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The Pianist's Wife
A heartbreaking story of friendship, loyalty and the true cost of love, from the bestselling author of The Secret Midwife and Wives of War.
Berlin, 1944: Amira and Gisele have been best friends since they were children, and now Gisele is the only person who knows Amira’s secret. A secret that puts her and everyone she loves in unimaginable danger amid the daily horror and violence of Nazi Germany.
With the threat of exposure drawing closer, Gisele’s suggestion that Amira marries her friend Fred, a famous pianist, might just be the lifeline she needs to keep them both safe. Because Fred has secrets too.
As the two strangers promise to look after each other, a profound love develops. But while the war rages on, Amira, Fred and Gisele are soon faced with terrible choices that will test their loyalty—and their courage—to the ultimate limits. How far will they go to keep each other alive?
An unforgettable World War Two novel about those who chose to defy the Nazis from within Germany.
Berlin, 1944: Amira and Gisele have been best friends since they were children, and now Gisele is the only person who knows Amira’s secret. A secret that puts her and everyone she loves in unimaginable danger amid the daily horror and violence of Nazi Germany.
With the threat of exposure drawing closer, Gisele’s suggestion that Amira marries her friend Fred, a famous pianist, might just be the lifeline she needs to keep them both safe. Because Fred has secrets too.
As the two strangers promise to look after each other, a profound love develops. But while the war rages on, Amira, Fred and Gisele are soon faced with terrible choices that will test their loyalty—and their courage—to the ultimate limits. How far will they go to keep each other alive?
An unforgettable World War Two novel about those who chose to defy the Nazis from within Germany.
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2025
1624 people are currently reading
6914 people want to read
About the author
Soraya M. Lane
136 books2,208 followersSoraya M. Lane is the Amazon Charts & Kindle #1 bestselling author of THE SECRET MIDWIFE and THE ITALIAN DAUGHTER.
Soraya is the author of The Lost Daughters series, as well as best-selling historical women's fiction.
As a child, Soraya dreamed of becoming an author. Fast forward more than a few years, and Soraya is now living her dream! Soraya describes being an author as "the best career in the world", and she hopes to be writing romance and women's fiction for many years to come.
Soraya loves spending her days thinking up characters for books, and her home is a constant source of inspiration. She lives with her own real life hero and two sons on a small farm in New Zealand, surrounded by animals and with an office overlooking a field where their horses graze.
Add Soraya's latest novel, THE LAST DAUGHTER, and her next WWII novel, THE UNDERGROUND SISTERS, to your Goodreads shelf today!
For more information about Soraya, her books and her writing life, visit sorayalane.com or www.facebook.com/SorayaLaneAuthor, or follow her on Instagram @SorayaLaneAuthor. She would love to hear from you.
Soraya is the author of The Lost Daughters series, as well as best-selling historical women's fiction.
As a child, Soraya dreamed of becoming an author. Fast forward more than a few years, and Soraya is now living her dream! Soraya describes being an author as "the best career in the world", and she hopes to be writing romance and women's fiction for many years to come.
Soraya loves spending her days thinking up characters for books, and her home is a constant source of inspiration. She lives with her own real life hero and two sons on a small farm in New Zealand, surrounded by animals and with an office overlooking a field where their horses graze.
Add Soraya's latest novel, THE LAST DAUGHTER, and her next WWII novel, THE UNDERGROUND SISTERS, to your Goodreads shelf today!
For more information about Soraya, her books and her writing life, visit sorayalane.com or www.facebook.com/SorayaLaneAuthor, or follow her on Instagram @SorayaLaneAuthor. She would love to hear from you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
February 4, 2025
Soraya Lane explores how ordinary people stepped up to make a difference in the lives of others at the time it was needed most.
Three things that stood out to me most while reading:
1) The examination of how quickly one can go from friend to outcast; the instant hatred that emerges when classmates discover one of their own has a different heritage. How does this new discovery make the victim feel, especially when treated differently from one day to the next by people one considers a ‘friend’.
2) The knowledge that something beyond one’s control is the reason that friends are separated. Children shouldn’t have to worry if they’re ever going to see their best friend again or if playing with them is not allowed.
3) The irony of Amira’s dad’s new job in Berlin!
Lies and secrets play a big role in historical fiction set during the Holocaust. Lane brings something different to the table using the role lies and secrets played at this devastating time in history.
As politics and ethnicity continue to divide us, books such as this one are precious. May we learn to value the ripple effect of extending a hand to help a fellow human being as we offer a hand up.
I was gifted this copy by Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Three things that stood out to me most while reading:
1) The examination of how quickly one can go from friend to outcast; the instant hatred that emerges when classmates discover one of their own has a different heritage. How does this new discovery make the victim feel, especially when treated differently from one day to the next by people one considers a ‘friend’.
2) The knowledge that something beyond one’s control is the reason that friends are separated. Children shouldn’t have to worry if they’re ever going to see their best friend again or if playing with them is not allowed.
3) The irony of Amira’s dad’s new job in Berlin!
Lies and secrets play a big role in historical fiction set during the Holocaust. Lane brings something different to the table using the role lies and secrets played at this devastating time in history.
As politics and ethnicity continue to divide us, books such as this one are precious. May we learn to value the ripple effect of extending a hand to help a fellow human being as we offer a hand up.
I was gifted this copy by Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
February 11, 2025
This was the beautiful and heartbreaking story of Amira and Fred. Set in WWII, Amira must go into hiding. Fearful that her Jewish heritage will land her in a concentration camp, Amira lives in daily fear her secret will be discovered. When she meets Fred, who is also hiding from the Nazis, Amira finds an unlikely friendship and love. As the war continues, Fred and Amira must confront their worst fears.
This book brought so many emotions. It was a beautiful story of love and devotion set against the backdrop of the Holocaust. The writing was well done, with many thought-provoking moments. I loved it and hope to read more from this author.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.
This book brought so many emotions. It was a beautiful story of love and devotion set against the backdrop of the Holocaust. The writing was well done, with many thought-provoking moments. I loved it and hope to read more from this author.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.
December 22, 2024
This is one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read! This story is full of love, pain, and heartbreak. Amira and Fred’s love story is very unconventional, but it is a love that is true and never ending. Once again, the stories of the Holocaust in Germany are haunting and tragic. Soraya Lane has given a beautiful voice to these victims.
December 28, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I got to read this arc ebook thanks to net galley and honestly wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was. I felt like this was a real story ironically some of the true stories used are ones I have heard of. I fell in love with Amira and Fred. I will say this was a story I never considered until this book I never thought what happened to the people who were half Jewish and half German so in many ways this was a eye opener. And even the research gone into this was so good i know before getting to the end where she talks about the research I was searching some of the things myself. It was a learning experience while it made me feel so much it was beautiful written and i can't speak for people but I feel it's a beautiful representation. I must also say the love her and fred had and how they never divorced touched my heart cause at that point they had a bond going though what they did and for that staying married doesn't even half explain what they mean to each other. They are soulmates and i feel you can have that without romantic love feelings.
I got to read this arc ebook thanks to net galley and honestly wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was. I felt like this was a real story ironically some of the true stories used are ones I have heard of. I fell in love with Amira and Fred. I will say this was a story I never considered until this book I never thought what happened to the people who were half Jewish and half German so in many ways this was a eye opener. And even the research gone into this was so good i know before getting to the end where she talks about the research I was searching some of the things myself. It was a learning experience while it made me feel so much it was beautiful written and i can't speak for people but I feel it's a beautiful representation. I must also say the love her and fred had and how they never divorced touched my heart cause at that point they had a bond going though what they did and for that staying married doesn't even half explain what they mean to each other. They are soulmates and i feel you can have that without romantic love feelings.
March 15, 2025
The author has exçeled herself. The novel is well researched and well structured but it’s the plot and the raw emotion that makes this an unforgettable read"
August 16, 2025
A poignant novel. Imagine having to marry to save yourself.
Two people sharing a secret and trying to survive the Nazis.
Friends who help without question to their own safety.
Heartbreaking consequences.
Lane always delivers a beautiful and emotional novel.
Two people sharing a secret and trying to survive the Nazis.
Friends who help without question to their own safety.
Heartbreaking consequences.
Lane always delivers a beautiful and emotional novel.
December 31, 2024
I did the happy dance when NetGalley approved me for an ARC of Soraya M. Lane's newest novel, The Pianist's Wife and I was not disappointed. Lane's novels always catch my interest right away and make me want to read way longer than I should! Amira and Gisele are best friends in WWII Germany but Amira's mother was Jewish which made her, according to the Nazis, a "mischling," and for a while, she was able to continue to go to school and her life did not change that much. Her father, who worked for the Nazis, saw what was coming and was able to get her fraudulent documents which stated that she had no Jewish blood, and they move out of their small town to Berlin. Amira tries to live a normal life, socializing with Gisele when she moves to Berlin to further her studies. It is hard to detail the plot in any depth without major spoilers - and although it was difficult to read at times (because we know that the Nazis were awful people), I enjoyed the novel and recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
April 12, 2025
This book moved me to tears. A beautiful story of love, not always how we imagine it. Love, truth, trust and human kindness leapt from the pages as much as the horrors of WW2 did.
August 13, 2025
tiktok lied and said this book will become a classic. it won't.
November 2, 2025
Absolutely outstanding. I don't normally read historical fiction and honestly can't recall how I came across this book, but I'm so glad I did.
It came with the audio version and the narrator did a phenomenal job.
It came with the audio version and the narrator did a phenomenal job.
April 10, 2025
Really enjoyed this book and getting a different perspective of WW2 especially from the POV of Amira who is half German and half Jewish. Some difficult bits to read but only because it is unimaginable to think the events detailed most likely did take place….
January 10, 2026
the way i sobbed
Read
March 24, 2026Set 87 years ago; yet the themes of loss, horror, resilience and questions of conscience feel deeply resonant of the global atrocities and suffering we witness today. My favourite genre of book, an enjoyable and easy read.
‘My sympathies lie with those raised to hate, raised to believe in something that they had never known or seen an alternative to. And by that, I mean the children who had never known a different world to the one they were raised in.’
‘My sympathies lie with those raised to hate, raised to believe in something that they had never known or seen an alternative to. And by that, I mean the children who had never known a different world to the one they were raised in.’
February 6, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
There were aspects of this book that didn't work for me. It must be difficult to come up with new plots and storylines for WWII fiction, as most have been often repeated over and over again, especially in recent years. However I felt that in this book, the true story was not Fred and Amira's, but Gisele's. How she kept Amira's secret and the anguish of being loyal to her husband and her family - and to her best, half-Jewish friend.
Amira and Fred's escape was truly harrowing, but I still felt Gisele's husband Han's part in everything would have been much more intriguing to explore. However there could be no happy ending in that story.
There were aspects of this book that didn't work for me. It must be difficult to come up with new plots and storylines for WWII fiction, as most have been often repeated over and over again, especially in recent years. However I felt that in this book, the true story was not Fred and Amira's, but Gisele's. How she kept Amira's secret and the anguish of being loyal to her husband and her family - and to her best, half-Jewish friend.
Amira and Fred's escape was truly harrowing, but I still felt Gisele's husband Han's part in everything would have been much more intriguing to explore. However there could be no happy ending in that story.
February 17, 2026
Some spoilers:
So many books written about this time in history and I enjoyed aspects of this one. Some parts were difficult to read but were well written.
I particularly liked the strong friendship between Amira and Gisele I also liked kind Fred. His and Amira ‘s lifetime love and support for each other after all they had been through was heartwarming.
I thought the way that Hans tried to atone for his part in the SS by helping Fred and Amira to escape was a good outcome.
So many books written about this time in history and I enjoyed aspects of this one. Some parts were difficult to read but were well written.
I particularly liked the strong friendship between Amira and Gisele I also liked kind Fred. His and Amira ‘s lifetime love and support for each other after all they had been through was heartwarming.
I thought the way that Hans tried to atone for his part in the SS by helping Fred and Amira to escape was a good outcome.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2026
De vrouw van de pianist is een meeslepende en hartverscheurende oorlogsroman die je vanaf de eerste pagina weet te raken. Het verhaal speelt zich af in Berlijn in 1944, waar de dreiging van het naziregime voortdurend voelbaar is.
Centraal staan Amira en Gisele, twee hartsvriendinnen die al sinds hun jeugd onafscheidelijk zijn. Gisele is de enige die Amira’s gevaarlijke geheim kent — een geheim dat niet alleen haar eigen leven, maar ook dat van haar dierbaren in groot gevaar brengt. Wanneer de situatie onhoudbaar wordt, bedenkt Gisele een gewaagd plan: Amira laten trouwen met haar vriend Fred, een bekende pianist. Wat begint als een verstandshuwelijk uit noodzaak, groeit langzaam uit tot een oprechte en diepe liefde.
De kracht van deze roman zit in de manier waarop Soraya R. Lane de emoties en morele dilemma’s van haar personages weet neer te zetten. Terwijl de oorlog voortwoedt, worden Amira, Fred en Gisele geconfronteerd met hartverscheurende keuzes die hun loyaliteit, moed en vertrouwen zwaar op de proef stellen. De vraag hoe ver je bereid bent te gaan om elkaar te beschermen, loopt als een rode draad door het verhaal.
Het boek is niet alleen een aangrijpende liefdesgeschiedenis, maar ook een ontroerende ode aan vriendschap in de meest duistere tijden. Thema’s als opoffering, vertrouwen en hoop worden op een indringende manier uitgewerkt, waardoor het verhaal nog lang blijft nazinderen.
Centraal staan Amira en Gisele, twee hartsvriendinnen die al sinds hun jeugd onafscheidelijk zijn. Gisele is de enige die Amira’s gevaarlijke geheim kent — een geheim dat niet alleen haar eigen leven, maar ook dat van haar dierbaren in groot gevaar brengt. Wanneer de situatie onhoudbaar wordt, bedenkt Gisele een gewaagd plan: Amira laten trouwen met haar vriend Fred, een bekende pianist. Wat begint als een verstandshuwelijk uit noodzaak, groeit langzaam uit tot een oprechte en diepe liefde.
De kracht van deze roman zit in de manier waarop Soraya R. Lane de emoties en morele dilemma’s van haar personages weet neer te zetten. Terwijl de oorlog voortwoedt, worden Amira, Fred en Gisele geconfronteerd met hartverscheurende keuzes die hun loyaliteit, moed en vertrouwen zwaar op de proef stellen. De vraag hoe ver je bereid bent te gaan om elkaar te beschermen, loopt als een rode draad door het verhaal.
Het boek is niet alleen een aangrijpende liefdesgeschiedenis, maar ook een ontroerende ode aan vriendschap in de meest duistere tijden. Thema’s als opoffering, vertrouwen en hoop worden op een indringende manier uitgewerkt, waardoor het verhaal nog lang blijft nazinderen.
June 24, 2025
i can't say that I loved or even liked this book; it is probably the most heart-wrenching book I have ever read. Soraya includes most of the horrors of Nazi Germany: a Jew hiding from the Nazis, a gay man trying to hide from the Nazis, his experience in Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps, neighbors turning on each other. On the other hand, this page-turner is full of suspense, amazing friendships, loyalty, love, repentance, and life-saving music.
March 26, 2026
bookclub read ~ flew through this, considering the weight of this story it was very easy to read, will never truely be able to wrap my head around this part of history but this novel was excellent. **Amira volunteering to go into a concentration camp was batshit crazy
but the emphasis on female friendship was perfection
“That was when Amira realised it wasn’t the younger generation who could ever be held to account for what was happening–they had been indoctrinated and had never known anything different, they truly didn’t have a choice but to see the world a certain way. They were not the same as those who should have known better, who’d allowed themselves to turn their backs on their fellow humans, humans they’d once walked alongside, lived alongside, loved alongside. Those were the ones she blamed, the ones she wanted to scream at until they saw sense.”
‘Would you like my socks?’ 😭😭😭
but the emphasis on female friendship was perfection
“That was when Amira realised it wasn’t the younger generation who could ever be held to account for what was happening–they had been indoctrinated and had never known anything different, they truly didn’t have a choice but to see the world a certain way. They were not the same as those who should have known better, who’d allowed themselves to turn their backs on their fellow humans, humans they’d once walked alongside, lived alongside, loved alongside. Those were the ones she blamed, the ones she wanted to scream at until they saw sense.”
‘Would you like my socks?’ 😭😭😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2026
‘The story of two people who’d hurt more than a person should ever hurt in one lifetime, but who’d managed to create an unconventional life together, regardless.
Who’d managed to thrive. Who’d managed to live.
And above all else, had managed to love.’
Who’d managed to thrive. Who’d managed to live.
And above all else, had managed to love.’
April 22, 2025
I enjoyed The Pianist’s Wife—it’s a moving story set in Berlin during 1944, when trust was fragile and every choice could mean life or death. Amira and Gisele’s lifelong friendship anchors the story, especially as Amira hides a dangerous secret that could cost her everything. Gisele’s plan for Amira to marry Fred, a renowned pianist with secrets of his own, creates an unexpected but powerful bond that adds a beautiful romantic thread to the tension of wartime survival.
I thought Soraya Lane did a great job capturing the fear and courage of resisting the Nazi regime from within Germany. The emotional depth of the characters and their sacrifices really hit home. This isn’t just a love story—it’s about friendship, bravery, and what it means to choose loyalty in the most impossible circumstances.
I thought Soraya Lane did a great job capturing the fear and courage of resisting the Nazi regime from within Germany. The emotional depth of the characters and their sacrifices really hit home. This isn’t just a love story—it’s about friendship, bravery, and what it means to choose loyalty in the most impossible circumstances.
November 25, 2025
This story is all about the kind of deep love true friendship gives you. Heartbreaking and intense. Sacrifice and loss. Was a beautiful story.
March 8, 2025
What another great book by Soraya! I was yet again gripped the whole way through. Just like the last novel I read by her (The Berlin Sisters), it is a work of fiction, but with some parts being based on true events. It really moved me this book. I loved Fred and Amira, and was rooting for them the whole time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2026
Fantastic WW2 Story
Soraya Lanes books don't ever disappoint! This novel is a beautiful love story ! I absolutely couldn't quit reading it. Soraya incorporates true stories that she has researched and then shares them in a way that you will be thinking about for days.
I have read 3 of her books now, and can't wait to read more. Her books are amazing.
Soraya Lanes books don't ever disappoint! This novel is a beautiful love story ! I absolutely couldn't quit reading it. Soraya incorporates true stories that she has researched and then shares them in a way that you will be thinking about for days.
I have read 3 of her books now, and can't wait to read more. Her books are amazing.
January 25, 2026
Fabulous historical fiction from a fresh perspective. Great story line and a few unexpected twists.
Read
February 9, 2026Loved it
February 10, 2026
Emotional Read but worth it!
This book had me stressed from the first chapter. It was engaging and the tempo was perfect. This is a perfectly imperfect love story and a must read.
This book had me stressed from the first chapter. It was engaging and the tempo was perfect. This is a perfectly imperfect love story and a must read.
August 30, 2025
Loved it. Found myself totally invested in Amira's story as a half-Jewish woman living in Berlin during WWII. The lengths she and her loved ones went to to keep each other safe were terrifying and so brave - I loved how some of these events were based on true stories.
February 6, 2026
Another good book by this author. It was enjoyable enough to complete however not notable compared to other World War II historical fiction that I have read. It is a lovely story and worth reading.
February 24, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.
This book was so heartbreaking, disturbing, and yet, beautiful! This is a historical fiction with a very realistic feel to it with its brutally honest portrayal of the holocaust. While there is some romance, that is not the focus of this book. It is the pure love and devotion through friendship that takes center stage and captures your heart.
4 stars
This book was so heartbreaking, disturbing, and yet, beautiful! This is a historical fiction with a very realistic feel to it with its brutally honest portrayal of the holocaust. While there is some romance, that is not the focus of this book. It is the pure love and devotion through friendship that takes center stage and captures your heart.
4 stars
February 19, 2026
Bij gebrek aan e-reader (oplader vergeten) dit pareltje in de campingshop gekocht. Leest als een trein: er wordt met veel woorden heel weinig geschreven en zit boordevol clichés en wel heel voorspelbare plotwendingen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews