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The Berlin Girl #2
The Berlin Girl's Choice: A Historical Fiction Novel
How can she choose between her family and the man she loves?
On August 13, 1961, soldiers erect a wall across a war-torn city, transforming East Berlin into an overnight prison and tearing families apart in the blink of an eye.
Unwilling to leave her dying father, fifteen-year-old Ella makes the impossible decision to stay behind while her best friend Anton takes Ella’s little brother and flees to the freedom of the West at the last possible chance.
But when her father’s death finally leaves her orphaned and alone, Ella’s hope of a reunion burns strong. Yearning for a future with Anton, she bides her time in East Berlin, meeting with shadowy resistance groups who are her only chance for freedom.
But time goes by slowly, and with no word from Anton, Ella begins to wonder whether she will ever see him and her brother again. And when a tentative new friendship slowly blossoms into love, she will have to make the hardest choice of all.
Leave East Berlin for the man she thought was her everything, or stay behind with the one she now fears she cannot live without.
From the bestselling author of The Polish Nurse, this powerful story of a young girl’s courage in the face of an impossible choice is perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah and Rhys Bowen.
Previously published as Berlin Ensnare
On August 13, 1961, soldiers erect a wall across a war-torn city, transforming East Berlin into an overnight prison and tearing families apart in the blink of an eye.
Unwilling to leave her dying father, fifteen-year-old Ella makes the impossible decision to stay behind while her best friend Anton takes Ella’s little brother and flees to the freedom of the West at the last possible chance.
But when her father’s death finally leaves her orphaned and alone, Ella’s hope of a reunion burns strong. Yearning for a future with Anton, she bides her time in East Berlin, meeting with shadowy resistance groups who are her only chance for freedom.
But time goes by slowly, and with no word from Anton, Ella begins to wonder whether she will ever see him and her brother again. And when a tentative new friendship slowly blossoms into love, she will have to make the hardest choice of all.
Leave East Berlin for the man she thought was her everything, or stay behind with the one she now fears she cannot live without.
From the bestselling author of The Polish Nurse, this powerful story of a young girl’s courage in the face of an impossible choice is perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah and Rhys Bowen.
Previously published as Berlin Ensnare
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2025
451 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
About the author
Leah Moyes
31 books186 followersLeah Moyes is a wife and a mother, a former teacher and coach with a background in Anthropology and History. Between writing and archaeological digs, the world is her playground.
She loves popcorn and seafood (though not together) and is slowly checking off her very long bucket list.
She loves popcorn and seafood (though not together) and is slowly checking off her very long bucket list.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 14, 2025
First of all, I was not expecting this book to end on a cliffhanger. When I picked this book up, I honestly thought this was a complete story. Ella, is separated from her bother and best friend when the wall that separated Berlin was built. She is unlucky because she ends up on the side that is not the free side.
Over the course of the book, Ella has to work for a family as a maid in order to pay a debt. While there, she learns a lot of secret political information. She attempts to try and make a way to freedom twice but fails. It is difficult because the soldiers are hurting any who even attempt to make plans and so the citizens on this side of the wall are frightened and on edge. At the same time, reading it is nerve wracking and I felt frightened about her potentially being caught.
Ella also ends up developing a relationship with the son of her employer, Stefan. This I am a little conflicted about because it really isn’t a good idea. There are way too many issues here but I also believe that they really do have feelings for one another and maybe by the end of the book love each other. At the same time, her best friend that is on the other side of the wall with her brother, is in love with her. She has a history with Anton and part of me is worried their relationship won’t rekindle.
I liked this book. I have not read a book before this one that was based on the Berlin Wall and I find that I am intrigued to read about this time in history. The Cold War. I feel like this book was a good start. The story and characters are likable and it read really well. But the ending made me cry! I was not expecting this cliff.
Over the course of the book, Ella has to work for a family as a maid in order to pay a debt. While there, she learns a lot of secret political information. She attempts to try and make a way to freedom twice but fails. It is difficult because the soldiers are hurting any who even attempt to make plans and so the citizens on this side of the wall are frightened and on edge. At the same time, reading it is nerve wracking and I felt frightened about her potentially being caught.
Ella also ends up developing a relationship with the son of her employer, Stefan. This I am a little conflicted about because it really isn’t a good idea. There are way too many issues here but I also believe that they really do have feelings for one another and maybe by the end of the book love each other. At the same time, her best friend that is on the other side of the wall with her brother, is in love with her. She has a history with Anton and part of me is worried their relationship won’t rekindle.
I liked this book. I have not read a book before this one that was based on the Berlin Wall and I find that I am intrigued to read about this time in history. The Cold War. I feel like this book was a good start. The story and characters are likable and it read really well. But the ending made me cry! I was not expecting this cliff.
October 9, 2025
Romantic Trials
Although I never experienced life behind the Berlin wall, this story defines what I envision would be life there.
Ella survives hardships, evilness, and stress beyond her youthful years just to survive the elements against her existence. She has nothing of physical value. She is blessed to have caring people who cross her path when she needs support. She is also blessed with love in her young life from two different young men that she also loves.
Leah Moyes writes in a way that you can intimately feel Ella's fears and despair as she struggles to survive. The characters are well developed and very believable. Leah pulls you into the life behind the Berlin wall. Suspense, romance, and tragedy prevail throughout the story. I hope you enjoy the tale.
Although I never experienced life behind the Berlin wall, this story defines what I envision would be life there.
Ella survives hardships, evilness, and stress beyond her youthful years just to survive the elements against her existence. She has nothing of physical value. She is blessed to have caring people who cross her path when she needs support. She is also blessed with love in her young life from two different young men that she also loves.
Leah Moyes writes in a way that you can intimately feel Ella's fears and despair as she struggles to survive. The characters are well developed and very believable. Leah pulls you into the life behind the Berlin wall. Suspense, romance, and tragedy prevail throughout the story. I hope you enjoy the tale.
March 20, 2025
Very dramatic. Cold War Generation 1
This is the first book I've ever read fictional or historical regarding the cold war. I've never been interested. But this ignited a desire to learn more about it. It was a bit dramatic and more about a young girl's struggle than the actual cold war. But it's a good introduction.
This is the first book I've ever read fictional or historical regarding the cold war. I've never been interested. But this ignited a desire to learn more about it. It was a bit dramatic and more about a young girl's struggle than the actual cold war. But it's a good introduction.
January 10, 2025
A story of Survival
Overcoming adversity. Finding love across barriers. Surviving, making a life, and finding love amidst the odds. Captivating narrative. Evil tries to break the heroine but she rises above and keeps on!
Overcoming adversity. Finding love across barriers. Surviving, making a life, and finding love amidst the odds. Captivating narrative. Evil tries to break the heroine but she rises above and keeps on!
January 13, 2025
Captivating Read
An excellent story of love, endurance, and strength set in a most horrible time in history.
The characters are intricately drawn and the events well described. The reader lives it!!!
An excellent story of love, endurance, and strength set in a most horrible time in history.
The characters are intricately drawn and the events well described. The reader lives it!!!
July 18, 2025
A gripping story that continues the story of Adele, several years in the future from being left at the orphanage. Full of emotion, intrigue, and suspense. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
March 8, 2025
This is a captivating series! Overcoming adversities and continuing to move on! Anxious to read the next installment!
March 9, 2025
Loved it! Can’t wait to read the next one!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews