Diamonds in Auschwitz: A Novel

by Meg Hamand

A poignant novel of love, survival, and how brightly hope can shine against the backdrop of unimaginable darkness

Rachael is a resilient Jewish woman imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II, clinging to the memories of her lost family while enduring the harrowing reality of the concentration camp. Amidst the brutality, she uncovers a hidden diamond engagement ring in the mud—its brilliance offering a glimmer of hope and a reason to survive. As she navigates the perils of camp life, Rachael forms a profound bond with Chaya, a young girl also yearning for connection and comfort in their shared despair.

Interwoven with Rachael’s tale are the lives of Samual and Hanna, a young Jewish couple planning for their future while navigating the hardships of Nazi-occupied Prague. Distracted by his life in Prague, Samual initially dismisses the growing threats against their community, focusing instead on the engagement ring he dreams of giving to Hanna. As the grip of the Nazis tightens, their plans unravel, yet their love becomes a beacon of resilience amid escalating fear and loss.

Diamonds in Auschwitz illustrates how, when everything seems lost, even the smallest treasures can illuminate the path to freedom and connection. Through Rachael and Chaya's friendship, and Samual and Hanna's unwavering love, the story reminds us that even in the bleakest times, humanity can shine brightly.

Genres: Historical Fiction

340 pages, Paperback

Published February 18, 2025

About the author

Meg Hamand has had a heart for storytelling since her first poem was published in an anthology in elementary school. Since then, she graduated with a degree in English and creative writing from Indiana State University. She’s been published in multiple print and online publications and recognized as Michiana 40 Under 40 by South Bend Chamber of Commerce. She lives in Northern Indiana with her high school sweetheart, daughter, and miniature Dachshund, Nixon (named after Captain Nixon from Band of Brothers, not after the president).

Reviews

[Marianne Kroening · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the better books I’ve read in my life. I’m having a hard time putting it into words how the stories of Rachael/Chaya and Samual/Hanna shifted everything I thought I knew about the Holocaust, the Nazis, and even the Jews who existed during this time. Meg Hamand has a knack for making you care so much for every character, even the unnamed ones. I hope to see more books from her in the future.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, this is easily one of the most powerful books I've ever read in my life. Sad and horrifying doesn't begin to describe this story that is based on true events. The truth regarding the absolute brutality of the Nazis is one we can never shy away from, and it needs to be told over and over again. Over and over so that we can scream "Never Again!". I only wish that I was able to put this book in everyones hands and to be able to encourage them to read it - even when it's hard to do so.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Meg Hamand, and Greenleaf Book Group for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sad and horrifying story based on true events.
Some of it was very difficult to read, but the truth about the brutality of the Nazis must be told again and again.
The world looked on while 6 million Jews were murdered.
Read this book so you can say NEVER AGAIN.

[Allison Maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to read an early copy of this and it was by far the best book of 2024! Obsessed! So excited for it to launch and others to enjoy.

[Kenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to NetGally for an advanced copy of this book!

“‘They can’t kill all of us,’ the woman called out after her.
‘Look around,’ Rachel said. ‘They already have.’”

Diamonds of Auschwitz: A Novel by Meg Hamand
3.75/5 Stars
Read March 2025 - ARC

Diamonds of Auschwitz is a beautiful novel about the power of hope…and how grief can destroy you.

Positive messages: 3/5
Characters risk everything for those they love. They understand that people die, but some live. They have to overcome the overwhelming sense of grief and learn how to hope. Courage is the most evident trait present, although many others can be seen as well.

Positive role models: 3.5/5
Rachael has lost everything she loves and still perseveres and tries to find hope in even the most despair of times. Readers will connect with her brokenness and longing for something—anything to cling to.
Catarina, Rachael’s first-born child, is a support system for her before the war and thoughts of her take up most of her mind’s capacity. Readers will see that their bond is strong and be inspired by this.
Chaya, a young girl in Auschwitz, looks up to Rachael for support and comfort and Rachael gives it. She is strong, brave and kind and doesn’t hate even the ones who persecute her. She looks through a glass-half-full perspective, and readers will admire her for that.
Irine, Rachael’s friend and support in Auschwitz, is wise and honest. She takes care of Chaya some later in the novel.
Frau Friedl cares deeply about the children he teaches (he is an art teacher with Hanna) but respects authority and keeps his mouth shut when he needs to.
Samual, one of the main characters, is not afraid of the future and what it holds. He is passionate about his work. He won’t wait for the approval of others when he knows an action is right. His love for his girlfriend (soon to be fiance!), Hanna, is inspiring. Hanna isn’t afraid to be herself and to speak her mind. She isn’t ashamed of her religion, either. She hates to sit and do nothing—she wants to make a difference and help others! However, it seems impossible and much too risky.
Quote from Hanna—to show readers how she looks at life:

