Stranded Serenade: A WW2 Novel

by Lisi Lopez

A gripping novel of America’s King of Swing stranded in Nazi Germany—inspired by true events.

Big band leader George Alton is savoring his climb to fame in America when war begins to consume Europe. Determined to serve, he enlists in the Army and is soon sent across the Atlantic—not to fight, but to lift the spirits of Allied soldiers with his trumpet and his music.

When the war is nearing its end, George’s plane crashes inside Nazi Germany. With the help of a brave tavern-keeper, he hides in a quiet town where danger lurks in hidden corners and trust is never certain. Drawn into the Resistance—and into the heart of a young German woman—he soon discovers that survival is no longer enough.

Amid a bitter winter, as the Reich collapses around him, George must will he keep hiding in silence, haunted by guilt, or risk everything for freedom, love, and the life he once knew?

320 pages, Paperback

Published October 2, 2025

About the author

Lisi is an engineer-turned-writer and a second-generation immigrant, born to a Cuban mother and a Puerto Rican father. She lives with her college sweetheart and their three amazing kids.

In 2017, Lisi and her husband welcomed their middle son, who has Down Syndrome. Channeling her passion for writing, she began publishing advocacy articles to help create a world where her son's extra chromosome is celebrated rather than seen as a disability. Through that journey, she rediscovered her love for storytelling and hasn't looked back since.

She's beyond grateful for all your encouragement and support! Follow her on Instagram @lisiwrites.

Lisi's books include:

PAINTING THE MAPLE TREE - WWII ROMANTIC FICTION
STRANDED SERANDE - WWII FICTION
BEYOND HER SHORES - CUBAN HISTORICAL FICTION - COMING 2026

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a pleasant surprise Stranded Serenade was. When I read the synopsis, it felt like the story was loosely based on Glenn Miller, a favorite of my parents. The main character, George Alton, is a popular big band swing musician who is rejected when he tries to enlist after the attack on Pearl Harbor, due to his poor eyesight. He goes on to be part of the U.S. Army as an entertainer, performing for the troops in England.

This is only the second book by Lisi Lopez, and I am impressed by how well-written it is. (The editing is excellent as well.) The pacing of the story is perfect, with well-developed characters. The inclusion of the Edelweiss Pirates was an unexpected development, but it made sense with their connection to American music. This book is more than the standard war story of Nazis vs Allies. The characters struggle with the consequences of their choices, and there are a few surprising twists too. (I have only one small issue. Transatlantic crossings before the development of passenger jets were considerably longer and more difficult than indicated in the story. I know because my first flight across the Atlantic was in 1957 on a Pan Am propeller plane. It must have been even longer during the war. I guess there aren't too many readers who would even notice.) If you're looking for something a bit different to read, I hope you'll give Stranded Serenade a try. I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the swing music references that I remember my parents dancing to on the veranda. This is an author to watch.

[Claire Lyczkowski]

This book was something truly special. As someone who loves swing jazz and Glenn Miller—and who could feel the inspiration drawn from that era—this story resonated with me on a level I didn’t expect. It captures not just the sound of that music, but the spirit of it: hopeful, defiant, and full of life even when the world is falling apart. George is a fantastic main character. His pain, his grief, the ache of not knowing—it’s all so palpable that it lingers long after you close the book. The love story woven through the narrative is sweet, funny, and deeply human, a bright thread of connection even in the face of war. One of my favorite elements was the idea that music and joy can be used as a weapon against darkness. That art doesn’t exist apart from grief, but can rise up in spite of it—maybe even because of it. This book reminds us that sometimes the only way forward is to keep moving, even when you’re not sure where the road leads. It’s a celebration of life, of choosing light when everything feels unbearably heavy. If I had one critique, it’s that a few parts felt a little rushed. I would have loved to see more development around the Edelweiss Pirates, because that thread had so much potential and historical richness. Still, even with that, this story has earned a place among my favorite reads of the year.
A moving, musical triumph—and a reminder that courage can sound like a trumpet solo in the night.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stranded in Nazi Germany with nothing but his trumpet, George Alton proves that music can be as powerful as any weapon. 🎺 This story hooked me from page one—equal parts danger, romance, and resilience, all set against the crumbling backdrop of WW2 Europe. When George crashes behind enemy lines and is hidden by a tavern-keeper, every page pulses with tension: Who can he trust? His world shifts again when he’s pulled into the Resistance, where silence is no longer an option and every choice feels like a gamble. One of my favorite lines—“We all have demons living inside of us. It doesn’t make us bad people. What decides that is how we deal with those demons.”—captures the heart of George’s journey. The romance that blossoms between George and a young German woman felt tender yet risky—exactly what a wartime love story should be. It’s historical fiction that sings, reminding you that even in chaos, art and love endure. Thank you Lisi for the ARC—this book deserves its own standing ovation.

[Beth Stromberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! The author gives such beautiful descriptions, that you can hear the music, smell the flowers, and feel the fear. The book takes you on a journey, with George Alton, an up and coming swing trumpet player,from New York to Nazi Germany, where he meets Johann and Anneliese, who help him along the way.The characters are very well developed , to the point that it feels as if you actually know them.
The story is beautifully written,and makes you , care about the characters. The plot flows smoothly,as George goes on his journey from glittering stages to hiding in Germany. It is filled with love, loyalty, bravery and fear. As the story develops, so does George. This is definitely a book not to be missed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Meg Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was such a delight to read. It's based on the story of Glenn Miller, who was a big band leader and whom I actually love. I was intrigued right from the beginning. The story is beautifully written, very engaging and definitely captured my heart. I love George's dedication to his men and his country. Despite having to be in hiding, he never forgot who he was and found ways to act on his beliefs. There is some prominent grief in the book, which is portrayed in a very genuine way in my opinion. And the love story is so sweet and such a pleasure to read. Overall, this is such a wonderful and engaging read!