The Girl That Was Left Behind

by Tamar Ohrenstein

After discovering a photograph hidden in her late mother’s cabinet, a young woman travels to Europe in the hopes of uncovering her origins—and the reason she was left behind.

Tel Aviv, 1970. Mati Netaim’s life is turned upside down when she loses her parents in a terrible car crash. Reeling from the loss, she arrives at their home in the moshav, prepared to pack up a life full of happy memories. But when she looks inside her mother’s drawer, she finds more than happy memories—she finds something that will change her life forever.

Inside an innocent-looking envelope, yellowed with age, Mati finds a photograph of a man she does not recognize, holding a baby girl that has Mati’s own blue eyes. But when she turns the photograph over, it’s the inscription that breaks her heart.

“I entrust into your care my most precious, my baby girl.
I’ve seen how you cared for her when I couldn’t, and I’m confident she will lead a good life with you, a life I cannot promise her.
Look after her and, most importantly,
Do not tell her anything .”

With nothing but an unfamiliar last name to go on, the photograph sends Mati on a search for the missing pieces of her birth. Across Paris and Germany, Mati’s journey shakes the foundations of her past and her future, when she is confronted by the one secret she was never meant to find out.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 13, 2025

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perseverance, Faith, Hope amidst trials and horrors

A girl and her fiance arrive at her parents home to share their engagement only to learn the parents have just been killed in an accident and that they weren't her biological parents after all! An arduous search begins in Israel, Paris and Germany to discover who her real parents are. A twin sister is discovered who helps with the search. Ultimately, by the grace of God, the daughters find their mother in a convent where she is being taken care of. There they learn of the horrors she suffered in a concentration camp and at the hands of a Nazi couple. She later receives professional help for the trauma she has lived through. The twin daughters become friends and the engaged couple gets married. Well worth reading!!

[Patricia A Spring · Rating 5 out of 5]

concentration camp

After reading the diary of Ann Frank as a teenager, rarely read anything about that time period. Not Jewish and still it’s too painful, this story is painful and so incredibly sad.

[Cathy Malasankas · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful story

Mayo was ready to marry her sweetheart and have a wonderful life. She was on the way to tell her parents about becoming engaged. There was a tragedy that involved her parents. She spent a long journey trying to find her biological parents. This book is about her journey and what happens along the way.
I don’t want to tell the whole story.
This is such a wonderful book that I wish it didn’t end. It’s the best book I have read in a long time.
Read it. You’ll be amazed just like I am.

[Kim Paulus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a journey

This is a story of loss and a search for self. Mati's parents are killed in an accident and while she is gathering their belongs discovers that she is a adopted. A journey that takes her from Israel to Paris, Germany and other European countries. What she discovers is heart wrenching and delightful. The story reads like a diary but is truly a work of fiction.

[Carey Mundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gripping read. When a young Israeli woman’s parents die in an accident, she discovers a picture from her past that tells her these were her adoptive parents. She begins a search to find her biological parents that will lead her to Paris and Germany. As she follows clues, and finds she has a twin sister, it leads her on a harrowing journey of discovery with roots in WWII Germany.

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hidden Photograph, A Haunting Past...

Tamar Ohrenstein's The Girl That Was Left Behind is a hauntingly beautiful story packed with emotional depth and historical resonance. The plot revolves around Mati, a young lady whose life is shattered by her parents' tragic deaths—only to uncover, nestled in a yellowed photograph, a hidden reality that unravels everything she thought she knew. From that point forward, the narrative takes readers on a thrilling voyage of self-discovery across Europe, with mysteries lurking close behind.

What unfolds is a brilliantly layered story about loss, identity, and survival. Ohrenstein's style is both sympathetic and unflinching, alternating between calm, intimate musings and piercing, heartbreaking disclosures. Mati's search for the origins of her existence draws readers into a story that is both intimate and profound. This book is memorable not only for the answers it provides, but also for the ones it leaves unanswered. Highly recommended. I volunteered to review a complimentary copy of this book.

[PAMpublish · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sad story about an Israeli woman who loses her parents in an accident, discovering that she was adopted. Leaving her job and boyfriend, she travels about Europe to find her biological parents, discovering a sister but is stonewalled otherwise. Yet, the truth of discovery is beyond comprehension. Although the book maintains one's attention, it is overall very depressing, more so than most WWII stories read.

[Indianapam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The echo’s of War

A wonderful book. All the twists and turns lead to a road of enlightenment. I am amazed at how many different stories there are to tell about the horrendous echos of WW11. True or not the possibilities are endless and rings of truth possibilities. A page turner, for sure!

[Stacy Doubrava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another WWII saga

I love it when I read a WWII story. This one was very different...it occurred post war. There was great character development and storyline. I really enjoyed the book

[Cindy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

powerful

A powerful story that highlights the unsettling reality for the descendants of Holocaust refugees. And the drive to discover one’s roots can be a primal struggle for some.

[Tj Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional, but interesting

I enjoyed going on the journey of Mati to find her biological parents. There were many ups and downs. I don't want to write much because I do not want to give away the storyline. I hope there is another book with these main characters in it!

[Georgia Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a riveting read.

I couldn’t put this book down. Even with horrors that their mother endured , the bond the girls shared , made a happy ending .

[Martha Byers · Rating 2 out of 5]

ugh. not a good read

Very poorly written Far too much repetition. Verbal interaction very stilted. I can’t believe this book ever made it to a publisher

[Harry Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Very intriguing book, enjoyed it immensely. I really enjoyed the happy ever after ending. I like this author and would enjoy reading other books.

[Darnly Motter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only got through about 25%. The book is very poorly written. Character development is poor. I just couldn’t finish it. There are too many good books to read.

[McKenzie Bowcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was captivating… but I felt it jumped around abruptly, and lacked character development and details that could have made it a much deeper story.

[Carolyn Sackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Left Behind?

Was she left behind? This book has many twists and turns. The probing
in between keep it interesting. Easy read, great story.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely am now having a difficult time reading Holocaust books but I did enjoy this book.

[Lorrie Kelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not bad, it moved too slowly for me.