What do you think?
Rate this book
Verboten
Love can be found even in the most hopeless of places.
A young woman in the Lodz Ghetto is given a chance at survival by an old school friend who happens to be a Nazi soldier. Can their love survive in such a dangerous environment?
A young woman in the Lodz Ghetto is given a chance at survival by an old school friend who happens to be a Nazi soldier. Can their love survive in such a dangerous environment?
- GenresWorld War II
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2014
26 people want to read
About the author
Heather Osborne
29 books128 followersHeather Osborne was born and raised in California. She has a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Victimology, as well as coursework in Early Childhood Education. In 2009, she moved to Scotland. Heather has been writing short stories for as long as she can remember. She also has written and directed several plays. In her spare time, Heather enjoys reading, writing (of course!), theatre, as well as caring for her young son.
She also reviews for Readers' Favorite.
She also reviews for Readers' Favorite.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 4, 2014
I thought Verboten was very well written. The main characters were well developed for a short story and the author did an excellent job throwing the reader into Nazi Germany during World War 2. You get a feel for what it may have been like to be a Jew in a desperate situation, surrounded by Nazi soldiers.
You wouldn't think that this would be a setting that would allow for romance to develop, but when a Nazi Lt. spots Irena, one of his adolescent crushes from school, a forbidden love is sparked. Even though even a friendly discussion could get either of them killed, a relationship is kindled, but can they both survive long enough to see it through...? Good original story line. Great summer beach read.
You wouldn't think that this would be a setting that would allow for romance to develop, but when a Nazi Lt. spots Irena, one of his adolescent crushes from school, a forbidden love is sparked. Even though even a friendly discussion could get either of them killed, a relationship is kindled, but can they both survive long enough to see it through...? Good original story line. Great summer beach read.
January 13, 2015
Great!
4.5 Stars!!!!
I really enjoyed this short story. Heather Osborne managed to create a story of love, courage, and survival, between two unlikely characters.
"For that moment, the war, the ghetto, the camps did not exist. They were simply two people, in love."
When war continues its destructive path, survival becomes the only priority. I was convinced there could be no happily ever after for Peter and Irena, especially since human life is regarded as easily disposable in times of war.
"She had done what she had to in order to survive, fighting in her own way."
If you enjoy historical romance, and stories with a strong sense of realism about them, definitely pick up Verboten.
4.5 Stars!!!!
I really enjoyed this short story. Heather Osborne managed to create a story of love, courage, and survival, between two unlikely characters.
"For that moment, the war, the ghetto, the camps did not exist. They were simply two people, in love."
When war continues its destructive path, survival becomes the only priority. I was convinced there could be no happily ever after for Peter and Irena, especially since human life is regarded as easily disposable in times of war.
"She had done what she had to in order to survive, fighting in her own way."
If you enjoy historical romance, and stories with a strong sense of realism about them, definitely pick up Verboten.
August 23, 2014
A Short Story of Forbidden Love
Young and Jewish, Irena experiences deprivation and heartbreak in Nazi Germany. Her life takes an unexpected turn. Can she find happiness and love under the most difficult of conditions?
Heather Osborne's Verboten is a wonderful short story of forbidden love. Ms. Osborne handles the difficult topic of life in Nazi Germany in the early 1940s. Her sensitive and compassionate voice takes the reader to one of the most terrible times in history.
Ms. Osborne is also the author of Tam Lin. Her version of the ancient legend is exciting. The story captures life in Scotland in the mid-1500s.
Young and Jewish, Irena experiences deprivation and heartbreak in Nazi Germany. Her life takes an unexpected turn. Can she find happiness and love under the most difficult of conditions?
Heather Osborne's Verboten is a wonderful short story of forbidden love. Ms. Osborne handles the difficult topic of life in Nazi Germany in the early 1940s. Her sensitive and compassionate voice takes the reader to one of the most terrible times in history.
Ms. Osborne is also the author of Tam Lin. Her version of the ancient legend is exciting. The story captures life in Scotland in the mid-1500s.
September 6, 2016
A poignant World War II love story set in a Jewish ghetto in World War II Poland. In this stunning short, Ms Osborne demonstrates that in a time of war, when a couple will do anything for love, that can mean the unthinkable.
When Irena promises to survive, whatever the cost, despite the memories and losses the uncertain future will hold for her...hell, I'm not sure if many people would have the courage to do what she had to - or live through what she did.
I only wish this story were longer - because I'd love to have spent much more time with Irena and her Leutnaut.
When Irena promises to survive, whatever the cost, despite the memories and losses the uncertain future will hold for her...hell, I'm not sure if many people would have the courage to do what she had to - or live through what she did.
I only wish this story were longer - because I'd love to have spent much more time with Irena and her Leutnaut.
February 15, 2014
This was another fantastic book by a great author I want to see more of. A page turner, an old romance thats sure to brighten your day.
September 18, 2023
excellent novella
Wow, this was a great story. The author is an incredible storyteller. In this case the story is not fiction it’s true, and it picks the savagery of some people in the world to survive by others. it also gives hope and a reminder that Love can conquer all.
Wow, this was a great story. The author is an incredible storyteller. In this case the story is not fiction it’s true, and it picks the savagery of some people in the world to survive by others. it also gives hope and a reminder that Love can conquer all.
November 23, 2014
As a reader, I am very sensitive to pain and suffering. I am unable to handle stories where cruelty and torture are described in depth. Stories about slavery, Nazi Germany, and patients dying of painful diseases are off-limits to me; they give me nightmares and feelings of helplessness and anger. I had to exert extreme self discipline to make it through Tressie, which gave me nightmares for days.
By chance, I just read the short story Verboten by Heather Osborne because I had no idea what it was about until I read the first page, and then I was hooked and could not put it down. It’s a beautifully written story set against the dark and hopeless background of Nazi occupation. Irena Adler has promised her dead father that she will survive, and the story tells of her effort to do so. She endures hunger, humiliation, hatred from her enemies and her people, but she also experiences love and hope. I loved the ending. It was uplifting, and brought tears to my eyes. This is a very talented author, and I hope to read more of her stories.
By chance, I just read the short story Verboten by Heather Osborne because I had no idea what it was about until I read the first page, and then I was hooked and could not put it down. It’s a beautifully written story set against the dark and hopeless background of Nazi occupation. Irena Adler has promised her dead father that she will survive, and the story tells of her effort to do so. She endures hunger, humiliation, hatred from her enemies and her people, but she also experiences love and hope. I loved the ending. It was uplifting, and brought tears to my eyes. This is a very talented author, and I hope to read more of her stories.
December 4, 2014
"Verboten" by Heather Osborne is a remarkable novel about a woman in love in the Lodz Ghetto. It is a short novel but manages to establish its characters very easily and it sets the dramatic scene equally effortlessly.
Irena, a young Jewish woman, gets involved in a scheme to help some of her inmates, finds love and must make some difficult choices.
I was impressed with the graceful way this difficult subject has been handled, with the great characterisation and the way the plot developed. The story stayed with me for long after I had finished the book and Irena will probably remain for me with some time.
Marvellous.
Irena, a young Jewish woman, gets involved in a scheme to help some of her inmates, finds love and must make some difficult choices.
I was impressed with the graceful way this difficult subject has been handled, with the great characterisation and the way the plot developed. The story stayed with me for long after I had finished the book and Irena will probably remain for me with some time.
Marvellous.
November 29, 2014
My review of Verboten can be found on my blog: http://mbernsen.blogspot.com/2014/11/...
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews