi occupiers after her father's tragic death. The premise of espionage, moral dilemmas, and high-stakes drama initially grabbed my attention, but the execution was disappointing.

The first half of the book holds some promise, but it takes a nosedive around the 50% mark. The story gets bogged down by a tired miscommunication trope, and the addition of an unexpected pregnancy feels out of place and forced. Instead of a gripping historical novel, it starts to resemble a melodramatic soap opera.

The characters lack depth and growth. The decisions of Wanda and Finn often seem irrational and frustrating, making it difficult to empathize with their journeys. The tension and conflict with the Nazi soldier-turned-informant are poorly handled, diminishing the impact of what should have been a compelling relationship and critical plot point.

The book fails to do justice to its setting and the gravity of the era it depicts. The potential for a powerful story is there, but it's squandered by cliched twists and shallow storytelling. If you're in search of a riveting WWII resistance novel, I'd recommend looking elsewhere. Her Secret Resistance is a missed opportunity and a letdown for those seeking a truly engaging read.

[Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Identical Twins - one who joined the Nazi Party and one who escaped.

Stefan and his brother Finn always seemed to have different views on compassion.

When their father joined the Nazi Party, Stefan joined with him, but Finn stayed with his mother.

During the last year of the war Stefan killed the father of another character, Wanda, and she would never forget his face.

When she encounters Stefan, who is really Finn, she can't see past the horrible deed he committed that took her father away.

Finn keeps coming in contact with Wanda, and she has to do what the officer asks her to do.

Wanda joins the Polish Resistance and is terrified when they find the ammunition she is hiding in her suitcase.

What happens now?

Does Wanda get imprisoned?

Is she tortured by the Nazis?

Find out when you read THE POLISH GIRL that has surprises and heartbreak.

It took a few chapters to sort out who the characters were, but once the book got going, you won’t want to put the book down.

Fans of historical fiction and women's fiction will enjoy THE POLISH GIRL. 4/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanda Odwaga witnesses her father killed by a German soldier. Eventually she begins working with the resistance and will never forget the face of that soldier. Meanwhile, Finn travels from the USA to impersonate his twin brother Stephan. Stephan brutally and unrepentantly killed countless Jews and has been captured and is now imprisoned. Finn’s job has been assigned by the British government in order to expose and bring Hitler and his minions down.

Finn and Stephan could not have been more different. When their parents split up, Finn went to the USA with their mother, and Stephan stayed in Warsaw with their father, a staunch Nazi supporter, and Stephan followed right in his father’s footsteps. As Stephan is now engaged, Finn must not only fool the other German soldiers who worked alongside Stephan, but also his fiancée.

Imagine Wanda’s anger, frustration and then confusion when she is certain that she spotted the solder that killed her father. Determined to kill him is her plan, but when she looks into his eyes, she finds that she is strangely drawn to him. Her work with the resistance is very important and she knows she can’t let these suddenly overwhelming feelings confuse her.

Meanwhile, Finn has a job to do. Will he ever get the beautiful woman he recently met out of his mind, and will he be able to trust her enough to reveal his identity? Danger follows both Finn and Wanda as their separate paths eventually converge. Now it becomes a matter of trust. This exciting story is the first book in the Secret Resistance trilogy, to be followed by The Polish Wife in April. This was a story well told with secrets, revenge, tension and romance.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Polish Girl
By: Gosia Nealon
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This novel is utterly heartwarming and had me up until way past midnight to find out if Wanda survived her story. After watching her Tata, (father) murdered, she makes a decision which will change her life forever.

1944- Poland

She joins the Polish resistance. Her brother left home years ago and she wants revenge for her fathers death.

During the resistance she sees “the awful Nazi” who killed her father.

I don’t want to give away anything about this novel, because it truly is beautifully written and has many facets and I don’t want to spoil it.

This is my first by this author and I am getting her next one The Polish Wife soon. Thank you Bookouture, Netgalley and author Gosia Nealon for this advanced copy. Available February 24, 2023

[Carolyn Scarcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just incredible, fast moving, thrilling, actions that involve a love story is called “The Last Sketch” written by Gosia Nealon. It took me 2 hours to finish this short book. This book is another powerful written historical fiction. It is also very easy to follow, great characters in each setting. I must say, Gosia knows how to write a story that has your attention and energy, she also manages to throw many cliffhangers and twists where you have to keep reading to see how it all ends. If you enjoy a romance HF that’s is for you. The story unfolds about Wanda Odwaga. She lives in Poland 1944 with her family. She was only 23 at the time. Nazis invaded her hometown and the Gestapo stormed her house asking for her father Tata, rebel leaders. She watched him kill. She hates Stephan. She wants to pay for what he did. She works underground uprising. Finn has escaped Germany with his mother when he was a teenager. He hated his twin brother that he becomes a vicious Nazi. When the British government asked Finn to replace his place, he risked his life to play his brother part. Wanda was sure he was Stephan. Or Finn. You can decide. What a magnificent story.

[Barbara Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting look at the people of Warsaw as they struggled through the final years of WWII. For 23 year old Wanda and her family life hadn’t been as bad as for some but it was still terrible because of what was taking place during this time. Wanda’s brother is missing, although she is convinced hu is alive and working with the resistance. One day she rescues an orphan boy from the latest round up and the real trouble begins for her family. The Nazi who appears at their door destroys her family and changes her life forever.
Finn was sent from his home in the USA to join his twin brother, who had been captured. Finn was to go undercover as his brother Stephan, despite the fact that they are as different as they can be. Could he do it without getting caught?
Finn-as Stephan-met a young woman who sketched unlike anyone else, he felt a connection m but he couldn’t understand why he saw such animosity and anger in her eyes when she looked at him. Wanda, on her part, couldn’t understand how the same man who killed her father could now be so warm and caring towards her.
This was well paced and the setting was well depicted so you felt like you were there. I will be looking for book 2.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

[Renee K H · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m astonished by the good reviews for this book! Such a promising premise, absolutely ruined by almost unreadable, anachronistic prose. The book could basically read “There was a war. We fell in love. Nazis shot lots of people. We lived happily ever after” and it would be more sophisticated and detailed than this novel. No suspense, no detail, definitely no chemistry between the protagonists… a disservice to the era and the plot. I’d give it zero stars if I could.

[Anne Secher · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 stars

An adult historical fiction that gets you closer to WWII than any other book I’ve read before.

Wanda lives in a Poland at war invaded by Nazi Germans. One of these will take the world from her while another one will desire to give her his, but she hates him deeply and, let’s face it, he’s engaged! Because in war, you never know if there’s tomorrow.

I have to be honest and say I avoid reading romance (especially enemies to lovers), which is why, when considering if becoming part of The Book Review Crew, I checked every book but this one. I am glad I got a second e-mail inviting me to participate on this blog tour because I would have hated to have missed such a book.

Although we never miss a historical event regarding the last couple of years of WWII, I felt there was so much information omitted from historical events surrounding it. Every historical aspect of the book is accurate and crude, which is what I appreciated the most, given that there’s nothing that discourages me more than reading an alleged historical fiction that ends up not being as historical. However, it did not include millions of victims who also suffered and died in concentration camps, such as gypsies (4 millions of them died in concentration camps), LGBTQIA+, black or disabled. I just feel it’s important we do not forget any.

Having such an crucial topic as the main plot, it was quite character driven and I surprised myself if love or hate with each and every one of them. If you’ve ever read this blog or watched my Booktube channel, you’ll know by now that I’m first atmosphere driven, then plot and lastly character driven, but I felt so close to our MCs and to may of the side characters, they were so well developed and not left just there unexplained, that the author made it impossible for me not to completely fall in love with them or just feel utter disgust against them to the point of becoming physically nauseous! I just couldn’t take some of them, even though I believe they portrayed what they were meant to represent to the point of perfection.

No character felt fake. Every single one of them was human and morally grey somehow. This was especially the case in Stefan, whose psychopathy is nearly perfectly shown. There's something that was not exactly shown and, as a psychologist, I'd love to point out; they are not born like that, but there's a damage in certain brain structures that regularly happens because of trauma that comes after abuse, maltreatment of any type and/or neglect. In these characters, though, you can find the whole range of human nature, from the purest to the worst kind.

The writing style made this book a quick and easy read full of deep emotions and relatable characters that you cannot put down (at least I couldn’t). It includes quite an appropriate balance between dialogue and text, including characters’ thoughts, struggles and feelings; a language appropriate for the target audience and even teaches you some words in a few languages.

If you’re into enemies to lovers, love at first sight, historical events, heroic and evil characters, and a hard, beautiful and deep romance story, this book is for you. You don’t need to be character driven because it’ll get to your heart anyway.

[Kayla Lambert]

The Polish Girl is a beautifully written novel about a Polish woman, Wanda, and a German-America man, Finn. The story begins just before the Warsaw uprising in 1944. Wanda is working with the Polish Resistance and aiding in preparation for the upcoming arising. Finn is an agent working with the government who goes undercover in Poland to assist in the preparations. Their paths cross in an extremely unique way, which I thought the author did so in a clever way.

My only complaint about this book was that sometimes it was hard to track the characters and I thought the introductions could have been a bit better. All in all, the book was great and I would definitely recommend it.

[Shari Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Sketch is a spectacular FIVE STAR World War II Historical Fiction novel, full of brilliant details, profound characters, and a unique plot infused with intrigue. The heartfelt depiction of life during trying times of love, loss, and war brought me to the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this captivating novel to all fans of Historical Fiction.

[Carly Rushforth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was over the moon to be asked to be part of this Blog Tour, read my review below.

The first thing I’d like to say about this book is how descriptive it is and how vivid the author made Warsaw in Poland, she really brings the war in 1944 to life. I really felt like I was running through the alleyways and hiding with Wanda.

Wanda is such a brave woman, after seeing her father murdered in front of her she throws herself even more into the underground resistance world and will take even more dangerous risks to avenge her father and being down the Nazis and the officer who killed him.

Finn is an undercover agent living in Washington, DC he is summoned to his superiors office and he is reminded about his traitor father joining Hitler and the Nazi cause and then he finds out his twin brother who he hasn’t heard from in 11 years is about to be assassinated by the Polish Resistance. Will he do what his country asks and take his brothers place and pass vital information back?.

I went through so many emotions reading this story, it’s heartbreaking and also filled with little pockets of joy!. If you love this genre this book is one of the best I’ve read.

[BookWormBecky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5


Coffee, twin, cafe…

Book 1 - The Polish Girl

Book 1 features 23-year-old Wanda, her brother Mateusz, and twins Stefan and Finn. Wanda witnesses the murder of her father. What happens when Wanda later sees her father's killer in Anna's cafe?

War is like a clinical trial lining us up and checking our responses. It flashes out our true characters and differences; it defines us as human beings."

This is a trio of books about wartime Poland and the actions of the Resistance.

*Many recurring characters in the three books. I chose to read the three books back-to-back.

*Painted a vivid picture of the hardships and ordeals of wartime life.

*Beautifully written. I would read future books by this author.

*Book 3 covers the Warsaw Uprising. More info is available online.

*Also a story about love, fearlessness, betrayal, and endurance.

* I liked the quote “Always take the chance to live even if you have to pay a high price. It’s worth it in the end.”

[Dayna Linton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Identical twins Finn and Stefan Keller become nemeses in this WWII historical thriller, The Last Sketch, by Gosia Nealon.

When SS-Hauptsturmführer Stefan Keller and his Nazi thugs enter the home of Polish resistance fighter Wanda Odwaga and kill Wanda’s father, this sparks an even greater desire in Wanda to stop the Nazis and seek revenge on Stefan Keller specifically.

As a boy, Finn Keller escaped his father and Germany with his mother before the Nazis took control. His twin, Stefan, opted to stay with their cruel father and support the up-and-coming Nazi regime. Finn is now an OSS operative and determined to stop the Nazis and do his part for the war effort. Finn drops into Poland on orders from OSS and impersonates his brutal twin after the Polish resistance kidnaps Stefan and later transports him to England to pay for his crimes.

Secrecy is of the utmost priority, so when Wanda encounters Finn as Stefan, she has difficulty reconciling the monster who killed her father with this seemingly kind and generous version until she finds out Stefan is not who she thinks he is. From there, a romance develops, but the couple has to use great care as Finn is engaged to Gerda, the daughter of SS Obersturmbannführer, Arthur Veight, and whom Stefan reports to directly. Should Gerda discover Finn is impersonating Stefan, it could be deadly.

The romance between Finn and Wanda becomes more intense and leads to some very dire consequences for both Finn and Wanda, which ends in their breakup and bitter resentment from both sides.

I found the premise of this book very compelling, if a little far-fetched. Finn and Stefan couldn’t be more different—Finn is loving and kind, and Stefan is cruel and cold-blooded. Because Stefan’s demeanor is utterly opposite from Finn’s, I found it hard to believe others wouldn’t notice the distinct differences between the brothers—especially if they knew Stefan had an American twin.

Though some plotlines were dubious, Ms. Nealon’s writing was exceptionally well done—even if I did have to suspend belief a little—and I was eagerly turning pages as quickly as I could. She did a fantastic job relating the desperation of the Poles and the emotions of each character, from the most kind to the sadistically brutal.

I was set to give this book a solid 4.5 Star review until the end, and that’s when I couldn’t quite suspend belief enough to make up for the book’s ending. Not that I hated it, it was just a little too unrealistic to me. Call me a cynic.

All things considered, The Last Sketch was a good WWII book with an interesting and different premise. Ms. Nealon’s prose was impeccable, and the story really was exciting and kept this reader engaged the entire time. If you enjoy period novels—WWII-era in particular—this is an entertaining read and very enjoyable.

I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Review originally posted on Novels Alive.

[W_labiryncie_slow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiedy zaczęłam płakać praktycznie na początku książki, wiedziałam, że to będzie jedna z tych bardzo dobrych. 🥺

Kochając wroga to powieść osadzona w czasie wojny, kiedy Polskę okupowali Niemcy a nasi rodacy przygotowywali się do powstania. Wydawać by się mogło, że to bardzo nieodpowiedni czas na miłość, jednak właśnie wtedy, gdy jutro jest niepewne uczucia zdają się być najprawdziwsze.

Historia opiera się na losach Wandy i .. no właśnie, którego z bliźniaków? (Jak jesteście ciekawi to musicie przeczytać 🤭)
Mną poruszyła do głębi. Cała powieść jest naszpikowana wszelkimi emocjami - od strachu i rozczarowania, do nadziei, miłości i wiary w lepsze jutro. Z każdej strony bije prawdziwość, gdyż autorka spisała wszystko z perspektywy kilku bohaterów. Pozwala nam to na poznanie ich myśli, zrozumienie postępowania.
Samo pióro Pani Gosi jest niesamowicie przyjemne w odbiorze.

Jestem pewna, że ta historia zostanie na długo w mojej pamięci, więc zachęcam i Was do odkrycia losów Wandy. Mnie pochłonęły tak bardzo, że zaczynając w dzień, wieczorem już skończyłam. 🖤📖

[Sansriti Pandey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is set up in 1944 the time when the World War II was raging. It's Poland, threatened by the terror of the Nazis under the leadership of Hitler and the protagonist Wanda Odwaga her father is brutally killed in front of her eyes by Gestapo, member of the Hitler's army. Wanda remembers him and decides to take a revenge. The story now features Finn Keller who had left Germany at a very young age, he is Gestapo's twin who lives in New York. Gestapo has now become a Nazi leader and Finn is approached by the government in order to join them in a mission where they can attack Gestapo and turn the world war against the Hitler. Excited Finn has now joined them, further in the story the readers will witness how Finn encounter with Wanda because she only recognise his face as Gestapo and the readers will also witness how they attack the Nazis and how the war is affected. A very happening story from the world war period loaded with powerful characters and real premises is all set to blow your minds.

The story is really powerful and loaded with action. The characters are well performing and the language is incredible. The story takes us to the past and the background description is really powerful enough to shape the reader's imagination. The story is heartwarming and thunderous it teaches us how each and every person is powerful and that one must not undervalue anyone. The author has carried out an incredible narration, the language is impressive and the word selection is phenomenal. Heartiest appreciation for author's generous efforts.

To everyone reading this, go read this incredible, informative and engaging story. All the fiction lovers and the history enthusiasts will love this. Apart from the action, rage and power the readers will also experience a significant amount of romance. It's time to grab your copies and don't forget to share.

[burgundowezycie · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Kochając wroga. Tajemnice łączniczki” Gosi Nealon to wspaniała powieść historyczno-romantyczna, która przenosi w burzliwe czasy II wojny światowej. To właśnie w takich okolicznościach poznajemy, w Warszawie, naszych bohaterów Wandę, Finna, Stefana i Gerdę, z których każdy na swój sposób mierzy się z dramatycznymi wyborami, zdradą, lojalnością i miłością.

Wanda jest młodą i odważną łączniczką, która walczy o wolność Polski. Finn jest amerykańskim szpiegiem, który podszywa się pod niemieckiego oficera. Stefan zwany „krwawym” jest SS-manem, który ma na sumieniu wiele ludzkich istnień. Gerda jest młodą Niemką, która w imię lojalności wydała własną matkę w ręce gestapo. Jak potoczy się ich historia? Czy mają oni szansę przetrwać wojnę?

Autorka od pierwszych stron trzyma w napięciu. Nie oszczędza swoich bohaterów i jak to podczas wojny było, zmusza ich do ciągłego podejmowania trudnych decyzji oraz ponoszenia za nie konsekwencji. Styl pisania Gosi Nealon jest lekki i płynny, a dialogi są z życia wzięte. Historyczny klimat i realia okupowanej Warszawy są świetnie oddane, a odmienni charakterami bohaterowie pokazują różne ludzkie oblicza. Lektura powieści jest wciągająca i czyta się ją jednym tchem.

"Kochając wroga. Tajemnice łączniki" to idealna książka, nie tylko dla fanów historii, ale także romansu i sensacji. Polecam ją wszystkim, którzy lubię emocjonujące i nieprzewidywalne powieści z wątkiem miłości, która stawia czoło i pokonuje wszelkie przeciwności ❤️‍🩹. Mi książka się bardzo podobała i z chęcią sięgnę po inne książki Autorki 🩷📖.

Dziękuję za zaufanie i egzemplarz do recenzji od @wydawnictwoznakpl, a Autorce @gosian18 za wspaniałą lekturę (współpraca reklamowa)🩷.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I was instantly transported back in time, where I could see everyone and everything. Historical fiction readers of this time period may want to check out this book. It is a nice, quick read. The circumstances that people like Wanda had to endear is tragic and for those that did survive, they will never forget. As the story showed, family or particularly brother was pitted against brother. Which was not an easy thing to endure as well.

The romance between Wanda and Finn was real and sweet. It did not distract from the story or overpower it. Over the course of the whole book, both Finn and Wanda grew to be strong people. This was especially true for Wanda.

While, I did like this book; I found that despite everything I could never form a strong connection towards the characters. It was sad what they went through but I could never fully emphasize with them. Yet, there was enough good things about this book that I would read another by this author.

[Rachel Wesson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started reading I couldn’t put this book down. The trials the people of Poland were subjected too have been written about before but Gosia Nealon has a way of making you feel like you are right there, trying not to breathe too loudly so you don’t stand out. So you don’t catch the attention of any one of several horrible Nazi characters, some home grown, some German. I love books that transport me back in time, I could feel the dirt under my feet, smell the blueberries baking in the pie (really want to try some blueberry perogi).

It’s important to remember that the ordinary Poles suffered severe hardship under the Germans (and Russians) and received limited help from the Allies. Despite the odds, they fought back. There is death, torture and all the usual things that happen in war but the language used is subtle. No really gruesome details but enough for your own imagination to take over and make you really feel for the characters. One particular scene with a piano had me sobbing.

Wanda and Finn are a fantastic couple, both brave and committed to doing the right thing, they pay a very high price. My only quibble is not finding out what happened to one character but I’m guessing that’s because he appears in the next book. I can't wait to read more from this author. Highly recommended.

[Ilona * ksiazka_w_kwiatach * · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Kochając wroga. Tajemnice łączniczki” to kolejna powieść z gatunku literatury wojennej, której nie potrafiłam się oprzeć. Gosia Nealon, Polka mieszkająca w Nowym Jorku, autorka bestsellerowego cyklu „The Secret Resistance” debiutuje na polskim rynku wydawniczym historią wojenną, historią nieszablonową, która poruszy Wasze czytelnicze serca i wywoła mnóstwo emocji.

"Ukochany!
Piszę, choć nie odpowiadasz. Tak bardzo pragnę wyjaśnić Ci, dlaczego zniknęłam! Obiecałeś, że po wojnie mnie odnajdziesz. Dlaczego milczysz? Czekam – nie tylko ja…".
Twoja Wanda.

Rok 1944. Warszawa kolejny rok walczy z okupantem. Podczas tej wojennej zawieruchy mieszkańcy miasta przygotowują się do powstania warszawskiego. Wśród nich jest Wanda — młoda kobieta, która staje się łączniczką powstańców. Pewnego dnia na jej drodze los stawiał dwóch braci. Finn i Stefan są bliźniakami, jednak różnią się od siebie jak woda i ogień. Jeden z nich zabija ojca Wandy, drugi ratuje jej życie.
Niebawem Wanda zdaje sobie sprawę, że jej serce bije mocniej, gdy przebywa w towarzystwie jednego z braci, pytanie tylko, którego? Nim zdąży sobie uświadomić, który z nich jest wybrankiem jej serca, Warszawa staje w ogniu walki. Kwitnący romans zostaje brutalnie przerwany, a młodzi zostają rozdzieleni. Czy po wojennej zawierusze dane im będzie jeszcze się spotkać? Czy łączące ich uczucia przetrwają? I najważniejsze, czy wzajemnie sobie wybaczą?

„Kochając wroga. Tajemnice łączniczki” to jedna z tych powieści, do których zasiadasz i czytasz od pierwszej do ostatniej strony. To historia, która pochłania Cię całą sobą i nie pozwala odłożyć się na półkę, nim nie poznasz jej zakończenia.
Gosia Nealon stworzyła niezwykle emocjonującą i porywającą powieść. Wykreowała bardzo realistyczne tło, na tle, którego utkała historię młodych ludzi, których los nie oszczędzał. Bohaterowie powieści to postaci silne, zdeterminowane, wykreowane w sposób bardzo realistyczny. Wątki, które zawarła w swojej powieści autorka, poprowadzone są bardzo ciekawie, choć przyznam, że niektóre zbyt szybko zostały urwane. Niemniej jednak w żaden sposób nie umniejsza to mojej oceny tej powieści. Umiejętne połączenie wątku miłosnego z kryminalnym tworzy z tej powieści niezwykle ciekawą historię, której fabuła intryguje do tego stopnia, że nie sposób jest się oderwać od lektury.
„Kochając wroga. Tajemnice łączniczki” to powieść napisana pięknym językiem, plastyczne opisy miejsc sprawiają, że czytelnik, kartkując kolejne strony, czuje się realnym uczestnikiem tej niezwykłej historii. Podczas lektury towarzyszyła mi cała gama emocji, a ostatnie rozdziały, w których nie brakuje napięcia, czytałam jak zahipnotyzowana. Chłonęłam tę powieść z ogromnym zaangażowaniem, kibicowałam jej bohaterom i trzymałam kciuki za szczęśliwe zakończenie. A czy takie było? Musicie sprawdzić sami. Zachęcam Was mocno do lektury.

[okładkowa_sroka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Głównych bohaterów- Wandę, Gerdę, Finna i Stefana poznajemy w Warszawie w czasie II wojny światowej. W otoczeniu trudnych wyborów, zdrady, bólu i zemsty. Wanda i Finn to dwójka ludzi połączona uczuciem. Para, która pokonała bardzo dużo przeciwności losu. Długo żyli w lęku, z niepewnym jutrem. Wszystko co ich spotkało tworzy niewątpliwie piękną historię. Historię pełną miłości, naszpikowaną mnóstwem odwagi i determinacji. Ale czy miłość i wojna idą w parze? W tym przypadku nie do końca. Ich wspólne szczęście zakończyło się szybciej niż się zaczęło.
Jak potoczyły się ich losy po tym jak się rozdzielili? Co z tym wszystkim mieli wspólnego Gerda i Stefan ? Na te pytania nie mogę Wam odpowiedzieć. Musicie przeczytać sami.
Pióro Gosi jest bardzo przyjemne i lekkie. Historia, którą opisała nafaszerowana jest całą gamą emocji. Czytając, nie raz uśmiechałam się i wzruszyłam. Autorka trzyma nas w napięciu od pierwszych stron. Fabuła książki jest bardzo wciągająca i pochłaniałam strony z zapartym tchem. A samo zakończenie jest po prostu wyjątkowe. Czy polecam? Zdecydowanie tak !

Bardzo dziękuję @wydawnictwoznakpl za możliwość recenzji, a @gosian18 gratuluje świetnej książki!

[mag_rzska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Od razu napiszę, dobra! Szpiegowsko-romantyczna powieść, dzieje się w Warszawie w czasie wojny, dobrze zakręcona, że sama nie mogłam się rozeznać, który brat jest kim. Bo to są bliźniacy, Finn i Stefan. Jeden w niemieckim mundurze, drugi działa w polskim ruchu oporu. Dwie kobiety, Polka Wanda i Niemka Gerda, nie będzie łatwo. Skomplikowane uczucia, zazdrość. Tytuł nam trochę zdradza, ale nie ufajmy mu bezgranicznie. Wojna to czas trudnych wyborów, wielkich spraw, w które zaangażowana jest Wanda. Autorka chce nam przekazać, że prawdziwa miłość pokona wszelkie przeszkody. Wojenne tło pozwala na pokazanie całej gamy emocji. Żeby jeszcze mocniej uwypuklić relacje jakie połączyły całą czwórkę. Nie nauczymy się z niej historii, za to wciągnie nas poruszająca fabuła. Niemal do ostatnich rozdziałów nie mamy pewności, czy dobremu bohaterowi kibicujemy.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Polish Girl by Gosia Nealon is the first book in The Secret Resistance series and what a great start it proved to be. The themes of revenge, secrets, trust and mistaken identity all occurring at a time of war were carefully explored with good pacing for the majority of the story. I thought this was a bit different from the usual World War Two historical fiction books in that the main character really gets deeply involved in things and given the initial premise and how she comes to meet the person she believes to have committed the worst fate to have befallen her family it’s unusual for a character to apparently venture over to the other side so to speak. It provided some alternative drama from the norm and I felt the characters were treading on eggshells throughout. The story as a whole was well written although I thought around the mid-way point things did become a bit too rushed when things seemed to be occurring with every turn of the page. A little more detail was necessary which would also allow the reader time to process everything that was unfolding but this issue resolved itself and on reflection perhaps it was necessary to allow the story to move beyond the conclusion of the war.

The story is split into three parts with the first introducing us to Wanda in 1944 and although there is a lot of information presented in the first few chapters it is all very relevant to the story and set things up well for what was to come. It was great to read a story set in Warsaw that wasn’t specifically focused on the ghetto as we got so see how the residents outside of that awful area lived and existed during the war years. Wanda lives in the city with her parents and does secret work for the resistance movement delivering books, pamphlets, ammunition etc all which must be kept hidden from the Germans. The rounding up of Jews and the so called undesirables is a daily occurrence and any member of the resistance that is discovered is included in that category. The whereabouts of her brother Mateusz remain unknown. Whether he is dead or alive thanks to his undercover work but Wanda clings to the hope that he is still out there somewhere. She has forged papers which says she works in a German sewing factory. Working for the Germans makes things easier for those that wish to carry out certain things unobserved. Yet, the constant fear of being caught hounds her on a daily basis and she give thanks for every night that she returns home safely.

Wanda is a clever, resourceful, determined and brave young woman who really does grow on you as she reveals more of herself. She has a great bond with her father, affectionately known as her Tata, who has always taught her to see other people’s struggles and not walk away. She constantly holds this advice close to her heart and she feels she is abiding by it by carrying out her resistance work even though she is in continual danger. When the Gestapo arrive at the family home seeking information regarding Mateusz, the worst happens when Tata is shot when he in fact was only protecting his family. Stefan Keller is the Gestapo member who wielded the gun and Wanda makes a promise to herself that revenge will be sought and she will not rest until she does so and this is where the twist in the tale starts to occur. Stefan is a sadist through and through whose primary aim was to track down and eliminate the Polish resistance and any Jews that he can find in hiding. There are no redeeming characteristics about him and he remains full of hatred and loathing throughout the book.

On the other side of the coin is his identical twin brother Finn, currently living in America and working for the Office of Strategic Services. From his first introduction Finn was the complete opposite to his brother, in terms of how he thought, his actions and his everyday stance and demeanour. Finn takes on a task that will lead him into dark territory and as he arrives in Warsaw he has a new persona so very different from his own. It really felt like he was walking into the lion’s den and I admired his bravery and tenacity in taking on the role. Although, I do think revealing things about who he was and it becoming known to a major character for me it all happened way too early in the book. I was desperate for a bit more guessing and conflict of emotions on behalf of Wanda. It all just came out in the open far too soon and there could have been a whole lot more tension and second guessing before the reveal came. Yes, it did help the romance and emotions to come forth and both Wanda and Finn wrestle with a whole heap of emotions and quandaries and battle with their conscience and how to deal with how society views each of them. Can Wanda trust the man she detests the most? Is she willing to give in to her feelings or will her duty and loyalty to the resistance movement and her fellow Poles win out? Does the heart rule over the head or vice versa?

As for Finn he deals with the same issues and sentiments and when lies, threats and double crossing come to the fore he too must decide on which side his loyalties lie on and whether he should follow what his heart is saying instead of what he perceives to be seeing. I loved Finn as a character. I felt there was this vulnerability about him given the situation he was in and the game he was playing, and I just wanted to give him a big hug and say that things would be ok. He pushed himself out of his comfort zone for the good of his country and to try and help in some small way to bring down the evil spreading throughout the world. I think he believed he could go to Poland, get the job done and return to America instead he found himself in a very tangled web which he became deeply stuck into and which would ultimately change the course of his life forever. For the positive or negative you’ll have to read this engaging book to discover the answer.

Gosia Nealon was a new author for me and she proved to be a very good writer with a great sense of time and place and the ability to get inside her characters heads and portray the terrors of war. The emotional turmoil they all go through and the individual conflicts they find themselves in were fascinating and intriguing. The story demonstrates how war is cruel and has no mercy on anyone but that love is strong and will do its utmost best to win no matter the obstacles put in its path. Book two in the series, The Polish Wife, is published at the end of March and I am interested to discover Anna’s story as from the glimpses we got of her throughout book number one it seems apparent to me that she has an awful lot to tell and has been through so much even more so than Wanda perhaps. All in all, this was a good read and enjoyable for its twists and turns but I get the feeling the series will really warm up and fully find its feet the more it develops.

[Julia Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Poland the year before the war ended when the world is fully aware of the atrocities committed by Hitler and the Nazi Regime, a romance blooms. Now do not think that this is just a wartime romance, far from it. The story will take you on an adventure that includes, killing, betrayal, love, revenge and so much more. As the two lovers deal with the horrors of war, they must also deal with the effect the war has on members of their own families. Both want to help put an end to the abominations but can two people from different backgrounds and different countries, who have both suffered unbelievable loss, trust each other?

Nealon has written a historical fiction novel that you will not soon forget. The two main characters battle a myriad of obstacles over several years demonstrating their own inner strength. They are easy to admire and relate to due to the truth of their emotions during this unbearable time in history. It is hard to believe that this is the first novel for Nealon.

[Kim Pink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this! This book is everything I love about historical fiction mixed with a dose of page-turning pace that is usually reserved for suspense novels.

Set in World War II Poland, we follow a young woman, Wanda, fighting for the resistance. She finds herself working with American, Finn, who is driven by an overwhelming struggle to atone for the sins of his family. Follow the heartache and hopes of both and watch their paths woven together into an incredible story. Will they learn how to work together and survive or will their secrets tear them apart.

When you think everything is going to be okay...BOOM! Something else happens.

You fall in love with the characters, feel at home as the author paints a detailed picture of settings and won't be able to stop reading.

A stunning debut by an award-winning short story author.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Easy to read and follow. Each chapter got right to the point, no fillers or unnecessary information, which made this book flow and not drag. Kept me interested the whole time. I also appreciated that the author let the reader know what a word meant, when a word was said in Polish or German. This was important to me because I read print books, not e-books, so I don’t have the ability to Google words as I’m reading. I was able to read and enjoy the book without stopping to look words up. I look forward to reading the authors next book.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Musings

A startlingly believe able novel set in Poland during WWII with compelling characters and a daring plot. I am so glad I discovered this book on a FB ad. Happy reading!

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Polish Girl is a renamed republishing of the first book in Gosia Nealon’s Secret Resistance Series: ‘The Last Sketch’. The story follows the characters of Wanda and Finn and their fight for survival, and fight for each other, amongst the events of the final year of the Second World War.
The book is perfectly paced; starting off with a slow pace to world-build, establish the characters and build relationships between them and then progressing onto something which is fast-paced with lots of tension. I was hooked from the first page and finished the book in a single sitting as I simply couldn’t put it down. Despite being a work of fiction, there’s a lot of historical accuracy in the book.
All of the characters in The Polish Girl were beautifully complex. We have a really strong female protagonist in Wanda who is a real force to be reckoned with. My track record of instantly falling in love with the love interests in historical romances only continued with the character of Finn, who had me truly captivated from his first entrance into the story. I found the concept of Finn and Stefan following two completely different paths in life, with one joining the Nazi party and one fighting against them, despite being twin brothers really interesting and it’s something which was brilliantly explored. I also thought that the character of Gerda was really well written and perfectly captured the generation brainwashed by Nazi ideology.
My one gripe with the character of Finn was that he began to believe that Wanda had betrayed him. This was a complete 360 from his original intense trust in the woman he loves and suddenly moved away from his initial (correct) assumption about the reality of Wanda’s disappearance, leading to events which seemed completely out of character from the Finn we’d seen for the rest of the novel.
I also did find it slightly unbelievable that Finn could ever capture the mannerisms, speech patterns and behaviours of Stefan (someone he’d not seen for many years) without detection. I definitely would have liked for us to have had a chapter which focused on Finn assuming Stefan’s identity, as I think that was a particularly crucial part of his mission. Seeing how Finn recovered from the potential little slip ups he is likely to have made whilst adjusting to his new persona could have supported the realism of the plotline.
Although most historical fiction novels end somewhere around the end of the war, The Polish Girl rather uniquely takes us up to 1950. As someone who often finishes novels set in this era craving an insight into how the characters’ lives played out in the aftermath of the war as Europe started to rebuild and recover, I absolutely loved that Gosia Nealon made the choice to do this. Covering the five years post-war period allowed us to not only explore the post-war lives of the main characters, it also allowed us to get a little update on each of the supporting characters we’d met throughout the narrative.
Overall, The Polish Girl is an incredible historical fiction work which is as heart-warming as it is heart-breaking. It’s fantastically paced and contains gripping moments of real tension which will have readers on the edge of their seats. I am eagerly awaiting the publication of the next book in The Secret Resistance series ‘The Polish Wife’ as it will give us an opportunity to return to some of the much-loved characters we met within The Polish Girl.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I have posted an extended review on my blog www.yourschloe.co.uk

*I received a copy of this book in eBook format via NetGalley in return for this review. All reviews published are completely honest and my own, and are in now way influenced by the gifting opportunity.

[Paradise · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I studied World War II a few times at school. However, we always looked at the rise of Hitler and the Battle of Britain; we never spent enough time looking at the ordinary people left to fight and defend their countries. This is something I love to read about, especially those resisting in secret while going about their daily lives. The recent TV series 'World on Fire' piqued my interest in the Polish resistance and 'The Last Sketch' provided me with additional insight into that time.

This is an excellent debut, combining a backdrop of war torn Poland, with a secret and dangerous romance that risks several lives. Gosia Nolan is a vivid storyteller and the contrast between the beautiful serenity of the parks and the crumbling, bullet riddled buildings is raw and sad. Yet the characters all have such passion and belief that readers will feel their hope and strength bursting out of the pages. However, there is plenty of brutality and the horrors of war are vividly described.

While this is a tale of enemies to lovers, Nolan has put a unique spin on it. There is mistaken identity, jealousy and a desire for revenge – themes that continue long after the war has ended. There are also several red herrings to trick the reader.

I did feel that there were too many terms of endearment used throughout and a few characters did make an abrupt exist. The Polish section of the book feels tighter somehow and flows much better; the events in the latter part of the book slightly rushed. That said, the timelines for the two sections are very different and the speed of the story in the US makes for a more dramatic conclusion.

Wanda is an excellent character. Smart, feisty and loyal, she also has a good heart and puts others first. Just minutes into the story, Wanda takes in a small boy who has been left alone. She also spends a lot of time worrying about others supporting the resistance. Her chemistry with Finn is instantly clear, yet confuses and repulses her.

Anna is a genuine and brave character, openly encouraging and welcoming Nazis, yet risking her life to support the allies. The courage and determination shown by those living in occupied Poland really is inspiring.

Gerda too is intriguing. Brainwashed by her father, her naivety is shocking; her unrequited love potentially devastating. By sharing Gerda’s perspective, Nealon makes us feel sympathy towards her; these conflicting opinions torment us throughout the book. But for Stefan we feel nothing but pure hatred and disgust.

The Last Sketch is well-researched and beautifully written, with inspirational characters, action and romance. It’s everything you could hope for in historical fiction

I received an ARC from the Book Review Crew. All opinions my own.

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