“‘You never walked the Charles Bridge?’ she teased. ‘You really need me in your life, don’t you?’
He laughed. ‘Very true. I walked the bridge, I just never looked up to see where I was going.’
‘Many people live their entire lives that way,’ Hanna mused. ‘But you miss so much. Look at this.’ She threw her arms wide and gestured to the city. ‘It’s a sea of stone. Every rooftop is a unique seashell with all of its different shapes and colors.’”

Greta is a side character but risks her well-being and reputation for a man she has known only for a few years.
David, a friend of Samual’s, rebels against the Nazis and their tyranny no matter the cost.
(Negative) Most soldiers are insensitive and completely dehumanize those they guard, especially Jews. However some guards, like Elke (gave Chaya a piece of chocolate/spoke to her kindly), have a kind side to them.

Drinking, Drugs, and Smoking: 0/5
None present.

Language: 1/5
‘B—h,’ ‘hell,’ and few others are used very infrequently.

Violence, Gore, and Scariness: 2.5/5
A Nazi throws a woman’s baby onto the tracks of a train and he dies (not graphically described but a heavy thought). Soldiers kick a street dog and it’s in pain. Soldiers punch, grab, slap, and shoot innocent people. Jews are constantly in fear and reprimanded/hated for no reason.

Sex, Romance, and Nudity: 1/5
Characters share innocent kisses.

What You Should Know:
I was pleasantly surprised with this one. The cover is…okay. Not my favorite. But I enjoyed the book! The writing is beautiful and poetic and the characters, especially Chaya, are very relatable. Their grief and hope feels so real while reading.
I completely 100% recommend this one to you. It’s completely clean, which is hard to find in novels that take place at such an intense time. However, be warned that it doesn’t sugar coat anything. Death is ever present and characters’ perspectives on it can be heartbreaking and heavy for younger readers. I would say 13-14+ if the reader is mature and has read other books like this one.
Happy reading!

Age Range Recommendation: 13+ A Historical Fiction
TRIGGER WARNINGS/ADULT CONTENT: WAR, DEATH OF LOVED ONES, TRAUMA/PTSD, VIOLENCE

Fave Quotes (all very good!)

“The water’s being slowly heated,” she had said. “The people don’t even realize they’re boiling.”

“‘When you see a hornet’s nest, you don’t kick it. You walk away. Why anger the Nazis?’”

“Love was the wind. She knew is was out there…”

“‘You brought me back to life,’ Rachael told her once.
‘Like a ghost?’ she asked, both excited and a little scared at the idea of Rachael as a ghost.
‘Kind of,’ she said. ‘But just my heart. My heart had died. Then I met you, and it was a live again.’”

“Hanna always thought that men were like paintings. When seen for the first time from afar, she was often mesmerized, breathless, and completely infatuated. But as she got closer, as she really studied the artwork, she started to see the flaws—where the colors bled together because of time or moisture, where the shadow was not quite conductive to the angle of light, how the artist didn’t capture perfectly the crinkle of of a smile or the gleam of an eye. Perhaps she was too critical. She expected too much; she wanted perfection. Men, too, often let her down when she got close enough to see their shortcomings. She knew, standing under the oddest, yet most beautiful, chuppah she had ever seen, Samual was not perfect. He was not without flaws, but she had seen him up close and knew the painting for what it was. And she did not think that she could love anything—or anyone—more.

“‘The end is the beginning…’”

“‘...Is that your favorite color?’...‘My favorite color is white’ ‘White!’ Chaya laughed. ‘That’s not a color!’ The woman gasped in anger, but Chaya could see she was joking. ‘White is all the colors,’ she said. ‘It’s where all the colors start. And,’ she leaned in close to Chaya’s ear, ‘it’s the color of new beginnings.’ ‘White?’ Chaya said. ‘Maybe that’s my favorite color, too.’ The woman smiled at her and held out her hand. Chaya took it.”

[Jessica Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diamonds in Auschwitz by Meg Hamand is a beautifully written and emotionally charged novel that shines a light on resilience, hope, and human connection amidst unimaginable darkness. The story of Rachael and Chaya’s bond in the concentration camp, intertwined with the love story of Samual and Hanna in Prague, kept me deeply engaged. Hamand’s vivid descriptions and sensitive portrayal of her characters made their struggles and triumphs feel real and personal. The symbol of the diamond ring was especially moving — a small treasure that carries so much weight. This book is both heartbreaking and uplifting, reminding us that even in the bleakest times, love and hope endure. Highly recommend for readers of historical fiction who appreciate stories of courage and survival.

[Kearstin Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart wrenching story that will have your emotions wild

Rachel found a diamond ring in the mud which became her source of hope.

This is a dual narrative and you see two story’s.

Samuel and Hanna

Rachel and Chyna

Rachel isn’t the most personable as she doesn’t see the point in being friendly with the inevitable ending they are facing. However once she found the diamond and started feeling hope she opened up more.

The characters were so easy to understand and fully feel immersed.

Beautifully written

[Riley Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books about Auschwitz will never be easy to read, and this book is no exception. Diamonds in Auschwitz was a heartbreaking story about love, the desire for hope and connection, and what it took to survive the Holocaust.

The story followed a Jewish woman, Rachael, and a young Jewish child that she befriended, Chaya, who were imprisoned together in Auschwitz. Rachael and Chaya's factual experiences in the brutal concentration camp gave me so many emotions - anger, bitterness, and disbelief, as well as love and hope. Interwoven is also the story of Hanna and Samual, a young Jewish couple living in Prague and planning for a future together during the time of the German occupation. Samual gave Hanna a gorgeous engagement ring that became a symbol of hope and resistance throughout the entire book. The book alternated between these stories and their timelines, and the ending finally made the beautiful yet heartbreaking connection between all of the characters.

When Rachael found a gorgeous diamond engagement ring in the mud outside of Auschwitz, I think it gave her a reason to hope and a small way to stand up to the Nazis. The ring allowed her to form a connection with Chaya, who had no one. The relationship between Rachael and Chaya was so sweet, and I cannot imagine the sacrificial love that Rachael, who had lost her entire family, was able to have again in Chaya.

Meg Hammond did a brilliant job of creating a fictional story based on factual events that she researched. If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend this book!

*Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

[Briánne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published by a local author! While this is not my usual type of read, it was picked for book club. This is well written and easy to follow. and it had a beautiful ending.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diamonds in Auschwitz by Meg Hamand is a gut-wrenching novel set during World War II, centered on Rachael, a Jewish woman struggling to survive the brutal realities of Auschwitz, and Samual, a man trying to build a future in a Prague crumbling under Nazi occupation. Their stories orbit a ring, an engagement ring found buried in the mud, a small glittering symbol of hope, memory, and devastating loss. Through vivid, often painful prose, Hamand paints a picture of resilience, shattered dreams, and the stubborn pulse of humanity in the darkest places.

The writing in this book just grabbed me by the heart right from the first page. Hamand's descriptions of Rachael clawing through mud, finding what she thinks is just a rock, only to later discover it’s a diamond ring, hit me like a punch to the chest. It’s not just the horror of her surroundings; it’s the tiny spark of something beautiful refusing to be snuffed out. Hamand’s style is sharp but full of heart. No flowery nonsense, no wasted words. I found myself rereading sentences like, “Grief had replaced the marrow of her bones,” because they felt true. You can almost feel the mud in your hands, the cold in your bones, the ache that never quite goes away.

One aspect that particularly struck me was Hamand’s ability to use small, carefully chosen details to convey a much larger emotional impact. Like when Rachael keeps the ring dirty on purpose, leaving a bit of mud on it because it reminds her of her daughter Catarina’s brown eyes. That killed me. It's such a small thing, but it shows how survival isn’t always about food and shelter; it’s about finding reasons to still feel something when everything around you tells you not to. Samual’s chapters brought a different kind of heartbreak. Watching him risk everything to buy that ring for Hanna, then seeing the city he loved crumble into silence and hatred, felt like watching someone lose their home inch by inch, day by day. I was rooting for him, even knowing full well how history tends to end for characters like him.

There were moments when the book was honestly hard to read. Not because the writing dragged, but because Hamand doesn’t flinch away from showing what Auschwitz really was: a machine for killing hope just as much as it killed people. Scenes like Rachael debating whether to throw herself into the electrified fence, or the eerie way she describes the fog she imagines to block out her surroundings, hit me harder than any graphic violence could have. This book hurts, but it’s the kind of hurt that feels important. Like you’re being trusted to sit with someone else’s pain instead of being shielded from it.

Diamonds in Auschwitz isn’t just a story about survival; it’s a story about memory. About the tiny, stubborn things people hold onto when everything else has been taken from them. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves deeply emotional historical fiction, or who wants a story that punches you in the gut but leaves you grateful for having felt it. Fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale or Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See will feel right at home, though "home" might not be the right word when you’re sobbing into a crumpled tissue at midnight.

[Hope Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Ratings-

Impact: 4.5 ⭐️
-captivating, educational, moving, thought-provoking

Research: 5 ⭐️
-accurate, credible sources, thorough, well-researched

Structure: 5 ⭐️
-well organized

Writing style: 4 ⭐️
- the writing was well done, I’m just not a huge fan of third-person.

Content warnings: animal abuse, child loss, death, murder, religious intolerance, sexual assault, violence, war violence.


————————————————————————————————

I was made aware of this books because this Author is local to my state. She had reached out to our library for us to purchase her book and we hosted an author talk. It was very lovely to meet Meg.


I really felt for these characters and they didn’t feel like fictional people. The author did such a good job showing the horrors the Jewish community has to go through, as well as showing the strength and resilience they had.

As Samual would say “They can’t kill us all”
Just a powerful quote, that truly represents the fight for their freedom.


While reason I had to truly stop for a moment just to write down my thoughts on some of these scenes:

As a mother the way my heart physically hurt the Racheal’s baby at the train station. Knowing that is truly how terrible the Nazis were to people who did nothing wrong….truly hope we don’t repeat history. 😭


I’m sorry but the IRONY in the fact these people thought Jewish people were “filthy pigs” yet had no problem sexually assaulting the women?!

I loved how Hanna loved Rachael’s daughter and once Rachael was to she also watched after Chaya Rachael’s basically adopted daughter 🥲


Not her granddaughter finding her ring years later 🥲🥹


Those are just some thoughts.

This books truly amazing, I will recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this powerful new historical fiction novel, readers follow Rachael, a Jewish woman imprisoned in Auschwitz during the Second World War, as she clings to the memories of her family while trying to survive the horrors of the camp. When she discovers a diamond engagement ring in the mud, Rachael finds herself drawn to Chaya, a young girl starved for connection and support, and readers discover the story of Samuel and Hanna, a young Jewish couple from Prague whose ring Rachael has found. Following these four characters and their two stories, readers discover what it took to resist the Nazis through the difficult act of survival and maintenance of humanity. The characters are the stars of the novel, and their strength of character as well as their faith in their relationships really draw readers into the story and allow them to empathize with Rachael, Chaya, Samuel, and Hanna. The different perspectives and years show the progression of the Third Reich’s power and crimes against humanity, and the historical research really stands out. Hamand has captured incredible stories and emotional tones in this novel, and the deep emotions, complex characters, and intense historical backdrop combine to create a fascinating and moving novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for the advance copy.

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 Book Review 📖 While World War II is my normal go-to, favorite historical fiction genre, I will admit that there was a hesitation in picking this one up. Trust me, that is so sad for me to admit but I promise to always be honest in my reviews. Like so many others, the current events are just that heavy right now. However, I did not even need to finish the first chapter to have my anxiety eased by Meg Hamand flawlessly sanguine writing, reminding me that sometimes it is in the darkest moments that we find the brightest light.

No matter your religious beliefs, the world lost a great leader this week in Pope Francis. Every twenty five years, the Catholic Church celebrates a Jubilee year and 2025 year was designated by Pope Francis for Pilgrims of Hope. Meg Hamand brings such a beautiful message of hope in her novel through the story of Rachael, a Jewish woman imprisoned at Auschwitz. Her story weaves with those of people whose story she will never truly know, but their lives are connected by a powerful unknown. Chills. Diamonds in Auschwitz is a timely novel with a perennial message of beauty and goodness of humanity.

[Tayler.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking story told from the views of four different characters during World War II.

Rachael is a woman in Auschwitz who befriends a small girl named Chaya, who has somehow survived on her own in the camp. Rachael has long lost hope after losing her entire family when she finds a diamond ring while sorting through prisoners belongings. She decides to pocket the ring, and when she meets Chaya, it becomes a symbol of hope to both of them.

Samuel and Hanna are an engaged couple living in Prague when the Nazi forces invade. We see them from the beginning of the war all the way through their entrance into Auschwitz.

Weaving their stories together masterfully, Meg Hamand captures the essence of the human experience. This book spares no detail with the horrible things the Jewish people experienced at the hands of the Nazis and made me cry several times. Anyone who rated “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah, highly should definitely read this.

Thank you NetGalley and River Grove Books for the ARC!

[Bev Burnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Greenleaf Book Group and Meg Hamand for this ARC.

Diamonds in Auschwitz is a poignant story about love and hope, shining through even in the darkest of times.

We follow Rachel and Chaya, Samual and Hanna and their tales of friendship and love, powering through in the face of adversity and trying to find hope even when it feels like all is lost.

I enjoyed that the story is told from different points of view, all weaving together to create the wider story. There were little snippets dotted throughout and call backs at various points showing how each characters lives were so interwoven.

Whilst no story about Auschwitz will ever be a pleasant read, based on true events or not, reading about the love, happiness and joy each woman felt at different points in their lives shows how important it is to celebrate the little things in life as you don’t know if or when that could be ripped away.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of the only books I'd undoubtedly rate 5 stars, but also never read again. The novel was wonderfully written and compelling. I finished the last half in a day. The author successfully and effortlessly wove together the four perspectives offered, and the prose was stellar. I can't find anything wrong with this novel. That said, this novel accurately represents the reprehensible and brutal violence of the Nazis to those under their thumb, both inside and outside of concentration camps. It's a truly sickening and disheartening read, and there isn't much hope or light in the story until about 80% of the way in. But, it's important for us living now to remember that such atrocities DID occur, and unfortunately, could happen again. I applaud Ms. Hamand for her beautiful storytelling, as well as for not shying away from the disgusting side of humanity when writing this novel. Well done.

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a difficult book to listen to and perhaps is better in print.

The author writes of life in Auschwitz with Rachael as a prisoner befriending a 6 year old. Pretty unbelievable. Much seems to contradict what I've read in memoirs and heard from survivors.

Samual and Hanna are both Jews working in Prague in the early 1940s, which is a time when Jews couldn't work because of the Nuremberg Laws.

I had a hard time suspending my disbelief at the 'history' I was hearing. On the other hand, I did NOT take the book out of the library to see where the author took her information.

The reader was okay, tried hard to pronounce Hebrew and Yiddish, and stayed away from German accents. For more on the performance, see AudioFile Magazine http://www.audiofilemagazine.com

I'd give this one a miss.

This is my opinion about the contents and has nothing to do with my review for AudioFile Magazine as it relates to the narrator.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meg Hamand has written a beautiful and heartbreaking WWII novel following a diamond engagement ring from Prague to Auschwitz and the people it connects along the way. The characters really come to life and I found myself thinking about them even when I wasn’t reading and after I had finished the book. At first I was worried that the dual time line would be difficult to follow especially when I realized they were not synchronous, but it truly was not and just worked for the storyline. I love how the perspective of the story is told by whoever is in possession of the ring that connects them all. The author clearly did her research bringing to life both the atrocities of the Holocaust and treatment of the Jewish people as well as the city and lifestyle of Prague at that time. Diamonds in Auschwitz highlights how love, hope and resilience can shine through even in tragedy.

[Stephanie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books covering the Holocaust and have even taught some of those books when I was still teaching. This book ranks up there with some of the best I've read. It feels odd to say I enjoyed the book, but I did enjoy getting to know the characters created by Meg Hamand. Hanna and Samual's love story was short but sweet. Rachael's love for the child she meets in Auschwitz was both hopeful and heartbreaking. The way that Hamand brought all of these characters together was pleasing. This is her first published work, and I will read more that she writes in the future. I do think this book would be a good fictional account that could be used in a classroom. There are moments that would lead to powerful discussion and could be used in comparison with nonfiction accounts of the Holocaust and Auschwitz, in particular. 5/5 stars

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some book will leave an everlasting impression: Diamonds in Auschwitz is one of those.
Brilliantly written by Meg Hamand with a story that breaks your heart and sadly enough really happened, even though the character were mostly fictional.
So many lines in this book that hit me hard: ‘they can’t kill us all’ or ‘the frog that remains in water that is slowly heated to boiling’ comparing the complacency of the Jews who didn’t react to a worsening situation until it was too late.
So many emotions in this book: hate, love, selfishness and most of all..the acceptance of their fate.
Meg Hamand, you are truly a brilliant author and I can’t wait to see your next work!
Side note: my father was in a camp for 2 years, these kind of books make me understand his strange behavior when I grew up!

[Stephanie Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sucks you in from the very beginning. Stories set in Auschwitz are always incredibly difficult to read, but they’re so important—these are pieces of history we must remember so they’re never repeated. What I really loved about this one is how the characters’ stories intertwine. Their connections feel deeply human, and that adds another layer of emotion and meaning to an already powerful narrative. It’s heartbreaking, gripping, and necessary all at once.

Thank you @NetGalley for letting me read this early!

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible book from start to finish, and absolutely broke my heart on par with The Book Thief. I loved how Rachael and Hanna’s chapters seemed unlinked for the longest time, and it wasn’t until the later chapters became Chaya’s that we started to see the link, through Rachael’s daughter Caterina. I liked also how there was no huge dramatic reveal about that as well, because often that sort of thing comes across as trite and obvious.

I would definitely read more from this author, the writing was exquisite.

[Bookish Venturess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a heart wrenching story. I loved the two stories that ended up entwined together. This book shows life in Auschwitz and life before and in a Auschwitz for a couple. I loved hearing both stories and hearing how they found joy even with everything they were going through. If you enjoy reading stories about World War 2 prison camps and the survivors of those camps this is a good book to read.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told through the stories of multiple characters, this book shows the hardships those faced during the holocaust. This is such a sad but well written book that broke my heart. I felt the way the book did the dual timelines; it was easy to follow. Fans of books set during World War two need to give this book a read.

[C.R. Guardian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traded my book for hers at Beyond the Books and am so glad I did. This book broke my heart with every turn of the page. Truly wonderful! I cannot imagine having to do all the research she did to make this land as well as she did. I'm sure it was traumatizing! Can't wait to see what else Meg comes up with!

[Caroline Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sad story of a diamond ring - and the human diamonds that survived the horrors of the Holocaust. Normally I don’t like time switches, but the switches between the man who bought the ring for his beloved and the woman who found it in Auschwitz worked.

I received a copy from NetGalley.

[Lottie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[a copy of this book was provided to me by the published from netgalley. thank you!]

a deeply personal and touching story about survival in auschwitz. i enjoyed the writing style and character development, and the historical worldbuilding seemed quite accurate.

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the character development throughout the book. I could really feel the gross atrocities that occurred in their lives. The historical locations made the truth come out even more when I looked them up to get a visual. The ring in the story line captured my interest and intrigue.

[Rachel Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best historical fiction novels I have read. The author has a way of making you feel like you are walking beside the characters and experiencing the events with them. It was a hard read but very powerful. I highly recommend this book!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my, this was a hard book to read. But like the author said at a reading I went to: this story needs to be told and remembered. The book was well researched and written. It is so hard to imagine people treating other humans like the Nazis treated the Jews, a horrific time in history.