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The Nurse Behind the Gates
Dachau, 1942. Emilie has been told she’s here to nurse evil men. But the first patient she sees in the cold, dark room is hauntingly familiar. Her first love is not wicked. He couldn’t be. What is he doing here?
Emilie’s heart stops as she takes in her childhood sweetheart hunched in a tattered prisoner’s uniform, the light lost from his face. Her new husband, Otto, said this was a camp for criminals. He should know, he’s the doctor. But Danner would never have broken the law.
As she looks into Danner’s beautiful brown eyes, she's transported back to their happy childhood in Munich. The friendship they shared. The way her heart once felt like it beat only for him. Before the Jewish laws were enforced and Danner pushed Emilie away to protect her, breaking her heart.
Now, Emilie rushes to find Otto, desperate for answers. But when she discovers him waiting with confidentiality papers for her to sign, she realizes her husband has been lying. This isn’t a place to treat sick criminals, but to murder the innocent. And Otto tells her if she doesn’t help, they'll both die.
Her hands shake as she receives her instructions. But as she rushes back to the sickbay, searching for a way to escape, her gaze lands on Danner once more. In his eyes, she can see something that almost looks like hope…
Emilie’s heart stops as she takes in her childhood sweetheart hunched in a tattered prisoner’s uniform, the light lost from his face. Her new husband, Otto, said this was a camp for criminals. He should know, he’s the doctor. But Danner would never have broken the law.
As she looks into Danner’s beautiful brown eyes, she's transported back to their happy childhood in Munich. The friendship they shared. The way her heart once felt like it beat only for him. Before the Jewish laws were enforced and Danner pushed Emilie away to protect her, breaking her heart.
Now, Emilie rushes to find Otto, desperate for answers. But when she discovers him waiting with confidentiality papers for her to sign, she realizes her husband has been lying. This isn’t a place to treat sick criminals, but to murder the innocent. And Otto tells her if she doesn’t help, they'll both die.
Her hands shake as she receives her instructions. But as she rushes back to the sickbay, searching for a way to escape, her gaze lands on Danner once more. In his eyes, she can see something that almost looks like hope…
374 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2024
2115 people are currently reading
1701 people want to read
About the author
Shari J. Ryan
65 books2,012 followersShari J. Ryan is a USA Today and International Bestselling Author of over 40 novels, with more than 700,000 copies sold and translations in 13 languages. She writes emotionally evocative WWII fiction inspired by true stories that have resonated with readers around the globe. Her work has earned Top 100, Top 10, and #1 chart rankings, as well as two Rone Awards.
As the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Shari brings a deeply personal connection to her work. Her stories are rooted in truth and remembrance, written to ensure history is never forgotten.
For Shari, writing is more than a passion; it is her way of expressing herself and connecting with others. She strives to share every emotion she experiences with each reader who picks up one of her books.
Shari holds a bachelor's degree from Johnson & Wales University and began her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer until 2012, when she discovered her true calling in novels.
Some of Shari’s bestselling books include The Nurse Behind the Gates, The Stolen Twins, The Bookseller of Dachau, The Doctor’s Daughter, and The Last Words Series—gripping stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
A lifelong Boston girl, Shari now lives in a small town in the suburbs with her adored husband and two incredible sons, who make her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
As the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Shari brings a deeply personal connection to her work. Her stories are rooted in truth and remembrance, written to ensure history is never forgotten.
For Shari, writing is more than a passion; it is her way of expressing herself and connecting with others. She strives to share every emotion she experiences with each reader who picks up one of her books.
Shari holds a bachelor's degree from Johnson & Wales University and began her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer until 2012, when she discovered her true calling in novels.
Some of Shari’s bestselling books include The Nurse Behind the Gates, The Stolen Twins, The Bookseller of Dachau, The Doctor’s Daughter, and The Last Words Series—gripping stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
A lifelong Boston girl, Shari now lives in a small town in the suburbs with her adored husband and two incredible sons, who make her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
May 18, 2024
Danner, Emilie, Otto, Gertie, Felix - all good friends back in school days Munich. But as they grew, the country changed. Hitler declared war, Jews were ostracized and life changed as those friends had known it. When Otto and Emilie married, Otto took them to a new home near the camp at Dachau. It was 1942 and he was to work in the camp as the doctor while Emilie stayed at home. But soon Otto needed Emilie and her medical knowledge inside the camp as well. Her first day inside the barbed wire fences had her shaking with terror, but it was seeing a familiar face; hearing a familiar voice, which shattered her composure. Why was Danner at the camp for criminals? Why was he so thin and malnourished? Emilie didn't understand - but once she made Otto talk to her, she knew more than she wanted to know...
The Nurse Behind the Gates is another historical novel by Shari J. Ryan and unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as much as her previous books I've read. The time frames were choppy, jumping back and forth plus it was at 47% before Emilie even got behind the gates. Narrated by both Danner and Emilie, I enjoyed both characters although their circumstances were heartbreaking. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
The Nurse Behind the Gates is another historical novel by Shari J. Ryan and unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as much as her previous books I've read. The time frames were choppy, jumping back and forth plus it was at 47% before Emilie even got behind the gates. Narrated by both Danner and Emilie, I enjoyed both characters although their circumstances were heartbreaking. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Read
January 8, 2026This will be my 10th Historical Fiction novel, written throughout the last seven years.
Before last summer, I spent much of my free time scouring documentaries, memoirs, reading through my family archives, legal transcriptions from court trials, and more. Research is the key to History.
Last Summer, I had the opportunity to visit the Dachau and Terezin camps. The experience is something I will never forget.
I felt guilty for taking pictures but needed them as notes to record every detail still standing. I’ve spent a lot of time with those photos over the last year, pulling at the memories of standing within those gates.
I touched walls just to feel what the prisoners…my grandparents and uncle…felt. I focused on each footstep, my ankles bending (in sturdy shoes) while walking over the very same cobblestone as them.
I felt a heaviness, a silence. My heart raced. The sun beat down on me, making those moments the hottest I felt in any location across the three countries I toured.
I had my kids with me and did the best I could to teach them as much as possible in a short time.
I walked through the gas chamber alone. I stared at signs, I recognized the obscurities ahead, unable to see inside the next room until there were no more rooms.
When I stepped back outside into the sun, my boys and husband were waiting. I imagined that’s what many felt like after their final moments there. Heaven…their loved ones waiting in the sun.
The crematorium was all metal, stone, and cement. I could fool myself into thinking I was looking at something more humane, but my imagination is too vivid for my own good. I could picture emaciated bodies.
I didn’t cry. Not one tear. I felt dead inside. I felt dead in there. I was completely affected in every way possible.
I then touched my uncle’s name etched in stone. I wish we could have met, but that was the closest I’d be—his resting place in Dachau.
I wish someone could have saved him. I wish someone could have tried. I wish he wasn’t alone at seventeen when he died a month before liberation.
So, I fixed that. In my heart. In this book.
Every word in this story is bound with the emotions I experienced during my visit to those Holocaust camps.
I hope you get the chance to peek inside this “photo album” portrayed through the words I felt.
The Nurse Behind the Gates releases on May 20th.
Now Available
Before last summer, I spent much of my free time scouring documentaries, memoirs, reading through my family archives, legal transcriptions from court trials, and more. Research is the key to History.
Last Summer, I had the opportunity to visit the Dachau and Terezin camps. The experience is something I will never forget.
I felt guilty for taking pictures but needed them as notes to record every detail still standing. I’ve spent a lot of time with those photos over the last year, pulling at the memories of standing within those gates.
I touched walls just to feel what the prisoners…my grandparents and uncle…felt. I focused on each footstep, my ankles bending (in sturdy shoes) while walking over the very same cobblestone as them.
I felt a heaviness, a silence. My heart raced. The sun beat down on me, making those moments the hottest I felt in any location across the three countries I toured.
I had my kids with me and did the best I could to teach them as much as possible in a short time.
I walked through the gas chamber alone. I stared at signs, I recognized the obscurities ahead, unable to see inside the next room until there were no more rooms.
When I stepped back outside into the sun, my boys and husband were waiting. I imagined that’s what many felt like after their final moments there. Heaven…their loved ones waiting in the sun.
The crematorium was all metal, stone, and cement. I could fool myself into thinking I was looking at something more humane, but my imagination is too vivid for my own good. I could picture emaciated bodies.
I didn’t cry. Not one tear. I felt dead inside. I felt dead in there. I was completely affected in every way possible.
I then touched my uncle’s name etched in stone. I wish we could have met, but that was the closest I’d be—his resting place in Dachau.
I wish someone could have saved him. I wish someone could have tried. I wish he wasn’t alone at seventeen when he died a month before liberation.
So, I fixed that. In my heart. In this book.
Every word in this story is bound with the emotions I experienced during my visit to those Holocaust camps.
I hope you get the chance to peek inside this “photo album” portrayed through the words I felt.
The Nurse Behind the Gates releases on May 20th.
Now Available
May 21, 2024
Rating- 5 stars
(E-ARC) Also on Kindle Unlimited
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for letting me have a proof of this book. Thanks for letting me give my honest opinion of this book.
This book was set in World War 2 which had flashbacks of when Germany became occupied by the Nazis to the end of World War Two when America stopped it. This focused on 4 friends who grew up together in the same neighbourhood but later goes to focus on mainly three of them- Emilie, Otto and Danner. As they all grow up, the world they know began to change and Germany is never the same again. When the Jewish laws are enforced, Danner is ripped away from his friends and Emilie- the one he had loved since they were children. Danner pushes Emilie away in order to protect her and asks Otto to marry her and keep her safe. Little does he know that Otto would be working in the concentration camp where he is murdering innocent victims and has also lied to his wife about the things she would be doing there. But when she hears a familiar phrase and sees Danner she know she will do everything she can do to save him.
This book was super emotional and made me cry so much. Usually romances can be hit and miss for me but the relationship that Danner and Emilie had was beautiful and so romantic. From the flashback scenes to the current scenes, you could really show the love and appreciation they had for each other. The things that Danner went through was just heart-breaking and you really felt for him throughout this novel. The dual povs between Emilie and Danner was great but I would have really liked to see a few povs of Otto's in the book too. I am still thinking about them both now.
As much as Otto made the wrong choices and was heavily influenced by his uncle, he did not deserve what happened to him. The scene where he was punishing himself for what he did was awful to read. In fact, the whole chapter was a hard read and I did end up putting it down due to how distressing and emotional it was. A few trigger warnings could be useful for people who could struggle. I also really enjoyed the flashbacks but sometimes felt like they did not fit at times or were not needed. For example, the prologue was found in Chapter 17 which made me skip as it was the same.
Furthermore, this book was really addicting and emotional but I could not put this down and constantly wanted to know what was going to happen. This was my first book by the author and I am really impressed and have now found another author to add to the ongoing list of historical fiction authors. I am really excited to pick up another book by this author which follows a side character in this novel.
During this book there was two songs which really related to this book:
Labour by Paris Paloma
Enchanted by Taylor Swift
(E-ARC) Also on Kindle Unlimited
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for letting me have a proof of this book. Thanks for letting me give my honest opinion of this book.
This book was set in World War 2 which had flashbacks of when Germany became occupied by the Nazis to the end of World War Two when America stopped it. This focused on 4 friends who grew up together in the same neighbourhood but later goes to focus on mainly three of them- Emilie, Otto and Danner. As they all grow up, the world they know began to change and Germany is never the same again. When the Jewish laws are enforced, Danner is ripped away from his friends and Emilie- the one he had loved since they were children. Danner pushes Emilie away in order to protect her and asks Otto to marry her and keep her safe. Little does he know that Otto would be working in the concentration camp where he is murdering innocent victims and has also lied to his wife about the things she would be doing there. But when she hears a familiar phrase and sees Danner she know she will do everything she can do to save him.
This book was super emotional and made me cry so much. Usually romances can be hit and miss for me but the relationship that Danner and Emilie had was beautiful and so romantic. From the flashback scenes to the current scenes, you could really show the love and appreciation they had for each other. The things that Danner went through was just heart-breaking and you really felt for him throughout this novel. The dual povs between Emilie and Danner was great but I would have really liked to see a few povs of Otto's in the book too. I am still thinking about them both now.
As much as Otto made the wrong choices and was heavily influenced by his uncle, he did not deserve what happened to him. The scene where he was punishing himself for what he did was awful to read. In fact, the whole chapter was a hard read and I did end up putting it down due to how distressing and emotional it was. A few trigger warnings could be useful for people who could struggle. I also really enjoyed the flashbacks but sometimes felt like they did not fit at times or were not needed. For example, the prologue was found in Chapter 17 which made me skip as it was the same.
Furthermore, this book was really addicting and emotional but I could not put this down and constantly wanted to know what was going to happen. This was my first book by the author and I am really impressed and have now found another author to add to the ongoing list of historical fiction authors. I am really excited to pick up another book by this author which follows a side character in this novel.
During this book there was two songs which really related to this book:
Labour by Paris Paloma
Enchanted by Taylor Swift
May 21, 2024
Emilie and Danner were childhood friends, along with Otto, Felix and Gerty. They played in the streets of Munich, growing up in the same neighborhood. Emilie and Danner were the very best of friends and knew that they would grow up and get married. But when the war started, Danner had to move to Poland with his family. He was the only one in the circle of friends that was Jewish. Emilie and her husband Otto move from Munich to Dachau. Emilie is a nurse to her husband Otto, a doctor. They have a job at the Dachau prison camp, she is told that it is for research, and that all the prisoners are criminals. Emilie soon discovers that isn’t the case. Her husband is lying to her. And when Emilie recognizes one of the prisoners is a childhood friend of her’s named Danner, she knows for sure they aren’t there for research and the prison isn’t used to house criminals. She remembers Danner to be one of the kindest people she knows. When Otto tries to convince Emilie that they are actually there to murder the prisoners or they themselves will be killed. Emilie has to find a way to escape the horrible place, but she will not leave without saving Danner.
The Nurse Behind the Gates is an amazing and heartbreaking historical fiction written by Shari J. Ryan. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, though it had me in tears for majority of the story. I wanted to read this in one sitting but it was too hard for me…I had to stop to take a breath. This emotional read is necessary to remind us of the horrible time of World War II, and the resolve of those that survived. I enjoyed this story very much, keep tissues near by because you will definitely need them. Ryan is amazing in her writing style, rich research and pulling the reader into the story, making you feel like it’s happening right before your eyes. I enjoyed this story very much and I highly recommend it.
The Nurse Behind the Gates is an amazing and heartbreaking historical fiction written by Shari J. Ryan. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, though it had me in tears for majority of the story. I wanted to read this in one sitting but it was too hard for me…I had to stop to take a breath. This emotional read is necessary to remind us of the horrible time of World War II, and the resolve of those that survived. I enjoyed this story very much, keep tissues near by because you will definitely need them. Ryan is amazing in her writing style, rich research and pulling the reader into the story, making you feel like it’s happening right before your eyes. I enjoyed this story very much and I highly recommend it.
May 20, 2024
Oh, my heart, this book deserves nothing less than a five-star review. If I could give it more I would.
I was immersed in the characters and their situations as I read.
My heart ached as I read. Why is life so harsh, so unfair to some just because of their nationality, while the "right" people seem to have it so easy in life?
Based on true events, the book is heart wrenching, it brought tears to my eyes more than once.
Growing up in Munich, Emilie has had a happy childhood with many friends to play with, of both sexes. They go in and out of each other's house like as though they were their own.
Emilie and Danner.......... best of childhood friends to young sweethearts. Then he is lost to her as they are separated because he is Jewish and he doesn't want to see her suffer because of him, and her heart is broken. With her heart broken she marries Otto, a doctor. Nurse Emilie's patient is strikingly familiar, that voice she knows it. Doctor Otto's instructions are not just to treat the patient but to do horrible things to the patients that will result in their deaths. She is sickened when she comes to the realization, who is this man she married that has been lying to her?
With her childhood dreams of love fading before her eyes will she be able to do what she knows her heart is calling her to do? Based on truth it's important to not forget these dark times lest we repeat this time where so many suffered needlessly.
Realistic and poignant, reading this will evoke a variety of emotions. The women are the strong characters in this book, their strength turns the darkness into recovery and positivity. A not to miss read.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
I was immersed in the characters and their situations as I read.
My heart ached as I read. Why is life so harsh, so unfair to some just because of their nationality, while the "right" people seem to have it so easy in life?
Based on true events, the book is heart wrenching, it brought tears to my eyes more than once.
Growing up in Munich, Emilie has had a happy childhood with many friends to play with, of both sexes. They go in and out of each other's house like as though they were their own.
Emilie and Danner.......... best of childhood friends to young sweethearts. Then he is lost to her as they are separated because he is Jewish and he doesn't want to see her suffer because of him, and her heart is broken. With her heart broken she marries Otto, a doctor. Nurse Emilie's patient is strikingly familiar, that voice she knows it. Doctor Otto's instructions are not just to treat the patient but to do horrible things to the patients that will result in their deaths. She is sickened when she comes to the realization, who is this man she married that has been lying to her?
With her childhood dreams of love fading before her eyes will she be able to do what she knows her heart is calling her to do? Based on truth it's important to not forget these dark times lest we repeat this time where so many suffered needlessly.
Realistic and poignant, reading this will evoke a variety of emotions. The women are the strong characters in this book, their strength turns the darkness into recovery and positivity. A not to miss read.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Read
May 13, 2024honestly couldn’t get into this book. I’ve been loving historical fictions, but I got so lost almost half way through and could not follow along the story at all.
March 5, 2025
Great story! A little hard to read with changing perspectives, but I really liked it!
May 1, 2024
It shattered my heart to pieces
June 26, 2024
I was so excited to read this story when I read the description, but I was in a very busy period so I couldn’t read it before the pub date. I just wish I read it sooner though. I love historical novels and especially reading about the war. This was a compelling and emotional read and some passages were very intense. It’s about love and loss and very tragic, definitely a story to remember. I couldn’t put it down and read it in a day. Thank you so much netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. 🙏🏻
June 6, 2024
The Nurse Behind the Gates is a compelling story that broke my heart and filled me with hope all in the same breath! Emi & Danner are such strong, determined individuals who can’t change who they are or what they believe in and I wouldn’t want them to! The way people like Otto & Emi were controlled and trapped was devastating. As the twists and turns kept coming I yelled and was boiling angry but Shari weaves the story in such a way that helped me through and had me begging for peace and change. I just wanted to hug everyone I know a little tighter after reading this and let them know how much they mean to me! Life can change in an instant whether we are ready or not and we should cherish every day! Holding on to love in your heart keeps you fighting to live another day!
Tracey, Life Reads with Friends Book Blog
#Holocaust
#Historical Fiction
#World War II
Tracey, Life Reads with Friends Book Blog
#Holocaust
#Historical Fiction
#World War II
May 15, 2024
If you’re curious about how things were for people in Europe during WWII but find nonfiction historical reading somewhat dry, this talented storyteller has you covered. She has several authentic, informative romances set during the Holocaust.
Newly married Otto and Emily Berger move to Dachau when Otto takes a job at the prison hospital there. Emily's training as a nurse makes her an asset, and she's enlisted to work with Otto recording the results of science experiments. But things are not at all as Emily was led to believe, a fact that really hits home when she discovers her dear childhood friend, Danner Alesky, is one of the political prisoners.
Told in present day with flashbacks to childhood, we see how a friendship between three people is affected by war. It's devastating, heartbreaking, and unsettling, but through the darkness, love and hope shine through. This riveting saga shows us that the worst in people brings out the best in others, and it's one you won’t want to miss.
Newly married Otto and Emily Berger move to Dachau when Otto takes a job at the prison hospital there. Emily's training as a nurse makes her an asset, and she's enlisted to work with Otto recording the results of science experiments. But things are not at all as Emily was led to believe, a fact that really hits home when she discovers her dear childhood friend, Danner Alesky, is one of the political prisoners.
Told in present day with flashbacks to childhood, we see how a friendship between three people is affected by war. It's devastating, heartbreaking, and unsettling, but through the darkness, love and hope shine through. This riveting saga shows us that the worst in people brings out the best in others, and it's one you won’t want to miss.
April 27, 2024
Emilie, Danner, Otto, Felix, and Gertie are the best of friends and have been since they were little. The only issue is that they live in Munich, Germany during WW2 and Danner is Jewish. Emilie and Danner have always been closer to one another and have visions of growing old together. That is until Danner must move to Poland with his mother and brother. Emilie and Danner’s relationship or potential relationship is forbidden. Danner knows that they can never be together, and he doesn’t want Emilie to waste her life for a love that can never happen so Danner does what he feels is necessary. Fast forward a few years, Otto and Emilie are married and have moved do Dachau for Otto’s new position. Both of their schooling has been put on hold for Otto’s new role that will secure them a good future. Emilie, someone who always wants to help care for others, finds herself with a new and unexpected role working alongside her husband. On Emilie’s first day in her role she realizes that Otto hasn’t shared some important details of his job and what he has been doing. Why is Otto working in a concentration camp? Why are innocent people being subjected to horrible testing and why is Danner in the sick bay at Dachau. Emilie makes it her mission to save their friend and the love of her life, even if it puts her life in jeopardy.
This WW2 historical fiction is a heartbreaking story about friends, love, trust, and hope. It’s a story that describes how people will go to the end of the earth for the ones that they love. The storyline of this book captured me from the beginning, and I fell in love with the characters. I struggled to put this book down because I needed to know what happened to Emilie and Danner and their friends and family. The story is told from the perspectives of Emilie and Danner, and it moves back and forth between timelines. Despite two perspectives and timeline changes, the story is cohesive and easy to follow. I loved this story and couldn’t get enough of it. I shared the many ups and downs along with Emilie and Danner throughout this book. It’s horrible to imagine the everyday life that the prisoners of the Nazi concentration camps had to endure for several years. It’s even more difficult to imagine the medical research studies and general cruelty that caused many to perish.
Love can endure all hardships and this book is a heart wrenching yet heartwarming story that shows loves endurance even in the worst of times.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this advanced copy and provide my honest opinion.
This WW2 historical fiction is a heartbreaking story about friends, love, trust, and hope. It’s a story that describes how people will go to the end of the earth for the ones that they love. The storyline of this book captured me from the beginning, and I fell in love with the characters. I struggled to put this book down because I needed to know what happened to Emilie and Danner and their friends and family. The story is told from the perspectives of Emilie and Danner, and it moves back and forth between timelines. Despite two perspectives and timeline changes, the story is cohesive and easy to follow. I loved this story and couldn’t get enough of it. I shared the many ups and downs along with Emilie and Danner throughout this book. It’s horrible to imagine the everyday life that the prisoners of the Nazi concentration camps had to endure for several years. It’s even more difficult to imagine the medical research studies and general cruelty that caused many to perish.
Love can endure all hardships and this book is a heart wrenching yet heartwarming story that shows loves endurance even in the worst of times.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this advanced copy and provide my honest opinion.
May 14, 2024
10 ⭐️’s
Once again, Ms Ryan has written an absolutely heart wrenching book. Every time I start one of her books, I know my heart will be hanging in tattered pieces and I’m left with a book hangover! This book will leave you an emotional mess. The sadness is palpable, as is the anger. The heartbreak is surreal. It is a story of betrayal of the worst kind. It is, once again, a reminder of the cruel world that once was and one that is only a generation away. Yet it is also a story of hope and love. True love that will bring you through the darkest of days. It’s a story of family and friends. This book is amazing. The characters so vivid and real. You will laugh, a little, and you will cry, a lot. But as always, it is definitely worth reading!!
Once again, Ms Ryan has written an absolutely heart wrenching book. Every time I start one of her books, I know my heart will be hanging in tattered pieces and I’m left with a book hangover! This book will leave you an emotional mess. The sadness is palpable, as is the anger. The heartbreak is surreal. It is a story of betrayal of the worst kind. It is, once again, a reminder of the cruel world that once was and one that is only a generation away. Yet it is also a story of hope and love. True love that will bring you through the darkest of days. It’s a story of family and friends. This book is amazing. The characters so vivid and real. You will laugh, a little, and you will cry, a lot. But as always, it is definitely worth reading!!
June 9, 2024
Emotional, heartbreaking, devastating. Shari J Ryan is masterful in her storytelling of the atrocities of the Holocaust. Reading this book, in the current state of the world, makes it even more compelling and important.
Emilie is such a strong character. Willing to stand up for her beliefs in a time where it risked her life for that of another.
Danner was the Jewish friend in their group but to Emilie he was her soul.
Otto, because of the times, married Emilie but was never first in her heart.
There were so many layers to this story and the relationships.
My heart broke throughout for the Holocaust, for how the Jewish people were treated, the fear, the lost loves and how it feels now when we should never forget yet antisemitism is running rampant in our country.
Readers are gifted with Shari’s words and are taught about different stories and aspects of the Holocaust.
The Nurse Behind the Gates is a powerful story that is a must read.
Emilie is such a strong character. Willing to stand up for her beliefs in a time where it risked her life for that of another.
Danner was the Jewish friend in their group but to Emilie he was her soul.
Otto, because of the times, married Emilie but was never first in her heart.
There were so many layers to this story and the relationships.
My heart broke throughout for the Holocaust, for how the Jewish people were treated, the fear, the lost loves and how it feels now when we should never forget yet antisemitism is running rampant in our country.
Readers are gifted with Shari’s words and are taught about different stories and aspects of the Holocaust.
The Nurse Behind the Gates is a powerful story that is a must read.
April 23, 2024
Emilie and Danner were childhood friends, alongside Felix, Otto and Gerty. They all lived on the same block of houses.
Emilie and Danner knew they were destined for each other. Then, Jews were being removed from their homes, forced to move away. Danner, along with his mum and younger brother, walked all the way to Poland to escape. His dad disappeared when getting a loaf of bread and Danner is determined to find him as soon as he can.
Emilie and Otto end up getting married and help Otto’s uncle in Dachau. It is too late to realise what they have gotten into, and Emilie is stunned when she spots Danner.
This was a heartbreaking and harrowing tale. The experiments on people that went on were horrendous. I can’t imagine having to live a life where you don’t know whether today is your last day on this earth, due to being experimented on, lack of food or being killed by the soldiers - just because they could.
It is also a tale of love, friendship, trust and above all else, hope.
I found myself extremely emotional reading this story, but I also couldn’t put it down. I needed to know if Danner and his family would be okay.
Such a powerful story that will be with me for some time to come.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Emilie and Danner knew they were destined for each other. Then, Jews were being removed from their homes, forced to move away. Danner, along with his mum and younger brother, walked all the way to Poland to escape. His dad disappeared when getting a loaf of bread and Danner is determined to find him as soon as he can.
Emilie and Otto end up getting married and help Otto’s uncle in Dachau. It is too late to realise what they have gotten into, and Emilie is stunned when she spots Danner.
This was a heartbreaking and harrowing tale. The experiments on people that went on were horrendous. I can’t imagine having to live a life where you don’t know whether today is your last day on this earth, due to being experimented on, lack of food or being killed by the soldiers - just because they could.
It is also a tale of love, friendship, trust and above all else, hope.
I found myself extremely emotional reading this story, but I also couldn’t put it down. I needed to know if Danner and his family would be okay.
Such a powerful story that will be with me for some time to come.
My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 16, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read "The Nurse Behind The Gates" in exchange for my honest opinion.
The story starts in July 1942 in Dachau Germany where we meet Emilie Berger and her husband Otto. Emilie is going to assist Dr. Dietrich - Otto's uncle. All she has been told is that everyone is a dangerous criminal and she should not converse with them. Only when she hears "a rare honeybee...the world wouldn't survive without them," does she realize that these men are not criminals - because she recognizes the voice.
The story is told from the point of view of Emilie and her first love Danner Alesky. It bounces about in time a lot so it's a bit difficult to follow which time period you're in. The story also takes place in Munich and Dachau.
Emilie ends up marrying Otto instead of her true love and no one is truthful with her as to why they are getting a free house and having to move. Once Emilie realizes what is expected of her she risks her own safety to help those in Dachau. She fudges numbers on experiments to try to save people. She became a nurse to save patients not to deliberately inflict pain.
Uncle Dietrich can be a trying character - he repeats everything people say before he responds or comments. Ingrid the next-door neighbour is a professional busy-body. There are many side stories that all come together in the final chapters. Answering all the remaining questions that the reader might have.
The story starts in July 1942 in Dachau Germany where we meet Emilie Berger and her husband Otto. Emilie is going to assist Dr. Dietrich - Otto's uncle. All she has been told is that everyone is a dangerous criminal and she should not converse with them. Only when she hears "a rare honeybee...the world wouldn't survive without them," does she realize that these men are not criminals - because she recognizes the voice.
The story is told from the point of view of Emilie and her first love Danner Alesky. It bounces about in time a lot so it's a bit difficult to follow which time period you're in. The story also takes place in Munich and Dachau.
Emilie ends up marrying Otto instead of her true love and no one is truthful with her as to why they are getting a free house and having to move. Once Emilie realizes what is expected of her she risks her own safety to help those in Dachau. She fudges numbers on experiments to try to save people. She became a nurse to save patients not to deliberately inflict pain.
Uncle Dietrich can be a trying character - he repeats everything people say before he responds or comments. Ingrid the next-door neighbour is a professional busy-body. There are many side stories that all come together in the final chapters. Answering all the remaining questions that the reader might have.
April 16, 2024
A very good and captivating storyline ! I was totally engrossed in this heart wrenching e# about fear, social responsibility, guilt, friendship courage and love! Fear when you feel you should do something that pits your life in danger; social responsibility when you see your neighbours taken away (what is your duty?); guilt about what you did and let do, etc... This novel provokes many emotional reactions! The novel would have been even better if it had been written in a linear way. The different timelines made the storyline not as full of tension as it would have been if written chronologically. A whole chapter appeared (beginning of the novel) again further on. I understand the reason why but it was too long to really fit in. Overall, a compelling novel.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.
April 20, 2024
Heartwrenching does not adequately encapsulate the overwhelming feelings when reading this book. Visceral, real, and genuine are how the the plot and characters can be described. The amount of suspense was great and the way in which Ryan elicits empathy for several characters is masterful. Definitely a page-turner and a worthwhile read.
May 20, 2024
Such a hard book but was written so well
It brought you into the hell that was happening. Gave you a heavy heart and the will for survival.
Definitely a book that will stay with me for awhile.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
It brought you into the hell that was happening. Gave you a heavy heart and the will for survival.
Definitely a book that will stay with me for awhile.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.
May 24, 2024
The Nurse Behind the Gates is another fantastic historical fiction set in World War II by Shari Ryan. This story began with the lives of these close young friends, Emilie, Danner, Otto, Felix, and Gertie living a normal life in Germany. Danner and Emilie had a strong bond of love for each other. Their lives changed drastically when the Nazis occupied Germany. Danner was Jewish and laws began to take effect on the Jewish people that caused those families to be seen as lower class. They were driven out of their homes, taken to concentration camps, and separated from their families and friends. When the time comes for Danner and his family to move to Poland, he reaches out to Otto asking him to promise to marry Emilie and to take care of her. Throughout the book, the story is told from the point of view of Emilie and Danner.
Fast forward and Otto and Emilie are married and move to the town of Dachau where Otto begins a job in research at a prison camp as a doctor. Otto's Uncle Dietrich was instrumental and almost forceful with Otto taking this job. Emilie had not finished nursing school at the time of their move. When she asks about joining Otto and working with him at the research facility, he is apprehensive, but his uncle welcomes her to join. One day not long after her start, she recognizes one of the prisoners as Danner and soon realizes what type of research is being conducted. They are experimenting on human lives. She does everything she can do to bring him food and to change data in order to save the lives of the prisoners. What happens to Danner? Did Otto know what was happening in this camp when he accepted his job? Is Emilie able to save Danner? How does Uncle Dietrich play a part in all of this?
This is a story based on truth of events that really took place during the evil regime of Hitler. Hard to imagine the cruelty of how anyone can allow things of this nature to happen. It was an emotional book and another amazing story by Shari Ryan. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Fast forward and Otto and Emilie are married and move to the town of Dachau where Otto begins a job in research at a prison camp as a doctor. Otto's Uncle Dietrich was instrumental and almost forceful with Otto taking this job. Emilie had not finished nursing school at the time of their move. When she asks about joining Otto and working with him at the research facility, he is apprehensive, but his uncle welcomes her to join. One day not long after her start, she recognizes one of the prisoners as Danner and soon realizes what type of research is being conducted. They are experimenting on human lives. She does everything she can do to bring him food and to change data in order to save the lives of the prisoners. What happens to Danner? Did Otto know what was happening in this camp when he accepted his job? Is Emilie able to save Danner? How does Uncle Dietrich play a part in all of this?
This is a story based on truth of events that really took place during the evil regime of Hitler. Hard to imagine the cruelty of how anyone can allow things of this nature to happen. It was an emotional book and another amazing story by Shari Ryan. Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2024
4.5 Stars
The Nurse Behind the Gates by Shari R. Ryan is a historical novel. A heartbreaking story told during the most horrific time, World War 2. Every time I read this genre from Shari, it reminds me of the torment and atrocities that occurred during the war. I’ll never understand why innocent people were tortured/killed for being Jewish. It's inhumane and disgusting!
Emilie and Danner are childhood friends, along with Felix, Otto, and Gerty, all living in the same neighborhood. They are living in Munich Germany during WW2, among their friends Danner is the only one Jewish. Emilie and Danner believe they are meant to be together, that is until the unthinkable happens. Danner is forced to move to Poland with his family. A relationship between Danner and Emilie is forbidden. Danner knows in his heart they can’t be together, leaving Emilie completely shattered.
Years later, Emilie and Otto are now married and have moved to Dachau. Otto has taken a new position. Currently, both have put their schooling on hold. Emilie has a background in nursing and is asked to assist her husband. Emilie’s first day is terrifying, she has walked into a place that feels like hell. The smell is unbearable, and the people all look sickly. Otto has omitted some important details leaving Emilie wondering why. When she spots her childhood best friend, she can’t believe her eyes. Why is Danner in the sick bay at Dachau Concentration Camp? More importantly, why is Otto working there and didn’t tell her the truth? So many unanswered questions! Emilie is determined to uncover the truth and help save the love of her life, Danner. Even if it means putting her life at risk.
The Nurse Behind the Gates is a story everyone should read!
The Nurse Behind the Gates by Shari R. Ryan is a historical novel. A heartbreaking story told during the most horrific time, World War 2. Every time I read this genre from Shari, it reminds me of the torment and atrocities that occurred during the war. I’ll never understand why innocent people were tortured/killed for being Jewish. It's inhumane and disgusting!
Emilie and Danner are childhood friends, along with Felix, Otto, and Gerty, all living in the same neighborhood. They are living in Munich Germany during WW2, among their friends Danner is the only one Jewish. Emilie and Danner believe they are meant to be together, that is until the unthinkable happens. Danner is forced to move to Poland with his family. A relationship between Danner and Emilie is forbidden. Danner knows in his heart they can’t be together, leaving Emilie completely shattered.
Years later, Emilie and Otto are now married and have moved to Dachau. Otto has taken a new position. Currently, both have put their schooling on hold. Emilie has a background in nursing and is asked to assist her husband. Emilie’s first day is terrifying, she has walked into a place that feels like hell. The smell is unbearable, and the people all look sickly. Otto has omitted some important details leaving Emilie wondering why. When she spots her childhood best friend, she can’t believe her eyes. Why is Danner in the sick bay at Dachau Concentration Camp? More importantly, why is Otto working there and didn’t tell her the truth? So many unanswered questions! Emilie is determined to uncover the truth and help save the love of her life, Danner. Even if it means putting her life at risk.
The Nurse Behind the Gates is a story everyone should read!
May 20, 2024
This is a beautifully written, harrowing tale of love, loss and hope during WWII.
Danner and Emilie are the very definition of childhood sweethearts. He has grown up on the same street as her, and their mutual friends, Otto, Felix and Gertie. They realise that they love each other early in their teenage years, when they begin to see each other a little differently to how they see their other friends.
As the world around them begins to change, and not for the better, Danner realises that he cannot love Emilie, for he is a Jew, and he does not want to place her in Danger.
As time progresses and the situation for Jews becomes more and more dangerous, he begs her to marry their mutual friend Otto, and promise that she will be happy.
At first, it seems like the right thing to do. But when she is forced to give up her medical studies and move to Dachau with Otto who is involved in a research project she wonders if she's made a mistake.
It isn't until she begins work at Dachau herself that she wonders if she knows her husband at all.
The 'research' that he is involved with is human experimentation, and Danner is one of the inmates that she will be expected to participate experimenting on.
Emilie knows that Danner did nothing wrong? Dachau is a camp for criminals or so she thought? She quickly realises that the Nazi regime that she opposes regards simply being a Jew as a crime.
She is appalled and horrified, wanting to run away from her husband and Dachau and never return. But she knows that she must stay and work through her anger and fear if she is ever hope of saving Danner.
Danner and Emilie are the very definition of childhood sweethearts. He has grown up on the same street as her, and their mutual friends, Otto, Felix and Gertie. They realise that they love each other early in their teenage years, when they begin to see each other a little differently to how they see their other friends.
As the world around them begins to change, and not for the better, Danner realises that he cannot love Emilie, for he is a Jew, and he does not want to place her in Danger.
As time progresses and the situation for Jews becomes more and more dangerous, he begs her to marry their mutual friend Otto, and promise that she will be happy.
At first, it seems like the right thing to do. But when she is forced to give up her medical studies and move to Dachau with Otto who is involved in a research project she wonders if she's made a mistake.
It isn't until she begins work at Dachau herself that she wonders if she knows her husband at all.
The 'research' that he is involved with is human experimentation, and Danner is one of the inmates that she will be expected to participate experimenting on.
Emilie knows that Danner did nothing wrong? Dachau is a camp for criminals or so she thought? She quickly realises that the Nazi regime that she opposes regards simply being a Jew as a crime.
She is appalled and horrified, wanting to run away from her husband and Dachau and never return. But she knows that she must stay and work through her anger and fear if she is ever hope of saving Danner.
May 11, 2024
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Quote: "A rare honeybee."
The Nurse Behind the Gates by Shari J. Ryan is told from two points of view - Emilie and Danner. It also travels back and forth from now and years leading up to now.
We begin in 1942 Germany with Emilie and her husband Otto. They have been married three weeks when Otto tells Emilie that they will be quickly moving out of their current town. Emilie does not like surprises, and she is not happy about this change one bit. She has lots of questions.
As we travel backwards in time, we get to meet Danner, Felix and Gerty. These three, along with Emilie and Otto are all best friends and live in the same neighborhood growing up. That is until the Jews begin to be asked to leave.
Quote: "No matter where we go or what challenges come, we'll always have each other."
Danner and Emilie know they love each other and want nothing more than to spend forever together. However, with Danner being a Jew, he knows this cannot possibly happen. He makes Emilie promise that she will marry Otto and he assures her that Otto will give her the life she deserves. A life that he cannot give her.
Emilie and Otto begin working in Dachau, a concentration camp the Nazi's built to intern political protestors...or so they thought. The reality, it was a camp for medical research and Jews were used as the subjects. Imagine Emilie's shock when she walks in and finds Danner slumped over in the corner. Danner is in fact, a research subject, based on the choices he was given.
Quote: "If you had a secret - one that could destroy your life if shared, what would you do to protect it?"
The Nurse Behind the Gates is an emotional read. I found myself so invested in the characters and I could not stop reading. I just had to know what was going to happen. Shari J. Ryan did a fantastic job with the pace, as well as giving me all the feels. Such a powerful story from beginning until the very end.
What would you do to keep someone you love safe?
Would you make deals with the enemy, if it meant keeping someone you love alive?
The Nurse Behind the Gates is a story about two boys and one girl. But it's also about so much more!
Love
War
Friendship
Trust
Hope
Choices
Family
I would definitely recommend this book is you like books that make you feel.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Nurse Behind the Gates.
Quote: "A rare honeybee."
The Nurse Behind the Gates by Shari J. Ryan is told from two points of view - Emilie and Danner. It also travels back and forth from now and years leading up to now.
We begin in 1942 Germany with Emilie and her husband Otto. They have been married three weeks when Otto tells Emilie that they will be quickly moving out of their current town. Emilie does not like surprises, and she is not happy about this change one bit. She has lots of questions.
As we travel backwards in time, we get to meet Danner, Felix and Gerty. These three, along with Emilie and Otto are all best friends and live in the same neighborhood growing up. That is until the Jews begin to be asked to leave.
Quote: "No matter where we go or what challenges come, we'll always have each other."
Danner and Emilie know they love each other and want nothing more than to spend forever together. However, with Danner being a Jew, he knows this cannot possibly happen. He makes Emilie promise that she will marry Otto and he assures her that Otto will give her the life she deserves. A life that he cannot give her.
Emilie and Otto begin working in Dachau, a concentration camp the Nazi's built to intern political protestors...or so they thought. The reality, it was a camp for medical research and Jews were used as the subjects. Imagine Emilie's shock when she walks in and finds Danner slumped over in the corner. Danner is in fact, a research subject, based on the choices he was given.
Quote: "If you had a secret - one that could destroy your life if shared, what would you do to protect it?"
The Nurse Behind the Gates is an emotional read. I found myself so invested in the characters and I could not stop reading. I just had to know what was going to happen. Shari J. Ryan did a fantastic job with the pace, as well as giving me all the feels. Such a powerful story from beginning until the very end.
What would you do to keep someone you love safe?
Would you make deals with the enemy, if it meant keeping someone you love alive?
The Nurse Behind the Gates is a story about two boys and one girl. But it's also about so much more!
Love
War
Friendship
Trust
Hope
Choices
Family
I would definitely recommend this book is you like books that make you feel.
Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Nurse Behind the Gates.
May 21, 2024
This book was definitely emotional, as I think most books about WWII are. I can't say I didn't know what I was getting myself into! This book does an excellent job of painting the picture of what some Germans experienced during the war - finding themselves complicit in unbelievable situations due to not truly knowing what was going on, pretending to not know or see what was happening, or being unsure how to keep themselves and their families safe without knowing who they can trust. Everyone was under scrutiny in Hitler's Germany and one misstep would mean your demise.
Emilie's courage in some dark situations was commendable. I have no idea how she was able to make it through some days without completely melting down. The concept of Emilie finding the love of her life in a concentration camp is bananas - how in the world would you sleep at night or be able to function? And yet, she found ways to help him and his friends, cared for him as best she could, and continued to try to bring down the operation from the inside. Kudos to her. How in the world Danner is able to buoy himself behind those walls, day after day, is just unfathomable. Ryan did a great job jumping between past and present timelines. discussing their childhood and what lead up to Danner's capture.
Overall, this book was great. Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book.
Emilie's courage in some dark situations was commendable. I have no idea how she was able to make it through some days without completely melting down. The concept of Emilie finding the love of her life in a concentration camp is bananas - how in the world would you sleep at night or be able to function? And yet, she found ways to help him and his friends, cared for him as best she could, and continued to try to bring down the operation from the inside. Kudos to her. How in the world Danner is able to buoy himself behind those walls, day after day, is just unfathomable. Ryan did a great job jumping between past and present timelines. discussing their childhood and what lead up to Danner's capture.
Overall, this book was great. Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book.
May 26, 2024
Powerfully devastating and beautiful!!
Wow, this is another book by Shari Ryan that you can’t put down. Once you enter her stories you can’t get out and you wish they would never end.
This book has a special meaning to me as I’m a nurse and my heart breaks for Emilie as a healthcare professional you choose to do no harm and save people. Her decisions to fulfill her profession are dangerous and kept me biting my nails worrying about her own safety.
The love story in this book is so powerful and beautiful that filled my heart with hope and joy.
Please do yourself a favor, get this book and devour it like I did. This is our history and it needs to be known. Of course this has a lot of fiction but the truth of what happened to people is there. Very well written and attention grabbing book.
Nanedsmomba- reviewer and blogger for Life Reads With Friends
Wow, this is another book by Shari Ryan that you can’t put down. Once you enter her stories you can’t get out and you wish they would never end.
This book has a special meaning to me as I’m a nurse and my heart breaks for Emilie as a healthcare professional you choose to do no harm and save people. Her decisions to fulfill her profession are dangerous and kept me biting my nails worrying about her own safety.
The love story in this book is so powerful and beautiful that filled my heart with hope and joy.
Please do yourself a favor, get this book and devour it like I did. This is our history and it needs to be known. Of course this has a lot of fiction but the truth of what happened to people is there. Very well written and attention grabbing book.
Nanedsmomba- reviewer and blogger for Life Reads With Friends
April 2, 2025
I just finished The Nurse Behind the Gates by Shari J. Ryan and I can highly recommend it. By her own admission, the author spent a lot of time in Dachau before writing the book, so it presents with a very authentic feel of the time and place.
This is a WWII novel full of hope during the darkest of times. Alternating between Dachau and Munich, the novel is told from a dual timeline and through the perspective of each of the protagonists, Emilie, a nurse and Danner, a prisoner, giving an intimate insight into their lives, friendship and love.
Childhood friends, torn apart by faith and war through circumstances out of their control, their love for each other remains strong, despite the terrible atrocities surrounding them.
This is a WWII novel full of hope during the darkest of times. Alternating between Dachau and Munich, the novel is told from a dual timeline and through the perspective of each of the protagonists, Emilie, a nurse and Danner, a prisoner, giving an intimate insight into their lives, friendship and love.
Childhood friends, torn apart by faith and war through circumstances out of their control, their love for each other remains strong, despite the terrible atrocities surrounding them.
May 28, 2024
I’ve really gotten into Historical Fiction novels set during WWII recently so I was excited to have the chance to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review. It took me a bit to really get into the story due to the timelines bouncing around a lot in the beginning, but once the story focused behind the gates I couldn’t stop reading.
I truly enjoyed the story as seen through the eyes of children who are the best of friends at the start of the Nazi regime. And as we followed Emilie & Danner’s journey, my heart ached for the paths they were forced to take solely because Danner was Jewish.
I highly recommend this novel!
I truly enjoyed the story as seen through the eyes of children who are the best of friends at the start of the Nazi regime. And as we followed Emilie & Danner’s journey, my heart ached for the paths they were forced to take solely because Danner was Jewish.
I highly recommend this novel!
May 16, 2024
The Nurse Behind the Gates⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Newly married Emilie and Otto move away from their hometown to Dachau, when Otto takes a job at the prison hospital there. Emilie has been studying as a nurse and she is asked to help him with data for a scientific research. However, that is not necessarily the case when she gets there, especially after seeing an old friend and her first love, Danner. Knowing that Danner would never do anything illegal to be a prisoner, she realizes that things are not what they seem. There are a lot of Jewish “prisoners” in this camp. After finding out the shocking truth of what is really happening behind the gates, she decides she will stop at nothing to fight for what she believes in.
Overall, I really liked this one. It was a Historical Fiction but followed as a romance with lots of information of WWII thrown in. It was told in the points of view from Emilie and Danner. The storyline followed their friendship/relationship from the past to present, to where they are now. While it was hard to read at times considering all the information and what all happened behind the gates, it was still really good and eye opening. The romance was that of an unselfish love and true love never ends. It was heartbreaking but also mending at the same time.
If you like romance but want to read more in depth books, I would suggest this one. If you like Historical Fiction, then add this one to your list. I always try to read a few a year and I’m glad this was one of them. This book publishes on May 20, 2024. Be on the lookout for it! Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.
Newly married Emilie and Otto move away from their hometown to Dachau, when Otto takes a job at the prison hospital there. Emilie has been studying as a nurse and she is asked to help him with data for a scientific research. However, that is not necessarily the case when she gets there, especially after seeing an old friend and her first love, Danner. Knowing that Danner would never do anything illegal to be a prisoner, she realizes that things are not what they seem. There are a lot of Jewish “prisoners” in this camp. After finding out the shocking truth of what is really happening behind the gates, she decides she will stop at nothing to fight for what she believes in.
Overall, I really liked this one. It was a Historical Fiction but followed as a romance with lots of information of WWII thrown in. It was told in the points of view from Emilie and Danner. The storyline followed their friendship/relationship from the past to present, to where they are now. While it was hard to read at times considering all the information and what all happened behind the gates, it was still really good and eye opening. The romance was that of an unselfish love and true love never ends. It was heartbreaking but also mending at the same time.
If you like romance but want to read more in depth books, I would suggest this one. If you like Historical Fiction, then add this one to your list. I always try to read a few a year and I’m glad this was one of them. This book publishes on May 20, 2024. Be on the lookout for it! Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my advanced readers copy. This is my honest and voluntary opinion.
May 25, 2024
Shari J Ryan put her all in this heartbreaking yet beautiful novel based in World Ward Two. Quite a labor of love, dedicated to her uncle who devastatingly died at 17…a month before liberation. You can feel her deep emotion in the words. This book touched my soul and broke it all at once.
I can’t imagine what it would have been like to go through the torment prisoners did in the camps. Ryan spent years researching for this novel, even traveling to camps in Dachau, touching the same walls the victims touched.
I’m in awe of her. I love her thrillers and her historical fiction . She can cross back and forth between both genres. It’s hard to write one genre, but two? Quite the feat. If you haven’t read her books, I highly recommend checking them out.
Thank you, Shari J Ryan, Bookouture, & Netgalley for my early copy! All opinions are my own.
I can’t imagine what it would have been like to go through the torment prisoners did in the camps. Ryan spent years researching for this novel, even traveling to camps in Dachau, touching the same walls the victims touched.
I’m in awe of her. I love her thrillers and her historical fiction . She can cross back and forth between both genres. It’s hard to write one genre, but two? Quite the feat. If you haven’t read her books, I highly recommend checking them out.
Thank you, Shari J Ryan, Bookouture, & Netgalley for my early copy! All opinions are my own.
July 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Loved the way Shari wrote this story, integrating real life into a fiction story! I plan to read another one of her books!
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